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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

An increasingly important element in environmental policy is the preservation of our water supplies. 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by water but only 2.5% of this is drinkable fresh water. This freshwater has been on the planet since the time of the dinosaurs. It is recycled and renewed constantly via the water cycle but as the global population increases more pressure is being put on our water supplies.

Water is in a state of crisis, based on statistics reported by the UN, water usage has grown at twice the rate of population increase in the last century. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

How to Save Money by Going GreenGoing green is often considered as being costly; however this is not always the case, particularly when it comes to saving energy. There are many things you can do to save money whilst saving the environment, and we’ve provided a list of these below.

Take Advantage of the Green Deal

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

The Future of Renewable EnergyIn his discussion of my recent post on the need for a sane energy policy, Marc Vendetti comments on the importance of energy storage:

One of the larger impediments to renewables being viewed as a complete replacement for fossils….is storage. Here is a Gates Foundation-backed company about to roll out a battery storage product that is relatively inexpensive, sustainable and environmentally-friendly.  This company will be joined by many others in the coming years and the technology will continue to improve. If we really embraced innovation and change in this space, our transition to renewables could be swift.

I think you’re exactly right here, Marc. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

photo Heyn_Photo_-_John_Comes_Again_Sioux_cph3b03732_zps9d32dce7.jpgMy friend Larry Miles, whose innovative company sits at the forefront of developing low-cost, high-efficiency wind turbines, wrote me concerning my post “We Need An Energy Policy.” I thought readers might find this interesting.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics


Optimism / Pessimism on the Future on Renewable EnergyThose who believe that America is caught in a downward spiral have a great deal on which to base those beliefs – principally the nation’s failure to take a moral high ground on several main issues — energy and climate change among several: social justice, civil liberties, overseas imperialism, etc.  Of course, I tend to see the world through the lens of energy policy, sustainability, and environmentalism, and I’m deeply perturbed that my country – arguably the single best positioned to make a difference in the course of humankind – has contented itself to sit around and bicker about these issues while the viability of our ecosystems continues to deteriorate.
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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Efficiency

As we progress into the future, there is no question that technology is becoming more and more integrated into our everyday lives. And though we may be quick to discern growing technology with quicker and more efficient means of human productivity, the reliance that modern society places on such advancements has, without a doubt, casted unimaginable burdens within our ecological systems. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainable Building

Here’s a note from a reader that I wanted to publish:

 

Hi Craig,

My name is Cameron Von St. James and I wanted to reach out to you to share something very special to me. I noticed your blog has a focus on the environment and living green and I was wondering if you’d be willing to help me with a very important cause! (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

A friend sent me this story about his local (Philadelphia) region: “Offshore Wind Farm Rejected in New Jersey.”  Rightfully, he’s dismayed.

The analysis here shows how flawed our whole approach is to providing energy to businesses and consumers.  The whole thing needs to be ripped out by the roots, and replaced by an energy policy at the federal level (we have none at all now) that points in the direction we as a nation want to take, and contains a few main tenets:

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

photo 320px-South_Point_Wind_Farm_zpsac369aed.jpgSun, wind and water are the three most common renewable sources. They have a record of being incredible and help in keeping the environment clean. Compared to traditional power sources like coal and oil, they do not damage the energy sources and the environment.

If only 0.02% of the sun’s energy that actually reaches planet earth is tapped, it would be enough to suffice the energy demands of the world. The sooner we put to maximum use this free gift, the faster we will make this world a better place to live.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Fossil Fuels

I know many of you share my concerns about the vast damage being inflicted to human health and the environment by coal-fired power plants.  You’ll be happy to learn that, at least, in the U.S., this lethal and archaic form of energy is under a great deal of pressure, and a significant number of coal plants are slated for decommission in the near future, as illustrated in this map.

 

 

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