http://powercostmeter.com Save Electricity by Installing a Home Power Cost Meter! Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:12:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 en http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/09/sharing-is-caring-an-energy-efficiency-wiki-to-share-knowledge-and-best-practices/712/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/09/sharing-is-caring-an-energy-efficiency-wiki-to-share-knowledge-and-best-practices/712/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:12:04 +0000 admin Weather and Climate in the Face of the “Snowpocalypse”
While Washington was buried under several feet of snow, we all needed some entertainment. Fortunately, leaders of the anti-science movement were happy to provide it. Sen. DeMint (R-SC) said: "It's going to keep snowing in DC until Al Gore cries 'uncle,'" while Sen Inhofe (R-OK) built an igloo dubbed "Al Gore's New Home." Sean [.]

The Future is Now with Light-Powered Circuitry The brain of any electronic device is the circuitry that operated the machine. Without the circuitry, the device is not even worth the cost of the plastic that it is made of. Any electronics device requires some kind of battery or it is nothing more than a paperweight. Recently, some new technology was created [.] Posted in: Future Energy, Inventions, Solar Power

Catch Shares Improves Both Science and Catches The track record for catch shares in fishery management is abundantly clear: better science for managers and better access for fishermen. Certainly, EUR ]]> http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/09/sharing-is-caring-an-energy-efficiency-wiki-to-share-knowledge-and-best-practices/712/feed/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/08/warning-over-future-of-land-use/711/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/08/warning-over-future-of-land-use/711/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:18:03 +0000 admin

Electric vehicle grants scheme backfires as taxpayers subsidise 87,000 sports cars. Slow roll-out of electric vehicles means pricey Tesla Roadster and Mitsubishi i-Miev will be only two cars eligible for new 5,000 grant.

Worlds Tallest Building - Empty Burj Khalifa - ClosedThe world’s tallest skyscraper has unexpectedly closed just a month after it opened. The viewing area had been the only portion of the 2,717 foot building open to the public and it is now indefinitely closed amid Dubai’s struggle to revive it’s economy.Electrical problems are at least partly to blame for the [.]

Warning over future of land use. In the face of pressures such as climate change and population increases, parts of the UK could face water shortages, rapidly rising house prices, and threats to wildlife and landscapes without major changes to how land is managed, a report has warned.

China Takes the Lead on Clean Energy Jobs: How the U.S. Can Still Win A majority of Americans are worried that the United States role in the world economy will diminish in the coming years, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.But the truth is, China is already beating the U.S. to clean energy jobs.China is quickly becoming the global powerhouse in clean energy manufacturing and innovation, dwarfing [.]

Fish and Wildlife Service Removes Endangered Species Act Protection From Arizona’s Desert Nesting Bald Eagles The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is acting to remove Endangered Species Act protection from Arizona’s desert nesting bald eagles. Almost two years after U.S. District Court Judge Mary Murguias March 5, 2008 rejection of the agency’s last attempt in 2007, a similar decision by Fish and Wildlife has been released for publication in tomorrow’s Federal Register. Today the agency also filed a request with the U.S. District Court to remove an injunction currently in place to protect the eagle. “We conclude that the best information available does not indicate that persistence in the ecosystem of the Sonoran Desert Area is important to the species as a whole,” the new Fish and Wildlife decision states.

50 Green Engineering Blogs Green EngineeringI just received a link to a great post at a blog for online engineering degrees. ]]> http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/08/warning-over-future-of-land-use/711/feed/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/07/kirk-talks-cleantech-and-energy-efficiency-investment-at-duke/710/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/07/kirk-talks-cleantech-and-energy-efficiency-investment-at-duke/710/#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:26:02 +0000 admin

Defence ‘needed for disaster relief.’ With climate change set to produce more natural disasters, the Australian defence organisation needs to make disaster relief part of its core business, a new study says.

LATimes: Saving Amazon is most cost-effective way to cut global warming pollution The L.A. Times produced a beautiful series on Brazils Amazon this week, saying what EDF has said all along: Protecting the Amazon not only preserves biodiversity — it also cuts global warming pollution faster and at lower cost than almost any other approach. The destruction of tropical forests causes nearly a fifth of all global [.]

Reflections on Copenhagen: The Economics of Green Last year’s disappointing climate summit in Copenhagen demonstrated if not proved two important things about “saving the earth”: 1. Sustainability is a very emotional topic for some 2. Sustainability is a financial topic for most Unfortunately, what transpired in Copenhagen is probably the rule, rather than the exception. It was disheartening to realize the events probably represent and reflect the domestic and world population’s perspective on saving the environment. Perhaps due to decades of protesting, a wide array of real or perceived injustices, unruly public demonstrations have for the most part become unproductive. Even the nightly news has lost interest in well meaning protesters being hauled away by force. I recall the first time I saw an eco activist chained to a tree in the seventies, and thinking “how cool is that.” It did not matter what the cause was, I really admired the commitment.

Germanium Laser is the Latest Light Technology to be Unveiled The materials in lasers can be expensive and difficult to work with. A discovery at MIT may be changing all of that much sooner than we think as germanium laser technology is here and it is very real. The beauty of this latest technology is that there isnt even a large call to change [.] Posted in: Future Energy, Inventions

Kirk Talks Cleantech and Energy Efficiency Investment at Duke Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Duke Conference on Sustainable Business and Social Impact, at Duke Universitys Fuqua Business School. Keynote speakers included Chad Holliday, former CEO and current Board Chairman of DuPont; Jonathan Greenblatt, founder of Ethos Water and Dina Powell, Global Head of Corporate Engagement at Goldman Sachs.My panel, [.]

Wind Turbine Power Goes Portable with Foldable Wind Generator Renewable energy is one of the hottest things on the market right now but until recently, solar power has been getting most of the attention. While there are plenty of techno gadgets, like solar briefcases and solar laptop chargers, that can have solar power on the run, very few if any items exist for [.] Posted in: Inventions, Wind Power, Wind Turbines

]]> http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/07/kirk-talks-cleantech-and-energy-efficiency-investment-at-duke/710/feed/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/06/the-language-of-bees/709/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/06/the-language-of-bees/709/#comments Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:29:02 +0000 admin Asbestos Use Today: information from a reader
Asbestos is still imported and used in the U.S. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. imported and used an estimated 1,820 tons of asbestos in 2007; see this PDF file from the USGS, please click only if you want to download the PDF. Also, the U.S. House of Representatives is considering a [.]

Is It Possible To Convert To 100% Wind Power? With all the talk of going green, the question had been thrown out many times if there will ever be a time that we can use nothing but renewable energy to power our world. A small island in Denmark is trying answer that question with a resounding yes as they power up every single [.] Posted in: Wind Farms, Wind Power, Wind Turbines

The East Coast is About to Become the Hydrogen Highway Everyone is excited about hydrogen cars, but there is always the challenge of how they are going to fill up. Most cars are restricted by the distance that they can travel on a full tank and nothing more. Few places, especially on the East Coast, offer a refueling station to allow the cars to [.] Posted in: Future Energy, Hydrogen Fuel, Industry

Study says global warming cant be undone for 1000 years Global warming ‘irreversible’ for next 1000 years. As reported by AFP, NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) scientists have released a study saying that current levels of global warming will cause irreversible damage, no matter what is done in the future to decrease CO2 and other related emissions.

How Ground Water Contamination Spreads Why are some wells contaminated and some are not? All wells are not equally vulnerable to contamination because of differences in three factors: the general aquifer chemistry, groundwater age, and paths within aquifer systems that allow water and contaminants to reach a well. More than 100 million people in the United States receive their drinking water from public groundwater systems, which can be vulnerable to naturally occurring contaminants such as radon, uranium, arsenic, and man made compounds, including fertilizers, septic-tank leachate, solvents and gasoline hydrocarbons.

Riversimple Fuel Cell Car Project Continues to Plod Along People are getting more and more excited about green automobiles, so it was kind of surprising to see such a neutral reaction to the Fuel Cell Car by Riversimple. While this project has a very interesting slant from other cars that we have seen in this niche, it was met with a very lukewarm [.] Posted in: Fuel Cells, Hydrogen Fuel, Transportation

The Language of Bees Bees communicate their floral findings in order to recruit other worker bees of the hive to forage in the same area. There are two main hypotheses to explain how foragers recruit other workers; the “waggle dance” theory and the “odor plume” theory. The dance language theory is far more widely accepted, and has far more empirical support. Honeybees do not only waggle dance to tell hive mates the whereabouts of good eats, they also bump and beep to warn others when big trouble awaits at some of those floral diners according to a recent study.

Hybrid Just Got Sexy: BMW Hybrid Sports Car We all know that sooner or later all automobiles are going to be either hybrid, electric or hydrogen powered. The one drawback that many of us look at is the overall appeal of the cars. Very few models that are being put out are really all that attractive. For those of us that like [.] Posted in: Hybrid Cars, Industry, Transportation

]]> http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/06/the-language-of-bees/709/feed/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/05/epa-ig-report-new-chemicals-program-fails-to-assure-protection/708/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/05/epa-ig-report-new-chemicals-program-fails-to-assure-protection/708/#comments Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:32:02 +0000 admin EPA IG report: New Chemicals Program fails to assure protection
Richard Denison, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist.In a post to this blog nearly a year ago, I noted that many voices in the chemical industry were claiming that EPAs New Chemicals Program (NCP) was robust and served as an excellent model for TSCA reform. My post took considerable issue with that point of view, noting [.]

Aquamarine Power Makes Riding the Waves More Interesting Every time we turn around we are seeing something new and exciting in renewable energy forms and Aquamarine Power is the latest in a long line of energy sources to be pumped up about. Aquamarine Power is a company that is developing wave energy. This is a source of energy that has barely been [.] Posted in: Future Energy, Industry, Wave Power

Arctic ice arches in peril. Everyy winter the Arctic ice cap is penned in by curved barriers of ice spanning the straits that lead out of the Arctic Ocean. Now it seems that some of these ice arches are failing to form. The resulting exodus of sea ice into the Atlantic and Pacific could affect ocean circulation and marine life.

Why Walmart’s Carbon Commitment Can Make Such a Difference Archimedes said "Give me a place to stand, and I shall move the earth," when explaining the principle of levers.Leverage is the big news about Walmarts announcement today. The company has committed to reducing 20 million metric tons of carbon pollution from its products lifecycle and supply chain over the next five years. [.]

Honda Solar Hydrogen Station Introduced to Green Car Market Honda finally unveiled their new solar hydrogen solar station and all signs point to a dramatic success. The station is smaller than previous models and enables an electric car owner to refill their fuel cell overnight. The unit should easily fit into a homeowners garage taking up significantly less space than previous models. The [.] Posted in: Fuel Cells, Hydrogen Fuel, Solar Power

Battery Free is Possible with the Ene Pocket Parents everywhere probably just sat up in their chairs reading that. Regardless of whether they are buying rechargeable batteries or getting Duracell batteries when they go on sale at Staples, batteries of any kind put a hurting on the wallet and to landfills. This is especially true around Christmas when toys demand that they [.] Posted in: Batteries, Biofuels, Inventions

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars Arrive Hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars are now in the hands of consumers, with more on the way. These custom-made cars from Chevrolet, Honda and BMW are paving the way for production models of the future.

SOLAR-TERRESTRIAL ATMOSPHERIC INTERACTIONS: A FRESH, SPARKY LOOK We live in a strongly climate-oriented era, where each one of us is called to choose between sides; are we among the “believers” or the “infidels” of the “Global Warming?”. Two decades ago, a part of the scientific community started engaging in intense discussions around the “unusual” temperature trends which, for the northern hemisphere, had been going undoubtedly uphill. The first serious counter arguments regarding the validity of these findings targeted the inherited errors that all observational tools possess. New observations and improved algorithms started to appear fairly quickly, a fact that partially appeased debates and concerns. Skeptics of the global warming theory try to find other kinds of evidence to second-guess the mainstream CO2 increase and steer away from anthropocentric related theories. And suddenly, along came a cloud.

]]> http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/05/epa-ig-report-new-chemicals-program-fails-to-assure-protection/708/feed/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/04/vancouver-olympics-going-for-the-green/707/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/04/vancouver-olympics-going-for-the-green/707/#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:26:01 +0000 admin GM crops can help UK deal with impact of climate change.
Lord Chris Smith, chairman of the Environment Agency, said global warming and the growing world population will bring challenges for food security and GM technology could help farmers produce the extra food that will be required.

Environmental Consequences: Asbestos and Human Health When microscopic asbestos fibers are inhaled, they lodge themselves in the lining of lungs. This lays the groundwork for the deadly asbestos cancer, mesothelioma. Perhaps it should come as no coincidence then that rates of pleural cancer (mesothelioma) in oil refinery workers are among the highest of any occupation.

Vancouver Olympics going for the green. Organizers used hydropower, green building standards and other measures to make the Games more earth-friendly, achieving ‘carbon neutral’ status for the first time.

Wal-Mart sets plan to cut gas emissions. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it plans to cut 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2015.

Climate and combustion: Fired up. Over the past few years, parts of the American West have been prey to wildfires. Australia, too, has seen some serious fires. The question on many peoples minds, therefore, is whether such fires are becoming more common, and if they are, whether that is a result of climate change.

Most credible climate skeptic not so credible after all. Patrick Michaels has more credibility than your average climate skeptic. But what Michaels doesn’t mention in his frequent media appearances is his history of receiving money from big polluters.

Venezuelan drought continuing For most Venezuelans, the El Nino-linked drought that has struck the country this year means inconveniences like power and water rationing. But for some, the extreme dry spell is stirring up bittersweet memories. The Uribante reservoir that feeds a hydroelectric dam here is at its lowest level in decades, and the receding waters have uncovered a village that has been mostly underwater since 1985, when it was flooded. Former town resident Josefa Garcia, 74, is grateful for the drought, even though it has triggered Venezuela’s worst-ever electricity crisis.

Engine Emissions Most people are familiar with automobile air emissions. Perhaps one day there will only be electric cars and no car air emissions. But there are many on other engines in use by commercial and industrial operations that may cause air emissions. In general these are called reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE). On February 17, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule that will further reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants from existing diesel powered stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines.

Poisoning the Poor with eWaste in Ghana Green issues are sometimes complex. We need to recycle many things, like electronics, but we certainly don’t want to poison others in the process. Efforts to protect the environment and conserve valuable resources must be coupled with proper health and safety procedures. Unfortunately, just saying this doesn’t make it happen. Developing countries are becoming a dumping ground for much toxic waste and proper environmental health and safety is being ignored, both by local opportunists and suppliers of e-Waste from developed nations.

From ocean to ozone: Earth’s nine life-support systems. A team of environmental luminaries have identified nine “planetary life-support systems” that are vital for human survival. They quantified how far we have pushed them already, and estimated how much further we can go without threatening our own survival.

]]> http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/04/vancouver-olympics-going-for-the-green/707/feed/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/03/rising-temperatures-bring-threat-of-malaria-deaths/706/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/03/rising-temperatures-bring-threat-of-malaria-deaths/706/#comments Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:37:02 +0000 admin Wood-Powered Cars: History Repeats Itself
Few people that are ripping around the streets in todays gas guzzlers will remember wood-powered cars, but if things continue the way they are, they may be lucky enough to see one pull up next to them at the light. Wood-powered cars are starting to pop up again as yet another means of saving [.]
Posted in: Biofuels, Transportation

Consumed by Consumption Last month, I attended my first Solutions Lab in Durham, North Carolina. For those that don't know, EDF is hosting Solutions Labs around the country to bring together sustainability thought leaders from all walks of life. To be honest, I was a little skeptical that the "unconference"-style event (one where attendees [.]

Sea-level threat ends coastal development. The risk of rising sea levels has put an end to plans for residential development in coastal Victoria.

How to Reduce the Fumes A fresh coat of paint can change a room from dreary to divine. Stains, sealants, caulks, and adhesives help you build everything from a new bathroom to a bookcase. But all these useful products can also introduce unhealthy chemicals into your home and your body. Low-VOC paint The biggest culprit is VOCs, or “volatile organic compounds,” a large class of chemicals that readily evaporate at room temperature. If you walk into a room and notice that new-paint smell, youre breathing VOCs. Paints, stains, sealants, caulks, and adhesives release the highest levels of VOCs when wet. But even when they feel dry to the touch, they may keep releasing these gases for days, weeks, months, even years. Meanwhile your upholstery, carpets, and drapes act like sponges, absorbing VOCs and releasing them over time. While not everyone may be bothered by exposure to these gases, they can be a serious health risk for people with chemical sensitivities, asthma, or other respiratory conditions.

Toyota has the most fuel efficient line of cars in the US Toyota, as reported by Jamie Lendino of ExtremeTech, has the most fuel efficient line of cars in the US, with an average of 29.7 mpg for actual vehicles sold. Results are based on the 2007 model year. Discussion in the forum goes into upcoming offerings from Honda and VW, but they have to [.]

Scientists examine causes for lull in warming. Climate scientists must do more to work out how exceptionally cold winters or a dip in world temperatures fit their theories of global warming, if they are to persuade an increasingly skeptical public.

Tune in Thursday for the latest on our work with Walmart As many of you know, we have been working with Walmart for the past several years to measurably reduce its environmental impact in the areas of global warming, packaging, plastic bag waste, agriculture, toxic materials while leveraging the power of its supply chain here and in China.Tomorrow, Walmart will announce a new commitment that we [.]

]]> http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/02/how-to-reduce-the-fumes/705/feed/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/01/jet-engines-the-inspiration-for-new-wind-power-technology/704/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/01/jet-engines-the-inspiration-for-new-wind-power-technology/704/#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:17:02 +0000 admin Spending Their Golden Years in Golden Meadow: Employing the Elderly in Coastal Louisiana Marsh Management
Wanted: Swamp-loving snowbirds for part-time environmental jobs in Cajun country. Responsibilities will include ecosystem maintenance, occasional guided tours, and data collection. Free housing provided, along with wide vistas and scenic birdwatching opportunities. Must love alligators, loathe nutria. Currently, there are no postings like the one

]]> http://powercostmeter.com/2010/03/01/jet-engines-the-inspiration-for-new-wind-power-technology/704/feed/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/02/28/china-has-no-intention-of-capping-emissions/703/ http://powercostmeter.com/2010/02/28/china-has-no-intention-of-capping-emissions/703/#comments Sun, 28 Feb 2010 12:34:02 +0000 admin Fishermen Express Concerns in Washington Today; Catch Shares Can Help
Fishermen are here in Washington, D.C. this week to express their concerns with fisheries todayEUR

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