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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Effective Ways to Live More Sustainably in 2015With Obama unavailing his Clean Power Plan aiming to reduce emissions from America’s power sector 32% by 2013, it seems that global warming has again become a heavily debated topic. However, sustainable living is not just an issue to be debated by those in positions of authority. There are many methods which if utilised, can help an individual to live in a much greener way and when combined, has the potential to make a huge difference to the environment. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Efficiency

Innovation in Dealing with DroughtThe idea of “shade balls,” i.e., black plastic balls that float on a body of water to minimize evaporation, is all over the news nowadays, especially as California comes up with increasingly innovative solutions to deal with its drought.  But why black?  I would think we would want the incident sunlight to be reflected rather than absorbed.  What am I missing here?

 

 

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainable Building

Six Steps to Add More Natural Light in Your HomeWhen you understand how to enhance your home with as much natural light as possible, you reduce the need for artificial light during daylight hours and a major benefit will be how much it saves on your electric bill. In addition, natural light is softer than what lamps produce, which means it offers its own special ambiance to a room. Giving your home a bit more natural light is great for making your home more sustainable and healthy, and here are some tips for helping you get started. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

Streamlining the Solar PV Permitting ProcessAs I’ve reported frequently, part of the reason for Germany’s boom in solar PV is that the permitting process for the individual homeowner is trivial.  Contrast this with the U.S. where the same action can take months. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Why Can’t America Lead the World in Clean Energy?When America leads in technology, things get done on this planet; we’ve proven that over the last century or so, in everything from the electric light bulb to the mass produced automobile to the moon landing to the Internet.  What would happen if we could find a way to lead the world in clean energy?  That’s a subject explored in this pithy little 30-second video from NextGenClimate.org. Nice job, IMO.

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

National Clean Energy Summit 8.0Las Vegas isn’t my favorite spot in the world, but it’s one that’s hard to avoid for people who attend large conferences. In less than two weeks, I’ll be there for the National Clean Energy Summit 8.0: Powering Progress,” which really does sound like a wonderful opportunity to hook up with:  Clean energy advocates, business leaders, public officials and bipartisan decision makers (who) will assemble to explore solutions for the advancement of the clean energy economy through innovation, investment and strengthened collaboration.  And President Barack Obama will deliver the keynote; it will be a gas to be in the same room with a man in that position who, overall, has done a fine job vis-à-vis environmental stewardship.

It’s a one-day event (for reasons I don’t understand).  In any case, I’ll be home late that night, which is fine with me, as every time I go there, I’m always looking forward to Leaving Las Vegas.

 

 

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainable Building

Being as Lighting Efficient as PossibleWith most energy saving pushes, people will often be fighting the same enemies – habits and enormity. Habits form over many years, and can be very difficult to recognise, let alone change. And the enormity of the challenge ahead can seem overwhelming, to the point of seeming impossible.

So today, we’re going to be breaking down one of the biggest energy crisis, our need for electrical lighting, in hopes of combating these two problems. Know from the outset that this won’t be an easy process, but it isn’t difficult either – it just requires some commitment. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Producers and Consumers Seek Mutually Beneficial Sustainability MethodsGoing green certainly isn’t a new concept, and unique ways to do so are popping up all the time. However, there are some that are a little easier for companies and consumers to enact together than others.

For example, Daily Camera recently posted an article about a couple outside of Boulder, Colo., who are currently at odds with town officials about ordinances they believe are discouraging sustainability practices. The sustainability practice in question: residential chicken coops. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

Trends in Electric Transportation Sure Do Look AppetizingIce hockey immortal Wayne Gretzky said, “I don’t skate to the puck; I skate to where the puck is going to be.”

Let’s see if we can’t apply that outside the confines of the rink.  Where’s electric transportation going to be soon?  In an extremely dominant position, if one reckons the probable effect of announcements like this one: Korean electronics giant LG Chem plans to cut battery prices of EVs by one half next year.

Those who have read my last book (Bullish on Renewable Energy) will recognize this concept from Chapter Eleven: “Electric Transportation Will Become Ubiquitous.”  This announcement by LG Chem, which effect will be to lower costs to the end user as well as improve the range, will further accelerate the EV adoption curve that we’ve discussed so many times here.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

How Going Green Will Save You MoneyAs converting to “green” is becoming increasingly popular, a plethora of energy-efficient opportunities have arisen that are allowing individuals to better the environment. On top of creating a better environment, going green is providing on outlet for individuals to save enormous amounts of money within their day-to-day expenses. Below I wanted to bring up a few ways that going green can help save money while assisting the world in bettering the environment. (more…)

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