Throughout the year, we constantly ask for more when it comes to clean energy. We'll never get tired of additional jobs, investments and policies that strengthen the cause for renewables while decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels.
However, Thanksgiving offers a time to reflect on the progress already made in 2013. Here are 10 clean energy stories to be thankful for from the Sierra Club:
1. Oklahoma Energy Customers Save Money with Wind Power
Photo credit: Sierra Club
The fall of wind prices this year made it cheaper than any other source. As a result, more utilities are investing in it, bringing savings to consumers. Earlier this year, as a result of a settlement with the Sierra Club, American Electric Power announced it would add enough wind energy to power 200,000 homes in Oklahoma. AEP decided to increase its investment after seeing how wind "would provide substantial savings to our customers."
2. Colorado Doubles Down on Renewable Energy
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. Photo credit: SustainableWorks.org
Colorado elevated clean energy in the Rocky Mountains when Gov. John Hickenlooper signed into law new legislation that will double the state's renewable energy standard. Now, 20 percent of the state's energy will come from clean sources.
3. Solar Incentives Make Way for Big Victory in Minnesota
Photo credit: Sierra Club
Minnesota is prepared to make a huge leap in clean energy by the next decade, thanks to comprehensive legislation passed the state legislature earlier this year. The state will boost its solar electricity from 13 megawatts (MW) to 450 MW by 2020—an increase of more than 1,200 percent. The legislation also provides new solar incentives to make the power more accessible. This past spring, more than 62 groups held a Day of Action at the Minnesota statehouse to urge elected officials to expand renewable energy in the state. More than 700 people turned out to the rally, including Governor Mark Dayton, the Service Employees International Union and U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison.
4. Facebook "Likes" Renewable Energy
Graphic credit: Sierra Club
The social network with more than 1 billion users announced this year that its Altoona, IA data center will be fully powered by wind by early 2015 when construction is complete and the center is operational. Facebook's power will come from a 138 megawatt wind farm in Wellsburg, IA to be built by MidAmerican Energy in 2014.
5. Nebraska Could be a Winner in Wind Power
Graphic credit: Sierra Club
The National Renewable Energy laboratory estimates that Nebraska wind could supply the state's electricity needs 120 times over. Still, the state lagged behind neighbors in wind power accessibility. After advocates applied pressure, Gov. Dave Heineman signed progressive legislation this year, with aspirations of tripling wind energy in Nebraska within just two years.
6. Solar Energy Beats Out Coal in Nevada
Photo credit: Sierra Club
The Nevada state legislature passed landmark legislation to retire the Reid Gardner coal-fired power plant in Nevada, one of the state's dirtiest. The state also agreed to end the importing of coal power from Arizona and expand local clean energy development. Moapa Paiutes walked 50 miles over three days from their reservation to Las Vegas during the prior year to protest the Reid Gardner coal plant’s pollution and bring attention to the tribe’s efforts to develop solar energy.
7. So Many Solar Rooftops in California
Photo credit: Sierra Club
California is known for many things, but perhaps none more than the sunshine that beams down on rooftops in the Golden State throughout the year. The state's abundant sunshine has been a boon for local, clean energy like rooftop solar. In June, California's growing solar industry reached a major milestone when it was announced the state had passed 150,000 homes and businesses with rooftop solar installations.
8. Coal Trending Down in GeorgiaÂ
Photo credit: Georgia Interfaith Power & Light
 In one of the year's more surprising moves, environmental groups and Georgia's Tea Party teamed up to create the Green Tea Coalition. The group pushed for the Georgia Public Service Commission to approve Georgia Power's proposal to retire 20 percent of its coal plants and add 525 MW of solar power to Georgia by 2016. Georgia Power also withdrew a proposal to charge solar customers extra if they would have installed panels after Jan. 1.
 9. Empire State of Mind
A rendering of the 47-acre solar installation at Freshkills Park on Staten Island in New York. Photo credit: MikeBloomberg.com
The Long Island Power Authority voted to invest in 100 MW of new solar power on the island, which is enough to power 20,000 homes. Just weeks later, the utility announced new plans to move forward with an additional 280 MW of renewable energy, enough to power 80,000 homes. The investment represents the single largest investment in renewable energy in New York history. New York City also got in the act this week, announcing a 10 MW project at Staten Island's Freshkills Park, which was once known as the world's largest landfill.
10. Offshore Wind Coming to Maryland
For more than three years, activists in Maryland have fought to push their elected leaders to harness the state's most abundant natural resource: offshore wind. On March 12, after years of organizing, the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2013 reached final passage in the House of Delegates, securing the future for an offshore wind industry in Maryland that will provide clean energy for the state. The green icing on top came months later on the local level when Prince George's County Council voted to require renewable energy in all new and renovated governmental facilities.
Visit EcoWatch’s RENEWABLES page for more related news on this topic.
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A net-casting ogre-faced spider. CBG Photography Group, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics / CC BY-SA 3.0
Just in time for Halloween, scientists at Cornell University have published some frightening research, especially if you're an insect!
The ghoulishly named ogre-faced spider can "hear" with its legs and use that ability to catch insects flying behind it, the study published in Current Biology Thursday concluded.
"Spiders are sensitive to airborne sound," Cornell professor emeritus Dr. Charles Walcott, who was not involved with the study, told the Cornell Chronicle. "That's the big message really."
The net-casting, ogre-faced spider (Deinopis spinosa) has a unique hunting strategy, as study coauthor Cornell University postdoctoral researcher Jay Stafstrom explained in a video.
They hunt only at night using a special kind of web: an A-shaped frame made from non-sticky silk that supports a fuzzy rectangle that they hold with their front forelegs and use to trap prey.
They do this in two ways. In a maneuver called a "forward strike," they pounce down on prey moving beneath them on the ground. This is enabled by their large eyes — the biggest of any spider. These eyes give them 2,000 times the night vision that we have, Science explained.
But the spiders can also perform a move called the "backward strike," Stafstrom explained, in which they reach their legs behind them and catch insects flying through the air.
"So here comes a flying bug and somehow the spider gets information on the sound direction and its distance. The spiders time the 200-millisecond leap if the fly is within its capture zone – much like an over-the-shoulder catch. The spider gets its prey. They're accurate," coauthor Ronald Hoy, the D & D Joslovitz Merksamer Professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior in the College of Arts and Sciences, told the Cornell Chronicle.
What the researchers wanted to understand was how the spiders could tell what was moving behind them when they have no ears.
It isn't a question of peripheral vision. In a 2016 study, the same team blindfolded the spiders and sent them out to hunt, Science explained. This prevented the spiders from making their forward strikes, but they were still able to catch prey using the backwards strike. The researchers thought the spiders were "hearing" their prey with the sensors on the tips of their legs. All spiders have these sensors, but scientists had previously thought they were only able to detect vibrations through surfaces, not sounds in the air.
To test how well the ogre-faced spiders could actually hear, the researchers conducted a two-part experiment.
First, they inserted electrodes into removed spider legs and into the brains of intact spiders. They put the spiders and the legs into a vibration-proof booth and played sounds from two meters (approximately 6.5 feet) away. The spiders and the legs responded to sounds from 100 hertz to 10,000 hertz.
Next, they played the five sounds that had triggered the biggest response to 25 spiders in the wild and 51 spiders in the lab. More than half the spiders did the "backward strike" move when they heard sounds that have a lower frequency similar to insect wing beats. When the higher frequency sounds were played, the spiders did not move. This suggests the higher frequencies may mimic the sounds of predators like birds.
University of Cincinnati spider behavioral ecologist George Uetz told Science that the results were a "surprise" that indicated science has much to learn about spiders as a whole. Because all spiders have these receptors on their legs, it is possible that all spiders can hear. This theory was first put forward by Walcott 60 years ago, but was dismissed at the time, according to the Cornell Chronicle. But studies of other spiders have turned up further evidence since. A 2016 study found that a kind of jumping spider can pick up sonic vibrations in the air.
"We don't know diddly about spiders," Uetz told Science. "They are much more complex than people ever thought they were."
Learning more provides scientists with an opportunity to study their sensory abilities in order to improve technology like bio-sensors, directional microphones and visual processing algorithms, Stafstrom told CNN.
Hoy agreed.
"The point is any understudied, underappreciated group has fascinating lives, even a yucky spider, and we can learn something from it," he told CNN.
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In 'Road Map for a More Sustainable Future,' NY Regulator Tells Banks to Consider Climate Risks in Planning
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Financial institutions in New York state will now have to consider the climate-related risks of their planning strategies. Ramy Majouji / WikiMedia Commons
By Brett Wilkins
Regulators in New York state announced Thursday that banks and other financial services companies are expected to plan and prepare for risks posed by the climate crisis.
<p>In a <a href="https://www.dfs.ny.gov/industry_guidance/industry_letters/il20201029_climate_change_financial_risks" target="_blank">letter</a> to banks and other financial businesses, New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) Superintendent Linda Lacewell said that "climate change poses significant financial risks" and that global heating is "increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and is projected to have profound effects on the U.S. economy and financial system, which we must address."</p><p>To that end, Lacewell said NYDFS expects all state-regulated entities to "start integrating the financial risks from climate change into their governance frameworks, risk management processes, and business strategies."</p>
<div id="29bd5" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3fe56bb50695441221a594b40dbf30f1"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1321857292220960768" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">This news makes New York's state financial regulator the first banking regulator in the U.S. to explicitly call on… https://t.co/pTz8M1arRL</div> — Laura Alix (@Laura Alix)<a href="https://twitter.com/LauraAlix/statuses/1321857292220960768">1603990312.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>The expectation applies to banking organizations, mortgage companies, trust companies, and non-depositories including virtual currency firms, licensed lenders, money transmitters, and others entities subject to NYDFS regulation.</p><p>Lacewell's letter said the agency "is developing a strategy for integrating climate-related risks into its supervisory mandate and will engage with your organizations and work and coordinate with our U.S. and international counterparts to develop effective supervisory practices, as well as guidance and best practices in order to mitigate the financial risks from climate change."</p><p>The superintendent cited the Covid-19 pandemic to illustrate how "preparation is key to addressing systemic risks."</p><p>"By the time a crisis occurs, it is simply too late," she wrote.</p><p>NYDFS is the first U.S. regulator to explicitly request banks in its jurisdiction to include climate risk analysis in their planning, <a href="https://www.americanbanker.com/news/n-y-regulator-is-first-to-issue-climate-guidance-for-banks-credit-unions" target="_blank">according to</a> <em>American Banker</em>.</p><p>Lacewell said banks should get to work immediately.</p><p>"Climate change is happening now, and we have to take steps to manage the financial risks now," she <a href="https://www.americanbanker.com/news/n-y-regulator-is-first-to-issue-climate-guidance-for-banks-credit-unions" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">stressed</a> in a Thursday press release. "We want to ensure that every institution is managing its own individual risks from climate change, which is critical for the safety and soundness of the financial services industry."</p><p>"By working with the industry and engaging in a dialogue on this serious issue, we are creating a road map for a more sustainable future," said Lacewell.</p><p>Although the letter is not a directive forcing to banks to make any actual climate-mitigating changes, climate activists nevertheless welcomed the news.</p>
<div id="94fd6" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a6665fcd60c9325e96d05fe327b1cbab"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1321827676013776899" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">This is big! And it sets the stage for an even more important financial regulator, a Biden Treasury Secretary, to a… https://t.co/vCnyUbl3qo</div> — Jamie Henn (@Jamie Henn)<a href="https://twitter.com/jamieclimate/statuses/1321827676013776899">1603983250.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>Anticipating the election of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, 350.org co-founder and Fossil Free Media director Jamie Henn tweeted that the move "sets the stage for an even more important financial regulator, a Biden treasury secretary, to act."</p><p>On the national level Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) last week <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/10/21/merkley-unveils-pioneering-bills-make-financial-institutions-stop-bankrolling" target="_blank">unveiled</a> a pair of bills that aim to push banks and international financial institutions to divest from the fossil fuel industry. Introducing the legislation, the senator cited a recent Commodity Futures Trading Commission report <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/09/while-trump-commission-warns-climate-risk-financial-system-recommendations-fall" target="_blank">warning</a> that the climate crisis threatens the U.S. financial system.</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/10/29/road-map-more-sustainable-future-ny-regulator-tells-banks-consider-climate-risks" target="_blank">Common Dreams</a>.</em></p>
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There are many different CBD oil brands in today's market. But, figuring out which brand is the best and which brand has the strongest oil might feel challenging and confusing. Our simple guide to the strongest CBD oils will point you in the right direction.
<p>Boosting your health with CBD oil is a wonderful idea. The rise in CBD's popularity shows that many people are experiencing positive outcomes through the regular use of CBD to help control and improve difficult health issues. </p>
<p>Since there are a great deal of brands out on the market today, it can get confusing trying to figure out which brand is best and which oil strength will work best for you and your needs. Keep in mind that even though it might feel exciting to have a host of brands to choose from, not all brands are created equal. </p>
<p>Our guide to the strongest CBD oils will help to point you in the right direction so that you can choose the best, most potent oil for your needs. We will also educate you about <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/best-cbd-oil-2020-2647428611.html">CBD oil</a> along the way while discussing how we chose our top three brands and our top pick being <a href="https://canfightbac.org/Strong-fab-cbd" target="_blank">FAB CBD Oil</a>, But first, please take a look at how we put our top three brands list together.</p>
<h2>How We Selected Our Top Three Brands</h2><p>The influx of CBD brands out on the market can be both a good and a bad thing. While it's great to have many options to choose from, it's frustrating to not know exactly which brand is the best in terms of quality, strength, and overall reputation. It's tempting to buy products from the first brand you come upon online, However, in doing so, you might be purchasing products that are unclean, ineffective, and just simply not the best for you. </p>
<p>When it comes to choosing a CBD oil brand, you need to take the time and put in the research to ensure that you are getting the strongest, and best quality product you can purchase. Researching all of the brands that catch your eye, however, can be both overwhelming and inundating. Therefore, we've tried to make things easier on you by doing a lot of the research for you. </p>
<p>We've put the time and effort into selecting the top three brands that we feel have the strongest CBD oil, the best reputation, and the cleanest, most effective products. But before we were able to choose our top brands, we set up strict guidelines to follow. Next, we used our guidelines to break our list down until we were left with the top three brands that follow further down in our article. </p>
<p>When it came to selecting our top three strongest CBD oils, we looked at: </p>
<ul><li>The number of years that the brand has been in operation</li><li>Ingredients used in the oil</li><li>Verified customer reviews</li><li>If a third-party lab was used to regularly test the products</li><li>If the brand made those lab results easy for customers to find</li><li>Where the brand sources its hemp from</li><li>The published articles of CBD journalists and the words of industry experts</li><li>Oil strength and purity</li><li>The overall reputation of the brand</li><li>Product pricing</li></ul>
<p>As we were gathering information, we found that our list grew to unmanageable proportions. In light of that, we sat down and cut our list down even more until we were left with the top brands that you will read about below. </p>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY0MTI2MC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMjc4MzMxMX0.bzy3Mo8pqA3Mce4Hvw8S17zwJQei5qe8qwcWx-bm-KI/img.png?width=980" id="ba6b4" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5445dd0f97ebaa4e5facd45e2d57f08e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" /><h2>3 Strongest CBD Oils</h2><h3>#1 <a href="https://canfightbac.org/Strong-fab-cbd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">FAB CBD Oil</a> — Strongest and Most Effective</h3><p>The team at FAB really strives to bring the strongest, cleanest, most effective products to its customers. Everyone at FAB has been in the health and wellness industries in many different capacities throughout the years. To that end, the team has been on a mission since 2017 to bring customers the best premium supplementation through science and innovation so that anyone and everyone can live their healthiest lives.</p><p>FAB believes in being transparent, crafting the highest quality products, and having a strong customer service department to make sure all of its customers' needs and questions are met and answered. The brand does not use any pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals when it comes to cultivating hemp and creating products. All of FAB's organic hemp is grown and harvested in Colorado. The brand is involved in every step of its creation process from seed to sale. </p><p><a href="https://canfightbac.org/Strong-fab-cbd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">All of FAB's products</a> are crafted from the purest, cleanest extracts possible. FAB's full-spectrum CBD oil comes in a variety of flavors and strengths. The brand offers mint, citrus, vanilla, natural, and berry oils in strengths of 300mg, 600mg, 1200mg, and 2400mg. Every one of FAB's products is tested by ProVerde Labs, an independent third-party laboratory. </p><h2>Choosing Our Strongest Oils</h2><p>When we chose our top three strongest CBD oil brands, we specifically looked at:</p><ul><li><strong>Sources of Hemp </strong>— FAB sources all of its organic hemp from Colorado. The hemp is free from herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and other dangerous substances. All of the hemp is grown using state-of-the-art growing and cloning technology and machinery. </li><li><strong>Reputation</strong> — The brand has a strong reputation among both customers and industry experts for having top-quality products that are highly effective and potent. </li><li><strong>Price</strong> — Every one of FAB's products fall into the range of what you would expect to pay for a top quality CBD product. Remember, if a product is extremely cheap, then you need to look deeper into how it was made. FAB's products are absolutely priced accordingly and are of the best quality. </li><li><strong>Effectiveness</strong> — FAB has some of the best, strongest, and most effective full-spectrum oils on the market today. Independent third-party lab reports as well as verified customer reviews attest to the fact that the oils are clean, effective, potent, and of the best quality overall. </li><li><strong>Our Thoughts and Conclusions </strong>— FAB is our number one pick simply because the brand offers some of the strongest, cleanest, and best CBD products out on the market today. Moreover, its customer services and transparency are second-to-none. The prices are affordable and the products are excellent overall.</li></ul><p>==> <a href="https://canfightbac.org/Strong-fab-cbd" target="_blank">Buy FAB's full-spectrum CBD oils here.</a></p>
<h3>#2 Cheef Botanicals</h3><p>Cheef Botanicals was first started by cannabis enthusiasts who collectively have over 25 years of experience in the organic food industry. The brand's mission is to simply educate people all over the world about the healing power of hemp. </p>
<p>The brand's founders believe that people can lower their risk of disease while boosting their overall health through the consumption of natural superfoods. To that end, Cheef Botanicals aims to put an end to the dangerous health imbalances that are caused by pharmaceutical drugs by using organic, natural supplements that will enable the body to restore its stability, balance, and equilibrium. </p><h3>Cheef Botanicals' Full-Spectrum CBD Oil</h3><p>Cheef Botanicals' Full-Spectrum CBD Oil comes in strengths of 300mg, 600mg, 1200mg, and 3000mg. The oils are lab tested, created from all-natural ingredients, are organic and non-GMO, and do not contain any additives or preservatives. </p>
<ul><li><strong>Source of Hemp </strong>— Cheef Botanicals partners with hemp farms in Colorado in order to produce high grade CBD products. </li><li><strong>Reputation</strong> — The brand has a reputation for putting forth a unique line of organic, plant-based CBD products that are cruelty-free, non-GMO, gluten-free, and dairy free. Cheef also does not use any artificial flavors or colors. </li><li><strong>Price</strong> — As far as pricing goes, Cheef Botanicals is a touch on the more expensive side. The prices vary depending on the strength of the oil that you choose. The brand does, however, offer a discount to first-time customers. </li><li><strong>Effectiveness </strong>— Cheef Botanicals' full-spectrum CBD oils are clean, as the brand uses the preferred Co2 extraction method, preservative-free, strong, and effective. </li><li><strong>Our Thoughts and Conclusions</strong> — While Cheef Botanicals' oils are somewhat expensive, we do feel that the brand does everything possible to ensure that its oils are high-quality, extremely potent, and 100 percent all-natural. Cheef Botanicals continues to give customers access to education and research as well as real customer experience through blogs, social media, and news articles so that customers can educate themselves and make wise choices regarding CBD products. </li></ul>
<h3> #3 Premium Jane</h3><p>Located in Scottsdale, AZ, Premium Jane seeks to both engage and educate customers about how natural hemp products can be beneficial in their lives. The brand is made up of agricultural experts, farmers, biologists, chemists, and marketing developers, which means that everyone brings a unique skill to the table in the creation of Premium Jane's products. </p>
<p>The brand has a line of capsules, topicals, gummies, and of course, CBD oils. Every one of Premium Jane's products is made from regulated and controlled industrial hemp that is routinely inspected for microbes, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, solvents, and heavy metals. </p><ul><li><h3>Premium Jane CBD Oils </h3></li></ul><p>Premium Jane sells a line of carefully crafted CBD hemp oils. The oils come in a variety of strengths and flavors including citrus, mint, natural, mint chocolate, and lemon-lime in strengths of 300mg, 600mg, 1000mg, 3000mg, and 5000mg. </p>
<ul><li><strong>Source of Hemp </strong>— Premium Jane sources all of its organic hemp from Kentucky. The hemp is regularly tested for the presence of microbes, solvents, heavy metals, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers.</li><li><strong>Reputation </strong>— Premium Jane has a strong reputation among customers for crafting high-quality products that are both strong and effective. </li><li><strong>Price</strong> — The brand offers customers premium products at affordable prices. </li><li><strong>Effectiveness</strong> — According to verified customer reviews, the brand's products are effective and clean. </li><li><strong>Our Thoughts and Conclusions </strong>— Premium Jane is a reputable brand that works hard to create quality, potent, and affordable products. The brand has a broad product line that includes oils, gummies, and topicals. All products are made in America. Premium Jane does offer coupon codes. </li></ul>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY0MTMwOC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NTUzMjM4N30.Y261fySSOXALE8DvuBnSi80ZdDHhBJ_Yz2qbq-XTEXo/img.jpg?width=980" id="907e1" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="56f377e8b4f95c000fef54f8e347ba8b" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" /><h2>How To Know If You're Selecting The Most Potent Oil</h2><p>There are several key factors to take into consideration when choosing the strongest CBD oil. One of the first things to look at is the concentration of CBD within the product. Next, take a look at the milligrams of CBD that there are in a single serving. The best quality products clearly have all the facts and information laid out on their labels. In reading the labels, you should be able to tell exactly how much CBD you are getting per serving. How much CBD you need to be taking depends on how your body reacts to the product over time. </p>
<p>CBD strength per serving will appear smaller when compared to the listing of CBD for the whole bottle. In looking for the strongest CBD oil, look to the serving size listed on the bottle. The total amount of CBD in a bottle will do very little to tell you how strong the product is overall. For example, 2400mg of CBD oil in a 30ml bottle is a lot stronger than 5000mg of CBD oil in a 60ml bottle. </p>
<h2>How Much CBD Oil Is Enough?</h2><p>Everyone's body is different, therefore, what works well for one person might not work that great for another. Smaller individuals might need less CBD than larger individuals based sheerly on body size and overall mass. Along with body size, the symptoms and their severity are another consideration in purchasing strong CBD oil. </p>
<p>Likewise, if you are new to CBD or have minor symptoms and issues, consider purchasing CBD oil in strengths of 300mg, 500mg, or 750mg. Conversely, if you have been taking CBD for quite some time or are trying to alleviate and potentially heal the severe symptoms of one or more illnesses, then you might consider purchasing oils of higher potencies such as 600mg, 1200mg, or 2400mg strengths. </p>
<p>Whatever oil strength you choose, you should first start low and go slow when it comes to dosing. For example, begin by taking 5mg of CBD once a day for one week. If you are not feeling any relief from your pain, then go ahead and take 5mg twice a day. Continue increasing the dosage slowly until you are achieving the desired effects. Always check in with yourself to see how you are feeling along the way. This will help you to determine if you should increase the dosage at all. As with any other medication or holistic supplement, your body will need adequate time to get used to a new CBD dosage. </p>
<p>To use a real life example: when you receive your bottle of CBD, begin by taking ½ a dropper of FAB CBD's full-spectrum oil once a day for one week. This will equal about 5mg of CBD. After one week has passed, increase the dose to ½ a dropper two times a day for a week. This will now equal about 10mg of CBD a day. While you are going through this, do a body check-in to see how you are feeling and what your pain levels are, if you have any. This will be the best way to determine whether or not you should increase your dose of CBD.</p>
<h2>Should You Take The Strongest Potency CBD Oil?</h2><p>As with any natural supplement, there are a list of pros and cons that come along with CBD. Each one of these should be taken with the utmost consideration before purchasing an oil of a higher or of the highest strength. In taking the strongest CBD oils, here are the benefits vs the drawbacks: </p>
<p>Benefits: </p>
<ul><li>You need less of the oil to have an impact</li><li>Stronger potencies have a better impact on severe symptoms as well as larger people</li><li>Since you will need to take less of the oil, stronger doses are more affordable in the long-run</li><li>Stronger oils work better in tackling sleep issues and decreasing pain</li></ul>
<p>Drawbacks:</p>
<ul><li>Stronger oils may not be for everyone, as they can cause some mild side effects including dry mouth, lowered blood pressure, and lightheadedness/dizziness</li><li>It may be difficult to find the right dosage for you with stronger oils</li><li>Stronger oils can have a sedating effect</li></ul>
<h2>The Science on CBD Oil</h2><p>CBD oil is created when cannabidiol, or CBD, is infused into a fat-based carrier oil such as coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or olive oil. Carrier oils are usually medium-chain triglycerides that are easily digested by the body. The very basic oils will only have CBD and the carrier oil, however, some can also contain other compounds such as tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, flavonoids, phytonutrients, and terpenes. Some brands will also infuse various natural flavors or essential oils into the final products.</p>
<p>CBD oil can vary in color, flavor, and consistency depending on its makeup. Likewise, the strength also depends on the oil's formulation. CBD oils can be isolates, broad spectrum, or full-spectrum. In CBD isolates, only pure CBD is used. These oils are usually 99 percent pure. CBD isolates are typically made solely from the hemp plant. </p>
<p>Broad-spectrum and full-spectrum oils, on the other hand, are typically sourced from the cannabis plant and have had minimal processing and purification. These oils have a large amount of cannabinoids, terpenes, nutrients, vitamins, and phytonutrients.</p>
<p>Along with CBD, one of the main compounds in full-spectrum oils is THC. In large amounts, THC causes feelings of euphoria. However, legally, all CBD crafted and sold within the United States must contain less than 0.3% THC. When CBD and THC are combined, an <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2018.01969/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">entourage effect</a> occurs. In the entourage effect, the compounds work together to dampen each other's negative side effects while amplifying each other's best qualities. For example, too much THC can cause feelings of nausea or dizziness. However, when THC is combined with CBD, the THC enables those with sleep issues to finally get some rest, and helps those with extreme nausea, due to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29940172/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">cancer treatment</a>, finally get some much-needed nourishment by causing feelings of hunger. Put simply, the cannabinoids bind with cell receptors in the human <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5877694/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">endocannabinoid system</a> to create therapeutic effects. </p>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY0MTI2OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzODc2MjUzNX0.PBK4upyDU1OCqto3F_TvyMmR2tTj8MEM8sD1pwCI9co/img.jpg?width=980" id="e51ed" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6b5aa8ca7378c421f768e0cfb28c1d5b" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" /><h2>How To Choose The Best Strength</h2><p>While it may be easy to read the label on the CBD bottle and take the strength listed at face value, this is not the case when determining the strength of each dose. Strength equates to potency. In a 30ml bottle of CBD oil, you could have 3,000mg of CBD or 6,000mg of CBD depending on which you purchase. The stronger bottle will have 6,000mg of CBD per bottle, as you would have to take twice as much of the 3,000mg CBD to equal just one dose of the 6,000mg bottle. </p>
<p>CBD brands test the potency during every stage of oil production. They test hemp plants, then they test the initial crude oil, and they also continually test the oil during every stage of the distillation process. The reason that there is so much testing done to the product is because reputable brands need to ensure that the oils they are creating are of the best quality, consistency, and that their products are falling within the legal guidelines. </p>
<p>Reputable brands, like the ones we've profiled above, bring in independent laboratories to test the overall oil strength by analyzing for 14 minor and major cannabinoids including CBD, THC, CBN, and CBG. Their results show the overall percentages of these compounds that are in the oil. All reputable brands will then make those results easily available on their website or within the product packaging. </p>
<h2>Why Strength Matters</h2><p>The strength of an oil <em>does </em>matter. The more potent a CBD oil is, the better effects it will create. To that end, full-spectrum oils are the best oils to go with because CBD isolates do not have all of the other vitamins, terpenes, compounds, and phytonutrients that full-spectrum oils have. So, not only will you be getting all the positive effects that a strong oil has to offer, you'll also be able to receive the vast therapeutic benefits that the many compounds, terpenes, and phytonutrients bring to the table. </p>
<p>When it comes to receiving the therapeutic benefits of a strong, full-spectrum oil, experts advise to hold the oil under your tongue for a few minutes (up to four minutes) in order for the oil to enter into your bloodstream. Otherwise, if you swallow the oil right away, the oil will be quickly broken down by the body's digestive system. </p>
<h2>Is It Safe To Take Strong CBD Oil?</h2><p>This is a common question asked by many who are new to the world of CBD. Regardless of the strength, CBD oil is very safe. In fact, there are very few minor side effects associated with it. To date, a great <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569602/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">number of studies</a> have been done on CBD proving it's safety and efficacy. </p>
<p>Some of the most common side effects associated with CBD are: </p>
<ul><li>Dizziness</li><li>Nausea</li><li>Changes in weight</li><li>Diarrhea</li><li>Drowsiness</li><li>Changes in appetite</li></ul>
<p>When you take into consideration the many dangerous side effects associated with prescription medications, CBD is a very safe alternative. Therefore, it's no surprise that more people are turning to more potent options of CBD to help with tough health issues. </p>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY0MTI2Ni9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMjYyMzQ0Nn0.O8mkqgF15OLN6hmFby_z4ZXZSbMEk_xihf47gxK4vCM/img.jpg?width=980" id="60151" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2eed3f877cc1f3728f1766b5f11aca59" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" /><h2>Our Final Thoughts On The Strongest CBD Oils</h2><p>There are many different strengths of CBD oil available. And while there are benefits to using CBD oil regardless of the potency, stronger oils are recommended for larger individuals or for people who are trying to get a handle on difficult health conditions such as sleep issues, severe arthritis pain, Crohn's Disease, osteoarthritis, cancer-related nausea, and others. </p>
<p>In selecting a strong oil, you first need to do the research so that you can make sure you are buying a high quality product from a reputable brand. When you find a brand you like, go ahead and look deeply into the brand's hemp sources, oil strengths and purities, verified customer reviews, transparency, and whether or not the brand used a third-party lab to test its products and if those results were made readily available for customers to find. </p>
<p>Less oil needs to be consumed when stronger oils are used. In order to receive the most benefits from the dose, it's advised to hold the oil under your tongue for about four minutes so that it can be properly absorbed into the bloodstream. Simply swallowing the oil means that the digestive system will break it down faster than you can obtain any benefits. </p>
<p>Countless studies verify the fact that CBD is a safe, alternative treatment to dangerous prescription medications that come with a host of side effects and that can be potentially addicting. The side effects associated with CBD are extremely mild, CBD is also non-addictive. In fact, there is no way to ever overdose on CBD. </p>
<p>When it comes to selecting a brand to go with, keep in mind that not every brand is created equal. While it's great to have so many options to choose from, you really need to put the work in to make sure you are purchasing the best possible product from the best possible brand. </p><p>If you're becoming frustrated or overwhelmed in your research, feel free to use our article as a guide. </p>
<p>We've chosen FAB as our number one choice in our <a href="https://canfightbac.org/Strong-fab-cbd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">strongest CBD oils</a> guide because FAB has a stellar reputation for putting out the best, most potent, cleanest CBD oils on the market today. The brand is also extremely transparent in the way that it operates and in the overall production process of its products. FAB also uses an independent third-party lab, ProVerde Laboratories, to regularly test all of its products. Those results are then made easy for customers to find on FAB's website. Cheef Botanicals, another solid brand, came in as a very strong second place for meeting and sometimes exceeding our strict criteria. </p>
<p>By law, all CBD oils that are sold and purchased within the United States must contain less than 0.3% THC in them. Oils that have over that amount clearly are not following the mandatory legal guidelines. Another fact to keep in mind is that while strong oils are great, the type of oil matters too. CBD isolates, while fantastic in their own way, do not contain any of the vitamins, cannabinoid compounds, terpenes, and phytonutrients that broad spectrum or full-spectrum oils do. The combination of strength and what the oil consists of is what determines its effectiveness and therapeutic value. </p>
<p>In selecting a strength, remember that a 3,000mg oil will be less strong than a 6,000mg oil if they are both sold in a 30ml bottle. However, if you have 2,400mg of CBD in a 30ml bottle and 5,000mg in an 80ml bottle, then the smaller, 30ml bottle with 2,400mg of CBD will be more potent. Therefore, in selecting a product, you will absolutely need to take your time and choose wisely. </p>
<p>Lastly, if you have any questions or concerns surrounding CBD, potential side effects, strengths, etc., then please do not hesitate to reach out to your primary care physician or specialist to set up an appointment to discuss things more at length. When you think about all of the dangerous side effects and drawbacks associated with prescription medication, then it's easy to see why more people are using CBD as a natural, safe, effective, alternative way to help ease tough health conditions. </p>
<p>CBD oil can be a great addition to any natural healthcare routine. Just make sure you are putting in the time and effort to find the product and the brand that is best suited to your own unique needs, condition, and lifestyle.</p>
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The left image shows the OSIRIS-REx collector head hovering over the Sample Return Capsule (SRC) after the Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism arm moved it into the proper position for capture. The right image shows the collector head secured onto the capture ring in the SRC. NASA / Goddard / University of Arizona / Lockheed Martin
A NASA spacecraft has successfully collected a sample from the Bennu asteroid more than 200 million miles away from Earth. The samples were safely stored and will be preserved for scientists to study after the spacecraft drops them over the Utah desert in 2023, according to the Associated Press (AP).
<p>The asteroid is round and black and larger than the Empire State Building. It is one of the most threatening to Earth, as it has a 1-in-2,700 chance of colliding with the planet, the AP reported.</p><p>NASA's OSIRIS-REx initially lost some of the sample due to a jammed lid. The asteroid's rocks wedged an opening that allowed some of the sample to drift off into space, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/29/world/nasa-asteroid-bennu-sample-stow-scn-trnd/index.html" target="_blank">CNN</a> reported.</p><p>OSIRIS-REx initially had trouble with the lid after it grabbed more asteroid material than had been required. According to the AP, scientists believe the spacecraft took about four pounds of rock when the minimum requirement was about an ounce. A significant amount of that initial haul drifted away.</p>
<p>"Even though my heart breaks for the loss of sample, it turned out to be a pretty cool science experiment and we're learning a lot," said lead scientist Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona, the AP reported.</p><p>The mission team had to work around the clock for two days to ensure a successful sample collection and storage process. They then had to carefully calibrate the alignment of the lid and capsule to keep the sample properly sealed.</p><p>The scientists decided not to weigh the sample, but based on visual images, Lauretta estimates that at least two pounds of sample made it into the capsule, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/asteroid-bennu-samples-successful-nasa-osiris-rex/" target="_blank">CBS News</a> reported. "But of course, we have to wait till 2023 to open up the [capsule] and be sure," Lauretta said.</p>
<p>"This achievement by OSIRIS-REx on behalf of NASA and the world has lifted our vision to the higher things we can achieve together, as teams and nations," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a NASA <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-s-osiris-rex-successfully-stows-sample-of-asteroid-bennu" target="_blank">statement</a>. "Together a team comprising industry, academia and international partners, and a talented and diverse team of NASA employees with all types of expertise, has put us on course to vastly increase our collection on Earth of samples from space. Samples like this are going to transform what we know about our universe and ourselves, which is at the base of all NASA's endeavors."</p><p>OSIRIS-REx will now linger by Bennu until at least March 2021. Its return trip hinges on the asteroid and Earth aligning in order to maximize fuel efficiency, CNN reported.</p>
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Exxon Mobil Refinery is seen from the top of the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on March 5, 2017. WClarke / Wikimedia Commons / CC by 4.0
Exxon Mobil will lay off an estimated 14,000 workers, about 15% of its global workforce, including 1,900 workers in the U.S., the company announced Thursday.
<p>Analysts said the layoffs are part of an effort by the beleaguered company to maintain its stock dividend despite sharply reduced demand during the coronavirus pandemic. </p><p>While other oil majors have leaned into reducing emissions and building out renewable energy, Exxon has doubled down on oil. </p>
<p>It plans to <a href="https://newsletter.climatenexus.org/e2t/tc/VXkl_C7Kdv9sW2hPj8t2QWZy2W9ccHTJ4hPvlPN3NdJHk3p_9LV1-WJV7CgMmCW3LS1-t3pMmTrW2dBgj85Xb1R7W2nJ0st59tx0YW3465Bp1TbXg1W37nfX23g4lYBN4P7T8rKXz0fW3PGr6f47tYZ5W1DBtjn6R3xbmW8gw91P9jrw7MW86gmKM6DwN1BW1C-w167TjNdkW1WsKvK75dTdQW8j1G351DdpMhW1bdhGw7FyJnJN6KRmSlnBH4BW1Kfvq762ghcjW7HHmDy3vvvNgW6LDqfL74bg6WW3rLBnB8y8rvyW5GmhVM4v7PG_W4Q4Xz08HJnz7W4nBy-y3XbRx0W9gHpcj8NXKzJW8zXmHf8GBP1yW5sXMCS6zgH1_W1N7t5b6QDm47W6-vPC94QPy9zW5rFKdc753Y1H344X1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">increase its greenhouse gas pollution</a> in the coming years.</p><p>News of the layoffs comes as a former Exxon employee, who consistently received strong performance reviews and was widely respected by his colleagues, says he was pushed out of the company after he raised Exxon's climate denial in a Q&A session with company executives.</p>
<p><strong>For a deeper dive:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/exxonmobil-layoffs/exxon-to-cut-14000-global-jobs-including-1900-in-u-s-as-pandemic-hurts-demand-idUSKBN27E30U?utm_campaign=Hot%20News&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=98644484&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9uQprMXUg6iyvoNDLff_7apAyEj6b_6aCMkPoE4YUVI7X6DDtZ7s_uanjL-rMxsFWeLsrkDyp-33vvACTMCqrtmUJSr5Ern4GlegWIVNLH_W3G724&utm_content=98644484&utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank">Reuters</a>, <a href="https://login.politicopro.com/?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fsubscriber.politicopro.com%2Farticle%2F2020%2F10%2Fexxon-mobil-to-cut-1900-us-jobs-as-pandemic-chokes-fuel-demand-2015160%3Futm_campaign%3DHot%2520News&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=98644484&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9HSBwxvAIMrWjyFmy_2-j3gQF2u5Fxs1xg8MwGiKmx4OhWGCpFn3UkHH7RclPer5Gq-9W46J48imDmhpiwKLaLdg47faZ9GyhNYfBxxU9gLoXqwV8&utm_content=98644484&utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank">Politico Pro,</a> <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-29/exxon-cutting-1-900-u-s-jobs-in-response-to-virus-driven-slump?utm_campaign=Hot%20News&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=98644484&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8iqy_Nsx6C0BcQ9tP75IeFhTFP5_INuh0OMuCAtUVQrje6pFkVJCTd_M9VfPBpT4daRhqaSU1GlzZPm9pvcKlBMUHskzL0ErH0Zjm-Hb_2bCu6amM&utm_content=98644484&utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank">Bloomberg</a>, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/exxon-to-lay-off-1-900-u-s-employees-as-pandemic-wreaks-havoc-on-oil-demand-11603986398?utm_campaign=Hot%20News&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=98644484&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9IISEDbrdgzTXs-yRl4dbvWlN-fnWX3KU6w6xocquxtprMAMPnR7W-WfRwHma9E9tBvykPVjyQPwA5_Q1hU-7g3AE4c5Ix2TcqTZHn5zbmEe-Hy50&utm_content=98644484&utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal</a>, <a href="https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Exxon-To-Cut-1900-Jobs-In-The-US.html?utm_campaign=Hot%20News&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=98644484&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8MkQCEX3jVp_A4EB7PIQxvaG5UXc_qewcnViGhUULlzhqte5miAogpby0K2A70nf2NZCrtx6iLtZkrL8Au6zTYuVvzoDinl3IUeBokSWRriiB0agc&utm_content=98644484&utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank">Oil Price</a>, <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/Exxon-lay-off-1900-US-employees-mostly-in-Houston-15685353.php?utm_campaign=Hot%20News&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=98644484&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_T_wesrkbPA54TVqsNMVOVy-DVtOjcxn3Vq3U5i6OP_zh0Rzxlj-H6jX64nUVZbRgZroVfYsPWt0OLkwqhJGcGigIy7qQ7LYqVat1wWak4UhJzk0k&utm_content=98644484&utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank">Houston Chronicle</a>; Employee retribution: <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/bvx84q/exxon-silences-staff-alarmed-by-the-climate-crisis-says-former-employee-enrique-rosero?utm_campaign=Hot%20News&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=98644484&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--pCb8jL0WB6VcsJbgX_Ej_YSk_VbYV5aju-qis2s0D7aA6zyHTnWaUxKl-8RzO8eIEQI2x8FqLEiMWPjwAOoIBGtUKZMroZZGq3nGbMXx27Tb1gSM&utm_content=98644484&utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank">Vice</a><br/></p><p><em>For more </em><a href="http://ecowatch.com/climate-change-news/" target="_blank"><em>climate change</em></a><em> and </em><a href="http://ecowatch.com/business/renewables/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>clean energy</em></a><em> news, you can follow Climate Nexus on </em><a href="https://twitter.com/ClimateNexus" target="_blank"><em>Twitter</em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ClimateNexus/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Facebook</em></a><em>, and sign up for daily </em><a href="http://climatenexus.us4.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=d1f5797e59060083034310930&id=7c84c08aaa" target="_blank"><em>Hot News</em></a><em>. </em></p>From Your Site Articles
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