UK: Bringing The Coal Back Home
British imports of coal rise 20%, and now is the country's biggest power source
June 29, 2012
Lagos: Model Megacity, Maybe
What are the prospects for Lagos, Nigeria, one of Africa's largest cities to become a model of sustainable development?
California: Surf's Up And That's Not Good
Explore the future with maps of sea level rise impacts on California's infrastructure and natural resource systems
Japan: Renewables Set To Soar
With prospects for doubling investments in renewable power projects, Japan bucks the EU cutback trend
Facing The Fracking Fight
Here is one account of how one New Yorker grapples with the fiery fight over hydrofracking for natural gas and another from the maker of Gasland
Connect The Dots: ACA and Pollution Taxes
What are the legal implications of Justice Roberts' Supreme Court tax argument about the Affordable Care Act for environmental economics?
Power For Environmental Justice And Limits On Carbon
New York adopts power plant siting rules that require environmental justice community assessments and impose limits on CO2 emissions
Riverfront Park Could Flounder
Without $15 million for repairs, a strip of parkland could collapse into the East River; clean water blamed
June 28, 2012
CT: PACE Lives
Connecticut enacts a PACE for commercial buildings energy efficiency loan program
Germany: Solar And Carbon Accords
Germany cuts solar subsidies while keeping growth targets and OK's carbon capture plans
Rio: Get Over It
After the climate treaty dead-end at Rio, what's the alternative path on climate action?
Urban Pedal Power
US cities are becoming bike-friendly
Get Clean Heat
A primer on ending New York City's addiction to dirty fuel oil
Offshore Wind - Just Looking
While Allianz Insurance has expressed interest in offshore wind power, it's not yet ready to invest
Euro Cities Aim To Adapt
A survey of 22 European cities finds efforts underway to address coming climate impacts
Cities Gain Over Suburbs
Reversing a 90-year long trend, US cities have started to grow faster than suburbs
The Lower East Side Gets Passive
A Lower East Side arts center rebuilds to Passive House standards
June 27, 2012
Mayoral Contradiction
Climate champion Mike Bloomberg uses a room-sized AC to cool his SUV
LEED Isn't The Only Leader
Compare and contrast the current proliferation of US high-performance building standards
Tweet For Energy Efficiency
Can energy and IT wonks make the electric grid smarter by making it social?
PV Makers Face More Tough Times
Oversupply and turbulence in the global market for photovoltaics is expected to subside by 2015
Life's A Beach
It's summer and time for the annual NRDC beach and ocean quality rating
Another Alternate Fuel Option
Consider the case for switching US vehicles from gasoline to natural gas
Capitalists For Climate Rescue
Less Coal More Health
In coal-reliant Australia, the incoming carbon price is predicted to cut future public health costs
June 26, 2012
Court Says Yes To Carbon Rules
The Washington DC federal appeals court upholds recent EPA rules that regulate CO2 emissions
NYC Trees: Post-Planting Survey
Take the New York World survey about what happens to a neighborhood tree after it's been planted as part of the Million-Tree Campaign
NJ Limits Fracking
The New Jersey legislature approves a bill banning storage or treatment of fracking waste, but does not outlaw recycling the stuff
Tops For A LEED-Gold Contender
4 World Trade Center, going for a LEED Gold rating, meets a construction milestone
Climate Bonds
This UK report makes the case for a climate-bonds market to finance energy, transportation, building and pollution control projects
Boiling In Oil
Predictions for the opposite of 'peak oil' and its political implications
Germany: Renewables Remake Utility Market
The fossil-fuel based model of electric utility pricing is unraveling with the rising use of renewables
June 25, 2012
Go Green With The Yellow Label
Making energy-smart appliance choices is easier if you understand the yellow label and follow these tips for cutting summer AC bills
Ex-King Coal
The long reign of coal as America's dominant power source and political force could be coming to an end
Greenmarket, Solar Food
Enjoy solar-power cooked treats at the NYC Union Square Greenmarket
East Coast: Ready Or Not
Why do scientists predict the US east-coast is a hot spot for climate related flooding?
Antarctica: Bad Time For Penguins
The warming of the Antarctic climate has no upside for the Emperor penguin population
Australia: Carbon Tax Kicks-In
A survey of Australian business leaders finds a belief that the nation's price on carbon is here to stay
Turkey: Energy Futures
With a growing economy and a lack of domestic oil and natural gas, Turkey turns to coal and nuclear for electricity
Old and Grey Green
Can historic preservation be compatible with energy efficiency?
Albany: The One Bill Wonder
At the end to New York's legislative session, environmentalists can point to one win
June 22, 2012
Honest Buildings In Texas
Dallas is the latest city to get an Honest Buildings social media map
UK: Turbine Plan Folds
Vestas, the world's biggest wind turbine maker, ends plans for a new plant in the UK, dashing hopes for 2,000 jobs
Emissions Market In Austin
Austin TX gets a branch of an all-voluntary carbon emissions exchange with 145 members in 22 nations
Russia: Fracking Foe
Glitches in plans to hydrofrack for natural gas in Poland and other European nations, please Russia
Rio+20: US Sees Bright Green Job Futures
At the Rio=20 climate summit, US Secretary of State Clinton spotlights the job growth potential of climate-friendly energy policies
Clean Tech Troubles
The US clean tech industry faces a rocky road and it future success is far from clear
Clouds Cover Albany
New York's legislature ends its session without acting on a solar power bill
There Ought To Be An App
A new app provides zip-code organized data on the risk of floods and storm surges along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts
Red Herrings And Green Jobs
Dive into a study of the use and abuse of economic models that predict the impact of environmental regulations on employment
June 21, 2012
Greener e-Bay
e-Bay will deploy fuel cells to power it's newest data server and clean up 15% of its total demand
EU: Planned Shrinkage
With CO2 emissions 2.2 billion metric tons less than projected, the EU carbon trading scheme should shrink its emissions allowances pool
Smarter Buildings Driven By Data
Miss May's Data-Driven Built Environment conference? Highlights here
UK: Carbon Disclosure
Lib-Dems overcome Tory resistance for a mandatory carbon disclosure rule allowing performance comparisons among big firms
June 20, 2012
Court Upholds California Cap And Trade
A California appeals court upholds the state's cap and trade program, rejecting claims that it will increase pollution for some
Rio: Climate Cheers For Cities
At the Rio+20 meeting, NYC's Mayor Bloomberg says cworld cities are leading the way on climate action
On The Sunny Side Of The Street
Making the case for bright times ahead for solar, wind and geothermal power
The Clean Energy Competition
A federal funding competition to support scaling up the next generation of clean tech businesses is in high-gear
Germany Is The Energy Test Case
Will Germany, a industrial giant, be able to decarbonize its energy system without nuclear power in the mix?
The Future Of Cities
With soaring growth, cities in Africa's developing nations could adopt smart tech to thrive but lack of public policy and investment could be crippling
Poll Finds Eco-Pessimism
A Washington Post poll finds a majority of Americans believe world environmental quality is degrading and humans are the cause
China: Tallest, Fastest and Greenest
China plans to build the world tallest, super-energy efficient building in just ninety days
June 19, 2012
On The Front Line Of National Security
What does a national security energy and climate policy look like for a soldier who fought in Iraq?
Nasdaq Demands Sustainabiity Disclosure
Joining a global exchange effort, Nasdaq will require its listed companies to disclose data on environmental and governance issues
New Zealand: Friending The Wind
A wind turbine farm opens in New Zealand without any NIMBY
UK: Decarrbonize The System
A leading Tory wants government policy to set targets for decarbonizing the utility sector and phase out gas-fired power plants
GOP Attacks Green Loan Guarantees
Congressional Republicans intensify their opposition to government loan support for renewable energy
Struggle For Community Solar Power
Business as usual poses tough challenges to urban community solar power joint ventures Climate Wire [$]
Capture Carbon And Get More Oil
GE and a Norwegian partner introduce a new technology for capturing power plant CO2 emissions and lower costs by using the gas to boost production in mature oilfields
Greens and Nuke Industry As One
Plans for a new transmission line to bring Canadian hydro and wind power to New York City unite the Sierra Club and the owner of Indian Point in opposition
June 18, 2012
IMF Alarmed By Environmental Crisis
To confront the global climate crisis, the IMF offers assistance to nations for imposing carbon prices and ending fossil fuel subsidies
Climate Change Makes You Sick
Kaiser-Permanente, one of America's largest health care providers, sees climate change as a major health risk and sees things like energy efficiency as part of its core mission
Canada: Low-Carbon Flight
A new low-carbon Airbus A319 starts commercial flights from Toronto, Canada to Mexico City
In Training
American cities and urban developers are catching on to the value of mass transit access
Sun Shine For Shingles
Roof shingles generate solar power for home use in California
NY's Newest Green Housing
Check out the energy dashboard at New York City's newest green apartments
UK: Underpowered Energy Efficiency Plan
Why don't environmental advocates like the the UK energy- efficiency plan for meeting EU goals?
Japan: New Leaf On Renewables
To build a market for renewable power Japan creates a feed-in tariff and abolishes limits on how much clean energy utilities can buy
Shake Rattle and Roll
The National Research Council finds hydrofracking can cause earthquakes when waste water is injected underground
Japan: Solar Boom
Poised to overtake Germany and Italy to become the second largest market for solar, Japan sets premium price triple what industrial users currently pay.
Brazil: Rio+20
What will come of it? Senior Advisor to the Japanese Minister of the Environment, Kazuhiko Takemoto frames the question.
June 17, 2012
Loss Factor Bites Back
Kinks still being worked out of data for the City's long awaited report that will detail energy consumption in both commercial and residential buildings.
June 15, 2012
Dare Not Speak Its Name
When Virginia lawmakers recommended a scientific study to address flooding and encroaching sea water on the coast, they met resistance from Republicans who didn't want any reference to "sea level rise" or "climate change".
June 14, 2012
All-of-the-Above Strategy
ADS Releases Report
Association for Demand Response and Smart Grid's annual nationwide review of state regulatory and legislative policy activity is available for download in advance of National Town Meeting in Washington, DC at the end of June.
June 12, 2012
UK: M&S Fully Carbon Neutral
Five years after launching Plan A, Marks and Spencer demonstrates the business case for sustainability becoming the first major UK retailer to meet its sustainability targets with £185m in net benefits. What comes next?
Cheers For A Big Bronx Roof Farm
There are plans afoot to develop a 200,000 square foot farm on a Bronx rooftop
June 08, 2012
Intro to Clean Energy Gizmos
Greece: Energy Crisis
One facet of the Greek financial collapse is a crisis in the nation's energy supply
The Soft Revolution
How is software propelling the campaign for a clean energy economy?
Elevated Matter
Haiti: Waste-To-Energy - Maybe
A plan to turn Port-Au-Prince trash into electricity for 75,000 homes hits snags
North Africa: Renewables Under A Cloud
Despite North Africa's immense potential as a source of solar and wind power, project investors are scarce
Light Up The Night Efficiently
Next in the Empire State Building make-over is installation of 68,000 LEDs to save energy and keep this icon in plain sight
Big Apple, Big Loser
In terms of property and financial impacts, New York is the city with the most to lose from hurricane damage
June 07, 2012
Transform IT
The IT and data boom will transform what it means to be a smart city and how to address climate change
June 06, 2012
Doom Or Not Doom
China: First Nuclear IPO
The first IPO, valued at $27 billion, to finance five new nuclear power plants wins official Chinese approval
One Way To Measure A Boom
Columbia, PA, population 1,200 expects a $500 000 impact fee payment for gas drilling the the Marcellus Shale
Rio: Opportunity At-Risk
Will the upcoming UN climate treaty meeting in Rio accomplish anything? Consider these low lights
Flammable Politics
Disputes over hydrofacking and shale gas could heat up Presidential election-year politics in key swing states
The Congestion Cure
An expanded array of cameras and sensors will ease traffic congestion and be on-watch in mid-Manhattan 24/7
Health V Wealth
States start to confront the lack of scientific data about the potential for health threats associated with hydrofracking for fossil fuels
Give Green Peace A Chance
Senior US military brass see cutting oil consumption as a matter of war, peace and climate change
RGGI Makes The Grade
Contrary to doom-sayers, the northeast states' RGGI carbon cap and trade program earns solid performance ratings
June 05, 2012
Down In Melbourne
Green innovation in Melbourne Australia creates a building that cuts energy use by 82% and brings down carbon emissions by 87%
Laugh A LIttle
What The Frame
Once again, the narrative, the framing and the media get blamed for American's indifference to taking action on climate change
Latin America: Spend To Save
The Inter-American Development Bank calls on Latin American & Caribbean nations to spend $110 billion a year to cut their GHG emissions
Warm On Wind
Karl Rove sees renewal of federal wind production tax credits as a matter of economic and national security
UK: For The Want Of A Nail
A common piece of electrical equipment is responsible for the loss of nearly one-third of the UK's renewable power supply
Green Codes And Smart Grids
California's new energy-aware building codes go hand in hand with smart-grid advances
June 04, 2012
Utility Shifts Its Subsidies
With a new CEO, a power utility shifts its financial support from Minnesota solar power to conservation programs
Solar Obituary
The life and death of a Massachusetts thin-film solar start up company
Metropolitan Space
Urban density and form can play major roles in the transition to smart cities and a low-carbon economy
Parsing Obama's Energy Policy
What does all of the above mean when it comes to making sense of the President's energy policy?
New York Is Number Six
As a test market for clean erergy services and products, New York State ranks number six on on the 2012 Clean Energy Index
Hurricane Advisory
The Arctic: Climate-Induced Conflict
With a warming Arctic comes risks of unfettered competition for raw materials and sea-lane domination
UK: Stop The Wind
Tory opposition to on-shore wind projects could lead to cuts in government support but benefit more costly off-shore projects
China Scoops Up Hi-Tech Solar
A Chinese company buys an insolvent German solar panel maker to acquire its thin film technology
June 02, 2012
Southern Discomfort
Scientists find evidence of the the rapid-warming hockey stick trend in the southern hemisphere
June 01, 2012
China: Nukes Get A Nod
China will ends its year-long moratorium on nuclear power projects
Energy Efficiency Funds Saved
A split Republican vote in Congress helps save a DOE energy efficiency and renewable energy fund
UK: What Then...
If the government plan to cut the UK's carbon footprint by building a new fleet of nuclear power plants falls through, what then?
A Conservative Climate Rx
A political conservative who takes climate change threats seriously posts a call to action
NY's Long Cool Summer
NYISO, the organization responsible for keeping New York's electric system in operation, predicts both a blackout-free summer and lower power use
A Tree Grew In Brooklyn
A Red Hook artist shadows Brooklyn's arboreal past
Follow The Lobbying Money
The Union of Concerned Scientists looks at whose corporate lobbying dollars went where to influence climate change policy
India: Top Seed LEED
Noida, India is home to the highest LEED-scoring building on Earth