PlaNYC For The Long-Haul
How can long-term urban environmental blueprints like PlaNYC survive the short-run election cycle?
July 29, 2011
UK: Green Light For Nuclear Project
For the first time in two decades, the UK approves construction of the a new nuclear power plant.
Japan: Nuclear Update
The future of the Japanese fleet of 54 nuclear reactors is still in play
Record-Breaking Weird Weather
The cost of severe weather events in the US is set to break records in 2011 and offer a taste of what's in store.
Looking For Permanent Volunteers
The Obama administration seeks localities willing to become permanent hosts for nuclear waste.
C+WM=Hot Climate Politics
What is it about Conservative White Males (C+WM) that form the core of US climate deniers and is there any solution to the climate equation?
NYC Green Building Info Resources
Check out this New York City web page loaded with information and links to new programs in its Greener, Greater Building Plan.
Free Energy Audits And Low-Interest Loans
With $5.6 million, NYSERDA funds free energy audits for small businesses and non-profits and creates a $13 million low-interest energy efficiency loan program for saving money every month.
UK: City-centric
The UK government creates a minister for cities to focus national policies and make urban areas its engines of economic revival.
July 28, 2011
Arctic Fire
A 2007 tundra fire in Alaska, a previously rare event, had climate feedback implications and doubled the size of Arctic burnt areas.
Toyota Supports US CAFE Proposal
Toyota is set to support President Obama's new auto fuel economy standards of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.
Rubber Bands And Opinion Trends
An annual poll of Californians' opinions on environment and climate topics reveals changes that come and go and some that stick.
Germany's Post-Nuclear Strategy
Germany develops a three-part energy strategy for a post-nuclear power system.
What Zero Adds Up To
The House appropriations bill for international climate and energy efforts is a string of zeros.
France: Nuclear Industry Pulse
While order for fuel are down and its CEO is out, other parts of France's nuclear power giant, Areva, hold up.
Permaculture Takes Root
From NYC to San Francisco, and some places in between, permaculture is the thing to do.
July 27, 2011
Affordable Gold In Brooklyn
CAMBA a 209 unit Brooklyn housing development that aims at LEED Gold status and includes apartments for low income and special needs residents gets the green light.
Isle Of Lewis: Wave Power Loser
Losing its German utility partner, the word's biggest wave power project on Scotland's Lewis Island could fail.
Catching Up With C40
Rohit Aggarwalla, special advisor to the C-40 initiative, explains what cities working together can do to face their climate challenges.
London: Smart City Spending
Research Council awarded a £5.9m grant to the "digital city exchange" programme of Imperial College for establishing a smart cities tech center.
No LEED For Defense Department
The proposed federal budget zeros out funding for the Defense Department to obtain LEED certification for its buildings.
Cities In Hot Water
US cities face rising water-related risks from global warming.
The Lord Said To Noah
Wade into New York City's resilience planning for mid-century storms and floods linked to to a hotter planet.
Seoul: Extreme Storm
A record-breaking 11.5 inch rainstorm floods Seoul, South Korea.
NY Fracking Advisor: Job Description
While NY's Governor Cuomo has named a panel of hydrofracking advisors, expectations about its role are unclear and the Department of Energy looks for a role to provide scientific and environmental advice on this hotly-contested technology.
July 26, 2011
Fortune And Green Jobs
New York's Fortune Society uses a federal grant to train ex-offenders in green job skills, expecting to place 42 members of the graduating class.
The Limits To Climate 'Pragmatism'
Michael Levi asks what to make of the Breakthrough Institute climate agenda, which eschews the goal of avoiding big-time climate changes.
More Nuclear Power For The Planet
A UN watchdog agency predicts global use of nuclear power will increase.
Time To Convert
Sit in on the REBNY seminar about how NYC buildings can convert from using #6 oil for heat and hot water to #4, #2 or natural gas and read this EDF FAQ
Burned Up Over Gas Burn Off
New oil and gas hydrofrackers in Texas and North Dakota flare off gas rather than keeping out of the atmosphere.
$50 Million Bet At Vermont Yankee
Owners of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant spend $50 million on new fuel, hoping the facility will not be shut down by the state.
Denaturing America
House Republicans vow to pass crippling policy riders for the Interior Department and the Environmental Protection Agency along with severe funding cuts.
Gore Sees A Denial Pattern
Al Gore makes the case for a shared identity of debt ceiling deniers and climate deniers.
July 25, 2011
GHGs: The Chart
Here's a color-coded chart graphing the sources of the globe's GHG burden.
Relocate Your Grandkids
Global warming will increase flood-vulnerable areas of the US 40-45% by the end of the century.
Vacation Bummer
If a House appropriations vote scheduled for his week become law, environmental quality at favorite US vacation destinations will suffer.
Trends In Rating Energy Performance
The idea of rating and comparing buildings' energy performance is catching on around the US.
Putting Sustainability On Local Agendas
A survey finds local governments are just beginning to tackle sustainability issues.
Traders Shun Carbon Market
The global market to purchase carbon offsets while protecting forests attracts few buyers.
China: The Winning PV Game Plan
China beats the PV competition with a business model that generates funds for developing new technologies.
China: Bullet Train Background
After the fatal crash of a Chinese bullet train, take a look into what's driving the plan.
July 22, 2011
EU: Carbon Market Distress
What's ailing the EU's carbon emissions trading system?
Indonesia: Renewables Rise, Coal Too
Economic growth in Indonesia propels hydro & geothermal power expansion, but coal use will rise to 60% of the energy mix.
London: Fuel Efficient Cabbies
Can London taxi drivers cut fuel use by changing their driving habits?
Fort Worth Faces Fracking Disposal Decision
Local authorities must vote on a moratorium slated to end on July 31 on reusing salty, chemical-laced fracking fluid from wells in Fort Worth, Texas.
Don't Bake In The Big Apple
No AC? Find a cooling center in your NYC neighborhood. Meanwhile, state budget cuts make it hard for some to pay their utility bills.
A Climate Tale Of 2 Cities
Consider the different ways Washington and New York approach the climate change challenge.
Growing The Grid
Federal regulators roll out rules to make the nation's electric power grid more cohesive and friendly to renewable energy.
July 21, 2011
Steelmakers Sue EU Carbon Scheme
Calling EU standards for free carbon emissions permits unrealistic, steelmakers sue the European carbon market governing body.
Climate History: More Than Academic
James Hansen & Makiko Sato explain why understanding the dynamics of Earth's paleoclimate is key to understanding what's happening now.
Bloomberg $$ Fights Coal Power
Bloomberg Philanthropies gives the Sierra Club $50 million for its campaign against coal-fired power plants and for more clean energy.
Fracking: NY's Green Family Feud
Will the fight over hydrofracking for natural gas extraction split New York's environmental movement?
TV Drama
Watch climate scientist Steven Schneider take on Australian climate skeptics -- it's worth 45 minutes of your day.
UN Skips A Climate Decision
The UN won't decide whether climate change impacts will cause peacekeeping threats.
New Amsterdam And Old In 2040
Imagine New York City and Amsterdam, both shoreline cities, in 2040 at this summer exhibition.
July 20, 2011
Fukushima: Situation 'Stabilized'
Conditions at the devastated Fukushima nuclear power reactors have been stabilized and plans for a final shutdown can begin. Here's what a final teardown looks like.
PACE Revival
PACE, a program to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades in homes and offices that sank under the weight of federal officialdom, may see the light if new legislation passes Congress.
NY Frack S-DGEIS Questions
With the release of New York's proposed supplemental environmental review on hydrofracking for natural gas, questions start rolling in.
China Buys Canada Oil Biz
A major Chinese oil extractor buys Canadian oil sands reserves for $2.1 billion.
Boulder: Energy Ballot Breakdown
Plans for a November energy ballot in Boulder, Colorado break down on a dispute about wind power between the city and its electric utility.
Japan: Avoidance Behavior
The Financial Times editorializes about the absence of short or long term government decisions on Japan's energy future.
Weird Weather Galore
Heat records set around the nation while some places are more humid than ever and other more arid. Good time for some cool cooling ideas.
Probabilities And Climate Action
"When you make a decision about the future -- whether it is based on theory or observation -- it is a sort of gamble. You can never know what is going to happen. When we make decisions about how to tackle climate change it is no different," David Stainforth, Confidence in Climate project
ARPA-E Good News/Bad News
The House votes to give DOE's energy research wing, ARPA-E, an $80 million budget boost, but this falls far short of recommended targets.
Quebec: Carbon Trade On The Way
Quebec kicks off a carbon trading pilot program in 2012 covering 100 facilities, with carbon caps coming in 2013.
Urban Arborist: A Day In The Life
Learn what a Brooklyn arborist does and maybe you'll want to do it too.
July 19, 2011
Sun Rises In The East
China's ascendancy in the global PV equipment sector is felt in Europe
India: Uranium Find
Despite the discovery of large uranium deposits, India is unable to be self-sufficient in fuel for its nuclear power plants.
Leafs Sprouting
US sales of the Leaf electric car are strong enough for Nisssan to raise the sticker price.
Closed Wiki, Closed Minds
The climate-change denying Heartland Institute launches a closed climate change wiki.
Est. 1830, Green 2011
Here's a menu of ideas about how the venerable Henry Street Settlement, located in 1830-era row houses, could go 21st Century green.
Equity For Euro-Solar Power
A US private equity investor joins with Munich Re in 42 Spanish and Italian PV projects.
Congestion Pricing Fogs A Mirror
Signs of life for a congestion pricing program have been detected in Albany.
July 18, 2011
Fracking In PA
This American Life drills deep into the science and politics of hydrofracking for natural gas in Pennsylvania.
Australia: Don't Tax Our Carbon
Polling finds 53% of Australian voters oppose a tax on carbon emissions.
High Speed Rail: Mind The Gap
Will Obama Administration hopes for high speed trains get derailed in California due to a funding gap? Meanwhile NYC's aging transit resources are stuck in a rut.
UK: What Would Labour Do
Enough about Murdochgate! What about a green growth policy in Britain if the Conservative government falls?
Meet The Climate Historian
Historian Naomi Oreskes is a leading defender of the climate science profession and its work.
White House Visits Brooklyn Green Jobs Magnet
The head of the President's Council on Environmental Quality visits IceStone the energy efficient Brooklyn manufacturer of kitchen counters made from recycled glass.
Hong Kong: Baby, It's Cold Indoors
Frigid air conditioning is not the right response to Hong Kong's scorching summers.
Redskins Go Green
The Washington Redskins stadium is getting 2 MW of solar power while promoting renewable power to the fan base.
NYC: New Tech U
Mayor Bloomberg takes another step in creating a top-tier science & engineering university campus in NYC
Investors Alert For Carbon Bubble
Are institutional investment managers overweighted in fossil fuel stocks that are forming a risky carbon bubble?
July 15, 2011
US Tide Power Potential
Explore this interactive map of tide power potential for the US being developed by Georgia Tech.
India: King Coal
The Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is poised to build 37 coal-fired power plants and is on course to become a world-class GHG emitter.
Japan: From TVs To Green Homes
Panasonic plans to convert former factories into homes in Japan with energy efficient appliances and PV panels.
Australian Firm Gets US Shale Gas Assets
Australian-based BHP Billiton snaps up its second US shale gas company for $12.1 billion. Reuters commentary
The Winningest Energy Stars
The federal government rolls out a new Energy Star pilot program that covers an array of the most efficient gear-in-class.
July 14, 2011
Putting Aging Aqueducts At Risk
A national environmental group fears that New York's proposed hydrofracking rules will imperil the decades-old underground tunnels which supply New York City's drinking water
Turning Up The Heat
Scorching summer temperatures in the midwest are heading east.
Beware The Great Unraveling
While climate change might be our undoing in the long run, Vaclav Smil thinks the Great Unraveling of the world's rich economies will get us first.
France: Open To Wind Power
France shows a rising interest in wind power with 148 MW of installed capacity.
London: Anger Over Air Pollution
Clean air activists in London are alarmed over lack of progress and policy rollbacks.
Endless Carbon Could Cost A Lot
Adding to a controversial aspect of climate policy, a new study pegs the social cost CO2 levels at $900 per ton of CO2 emissions.
Hot Science
MIT uses nanotubes to build a rechargeable battery that stores solar heat to create energy.
Renewables Inch Up
While US renewable power numbers are rising, is this trend enough to make a difference?
Rx For Bike-Phobia
In cities across Europe, people are riding bikes to get around, but not in American metropolises. What's the problem?
Cool Roof Research
Research models the urban temperature impact of cool urban surfaces and also considers large solar arrays.
July 13, 2011
Japan: A Post-Nuclear Era
If Japan shuts down its nuclear power plants, it will miss its GHG reduction goals by a wide margin. Meanwhile, heatstroke deaths rise as power production stays low.
TKO In Lightbulb Battle
The Congressional effort to toss out light bulb efficiency standards blows a fuse while, as a result of the 2007 efficiency law, technical innovations in 21st century lighting booms.
Build Better Buildings
The federal Better Building Challenge kicks off with 14 partners who will mobilize private investment to make commercial and residential buildings more energy efficient while sharing their how-to strategies.
Good News Is Bright Green
The Brookings Institute reports a booming US the clean industry sector with 2.7 million jobs and high export values. BTW, which metro area ranks #1 in clean industry jobs?
Up On The Highline
It's summertime and New York City is filled with public art in its parks, streets, roofs and storefronts.
China: Wind Project Tempest
The business relationship between a Chinese wind turbine maker and American Superconductor is in disarray over technology access and slow markets.
July 12, 2011
NYC Gets Less From Indian Point
OK, this story about how Indian Point, seeking higher profit margins, is selling less power to New York City, ran in December 2010, but it's news to me
Microgrids Join the Military
The US military deploys electric power microgrids in Afghanistan to cut dependence on the tough task of trucking in fossil fuel.
India: Environmental Minister Ousted
Jairam Ramesh, India's activist environmental minister is blamed for blocking development and loses his cabinet seat.
California: Zero x 30
California wants to build a zero net energy (ZNE) homes and offices future by 2030.
House Energy Votes
The House will vote on Tuesday on cuts to energy efficiency and education funding, while other energy and environmental budget bills are pending.
How To Get A Green Job
Looking for a career in the green space? Look here
Park Here
New York City could seek private investors to modernize its municipal parking meter system.
Life Is Not Elsewhere
Only if people have a sense of place in their cities and neighborhoods will a sustainability agenda thrive.
July 11, 2011
Clean Air: The Sporting Thing
Make the connection between air pollution and its toll on athletes and youth.
What's In A Word
Does it matter that at last week's Presidential Twitter-Town Hall, Obama chose words like "clean" energy, but did not say "green" or "sustainable"?
Huntsman Hires Environmentalist
Republican Presidential hopeful John Huntsman names environmental activist, Mark McIntosh, as his energy advisor.
Australia: Global Climate Leader
With coal-reliant Australia's commitment to cutting GHG emissions via a carbon tax and a market price, it could re-energize climate actions around the world but will Prime Minster Gillard prevail at home?
A Dimmer Tea Party
With only a handful of successful Tea Party-inspired energy proposals, will its light bulb bill go dark?
Rx For Indian Point
To keep the lights on in NYC and Westchester if Indian Point is shut down, what are the power transmission options? and what would be the local economic impact?
Study Your School At School
For students in high performance school buildings, a green curriculum is all around them.
Home Imprivements: The Window
The ABC's of window installation and energy efficiency.
July 08, 2011
The Time Is Could Be Now
Here's the argument for reauthorizing a federal transportation law in 2011.
UK: PV Launch Beats The Clock
With steep cuts in electric feed-in support coming in August, 2.4 MW of PV go on-line in Britain.
EU: The End For Bio-Diesel
A report documenting the ecological downside of biofuel production may signal the end for this industry in the EU
NYC Needs Bike Death Inquest
After the recent road deaths of three NYC bike riders, iis it time for a publicly-available Police Department study of what happened and how City streets can be made safe?
Muni Laws Could Stop Fracking
Plans to drill for natural gas with hydrofracking that don't meet local legal standards could be stopped in court if local officials sue - or drillers might sue them.
Seeking Cuomo's New Power Support
Governor Cuomo is being urged to get behind a project to bring Canadian hydropower to the NYC area through a cable buried in the Hudson River.
Canada: Investing in Light Rail
Ottowa, Vancouver and other Canadian cities get federal funds to build light rail systems for decreasing their traffic congestion problems and improving their economic competitiveness.
Cap and Trade Extinction
In the US and around the world, why are cap and trade programs for cutting GHG emissions fading away?
Climate Change At Murdoch's Media Empire
Beyond the hackinging headlines about Murdoch's media empire, is there a generational shift coming on its climate opinions?
July 07, 2011
NY Eco-Layoff Rumor
Will the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation lay off 86 staffers, including scientists, engineers and attorneys, today?
Australia Counts Carbon Taxpayers
Australia calculates that 500 companies will have to pay a carbon tax, while households will be compensated.
House Bulldozes EPA Budget
If The Supreme Court thinks EPA has a climate job to do, apparently Congress does not based on its EPA budget cuts.
Solar Could Be Smarter
The potential for getting electricity from PV panels atop New York City schools and other roofs could be an energy game changer.
Japan: Nuclear Stress
The restart of nuclear power plants in Japan is likely to be delayed by local government objections.
Huhne's High Climate Anxiety
British Cabinet member Chris Huhne explains why climate change is a 'systemic risk' to food, water energy security, human health, trade flows and political stability.
Working In The Climate Corps
What happens when a volunteer environmental army, the EDF Climate Corps, fans out into corporate America?
July 06, 2011
The Price Of Fuel and H2O
What's the link between US diesel fuel prices and the cost of water used at China's coal-burning power plants?
Continents Apart
Media coverage of climate change in the US and Europe is a study in contrasts
Tweet The President
Got a climate question for President Obama today? Ask it
EPA Stays The Course
The EPA says it is committed to its agenda for issuing a host of hotly contested air pollution and CO2 rules.
Voters' Eco Choices
Scholars find Democrats and Independents are more likely to vote for candidates favoring climate and green policies while Republicans voters respond neutrally.
UK: Home In A Green Cube
Visit a 1.000 cubic foot home that's carbon neutral, offers all the mod cons and generates income.
Japan: Radioactive Soil
Radioactive cesium above regulated thresholds is detected in the soil of a Japanese city 60 kilometers from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plants.
UK: Warm Nuclear Welcome
The British energy minister calls for nation to become a magnet for new nuclear power plants. Learn more
July 05, 2011
NY Frack Advisors
The first appointments to the New York DEC hydrofracking advisory council are made. Naming names
NYC: Retrofitting History
There are many opportunities to green NYC's trove of historic building. Start here
US 1, China 0
The World Trade Organization rules in favor of a US complaint over China's 'green' export restrictions. Trade up
Cuomo v Indian Point
Can Governor Cuomo succeed in shutting down the Indian Point nuclear power plant if it keeps its federal operating permit? Consider this
Top Markets For Green Building
Which US cities top the index in the second annual survey of green building opportunities and why? Look into it
EU: Let's Not Cut Carbon Emissions
The European parliament blocks a move to increase its CO2 cutting target from 20% to 30%. What, we worry?
China: Coal Burning Cloaks Climate Change
Release of sulfur into the air from Chinese coal burning tamps down rising global temperatures. Say what?
Urban Ratings Are Question Dependent
Explore the input that shapes the output in trendy urban sustainability ratings.
Argentina: Fracking A Dead Cow
Vaca Muerta, or "dead cow" contains Argentine oil deposits that could be obtained by hydrofracking. Moo-ve over
Canada: Green Power And Green Jobs
A political fight brews over growing a green economy as wind and solar projects advance in Ontario, Canada. Learn more
Fracking In Poland
Poland has much to gain and much to lose if it uses hydrofracking to extract its natural gas resources. Drill down
July 04, 2011
Fish In Briny Brooklyn
A Brooklyn College Lab is home to tilapia; could this become a new way to fish for supper?
Water v Wind
With a water glut in the northwest, hydropower drowns out wind power. Dive in
July 01, 2011
Japan:The Mother Of Invention
With power supplies slashed, Major Japanese manufacturers are changing the way they work to cut energy use by 15%. A must
Reactor Safety Concerns
Westinghouse, maker of the AP 1000 nuclear power generator, seeks to reassure the NRC about its safety and pave the way for 14 new US power plants. EE News [Subscription]
Sunny Upside For NYC
Now that NYC has a solar map, it's time to crunch some solar power numbers. Start counting
UK: Green And Black Energy Up
Britain reports sharp increases in the use of renewable energy sources and coal for creating electric power. Plug in
Fracking In Texas
What's the scorecard on hydrofracking for oil in Texas? Wins & losses
CO2 - Then And Now
What is the PETM and why do climate scientists care about it now? Find out
Crackdown On Chinese Eco-Activists
Budding public participation in decisions like building new hydropower projects, is nipped in China. Learn more