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Issue 69 - February 2021

What Do Homeowners Think About Climate Change?

By Even Dunn

Since the late 1800s, the global temperature of Earth has increased by 1 degree Celsius(or 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit). Studies suggest that if we stay on the same emissions path we are on today, the global temperature will increase 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2040 and 2 degrees Celsius by 2100.

On the surface, those increases may not seem substantial. However, scientists stress that even half a degree can have devastating effects on the planet. In the Arctic, a half-degree temperature increase (from 1.5 degrees Celsius to 2 degrees Celsius) would make “ice-free summers” 10 times more likely. Around the world, half a degree increase would expose 37 percent of the global population to extreme heat once every five years. In the oceans, coral reefs would “mostly disappear,” and 32 to 80 million people would be exposed to rising sea levels.

Knowing the political back and forth surrounding the legitimacy of climate change and the dangers posed by fluctuating temperatures, we asked over 900 homeowners around the U.S. for their input. Keep reading to see how many homeowners believe in climate change, what they’re doing at home to combat this issue, and how far they’re willing to go to make a positive impact.

Finding common ground

NASA defines global warming as a rapid increase in Earth’s average surface temperature in the past century as a result of greenhouse gas emissions and the burning of fossil fuels. While the majority of experts agree on the fundamental aspects of human-caused climate change, the issue has only recently come back to the forefront of politics in America.

The general public may not be as divided on climate change as you might expect, though. Almost 4 in 5 homeowners agreed with the scientific definition of global warming as defined by NASA. While another 1 in 10 homeowners was unsure, the younger generations were even more comfortable describing climate change as a human-made occurrence. Compared to nearly 63 percent of baby boomers and about 72 percent of Gen Xers, 82 percent of millennials acknowledged NASA’s definition of climate change as valid.

Making a difference

After decades of destructive behavior, experts suggest that even if the global population stopped emitting carbon dioxide entirely, there would be no returning to the temperatures of the past. Instead, we must look at how we can prevent climate change from worsening. Scientists theorize it would take at least 40 years to stabilize Earth’s surface temperature as it is today, and we must be vigilant in our efforts to reduce carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases. There may be no “magic bullet,” but sustainable efforts and renewable energy can have a positive impact on the environment.

Homeowners described making a variety of changes to their homes to protect against natural disasters triggered by existing climate change. Sixty-four percent of those surveyed renovated their home to include new insulation for extreme temperatures, followed by new windows for extreme temperatures (over 60 percent), and almost 53 percent eliminated flammable debris in case of wildfires.As the global surface temperature rises, moisture and precipitation levels will change too, increasing the likelihood that wildfires will burn longer and more intensely. The Camp Fire that burned through California in 2018 marked the deadliest fires in state history. It destroyed more than 6,400 homes and burned through over 2,800 square miles before being contained.

In addition to renovating their homes in response to natural disasters, homeowners also made efforts to combat climate change. Seventy percent of homeowners installed energy-efficient appliances, and more than half began monitoring their energy consumption and water usage.

New homebuying priorities

Homeowners considered close proximity to work (nearly 92 percent) and energy-efficient appliances (over 91 percent) to be important features when looking for a new home.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fewer miles driven means fewer emissions. Since spending less time behind the wheel can positively impact climate change and the environment, the EPA recommends taking public transit whenever possible, using ride-sharing services, and driving efficiently when there are no other viable forms of transportation. Studies show the number of “super commuters” continues to grow, and 1 in 36 commuters travel 90 minutes or more to work every day.

Other important features included hardwood floors (about 82 percent), homes built to withstand natural disasters (almost 77 percent), and homes in areas less known for natural disasters (68 percent). While solar power currently accounts for just 1 percent of the world’s electricity, studies show solar energy could grow by 6,500 percent by 2050. According to our survey, 54 percent of millennials identified solar panels as a priority when shopping for a new home.

Comparing commitment

Even small changes in energy consumption can have a positive impact on the environment and climate change. Using LED lightbulbs was the top action taken for a healthier climate, according to the homeowners polled. In 2010, conventional incandescent lightbulbs accounted for 68 percent of lighting in American homes. In 2016, conventional incandescent lightbulbs fell to just 6 percent of lights installed in homes, while LED lights rose to 14 percent. Studies show energy use has decreased in American homes, and lighting plays a major role in that shift. Not only do LEDs represent long-term savings for homeowners, but they also use 85 percent less energy than their traditional counterparts.

Homeowners also said they used reusable water bottles and recycled paper and plastic products. They were even willing to install solar panels, carpool to work, and purchase an electric vehicle. Experts suggest switching to electric vehicles could be one of the most important actions toward amending damage to the climate, with 60 percent of U.S. carbon pollution coming from power and transportation.

Homeowners drew the line at becoming vegan or vegetarian, using a shower timer, and bringing reusable straws to restaurants, however. Despite their hesitation, 77 percent believed banning single-use plastic bags would benefit the environment, and 67 percent of homeowners felt the same way about banning plastic straws.

Obligated to make a change

In 2019, the evidence supporting human-made climate change reached a “gold standard” of certainty. While the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) isn’t 100 percent certain that human activity has been the main cause of climate change this century, they concluded in 2013 that it was “extremely likely,” or 95 percent probable. In fact, the temperatures recorded between 2015 and 2018 were the hottest on record since the 19th century.

Homeowners agreed everyone was responsible for combating climate change. Including nearly 83 percent of baby boomers and Gen Xers, almost 77 percent of millennials claimed responsibility for the current state of the planet.Led by older generations, homeowners also agreed the federal government, big businesses, and local municipalities were largely responsible for making changes to protect the environment and reduce the impact of climate change.

Claiming responsibility for our homes

While political posturing may suggest the scientific community and American population are conflicted about climate change, homeowners were of a different persuasion. A majority accepted NASA’s definition of climate change as being a human-made occurrence, and many believed they were more responsible than the government or big businesses to combat these devastating effects. In addition to installing energy-efficient appliances, lightbulbs, and recycling, homeowners were willing to install solar panels and carpool to reduce their impact on the environment.

At Porch, we’ll help make it easy to convert your home into an environmentally friendly oasis. Whether you’re thinking about installing new, energy-efficient appliances, weather-resistant windows or doors, new insulation, or something else entirely, we’ve got the professionals you need to get the job done. With our Porch Home Assistant, we’ll match you with certified experts in your area who specialize in whatever’s lingering on your to-do list. Visit us at Porch to learn more.

Methodology and limitations

To gather the data presented above, a survey was ran using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk service. 911 people were surveyed, and respondents had to be current homeowners to qualify for the survey. Of those surveyed, 444 were female, 466 were male, and one person chose to identify as neither. 129 of the respondents were baby boomers, 266 were from Generation X, 512 were millennials, and four fell into generations outside those.

The data presented in the study rely on self-reporting, which can be host to a number of issues, including telescoping and exaggeration. To ensure the most accurate answers possible were achieved, attention checks were used in the survey.


Sources


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Issue 69 - February 2021

SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – February 2021 – Issue 69

Cover Issue 69 Feb 2021
Cover Art: CEM-Europe

Winter Solstice Present to the Earth: Ivory Coast creates its first Marine Protected Area at Grand Béréby

a coast in south Africa with high wave

The Government of Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) announced its first Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Grand-Béréby. Under Professor Joseph Séka SEKA’s chairmanship, Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development a major ceremony took place on-site, with strong involvement of the local communities and high-level participation of different national ministries, UN representatives, and international guests, including the ambassador of Sweden. Read more…

Sea Anemones Find Sweet Arrangement with Under-Skin Algae for Emergency Food Source

Every species needs a backup strategy when food is difficult to find. For sea anemones, Plan B is their symbiotic relationship with tiny algae living under their skin. University of California, Irvine biologists have published findings describing how anemones control this remarkable interaction. Read more…

ANGARI Foundation to Premiere ‘Generation Ocean: Sharks’ 360 Film

shark banner

ANGARI Foundation is excited to announce the release of its 360 film “Generation Ocean: Sharks,” premiering on January 27, 2021. The second of the “Generation Ocean” series, this short film follows Florida Atlantic University (FAU) shark scientist Stephen Kajiura and his research team from the FAU Elasmobranch Lab as they study the well-known blacktip shark migration, a natural phenomenon that brings blacktip populations down the eastern coast of the United States to South Florida every winter. Read more…

Frontline Workers Honored with Free Dive Vacations in Yap

micronesia banner

The remote island of Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia is among the few places in the world that remains free of Covid-19 thanks to its ocean border and a strict travel ban that has kept its residents safe. Read more…

Methane-Busting Seaweed Farms on Track for 2021 Production

seaweed abstract banner

Construction of the first farm and processing plant to turn red seaweed into a feed supplement for cows to reduce their methane production by 90 per cent is expected to begin mid-next year in South Australia. Sustainable agriculture company CH4 plans to build its first two facilities in South Australia with further ‘eco-parks’ planned in the state and in New Zealand. Read more…

What Do Homeowners Think About Climate Change?

a house in the valley

Since the late 1800s, the global temperature of Earth has increased by 1 degree Celsius(or 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit). Studies suggest that if we stay on the same emissions path we are on today, the global temperature will increase 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2040 and 2 degrees Celsius by 2100. Read more…

Feature Destination: Grand Béréby: Ivory Coast’s first Marine Protected Area

ivory coast

Home to 1625 species of fish, not to mention sea turtles, whales, and dolphins, the Great Barrier Reef is a place where the best of Queensland marine life encounters are pretty much guaranteed. With 2300km of coral reef stretching from Bundaberg all the way up to Cape York to explore, you might be wondering where to begin – or how much time you’ll need to see it all. Read more…

The pink hairy squat lobster – Jack’s February Underwater Photograph

This marine crustacean is commonly known as the “Pink hairy squat lobster”, also known as the “Fairy crab”. Its scientific name is Lauriea siagiani. Actually, L. siagiani is not really a lobster but belongs to a group of crabs called Anomurans. Read more …

Ocean Valentines – Printable Cards & GIF’s

Ocean-Valentines-full-color-coloring-sheets-envelope-template-from-Everett-Taylor-Living-Porpoisefully-1

Our love for ocean animals + ocean puns equals a match made in heaven that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day cards! So we’ve taken 18 ocean animals from our children’s books and transformed them into sweet little free printable cards – both full color AND coloring sheets (& mini-envelope template). PLUS, we’ve made 6 of them into animated GIFs that you can send digitally! Here’s one for a peek. See More…

Dive Guides Called to Apply for the Green Fins Dive Guide Scholarship

a scuba diver banner

The Reef-World Foundation – international coordinator of the UN Environment Programme’s Green Fins initiative – is calling for dive guides to submit their application for the Green Fins Dive Guide Scholarship. As a result of the Scholarship campaign, dive guides working around the world – including Brazil, the Philippines, Egypt, Colombia, South Africa, Indonesia, and Turkey – have received their certificate proving their status as a Green Fins certified dive guide. Read more…

Project Holocene by Russ Ronat

Russ Ronat banner

Russ Ronat is an artist and the creator of Project Holocene. The project has been shown at zoos, science, and art museums around the world. The project focuses on large mixed media paintings of endangered animals. The artist also creates projected films that show the steps of the drawings in creation. See more…

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Triples In Size

Rachel Plunkett coral banner

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary has been expanded from 56 to 160 square miles. The expansion adds 14 additional reefs and banks to the sanctuary, with slight adjustments to the boundaries of the sanctuary’s original three banks. Read more…

IPNLF calls on IOTC to take decisive action on yellowfin stock rebuilding at Special Session in early 2021

a yellow fin tuna banner

The International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF) is calling on members of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) to take urgent action, while working in the best interests of the region’s tuna resources and its coastal fisheries, when this regional fisheries management organization convenes its Special Session in early March 2021 to discuss the rebuilding of the overfished Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna stock. Read more…

NOAA expands Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary in the Gulf of Mexico

a pink jelly fish in the wild ocean

NOAA is expanding Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary from approximately 56 square miles to approximately 160 square miles to protect additional important Gulf of Mexico habitat. The move builds upon the sanctuary’s rich 30-year history of scientific studies and public review of the preservation of this special place. Read more…

First New Seafloor Map of the Decade Collected on New Year’s Expedition in Australian Waters

Lead Scientist Helen Bostock seafloor mapping from control room aboard Falkor

Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel ​Falkor ​has collected the first public seafloor data of the New Year, as part of a global effort to map the entire ocean floor by 2030. Australian scientists aboard the ship literally “​Pinged in the New Year”​ as they sent sonar waves down to the ocean floor at midnight on Dec. 31 and throughout New Year’s Day, flying the first official flag of ​The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project​. Read more…

Miami-based Start-Up Launches Venture Studio & Innovation Pipeline to Save the Oceans

Seaworthy Collective (SC), a new Miami based start-up is empowering a community of current and aspiring ocean entrepreneurs (known as sea change makers) to innovate for regenerative ocean impact, officially launches their Opportunities for Sea Change initiative. Read more…

New Online Platform Creates Knowledge Portal for Aquaculture Farmers

fish frozen in the market

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute announced the launch of The Maine Aquaculturist — a free-to-use online knowledge portal designed to help Maine’s sea farmers access an array of existing business resources across the state. Maine’s rapidly growing aquaculture industry enjoys a comprehensive support system that includes state agencies, NGOs, research labs, academic institutions, trade groups, and other organizations invested in the economic potential aquaculture brings to the state. Read more…

An Angler’s Winter Chore May Spark an Idea to Make the World a Better Place

Angler is fishing next to a river

Winter is annual maintenance time for many anglers, and re-spooling with a new line and recycling the old is a common task. Ever thought about what happens once you dispose of the old line in a fishing line recycling tube? Read more…


The FREE Weekly Conservation Post and Jobs List

Signing up for the free Weekly Newsletter & Jobs List will get you a round-up of upcoming events, webinars, meetings, reports, funding opportunities, photos of the week, and recent postings to the jobs list.

To sign up for our free subscription, please Click Here or email us Here

Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.

Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.

If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email us Here


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Issue 69 - February 2021

An Angler’s Winter Chore May Spark an Idea to Make the World a Better Place

a man is fishing on a rock next to a river

Winter is annual maintenance time for many anglers, and re-spooling with a new line and recycling the old is a common task. Ever thought about what happens once you dispose of the old line in a fishing line recycling tube?

It’s not pretty. Turning fishing lines into new products is labor-intensive, requiring a series of workers to manually comb through, sort, clean, remove hooks and weights, and separate out miles of encrusted debris in an entangled fishing line. So as you pile up a few reels of the line to be recycled this winter, the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is asking for your ideas on how to help grow the volume of line recycled each year.

Teaming up with fishing tackle company Berkley, the BoatUS Foundation’s Recast & Recycle Contest seeks out new ideas and improvements to the process, new ideas for recycled products, or technology breakthroughs for the current process that will increase the volume of line and soft baits that are recycled. Entry is simple – all you have to do is send a short video or one-page summary explaining your idea. Thirty thousand dollars in prize money is at stake for the three best ideas submitted through May 14, 2021.

“It’s great that anglers recycle,” said BoatUS Foundation Director of Outreach Alanna Keating. “Now we need to ask for help with scaling up recycling with a greater volume of line, whether it’s a time- and labor-saving process improvement or creating a new market to fully sustain recycling efforts.”

Judges will add weight to contest submissions that actually work, are practical, innovative, and have the potential to have a significant impact.

The first-place prize is $15,000, second place receives $10,000, and $5,000 will be awarded for third place. Contest submissions can address any part of the process (or multiple parts) of taking discarded fishing lines and soft plastics from the end of life to a new beginning. Professionals, amateurs, and students alike are encouraged to apply, as are school teams and groups. Contest entries can be submitted with as little as a link to a video demonstration of the idea or a one-page graphic summary. Videos are limited to 4 minutes.

Contest rules and conditions, details on the current recycling process, and videos on how various plastics and soft baits are recycled can be found at the Recast & Recycle website BoatUS.org/Contest.

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About the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean, and responsible boating. Funded primarily by donations from the more than 700,000 members of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the nonprofit provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America’s waterways, and keeping boating safe for all. A range of boating safety courses – including 36 free state courses – can be found at BoatUS.org/Courses.

About Pure Fishing

Pure Fishing, Inc. is a leading global provider of fishing tackle, lures, rods, and reels with a portfolio of brands that includes Abu Garcia, All-Star, Berkley, Fenwick, Fin-Nor, Greys, Hardy, Hodgman, Johnson, JRC, Mitchell, Penn, Pflueger, Sebile, Shakespeare®, SpiderWire, Stren, Ugly Stik, and Van Staal.


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Conservation Photography

The pink hairy squat lobster – Photo taken in Indonesia – Jack’s February Underwater Photograph

This marine crustacean is commonly known as the “Pink hairy squat lobster”, also known as the “Fairy crab”. Its scientific name is Lauriea siagiani. Actually, L. siagiani is not really a lobster, but belongs to a group of crabs called Anomurans.

Anomurans are decapod crustaceans, meaning they have ten appendages (legs). But unlike their relatives called brachyuran (the true crabs), the two rear appendages are small and are hidden under the shell, together with the respiratory organs or gills.

The fairy crabs are tiny. Adults typically measure no more than 1.5 centimetres; thus they are of no value from the point of view of a commercial fishery. However, despite their small size, and because of it, they are spectacularly beautiful. Their body is almost translucent; their legs show edges of intense, nearly florescent pinkish-purple color, with purple spots and lots of white hairs covering the entire body.

Anomuran crustaceans live in almost all oceans, but this particular species, the fairy crab, lives associated with a species of sea sponge called the “Giant barrel sponge” (Xestospongia testudinaria) which abounds in coral and rocky reefs off the coast of the Lesser Sunda Islands (Bali) and Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Fairy crabs are usually difficult to photograph because they are very shy and hide under the projections on the sides of the sponges.


See more of Jack Fung’s underwater photography on Instagram


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