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Forecasting Our Future: How extreme weather impacts our communities

Forecasting Our Future: How extreme weather impacts our communities
THE REASON THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PICKED PITTSBURGH TO HOST A GLOBAL CLEAN ENERGY FORUM HAVE TO DO WITH RESILIENCE AND REINVENTION AND COMPANIES LIKE EOS. THEY PRODUCE NON-LITHIUM BATTERY BANKS THAT CAN BE SHIPPED ANYWHERE AROUND THE WORLD AS MANY POWER STATIONS. I ASKED THE CEO WHAT MOTIVATED HIM TO START THIS COUNTRY. >> THE WORLD NEEDS IT NOW. I HAVE BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY FOR 30 YEARS RATE I HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH AN EXCITING TIME THAT WE HAVE NOW IN THE INDUSTRY. IT IS GREAT TO COME IN WORKING WITH THIS TEAM OF 130 PEOPLE TO CREATE THE FUTURE. WE ARE CREATING NOT CREATE -- NOT CLEAN ENERGY JOBS BUT CLEAN CAREERS. I LOVE HELPING PEOPLE FIND RIGHT JOBS AND WAYS TO GROW. IF YOU TAKE THOSE THINGS AND PUT IT TOGETHER IT IS A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY AND A GREAT CHALLENGE AND A LOT OF FUN. SHANNON: THESE BATTERIES ARE RECHARGEABLE. YOU BUILD THESE NOT TO BE THROWN AWAY. YOU BUILD THESE TO BE RECHARGED. >> THERE IS A 20 YEAR LIFE DEPENDING HOW YOU OPERATE IT. WHEN YOU ARE DONE, EVERYTHING YOU SEE HERE IS 100% RECYCLABLE THROUGH NORMAL RECYCLING PROCESSES. WE HAVE BEEN RUNNING OUR BATTERIES FOR 13 YEARS. WHEN WE FINISH RUNNING THEM WE HAVE BEEN RECYCLING THEM FOR OVER 10 YEARS. SHANNON: THE CEO SAYS THE COMPANY’S MISSION IS NOT JUST TO BE GREEN AND CLAN BUT ACHIEVE PARALLEL GOALS OF SUSTAINABILITY AND EQUITY. U.S. ENERGY SECRETARY JENNIFER GRANHOLM INVITED BILL GATES. >> HE IS INVESTED IN TERRA POWER WHICH PUTS A SMALL ADVANCED REACTOR ADJACENT TO A COAL PLANT IN WYOMING AND THEY ARE USING EMPLOYEES FROM THE COAL PLANT TO HELP BUILD AND HOPEFULLY OPERATE THIS NUCLEAR POWER PLANT. SHANNON: ADDRESSING THE 32 ENERGY SECRETARY FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, GATES SAYS THE SHORT TERM REQUIRES ENERGY SOURCES OTHER THAN WIND AND HYDROPOWER. >> FUTURE MODELED THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR LOOKING AT HOW DO WE DO THIS WITHOUT NUCLEAR. IF WE TRY TO DO THIS WITHOUT BUILDING A LOT OF RENEWABLES, IT IS FAR MORE DIFFICULT THAN PEOPLE THINK. SHANNON: THE CONUNDRUM OF NUCLEAR POWER IN DISPLAY OF THE WORLD OF UKRAINE, CLEAN ENERGY SOURCE BUT IT COMES WITH ITS OWN DANGERS. AS WELL AS THE LARGEST NUCLEAR PLANT IN THE WORLD, THE POWER STATION HAS BEEN OCCUPIED THE RUSSIAN MILITARY. >> BECAUSE OF THE WAR WE ARE SEEING WHAT IS CLEAN ENERGY. SHANNON: THE CEO OF DUQUESNE LIGHT SAYS CUSTOMERS ARE DEMANDING ALTERNATIVES TO FOSSIL FUELS WHEN IT COMES TO ENERGY SOURCES. WHEN ARE WE GOING TO LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE WE DON’T BURN THINGS TO MAKE ENERGY? >> IT IS COMING A LOT FASTER. I HAVE BEEN IN THE UTILITY INDUSTRY FOR 30 YEARS. WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO THAT TODAY. THINK ABOUT EVEN LOCALLY. THE DUQUESNE LIGHT CUSTOMERS ARE 90% RENEWABLE ENERGY FROM OUR LOCAL FACILITY. WE ARE GETTING THERE. SHANNON: ONE RESULT OF THIS FORUM THE ENERGY MINISTERS COMMITTED TO THE PITTSBURGH ACTION PACK. IT IS AN AGREEMENT TO STRENGTHEN SOLAR MANUFACTURING, MAKE A PLAN FOR DECARBONIZING POWER SYSTEMS AND GET GOVERNMENT VEHICLE
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Forecasting Our Future: How extreme weather impacts our communities
Across the nation, areas are living with the intense power and impacts of weather. It seems this year, Mother Nature raised the bar. Catastrophic storms, raging wildfires, historic flooding and unrelenting droughts have all combined to create new concerns. But communities are responding, fighting and innovating to reshape the future. Watch the videos below to get an in-depth look at how these impacts are creating new concerns, and see how communities are fighting back. Extreme weather events in 2022 From destructive hurricanes to life-changing tornadoes, extreme weather impacted all of us this year. Take a look back at some of the extreme weather events in 2022. Hurricane technologyScientists have been studying hurricanes for decades, but that data has come from measurements higher up in the atmosphere. Take a look at how new research is "literally" getting to the bottom of tropical systems. Military base climate change Climate change is also a threat to national security. The largest naval base in the world, located in Norfolk, Virginia, experiences frequent flooding. Flooding is disrupting daily operations and if a big enough storm strikes, it can shut off operations for weeks. Take a look at how the naval base is taking action to mitigate the damage caused by flooding. Containing climate-fueled floodwatersTo stay ahead of a disastrous flood in Madison, Wisconsin, the county uses hydraulic and mechanical dredges to remove sediment from the bottom of the Yahara River to make room for more torrential rain.In Hoboken, New Jersey, resiliency parks have been built to defend against rainfall flooding. The majority of the park's surfaces are permeable, allowing stormwater to collect and be treated in a massive, underground, million-gallon tank–and not in nearby streets.Take a look at how communities are working to protect homes and businesses from future catastrophic floods. Intense drought conditionsIt's the grim reality in communities all across the country: the ground dried up and cracked, farm fields filled with shriveled, dead crops and rivers and reservoirs drained of their critical resource. This year's drought has been one of the worst on record for much of the country. Take a look at how states are fighting, and attempting to outsmart drought conditions.Climate change impacts on wildlifeClimate change is also impacting wildlife. Warming ocean water is making food sources more scarce and forcing whales closer to the shore to feed. On the East Coast, warming water is also changing the migration schedule of right and humpback whales. Take a look at how climate change is impacting other animals in the wild. Solar panelsWith record-breaking heat and power grids strained to the max, this is where solar shines. Solar is renewable energy, which means fewer pollutants are being put into the air. Solar energy lowers the stress on the electricity grid because most solar energy stays in the area where it's generated. That means it doesn't need to be transmitted long distances. Take a look at how it can help and how much it will impact you financially. Climate careersOrganizations and companies across the nation are creating jobs to help the climate. Better Futures Minnesota is a non-profit organization that gives green jobs to those who used to wear that color, and other dark hues, in prison. Homes are deconstructed and the materials are resold and reused. Meanwhile, the island of Hawaiʻi has launched a training school to build a renewable energy workforce. Take a look at how other groups are increasing climate change education and creating jobs. Solutions roundup From cleaning up trash to clearing pollutants from the air and water, we can all pitch in to help climate change by simply being good stewards of the environment. Take a look at how some people are doing their part to help. Below are links to more stories about people across the nation doing their part to help climate change. Missouri: Lake recreation may be tied to climate changeVermont: Ben & Jerry's commits to lowering greenhouse gas emissionsMaine: Not your typical farm: Maine aquaponics farm uses less water, landOhio: Cincinnati startup aims to make water cleanup easierFlorida: Florida engineer working towards zero-carbon emission flights using hydrogenMaryland: Building owners hoping to create a literal 'BUZZ' around BaltimoreOklahoma: Oklahoma researchers work to determine role aerosols play in cloud formation

Across the nation, areas are living with the intense power and impacts of weather. It seems this year, Mother Nature raised the bar.

Catastrophic storms, raging wildfires, historic flooding and unrelenting droughts have all combined to create new concerns. But communities are responding, fighting and innovating to reshape the future.

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Watch the videos below to get an in-depth look at how these impacts are creating new concerns, and see how communities are fighting back.

Extreme weather events in 2022

From destructive hurricanes to life-changing tornadoes, extreme weather impacted all of us this year.

Take a look back at some of the extreme weather events in 2022.

Hurricane technology

Scientists have been studying hurricanes for decades, but that data has come from measurements higher up in the atmosphere.

Take a look at how new research is "literally" getting to the bottom of tropical systems.

Military base climate change

Climate change is also a threat to national security.

The largest naval base in the world, located in Norfolk, Virginia, experiences frequent flooding. Flooding is disrupting daily operations and if a big enough storm strikes, it can shut off operations for weeks.

Take a look at how the naval base is taking action to mitigate the damage caused by flooding.

Containing climate-fueled floodwaters

To stay ahead of a disastrous flood in Madison, Wisconsin, the county uses hydraulic and mechanical dredges to remove sediment from the bottom of the Yahara River to make room for more torrential rain.

In Hoboken, New Jersey, resiliency parks have been built to defend against rainfall flooding. The majority of the park's surfaces are permeable, allowing stormwater to collect and be treated in a massive, underground, million-gallon tank–and not in nearby streets.

Take a look at how communities are working to protect homes and businesses from future catastrophic floods.

Intense drought conditions

It's the grim reality in communities all across the country: the ground dried up and cracked, farm fields filled with shriveled, dead crops and rivers and reservoirs drained of their critical resource.

This year's drought has been one of the worst on record for much of the country.

Take a look at how states are fighting, and attempting to outsmart drought conditions.

Climate change impacts on wildlife

Climate change is also impacting wildlife.

Warming ocean water is making food sources more scarce and forcing whales closer to the shore to feed.

On the East Coast, warming water is also changing the migration schedule of right and humpback whales.

Take a look at how climate change is impacting other animals in the wild.

Solar panels

With record-breaking heat and power grids strained to the max, this is where solar shines.

Solar is renewable energy, which means fewer pollutants are being put into the air.

Solar energy lowers the stress on the electricity grid because most solar energy stays in the area where it's generated. That means it doesn't need to be transmitted long distances.

Take a look at how it can help and how much it will impact you financially.

Climate careers

Organizations and companies across the nation are creating jobs to help the climate.

Better Futures Minnesota is a non-profit organization that gives green jobs to those who used to wear that color, and other dark hues, in prison. Homes are deconstructed and the materials are resold and reused.

Meanwhile, the island of Hawaiʻi has launched a training school to build a renewable energy workforce.

Take a look at how other groups are increasing climate change education and creating jobs.

Solutions roundup

From cleaning up trash to clearing pollutants from the air and water, we can all pitch in to help climate change by simply being good stewards of the environment.

Take a look at how some people are doing their part to help.

Below are links to more stories about people across the nation doing their part to help climate change.

Missouri: Lake recreation may be tied to climate change

Vermont: Ben & Jerry's commits to lowering greenhouse gas emissions

Maine: Not your typical farm: Maine aquaponics farm uses less water, land

Ohio: Cincinnati startup aims to make water cleanup easier

Florida: Florida engineer working towards zero-carbon emission flights using hydrogen

Maryland: Building owners hoping to create a literal 'BUZZ' around Baltimore

Oklahoma: Oklahoma researchers work to determine role aerosols play in cloud formation