Posts Tagged by Japan
National Irresponsibility in Energy Policy — It's Contagious
| January 6, 2011 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Politics |
It’s a frustrating time for those of us who follow the international energy news and try to get the big picture on the slow migration to renewables. The biggest single problem, of course, is that we live on a planet with almost 200 sovereign countries each with autonomy to create of its own energy policy — or simply avoid the issue entirely, like we’ve done here in the US. And often, failure of a big country to act responsibly in this space is taken as an invitation for another country to behave irresponsibly as well.
Today we learned that Japan has postponed or even scrapped its national cap-and-trade plan, due to go into effect in 2013 because of intense lobbying by powerful business interests and because the measure has yet to make headway in other key countries.
Where is all this taking us? Are we to blame the Australia’s flood “of biblical proportions” (waters 30 feet above normal) on global climate change? I honestly don’t know. But as usual, I urge any of the new GOP administration in Washington who may be climate change deniers simply to adopt any of the other five or six good reasons to accelerate the pace at which we move away from fossil fuels.
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[The Vector] Changing Hearts and Minds on Cap and Tax
| December 31, 2010 | Posted by Aedan-Kernan under Renewables - Politics |
A couple of weeks ago, David Shukman the Environment Correspondent at the BBC went to marvel at the 1,400 wind turbines that spread in line after line across Nolan County, Texas. Each turbine doubles the revenue from the cotton field it is planted in.
Shukman dropped in on the mayor of a town in the midst of this manmade forest – Greg Wortham of Sweetwater – to talk about the money the turbines bring to the community and their beneficial effect on climate change.
But Mr Wortham had a warning for his British guest:
“Whatever you do, don’t mention the climate. It’s too polarising. Carbon footprint, green, climate change – those issues are so charged in the US… there are just certain labels that cause people to form into groups.”
The reason the United States needs renewable energy has become such an emotional touchpoint that those who are benefitting most from renewable energy cannot bear to discuss the issue. Read More
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Paul Scott and the Nissan Leaf
| August 29, 2010 | Posted by Craig Shields under Electric Vehicles |
When my friend Paul Scott, co-founder of Plug-In America took a trip to Yokohama last June to test drive the Nissan Leaf, I never dreamed it would include a private lunch with CEO, Carlos Ghosn — and ultimately — a gig selling the Leaf at Santa Monica Nissan. If you’re in town and want a great EV made by a team truly committed to the future of clean transportation, ask for Paul. Tell ‘em Craig sent ya.
See his blog post on the subject here.
