Climate & Carbon Blogs

Wind development and transmission constraints is really an issue that folks need to be focused on during the next session. US DOE vehicle fuel programs will be well protected for years to come and are not the answer to getting renewbale electricty into our regional grid systems. As US Assistant Secretary of Energy for Policy and International Affairs, I found one of the greatest underdeveloped efforts is the pursuit of a modern grid interconnection between the United States and Canada. » read more

Do you remember the game of telephone when you were a child?  One person would whisper something in someone's ear and then turn to the next person and do the same and so on.  Invariably the story mutated with each telling and was nearly unrecognizable after 10 or so tellings.  The reason I bring this up is that I am still on a rant about the people who are marketing and making claims about this product Hydro-4000—the aftermarket electrolysis machin » read more

I saw this artitcle on the CNN web site and it represents a simple and relatively inexpensive way to apply old technologies in new ways to help reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/10/06/trucks.idling.bluecool/

We don't always need to invent new technologies and reinvent the wheel in order to make a huge difference.  I don't know about you, but I love to see this type of innovative thinking that can be applied quickly and replicated on a large scale. » read more

Renewable energy developers and clean technology entrepreneurs are all very much alive in this financial swirl. The state of play is that government mandates for state-wide renewable portfolio standards, regional carbon reduction schemes, and regulatory incentives and tax credits are still in place despite Wall Street new normal. This is why your business hub should be the one you or your professional counsel is most comfortable operating in in terms of understanding the tenants of the jurisdiction. » read more

During the 1990s environmentalists started talking more to family farmers. The discussions led to familiarity. And familiarity led to openness, which precipitated authentic dialogs between salt-of-the-earth farmers and dyed-in-the-wool greenies. The end result being: Once the hoopla and jargon were cleared away, the family farmer’s problems turned out to be amazingly allied with the issues faced by those concerned about air, water and habitat quality. And now we are finding that the same thing is true when we look at the problems faced by the financially challenged among us. » read more

http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=5&artnum =1&issue=20081003
Carbon Tax Break Finds Way Into $700 Bil Rescue<span style="font-fami » read more

University of Vermont's Proctor Maple Research Center is researching how temperatures affect leaves changing color.  In Vermont fall foliage brings a lot of tourism and an estimated $364 million.  They are looking for a pattern in color pigments on leaves exposed to various temperatures. » read more

I was asked by someone the other day about why I was not smart enough to get on the Drill, Baby, Drill bandwagon.  Couldn't I see the logic that drilling for more oil was going to drive prices down and help our economy.  I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. » read more

Environmental Marketplace
Today, the environmental marketplace is on track to define the world's largest traded commodity. While the current carbon trading market is estimated at over $70 billion, it does not include the United States which had yet to mandate national carbon emissions reductions and a trading platform. However, after the U.S. imposes such a program the market is expected to go into the trillions during the next decade. This is a phenomenal opportunity for entrepreneurs, investors, and citizens alike. » read more

Would you like to bid on a "carbon credit"? Now that I have your attention: You can! All you need is a minimum financial security of $1,860. And, moreover, you can pretty much do anything you want with the allowance. US carbon trading starts September 25th; in fact, some of the exchanges have already began moving RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative) credits. Naturally, the auction system is intended for commercial bidders, but nonetheless, it's important to note that a process is in place and set to launch. » read more

Last week, the New York City Economic Development Corporation issued a Request for Expressions of Interest from enterprises with experience in implementing renewable energy projects and other interested parties. Specifically, the Request seeks information regarding potential renewable energy projects that have environmental and economic vitality and work to reduce emission of greenhouse gases.

As defined in the Request, renewable energy projects include energy generation from renewable sources such as solar, wind, anaerobic gas, geothermal and tidal power. » read more

So, as I was running after work the other day, I got stopped at a light. Typical... As I was bouncing around to keep my calf muscles moving, I noticed a green and white Prius rounding the corner. Again, typical. (I work in a town of fairly affluent people - lots of people drive swanky eco-friendly cars.) And then it hit me like a six foot wave on the lake - this Prius was was a cab!

Nifty, I thought to myself.
» read more

Last week, New York City launched the Climate Change Adaptation Task Force and the New York City Panel on Climate Change to develop strategies to protect the City's infrastructure from the effects of climate change. » read more

<!-- For more information visit http://www.abisource.com. » read more

It is a sunny day here in Vermont, but I like most in America am down in the dumps.  And I think a lot of it has to do with our current crisis in leadership.  We have little pride in what the presidency has become and scanter confidence that Congress is going to do anything that will help America become the great world leader we once were.  And no place is this more evident than in energy policy. » read more

This morning Congressman Peter Welch of Vermont recognized the actions of the Carbon Shredders in a floor statement.  This group founded by three partners involved in the Greenopolis effort--Seventh Generation, Green Mountain Coffee Roaster and Yestermorrow Design/Build School--brought together groups and organized them using David Gershon's Low Carbon Diet Book (see Green Tips on this site).  So really this is an honor for this group of players as well as the Greenopolis site.  Way to go everyone!  For more on this story see: » read more

I have a service station in my view shed so I see who comes in and out and who needs gasoline the most.  And each and every morning in the warmer months I see lines of folks filling up commerical lawnmowers. » read more

Today, states are pushing the use of biofuels to combat use of tradition fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Biofuels are lower in carbon and can have a 50 percent lower life-cycle greenhouse gas than petroleum. Massachusetts is mandating numerous incentives to bring this product to market, and other states are contemplating the same. It's important to incorporate a broad based strategy when reducing traditional forms of energy consumption and reducing emissions. To our benefit, increasing our security and improving our environment are not mutually exclusive objectives. » read more