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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainable Building

Energy-Efficient RoofingThere’s been a lot of talk online by the US Energy Department and Environmental Protection Agency on energy-efficient roofing. As a concept, it makes perfect sense. Considering that the Federal Trade Commission’s data shows that heating and cooling currently account for half of a typical household’s utility bills, the anxiety regarding household energy efficiency has become a national cause for concern.

Evidence presented by the FTC shows that careless construction is a strong culprit in home energy inefficiency, one that is being experienced by too many homes in the US. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

Solar RoadwaysIf you’ve come across the concept of the “solar roadway,” you know that replacing all our roads with this new kind of highly durable solar photovoltaic panel would generate more energy than all of us are using — three times over.  Moreover, the idea comes along with some really cool side benefits, e.g., we’d have roadways that never accumulate snow and ice, and that warn the driver when a moose inadvertently steps onto the street.  When it comes down to economics, promoters claim that “it pays for itself.” After all, it generates electricity, which has a cash value, so, technically, this is true. (more…)

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

Europeans and Americans Have Different Perception on Climate ChangeEurope and the U.S. have common points. Here are a few things to note:

–          In 2002, the Clear Skies and Global Climate Change law. The objectives were to cut emissions of sulfur dioxide by 73%, nitrogen oxide by 67%, and mercury by 69%, with one emissions cap in 2010 and the other in 2018. It also provided more funding for the research and a tax-favorable treatment to those who invest in renewables.

–          In 2005, during the 11th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) the U.S. agreed to join negotiation for international cooperation post-Kyoto. (2005), and became part of the Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and Climate Change, with Australia, India, Japan, China & South Korea and Canada, in order to develop green technologies. However, this partnership does not impose any objectives in term of gas emission reductions. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Possible New Intern for "Sustainability Role Models" WebsiteA young man from Hungary may be doing an internship with us soon, and wants to know more about it.  He writes:

Could you please elaborate a little bit on this internship opportunity offered by your company? Basically as far as I could see other interns’ activities on the website, they were all researching the literature on the internet and compiling a compelling article or blogpost on your website on a specific chosen field, e.g., some kind of renewable energy product.  Is that what you are looking for other volunteers for? (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

Indianapolis: Soon To Be Home To Car-Sharing ProjectA French billionaire is installing a huge car-sharing project using electric vehicles (pictured left) in Indianapolis.  Of course I wish him bonne chance, but I question his choice of venues.

Car-sharing is a terrific new paradigm in transportation.  But keep in mind that  it’s exactly that, a new paradigm; it works best in areas where the demographics are progressive, where people are eager to embrace new ideas, and perhaps even willing to make personal sacrifices in favor of the larger societal good.  Car-sharing also thrives where car ownership comes at a particularly high cost, in terms of having an expensive, rapidly depreciating item that isn’t used every day, and, especially, where there are significant hassles with parking.

San Francisco: perfect.  But Indianapolis?

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

Europeans and Americans Have Different Perception on Climate ChangeDecisions Made In the Past

International agreements concerning climate change are complicated because a consensus must be found. Since the first summit in 1972, four more have been held. In 1982, for the second summit in Nairobi, dealing with the Cold War was the main priority, thus Ronald Reagan decided for the U.S. to send his daughter as a representative. The failure of that summit was so huge that it is not really considered as officially having taken place.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

More on Solar/Wind HoaxEmil comments on my piece lampooning the solar/wind tower that developers claim will soon be built in Arizona, in which I noted that, given the figures they presented, the implied price of electricity was huge.

Well, if you go back just past the linked article to the company’s website, you can see that the 435 MWh is confusingly representing a yearly average of 435 MWh per hour, so at least the theoretical cost per kWh is not completely insane – using your 20 year/no maintenance assumption, maybe $0.02/kWh. However, while I don’t tend to be as blunt as you Craig, I think this one belongs in the “physics challenged, bordering on investor fraud” category, along with Solar3D and V3 Solar. Don’t get me wrong, they’re all interesting concepts, and I would love to be proven wrong, but just can’t see it… (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Fossil Fuels

Good News Re: Chinese Coal-Fired Power PlantsHere’s some good news for those of you out there with lungs:  a report suggesting that China is working hard to reduce its dependence on coal-fired power plants, including a bold step to declare war on pollution.   It’s hard to know exactly what motivates the Chinese government, but it’s a good guess that they’re embarrassed about pictures like this one, and they recognize a responsibility—at least to their own people—to take the steps required to deal with the health crises that are precipitated by this mess.

 

 

 

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Efficiency

Canadian Reader Points Out the Need for Energy Efficiency and ConservationRoger Priddle, a reader from the central part of Canada, made a few comments on energy efficiency and conservation that I thought folks might find useful.  I appreciate the constructive criticism.  He writes:

I’m already powering my home with a combination of PV and solar hot water.  So I’m a fan and a believer. The only thing I wish to point out is that your presentations do not sufficiently emphasize the need to use the energy more wisely. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Fossil Fuels

Understanding the Fossil Fuel Industry’s Attacks on Renewable EnergyHere’s a good article that shows how powerful and well-organized the fossil fuel industry is in its nonstop aggression against renewable energy—and anything else aimed at protecting the environment from harmful emissions.

As a reader commented, “I hope the gig pays well.”  Indeed.  Born sociopaths do stuff like this for fun, but the rest of us don’t.  Imagine you’re a decent person, and you’re weighing the pros and cons of participating in this effort.  Your job will be to concoct and disseminate a steady stream of lies whose ultimate effect will be enormous harm to humankind and all life forms here on Earth – now and forever into the future.  The idea is repugnant to the very core of your being.  You can’t believe you’re even considering such a thing.  But there’s that summer house in the Hamptons….

 

 

 

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