Last week’s column detailed the tragic deaths of stranded whales linked to the warming oceans they inhabit. Whales have altered their ancient feeding and breeding behavior as global warming is disrupting ocean ecosystems, presenting marine species with existential threats. Warming temperatures appear to be changing the ocean currents and moving whales’ traditional food sources, causing beachings, emaciation, and deaths.

After centuries of slaughter by whalers, most harpooning ended in the 1960s but whale populations never fully recovered. Now, six of the 13 great whale species are classified as endangered or vulnerable to extinction.

This is but one horrific effect of our pouring millions of tons of carbon dioxide and methane into the air primarily from burning petroleum products, natural gas, and coal. It is hard to overstate the urgency as we are confronted by apocalyptic ecological changes threatening life on Earth. The definitive 2,000-page United Nations report on climate change released in February by 200 top scientists warns that harmful carbon emissions since 2010 have never been higher in human history, putting the world on a fast track to disaster.

For proof, just look around at the recent catastrophic events. Please do not feel powerless as each of us can do our part in reducing harmful emissions. The two sectors where our consumption most drives the warming of our planet are in electrical and heating and cooling production and in transportation.

Flooding in Oyster Harbor just down the street from the Winegrad’s home, a harbinger of much worse to come. (Carol Swan)

Electrical production causes 32% of U.S. energy-related global warming. In 2021, fossil fuels produced 60% of BGE’s 1.3 million customers’ electricity — 38% from natural gas and 22% from coal. So, if you do not take advantage of cleaner electrical and heating and cooling choices, you were directly contributing to the release of planet warming greenhouse gases and nitrogen oxides that poison the Chesapeake Bay. Sulfur dioxides also are released and combined with nitrogen oxides, they produce acidic rainfall and polluted air attacking our lungs and respiratory systems.

Nuclear energy supplied 33% of BGE’s electrical power. Despite legislatively mandated 30% renewable energy use by 2022, only 4.25% of electricity came from solar and wind energy. The law has been criticized as it allows what counts as “clean energy” to come from controversial sources such as trash incineration, landfills, and wood waste. Old dams also count toward renewable goals.

You likely don’t know it, but BGE’s residential cost for your electricity went up on Oct. 1 by 26.4% and will stay at this increased price until May 31 when it may rise again. If you use natural gas, BGE’s price has nearly doubled since January for its 680,000 natural gas customers.

The very best thing you can do is to have solar panels installed on your roof. Significant tax incentives are still available.

Next best is to sign-up with Neighborhood Sun, based in Silver Spring, for a community solar subscription. We are subscribed to a solar field in Baltimore County they operate. Neighborhood Sun has been a leader in Maryland’s program since 2016. We’re harnessing the benefits of locally produced solar energy for 95% of our electricity needs and at 10% off of BGE rates. The electricity still comes through BGE lines, and we have no solar equipment and no investment costs.

By subscribing you are saving money, helping to create local jobs, helping transition to 100% renewable energy, and protecting the environment. Community solar is available to everyone, whether you rent or own your home, and has a guaranteed 10% savings for up to 20 years with zero penalties if you cancel or move. Go to: Save With Community Solar - Neighborhood Sun or contact Cara Humphrey (914) 475-1395, cara.humphrey@neighborhoodsun.solar It’s a no brainer. We power our all-electric home and a partial electric car through their solar power.

And, by all means conserve. We are energy misers and for the first time in more than a month, turned on our efficient heat pump on Tuesday as the thermostat went down to 60 with chilly rain and high winds making it feel worse. But the heat is set at 64 and is reduced to 60 at night.

You should be using all LED lighting and taking advantage of BGE’s free energy audit under their Quick (1 hour) Home Energy Checkup Program that includes up to 15 free energy saving devices installed — LED bulbs, efficient-flow shower heads, water heater pipe insulation, and “smart” power strips. Since January 2021, more than 45,000 customers have done so. We did this a decade ago. BGE also offers a much more extensive comprehensive home energy audit for $100 with all the free devices installed.

You also should sign-up for BGE’s Connected Rewards (formerly Peak Rewards) program with interruptible a/c service and save $200 off your bills the first year and $100 thereafter. We have done this for many years.

You are paying for these services on every month’s bill through EmPOWER Maryland — why not take advantage of them? Your electric and gas bills are going up and up.

The transportation sector is the largest source of damaging emissions, producing 54% of Maryland’s carbon releases accounting for nine of 10 barrels of oil used. Have you noticed how the media no longer report on the price of gas as it has sunk as low as a year ago when adjusted for inflation? Everyday headlines and news stories covered the rise in prices but nary a word about gas dropping back to the old prices. In Annapolis you can find a gallon of regular for $3.24. The president was widely blamed for the higher prices, but no one credits him with the drop in prices. Curious, no?

The average price of gas in the U.S. is cheaper than 122 other countries including our neighbors Mexico and Canada. Hopefully, American drivers don’t go back to their profligate driving habits and tank-sized gas guzzlers.

There is an urgency to reduce our oil consumption and each of us can do our part. Besides reducing global warming, we reduce bay pollutants, oil spills, despoliation of natural areas, and the empowerment of “oiligarchs” in hostile, despotic nations like Russia.

You also can drive electric vehicles and plug into renewable electricity. Otherwise, drive hybrids that achieve 50 miles per gallon or better. You can use federal purchase rebates and HOV lanes for such purchases. Join the millions of people telecommuting and use public transportation. Our Priuses are comfortable and road-worthy, especially the newer and more commodious partial electric vehicle that achieves 134 mpg.

Gerald Winegrad refuels their Prius Prime from a regular home electrical outlet using solar energy with the vehicle averaging 134 mpg. (Carol Swan)

Note that the federal government is forcing us to use 10% to 15% corn ethanol in our gas, adding 24% more global warming emissions than regular gas, costing $1 more a gallon, and taking away five billion bushels of corn annually from our food supply as the price of corn hits record highs. This adds to malnourishment, disease and even death as the impoverished around the world cannot afford to feed themselves.

We all can be energy patriots and do what we can to be conservators of our planet and pocketbooks, and break the backs of “oiligarchs.”

Gerald Winegrad represented the greater Annapolis area in the General Assembly for 16 years. Contact him at gwwabc@comcast.net.