Science At Work - Making The Climate Case
Explore how scientists make the case for a climate changing due to human impacts
August 31, 2012
Sydney: Learning Energy Efficiency
The University of Sydney launches a lab where architects, engineers and builders can advance their energy efficiency expertise
Illuminating The Lowline
How to bring sunlight to the 1.5 acre Lowline project under Delancey Street
CA: Cabon Market Dress Rehearsal
Get a preview as California gets ready to open its carbon emissions trading market this fall
August 30, 2012
The Lord Said To Noah....
Revised federal flood-zone maps have an impact on home insurance in the New York metro area
Italy: Sunny Side Up
Italy now gets more power from solar than wind and overall almost 25% of it electricity comes from non-fossil fuel sources
Antarctica: Beneath The Ice
If Antarctic ice melts on a large scale, massive amounts of methane, a potent GHG, will escape into the atmosphere
It Might Be Love
What could explain Con Ed's new openness to distributed electric power systems?
London: Modern Art
The Tate Modern considers the acquisition of a 1.5 ton wind turbine blade
Finding Funding For Smart Cities
Ideas for funding smart urban infrastructure initiatives
Not Energized By Mitt
The current energy policy of a certain former Massachusetts Governor gets the thumbs down from Boston's cleantech sector
Beyond Being A Blip
What will it take to make climate action more than a blip on Washington's political agenda?
August 29, 2012
Building On Building Data
Missed "Implications of a Data-Driven Built Environment" at the NY Academy of Sciences? Here's the eBriefing
Before You Recycle
A cooking tip from China that uses a recyclable plastic bottle
Come September
Expecting a September announcement by Governor Cuomo, a Bloomberg News editorial supports fracking in New York State
One Million For Green Education
The National Science Foundation awards two non-profits $1.08 million to encourage NYC high school students to study green tech
China: A Bigger Renewables Gap
China stays ahead of the US in the race to attract investment in wind and solar projects
Germany: Paying For Wind Power Risk
The German cabinet approves a draft law that shifts cost risks onto consumers to encourage more off-shore wind power projects
Japan: Nuclear Closure Costs
What is the right way to measure the cost of permanently closing Japan's fleet of 50 nuclear power plants?
August 28, 2012
Science At Work - Arctic Sea Ice
Scroll down the Revkin post for scientists' thoughts on record-low Arctic sea ice
Germany: Too Much Of A Good Thing
Lack of transmission lines and rising prices makes Germany pause on its path to renewable energy
UK: Shrinking Workers' Carbon Footprint
A UK finance firm develops a on-line guide to help its employees be more energy efficient
Clean Heat PSA
Since New York City buildings must convert to burning cleaner fuel, how can they pay for upgrades?
A Modest Proposal
An updated twist on Jonathan Swift for the climate-concerned
Australia: Ends Carbon Price Floor
Citing future integration with European markets, Australia ditches its $15/ton minimum on the trading price of CO2
Plotting A Carbon Tax
Who wins and who loses if the Congress imposes a carbon tax and avoids plunging over the fiscal cliff?
21st Century Monkey Trial
Could a climate scientist's defamation suit against a National Review blogger become another Scopes "monkey" trial about teaching evolution?
Chemistry Lobby Loathes LEED
What to make of chemistry industry claims that LEED standards harm energy efficiency goals and kill jobs?
August 27, 2012
India: Re-gridding
What are the prospects for smart grid deployment in India?
China: Top Secret
Another installment in the story about whether a Chinese car parts maker has gotten access to foreign auto-makers newest technology
City Planning Can Make You Happy
Urbanites who walk to work are happier than those who drive and other ways city planners can create eudamonia
Trash Talk
Some recent developments in the decades-long saga of what to do -- or not -- with NYC's trash
Share The Luxury
San Francisco is not the only US city to host luxury-brand EV sharing programs
Capturing Climate Fugitives
Since the oil industry began to capture fugitive emissions of climate-heating ethane, a global decline has been detected, but with fracking that decline could be ending
August 26, 2012
A New Kind Of Urban Lab
CITE, a city with zero population, will be a lab for academic, government and private-sector researchers to test new green technologies
Everywhere But Washington
There are many signs of a more chaotic climate, but no signs of a carbon tax in Washington. Need more evidence? Click here
August 24, 2012
Bloomberg Likes Fracking
Bloomberg Philanthropies gives $6 million to an environmental organization to advance cleaner fracking standards in 14 states
Urban Typology
If New York is just one kind of global city, what about the others?
China: The Eco-Generation Gap
Will today's Chinese university students bring an environmental commitment to future economic growth?
Brazil: Capital Sustainability
Brasilia's new office towers and the in-design residential neighborhood of Setor Noreste have sustainability in mind
Markets: Water Up, Carbon Down
Urban and industrial demand for fresh water pump up desalinization equipment prospects, while EU carbon market prices sink
Change Or Cook
Nathan Myhrvold does the numbers of carbon emissions and energy demand and concludes either we make a quick transition to carbon-neutral energy or we're cooked
Romney's Bid For Freedom From Arab Oil
Green Biz Growing Pains
Why are green tech services and product businesses having trouble finding customers?
Lungs Like Los Angeles
Since 1960, vehicle-related air pollution in Lost Angeles has plummeted 98%
August 23, 2012
Cities Green Their Grey Infrastructure
Cities are home to innovative natural infrastructure systems that protect the environment and save money
Throwing In the Wet Towel
A senior British climate scientist fears hotter global temperatures cannot be capped at 2 degrees
When In Rome, NY
A solar-powered boat maker launches in Rome, NY
Psst -- $1 Trillion On Tap
A thought experiment: If the US had a national energy policy with renewable and efficiency goals, it would mobilize a $1 trillion in private investments
Romney Releases Energy Blueprint
Australia: Carbon Commitment Questioned
If Australia does not sign on to Kyoto-2, it will lose access to low-cost GHG emissions permits and raise business compliance costs
Science At Work - West Nile Virus
Is there a clear link between the summer's record heat and drought and record outbreaks of West Nile virus?
UK: More Money For Less Carbon
THe UK creates a fund to support low carbon and high energy efficiency business initiatives
August 22, 2012
Germany: Wind Power 2.0
A pilot plant in Germany will store wind power and use it to make hydrogen for generating electricity
China: $373 Billion x 2015
China could invest $373 billion through 2015 to beef up energy efficiency by 16% as measured in units of economic output
Japan: Rising Zero-Nike Sentiment
47% of Japanese polled about domestic nuclear power favor a future without it
A Fossil Fueled Future
Romney will announce his energy blueprint on Thursday
Guide For The Perplexed
The latest WSJ [but surely not the last] climate deniers column earns a razzberry
It's Not Easy Being PV
Plunging prices and trade wars give PV makers a headache just as pollution levels in the manufacturing process becomes clearer
August 21, 2012
Gimme Data
Real-time data is becoming the most powerful tool for improving and maintaining energy efficiency in buildings
China: Coal v Water v People
In an arid Chinese coal-mining area, water-intensive extraction methods and power plants create risks of water scarcity
Germany: Utility Upbeat On Wind
The power utility RWE sees opportunities for offshore wind power growth in Germany and the UK
The Natural Gas Scorecard
Can natural gas play a role in combating climate change and if so, what are its limits?
People Can Change
When it comes to the smart grid living up to it's potential, optimism that people can learn to adapt is a plus
Stripped, Boiled and Bad
What makes the oil from Canadian tar sands much worse than conventional fossil fuel?
Pedal To Work
NYC commuter bike ridership grew 13% in 2010 and another 7% last year and for homeward rides there are bikes that glow in the dark
UK-China Nuclear FBBs
The potential for Chinese involvement in building the next generation of UK nuclear power plants raises red flags
For The Birds
The Audubon Society endorses new federal guidelines for wind turbines to minimize bird impacts
August 20, 2012
Climate-Friendly Concrete
New ways to make concrete hold out a lower-carbon promise for this ubiquitous construction material
Germany: Burn Baby, Burn
German coal consumption rises 4.9% in the wake its the shut down of its nuclear power plants
Arctic Sea Ice: Less Than Ever
2012 is on track to have the lowest levels of Arctic sea ice on record
Zero x 2020
A new campus planned for Merced College will have zero net carbon emissions and be powered by a distributed energy system
Climate Action Down Under
Why Australia should stay the course with its carbon-cutting policy and resource investments still surge
NJ Wind Power Waits And Waits
Why does a 25 MW New Jersey offshore wind power development remain mired in controversy
Deciding What China Wants
China's decisions on climate and other environmental policies already have a global impact, but who is driving them?
August 17, 2012
Predicting Water Demand
A new software program can help California water resource managers plan for demand in hotter, drier 2100
Vancouver: A Plea For Congestion Pricing
What would be good for Vancouver might be good for your city too
New York Solar Power Funding
Now New Yorkers can get tax credits and property tax breaks (in NYC) if they install solar power at their homes or businesses
Let There Be Wind, Despite The GOP
At long-las, the Massachusetts Cape Wind project gets federal approval, but the GOP threatens a probe
Science At Work - The Rain Band
Research predicts the rain band of the southern hemisphere will shift north more often due to global warming, creating extreme weather events
Barcelona: Wind Driven
Barcelona is home to the world's first wind-powered electric vehicle recharging station
China SEZ
Chinese cities pilot low carbon development by using SEZ, Special Economic Zones
August 16, 2012
China: Catch Lots Of Wind
China gets 87% more on-line wind power every year for the last six years
Smart Building - LED Synergy
Why should smart building owners consider LED lighting upgrades?
Germany: The Noise Problem With Wind
Germany grapples with harm to marine animals caused by noise from off-shore wind turbine construction
What A Question
The New York Times asks its readers if the presidential candidates should discuss global warming
Science At Work - The Southern Ocean
Scientists discover vast funnels that store atmospheric carbon deep in the Southern Ocean
GM Likes Government Research
General Motors is upbeat about an electric vehicle battery developed with research at the Argonne National Lab and ARPA-E funds
August 15, 2012
Buffalo Is Buzzing
The saga of a local businessman who saves honey bees in Buffalo, NY
July Was Hot Everywhere
NOAA reports on land and sea temperatures for July 2012
China: More Coal Less Water
Greenpeace reports expanded use of coal in China will put its scarce water resources at risk
Wind Power On A Roll
Plug into this map of state-by-state growth in wind power
London: 25 x 25
Interact with this London Heat Map created to advance the goal of getting 25% of the city's energy from decentralized sources by 2025
City Changers
Explore the interactive website of I'm a City Changer and see what's changing
OMG - Some Good News
A new book calls Obama's American Recovery and Investment Act a huge clean energy bill
Jevons Paradox - Fuggedabout It
More experts weigh in on why the fearsome Jevons Paradox should not worry energy efficiency advocates
223 Local Losers
223 buildings in NY and NJ are competing in the EPA Biggest Energy Losers contest for the winner who cuts the most energy waste
August 14, 2012
Become An Energy Prosumer
Today's smart grid opens the door for utility customers to become 'prosumers' who add to the energy supply
British Columbia: Fur Flies Over Carbon Tax
Claims by a taxpayers' federation that British Columbia's carbon tax isn't revenue neutral are rebutted by an academic expert
Looking Through You
Claims of risk disclosure by US drillers about their hydrofracking practices don't meet the laugh test
Nuclear Plant In Hot Water
High temperatures in Long Island Sound make it impossible to safely cool two nearby nuclear power reactors
Sri Lanka: 20x20
Sri Lanka advances toward getting 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020 with 30MW of new wind power
The Alps: Answered Prayers
With Swiss glaciers in retreat, the Vatican alters its liturgy to pray for more glaciers instead
On Or Off For Bus Rapid Transit
The jury is still out on the value of urban bus rapid transit
Down With Dirty Diesel
Steep cuts in the soot and particulates in urban air show the progress of a decade-long effort to clean up diesel engine pollution
August 13, 2012
The Fracking Fight: Round X
Watch the natural gas industry square of against the environmental movement over America's energy future
More Home Solar Options
A passive solar home in Denver, CO demonstrates there's more than one way to stay cool
Science At Work - New Zealand
Scientists studying glaciers in New Zealand find evidence of why today's global warming is different than earlier warm spells
Germany: Thriving Power Utility
Shutting down German nuclear power plants does not cut electric utility revenues
Art Lab For The Environment
Artists at the Living Lab in Portland, Oregon to experiment with new ways to advance eco-justice
Indo-Swiss Green Links
The Swiss government studieshow to enhance energy efficiency in 24 new Indian building projects
Wales: Wind Power Rising
Soon, nearly -one third of Welsh homes will rely on offshore wind power to keep their lights on
In Praise Of Congestion
Could congested city streets be an index of urban success?
Climate Science: Shoot The Mesenger
Climate scientist Michael Mann talks about climate science and about the climate culture wars
Ryan's Climate
While V.P. candidate Paul Ryan is on record as a believer in human-caused climate change, he's also on record as a believer that government should nothing about it {$ub]
August 11, 2012
Heat Over Hansen Paper
The published claim by climate scientist Jim Hansen that climate change is causing recent extreme heat waves is challenged by other climate scientists
August 10, 2012
Liking Urban Biking
What can reduce the stress of city bike riding?
Blueway For Manhattan
A road map for the East River Blueway, from the Brooklyn Bridge to midtown, is the result community based planning
$100 Million For Clean Heat
Mayor Bloomberg lines up $100 million to help NYC residential buildings convert to cleaner fuel
Germany: Banking On Energy Innovation
Germany's national infrastructure bank will be investing 100 million euros in growing the green economy and climate action
India: Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda
After its massive blackout, why are prospects dim for renewable power in India?
Senate Sides With Wind
A key Senate committee votes 19-5 to extend an investment tax credit for the wind power industry
Climate Data From 73 Cities
Now at your fingertips, climate data and action plans from 73 cities around the world
Benchmarking: The Time Is Now
Benchmarking building energy performance is catching on in cities everywhere
Norwegian Wood Waves
A Norwegian company {$ub], using a turbine design in service since 2010, seeks approval for a 12 MW floating, tide-powered electric generator off the Maine coast
August 09, 2012
Belgium: Nuke Plant Shutdown
'Anomalies', including possible cracks in a key containment vessel, lead to closure of a Belgian nuclear power plant
Here Comes The Money For The Sun
New York Governor Cuomo announces $107 million in new funding to help build large, PV projects
Sustainability Is An Urban Value
Atlanta, Georgia Mayor, Kasim Reed sees the value of investing urban sustainability and meets with other American mayors to advance this agenda
CT: Sound Policy
Cleaning up of Long Island Sound could hinge on to climate impacts according to Connecticut Governor Malloy
China Eats Our EV Lunch
A Chinese auto parts company bids for a financially distressed US electric vehicle battery maker
The Power Of Green Coding
Expect innovative, eco-friendly building design now that New York City has 'greened' its zoning code
New Day For Solar Business Models
There is more than one way to design a viable solar power business
Charlotte Gets Smart
Charlotte, North Carolina targets sustainable growth with smart energy & water management plans
Clean Streets Or Clean Air
Ever wonder if there's a link between NYC's alternate-side-of-the-street sweeping rules and air quality?
August 08, 2012
EU Rejects US Climate Retreat
The EU snubs Obama's climate negotiator call to abandon global temperature goals
Cut Red Tape For Green Energy
The federal government vows to expedite the review and permitting for seven renewable power projects
Winning New Energy Ideas
Who are the winners of a New York Academy of Sciences-hosted award for new green energy products?
Home Improvements
A primer on window replacements & energy efficiency
Bloomberg Weighs In
Mayor Bloomberg has lots to say about words that start with the letter c, 'creationism', 'climate change', & 'cities'
UK: Greens Slam Green Bank Rules
Environmental groups are critical of a government ban on borrowing from private capital markets by its new green infrastructure bank
Atlanta: No Taxes, No Way
Why metro Atlanta won't be doing anything about it's terrible traffic
Paris: Strolling By The Seine
Ending a Sarkozy-era blockade, Paris will go ahead with it's plan to increase Parisians' opportunity for Seine-side walking & biking
August 07, 2012
Japan: The Geothermal Option
Today, Japan has barely any geothermal power, but that might be changing
Australia: Cut Power Costs
Australia seeks to curtail electric utility bills, where soaring costs pre-date its carbon tax
NYC 2012 Benchmarking Report
Hot off the presses - the facts, the photos, the analysis
Renewable California
California now gets 20.6% of its electricity from renewable sources, up from 17% in just one year Official report here
Hello Heliostats
Tour a renewable energy project rising in the Nevada desert that uses heliostats to make solar thermal electricity for southern California
Adapt Or Else
Devastating drought-related crop failures and a massive blackout signal where India needs to develop resilience to climate change risks
August 06, 2012
Extreme Heat
New research by James Hansen sees rapid growth of extreme global heat caused by changing climate conditions
Name That Synonym
In the age of Twitter, six-syllable words like 'sustainability' are too long, got better ones?
Korea: Geriatric Nuclear Power
Facing high energy demand during a scorching Korean summer, a 1978 nuclear power plant returns to service
Canada: Beware Fossil Fuel Addicition
The Canadian Natural Resources Minister warns that reliance of fossil fuel extraction will harm chances for growth linked to a low-carbon economy
The East River Bluebelt
A community-based plan to create a waterfront bluebelt in lower Manhattan is moving ahead (but will it be climate-change resilient?)
The Web Gets Passive
New York Passive House has a brand-new web portal
The New Urban Ed Curriculum
Learn about what students will be doing up on the roof at PS 333
We Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
While the financial media focuses on today's Eurozone crisis, it's missing the main event, the looming impacts of climate change
Canada: Oil Sands Look East
The Premier of Alberta, Canada, is upbeat about piping her province's oil sands east to refineries and export markets
Colorado: Wind Winner
57% of the electricity for Colorado's biggest utility came from wind power one day this spring
August 03, 2012
Energy Auditors At Work
There is a lot to be learned from the energy audits of 29 NYC office buildings and many ways to optimize their HVAC systems
Why Clean Energy Stocks Flounder
The small scale of many clean-energy ventures makes it hard to attract conventional stock investors
Richard Muller: Ex-Climate Agnostic
Standing in a global media glare, climate scientist Richard Muller explains himself
Take Our Carbon, Please
Major fossil fuel companies seek EU support for developing carbon capture and storage systems
Airlines Against Carbon Caps, Not For Anything
A US-led coalition of airlines opposing the EU carbon cap fails to come up with alternatives
Heard It On The Grapevine
The New York Times wants your input on the media sources you trust for information on climate change
India: Solar Lightens Blackout Woes
Find out why solar power helped ease the impact of India's mass power blackout in rural areas, but not cities
Too Costly To Compete
Current efforts to finance and build nuclear power plants raise questions about their competitiveness with other energy sources
Benchmarking Report Out, Data Is In
New York City's Annual Benchmarking Report offers a panorama of building energy performance and finds vast energy use disparities
August 02, 2012
Retiring Coal
More and more US coal-fired power plants can't wait to retire, but beware of surging coal exports
Clean Energy - It's Inevitable
With a headline like that, how an you resist reading this interview with CEO of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Michael Liebreich?
The Future Of "High" Parks
Picture the future of two very different NYC parks, High Bridge and the High Line
Don't Know Much About Cap And Trade
Although California has a sweeping climate change law, most residents are unaware of its carbon cap and trade program
The Tappan Zee Tear Down
Hope is demolished for recycling the old Tappan Zee Bridge into a Hudson River-spanning park
London: Olympics' Eco-Endurance
Olympic planners routinely boast about their green feats, but what about the green legacy for host cities?
Accounting For Energy Savings
A big accounting firm projects the money & energy it will savewith installation of LED lighting in its NYC headquarters
Facebook's Carbon Footprint
Is Facebook's 2011 carbon footprint better than its 2012 IPO?
August 01, 2012
Let's Talk About The Weather
Public alertness to the current heat waves and droughts have yet to translate into 2012 election-year talking points
Germany: Wind Power Trends
While 2012 could see higher-than-expected new wind power for Germany, offshore projects are delayed by lack of grid access
Brazil v China
Brazil sues Sinovel, the world's second-biggest wind turbine maker, alleging theft of software codes
India: The Next Blackout
Could climate chaos add to India's future energy woes?
Live Long In NYC
New York City's mass transit system is a great reason for older folks to live here
Money-Minded Solar Decisions
Catch up with the latest rooftop solar installation financial ABC's
Burlington Riots Over Tar Sands
Demonstrators in Burllington VT protesting plans for a Canadian tar sand pipeline got fired up and fired on
Wind Could Blow Obama's Way In Iowa
Iowa, a state where the Presidential race is up for grabs Obama's support for wind power could be key
Writing Climate Science
Andy Revkin does a quick survey of the work behind publishing climate science research today