Any Detectable Impact?
An investment analyst makes the case for the positive economic impact of the Kerry Lieberman climate and energy bill. Tap tap
May 28, 2010
Be Prepared!
The New York Academy of Science reports on how New York City can start now to prepare for the impact of climate change. It is less expensive than rebuilding after a catastrophe. Fine print
Seeding Green Biz
NYC Seed, a venture incubator for local start-up tech businesses, has green sprouts. Dig in
May 27, 2010
EU: Rethink Offsets
The EU-ETS might ban certain carbon offset credits and create multiplier values for others. Look into it
Where Is This LEEDing?
Readers of a recent new York Times Op-Ed have a lot to say about what LEED and cannot do. Vox pop
Smart Meters, But Not At Home
The UK smart meter industry targets businesses, not homes, for the first installation wave. Plug in
No Fly Zone
Aviation industry CO2 emissions, now 2-3% of the world's total, are expected to treble by 2050. Any alternative?
Acid Flashback?
Connie Hedegaard, the EU's climate action commissioner, denies that her goal to cut member nations' carbon emissions 30% by 2020 is a "hippie agenda" but delays making a formal recommendation.
US Cars Catching Up
A new generation of cars for the US market are nearly as fuel efficient and CO2 exhaust lean as European counterparts. Auto read this
May 26, 2010
EU: Carbon Market Skeptics
European carbon traders are downbeat about prices and the ability to translate market activity into CO2 reductions, but tighter EU climate rules offer hope.
Going Platinum
The Washington headquarters of World Bank member, the International Finance Corporation, earns a LEED Platinum rating. That rates!
When Did You Stop Beating Your Wife?
Romm ruminates on why the New York Times keeps printing climate denial stories. Take that!
May 25, 2010
Hey Big Spenders!
Driven by consumer and investor demand, a survey finds 70% of global corporate leaders plan to spend more on energy efficiency and climate-friendly product development. Walk the walk
UK Green: Follow The Money
Britain's ruling coalition wants to slash funds for energy efficient building and other environmental programs while proposing a PACE bond style scheme for home energy retrofits.
India: Carbon Emissions Soar
The price of headlong, coal-powered development in India is a 58% increase in carbon emissions since 1994. The good news is a drop in carbon intensity Learn more
Bite-SIzed Climate Papers
The RSS climate policy reader assembles 18 pithy policy pieces ranging from treaties, to carbon taxes, to adaptive capacity. Dig in
Can Data Move NY?
The goal of the BTA, an encyclopedic spread sheet of transportation data in NYC, is reinventing public policy. Stop & go
May 24, 2010
Out With Trades, In With Bonds
Bonds could be the newest thing in finance to cut the world's carbon emissions. Shaken not stirred
Utility Looks East
Duke Energy looks to China for energy technology innovations to improve its own performance. Learn more
Going Gray? Invest Green
European and US pension funds should shift investments toward low carbon firms and away from fossil fuel producers. Look ahead
You'e Got Green Mail
Government will save money energy with new monitoring and management equipment at 2,250 post offices. Look into it
Turning Electric Into Gold
China will invest billions over the next decade to build a smart electric power grid. Plug in
Turn Like A Fish
Researchers learn to build a better wind power farm from how schools of fish move . Fluid, dynamic
Measuring Up: Behind The Headlines
Changes in instrumentation makes data on warming oceans more accurate but poses some interpretive challenges. Details, details
May 21, 2010
What's It Worth?
The Stavins argument for the value of free CO2 emissions allowances. Here
Sacramento: Emerald Magnet
The Mayor of Sacramento, California proposes to turn the region into a magnet for green businesses and green collar jobs. Come closer
Patent It Faster
A US Patent Office program to speed approval of energy efficiency and renewables inventions will expand to meet demand. Expedite that!
May 20, 2010
EU: Ultra-Green By 2020
Starting in 2020, all new buildings in the EU will have to be nearly carbon neutral. Stay tuned
Batteries Included
A wave of experimental batteries start to store electricity from alternative power sources for later use. Juicy!
Rx For Sluggish Buildings
Building commissioning, a good way to check up on the inner workings of new or older buildings to see if they are performing as designed is not difficult to do, but it's rarely done. Learn more
UK To Build Offshore Electric Grid
To route tidal and offshore wind power to consumers the new UK government will build a transmission grid, but its scope remains unclear. Plug in
Earth In Hot Water
Science finds further evidence of a hotter planet in warming oceans. Dip in
What LEED Needs
Sallan Snapshot author spells out what LEED needs to really matter. Follow-up
May 19, 2010
The Case of The Vanishing Glaciers
As Himalayan glaciers melt, clues about the impacts add up. Look downstream
What's In It For Me?
The federal government asked for public comment on the smart grid and who should pay for it. Responses & responders
Speak Up, Be Heard
The National Academy of Sciences launches a project to determine how climate science can effectively communicate to decision makers. Stay tuned
Cleaning Up After GM
The White House proposes a $1 billion fund for the environmental clean up of 90 old GM plants to make way for new undertakings. Work it
EU-ETS: Toxic Trades
The EU carbon market, a money-maker for projects outside the EU that capture super-GHG's, shifts its support elsewhere. Follow the money
UK: Cushion Carbon Markets
The UK considers imposing price floors in the CO2 allowance market as EU trading prices fall. Opt in
Atomic Anxiety
Experts warn the NRC that new nuclear power technologies could be vulnerable to theft by terrorists. Uh-oh
Splitsville
What's at stake in the deep divide among greens over the Kerry-Lieberman climate bill? Look into it
Not Sold On Smart Meters
Utilities are rolling out smart electric meters along with variable rates, but consumers remain wary. Plug in
May 18, 2010
Down On PACE
Federal mortgage investors Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac oppose the first lien provisions of PACE bonds for homes. Learn more
Don't Get Railroaded
A skeptic looks at plans for intercity high-speed rail in Britain. Queue up
Building Branding
Calculate the value of US office buildings with LEED or Energy Star labels in terms of rents and occupancy rates. Start here
American Power Act NAY!
Why you should oppose the Kerry-Lieberman American Power Act.
American Power Act AYE!
Why you should support the Kerry-Lieberman American Power Act.
Wind Power For NJ Port
The Port Authority will install five wind turbines on a shipping pier in New Jersey. Very edgy
May 17, 2010
Capturing Their Attention
The EU climate chief convenes corporations reluctant to consider further CO2 emissions cuts. Hey you!
A Better Brick
Forget brick-making in CO2-spewing kilns. Now microbes can do the work. Think different
Sold On Offsets?
New UN Climate Chief
Christiana Figueres is named as the new head of UN climate treaty negotiations. Hail!
EJ Groups Demand Charter Reform Now
Environmental justice organizations urge the NYC Charter Reform Commission to enhance fair share and community planning powers. Learn more
US Firm Inks China Wind Deal
A US firm will sell $445 million of electrical components to a Chinese wind turbine maker. Plug in
Making The Connection
Water conservation is an important path to energy savings that's just catching on. Learn more
Another Heat Record
Federal agencies report that April 2010 had the hottest surface temperatures on record. Data points
Yes We Ban
Concord, Massachusetts bans the sale of bottled water. Tap in
FOB Aggregates Green Tech
A former advisor to Bill Clinton heads a green tech firm that buys emerging projects for development. Stay tuned
See CCS In Your Future?
CCS, carbon capture and storage, is far from a sure thing, but that could be changing. Look into it
Look Closer
Climate science is advancing by looking at data from small geographic regions in big time frames. Here's how
May 14, 2010
NYC: Growing Green Jobs
A May 2010 report spells out green job types, emerging markets, growth drivers and targeted educational needs for New York City. Get to work
What Are They Thinking?
Polls find Americans' views on climate, energy and oil spills are murky. Learn more
New Lows For Arctic Ice
2010 is on track to set a record for disappearing Arctic ice. Look into it
Chinese Innovation Measured In Carbon
China claims to have cut 48.5 million tons of carbon emissions from its telecommunications sector in 2008. Link in
Oily Ideas
Wonder what the Kerry-Lieberman bill looks like from the perspective of the oil & gas industry? Dip in
Australia: Learn From China
An advisor to Prime Minister Rudd slams Australians for ignorance about Chinese leadership in fighting climate change. Learn more
The 25,000 Hour Bulb
Tired of changing light bulbs? Try the new 60 watt LED model that can last three years. That's bright
May 13, 2010
UK: The New Green Agenda
Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in the UK have a different environmental agenda than conservatives in the US. Look into it
UK: Nuclear Coalition
A green light for new nuclear power plants could be on the way under Britain's new coalition government. Learn more
Energy Market Free-Loaders
The Financial Times interviews Mark Jacobson "Right now we don't have a free market, we have a free-loading market where the fossil fuel companies pollute the air, and get subsidies from the government."
UK: Environment Minister Named
The UK's incoming Prime Minster names Chris Huhne, a Liberal-Democrat, to head the Department of Energy and Climate Change. E&E PM [Subscribers only]
NYC: A Greener Greater Energy Code
A greener, greater NYC requires top-notch Energy Conservation Code rules. A public hearing on the draft rules is scheduled for May 18. Text & information
Goodbye To All That Coal
Hansen & Mazria believe the US can ends its reliance on coal by 2030. Here's how
May 12, 2010
The PACE Quickens
With California leading the way, PACE financing for energy efficiency and clean energy laws are booming. Learn more
What Works At Work?
Delve into a study of six federal workplace energy efficiency projects. Be more productive!
New Bill, New Name
Senate sponsors unveil the American Power Act. Here's their summary. Here's the summary & a Dot Earth blog