Earth Angels
April 22 marks Earth Day, which was founded in 1970 to acknowledge the achievements of the environmental movement and raise awareness of ecological sustainability. In the 54 years since, that movement has steadily grown—but so have the crises and the need for action. More than 44,000 species around the world are threatened with extinction, 2023 was the warmest year on record, and issues such as plastic pollution, ghost forests, and coral bleaching are reaching a fever pitch.
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More Work to Do
Electrification Fizzles
U.S. consumers’ appetite for going green has cooled. Despite incentives, such as tax credits that are part of Pres. Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, consumers have hit the pause button on purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) and adding solar panels to their rooftops.
Tesla’s EV sales slip…
Tesla, Inc., the world’s largest EV maker, reported that sales in the three months ended March 31 fell 9%, suggesting many consumers aren’t yet sold on EVs’ viability. In response, the car-maker plans to cut 10% of its workforce, or roughly 14,000 jobs. Tesla’s stock is also taking a hit; shares are down more than 35% this year.
…while Toyota revels in higher sales
Toyota Motor Corporation, meanwhile, reported that sales rose in the first quarter, attributable to its decision to focus on building traditional hybrid vehicles, which feature a gasoline engine combined with one or more electric motors. Hybrids aren’t subject to range anxiety—the fear that an EV will run out of juice before reaching a charger.
Solar panels not so hot
Consumers are also hesitating to install solar panels on their rooftops, partly due to higher interest rates on the loans many need to finance such projects. With solar installations typically costing north of $20,000, many homeowners are taking a wait-and-see attitude despite incentives that provide a tax credit worth 30% of the total project cost.
The sun still shines through
Though solar panels may not be viable to some, a bright spot remains. Community solar projects are a viable alternative for many households, especially renters. By subscribing to these programs, which deploy large numbers of solar panels, consumers can help reduce greenhouse gases and save on electricity costs, too.
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