For The Birds
Brooklyn's grungy Gowanus Canal is being lined with bird houses designed by local architects for swifts and kestrels. Fly by
April 23, 2010
Australia: Election Eco-Promises
Australian Prime Minister Rudd vows to pursue a climate protection policy if re-elected. Stay tuned
The Price Ain't Right
High finance costs keep global investments in renewable energy depressed. Spend some time
Drill Baby, Why?
Although natural gas prices down and inventories up, US shale gas companies are still drilling but they won't be working in NYC's drinking watershed.
Greener@Three?
New York City rates its progress in meeting the goals of plaNYC2030 on its third anniversary. 1, 2, 3
April 22, 2010
Power Players
What's the role of the oil, coal and nuclear industries in the Senate climate bill? Politico parses it
Stimulus Slo-Mo
With the exception of home home weatherization projects, federal stimulus money for energy efficiency is slow in reaching beneficiaries. Get going
Making Lemonade
Some businesses see opportunities in the myriad impacts of global climate change. Look into it
Climate Change Could Up-End US Politics
NOAA reports climate impacts could lead to massive immigration and domestic relocation that would transform US politics by 2035. Relocate
A BASIC Climate Deal?
Brazil, South Africa, India and China, BASIC, seek a unified approach to an international climate agreement that the US would accept. Learn more
Shades Of Green In UK Race
The three-way election race in Britain heats up over climate and energy issues. Stay tuned
Competing For The Wind
GE and Siemens vie for market share through innovations in wind power technology. Take a spin
Cantwell Makes It CLEAR
Senator Cantwell spells out the argument for her climate bill, CLEAR, and why the Kerry cap and trade bill is not the answer. Get clarified
April 21, 2010
News From The Times
The New York Times relauches, renames and repurposes its environmental news blog. Go Green
Generating Mistrust
Public mistrust over leaks from nuclear power plants trumps any of their benefits. New plant designs also spawn doubts.
Demand For Demand Management?
While US companies allow utilities to cut their electric power during periods of peak demand, European households are not enthusiastic. Enter here
S&P 100: Carbon Emissions Keep Rising
The soaring CO2 emissions of S&P 100 companies undercuts the chance to meet climate legislative targets. Come on down
The Energy Habits Of Efficient Corporations
The Pew Foundation's case studies distill corporate strategies for leading the way on energy efficiency. Here's how
Profiles In High Performance
ASHRAE profiles the energy renaissance in leading US office buildings. Fine print
The Dirt On Bio-Diesel
A hard-to-get EU report on biodiesel finds that some types are linked to GHG emissions up to 400% higher than other fuels. FOILed!
EU Carbon Price Soars
The price of CO2 emissions in European markets is up 15% as utilities see allowances getting scarce by 2012. Learn more
Antarctica: Trouble Ahead?
New evidence from Antarctic ice finds vulnerability to sudden, alarming changes. Drill down
April 16, 2010
Senate Sausage-Making
Who gets what with a Kerry, Graham, Lieberman climate bill and what's negotiable? Romm weighs in
China: 40x20
Fearing catastrophic economic consequences of uncontrolled global warming, China vows to cut its CO2 intensity within a decade. Look into it
Where The Bucks Are
Spending in the brawl over a November ballot initiative to stall the roll out of California's climate protection policy could add up to $150 million. Oil Refiners v Enviros
Green Now Pay Later
Cash-strapped New York State government will get its first green roof and the contractor has agreed to get paid at a later date. A deal!
Monday, Monday
Release of the Kerry, Graham, Lieberman energy/climate bill is set for Monday, April 26. Trust that day?
Volcanologists Look Ahead
Scientists see a future link between a warming planet, melting glaciers and more volcano eruptions in Iceland. Ready to rumble?
Getting Over Copenhagen
Hope is not a plan and it's time to abandon the Copenhagen model. Here's an economist's four-prong path for climate action that must include the US, China and India. Look ahead
April 15, 2010
The Carbon Capture Chase
The challenge of capturing and sequestering CO2 in Germany confronts costs, parasitic loads and more. Not so elementary
US To SA: Promises To Keep
After abstaining on an IMF vote to fund a new coal plant in South Africa, the US will monitor the African nation's Copenhagen climate action pledge. Stay tuned
Burned Up About Coal
Taken together, the coal industry's safety record and its resistance to climate legislation, produces Democratic pressure to change course. Dig in
Keeping Up With E-Cars
The hybrid electric/gas Volt and the all electric Leaf cars are moving closer to market. Step on it
Oil Companies Favor Gas Tax
Several major oil companies prefer a 15 cents a gallon federal gas tax in pending Senate climate legislation over other policy measures. Poison pill?
Earth Day Politics
Reflecting on Earth Day at 40, Denis Hayes argues SOP pragmatic politics is a failed path to climate action in Washington. Rx
Hybrids Are The New Red White & Blue
Former CIA Director James Woolsey calls on Americans to make the nation safer by demanding cars that don't run on gasoline. Re-energize
April 14, 2010
The Hidden Cost Of Suburban Life
People who opt to live further from central Boston because housing is cheaper spend what they save on transportation. Priced out
IBM: Do Ask Do Tell
IBM will require its suppliers and their subcontractors to regularly report a slew of environmental data. Take responsibility
A Greener Swedish Energy Giant?
Vattenfall, a Swedish state owned electricity group with plants throughout northwestern Europe, gets a new director who faces climate and performance challenges. Plug in
The Americas Convene on Climate & Energy
The Obama administration hosts a meeting of 31 western hemisphere nations to consider common climate and energy security concerns. Stay tuned
Wind Farm Flaws
Potentially fatal flaws in the foundations of European offshore wind turbines are under investigation. Learn more
EU: The New Normal
Deutsche Bank reports that energy efficient building can become ubiquitous in the EU and recommends ways to move markets faster. Read on
April 13, 2010
Australia In 2050
Forget barbeques and Bondi Beach, by 2050 Australia will be densely urban and coping with climate change. Model futures
Springing Forward?
Washington watchers detect momentum on climate and energy legislation. See here
A Southern Climate Strategy
Georgia Tech and Duke University see benefits to southern states in climate protection policy. Learn more
Yes EU Can
The EU could cut its GHG emissions 80% by 2050 and save billions by decarbonizing its energy sector according to a new study. Here's how & Here's more
Taipei: The Plastic Pavillion
Taipei gets a portable exhibition hall made from plastic bottles, giving a new meaning to green building. Old is new
Better Behavior
Behavioral science has tools more potent than price signals for changing people's energy use . Nudge, nudge
April 12, 2010
Cap & Trade=Money Maker
As European governments are learning, carbon markets can generate significant revenues to boost their budgets. It adds up
Foreign $$ For Marcellus Shale
A giant Indian energy company buys a $1.7 billion dollar stake in a joint venture to drill for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale. Drill down
Japan: Clean Tech Aid With Strings
Japan will offer $5.3 billion in foreign aid for green development if nations buy from Japanese firms. Tie in
Copenhagen Crumbling
News from the Bonn climate gathering indicates the Copenhagen accord is coming undone. Learn more
Urban Greenery
Is the Mayor's green plan for New York City taking root? Dig in
April 09, 2010
US Energy Avant-Garde
ARPA-E, the Energy Department's cutting edge research program, is in operation. What's new?
California Green Lights Fuel Cells
After rejecting permits for fuels cell to create 3 MW of electricity as too costly, California utility commissioners change their minds. Power up
End of A Non-Nuclear Era
Frnace's nuclear reactor industry will build a new generation of power plants in Italy, ending that nation's ban on atomic power. Plug in
UN Climate Talks Update
Delegates meet in advance of the Cancun Mexico gathering without expectations for a climate agreement this year. Any omens?
Fun House Mirror
To reflect on Der Spiegel's climate science distortions look at the facts. See here
Looming Labor Shortage
Research points to an emerging gap between growing market demand for clean energy and energy efficiency skills and the nation's current training capacity. Learn more
April 08, 2010
Eco Home Economics
Here's a no-nonsense guide to green consumer product claims. Read up
Smarter Than A Smart Grid
The Austin, Texas power utility recruits homes and businesses to pilot a new operating model for a new energy era. Plug in
EU-ETS: Not Dead Yet
Predictions of the collapse of the EU's carbon markets are premature. Learn more
Smoothing The Wind
The reliability of wind power can be enhanced by linking power sources through underwater cables. Plug in
Relaunching Dot Earth
Revkin's Dot Earth blog moves from the news to the opinion section of the New York Times. Read all about it
The Electric Apple
Who is the target market for electric vehicles in NYC and what drives it? Find out
April 07, 2010
EPA Digs Deeper On Fracking
The upcoming EPA study of the impact of hydro-fracking for natural gas on water supplies will be wider in scope than earlier reviews. Stay tuned
Here On Earth
Take a minute to see an evening sky in spring. That's better
Brooklyn Bridge Park: What's Next?
Get a jump on dates for rolling out the next phases of Brooklyn's newest waterfront park. Come in
Hansen Wins Norwegian Award
US climate scientist James Hansen wins a Norwegian foundation $100,00 prize for alerting the world to the dangers of climate change. Congrats!
Virginia AG: Burn More Gas
After filing one law suit against EPA's GHG endangerment finding, Virginia's Attorney General is challenging EPA's new vehicle fuel efficiency rules. Fill 'er up
Hot Water!
Is the urban heat-island effect making US waterways hotter? Dip in
Copenhagen: Three Months After
Following the Copenhagen climate summit, 110 countries have committed to cutting GHG emissions, but grave doubts persist about keeping these promises. As time goes by
Green Shoots: Credentials Count
COWS, a think-and-do-tank, forges a framework for human capital development in a greening economy. Fine print
April 06, 2010
Carbon Crystal Ball Gazing
Could the Obama administration be ready to regulate carbon emissions rather than make a move on climate legislation? Look into it
Wet, Warm & Local
Find out what's in store for NYC as climate change impacts kick in and what some New Yorkers think about it. Op-Ed & Comments
Sewage To The Rescue
A California sewage treatment plant will use algae to purify its waste and generate electricity. A two-fer!
Tokyo: Plug In & Refuel
Tokyo will be a test city for electric car battery-swap stations using robotic technology from a California company. Drive in
Don't Need A Weatherman
Climate deniers are having their day and public support for climate action contracts. Look out kid
CA Cap Foes Fight On
Opponents of California's plan to cap emissions are trying to get a referendum on the ballot this November. WSJ
April 05, 2010
B School Flunks Green
Despite a few exceptions, typical US business schools are not teaching students the basics of green finance. Learn more
Too Cheap To Matter?
The social cost of carbon could be 'the most important number you never heard of'. Count on it
Active On Passive Building
Get the nitty-gritty about designing a 'passivhaus' in Sonoma, California. Move in
Call This News?
Print media bloopers about basic climate science catch flack. Read on
The Dipstick
Let's drill for oil off the California coast! Oh
Auto-Motive Power
Will electricity, gas or biofuel power the cars of tomorrow? Start here
Feed Folks Not Cars
Anti-poverty groups protest an EU biofuel policy. Look into it
April 02, 2010
Wall Street Goes Greener
The New York Stock Exchange buys 28 million kilowatt/hours worth of renewable energy certificates from a power supplier. Plug in
Get A Life (Cycle)
A new study estimates the GHG life cycle costs of natural gas and finds there are few hard numbers to use. Explore
NY Auto Show
Scientific American take Ford's new all-electric compact van out for a spin in NYC.
South Africa: Addicted To Coal?
South Africa's economic growth plan, based on attracting foreign carbon-intensive industries, stirs domestic concern. Learn more
Metropolitan Innovation
Where do innovative ideas for cities come from and how do they become realities? RPA interview
Money Magnets
Electric car-related start ups lead the list of green tech businesses attracting investment dollars. Venture in
April 01, 2010
What Does Zero Mean?
Automakers' claims about zero emissions cars may not tally when emissions from electric power plants are counted in. Learn more