After reading this article, I'm really not at all surprised that this past January was the warmest on record. After all, you'd have to be living under a rock not to hear of global warming, especially now that it's become such a colloquially "hot topic" within the media and politics, and even as a standard water-cooler conversation subject. Our carbon emissions result in the anthropogenic greenhouse effect, whereby CO2 emissions gradually cause the Earth's temperature to rise. The article illustrates what, in my opinion, is proof that the greenhouse effect and global warming are not "socialist, money-sucking" myths, as some will claim.
Now, I'm obviously biased in this assessment. After all, I'm anything but an expert on the subject, and scientific opinion concerning climate change is as varied of a topic as one is likely to find, with many researchers pointing in different directions in terms of the culprit of this epidemic. Wikipedia demonstrates sundry opinions on the topic here, with many scientific authorities artfully shirking the blame to other events and processes. Nevertheless, it's tricky to deny the hard, fast evidence of what is provided: global warming has been linear to the historic release of CO2, which, as I see it, is undeniable proof that global warming is a man-made problem. As such, a man-made solution is, at this point, essential.
Once the true cause has been (commonly, if not universally) identified, treatment of the problem can effectively begin. Pro-green measures need to be taken in order to guarantee the health and sustainability of our planet for future generations. The Kyoto Protocol represents one oft-talked about solution to this problem, and many nations, like Canada, are speaking about home-grown remedies to the subject that best suit their own economic and social priorities. Ultimately, as the issue becomes more relevant, as temperature increases in years to come will become markedly uncomfortable to ignore, nations are going to have to put pro-environmental solutions on the fast-track to success. While the economy of any country is a widely valued resource, ultimately, the environment needs to take first priority. I can't see too many doing this until the issue has escalated, which, given the sheltering of part of the Western world (ie. the United States) from the weather concerns raised in the aforementioned article, might take some time indeed.
The NOAA is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, an agency devoted to the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere. Threatening weather and marine resources are two highly important topics to the NOAA.
The Goldilocks effect is an analogy (obviously referring to the namesake fable) that outlines the fact that greenhouse gas conditions on Earth need to be "just right" in order to sustain life. The benchmarks for comparison are Venus and Mars, two planets that don't maintain living organisms because they contain the improper proportion of greenhouse gases; Venus has too high of a level of greenhouse gases, while, on the other end of the spectrum, Mars has too low. Earth is the happy medium, achieving the "just right" levels for life to be properly sustained.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Friday, February 9, 2007
Incentives and Rebates
To combat the problem of over-consumption of our natural resources, the government of Canada has introduced several incentives intended to minimize the unnecessary use of many available commodities. These incentives differ in availability depending on one’s province and city, but can go a long way to provide the necessary motivation to compel Canadians into acting in a very "green" manner.
One of these incentives is the Hawkesbury Hydro ENERGY STAR® rebate. Its intent is to provide a rebate on the purchases of all appliances with the ENERGY STAR trademark, guaranteeing that they are more environmentally-friendly than many of the alternatives. The amount of the rebate and the dollar cap depends on what sort of appliance is being bought, though, fortunately, consumers can gain additional rebates for purchasing multiple products.
I feel that this incentive is particularly effective because one of the most powerful tools in compelling an individual into doing something is money, and this incentive utilizes the power of a dollar in rewarding consumers for purchasing environmentally-friendly appliances. Consumers receive a direct rebate for purchasing the product, and, at the same time, contribute to fighting over-consumption of resources. The value of these rebates is notably high, ensuring that a significant return is ensured to all participating participants.
Another such incentive is the Summer Savings 10/10 program. This program, though difficult for consumers to measure and achieve, provides an additional 10% rebate for consumers willing to cut their energy consumption by 10%. This means that, not only will customers be receiving the deduction on their energy bill for consuming less, but the hydro company will reduce the bill by an additional 10%.
Considering the continually escalating prices of energy bills, especially during months like the summer when the air conditioning in many residences is cranked to ridiculous extremes, many customers stand to receive considerable returns. I feel that this program is effective for the sheer reason that consumers are rewarded for reducing the amount of their energy consumption, not only extending the life expectancy of their appliances, but helping the environment at the same time.
The Retail Sales Tax Rebate for Wind, Micro Hydro-Electric and Geothermal Energy Systems for Residential Premises is an incentive targeted to consumers purchasing or upgrading their energy systems, whether related to wind, hydroelectric, or geothermal power. All customers choosing to align their home with these energy sources stand to receive an 8% PST refund.
I like this program because there is considerable gain to be found in the conversion to more energy-efficient systems. The rebate with this program is not grounded in the price of the product alone, but, rather, the consumer’s general taxes. This way, coming from the consumer’s perspective, the incentive doesn’t just help finance the system itself, but, rather, it helps cover the consumer’s other taxables. This way, it simply seems like there is a greater gain to be found, which is why I believe this program is effective.
Finally, the Hot Savings Rebate grants varying rebates based on the installation of different energy-efficient appliances and systems. One can install a new furnace, programmable thermostat, or an air-conditioning system, and, so long as the product qualifies as energy-efficient based on the incentive’s outlines, one will receive a rebate of either $100, $75, or $500.
This particular program is effective for the reason that it stands to present consumers with money for the installation of appliances that can help the environment. The qualifying products reduce unnecessary energy consumption. Whether or not the consumer is actually interested in helping the environment, he or she can do so in exchange for reduced costs on the appliances themselves.
I like these four programs for the reason that they use the power of the dollar to motivate consumers into battling over-consumption of our natural resources. They provide a direct incentive that would easily motivate Canadians into taking a greater interest in the quality of their environment. So long as these options receive considerable marketing, they will likely succeed in attracting the attention of Canadians eager to save a buck.
One of these incentives is the Hawkesbury Hydro ENERGY STAR® rebate. Its intent is to provide a rebate on the purchases of all appliances with the ENERGY STAR trademark, guaranteeing that they are more environmentally-friendly than many of the alternatives. The amount of the rebate and the dollar cap depends on what sort of appliance is being bought, though, fortunately, consumers can gain additional rebates for purchasing multiple products.
I feel that this incentive is particularly effective because one of the most powerful tools in compelling an individual into doing something is money, and this incentive utilizes the power of a dollar in rewarding consumers for purchasing environmentally-friendly appliances. Consumers receive a direct rebate for purchasing the product, and, at the same time, contribute to fighting over-consumption of resources. The value of these rebates is notably high, ensuring that a significant return is ensured to all participating participants.
Another such incentive is the Summer Savings 10/10 program. This program, though difficult for consumers to measure and achieve, provides an additional 10% rebate for consumers willing to cut their energy consumption by 10%. This means that, not only will customers be receiving the deduction on their energy bill for consuming less, but the hydro company will reduce the bill by an additional 10%.
Considering the continually escalating prices of energy bills, especially during months like the summer when the air conditioning in many residences is cranked to ridiculous extremes, many customers stand to receive considerable returns. I feel that this program is effective for the sheer reason that consumers are rewarded for reducing the amount of their energy consumption, not only extending the life expectancy of their appliances, but helping the environment at the same time.
The Retail Sales Tax Rebate for Wind, Micro Hydro-Electric and Geothermal Energy Systems for Residential Premises is an incentive targeted to consumers purchasing or upgrading their energy systems, whether related to wind, hydroelectric, or geothermal power. All customers choosing to align their home with these energy sources stand to receive an 8% PST refund.
I like this program because there is considerable gain to be found in the conversion to more energy-efficient systems. The rebate with this program is not grounded in the price of the product alone, but, rather, the consumer’s general taxes. This way, coming from the consumer’s perspective, the incentive doesn’t just help finance the system itself, but, rather, it helps cover the consumer’s other taxables. This way, it simply seems like there is a greater gain to be found, which is why I believe this program is effective.
Finally, the Hot Savings Rebate grants varying rebates based on the installation of different energy-efficient appliances and systems. One can install a new furnace, programmable thermostat, or an air-conditioning system, and, so long as the product qualifies as energy-efficient based on the incentive’s outlines, one will receive a rebate of either $100, $75, or $500.
This particular program is effective for the reason that it stands to present consumers with money for the installation of appliances that can help the environment. The qualifying products reduce unnecessary energy consumption. Whether or not the consumer is actually interested in helping the environment, he or she can do so in exchange for reduced costs on the appliances themselves.
I like these four programs for the reason that they use the power of the dollar to motivate consumers into battling over-consumption of our natural resources. They provide a direct incentive that would easily motivate Canadians into taking a greater interest in the quality of their environment. So long as these options receive considerable marketing, they will likely succeed in attracting the attention of Canadians eager to save a buck.
Monday, February 5, 2007
The reason I'm taking this course . . .
The main reason I chose to take Environment and Resource Management is for my interest in the topic. Personally, I could see myself somewhere down the road pursuing a career directly tied to the course content. I’ve been considering chasing after a degree in Law for some time, and a specialty in Environmental Law greatly appeals to me. As I was choosing my courses last spring, any class linked to geography or geology and whatnot appeal to me, and Environment and Resource Management was no exception.
I hope to learn something more about the environment through this class. I would like to explore the course content from both a social and political perspective, learning how the issue directly impacts people as well as governments on a whole. Examining the topic from the viewpoint of a social scientist as opposed to, say, that of a biologist appeals to me as well, as I think there is so much that can be garnered from the subject when contrasted and compared to real life issues.
After passing references in various other classes, I’m especially interested in the content of the Kyoto Protocol. Between Challenge and Change and Law, I’ve begun to really delve into what carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions really signify, and exactly how they impact our lives. If I had to name a concern, I would definitely reference Kyoto, saying how it will impact the looming threat of global warming.
I hope to learn something more about the environment through this class. I would like to explore the course content from both a social and political perspective, learning how the issue directly impacts people as well as governments on a whole. Examining the topic from the viewpoint of a social scientist as opposed to, say, that of a biologist appeals to me as well, as I think there is so much that can be garnered from the subject when contrasted and compared to real life issues.
After passing references in various other classes, I’m especially interested in the content of the Kyoto Protocol. Between Challenge and Change and Law, I’ve begun to really delve into what carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions really signify, and exactly how they impact our lives. If I had to name a concern, I would definitely reference Kyoto, saying how it will impact the looming threat of global warming.
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