Here’s an interesting article for those trying to understand the subsidies associated with fossil fuels; it’s an interpretation of the recent report from the International Monetary Fund, that pegs the number at $5.3 trillion annually, or $10 million per minute. (more…)
I try not to miss an opportunity to thank the people of the U.S. whenever they successfully come together and accomplish something wonderful. In this case, it was exerting enough pressure on our congress to deal a harsh blow to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). It’s not dead, but as of today’s vote, the road to fast-tracking this massive corporate power-grab is now much harder. (more…)
My colleague Walter Feuchs wrote the following about the Smithsonian Institution and the Koch brothers. I can only add that I’m flattered that Walter likes my slogan (the title of this post); I’m delighted that he makes frequent use of it.
In September 2014, the Smithsonian Institute announced it would conduct tours of U.S. innovations. America once ranked #1, and has slipped to 5th. (more…)
According to a recent statistical study conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), greenhouse gas emissions are decreasing. To recall, greenhouse gas emissions – carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride and nitrogen trifluoride – trap the heat in the atmosphere, which affects global water temperature.
Therefore, the Kyoto Protocol target should be respected by 2020 as the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced it. (more…)
There are many aspects of the green energy revolution that cause me concern, a major one of which is the prevalence of fraud, i.e., raising investment capital for the development of technologies that couldn’t possibly work.
Now I’m sure there are readers who think I exaggerate this, or perhaps that I don’t give certain new ideas a fair chance; for those I offer this first-class, bare-faced fraud presented here and here. Yowza.
I’m not the only one asserting that renewable energy is coming at us far faster than most people believe. This has several important implications that are going to cause a virtuous cycle, further accelerating the migration away from fossil fuels.
The most obvious of these is investor (herd) mentality. (more…)
A 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.
A 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…)
The 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…)
2GreenEnergy 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…)
