Here’s another post from the Energy Ocean show in Atlantic City, NJ. As I mentioned earlier, ocean energy in its various forms, including off-shore wind, tidal, ocean current, wave, and OTEC, lacks the maturity of its cousins in renewable energy, e.g., solar and wind. As such, the processes by which capital comes together to drive the development of some of these technologies are quite different. (more…)
Just a quick note to let readers know that this Energy Ocean show is really worth-while, and I’m very glad I built an extra day onto my trip to New York to attend it.
The introductory speaker opened the proceedings by saying that she’s often asked if ocean energy (marine hydro, offshore wind, tidal, ocean current, and wave energy) is “before its time,” and that her answer is: absolutely no. I have to disagree. (more…)
The warm weather is nearly upon us and that means its time to think of ways to beat the heat. If using a fan and opening the windows isn’t enough for you, you’ll probably join the ranks of those who install air conditioners every year. You’ll welcome the cool air, but could do without the electric bill. Take advantage of four tips that can make your home more energy efficient when you are using your air conditioner this season.
Combine Your Approaches for Cooling (more…)
I had a short but interesting conversation with a friend earlier today about gay rights and the remarkable progress that the gay community has made in eroding the stigma attached to homosexuality and gaining social parity with heterosexuals in such a short period of time. “I don’t object to the outcome for gays here,” my friend said, “but I do resent their being so aggressive and ‘in-your-face” about the demands they make.”
I understand my friend’s concerns, but I asked her to keep in mind that an aggressive attack is the only thing that got them the results they were looking for. Let’s not forget the words of Frederick Douglass, American author, abolitionist and slave: (more…)
I’m writing this from an altitude of 35,000 feet, on my trip back East for a series of meetings with some new contacts – and some old friends as well. It will be my pleasure to spend time with 2GreenEnergy financial guru Bill Paul, whom I’ll be seeing in New York city on Tuesday. Bill was a staff writer for the Wall Street Journal for many years, and has forgotten more about the energy markets than most people ever knew. I’m anxious to get caught up and hear about his recent escapades, which, I understand, deal with using his journalistic skills to report on “environmental crime.” Sounds exciting.
It’s unclear why we needed a collaborative effort in 2014 from Harvard and Syracuse Universities to tell us what should have been obvious for decades. But now, I suppose, it’s that much closer to being “official” (in whatever sense of that jaded term still has any meaning): Figuring out a way to drive down the use of fossil fuels (particularly coal) that are causing climate change will simultaneously bring us numerous side benefits in terms of human health and well-being. This is based on the fact that burning fossil fuels emits both CO2 and oxides of sulfur and nitrogen, as well as heavy metals and radioactive isotopes that are released into our atmosphere – all day, every day.
I only wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve said: I know there are people who don’t believe in climate change, including the 3% of the climate scientists who have made this subject their life’s work. But those who don’t believe in lung cancer are hanging onto an even flimsier position.
Many thanks to my fine friend and colleague Terry Ribb for sending me this marvelous video on blogging. The piece presents the thoughts of Dr. Tyler Cowen, a university professor whose field is economics, rather than clean energy, but his remarks strike directly at what I try to accomplish—with whatever level of success—at the 2GreenEnergy blog. In particular, I try to address my subject from the widest possible variety of perspectives, in the hopes that readers will enjoy wondering what they’ll find when they come here.
The video was both a revelation and an inspiration. (more…)
One of the great many side benefits of a migration away from fossil fuels is that, when it’s complete, we can greatly reduce the rate at which we’re putting energy workers in harm’s way, e.g., exposing coal miners to black lung disease. At the same time, we can greatly reduce the need to lie about putting them in harm’s way.
Here’s an article about a coal miner who blew the whistle on his employer, Armstrong Coal, which was systematically falsifying the information it was giving to inspectors on the concentrations of coal dust at its facilities.
I believe everyone should see the five-minute-long video embedded in this article, in which conservative Republicans of various stripes debate the concept of a revenue-neutral carbon tax as a tool to take a proactive step to mitigate climate change. As you approach the end of the piece, keep in mind that everyone in that room is a self-described conservative. Wow.
