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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

Pope Francis’s Messages Don’t Resonate with EveryoneIt’s hardly a surprise that the right wing here in the U.S. is taking issue with the Pope’s involvement in politics.  Hardly a week goes by without the Pontiff’s explicating some aspect of God’s will and how He commands that we care for one another and the environment around us.  These concepts have profound implications as to how we conduct our society and govern ourselves, and predictably, we have Republicans suggesting that His Holiness stay out of the political arena and limit his concerns to strictly religious matters.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Re-Establishing Our Relationship With Our Power UtilitiesBrace yourself for a plethora of stories like this: Utilities and consumers at war over the use of rooftop solar.  Fans of renewable energy object to the cap that NV Energy in Las Vegas, Nevada has placed on the number of homes that can sign up for its net metering program.  The utility argues that each new installation reduces the revenue base that is required to keep its utility financially viable, though this reasoning does not impress a number of different groups who are vocally objecting to the utility’s position.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

Air-powered Car – “Coming Soon”

Over the years, I’ve had several friends send me this “air car” concept.  It’s a terrible idea in terms of engineering and physics, but that’s not the most objectionable thing about it; it’s a bald-faced attempt at deceit. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

Trans-Pacific Partnership: An Eco-Disaster in the Making

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…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Fossil Fuels

Carbon Capture and StorageHere’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.

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

People Who Favor the Migration to Renewable Energy Have Big Hearts--But Sometimes Impractical IdeasI’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…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

Destroying the Earth for Profit? Better Hope There’s No Hell

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…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

If the Migration To Renewable Energy Is Inexorable, Why Is It Taking So Long?

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…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

How Objective Is the Reporting on Renewable Energy and Fossil Fuels?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…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

The Cost of Renewable Energy Continues To Plunge 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.

 

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