Think Concretely
The ubiquity of concrete will never seem OK again
February 28, 2019
Local Competition In Store For Tesla
Stony Brook University's energy incubator is home to a battery start-up firm that could vie with the Tesla Powerwall
Clean Energy's Urban Innovators
Plug into forward-thinking ways 4 cities are transitioning to clean energy futures
Steam Heat: Q And A
If steam heat is a hot topic for you, keep reading
Updating Dylan
"Come all you investors who believed Exxon’s claims,
And admit you were wrong, even Wales is in flames.
Remember you said, “Surely there will be gains?”
Now there’s no limit to the blamin’
What a shame that the old folk didn’t use their brains,
For the climate is a-changin’."
Tip o the hat to @henrymance over at the Financial Times
Help Wanted: NYC Resiliency Fellowship
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Our 2019 Forefront Fellowship will partner with the NYC Mayor's Office of Resiliency to explore how urban design can confront the climate risks facing vulnerable neighborhoods in New York City. Applications are due April 17th. https://t.co/C68CFxoeHD pic.twitter.com/OaKzBVLZGI
— Urban Design Forum (@UDFNYC) February 27, 2019
A Growing Divide On Climate Science: Trump vs. The Rest Of The World
This may not be news but it bears repeating
February 27, 2019
England: Burning Hot
February's record heat + wildfires shock England
Senate Dems Rally Round The Climate
It's not the Green New Deal but all 47 Senate Democrats will offer a resolution calling for immediate action on climate change
Making Energy Efficiency Affordable And Accessible
With funds borrowed from the federal government, local utilities make energy improvements to affordable housing, with on-bill repayments that ensure customers' bills will be lower than pre-upgrade
February 26, 2019
Demonstrating Support For Congestion Pricing
On the heels of our @NYCEJAlliance rally yesterday, @NYGovCuomo & @NYCMayor announce historic plan to #FixtheSubway & support congestion pricing! Advocates say congestion pricing vital 4 most vulnerable NY’ers - New York Daily News https://t.co/VqSZ967oJS
— Eddie Bautista (@eddiebautista08) February 26, 2019
Where Electrification Makes Sense
Which 34 nations that are low-middle income or deemed emerging markets are good candidates for electrifying their overall energy supplies?
Sea Level Rising From A To A
It's not just dramatic storms,, its the drip, drip drip of sea level rise that threaten east coast cities like Annapolis, MD + Atlantic City, NJ
The Science Of Climate Change: No Doubt About It
Evidence for man-made global warming hits 'gold standard': scientists https://t.co/5emP3ufzBc
— Sallan Foundation (@Sallan_Found) February 26, 2019
February 25, 2019
It's An Ill Wind That Blows Nobody Any Good
My new @greentechmedia story: @ARPAE Commits $28 Million to Develop Advanced Floating Offshore Wind Turbines: https://t.co/lMCPRmLP8U
— Justin Gerdes (@JustinGerdes) February 25, 2019
Reinventing Transit Tech
NY has a new Transit Tech Lab, what's it doing?
Buses Could Solve NYC's Congestion Problem...
...If only New Yorkers would take them. What would it take to boost ridership?
Greening The Public Advocate Race
With a February 26 election, time to find out where Public Advocate candidates stand on environmental issues
The Future is Not Plastic
It can't be said too often -- use less plastic -- 9 suggestions
February 22, 2019
When Free Is The Problem
Is free street parking an urban right? an urban amenity? or a blight?
Making The Price Right
What's to be gained if states align electric power demand with pricing?
Science Vandalism
US national security being put in the hands of a far-out climate denier
February 21, 2019
EU: Wind Power Becalmed
While wind now provides 14% of the EU's electric power, public policy + permitting pose problems for growth
February 20, 2019
London: EV's For London Cabbies
With high demand, the Mayor of London increases funding to convert the taxi fleet to electric vehicles
Planet: Hot January
While one month of data is not proof of a trend, January 2019 was the 3rd hottest since 1880
South Africa: Big Money Weighs On Energy Policy
Dirty money corrupts the South African electricity sector
February 19, 2019
State Senate Takes Up Climate Bill
A bill mandating 100% renewable energy + climate equity gets its first NY State Senate hearing
Greening Your Cleaning
Tips for cleaning up your laundry routines
Congestion Pricing Now - Or Not
The state of play for passing a congestion pricing law in Albany this year
Why Mass Transit Ridership's Down
Lack of access + bad service + more car ownership = depressed urban mass transit ridership, can this trend be changed?
February 15, 2019
Our Environment And Our Infrastructure 1/2
Do no environmental harm + protect natural systems when upgrading infrastructure
Green's In At NY Fashion Week
Sustainable is the new sexy at #NYFW https://t.co/brKyNo0mSU via @ReutersTV pic.twitter.com/6yn5WSacNd
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) February 15, 2019
What If The US Can't Build The Infrastructure It Needs 2/2
Is the fiasco of the California high-speed rail project a sign that the US is not up to the GND promise of modernizing + greening its vital infrastructure?
China: EV Plug-In Leader
Where are all the car-charging stations? https://t.co/KVnF1Uwnam pic.twitter.com/91S0kanp2A
— Tina Davis (@tina_davis) February 14, 2019
February 14, 2019
Doing Right By Climate Front-Line Communities
Does the Green New Deal correct the environmental justice problems for climate front-line communities that undermine carbon cap + trade programs?
For Your Consideration
The Green New Deal's "everything-and-the-carbon-sink strategy is actually a feature of the approach, not a bug, + not only for reasons of ideological branding. In the 21st century, environmental policy is economic policy. Keeping the two separate isn’t a feat of intellectual discipline. It’s an anachronism." NYT, Jedediah Britton-Purdy, Op-Ed
February 13, 2019
Offshore Wind Will Energize A Green New Deal For NY
Offshore wind is a major climate asset for NY + an economic boon for NY Harbor
The Ambition Of The Green New Deal
The Green New Deal aims to transform the US economy + the Democratic Party while saving the planet, but how?
City Subways - Compare And Contrast
Riders compare about their cities' subways + with the NYC system
Climate Graphics - Fun And Participation
Charting paths to serious carbon footprint cutting
February 12, 2019
Surviving Steam Heat
Most NYC apartments use century-old heating systems, can anything be done to modernize steam heat, boost occupant comfort, save money + cut carbon footprints?
No Money For New Gas-Fired Power Plants
Los Angeles decides against spending money to rebuild 3 natural-gas burning power plants
Help Wanted: Green Infrastructure Research Scientist
The Brooklyn College, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies + University of Arizona seek an independent, responsible, scientist with a knowledge of hydrology + good people skills to assist in a green infrastructure project. To be considered for the position please send a resume and cover letter detailing your fit to the position to project PI Brianne Smith, Brianne.smith43@brooklyn.cuny.edu
February 08, 2019
Quote Of The Day
"I’ve indeed read over the Green New Deal put forward by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. On the one hand, I love the bigness of it; I can’t remember the last time I saw this kind of bold language + lofty goals in a piece of legislation. And I like that; in the same way that I admired AOC for not standing up + clapping mindlessly during the SOTU, I admire her for proposing a moon shot. But aside from needing a lot more detail, the plan will also require a lot of political wrangling. Labour, which should be one of her natural allies, won’t love the job implications of shutting down steel plants that run on fossil fuels. And she’ll need to schmooze business with the language of sustainable investment. I suspect the way to bridge the gap will be to somehow position all this within the context of competitiveness, job creation + the US-China tech/trade war. That’s a lot of string pulling to do." Rana Foroohar, Associate Editor, Financial Times
She Has A Green Dream
AOC's the best kind of dreamer + for supporters of the Green New Deal it is about reaching for the stars, an effort to reshape expectations about the scale of actions needed to address an existential crisis
Polar Vortex - Teachable Moment
The frigid weather brought by the polar vortex gives reporters a a vivid opportunity to focus on amplified climate risks like increased frequency + intensity of extreme weather events
February 07, 2019
Get More Sun On The Water
We know how to float PV installations on water, but will it catch on in the US?
Offshore Wind Closer To Japan
Tokyo Electric Power Company, Japan’s largest utility, is wooing Ørsted to its shores https://t.co/uIY8HB3Q5Q
— Greentech Media (@greentechmedia) February 7, 2019
MA Gov Urges Federal Climate Action
Charlie Baker, GOP Governor of Massachusetts, shows that the other party doesn't have to be the only one willing to stand up for climate action
Phoenix: Life After The Colorado
40% of Phoenix, Arizona's water needs are met by the Colorado River, what happens when the river's gone?
Green New Deal Now, Next Up, Organize
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez + Sen. Markey release their Green New Deal, now a "non-binding resolution" but binding legislative is the goal. Click on podcast link for AOC's interview on NPR
February 06, 2019
More Heat Means More Cooling
What is the future of air conditioning + its impacts as the world heats up? The International Energy Agency reports
14 Decades Of Global Temperatures
NASA 2018 global temperature is finally out! Never mind the little wiggles from year to year - the trend is going relentlessly up, and it will continue to do so as long as we add more CO2 to the atmosphere. Those who still live in denial of this fact are in denial of physics. pic.twitter.com/NqlYFtDr30
— Stefan Rahmstorf (@rahmstorf) February 6, 2019
GND: The Back Story
A brief history of the organizing that propels the startling rise of the Green New Deal
The 5 Warmest Years On Record...
February 05, 2019
Ain't It The Truth
Cars, cars, cars. Wanna deal with climate change? Public health? The housing crisis? The epidemic of loneliness & isolation? Deal with cars. https://t.co/Mvuea5qEI1
— David Roberts (@drvox) February 4, 2019
Help Wanted: Carbon Reduction Strategist
NYC Department of Administrative Services seeks a Carbon Reduction Strategist to do strategic planning, develop a resource toolkit, perform data analysis + more
4 Climate Actions Congress Can Take Now
Cut through the Congressional climate fog by increasing the research budget, tax support for renewables, modernizing the electric grid + aiding displaced coal industry workers
Climate Science Explained
Learn by listening to working climate scientists
February 04, 2019
Arctic: On Thin Ice
What's going on up there + how it affects the non-Arctic part of the world
NY Real Estate Influence Wanes
News reports on the beginning-of-the-end for the dominant political influence of NYC real estate may be premature, but still...
When Climate Change Hits Home
You think you get it about climate change, until you see it through your kids' eyes
I'd Rather Be In Philadelphia
First, Australia blistered with scorching heat, now Queensland is submerged in record-breaking floods
Hot Blast On NYC Apartment Heat
Why are so many NYC apartments crazy hot in winter? If this sounds familiar, don't skip the readers' comments
Serious Play
What the anti-car movement needs is to be more like sports talk radio. Our latest episode is now available. https://t.co/5hgPlELm1a pic.twitter.com/FLkYBstgRW
— The War on Cars (@TheWarOnCars) February 4, 2019
UK: The Good News
UK carbon emissions down 38% since 1990, how did that happen?
Think Globally, Green Sanitation Trucks Locally
By using methane from organic waste to fuel NYC Sanitation collection trucks, the Mayor would be doing something big to honor his climate action vows
February 01, 2019
AOC On Carbon Pricing And More
Carbon pricing + much more got covered in a conversation between Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez + Ta-Nehisi Coates. "We don’t have to compromise our values to find common ground with other people."
The Navy Wants A Wall
To keep out climate-linked floods at an historic Washington DC site, the Navy wants to build a barrier wall
No Way To Cool The Planet
Europe's murderous colonization of the Americas led to climate cooling, here's how