Get Ready For Huge Reversals in Energy and Climate Change Policies

by BWISC

One overlooked election tidbit: GOP gains in state legislatures (and governors’ offices) will throw a major wrench into efforts to slow climate change. What follows is an explanation on why and how.

Basically, it’s all about buildings. The energy used to power commercial and residential buildings is responsible for 38 percent of the nation’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions – emissions that worsen climate change.

Rulemaking is not sexy, but in this case, the rules behind how buildings are designed and run have a huge impact on climate change. And this is why, if you care about the environment, there is about to be a very big problem.

continued at Daily Kos....

The BEST investment

by A Siegel

Very simply, across the economy, energy efficiency is almost certainly the top investment option -- as individuals, businesses, communities, government ... The rate of return possibilities are tremendous and unlike gambles to grow business or play the stock market, this is 'guaranteed' cash in the bank.

And, it is 'cash in the bank' in terms of cost savings. It is 'cash in the bank' in terms of job creation. It is 'cash in the bank' due to improved resiliency in the face of (manmade or natural) disaster. It is 'cash in the bank' due to reduced pollution impacts and reduced GHG emissions. It is 'cash in the bank' many times over in many different ways.

Sadly, too many people buy into the concept that we need some great invention to do anything meaningful on climate change.

Sadly, too many people falsely believe that there is some great unaffordable cost to Energy Smart practices.

We need to push those false notions aside to enable transformational opportunities toward a prosperous, climate-friendly future.

continued at Daily Kos....