Here’s a novel approach to reducing man’s energy footprint and thereby limiting climate warming. Let’s hope, however, that Mumbai isn’t air conditioned anytime soon.
Archive for the ‘Causes’ Category
Indoor living and the global greenhouse
Thursday, July 29th, 2010A mammoth effect
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010There is general agreement among scientists that man has a role in global warming. This impact began, if the research reported here is correct, not with the industrial revolution or even the advent of slash and burn agriculture, but rather seven millennia ago with the killing of the mammoths. Fewer mammoths would have meant more deciduous trees, whose darker leaves would have led to more sunlight being absorbed, and a slightly warmer climate.
Climate fears turn to doubts amongst Britons
Friday, May 28th, 2010The U.S. isn’t alone in having public opinion shift against the proposition that the global climate is warming, mainly due to human activity. Great Britain has fallen from 41% to only 26%, Germany from 62% to 42%. The media need to hold climate skeptics to the same standards as climate scientists.
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Reliance on oil sands grows despite environmental risks
Friday, May 28th, 2010The U.S. produces 5 million barrels of oil a day, and imports 10 million more. The biggest source of imports is — surprise! — Canada. Much of Canada’s oil is from oil sands, aka tar sands, that is sent south in pipelines. The relationship is politically advantageous, but environmentally risky.
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A bad bet on carbon
Friday, May 21st, 2010The climate bill just introduced includes $2 billion to make coal cleaner through carbon capture projects. In this New York Times article, Robert Bryce cites three problems: capturing the CO2 can cut plant output by 28%; taxpayers would bear most of the cost; and the public would oppose the needed pipelines.
China’s energy use threatens goals on warming
Thursday, May 13th, 2010Pay attention to China. The world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China has set itself tough goals for lower energy use and higher energy efficiency. But in the last six months, the trends have been in the wrong direction. China remains committed to meeting its goals, but it won’t be easy.
For oil sands project, a step forward
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010The State Department’s draft environmental impact statement for a pipeline to carry crude oil from tar sand fields in Canada to refineries in Texas found “limited adverse environmental impacts.” Environmentalists object, saying the draft ignores that CO2 from tar sands exceeds regular oil by 20%.
Europe urged to share power across continent
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010A European Climate Foundation report says that to reduce greenhouse gases Europe should share renewable energy. It recommends linking solar farms in Spain by cable with energy-needy countries like Poland. Little power now crosses national boundaries, so reaching clean energy goals will be hard.
Texas oil firms oppose California climate law
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010California’s 2006 climate law mandates reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15% in 2020, a local cap-and-trade system, more efficient buildings and trasportation, etc. In a fight with national implications, several Texas oil companies have launched a petition drive to suspend its implementation.
E.P.A. delays plants’ pollution permits
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010The E.P.A. announced that it would not begin phasing in until next January a controverial requirement that power plants obtain permits to emit greenhouse gases. The Obama administration would prefer comprehensive energy legislation, but is developing a regulatory plan in case Congress fails to act.