CO2 More, But Less
While global CO2 emissions hit record highs in 2012, the rate of increase the slowest in a decade
October 31, 2013
High Performing Urban Infographic
How's your city doing when it comes to going green?
Brazil: 10x21
Brazil aims to get 10% of its electricity from wind power by 2021
Nimbler Rolling Stock
Federal regulators to permit high performance, energy efficient Euro-type trains to operate in the US
UK: Energy Price Fixing's A Crime
UK power utilities could be open to criminal investigation for energy price-fixing
Minneapolis: Bike Share Woes
Do equipment troubles plaguing the company responsible for Minneapolis bike share foreshadow problems with NYC's program?
Germany: Renewables Soar Safely
The German electric grid had no problems when renewable power volume hit an all time high this month
Coastal Rebuilding Is Doomed
A geologist makes the case that coastal rebuilding post-Sandy will fail because it ignores climate realities
Big Plans for Rockaway Revival
Check out the award-winning design by a Swedish firm for community rebuilding & revival in Far Rockaway
October 30, 2013
One Year After: Telecom
What, if anything, has changed in New York's hard-hit telecom industry a year after Sandy?
Australia: Media Climate-Deniers
32% of Australian media is in the climate-denialist camp, according to a study of 602 articles in 10 newspapers
Tokyo: Flood Protection
Tour Tokyo's enormous underground flood protection system
Al Gore Warns - Don't Get Stranded
AL Gore urges investor awareness of increased risk of fossil fuel assets becoming stranded assets that will depress portfolio values, but not everyone agrees
Green Home Label Could Go Extinct
Is a steep requirements upgrade to earn an Energy Star label for new homes producing a sharp decline in program participation?
Boston: Re-Zoning For Resilience
New zoning rules that require large buildings prepare for climate change impacts are on the table in Boston
Wrong Way On Renewables
Global use of non-fossil fuels to supply power dropped, while coal-burning rose over two decades according to the IEA
Social Movement Could Save The Planet
Naomi Klein applauds a report that asks "Is the Earth F*cked?: Dynamical Futility of Global Environmental Management and Possibilities for Sustainability via Direct Action Activism"
Spin The Meter Backwards
Now New Yorkers can get more state-funding to install renewable energy gear on their homes & sell their extra electric to the power company
October 29, 2013
High Performance Building, Test Bed For Tomorrow
Today's cutting edge, net-zero energy buildings are test beds for tomorrow's building, energy & wastewater codes
China: Death By Dirty Air
China to monitor the health impacts of air pollution in 16 worst-hit cities & provinces
The Post-Sandy Election
While climate action & adaptation were not part of the messaging machine in previous Mayoral races, it's more surprising that in the race one year after Sandy nothing's changed
Hamburg: Power To the People
Voters in Hamburg, Germany opt to repurchase their electric power grid to gain control over it
The Political Pull Of Climate Change
Climate change impacts are being felt by Americans, whatever their political orientation, and the Republican Party resists climate action at its peril
One Year After: Changed Or Unchanged
Six things that have changed & five things that haven't one year after Sandy
Going For Gold in B'klyn
A development with 40% affordable/60% market rate apartments seeks LEED-Gold and will open in Brooklyn's cultural district
Green Bank Update
WIth $210 million on tap, what are the NYS Green Bank's plans to make it pay off?
Smart Cities - Meh
Beware the hype around "smart cities" since it relies on buggy, brittle technology & incomplete data sets
October 28, 2013
Israel: Big Solar Power
Israel plans to build three solar power plants to generate 121 MW of electricity
Science At Work: Super Rooftop Savings
Scientists are developing a heat & cooling technology for commercial buildings so energy efficient, it could save 41% over current HVAC costs
Ethiopia: Wind Winner
The largest wind farm in sub-Saharan Africa opens in Ethiopia and will help ensure against drought-linked hydropower losses
UK: Weird Weather Galore
With winds up to 99 MPH, hurricane-like St. Jude lashes the UK before soaking France & Holland
Brooklyn's Big Greenhouse
A 20,000 square foot greenhouse for growing produce to open on the roof of a Brooklyn Whiole Foods market
Cars Are A Public Health Menace
Walk or bike, favor compact communities and live longer
Emissions Surprises
Texas was the state with the biggest GHG cuts while California had the biggest jump the electric power sector last year
Sustaibility-Driven Innovation
Corporate research finds corporate leadership on sustainability spurs value-adding innovation
One Year After: More Local Input
The Bloomberg Administration will solicit more community board input for the recovey of Sandy-savaged neighborhoods
October 25, 2013
Learn More, Click Less
The California Carbon Dashboard is one place to go to learn many things
Resiliency: Progress So Far
A progress report on NYC's growing resilience to weird weather damage & what's on the to-do list
New Model Solar Finance
A Maryland PV & storage project develops an innovative financial plan, using existing technology
Bikes Are So 21 Century
Bike sales now outstrip auto sales in many Europeans nations
Submarine Doors For Subways
The MTA considers installing submarine-style waterproof doors in subway entrances & flood gates at tunnel portals
Let There Be LEDs
All of NYC's 250,000 street lights are being converted to LEDs that should shine for 20 years
Forget All Of The Above
Research suggests that an 'all of the above' energy strategy is not how things work; instead there are winners & losers
Spain: Facts For Wind
New research on Spanish wind power discredits opponents who fear more CO2 pollution
China: See Smog From Space
Gasp and Harbin officials take emergency actions
October 24, 2013
Las Vegas/Los Angeles Love LEDs
Las Vegas & Los Angeles are early urban adopters of super energy-efficient LED light bulbs
One Year After: Hoboken
Why Hoboken, NJ is still drying out a year after Sandy soaked it while considering how to avoid a replay
Hong Kong: Cash For Clunkers
Hong Kong plans to spend $1.5 billion to dump its dirtiest diesel vehicles
Waste In Washington
Why were Energy Star-rated Washington DC office buildings wasting energy & what did they do about it?
Science At Work: The Tricky Business of Prediction
Climate science is certain sea levels will rise, but how much & how fast is hard to say
China: Airpolcalyptic Cancer
ICYMI, the news about Harbin, China's off the charts air polution was reported the same time the World Health Organiation found that such pollution can cause lung & bladder cancer
UK: Energy Politics Heats Up
Causes of and cures for the UK's rising utility bills and the role of green programs ignites a poltiical war of words
AdaptNY
Welcome to AdaptNY, a digital news platform for the debate around climate resilience
October 23, 2013
A New Use For Old Phone Booths
250 old phone booths on NYC streets are being re-equipped as touch screen-enabled information kiosks
The Candidates Agree
Bill de Blasio & Joe Lhota agree on one thing, building Seaport City as a buffer from future mega-storms that will pay for itself.
Bike-Sharing Shapes Cities
Here's how bike-sharing programs are transforming their host cities
Germany: Utility Rethinks Itself
Germany's second largest power utility radically thinks its basic business model in the face of insurgent renewables
Wall Street's Sandy Rebound
Wall Street real estate celebrates the speed of its recovery from Sandy's devastation
The Ballad Of Sandy and The Subways
Think Gravity is scary? Go underground to survey NYC subways' flood-risk status
NY Green Party Profile
Yes, there are Green Party candidates on the NYC election ballot this year
UK: Prime Minister To Slash Green
British PM David Cameron vows to roll back energy efficiency programs while utility bills soar
It's The Cultural Context, Stupid
The cultural context of risk-cognition is fingered as the culprit in climate denialism. OK
Put It There
In the wake of Sandy questions surfaced about why key urban infrastructure was built in such vulnerable places, here are some answers
One Year After: Temporary Boilers
All 23 NYC Housing Authority sites that lost their boilers to Sandy are still relying on temporary, mobile equipment for heat & hot water
October 22, 2013
24 Hours Of Reality
Discover the cost of carbon to you, me & everyone
Accounting For Carbon
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants cautions investors over corporations that value fossil fuels which can't be drilled
Middle Class Solar
True or False: Solar Power is just for the green elite?
UK: Risky Nuclear Business
Untested & costly technology has been approved for the UK's new nuclear power project
London: All About Sewage
Everything is controversial about London's plans for modernizing it's 19th Century sewage system
Christchurch: Sensing City
Rebuilding after the earthquake of 2011, Christchurch, New Zealand installs a network of sensors to gather information on resource use to help make more informed choices and cut consumption
San Franciso: The New Reverse Commute
Newly trendy San Francisco neighborhoods see an influx of shuttle buses to take residents to their Silicon Valley Jobs
Nevada Utility Finds Less Is More
Nevada's electric utility runs the numbers for demand response and energy efficiency cost savings for the grid and finds they add up
LIPA Looks Ahead
Long Island's power utility, LIPA, seeks 280 MW in local sources of renewable power & replacing up to 1,630 MW of power from polluting 'peaker' plants
October 21, 2013
Blue-Green Alliance - Work In Progress
To forge a climate-labor coalition, hammering out a path to a green jobs economy is a must
Munis And Micros
Now is the time for municipalities to kick-start the microgrid model of robust 21st century urban power supplies
Fracking Outcomes: The Take Away
Why the fracking-fueled shale gas boom won't be the bridge to a low carbon future
Here Comes Lots of Sun
Mega-scale solar power installations are on a roll
$32 Million For Weather Hazard Reserach
The National Science Foundation makes $32 million in research grants to advance understanding & responses to weather hazards
Doing Better But Not Enough
Al Gore predicts the US will beat its goal of cutting GHG emission 17% by, 2020 but calls the goal 'entirely inadequate'
Malmo: Getting Carbon Neutral
Malmo, Sweden is working to create Europe's first carbon-neutral district
China: Don't Breathe
Schools, airports & roads are shut in Harbin, China, a city of 10 million, due to smothering air pollution
Legal Low-Down On Supreme Court Carbon Case
What is the key legal issue in the Supreme Court review of EPA's authority to regulate CO2?
UK: $26 B Nuke Deal Signed
French utility giant EDF & two Chinese companies will build a $26 billion nuclear power plant in the UK
October 20, 2013
Insurance Industry Sees Climate Problem
The US insurance industry calculates that climate science predictions are right
October 19, 2013
Invest In Tomorrow Today
NREL makes the case that utilities are well-placed to access low cost capital for investing in solar power & energy storage
After The Carbon Age
Los Angeles emerged during the Carbon Age, what's needed now to move into the Era of Sustainability?
The Dakota: Way Ahead Of Its Time
When planned in the 1880's the Dakota apartment building included a neighborhood combined heat & power system
Graphic Power Shift
Maps and charts show what the decentralized power-supply revolution is all about
October 18, 2013
Australia: Green Bank, Political Casualty
Australia's conservative government is likely to shut down the green development bank, although it's turning a profit
For The New Mayor To Do
Real estate leaders, architects & builders urge action by NYC's next Mayor on climate change, resiliency & infrastructure
Banksy's Here
ICYMI, in NYC's Meatpacking District, (in)famous British artist Banksy protests against cruelty to farm animals
Berlin Building: Eye-Catching and Energy Smart
A new Berlin office tower rates a LEED-Gold equivalence with an advanced building envelope
Getting Around Town
A brief history of the long reign of the car in urban America, with a surprising new twist
US Energy IQ
Q: What do Americans know about energy? A: Not a lot
See The Light
These solar-powered LED street lights can be sited anywhere, no electric grid needed
Everything You Need To Know About...
The California energy storage rule for renewable power
Good Code, Good Building
Better energy codes make for better, less costly to run commercial buildings
October 17, 2013
New Zealand: Ice Die-Off
In just four years the New Zealand Alps have lost 15% of their ice
China: Carbon Pricing Update
While China continues to beta-test carbon trading schemes, it's also considering a carbon tax
Trash And Cash
NYC's garbage has to go somewhere, but at what cost?
The Next New York
While there is an enormous to-do list for the next Mayor to tackle, here are Bloomberg legacies that should be 'no-brainers' to retain, foster and sustain
Go With The Flow
New York City gets its third water tunnel, 43 years in the making
A Green Ribbon For Boston
The story of Boston's climate action plan 'In a nation that has become accustomed to political polarization, gridlock, and government dysfunction, the story of Boston’s efforts to activate a wide-ranging and powerful network to work toward a common goal deserves a wide audience'
Think Power Utility, Think Rotary Phone
Elon Musk is part of an insurgency that is making today's utility industry go the way of the rotary phone
Gotta Store It
California to require utilities to deploy energy storage equipment as part of its renewable energy program
NY's New Environmental Advocate
Peter Iwanowicz is named Executive Director of Environmental Advocates, New York's green watchdog group
October 16, 2013
Worst Urban Air In Europe
Benchmarking USA
There are some surprises on this US map of cities and states with building energy use disclosure laws
China's Mandatory Green Credit Rules
A comment on China's new mandatory environmental review guidelines for evaluating green project financing
Germany: No Coalition Yet
The German Green Party bows out of coalition talks with the Christian Democrats
Mexico: Eco-Labeling
Mexico will develop a products & services eco-labeling system to promote efficiency and sustainable production
From Marfa TX to NY NY
Visual artists, architects & performers tackle climate change as part of Marfa Dialogues/New York in two-months series of public events
After Sandy: Microgrids
Since a self-contained microgrid kept the lights & heat on at NYU when Con Ed was wiped out by Sandy, what's the takeaway?
Waiting For Godot FEMA
Still waiting for FEMA to rethink the federal flood insurance program, in the wake of rising seas & storm damage
Court Nixes NJ Power Plant Plan
Governor Christie's plan to use ratepayer subsidies to lure developers of new natural-gas fired power plants to NJ is upended by a federal court decision
October 15, 2013
Science At Work: Sea Level Rise
Dive into the fast-evolving science of sea level rise to see what's coming
Supreme Court To Hear Climate Challenge
The Supreme Court agrees to hear a challenge to EPA's decision to regulate auto GHG emissions required it to regulate emissions from stationary sources too. Preliminary reactions here
Germany: The Price Of Renewables
Will rising renewable energy prices become a political hot potato for PM Merkel?
Germany: No To Auto Efficiency
Why did Germany block EU auto efficiency standards?
Start With Sustainable Neighborhoods
Sustainable neighborhoods are the building blocks of sustainable cities & metro areas
Build A Better Gizmo
The number of US patents for renewable energy inventions has been soaring since 2000
Micro-Greens
Urban open-space activists use an on-line tool to find small sites ideal for multiple green uses
Ontario Renwables: High Demand, Low Supply
The roll-out of Ontario's post-coal energy plan founders , with renewable power demand far exceeding the utility's ability to supply it
October 14, 2013
California's Spending Skeptics
California's vigorous funding for renewable energy raises questions about project impacts & benefits
Solar Decathlon Winner
Team Austria wins DOE's competition to design, build & operate the most cost-effective, energy-efficient solar-powered house
Fly Efficiently
Check out this interactive about the fuel efficiency of airlines based on the selected domestic routes
ICYMI: Wind Power Mega-Merger
A Norwegian and a German wind power firm merge and competitors fret
Solar Potential
A radiation map based on satellite data of global regions with the greatest solar power potential
Citizen's Choice
Vote here for the city project demonstrating the most climate action leadership potential
Soft Solutions For Storm-Proofing Cities
Robust natural systems are crucial for protecting coastal cities from storms and sea-surges
Funds Fall For Renewables
2013 could become the second year in a row for falling investment in clean energy
Himmalayas: Floods Wash Away Lives & Tourism
Climate change is blamed for Himmalayan floods that killed 6,000 & washed away a tourist economy
Repair, Rebuild, Renew
What would be the infrastructure priorities of a de Blasio or a Lhota administration?
October 12, 2013
$450 Bilion Bet On Climate Science
US firms like Nike and Microsoft, with a total worth of $450 billion, have their own internal policies and agendas for tackling climate change want US climate action
Utilities Face Existential Threat
Renewable energy poses an 'existential threat' to European utilities stuck on conventional fuel & business models
October 11, 2013
Cheap Thrills
Low global coal prices boost plans for new power plants
China: Peaking Faster Or Not
Will China hit it's peak carbon output and start shrinking its footprint by 2020 or stay on a long-term plateau
Shutdown Shuts Down Offshore Wind Lease
Lease approval for a 2 GW Virginia offshore wind project is put on hold by the federal government shutdown
Look At The Long Tail
While 2047 might or might not be the benchmark year for a heating planet, the upper range of predicted impacts should be a call to action today
France: No Fracking
The French constitutional court upholds a law banning hydrofracking
Cities Can't Duck The Climate Challenge
Really useful knowledge for greener cities with game theory supporting the logic of local action
Three Cheers For RE-188
The organizations that sets international buildings code standards adopts RE-188, guidelines to make it easier for home builders to go energy efficient
Google Greener
Google leads the energy-slurping Internet pack for investing in renewable power supplies
Victim And Villain
If today's energy supply system is both victim & villain of climate change impacts, what is to be done?
October 10, 2013
Viet Nam-US: Nuclear OK
A new agreement allows export of US nuclear power technology to Viet Nam
Weird Weather Risks: Media Asks, Carrion Answers
In a wide-ranging interview of Independent mayoral candidate Adolfo Carrion, Gotham Gazette probes his views on NYC's climate risks & resiliency plans
Science At Work: Understanding IPCC-Speak
What a difference a few words make in the new IPCC report
Norway: Sovereign Wealth Green Fund
Norway's incoming Conservative government may redirect a portion of its $720 B sovereign wealth fund to direct investments in infrastructure for the production & distribution of renewable energy
Green Economy Needs Green Financing
Ten ideas for revving-up green finance mechanisms to advance climate solutions in the economy
Korea: Carbon Could Cost A Lot
Korea's developing carbon market could set the world's highest prices for emissions permits
Save Energy With Data
Interact with this infographic of every state's energy use profile & get ideas for doing better
Pitt Rocks The Rockaways
Brad Pitt's Build It Right funds the design & construction of a storm-resilient Rockaway bungalow
San Francisco Here I Come
87% of San Franciscans believe in climate change and 77% are at least somewhat worried about it
October 09, 2013
Generation X, Y, Red Hot
By 2047, scientists project that the coldest years may be hotter than anything seen before, Find out more about your city's climate future
Tish James: Recycling Champion
Tish James, candidate for Public Advocate, has a record of accomplishment on expanding NYC's recycling law
Conservatives Split Over Energy Policy
What can solve the deep divide among ruling UK Conservatives over energy policy?
Developing Nations: Climate Fund Woes
With rock-bottom prices for carbon emissions permits, the UN climate adaptation fund for developing nations gets squeezed
The Way Things Work: Power Plants
Cool & ample water plays a critical role in the operation of the power plants but the rules for pricing the power are just as key
The Cheaper Way To Cut Carbon
According to an OECD 15 nation study, carbon emissions trading prices are 16 times cheaper than government subsidies to renewable power suppliers
$1 Million Citi Bike Suit
In what could be a legal first, a pedestrian knocked down by a Citi Bike pedaler sues for $1 million
UK: Costing Decarbonization
Follow the political skirmish over projected costs of cutting electric utility carbon emissions in the UK
An Animated History Of The High-Rise
Pittsburgh: Demand Less, Get More
Pittsburgh's biggest energy users gain when cutting demand on hot summer days, coal loses
California Uitlities v Customers
Tensions rise in California between utilities & their customers over net metering of roof-top solar power installations with battery storage
October 08, 2013
UK: Spare Our Scenery
Will local opponents of rooftop solar power slow down future growth in the UK?
Con Ed Rate Battle
Con Ed wants New Yorkers to pay more for their gas and electric but state regulators don't
8 Cheers For Energy Efficiency
Fine Print Supports Climate Action
How can the legal terms setting up a corporation help Cleveland, OH meet its goal of cutting GHGs 80% by 2050?
The 'Pause' That Isn't
What explains the rise of the rising temperature 'pause' myth?
Rethinking The Grid
Imagine a metro power supply that's regional, distributed & resilient
Energy Efficiency And Household Income
New research in Austin, TX will shine a light on energy use and efficiency opportunities for low-income households
October 07, 2013
Beijing: 0x14
Beijing will shut all its coal-fired power plants by the end of 2014
A Movement Die-Off
Canadian Funding For US Solar
A Canadian solar panel maker to offer up to $40,000 for home installation of rooftop PVs in the US
Climate Risk Management
What are US cities & states doing to plan for climate change adaptation/resilience?
Bangladesh And India: Growing Solar Powers
With a boom in off-grid solar power for homes in Bangladesh and large arrays for solar grid power in India, a new energy era dawns
Stockholm: Getting Around Town
Stockholm's multi-modal transit system is designed to make easy connections
China: Making Environmental Choices
The environmental impacts of relentless growth are felt in China along with awareness that the nation must take action
New Subway Transports Developers
The imminent ribbon-cutting for the #7 subway west side extension mobilizers developers' interest
MTA Plans Ahead
The MTA, responsible for planning & operating the nation's biggest mass transit system, lays out 20 years of project & budget projections
October 05, 2013
Learning To Be Bill McKibben
A must-read review of Bill McKibben's new book Oil and Honey: The Education of an Unlikely Activist
Facing Up To Climate Risks
October 04, 2013
Why Nuclear Power Is Fading
According to Citi Research, the cost is too damn high
Not Your Mom's VW
The new Volkswagen x|1 is designed to get 200 MPG, but it might not be sold in the US
Queensland: Cheaper Than Grids
The electric utility for Queensland, Australia predicts renewable energy with battery storage will become cheaper than power plants & grids
India: Better Solar Panels
Silicon-free, thin-fim solar panels installed in Gujarat, India, reach new efficiency heights
Energy Efficiency Grows Biz
A study of 6 utility energy efficiency programs in Wisconsin tracked the uptake in work for 46 midwest manufacturers
Only In NY
Don't have a car? This Queens drive-in movie theater is for you!
Show Us The Plan
The New York League of Conservation Voters campaigns for Mayoral candidates to reveal their plans for making the city storm & climate resilient
Cities As Levers
How can cities act as potent levers to move climate action forward?
Iceland: Renwable Exports
Iceland begins to use its geothermal assets to produce and export renewable energy resources
October 03, 2013
Norway: Buy Unused Carbon Credits
Norway plans to bolster the carbon emissions markets by purchasing excess clean development permits
'Repeal Reality' (Thanks Paul Krugman)
California Greenin'
Full speed ahead for climate-friendly California energy policies
UK: Carbon Budget Doubts
Will the UK governing coalitionweaken it's "climate budget"?
Acidic Oceans Today
Rising levels of CO2 in the air lead to the highest level of ocean acidity in 300 million years, with impacts happening now
Mind Those Black Elephants
When it comes to climate chaos, black elephants are "major events which are treated in politics or business as extremely unlikely, or even impossible… but are known to many to be entirely possible, maybe even likely"
Walmart, IKEA: The Energy Tipping Point
With Walmart selling low-price LEDs & IKEA offering rooftop solar panel kits, renewable energy is going mass market
Parking Parklets
How cities can convert street parking into bite-sized urban oases
October 02, 2013
Supreme Court Unlikely To Tackle Carbon
A Supreme Court list of cases accepted for the new session cited none of the industry challenges to Obama''s authority to regulate carbon emissions
Popular Home Gizmos
Energy efficiency controls are today's most popular automated home gadgets
When In Rome
Ancient Roman concrete was more climate-friendly than the stuff used now
Southeast Asia: Coal Boom
Coal to become the electric energy source of choice in Southeast Asia, predicts IEA
Energy Disclosure: Challenges Ahead
With the growing popularity of building energy benchmarking laws comes insight and awareness of data and action challenges ahead
Storm-Proofing Ahead
Government & private efforts to Sandy-proof NYC must not stop on December 31
UK: Energy Efficient Printing
A case study of how a UK printing firm made itself energy efficient
Renewable Power: Price Is Right
A major electric utility plans to buy solar and wind power because it's price-competitive with natural gas
Wanted: US Infrastructure Bank
What is the value of a national infrastructure bank?
What A Waste
While commercial waste haulers could recycle 90% of what's collected, they only hit 40% now
Make Money With Efficiency
Energy efficiency service providers, ESCOs, are doing well by doing good
October 01, 2013
Intel Gets Smarter
Global chip maker Intel, expands into the smart grid market with energy-saving micro-processors
US Military Re-Powers
Government funded solar projects that will change the energy supply for the US military
Three Men Walk Into A Bar...
Michael Bloomberg, Henry Paulson & Tom Steyer join forces to persuade investors, policy makers to make the business case for climate action
Build It Better
NY architects & planners report on new ideas for building a better New York using lessons learned from Sandy
Voters In Motion
Watch The Climate Change
Using IPCC data, watch this video of 21st Century climate changing
Frail Rail
The shut down of a major Metro North rail line reveals the fragility of an aged electric system & lack of reliable backup