Debunking Claims
Some of the claims we come across are immediately discarded because they violate the laws of physics. Others may be theoretically possible but so outrageous that they too must be tossed out the window. (more…)
Operational Costs of Electric Vehicles Are Great, But…
My colleague Bill Moore of EV World fame sent this pic and writes: “Used my long-unused KillaWatt meter to measure how much energy it took to top off the Fiat 500e battery after driving 14.3 miles yesterday. Answer: 4.6kWh for total trip cost of 51¢ at current OPPD (Omaha Public Power District) rates. Calculated same trip would be $1.29 for conventional ICE getting 24.7 mpg and gas priced at $2.24/gal. See why EVs make such economic sense from an operational costs point of view.” (more…)
Book Publishing Has Hot Moments
Environmentalist Paul Hawken ended his talk today at the Bioneers conference with a story about the publishing of his latest book Drawdown, that presents the myriad ways of reversing the decline of our ecosystems. Apparently, Penguin Random House had heartburn about releasing another book on climate change/eco-disaster. “These books don’t sell,” said someone in a last-minute come-to-Jesus meeting that would decide the book’s fate. (more…)
Highlights from the Bioneers Confererence
Photo: ED RITGER
As noted previously, I’m up at the Bioneers conference for a wonderful weekend of learning. I’m thrilled to be associated with the Bioneers, a nonprofit organization that promotes practical and innovative solutions to global environmental and bio-cultural challenges. (more…)
Bill McKibben Talks Divestment at the Bioneers Conference
I just had the pleasure of meeting one of my heroes, Bill McKibben, here at the Bioneers conference.
The University of California system has just divested its endowment and pension plans of fossil fuels. That’s $3 billion. Shell Oil warns its shareholders in its annual report that divestment represents a significant risk.
I know there are people who don’t think divestment is having an effect. To believe that, however, you’d have to have a theory that explains why an oil company is plainly saying otherwise.
“Our Republic Is Under Attack From the President”
Here’s a short conversation between two school mates and me:
Morrie: The author of this article, Our Republic Is Under Attack From the President, is a retired US Navy Admiral. (more…)
Tagged with: Republic Under Attack
Union of Concerned Scientists Reports: Scientific Integrity Act Passes Out of Committee with Unprecedented Bipartisan Support
Six House Republicans joined 17 Democrats to ensure that science cannot be distorted or simply thrown aside and ignored in government policy-making. The Union of Concerned Scientists reports:
The legislation makes it illegal for anyone to manipulate, suppress, or distort scientific research. It requires agencies to establish policies for approval of scientific papers written by agency scientists. It empowers scientists to participate in scientific meetings and serve in leadership positions within scientific associations. (more…)
Ocean Acidification Is Hard To Reverse
A friend who quit drinking told me that one’s liver generally recovers when it’s no longer required to process all that poison….but, if one continually starts and stops, or, obviously, if one continues to drink like a fish, the liver can “give up” and go into cirrhosis. (more…)
The Caribbean: Making Renewables Happen
Here’s an old maxim: People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it. Wow, that applies so beautifully to the rapid migration to renewable energy. We get comments all the time promoting coal and dismissing the transition to clean energy as a pipe dream, while people all over the world are making it happen.
From Greentech Media: (more…)
New Energy Storage Concept
Here’s a concept that’s one more variation on the theme of doing work against gravity to store potential energy from intermittent sources, to be delivered as needed. It employs automated cranes that pick up bricks and move them sideways, as well as up and down. Interesting; it’s worth looking at the video linked above. (more…)
