Green Being

By 2013 Apple Will Use Only Green Power in its Main Data Center

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:40:00 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...Apple Inc. has received approval to build two solar power installations at its main data center in North Carolina, allowing the technology giant to run the center entirely with renewable energy by next year. The two solar farms, which will cover 250 acres near its core data center in Maiden, N.C., will utilize high-efficiency solar cells and an advanced solar-tracking system provided by..." more

The Vital Chain - Connecting The Ecosystems of Land and Sea

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:52:30 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...The new study is a particularly striking illustration of a pattern that scientists are finding around the world. Life on land and life in the ocean are bonded in unexpectedly powerful ways. While they may seem like separate realms, the well being of one depends on the other...study highlights why ecosystems on land and at sea can become linked. Nitrogen and other nutrients are often in scarce supply, and living things are very good at concentrating them and moving them from one place to another..." more

Boom and Bust - Renewable Energy's Future?

Thu, 17 May 2012 17:31:27 GMT

Breakthrough Institute writes "[by Alex Trembath]...Decades of government support for shale gas have been relegated to history; with shale drilling at full technological maturity, the shale gas boom continues without the prop of federal subsidies. The shale gas success is a parable for clean tech going forward. Federal policies will work best when they foster competitive markets, drive cost declines and performance improvements, and ultimately expire as industries reach cost-parity with conventional energy technologies. If smart and effective policy reforms are enacted, the growing pains of these young markets will..." more

Crucial State Incentives for Small Wind Turbines Still Need Work

Wed, 16 May 2012 17:18:10 GMT

Building Green writes "[by Martin Solomon]...As the small wind turbine market feels the pain of temporary holds on state incentive programs, turbine certification could bring the stability and improve the market’s reputation....This certification process aims to bring stability and growth to a market plagued by inconsistencies. As the popularity of the certification grows..." more

Saudi Arabia Launches Largest Renewable Energy Program

Tue, 15 May 2012 19:22:16 GMT

Globe Net writes "...Saudi Arabia is not known for thinking small. So when the oil-rich Kingdom announced a new initiative to expand the production of renewable energy, it laid out plans for what could become the most sweeping renewable energy undertaking in the world... big shift in the Kingdom by converting it into a country with sustainable energy system..." more

New Interactive Website Maps Distribution of Global Species

Fri, 11 May 2012 16:47:38 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...The so-called “Map of Life” project — which Map of LifeThe “Map of Life”draws on millions of known locations of various species, expert range maps, World Wildlife Fund data, and the databases of individual scientists — allows users to view distribution records for any terrestrial vertebrate species or fish worldwide, and generate a listing of all species within a 50- to 1,000-kilometer range..." more

Social Media and Sustainability: Seven Key Lessons

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:17:57 GMT

Globe Net writes "[by Stephan Burckhardt]...At a panel on social media and Corporate Social Responsibility held...in Vancouver, BC, social media was confirmed as an essential tool to leverage discussions on sustainability into broader audiences...expert panelists from Microsoft...[1]...Social media is less about managing downside risk and more about listening to your key audiences...[2] Be authentic In the emerging social ecosystem, authenticity is key. Feeding the corporate line either falls flat, or worse, backfires..." more

Can We Live Without Fossil Fuels?

Wed, 09 May 2012 16:34:00 GMT

Building Green writes "[by Alex Wilson]...When we buy fossil fuels we generally send money out of the community to support large corporations and foreign governments...then with oil there’s the issue of how much it costs to protect our access to this resource—fundamentally, that’s what took us into Iraq. We are spending billions of dollars per week in the Middle East...If we accept that it would be a good thing to get off fossil fuels, how do we do that..." more

Japanese Tsunami Debris is Increasingly Washing Ashore in Alaska

Mon, 07 May 2012 20:07:23 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...Debris from last year’s tsunami in Japan, including some potentially toxic materials, is increasingly being discovered along the Alaska coastline. Since January, millions of pieces of debris have washed ashore along the Alaska coast, from soccer balls and buoys to morotcycles and...To help state officials better understand the future threats, MCAF is urging mariners, fishing boats, and beachcombers to take photos when they spot debris and report it to their project and the federal government..." more

Could Natural Gas Leaks Blow Away its Green Advantage?

Mon, 07 May 2012 18:52:04 GMT

Miller-McCune writes "[by Paul Tullis]...Researchers find that harmful methane leaks into the air at twice the amounts estimated by the EPA...The recent boom in U.S. natural gas production has been hailed as the cure to all America’s ills. Gas, its boosters say, can reduce household heating expenses, enhance energy security, create jobs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions..." more

Japan Goes Nuclear-Free for the First Time in Four Decades

Fri, 04 May 2012 22:10:03 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "Japan will shut down its last working nuclear power station this weekend, culminating — at least for now — a national shift away from nuclear energy in the aftermath of last year’s Fukushima disaster..." more

Greenland Glaciers Moving More Slowly Than Previous Estimates

Fri, 04 May 2012 22:08:56 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...new U.S. study says that Greenland’s glaciers are sliding into the sea more slowly than previously estimated, a finding that may indicate future sea level rise will not be as high as some projected worst-case scenarios. Using satellite data to track changes to 200 outlet glaciers from 2000 to 2011, a team of scientists calculated that Greenland’s glaciers accelerated by..." more

Top 10 Global Company Sustainability Leaders

Wed, 02 May 2012 17:14:58 GMT

Globe Net writes "...1: Puma despite operating in a sector at high risk for human-rights abuses...2: FirstGroup derives more than 90 per cent of sales from rail and bus services...and those with room for improvement [1] Apple, the world's bigget company, gets a D inEIRIS' sustainability ratings and lags behind other tech...[2] ExxonMobil, the world's second biggest company, shows poor performance in..." more

Oil and Gas Companies See Offshore Wind Potential

Wed, 02 May 2012 17:14:11 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...An increasing number of oil service companies are working with renewable energy companies to develop offshore wind projects in the North Sea as the region’s fossil fuel resources dwindle and demand for clean U.S. Fossil Fuel Boom...." more

Fukushima begins Restoration of Destroyed Coastal Forests

Wed, 02 May 2012 17:07:34 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...Fukushima Prefecture will soon begin a nine-year restoration of coastal forests devastated by last year’s tsunami, including the planting of 4.6 million seedlings...the Fukushima government will begin collecting pine cones this year that officials hope will grow into the seedlings of new pine forests within two years...Without the pine forest, our community would have been destroyed,” said one 70-year-old woman who farms the area. “I am grateful to our ancestors..." more

How Clean is Your Cloud - Greenpeace Questions Green Clouds

Wed, 02 May 2012 15:35:02 GMT

ITworld writes "[by Beth Bacheldor]...Greenpeace's new report, "How Clean is Your Cloud?" It’s a comprehensive report on the energy consumption and energy sourcing in the data centers of some of the largest tech companies, and delves into data center deployments of 14 of the leading players in the market. The international environmental organization has established what it calls the Clean Energy Index to evaluate and compare the energy related footprints of..." more

How the UN is Approaching Carbon Neutrality

Tue, 01 May 2012 20:50:44 GMT

Globe Net writes "...All UN bodies are required to estimate their GHG emissions, undertake efforts to reduce emissions and analyze the cost implications of purchasing carbon offsets. The emissions calculations used in the latest report were developed by the World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. "By championing a climate neutral UN, the various organizations..." more

Finding the Gold in Green

Tue, 01 May 2012 18:59:43 GMT

Andrew Winston writes "...The media seems intent on giving climate skeptics much more than equal time. Today the New York Times printed a cover story about the last arrow in the climate skeptics arsenal, the argument that cloud cover will adjust to a warming world and let more heat escape to space..." more

Ocean Garbage Patches: A Scientific Sifting

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:19:45 GMT

Miller-McCune writes "[by Matt Skenazy]...Our oceans are filled with trash. Oceanographers, environmentalists and biologists have been working for years to better understand the problem of, and solutions to, marine debris. In the current issue of Pacific Standard we highlight the problem of, and some possible solutions to, marine debris in “Swimming with Nurdles”..." more

Majority of Americans Link Extreme Weather and Climate Change

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:35:39 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...More than two-thirds of U.S. adults believe global warming made several recent extreme weather events even worse, according to a new survey. According to the report, released by the Yale Project on Climate Forum...82 percent of respondents said they had experienced one or more types of extreme weather events in the last year, and 35 percent said they were personally harmed either a great deal or..." more

Toxic Chemicals that Lurk in Unfinished Wood Floors

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:16:20 GMT

Building Green writes "[by Jim Vallette]...Fortunately, today's anti-sapstains used to treat lumber for wood flooring are not quite as poisonous as their mercury-based predecessors--but these biocides still introduce unnecessary, toxic chemicals into outdoor and indoor environments. In my role as senior researcher..." more

The Time is Come to Craft a New Energy Policy Framework

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:43:29 GMT

Breakthrough Institute writes "...Clean energy policy in America is at a crossroads. Federal support for clean tech is now poised to decline precipitously--unless policy makers and industry work together to enact smart reforms that can ultimately free clean energy from subsidy dependence and put clean tech sectors on a path to sustainable, long-term growth. A business-as-usual strategy of perpetual policy expiration and renewal is no longer sustainable. Yet neither is the immediate cessation of..." more

EPA Releases U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:25:28 GMT

Globe Net writes "...The final report shows overall emissions in 2010 increased by 3.2 percent from the previous year. The trend is attributed to an increase in energy consumption across all economic sectors, due to increasing energy demand associated with an expanding economy, and increased demand for electricity for air conditioning due to warmer summer weather during 2010. Total emissions of the six main greenhouse gases in 2010 were..." more

A Scientist Decides to Fight Back on Climate Change

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:23:53 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "[by Michael E Mann]...What to do about climate change necessarily involves questions about economics, fairness, and policy. But it also involves ethics. We are making decisions today that will impact the world our children and grandchildren inherit. What sort of legacy do we want to leave them..." more

How Emissions Decline in the Real World

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:44:31 GMT

Breakthrough Institute writes "[by Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus]...One of the first questions anyone seeking to understand global warming should ask is this: how do emissions decline in the real world? The short answer is that they mostly don't. As nations develop, emissions go up. The one major exception is during economic recessions and depressions, when energy use temporarily declines before continuing its vertiginous climb. What does decline is the amount of emissions per unit of..." more

Loss of Large Predators Altering Forest Ecosystems

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:29:19 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...scientists at Oregon State University (OSU) found that the loss of mammalian predators in forest ecosystems across North America, Europe and Asia — including killings to prevent ranching conflicts — has allowed an increase in populations of moose, deer, and other large herbivore species, which in turn has impaired the growth of young trees. According to the researchers, population densities of large herbivores were six times..." more

The Folly of Big Agriculture - Why Nature Always Wins

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:08:12 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "[by Verlyn Klinkenborg]...A reasonable agriculture would do its best to emulate nature. Rather than change the earth to suit a crop — which is what we do with corn and soybeans and a handful of other agricultural commodities — it would diversify its crops to suit the earth. This is not going to happen in big agriculture, because big agriculture is irrational. It’s where we expose — at unimaginable expense — our failure to grasp how..." more

2011 was a Record Year for Economic Loss Due to Global Catastrophes

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:47:10 GMT

Globe Net writes "In a year that saw fewer earthquakes, mudslides, droughts and famines than the year before, the monetary loss from 2011's catastrophic events reached a record $380 billion, surpassing the 2005 record of $220 billion. There were 820 natural catastrophes globally in 2011, causing 27,000 deaths. Most of these were from earthquakes and flooding... Compounding the problem is the length of time required for communities to recover..." more

Which Nations Have Reduced Carbon Intensity the Fastest?

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:44:30 GMT

Breakthrough Institute writes "[by Jesse Jenkins]...A Breakthrough Institute Analysis of historic decarbonization rates in OECD nations, from 1971-2006...the world's economies must rapidly decarbonize, reducing the amount of CO2 produced for each unit of economic activity at greater than 4 percent per year (IEA 2010)..." more

Senate Agrees to End Big Oil Subsidies After Watching Polar Bear Film

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:13:08 GMT

CleanTechies writes "[by 3BL Media]...It’s not right. It’s not moral. And I’m calling on all Americans, Democrats and Republicans, to take a stand to defend the Arctic from future oil and gas drilling. If we’re going to subsidize any energy, it must be clean, renewable and respect the environment.” McConnell’s office released a statement saying the senator will be offering his considerable political clout to support Greenpeace’s efforts to protect the Arctic and bring the message to a new audience..." more

10,000 Simulations Show Warming Range of 1.4 to 3 Degrees by 2050

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:59:18 GMT

Science Daily writes "...A project running almost 10,000 climate simulations on volunteers' home computers has found that a global warming of 3 degrees Celsius by 2050 is 'equally plausible' as a rise of 1.4 degrees. The study, the first to run so many simulations using a complex atmosphere-ocean climate model, addresses..." more

Scientists Clone Elm Trees That Survived Dutch Elm Outbreaks

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:18:33 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...Using tissue samples collected from shoot tips and dormant buds, researchers at the University of Guelph in Canada ...isolate germplasm with desired traits — including resistance to Dutch elm disease...for future elm breeding and biotechnology programs, which could lead to a revival of the species in its former habitat....It may also serve as a model to help propagate and preserve thousands of other endangered plant species at risk of extinction across the globe..." more

Study Shows Some Corals More Resilient to Increased Acidification

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:43:09 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...According to the scientists, coral species with skeletons made of aragonite — including the well-known Porites and Acropora corals — contain molecular “pumps” that enable them to regulate internal acid balance. Corals that form calcite skeletons, however, do not have this mechanism. Also..." more

Bill Gates Says: Make Energy Cheap, Clean

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:57:16 GMT

Breakthrough Institute writes "...But it's not enough to make energy cheap -- we have to also make it clean, Gates said. He warned that global warming could be a "disaster" for the global poor because it would make agriculture in tropical areas "virtually impossible."..." more

Earth Hour Organized by World Wildlife Fund is on March 31, 2012

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:25:24 GMT

CA Technologies writes "For one hour on Saturday, March 31, from 8.30 p.m.-9.30 p.m. local time, darkness will descend over the world. From Sydney to Sao Paulo; Los Angeles to London, office buildings, homes, sports arenas, and government facilities will all go dark for Earth Hour..." more

Common Herbicide a Threat To Great Barrier Reef, Report Says

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:14:29 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "... the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority called a decline in the quality of water in catchment areas one of the greatest threats facing the reef....the widespread use of the chemical and the length of time it persists in the environment pose a significant threat. “Just to sort of explain how toxic this stuff is, just one gram in four Olympic-sized swimming pools is enough to damage sea grass,” ..." more

Social Innovation: The Power of Sewage

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:14:56 GMT

CleanTechies writes "[by Sangeeta Haindi]...this new social innovation technology by Professor Logan works through a device that combines a fuel cell with other technologies to convert waste water treatment stations into power plants and provide the power for entire water grids. By bringing the two technologies together, Professor Logan and his team produced 0.9 kilowatt-hours of electricity per kilogram of organic waste. In contrast, sewage treatment usually consumes..." more

The Green Button is Approaching Critical Mass

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:11:22 GMT

The Energy Collective writes "[by Jim Pierobon]...NOW, we’re getting somewhere with the Green Button Initiative. Nine investor-owned utilities from across the country have jumped on board enabling an updated total of about 27 million households to access their electricity usage data. This is a huge step forward for motivated consumers to better understand how they can save on their energy bills and then share their experiences with friends and neighbors. Just last week..." more

Putting a Price on Trees, Grass and Air

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:02:09 GMT

Globe Net writes "...There is a growing need for full-cost pricing, a system that adjusts market prices to reflect not only the direct cost of goods and services, but also their impact on this country's natural capital," says the report author, Nancy Olewiler, the Director of the SFU School of Public Policy. The study suggests that for full-cost pricing to succeed, it's up to..." more

Soldiers Get Solar Training Before Heading to War

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:04:50 GMT

The Energy Collective writes "[by Nino Marchetti]...For the first time, U.S. Army soldiers are receiving specialized training on how to use generators with solar-power capability before heading to Afghanistan...The military has been deploying green gear in Afghanistan for a while...Getting energy from the sun translates to savings but more importantly it can trim the amount of fuel that..." more

If the Whole U.S. Followed California

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:52:50 GMT

Clean Technica writes "[by Zachary Shahan]...California, a state that’s historically been at the cutting edge of environmental and climate policies, continues to take bold steps in order to address climate change.Climate studies and projections indicate that California will be hit hard by climate change, losing a great deal of its snow pack (a vital source of freshwater), and experiencing at least one meter of sea level rise by..." more

Global Redesign of Earth System Governance Imperative says 32 Social Scientists

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:35:40 GMT

EurekAlert writes "[by Arizona State University]...Some 32 social scientists and researchers from around the world...have concluded that fundamental reforms of global environmental governance are needed to avoid dangerous changes in the Earth system. The scientists argued in the March 16 edition of the journal Science that the time is now for a "constitutional moment" in world politics....the world is nearing critical tipping points in the Earth system, including on climate and biodiversity, which..." more

Global Sea Level Likely to Rise as Much as 70 Feet for Future Generations

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:32:49 GMT

EurekAlert writes "[by Rutgers University]...Even if humankind manages to limit global warming to 2 degrees C (3.6 degrees F), as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommends, future generations will have to deal with sea levels 12 to 22 meters (40 to 70 feet) higher than at present, according to research published in the journal Geology...The difference in water volume released is the equivalent of melting the entire Greenland and West Antarctic Ice Sheets, as well as..." more

Calif to Canada West Coast Electric Highway Well Under Way

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:07:18 GMT

Clean Technica writes "[by Charis Michelsen]...west coast just became part of electric vehicle history - a 160-mile stretch has just gotten 8 new fast-charging stations as part of the new West Coast Electric Highway. Spaced 20-25 miles apart...stations start at California’s northernmost border and head north...by the end of the year, going all the way up to the Canadian border...company making the stations...provides a driver with..." more

Stone from Age-Old Coral Reefs and Seashells Give up their Secrets

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:38:44 GMT

EurekAlert writes "[by National Science Foundation]...Average global sea-level rose eight inches since the 1880s, and is currently rising an inch per decade, driven by thermal expansion of seawater and melting of glaciers and ice sheets, including the still mostly intact ice in Greenland and West Antarctica..." more

More Efficient Hydrogen Fuel Cells Developed

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:27:12 GMT

Science Daily writes "...Hydrogen fuel cells, like those found in some "green" vehicles, have a lot of promise as an alternative fuel source, but making them practical on a large scale requires them to be more efficient and cost effective...A research team from the University of Central Florida may have found a way around both hurdles..." more

Digital Defenders: Tribal People Use GPS to Protect Their Lands

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:23:34 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "[by Fred Pearce]...From the rainforests of central Africa to the Australian outback, indigenous people armed with GPS devices are surveying their territories and producing maps they can use to protect them from logging and other outside development...." more

Study Says Young People Showing Less Interest in Green Issues

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:20:38 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...A new study says that young people have become increasingly less interested in the environment and conservation issues over the last four decades. In an analysis of two longstanding surveys of U.S. high school seniors and college freshmen, researchers found that..." more

Thinner Silicon Wafers Could Cut Cost of Solar Cells in Half

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:15:14 GMT

CleanTechies writes "[by Yale Environment 360]...A U.S. company has developed a new manufacturing technique that it says could cut the cost of producing solar cells in half by producing silicon wafers that are about one-tenth as thick as conventional wafers. Twin Creeks Technologies a San Jose-based company, says it can produce crystalline silicon wafers that are only 20 microns thin..." more

Minnesota Citizens Stalled Over Owning Community Wind

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:23:56 GMT

Clean Technica writes "[by John Farrell]...Community wind promises to expand the economic opportunity of transitioning the electricity system to cleaner energy, and engage local communities in the process. Unfortunately, there’s “community wind” and community wind, as one Minnesota project starkly illustrates..." more

Did Fracking Cause 12 Earthquakes in Ohio?

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 18:11:48 GMT

The Energy Collective writes "[by Nathanael Baker]...State officials have determined that at least 12 earthquakes that occurred in Ohio were caused by the injection of brine into hydraulic fracturing disposal wells. As a result of its findings [pdf], the state has established, what it calls, the "nation's toughest regulations" for the fracking disposal wells....Geologists were skeptical the earthquakes were caused by the drilling and injection of the brine, but after in-depth research concluded this process did indeed facilitate the quakes:..." more

China to Simply Cap Coal Use Within 3 Years

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:36:36 GMT

Clean Technica writes "[by Susan Kraemer]...Here’s a completely new approach to climate policy, from the always innovative China. Set a cap – not on carbon emissions, but – simply on lumps of coal. (Well, not on lumps of coal, exactly, but on tonnes of coal.) Once you use up your limit: that’s all there is. Stop using coal..." more

Top Eight Alternative Fuels

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:35:52 GMT

Clean Technica writes "[by Glenn Meyers]...Gasoline and diesel are still fossil fuel kings of the fuel supply chain but alternative fuels are now swinging the scale more toward green. A growing number of people believe alternative fuels will have an expanded role in the cars and trucks of tomorrow.... we learn that the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 1992 identified eight alternative fuels of note..." more

Forced to Wait for a Volt: Perhaps Long Wait Time is Part of GM's Problem

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:19:49 GMT

Alternative Energy writes "[by Tyler Hamilton]...A post-crash-test battery fire with the Volt last year (which was overblown, but nonetheless probably turned off many consumers) and the vehicle’s high price have been cited as main reasons for slower-than-expected sales and the resulting production re-alignment...The temporary production stoppage is a problem with GM and its inability out of the gate to manage consumer (and market) expectations. But what really boggles the mind about this story is..." more

We Need to Invent New Energy Technologies

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:55:37 GMT

ITIF writes "[by A Fearon]...Myhrvold’s new study concludes it’s going to be a difficult task to reduce global temperatures from the fossil-fuel driven trajectory it’s on now. To do so will require more efficient solar cells, cheap high performance car batteries and advanced nuclear power and carbon capture and sequestration..." more

Natural Gas Fracking Ponzi Scheme? Looks Like It

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:59:01 GMT

Clean Technica writes "[by Zachary Shahan]...Rolling Stone, which is, surprisingly, one of the best mainstream publications around when it comes to environmental and energy matters, in my humble opinion, published a knock-out piece on the natural gas fracking boom… and “bubble”/”scam” that has taken the U.S. (and other countries) by storm in recent years. The full piece is worth a read, but I thought I’dpull a few key quotes out of it...regarding natural gas’ overhyped wonders:..." more

Wind Power Blowing Stronger in Central America

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:03:35 GMT

CleanTechies writes "[by Energy Refuge]...Honduras has become home to Central America’s largest wind farm. The 102 MW Cerro de Hula facility, which started commercial operation in December 2011, is also Honduras’ first wind farm. Cerro de Hula will produce more than 360 GWh/year, which is enough to supply power to 150,000 Honduran households using clean and renewable energy. The project was implemented by" more

Wind Energy Output Hits Record High in Spain

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:27:58 GMT

Clean Technica writes "...In the month of February, wind energy supplied Spain with a record 21.7% of its electricity needs, 4.890 GWh of electricity. This helped keep the country’s price of electricity lower and was a huge benefit for the country’s economy...the large amount of wind power, which reduces the price of electricity, kept Spain’s electricity bills much lower than those of its European counterparts in the midst of some very cold February weather..." more

Eco-Labeling: The Critical Questions to Ask

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:54:52 GMT

Andrew Winston writes "...what's really interesting about all of this is that the consumer side of the discussion...has been less important in actually forcing change...From the Sustainability Consortium for retail and consumer products...to the Sustainable Apparel Coalition for outdoor gear and clothing, industry groups are coming together to gather data and set standards for measuring footprints...how much power retailers and other B2B customers have to transform products and..." more

Largest Wind Power Project Now Under Construction in Hawaii

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:28:29 GMT

Clean Technica writes "[by Zachary Shahan]...The wind power project will include thirty 2.3-MW Siemens wind turbines, which will produce enough electricity to power approximately 14,500 homes on Oahu Island, approximately 5% of the island’s total electricity demand....“This is the largest wind farm in Hawai’i’s history, and it shows the progress we are making toward our clean energy goals. This is a great day for Hawai’i. We’ve moved from talking about renewable energy to..." more

Windows Double as Solar Panels Using Organic Photovoltaic Technology

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:11:20 GMT

Clean Technica writes "[by Tina Casy]...Window gazers of the future may soon find themselves looking right through an energy-producing transparent glass solar panel, if the folks at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are on the right track. Working with the company New Energy Technologies, Inc., the lab has produced a transparent photovoltaic module that is 14 times bigger than its last attempt..." more

Pollution from Tar Sands Sites Comparable to Mid-Sized City, Study Says

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:04:34 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...The extraction of the sludgy bituminous materials from tar sands requires enormous amounts of energy, and therefore the burning of fossil fuels. In 2010, about 1.8 million barrels of oil were produced daily from Canada’s vast tar sands deposits..." more

LEGO Owners Put $500 Million into Offshore Wind Farm in Germany

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:57:56 GMT

Clean Technica writes "[by Zachary Shahan]...As reported yesterday by Reuters, the family firm that owns LEGO is buying approximately one-third of a new offshore wind farm in Germany. The investment will provide LEGO with all of its needed energy up through 2020. “Lego’s parent company, Kirkbi A/S, will invest 3 billion crowns ($534 million) for a 32 percent stake in DONG Energy’s 277-megawatt Borkum Riffgrund 1 wind farm...renewable energy investments are increasingly coming from the corporate world, which sees them as sound, high-ROI long-term investments..." more

Wind Power in Trouble on Two Fronts

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:44:46 GMT

The Energy Collective writes "[by Amy Myers Jaffe] Wind power is being squeezed on two fronts. Natural gas prices remain low, limiting the financial incentive to install wind capacity. Meanwhile, the Chinese government continues limit the supply of rare earth elements (REE), and the magnets required for wind turbines use sizable quantities of two of them, neodymium and dysprosium. Any interruption in supply, accompanied with price shocks, could debilitate the..." more

President Obama Shuns Oil and Notes $5.6 Billion Through Energy Savings

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:42:58 GMT

Alternative Energy writes "[by Brit Liggett]...“I need you guys to work hard. I need you guys to dream big. I need those of you who are a lot smarter than me to figure out how we’re going to be able to tap into new energy sources,” the President urged...to connect an entire world with our own science and our own imagination.”" more

Innovations in Electricity Business Models Must Overcome Two Challenges

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:19:28 GMT

The Energy Collective writes "[by Christine Hertzog]...Private enterprises are also deploying DG, DER, and microgrids in their energy strategies. IKEA...recently increased its percentage of US-based stores that will house rooftop solar panels to 85%. They are also installing EV charging stations at some of their retail locations. And they are not alone. Other retailers, like Macy’s, Kohl’s, and Walgreens are...Clearly, profit-driven businesses are finding compelling financial reasons to..." more

Cincinnati Could be 100% Powered by Renewables this Year

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:08:30 GMT

Clean Technica writes "[by Silvio Marcacci]...Powering any city with 100 percent renewable energy sources without any significant cost increase for consumers is a no-brainer, right? The answer is definitely “yes” in Cincinnati, Ohio, where city officials are working on a deal that could have only renewable electrons flowing across the city by this summer. The Queen City is moving toward a renewable-only portfolio through..." more

US Virgin Islands to Reduce Fossil Fuels 60% by 2025

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:44:11 GMT

Clean Technica writes "[by Andrew]...Targeting new, emerging technologies in locations and environments where they can make the greatest impact makes a lot of sense, and when it comes to renewable energy, island communities, cities, and states fit the bill. A clean, renewable energy movement is afoot in Hawai’i, where proponents are laying out a path to a 100% renewable energy future. A similar initiative is underway in the US Virgin Islands..." more

How Much Solar Costs & How Much You Could Save on Electricity in Your State

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:11:15 GMT

Clean Technica writes "[by Zachary Shahan]...How much could you save by going solar? How much would it cost to install a solar system? What’s your estimated return on investment (ROI)?...This infographic...has all the answers, and a few more. Well, they are generalized answers, based on the state you live in, but that’s as good as it gets beyond contacting a solar company and getting a quote..." more

Carbon Disclosure Project Supply Chain Report 2012

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:50:27 GMT

Globe Net writes "...Climate change has become a mainstream business issue, and large global corporations are now extending their gains in internal carbon management to the next opportunity: their supply chain...according to the most recent Supply Chain Report by the Carbon Disclosure Project..." more

Big Solar Fights California County Sun Tax

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:45:42 GMT

The Energy Collective writes "[by Nino Marchetti]...fight has broken out in Riverside County, Calif., that could impact the future of utility-scale solar power development in the United States. The county’s Board of Supervisors moved last November to impose an acreage-based fee on solar projects that could cost developers millions of dollars every year. Now the developers have asked the Riverside County Superior Court to invalidate the fee—which they call the “Sun Tax”—claiming it..." more

Water Bottle Industry Fights Students' Campaign

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:31:37 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...Student groups on some college campuses are pushing their schools to ban the sale of plastic water bottles, a campaign that so far has prompted more than 20 colleges and universities to impose partial or complete bans. The bottled water industry has responded with a sarcastic video belittling the campaign. Student groups, citing environmental and health concerns of one-time bottle use, have..." more

Criticism of "Secret" Panel to Evade $18 Billion Ecuador Judgment

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:43:31 GMT

Electric Energy Online writes "...The Andean Commission of Jurists and five prestigious international law experts from around the world have joined a growing chorus of criticism targeting Chevron's attempt to use a secret investor arbitration as part of its campaign to evade an $18 billion environmental judgment in Ecuador, according to letters released today..." more

Legislation Introduced in Arizona Would Squash Progress on Renewable Energy

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:55:58 GMT

CleanTechies writes "[by The Vote Solar Initiative]...In fact, this bill is a thinly veiled attempt to squash progress on clean energy and energy efficiency...In recent years, the ACC has enacted strong new policies like the Renewable Energy Standard that have made Arizona the clean energy powerhouse it is today. But if Lesko’s bill becomes the law of the land..." more

On the Road Back to Rio, Green Direction Has Been Lost

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:27:40 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "[by Fred Pearce]...The truth is that we have gone backwards in the past two decades. The growing power of big developing nations like China and Brazil is often putting the international agenda on sustainability into reverse....The summit badly needs outside input. Right now, the official Rio+20 agenda and draft text show few signs that politicians are willing to go beyond the green-sounding rhetoric we heard from..." more

18 Oil-Gas Companies Challenged on Climate-Sustainability Risks

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:23:03 GMT

Electric Energy Online writes "[by Meg Wilcox]...Leading U.S. investors announced they have filed shareholder resolutions with Exxon-Mobil, Chevron, Chesapeake Energy, ConocoPhillips and 14 other oil and gas companies, pressing them to disclose their plans for managing environmental and workplace challenges including hydraulic fracturing, greenhouse gas emissions and worker safety. "The common thread of these resolutions is stronger management focus on environmental and social challenges that will have real bottom-line..." more

Electric Car Tops Out Greenest Vehicle List

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:13:33 GMT

Clean Technica writes "[by Joshua S Hill]...For the first time in the 12 year history of the Greencars.org Greenest Vehicle List, an electric vehicle has topped the list, based on the 14th annual comprehensive environmental rankings provided by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The Mitsubishi i-MIEV battery electric vehicle claimed..." more

The Alternative Energy Matrix

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:12:24 GMT

Energy Bulletin writes "[by Tom Murphy]...Not only does this conclude the end of the phase on Do the Math where we evaluate the quantitative and qualitative benefits and challenges of alternatives to fossil fuels, it also points to the fact that we face the end of a golden era of energy....Our success at managing the transition away from fossil fuels while maintaining our current standard of living is far from guaranteed. If such success is our goal, we should..." more

The Continual Waffling on the Clean Energy Path

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:09:31 GMT

Energy Bulletin writes "[by Lindsay Curren]...Memo to them all: No amount of wishful thinking will turn a finite resource into an infinite one. And no amount of friendship with corporate masters will make the US a better place to live, a stronger pro-business economy or a more energy secure nation. In fact it's quite the opposite..." more

Nearly Half of Electricity at UK Businesses Wasted during Off Hours

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:47:36 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...A UK report says that nearly half of the electricity consumed by British businesses is wasted when employees are not at work. In an analysis of more than 6,000 smart meters, British Gas found that 46 percent of electricity use occurs from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., when most businesses are typically closed. Common examples of unnecessary electricity use include the lighting of parking areas during weekends...utility also released a series of thermal images illustrating how much energy is lost from..." more

EU Wind Energy Capacity Grew 11 Percent in 2011

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:56:27 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...renewable energy installations accounted for more than 71 percent of all new installed power capacity, with more than 32,000 megawatts installed, according to the report. In the UK, the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the offshore wind industry will unveil new policies today to..." more

A Parable of American Competitiveness: Thin Film Solar Cells

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:29:19 GMT

HBS Working Knowledge writes "[by Dina Gerdeman]...Much of the damage to American competitiveness in the science and technology fields has already been done. The United States has lost a great deal in the area of energy storage and green energy production, for example, including lithium ion batteries for cell phones and laptops, silicon solar cells, and power semiconductors for solar panels. As a result, Shih says, the country risks losing thin-film solar cells, the latest solar-power technology..." more

Offshore Wind Picking up in Scotland, South Korea and US

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:46:29 GMT

Clean Technica writes "[by Andrew Burger]...It looks as though 2012 is going to be another pivotal year for wind energy. Battling against economic and financial headwinds and cuts in subsidies and other financial incentives, wind energy industry players worldwide are looking offshore for opportunities to continue growing their businesses...Eleven offshore wind energy project developers have submitted proposals for a total 12,000 MW of capacity across..." more

MIT Researchers Turn Grass Clippings into Solar Panels

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:44:04 GMT

Alternative Energy writes "[by Mark Boyer, Inhabitat]...breakthrough “carries the promise of inexpensive and environmentally friendly solar power,” according to the study, and Mershin hopes that within a few years someone in a remote village will be able to take some grass clippings, mix them with some chemicals, and paint them on the roof to produce power..." more

Solar Power Revolution in India Could Have Global Effect

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:36:39 GMT

CleanTechies writes "[by EnergyRefuge.com]...India has a Solar Mission to install 20,000 MW of solar power by 2022. Solar electricity is already cheaper than electricity produced with diesel generators. These optimistic figures from India, the second most populated country in the world, has led the New Scientist magazine to write an in-depth article about it saying..." more

San Jose is Becoming the California Solar City

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:34:47 GMT

CleanTechies writes "[by Solar Calfinder]...San Jose added more residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems last year than any other city in California, according to the latest PV Solar Report, a quarterly analysis conducted by solar company SunRun. San Jose’s number of home solar systems in 2011 was up 45.4% from just the year before, a dramatic increase that points to the rising popularity of home solar.Out of the 960 home PV systems installed last year, 648 of them were..." more

Raising the Efficiency of Solar Cells

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:32:50 GMT

The Energy Collective writes "[by Nino Marchetti]...There’s a cottage industry in solar research involving the manipulation of quantum dots. Solar cells using these tiny particles of semiconductors are much less expensive to produce than traditional ones, because they can be made using simple chemical reactions. And scientists for a number of years now have been drawn to their ability to harvest invisible, infrared light in addition to visible light..." more

Water in the Drought-Prone American West

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:13:41 GMT

Building Green writes "[by Alex Wilson]...Throughout this resilient design series, I'm covering how our homes and communities can continue to function in the event of extended power outages, interruptions in heating fuel, or shortages of water. Resilient design is a life-safety issue that is critical for the security and wellbeing of families in a future of climate uncertainty..." more

Windy Vancouver Island Comes Online

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:07:47 GMT

CleanTechies writes "The IPP Sea Breeze Power is launching a $300 million shovel-ready wind farm at the northern end of Vancouver Island, BC. The Cape Scott project will feature 55 Vestas turbines that will generate close to 100MW. It took ten years to develop...It is expected to come on line in early 2013. Two other plants are already in operation...“The wind resource on Vancouver Island is one of the most economic in the world..." more

Want to Sell a Green Product? Don't Call It Green

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:45:18 GMT

GreenBiz writes "[by Tilde Herrera]...In a wide-ranging conversation with GreenBiz Executive Editor Joel Makower today at the State of Green Business Forum, Lowry and Ryan explained why a company created 12 years ago with environmental responsibility written into its DNA would distance itself from the green label. "We don't run from the green, we just don't make that the lead story," Ryan said. Instead, Method sells an experience, or..." more

Going Solar in Vermont is about to Become Profitable

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:32:31 GMT

CleanTechies writes "[by Solar Calfinder]...When a grid-connected, residential solar system generates more electricity than the home is currently using, the home’s electrical meter literally spins backward, sending the surplus energy back into the electrical grid. In many states, the customer then gets a credit for that energy on the monthly electrical bill. Net metering is one of the primary reasons that going solar has become so affordable. Even with a small home solar system..." more

California Saves 1 Million Tons of Carbon Emissions

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:30:16 GMT

Alternative Energy writes "[by Brit Liggett of Inhabitat]...The State of California has decided that instead of trying to change the stubborn behavior of humans, they’re going to change the behavior of the chargers. In 2013 the state will introduce new battery charger standards that will reduce overall consumption by up to 40%, save enough energy to power 350,000 homes, save Californians $300 million in energy bills, and reduce carbon emissions by one million metric tons..." more

Wide Variety of Threats Wiping Out Worldwide Big Trees

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:26:06 GMT

Yale Environment 360 writes "...litany of environmental threats, from forest fragmentation and logging to climate change and disease, are wiping out the world’s biggest trees, according to a published report. In forest ecosystems The World’s Tropical Forests Are Already Feeling the Heat...ecologist and tropical forest expert William Laurance writes in New Scientist magazine..." more

Top Ten California Solar Cities

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:27:06 GMT

CleanTechies writes "[by The Vote Solar Initative]...This week our friends at Environment California released a new report ranking California cities by the amount of solar they’ve installed. The good news? “From Fresno to San Francisco and Clovis to Culver City, solar power is becoming a mainstream technology throughout California,” said Michelle Kinman, clean energy advocate with..." more

After the Nuclear Disaster, Japan Considers a Green Future

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:24:08 GMT

Energy Bulletin writes "[by Brendan Barrett]...Any measures that Japan takes now could fundamentally influence future global energy policy. According to Antony Froggatt from the British think tank Chatham House, nuclear power currently only accounts for 6 percent of global energy.9 If a country like Japan, which has very few natural energy resources, were to find a new energy pathway that involved little or no nuclear and no fossil fuels, it would prove..." more

Hiriko Folding Electric Car Headed for Production

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:28:09 GMT

Green Autoblog writes "[by Zach Bowman]...One very unusual electric car has debuted in Brussels. The Hiriko EV uses a hub-mounted electric motor at each wheel, though that's not the most interesting aspect of the vehicle. According to The Telegraph, the Hiriko uses an interesting rear suspension design that allows the vehicle to fold up, rotating the cabin vertically, to take up less space while parking. The partnership behind the vehicle say the car consumes approximately one third the parking space of a..." more

Business Beware: Why Consumers Now Have All the Power

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:45:54 GMT

GreenBiz writes "[by Marc Gunther]...Schulkin got Carrotmob going four years ago by organizing his friends and their friends to support a liquor store in the Mission district of San Francisco. They spent $9,000 in a single day on "beer and popsicles,"...and in return the owner did an energy retrofit on the store. They made a video of that first campaign and the idea spread...Since then, more than 175 Carrotmobs organized by grass-roots groups around the world, including..." more

BASF Plant Science Leaves Europe for US

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:22:27 GMT

Kellogg Sch of Bus writes "...BASF announced last week that it was moving its genetically modified plant-science headquarters from Germany to the United States. The chemical firm said widespread resistance to GM crops in Europe prompted the move, one which mirrors a decision the company made two decades ago when it opened a biotech research lab in Boston..." more

How the Keystone XL Rejection is Inspiring Young Environmentalists

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:11:49 GMT

The Energy Collective writes "[by David Roswell]...The fight against tar sands is not over; rather it has only just begun. But now we have the upper hand: the energy built throughout this fight has been infectious, and will power my generation further than any dirty oil ever could..." more

Fracking in New York Gets its Own Occupy Movement

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:15:08 GMT

Energy Bulletin writes "[by Ellen Cantarow]...But for once, this story isn’t about tragedy. It’s about a resistance movement that has arisen to challenge some of the most powerful corporations in history. Here you will find no handsomely funded national environmental organizations: some of them in fact have had a cozy relationship with the gas industry, embracing the industry’s line that natural gas is a “bridge” to future alternative energies...." more