Blog – Page 1491 – 2GreenEnergy.com

Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Corruption in Government

craigshieldsPosted on June 28, 2014 Posted in Renewables - Politics

It’s the birthday of social philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a leading figure in the Enlightenment, whose writings contain the basic ideas behind the U.S. Constitution, the French Revolution, and so many other important elements of the way Western civilization has developed over the past 250 years. To summarize one of his central concepts, Rousseau believed that man is basically good, but becomes corrupted by living in the presence of civil society, which itself is the product of unfortunate historical events.

Remarkably, this is what (Harvard Law School professor) Lawrence Lessig said in the podcast I cited earlier in the week on campaign finance reform, i.e., (more…)

Tagged with: campaign finance reform, Harvard Law School professor Lawrence Lessig, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, MoveToAmend.org, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The Enlightenment, U.S. Supreme Court decision “Citizens United”

From Guest Blogger Lizzie Weekley–Environmental and Financial Consciousness: Five Recycling Projects that Turn a Profit

craigshieldsPosted on June 27, 2014 Posted in Sustainability

You know that you should recycle, the trick is getting yourself to make the effort to sort your trash and visit the recycling center. Here are five projects that offer monetary compensation for responsibly disposing of materials you’d be getting rid of anyway.

1. Scrap Tires

Whether you need to replace the tires on the family vehicle or have a couple sets of old tires taking up space in the garage, turning those tires in to a recycler are a great way to supplement your income. (more…)

Tagged with: cars, Environmental and Financial Consciousness, recycle, Recycling Projects that Turn a Profit, scrap cars

From Guest Blogger “Renewable Energy Corp” — Seven Sustainable Energy Practices for Your Business

craigshieldsPosted on June 27, 2014 Posted in Sustainability

These days, companies can no longer afford to ignore sustainable practices. The public expects it, and the savings a company can achieve by going green are just too great.

Here are seven ways to incorporate sustainable energy practices into your business. Some are easily implemented. Others require a substantial investment. All can help you realize significant energy savings, increased employee engagement and productivity, and a reputation for being a company that cares. (more…)

Tagged with: significant energy savings, sustainable business practices, sustainable energy practices, sustainable practices

From Guest Blogger Anita: Reducing Carbon Footprint–Six Ways We Can All Be More Environmentally-Conscious

craigshieldsPosted on June 27, 2014 Posted in Sustainability

As more research is done on the damaging effects of industry and development on the earth, more people are working to reduce their carbon footprints. By taking steps to reduce damage on the environment, people can be part of the solution, and help make the earth a safer, more beautiful place for generations to come.

Recycle

One of the easiest ways you can reduce your carbon footprint is by separating your trash and recycling as much as possible. Many areas offer regular recycling pick-up as part of trash service, or have nearby recycling centers to take recyclable materials. Recycling reduces waste and water pollution, saves energy and is even good for the economy. (more…)

Tagged with: recycling centers, Recycling reduces waste and water pollution, reduce carbon footprint, reduce damage on the environment, saves energy and is even good for the economy

Political Corruption vs. a Sane Energy Policy – Why We Have Hope

craigshieldsPosted on June 26, 2014 Posted in Renewables - Politics

Did you know that 96% of Americans believe that money has too much influence on law-making, but that 91% of Americans believe nothing can be done about this?

Ah, the politics of resignation. Apparently most people believe and act as though all is lost. But strangely, neither you nor I do. (more…)

Tagged with: energy policy phase out fossil fuels, Lawrence Lessig, political corruption, sane energy policy

Fighting City Hall – And Winning

craigshieldsPosted on June 25, 2014 Posted in Renewables - Politics

I have to say that I’m impressed with the work being done to pass a constitutional amendment that would effectively overturn Citizens United, and restore some semblance of meaning to our democracy here in the U.S. Most people would shake their heads and conclude that such a change in the law couldn’t happen—especially not in this poisonous political environment. (more…)

Tagged with: California State Senate, constitutional amendment effectively overturn Citizens United, corporate money equals First-Amendment-protected speech, poisonous political environment

From 2GreenEnergy Intern Louis de Saint Phalle: Global Investment Overview

craigshieldsPosted on June 25, 2014 Posted in Renewables - Business

I started out researching renewable energy and general sustainability topics thanks to Craig’s books, especially his first one which I immediately felt gave me an idea of what to do with my career. After meeting and speaking with him, we both agreed on the “following the money” aspect of all this energy stuff, which it turns out was another one of his books!

Speaking of money, the more I talk with people in the industry, the more I get the sense that financing and investment for renewable energy is the most important issue when it comes to accelerating their development (more…)

Tagged with: Craig Shields’ books, REN21 global status report on renewables, Renewable Energy - Following the Money, researching renewable energy, sustainability topics

Understanding the Path from Coal to Renewable Energy

craigshieldsPosted on June 25, 2014 Posted in Renewables - Business

If you want to learn a great deal about the energy scene in the U.S. in just a few minutes, I suggest you click here, scroll down, and read Glenn Doty’s comment on my piece on the failure of researchers to predict the energy future.

Glenn, as I’ve said before, there are very few people who understand all this with anywhere near the level of clarity and detail that you do. (more…)

Tagged with: aggressive paths into renewable energy, energy progress rooted in politics and money, Germany solar energy, maintain grid stability, predict the energy future

Planning Meeting for the 2014 Clean Business Investment Summit

craigshieldsPosted on June 25, 2014 Posted in Renewables - Business

As I’ve mentioned, I volunteer as a mentor to up-and-coming cleantech entrepreneurs who wish to present their business plans at the Clean Business Investment Summit, held annually at UCSB (the University of California at Santa Barbara).

My main role is helping participants to fine-tune their PowerPoint, and, more importantly, to find the words they’ll use to communicate their vision to an audience of interested but understandably skeptical angel investors and venture capitalists. (more…)

Tagged with: Clean Business Investment Summit, cleantech angel investors, cleantech entrepreneurs, cleantech venture capitalists, University of California at Santa Barbara

Energy Efficiency Bill Falls Flat

craigshieldsPosted on June 24, 2014 Posted in Efficiency

We at 2GreenEnergy were lucky to have super-intern Louis de Saint Phalle with us for several months this past spring, and we continue to be the beneficiaries of his insightful research into the migration away from fossil fuels in the direction of energy efficiency and renewables.

Here’s an article he wrote on the Shaheen-Portman bill, aka the “Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act,” that failed to garner required support and died on the Senate floor. Louis writes: “I always hear that energy efficiency is the “low hanging fruit”; then why are we unable to pass a bill like this?”

Good question, Louis, but I’m not sure you answered it fully; what’s your best guess?

Tagged with: energy efficiency and renewables, Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, migration away from fossil fuels, Shaheen-Portman bill