ONGOING VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL CLEAN AIR STANDARDS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | High Pollution Advisory issued for ozone effective July 31 & Aug. 1, 2021, in the Phoenix area

SEE IT EVER DAY

Metro Phoenix & Maricopa County > A Zero Climate Action Plan: TICKING-OFF MORE TOXIC CONTAMINATED DAYS

There are consequences impacting your Quality of Life and Public Health where there's close to no action to reduce the sources of Air Pollution.

 

 

 

Forecast Discussion

" . . .It will be another tricky weather and air quality forecast today for Phoenix. High pressure is now centered over the Arkansas/Oklahoma state line, which is continuing the east/southeast flow over Arizona. At the same time, the disturbance we have been tracking is now over southern Arizona and Northern Mexico. While we will likely see some isolated thunderstorms in the Valley this afternoon into the evening hours, with chances continuing overnight into tomorrow, not expecting widespread activity in the Valley. With that said, any storms that do form will be capable of producing gusty winds and heavy rain.

Later this weekend into the first part of next week, expect conditions to dry out as high pressure builds back overhead. This pattern shift will result in mainly clear skies, light winds, meager to no storm chances in the Valley, and warmer temperatures Sunday through at least Tuesday.

As for air quality, ozone will once again be the primary pollutant of concern. With added cloud cover from time-to-time, along with the potential for some storm activity, expecting ozone levels to be in the upper Moderate AQI category today. As skies clear and storm chances dwindle later Saturday into the first part of next week, forecasting ozone to quickly build up in the Valley.

As a result, an Ozone High Pollution Advisory is in effect for Saturday and Sunday, with an Ozone High Pollution Watch in effect for Monday and Tuesday.

Have a great weekend!
- M. Pace
ADEQ Meteorologist

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Air Quality Data Archives

Yesterday's Air Monitor Data >
Observed Pollution Year-to-Date Report >
Exceedance Report >

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READ IT

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for ozone effective July 31 and Aug. 1, 2021, in the Phoenix area. ADEQ recommends that people limit outdoor activity while the HPA is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems. Ground-level ozone forms when two types of pollutants — volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) — react in sunlight. These pollutants come primarily from automobiles, but also from other sources, including industries, power plants and products, such as solvents and paints. Generally, the highest levels of ozone occur in the afternoon. Check the Hourly Air Quality Forecast on the Air Arizona Mobile App Apple iTunes > | Google Play > Health Impacts People most vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution include children, older adults, adults exercising outdoors, people with heart or lung disease, and those suffering from asthma and bronchitis. Exposure can increase the number and severity of asthma attacks, cause or aggravate bronchitis or other lung disease, and reduce the body’s ability to fight infection. Symptoms may include itchy eyes, nose and throat, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and upper respiratory issues BACKGROUND High Pollution Advisory (HPA) | Notifies the public that the level of an air pollutant is forecast to exceed the federal health standard. High Pollution Watch (HPW) | Notifies the public when there is potential for a pollutant to exceed the federal health standard. Ozone Fact Sheet | View >   FIND THE FORECAST Air Quality Hourly Forecast | View > Text or Email Alerts | Subscribe >  Air Arizona Mobile App | Learn More > Apple iTunes > Google Play > BE AIR AWARE Together we can make a difference to improve air quality for everyone in Arizona by following three simple steps | Learn More >

Science Slap, Tropic Snow, Deep Life | S0 News July.30.2021

Goldman Sees ‘Significant Deceleration’ for U.S. Growth in 2022

The Non-Profit City of Mesa "Newsroom" is A Shuckster Marketing Organization Green-Washing an Investor Solicitation

Here's proof in a recent Press Release. . . Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements,

Exro Announces U.S. Headquarters in Mesa, Arizona and Joins Robust E-Mobility R&D Network in the Greater Phoenix Area

July 27, 2021 at 9:45 am

Source: https://www.mesanow.org/news/public/article/2779

 

HERE"S ALL THE HYPE THEY WANTED TO GET PUBLISHED

Dateline: Calgary, Alberta CANADA July. 22, 2021

Press Release: Exro Technologies Inc. (TSX: EXRO, OTCQB: EXROF) (the "Company" or "Exro"), a leading clean technology company that has developed a new class of power electronics for electric motors and batteries, today announced the location of its U.S. headquarters in Mesa, Arizona. Exro plans to hire 50 employees over the next 18 months, bringing new job opportunities to the region and expanding the local e-mobility ecosystem. This news comes on the heels of Exro's graduation to the Toronto Stock Exchange and demonstrates the Company's continued growth and momentum.

Exro is optimizing the power within electric vehicles (EVs) of all types, from scooters and e-bikes to electric cars and buses. The company's advanced motor control technology, Coil Driver(TM), improves cost positioning and performance in electric motors. Arizona's long-standing automotive R&D infrastructure enables direct access to nearly every piece of the automotive supply chain and the state's favorable regulatory environment will accelerate Exro's mission to deliver Coil Driver(TM) technology to market. Arizona is a leading state for cutting-edge research and development in mobility technology, and its relatively calm winds and wide temperature range allows for more testing time on roads. Exro will leverage the state's optimal test locations, position as a national leader in EV manufacturing and competitive talent pipeline of some 120,000 workers to expand its operations and product offerings.

"The Greater Phoenix area was a natural choice for our U.S. home, and we're thrilled to become a part of the innovative business community," said Sue Ozdemir, CEO of Exro Technologies. "The region is ripe with potential manufacturing partners and suppliers, and its competitive talent pipeline will support our continued growth. Mayor Giles and the city of Mesa have welcomed our vision and we look forward to building on the city's enthusiasm for electric vehicles. There are a lot of electric vehicle owners in Arizona!"

 "Exro Technologies made an excellent decision in choosing to locate its U.S. headquarters in the Mesa Gateway area," said Mesa Mayor John Giles. "The company's mission to optimize and increase the adoption of electric vehicles is in line with our city's goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and manage electric materials responsibly."

"Exro is doing ground-breaking work and is the type of technology company that propels our innovation-centered economy while bolstering the region's electric vehicle ecosystem," said Chris Camacho, president & CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.

"We're excited to see another Canadian technology firm place investment in Mesa and look forward to being a partner in their continued growth and success."

____________________________________________________________________________

About Exro Technologies Inc.

Exro is a clean technology company pioneering intelligent control solutions in power electronics to help solve the most challenging problems in electrification. Exro has developed a new class of control technology that expands the capabilities of electric motors, generators, and batteries. Exro enables the application to achieve more with less energy consumed.

Exro's advanced motor control technology, the Coil DriverTM, expands the capabilities of electric powertrains by enabling intelligent optimization for efficient energy consumption. Exro is working with many partners from all over the world to bring their technology to the electric mobility industries and beyond.

For more information visit our website atwww.exro.com.

Visit us on social media @exrotech.

Contact Information

Investor inquiries: ir@exro.com

Canada investors: Jake Bouma at 604-317-3936

United States investors: Vic Allgeier at 646-841-4220

Media inquiries: media@exro.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. About Exro Technologies Inc.

Exro is a clean technology company pioneering intelligent control solutions in power electronics to help solve the most challenging problems in electrification. Exro has developed a new class of control technology that expands the capabilities of electric motors, generators, and batteries. Exro enables the application to achieve more with less energy consumed.

Exro's advanced motor control technology, the Coil DriverTM, expands the capabilities of electric powertrains by enabling intelligent optimization for efficient energy consumption. Exro is working with many partners from all over the world to bring their technology to the electric mobility industries and beyond.

For more information visit our website atwww.exro.com.

Visit us on social media @exrotech.

Contact Information

Investor inquiries: ir@exro.com

Canada investors: Jake Bouma at 604-317-3936

United States investors: Vic Allgeier at 646-841-4220

Media inquiries: media@exro.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, 

Hottest June in Over A Century

Like they say 'seeing is believing' and feeling-the-heat makes it all real, very real - so how hot was it?

June heatwave was the ‘most extreme’ on record for North America

June was a record-breaking month for the Northern Hemisphere

By Justine Calma@justcalma Jul 30, 2021, 3:23pm EDT

The devastating heatwave that struck the Northwest US and southwest Canada in June was “the most extreme summer heatwave” ever recorded in North America, according to a new analysis from nonprofit research group Berkeley Earth. That’s based on the magnitude of the heatwave, or how much warmer it was than normal. Record temperatures in the region reached roughly 20 degrees Celsius (or 36 °F) hotter than average in June.

> Canada recorded its hottest temperature ever on June 29th when the village of Lytton in British Columbia reached an astonishing 49.6 degrees Celsius (121 degrees Fahrenheit). Typical temperatures there in June are closer to 20 to 30 degrees Celsius (68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit).

The late June heatwave was a “1,000-year event…hopefully,” according to a preliminary analysis by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The severity of the heat would have been “virtually impossible” without human-caused climate change, both NOAA and a separate analysis from an international team of researchers found. 

> For the entire Northern Hemisphere, it was the warmest June on record averaged across all land areas. Nearly 4 percent of the surface of the Earth hit record high average temperatures during the first half of 2021, according to the Berkeley Earth analysis. That’s despite the cooling effect of a La Niña event. Looking at the first six months of the year, “Nowhere has been record cold,” tweeted Berkeley Earth lead scientist Robert Rohde.

> Globally, the odds of more “record-shattering” heatwaves like the one that took such a huge toll in the US and Canada in June are likely on the rise. Prolonged, record-breaking extreme heat events are two to seven times more likely to take place from now until 2050 compared to the previous three decades, according to research published earlier this week. That estimate is based on a scenario in which greenhouse gas emissions stay high, like they are today. There’s still some hope of avoiding that future — but first, humanity will have to stop burning quite so many fossil fuels

 

 

 

On Language: The Word "Citizen" is Getting a Bad Name

What's in a word anyway?

Vigilante app Citizen is paying people to live stream crime scenes and emergencies

0 New, 11 comments

$25 an hour to livestream in NYC

By James Vincent Jul 27, 2021, 7:15am EDT

The company seems determined to be more than a passive bystander or information source. As first reported by Motherboard in May, Citizen has been testing its own private security force, deploying Citizen-branded patrol cars who would respond to user requests. The company told The Verge this was part of a 30-day pilot program that had since ended and that is has no plans to launch fully

Update, Tuesday July 27th, 10:50AM ET: Updated to include information from Citizen about the end to the private security force and about the percentage of content on the app originating from paid field members.

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Citizen alerts users to local crime and emergencies based on their location.

Citizen, an app dedicated to blasting users with notifications about emergencies and crime scenes in their area, has been paying people to film its content.

The company has been recruiting “field team members” via online job listings, offering applicants $200 to $250 a day if they can track down and livestream events in their local area. These events could range from “child reported missing, to house fire, to anything else,” says the listing, with workers expected to interview witnesses and police officials.

As per the listing: “You will need to be very quick on your feet, not only in terms of going live during moments that provide value to its users and support the app’s mission, but being able to locate and incorporate interviews on the fly that contribute to the live stream.”

The job listings were first spotted by the New York Post, but reports of paid Citizen streamers have been circulating for a while. . As a spokesperson for the company told the Post: “Citizen has teams in place in some of the cities where the app is available to demonstrate how the platform works, and to model responsible broadcasting practices in situations when events are unfolding in real time.”

> . . .Citizen, which originally launched in 2016 as Vigilante before being kicked off the iOS App Store, describes itself as a “personal safety network.” It generates location-based alerts for users by scanning police communications and compiling user reports. It tells users to “never approach a crime scene, interfere with an incident, or get in the way of police.”

The company has been repeatedly criticized for encouraging mob justice. . .

Reference for more details > James Vincent Jul 27, 2021, 7:15am EDT The Verge

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RELATED CONTENT ON THIS BLOG

FROM THE INTERCEPT

Here's one back story from March 2020

Citizen App Again Lets Users Report Crimes — and Experts See Big Risks

The revived video feature could foment racism, increase invasive surveillance, and stoke panic, the experts say.

Belle LinCamille Baker

The Intercept |                        

Citizen, a mobile app that alerts people to nearby emergencies, is testing the reintroduction of a controversial feature that lets users report crimes and incidents on their own by live streaming video.

Created by New York-based startup sp0n, Citizen first launched under the name “Vigilante” in 2016 in New York City, broadcasting alerts of 911 calls to users in the vicinity and allowing those users to send live video from incident scenes, comment on alerts, and report incidents on their own. In a splashy launch video with the hashtag #CrimeNoMore, several young men were depicted rushing to aid a woman who was chased by a menacing stranger; the video instructs users not to “interfere with the crime,” but then adds, “Good luck out there!” Vigilante was met with swift backlash from the public and police departments, and Apple soon pulled the app from its store. At that time, the New York Police Department issued a statement saying, “Crimes in progress should be handled by the NYPD and not a vigilante with a cell phone.”

Several months later, the app rebranded as Citizen, removed the incident reporting feature, and said it was shifting its focus to “safety” and “avoiding crime” — a far cry from its prior positioning.

Citizen’s return to public crime reporting has not been publicized, but is documented on the company’s user support website. The app’s latest version in Apple and Google’s app stores also includes the description: “Keep Your Community Safe: Report incidents right when they happen to protect the people around you.” . .

Illustration: Soohee Cho/The Intercept

Location data, privacy, and surveillance

Experts say Citizen’s location data collection raises questions about privacy and surveillance, the government’s interest in such data, and the lack of oversight into location data tracking.

 

THAT'S NOT JUST THEORETICAL

Private Security Company Thinks It Should Be Able To Take People To Jail Just Like Real Cops

(Mis)Uses of Technology

from the Uber-but-for-vigilantes dept

Thu, May 27th 2021 1:33pm — Tim Cushing

A snitch app called Citizen is angling for the position of Local Law Enforcement®.

Going a step further than hotbeds of bigotry like Ring's Neighbors or Facebook-but-for-racism Nextdoor, Citizen is actually trying to create a private law enforcement agency that provides "security" and other services for app users.

A marauding cop-like patrol vehicle emblazoned with the Citizen logo (and some branding for another private security company) was spotted roaming Los Angeles last week. The desire to create a private cutout in public law enforcement space was confirmed by current and former Citizen employees, as well as documents shared with Motherboard and Joseph Cox.

It's not just theoretical. It appears some employees of this private company really want to convert Citizen into a law enforcement agency. (Supporters of this move may also contain members of the Los Angeles Police Department, which called Citizen's move towards patrolling the streets a "game changer."). . .

Private Security Contractor For VIGILANTE JUSTICE > There's An App For That!!

An un-disguised heads-up from The Verge and Motherboard - Looks like what?

Police Captain SUV mebbe?

Citizen, the vigilante justice app, has a plan to deploy private security forces, too

The same company that offered a bounty for the wrong arson suspect

By Sean Hollister@StarFire2258 May 21, 2021, 3:13pm EDT

More

This morning, The Verge published a story about how Citizen — an app that appears to encourage vigilante justice — encouraged its users to hunt down the wrong person and presumably bring them to justice, in the mistaken assumption that person had started the 1,158-acre Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles last week.

The company offered a $30,000 bounty.

Now, we’re learning the same company is apparently planning to offer its own private security forces to users, according to a new report from Motherboard.

In fact, one Citizen-branded patrol car has already been spotted in the wild:

Few things make you feel like you live in a bleak dystopian reality like a Citizen App patrol car that looks like a cop car.

Spotted by ⁦@magggggiiieeeee⁩ on the 10. pic.twitter.com/B7ppqymXSd

— brandon wenerd (@brandonwenerd) May 19, 2021

Motherboard’s report goes further than that, though, digging through internal documents and speaking to former employees who describe a “privatized secondary emergency response network” that would respond to an app user’s request. So far, Citizen appears to have been contracting that work out, both to well-known private security provider Securitas and — in the picture above — Los Angeles Professional Security.

Citizen confirmed to Motherboard that it was at least internally testing a “personal rapid response service,” suggesting it might be as simple as an escort service users would summon if they’re afraid to walk home late at night.

But the app’s history — originally launched as Vigilante in 2016 — not to mention the idea that this company is apparently willing to encourage its users to hunt down suspects for money, suggest that this move could be... a little problematic? . .

Social networks and apps like Nextdoor and Amazon’s Ring Neighbors have already been roundly criticized for preying on people’s fears, encouraging them to report on suspicious activity in their neighborhood, normalizing surveillance, and unfairly targeting their neighbors based on their racial biases. Combine that with a company that might encourage users to take justice into their own hands, and that seems not great.

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Motherboard >

Leaked Emails Show Crime App Citizen Is Testing On-Demand Security Force

vice.com |

Citizen would deploy private security forces at the request of app users, according to documents and sources.

Hacking. Disinformation. Surveillance. CYBER is Motherboard's podcast and reporting on the dark underbelly of the internet.

"Crime and neighborhood watch app Citizen has ambitions to deploy private security workers to the scene of disturbances at the request of app users, according to leaked internal Citizen documents and Citizen sources.

The plans mark a dramatic expansion of Citizen's purview. It is currently an app where users report "incidents" in their neighborhoods and, based on those reports and police scanner transcriptions, the app sends "real-time safety alerts" to users about crime and other incidents happening near where a user is located. It is essentially a mapping app that allows users to both report and learn about crime (or what users of the app perceive to be crime) in their neighborhood. The introduction of in-person, private security forces drastically alters the service, and potential impact, that Citizen may offer in the future, and provides more context as to why a Citizen-branded vehicle has been spotted driving around Los Angeles. The news comes after Citizen offered a $30,000 bounty against a person it falsely accused of starting a wildfire.

"The broad master plan was to create a privatized secondary emergency response network," one former Citizen employee told Motherboard. Motherboard granted multiple sources anonymity to protect them from retaliation from the company.

"It's been something discussed for a while but I personally never expected it to make it this far," another Citizen source told Motherboard.

. . .The email also names LAPS, or Los Angeles Professional Security. On Friday, Motherboard reported that Los Angeles Professional Security is linked to a Citizen-branded vehicle driving around Los Angeles. A Citizen spokesperson told Motherboard that the vehicle is part of a pilot program but declined to say exactly what that program consisted of. On its website, Los Angeles Professional Security describes itself as a "subscription law enforcement service." The internal Citizen email says the company is "an additional response partner." . .

Securitas did not respond to a request for comment. Los Angeles Professional Security acknowledged a request for comment but did not provide a response in time for publication.

Experts have criticized Citizen, saying the app may lead people to report things that aren't crime and may foster racism.

"Honestly Citizen as an app simply doesn't need to exist and it's more and more apparent as the months go on that leadership is just a bunch of scum," the former employee said.

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RELATED CONTENT

Citizen app told locals to "hunt" down a man for starting a California fire, offered reward – but had the wrong guy

Carla Sinclair 10:28 am Tue May 18, 2021

The "personal safety network" app Citizen ignited a vigilante hunt for a man they identified as the suspect of a California brush fire that tore through Pacific Palisades over the weekend, burning 1,325 acres. The irresponsible app posted a photo of the so-called "suspect," started a live broadcast that asked listeners to "hunt this guy down," and "bring this guy to justice," and even offered $30,000 to anyone who caught the man. But after all that, Citizen had the wrong dude.

Giving Can't Wait When The Focus of Giving is Gender Equality

Delighted to feature this story from Bloomberg

MacKenzie Scott, Melinda French Gates Give $40 Million to Gender Equality Groups

By Shera Avi-Yonah    

‎July‎ ‎29‎, ‎2021‎ ‎8‎:‎07 Updated on ‎July‎ ‎29‎, ‎2021‎ ‎9‎:‎42 

MacKenzie Scott and Melinda French Gates         Source: DPA/Getty Images; Bloomberg                              

• Recipients were part of their Equality Can’t Wait Challenge
• Both women have made gender equality a focus of their giving

"

Philanthropists MacKenzie Scott and Melinda French Gates joined forces Thursday to give $40 million to four organizations that promote gender equality.

The recipients were part of the Equality Can’t Wait Challenge, which was announced last year by Scott and French Gates and also funded by billionaire Lynn Schusterman’s family foundation. The projects winning $10 million each were selected from a pool of more than 500 applicants working in fields including technology, education, care-giving and indigenous communities. An additional $8 million was split between two finalists.