Canada: A Plethora Of Pipelines
The controversial Keystone XL project is not the only pipeline proposed to export Alberta's oil sands
April 30, 2012
UK: Climate Advice For Cameron
While Conservative PM David Cameron tips his hat to energy and climate needs, he needs to do much more
Germany: Cloudy Prospects For Green Growth
Germany's renewable power industry faces stagnation after nearly a decade of growth and the need to replace its nuclear power
Council Leader Goes For The Green
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn sheds light on how public buildings can save energy while creating local jobs
Ready, Willing And Taxed
Enthusiasm for more mass transit in Los Angeles is backed up with sales tax revenues
Not Just Dreaming
New York's PlaNYC 2030, its blueprint for urban sustainability, is becoming a reality
Never Too Late To Be Passive
Just found this 2011 story on a passive house in Williamsburg and it's still news!
Making Corporate Sustainability Count
When executive compensation is tied to corporate sustainability policies, does it make a difference?
April 29, 2012
Hot And Deep
Data shows the oceans are where the planet is heating up most with one third of this gain down below 700 meters
April 27, 2012
The Eco-Honor Roll
The EPA honors 26 individuals and organizations in New York for their environmental leadership
Up In The Air
At 391.3 ppm, atmospheric concentrations of CO2 hit a new high in 2011
Made In China, Felt In EU
Is the Chinese green-light for carbon emissions credits responsible for depressed EU emissions reduction credits prices?
The ALEC Hit List
Challenges to state renewable energy mandates could be high on the to-do list of the right-wing policy group ALEC
India: Gorgeous, Green And Brick
By combining traditional materials and innovative design the brick facade of this Indian building is energy efficient and high performing
Not Too Big And Not Too Small
New energy efficiency agreements by ministers of 22 nations and the EU show targeted policies can succeed where grand visions cannot be adopted
In The Green Zone
New York City is about to get a greener, greater zoning code
April 26, 2012
Shockingly Cheap
Bloomberg NEP figures the cost to cut EU carbon emissions to 30% by 2020 is a steal!
Proof: High Gas Prices Are Good For The Economy
$4 a gallon gas motivates consumers to trade in their gas-guzzlers for new energy-efficient autos and sales figures rise
Nuclear Market Niche
Despite the buzz about next-generation modular nuclear reactors, none are being installed today
Energy Spending Boom Goes Bust
The short boom and deep bust in government spending for renewable energy roils business prospects
The US Insurance Climate
Is the US insurance industry lethargic about responding to risks posed by climate change?
India: Sun Power Rises
Citing the role of public policy, India's solar power capacity rose from 17.8 to 500 MW over the last two years
California's Billion Dollar Question
With it's carbon emission market set to open, California starts to consider what to do with the first round of proceeds expected to be $1 billion
Global Renewables Resilience
Low prices appear to buoy most renewable energy markets
Like A Rolling Stone
Check out Obama's interview in Rolling Stone that's got climate activists energized and a new poll finds strong public support for federal action
April 25, 2012
Wind Power In Washington
The wind power industry continues to press Congress on extending the production tax credit
Reporting On Progress
Now that the program is five years old, catch the highlights of the PlaNYC 2012 Progress Report or deg down deep
Carpe Diem
The Center for American Progress reports on the opportunities America has right now to grow its economy and make communities more resilient by taking the low carbon, clean energy path
Wind Setback But Tide Comes In For Maine
Maine officials send a proposed wind farm project back to the drawing board with concerns over visual impacts and wildlife but approve three proposed tidal power projects
Too Much Of A Good Thing
A global glut of polysilicon, the raw material for making solar panels, drives prices to 10-year lows, creating both business threats and market opportunities
NYers Take To Ferries
With ridership exceeding expectations, East River ferries might become a permanent part of New York City's mass transit menu
April 24, 2012
Sonoma Sticks With PACE
While not every county has Sonoma's resources, this northern California county maintains its PACE loan program in the face of persistent federal opposition
Some Good News, But Not Enough
Deutsche Bank reports that global GHG emissions have continued to decrease since 2009, but not enough to limit climate change to 2 degrees C
Renewable Energy Policies Face The Goon Squad
Right-wing activists like Grover Norquist and ALEC target state renewable energy programs
Unleash The Value Of Climate Change
American business and pro-business politics should seize the market opportunities presented by cutting our carbon footprint
London: Olympic Greenwash
Will the corporate financial support of firms like BP make a mockery of the London 2012 Olympics greener-than-thou aspirations?
Chicago Smart Meter Program Could Fail
Unless it improves its public education effort, the Con Ed smart meter program in Chicago could fail to make the grade with utility customers
UK: Power Path Uncertain
With European companies backing out of UK nuclear power deals and anxiety over government climate policy, the country's energy future is not clear
Think Before Fracking
The Albany Times Union urges State officials to take a hard look at the use of propane gel in hydrofracking before it becomes a prevalent practice
April 23, 2012
Obama Cares
President Obama lauches a campaign video that aims to attract environmental voters
Japan: Boost For Renewables
Japan weighs whether to give renewable power an assist with feed-in tariffs, starting this summer
Greening NYC, One Building At A Time
Stories from the front line about how affordable housing developers tackle operational cost-cutting and energy efficiency to help everyone
NYU Goes For Gold In Brooklyn
NYU seeks LEED Gold for the renovation that will house its applied science research center in a deal with the City
UK and US: Floating Wind Tech
The UK and US will cooperate on technology for floating turbine installations able to create wind power far off-shore
Austin: Smart Grid Start-Up
There's a lot to learn when launching a smart-grid business in Austin, Texas
April 21, 2012
LEED: The Thin Edge Of Trend
While just 37 buildings in Manhattan have completed LEED-rated renovations, the Urban Green Council sees great promise ahead
April 20, 2012
Closing Out The Fossil Fuel Era
What will bring about the end of the Fossil Fuel Era and when could that occur?
EU: Carbon Market Rescue
The EU tries to save its carbon emissions market and recover from skepticism sagging prices
Why Carbon Emissions Drop
States in the RGGI carbon cap and trade pact have seen their emissions drop by more than the national average, but does that mean RGGI deserves the credit?
Dual-Purpose Water Supply
The New York City Council passes a bill requiring a study about the potential of the water supply system as a source of hydro-power
Korea: Walks Away From UK Wind
Citing uncertainties, the Korean investorpulls out of a proposed Scottish offshore wind power project
London: OK To Inhale
As a lead-up to the Mayoral election, Londoners demand air that meets environmental standards and is safe to breathe
The Destination For High Speed Rail
If California's main goal in building high speed rail is cutting carbon emissions, there are much cheaper ways to get there
Reimagine The East River
A design competition rethinks New York's East River waterfront and choses three winners
Green Group Goes For Obama
The League of Conservation Voters makes it official and gives its election endorsement to Presdient Obama
The Deployment Enigma
The challenge of how to deploy new green technologies in the market place isn't going away
April 19, 2012
Take The Info Tech Survey
Are you an IT, clean tech or web services business or investor? Make your voice heard and your experience count
The Energy Efficiency Slide Show
Watch the slide show on how to make energy efficient buildings the new normal
Japan: Race To The Efficiency Top
Japan's Top Runner program sets standards for energy efficient appliances based on the best products in the market
EU: Shifting Winds
For industry leaders what does the wind power need to thrive in Europe?
What The Weatherman Says
Read this personal narrative of a weatherman who used to be a climate change skeptic
Poland: Down On Propping Up Carbon Prices
Poland opposes EU plans to support sagging carbon prices on the emissions trading market
Size Matters
Urban guru Richard Florida spells out the connection between city size and sustainability
Decarbonizing Europe
As Germany shutters its nuclear power plants, will it show Europe how to run on renewable power and energy efficiency?
About Those Earthquakes
Scientists report that midwest earthquakes are not caused by hydrofracking, but suspect links to the deep underground storage of waste drilling liquids
Trash Wars Re-ignite
Mayor Bloomberg has not conceded defeat, in the face of stiff opposition, to his pilot waste-to-energy plan
Lease The Sun
Leasing makes rooftop solar power affordable for more homeowners than ever before
April 18, 2012
Revolution Number Nine
It's an odd list, but green building is the ninth-fastest growing industry in the US
India: Less Money For Smart Grids
Venture capital loses interest in creating smart electric power grids in India due to lack of consumer demand
Watch Out
Don't expect to see reporting about climate change on network TV news, it's not there
Suit Against Climate Scientist Continues
The law suit to compel the disclosure 12,000 e-mails of climate-scientist Michael Mann gets another day in court
Meet The Super Commuters
Who are the super-commuters, people who commute to work in Manhattan at least 90 minutes or 90 miles in each direction?
Time For Energy And Environment Stars
Focus on four energy and environment leaders who appear on Time's list of 100 influencers
NYC Ranks Sixth In Stars
New York was in sixth place for buildings that got an EPA Energy Star in 2011, but did better when measured in total energy saving
UK: Can't Export Its Carbon Problem
A Parliamentary report finds the UK must change the way it measures its climate impact to include the GHG emissions of imports, which could raise figures by 20%
April 17, 2012
Euro Woes Cut Global PV Jobs
The American maker of low-cost, thin-film PV will cut 30% of its global labor force in response to worsening European markets
UK: Green Deal Victory
Despite the loss of energy efficiency in the Green Deal program, home insulations provisions survive intact
The End Of Exurbia
The American love affair with exurbia took a hit during the Great Recession and shows no sign of reviving
The Pliocene Era And Us
Climate scientists look back 3.5 million years at the Pliocene Era to better understand what 21st century climate change will bring
The Sooty Apple
Apple relies more on coal to power its data server centers than any other US electronics firm
Green Consumers: The Communications Gap
Polls of consumer choices find a willingness to buy green -- in theory -- and doubts about product promises
Eco-Politics Today
What does it take to impact American politics and what is the impact of today's political climate, from the perspective of the Sierra Club?
April 16, 2012
Gas Exports On Tap To Rise
Financing has been secured to building the first US liquefied natural gas export facility in 50 years
UK: Less Carbon Per Mile
UK transporation experts brainstorm about ways to cut the nation's carbon footprint
EU: Wind In The Economy's Sails
Despite recession woes, the growth of European wind power could boom over the coming decade and add billions to the EU economy
Climate Number Crunching
If its numbers, data and trends you need, the annual EPA Inventory of GHG emissions and sinks is the go-to destination
Sunny Side Up
Will the plunging cost of PV panels usher in an era where the cost of solar power is the same as the cost of electricity made from fossil fuels?
Warm Feet - Cool Climate
Radiant underfloor heating systems are an energy-efficient choice for home-owners
The Amerian Dream - Urban Edition
Urban living is trending for Gen Y while suburban life-styles are on the decline
Mexico: 50x50
Mexico is on the cusp of enacting legislation that cuts government GHG emissions 50% by 2050
Maybe More Uranium Mining
Do increased numbers of applications for uranium mining in Texas mean a revival of global nuclear power demand?
The Renewables Roller Coaster
While global investment in renewable energy still outpaces overall economic growth and the US is #1-ranked, investment is totally reliant on public polices that come and go [$ub]
April 14, 2012
Pedal Pushing
Here are hints of what the NYC bike-sharing program, set to roll out this summer, will look like
April 13, 2012
Germany: Beat The PV Tariff Clock
With the end of a feed-in tariffs looming, Germans are rushing to install solar panels
The Green Jobs Brawl
Look at the campaign for growing green jobs and what you'll find ranges from doubt to divisive dispute
France: It's Good To be King President
With elections looming, French President Sarkozy announces the birth of a $9.2 billion, 1.93 GW off=shore wind project
The Case For Natural Gas
Love it or hate it, the Energy Information Agency links rising use of natural gas to lower CO2 emissions in the US since 2007
Sydney: Transit Tie-In Tower For City Center
A 29-story multi-green featured office tower will rise over Sydney Australia's central rail station
Price Collapse On The Way
Experts predict a crash in natural gas prices coming sooner than expected due to lack of storage space
No Place To Hide
We can ignore the risk of climate change but it won't ignore us
IPO For Solar Power - Fuggedaboutit
The Wall Street stock launch of Brightsouce, a California concentrated solar thermal equipment maker, is scrubbed
April 12, 2012
Microtubines 101
What are microturbines and why do they matter?
True Or False: Either Go Green Or Grow The Economy
Escaping The Energy Bill Trap
Until now, high utility bills made it tough for low-income New Yorkers to save money by making their homes more energy efficient
More Green For Energy Efficiency
2010 was a banner year for government, utility and non-profit spending on industrial energy efficiency, with New York and California leading the way
Less Green For Green Power
A combination of US political uncertainty and global financial woes cut deeply into clean energy investments but there are other ways to do the tallies
Germany: GHG Emissions Down
In 2011 Germany's GHG emissions dropped by 2.1% due to warm weather & greater use of renewable energy
Australia: See You In Court
A court battle is shaping up over the Australian carbon tax slated to go into effect of July 1
UK: Turbine Tussle In Bronte-Land
Does the furor over siting wind turbines in the Yorkshire countryside made famous by the Bronte sisters mean doom for wind power in the UK?
Reinventing Fire
Amory Lovins wants to reinvent the electric power system from the bottom-up through accelerated innovation and competition
April 11, 2012
Iceland: Export The Heat
Talks begin about exporting electricity created by Icelandic geothermal heat to England as part of a Euro super-grid system
Demark: Trouble For Wind Turbine Maker
Stock prices for Vestas, the world's largest wind turbine maker sink to a nine-year low
New Mexico Rises In PV Ranks
In 2010, New Mexico ranked seventh in PV power, today it's up to fourth out of 50 states
The Cost Of Clean Power
Could it be that adding renewable power into a state's utility mix doesn't raise customer bills?
Brooklyn's Bragging Rights
Now Brooklyn can boast of 350 more energy-efficient affordable apartments, thanks to an $18 million Citywide weatherization project
Nebraska To OK Pipeline Law
Despite opposition, Nebraska is set to enact legislation that would speed approval of the XL Keystone pipeline for carrying tar sands oil to the Gulf Coast
India: Don't Carbon Tax Us
For India, the EU carbon aviation tax could derail agreement at future international climate treaty talks
Goodness Had Nothing To Do With It
It's time for the clean tech industry to get out there and market itself, just being greener isn't enough
Denmark: Declaration Of Energy Independence
Denmark declares its goal of becoming energy independent by 2050 and alternate energy technology will play a key role
April 10, 2012
Adapt Or Swim
As NYC experts know, it's not too soon to think about the vulnerability of local airports, subways and other mobility media to climate change
Isn't It Ironic
Chevron uses solar power-generated steam to extract more heavy oil from old California assets
UK: Family Feud With Fallout
The British environmental movement is tearing itself apart in the hot debate over nuclear power
Thailand: Buddhist Recycling
Buddhist monks in Thailand go green by building a new temple with a million recycled bottles
Hard Times For Renewables
Prospects for renewable power growth in the US don't look good, with few projects in the development pipeline
Take A Spin With Gridlock Sam
Get behind the wheel with traffic maven Sam Schwartz and see how he would change the way New Yorkers get around
Could This Be The End Of King Coal
Experts fuel the debate over coal's current decline and its future in the US and its rising exports
Mexico City: Vertical Is Up
What's the urban green message on the walls of Mexico City?
Tri-State Solar
Why and how should NY, NJ an CT ramp up their PV capacity while building a solar economy
April 09, 2012
Tips For Climate Tweeting
Tweeps -- upgrade your 140 character climate tweets
EU: Raising the Cuts
England will urge the EU to commit to a 30% rather than a 20% cut in carbon emissions by 2020 at meetings next week
India: Govt Buildings Get Green
All government buildings in the southern Indian state of Karnataka will be upgraded to meet energy efficiency codes
Nothing Fails Like Success
Consider the record of the renewable energy tax credit that Congress refused to renew
UK: Turbulence For Offshore Wind
Plans for mega-scale wind farms off the English coast could face resistance
Climate Sliming
Wonder what's it's like to speak out publicly about the need for dialogue across the spectrum of US views on climate change?
Smart Grid Auction
GE will auction 225 MW of smart electric transmission line capacity that links NYC with a tri-state grid
Billions At Stake For California
If it can overcome some steep obstacles, the California carbon cap and trade program can immediately start producing $1-3 billion a year for state programs
Use Water To Store Wind
Could New York use its hydro-power resources as a battery to store the intermittent power from wind farms?
Climate Rewrites The Calendar
As the timetable of the seasons shifts, scientists study changes in nature
April 06, 2012
Sydney: See It Here
Reducing building energy use through deployment of data visualization comes to Sydney, Australia
From Cities To Urban Areas
A 2010 Census data map shows where Americans live now and the trend toward urban area growth
Save The Planet Playfully
Today's 20-somethings can be enlisted for the serious work of energy conservation with the right kind of video games
Taiwan: Google On Ice
A Google data storage center in Taiwan will make ice at night, when electricity demand is low, to cool its equipment during the day
London: Mayor's Pollution Glue Won't Stick
Not everyone likes the way Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, uses spray adhesive to control the city's vehicle emissions
City Council Scores A Green Home Run
The latest annual environmental scorecard for all 59 members of the New York City Council awards its highest ratings ever
Things Could Be Worse
10,00 computer simulations conclude that Earth is as likely to heat up 3 degrees Celsius by 2050 as it is to warm by a more modest 1.4 degrees
Key Lessons From Keystone
Bill McKibben has learned a a lot about the fossil fuel industry and Washington politics from his campaign to derail the Keystone XL pipeline
Hot And Salty Tech
What's happening now in research on molten salt able to store solar power so it can be when it's needed?
April 05, 2012
Antarctica: It's Melting
Satellite pictures reveal the break-up of the vast Larsen B ice shelf in Antarctica
Science At Work — The Air
New evidence confirms the climate science hypothesis that atmospheric CO2 levels rose before temperatures climbed to end the last Ice Age
UK: Money Waves Hello
Th UK launches a 20 million pound competition for the two best wave and tide power developments
Urban Bird Yelps
Urban birds must tweet louder than ever to to be heard over rising city noise levels
Science At Work — The Oceans
Scientists find evidence to support the climate change theory that during Ice Ages atmospheric CO2 concentrates in deep oceans
Science At Work — The Arctic
Research links the degradation and thaw of Arctic permafrost with the high levels of atmospheric methane and Co2 in that region
Adapting To The Inevitable
Washington State starts to makes plans for adapting to climate change impacts
Nuclear Rebound Predicted
The French nuclear utility, Areva, sees a rebound in the global uranium market by 2014 as new plants come on-line and the impact of Fukushima fades
Cuomo: Rebuild, Repave Or Neither
Why does Governor Cuomo want a new 'energy highway' for New York and will he get one?
April 03, 2012
The Climate Desk At The Times
What has Justin Gillis learned working the climate beat at the New York Times?
Egypt: Inevitable Doesn't Mean Easy Green
While some see renewable energy as an invevitable part of Egypt's future economy, that doesn't mean getting there will be easy
Greece: Lighten Up On Economic Gloom
Greece hopes that developing its solar power industry will help boost the economy
Australia: US Competes For Asian Energy Deals
The Asian market for Australian LNG is threatened by cheap US shale gas and more
Friends Of Fracking
Landowners in Tioga County, New York strike deal with energy companies to use propane to frack for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale
The Planet In Brief
Q: What's shorter than a tweet? A: The EPA micro-essay contest for the six best words about planet Earth
Better Than Builidng In Buffalo
The adaptive reuse of an old industrial building in Buffalo, NY as a mixed-use low income housing project for local artists and their families
More Than One Way To Be Vulnerable
Take a climate change impact tour of tense regions of the globe
April 02, 2012
House Wants You To Take The HEAT
The House Energy Action Team - HEAT - shows Republicans have yet to meet a fossil fuel they don't like
China: Young Consumers, Carbon Conscious
A multi-national survey finds young, urban Chinese consumers to be the most concerned about the carbon footprint of the brands they buy
UK: Lots Of Gas
Estimates of UK shale gas reserve, accessible by fracking are now higher than the figures for Poland
Europe: On The Energy Horizon
Why will natural gas, not renewables, will be the major post-nuclear power source in Europe?
Carbon Credits To Fund High Speed Rail
California expects revenue from its carbon permit sales can be more reliable than federal funds to pay for high speed rail
Coal Prices Stop Sinking
While the contract price paid for coal by a Japanese power utility reflects a steep drop from last year's prices, don't expect global prices to fall further
Energy And Climate On the Campaign Trail
Compare and contrast what Presidential candidates say - or used to say - about climate and energy issues
Less Carbon To The People
Successful grass roots efforts to block construction of new coal-fire power plants suggests there is real support for climate action
VA Seizes Wind Option, NJ Dithers
Virginia advances toward being the first state to get off-shore wind power, while New Jersey mulls things over