I just received an email that reads:
Craig, we won a big victory in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday—when Democrats voted against moving on fast-track legislation for the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) agreement.
But the battle to stop a secret corporate trade deal is not over. (more…)
Here’s a webinar that readers may want to check out: Fossil Fuels Without the CO2: Can Carbon Capture and Storage Deliver?
My take, albeit an oversimplification of a very complex issue: Obviously it can “deliver” in some sense of the word if we invest enough money into it. But why not take that incredible amount of resources and make the equivalent investment in clean energy and efficiency? Instead of creating a temporary and iffy solution, why not handle the problem forever, with 100% certainty, while eliminating the myriad of other toxins (oxides of sulfur and nitrogen, methane, mercury and other heavy metals, radioactive isotopes, etc.)?
The answer: The coal industry has one and only one interest–burning coal. 60 of our 100 Senators come from coal mining states. Look no further.
I’m in close communication with the World Business Academy, a Santa Barbara, CA-based non-profit dedicated to the migration to 100% renewable energy. I urge readers to check out their website and form their own opinions.
They often ask me to attend their conferences, but I decline, as I explained in what I just wrote below to its executive director in response to his most recent invitation. (more…)
Although I mention the subject of religion sparingly, it’s not possible to avoid altogether—especially when The Pope, the leader of 1.2 billion Catholics, is so aggressive in turning the tables against climate change deniers and others who would ruin the environment for the sake of profits. As noted here, he pulls no punches on the concept that rich people who aspire to become even richer at the expense of the planet’s supply of food, clean air and fresh water are on their way to hell. (more…)
When someone asks me this question at a party, I normally ask if he wants the three-minute or three-day version; there are dozens of answers, each quite important, and each requiring some time to articulate.
One of the most important responses: science is for sale. Our largest polluters, e.g., Koch Industries, spend enormous sums of money each year to obscure the fact that the consumption of fossil fuels is having a terrible effect on the health of our skies, oceans, climate, and lungs.
Here’s an example that I would have found funny if it weren’t so tragic: (more…)
Most thoughtful and decent people wish there were a way to force authors of purported unbiased “research papers” to disclose their political ties and the sources of their funding. Here’s an interesting story along those lines, entitled “Accuracy Happens: A Fossil Fuel Pundit’s Funding Is Exposed.” At a minimum, it calls upon us all to question the objectivity of the stories we come across that blast renewable energy for receiving government subsidies.
I particularly love the line: (more…)
I’m not normally one to banter about stereotypes about the people of various nationalities, but let’s be honest: the Scottish are generally known for their frugality. That’s why it’s noteworthy that Glasgow was the host to this year’s “All Energy” show, and that the event’s attendance set an all-time record, up over 20% from the previous high.
The event helps explode one more myth about renewable energy, i.e., that it’s expensive. Regardless of its attractiveness in terms of its eco-friendliness, the real driver here is the speed with which its costs are plummeting. The leading example, of course, is wind power, which is now, in certain parts of the world, by far the least expensive source of energy on Earth—with or without government subsidies.
Is it possible that Big Oil can morph itself into so many “energy companies,” in the sense that they offer an overhauled set of (cleaner) energy resources? Over the years, I’ve consistently denied that they are capable of this (even if they actually wanted to) on the basis of the age-old concept of “core competency.” (more…)
With legislation constantly changing and the ability to greatly reduce utility bills each month, every business can benefit from reducing their carbon footprint. Ultimately all businesses have a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to take responsibility of their company’s effects on the environment and impact on social welfare.
In the following paragraphs we’ll breakdown everything you need to know about adopting the correct CSR strategy, from the laws in place to driving delivery vehicles in a more environmentally friendly manner. (more…)
A few years ago, when the world entered its first stages of transitioning to solar and wind energy, it became apparent that cost would be the biggest impediment to the transition. Installing solar in homes meant that home owners had to invest a lot of money in solar equipment.
There has been a lot of progress in innovation of solar financing solution, which would make it easier for you to install solar systems in your home today. (more…)
