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<br />2 <br /> <br /> <br />Additional facts they presented included: <br />- Minnesota has met our goal early for 25% renewable energy by 2022 <br />- We are “spewing” tons of manmade global warming pollution into the <br />atmosphere, keeping more heat in the atmosphere, holding in sun’s energy close <br />to the earth <br />- Greenhouse gas sources include coal plants, industrial processes, agriculture, <br />transportation, landfills, etc. <br />- The Industrial Revolution significantly changed things including increasing <br />pollution <br />- Eighteen of the 19 hottest climatic years have occurred since 2001 <br />- In Minnesota that means warmer summer days possible in the future, globally it <br />has resulted in more people dying due to heat waves and climate change related <br />events <br />- 93% of heat energy is stored in the oceans <br />- Hydrological cycles are changing resulting in more evaporation, heavier rain <br />events and additional hurricanes <br />- Droughts conditions are also increasing causing climate refugees and more wild <br />fires <br />- Extreme weather catastrophes have increased from 1998-2018 <br />- The true cost of adding carbon to the atmosphere was $635 billion over last two <br />years due to extreme weather <br /> <br />Solutions to these issues presented included: <br />- Subsidies to increase production of renewable energy <br />- Wind capacity increase in Minnesota <br />- Increase technology for solar and battery storage <br />- Individual changes such as electric vehicles, LED lighting, planting trees, <br />reducing consumption of meat <br />- Use your choices, votes and voices to speak truth to power because our world <br />depends on it <br />- Vern and Lea shared personal motivation including the future for their <br />grandchildren as well <br /> <br />The group spent some time discussing the presentation and their feedback for Vern and Lea. <br />Many members wanted clarification on some of the specific facts presented. There was a <br />lack of information about production of infrastructure for green energy like wind turbines <br />and solar batteries, plus end of life disposal which continues to be an issue for many tech <br />products. Larger corporations are able to make major changes to benefit the climate (like <br />Apple or Amazon) but these changes are difficult to apply to small, local companies. Locally <br />to Elk River, ordinance like tree preservation have good intentions but can be costly and <br />detrimental to small businesses. Adding flexibility could be beneficial with the goal for <br />overall benefit rather than site specific requirements. Discussion also included options for <br />local funding for small businesses to help them meet requirements in a more meaningful <br />way. <br /> <br /> <br />