By Mridul Chadha •
December 6, 2009
During the run up to the Copenhagen climate change conference the blogosphere had been brimming with pro-climate deal news with several countries announcing carbon reduction measures and record size green energy power projects being announced almost every week. The climate change skeptics had taken a backseat, so to say. But after the climategate incident the argument between the skeptics and believers got ignited once again. The stakes are high this time as representatives from about 190 countries meet in Copenhagen to discuss new climate treaty.
But one does not need to believe in climate change to support the potential climate deal which is scheduled to replace the Kyoto Protocol after 2012. The climate deal means much more than just carbon cuts, carbon trading and adaptation fund. A scientifically sound climate deal would bring many other positive changes for the environment, economy and the society.
You may have gotten your fill of the phrase “energy independence” with last year’s election: both parties and presidential candidates touted the idea repeatedly. It’s a compelling concept… it’s also contentious. For some, energy independence means harvesting solar, wind, and geothermal power; for others, it’s the motivation behind “Drill, baby, drill!” Either way, it’s a challenging goal at the national level.
At the local level, though, energy independence may be realistic… and numerous communities around the United States are exploring available renewable resources, and the technology necessary to harness them. Here’s just a handful of towns creating models for clean energy production… and good old fashioned self-reliance.
By SolveClimate •
June 19, 2009
By Leslie Berliant
Originally published on June 17, 2009, at SolveClimate
By the middle of next year, the nine campuses that make up the nation’s largest community college system plan to be completely energy self-sufficient.
It’s a huge step, and it will begin saving money immediately.
The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) started down this path in 2001, the year voters approved the first part of $5.7 billion in bond funding to renovate the campuses.
The LACCD Board of Trustees was thinking about much-needed modernization work and its first new construction in 35 years, but it was also thinking ahead. It passed a sustainable building policy mandating that all new buildings that use 50% or more of bond funding be LEED certified. The board had previously developed a renewable energy plan that aimed for a minimum 10% renewable energy standard.
At the time, the trustees were afraid that anything beyond that would be too costly, says Larry Eisenberg, executive director of Facilities, Planning and Development for the LACCD.
The system’s chancellor and the implementation team saw greater potential, though.
Achieving a goal of 100 percent energy independence is a little closer for San Jose thanks to a momentous move by the City Council today. The City Council authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop potential lease terms and guidelines for developing an organics-to energy bio-gas facility.
By Stephen Boles •
March 14, 2009
Global warming and climate change are becoming harder topics to sell to the American people. Climate change proponents shouldn’t give up their fight - but it is time for them to change their tune.
By Timothy B. Hurst •
February 24, 2009
In Washington, D.C. today, governors from the 23 states that make up the Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition released a report outlining the benefits of wind energy for their states and the country.
By Mridul Chadha •
February 15, 2009
Saudi oil minister feels that renewable energy systems are not yet ready to replace the fossil fuels and that our “overly optimistic expectations” from renewable energy sources could lead to a “nightmare scenario” in the energy sector.
By Sean Daily •
January 29, 2009
GreenTalk Radio host Sean Daily talks with Jules Dervaes of Path to Freedom. Path to Freedom is a grassroots, family operated, viable urban homesteading project established to promote a simpler and more fulfilling lifestyle and reduce one family’s “footprint” on the [...]
By Jennifer Kho •
January 28, 2009
The Clean-Tech Investor Summit is over and the participants have gone home, taking with them impressions about the current state of affairs and forecasts for the year ahead.
Arguably the most memorable speech was one by T. Boone Pickens, oil-magnate-turned-clean-energy advocate, on Wednesday. In a speech peppered with anecdotes about politicians and Pickens’ trademark frankness, he called for the audience to press the Obama administration – as well as their state and local lawmakers – to take real steps toward more energy independence.
By Timothy B. Hurst •
January 19, 2009
There will be many firsts at Tuesday’s Presidential Inauguration, but mentioning the environment in the inaugural address will not be one of them: though pretty darn close.
By Timothy B. Hurst •
December 29, 2008
Campaign politics dominated the headlines in 2008, making it a banner year for the armchair pundit. 2008 was also a year that issues like energy use, climate change and carbon footprints came to the forefront of popular culture and political reality. Put all of that together and you have 2008’s top environmental politics stories.
