A host of innovations in energy technology is transforming the climate-change outlook – one of the world's three required paradigm shifts. by Paul Rogers A wind farm in Elan Valley, Wales. (Photo: Richard Walker/flickr/cc) Heatwaves of more than 50⁰C in Iraq and India in recent weeks are yet further indications that climate disruption is a present-day reality, not something for the future…
The EPA hasn't released a study on ethanol or any other biofuel in years. By Erin Marquis Aug 25th 2016 A new study released by the University of Michigan on Thursday found the assumption that biofuels are better for the environment than gasoline is just that – an assumption. The new research shows that plant-based fuels might actually be worse polluters than…
Scott Montgomery August 12, 2016 Originally posted on ourfiniteworld.com Written by Gail Tverberg The Peak Oil story got some things right. Back in 1998, Colin Campbell and Jean Laherrère wrote an article published in Scientific American called, “The End of Cheap Oil.” In it they said: Our analysis of the discovery and production of oil fields around the world suggests that within the next…
August 25, 2016 | (Photo Credit: SPUR via Flickr) By David Suzuki with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Senior Editor Ian Hanington. Humans are fast becoming city dwellers. According to the United Nations, “The urban population of the world has grown rapidly from 746 million in 1950 to 3.9 billion in 2014.” Sixty-six per cent of us will likely live in urban…
Published by the US EPA Photo Courtesy of www.thenation.com Extreme weather and climate events are: Events that typically don't happen very frequently, such as droughts or floods that have historically occurred on average only once in 100 years. Events that vary from "the norm" in severity or duration, like heat waves. Events whose impacts are severe, like hurricanes. Key Points Extreme weather…
Debbie Carlson Aug 25th 2016 11:00AM Photo Courtesy of BBC.Com Renewable energy has made significant inroads into the U.S. energy system and even in the era of low fossil fuel prices, costs for solar and wind installations are down dramatically. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the solar industry trade group, costs to install solar panels fell by more than 70…
By Chris Mooney August 10 North Miami buildings are seen near the ocean. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) This story has been updated. On a warming Earth, seas inevitably rise, as ice on land melts and makes its way to the ocean. And not only that — the ocean itself swells, because warm water expands. We already know this is happening — according…
Plopped Into Water, a Tiny Device Triggers the Formation of Chemicals that Kill Microbes in Minutes August 15, 2016 Menlo Park, Calif. — In many parts of the world, the only way to make germy water safe is by boiling, which consumes precious fuel, or by putting it out in the sun in a plastic bottle so ultraviolet rays will kill the…
by Robina Tower Rain pelted down in large opaque drops. Great trees flung across the river so that the canoes and their contents had to be pulled over them. At first getting used to the verdant green hurt the eyes, eventually they focused on the many hues of green and then the browns of tree trunks and branches, flowers of every imaginable…
Jeffrey Gutman (Cover Photo) and Nirav Patel Monday, August 15, 2016 While cities worldwide continue to see rising levels of economic growth and inequality, inclusivity has emerged as a key goal for global leaders looking to encourage more sustainable urban development. The United Nations has outlined strategies in support of this effort – namely through its Sustainable Development Goals – but the…