Help Wanted: Sr. Leader, Smart Grid Innovation
NYSERDA seeking a senior professional to lead smart grid innovation initiatives in New York State, as a critical member of the state's “Reforming the Energy Vision” [REV] team
April 28, 2017
The L-Ternative Contest
Contest winning proposals for moving between Brooklyn + Manhattan during the L train shutdown
2017: Climate-Worrisome Trends
It's just three months of data but its not encouraging data from a climate trend view
Rating 45's First 100 Environmental Days
"Lazy + plutocratic" writes Dave Roberts
Make The Sun Rise Faster In NYC
Ideas for speeding up NYC's solar power capacity, since it's just .84% of the total today
Adventures In New Tech: Molten Silicon
Can an Australian energy start-up replace conventional storage batteries with molten silicon tech?
Big, Bigger, Biggest Trasnportation Boom
April 27, 2017
Track US-China Solar Trade Dispute
What could be the consequences of petitioning the US over the import of low-cost Chinese solar panels?
Edinburgh: Now And Forever
And another pic.twitter.com/COMajA8ZoB
— Michael Gerrard (@MichaelGerrard) April 27, 2017
Learning From Benchmarking
The wealth of data coming from NYC's building energy benchmarking law reveals a lot, community district-by-community district
April 26, 2017
Different Kind of Rx For Climate Change
Just like the bail out of banks during the Great Recession of 2008 saved the financial system, a federal buy out of fossil fuel firms could save the planet
Green Urban Transport Leaders
What are Oslo, London + Amsterdam doing to become the stars of carbon-cutting transport efforts?
People Love Parks, But
Despite all the benefits of urban parks, they're not getting the sustainability planning + support they need to thrive
Flatlining Hurts
What are utilities doing to keep their profits up in the face of persistent flat electricity demand?
The Opposiste Of Energy Stars...
State Carbon Tax Prospects
The Carbon Tax Center analyzes prospects for enacting carbon taxes, state-by-state
April 25, 2017
The Climate In Washington
Washington State climate politics + policy according to Governor Inslee
The Arctic Now
Enormous changes underway in the Arctic will have global impacts
Defending Reality
Sane people for reality-based realism.
— Alex Steffen (@AlexSteffen) April 25, 2017
(I would join that group.)
[ @NaomiOreskes ] pic.twitter.com/a6AXZ7QLJm
An Immodest Streetcar Proposal
Plug the funding gap for the Brooklyn/Queens streetcar by selling Brooklyn Navy Yard development rights, writes Crain's editor
Global: Extreme Weather Forcing
How climate disruption is amplifying extreme weather events around the world
Market Forces Fatal To Coal
Calculating the market forces that are putting the big squeeze on the US coal industry
Where The Jobs Are
Want a job in the energy industry? Seek solar not coal
See Sea Level Rise Near You
April 24, 2017
Wade Into The Data Weeds
Indian emissions growth strong, on the back of strong GDP growth & little change in energy/carbon intensityhttps://t.co/FSkz96JKfs pic.twitter.com/Kg4LyFar7c
— Glen Peters (@Peters_Glen) April 23, 2017
Quote Of The Day
“Attempting to revive coal or nuclear is like defibrillating a corpse: it will jump but it won’t revive." Amory Lovins
India And China: City Biking
Bike sharing programs in Chinese + Indian cities is on the rise, cutting congestion, improving the air
EU: Carbon Tolls
Cars + trucks on European highways would pay a carbon toll under a potential EU rule
Old Kodak For New Solar
Old Kodak film-making machinery gets a new life to make cutting-edge solar power cells using a mineral discovered in the 19th Century
Don't Mourn - Organize Now
At the local government , community + corporate levels, citizen organizing to achieve climate action can have fast results
Bloomberg: Trump-Proofing The Climate
US cities, citizens + market forces will be the key to successful climate action, regardless of the US President, declares Michael Bloomberg
Climate Friendly Pension Funds
NYC Comptroller Stringer launches a search for pension fund investment managers with low carbon + sustainability expertise
Utility Says No To EV Rechargers
The Missouri Public Service Commission won't allow a utility to install EV recharging stations, calls it a free market job
April 21, 2017
Bill McKibben Nails It
Savaging Science
"Trump's so-called skinny budget calls for large budget cuts at the EPA, including a 31 percent reduction agencywide that will slash staff by 25 percent and eliminate 56 programs. Many science programs are on the chopping block. The proposal would halve the budget for the EPA ORD, 'whose leading-edge research helps provide the solid underpinning of science and technology for the Agency.' Funding for the EPA's STAR grants could disappear, eliminating critical funding for academic research on water quality, air pollution, and other priorities. Former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy warns that President Trump is 'not just going after the climate science in the agency, but going after the scientists... that do fundamental air and water and land work.'" Source: American Progress
Citibike Lessons From Bed-Stuy
What's ramping up Citibike growth in Bedford-Stuyvesant?
Build It Right
Green Trends in Home Building - Zillow Porchlight https://t.co/A65Y1beEac
— Naomi Oreskes (@NaomiOreskes) April 21, 2017
Holland: Court Orders Shell-Exxon Criminal Probe
A Dutch court investigation will look into whether Shell-Exxon is criminally responsible for earthquakes in the country's gas-extraction fields
Continuous Improvement Needed
Getting to scale on building energy performance means learning from case studies
Pathways To Energy Efficiency Success
Proposals to improve energy efficiency in affordable, multi-family housing by modifying current regulations (Summary)
April 20, 2017
Seattle: Wind To Power Rails
A Seattle transit agency will buy wind power to help runs its rail system
Forget About It
Carbon emissions credit schemes won't get nations to their Paris Climate Accord goals
Do Inhale
NYC air pollution levels hit a record low
Natural Gas - Top US Electric Power Source
Up-to-the-minute overview of US electric power generation capacity with natural gas on top
Rather Be In Philadelphia
Super-scary scenario for climate dislocations facing Florida coast home owners
Solar Power Trends: Cheers/Not-Yets
Global energy expert Michael Liebreich points out happening and not-yet-happening solar energy trends
Hot Graph
NASA data: this March was globally the second hottest March on record (after last year). The graph shows 12-months running mean incl March. pic.twitter.com/VptjB2coZx
— Stefan Rahmstorf (@rahmstorf) April 20, 2017
April 19, 2017
Scotland: Wind Powers Affordable Housing
A Scottish wind energy project will sell energy, with income to deliver new homes in a low-wage rural community
The New Normalizing
Welcome to the unnatural world @jmooallem https://t.co/AeqVwqVH1h Where the uncanny becomes quotidian
— David Biello (@dbiello) April 19, 2017
Changing Minds On Climate Change
Top four reasons people cite for switching from climate doubters to human-linked climate change believers
Hello Wyoming
Inland states like Wyoming are unprepared for a possible flood of coastal residents fleeing from the impact of climate disuptions
We The People
Siting Renewables In The Northeast
Four proposals for getting to yes on local approvals to site renewable energy installations
Negotiating 101: Don't Be The 1st To Compromise
Since no GOP elected's show signs of supporting a carbon tax, no supporters should start with things they'd negotiate away
April 18, 2017
The Flip Side Of Climate Risk
Stay Or Go
The likely consequences of a Trump decision to stick with the Paris Climate Accord or to bail
Climate Positive Architecture
The AIA's 8 climate change principles for architects + policy makers
Economic Health Needs Earth Science
Consider the links between our economic vitality + data-rich earth sciences
Save New Orleans From Sinking
A new business incubator wants to help New Orleans gain flood resiliency in the face of rising climate disruptions
Earth Day Is Car Free Day
Celebrate Earth Day 2017 with your feet on car-free NYC streets
Reading, Writing And Lead
What's up with high lead levels detected in drinking water at some NYC schools?
April 14, 2017
London: The EV Hack
London's iconic diesel-burning cabs will start going electric in 2018
Looking Behind The Anti-Science Tag
Blowing Smoke
Heartland's Attacks On Climate Science Fail 2 Form Coherent Narrative | But that's the point; aim is 2 confuse https://t.co/EFtDSliaPM
— Naomi Oreskes (@NaomiOreskes) April 14, 2017
Germany: Market Price For Wind
A new offshore German wind power project will get developed without government subsidies
April 13, 2017
Help Wanted: Outreach Specialist
Are you an independent, creative organizer? Join the movement to promote the role of science in government decision-making on critical public health, environmental + public safety issues+ help make federal government science and scientists more resilient to political pressure The Union of Concerned Scientists seeks to fill a temporary (18 month) position as an Outreach Specialist in its Washington DC office
Boston: Design For Living With Water
In the face of sea level rise, Boston's got a resiliency plan custom-designed for waterfront city
South-East Wind Power
Does the new Amazon wind farm in North Carolina signal a shift in regional electric power supplies?
Trump's First Earth Day
How the disorganized Trump Administration can be so methodical when it comes to attacking the environment
Blowing Our Way
Prospects for a job-growing offshore wind industry to thrive in the USA
April 12, 2017
Shanghai: Eco-Slacker
China's Ministry of Environmental Protection faults Shanghai for its lax environmental enforcement
Energy Storage Bill On Gov's Desk
The Governor of Maryland has the chance to sign a law establishing a 30% tax credit for energy storage systems
Don't Inhale
A federal appeals court grants EPA's request to "delay" a case about Obama-Era smog control rules
BASIC Bloc Seeks US Climate Clarity
Brazil, South Africa, India + China press for US/advanced industrial nations action on climate funding promises
Follow The Transit Money
MTA gets $65 million haircut, with funds shifted to emergency repairs instead of adding overall mass transit support in NY's new budget
G-7: US Creates Carbon Tension
The US President leans on other G-7 nations to burn more fossil fuels, they refuse
Learning How To Teach Sustainability
An experienced Arizona State University professor shares what he's learned about how to teach sustainability + help students become effective professionals
Obama's Climate Legacy
Niskanen Center lead lawyer gives a C+ to the Obama Administration's climate action accomplishments
April 11, 2017
Germany: Drone Power
Eon, a big German utility, will pilot a project to generate wind power from tethered airborne devices
Good News From Last Year
Here's why carbon emissions from US power plants fell 1.7% in 2016
Richard Florida: Urban Optimist Reconsiders
Have persistent inequalities + the Trump election changed the views of urban booster Richard Florida?
VT: Put A Price On It
Using a new message, Vermont Democrats start another carbon pricing campaign
Mind The Data Gap
Proposed NASA budget cuts would harm climate science by opening gaps in long-term data trends
Avert Mass Transit Collapse
Just as mass transit is essential to the NY-NJ metro area, adequate + timely federal funding is essential to keep it going
April 10, 2017
94 Year Old Invents A Battery Breakthrough
Cost + life cycle problems with energy storage batteries are solved by a team of inventors led by a 94-year old
Finding Green In NY Budget
Tally up the environmental wins + losses in the just-passed New York State budget
Australia: Design Right, Do Away With AC
Even in hot Australia, an apartment that needs air-conditioning, is a badly-designed apartment
Mind The Gap
Proposed EPA budget cuts will hurt some states more than others, but will hurt everyone when it comes to scientific research + controlling multi-state toxic pollution
POTUS Climate Stance In 3 Words
Brexit: Backsliding On Climate
For England, Brexit is not just breaking up with the EU, it's also a break with its own climate action policy
Global Rise Of Renewables
Levels of renewable power capacity, fueled by falling prices, set records in 2016
Federal Court Climate Decision on Tap
A ruling on the challenge the Clean Power Plan by the federal appeals court in Washington, DC, expected soon
NYC Comptroller Challenges Utility
As power supplier NRG appears to be backing off from its commitments to renewable energy, NYC Comptroller Stringer raises shareholder questions
April 07, 2017
All-Renewables: Fact or Fantasy
Optimist or pessimist, read up on the latest thinking about the feasibility of reaching a 100% renewable electricity goal
The Great Tree Giveaway
Catch The Early Ferry
A new ferry service serving Astoria, Roosevelt Island, Long Island City + midtown/lower Manhattan will launch ahead of schedule
Montreal: Growing Green Canopy
By 2025 #Montreal will have covered 25% of the city with 300,000 trees! #Cities4Air #Cities4Climate pic.twitter.com/6fNlwJQvlE
— C40 Cities (@c40cities) April 6, 2017
Energy Use Ticks Up, Coal Slumps, Renewables Rise
The EIA reports overall US energy use in 2016 up slightly, with coal consumption down 9% + renewables showing the greatest gain
Growing: China, Cities, Economy...
China/US Trade Rx
Given the carbon intensity of China's economy, a US carbon border adjustment tax could accomplish several things at once, according to this Op-Ed
April 06, 2017
Certifying Smart Cities
Bloomberg Philanthropies announces a smart city certification program, with scoring based on how cities use performance management, open data + evidence-based contracting to improve how their function
Price Plunges Lift Renewables
Cost counts, the steep fall in the price of renewable energy's starting to shake up the status quo
Expect Some Unexpecteds
What might happen to climate policy in the Trump Era that would be a big surprise?
The New Energy Storage Chemistry Set
Salt, silicon or graphite could be the next big thing in energy storage batteries
Ye Olde El
A final elevated train on Ninth Avenue gleams in the sun https://t.co/IcxT3JSR6u pic.twitter.com/jzCaTBLxWB
— Ephemeral New York (@EphemeralNY) April 6, 2017
Market Education
You don't need an MBA to understand what financial markets can teach us about managing climate risk
Plug In The Plane/Fasten Your Seatbelt
Boeing + Jet Blue invest in a start up with plans to launch a fleet of electric-powered planes
April 05, 2017
UN Energy Lessons
Would more energy have been saved if the UN headquarters had been demolished + built anew rather than retrofitted?
The Long-Term Impact Of Today's Transit Plans
Los Angeles + Philadelphia officials grapple with powering choices for tomorrow's urban mass transit
No Denying This
Yes, climate change is a national security issue https://t.co/ohpJCjecHJ pic.twitter.com/mmzJNkqBDt
— BulletinOfTheAtomic (@BulletinAtomic) April 5, 2017
Making The Corporate Sustainabilty Office Matter
What's the most effective way to make the most of a corporate sustainability officer?
"Anthracite Fields"
An oratorio about coal miners performed in a one-time epicenter of coal-mining
April 04, 2017
Why Trump Enviro Executive Order Won't Work
The environment won't benefit from the US President's recent climate inaction Executive Order, but transitioning to a low carbon economy is happening anyway, led by China
Think Of The Opportunities
From 2016 to 2050, over US $1 trillion investment is required across all @C40cities to meet the ambition of the #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/C0sfkZ4Kcq
— C40 Cities (@c40cities) April 4, 2017
Renewable Energy: - Not If...
...but how + when to get to 100% renewable energy, an intro to these controversies
Getting From A To B Without The L
Good news, planned L train shutdown time shortened. Bad news, no alternative transit plans yet
Lessons For Building Learned From Sandy
Passive design for surviving future climate shocks is part of new construction in a West Chelsea flood zone area
Guess What's Bigger Than Ford
Tesla's stock market value, $48.7 billion, is higher than Ford Motors now
Dubai: The Big Shrink
By 2050, Dubai aims to have the smallest urban eco-footprint on Earth, what's the plan?
April 03, 2017
As My Grandma Would Have Said - Feh
If Trump gets his way, the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency + Renewable Energy will lose 25% of its funding
More Than Climate's Endangered
Science and the rule of law are jeopardized by the way Trump wages war on climate action
NY Metro Transit Funding News
The US President's mass transit budget is grim news for NY-metro area projects
From The Mayberry Ministry Of Truth
Talking points by US President on clean air + energy
Weekend Recap
Tuned out for two days? Here's the climate + energy news you missed
April 01, 2017
Black Lives Should Matter More...
Tweaking PACE
With the popularity of PACE energy financing, the need for certain lending standards + consumer protection come into focus