By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL In recent years, California has suffered from water shortages. This year’s severe drought—and previous ones—have led to the loss of crops for many grape growers in the state’s wine country. Studies show that it can take anywhere from two to over fifteen gallons of water to make just one glass of California...
By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL The increasing frequency of power outages, as well as the growing severity of natural disasters like wildfires, poses significant threats to our national electric grid system. These risks, along with others such as cybersecurity threats, are a good reason to revisit the 1880’s debate over whether Direct Current (DC) or...
By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL As we continue to practice social distancing to keep those around us safe during the pandemic, many of our usual activities are not possible or available. ‘Stress-relief’ activities such as playing team sports or spending time with friends may not be possible. However, we do have a great option to help...
By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL In the decade since the 2011 East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, microgrids have sprung up across Japan to help the country meet their energy demands and build resilience. On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck Japan—the largest ever experienced and so powerful that it shifted the Earth on its axis by...
By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL The 26th annual Conference of the Parties (COP) summit is taking place now through November 12, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland, where over 20,000 global leaders, scientists, and activists have convened to work towards critical action on climate change. Author, journalist, and professor Michael Pollan is perhaps best known for his...
By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL It may be hard to believe, but before 1970, it was completely legal for power plants and factories in the U.S. to pollute the environment by dumping tons of highly toxic waste into streams and releasing clouds of harmful smoke into the air. Seeking to protect the planet, Gaylord...
By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL & DEBRA ACZEL The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions put in place to keep our families, friends and others safe have meant many of us are spending increasing amounts of time indoors. Additionally, many work activities, social activities and classes that would normally be in person have largely moved to virtual meetings,...
By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL The clothing industry’s impact on carbon emissions is huge, and growing, with emission likely to increase 50% by 2030. At the same time, the number of ‘fashion cycles’ for clothing production has equally increased, growing from only two per year to now as many as 50-100 cycles. On the other hand,...
By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL 2020 was a challenging year in many ways. From the COVID-19 pandemic which completely changed our lives to rampant wildfires across California and Australia, and yet another year or record-breaking temperatures and record sea ice loss, it was a difficult year for people across the globe. But one thing shone brightly as...