Debunked.

Welcome to the third publication of Climate Positive - lucky number 3. If you are here to doom scroll, you're in the wrong place. This newsletter (aspires to) post weekly, pulling together top headlines supporting a narrative that climate action is actually happening and making a real difference.

This week, I'm elevating a few key pieces of news and research that showcase the power and momentum of renewable energy, with one even debunking disinformation around solar.

Offshore Wind is Making a Comeback

CNN 's Ella Nilsenreported that the US offshore wind industry is experiencing a significant rebound after a tough year in 2023. The Biden administration's ambitious goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 is well underway, with recent project approvals and planned lease sales indicating substantial progress - and states are enthusiastically committing to purchasing power from future wind farms. This positive momentum suggests a promising future for offshore wind energy in the United States. This CleanTechnica article also cites recent news around Avangrid as the latest example in the offshore wind rebound, noting the company has just proposed a pair of massive new wind farms for New England totaling 1,871 megawatts, with other wind developers eyeballing the northeast region.

Federal Rebates for Homeowners Will Incentivize Purchase of Climate-Friendly Appliances

This week, an announcement reported by Todd Woody of Bloomberg News around federal rebates for climate-friendly appliances in New York signifies a robust commitment to bolstering energy efficiency initiatives at the state level through significant funding support. With the approval of New York's program under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), these rebates, targeting high-efficiency heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and induction stoves, among others, aim to incentivize households towards eco-friendly choices while easing financial burdens, particularly for low and moderate-income families. As additional states, such as Arizona, California, and Colorado, join the initiative, the collective effort toward energy efficiency gains momentum, promising a greener and more resilient future for communities across the country.

General Motors EV Division to Turn Profit by Year's End

通用汽车 announced this week that it anticipates a profitable outcome from its electric vehicle unit by the end of 2024, reflecting the company's optimistic outlook amidst growing demand for EVs, and its commitment to innovation and sustainability. The company aims to sell between 200,000 to 300,000 EVs by year-end, bolstering its position in the rapidly evolving automotive market.

Report Debunks False Claims and Disinformation around Solar Power and more

A recent report from the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School meticulously debunks false claims and disinformation surrounding solar power, as reported by pv magazine Global including:

1. Electromagnetic fields from solar farms are harmful to human health.
2. Toxic heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, leach out from solar panels and pose a threat to human health.
3. Solar panels generate too much waste and will overwhelm our landfills.
4. Clearing trees for solar panels negates any climate change benefits.
5. Solar energy is worse for the climate than burning fossil fuels.
6. Solar projects harm biodiversity.
7. Solar projects will reduce agricultural production, hurting farmers and rural communities.
8. Solar development will destroy U.S. jobs.
9. Reliance on solar will make the United States dependent on China and other countries.
10. Utility-scale solar farms destroy the value of nearby homes.
11. Solar energy is more expensive than fossil fuels and completely dependent on subsidies.
12. Solar panels don’t work in cold or cloudy climates.
13. Solar energy is unreliable and requires 100% fossil fuel backup.
14. We do not have sufficient mineral resources for large-scale solar development.

For instance, in rebutting false claim #10, utility-scale solar farms destroy the value of nearby homes, the report shows that very few individuals experience any effect on the value of their homes from nearby solar power, and those that experience a small value shift. They also found that some find a property value increase.

That's it for this week! Like and subscribe if you'd like to see more.