January 27, 2020

The impact of Climate Change on our environment is ever-present. Recently, a trillion-ton piece of ice roughly the size of Delaware broke off of Antarctica. This event, along with many other scientifically researched metrics, demonstrate that our world has reached a tipping point and we must make fundamental policy changes or our planet may not be able to recover.

It is apparent that the current administration does not support policy aimed at mitigating Climate Change, including the Obama era Clean Power Plan (CPP). Instead of supporting innovation and renewable energy which would benefit America’s environment, public health, and economy, the current administration is focused on trying to revive the coal industry. This is unfortunate because not only would the CPP be beneficial to the environment, this policy also has the potential to create over 560,000 jobs nationally and add $52 billion to the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030 according to a recent study conducted by the environmental organization. The CPP could create roughly 5,700 jobs in Colorado alone!

Although it is troubling that at a federal level, this country’s policies do not reflect many of our environmental priorities, it is reassuring that we have local leaders who are active in creating their own environmental protection plans.

For example, over 200 mayors and 10 governors across the country—including Colorado’s Gov. Hickenlooper—have vowed to adopt their own climate action plans despite Trump’s dismissal of the international Paris Climate Agreement back in June.

Here in Carbondale, we have been working on our own transition to clean energy. Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER) partnered with Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) and the Town of Carbondale to create Carbondale2020 – a set of target goals for Carbondale to reach by the year 2020 including:

• Increase energy efficiency by 20% by 2020
• Reduce petroleum consumption 25% by 2020
• Obtain 35% of energy from renewable sources by 2020

Even more recently, the Town of Carbondale has pledged to become 100% carbon neutral by 2050.

We only have one planet, and we have to make its protection a priority. Climate Change threatens our health, our economy, and our national security. Because of the lack of support on a federal level, it is more important than ever for all of us to make changes on an individual level.

If you want to take a step towards slowing Climate Change, call one of our Solar Consultants to discuss going solar at (970) 963-1420.

If you already have a solar photovoltaic system and you want to make sure you are getting the optimal performance from your equipment, call our Service Department at (970) 963-1420 or email Service@SunsenseSolar.com

Finally, if you know of anyone who you think would like to go solar, fill out our Referral form. If the referral leads to a signed contract, you will receive $250! It pays to go solar!