EV Founder Joanna Underwood delivers her talk on climate change at the Osborn retirement home in Rye, NY.
Both government and the private sector must bend every effort to meet the US commitment to slash emissions of the potent greenhouse gas, methane, at least 30% by 2030, as enshrined in the Global Methane Pledge.
We are proud at Energy Vision to have analyzed just what industry action and technologies are needed to get us there in our report, Meeting the Methane Challenge, which we presented at our Sept 20th briefing for Congress (see p. 1). And we are offering industry sectors, such as the wastewater sector, guidance on how to cut their methane emissions (see p. 3).
Millions of Americans must both better understand the climate crisis and be in a position to vote for public leaders who will promote solutions. In addition to our outreach to Congress and widely publicizing the findings of our research in the press, Energy Vision is reaching out to an audience that’s often ignored but of real importance – our senior citizens.
This month, I spoke at the Osborn retirement home of 600 in Rye, New York on “Climate Change: What is it about and what can you do?” Seniors have seen many changes in their world with a population that has risen from just 2.5 billion when most of them were young to over 8 billion today, and many are concerned about the world they are leaving their children and grandchildren.
At my talk, one retired lawyer in his 90s posed probing questions and then said, “The climate crisis is clearly the greatest threat to our world. It will impact my children and grandchildren, and I want to be sure they get involved – including in voting for political leaders who will take action.” One queried, “Yes, but will it really matter if our country takes action if other countries like Russia and China don’t?” My response, to which many nodded in agreement, was “Absolutely. While we may not be able to get other countries to act, we must act on our own values which can set an example – one that will inspire others.”
The retired population of our country is over 60 million – 17% of all Americans, a proportion that is rising. They are also the largest segment of the voting population; 71% vote. And we have a positive message for them. We are seeing major growth in one of the clean energy industries that can do most to help us win the battle against methane: the “anaerobic digester” industry. These facilities trap the methane emitted by decomposing organic wastes and can refine it into a clean fuel: renewable natural gas (RNG). RNG can displace fossil fuels, especially the use of toxic diesel fuel in heavy-duty transport, and it’s affordable and scalable NOW.
We thank our members for the support that is enabling Energy Vision to extend its outreach at a time when climate action is an urgent priority – and an exciting opportunity to build the millions of jobs our sustainable energy economy will need.
