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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

<a href="http://s708.photobucket.com/user/craigshields/media/craigshields057/Laguna_San_Rafael_zps0b247b58.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src=In recent times the UK has dealt with its fair share of flooding, and while the government response has been questioned by some (a majority of poll responders felt the government did a poor job responding to the flooding), the UK government ensures their citizens that they are doing all they can to manage water and flooding in the future. Along with the Flood and Water Management Act that was implemented in 2010, the government continues to update their flood plans with different schemes for different regions within the country. (more…)

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Here’s an article that speaks to two basic truths on our discourse on the environment, at least here in the U.S.:

a) those who favor protecting our skies and oceans are uniformly opposed by critics who have consistently predicted that such regulation would cripple the economy, and

b) these predictions, historically, have uniformly proven to be incorrect.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Efficiency

When you’re trying to make the home more energy-efficient, consider replacing the doors and windows. Installing energy efficient fixtures will help you lower utility bills while maintaining more stable temperatures inside the house. Here are seven ways that new doors and windows outperform their predecessors. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Hydrokinetics

Here’s another post from the Energy Ocean show in Atlantic City, NJ.  As I mentioned earlier, ocean energy in its various forms, including off-shore wind, tidal, ocean current, wave, and OTEC, lacks the maturity of its cousins in renewable energy, e.g., solar and wind.  As such, the processes by which capital comes together to drive the development of some of these technologies are quite different.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Hydrokinetics

Just a quick note to let readers know that this Energy Ocean show is really worth-while, and I’m very glad I built an extra day onto my trip to New York to attend it. 

The introductory speaker opened the proceedings by saying that she’s often asked if ocean energy (marine hydro, offshore wind, tidal, ocean current, and wave energy) is “before its time,” and that her answer is: absolutely no.  I have to disagree. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainable Building

Four Ways Your Air Conditioner Can Help Make Your Home More Energy EfficientThe warm weather is nearly upon us and that means its time to think of ways to beat the heat. If using a fan and opening the windows isn’t enough for you, you’ll probably join the ranks of those who install air conditioners every year. You’ll welcome the cool air, but could do without the electric bill. Take advantage of four tips that can make your home more energy efficient when you are using your air conditioner this season.

Combine Your Approaches for Cooling (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

I had a short but interesting conversation with a friend earlier today about gay rights and the remarkable progress that the gay community has made in eroding the stigma attached to homosexuality and gaining social parity with heterosexuals in such a short period of time.  “I don’t object to the outcome for gays here,” my friend said, “but I do resent their being so aggressive and ‘in-your-face” about the demands they make.”

I understand my friend’s concerns, but I asked her to keep in mind that an aggressive attack is the only thing that got them the results they were looking for.   Let’s not forget the words of Frederick Douglass, American author, abolitionist and slave: (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

2GreenEnergy in Manhattan TomorrowI’m writing this from an altitude of 35,000 feet, on my trip back East for a series of meetings with some new contacts – and some old friends as well. It will be my pleasure to spend time with 2GreenEnergy financial guru Bill Paul, whom I’ll be seeing in New York city on Tuesday.  Bill was a staff writer for the Wall Street Journal for many years, and has forgotten more about the energy markets than most people ever knew.  I’m anxious to get caught up and hear about his recent escapades, which,  I understand, deal with using his journalistic skills to report on “environmental crime.”  Sounds exciting.

I happen to have a few time-slots open.  In case anyone in town wants to discuss our clean energy future, please let me know.

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Uncategorized

photo Niall_Ferguson_6025419231_zps73ff4e20.jpg

I had the pleasure of listening to a number of fine Ted Talks on my trip to the airport this morning, each addressing the growing disparity between the rich and poor,  and the demise of the middle class. In a fabulous presentation,  Harvard professor Niall Ferguson (pictured) explained how and why the West came to economic prominence over the last 500 years (he cites six “killer apps”). He then goes on to assert that these are “downloadable,” in fact, that cultures around the world have already incorporated them into their societies, and have begun to experience skyrocketing levels of GDP per capita.

(more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

Taking Steps to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Will Diminish the Level of Pollutants that Cause Lung DamageIt’s unclear why we needed a collaborative effort in 2014 from Harvard and Syracuse Universities to tell us what should have been obvious for decades.  But now, I suppose, it’s that much closer to being “official” (in whatever sense of that jaded term still has any meaning): Figuring out a way to drive down the use of fossil fuels (particularly coal) that are causing climate change will simultaneously bring us numerous side benefits in terms of human health and well-being.  This is based on the fact that burning fossil fuels emits both CO2 and oxides of sulfur and nitrogen, as well as heavy metals and radioactive isotopes that are released into our atmosphere – all day, every day.

I only wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve said:  I know there are people who don’t believe in climate change, including the 3% of the climate scientists who have made this subject their life’s work.  But those who don’t believe in lung cancer are hanging onto an even flimsier position.

 

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