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Entries from November 2007

“Falling in Love with the Wind”

November 29th, 2007 · Comments Off on “Falling in Love with the Wind”

In face of wonderful New York Times reporting on windpower, giving voice to NIMBYism, perhaps we should highlight better reporting on and discussion of windpower.  OnEarth, the Natural Resources Defense Council‘s magazine, had a wonderful article earlier this year, “Falling in Love with Wind: How a small farm town traded its dair cows for renewable […]

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Tags: wind power

Can we find Human Solidarity in our Divided World?

November 29th, 2007 · Comments Off on Can we find Human Solidarity in our Divided World?

The UN has issue Fighting Climate Change: Human Solidarity in a Divided World.  Climate change is the defining human development challenge of the 21st Century. Failure to respond to that challenge will stall and then reverse international efforts to reduce poverty. The poorest countries and most vulnerable citizens will suffer the earliest and most damaging […]

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Tags: Global Warming · UN

Australia has a new National Anthem?

November 29th, 2007 · Comments Off on Australia has a new National Anthem?

Australia’s incoming prime minister, Kevin Rudd, has named a singer from Midnight Oil, Peter Garrett, to be the new environmental minister.  For those for whom the band name doesn’t ring the bell, there can’t be many who won’t recognize the music. The time has come To say fair’s fair To pay the rent To pay our share […]

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Tags: environmental

Where’s the fight for renewable power?

November 29th, 2007 · Comments Off on Where’s the fight for renewable power?

Words leaking from behind closed doors about the Energy Bill are, well, to anyone who cares about an Energy Smart future simply foul language. According to the New York Times, Reaching agreement on that timetable is likely to require Congressional leaders to drop provisions like a mandate that electric utilities nationwide generate 15 percent of […]

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Tags: alternative energy · electricity · government energy policy · politics · renewable energy

Dirty Hands and Clean Coal?

November 28th, 2007 · 4 Comments

In an extremely good (and highly recommended) article, Environmental News Service is reporting that there is some serious cash supporting getting environmental organizations in line behind so-called “Clean Coal” (what should be called: Less Dirty Coal) and massive investments to explore the potential for carbon sequestration.   Carbon sequestration is a long-shot, which puts off implications […]

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Tags: coal · sequestration

10 Steps to a Low-Carbon Economy?

November 28th, 2007 · Comments Off on 10 Steps to a Low-Carbon Economy?

The Center for American Progress just released its 10-step plan to a Low-Carbon Economy.  Based on an early look at the summary pages, great stuff and, well, ho-hum, and well, missing elements.  But, looking forward to seeing the full report.

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Tags: alternative energy · climate change · emissions · Energy · energy efficiency · environmental · fuel economy · government energy policy · politics

Googling to a Clean Energy Future?

November 27th, 2007 · 3 Comments

Today, Google announced RE<C — think renewable electricity cheaper than coal.  To be honest, it is hard to underestimate the importance of actions like these.  The newly created initiative, known as RE<C, will focus initially on advanced solar thermal power, wind power technologies, enhanced geothermal systems and other potential breakthrough technologies.  To achieve this, Google is […]

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Tags: google · renewable energy

A small update re Gridpoint

November 26th, 2007 · Comments Off on A small update re Gridpoint

Having discussed Gridpoint in Energy COOL: Luxury that could go mainstream, a small update from an article in The Washington Post business section.  Gridpoint looks to still mainly be in the testing / development phase, but is available at a retail price of $12.5k rather than the $10k in yesterday’s post.

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Tags: Uncategorized

WashPost Business Section worth a look

November 26th, 2007 · Comments Off on WashPost Business Section worth a look

Monday’s Washington Post business section has an excellent set of articles examining local green businesses.   They provide a window on those pursuing green productivity for, it seems, ethical/moral issues first (and financial as corollary) as per Honest Tea and those who started entirely with financial reasons (with any environmental/ethical/moral issues secondary, a corollary) as per Marriott (article […]

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Tags: building green · business practice · commerce · conservation · eco-friendly · Energy · energy efficiency · environmental · government energy policy · green · journalism · LEED · research · Washington Post

NIMBYism: a global obstacle to a renewable energy future

November 26th, 2007 · 20 Comments

NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard driven opposition to some form of change) is a challenge to moves to a sensible energy future not just in America but around the globe.  Whether solar panels, drying clothes outdoors, white roofing, subways, or otherwise, a good number of paths toward a better energy future face opposition from […]

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Tags: NIMBY · renewable energy · wind power