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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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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

Sadly, Even the Smithsonian Is Vulnerable to the Pressure of Big MoneyA reader notes:  Coming up is exposing the Smithsonian who last September published a news release that it would promote U.S. innovations. This never happened…..David Koch is a board member of the Smithsonian. The Koch brothers contributed $15 million to the Institution. It seems not even the Smithsonian can be trusted.

Unfortunately, you’re right on track here. I can’t speak to what you’ve written above, but it’s most certainly true that The Smithsonian features the David H. Koch “Hall of Human Origins”–a display that deliberately misleads sight-seers with respect to how rapidly our species may be able to adapt to a warming climate.  I wrote about it in disgust here.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Frugality in Promotion of Renewable Energy BooksA friend noticed that I haven’t been on as many radio and TV shows as I was a few years ago and I admitted that I’ve been a bit more frugal with use of PR firms to promote my books lately.  When she questioned my choice of language, I explained that I’ve always liked the word, insofar as it’s so different from “cheap.” “Frugal” means avoiding spending lavishly on oneself; “cheap” means avoiding spending on others.  We should all aspire to be frugal, but not cheap.

 

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

The U.S. Has Aggressive Targets for Fuel Economy Improvements—But Are We on Track To Achieve Them?I know many readers are interested in tracking the progress that the U.S. is making in achieving its 54.5 MPG target for 2020.  Fortunately my friend and colleague Jon LeSage has devoted his life’s work to understanding how those measures are being defined, where fuel economy improvements are coming from, and how likely we are to actually achieve our goal.  Above, I’ve linked his latest report on the subject. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Energy Policy: Taking a Stand Against Fossil Fuels I recently instructed the U.S. (as if it takes my instructions) to tell the world:

America as a country, and a heck of an impressive one at that, is proving its moral goodness by phasing out fossil fuels at the maximum practical pace.  We’re doing this largely because we’ve become aware of the huge externalities associated with coal, oil, and natural gas vis-a-vis health and the environment. (more…)

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