Market conditions are forcing the shuttering of coal plants, which are being replaced by natural gas and renewable energy. So why do we have a reversal of the trend towards lower emissions that began in 2005? (more…)
2250 megawatt coal-fired power plant
From the American Energy Society:
The Trump administration is looking into shutting down Energy Star, a 25-year-old voluntary regulatory program run by the EPA. Launched in 1992, Energy Star sets efficiency standards in more than 70 product categories, including appliances, heating and cooling, and lighting equipment. (more…)
I was in London for a few days when the OJ Simpson trial was going on, and, to my astonishment, most of the folks over there were tracking this event far more closely than many Americans. I learned not to assume that foreigners are uninterested in the bizarre goings-on in American justice. (more…)
If you happen to be within a train ride of Santa Barbara, you may want to join me this Thursday in checking out a talk by Katharine Hayhoe at Westmont College, an extremely high-end interdenominational Christian liberal arts college. (more…)
Here’s a nice photo presentation of aquaponics-based farming.
I’m ashamed to admit that my initial reaction to this was quite negative. “You’re going to use energy to light the place and pump nutrient-rich water across the plants’ roots? There is a reason that God gave us dirt, rain, and sunshine,” I smirked. (more…)
Here’s good news from the Kiwis: Though existing offshore oil exploration will be grandfathered, the New Zealand government will grant no new permits for this activity. Needless to say, conservation and environmental groups regard this as a huge win in the battle against climate change. (more…)
Question: What city (pictured here) won first prize this year in the Global Destination Sustainability Index (for the third consecutive time)?
Answer: Can be found at Clean Energy Answers. (more…)
My recent piece on waste plastic dealt with the pollution of our oceans. It’s going to take an enormous amount of time, capital resources, and tech R&D to solve this problem.
Here’s a video on a subject that may be even more disturbing: the combustion of waste plastic in countries that don’t have environmental regulations. (more…)
I’m just finishing up a writing assignment for a company in the biodegradable plastics space. The client is in the rare, if not unique position of facing literally zero marketing challenges; prospective customers like Nestles and McDonald’s are beating a path to its door, since, largely due to social media, there is almost universal awareness of the issue of waste plastic in our oceans. (more…)
“Pity” is a well-chosen word here; it’s a shame what has happened to the United States.
People all over the world are trying to understand the “Trump phenomenon.” Here’s an explanation I came across just yesterday that has some appeal; it’s a variant on the “Trump is the result of the problem, not its cause.” (more…)
