It should give you some idea of how my other New Years’ resolutions are working out when I tell you that I resolved to blog much more frequently in 2013. Like most things, it’s been tough to get out of the existing routine. On the other hand, even though it took me a few weeks to get started, it’s still a start, right? We’ve already left 2012 in the dust and it’s not even February.
So, after a much-too-long hiatus, which I’ll tell you all about in bits and pieces as the days and weeks go by, I’m finally at a point where I’ll have enough free time and fodder to make this blog hum again. I’m looking forward to it. Although I stopped posting for the usual reasons – equal parts busy and lazy – I am resurrecting A Cleaner Green because I’ve spent the better part of the last year doing and seeing some amazing stuff in the environmental community. In particular, I got to see firsthand how grassroots greens are making change happen in Europe.
Yep, I’ve been M.I.A. because I’ve been too busy hanging out on the Continent (with a home base in Germany), talking to members of local communities, pro-environment groups, green/ecological parties, and other stakeholders to see how they are changing the way we think about the world we live in. And now that I’m back in the States, I’m going to do whatever I can to follow their example – highlighting both the good and the bad, and casting a critical eye on some putative allies who are far more likely to be an impediment to the green cause than a force for good.
It’s good to be back, and I’ve got a suitcase full of Haribo to keep me going. Happy Friday to all – have a great weekend!
Autoblog: Detroit CEOs speak up on efficiency and electrification
In 2006, with the Ford Motor Co. losing boatloads of money, little cash on hand and little of interest in its product pipeline, then-CEO Bill Ford, Jr. announced a major restructuring and brought in Boeing executive vice president Alan Mulally as its new president and CEO. One of Mulally's first moves was to mortgage virtually all of the company's assets, including its buildings and the logos on them, to raise $23.4 billion for much-need product development.
This was seen by nearly all observers as extremely risky, and many wondered whether the company would survive. But that move – borrowing billions when corporate credit was still available – would ultimately enable Ford, unlike its Detroit rivals, to avoid the embarrassment of bankruptcy and government loans when the economic tsunami struck two years later.
Read More At Autoblog...
This was seen by nearly all observers as extremely risky, and many wondered whether the company would survive. But that move – borrowing billions when corporate credit was still available – would ultimately enable Ford, unlike its Detroit rivals, to avoid the embarrassment of bankruptcy and government loans when the economic tsunami struck two years later.
Read More At Autoblog...
The Best Writing on the BP Oil Spill
A year ago today, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 workers and setting off a chain of events that would eventually become the worst oil spill in the history of the United States. In order to better remember this terrible disaster and remind us of the lessons we should have learned in the aftermath, we're building a list of the best writing about the BP oil spill. Below is a start to that list, but I hope you will help us expand it by suggesting your own additions... Read More at Treehugger
How Small Is Too Small?
The Tiny House Blog is an amazing site for anyone wanting to truly live a minimalist lifestyle Also it is a great site for anyone looking for good and creative ideas for small places within the home. Check it out.
The Tiny House Blog
The Tiny House Blog
Sir Richard Branson's Deep-Sea Submarine to Explore Ocean's Unknown Depths
Treehugger
Our ocean, particularly deep ocean, is one of the least explored places on earth. We know just a fraction of what plants and animals live under the waves, and barely understand the complexity of ocean ecosystems. One part of this is because we haven't spent as much time designing and building the sophisticated tools required for diving into the deepest parts of the sea as we have building space ships. That needs to change, and Sir Richard Branson wants to be a leading figure in that change. He has unveiled the Virgin Oceanic submarine, capable of diving into even the Mariana Trench. But this will be just one of five incredible trenches the submarine is set to explore.
Read More At Treehuger
Read More At Treehuger
Minimalism
Having moved several times in my life and having helped more numerous friends, I am fully on board with minimalist light furniture:
Living Room Furniture Set, Made of Bulletproof Fiber, Weighs Just 16.5 Pounds
Treehugger
If your living room went on a crash diet, it'd look 'round about like what you see here. The Light-room, by the staggeringly talented Dutch designer Studio Bram Geenen, is an exercise in exploiting sexy new technology to reduce furniture to mere skin and bones. It includes two chairs, a stool, a table, and a set of shelves that, altogether, clock in at just 16.5 pounds -- that's the average weight of one single chair...Read More
Living Room Furniture Set, Made of Bulletproof Fiber, Weighs Just 16.5 Pounds
Treehugger
If your living room went on a crash diet, it'd look 'round about like what you see here. The Light-room, by the staggeringly talented Dutch designer Studio Bram Geenen, is an exercise in exploiting sexy new technology to reduce furniture to mere skin and bones. It includes two chairs, a stool, a table, and a set of shelves that, altogether, clock in at just 16.5 pounds -- that's the average weight of one single chair...Read More
Please Donate To Japan
Please DONATE to the relief effort in Japan. US organizations accepting donations include but are not limited to:
Why World Food Prices Are Poised to Keep Climbing
Treehugger
In February, world food prices reached the highest level on record. Soaring food prices are already a source of spreading hunger and political unrest, and it appears likely that they will climb further in the months ahead.
As a result of an extraordinarily tight grain situation, this year's harvest will be one of the most closely watched in years. Last year, the world produced 2,180 million tons of grain. It consumed 2,240 million tons, a consumption excess that was made possible by drawing down stocks by 60 million tons. (See data at www.earth-policy.org.) To avoid repeating last year's shortfall and to cover this year's estimated 40-million-ton growth in demand, this year's world grain harvest needs to increase by at least 100 million tons. Yet that would only maintain the current precarious balance between supply and demand.
Read More...
In February, world food prices reached the highest level on record. Soaring food prices are already a source of spreading hunger and political unrest, and it appears likely that they will climb further in the months ahead.
As a result of an extraordinarily tight grain situation, this year's harvest will be one of the most closely watched in years. Last year, the world produced 2,180 million tons of grain. It consumed 2,240 million tons, a consumption excess that was made possible by drawing down stocks by 60 million tons. (See data at www.earth-policy.org.) To avoid repeating last year's shortfall and to cover this year's estimated 40-million-ton growth in demand, this year's world grain harvest needs to increase by at least 100 million tons. Yet that would only maintain the current precarious balance between supply and demand.
Read More...
Tesla Motors Reveals More Details on Model S Pricing
Treehugger
At the opening of their newest store in Milan, Italy, Tesla executives gave an update on the Model S electric sedan, their upcoming EV. George Blankenship, Tesla's Vice President for worldwide sales and "ownership experience" answered customer questions about pricing, battery option availability, and the delivery schedule. Read on for all the details.
Read More...
Read More...
The New Greener Z?
If this is the new Nissan Z, put me on the waiting list.
Nissan turns over a new, sporting Leaf with Esflow Concept
Autoblog
If a Nissan 370Z the electric boogaloo with a Leaf, the lovechild would be the Nissan Esflow. The two-seat Esflow is a rear-wheel-drive electric sports car that promises its only emissions will be some why-so-serious smiles.
A pair of electric motors sits above the rear wheels. Power from these units is sent independently, meaning the Esflow utilizes one engine per drive wheel. This, Nissan says, allows the Esflow to precisely meter out the torque and turn it into powerful forward acceleration. Thanks to this system, Nissan says Esflow will run from 0-62 miles per hour in under five seconds.
Providing the energy for that acceleration is the same laminated lithium-ion battery pack that can be found in the Leaf EV. The batteries are said to last for a range of up to 150 miles per full charge. In the Esflow, however, the batteries are spread out across the front and rear axis of the car to promote better weight distribution. Aswith all electric cars, the Esflow's balance remains constant as the batteries are drained, unlike in a convectional gas-powered vehicle that loses weight as fuel is consumed...Read More...
Nissan turns over a new, sporting Leaf with Esflow Concept
Autoblog
If a Nissan 370Z the electric boogaloo with a Leaf, the lovechild would be the Nissan Esflow. The two-seat Esflow is a rear-wheel-drive electric sports car that promises its only emissions will be some why-so-serious smiles.
A pair of electric motors sits above the rear wheels. Power from these units is sent independently, meaning the Esflow utilizes one engine per drive wheel. This, Nissan says, allows the Esflow to precisely meter out the torque and turn it into powerful forward acceleration. Thanks to this system, Nissan says Esflow will run from 0-62 miles per hour in under five seconds.
Providing the energy for that acceleration is the same laminated lithium-ion battery pack that can be found in the Leaf EV. The batteries are said to last for a range of up to 150 miles per full charge. In the Esflow, however, the batteries are spread out across the front and rear axis of the car to promote better weight distribution. Aswith all electric cars, the Esflow's balance remains constant as the batteries are drained, unlike in a convectional gas-powered vehicle that loses weight as fuel is consumed...Read More...
Autoblog: Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid plugs in at the PalExpo
The automaker best known for its safety technologies is forging a new path its leadership of the green revolution with the new Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid. Revealed here at the Geneva Motor Show, the hybrid wagon is the first in its segment to combine a diesel engine with a plug-in rechargeable electric powertrain.
As we reported in the run-up to the show, the V60 Plug-In Hybrid offers its drivers a variety of propulsion options, alternating between two motors to adapt to conditions at the push of a button.
Outwardly the hybrid version looks pretty much the same as the already svelte sport-wagon we know, save for some new wheels and a charging port on the front-right fender. See for yourself in the high-res gallery of live images from the show floor below and check out the full tech details in the release after the jump.
Read More & View The Gallery
US DOE: Plug-in Hybrid and All-Electric Vehicle Deployment Case Studies
Preparing for widespread adoption of electric vehicles, cities and other local leaders are working to speed the process to install home-based electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and all-electric vehicles (EVs). Some U.S. cities are cutting the time needed to install and permit home charging stations down to one or two days. The following case studies focus on what four leading areas are doing to trim the EVSE permitting and installation process.
Oregon:
Oregon's statewide process speeds simple EVSE installations by enabling licensed electricians to buy permitting "labels" online and inspecting only one out of ten EVSE installations.
Los Angeles:
Los Angeles issues automatic online permits for simple EVSE and guarantees inspections within 24 hours of installation.
Read The Full Article & View Other City Info...
Oregon:
Oregon's statewide process speeds simple EVSE installations by enabling licensed electricians to buy permitting "labels" online and inspecting only one out of ten EVSE installations.
Los Angeles:
Los Angeles issues automatic online permits for simple EVSE and guarantees inspections within 24 hours of installation.
Read The Full Article & View Other City Info...
Treehugger: Global Warming Skeptics Unite to Denounce Attorney General's Climate Witch Hunt
Treehugger
I reported previously on Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's crusade to target some of the nation's most respected climate scientists in an unprecedented fraud investigation. The investigation is largely a political maneuver designed to capitalize on the anti-cap and trade sentiment that's still strongly held, especially by Tea Party-styled conservatives. However, you'd think that an investigation which attempts to undermine climate scientists' work that supports man-caused global warming would earn the cheers of the small band of vocal skeptic scientists who vehemently oppose them. But you'd be wrong. Even some of the nation's fiercest climate skeptics have denounced Cuccinelli's anti-science efforts...Read More...
I reported previously on Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's crusade to target some of the nation's most respected climate scientists in an unprecedented fraud investigation. The investigation is largely a political maneuver designed to capitalize on the anti-cap and trade sentiment that's still strongly held, especially by Tea Party-styled conservatives. However, you'd think that an investigation which attempts to undermine climate scientists' work that supports man-caused global warming would earn the cheers of the small band of vocal skeptic scientists who vehemently oppose them. But you'd be wrong. Even some of the nation's fiercest climate skeptics have denounced Cuccinelli's anti-science efforts...Read More...
News Roll
Here are a couple of interesting articles I saw in the news:
USDA chief: Don't like ethanol? Too bad, since the industry "has pretty much been built"
Is all of the political fighting over ethanol subsidies kind of a moot point? Not entirely, but arguing over the role the biofuel will play in America in the future might be. This is the take from USDA chief economist Joe Glauber, who told Reuters point blank:
15 groups unite to try and stop the EPA from funding nationwide E15
The E15 saga continues with more than a dozen trade organizations uniting in an attempt to bar the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using federal money to cover costs of boosting the amount of ethanol in gasoline from 10 to 15 percent.
The 15 organizations, some of which have obvious ties to the petroleum industry, include: Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, American Bakers Association, American Meat Institute, American Petroleum Institute, California Dairies, Inc., Grocery Manufacturers Association, International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, National Association of Truck Stop Operators, National Chicken Council, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, National Turkey Federation, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council and the Specialty Equipment Market Association.
Read More...
Treehugger: The Greenpeace Coal Plant Protest and the Next Wave of Climate Activism
Earlier today, I set out to cover Greenpeace USA's first major act of civil disobedience against coal in quite some time. Activists unfurled a giant banner atop the Bridgeport Harbor coal plant with the words 'Shut it Down: Quit Coal' stamped across it. Unfortunately, I ended up spending most of the morning detained by police -- who wrongfully suspected I was involved in the protest -- instead of reporting on the significance of the event itself. I was released without charges (big surprise) after being held up for an hour and a half, and was able to spend the rest of the day covering the action. It's important to understand why Greenpeace did this today, and targeted the Bridgeport coal plant -- and why the event will serve as a major hallmark in the next wave of the climate movement.
Read More...
USDA chief: Don't like ethanol? Too bad, since the industry "has pretty much been built"
Is all of the political fighting over ethanol subsidies kind of a moot point? Not entirely, but arguing over the role the biofuel will play in America in the future might be. This is the take from USDA chief economist Joe Glauber, who told Reuters point blank:
The fact is the industry has pretty much been built. This isn't a question of just saying 'cut it off.' It's much more complicated than that.Read More...
15 groups unite to try and stop the EPA from funding nationwide E15
The E15 saga continues with more than a dozen trade organizations uniting in an attempt to bar the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using federal money to cover costs of boosting the amount of ethanol in gasoline from 10 to 15 percent.
The 15 organizations, some of which have obvious ties to the petroleum industry, include: Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, American Bakers Association, American Meat Institute, American Petroleum Institute, California Dairies, Inc., Grocery Manufacturers Association, International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, National Association of Truck Stop Operators, National Chicken Council, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, National Turkey Federation, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council and the Specialty Equipment Market Association.
Read More...
Treehugger: The Greenpeace Coal Plant Protest and the Next Wave of Climate Activism
Earlier today, I set out to cover Greenpeace USA's first major act of civil disobedience against coal in quite some time. Activists unfurled a giant banner atop the Bridgeport Harbor coal plant with the words 'Shut it Down: Quit Coal' stamped across it. Unfortunately, I ended up spending most of the morning detained by police -- who wrongfully suspected I was involved in the protest -- instead of reporting on the significance of the event itself. I was released without charges (big surprise) after being held up for an hour and a half, and was able to spend the rest of the day covering the action. It's important to understand why Greenpeace did this today, and targeted the Bridgeport coal plant -- and why the event will serve as a major hallmark in the next wave of the climate movement.
Read More...
Bloomberg: China Profits From Solar Policy as Europe Backpedals
China, the world’s biggest electricity consumer, is figuring out how to capture a larger share of the solar-energy market without losing money.
The government will spend at least a year studying Europe’s system of paying above-market prices for solar power before deciding if there’s a better way to spur clean-energy plants across China, said Wu Dacheng, an adviser to national power regulators. The delay has stalled projects planned on Chinese soil by developers such as First Solar Inc. of the U.S.
“We need to learn from European countries like Germany” that pay subsidized rates to spark solar-panel installations, Wu, vice chairman of the Solar Photovoltaic Committee of China’s Renewable Energy Society, said in an interview.
Read More...
The government will spend at least a year studying Europe’s system of paying above-market prices for solar power before deciding if there’s a better way to spur clean-energy plants across China, said Wu Dacheng, an adviser to national power regulators. The delay has stalled projects planned on Chinese soil by developers such as First Solar Inc. of the U.S.
“We need to learn from European countries like Germany” that pay subsidized rates to spark solar-panel installations, Wu, vice chairman of the Solar Photovoltaic Committee of China’s Renewable Energy Society, said in an interview.
Read More...
Super Bowl Relax
I didn't really care too much who won the Super Bowl (I still haven't quite gotten over the Oregon game) but I guess the Packers are an OK champ. I find it difficult to get into the NFL most of the time, but for those of you already jonesing for football, remember: the Canadian Football League kickoff is less than five months away! While I care even less about the CFL than the NFL, I think the team names are way better. Argonauts, Blue Bombers, Eskimos, Alouettes. We could learn something from these guys.
Have a good week everybody.
Have a good week everybody.
Still a Chance for High Speed Rail?
$50+ billion for bullet trains? Because this is a good idea, and because this good idea requires the approval/support/spine of the US Congress, I think I'll stay pessimistic. But man would it be sweet to have something like a TGV or ICE in the US.
DOE to invest $7M in emerging solar technologies
The Department of Energy's ongoing commitment to back emerging solar energy technologies comes in the form of $7 million in funding issued under its Photovoltaic Solar Incubator Program. Through this program, the DOE aims to assist in developing and commercializing innovative solar technologies.
Read More...
Read More...
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