AWESome EarthKind

Quantum Quote:"Humanity is the immune system of the planet - we're the only creatures that can adapt to almost every type of environment on this planet and make it healthier."

Dwayne Norris and Alex Alvarez are the founders of Soulful Synergy, LLC, a full service, minority-owned, socially conscious consulting company that takes a multifaceted approach to sustainability, workforce, and community development. Their goal is to empower people, organizations, and communities to thrive, by connecting them to opportunities that maximize the resources available to them.

In this episode, we build on the story of how 3.4 million Americans are currently working in clean energy jobs and look at the intersection of clean energy, environmental and economic justice, and job training with a specific focus on connecting the people who most need work with the work that most needs to be done, and fight pollution and poverty at the same time.

Sign up for the AWESome EarthKind™ Clean Energy Master Class to discover 3 simple actions you can take to start saving money and make the world a better place – without having to learn complex technology

Supernova 1: "Clean energy is going to be one of the biggest transfers of wealth that we've ever seen. This is a great chance for communities that have been left behind to get back into things and create healthy, sustaining neighborhoods."

Supernova 2: "I never let my schooling interfere with my education. Always keep learning, keep striving to better understand what's happening and how you can play a role."

Supernova 3: "Clean energy can connect the people who most need work with the work that most needs to be done - and fight pollution and poverty at the same time."

Supernova 4: "To see the change that we want to see in the world, we need to help individuals be the best versions of themselves with the training that will get them good jobs."

Learn how activists have been leading the charge for transformational change across the country, and what you can do to get involved!: www.activateyourcommunity.eventbrite.com

Contact: https://soulfulsynergy.org/ [email protected]

Are you a homeowner looking for ways to be environmentally friendly and at the same time save money on your heat, electricity, and transportation? Do you want to be inspired by other people's renewable energy journey?

Listen in to this episode and get energized.

Russell Urban-Mead is a senior Hydrogeologist at the Chazen Companies who specializes in groundwater supply, remediation, and natural resource management projects for Towns, brownfield site owners, stream and shoreline sites, and urban redevelopment centers.

In this episode, Russell shares how he made his 200+-year-old Hudson Valley NY home 99% fossil fuel free by applying his scientific skills, patience, and elbow grease. Russell first applied inexpensive energy efficiency measures to reduce his family's energy consumption. Today, Solar Photovoltaic energy supplies his family's electricity, powers a geothermal heat pump for all their heating and cooling – and reduces the other 1/3 of their greenhouse gases with a 2-year-old electric car (that they purchased for the price of a Honda Civic.)

All at the daily electrical equivalent cost of less than $2 a day.

Quantum Quote: "I was fascinated with the idea of energy efficiency. In pompous words, I'm a fiscal conservative, I love saving energy and I like smart investments in energy. I care a lot for the environment." - Russell Urban-Mead

Sign up for the AWESome EarthKind™ Clean Energy Master Class to discover 3 simple actions you can take to start saving money and make the world a better place – without having to learn complex technology

Supernova 1: "The most, most effective energy solution is not to need it. Efficiency and conservation are your first tools. Work your consumption down to kind of a bare minimum."- Russell Urban-Mead

Supernova 2: "It's useful to understand what the energy conservation value is. This past summer, we've had some very hot days. The energy equivalent cost of the air conditioning to cool the house was about 75 cents a day . So geo is just unbelievably efficient." - Russell Urban-Mead

Supernova 3: "I'm always conscious that I would like a technology to have been around long enough that when it needs servicing, there's somebody to call. I don't want to be the first one on the block. But I'm happy to be among the first 10" - Russell Urban-Mead

Contact: Russell is a volunteer coordinator for a monthly water resource speaker series for the Hudson River Watershed Alliance. Anyone interested in attending these talks can contact HRWA or email Russell at [email protected]

Quantum Quote: Margaret Mead "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

"With the greatest crises come the greatest opportunities. It's hard not to see what we can't accomplish as a state, a country, and globally to put ourselves back on a track and define what clean energy development can be."

Today, we hear how Ethan Blumenthal, a young entrepreneur just a few years out of law school, created Good Solar as a new way to provide low-cost community solar to nonprofit organizations, as well as low and moderate-income communities in North Carolina.

Discover how North Carolina became the number two state for solar installations in the United States and how Ethan sees the current economic, environmental and social crisis as an unprecedented opportunity for the clean energy transformations we all want and so clearly need.

Sign up for the AWESome EarthKind™ Clean Energy Master Class to discover 3 simple actions you can take to start saving money and make the world a better place - without having to learn complex technology

Supernova 1: North Carolina is second only to California in the amount of installed solar. NC is also the second biggest financial hub in the US.

Supernova 2: Everyone has solar opportunities, no matter where they live, or what their utility structure is like. While many states, like New York, have deregulated electricity supply, NC and other states have "vertically-integrated" utilities who generate, transmit and distribute their electricity.

Supernova 3: Non-Profit organizations and governments can partner with for-profit companies to leverage capital, gain solar investment tax advantages – and provide solar to low and moderate income communities.

Supernova 4: Look local to find success. Find a non-profit advocacy or work organization. Provide written testimony or speak to your government leaders.

Supernova 5: Seek out and find a mentor – don't wait for one to find you.

Supernova 6: The value of participation cannot be underestimated. There is always a way to have your voice heard. Reach out to your city council, county commission, local leaders, state legislators and governor. Let your voice be heard, whether you testify in person or submit written comments.

Supernova 7: Change always takes a tremendously long time, much longer than you expect. Then, when it happens, it's always faster than you ever thought possible.

Internet Resource: DSIRE - Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency https://www.dsireusa.org/

Book Recommendation: Lighting the World: Transforming Our Energy Future by Bringing Electricity to Everyone by James E. Rogers, Jr. and Stephen P. Williams

Contact: [email protected] /goodsolarusa.org

Quantum Quote: "When we talk about people who are concerned about the environment and look at the macro scale of what's happening in the world, it can really make you a little bit crazy. The only way to really deal with that is to start within, make your own small impact, and know that you've done your part."

Today, we explore how one family made the transition in their single-family home in a suburb just outside of New York City.

Sung Pak is an American immigrant success story. Sung is a renowned functional neural mechanic specialist, better known as a brain trainer. He trains the brain to create movement efficiency and control pain, helping people with neurological illnesses like Parkinson's improve their lives and training athletes to achieve peak performance.

Sung's resiliency philosophy extends to his family's efforts to have an impact on climate change by starting at home. Sung shares his family story about why they move to solar electricity and geothermal heating and cooling and how they saved money doing it.

Sign up for the AWESome EarthKind™ Clean Energy Master Class to discover 3 simple actions you can take to start saving money and make the world a better place - without having to learn complex technology

Supernova 1: Even a family living on a small property in a New York City Suburb can get solar and geothermal to dramatically reduce their environmental impact and save money.

Supernova 2: Question authority. Ask around. Do your own research and due diligence. Check references. Get multiple bids & compare companies.

Supernova 3: The human brain can rewire and repair itself more than we ever imagined. People can train their brain to create movement efficiency and control pain. Those with neurological illnesses like Parkinson's can improve their lives, and athletes can achieve achieve peak performance.

Supernova 4: Sung's aha moment is "…the fact that yes, we made the right decision. The only way to really do it to start within. We are doing everything we can to minimize the impact. I feel like my wife and I have done it, we're still doing it, and we're setting an example for our children"

Supernova 5: When the screw doesn't loosen - tighten it, and it will come loose. If somebody doesn't want to cooperate, instead of trying to convince them, go along with them. Then they'll loosen and soften their tone.

Supernova 6: "Polish the stone" - Always fine-tune your skills and strive to improve.

Book Recommendation: The Brain that Changes Itself, Norman Doidge, MD

Lighter Side: Any David Sedaris book

Contact: https://mybodymechanics.com/

Quantum Quote: "We have the technologies that we need. The challenge is on the human side. We have to have the political will. That's often harder than the technological side or the financing.

Do you want to move to clean energy & save money? Would you like a fine wine that is resilient, organic, and helps fight climate change?

Regenerative agriculture with organic farming can provide our food supplies with greater resiliency against extreme weather events - and draw carbon down out of the atmosphere.

Today, solar and wind can supply low cost clean power for all our daily needs. Susanne's 7th generation family farm produces fine wines using solar electricity, geothermal heating & cooling, and electric car chargers.

Sign up for the AWESome EarthKind™ Clean Energy Master Class to discover 3 simple actions you can take to start saving money and make the world a better place - without having to learn complex technology

Supernova 1: The number one factor of whether someone has solar is not income nor education - it is how close you live to someone else who has solar.

Supernova 2: Home owners gained zero heating costs in rural upstate New York when local banks first started offering loans for solar projects - then provided 0% loans for geothermal heating systems if residents moved their home mortgages to the bank.

Supernova 3: Always be a good consumer. Check things out with friends & make it fun by researching it together. Get several quotes and compare. Talk to your local bank about ways to reduce your financing costs. Join an online forum and find a community to help answer your questions.

Supernova 4: Take a holistic approach and try to solve different problems at the same time. If you have an old house, insulate it first to make it more comfortable and reduce the size of the heating system. If you're doing solar and can use more storage, build a lean-to shed or other structure for the solar - and gain the storage area underneath.

Supernova 5: Regenerative Farming with organic soil provides the opportunity to draw down carbon and improve resiliency.

Supernova 6: While the Air, Water, Earth & Sun (the Forces of Nature that AWES us) can supply clean electricity, heat & hot water and reduce carbon emissions by ~ 90% - Advanced biofuels can supply the remaining clean fuel replacements for aviation, shipping & heavy duty equipment.

Internet Resource: The Bee Report: https://thebeereport.com/

The American solar grazing association https://solargrazing.org/

Climate-Resilient Fine Wine: Uncharted Terroir: https://www.huntwines.com/Wines/Uncharted-Terroir

Book Recommendation: The Hidden Life of Trees - Peter Wohlleben Peter Wohlleben

Contact: [email protected]

Quantum Quote: "Though I may not be here with you. I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe" – Congressman John Lewis

Are you seeking a good new paying job doing something meaningful? Are your children thinking about "what they want to be when they grow up?

3.4 million Americans now work in clean energy in America - more than all schoolteachers, farmers, or bankers. Clean energy employs three and a half times as many people as work in fossil fuels.

Bob Keefe, Executive Director of E2, the Environmental Entrepreneurs, shares how the economy and the environment go hand-in-hand, and how the 2 fastest growing job categories in the US are in wind & solar energy.

Sign up for the AWESome EarthKind™ Clean Energy Master Class to discover 3 simple actions you can take to start saving money and make the world a better place - without having to learn complex technology

Supernova 1: The 3.4 million clean energy jobs "...aren't green jobs, they're not blue state jobs. They're not red state jobs. They are red, white, and blue jobs that are in every state".

Supernova 2: The entire US coal industry only employs 60,000 Americans. The pandemic has resulted in 100,000+ clean energy workers getting laid off

Supernova 3: Investing $100 Billion in US clean energy programs would create over 870,000 good paying jobs, doing energy efficiency in schools and workplaces; manufacturing & installing solar, wind & clean heating systems; and creating electric cars & charging stations

Book Recommendation: The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

Contact: www.e2.org [email protected]

Quantum Quote: The only thing you don't need in a geothermal house is a carbon monoxide detector – because there is nothing being burned!

Are you a new homeowner looking for ways to save money for your HVAC system?

Does your school have an aged heating system and you are looking for ways to save on operating and utility costs?

Geothermal may save you money, especially if you heat with oil or propane, are constructing a new home or other building, or are a school with an aged heating system.

Buildings consume 36% of the energy used in America. The Earth's constant underground temperature can provide all our heat & air conditioning – without burning fossil fuels.

Jack DiEnna is an Ambassador for the US & International GeoThermal Heat Pump Industry.

In this episode, Jack shares how we can save money with geothermal, and how new financing models are making geothermal even more affordable for our homes, schools, and other buildings.

Sign up for the AWESome EarthKind™ Clean Energy Master Class to discover 3 simple actions you can take to start saving money and make the world a better place - without having to learn complex technology

Supernova 1: Commercial & non-profit buildings can get geothermal systems with zero cash. Third-parties will install & own the systems- you just pay for the energy delivered over time ("energy as a service"). Homes in some areas may have a similar opportunity. Jack is working to have utilities & other 3rd parties provide this same model everywhere.

Supernova 2: Many schools, US Department of Defense (DOD) bases, and other buildings already have geothermal. We just can't see it because all the equipment is hidden underground and inside the buildings.

Supernova 3: Moving to Geothermal for 30% of our buildings would create 5 million jobs

Book Recommendation: Powerful Stuff by Rich Wilkins

Contact: John (Jack) P DiEnna Jr. [email protected] 610-659-4998 https://geo-nii.org/

Quantum Quote: "the iPhone has 100,000 times more computing power than an entire Apollo rocket ship that went to the moon"

Karl Rabago led renewable energy research and development programs for the United States government, did advocacy work with the Environmental Defense Fund, consulting work with engineering firm CH2M Hill, policy analysis with the Rocky Mountain Institute, ran Regulatory Affairs in 28 countries for AES, and launched a greenhouse gas credit business with GE energy.

Karl is the founder of the groundbreaking "Value of Solar" concept where we move beyond paying for what solar costs. Where CONsumers become PROsumers who also generate our own energy and are paid the real higher VALUE that energy is worth.

SuperNova #1. "When we run a scenario to electrify the economy and reduce carbon emissions by 95%... we can see 5 trillion dollars in energy savings for the people in the United States by 2050… It's a win win, win, win win win scenario - you notice everything about it and the jobs, multiply… and the savings multiply, and the rates go down."

SuperNova #2. What stands in the way is anything we've ever done before, which is usually what stands in the way of everything we want to do.

SuperNova #3. Here it comes again. It's going to come in another way, and it'll work for you. And it'll probably be better. And you'll be telling stories to your great grandkids about how you were here when they used to just make electricity at power plants.

SuperNova #4. Think of all the ways to ask good questions. If you need something from someone, especially a bureaucrat, the best question to ask is: what would you do if you were me? It invites them to be in your space.

Worst Clean Energy Moment – Coming up with a great new idea – the "Value of Solar" – and then getting attacked for it by his friends in the solar industry because it was too different.

Ah-Ha: Deciding to call it a simple name - the value of solar - so everyone (regulators, utilities, average people) could understand it.

Best Advice he's ever received: "Saw the wood that's in front of you". Focus on what you're doing and do it as well as you can, and that will lead to great opportunities.

Personal Success: Don't be afraid to ask questions. Try ideas out on people. Ride a bike or spend other time NOT thinking about work. Start the day with an hour of current industry news so that the patterns form in the back of your head while you work on the stuff in the front.

Internet Resources: Energy and Environment Twitter sources.

Book Recommendation: Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn. Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold.

Magic Wand – The best part of COVID without the disease. Talk to our neighbors instead of driving by each other. Be polite while standing in line, because we believe we are sharing in a common effort. Ask questions about what is important in life. Spend more time with our family. Get back to community.

One thing that Energizes today – Community Solar & Vibrant Clean Energy https://www.vibrantcleanenergy.com/. Applying big data modeling to the energy sector and finding the savings that we can have. Getting carbon-negative jet fuel from corn & good farming.

WTF or F - Looking up into the eye are the center of a hurricane in 2008

Parting Advice – Step up and step in. Everybody has something to offer in solving the problems that affect us all. Step up and listen to other people, and step into the dialogue. Because being a bystander is not an option - we all have a responsibility.

Connect: Twitter @RabagoEnergy. http://www.rabagoenergy.com/ Email: [email protected]

Quantum Quote: "The best way to predict the future - is to invent it". - Alan Kay, former Xerox researcher.

Bill Weihl started his career in computer science on the faculty at MIT, then led climate and sustainability work at Google & Facebook. He founded Climate Voice to empower the workforce to urge companies to go "all in" on climate, both in business practices and policy advocacy. Take the Climate Voice Pledge at climatevoice.org

SuperNova #1. Google, Facebook, Apple, Ikea, Walmart, Amazon, Sales Force & other large companies already are - or soon will be - climate neutral and 100% powered by clean energy.

SuperNova #2. While it's important for all of us - and all companies and organizations - to make the right decisions and move to clean energy - EVERYONE needs to do it. The only way to have everyone do it is with government policy, because that policy reduces the risk and drives innovation.

SuperNova #3. Policy is about influence. Businesses have a lot of influence. If businesses say they want good carbon policies - we'll get them.

SuperNova #4. Carbon reductions of 8-9% / year are necessary, technically doable, & make economic sense. But - we need to change the rules of the system.

SuperNova #5. Companies can't just "stay in their lanes". Even though different policies might not directly apply to their particular situation - we need to unite around the comprehensive policy changes that are being held back from the established fossil fuel companies.

SuperNova #6. Get involved in local & state policy regarding utilities and local zoning. Over 30 communities have banned fossil fuels in new construction.

Ah-Ha: Decide on where you want to go, then figure out how to get there

Best Advice he's ever received: Fear is normal. The right response is action, not paralysis.

Personal Success: Questioning many things - assumptions, statements of fact, received wisdom - leads to creative approaches & solutions

Internet Resources: Climate Nexus: climatenexus.org

Book Recommendation: Designing Climate Solutions by Hal Harvey

Magic Wand: Restore trust in expertise. Question assumptions & facts, but trust experts & their expertise.

One thing Energized about today: This is a complicated time. Lots of disruption, and the world is turned upside down. But the door is opening for BIG CHANGE - racial, economic, & climate justice and civil rights.

WTF or F: On the beach having fun in North Carolina in 2004. Didn't know that there was a hurricane coming & had to evacuate.

Parting Advice: Don't just think about where we are and what seems possible - think about where you want to go and what it will take to get there - then go do it.

Quantum Quote:Albert Einstein: "Knowledge is limited. Imagination circles the world."

Stephen Cowan MD is a board-certified pediatrician with over 30 years of clinical experience working with children. He has a subspecialty in Developmental Pediatrics and is a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics serving as a member of the AAP section on Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Cowan helped children with chronic asthma get completely off medications within 4 weeks by connecting with their bodies & nature.

SUPERNOVAS

1. Our whole society has ADD - we're all on the spectrum

2. We evolved on this planet - we are nature, too

1. • The "Reptilian Brain" is the "Rhythm Section" - our brain from the neck down
   • Emotional Limbic (Middle, Animal) Brain are our Passions - Fight, Flight, Excite.Parasympathetic nervous system. Just survive.
   • Higher Human Brain. Purpose. Hope. Connect the Past to Future through imagination. Problem solving. Inner peace, freedom, harmony, grace. Entrepreneurial Spirit.

3. Cosmic Snowman– Click to View. Everything is built from the bottom up

4. Teach our kids from the ground up. How to Sit. Be in their body, Be half full.

5. Spend more time in your body– feed the body before you feed the mind

6. Nature favors diversity. Society favors conformity.

7. Sleep is critical to memory– connects the past to the future.

8. Fear paralyzes & limits imagination.

9. Change takes place from the ground up.

10. Nature is "Organic Growth Mind Thinking"– like a tree's branching vs. Fixed-Mind, Black & White thinking (which leads to "I can't").

11. Exercises for home: While eating, ask yourself and your family to raise their hand when they are half-full. This extends beyond self awareness and can improve a child's imagination, long term health.

Recommended Book: "Mindset" by Carol Dweck

Web Resources:

• Tournesol Kids: tournesolkids.org/
• Environmentally friendly products for your house:Ewg.org
• St. John's Well Child and Family Center: wellchild.org
• The Whole Child – Serving children and families through mental health, housing, parenting and nutrition services: thewholechild.org
• Dr. Cowan's personal practice: drstephencowan.com

Be sure to tune in to our Aug. 13 episode, "Fighting COVID with Light and Air" and download your free Energy $aving Guides at awesomeearthkind.com/resources

For a 15% discount code toward your UVC purchase, visit https://www.awesomeearthkind.com/post/commercial-uv-lighting-disinfectant

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