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Are EVs effectively reducing CO2 emissions in the Bay Area?

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A study conducted by researchers from UC Berkeley using a network of air monitors in the Bay Area has provided groundbreaking evidence on the impact of electric vehicles (EVs) in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, revealed that between 2018 and 2022, the region’s carbon emissions decreased by 1.8% annually, primarily due to the surge in EV adoption.

According to the study, Californians purchased over 719,500 zero-emission or plug-in hybrid vehicles during this period, a significant increase compared to the previous five years. The Bay Area, in particular, showed a higher rate of EV adoption than the state as a whole, indicating a positive trend towards reducing emissions.

While these findings demonstrate the effectiveness of transitioning to zero-emission vehicles, they also highlight that current reductions are not sufficient to meet the state’s ambitious climate goals. The state aims to reduce emissions by approximately 3.7% annually, nearly twice the observed rate, emphasizing the need for further action in other sectors such as residential heating and the power grid.

UC Berkeley professor of chemistry, Ronald Cohen, emphasized the importance of holistic decarbonization efforts, stating that while progress has been made in the transportation sector, similar strides are needed in other areas. The study underscores the necessity of deploying zero-emission technologies across various sectors to achieve significant emissions reductions.

Experts agree that monitoring networks like the one established by UC Berkeley offer valuable insights into carbon emissions and air pollution, helping policymakers make informed decisions about climate policies. By providing real-time data on pollution sources, these networks serve as a vital tool in assessing the effectiveness of emission reduction strategies.

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Despite the success of monitoring networks, challenges remain in securing funding for such initiatives. However, advancements in technology have made the equipment more affordable, making it a feasible option for cities looking to track carbon emissions and air quality.

In conclusion, while EVs have made significant strides in reducing CO2 emissions in the Bay Area, more comprehensive efforts are needed to meet California’s climate targets. Monitoring networks play a crucial role in providing accurate data on emissions sources and guiding policymakers towards sustainable solutions for combating climate change.

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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.