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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Green Bonds Coming Into VogueA colleague of mine predicts a huge future for green bonds, e.g., municipal bonds that are directed solely at environmental targets: renewable energy, smart grid, clean transportation, etc. Linked above is an article that describes what Portland, Oregon is doing in this capacity.

This is a fledgling market now, but it is bound to expand. And as more investors climb on board, the coupon rates will fall, meaning a lower cost of capital enabling more projects to be completed. Perhaps that’s a good reason to buy now.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Macro-Trends in Energy and the EnvironmentA friend who had been out of town just returned and asked what I’ve been observing in terms of energy and the environment, to which I respond:

I can’t say that there’s anything new.  There are huge forces pulling in both directions; it’s the proverbial “immovable object and irresistible force.”  I.e., there are dozens of reasons to believe that this will turn out OK for humankind, for instance: (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

How to Conserve Water in the SummerThe greater realisation that we have to protect our planet and its natural resources has led to a lot of big leaps forward in the eco sector. Green energy, recycling, and general levels of environmental awareness are at an all time high. Even if we could be doing more, we have to look at how far we have come and be proud.

The next wave of progress is likely to come from small scale changes, as opposed to big ones. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

Saving the Salton Sea with Solar Arrays2GreenEnergy super-supporter Gary Tulie, one of the brightest and most energetic people I’ve ever met, is constantly “thinking outside the box” when it comes to the use of large-scale engineering solutions to our environmental problems.  Here’s a set of suggestions he makes regarding the eco-issues pertaining to the Salton Sea (pictured), a large man-made lake in California, visible to anyone who flies from Los Angeles to the East Coast of the U.S. – ed 

 

The Salton Sea is a man-made lake made up mostly of runoff water from agricultural irrigation. It is the largest lake in California, and is currently under threat from reduced inflows and climate change. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainable Building

Sustainable Remodeling Tips To Make Your Home Energy EfficientOne of the main advantages of building a brand new home is the fact that they’re more energy efficient overall, which means they cost significantly less to run and maintain. But, if you choose to remodel a somewhat older home, why not slash your utility bill while making it healthier as well? Make the most of your home remodeling efforts by incorporating some very cost-effective, energy efficient upgrades. As the cost of energy keeps rising, many homeowners are seeking practical ways to make their homes more energy efficient in general without breaking their budget. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Yes, Environmentalists Are SincereMarcoPolo, an ultra-conservative reader notes:  “My frustration with mom and apple pie environmental statements is my suspicion that the authors have no real interest in the environment, but are using environmental rhetoric to advance old, failed socialist political ideology.”

I do believe that unbridled capitalism is a quick route to the end of our civilization, whether that comes from fire or ice. (I’ve provided a link for younger readers, most of whom no longer read poetry and won’t get the reference there.)

The other part of your statement is completely wrong, or at least 99% so: “the authors” do, in fact, have a sincere interest in the environment.

Really?  I’m guessing you have a bet with a buddy that you can keep this discussion going for more than 100 comments on a single thread, or some such. I can’t believe that a person of your background and intelligence really believes what you wrote there.

 

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Working In The Natural Resources Industry? Six Things You Need To KnowThe natural resource industry, which includes the sectors of agriculture, fishing and hunting, forestry, mining, and natural gas and oil, is integral to the economy. By providing jobs and generating income for the economy, the natural resource industry is invaluable. The industry itself is based upon the use of priceless resources. Therefore when working in the natural resources industry, it is imperative that sustainability and the responsible extraction of the raw goods is in the forefront of the employee’s mind. Failure of this responsibility to the environment may lead to legal troubles. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Fossil Fuels

Here’s a step in the right direction, I suppose: The G7 has decided to phase out fossil fuels by the end of the century. My thoughts:

• Equating natural gas, oil and coal, simply because they are all fossil fuels, shows a very weak understanding of the key issues facing the world energy/environmental crisis.    (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Good Guys and Bad Guys In the War To Preserve the Natural EnvironmentIn reference to my post about the Smithsonian, a long-time supporter of 2GreenEnergy writes:  Not many Americans are aware that the Smithsonian is “for sale” to special interest groups. 

Btw, thanks for the phrase “Destroying the Earth for Profit.”

Sunny Florida’s Gov. Rick “Luddite” Scott offered $100 million as incentives for weapons makers to relocate. Not a dime for renewables. He even instructed the state’s agencies not to insert the term “climate change” in their publications.
(more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Germany’s Energiewende “Energy Revolution”A reader just sent me this very interesting, and, I think, very fair piece on Germany’s “energy revolution.”  I use the word “fair,” since I’ve read reports from nay-sayers asserting that this is a mess, that the grid is unstable, that rate-payers are outraged, etc. (which is untrue).  I’ve also read that this is a very smooth transition that is going on with a hiccup, which is similarly untrue.

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