In a recent address President Obama surprised us with a clear statement on the dramatic impact of global warming on parts of the United States. He graphically described a series of catastrophes that America will endure in the absence of immediate action. He made it clear that a new era has dawned where the United States will finally move aggressively on the emission of greenhouse gases. This comes after thousands of scientists and researchers have presented data indicating the problem has accelerated to a tipping point, meaning the problem is now rising at an exponential rate. We will have to take drastic actions in cooperation with other nations to arrest the dramatic rate of deterioration.
After Nicholas Stern, Chief Economist and 20 fellow researchers completed their analysis of the issue for the British Government in 2006 he concluded: “Climate change is the greatest market failure the world has ever seen.”
Last week the House of Representatives narrowly approved the first ever comprehensive legislation to combat global warming. The bill would require a 17% reduction in greenhouse gases from 2005 levels by 2020. Key to meeting that goal is a greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program. The Environmental Defense Fund has stated: “Cap and trade is the most environmentally and economically sensible approach to controlling greenhouse gas emissions, the primary driver of global warming.” Their website (http://www.edf.org/article.cfm?contentID=9112) provides a clear explanation of the concept. Essentially the government sets a “cap” or limit on emissions required to reduce greenhouse gases to the target level. The “trade” creates a market for carbon allowances so that companies exceeding the emissions limit can sell credits to other entities that are exceeding their limits.
The House bill also includes:
- Requiring electric utilities to meet 20% of their electricity demand through renewable energy.
- Investing in new clean energy technologies.
- Mandating new energy saving standards for buildings and appliances.
- Protecting consumers from energy price increases.
About 21% of all greenhouse gas is related to home construction and operation. Yet home construction methods have not changed significantly since the American Revolution. The primary raw material in home construction continues to come from trees that must be harvested, processed and shipped long distances to the point of construction, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere, and resulting in massive greenhouse gas emissions in the industrial process.
The Superior Green Building System will drastically change all that. Its primary construction material is made from renewable plant materials and wastes that are abundant in most areas of the country, thereby eliminating the need to harvest and ship wood long distances. And the manufacturing process for creating the basic construction material uses very little energy. The unique SGBS integrated construction and equipment supply system will reduce construction costs, improve energy efficiency, reduce water usage in the home and include numerous other innovations that will add value for the consumer.
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