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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Fossil Fuels Are Going Away, And Most of the World Knows ItDuring the seven-mile hike I took yesterday with a friend to the top of Gaviota Peak (pictured) and back, we talked a great deal about the stock market, as my companion is very worried that we could be facing a long period of negative growth.  Here’s my perspective, for what it may be worth:

I’m bearish on the U.S. economy, since I doubt our young people’s fitness to compete in the global marketplace, and I’m extremely disappointed that we don’t seem to understand that renewable energy (and cleantech more generally) is going to play a defining role in the 21st Century.  That being said, (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Biomass

Biomass Briquette Press Used For Satisfying Emerging Energy Needs

Biomass is a significant source of energy in the world, particularly in rural areas. However, most current use of firewood and fossil fuels for heating and cooking brings with it harmful effects of indoor air pollution and associated adverse health impacts. So to replace the adverse emissions of wood and fossil fuels, biomass briquette press is manufactured by Indian researchers. Word’s emerging energy needs can be fulfill by this Eco friendly project. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Earth-friendly Living

Living in harmony with our surroundings was once the only way of surviving on this planet for the human race. We had to know our environment in order to defend from numerous predators and tame the nature around us in order to make it hospitable to the best of our ability. Unfortunately, we’ve got a bit carried away a couple of centuries ago, as it seems. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Six Easy To Follow Green Printing Tips To Save Money -- and The PlanetWhat is green printing?

Simply put, green printing is the collection of practices that will reduce the harm to the environment caused by usual printing practices. If you work in an office environment where printing documents is part of the day-to-day work ritual, you could have already done considerable amount of damage to the environment. However, it is quite easy to reduce the environmental impacts of printing by following green printing techniques and could be implemented instantly. We have listed some easy to implement green printing techniques for offices and homes. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainable Building

Energy-Efficient RoofingThere’s been a lot of talk online by the US Energy Department and Environmental Protection Agency on energy-efficient roofing. As a concept, it makes perfect sense. Considering that the Federal Trade Commission’s data shows that heating and cooling currently account for half of a typical household’s utility bills, the anxiety regarding household energy efficiency has become a national cause for concern.

Evidence presented by the FTC shows that careless construction is a strong culprit in home energy inefficiency, one that is being experienced by too many homes in the US. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

Solar RoadwaysIf you’ve come across the concept of the “solar roadway,” you know that replacing all our roads with this new kind of highly durable solar photovoltaic panel would generate more energy than all of us are using — three times over.  Moreover, the idea comes along with some really cool side benefits, e.g., we’d have roadways that never accumulate snow and ice, and that warn the driver when a moose inadvertently steps onto the street.  When it comes down to economics, promoters claim that “it pays for itself.” After all, it generates electricity, which has a cash value, so, technically, this is true. (more…)

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

Europeans and Americans Have Different Perception on Climate ChangeEurope and the U.S. have common points. Here are a few things to note:

–          In 2002, the Clear Skies and Global Climate Change law. The objectives were to cut emissions of sulfur dioxide by 73%, nitrogen oxide by 67%, and mercury by 69%, with one emissions cap in 2010 and the other in 2018. It also provided more funding for the research and a tax-favorable treatment to those who invest in renewables.

–          In 2005, during the 11th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) the U.S. agreed to join negotiation for international cooperation post-Kyoto. (2005), and became part of the Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and Climate Change, with Australia, India, Japan, China & South Korea and Canada, in order to develop green technologies. However, this partnership does not impose any objectives in term of gas emission reductions. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Possible New Intern for "Sustainability Role Models" WebsiteA young man from Hungary may be doing an internship with us soon, and wants to know more about it.  He writes:

Could you please elaborate a little bit on this internship opportunity offered by your company? Basically as far as I could see other interns’ activities on the website, they were all researching the literature on the internet and compiling a compelling article or blogpost on your website on a specific chosen field, e.g., some kind of renewable energy product.  Is that what you are looking for other volunteers for? (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

Indianapolis: Soon To Be Home To Car-Sharing ProjectA French billionaire is installing a huge car-sharing project using electric vehicles (pictured left) in Indianapolis.  Of course I wish him bonne chance, but I question his choice of venues.

Car-sharing is a terrific new paradigm in transportation.  But keep in mind that  it’s exactly that, a new paradigm; it works best in areas where the demographics are progressive, where people are eager to embrace new ideas, and perhaps even willing to make personal sacrifices in favor of the larger societal good.  Car-sharing also thrives where car ownership comes at a particularly high cost, in terms of having an expensive, rapidly depreciating item that isn’t used every day, and, especially, where there are significant hassles with parking.

San Francisco: perfect.  But Indianapolis?

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

Europeans and Americans Have Different Perception on Climate ChangeDecisions Made In the Past

International agreements concerning climate change are complicated because a consensus must be found. Since the first summit in 1972, four more have been held. In 1982, for the second summit in Nairobi, dealing with the Cold War was the main priority, thus Ronald Reagan decided for the U.S. to send his daughter as a representative. The failure of that summit was so huge that it is not really considered as officially having taken place.  (more…)

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