March 31, 2013
Science At Work: The Big Heat Record
Even with statistical caveats, the last century of an 11,300 year global temperature record is trending sharply hotter. For more discussion, click here
March 29, 2013
China: Billions In Pollution
The $230 billion cost of pollution in China in 2010 is equal to 3.5% of the nation's gross domestic product
New Day For Solar In NY
Solar power policy and support catch fire in New York
EU: Carbon Market Crash
When a lifetime of emissions permits cost less than a tank of gas, can EU's carbon market be saved?
Follow The Money For NJ Transportation
Having refused to spend $3-5 billion on a cross-Hudson rail tunnel, NJ's Governor Christie approves $1 billion to fix just one highway interchange
White Paper: The Limits Of Incentive Pricing
Climate policy ideas for decentralized times and the limits of pricing incentives
Carbon Tax Cartoons
Transit Access Linked To Housing Recovery
For metro Washington DC, proximity to mass transit is linked to recovery in the housing market
EU: Infrastructure Spending Flags
Budge austerity threatens EU nations' infrastructure; only US support projections are lower
March 28, 2013
Apps For Urban Energy Efficiency
Los Angeles maps the energy efficiency of its buildings so performance comparisons are easy to see
When Bad News Is Good News
Scientists' global warming predictions are proving to be accurate
Philadelphia: Energy Benchmarker
Philadelphia adds a new tool in its energy efficiency kit with its building benchmarking law
Republican For Solar Power
The Republican Mayor of Lancaster, CA signs a law mandating solar cells for all new home construction
Energy Efficiency And Investor Confidence
Robust energy efficiency performance risk models are key to creating investor confidence in a project
Scotland: 39 In 13
Scotland satisfies 39% of its electric needs with renewables
UK: Offshore Wind Boosts Renewables
Increased renewable energy in the UK comes largely from offshore wind growth
Sea Ice: That's All Folks
Arctic sea ice has not stopped disappearing, as this year's winter maximum reveals
March 27, 2013
Feds Cover All City Sandy Costs
Washington will reimburse NYC government for all its $6.3 billion in Sandy response costs
Ditch Fossil Fuel Subsidies For Fitter Finances
The IMF calls on nations to end $2.4 trillion in fossil fuel subsidies, which will help balance their budgets and abate climate change
Netherlands: Shaken And Stirred
Dutch homeowners are shocked by earthquakes linked to long-term drilling for natural gas
Customers Don't Sprint For Green
Sprint finds its customers are not demanding eco-friendly telecom products and wonders why
Solar Plane Flies All Night
How could a solar-powered plane fly across the Atlantic?
NY Bonds Add Climate Warning
The fine print in New York State bond sales now includes a warning to investors that climate change poses economic and financial risks to the state
Subway Stormproofing
Preliminary MTA ideas for keeping the subways safe in the event of future storms and floods
March 26, 2013
Sustainable MBA's
MBA programs around the world start to include sustainability in their course lists
By The Sea, More At Risk
With coastal populations projected to increase from 123 to 134 million by 2020, more Americans will be in the path of weird weather dangers
States: Front Lines Of Renewables Battle
The future of renewable energy is being fought over now, state-by-state
The Urban Race Against Time
How should cities design and build the future, while maintaining and modernizing critical infrastructure systems?
Climate And Public Opinion
Media coverage is not the only force that shapes public views on climate change
Code Enforcement - Don't Go
Want to have cities with green buildings, drinkable water, breathable air? Read on
China: Fracking Central
Chinese shale may hold 1,275 trillion cubic feet of frackable natural gas, nearly 50% percent more than US reserves
Northern Hemisphere: Climate Chaos
The endless winter of 2013 in the northern hemisphere is linked to climate change and the loss of Arctic sea ice
Denmark: Nanowire Power
Scientists invent a nanowire material with the potential for making super-efficient solar cells
Science At Work - Over The Edge
Push an egg toward the end of a table, not much happens. Then it goes off the edge, breaks, and can't be restored to what it was. Does climate change work this way?
March 25, 2013
Things Are Looking Up
Grist sees reasons for optimism on the clean energy and climate action front
Energy Efficiency: Developers BFF
Developers who support the Mayor's midtown rezoning proposal make energy efficient building their new best friend
South Africa: Carbon Tax Or Not
The ETA for a South African carbon tax proposal is getting less certain
Paint The Town LED
Herald Square bill boards will shine with an LED makeover
Business Model Makeover For Energy
NRG abandons the 20th century electric power utility business model and deals directly with rooftop PV owners
No Friend In Court
The President's failure to appoint a single DC circuit appellate court judge could spell trouble for his climate action agenda
UK: Green Bank Funds Energy Innovative Hospitals
$27 million from the UK green bank will help finance a heat and power unit, a biomass system, efficient boilers and heat recovery from medical incineration and generate heat and electricity for local hospitals
March 24, 2013
True Or False: Fossil-Fueled Forever
It is time for Americans to shed their incredulity about a feasible post-fossil fuel nation
March 23, 2013
Apple's Green Core
What are the technical & fuel components of Apple's 100% renewable energy-powered data centers?
March 22, 2013
WaPo Refreshes Its Green Beat
Unlike the New York Times, the Washington Post keeps its eco-reporting evergreen
China: Wind And Water Power Grow
Keep an eye on China's expanding wind and hydro power capacity
Medellin: City Champion
Civic engagement is key to Medellin being named Innovative City of The Year
China: Exporting Pollution
Sand storms are just one of today's pollution exports with a 'Made in China' label
Greening Apple
Apple advances on its path to power the icloud with100% renewable resources, even when faced with fossil-fueled utilities
Finding Energy Efficiency Funds
Pennsylvania turns to the private market for $31.3 million to finance its home energy efficiency loan programs
Wrong Measures, Big Problem
Why is using 'energy intensity' as a measure of efficiency and climate progress so misleading?
The Lowdown On Backup Batteries
Are backup batteries a good investment for homeowners with solar panels?
Property Rights For Greens
The property rights movement could be a sturdy platform for conservatives who advocate for climate action
March 21, 2013
Australia: 20x20 A Keeper
Australia's Gillard government reaffirms the goal of getting 20% of the nation's power from renewables by 2020
How To Save A Trillion Dollars
With more information on the energy use of home appliances and energy use, consumers can make choices that will save them $1 trillion over the next fifteen years
Google Goes Green
Google uses data to make the case for investing in a future powered by renewables and making its operations energy efficient
Upstate Hopes For Green Bank
Clean tech business in upstate NY cities wants to see what the State's new $1 billion green energy bank can do
Sustainabiity In The Anthropocene
Scientists reconsider how to conceptualize sustainability in a era when every natural system is affected by human activity
Germany: Call For Lower Electric Rates
Social Democrats call on the German PM to use renewable power 'windfall profits' to lower consumers electric bills
Germany: Market Slump Harms Climate Programs
Chronically low EU carbon market revenues put an end to 3 German climate action programs
New Frack Standards Alliance
Three big fossil fuel firms join with environmental advocates to frame hydrofracking performance standards in the Marcellus Shale
Cancer Clusters Reconsidered
A must read review of Toms River, a must read book on what is known now about looking for, litigating & learning from classic cancer cluster cases
March 20, 2013
Spring In Brooklyn
Now that it's spring, get the Brooklyn Bridge Park 2013 official plant guide
China: End Of A PV Era
With the financial collapse of Suntech, the world's biggest PV maker faces its bankers
Enviros Alarmed Over Rule Delays
Environmentalists press EPA to issue GHG emissions limits for power plants despite industry opposition
UK: Budget Greens
Greens don't cheer the government's budget proposals
Lady Liberty To Reopen
Closed since sustaining electric and sewage system damage from Sandy, the Statue of Liberty will reopen on the Fourth of July
FloridaThe Sunshine State
Forget Florida, with one gigawatt of installed solar power, New Jersey is the new Sunshine State
Put A Price On Carbon
Even for fracking fans, the key to long-term carbon cuts is pricing carbon
What 'All Of The Above' Isn't
President Obama's 'all of the above' energy policy lacks a compleeing sense of urgency
March 19, 2013
We're Not In Kansas
An Efficient Correlation
A national study finds Energy Star certified homes are less likely to go into mortgage default than other residences
China: 100 x 15
China plans to have 100 gigawatts of wind power by 2015 and unclog transmission bottlenecks
Wind In The Grid
At 50 cents/megawatt-hour the cost of connecting wind power to the power grid is no obstacle
From Place To Process
It's time for urban studies to evolve into urbanization science
UK: Green Lights New Nukes
Costing more than its 2012 Olympics the UK approves two new nuclear power plants
Cap And Trade And Bank
California's Lieutenant Governor urges the state to use carbon cap and trade revenues to set up a green infrastructure bank able to sell municipal bonds
Do Better With Data
A project to standardize urban performance data allows to cities to compare, contrast and innovate
March 18, 2013
Climate Change Threatens Progress
Progress of countries now emerging from poverty could be reversed by climate change
The Perfect Wave Generator
The right technology to harness the vast power of offshore waves could be here
Goodish On Renewables
Renewables make up the bulk of 2013's new energy, but totals down from last year
Efficiency Gains Are Lost
Despite recent gains in home energy performance, bigger homes and more appliances almost wipe out the improvements
Nuclear Power: Yes, No, Don't Know
The latest findings on nuclear power may not resolve things for you
Japan: Wants US Nat Gas
By joining new free trade negotiations, Japan signals its interest in importing US liquified natural gas
Livable Leadership
What are Copenhagen, Hamburg, Oslo & Stockholm doing to make cities more livable?
Low-Cost Home, Micro-Cost Energy
Habitat for Humanity builds its first affordable passive house in Bellingham WA, with an annual energy bill around $100
Russia: Imports Fracking
Russia adopts US fracking tech to revive its old oil fields
March 17, 2013
QueensWay: Imagine That
A bike/walkway on a disused freight rail line through central Queens
More Room To Play
Governor's Island will get 30 acres of new ball fields and open space this fall
March 16, 2013
Visual Explanations
Seven charts display White House thinking about climate change
March 15, 2013
Backpedaling On Carbon
Will the Obama administration delay regulating CO2 emissions from new power plants by rewriting its regulatory proposal?
Fracking: Measuring Methane
The fiery debate over methane leaks from fracking sites could be resolved with a study that will gather data from both drilling & natural gas powered vehicles
Barcelona: The Internet Of Everything
Barcelona joins the smart city movement by integrating urban IT
Extra, Extra - Carbon Market News
Get the latest on RGGI carbon permit sales and upcoming cuts to the permit pool
Art On Rockaway Beach
Art mecca PS 1 plans a post-Sandy Rockaway site to host installations & events aimed at tackling climate change
We've Got Weather Gap
Budget cuts mean current US weather forecasting models are not being updated for a more climate chaotic world
Japan: Energy Self-Sufficiency
IEA advice on better ways to rebuild tsunami-devastated Japanese communities
Redirect Fossil Fuel Funds
Obama proposes shifting $10 billion in oil and gas lease revenues to fund clean vehicle research as part of his energy blueprint
March 14, 2013
A Fungus Among Us
Good news! Green roofs are full of fungus
Sun Shines For Solar Industry
The Future Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ, a city of 4.3 people stands in the noon-day sun of climate change impacts
Carbon Tax: Design Your Own
Some Q and A for the draft outline of a federal carbon tax bill that asks for public input through April 21
The Light Goes On
Be a smarter shopper, when buying light bulbs, look for the lumen rating
March 13, 2013
Germany: The Politics Of Energy
The pace of Germany's transition to renewable energy to play a role in upcoming elections
China: PV Maker In Ruins
Rock bottom prices & mountains of debt drive a giant Chinese PV maker bankrupt
Re-Opening Pandora's Box
Pandora's Promise is a documentary about environmental advocates for nuclear power
London: A 21 Century Underground
Crossrail construction is underway to expand the London Underground and refurbish old stations
Ryan's Oil Tax Breaks
In Paul Ryan's 2014 federal budget proposal, tax breaks for the booming fossil fuel industry remain unchanged
NOLA: Make It Right
Why has Make It Right failed to get people to buy new homes in the Katrina-devastated part of New Orleans? It's complicated
Stumped
Since planting a new street tree in NYC is easy, why is replacing a dead or destroyed tree so hard?
Carbon Tax Is Not Enough
Although Australia has a carbon tax, it also needs large-scale building energy efficiency for effective climate action
DOE Clean Energy Loans - Good Deals
Despite the collapse of PV maker Solyndra, federal clean energy loans have a default rate under 3.6%
March 12, 2013
Germany: Nat Gas Plant RIP
Opened just three years ago, a German gas-fired power plant is losing money and shutting down
Science At Work - Climate Sensitivity
Predicting how much temperatures will rise as CO2 levels in the air increase is a subject of intense scruity
Pricing Carbon
Democrats in Congress reignite efforts to put a price on carbon emissions
Japan: Fire Water Fuel
Methane from frozen undersea sources off its Pacific coast could be a new high carbon fuel for Japan
The Opposite Of Renaissance
Setbacks plague the US nuclear power industry
NYS Pension Fund Targets Nuke Storage
The New York Comptroller to use the state's pension system clout to change the way nuclear power plants store spent fuel & some background on the risks at hand
Where Or When
Many seek energy sources and technologies to combat climate change, but no aha moments yet
NYers Flock Underground
Subway ridership in New York at its highest levels since the 1940s
March 11, 2013
Federal Green Buildings: The Fine Print
What are the rules and guidelines that govern the greening of federal buildings?
Germany: Paying For The Power Shift
As Germany transitions to renewable energy it considers closing loopholes for industry to pay for grid upgrades
Power Grid, Creaky And Costly
The network of wires sending electricity around the US is unreliable and expensive
Please Explain
How can US energy use drop to 1999 levels while its population increases?
UN: Tackle Climate Change And Energy Poverty
Combating climate change and energy poverty can be done in tandem, but it won't be easy
MD: Offshore Wind Arriving
When the Governor of Maryland signs an offshore wind bill this week, $1.7 billion will boost new development
India: Offshore Wind Ahead
Gujarat, India, a center of non-fossil energy, starts to plan for offshore wind power
A Perfect Storm
Wind power could edge out dirty coal and costly nuclear power
Doing Domino
Take a virtual tour of the abandoned Domino Sugar factory before it's redeveloped
March 09, 2013
Insurers Don't See Climate Risk
A survey of 184 insurance companies finds a very low level of concern about climate-related risks
40x35
A proposal for cutting the GHG emissions of the world's seventeen major economies 40% by 2035 by way of zero-carbon electricity
Investors' Hot Trend
Some investors seek to profit from a hotter world
March 08, 2013
Smart Home-Heating Tech
Homeowners get more tech choices to control wintertime heating & save money
Europe: Fossil Fuel Dinosaurs
Utilities clinging to fossil fuels are becoming business model fossils
UK: Coal Comeback
Coal burning by UK power plants soars 30%, even as domestic mines shut down
China: PV Maker And Market
China has become the world's biggest PV panel maker and the biggest market
South Ferry: All Aboard
Submerged by Sandy, part of the South Ferry subway station will reopen in April
Science At Work - Hotter Faster
New research suggests over the last 100 years the planet has gotten hotter, faster than than the previous 10,000 years
Why A Better Place Isn't
An almost post mortem on the failure of electric car company Better Place
Made In NY
Solar 1 takes a tour of a PV plant in Poughkeepsie, NY
LEEDing After Sandy
LEED could contribute to building for a weird weather world by adding storm-proofing points to its menu of green development options. Here's how
March 07, 2013
Nuclear Project Profits Safe
Although 10% over its construction budget, the utility developing a GA nuclear power plant does not risk lower profits
UK: Visit The Wind
A planned off-shore UK wind farm project invites visitors to a grid connection exhibit
Climate Change: Pay Now Or Pay Later
Washington's refusal to pay for climate actions now, will cost billions in emergency response and disaster relief later
Phila: Green City, Clean Water
With looming threats of climate linked storms and floods, Philadelphia seeks new ways to fund greener rain & waste water management systems
Advocacy Around A Wicked Problem
A scholar examines Bill McKibben's trajectory from journalist to public intellectual on climate change. Here's a summary
High Performance Building - Here To Stay
How to explain why green building growth has risen every year since 2008
Mind The Disclosure Gap
Why haven't corporate carbon emissions disclosure standards made more impact on investors?
March 06, 2013
How Cities Use Energy
An interview with the author of Zero Carbon Cities
Science At Work - The Artificial Leaf
Work advances on the artificial leaf, a device to transform sunlight into storeable fuel
China: US Energy Trade Surplus
The US ran a $1.63 billion trade surplus with China for renewable energy products in 2011
Play Soccer, Make Power
How can a soccer ball generate electricity for LED home illumination?
Storm Clouds For PV Industry
The risk of bankruptcy for China's biggest PV maker could harm the solar industry everywhere
The Case For Crowdfunding
An advocate lays out the case for launching renewable energy projects, especially in developing countries, with crowdfunding
CO2 Soars
Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels leaped up in 2012
LEDs For Less
LED's, the next generation, way cheaper too
Public Editor On Demise Of Green Blog
The New York Times Public Editor writes "I’m not convinced that The Times’s environmental coverage will be as strong without the team and the blog. Something real has been lost on a topic of huge and growing importance."
China: Desmogging Plans
China ramps up a host of energy policies and clean air goals in the wake of its smog crisis
March 05, 2013
A Green Killer App
When will smart phones display infrared images of heat leaking from any building?
Remoblilizing Cities
Getting around cities by car is so 20th Century
To Barck From Ernest
A letter from the newly-nominated Energy Secretary to President Obama, dated 2008
Geothermal Energy, Not
Why are geothermal energy business prospects still in the doldrums?
When Less Is More
The role of negawatts & the Rosenfeld Effect in sustainable energy policy
Miles To Go Before I Sleep
Mapping commuter travel times in the NY metro area
Germany: Utility Leaves Fossil Fuel Sector
A major German utility exits the fossil fuel exploration business, as the nation pursues a shift to renewable energy
Canada: Over The Top
Canada looks ahead to mid century when ice-free polar regions become international shipping lanes
Australia: Summer Stunner
Summer 2013 weather in Australia breaks records
March 04, 2013
Science At Work - Better Batteries
When science invents a better battery, EVs and renewable power can become the new normal
Meet The Energy Chief
Ernest Moniz is tapped to become the new head of the federal Department of Energy
When A Deal Isn't A Buyout
Mayor Bloomberg announces a plan to purchase waterfront homes damaged by Sandy that is not a buyout program
UK: Energy Plan B
With its old nuclear power plants slated for shutdown, what will the UK do if new ones are not ready to take their place?
Another Green Beat Loss
The Washington Post re-assigns its veteran environmental beat reporter and Revkin's RIP for the Times' Green Blog
Making Haste Slowly
Rhode Island and Massachusetts offshore wind power projects inch forward
The Arab Climate Connection
Political upheavals in the mid-east have many causes and rising bread prices linked to climate disruptions in wheat growing counties is an added stress
EU: Low Grades For Efficiency Projects
80% EU-selected building energy efficiency projects are costly but minor aspects of renovation projects
London: Get Smart
The Mayor of London seeks advice on using technology to enhance operation of the city's transport and infrastructure systems
March 02, 2013
Retiring Coal
The Sierra Club announces it's half way toward its goal of retiring 105,000 megawatts of coal power
March 01, 2013
Bill McKibben, Founder of 350.org
Profiling Bill McKibben, America's top grass-roots climate activist
30
The New York Times kills off its Green Blog
Who's Doing What In Clean Tech Investing
As in every aspect of life, clean tech investing has its demons and angel
Climate Action Tipping Point
With its 500 mile coastline and without a relocation option, Sandy has become a climate action tipping point for NYC
Less Intesntity
US energy intensity is projected to keep droping economy wide through 2040
From Shipping Container To Active House
Danish designers convert a shipping container into an energy efficient 'active' house for the Chinese city of Wuxi
WTC In Flood Zone
The new federal flood zone map puts the World Trade Center site in the highest risk category