Archive for September, 2009
Climate Pact Must Include Forest Scheme: WWF
Posted on September 29, 2009 - Filed Under Climate, Global Warming | Leave a Comment
A leading environmental group urged delegates at UN climate talks in Bangkok to include plans to reward nations for saving their forests in any deal on global warming.
WWF International released a survey saying that investors showed “significant support” for a carbon market mechanism, which would address the estimated 20 percent of global carbon emissions due [...]
Burning Leaves is Bad News
Posted on September 28, 2009 - Filed Under Air Pollution, Environmental Problem | Leave a Comment
Remember the smell of burning fall leaves wafting through the air? Good memories, indeed, but best that they remain just memories. Burning leaves is bad news.
This practice is now illegal — or at least highly discouraged — in most areas. Burning leaves releases airborne particulates like dust and soot, mold, and other allergens that were [...]
Ben & Jerry’s, GE Work on Greener Freezers for US
Posted on September 28, 2009 - Filed Under Environmental Friendly | Leave a Comment
Think propane and butane are just for barbecuing? Think again: The common cooking fuels can also chill your drinks and ice cream with less energy and almost none of the global warming worries of current refrigerants.
Some of the world’s largest consumer product companies are promoting freezers and refrigerators in the U.S. that use propane, butane [...]
GE: Solar Business is Our ‘Next Wind’
Posted on September 24, 2009 - Filed Under Renewable Energy, solar powered | Leave a Comment
General Electric plans to give its solar business a charge within two years by introducing panels with the same solar cell material used by industry cost leader First Solar.
In 2011, the energy giant expects to produce solar panels made with cadmium telluride, a thin-film solar cell material, Michael Idelchik, vice president of advanced technologies at GE [...]
Climate Mitigation Needn’t Stifle Development: Report Says
Posted on September 18, 2009 - Filed Under Climate, enviromental Problem, environmental issue | Leave a Comment
Countries can develop while curtailing climate change if they are ‘climate-smart’, the World Bank has said in a major new report.
The world need not make a decision between growth and prosperity or preservation, it argues in the latest edition of the authoritative World Development Report, so long as it takes action immediately, works together, and [...]
Green Energy on a Roll but Experts Warn of Bubbles
Posted on September 18, 2009 - Filed Under Renewable Energy | Leave a Comment
Investors betting on renewable or clean energy and related green themes are looking for healthy and sustainable returns, but the road is full of pitfalls for the unwary, investment managers warned.
Attendees at the Jetfin Green 2009 alternative investment conference in Geneva heard that some alternative energy sources are now in a position to compete with [...]
Brazil Eyes Limits on Amazon Sugar Cane Growth
Posted on September 18, 2009 - Filed Under Deforestation, environment | Leave a Comment
The Brazilian government has presented new legislation intended to protect the Amazon from deforestation by banning any new planting of sugar cane, widely cultivated for ethanol production.
“Now we can say that our ethanol is 100 percent green,” said Environment Minister Carlos Minc.
The legislation would ban new clearing or planting of the crop in more than [...]
UN Chief Urges Leaders to ‘Get Moving’ on Climate Change
Posted on September 16, 2009 - Filed Under Climate, Global Warming | Leave a Comment
UN chief Ban Ki-moon said negotiations have stalled over a climate change deal, and urged world leaders to “get moving,” ahead of a crucial meeting on the issue.
Before a summit of almost 100 heads of government in New York next week to discuss climate change, the UN secretary general told the Guardian that leaders held in their hands “the future [...]
California Raises Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard to 33% by 2020
Posted on September 16, 2009 - Filed Under Renewable Energy, solar powered | Leave a Comment
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an Executive Order (EO) directing the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to adopt regulations increasing California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to 33 percent by 2020 – first established by the Governor’s directive last year.
The Governor’s Executive Order upholds California’s leadership in environmental policies and builds on AB 32 goals by ensuring [...]
Md. Turning to Offshore Wind Energy
Posted on September 16, 2009 - Filed Under Renewable Energy, Wind Engergy | Leave a Comment
The state began its pursuit of offshore wind generation , a move that could lead to building 400-foot-tall turbines off Ocean City.
The Maryland Energy Administration asked wind developers to express their interest in building industrial-size windmills a dozen or more miles off the state’s 31-mile coastline. At the same time, the energy agency said it [...]
