Chanel Pledges to Help Give Low-Income California Residents Solar Power
Chanel announced that it is giving $35 million to low-income residents of California to bring them solar power.
The news comes amidst massive power outages that are leaving millions of Californians without a way to cool their houses and nowhere to escape from the heat due to closures from COVID-19. The French luxury company is partnering with Sunrun, a leading solar company in the United States, to bring solar power to 30,000 low-income residents.
“They’ll get solar panels on their rooftops that will essentially save them about $50 per month on their electric power. Most of their electricity will be free for the 20-plus years,” said Lynn Jurich, Sunrun‘s co-founder and chief executive.
Solar power can significantly reduce reliance on gas-fired power, especially in the summer months, and is much better for the planet. California already generates more solar power than any other state, but it relies on “replacement power” borrowed from other states in the form of gas to make up for the loss of solar power at night. The blackouts can be partly attributed to a shortage of that replacement power, but California is unwavering in its commitment to clean energy and hopes to eventually phase out fossil fuels entirely.
Congratulations to @CHANEL who are the Best Community Changemaker in the #RE100 Leadership Awards! Through their partnership with @Sunrun they’re bringing clean, affordable energy to 30,000 residents in California who need it the most https://t.co/lIqPMk1w12 #ClimateWeekNYC pic.twitter.com/bWvedLkf36
— RE100 (@theRE100) September 24, 2020
It’s all connected: We burn fossil fuels like coal and oil, which release CO2 emissions (manufacturing, air travel, shipping, and livestock contribute the highest emissions), which are then trapped in the atmosphere. Trapped CO2 warms the planet and leads to the record-breaking temperatures we’ve seen in California and other parts of the world. Those higher temperatures dry out the shrubs, grasses, and dead leaves in the forests, which are more prone to catch fire; a single spark can ignite a full-blown disaster.
The environment needs to be protected now more than ever, and Chanel is taking a step in the right direction, as all brands should. We thank them for their efforts and hope others follow their example.
