Climate Action: Plan B
Consider this proposition: national commitments are more effective than international treaties to tackle climate change
September 30, 2014
India And US: Talk - Not Walk - Climate
A meeting between Indian PM Modi & President Obama omits talk of capping carbon emissions
Gear Up For January 2025
With a January 2025 compliance deadline now's the time for NY property owners to start planning for sub-metering and lighting efficiency legal requirements
Japan: Nuke Plant/Volcano Mix
The threat of unpredictable volcanoes poses another challenge to Japan's nuclear power policy
The Electric Power Revolution, From A...
Buffalo's Back
With 3,000 jobs promised by SolarCity, renewable energy leads the way on reinventing the long-ailing Buffalo, NY economy
Science At Work: Heat And Drought
The extreme heat and climate change link has strong scientific backing, but the drought connection is still a work in progress
Start Counting On The Sun
The authoritative International Energy Agency sees the future of global electric power filled with sunlight
NJ's First Transit Microgrid
$410 million in federal funds will help develop a first-of-its-kind microgrid to keep NJ Transit & Amtrak running when the next superstorm hits
September 29, 2014
NY To Get 68% More Solar Power
Governor Cuomo tops off Climate Week with $469 million in added solar power funding & new tax breaks for residents & business-owners who install solar panels
Laugh While Your Cry
Study Finds Mass Extinction Could Free Up Billions Of Dollars In Conservation Funding By 2024 http://t.co/NVsVhL80Ab pic.twitter.com/CbA0ltHWn6
— The Onion (@TheOnion) September 29, 2014Iran: New Solar Power
By March 2015, Iran will open its largest solar power plant
Give Climate Change The Business
What's the significance of growing corporate presence in the climate change movement?
You Can Lead A Horse To Water
Texas utilities roll out an energy-savings gadget for low-income consumers, but they might not want or use it
Zurich: Flower Power
IBM unveils a solar power sunflower that is 30 feet high that makes both electricity & hot water
Vote Now, Vote Often
Vote for your favorite crowd-sourced MIT climate-change solution projects
We're Tired of Being Afraid
Overcoming opposition DIY solar power users are getting a leg up on utilities & government regulators
Websites We Like
September 26, 2014
Energy Star's Great Leap Forward
The EPA software program for scoring & rating energy performance, Energy Star, is now available for apartment buildings
Climate Concerns Homeland Security
Protecting urban infrastructure from climate change risks is on the to-do list of the Department of Homeland Security
Iowa Could Win With Wind
Iowa's potential for wind power expansion could make it easy to meet EPA carbon-reduction rules
Climate Action Minus India
Can the world decarbonize without India on board?
NYC Energy Efficiency 101
An introduction, or a refresher to NYC condo and co-op residents about the utility of energy benchmarking and auditing
Get Moving On Urban Connectivty
Tomorrow's most sustainable cities will be linked up via transport networks that communicate
September 25, 2014
How To Make City Streets Safe For Kids
In three words , add bikes paths
Micro-CHPs Could Be Tasty
Tiny combined heat/power technology could challenge batteries as the perfect solar panel partner for for off-grid living
Look Who's Calling For Climate Action
Investors like pension funds, insurers & corporate leaders say global climate action makes sense to them
EPA Head Talks About Climate
EPA chief Gina McCarthy spells out the official climate policy
India: Expect More Emissions
Linking economic growth to burning more coal India will be a growing source of GHG emissions
How To Make More Money
For better returns invest in solar or wind energy, not oil, to power buildings & vehicles
NY Energy Getting Climate Friendly
Climate Week is the perfect time for New Yorkers to advance carbon cutting energy initiatives
Flood Wall Street, Not Occupy Wall Street
The Flood Wall Street demonstration suggests a new era of policing protests in the De Blasio administration
RGGI Stands Alone
The northeast states carbon market, RGGI is unlikely to join in the California-Quebec market
Real Estate On Board With Green
Sukayna Paciorek identifies the drivers of better building energy performance for New York real estate
September 24, 2014
UK: A Farewell To Some Coal
UK Prime Minister Cameron tweets that the old coal-burning power plants ought to be phased out & new one must have carbon capture capabilities
It Can't Be Said Too Often
Climate change will be solved by cities or not at all
September 23, 2014
UK: What Women Want
74% of women polled in the UK, want climate action now
If We Talk The Talk, We'll Walk The Walk
Start taking responsibility for climate change by talking about it differently, says UK scholar George Marshall
Germany: Growing Energiewende Trends
Germany burned coal for 45% of its power last year, the highest level since 2007 as utility bills rise
De Blasio 80x50 Vow At UN
Mayor De Blasio spotlights energy efficiency as key to cutting NYC GHG emissions 80% by 2050 at the UN climate summit
Distributed Power In The Empire State
The primer on distributed energy resources in NY & how they compare to other states
California: More Solar In Less Time
By cutting the red tape for permitting solar projects in California, there will be less time & money needed
Keys To Utility 2.0
If NY's new model for regulating energy aims at maximizing system efficiency, we'll all need to do our part
Healthcare Shouldn't Make You Sick
Greening Health Care, the book review
Anchorage, Detroit, NYC, Other
Which US cities will be safest from direct climate change assaults?
September 22, 2014
Flood Wall Street, 09.22.14
De Blasio Steps Up For Climate Week
Mayor De Blasio commits to boosting building energy performance to demonstrate his climate stance, Details here
Fossil Fuel Firms' Eye On Paris
Fossil fuel companies will keep an eye on the Paris climate talks, much has changed since the last round
Citi Bike Audit
NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer announces his office will audit the finances and management of the Citi Bike program
September 20, 2014
NYC Council's New Climate Agenda
The Cost Of Cutting Carbon
Why EPA's proposed carbon emissions rules won't drive 840,000 Americans into poverty
September 19, 2014
iPhone 6 For Climate Metrics
Solar Deals, NY Style
Two solar questions What incentives will Governor Cuomo offer Tesla to build a PV factory in Buffalo? Should he?
Diagnosing A PV Plant's Demise
What explains the failure of a Chinese-owned solar panel business in Arizona?
Monopolizing The Sun
Fears that Duke Energy might monopolize North Carolina's emerging renewables sector cloud its future
Climate Change Isn't Volcanic
Humans cannot shift the blame to volcanoes for our changing climate, period
2014: Taking The Hot Cake
Summer 2014 is the hottest on record and the whole year is trending to set another one
Up From Zero
Build It Back is starting to get repair & replacement money to home owners flooded out by Sandy
Krugman's A Climate Optimist
It won't break the bank to save the planet, here's why
Interboro Rapid Transit 1918
#tbt to the #WilliamsburgBridgeRailwayTerminal in 1919. Look closely & you can see the entrance to the #Lowline site! pic.twitter.com/CWAfZYfkbj
— lowline (@lowlinenyc) September 18, 2014September 18, 2014
Finland: Atomic Fission
Finland's government coalition splits over support for nuclear power with a Green Party walkout
Marching To 11th Avenue
What's up with NYC's designated route for the People's Climate March channeled to 11th Avenue?
What If...
...a Category 3 storm similar to the 1821 monster slammed into NYC today?
Changing The Inveitable
ICYMI, we are not doomed to climate chaos & governments that don't govern for the greater good, but not everyone agrees
Urban Dwelling
By 2050, 70% of humanity will live in cities, what should we be doing now?
September 17, 2014
Where Power Investments Are Paying Off
New England's flat demand for power from the grid points to energy efficiency & distributed power as today's better bets (while power prices soar in the region)
Don't Lose Billions
Will the chance to save $1.3 billion by way of energy efficiency gains be lost for mid-Atlantic region utility customers?
09.21 Peoples Climate March
China And Japan: Making The Most Of PV
China (10 GW) and Japan (5 GW) rule global solar PV market in 2nd half of 2014!
(@solarbuzz via @pvmagazine) pic.twitter.com/YcolmpI22B
— Kees van der Leun (@Sustainable2050) September 17, 2014REVing Up
Industry & public comments due September 22 on the latest outline of New York's Reforming The Energy Vision (REV) proposal
DERMS: An Energy Acronym To Remember
Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems could be the sweet spot for a centralized/distributed renewable energy future
Australia: Undoing Renewables
Government efforts to undo Australia's renewable energy targets meet resistance
Going Dutch
Holland announces a $25 billion, 30-year plan to protect itself from rising sea levels
Carbon Tax: Running With A Great Idea
Is a national carbon tax just for idealists?
September 16, 2014
August 2014
Higher Solar Education
Learn how the University of California will get 60% of its power from solar sources as part of its Net Zero Carbon campaign
September 15, 2014
China: Fateful Decisions
The fate of Earth's climate is largely up to China, so what's happening there?
March 24, 1900
Starting construction on the NYC subway system was something to celebrate --still is!
Boise Bike Lanes: Gone In A Month
What explains the outcome of a one-month bike lanes pilot project in Boise Idaho?
Glasgow: River Heat
The University of Glasgow will cut its fuel demand 25% by drawing heat from the River Clyde
France: Time To Retire
EDF's fleet of 58 aging nuclear reactors imposes high maintenance costs
The Power Of Wind Power
Wind power's energy output is 1,164% greater than it input
Mind The Eco-Gap
Expect a big partisan gap on the importance of environmental issues in November's elections
Beyond The Data Dump
Manhattan Boro President Brewer wants to make sure citizen community boards can make effective use of on-line municipal data
German Renewables - Just The Facts Ma'am
September 14, 2014
Germany: Renewable's Tomorrowland Today
What's happening with renewable energy in Germany, won't stay in Germany
September 13, 2014
Driving Energy Performance Investment
Advice from five real estate pros about what will drive investment in energy efficiency
Better Than Your Average Hairdryer
Amazing Passive House in freezing Wisconsin uses less energy than a hair dryer to stay warm! http://t.co/7BaCTQOHRW pic.twitter.com/h5QMK3spB2
— inhabitat (@inhabitat) September 12, 2014On-Grid Stats Of The Week
Let's start with zero for new coal and move on from there
September 12, 2014
Be There Or Be Square
10 top places to be in NYC during Climate Week
Seemed Like A Good Idea
Drilling a geothermal well in the posh Grammercy Park neighborhood generates a lot of heat
MIA From Climate Summit
The leaders of Canada, China & India will not attend the 2014 UN Climate Summit
Oahu To Destress Its Grid
Oahu to install 1 MW of energy storage batteries to take some pressure off its electric power grid
World Falls Far Short On Cutting Carbon
Expect the world to get 4 o centigrade hotter at current levels of decreasing carbon intensity
Japan: Floating Solar Power
A floating solar power plant with recyclable parts begins construction in Kato City, Japan
Live With It
From now on we will live in a global climate that we changed, so let's consider what that will mean writes Andy Revkin
Whole Foods Is Ready For Anything
With its microgrid installation the Brooklyn branch of Whole Foods can keep the power and heat on when the grid goes down
September 11, 2014
California's Different
Solar panels face south in most of the US, but not in California
China: Contemplating Coal Caps
China might cap burning starting 2016, ban import of dirtier-burning coal & regulate fine particulate matter, SO2 & NOX emissions
England: Tories Are Climate Skeptics
Is it politics that makes English Tories & Us GOP'ers climate change deniers?
You Do Need A Weatherman
Mock 2050 weather forecasts can help mobilize climate action now
Climate March - It'll Be Big
Organizers predict a mega turn-out for the NYC People's Climate March on September 21
Natural Gas - Not A Bridge
Natural gas could be an 'exit ramp' to a zero-carbon future says national environmental organization
GOP On The Attack
15 Republican Governors call Obama's climate action plan illegal
A Grid Without Energy Storage...
..is like a factory without a warehouse, it's time to build smarter
Help Wanted
Director of Media Strategy to highlight the impacts of climate change and clean energy solutions
September 10, 2014
They're REV'ing Our Tune
This NRP story on New York's Reforming the Energy Vision sounds a lot like our "There'll Be Some Changes Made" conference
Compare The Costs
New IRENA data on levelized cost of various #energy sources - cc/@JesseJenkins @nelderini pic.twitter.com/rewcAkg1WH
— Raphael Bouskila (@rbouskila) September 10, 2014The World's Best Fuel
If investing in energy efficiency is so great, why is it so undervalued?
Climate Thought For The Day
"Sometimes doing your best is not good enough. Sometimes, you must do what is required." – Winston Churchill
Ending Europe's Russian Addiction
Energy efficiency could be Europe's path to cutting dependency on Russian natural gas imports by a third
Clean Cars Less Rare Now
Over 100,00 electric and hybrid cars are on California road now
Higher Solar For Higher Ed
The University of California makes the biggest solar power purchase of any higher education institution in the US
Renewnable Energy Fans Friend Obama
The President's domestic carbon control plan could add momentum for an international climate agreement and boost demands for renewable power
For The Birds
Reality check: climate change could wipe out 50% of North American birds, not solar panels or wind turbines
September 09, 2014
Sky High CO2
In 2013, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide took its biggest jump in 30 years
Bike Riding Makes Cars Go Faster
NYC traffic flows faster on streets with dedicated bike lanes, honest!
September 08, 2014
Death Of Venice
What corruption & political dysfunction look like in one of the most flood prone cities on Earth [NYRB $ub]
Scotland: Independence And Renewables Might Not Mix
Renewable energy investment in Scotland could take a $23 billion hit with a vote for independence, say some
9/11 Memorial Underground
A fading 9/11 memorial in the Union Square subway station
South Carolina Friends Solar Power
A new law is being drafted to make South Carolina solar power-friendly
E-7: Less Carbon Intense
Seven top emerging economies shed 1.7% of their carbon intensity in 2013, outperforming countries like Germany, Japan & the US
Welcome Back Climate Beat
The New York Times re-establishes a full-time climate science beat with editor Adam Bryant
September 05, 2014
Japan: Out With The Old
To boost public trust in nuclear power Japan may seek closure of its oldest reactors
China: Renewable Energy Debt Trap
High levels of bond debt pose default threats for Chinese clean energy firms
Clinton Likes (Clean) Power
Hillary Clinton embraces a nexus of economic growth and clean/efficient energy policy
A Hot Vicious Circle
A hotter planet will speed up release of CO2 from soil, thus creating more warming
The Business Side Of Climate Change
" @Cambridge_Uni Understanding the implications of #climatechange for business http://t.co/sUrvM3fsSk @ClimateCLG pic.twitter.com/xEywU1grwt
— CISL_Cambridge (@cisl_cambridge) September 5, 2014Today's Cost Of Carbon
The latest RGGI auction price for emitting a ton of CO2 is $4.88
Bespoke Energy
Will customers' demands custom tailor the utility business model?
Bloomberg Blamed For Not Building It Back
The New York Times does a demolition piece on Mayor Bloomberg's Build It Back Sandy recovery program
September 04, 2014
Beijing: Recycle For A Ticket To Ride
Reverse vending machines take recyclable containers and print out mass transit passes in Beijing
"Ruin Is Forever"
Best header ever for an essay on the precautionary principle
Mainstreaming TX Wind Power
A 110 MW Texas wind power farm built & operated by Duke Energy will open in 2015
Australia: A Taxing Tale
After killing off its carbon tax Australian power plant carbon emissions hit an eight-year high
Uber Grid
What if the electric power grid underwent an Uber-like revolution?
China: Pilot Carbon Market
Learn about the world's biggest emerging market for trading carbon emissions permits
From Chaos To Compassion: Sandy's Lesson
September 03, 2014
A Global Apollo Project
Since battling climate change is a defining 21 century challenge, how much should nations spend to create cheap renewable energy supplies?
MI: Solar Disconnect
While Michigan is a hotbed of solar tech innovation state markets for solar power languish
Clarifying Certainty
Beware of climate change deniers who misuse the concept of scientific certainty to create uncertainty
It's Raining Extremely
More extreme rain events are a NY reality and both climate action & incorporating resiliency design into our built environments are needed now
September 02, 2014
Science At Work: Heath Impacts Of Traffic Congestion
Air pollution from urban traffic congestion elevates serious health risks; this research links traffic flow data with specific pollutants
Paris: Geothermal Revival
For the first time in 30 years Paris drills for new geothermal wells for local heating
Austin: Making The Cost Case For Solar
Classifying solar as a default power source because it's cost competitive with natural gas will give it a big boost in Austin TX
Australia: Coal Port Can't Dump On Barrier Reef
Australia's Great Barrier Reef wins a reprieve from a massive dumping scheme linked to building a coal-export faciilty
Back On Track
After completing repairs Sandy-caused damage G train service is restored
NYC's Climate Ick Factor
A changing climate means heavier rainfallthat will make it harder to keep New Yorkers safe from their sewage and the ick factor is not limited to the Big Apple
Sustainability - Sippers And Slurpers
When it comes to corporate sustainability actions sipping is not enough
China: No Water No Fracking
Lack of water resources likely to limit China's ability to frack for its natural gas reserves
September 01, 2014
Singapore: Green Building Fund
Small and medium-sized enterprises, both landlords and tenants, can tap into a $50 million fund for energy efficiency enhancements