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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Fossil Fuels

We’ve been told by government and industry that the US has 100 years’ worth of natural gas in the ground accessible through unconventional means, including fracking.  This is what will provide growth in the manufacturing sector, create jobs, lower gas prices, and allow the US to become a world energy leader.

Indeed, in its Energy Plan for America, Dow Chemical maps out society’s transition to a low-carbon economy based on 100 years of natural gas providing its feedstocks and powering its plants.   During this time Dow plans to develop renewable feedstocks as well as renewable energy sources that have sufficient base load. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Fossil Fuels

In the last few hours I’ve recruited a bunch of people to join my wonderful daughter (pictured here a few years ago) and me in the march in Santa Barbara one of perhaps 100 happening on the same day across our great land) in protest of the Keystone XL Pipeline, and in support of clean energy.

Here’s how you can get involved.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

President Obama’s recent press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeld elicited an important comment. The U.S. could learn about sustainable development from Sweden. President Obama believes that Sweden is far ahead in maintaining a sustainable planet as opposed to other countries.

From a policy, political and economic perspective, there are many lessons that the U.S. can learn from Sweden. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

photo Twizy_zps1959083c.jpgA physician who likes to remain anonymous as “Leo” sent me an article on electric vehicles in Estonia, and forwarded this piece as well.  Apparently that country provides free Internet access to its people (as well as free charging for its citizens’ EV charging).  He writes: “This article about free Wi-Fi is also interesting. Too bad we don’t have it here.” (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainable Building

In certain parts of the U.S., we think our laws that surround building permits as they affect the environment are onerous.  The validity of all this can be argued both ways.  Sure, we need to protect endangered species, but at what cost?

Apparently, things are even more burdensome in the U.K., as I infer from an email communication I’ve been having with some people over there.  What one can do with the trees on one’s property is apparently a subject of huge controversy.  Fortunately for Brits who want to be honest, but want results with respect to environmental regulations as they apply to arboriculture, there are companies like Arbtech that specialize in this arena.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Fossil Fuels

Apparently, the nomination of Ron Binz to lead the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is causing a great deal more controversy than I thought it would.  SmartGridNews reports running across everything from praise, all the way to charges that Binz is a “radical.”

Actually, in this case, being called a radical IS praise in my book.  The changes that need to occur to our current approach to energy should extend to its very roots (the derivation of the word).

And what is he saying that earned him this hateful moniker?  That we need to phase out the use of fossil fuels in the next 20+ years (by 2035)?  Shocking!  What’s he smoking? 🙂

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

Unfortunately, I’ve never had a good business reason to go anywhere near Estonia, so my understanding of this beautiful and diverse country – including its incredible penchant for electric transportation — all comes from reading.

For reasons that are not abundantly clear, Estonia is arguably the most progressive nation on Earth in its quest to get rid of gasoline and diesel.  As readers will see from the article linked above, a big part of the country’s success in creating the change is in the charging infrastructure; It’s impossible to drive more than 30 – 40 kilometers without encountering a charging station that provides the driver 90% charge in less than 30 minutes.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Fossil Fuels

Here’s an author who believes that the U.S., with its appalling failure to establish an energy policy, is squandering its energy resources — and he’s 100% correct.  A good example he raises is natural gas (not that I favor his approach).  If it’s all so cheap and abundant, why are we doing essentially nothing to forward its use as automobile fuel?  The author’s not sanguine on any aspect of government, but seems especially peeved with congressional Republicans, who, he says, “appear determined to handicap vast swaths of the U.S. economy in favor of securing windfall profits for the oil patch.”

Again, this is all completely true, but not exactly “new news.”  It’s perfectly clear that very few people in Washington do anything other than support the interests that put them there.  This corruption, btw, is the mother of all tragedies, i.e., it’s the core force that gives birth to all the other waste, injustice, vitriol, and stupidity that comes streaming out of our nation’s capital.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Smoking is known to be bad for you. Even some of those who have kept lighting up several cigarettes a day will be aware of the damage it is doing to their health. Asthma, bronchitis and, in extreme cases, lung cancer are just three of the disease which could occur as a consequence of heavy smoking, while premature aging and yellow-stained teeth are also possibilities.

While some of this damage is easily reversible, what about smoking’s impact on the wider environment? You might think that something so small can’t cause much damage, but you would be wrong to assume so. Thanks to the smoke emitted, the cigarette butts left discarded by smokers and some of the chemicals that make it into the atmosphere, its impact is huge. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

Here’s a video in which one of my heroes, environmentalist Bill McKibben, speaks about the Keystone XL Pipeline.  His point is that this decision is in the hands of one man: U.S. President Obama.  With it, he will either live up to his promise to take action on behalf of the Earth’s climate, or he will reveal himself as just another politician who would say whatever was required to get elected, but who lacked the integrity to do what’s right.

I’m hoping to get my daughter (pictured on right) and her best friend (left) to join me in the March To Drop the Pipeline and Support Clean Energy this Saturday, September 21st.  Similar events are happening all over the country; linked above is an app to locate the one nearest you.

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