Memorial Day commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. It’s also the official beginning of the summer barbecue season.  Enjoy the day!

The Real Story will return tomorrow with a series on 55+ living.

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Talking to Dr. Jasmin Anwar, climate economist with The Union of Concerned Scientists, has offered The Real Story a week of lively and informed conversation on the subject of the California Global Warming Solutions Act. In today’s interview segment, Jasmin gives a quick tutorial on how households can invest in features that increase their homes’ energy efficiency —  and how much monthly energy costs can be reduced as a result.

She also talks about the State’s demonstrated ability to conserve and adapt to new technologies, sharing with us the example that in the last 30 years,  California’s energy consumption per capita remained constant, while everywhere else in the country it grew by 50%. She gives example of water conservation and utilizing technology to reduce energy use, and ends her discussion with the statement, “It’s phenomenal what we can do”. A nice note on which to end the week.

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Among the anti-AB32 campaign statements are many that decry the Global Warming Solutions Act as having the potential to hurt small business in the state. The Real Story asked Dr. Jasmin Ansar, climate economist with The Union of Concerned Scientists, to explain how changes in the way California caps its carbon emissions will affect small business.

Jasmin talks today about a study that the UCS commissioned specifically to look at the impacts created by AB32 on small business. In the podcast segment, she talks about the way that the research was commissioned and carried out, and the findings that show that the impact of rising energy prices on revenues could grow from 1.4 percent today to approximately 1.7 percent by 2020. She also walks us through a case study that projects the costs of a restaurant business from 2012, when the law takes effect, through 2020, and explains how its energy costs will look as the company moves ahead. Compelling research and discussion, today and through Friday.

With Memorial Day Weekend looming large, the inevitable “what should we do?” question arises. If you’re sticking around this year, there are plenty of fun (and some free) activities all around the Bay. Whether you’re in the mood for high culture or dancing in the streets, you’ll find lots activities to fill your holiday hours. Here are The Real Story’s top five suggestions:

Carnaval
Mission District, San Francisco
Saturday and Sunday
The Mission pulses to a samba beat during this celebration of Caribbean and Latin American cultures. A parade, music, drumming, arts and, of course, food and more food will fill Harrison Street.

San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
AT&T Park
San Francisco
Saturday
You can’t beat a good ballgame on a holiday weekend. Saturday’s Game is Exploratorium Day. Enjoy exhibits from the Science of Baseball—including a baseball dissection, finding the Sweet Shop and Timing is Everything! The first 20,000 fans will receive a free Giants cap.

Birth of Impressionism
De Young Museum
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Saturday, Sunday and Monday
A stroll through the evolution of Impressionism in an exhibition of more than 100 works from the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. The final gallery, featuring works of Cézanne and Degas, is especially uplifting. Viva la Belle Époque!

Memorial Day at The Presidio
The Presidio, San Francisco
Monday
The true meaning of Memorial Day is remember our fallen soldiers. A formal commemoration will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at the Presidio. A parade, led by the 191st Army Band pipes and drums, will precede a ceremony that includes a flyover and 21-gun salute.

Marine Mammal Center
Marin Headlands, Sausalito
Daily
This is seal pup season, so stop in and see the young Pacific Harbor seals being cared for at the Center. While you’re at the Headlands, take a hike. You’ll enjoy the scenery, and the satisfaction from knowing you live in such a beautiful area.

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Here’s an interesting statistic: California produces only 1.4 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases. That’s it. We are now a recognized world leader in alternative energy. We regularly export knowledge and technology to emerging countries to help them increase productivity without increasing their energy consumption.

And that’s not all. According to Dr. Jasmin Ansar, climate economist for The Union of Concerned Scientists, California’s economy is moving toward a model that is more energy productive. The global leadership role we now enjoy puts us at the forefront of developing technologies for the future, which could create the foundation for new, long-term economic success.

Listen to Dr. Ansar today and during the week; or download the whole seires of interviews on iTunes.

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California has long been considered the home of technological innovation. With the implementation of AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act, will we see the state meet the challenge of reducing its carbon emissions back to 1990 levels with new technologies—and new jobs?

The Real Story visited with Dr. Jasmin Ansar, climate economist with the Union for Concerned Scientists, to talk about AB 32 and what is going on behind the scenes to ready the State for implementation. The timeline established by the State’s air resource board has been moving ahead since the bill’s passage in 2006. Today, with the clock ticking, the state is moving toward a roll-out of the program start date of January 1, 2012.

Jasmin answers those critics who have been buying media time recently to position the Global Warming Solutions Act as a threat to 1.1 million jobs. She says that most of the economic analysis does not take into consideration anything more than a static economy, and asks instead that we consider the potential for economic innovation, and a potential upside from taking a transformative course of action. For today’s interview with Jasmin, listen to the attached podcast or download it on iTunes.