The $3 Trillion Climate Ask
Fund managers, including NY State & California, who oversee $3 trillion in assets, ask 45 fossil fuel corporations if they are preparing for a low carbon world
November 30, 2013
News From The Philly Navy Yard
Economic growth & smart, sustainable energy innovations are full-speed-ahead at the Philadelphia Navy Yard
November 29, 2013
Climate Denier's Camouflage
The Heartland Institute's climate denial mass-mailing to schools goes out of it way to look like a climate science report
UK: Labor's Energy Ideas
The out-of-power Labor Party will propose an Energy Security Board & also encourage energy efficiency measures like home insulation
Africa: Pay As You Go PV
For Africans lacking access to the power grid, $10 solar power kits are a low-cost way to plug in
Green Cab Clusters
Looking for a NYC green (color not fuel) cab? Here's where they cluster
Energy For Home Heating
How much fuel does your home burn and how does it compare to homes elsewhere?
Science At Work: Methane
New studies of methane emissions from US gas/ooil drilling & Arctic temperature-linked releases
November 28, 2013
Courts Split On Energy Star
Federal courts divide over the meaning of Energy Star labels on consumer products
The Resilience Relay Race
Five resilience recommendations for Mayor de Blasio
26 Energy Star States
Mapping the 26 states with Energy Star action programs
November 27, 2013
EU: Carbon Prices Inch Up
Carbon market prices rise to $6.23/metric ton in EU markets
After Thanksgiving
Take walk in Central Park and discover history hiding in plain sight
Cooking With Gas
ICYMI - Standard models of US methane emissions miss ~50% of those coming from oil & gas operations
Maintain Energy Efficiency Momentum
Three suggestions for keeping buildings energy efficient after the ribbon-cutting
No Free PV In Arizona
Arizona regulators side with utilities on a payment for grid links by PV owners, but set the fee at $5 a month, far less than utilities demanded
Science At Work: Draw Your Own Conclusions
20 tips for laypersons to use when interpreting scientific claims with policy implications
Mexico: Carbon Market Opens
A voluntary market for carbon emissions permits opens on the Mexican Stock Exchange
Carbon Tax: More From Fewer
A new wrinkle on the carbon tax concept is to charge higher taxes from a limited pool of large emitters
Beijing/Shanghai: Carbon Markets
Beijing and Shanghai open pilot-scale markets for trading carbon emissions permits
November 26, 2013
Love That Insulation
Why every homeowner should value good insulation
The Electicity Internet
Distributed power + smart interconnectivity = electricity internet but is there enough demand to make it happen
Oakland: A Tale Of Two Cities
What will it take to bring clean fuel and energy efficiency to every Oakland, CA neighborhood?
China, Sweden, US: Climate Attitudes
Compare & contrast public opinions on climate change in these three nations
Krakow: No More Coal
Krakow is the first Polish city to ban burning coal and wood for heating
The Great Park Rip-Off
The ways NYC privately finances public parks are great deals for developers, but there are better options for the public
UK: Big Loss For Wind Power
The developer of a Devon offshore wind power project does an about-face, citing 'prohibitive' costs
No Thanks For Recycling
The #6 plastic New Yorkers started to put out for recycling in 2013 gets trashed as there are no buyers for it, but maybe 2014 will be better. For now, check out City Council efforts to ban styrofoam
Rebranding Transit Policy
Will NYC's defeated "congestion pricing" plan be resurrected with a new name and funds for road & bridge upgrades?
November 25, 2013
Tomorrow Is Today In California
It's easy & low-cost to unplug from the grid while keeping the lights on in California -- except for one hitch
New Day At Freshkills
Once a vast garbage dump, Freshkills will be home to enough solar power to light up 2,000 Staten Island homes
Science At Work: The Pause That Isn't
ICYMI -- data demonstrates there is no pause in planetary warming
A Love Canal Retrospective
35 years after the Love Canal made toxic waste headlines, what's its legacy?
Federal Friend Of Renewables
FERC, the federal agency with jurisdiction over transmission lines, issues rules to advance renewable energy storage projects
US: Home Of Global Gas Revolution
Today, fracking for US natural gas is transforming the global energy scene
China And India v Developing Nations
How did China & India's stance at the Warsaw climate talks cause a rift with developing nations?
Australia: Solar Power, Subsidy Sensitive
After a period of brisk PV installations, ending government subsidies takes a toll on new Australian home projects
A Millennial's Call To Climate Action
Climate action and preparedness require the kind of grassroots action Millennials can mobilize
November 24, 2013
Bloomberg's Climate Legacy On YouTube
Katherine Bagley, co-author of Hidden Legacy, explains why Mayor Bloomberg biggest contribution to NYC was taking action against climate change.
Creating Low-Carbon Cities
A World Bank infographic and a taxonomy of low-carbon development
November 23, 2013
When NYC Plugged In
A brief history of Gothamites' access to utility power
LEDs Could Light Up Your Life
Smart LED bulb networks morph from exotic to everyday
Go Gridless, Go Africa
Off-grid tech entrepreneurs start to bring renewable electricity to parts of Africa lacking access to conventional power supplies
LEED 4: Cheers And Jeers
The new LEED, version 4 attracts both cheers and jeers and here's more
November 22, 2013
Ew Canada
Waste from drilling in the Alberta tar sands will create lakes of toxic liquid
Staying Put And Rebuilding Better
One New Yorker's saga of surviving Sandy, staying in place & trying to rebuild resiliently
UK: Climate Mitigation's A Money Maker
The UK Energy Secretary foresees opportunities for financial services to mitigate climate impacts in vulnerable nations
NY Misses Renewable Energy Mark
New York State lags in meeting its renewable portfolio standard goal of 30% non-fossil power by 2015
Bloomberg's Climate Legacy And Energy Future
The Rise Of Low-Carbon Cities
Energy efficiency is the best fuel for developing low-carbon cities, says World Bank
Re-Do The Emissions Math
A recalculation of California GHG emissions implies the trading system will be oversupplied with permits for years
New Ways To invest In The Planet
What are climate bonds and how have they evolved?
A Killer Fungus Among Us
The saga of a killer fungus starting in Vancouver Island, Canada, previously seen only in non-lethal forms in the tropics
November 21, 2013
Allowable Carbon Emissions
In the proposed global carbon emissions budget, there should be no "allowable" emissions, they are all damaging
Corporate Carbon Heavies
Which 90 companies have spewed 63% of the world's greenhouse gases?
UK: Utility Anxiety Over Policy Uncertainty
National Grid warns that uncertainty over UK government energy policy is scaring off utility infrastructure investors
Buffalo: Green Tech And Green Jobs
New York State provides $225 million for a new green energy tech research center in Buffalo and expects to create hundred of jobs
Sun Rises With Batteries
It's a new day for solar power in Maryland with 'islandable" PV and battery installations
Germany: More Time For Wind Power Payments
Germany will its current feed-in-tariff scheme for offshore wind projects for two years
Bloomberg's Climate Legacy And Energy Future
Science At Work: Climate And Cyclones
Explaining the the specific links between the incidence and severity of cyclones/hurricanes and a changing climate is a work in progress
Risk And Resilence
The insurance industry can be a major player to upgrade urban resilience to weird weather events
November 20, 2013
The 2030 Palette
The 2030 Palette provides a free interactive online platform with ideas & actions for low-carbon and resilient built environments
China: Playing Catch Up
Chinese GHG emissions have caught up with those from the EU, so what does this mean for international climate treaties?
Scotland: 42x20
While lagging now, Scotland is optimistic that it will meet its goal of cutting GHG emission 42% by 2020
Bloomberg's Climate Legacy And Energy Future
$4.8 Million For Energy Efficiency Tech
Governor Cuomo announces a $4.8 million fund for NY business projects exploring new technologies to improve buildings' energy efficiency, as part of a 3-year, $25 million program
Rio: TIme To Clean Up
Rio de Janeiro must tackle big water pollution problems if it's to show the world its best for the 2016 Olympics
November 19, 2013
London: Stay Cozy With The Tube
Waste heat from the London Underground will be used to heat hundred of homes
Lawyers At Work: Renewable Energy Patents
What are the top renewable energy inventions being patented now?
Securing Smart Meters
Hacking smart meters must be getting popular, because now there's an anti-hacking service for utilities
Carbon Emissions Keep Climbing
In 2013, global carbon emissions are on course to set a new record of 36 billion metric tons
Bloomberg's Climate Legacy & NY's Future
Must Read, Part 2
November 18, 2013
Big Solar Rising
Utility-scale solar power plants are coming on line, but still only 4% of US total power
London: Banks Quit Carbon Trading
Ten or more London-based banks abandon carbon markets, citing turmoil in the Euro trading scheme & low prices
Science At Work: Statistical Modeling
Read this, it's good for you, like eating your spinach
LA: Map It, Finance It
Los Angeles has a new mapping tool to help financial types find properties ripe for energy efficiency/solar upgrades
Bloomberg's Climate Legacy And NY's Future
Respect For Recycling Center
Check out Sims, it's not every recycling center that merits an architectural appraisal
iGreen, iClean
Unknown to many, Apple is an industry pioneer operating on renewable power
Australia: Hot But Not Bothered
Australia is fast becoming a leading climate reactionary, (despite record-setting weird weather)
November 16, 2013
Carbon Tax "In The Realm Of Possibility"
When EPA makes GHG rules for power plants, states could be allowed, if they wanted, to impose taxes on emissions
UK: Take The Money And Do Nothing
UK utilities collect surcharges from their customers to fund energy efficiency & related cost-savings programs, but don't do much
November 15, 2013
Scotland: Green Party Platform
What does Scotland's Green Party want, besides independence from England?
Germany: New Coal Plant
Citing low prices a German utility opens a 725 MW coal-burning power plant
The Saga of Solar Mamas
Around the world women are lighting the way for brining solar power to their communities
Japan: Fuggedabout Carbon Cuts
Japan reneges on cutting its carbon footprint, citing the loss of domestic nuclear power
What Makes LEED Grow
LEED-certified buildings have grown from 0 to 6,000 since 2000 and here's how
Asset-Backed Solar Securities
Now, there's a whole new way to finance solar power installations, S&P rated solar bonds
In Harm's Way
Critics charge a law signed by Governor Cuomo that encourages new building along the Hudson River will put people in harm's way during future storms and floods
Better Building Code
The NYC Council passes new building laws to ensure better survivability after storms, power outages, etc.
Chu's Washington Takeaway
Obama's first Department of Energy Secretary David Chu reflects on his years in Washington
November 14, 2013
Global Heating: The Pause Vanishes
Research using data overlooked in reports of a"pause" in global heating since 1997 finds the pause disappears
Brazil: Wind Trending
Brazil aims to build enough wind turbines by 2021 to power a city as big as Sao Paulo
Mothers Of Invention: Data Centers As Power Plants
Known as energy hogs, researchers seek to integrate fuel cell power input and energy efficient data output
Carbon Tax Alert
The Congressional Budget Office calculates a carbon tax could cut $1 trillion from the federal deficit
The Chinese Puzzle
How do Chinese leaders plan to propel economic growth while solving its pressing environmental problems?
Cuomo Vetos MTA Accountability Bills
Bills requiring the MTA to disclose service delay impacts & transfer of its funds to other state entities were vetoed by Governor Cuomo
Red-State America Gets Climate Change
Standford research discovers a majority of Americans in most states believe climate change is happening and power plant emissions should be controlled. Check it out state-by-state
2013: World Hot, Australia Hotter
World temperatures are on track to be the 7th hottest on record and Australian temperatures could reach an all time high this year
Guess Who's Going Solar
Tea Party supporters in Georgia and Arizona are trending pro-solar and anti-nuclear power
November 13, 2013
See Your Soot
A before & after fuel upgrades data visualization of fine particle air pollution in NYC
Chicago: Millions For Enegy Efficiency
Chicago's privately funded Infrastructure Trust commits $25 million for energy efficiency upgrades in 75 public buildings
Scotland: Trump's Blow Back
Donald Trump goes to court to stop a wind farm already approved by the Scottish government
The High Line's Newest Wow
For its final "spur" segment, the High Line designs an awesome elevated garden
Japan: Solar Super-Boom
Beating all forecasts, Japan's production and markets for PV skyrockets this year
Mothers of Invention: Solar Energy Autonomy
A solar powered generator that uses the grid as Plan B, is marketed by NRG, an electric utility
China: Youngest Air Pollution Vicitm
An 8 year old Chinese girl is diagnosed with air pollution-linked lung cancer
Make Oysters NY's Iconic Critter
ICYMI — oysters could save NYC from the ravages of the next superstorm
November 12, 2013
Standardizing Solar Contracts
Doing business gets easier when solar power contracts are standardized
Global Climate Action: Far From Enough
Despite some good news, the IEA reports the world is falling fall short on actions needed to cut global heating
NYers Pay Top Dollar For Power
Con Ed, seeking a rate hike, now charges 2.1 million NY residential customers 115.9% of the national average for electricity
Hamburg: Soft And Carbon Neutral
A "soft", carbon live/work row-house project wins a Hamburg, Germany design competition
NYC: Air Pollution Plummets
Compare these before/after NYC air pollution maps and breathe easier
Australia: Climate Scientists Catch Heat
As temperatures break records, Australia's government is axing its climate scientists
Abadoned NY
Once upon a time, there was a local subway station, now only intrepid photographers get in
November 11, 2013
Anthropocene Era: The Future Is Here
The 21st century so far, Bagdad, New Orleans, NYC, all kinds of shock and awe
Air Quality Mapping
Check out EPA's air-quality mapping tool and find out what you're inhaling
New Power Needs New Financing
For renewable energy to become the new normal, financial innovation is a must
Take Me To Your LED-er
More reasons to love LED light bulbs and take some home with you
PV: Rising Euro-Power
The use and value of solar power in Europe is on the rise
Berlin: Wind Takes A Hit
The future for wind power dims in talks to form a new German coalition government
Warsaw: Under A Cloud
Optimism is scarce at the Warsaw climate treaty talks
Chicago: The Bike App
Chicago makes it easy for everyone to know the local bike laws on its new app
Miami: Rising Waters Not Remote
With a population of 5.6 million, the greater Miami area starts to plan for tomorrow's rising water risks
Warsaw: Climate Talks Commence
Delegates gather for the latest round of talks on framing a 2015 international climate treaty
November 09, 2013
Euro Utility Transformation
The European power industry is on the verge of a fundamental renewables-driven transformation
Challenges For US Power Industry
What are the three biggest challenges facing the current business model for US power utilities?
November 08, 2013
Cities In The Climate Age
Many, many things cities can do to become climate-friendly and resilient
Denmark: Wind Master
With at least 30% of its energy coming from wind, Denmark demonstrates how to integrate renewables into the power grid
Climate Threat From The Deep
Scientists see a changing Gulf Stream off the US coast could bring potent GHG methane to the surface
Smart Cities, Open Technolgies
Tomorrow's smartest cities will have open source technologies accessible for all & dominated by no one
Germany: Slashing Wind Support
Germany to cut its wind power feed-in tariff, while retaining it for roof-top PV
Big Biking In Chicago
The Chicago bike share program is on track to outstrip New York's in 2014
Science At Work: Summetime
Whether a European summer is scorching or stormy has a lot to do with storm behavior
Listen Up On Renewable Supports
What could replace the production tax credit to grow the US wind power industry? And that's not all
November 07, 2013
The White Male Climate Effect
What is it about some white males that make them trend toward climate-change denial?
Science At Work: Melting Permafrost
Methane from melting arctic permafrost will be a big climate-change accelerant
UK: Don't Give Up The Green
UK Deputy Prime Minister Clegg urges the government not to dilute its carbon-reduction goals
Better Buildings Need Better Metrics
To measure office tower energy efficiency, an economic intensity index must be added to the equation
UK: Carbon Fraudsters Shut Down
19 firms marketing bogus carbon emissions credits are closed by UK authorities
Energy Efficiency By The Numbers
AEE's annual state-by-state energy efficiency ratings offers some surprises
Fukushima: Risky Rod Removal
Work to start on the risky task of removing radioactive rods from Japan's devastated Fukushima nuclear power plant
Green Footnote To 2013's Race
Who was that Green Party candidate running for NYC Mayor this year?
States: Tax What You Burn, Not What You Earn
Could the EPA delegate carbon tax powers to states?
November 06, 2013
Note To Mayor-Elect
While candidate de Blasio didn't say much about climate change, Mayor de Blasio will have to spend a lot of time doing something about it
China: Breathing Is A Must
Economic success in China will be worthless if its air isn't breathable
Coastal Cities' New Normal
Active options for coastal cities facing a certain future of weird wet weather
Math Problem
Claims that its cheaper to adapt to weird weather impacts than trying to prevent them rely on bad math
New Gas Pipeline Cuts Prices
With the opening of the controversial Specta natural gas pipeline, NYC's natural gas prices plunge
They've Gotta Have It
The latest rivalry between Microsoft and Google is over who's buying the most renewable power
Seattle: Super Green Code
Seattle's building code for new commercial construction & renovation let's a project's design team figure out how to meet stringent energy requirements and then checks on actual performance
Solar Power and Robots-- BFF
November 05, 2013
Dallas Does Green Build Laws
Dallas, TX sets green standards for new construction to cut carbon emissions while growing the economy
80x50 -- A Stretch
Even with ambitious programs, California might not meet its goal of cutting carbon emissions 80% by 2050
The Future Of Nuclear Power
Two charts shows why new nuclear power won't be the non-fossil energy source of choice
Norway: Defund Coal
Norway is likely to pull $800 million in sovereign wealth funds out of the coal industry
Become Your Own Utility
Say goodbye to old-fashioned utilities with DIY electric power
Location Location, Location
What's the secret to siting more powerful wind turbines?
New Path To Smart Buildings
Expect smart building energy systems to shrink in number while growing functionality
It Ain't Necessarily So
Research finds that politically pro-welfare-state countries are not necessarily ecologically progressive
Denmark: More Than Enough
Denmark produces 113% of the energy it needs from wind power
November 04, 2013
Utility Seeks To Add Solar
Duke Energy seeks to build its own solar power capacity as par of its core generating business
Rating The Low-Carbon Investment Climate
Bloomberg NEF announces a new metric for rating nations on their ability to foster clinate-friendly investments
Cape Town: The Ties That Divide
Mass-transit planning in Cape Town, South Africa hold great potential while facing an apartheid past
Solar Power Rises
Why solar power can scale-up enough to be a game changer
Kyoto: Diplomatic Despair
Three diplomats involved with the Kyoto Climate Treaty see scant hope for preventing global overheating
Wind Tax Credit - Friends And Foes
Who supports, who opposes the wind power production tax credit that will probably end 01/01/14?
Berlin: Grid Won't Go Public
A voter referendum in Berlin to make its power grid a public utility is narrowly defeated
Microsoft Buys Texas Wind
Microsoft to purchase 1100 MW of wind-generated electricity to power its San Antonio data center
November 03, 2013
Giant Step For Energy Storage
Storing renewable energy to make it normal part of the power supply is happening now
Nuke Power Debate: Round Nth Degree
Among environmentalists the the battle over nuclear powe rages on
November 02, 2013
Ooh-La-LED
As prices plummet, the market for LED lighting leaps
Microgrids - Looking For Users
Psst! Wanna buy a mcirogrid?
November 01, 2013
Poland Is Coaland
Why Poland continues its love affair with coal
Tea Party: Just Says No
GOP Tea Party types form the core of climate denialists & think they have science on their side
Canada: Show Me The Heat
Canada's eastern arctic is hotter than any time in millennia according to new physical evidence
Science At Work: Oceans As Heat Sinks
New research & reactions on the relationship between oceans' ability to soak up CO2, a hotter planet & measurement baselines
Boston: The Champ
If there was a World Series for the most energy efficient city in the US, Boston would be the 2013 winner
Obama To America: Be Climate-Prepared
The President's Executive Order on the federal role in climate preparedness & resilience
NYC: Talking The Transition
George Soros is reported to be backing a project to add public engagement to the transition process for New York City's next mayor.
Berlin: Vote On Grid Takeover
Berliners will vote Sunday on a municipal take over of its privately-held electric power grid
Modeling A Green Bond Market
The definition and scope of green bonds is a work-in-progress
Trashing History
Search a century of Scientific American articles on treating trash to find useful ideas for today
Green Tech Incubator Hatches Miracle
Ancient miracles turned water into wine; today, a building's water system can make electricity, thanks to a NYC green tech incubator graduate