Green Options » Europe http://greenoptions.com/tag/europe Posts tagged 'Europe' Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:18:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en China Forgets “China-Only Wind Turbines” Policy, but Why? http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/03/china-forgets-china-only-wind-turbines-policy-but-why/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/03/china-forgets-china-only-wind-turbines-policy-but-why/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:18:02 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/03/china-forgets-china-only-wind-turbines-policy-but-why/
A couple weeks ago, I wrote about China’s new policy to focus on buying (almost entirely) “China-grown” wind turbines and wind turbine technologies with Chinese patents. That policy wasn’t a big hit internationally and China is back-tracking.

However, is it changing its stance out of international moral pressure or a major financial incentive (recent deal) in the US? And who is to benefit the most from this shift?

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/03/china-forgets-china-only-wind-turbines-policy-but-why/feed/ DESERTEC $555 Billion Renewable Energy Project Moving Forward http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/02/desertec-560-billion-renewable-energy-project-moving-forward/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/02/desertec-560-billion-renewable-energy-project-moving-forward/#comments Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:53:31 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/02/desertec-560-billion-renewable-energy-project-moving-forward/
The huge project to build a $555 billion renewable energy “belt” in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, funded largely by German companies, moved another step forward a few days ago.

The articles of association for the DESERTEC Industrial Initiative (DII) were signed by the joint venture group of 12 companies and the DESERTEC Foundation in Munich on October 30.

Additionally, a CEO for DII was appointed — Paul van Son.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/02/desertec-560-billion-renewable-energy-project-moving-forward/feed/ #6 Groningen, Netherlands: Great Bicycle City Photo Tour http://ecoworldly.com/2009/10/30/6-groningen-netherlands-great-bicycle-city-photo-tour/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/10/30/6-groningen-netherlands-great-bicycle-city-photo-tour/#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:23:27 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://ecoworldly.com/2009/10/30/6-groningen-netherlands-great-bicycle-city-photo-tour/

Groningen would be number one on this list if we were looking at percentage of residents who bicycle for transportation purposes. About 57% of travel in Groningen is by bicycle!

The city has been named the world’s best bicycle city a couple of times (1993 and 2006). It is a university city which is part of the reason why it has so many people bicycling, but it has done amazing things to make the city more bicycle friendly as well. The bicycle facilities you can see on the following pages will probably blow your mind away.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/10/30/6-groningen-netherlands-great-bicycle-city-photo-tour/feed/ China Wants China-Grown Wind Turbines, for Itself and Europe http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/17/china-wants-china-grown-wind-turbines-for-itself-and-europe/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/17/china-wants-china-grown-wind-turbines-for-itself-and-europe/#comments Sat, 17 Oct 2009 08:36:57 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/17/china-wants-china-grown-wind-turbines-for-itself-and-europe/

Big shifts seem to be stirring in the wind turbine market. Foreign companies are backing out of China due to China’s move to use more home-grown technology. At the same time, China is looking to expand its wind turbine sales into Europe.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/17/china-wants-china-grown-wind-turbines-for-itself-and-europe/feed/ $4.4 Million for WAVE Energy Project in Europe http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/08/44-million-for-wave-energy-project-in-europe/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/08/44-million-for-wave-energy-project-in-europe/#comments Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:17:40 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/08/44-million-for-wave-energy-project-in-europe/

Solar Energy. Wind Energy. Now, Wave Energy. Reminds me of Captain Planet.

A Finnish company, AW-Energy, recently signed a $4.4 million (€3 million) contract with the European Union (EU) to implement WaveRoller (wave energy) technology in Portuguese waters. This looks interesting. The location for the project is near a town deemed to be “capital of the waves.”

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/08/44-million-for-wave-energy-project-in-europe/feed/ Bikes & Trains — New Initiative for England http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/30/bikes-trains-new-initiative-for-england/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/30/bikes-trains-new-initiative-for-england/#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:13:36 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/30/bikes-trains-new-initiative-for-england/

England is working to combine two of the world’s cleanest methods of transportation through a new initiative.

A handful of strongly funded programs are geared to get more people bicycling to and from rail stations in England.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/30/bikes-trains-new-initiative-for-england/feed/ Global Collapse, Human Survival & the Planet’s Boundaries http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/24/global-collapse-human-survival-the-planets-boundaries/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/24/global-collapse-human-survival-the-planets-boundaries/#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:11:43 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/24/global-collapse-human-survival-the-planets-boundaries/

A new study by nearly 30 of the world’s best scientists concludes that we have crossed three of the world’s nine thresholds. It is not only about climate change.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/24/global-collapse-human-survival-the-planets-boundaries/feed/ Reintroducing the Iberian Lynx… on Olive Groves http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/22/reintroducing-the-iberian-lynx/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/22/reintroducing-the-iberian-lynx/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:01:44 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/22/reintroducing-the-iberian-lynx/

The Iberian lynx, at risk of extinction, may be reintroduced into the wild on low-production olive groves soon.

A study by Spanish scientists says this may be the most appropriate place for the cat.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/22/reintroducing-the-iberian-lynx/feed/ UK’s Tony Blair Finds Climate Action Will Increase Global GDP & Create Millions of Jobs http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/22/uks-tony-blair-finds-climate-action-will-increase-global-gdp-create-millions-of-jobs/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/22/uks-tony-blair-finds-climate-action-will-increase-global-gdp-create-millions-of-jobs/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:18:37 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/22/uks-tony-blair-finds-climate-action-will-increase-global-gdp-create-millions-of-jobs/

Climate Action Will Pay for Itself, and More.

The United Nations (UN) stated earlier this month that the cost of avoiding climate change was at least 1% of global GDP — $500-600 billion dollars. Despite this major cost, Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the UK, and The Climate Group, presented a report to the UN yesterday saying that a strong climate deal will “boost growth in all major economies & create millions of new jobs.”

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/22/uks-tony-blair-finds-climate-action-will-increase-global-gdp-create-millions-of-jobs/feed/ Apparently the Highest Mileage Clean Diesels Are For European Eyes Only http://gas2.org/2009/09/21/apparently-the-highest-mileage-clean-diesels-are-for-european-eyes-only/ http://gas2.org/2009/09/21/apparently-the-highest-mileage-clean-diesels-are-for-european-eyes-only/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:39:01 +0000 Nick Chambers http://gas2.org/2009/09/21/apparently-the-highest-mileage-clean-diesels-are-for-european-eyes-only/

I’ve been happy with all the recent efforts by European auto manufacturers to bring fuel-efficient diesels back to the States. From Volkswagen to Mercedes, diesels seem to be the new attempt at pleasing the US “green” crowd with classy, low-emissions fuel-sippers.

Reading that last sentence over, it seems funny to call them a “new attempt” because these high mileage diesels have been available to Europeans for a LONG time — but that’s another story.

So, while it’s debatable whether a gasoline-powered Prius at 40 mpg is more “green” than a diesel-powered Jetta at 40 mpg — it all has to do with how much of each type of fuel comes out of one barrel of oil — It’s a fact that having these new clean diesels as an option is certainly something the US has been lacking for a long time. And I appreciate having that option, I really do.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/09/21/apparently-the-highest-mileage-clean-diesels-are-for-european-eyes-only/feed/ Largest River Protection Area in Europe — in Croatia and Hungary http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/18/largest-river-protection-area-in-europe-croatia-and-hungary/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/18/largest-river-protection-area-in-europe-croatia-and-hungary/#comments Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:51:08 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/18/largest-river-protection-area-in-europe-croatia-and-hungary/

Croatia and Hungary signed an agreement yesterday to protect a major biodiversity area that crosses borders along three rivers. The agreement is being called a “Trans-Boundary UNESCO Biosphere Reserve” and has resulted in the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) awarding the two countries with a “Leaders for a Living Planet” award.

The reserve will preserve several endangered species, among other environmental jewels. There is also the possibility of the reserve expanding several times over into neighboring countries in the future.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/18/largest-river-protection-area-in-europe-croatia-and-hungary/feed/ Offshore Wind Energy Vital to the Future of Europe http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/15/offshore-wind-vital-to-the-future-of-europe/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/15/offshore-wind-vital-to-the-future-of-europe/#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:12:31 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/15/offshore-wind-vital-to-the-future-of-europe/
A new report says that offshore wind “provides the answer to Europe’s energy and climate dilemma” and will soon provide Europe with about 10% of its electricity demand.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/15/offshore-wind-vital-to-the-future-of-europe/feed/ Sarkozy Proposes Carbon Tax on Personal Consumption http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/09/10/sarkozy-proposes-carbon-tax-on-personal-consumption/ http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/09/10/sarkozy-proposes-carbon-tax-on-personal-consumption/#comments Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:17:32 +0000 Joe Walsh http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/09/10/sarkozy-proposes-carbon-tax-on-personal-consumption/ Cap-and-trade calamity? Au contraire. While the US flounders on regulating carbon, France’s Nicolas Sarkozy is pushing forward with new carbon tax legislation that will only add to France’s edge in the emerging green economy.

With heavy subsidies in place for nuclear power, France already generates 80% of its electricity from non-fossil-fueled sources. The French are also participants in the European cap-and-trade regime. That combination of support for clean technologies and downward pressure on carbon is the same that the Obama White House sees as the critical path to green energy adoption in the US. Progress has been elusive in that regard and things do not look rosy in the Senate this fall.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/09/10/sarkozy-proposes-carbon-tax-on-personal-consumption/feed/ The Future of Diesel in the US: Analysis http://gas2.org/2009/09/10/the-future-of-diesel-in-the-us-analysis/ http://gas2.org/2009/09/10/the-future-of-diesel-in-the-us-analysis/#comments Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:22:47 +0000 Popular Mechanics http://gas2.org/2009/09/10/the-future-of-diesel-in-the-us-analysis/

This post comes to you from Popular Mechanics. Written By Larry Webster.

In the U.S., gasoline and diesel are dirt cheap compared to their cost in Europe. In late August, the average U.S. price for a gallon of gas was $2.60, and a gallon of diesel cost $2.65. Both diesel and gasoline come from the same barrel of oil—since diesel is a heavier, less refined product, it has historically cost less than gasoline. However, the relative price difference in the U.S. is determined by market forces, refinery constraints and taxes. Typically, demand for gasoline is higher, and U.S. fuel taxes favor gasoline, making gas less expensive here. Federally, we tax diesel at a higher rate than we do gas—24.4 cents per gallon of diesel versus 18.4 for gas. Some states tax gas a higher rate, but on average, the diesel tax is higher (With state taxes added in, the average diesel tax is 51.4 cents per gallon, gas is 47.0). According to the Energy Information Administration, since 2004, diesel has generally cost more than gasoline in the U.S., year-round.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/09/10/the-future-of-diesel-in-the-us-analysis/feed/ Peugeot and Mitsubishi Form Electric Car Alliance http://gas2.org/2009/09/04/peugeot-and-mitsubishi-form-electric-car-alliance/ http://gas2.org/2009/09/04/peugeot-and-mitsubishi-form-electric-car-alliance/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:53:57 +0000 Nick Chambers http://gas2.org/2009/09/04/peugeot-and-mitsubishi-form-electric-car-alliance/

Peugeot has signed an agreement with Mitsubishi to begin building and marketing a new electric car in Europe based on Mitsu’s i-MiEV platform. The agreement builds upon a previous memorandum of understanding and solidifies the two companies as partners in next generation car technology.

The car is set to begin production and sale in Europe by late in 2010. Peugeot expects to sell 25,000 of the cars to the European market per year. Citroën, Peugeot’s sister company, will also sell the i-MiEV-based electric car under the Citroën brand.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/09/04/peugeot-and-mitsubishi-form-electric-car-alliance/feed/ 100 Days to Copenhagen Climate Conference Marked by Ice Sculptures in China and India http://ecoworldly.com/2009/08/29/ice-sculptures-in-china-and-india-to-mark-100-days-to-copenhagen-climate-conference/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/08/29/ice-sculptures-in-china-and-india-to-mark-100-days-to-copenhagen-climate-conference/#comments Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:06:39 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://ecoworldly.com/2009/08/29/ice-sculptures-in-china-and-india-to-mark-100-days-to-copenhagen-climate-conference/
Yesterday, marking the 100-day countdown to the world-changing climate change conference in Copenhagen, Greenpeace presented beautiful ice sculptures in China and India to “to symbolise the ‘disappearing future‘ for the 1.3 billion people in Asia at risk of water shortage as a result of climate change” and “to show ‘the world washed away’ by glacial melts. They also engaged in several other creative demonstrations around the world to encourage climate action in Copenhagen in December.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/08/29/ice-sculptures-in-china-and-india-to-mark-100-days-to-copenhagen-climate-conference/feed/ No Love for Animals — 0.1% of European Union Budget! http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/26/no-love-for-animals-01-of-european-union-budget/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/26/no-love-for-animals-01-of-european-union-budget/#comments Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:17:19 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/26/no-love-for-animals-01-of-european-union-budget/
The European Union got strongly admonished this month by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) after the release of a report that is more than a decade late and comes to disheartening conclusions. The EU is giving only 0.1% of its budget to nature protection, with drastic consequences. Due to the miniscule investment in protecting wildlife, more than half of European habitats and species are under threat of extinction.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/26/no-love-for-animals-01-of-european-union-budget/feed/ Europe Says Financial Crisis Doesn’t Trump Climate Change http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/25/europe-says-financial-crisis-doesnt-trump-climate-change/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/25/europe-says-financial-crisis-doesnt-trump-climate-change/#comments Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:30:03 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/25/europe-says-financial-crisis-doesnt-trump-climate-change/
In a meeting with environment and energy ministers from other European countries yesterday, Sweden’s Minister of Environment, Andreas Carlgren, said that global economic problems should in no way slow movement to address climate change. Other leading European ministers agreed.

Economic problems today are in many ways a result of environmental missteps in the past. If we want a healthy economy in the future, we have to take the environment into account more than we have. The Swedish Minister of the Environment agrees and says that there should be no hesitation to combat climate change due to the current economic situation.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/25/europe-says-financial-crisis-doesnt-trump-climate-change/feed/ $560 BILLION Solar Project — Biggest Ever http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/07/24/560-billion-solar-project-biggest-ever/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/07/24/560-billion-solar-project-biggest-ever/#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:20:22 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/07/24/560-billion-solar-project-biggest-ever/

The sun is coming out. And Europe isn’t waiting any longer. Some of the biggest businesses in Europe are ready to invest in the largest solar energy project in the world. They are looking to create a “solar energy belt” in the Middle East and North Africa.

How will the energy get to Europe? It will go through huge “super grids” under the Mediterranean Sea. Has this kind of thing happened before? Siemens CEO, Peter Löscher, says: “A few years ago we connected Tasmania with the Australian continent. And from 2011 there will be a 250-kilometer undersea cable supplying Majorca with electricity from the Spanish mainland. For us, this kind of thing is now part of our core business.”

Read more of this story »

]]> http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/07/24/560-billion-solar-project-biggest-ever/feed/ 7 Environmental Lessons from Living in Europe http://sustainablog.org/2009/07/21/7-environmental-lessons-from-living-in-europe/ http://sustainablog.org/2009/07/21/7-environmental-lessons-from-living-in-europe/#comments Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:05:23 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://sustainablog.org/2009/07/21/7-environmental-lessons-from-living-in-europe/
I have lived in Europe on two occasions now — for five months in the Netherlands (two years ago) and for ten months in Poland (currently). I have been green-minded since I was a young child, and knew that Europe did better on many green issues. Nonetheless, to come here and live here has given me more insight on the perspectives of the people and more of a practical understanding of why Europe fairs so much better than the US on many environmental issues.

Recently, I came up with a list of seven things that really stand out to me as good environmental practices in Europe that could be transferred to the US. These could all be adopted in the US, but some are more personal in nature and some are more systematic. Furthermore, some of the personal ones regard large, life decisions, and some are much simpler in nature and easier to implement into your life now.

Of course, Europe is not one country and things vary from country to country. Nonetheless, there are also several similarities across borders. I have friends in other countries and have traveled a bit as well, so I hope to be sharing the best of the best.

Here’s the list!

Read more of this story »

]]> http://sustainablog.org/2009/07/21/7-environmental-lessons-from-living-in-europe/feed/