Author: Dolores Jamison

The Roar of the Monarchs

Posted onAuthorDolores Jamison

Bill Toone, founder of EcoLife Conservation, is in a race to save the Monarch Butterfly. While they face many challenges to their survival, the most significant one they face, according to Toone, is climate change. Monarchs feed exclusively on milkweed plants, of which there are many species. Until recently, many Monarch fans and supporters planted tropical, non-native milkweed plants, which can undermine the health of Monarchs. Monarchs are known to select plants with higher levels of toxicity (such as the tropical milkweed) because it gives them more protection from predators. According to Toone, a good strategy is to plant just Read More …

Global Sustainability Researcher Owen Gaffney Warns of Tipping Point Risks

Posted onAuthorDolores Jamison

Scientist Owen Gaffney, who has worked for several decades on global sustainability and systems science, discussed recent research on planetary boundaries, and the distressing fact that humans have transgressed no less than six of the nine established boundaries. According to Gaffney, who also co-authored the new book “Earth for All,” and served as an associate producer of the Netflix documentary, “Breaking Boundaries: The Science of our Planet,” this research was recently published in the journal, Science. Previous research led by scientist Johan Rockstrom established key boundaries related to water use, pollution, ozone levels, climate change, biodiversity and other important variables Read More …

Making Buildings Smarter, Greener, & Healthier

Posted onAuthorDolores Jamison

Since its founding some seven years ago, BlocPower has completed about 1200 energy efficiency and electrification projects for municipalities, utilities, and property owners. The clean tech company founded by Donnel Baird in 2014 was recently named the fourth most innovative company by Fast Company for its decarbonization platform to green existing commercial and residential buildings in the U.S. According to BlocPower COO Jon Moeller, BlocPower’s unique platform often focuses on low and middle income areas, providing an important financial as well as environmental and health benefits to property owners and residents. With BlocPower’s electrification efforts, Moeller says they are “Trying Read More …

Smokescreen: Debunking Wildfire Myths Sheds Light on Wildfires in the Age of Climate Change

Posted onAuthorDolores Jamison

Do you think more tree cutting in our forests is needed to reduce wildfires in the West? If so, you are mistaken. You might want hear more about the real dynamics behind our recent wildfires as explained by forestry scientist Chad Hanson in his recent book, Smokescreen: Debunking Wildfire Myths (May 2021). Hansen, who presented the findings in his book recently to a North County Climate Change Alliance (NCCCA) audience via Zoom, said that contrary to what many think, some of the worst wildfires of the last few years—including the devastating Camp and Caldor fires—have occurred in heavily logged areas. Read More …