Business leaders in North Carolina, including companies like American Airlines and Duke Energy, are discussing ways to strengthen the state's clean energy economy and reduce emissions. They are seeking greater access to clean energy to meet their targets while managing costs. The roundtable focused on how public and private sector leaders can work together to strengthen North Carolina's leadership in the clean energy economy, keep costs down, and create high-quality jobs statewide. Companies like SAS Institute, Scout Motors, and Sierra Nevada Brewing are investing in clean energy and sustainability, emphasizing the importance of modernizing the state's energy system. Ceres, a nonprofit organization advocating for clean energy and a resilient energy grid in North Carolina, emphasizes the importance of smart policies to maintain the state's competitiveness and inspire investors and companies to address sustainability challenges. Their efforts aim to transform industries, create new business opportunities, and promote innovation and job growth in support of a cleaner, more just economy. North Carolina has the opportunity to lead on energy affordability and economic growth by expanding access to clean, reliable energy.
Tag: North Carolina
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How a species of bamboo could help protect the South from future floods
In early 2024, Michael Fedoroff led a project to plant rivercane, a native bamboo plant, along Tuckabum Creek in Alabama to restore eroded wetlands. Rivercane used to be abundant in the Southeast but has declined due to European settlement. The project showed that rivercane is crucial for preventing erosion and damage from floods, as seen during Hurricane Helene. A network of scientists, volunteers, and Native stakeholders are working to bring back rivercane and restore its benefits in the face of climate-fueled disasters. The Rivercane Restoration Alliance (RRA) and its allies are working to replant rivercane in the Southeast, emphasizing its benefits for waterways, native species, and water filtration. Large restoration projects involve collaboration with stakeholders like land management companies, government agencies, and Native American tribes. Rivercane holds cultural significance for tribes, who historically used it for crafts. Challenges to restoration efforts include education, as rivercane is often mistaken for invasive bamboo, and the cost and availability of plants. Innovative methods, like the "cane train," are being used to propagate rivercane and overcome these challenges. Researchers are working on sequencing rivercane genomes to choose the best varieties for different locations due to the plant's specific needs. Despite imperfections, rivercane propagation is seen as a cheap and easy method for restoration projects. In Yancey County, North Carolina, a rivercane restoration project led by the county government and local groups involved volunteers in planting thousands of shoots to stabilize stream banks. This project demonstrates the power of planting rivercane as an actionable solution for ordinary landowners and volunteers to contribute to healing the landscape in the face of climate change.