A Greener Future for All
EXCITING ADVANCES IN THE WORLD OF SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
The hunt for sustainable energy sources continues! Throughout the past two decades, we have seen countless efforts around the globe to develop more environmentally friendly energy practices. You may have noticed solar panels appearing on roofs around your community or watched news reports about wind turbines offshore. These are far from the only efforts organizations, governments, and individuals are making. Two large-scale sustainability projects were announced that could lead to a more sustainable future. Solar Railways In many areas of Europe, the best way to get from point A to point B is by train. Switzerland alone has a national railway network that stretches over 2,000 miles. A startup called
of Transport to proceed, as concerns have been raised regarding the durability and reflectivity of the panels.
New Wind Turbines Offshore wind farms are nothing new. They first appeared in 1991, but the technology has evolved immensely. The Spain-based startup X1 Wind has created a new floating wind turbine prototype that could change the entire industry. Located off the Canary
Islands, the X1 floating turbine is more efficient and environmentally friendly than other turbines. The best news? In March, it generated its first kilowatt- hour of power, opening the door for further manufacturing. These are just a couple of the many sustainability projects recently introduced. As long as we continue to develop and discover environmentally
Sun-Ways recently announced a plan to outfit Swiss railway lines with solar panels to generate additional power. Sun-Ways developed a specialized train car to lay down solar panels between the rails of the track using minimal labor. The company estimates
that its solar panels can generate 2% of Switzerland’s annual energy consumption. At the time of writing this article, Sun-Ways is still waiting for a sign-off from the Federal Office
friendly practices, we can look forward to a greener future for all.
SAFEGUARD YOUR FAMILY’S FUTURE WITH A TRUST
When people begin the estate planning process, they usually do so to protect their assets and set their children and grandchildren up for success. An estate plan helps you safeguard everything you worked for and distribute your assets to your loved ones. However, many people believe they
only need a will, and everything else is just extra, but this is rarely the case.
categories: revocable and irrevocable. A revocable trust can be changed anytime during the owner’s lifetime. An irrevocable trust is set in stone as soon as you sign the agreement. One of the best parts about trusts is how they help keep your money in the family for generations. Many don’t realize it until they go through probate, but extreme taxes and fees arise after you pass away. Without proper planning, the value of your estate can dwindle to nothing as your family pays these fees, leaving minimal amounts for them. This is not what you want to happen to your loved ones. While trusts can be slightly more expensive than other estate planning options, their benefits are endless. Call us if you have any questions about trusts or want to create one to protect your family and assets.
Wills have become synonymous with estate planning thanks to pop culture, but in reality, wills are the bare minimum for most people’s estate planning needs. A will only comes into effect after you’ve passed away. If you become incapacitated, your health care and durable powers of attorney act in your place, which can complicate things. Having a will does not guarantee you’ll avoid probate, either. If you want to safeguard your family and assets fully, consider establishing a trust instead of just having a will. With a trust, you have more freedom and control over the management of your assets. There are different types of trusts to fit everyone’s specific needs, but they all fall into two
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