Category Archives: Focus: Energy

Carbon Sequestration in Soils at Carleton College: Current Practices and Future Recommendations

Students in Mary Savina’s Fall 2014 Geology of Soils class provide an assessment of the potential impact that carbon sequestration by soils at Carleton could have by presenting Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data on the area of campus that could be converted to a groundcover that would maximize carbon sequestration by soil.

Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI) Report

Citizens Climate Education Corporation (CCEC) and Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) contracted a third party, Regional Economic Modeling, Inc. (REMI) to do a nation-wide macroeconomic study on the impact of its Fee and Dividend (F&D) policy. (REMI) examined the impact of a steadily-rising fee on carbon-based fuels with revenue from that fee returned to households in equal shares. With the fee starting at $10 per ton of carbon dioxide and rising $10 per ton each year, the major findings were:
◾In 20 years, CO2 emissions would be reduced 50 percent below 1990 levels.
◾Because of the economic stimulus of recycling carbon fee revenue back to households, in 20 years, 2.8 million jobs would be added to the American economy.
◾Improved air quality would result in 230,000 premature deaths avoided over 20 years.

There is no economic argument against Fee and Dividend. It creates jobs, grows the economy, saves lives, and makes Americans richer.

Free Lecture: Rising CO2 and the Science of Climate Change

Looking for a way to bring climate education to your service club, social or church group or family gathering? Alan Anderson’s presentation on “Rising CO2 and the Science of Climate Change” provides an overview of the current status of our climate, why we should care and what each one of us can do to help fight climate change. This lecture is offered free of charge at a location of your choice. Mr. Anderson served as the primary organizer of the 2014 Northfield Area Climate Summit, and is deeply committed to public education on climate change. Get your questions and concerns about climate change answered! Contact Alan Anderson at luckyduck49@gmail.com or call 507-301-4673 for more information or to schedule a presentation.

SERC InTeGrate Project

The Science Education Resource Center (SERC) works to improve education through projects that support educators. InTeGrate is a specific SERC project funded by a 5-year STEP Center grant from the National Science Foundation. The program supports the teaching of geoscience in the context of societal issues both within geoscience courses and across the undergraduate curriculum. Our goal is to develop a citizenry and workforce that can address environmental and resource issues facing our society.

Northfield Energy Task Force

The Northfield Energy Task Force (NETF) was created by resolution of the Northfield City Council in May 2007 to respond to challenges presented by reliance on fossil fuels and climate change. Their report, “With Hope: A Resilient Community” was presented to the City Council in May 2008, but follow-up was limited due to other political priorities at the time.

Contact: George Kinney, geokinney@gmail.com