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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

Changing Paradigms in TransportationI’ve often mentioned that car ownership, the defining paradigm of transportation in the 20th Century, may be on its way out.  A great number of events are conspiring to make this happen—one of which is urban planning to support walking and bicycling.

The city of Lakewood, Ohio is a good example.  Here’s an uplifting video that shows how and why Lakewood is a city devoid of school buses.  What happens when 5800 kids walk or ride their bikes to school every morning?  It’s pretty cool stuff.

 

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Renewable Energy and Crowdfunding A friend sent me this piece earlier today on the concept of crowdfunding for renewable energy.

In the main, I’m not a fan of crowdfunding in this space—for the same reason that VCs tend to avoid the subject: it’s capital intensive. You think you’re going to raise a billion dollars a hundred dollars at a clip?  Wrong. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Deutsche Post DHL Goes Green in a Big WayDeutsche Post DHL is the result of the privatization of Germany’s post office and its merger with parcel and logistics giant DHL; its operations around the globe generate annual revenues exceeding 51 billion Euros.  Last week, Deutsche Post DHL passed a new milestone of its environmental protection program called “GoGreen” — more than 60 percent of its global electricity demand is now generated from renewable sources. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Nuclear

The Various Forms Low-Carbon of Energy Should Not Fight One AnotherThe advocacy group for molten sale thorium reactors I came across recently is composed of some really smart people who understand the mechanisms behind climate disruption very well.  But astonishingly, many members of the group see solar and wind as unwanted competition.  One wrote to the group the other day that he sees the need to promote solar only “because you get more points giving credit to the opposition.”

Seriously?  It’s hard to understand how a person can be both super-smart and incredibly childish.  People who are honestly concerned about climate disruption and other forms of environmental degradation associated with fossil fuels need to view all potentially cost-effective forms of low-carbon energy as friends, not enemies.  I would have hoped it went without saying that advocates of renewable energy face enough challenges from the Koch Brothers and other selfish, malicious pigs; we don’t need to be fighting one another.

 

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

Ikea Brings Solar-Powered Lighting to the World’s RefugeesThe world’s 10.5 million refugees (almost half of whom are children) have a variety of tragic stories to tell about how some environmental or political/military disaster caused them to flee their native lands.  Needless to say, life without a home isn’t a pleasant experience.  That’s why Ikea, one of the most enlightened companies on the planet, is spearheading a program to bring solar lighting to refugee camps all over the developing world.

Displaced people won’t be living in luxury, but at least they won’t be living in darkness when the sun goes done.  Nice going, Ikea.

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

Wanted: “New and Unique Ideas” to Address World Energy PolicyAccording to the Writer’s Almanac:  It was on this day in 1837 that Ralph Waldo Emerson delivered a speech titled “The American Scholar” to the Phi Beta Kappa Society at Harvard University.  The speech was the first time he explained his transcendentalist philosophy in front of a large public audience. He said that scholars had become too obsessed with ideas of the past, that they were bookworms rather than thinkers. He told the audience to break from the past, to pay attention to the present, and to create their own new, unique ideas. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Trader Joe'sClick “read more” for a shot I took in the parking lot of Trader Joe’s. Needless to say, there’s a wonderful correlation of demographics between TJ’s shoppers and renewable energy advocates; it’s the same reason that one sees lots of Volvos and very few pick-up trucks with gun racks.
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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Ocean Thermal

Materials Science Breakthrough at MIT Will Greatly Improve Efficiencies of All Thermal Power PlantsHere’s a video made by a PhD student at MIT that illustrates how rapidly energy-related technology is evolving, and how this will effect a migration to renewables far faster than most people believe to be possible. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

The Evolution of Electric Car ConversionsElectric and hybrid vehicles have significantly increased in popularity over the last decade. It’s no wonder, since their great gas mileage and eco-friendly nature are desirable qualities for anyone looking to purchase a new vehicle. However, the price point of the average electric vehicle is still high enough to deter many from being able to afford them. Another option, though, that many fail to recognize is the possibility of converting an old gas vehicle to electric power – which is actually simpler than you’d think. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

Sustainable Politics: We Want Our Democracy Back – And It Appears We May Get ItHere’s the brand new video from Mayday, the crowd-funded PAC (political action committee) to end all PACs, issued the day after we had our first major victory. I have to admit that there are tears of joy in my eyes as I type this, as I’m thrilled to be one of over 45,000 people who chipped in a few bucks to advance the cause; you can be one too.

 

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