Fewer Cold Nights
New York's nights aren't as cold as they used to be
January 31, 2015
January 30, 2015
Down, Down, Down
Price of crystalline-silicon PV cells, $/watt. RT @EconBizFin: Sunny outlook http://t.co/xIbOsSrLc2 pic.twitter.com/3L5ZZpH4pq
— BloombergNEF (@BloombergNEF) January 23, 2015REITs Right For Energy Efficiency
Here's why real estate trusts offer good opportunities to grow building energy efficiency
Japan: Nukes Stay In Energy Mix
Japan projects nuclear power will remain part of its power supply in 2030, but a smaller part than in its 2010 plan
Public Opinion Changes On Climate Change
2/3 of American (Ds & Rs) now support climate action, 67% would make climate views count when voting poll finds
Open Up Park Conservancy Spending
NYC Councilperson Levine wants to make spending by park conservancies more transparent by enacting new legislation
Dear Mayor De Blasio
Put climate justice into action, an agenda labor & eco-community activists call Climate Works for All
How To Share The Sun
Community net metering could be the way for made-in-the-shade New Yorkers to join the solar power revolution
Smart Meters Won't Save Us
Why smart meters fall short in getting people to use less electricity & what can help
January 29, 2015
Denmark: Catching The Wind
How Denmark Got to 40% #Wind Power Record in 2014: Renewable Energy Focus http://t.co/9x50EzHzY4 #eco #climate pic.twitter.com/CRYhEps2uN
— Jim Harris (@JimHarris) January 29, 2015Beijing: Don't Live Here
Beijing's Mayor says polluted air makes the city unliveable
UK: Climate Opinion Upturn
Polls find British belief in human-climate change rises & for 15% it's a 'major threat'
Do The Climate Math
Calculating global temperatures across many 15 year intervals demonstrates climate science is not overpredicting warming
Ikea Does Good By Green
Sale of green products at Ikea soared 58% last year, with LED leading the way
Cloudy Future For NY Storm Barriers
The Army Corps of Engineers takes a dim view of the proposal to build a barrier across NY Harbor to prevent future storm surge floods
Solar Flare-Ups In AZ
The tense relationship between Arizona power utilities & independent solar supply companies gets tenser
The Big Poltiical Chill
With US political polarization & personal animosity at record highs, no wonder federal climate policy action remains in deep freeze
San Francisco: Mayor Supports Community Choice For Renewables
Reversing his previous support for the utility position San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee calls on the power company to offer a "community choice aggregation" option
January 28, 2015
Liberia: Not Ready For Prime Renewable Energy Time
The story behind a failed US blueprint for a bio-mass energy plan in Liberia
China: Trend (Or Blip) Of The Century
Chinese annual coal burning fell a bit for the first time in 100 years
If You Can't Lose That Parking Lot...
Science At Work: We're In Hot Water
Video: Climate Change and Warming, Acidifying Oceans—More Than a Theory - Indian Country Toda... http://t.co/VbOIETWThm #climate #change
— Climate Change News (@NewsClimate) January 28, 2015Help Wanted
The Building Energy Exchange in NYC is hiring now for 2 staff positions
Plastic's Not Fantastic
NYC's ban on styrofoam & efforts to impose a fee on plastic bags won't make this stuff disappear.... yet
The Media Beat: Climate On TV
There's both good & bad news about TV broadcast news coverage of climate change
Seville: Cyclists Rule
What turned Seville, Spain into southern Europe's bike capital?
Flood Protection Could Alter Red Hook
$200 million in publicly-funded flood protection & a three foot elevation of new construction lift redevelopment allure of Red Hook
January 26, 2015
A Different Kind Of Endangered Species
Snowmen Protest Inaction on #ClimateChange at World Economic Forum in Davos: w/out Action There's No Future 4 Snowmen pic.twitter.com/TMl2ud4xio
— Jim Harris (@JimHarris) January 26, 2015Dubai: Parsing Solar Prices
Energy expert Michael Liebreich talks about record low solar power prices in Dubai & what that means for incumbent industries
Opening Access To Renewables
A transmission line that could carry 3,000 MWs of renewable power to millions in the west gets OKed
Rather Be In Australia Philadelphia
Watch out, climate change predictions are grim for Australia
The Case Against Nuclear Power
If nuclear power is neither clean nor cheap Obama must stop supporting it as a climate-friendly fuel
VA: Republicans For RGGI
A GOP-sponsored bill to take Virginia into the multi-state, carbon-cutting RGGI program gets editorial support
Legal Eagles The Power To Transmit Less
Will a federal rule struck down by an appeals court, FERC Order 745, which found that the federal agency responsible for regulating demand response lacked authority, be reviewed by the US Supreme Court?
The Opposite Of Nostalgia
St. Kjeld: Climate-Ready
Welcome to St Kjeld, Copenhagen's first neighborhood designed to thrive in the face of climate change impacts
January 23, 2015
Oil Price Plunge Dims Solar's Shine
Plunging global oil prices are causing problems for PV makers & investors
Building Sponge City
How to redesign Los Angeles for surviving long-term drought
Northeast Gas Pipeline Advances
The proposed Spectra pipeline expansion "would have some adverse environmental effects that could be mitigated, staff at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said in a final environmental impact statement for the project" [Greenwire $ub]
Solarizing The Southwest
The Philosophy Of Power
As state utility regulators start grappling with deep rewrites of the rules, deep differences emerge
Off-Shore Wind: Early Adaptor v Not
Number of offshore turbines in Denmark: 4,737
US: 0
https://t.co/W86TwobMW5 America, You're Doing It Wrong
pic.twitter.com/rLHz06imYT
— Paul Rauber (@paulrauber) January 23, 2015Mapping States' Solar Growth
Georgia tops the list! RT @ArnoHarris: 4GW of utility-scale solar procured in the last 12 months outside of RPS! pic.twitter.com/SPwXuUvT48
— Scott Thomasson (@scotthomasson) January 23, 2015Stop Wasting Money
Start energy benchmarking your building & gain peer-to-peer insights
January 22, 2015
Cuba: Granma Solarization Now
Cuba aims to make Granma Province run on 100% renewable power on the way to reaching a national goal of 24% renewable energy by 2030
Oceans: Hotter, Faster
RE 100 Update
A campaign launched during Climate Week 2014 to get corporate commitment for 100% renewable power gears up
If You Couldn't Make It To Davos...
...Your can see the new Al Gore climate video here
Bloomberg's $48 Million Dump-Coal Campaign
Local & national groups in states seeking to end their coal addiction and convert to renewable energy can tap financial aid from Mike Bloomberg & a California family
Science At Work: 2014 Records and Trends
What statistics reveals about 2014's record heat & larger climate trends (read on, you don't have to be a math-maven!)
New White House Energy/Climate Advisor
Brian Deese a budget expert, named as Obama's new climate & energy advisor/strategist/coordinator
Gov. Proposals For A Greener NY
If adopted, Governor Cuomo's proposed budget would add funding for renewables & energy efficiency, including a $20 million competition among the five largest urban centers outside NYC to develop energy efficiency programs
January 21, 2015
Global Energy Investment Trends
Investment in #fossilfuels vs #renewables: our figures as shown by @algore this morning at #Davos #WEF15 pic.twitter.com/iTly3I52Ec
— BloombergNEF (@BloombergNEF) January 21, 2015Net-Zero Dips Toe In Mainstream
US home builders see net-zero energy as the next big thing, but what about purchasers?
People Like Their Mayors
Mayors get more love than other electeds, but less than small business owners or recent graduates
Dubai: Cheapest Solar
Investments to double Dubai's solar power output will make it the world's lowest-cost power source
Solarize Westchester
2 Westchester towns kick off a a county solar-energy discount program to support PV installations by residents & businesses
It's A Special Day
cc @jbendery MT @USFWSRefuges: It's Squirrel Appreciation Day. Natl wildlife refuges benefit Delmarva fox squirrel pic.twitter.com/ys6r2u7EFY
— Kate Sheppard (@kate_sheppard) January 21, 2015State-Of-The Union Climate Science
"The president referred mockingly to a favorite line used by politicians — “I’m not a scientist” — to deflect questions about human-induced climate change. “Well, I’m not a scientist either,” he said. “But you know what? I know a lot of really good scientists at NASA.”
(Dismal) Science At Work: Climate Costs
How conventional economic calculations lowball the costs of climate change
EU: Carbon Market Fix Unfixed
A proposal is withdrawn aimed at fixing the ailing EU carbon emissions trading scheme
January 20, 2015
Solar At The Industrial Scale
Why mega-scale solar power farms are key to a decarbonized energy future
Carbon Bubble
UN climate chief warns that fossil fuel investments are overvalued & now at risk of losing money
Mediterranean: Urban Sprawl
Plastic pollution is just one sign of the environmental price of urban sprawl ringing the Mediterranean Sea
NY Green Jobs Competition
A $20 million fund for new clean energy jobs for upstate NY announced by Governor Cuomo
Hangin' With The FLOTUS
Urban climate change researcher Nicole Hernandez Hammer will sit with Michelle Obama at the State of the Union address
Renewable Google
Google announces its latest billion dollar investments in solar & wind power projects
China: PV Bloopers
Faulty PV production threatens energy output & profits at Chinese solar farms
Japan: Big Bucks For Energy Storage
$700 million in Japanese investments should give a boost to energy storage technology deployment
January 16, 2015
2014: Chart-Topper
The record has been broken: 2014 is the warmest year in the past 135 years: http://t.co/ZyqbTuNVXw pic.twitter.com/7bjr6nPWKn
— ClimateCentral (@ClimateCentral) January 16, 2015India: Solar Thinking Outside The Box
Installing PV panels atop canals in India is efficient land use & cuts water evaporation from the channels underneath
Climate Change Is Risky Business
Business leaders see risks rise with record-breaking heat & climate changes
Clean, Cheap, Champ
It can't be said too often efficiency is our cheapest energy source
Climate Activists: Pencils Poised
What's on the short list for climate activists in 2015?
Lack Of Exercise Is Fatal
European mortality data supports the need for walkable & bike-friendly cities with ample space access
Chamber Of Commerce: Friend Of BRT
The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce petitions for funding a bus rapid transit (BRT) line
Clean Energy Fellowships
Looking for the first step on the path to a career in clean energy?
Recycle With The Wind
NYC's biggest recycling plant now gets 4% of its power from a Sunset Park wind turbine
January 15, 2015
Once-In-A-Generation Opportunity
Plunging oil prices create the political space to end fossil-fuel subsidies & forge new energy policies, act now!
Life In The Anthropocene
Many Earth System indicators “beyond natural variability” & remain on unsustainable trajectory http://t.co/eUXcBjBNkQ pic.twitter.com/VVTrJdwvLt
— Future Earth (@FutureEarth) January 15, 2015Make History
Historic churches and cathedrals can get energy performance upgrades
EU: Irony In Ailing Carbon Market
Efforts to revive the EU carbon emissions market are thwarted by warm weather (less demand for fossil-fueled heat) & growth in renewable power
NYC: Farewell To Dirty Heating Oil
On June 15 New York City buildings will no longer be permitted to burn dirty #6 heating oil
Green Bonds Grow Up
Growing transparency & shared standards drive growth in the green bond market
Climate Science Stays In Schools
West Virginia pulls a curriculum that would undermine climate science teaching
Science At Work: Sea Level Rise
What first looked like good news about slower sea level rise turned out to be really bad news
January 14, 2015
Ontario: Carbon Price Coming
In Spring 2015 Ontario will release its carbon pricing plan, stay tuned
Cities With Big Clean Energy Goals
Which ten cities have 100% clean energy goals & what are their paths?
Debating The Rate Of Change
Will Moore's Law apply to the capacity & cost of technology to store solar power?
NASA Arctic Findings
NASA sees increase in amount of solar radiation absorbed in the Arctic pic.twitter.com/oN0OGwFsNj http://t.co/Xa3FOmTo3n
— Reporting Climate (@Reportingclimat) January 14, 2015Not The Same Old Grid
Why no one thinks the power grid of tomorrow will look like the past
China: Coal-Cutting Targets
By late June, China wants 4 regional governments to set goals for cutting coal burning & by 2017, it plans to reduce coal use in Beijing by 13 million metric tons
MA: Gov. Generates Energy Anxiety
The new Republican Governor of Massachusetts raises environmental eyebrows over his energy staff picks
Resolved
The Senate will vote on whether members agree climate change is impacting the planet
January 13, 2015
Just Send Money
A plea to Tom Steyer, don't run for Senate, instead, keep sending money to fight climate change
$3.5 Milllion For NYC Energy Efficiency
BEEx, a NYC non-profit, gets a $3.5 million grant to boost building energy efficiency & advance the Mayor's carbon-cutting goals
Washington's Climate Agenda
Washington State's ambitions agenda
Walk Safer, Walk More
Drivers bear the greatest responsibility for making city streets safe for pedestrians & encouraging more healthy walking
A Monkey's Uncle
Think being put on trial for teaching science is so 20th century? Think again in West Virginia
January 12, 2015
California Energy Storage Plan
A roadmap for integrating California energy storage technologies good for grid reliability & consumers is now available
How To Get to 50x30
Experts see no technical barriers in meeting California's goal of 50% renewable energy in 15 years, but challenges remain
Renewables Energy Snapshot
The @IEA #EnergySnapshotOfThe Week: @OECD non-hydro renewable electricity production 1990/2013 http://t.co/Tlgu0ziwMd pic.twitter.com/VFI9Q3T3nm
— IEA (@IEA) January 12, 2015Germany: Utility Price Tailspin
Analysts expect things only to get worse for German power utilities while renewables rise
Political Economy 2.0
Stimulate economic growth with a quantitative program tailored to green projects
Australia: Carbon Policy Impact
With the death of Australia's carbon tax, investment in renewable energy sinks 35%, opposite a rising global trend
MA: $18 Million For Critical Failicity Energy
Energy resiliency & demand reduction goals boosted with $18 million for 13 critical facilities projects in Massachusetts
Urban Solar's A Good Buy
Rooftop solar is cheaper than utility power in 42 of 50 US cities
January 10, 2015
Science At Work: Arctic Warming
What are the implications for understanding extreme weather of a warming Arctic?
January 09, 2015
Australia: Citizen Solar Update
Funding toward a $5 million goal for Australia's first citizen-owned solar thermal plant advances
UK: Deep Carbon Market Cuts Needed
To rescue the troubled EU carbon trading scheme, the UK urges cancellation of many existing permits
Props To NYC Households
Carbon footprint per household: NYC & #NHV are "cool spots"
http://t.co/60hExZdQxH #climatechange #cplan @YaleEnviro pic.twitter.com/mfVzCNHZMH
— DataHaven (@ctdata) January 9, 2015Billionaire Eyes Open Senate Seat
Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer rumored to have an interest in the Senate seat being vacated by Barbara Boxer
Georgia On My Mind
How has Georgia grown into the biggest EV market in the nation? And, how about the Atlanta streetcar expansion
Energy Storage Market Prediction
Commercial & industrial buildings are ready to make the solar energy storage market take off
Green Product Labeling
Honesty is the best policy and good for branding & marketing too
Science At Work: Sea Level Rise
Understanding the inputs to sea level rise makes climate science stronger
January 08, 2015
South Africa: Big-Time Solar
100 MW of new thermal solar power capacity will help transform the South Africa utility sector
Excited Over Perovskites
Named after a Russian Count, perovskites is a mineral with low-cost solar power-making potential
De Blasio Scraps B'klyn Recycling Plant
The Mayor's dispute with a City Council member over a Brooklyn waterfront development project derails a planned recycling facility
Compliance With EPA Carbon Rule Is Not Optional
States that don't create their own carbon-cutting rules will have to comply with an EPA model rule
The Energy Destoyer
The recent 37% drop in natural gas show energy markets, not federal regulations, pose an immediate risk to coal & nuclear power. Meanwhile, the EPA will delay release of its carbon emission rule until summer 2015
LES: Green Grass Roots Go Wireless
Grass roots activists in the Two Bridges neighborhood use local wi-fi to advance energy & communications resilience
Great Energy Code Expectations
NYC's newest Energy Conservation Code should increase building efficiency 10-30%
January 07, 2015
Get On Board With Transit Shed Maps
Datapolitan: Mapping NYC Subway Transit Sheds - http://t.co/5Z6EcFLGyX pic.twitter.com/jFx33zpHjV
— Aaron M. Renn (@urbanophile) January 7, 2015How To Get To Zero
The to-do list for making net-zero carbon buildings the new normal by 2030
Charting A Hotter Planet
Overwhelmed with the politics of climate change? then look at the data charts for rising global temperature trends
Germany: Solar Storage Price Plummets
Although it's got just a market toehold, residential solar power storage device prices are down 25% in one year
Offshore Wind: Big Setback
2 utilities drop a power purchase deal with Cape Wind because it could not meet a finance & construction deadline
Perth: Extreme Heat Downs ISP
With temperatures of 44 degrees C. Perth, Australia has an internet blackout
Fast L.A. to S.F. Train Update
Although it will take decadaes to build a high-speed train linking Los Angeles to San Francisco, it looks like it will happen
Germany: Energy Supply Shifts
Providing 26% of German electric power in 2014 renewables surges ahead of lignite coal, with natural gas a distant third
More Education, More Recycling
The Sanitation Department launches an apartment building worker education project to boost NYC recycling rates
Getting To The Heart Of Air Pollution
The cardiovascular disease-dirty air nexus means air pollution is a major killer
January 06, 2015
See Smarter
Get ready for the 'smart' lightbulb » http://t.co/iTlyTgsr9W pic.twitter.com/OE9pcORa0z
— CNBC (@CNBC) January 6, 2015Gas Tax Hike
Baltimore: Red Tape Stymies Solar Power
Solar power installers threaten to walk away from business due to Baltimore County red tape
India: Solar Demand Flat
Responding to flat demand for solar power India cuts price for energy credits
Cheer Up
Energy insiders see industry/customer/regulator convergence & cooperation coming in 2015
Follow The Carbon Fee Trail
As carbon emissions caps fall & permit prices rise, NY funds new emissions energy & renewable energy programs
January 05, 2015
2014: Hottest Year On Record
Let's Get To Zero
Explore a database of net-zero buildings in the US
Ripples Form NY Frack Ban
The impact of Governor Cuomo's fracking ban start to appear
Larry Summers: Carpe Carbon Tax Diem
Plunging oil prices make it a good time for a carbon tax says economist Larry Summers
Cap And Trade For Cars
California drivers will pay an extra dime a gallon for gas under the state's carbon cap & trade requirements
The Low Down On Cheap Oil
What accounts for the global collapse of oil prices?
Sun Rising In Gotham
40x30
Excel Energy pledges to cut its Minnesota carbon emissions 40% and double its renewable energy holdings by 2030
Hot Britannia
2014 was the #UK’s #hottest year on #record, confirms the @metoffice | Blog @carbonbrief
http://t.co/pAcqNiXDIk pic.twitter.com/8hnEhSvCFp
— Anders Hedberg (@anheepc) January 5, 2015January 03, 2015
Travel By Pod
Weigh in on the feasibility of urban personal transportation pod systems -- really!
January 02, 2015
If Sea Rise is Inevitable...
....what is South Florida doing to protect itself?
The Way We Live In Cities Now
See how we're living in big cities by density, age, mobility access & more
Where The Action Is
In 2015, expect the epicenter of climate action at the state, regional & municipal level
Energizing Clean Energy
New York's built up major momentum on clean energy developments and expectations are high for 2015
Australia: PM To Feel Climate Heat
Australian P.M. Tony Abbott could start feeling political heat for his climate-inaction policies in 2015
Mississippi Likes CO2
Proposed EPA carbon emissions limits get states' rights push-back in Mississippi