The Struggles Of Going Solar

It is as if we are not facing enough problems today but the growing threat of dwindling energy resources is something we can’t just put off any longer. Efforts to fund and transition to the use of more environment-friendly power sources should be put into effect right now while we still have a lot of time on our hands. It may be costly and require a lot of work but we should look into these options now before we face a crisis in our midst that we won’t be able to handle.

The most logical solution to this energy issue is to tap into renewable energy resources. The funny thing about this somewhat lapse of judgment on our part is that our ancestors have been using them since the beginning of time we all wonder where humanity has gone wrong through the years. The sun, the wind, and the water have fueled ancient civilizations of the distant past but why can’t all of us follow their lead? Man is still to blame.

Britain’s solar industry is facing devastation and consumers could see energy bills rise after the Chancellor Philip Hammond refused to listen to pleas to cancel a planned tax hike of up to 800 per cent on rooftop solar schemes.

The Solar Trade Association described the Government’s refusal to bend over the increase – due to come into force in April – as “nonsensical” and “absurd”.

Bizarrely, state schools with solar panels will be forced to pay, while private schools will remain exempt.

Mr. Hammond barely mentioned the energy sector in his speech – apart from a promise to help the oil and gas industry “maximise exploitation” of the remaining reserves in the North Sea.

According to the Government’s own figures, solar power is expected to become the cheapest form of electricity generation sometime in the 2020s.

And outrageous laws like this make the transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy like solar power an unpleasant thought for many consumers throughout the globe. It is as if the actual work itself in equipping a home or institution with solar panel isn’t challenging enough. Mind you, solar panels are expensive too and consumers should receive incentives for making such an environment-friendly move to harness solar power instead of getting penalized with hefty tax increases.

(Via: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/solar-industry-budget-2017-800-per-cent-tax-increase-green-renewable-energy-a7618191.html)

Installing solar panels on the roof of your home is a big project – but it can pay dividends in more ways than one. There’s the obvious environmental benefit, but for many homeowners, the joy comes with a dollar sign attached.

If the government does not appreciate your efforts, Mother Nature does. Take advantage of lower prices for these panels now and lower your home’s energy consumption and carbon footprint in the process.

The solar energy market is growing because the average price for solar energy systems has fallen so much – 54% between 2010 and 2016, according to GTM Research. While your solar panels may not produce all the electricity you need, they are becoming a good investment to lower your bill.

(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/mar/01/solar-panel-home-installation-energy-environment-explainer)

No matter how much progress states like California and New York had made in increasing solar energy use, it may take a sharp blow from the government itself with budget cuts in different sectors that President Trump does not consider important.

President Donald Trump’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2018 can be read as a political document, a statement of his administration’s policy priorities. Many of these proposed cuts won’t get passed by Congress, but it’s a look at what Trump values.

And what’s clear is that Trump wants the US government to pull back sharply from any effort to stop global warming, adapt to its impacts — or even study it further. Under the proposal, a wide variety of Obama-era climate programs across multiple agencies would be scaled back or slashed entirely.

That includes eliminating much of the work the Environmental Protection Agency is doing to research climate impacts and limit emissions. It includes scaling back the Department of Energy’s efforts to accelerate low-carbon energy. It includes cuts to NASA’s Earth-monitoring programs. The proposal would also eliminate the Sea Grant program at NOAA, which helps coastal communities adapt to a warmer world. The document dubs this a “lower priority.”

(Via: http://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/3/16/14943826/trump-budget-proposal-climate-change)

The world is suffering because of man’s neglect. We abuse many of its resources for years now and it is high time we start taking measures to protect and save it from further harm and degradation. Over time, it is us who will suffer once nature unleashes its fury on us as global warming and climate change intensifies the effect of common calamities like drought, hurricanes, flooding and more.

Installing solar roof panels may be insignificant for some because it just augments your household energy needs but its benefits can be enjoyed over time. We have to think of the bigger picture. Let us preserve the planet we now have for the benefit of the future generations.

The following blog post The Struggles Of Going Solar is available on SoulVisual

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Co-Parenting After Divorce

A parent’s life changes once kids come into the picture. It is no longer just about yourself but about that cute and tiny human being whose entire life now depends on you. Your kid becomes the center of your world and you try to parent the child the best way you know how.

While most households are made up of a father, a mother, and the kids, many families right now are led by single parents. Divorce is no longer as controversial as it once was but just as traumatic for any child. But parents must learn to set aside their differences if they truly love their child and will put his / her best interest in mind. Co-parenting is not easy. It means you have to deal with (or even be friends with) the person who used to be your lover but became your worst enemy (most likely). You have no choice but to do that for the sake of your child.

Children are the ones most affected by this sudden uprooting of family dynamics, said John Chirban, licensed psychologist and Cambridge Counseling Associates director.

Children will often hide their feelings and lie to adults when asked how they feel about their parent’s divorce.

Whether they are toddlers or preteens, children are more in tune with their surroundings and their family than one might think, Chirban said.

As this survey showed, children often lied and only said what they thought parents wanted to hear, he said. Some children may internalize the problem and see themselves as the cause of the stress.

Parents should be careful in not letting their frustrations with each other spill into their relationship with their children, Chirban said. Conflict may cause serious strain and seriously negatively impact children, which may not easily be fixed.

About 70 percent of children who went through therapy because their parents were divorcing said they did not find it helpful at all, he said. It’s an awkward thing for any child, and sometimes, the connection between the counselor and child is not there.

“Many kids feel like their childhood ends — and often it does,” Chirban said. 

(Via: http://www.theshorthorn.com/life_and_entertainment/stress-from-divorce-impacts-children-s-lives/article_d57644e2-02e7-11e7-9478-0700dade408f.html)

That just goes to show how affected kids are in the case of a divorce. Parents should swallow their pride and not deprive their kids of a chance to spend time with the other parent no matter how hard it may be.

Should parents have shared, 50-50 custody (or close to it) after a divorce? A new study says yes.

The status quo relative to child custody proceedings now in the United States is that children — especially young children — should have a “primary parent” (usually the mother) after a divorce, visiting with the “noncustodial parent” (usually the father) typically every other weekend. However, recent studies suggest that children, even infants and toddlers, benefit from as close to equal time as possible with each parent after a divorce.

“Good quality relationships with parents in young adulthood predict better stress-related physical and mental health for the children later in life,” said William Fabricius, lead author of the new study and an associate professor of psychology at Arizona State University. “So in a real sense, this [parenting time for young children after a divorce] becomes a public health issue.”

Regardless of how the relationship ended, both parents must make an effort to co-parent for the child’s sake. While mothers often get custody, a child’s relationship with his/ her father can also determine how well the child turns up in life.

Said Brennan, “While many recognize fatherlessness as a top social issue in America, legislators are just learning the degree to which family courts contribute to this problem. Using the low estimate, family courts create a fatherless child every 60 seconds, and fatherlessness is linked to every major social pathology in children including: violent crime, drug and alcohol abuse, truancy, unwed pregnancies, psychological disorders and even suicide.”

Asked how we should improve laws governing our family courts, Brennan said: “We’ll improve the outcomes for children when we treat family separation in the same manner we do other social pathologies: by listening to the experts. We now have a very strong body of research showing shared parenting is best for children and the backing of a significant number of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, child development experts and domestic violence practitioners. Yet because these issues play out in a court of law, rather than listening to these experts, the issue becomes political, and lobbyists hired by state bar associations advocate to grow family law as a business, rather than do what’s best for kids. It’s time expert voices take precedence over the legal establishment.”

(Via: http://www.lifezette.com/momzette/shared-parenting-after-divorce-gains-new-attention/)

Children will grow up according to how they are raised. And how a child turns up as an adult is a shared responsibility between both parents even though they have already parted ways. A lot of conflict among the teens and young adults right now could have been avoided if their parents were able to establish a healthy and close relationship with them as a child. Divorce shouldn’t have stopped them from being good parents and role models to their children.

The post Co-Parenting After Divorce was initially published on SoulVisual

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/co-parenting-after-divorce/

Charity Floods Grenfell Tower Victims

The world is far from perfect and this social injustice makes living in an imperfect world doubly harder. Simply surviving is not that easy because it is a challenge to even afford food, shelter, and even an education for many people in the world today. And things become even more difficult in the face of disaster when people lose everything that is familiar in their lives – their home, personal belongings, and even personal space where they can relax and feel comfortable. One of the worst things humans can face is a fire accident. They say it’s better for you to be robbed 10 times but not be ravaged by fire not even once because you’ll lose everything important to you in a snap. That’s how disastrous fires can be.

The most controversial fire-related incident that happened lately is that of the Grenfell Tower in London. It was just several weeks ago when the 24-floor residential tower was ravaged by fire and eventually displaced several families and killed 79 unfortunate individuals. It’s a good thing that help came fast. The survivors received all sorts of help in the various drop off points when many of London’s communities united to support everyone affected by this terrible disaster. Even religious and preservation organizations stepped up and offered support despite the differences in their beliefs and traditions.

SAJID Javid, the communities secretary, has announced that the government is providing £1m to support the charitable response to the Grenfell Tower disaster.

This recognises the extraordinary efforts made by many smaller charities and not-for-profit organisations following the tragic fire.

Javid said: “The residents of Grenfell Tower have been through some of the most harrowing experiences imaginable and the response from local charities and volunteers has been remarkable. This funding will mean that smaller charities and community organisations can continue to make a huge difference.”

(Via: http://www.cityam.com/267376/charities-assisting-grenfell-tower-receive-extra-funds)

The victims chose from various items of clothing, food, toiletries, etc. on the streets given by generous and compassionate people to help them rebuild their lives. Many charitable institutions and NGOs were among the first to offer support and the victims will be receiving even more monetary help from the government.

Sajid Javid, the communities secretary, said: "The residents of Grenfell Tower have been through some of the most harrowing experiences imaginable and the response from local charities and volunteers has been remarkable.

"This funding will mean that smaller charities and community organisations can continue to make a huge difference. The first payments are in the process of being made and the government will continue to do everything we can as fast as we can to support those affected by this terrible tragedy."

David Warner, chief executive of London Funders, said: "We are delighted that the DCLG has responded with vital funds to provide immediate support to community groups in Kensington and Chelsea who are supporting those directly affected by the Grenfell fire.

"London Funders, along with a consortium of trusts and foundations, is making sure the money gets to those groups that can best use it as quickly as possible. We have now put in place the processes to make that happen."

(Via: http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/government-makes-1m-available-grenfell-tower-charities/policy-and-politics/article/1437775)

These charities have set up various ways to collect fund and continues to encourage people to donate. Many heeded the call and came with loads and loads of food and clothing soon after the incident happened but weeks after, they say that it’s better for the public to donate in cash because it can make a big difference as the victims start anew. Each family is also set to receive £20,000 in cash courtesy of the government to help them turn a new chapter in their lives and no longer feel like the helpless homeless people that they are ever since the fire broke out - £10,000 of which is to be given right away for those who sustained injuries and the other half to help them start a new life.

Charity Floods Grenfell Tower Victims is available on SoulVisual.com Blog

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How Can Cannabis Help People With Autism?

People are born with autism. And for years now, only palliative management is offered to autistic patients. There is no known treatment for it yet. However, the experts continue their research in finding the best management for autism and help them lead normal lives. And we don’t even have to look far.

The legalization of medical cannabis is a hot topic in and out of the Congress. Legislations are being passed or not by various state legislators as to whether or not medical marijuana will be legalized in their respective states. But many already resort to cannabis use under the radar especially to those patients who are desperate for a cure with or without the go signal of their doctors. And now, autistic patients can benefit from it too.

Preventable injuries often lead to death among people with autism, a new study says. They are three times more likely than the general population to die because of injuries, according to the study, published Tuesday in the American Journal of Public Health.

For children and young teens with this developmental disability, the numbers are more striking: They are 40 times more likely to die from injury than the general child population, researchers said. Drowning is the most common fatal injury among children with autism.

People diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, which causes challenges with social skills and communication, die at an average age of just 36, noted the researchers. For the general population, life expectancy is 72.

(Via: http://edition.cnn.com/2017/03/21/health/autism-injury-deaths-study/)

We can never tell which pregnancy can lead to autism. Autistic people require more intensive caring as most have a hard time doing activities of daily living such as self-care, which makes living with one even more challenging. So, you can’t blame families caring for an autistic child/ person to explore their options – even that of the uncharted path.

Just after noon on Thursday, the Georgia General Assembly gave final passage to a bill expanding the conditions that can be legally treated with a medicine derived from marijuana. 

The Georgia Senate voted 45-6 to approve the final version of Senate Bill 16. Now SB 16 goes to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature. It was the last day of the 2017 General Assembly session. 

The bill passed before the Senate recessed for lunch – instead of being down to the wire in the final minutes of the session. 

Under the bill, treatment with medication containing cannabidiol, a component of marijuana, as well as small amounts of THC, the main psychoactive component of marijuana, and a THC acid, is allowed for five new conditions: severe autism in children and any form of autism in those over 18, the skin disease epidermolysis bullosa, and severe or end-state AIDS, Tourette’s Syndrome and peripheral neuropathy. The bill also allows CBD oil to be used by anyone under hospice care.

Critics have argued more scientific testing of medical efficacy was needed first. 

“Georgia has decided to lead the way in autism treatment,” said advocate and parent Dale Jackson in a Facebook video Thursday afternoon. Jackson, a Troup County resident, has been advocating to have autism as an approved condition since 2015. His son, Colin, has severe autism. 

(Via: http://times-herald.com/news/2017/03/cannabis-oil-expansion-approved-in-legislature)

Although still lacking in sufficient trials and studies, the use of medical cannabis show some promise in treating people diagnosed with autism.

Many Christian conservatives are pushing to get their autistic children on marijuana. Parents with children with autism know the heartache that often accompanies the disorder. It can be particularly stressful when an autistic child exhibits violent outbursts that put everyone in danger, including the child.

With nothing to lose, a growing number of these parents allowed their autistic children to try marijuana, usually not smoking it, but in other forms, such as a time-released patch. Surprisingly, they learned the drug helps stabilize their autistic child's behavior in a way nothing else can.

(Via: https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/health/2017/march/see-why-these-christian-moms-want-their-kids-on-pot)

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Families with autistic children will move mountains to help them overcome their autistic tendencies and give them a chance to live like a normal person. And you can’t blame them if they try novel concepts like medical marijuana because most conservative autism treatments failed.

All the circumstantial evidence that prove medical cannabis can help with autism is enough for many to give it a shot. After all, they won’t lose anything. And if they get lucky, medical cannabis might also work for them as it did for many other people who vouch for it.

The post How Can Cannabis Help People With Autism? is republished from SoulVisual

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/how-can-cannabis-help-people-with-autism/

San Diego Turns To Solar Energy For Power

While most homes and industries rely on good old electricity for power, a good number of people are taking initiatives to harness the power of renewable power sources (e.g. the sun, the wind, and the water). While most can be used for free, you may need to shell out some money at first to ensure your home can convert these energy sources into usable power.

With the continually rising costs of energy and the fear that fossil fuels will eventually run out, it makes perfect sense to tap into other energy sources like the sun to fuel our electrical needs, whether at home or at work. And solar power is the perfect energy alternative for a city like San Diego that enjoys the sunshine all year round.

Whether measured by ZIP code or a simple count of kilowatts of capacity, the growth of residential solar in San Diego County in recent years has been undeniable as it has been exponential.  

What remains to be seen is how long the upward trajectory continues.

The experts may have their doubts as to how long this solar power demand will keep on going up, but for now, the numbers look pretty promising.

In numbers going back 18 years, the amount of kilowatts from rooftop solar installations across the county started to spike around 2008 and is projected to reach 171,000 kilowatts of capacity by the end of this year.

The numbers were compiled for the Union-Tribune by Modernize, a company based in Austin, Texas, that connects homeowners to solar contractors. The data points came from the California Distributed Generation Statistics, the public reporting site of the California Solar Initiative. 

So far, the chart resembles the early stages of an S Curve, said Anders, who was approached by the Union-Tribune to help interpret the findings. 

Sometimes found in the business world, an S Curve can be seen in instances when a company rolls out a new product. A rapid, exponential increase in sales over time sends the chart skyrocketing but eventually it tapers off. 

Determining where solar San Diego County is on the S Curve — will it keep going up or is it about to plateau — is hard to tell.

”In San Diego, we have a lot of sunshine and I think it’s reasonable to predict that we’re going to get more solar,” said Anders, who has tracked energy trends in the area for the last 17 years. ”How much, how fast, I can’t tell you that but I do think the curve is going to continue to go up.” 

(Via: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/energy-green/sd-fi-solar-growth-20161201-story.html)

Even schools are now equipped with solar panels for an efficient use of solar energy while educating the country’s youth without harming the environment.

When it comes to the adoption of solar power, K-12 schools across the U.S. are leading the way. While less than one percent of all U.S. homes, businesses, and government agencies rely on solar energy, the 3,700 schools around the country with solar installed represent nearly three percent of the all of K-12 schools in the country. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, that number could be as high 72,000, representing the amount of schools that could go solar cost-effectively under realistic near-term scenarios.

Solar power is a good fit for schools for a variety of reasons. First among these is that energy bills for schools are a significant financial burden. Schools in the U.S. spend about $6 billion a year on energy. For many school districts, high energy bills exceed the cost of supplies and books and are second only to salaries. On top of rising and volatile energy costs, schools are faced with serving a growing student population, aging buildings and tight operating budgets.

(Via: http://timesofsandiego.com/opinion/2017/03/11/solar-power-is-first-in-class-at-californias-k-12-schools/)

And San Diego is one of the major cities in the U.S. that has spearheaded this solar campaign with much success over the years. More San Diego roofs are now equipped with solar panels to harness the energy from the sun that has been there all along.

Continuing to outfit schools across the nation with solar panels, SunPower Corp. will install solar systems at 24 sites this spring in the Cajon Valley Union School District (CVUSD), according to a press release.

The solar installations in the El Cajon region of San Diego (California) County totaling 4.6 megawatts (MW) will primarily include carports, as well as a few rooftop systems, and should be operational by the end of th year.

"With CVUSD's solar investment, we continue to enrich both our schools and our communities by generating clean, renewable energy which will help save on electricity costs and improve our local environment," said Scott Buxbaum, CVUSD assistant superintendent of business services.

(Via: https://www.proudgreenbuilding.com/news/san-diego-school-district-to-add-solar-at-24-sites/)

If there is any trend we can be proud of, it is the use of this planet’s renewable resources. Our population keeps on growing and we need to look for an energy source that won’t dwindle over the years. It is the type of investment everyone should be investing in because the payback is more than two-folds the investment. In the end, it is also a great way to help the environment and lessen the abuse it has to endure as technology progresses and the human need for energy is growing.

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