- 11 reads
Climate Change: On September 4, 2019, CNN ran seven hours of Climate Change Town Hall programming with ten of the Democratic Presidential Candidates, focused on the Climate Crisis. The intentions of the candidates are admirable, but their lack of knowledge on the details of cost-effective solutions is apparent based on their repeated focus on solar, wind, and electric cars over energy efficiency measures for commercial buildings. Saving electricity for existing buildings is much more cost-effective than trying to make electricity through renewable power. Key points not covered by the candidates included:
- America uses 25% of the world’s energy with less than 5% of the population.
- Buildings account for 40% of America's energy use.
- Air Conditioning and Lighting typically use over half of a building’s energy (Over 25% each for AC and lighting)
- The private sector has financing in place, so that building owners pay ZERO upfront and there is ZERO cost to taxpayers - a Win/Win with a cooler planet as a result.
Here is the “Score Card” from all 10 candidates and the 60,748 words in the combined transcripts from their CNN Climate Change Town Hall appearances:
- Wind power references: 42
- Solar power references: 37
- Light bulbs (for homes) references: 16
- Electric Cars references: 14
Here is what the candidates should have referenced, but failed to do so, given that they had long format segments vs the shorter debate “sound bites” time limits:
- Commercial Lighting references: 0
- Commercial Air Conditioning and/or HVAC references: 0
- Indoor or Vertical Farming references: 0
- Waste to Fuel (e.g. Hyrothermal Carbonization) references: 0
While some candidates spoke generally about building efficiency, they only scratched the surface rather than giving examples and reinforcing the fact that proven technology is at hand to take a massive bite out of American energy consumption and create millions of jobs along the way.
Here is key information on four cost-effective and proven clean technologies that the candidates and elected officials across the US need to know about to help guide America toward PRACTICAL sustainability and job creation:
#1: Climate Change Solution - Commercial Light-emitting Diode (LED) Lighting
Savings Potential: 50% or more energy savings over traditional lighting
Climate Change Highlights: Lighting is the “low hanging” fruit of energy savings, and it is typically the second largest consumer of electricity in buildings, accounting for over 20% of kilowatt use. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are proven to save over half of the operating cost and last more than five times as long as traditional lights. With over 3 billion square feet of federal real estate, the savings is over $1 billion per year, not to mention the other 87 billion square feet of private sector non-residential real estate.
Climate Change Return on Investment (ROI): Payback in 2 years or less
Climate Change Sample Applications: Hospitals, Hotels, Office Buildings, Data Centers, Shopping Malls, etc.
Website for more information: Made in USA LED Lighting + Sample LED Lighting Case Studies
#2: Climate Change Solution - Commercial Air Conditioning Optimization
Savings Potential: 15% to 40% energy savings for central cooling systems
Climate Change Highlights: Air Conditioning (AC) is typically the largest consumer of electricity in buildings, accounting for over 30% of kilowatt use. AC optimization focuses on “tuning” air conditioning systems through advanced algorithm, without changing any of the cooling equipment, without impacting thermostat settings, and without generating any downtime or upfront costs.
Climate Change Return on Investment (ROI): Payback in 2 years or less
Climate Change Sample Applications: Hospitals, Hotels, Office Buildings, Data Centers, Shopping Malls, etc.
Website for more information: Air Conditioning Optimization (with Download to One Page Data Sheet)
Sample market traction: Energy Saving AC Case Studies
#3: Climate Change Solution - Indoor Farming - Controlled Environment Agriculture
Savings Potential: 90% less water and 30% energy savings over traditional food production
Highlights: Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) “Indoor Farming” is now economically viable due to the efficiency of LED Grow Lights. Indoor Farming reduces transportation costs of moving vegetables from Farm to Table, increases health with pesticide-free production, and increases flavor and nutrition. Fresh local produce is the Future of Food.
Climate Change Return on Investment (ROI): Payback in 2 years or less
Climate Change Sample Applications: Conversion of vacant commercial and industrial properties as well as new greenhouse construction.
Website for more information: LED Grow Lights
Bonus: K-12 Schools are increasingly focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education. Sample STEM Education - See the content for classroom programs starting on page #55 with sample curriculum.
#4: Waste to Fuel - Hydrothermal Carbonization
Savings Potential: The US could reduce 10% or more of its dependency on fossil fuels.
Climate Change Highlights: Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) cost-effectively converts bio waste, such as food and human waste, into electricity for buildings, fertilizer for agriculture, and hydrogen for next-generation transportation. The HTC reactors use heat (approx 200° C “pizza oven” heat at 400° F) and pressure (approx 20,000 pascals “scuba tank” pressure 3,000 lbs/sq in) to create hydrochar within an hour, while the earth has taken over 100 million years to create fossil fuels. The HTC reactors are approximately the size of 40 ft shipping containers.
Climate Change Return on Investment (ROI): Payback in 3 years or less
Climate Change Sample Applications: Municipalities, University Campuses, Office Parks, Shopping Malls, etc.
Website for more information: Waste to Fuel
Support Information
Here is the link to the presentation file from Charlie Szoradi, CEO of Independence LED Lighting and the Energy Intelligence Center. He was invited by the Council of State Governments (CSG) to speak at the Easter Regional Conference on July 29, 2019. Contact: Charlie Szoradi 610-551-5224 or Charlie@IndependenceLED.com
Presentation slide show:
The presentation was specifically for CSG’s Energy and Environment Committee, and here is the link to the 12 minute video of the presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqSuqHQbfBM&feature=youtu.be
CNN Climate Change Town Hall – Transcripts
For your convenience here is the beginning of the transcript, and click here for the full Climate Change transcripts for all 10 Democratic Presidential Candidates, who participated in the CNN Climate Change Town Hall
CNN LIVE EVENT/SPECIAL
Climate Crisis Town Hall with Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), Presidential Candidate. Aired 6:20-7p ET
Aired September 4, 2019 - 18:20 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[18:20:00]
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
ERIN BURNETT, CNN HOST: Good evening, and welcome back to this night of CNN presidential town halls.
We are live from New York. And I'm Erin Burnett.
Voters here tonight are asking the top 10 Democratic presidential candidates about the climate crisis.
Scientists tell us we have only 11 years -- so that's until 2030 -- to cut global pollution by half if we want to avoid the very worst consequences of the climate emergency. Think bigger fires in the West or deadlier heat waves, supercharged storms like the one we have seen now, Hurricane Dorian, which is hovering off the coast of the Carolinas as I speak.
We're going to hear from Senator Amy Klobuchar and former Vice President Joe Biden coming up.
But joining me now to answer your questions, please welcome Senator Kamala Harris of California.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
BURNETT: Hi. So nice to see you. So nice to see you.
SEN. KAMALA HARRIS (D-CA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Thank you.
BURNETT: And please sit down.
HARRIS: Hi, everybody. Hello. Hello.
(APPLAUSE)
BURNETT: So, if you become president on day one, Senator Harris, do you declare a national emergency on the climate?
HARRIS: Well, I certainly would declare an emergency -- a drinking water emergency.
And, if you don't mind, I'm just going to stand. And, also, I think it's critically important that we immediately on
day one get back in the Paris agreement. I think it's important that, on day one, we immediately ratify the Kigali agreement in terms of the Montreal Protocol and that amendment.
And I think it's critically important, on day one, that we end any fossil fuel leases on public lands. And, that, I'm prepared to do on day one as a matter of executive action.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
BURNETT: So I want to go to the audience right away.
Mychal Estrada's from Deerfield Beach, Florida. He works for the environmental group called Green for All, which was co-founded by our own van Jones, Senator.
Mychal, what's your question?
MYCHAL ESTRADA, ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST: Good evening, Senator Harris.
HARRIS: Hi, Mychal.
ESTRADA: We know moving towards a green economy for all is critical for our planet.
HARRIS: Yes.
ESTRADA: As we make the transition from dirty diesel and coal, our industry workers, many of whom voted for Donald Trump in the last election, may fear losing their jobs, benefits and ability to provide for their families.
HARRIS: Yes.
ESTRADA: How will you work across the aisle to support all workers and build trust with Republican constituents dependent on a fossil fuel economy?
HARRIS: Yes, I mean, here's the thing, Mychal.
I think that, first of all, let me just tell you, I think about this issue through the lens of my baby nieces, who are 1.5 and 3 years old. And when I look at those babies, and I think about what the world will be like in 20 years if we don't act, I'm really afraid.
And as it relates to those Republicans in Congress, where I have now been for two-and-a-half years, every one of those members needs to look at the babies, the grandbabies in their life, and then look in the mirror and ask themselves, why have they failed to act?
Because, on the issue of this climate crisis, I'm going to tell you, I strongly believe this is a fight against powerful interests. And leaders need to lead.
So, lead, follow, or get out the way, and get out the way starting with Donald Trump.
(APPLAUSE)
More: Click here for the full Climate Change transcripts for all 10 Democratic Presidential Candidates, who participated in the CNN Climate Change Town Hall
