Installing Energy Storage Batteries
Tips for getting a permit to install energy storage batteries in NY buildings
January 31, 2017
Solar Tiles v Solar Panels
How to decide between solar roof tiles + panels
Movie Review: An Inconvenient Sequel
Couldn't make it to Sundance? catch the review of Al Gore's latest climate documentary
Don't Pass Flimsy Plastic Bag Bill
When it comes to a state bill blocking NYC's nickel fee on plastic bags, Crains' says Albany should "bag it"
East River Tolling Gets Liked
The proposal to toll East River bridges gets a boost from a new poll
No Longer Unthinkiable
"Organized retreat" enters the discussion about climate adaption strategies
January 30, 2017
Location, Location And Infrastructure
Real estate relocation deciders cite smart infrastructure + investments as a driver
Imagine
The 2030 District movement moves cities toward high performance + carbon neutrality, neighborhood by neighborhood
Saudi Aramco Looks To Tomorrow
The world's biggest oil producer, Saudi Aramco, said to consider multi-billion dollar renewable deals
#Women For Climate In NYC
#Women4Climate Initiative will empower female leaders to take action on climate change. Stay tuned this March for our 1st conference in #NYC pic.twitter.com/CGLjJxZ3Zg
— C40 Cities (@c40cities) January 30, 2017
Storage Battery Boom
The storage battery revolution starts now on the California grid
Arthur Rosenfeld: 1926-2017
Founder of the energy efficiency movement, physicist Arthur Rosenfeld dies at 90
January 28, 2017
Flora And Fauna And Climate Change
If you know where to look you will see how climate change is affecting NY's plants + animals
January 27, 2017
Canada: Ikea Buys Wind Fam
Swedish retail giant Ikea buys its second wind farm in Canada
Chile: Google Meets Sun
Google plugs into South America's largest solar power
Tweet Of the Week
"A thermometer isn't democrat or republican. It won't give you a different number depending on how you vote" Katharine Hayhoe
Bank's Ask And Tell On Climate
Asset manager, State Street Bank, asks corporate boards to disclose more information on what's being done to protect their businesses from climate change impacts
Posting Accurate Information Is The Law
Get to know the Information Quality Act, it requires that information posted on government websites like the EPA's must be accurate + unbiased
DT's Eco-Cide Reach
What could Trump do to upend environmental protections + how long would it take?
Benchmark. Assistance.
The NYC Benchmarking Help Center is a free one stop shop supporting building owners benchmark their energy/water use https://t.co/o3X6VDLxoG pic.twitter.com/gExV4cxCjF
— Stacy Lee (@swaystay) January 27, 2017
Benchmark.Trump.
Using NYC building benchmarking data, how do Trump properties stack up?
January 26, 2017
Turkey: Solar Update
While Turkey now has 833 MW of solar power, much of it is unlicensed
What's Old Is New Again
For the first time in millions of years the atmospheric concentration of CO2 breaches a critical threshold -- here's why it matters
Politics Not Following The Money, Yet
While wind + solar power have become the cheapest electric energy sources, most politics + regulations have yet to adjust accordingly
Scientists Riled About DT Administration
It's not just climate scientists who are alarmed by DT administration moves
Meteorology's Public Trust
Why 21th century meteorologists have different responsibilities than 20th century weather people
Resilient Building Now
A new residential tower near the East River is designed to keep the lights on + refrigerators humming even when the water rises
Wind Power To The States
The Danish energy minister is coming to the US to meet with state officials about wind power opportuntiies
January 25, 2017
Ugly Facts
We know what the country looks like without the EPA: Filthy. https://t.co/BGd6142E9w
— EDF (@EnvDefenseFund) January 25, 2017
Benchmarking Buy-In
Building energy benchmarking programs surge in cities around the nation, props to the City Energy Project
EPA Climate Web Page
Science At Work: The Temperature Rise Start Line
Determining how close the planet is to crossing a climate-changing increase in temperature depends on where measurements start
Linking Nuke And Climate Sciences
How arguments about nuclear weapons shaped the climate change debate
Go Green: Luxury Fashion's New Fashion
Is sustainability here to stay for luxury fashion labels?
January 24, 2017
Science 101: Public Facts
Explaining public facts, why they're so important + the role of the scientific method in establishing them
NY Loses REV-Czarina
Audrey Zibelman, the power driving NY's bold REV energy policy, steps down from the Public Service Commission + heads for Australia
Democrats' Offer Infrastructure Vision
Power grid modernization + urban transportation upgrades are part of a $1T infrastructure proposal drafted by Senate Democrats
Tips For US States From Australian States
What happened to Australian states' energy policies when confronted with a fossil fuel-friendly federal government?
EPA: Fossils Move In
The EPA transition team is dominated by men from the fossil fuel industry
Paris: Piloting Auto-Pilot Minibus
2 driverless, electric-powered minibuses being piloted on the streets of Paris
UK: Where The Wind Is Cheap
UK offshore wind will become the cheapest large-scale energy thanks to +efficient turbines & competitive auctions https://t.co/AGu8Z5YjY4 pic.twitter.com/lknVT5cjg3
— BloombergNEF (@BloombergNEF) January 24, 2017
January 23, 2017
Higher Math: Solar Trade Tariffs
Calculating the winners + losers of higher US tariffs on Chinese solar panels is complicated
Australia: The Trump Effect
The Australian government flirts with axing its renewable energy target, if the US exits the Paris climate accord
Freezing Out Energy Efficiency
The freeze on federal rule-making puts the fate of near-final standards for reducing energy use, while cutting both consumer bills + GHGs at risk
Administrations Come And Go...
Community Solar v PSC
Why are NY community solar activists challenging a Public Service Commission proposal?
Scotland: Let's Decarbonize
Industry leaders urge the Scottish government to decarbonize the energy system
Cities: Where The Future Happens First
Regarding climate action, the Mayor of Paris writes, "If we cannot rely on the leadership of nations in these crucial four years, then mayors, chief executives, scientists, entrepreneurs + citizens will bear the burden instead. The consequences of failure are too dire and the opportunities for us to succeed are simply too great."
Now More Than Ever
Don't let the DT administration disrupt the climate action campaign, urges Bill McKibben
January 20, 2017
NY To Obama: Thanks For The Legacy
Obama's environmental legacy will benefit New Yorkers for year to come
44th Presidential Archive
Nothing ever vanishes from the web, including President Obama's homepage
Follow The Carbon
Track federal climate deregulation starting January 20, 2016
The 45th President
RIP https://t.co/wiKFuzfiUY climate webpage. pic.twitter.com/vFillaahof
— Amy Harder (@AmyAHarder) January 20, 2017
Trouble In Mind
What federal climate + energy policies top Trump's roll-back list?
The Power Supply Coming Your Way
There's a revolution happening in what electric power utilities + consumers can be doing, let's discuss it
January 19, 2017
Make America Wait Again
Keep the US in the Fossil Fuel Age is the new Administration's climate mission
Old Swamp And NYC's Future
The historic record preserved in a Bronx marsh carries a dire warning for NYC about rising sea level disruptions ahead
The Big Climate Tech Question
Is carbon capture the killer app for slowing down climate disruption?
GOP Govs Renew On Renewable Energy
Here's how job growth in renewable energy can trump GOP political ideology
I'll Have What They're Having
Cities must lead the way in the fight against climate change. We’re proud to support these US mayors ready to get to work. #Cities4Climate pic.twitter.com/uwa6TLMVTU
— Compact of Mayors (@CompactofMayors) January 18, 2017
Pruitt v EPA Track Record
Nominated to run the EPA, Scott Pruitt underestimates the proven power of the agency
January 18, 2017
Lose Your Blues/Go Green In Chicago
The best way to save energy in #Chicago housing: target pre-war multifamily buildings https://t.co/vhgQnrgqQU via @crainschicago
— Kate Zerrenner (@KateZerrenner) January 18, 2017
Obama's $500M Climate Farewell
President Obama deposits $500 million into the UN Green Climate Fund
China: The Perfect Green Bond Storm
What explains China's surging entry into the green bond market?
One Hull Of A City
Renewable energy art installation "The Blade" comes to Yorkshire's coastal city, Hull
Get Up To Date With Data
Dive into the global warming data behind the headlines, courtesy of Berkeley Earth
UK US: Work That Special Relationship
Scientists urge UK leader to use her nation's 'special relationship' with the US to change Trump's anti-climate action stance
3 Years Of Setting Heat Records
The evidence is in, 2016 was the third straight year of Earth hitting record high temperatures
January 17, 2017
Big Geothermal Plans in California
Producing electricity from underground heat isn't new in California, but this proposed development would be the biggest by far + would produce high-value minerals too
Sydney: Hotter Than Heck
Sydney sweats through hottest January night ever https://t.co/3efK7bdhoC #heatwave #Sydney chart: BOM pic.twitter.com/BJK4hnsJLR
— ABC News Sydney (@abcnewsSydney) January 14, 2017
SOS
Save Our Science at Senate hearings on EPA nominee Pruitt
China: Don't Drop Out Donald
Chinese Prime Minister Xi warns in-coming President Trump not to quit the Paris climate accord
NY: Climate Activist
Governor Cuomo keeps up climate + energy momentum for NY in his State-of-the-State speeches
India: Exceeding Solar Goals
India's 2022 solar goal of 100 gigawatts could be a goal to to beat according to the Power Minister
Saudi Arabia: Big Bucks For Renewables
With a $30-50 billion target, Saudi Arabia seeks bids for a big push into renewable energy
January 12, 2017
NYCHA's Got New Design Guidelines
80-year old NYCHA, the nation's largest public housing agency, releases new guidelines that mix the realistic with the aspirational
2016: Down Year For Global Clean Energy Investments
With China first on the down ramp global investments dropped in 2016 from record high of $348.5 billion in 2015 to $287.5 billion, but a closer look reveals some important gains
Tillerson's Climate Testimony
While ex-Exxon CEO Tillerson acknowledged there was something to climate change at his Senate confirmation hearings, as Secretary of State, what will he do about it?
Help Wanted: Digital Director
The Yale Program on Climate Change Communications seeks its first digital director to develop an online strategy and grow its audience. TO APPLY: Send a cover letter and a CV/resume to climatechange@yale.edu with the subject heading “YPCCC Digital Director Position.” Members of under-represented groups are particularly encouraged to apply
January 11, 2017
US Wind Power Update
What's driving the growth of wind power in the 10 biggest production states?
World Economic Forum Warning
If nuclear war is the biggest threat to the global economy, what's the next biggest?
2nd Avenue Subway - A Teachable Moment Century
NYC needs more subways, a Crain's NY editorial hopes NY will learn from the Second Avenue subway to build more, better lines now
Citites Unite To Buy EV's
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle + Portland, OR may pool their market power to buy 24,000 electric vehicles, what about your city?
Watch Out For Waste Motor Oil
Waste motor oil mixed with heating oil in NYC can be a health threat, even if it's not illegal
Free Environmental Education
The Brooklyn Bridge Park has a free Environmental Education Center, stop by
Hail To The Chief
President Obama reflects on facing the challenge of climate change + our ability to change in his farewell address
January 10, 2017
China: Not Ready Yet For Climate Prime-Time
NOT LEADING YET: China Wants to Be a #ClimateChange Watchdog, but Can’t Yet Lead by Example https://t.co/GBe8dsVxPD via @nytimes @arikring pic.twitter.com/yC8zCvh21c
— Allan Margolin (@AllanMargolin) January 10, 2017
Obama Does Science
Obama makes the case for his clean energy legacy in the scholarly journal Science
The Nightmare "P" Word
How could federal preemption be used to zap progressive state + local climate friendly laws?
Vertical Farming Takes Root
Huge Job Creation Engine
The US energy efficiency industry has already created 1.9 million new jobs + strong job growth projected for 2017
January 09, 2017
Cleaner Sewers Mean A Lot
Cooking grease clogs NYC sewers, so converting the grease to bio-fuel is a plus, but so is a $6B sewer system upgrade
Paris: Go Walk About
Restricting traffic + expanding pedestrian zones are being planned by Paris Mayor Hidalgo
Start Your (Green) Engines
If states, cities + businesses must become climate leaders under the incoming Administration, let's start a competition for the best
Toronto: Easy Energy Efficiency Loans
$5.4 million in energy efficiency loans for home-owners has been making Toronto more sustainable since 2014
Alarms Are Sounding - In One Nifty Chart
My new post: All the risks of climate change, in a single graph https://t.co/R11XGEEgdi
— David Roberts (@drvox) January 9, 2017
Look Deeper Into Tillerson
The media's been myopic in focusing only on Secretary of State nominee Tillerson's Russian ties
2nd Avenue Subway's Not Enough
21st century urban infrastructure projects can't end with the 2nd Avenue subway, here are some strategic suggestions
Fixing Methane Leaks
New technology advances will be deployed by the largest natural gas utility distributor in the northeast to detect + fix methane leaks
January 07, 2017
Hacking the Power Grid
Here's a cyber-security threat warning the incoming administration can't afford to ignore
Pier Progress
See what's coming at the Piers 26 + 40 make-overs in Hudson River Park
Science At Work: Risk of Atlantic Current Collapse
What is the AMOC + why are two new studies about its climate vulnerability important?
January 06, 2017
London: Maxes Out Yearly Air Polluting
Just 5 days into the New Year, London hits an annual air pollution limit
Growing Sustainable Tourism
Let There Be Light Indoors
☀ Let there be light!☀ One of our greatest tools for designing buildings for healthy living is natural light. https://t.co/UWr9VzzTyl pic.twitter.com/t71z5SJMMT
— NYC DDC (@NYCDDC) January 6, 2017
The Future Of Climate Disclosure At The SEC
in 2010, the SEC began guiding corporations to publicly disclose certain information about climate risks facing investors, what will Trump's SEC nominee, Jay Clayton, do?
Build A Better Climate Narrative
If public awareness + attitudes about climate chaos matter more than ever, become a better 'storyteller' now
Trump's Climate Tweets
China Chic: Air Filters And Face Masks
As unbreatheable air becomes a new seasonal normal in China, how are people coping?
Costa Rica: Where The Oil Goes
Costa Rica's soaring renewable energy use for its electricity cannot hide its growing fossil fuel use for cars + trucks
Fueled By Kochs
Fueling the U.S. Forward is a Koch Brothers-funded tool for targeting minority groups with a pro-fossil fuel message
January 05, 2017
Energy Democracy
A thought experiment to radically rethink today's energy utility business models
Maryland's Renewables Retreat
Calling solar + wind power 'expensive', the Governor of Maryland lays out his environmental agenda
Bright Ideas For LEDs
A guide for the perplexed about choosing the right LED lightbulbs
Climate News Roundup
The good, the bad + worse of last year's climate news, on to 2017
19th Century Pizza
Oysters were the pizza of 19th Century NYC, if water pollution ends in the 21st, could happen again
January 04, 2017
Impacts Of A President's Science Policy
Don't know if the incoming POTUS thinks science policy matters, but here are some facts about how it affects the economy
Ohio Gov To The Rescue
John Kasich, Ohio's Republican governor, did something very good for renewable energy in the face of stiff opposition
Pretty Pictures, Ugly Trends
National Geographic asked photographers to show the impact of #climatechange. Here’s what they shot https://t.co/JNUnV9ggzF via @NatGeo pic.twitter.com/9BJsZ4GHJl
— World Bank Energy (@WBG_Energy) January 4, 2017
Why Washington's Climate Policies Matter
Enough with the optimism about what state + local climate action can accomplish without federal muscle
Enviro Journalist Tips
Look for the best climate + energy news at the local + state levels now
January 03, 2017
Imagine And Act
Positive perspective on low carbon future : https://t.co/Jd5lF7rGsm#climate @CeresNews @CalPERS @scottmstringer @CalSTRS
— Anne Stausboll (@AnneStausboll) January 3, 2017
Resiliency Reveille
Wake up to the latest or what US cities, large + small, are doing to raise their climate resilience
What Passes For Good News Now
2017 will likely get the “not-as-hot-as-last-year” award - https://t.co/dpjU1rdG3Y
— Robert D. Bullard (@DrBobBullard) January 3, 2017
The New Climate Capitals
From Albany to Sacramento, expect states to pick up the climate + clean energy momentum that will be lost in Washington
Solar Trends
Solar power's becoming the cheapest power source on the planet, expect trend to accelerate
Getting Real About Energy Efficiency
Hawaii takes bold steps to advance energy efficiency, how about your state?
India: Key To Climate's Future
What makes India the nation where the global battle against climate disruption will be won or lost?
The End Is Near For Renewables, Not
Limits to federal power could limit Trump's ability to stop the rising renewable energy movement, but slowing it down would a huge climate change problem