Climate Change: Wine and Rain Forests

Hmmm... it has been awhile. Blogger has a new, Word-like interface. Let me take this for a spin.

Extreme weather that is believed to have been the result of climate change is being blamed an increase of deaths in Sweden:

In the end they found that the number of periods of extremely high temperatures increased significantly over the period 1980-2009. Not only that, this temperature increase contributed to 300 more deaths during these heat waves than would have been the case without climate change. The scientists also calculated that in Sweden as a whole, this would mean about 1,500 more deaths due to climate change over the past 30 years.

The US EIA has some good news for us about 2012: Carbon emissions dropped to an 18-year low. US residents reduced their energy usage, something that was helped along by a warm winter. However, the "reliance on renewable energy declined."

Hopefully we can continue to reduce our emissions and cut away on pollution and the issues that are associated with it. Canada has linked heavy air pollution with cancer spikes:

Scientists have discovered that levels of contaminants higher than in some of the world's most polluted cities have been found downwind of Canada's largest oil, gas and tar sands processing zone in a rural area where men suffer elevated rates of cancers linked to such chemicals.

Climate change has been impacting the Amazonia for quite some time and it is now looking like we could see a huge dieback that could release a lot of carbon dioxide into the air. The study is sure to attract attention, especially since it is quite a bit different than the forcasts made by the IPCC:

The new results are in stark contrast to forecasts made by climate models used by the IPCC. Even under future scenarios in which atmospheric greenhouse gases rise dramatically, the models project the dry season in the southern Amazon to be only a few to 10 days longer by the end of the century, and therefore the risk of climate change-induced rainforest dieback should be relatively low.

 Unlike The Empire Strikes Back, I shall end this on a high note. Climate change is boosting wine production in Vermont:

While no one wants to promote climate change, a group of Vermont winemakers can thank the state's rising temperatures for an economic boost. They have been able to add warmer-weather varieties, like pinot noir, to their selection.

technorati tags: alternative energy, green blog, climate change, energy

Climate Report Pre-release Causes Concern Arguments

The IPCC has a working draft of a new report due out next year. Unfortunately someone signed up for the peer review process and then released part of it on a blog. Information was then cherry picked and stated to show that global warming is not being caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

Skeptical Science has a nice post debunking the role of solar activity as the main reason behind the warming of the planet.

While we argue about climate change and what can be done, there are some certain things going on and things that appear to be on the horizon such as extreme weather, impact on the community, impact on the life on Earth, and even our ski slopes. At least the trees might make it in the near term.

Can alternative energy help slow down the effects of global warming or even turn the tide? It appears to be so but we will never know for certain until we make a real effort to build up a worldwide infrastructure and start treating our environment with the care that it deserves.

technorati tags: alternative energy, green blog, climate change, energy

Political Special - Clean Energy and Recent Politics

For those of us in the United States today is the day when the majority of US citizens who are going to vote will do so. A number of federal issues and the general direction of the country will be somewhat decided today. Of course one of those issues will be alternative energy and here are a few news articles for you this AM.


Election outcome may determine future of clean energy industry - San Antonio Business Journal

The fate of clean energy jobs around the nation may hinge on the outcome of the election. President Barack Obama has been a champion of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power and has supported programs that provide tax credits to companies investing in “green energy.” Republican nominee Mitt Romney, however, has called Obama’s support of such programs a disaster[...]

Green Jobs Depend on Obama Win As Fiscal Cliff Approaches - Bloomberg

Four years ago Obama pledged to make the U.S. less reliant on fossil fuels and create 5 million green jobs in 10 years. So far, job creation has been far more modest than Obama projected, and bankruptcies at government-supported companies, including solar-panel maker Solyndra LLC, which received a $535 million loan guarantee, have generated a political backlash.

Bill in Congress could increase energy competitiveness | Midwest Energy News

With the potential for renewable investment high in the Great Lakes region, companies may use the business structure to attract more funding, said Nick Hylla, director of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, an outreach group based in Wisconsin.

“Where policy and financial innovation have been set in place at the state level, we’ve seen investors take advantage,” he said.

Climate policy advances in the states, but slowly - The Washington Post

But the push to expand renewable energy, which would reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by producing electricity without burning fossil fuels, does continue on the state level. And California is pressing ahead — without the six states that initially planned to join it — with a trading system that will allow the state’s major carbon emitters to buy and sell pollution allowances.

 Obama-Romney: Where They Stand on Energy- U.S. Election 2012 - CNBC

There hasn't been all that much talk this election year about U.S. energy policies and the environment. But there are some major differences between the two presidential candidates.

technorati tags: alternative energy, green blog, climate change, energy, politics

November 5th Green News

Green economy is on the rise – but remains to be fully exploited | Environment | The Guardian

There are now nearly 1 million people employed in green jobs, from biofuels and electric car manufacturing to wind turbine installation, with more than 25,000 jobs created last year. The green sector is now bigger than car manufacturing, aerospace or telecoms, but gets far less of the political attention these established sectors enjoy.

Going Green: SUNY ESF generating most of its own heat, power - YNN, Your News Now

At the current price of heat and power, the college will save about $400,000 a year, which means the system, will be paid for in five years.

Scotland generating £200m a year of indie green energy

According to figures compiled by SmartestEnergy, there are now around 280 independent, commercial-scale renewable energy projects across the country with a total capacity of 750 megawatts – equivalent to a small conventional power station and enough to power more than 500,000 households.

Green campaigners furious with UK's 'dash for gas' revelation

The coalition is divided over energy policy, with Osborne favouring a major increase in gas use, promising generous tax subsidies to the shale gas industry at last month’s Tory party conference. The Liberal Democrats want greater emphasis on renewable energy.

Land acquired for biomass power plant project | News | Materials Recycling Week

The EnergyPark is claimed to be Europe’s most sustainable biomass-from-waste power station, using a mix of the technologies to divert of waste from landfill at below landfill cost at the same time as creating renewable energy and recycled products.

technorati tags: alternative energy, green blog, climate change, energy

Green energy exports key to Iceland's growth -McKinsey | Reuters

Green energy exports key to Iceland's growth -McKinsey | Reuters

Iceland risks slipping back into external deficit if it does not address the fundamental economic shortcomings exposed by the crisis, notably low productivity. This would threaten living standards and might delay the removal of capital controls imposed after the banking system collapsed in 2008.

technorati tags: alternative energy, green blog, climate change, energy

Green energy would save EU trillions by 2050: report

Green energy would save EU trillions by 2050: report | Reuters

Another benefit is job-creation. The report finds almost totally green energy would lead to half a million extra jobs compared with business as usual, as renewable energy initially demands more workers than carrying on with fossil fuel.

technorati tags: alternative energy, green blog, climate change, energy

The New Green Energy Bust You'll Hear About at Tonight's Debate - Jordan Weissmann - The Atlantic

The New Green Energy Bust You'll Hear About at Tonight's Debate - Jordan Weissmann - The Atlantic

[...]Mitt Romney memorably, if not exactly accurately, wrote off the Obama administration's attempts to foster green industries when he quipped, "You don't just pick the winners and losers -- you pick the losers." In fact, dozens of companies have received loan guarantees and grants from the Department of Energy as part the $90 billion in stimulus funding dedicated to green power. About $813 million actually went to the handful that went bust, according to Reuters. But that won't help the politics of it. Romney's point sounds true enough, even if it's a gross simplification.

technorati tags: alternative energy, green blog, climate change, energy

New University Study: Ethanol Reduced Gas Prices by More than $1 in 2011 | RFA: Renewable Fuels Association

New University Study: Ethanol Reduced Gas Prices by More than $1 in 2011 | RFA: Renewable Fuels Association

The new analysis, an update to a 2009 peer-reviewed paper published in Energy Policy by professors Dermot Hayes and Xiaodong Du,  also found gasoline prices have been reduced by an average of $0.29 per gallon, or 17%, from 2000-2011 thanks to  the growing use of ethanol. 

technorati tags: alternative energy, green blog, climate change, energy

New LED Light Can Help Keep Carbon Emissions Down

Geeky Gadgets has a small blurb on the new Phillips LED light bulb known as the EnduraLED.

It uses 12W and is meant to replace a standard 60W bulb and is currently priced at $60. Carbon emissions savings? Up to 5.3 million metric tons... per year.

technorati tags: alternative energy, green blog, LED, energy

XKCD comic

Alternative Energy Revolution

technorati tags: alternative energy, webcomic, windmill, energy

Berkeley Lecture: Climate Change and Carbon Markets

technorati tags: carbon markets, green blog, climate change, energy

Control Your Meter, Other News

If you have not heard about this tech by now then you must be hiding out in a dingy cave somewhere. This is going to be one of the next best things and help push for a newer (and hopefully more sustainable) energy infrastructure. AKA the smart grid. The technology is long overdue.

What am I talking about? Monitoring your power meter. It is such a big deal that Google has even built their own application that is now in beta. Today there is also an article about a Raleigh conservation company that has also built their own tool for this.

Energy saver ready for tests

A Raleigh energy conservation company will begin testing a household technology this spring in Raleigh apartments and Fayette ville homes that will let homeowners remotely adjust thermostats when no one's home.

Consert's system can cut household energy use by 10 percent to 15 percent, said Roy Moore, the company's chief development officer. The technology will also tell homeowners how much money they're saving and how much they're cutting greenhouse gases.

Also governors in the Midwest are starting to push for alternative energy. That part of the country appears to be a good place for it and, with a better and more efficient energy grid in place, should easily be able to supply surround states out to the coasts. Of course right now they are pushing for an increase in ethanol use.

Midwest govs seek to bolster alternative energy

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver, a Democrat, and Republican Govs. John Hoeven of North Dakota, Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota want the administration to take several steps to make ethanol blends more available and promote wind energy.

"We will pay a price in the future if we don't have that strategic plan, that vision and that sustained effort behind developing domestic renewable energy," Hoeven said in a news conference surrounding meetings of the National Governors Association.

And it is not just the Midwest looking at alternative energy. Buena, NJ is currently considering a solar park propoal:
BUENA: Officials consider solar park

Borough officials last night listened favorably to an idea for a solar power generation park and a “green technology” education center on the site of a former rag factory off the Boulevard.

Mays Landing resident James Connelly, the would-be developer, outlined the $3.6 million proposal for Borough Council.

A spot of rain on a sunshine day though, the satellite that would have monitored green gases did not reach orbit.

NASA satellite crashes minutes after launch

The satellite, which would have monitored greenhouse gases to study how they affect the Earth's climate, was launched on a rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 1:55 a.m. PT (4:55 a.m. ET).

But the payload fairing -- a clamshell-shaped structure that allows the satellite to travel through space -- failed to separate from the rocket, NASA officials said.

technorati tags: alternative energy, green blog, climate change, energy

Green news - Stimulus, China, Electricity

So still new in the position President Barak Obama will finally sign the big stimulus bill into existence today. Part of that package is aimed at the emerging "green" economy by getting people and government buildings to make some greener choices.

Getting your hands on some green...stimulus

Not all this money will go for energy improvements at home. In fact, most will go to make government buildings more efficient.

But a part of it may be used to offset the cost for utilities that run energy conservation programs.

Those programs include things like performing standard energy audits where contractors come in and evaluate the insulation and appliances in your home, then make the necessary upgrades.

Of course you cannot please everyone and there are bound to people who say that this small start is not enough in these times of energy supply uncertainty. And here they are!

Just don't try to get a loan to do anything right now.

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The economy has impacted American car companies in a big way. Most of us are not surprised since we were scratching our heads a few years ago thinking, "When they hell are they going to figure out that they need to get some really inexpensive vehicles with kick ass mileage in the pipeline?"

Here is a gallery of cars that may or may not help save Detroit with the Chevy Volt being the first car to be highlighted.

Of course with electric cars we will need to make infrastructure changes and the following blog takes a look at that:
Electric Cars and a Smarter Grid

And in a true smart grid, electric cars will not only be able to draw on electricity to run their motors, they will also be able to do the reverse: send electricity stored in their batteries back into the grid when it is needed. In effect, cars would be acting like tiny power stations.

“Most days, most cars are going to have lots of extra battery capacity,” said Mr. Kempton, noting that on average, American automobiles get driven for just one hour each day. Electrifying the entire vehicle fleet would provide more than three times the U.S.’s power generation, he said.

Heck, even China is offering up rebates for green vehicles. This thing might just take hold and change the world. Well the parts of the world that can afford it anyway.

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Last, but not least, the UAE is looking at alternative energy. Apparently having large tracks of sandy land will lend itself to solar panels very nicely.

Using alternative energy, such as solar power, would not only prove to be an efficient way to cope with the region's increasing demand, the report said, but it would also allow for the export of excess capacities. For example, the UAE could produce its drinking water with the use of renewable energies instead of gas and thus better meet its projected demand, with limited pressure on electricity production.

technorati tags: alternative energy, green blog, climate change, energy

Mixed in the Alternative Energy Sector

Yes, back after being gone too long and still a bit under the weather but I am seeing a good doctor to get back to tip top shape. :)

In June Alternative Energy Sources Inc. stopped operations. Closed the doors. Their recent filing with the SEC showed that they lost $3.17 million USD in their last quarter of operation.

Meanwhile Flour Corp. has doubled their net income and reported that operating margins rose 6%. They have their fingers all over the energy sector, including a joint interest in the Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm. Perhaps this lends credence to those who state that our alternative energy future does not depend on one source but a combination of everything that is available.

Meanwhile it appears that New York's Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, wants to put a big investment into wind energy. His ambitious energy plan also includes water turbines and solar panels.

The X Prize Foundation is giving a presentation on energy at MIT and will include guests such as biologist George Church, futurist Ray Kurzweil and inventor Saul Griffith.

The Atlantic City Convention Center's rooftop solar array will be using Satcon’s 500kW PowerGate inverters. The Convention Center expects to save $4.4 million USD across 20 years.

technorati tags: alternative energy, solar, business, energy

Lack of energy

On a personal level. Could barely stand this AM or get warm, hope to start posting again tomorrow morning/afternoon. Oh and Hancock was worth seeing once, more is you have an inexpensive theatre around you.

Which alternative energy?

Presidential wannabe Senator Biden will be speaking against offshore drilling. No surprise there as that seems to be the Democratic line to toe right now. There are pros and cons to that but it is not expected to change anytime soon. Even automakers and utilities are looking around for something-- different.

That means we need to find other sources (just in case you have been sleeping I just stated the obvious).

James Hrynyshyn's blog post, `There is no single bullet` pretty much nails it in that there will not be a single source of energy to mostly replace our gas/oil habit. In some areas solar will be a great answer but that will not be for everyone.

Meanwhile Hippy Shopper has the `Top 5 Weirdest alternative energy sources`. I mean did you know that they were modifying bugs to secrete oil? Ewwwwwwww.

technorati tags: alternative energy, Biden, oil, energy

Adopt a Watt

November 5, 2012 Update - This page has had a facelift and looks much better. Check out Adopt-A-Watt. Below is the original posting:

In spite of the horrendous Frontpage 6.0 style webpage, this program sounds very exciting. Check out Adopt a Watt. Basically one can donate a sum of money and have the rights to name a 5' by 7' Photo-Voltaic Display for a set amount of time, just like the Adopt a Highway program.

Read more about it here:
Royal Oak man offers alternative funding for alternative energy

technorati tags: alternative energy, watt, economics, energy

Solar continues to gather steam...

Solar power is very attractive. As long as we have that big ball of fire in the sky that we call the sun, we could have a means of energy down here on Earth. No need to dig into the dirt, build platforms in the middle of the ocean, or throw pollution into the sky. Sounds great but so far it has yet to really take hold.

Why? Well the technology really had not evolved far and the energy produced took a lot of work to gather. Much was lost along the way but with the big push on renewable energy there has been a larger effort to improve this old tech. Most recently dyed glass has been found to help out. See, `Colorful Glass Delivers Massive Solar Energy Boost'. Not only does it increase the amount of energy harvested but it can do it in a cost effective manner. How's that for a breakthrough? Keep an eye out, they say it will only take about three years to get this to market.

Also be sure to check out Treehugger's post: MIT Solar Concentrator Improves Solar Cell Efficiency and Design Options

Who would use such technology? Well the big businesses are the ones that will probably make the most widespread use of it. Check out ecogeeks article: GM Installing World’s Largest Rooftop Solar Power Station. It is going to be in Spain and generate a whopping 15.1 million kWh.

The Alternative Energy Foundation Blog lists 4 Reasons Why Solar Energy Will Dominate.

Solar Energy News, a blog also on Blogger, has a post on an Office Depot that will employ green energy solutions such as solar power.

technorati tags: alternative energy, solar power, green, energy

The politics of big... alternative energy?

The world is trying to diversify on energy and in the United States Green Politics has become the new throwdown arena. The shirt sleeves are rolled up (but just a little bit) and money is on the line (just a little bit, I mean it is a lot but not when compared to how much goes elsewhere) so it is no wonder that, in an election cycle, that energy security and diversification is starting to move to the forefront.

It starts off small, a NC US Senate candidate named Kay Hagan decides to address the issue while at a local gas station. Apparently Hagan supports alternative energy, wants to know how the gas prices are impacting those who may vote, and is towing the new Democratic line of releasing oil from the reserves which Bush has rejected thus far.

It is obvious to anyone who has been listening that McCain and Obama, both Presidential wannabes, have differing views on how to save the United States. In the arena of Green Politics it is no different. While both agree that something needs to be done with the energy policy (that diversification thing I mentioned above), they do differ on how we need to move into the future energy market. Obama wants to reduce oil imports and consumption by way of alternative energy and also by mandating higher MPG goals for automakers. McCain wants us to continue using oil, tap into reserves that are currently off limits, and yes, a little bit of renewable energies might make it to the table too but it is unlikely.

Recently shots have been fired on the energy front. The Republicans aired a spot that attacked Obama on energy. Basically they label him as an obstruction to what they deem to be the immediate solutions to our energy crisis. That is to say he does not want to drill off the coast, he does not do backflips for nuclear energy (which is unfortunate IMHO), and that he brings nothing new to the table in this debate.

Not to be outdone because this is an election after all, the DNC has fired back with a spot of their own. Basically they paint McCain as being George Bush in new clothing, supporting a plan that will not produce any new supplies for at least seven years, and that Obama would give the poor tax breaks and fast track alternative energy programs.

Now just to throw some gasoline on the fire (or rather ethanol) we can also be prepared to be hammered by the Grocery Manufacturers Association who are going to start waging an open war against ethanol. The question is will they end up being a Swift Boat attack or will they have staying power?

technorati tags: alternative energy, green politics, election, energy

A Morning News Rundown

May you live in interesting times goes the old curse and things are surely interesting these days. Change can bring chaos and with chaos you can get some insanity. That might, just might explain how Bush has come out and said that there has been 'Significant progress' on climate change. The head of the administration that even went so far to remove pages from a climate change report said that "in order to address climate change, all major economies must be at the table...". Not everything went well at the G8 summit. The Telegraph ran with the headline: Divisions emerge over G8 climate change goals.

Still citizens are standing up and saying no to drilling off of the coast of the United States even when oil has settled in with record highs. Some will see a silver lining in everything and with oil's recent decline the question has been posed, "Is the Oil Bubble Bursting?"

While we may not see any rigs off of the coast anytime soon there may be wind turbines. Apparently Georgia Tech researchers have been looking into the viability of setting up a wind farm on Tybee and Jekyll islands.

Meanwhile Intel is investing into the solar power industry and Michigan is looking to give alternative energy companies millions of incentives.

technorati tags: alternative energy, green, climate change, energy