White House response: Obama environmental record “historic” on fuel standards, climate change

President Obama SOTU address presses the need for increased Clean and Renewable Energy production with "all of the above" approach

Responding to concerns of leading progressives and donors in the Bay Area about President Obama’s environmental record, the White House says his Administration has achieved “historic fuel economy standards,” while taking unprecedented efforts to supporting development of renewable energies and reduce America’s reliance on foreign oil. … Continue Reading

The Great Carbon Bubble – Why the Fossil Fuel Industry Fights So Hard

Image becoming all too familiar in everyday life for many living on coasts

By Bill McKibben – If we could see the world with a particularly illuminating set of spectacles, one of its most prominent features at the moment would be a giant carbon bubble, whose bursting someday will make the housing bubble of 2007 look like a lark. As yet — as we shall see — it’s unfortunately largely invisible to us.

In compensation, though, we have some truly beautiful images made possible by new technology.  Last month, for instance, NASA updated the most iconic photograph in our civilization’s gallery: “Blue Marble,” originally taken from Apollo 17 in 1972. The spectacular new high-def image shows a picture of the Americas on January 4th, a good day for snapping photos because there weren’t many clouds. … Continue Reading

Cuba on the Road to Clean Energy Development

A tiny Cuban school with two Solar Panels affixed

 HAVANA, – More than a decade ago, solar electricity changed the lives of several mountain communities in Cuba. Now this and other renewable power sources are emerging as the best options available to develop sustainable energy across the island.

“If the world’s clean energy potential exceeds our consumption needs, why do we insist on using the polluting kind?” asked Luis Bérriz, head of the Cuban Society for the Promotion of Renewable Energy Sources and Respect for the Environment (CUBASOLAR), a non- governmental organisation that promotes the use of alternative and environmentally-friendly power sources. … Continue Reading

Jewish Leaders Pledge to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 14% in 2014

by Catherine Woodiwiss - In a ceremony in Manhattan today to celebrate the Jewish festival of trees, Tu Bishvat, 50 Jewish leaders from across denominations will sign onto to the Jewish Energy Covenant Campaign to protect the environment.

“Out of concern for the well-being of all nations, and with a particular concern for the poorest among them as well as for future generations, our support for more sources of clean, renewable energy and for energy efficiency is a matter of justice,” reads the declaration titled the ‘Jewish Environment and Energy Imperative.’ “Enlightened stewardship is not only a religious and moral imperative; it is a strategy for security and survival.” … Continue Reading

U.S. Must Wait To Decrease Dependence on Fossil Fuels, Green Energy Will Take Time

A U.S. Solar Farm

by Andrew Pasternak – ‘Energy independence’ and ‘green energy’ are two phrases that often get thrown around in discussions regarding the future of energy in the United States. These two phrases are commonly used together, so it’s easy to overlook the details when people tie one to the other. Yet, the sad reality is that the U.S. cannot achieve energy independence anytime in the near future by focusing solely on renewable energy, and we need to accept the use of fossil fuels. … Continue Reading

Walmart Takes to Renewable Energy in Stores

A Walmart Solar rooftop in Palm Desert, Ca.

By David Ozment  – Green power really is the future. That’s why we are investing in solar, wind and fuel cells – especially in California and Texas where renewables provide nearly 30 percent of electricity for many of our stores. … Continue Reading

Renewable energy is a moral imperative

Maine Issues RFP for Offshore Wind and Tidal Energy Pilot Projects

by George Smith – The wind blows. The tide flows. The sun glows. The forest grows.

Yet we continue to get most of our energy from unsustainable underground sources outside of Maine. Shame on us if we saddle our children and grandchildren with our addiction to oil, a dependency that has shackled our economy and put many of us in danger of freezing to death.

The best gifts we can give our descendants are renewable energy sources right here in Maine. This is a moral imperative. And that’s why the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Initiative is so important. Best of all — you get to decide! … Continue Reading

Green motoring: when will hybrid cars come of age?

2012 Honda and Acura release new NSX Sport Hybrid Concept at Detroit Auto Show. The NSX Concept displays extensive use of lightweight materials and has a mid-mounted V-6 engine.

by Neil Lyndon – Sod’s law can nobble even the mighty. Just at the moment when much of the wind and solar power seems to be draining out of the Green movement, a veritable slew of alternative-energy cars is about to arrive.