Staying home has led many homeowners to make those home improvement changes they had been putting off

by: Hanna Erdmann

WKBN

(WKBN) We were all staying home a lot more in 2020, and it looks like we will continue that trend through the beginning of 2021.

Staying home has led many homeowners to make those home improvement changes they had been putting off.

M.P. Vivo Heating and Cooling is a local company, here to fix and help maintain your heating and cooling units, so you have temperature control through all seasons.

Breathing in clean air is important, and owner Michael Vivo says the key is regularly changing your air filters.

One of the biggest problems we face on service calls is the filters. They are not being changed like the way they should be, said Vivo.

The company also offers indoor air quality services and products to keep all the harmful things in the air out of your home.

They can install a Fresh Air Ventilation System that adds humidity to the air and can ventilate inside to clear stale air and bring in fresh air.

In terms of routine maintenance, Vivo recommends getting your air conditioning unit and/or furnace checked every year, at least once, but twice is better.

They offer a maintenance package that provides easy access to service and keep your systems running longer. The maintenance contract includes system inspections and tune-ups, priority service, regularly scheduled visits and much more.

To find out more information, you can call (330) 259-0486 or visit the M.P. Vivo Heating and Air Conditioning website.

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M.P. Vivo Heating and Cooling here to make sure your units works year-round - WKBN.com

Being an HVAC Contractor, like other professions, takes a lot of work. Its not something that can be accomplished overnight. It needs effort, time, dedication, hard work, and of course, skills. Since it is one of the most difficult industrial jobs, most professionals in this field are required to give their best and thats 100% of the time.

To be a step closer to your dream, you would need to possess a wide variety of skills. These skills are going to be essential tools for you to become a great and talented HVAC Contractor!

HVAC is a common term that most people are casually tossing around, but what does it really mean? It is an abbreviation that is short for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. It pertains to the different systems that move air between outdoor and indoor areas. It is a climate control system that is installed in houses and commercial properties.

This system can keep you cool during scourging, hot summer days and keep you cozy during cold, chilly days. It filters indoor air and maintains the levels of humidity at comfort levels. These systems are there to keep you comfortable and safe.

Are you maybe someone whos considering a profession concerning the HVAC but still quite hesitating? As Bob Wells, creator of HVAC Training 101, once said, when making decisions, everyone should have access to unbiased information. Whether it is just buying a new air conditioner or deciding to become an HVAC professional.

If you are hesitating because its not the most in-demand profession, dont be! HVAC is a complicated system that not everyone can fix once broken. In those instances, HVAC professionals are definite heroes. They are the ones to be called on.

HVAC Contractor is one of the professions to consider. They specialize in the maintenance and installation of boilers, heat pumps, air conditioners, and furnaces. They also help people with matters of cooling, heating, air flow, and air quality.

The duties of an HVAC Contractor depends on the project they have on hand. For maintenance and inspection services, they would check the tube joints and pipes for leaks, testing electrical currents, clean air ducts, testing thermostat systems, and refilling refrigerant levels. Repair services, however, involve replacing certain parts. There are also installation processes where they hook up new units to pipes, tubes, ductwork, and distribution systems.

Seeing the extensive duties of an HVAC Contractor, it is no wonder that they would require a license. Theres the HVAC license and the more specific HVAC Contractor License. Remember that every country, and in some cases, state or city, has its own requirements for the license you are aiming for. Be sure to check that out.

Now, unto to the most important part. If you want to become an HVAC Contractor, you would need skills.

There are certain skills you will learn and possess when you train to be a good HVAC Contractor!

First off, as an HVAC Contractor, you must have business-building skills. Training will teach you that there are two particular ways to this; you can either learn or hire people who already have business skills. Then, it is a matter of maintaining your business afloat, which requires the proper skill.

Troubleshooting is a type of problem-solving. It means repairing and fixing failed or broken products and processes of a system or machine. Being an HVAC Contractor, you will undoubtedly receive service calls for repairing existing systems. This will require troubleshooting skills to employ critical thinking to determine the problems immediately.

To provide the best service, it is vital to have excellent communication skills. Being able to express and string together a comprehensive thought clearly in both writing and talking would come in handy when communicating with a customer. This skill would come in handy as it will be your job to educate your customers regarding the problems, maintenance, care, and solution of the HVAC.

In this line of work, you will encounter various software programs to monitor, control systems, and retrieve job assignments. There are also multiple computer tasks such as emails, reports, specifications, instructions, and instructions. Being knowledgeable about using a computer would help you tremendously.

Technical Skills are probably the basis and foundation of a successful career in contracting. Working in the field of HVAC would require extensive technical training and knowledge. Depending on the place you live in, you might need to pass a certain technical exam or course to prove your abilities before you can be a contractor.

Training would enable you to learn and know about control systems, design review, equipment sizing and selection, distribution system of air conditioning, steam heating, hot-water heating, and water cooling. It is also necessary to know about the installation and maintenance of HVAC systems.

It is necessary to review your financial statements every month or week. It is important to keep tabs and a close eye on your accounts. There are instances where companies would close down due to running out of liquidity. Training teaches how to keep track of the service revenue, gross profit, installation sales, new service agreements, average service call ticket, and labor as a percent of service and installation.

Knowing how HVAC works would surely come in handy to a contractor. As it will be your job to install and maintain, youll need to learn the system and the equipment itself. Knowing about the components would also help.

As technology is always advancing, it will be necessary to keep your skills up-to-date. Even after training, continue your education further to compete in the industry. You can take online courses, training courses, or read books.

Competing in the HVAC industry is tough and challenging. It requires work to keep up with the competition. While it is important to continue developing and polish your technical skills, there are other skills you will need to possess to be a good HVAC Contractor.

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8 Skills You Learn When You Train To Be A Heating Ventilation And Air Conditioning Contractor - E/The Environmental Magazine

Let the Sunshine In resounded as the anthem from the musical Hair when it debuted on Broadway in 1968.

In that year, photo-voltaic cells, now more commonly known as solar cells, were very expensive novelties. I bought one about 4 inches square for about $20 that could barely power a transistor radio.

Perhaps Bob Dylans song, The Times They Are A-Changin, or are a-chargin, is equally prophetic.

In mid-December, StraightUp Solar installed 23 solar panels on my roof, which on a good sunny day should generate almost 7.5 kilowatts.

StraightUp estimated that that should compensate for about 98 percent of our yearly electricity usage.

Of course, just like miles per gallon in a car, real-world numbers are tricky. We even asked our very artistic arborist, Gus, to carefully remove a tree limb that shaded some of the roof.

My solar quest started with a friend in Massachusetts boasting to me that he was going solar.

My next-door neighbor installed solar panels on his roof about three years ago, when it was more expensive than today.

People generate a lot of hot air discussing climate change. Most of us lack much individual control over greenhouse gas emissions.

Sure, you can drive a hybrid or electric car, which is not satisfactory for many people. You can install a highly efficient furnace and air conditioner while dialing down the heating and cooling in your home. Please dont lecture me about staying off airplanes. Some readers of this paper abhor wind turbines.

Installing solar panels for electricity is a major way you can fight climate change without sacrifice or disturbing your neighbors.

If you go solar for the financial benefits, youll wait about 10 years (it used to be 20 years) to amortize your investment.

There are three financial incentives.

The first is a 26 percent federal tax credit. Congress extended it through 2021. It was supposed to fall to

22 percent this year.

The second is selling solar renewable energy credits. Your solar installer will link you with a broker who buys the credits from you and sells them to major utilities that pollute too much, such as Commonwealth Edison.

Sometimes theres a market for energy credits and sometimes not. Timing is everything.

Then theres the slippery, controversial compensation known as net metering. This requires your utility company, such as Ameren, to buy the power from your solar panels at a wholesale rate and apply it toward your electric bill.

They will still charge you for delivery of power. So if your monthly electric bill is $100, you may see as much as an $80 discount, depending on your system and the utility.

Power companies detest this provision because it reduces their profits. Net metering is one of those political footballs that the Legislature deals with in the dead of night when no one is looking. Hello, Mike Madigan and Commonwealth Edison?

I barely have space left to tell you about my terrific experience with StraightUp (straightupsolar.com).

With that said, StraightUp supplies a lengthy contract that requires reading the fine print. Some clauses are negotiable, some are not.

The worst is the energy-credit contract from Carbon Solutions Group. Take this to your attorney. Ill explain more in a future column, where Ill also discuss the installation and first month of operation.

The 2021 virtual Consumer Electronics Show starts Monday. It baffles me how even the most sophisticated internet technology with an unlimited budget can substitute for the 140,000 people who take over most of Las Vegas every January.

Manufacturers will release their new products and technologies, but how do you appreciate the newest 100-inch 8K TV on a 24-inch HD computer screen? Or test drive the latest electric car?

Ill report on the most significant new developments from the forthcoming virtual CES in my Jan. 24 column.

Rich Warren, who lives in the Champaign area, is a longtime reviewer of consumer electronics. Email him at hifiguy@volo.net.

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Rich Warren | The times they are a-chargin' - Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette

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Top 10 Best of Thermostats That Work With Alexas 2020 - Best gaming pro

Eliminate all your man-made belongings and you will soon realize that planet earth is quite a punishing place. Without your clothes, home, and cooling and heating, it would become a great challenge to handle the summer and winter seasons and the rains. Unlike other animals, the average human body is not built to withstand extreme climate conditions. Both extreme heat and cold can be lethal and our world is full of places that have these conditions. Talking a bit more about the latter, heres a quick look at some of the coldest places on earth.

Snag, Yukon Territory, Canada This village was earlier inhabited, but is currently abandoned. It also has a World War II era military airfield, which is now defunct. The origins of this village can be traced back to the Klondike Gold Rush. Snag has subarctic climate and the lowest recorded temperature was 81.4 F (63.0 C) in February 1947.

Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russia The capital city of Sakha Republic, Yakutsk is situated around 450 km from the south of Arctic Circle. It is the largest city to be located on continuous permafrost. Lowest recorded temperature was 83.9 F (64.4 C) and the highest was 101.1 F (+38.4 C). The city has an estimated population of more than 300,000. Yakutsk is a preferred location for tourists who want to experience extreme cold.

Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia This rural locality remains frozen throughout most parts of the year. Due to the unique topography of the region, cold winds from the arctic get trapped, resulting in colder climate. Minimum recorded temperature was 89.9 F (67.7 C), making it the coldest inhabited place on earth. Oymyakon has a population of around 1000 residents. It gets its name from Oymyakon River that flows in the area and remains frozen during winters.

Verkhoyansk, Sakha Republic, Russia This town shares its cold record with that of Oymyakon. Verkhoyansk also holds the record for being the hottest place in the north of Arctic Circle. At 100.4 F (38.0 C), Verkhoyansk can be pretty hot in the summer months of June, July and August. These temperature differences make it a tough place to live. As per estimates, Verkhoyansk has a population of around 11k residents.

East Antarctic Plateau This is a frozen icy ridge located at an altitude of 12,467 feet (3,800 meters). Its apparent that no one lives here, even though scientists have visited this place to install a range of equipment including temperature sensors. Based on the readings, the minimum temperature was recorded at minus 148 degrees Fahrenheit (or -100 Celsius). This makes it the coldest place on the planet.

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Which Is The Coldest Place On Earth? - NewsPatrolling

Chesapeake-based R.A. Styron Heating & Air Conditioning has a longstanding tradition of providing excellent service to its customers. This is not surprising as they are one of the oldest and most reliable HVAC and plumbing services in and around the Chesapeake, Virginia area. Over the 67 years, the company has been in business, they have continued to improve on their old services and added newer ones into the mix to better meet their customers HVAC needs. In that time, this family-owned and operated business has also managed to establish deep roots within the local community.

The company representative, Tabitha, says, Over the years we have resisted the temptation to become part of a nationwide HVAC services provider. Its something that has just never fit our style. Thats because we firmly believe in taking a more personal approach when it comes to providing our customers with quality HVAC services. We feel this is one of the reasons why many of our customers have been using our services for decades and we are now on a first-name basis. For us, pride and caring have always been just as if not more important than our businesss bottom line. Our customers can rest assured that combining excellent workmanship, great customer service, and affordable pricing is a trend that will continue for us well into the foreseeable future.

Tabitha went on to say that over the years they have consistently added to their wide variety of Chesapeake HVAC services. They now do such things as supply and install some of the most energy-efficient and reliable Heating and air conditioning systems that are sold today. She added that they carry such trusted HVAC brands as Rheem, Ruud, York, and Lennox. The company representative also stated that they are very proud of how well-trained and experienced all of their heating, air conditioning, and plumbing techs are. She expanded upon this by saying that they are so good at what they do, their techs can even work on HVAC and plumbing systems that have been installed by their competitors. R. A. Styron Heating & Air Conditioning is also the area's geothermal heating and cooling experts and can supply, install, and repair any type of water heater.

Here are some glowing reviews that testify to the fact that the company has a history of satisfying both new customers and those that have been with them for many years. Longtime customer Bonnie Laibstain wrote, We have known the Styron family and used their services for over 26 years. Everyone has always been very polite, thorough, and professional. They have done many jobs over the years at our home. We use their spring/fall maintenance program to reduce problems throughout the year. They are a reliable, trustworthy, and fair company. More recent customer T. Phillips stated, A few years ago our HVAC system died on us in the middle of the scorching heat of the summer. After a day of calling around for estimates, we decided to go ahead and let Styron's crew replace it. They were reasonably priced and had availability the very next day. We have had them out to maintain that system ever since and had only one issue, which they promptly came out to repair under warranty. They now have a lifelong customer with us and we refer them to friends and family whenever we can! These reviews and others like them can be seen on their Google Maps Business Listing where they average a perfect 5-star rating.

Those who would like to get more information on the services that this Heating & Cooling Company in Chesapeake VA offers can contact them by phone, email, or by filling out the form thats found on the bottom of their websites homepage. Styron reminded that their customers can reach out to them for free HVAC installation or repair estimates and they also offer a complete customer satisfaction guarantee on all of their completed heating, air conditioning, and plumbing jobs. R. A. Styron Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. serves not only those in Chesapeake but also in the surrounding communities of Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Portsmouth, and Norfolk.

###

For more information about R. A. Styron Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., contact the company here:

R. A. Styron Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.Jordyn Styron(757) 371-7994office@rastyron.comR. A. Styron Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.1481 Watersedge DrVirginia Beach, VA 23452(757) 371-7994

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RA Styron HVAC Company in Chesapeake VA Still Going Strong in Their 67th Year of Existence - Press Release - Digital Journal

Geothermal Industry Wins Tax Credit Extension in Stimulus Bill | 2020-12-31 | ACHR News This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more. This Website Uses CookiesBy closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn MoreThis website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.

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Geothermal Industry Wins Tax Credit Extension in Stimulus Bill - ACHR NEWS

Smart devices took the focus in 2020, as our homes became our school classrooms and offices. The smart home trend which allows us to interact with devices is only set to get stronger in 2021 as the coronavirus and its mutations continue to upend our daily routines and keep the new standard as remote everything.

NoCamels scanned the internet to find Israeli smart devices and gadgets (and some home-based medical kits) that are catching global headlines and making our lives smart(er) no matter where we live.

Israels Sensibo, a company that offers smart air sensing and control solutions, was recently named a must-have on US tech news site Tech Crunchs 2020 smart home gift ideas list.

Think of the Sensibo as a smart thermostat for those who do not have a central heating/cooling unit. If a person has a window air conditioner, portable room heater, or modern heat pump any device that has a remote control the Sensibo will control the temperature, TechCrunchs Matt Burns wrote.

The smart home device that enables air conditioners to automate a persons heating or cooling needs, also features on Paste magazines 15 Best Gadgets of 2020.

AI artificial vision and hearing devices made by Israels OrCam won accolades across the world this past year. The company, headed by the founders of Mobileye, won aBest of Innovation awardin the accessibility category by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) for its OrCam Read digital reader just this month.

The OrCam Read is a new class of assistive technology to support people with reading challenges, such as dyslexia, mild to moderate vision loss, reading fatigue, as well as for those who read large volumes of text.

This handheld Israeli device reads full pages or screens of text aloud from any printed or digital surface, including newspapers, books, product labels as well as computers and smartphones. It does this entirely offline, without requiring an internet connection, resulting in instant audio communication while ensuring data privacy.

The wearable tech devices that assist the visually and hearing impaired were also included on this US-recommended last-minute gift idea Christmas list.

COVID-19 has given a boost to the smart lock marketplace. With household spread among the most common paths to infection, the idea that the fewer high-touch surfaces you touch, the better. And door handles are among high-touch home surfaces.

The ENTR Mul-T-Lock, which lets you use your fingerprint, keys or app to open a door, is a smart lock with patented blue-and-white advanced technologies.

It was named one of the Best UK Smart Locks For 2020 by PCMag, who called it easy to install and one of the most versatile smart locks in our group.

The novel coronavirus gave a boost to all companies developing products to enable diagnosis and monitoring of different health factors at home and without visiting a doctors office.

Australians are using PixCell Medicals HemoScreen diagnostics device, an Israeli rapid point-of-care (POC) diagnostic system to monitor COVID19 patients remotely.

The HemoScreen is the first established and FDA-cleared hematology analyzer for POC use by non-technical users.This can minimize the spread of disease, particularly in the pandemic management reality in which we currently find ourselves, PixCell Medical CEO Dr.Avishay Bransky said in a statement.

We recognize the need to simplify real-time blood testing and are proud to work with NSW Health Pathology to increase accessibility to POC diagnostics, Dr. Branksy said.

The HemoScreen leverages AI and computer vision, combined with PixCells patented Viscoelastic Focusing technology, which causes cells to line up in a single cell plane for rapid analysis.

Israeli-founded company Nanit, a smart monitor to predict the growth pattern of an infant through camera tech, was named in New York Magazine among The Best Baby Monitors, According to Parent and Sleep Consultants.

The US-Israeli company combines computer vision, machine learning, and advanced camera sensors that measure a babys sleep cycle and breathing motion. In April, JVPs Fiona Darmon told NoCamels that the elderly population was snapping up this device as a way to bond with a grandchild while watching him sleep while the relative remained isolated at home.

Nanit is based in New York City and has its R&D office in Tel Aviv. While there are many monitoring apps out there, Nanit differentiates itself thanks to its data-tracking abilities and can also give sleep training tips.

COVID-19 gave a huge push to telehealth and telediagnosis. Earlier this year, Tyto Care received an additional $50 million in funding for the production of its remote medical testing devices due to surging demand and rapid telehealth adoption.

In September, the Israeli companys on-demand AI-powered telehealth solution received approval by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) with the company being given the green light to distribute its handheld devices to health organizations and consumers across Australia. By October, it offered an AI-powered diagnostic support solution for clinicians. The diagnostic tool was submitted to the FDA for clearance, expected in mid-2021.

The pandemic has accelerated the need for remote care, and we have seen firsthand the global surge in demand from health organizations, hospitals, and consumers for high-quality telehealth solutions, said Dedi Gilad, CEO, and co-founder of Tyto Care, With Tytos diagnosis support solution, we will be equipping clinicians to make better informed decisions from afar. We look forward to propelling telehealth and telediagnosis even further with other at-home diagnosis solutions to come.

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6 Israeli Devices And Gadgets That Will Make Our Lives Smarter In 2021 - NoCamels - Israeli Innovation News

CLEVELAND, Dec. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Millennia Companies (Millennia) has closed on $27.5 million in financing for the acquisition and renovation of 131-units of affordable housing for seniors and persons with disabilities at Peace Lake Towers in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The rehabilitation includes a comprehensive renovation of the six-story, mid-rise apartment complex. Upon completion, residents will enjoy renovated one-bedroom apartments and amenities such as a community center, arts activity space, library, computer lab and fitness room.

For seniors and persons with disabilities, affordable housing is especially critical, says Frank T. Sinito.

The construction scope encompasses enhanced security features and upgraded heating, cooling, mechanical and electrical systems. Additionally, the plan calls for the installation of a new roof, windows, and doors. Inside, crews will install energy-efficient appliances and eco-friendly materials for countertops and cabinets.

"For seniors and persons with disabilities, affordable housing is critical. Since the supply of affordable housing for this population is declining while demand is increasing, we are proud to provide residents with quality housing and a community enriched with services," says Frank T. Sinito, Chief Executive Officer, The Millennia Companies.

Millennia anticipates that construction will begin in the coming weeks and take 14 months to complete. Crews will renovate vacant units first and relocate households onsite as the construction is completed in phases. Residents pay 30 percent of their income toward rent, and rent will remain affordable well into the future as it is subsidized for at least 20 years by a federal Project-Based Section 8 contract.

The following partners provided financing and resources for this transaction: RedStone (lender), Aegon (syndicator), Louisiana Housing Corporation (Bond and Tax Credit Issuer), the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Southwest Field Office and the City of New Orleans. Also engaged in this project are Marous Brothers (general contractor), Hooker DeJong, Inc. (architecture firm), Millennia Housing Development, Ltd. (developer), and Millennia Housing Management, Ltd. (management agent).

About

Founded in 1995, The Millennia Companies manages a diverse portfolio of over 30,000 apartments in 275 communities across 26 states. In 2020, Millennia ranked #3 on the Affordable Housing Finance (AHF) list of Top 50 Affordable Housing Owners, #7 on the AHF list of Top 10 Companies Completing Acquisitions, and #18 on the Multi-Housing News list of Top Developers.

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The Millennia Companies Closes on $27.5 Million in Financing for the Renovation of Peace Lake Towers in New Orleans - PRNewswire

By Marcel Alers

The author is Head of Energy of the UN Development Programme (UNDP)

NEW YORK (IDN) The energy sector, still dominated by fossil fuels, is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. We know people and nations need reliable sources of energy to power hospitals and light schools, and to safely cook, heat or cool their homes. We know we need to switch to sustainable energy.

Yet despite progress, we are not on track to meet our climate goals and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 universal access to clean, affordable and reliable energy.

Much more needs to be done. But the clean energy solutions that can get us there exist, and there is growing momentum to make them political and investment priorities. Here are our five reasons to be optimistic.

1) Clean energy is a smart investment

Fossil fuels used to be less expensive than cleaner energy, but this is changing. Renewables are becoming more affordable every year, and some options are now cheaper than fossil fuels. The price of solar has decreased by 89 percent since 2010. It is now cheaper to go solar than to build new coal power plants in most countries, and solar is now the cheapest electricity in history. Amid an exceptionally challenging year, and despite suffering setbacks, the renewables sector has shown some resilience.

This fall in price, coupled with technological progress and the introduction of innovative business models, means we are now at a tipping point. Energy efficiency technologies can also deliver climate benefits. The right efficiency policies could enable the world to achieve more than 40 percent of the emissions cuts needed to even without new technology.

We now need massive investment from the public and private sectors. To help catalyse this, UNDP has developed the De-risking Renewable Energy Investment framework and supports countries to create an enabling environment for large scale clean energy investments.

2) There is growing momentum for carbon neutrality

Throughout the year countries have pledged to build back better, greener, fairer. With support from UNDPs Climate Promise, 115 countries committed to submitting enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions.

High-emitting economies such as China, Japan, South Korea, the UK and the EU have made net-zero commitments. The announcements at or just before the Climate Ambition Summit, together with those expected early next year, mean that countries representing around 65 percent of global CO2 emissions, and around 70 percent of the worlds economy, will commit to reaching net zero emissions or carbon neutrality. President-elect Joe Biden has announced that the United States will seek to rejoin the Paris Agreement early in his presidency.

These pledges now need to be translated into action. Yet at the time of writing, more than half of all public money committed to the energy sector as part of COVID-19 recovery packages in G20 countries are for fossil fuels. In 2019, US$500 billion was spent on fossil fuel subsidies. Ambitious commitments are a strong signal and a necessary first step towards reaching net-zero emissions. We now need to build on them.

3) Clean energy can power a green recovery that leaves no-one behind and is in line with the Paris Agreement

Clean energy is a win-win solution to recover from COVID-19. It can improve healthcare for the worlds poorest. A reliable supply of electricity is key for health centres to function. Our Solar for Health programme brings clean, reliable, and affordable energy to 900 health facilities in 13 countries. As COVID-19 vaccines - some needing to be stored at -70C - get rolled out, powering a sustainable and reliable cold chain will be critical.

Clean energy is also an engine for job creation. The energy transition can create 18 million jobs by 2030, even when accounting for the inevitable losses of fossil fuel jobs. Investing in renewables could create nearly three times as many jobs as investing in fossil fuels.

The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated momentum for healthier, greener cities. As the world is rapidly urbanizing, energy efficiency in buildings, sustainable cooling and heating, smart urban planning and sustainable transport options from electric vehicles to enabling walking and cycling -- are key for the future of cities.

4) Every year, tens of millions of people get clean energy

Between 2010 and 2018 411 million people gained access to clean electricity, and an additional 200 million to clean cooking technologies and fuels. This huge leap towards achieving SDG7 is life-changing for many. Sustainable energy is necessary to achieve nearly every other SDG.

Renewable energy systems such as solar mini-grids are good solutions to provide the affordable and reliable electricity communities need to power schools and health centres, and to support small businesses, sustainable agriculture and food security. Clean technologies and fuels for cooking can also improve gender equality.

However, population growth in some parts of the world offsets some of this progress. The number of people without electricity in sub Saharan Africa is projected to increase from around 580 million in 2018 to around 680 million in 2030. To accelerate action on energy, a new coalition launched by the Rockefeller Foundation with UNDP as founding member committed to end energy poverty by bringing sustainable energy to one billion people by 2030.

5) 2021 will be the year of global action for sustainable energy

In September 2021, for the first time in 40 years, the United Nations will host a High Level Dialogue on Energy. Organized by UN-Energy, this event will be instrumental for countries, businesses, civil society and international institutions to step up action on sustainable energy. UN-Energy co-chair and UNDP Administrator

Achim Steiner recently called for a reinforcement of global energy governance: We know clean energy can both deliver universal energy access and contribute to tackling the climate crisis. We know it can power a green recovery and the transition to a sustainable future. But we need to do more, we need to do it faster, and we need to do it togetherwe must join forces to step up action.

Phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to green economies is a monumental challenge. But the solutions exist. We need to finance them, to scale them up, to accelerate them. On top of existing partnerships such as the Climate Investment Platform, we will be announcing new initiatives early 2021 to make it happen. We are ready to rise to the challenge. Join us in making 2021 the year of global action for sustainable energy. [IDN-InDepthNews 03 January 2021]

Photo: Men install solar panels for a hospital in Yemen. UNDPs SPCRP project is equipping COVID-19 isolation centers with vital equipment such as solar energy panels. This allows the key healthcare facilities to function even with the chronic lack of electricity in the country. Photo: UNDP Yemen

IDN is flagship agency of the Non-profit International Press Syndicate.

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Clean Energy Set to Grow in 2021 - IDN InDepthNews | Analysis That Matters