Bloggers Unite for Human Rights: May 15, 2008
| Solar Power coming for PG&E Customers in California As the nation’s number one distributed solar utility, PG&E supports solar energy in a number of ways. |
| Bloggers Unite for Human Rights: May 15, 2008 Sponsored by Amnesty International and BlogCatalog. Please post about human rights on May 15!Whether you belong to BlogCatalog (a free social network for bloggers) or not, see here for banners. My earlier statement, “It appears that you need to be a member of BlogCatalog to see the banners and badges,” has been corrected kindly [.] |
| Ethanol as Energy Alternative There is an illusion that ethanol can provide the liquid fuel America needs to meet increasing energy demand in the years ahead. |
| Photovoltaic solar energy DuPont is building a $50 million photovoltaic solar energy facility to meet the high demand for photovoltaic solar energy materials. |
| Gas prices have gone up again I see that gas prices are going higher again, and I wonder at the lack of interest in energy alternatives by our country. |
| Albany solar tax breaks Albany County, N.Y. to give homeowners wanting solar energy systems a tax break. |
| Press Release: New Analysis Reveals Big Opportunities for Florida Farmers and Foresters FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
Jerry Karnas, Environmental Defense Fund, 941-587-1803
Dr. Stephen Mulkey, University of Florida School of Natural Resources and Environment, 352-871-8543
Lisa Garcia, Ron Sachs Communications, 850-222-1996
(Washington DC- April 30, 2008) Florida’s farmers and foresters stand to reap hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue under proposed climate change legislation now pending in the U.S. Congress, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis from the University of Florida.
The analysis released today, “Opportunities for Greenhouse Gas Reduction through Forestry and Agriculture in Florida,” found that agriculture producers can earn more than $340 million – every year – by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and selling emission credits under a federal cap and trade program like the one created by S. 2191, the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act.
Biofuels, biomass, energy crops, and managed forestry are just some of the many sectors of Florida’s agriculture and forest industry that could stand to benefit from a carbon market, according to the analysis, which was commissioned by Environmental Defense Fund.
“This is a huge incentive for Florida’s agricultural sector – and another reason why Congress needs to take action now to address climate change and bolster Florida’s economy,” said Jerry Karnas, Florida climate project director at Environmental Defense Fund.
The U.S. Senate is poised to vote on the Climate Security Act in early June. The bill would put a mandatory cap on emissions, and allow companies that emit greenhouse gases to meet the cap in part by purchasing credits from farmers and foresters that make emissions reductions.
“Our report demonstrates that we can combine the ethical imperative of responding to climate change with power of the market, while protecting Florida’s natural resources,” said Dr. Stephen Mulkey, lead author of the report from the University of Florida School of Natural Resources and Environment. “There are a number of ways to reap the benefits of and this is very positive news for Florida’s economy.”
A few of the report’s findings include:
“We are always looking for new ways to help keep Florida’s agricultural producers profitable,” said John Hoblick, president of Florida Farm Bureau Federation. “Giving them access to a voluntary market that will compensate them for their environmentally friendly practices is clearly a good thing and is something we are proud to be promoting.”
Other estimates from the Research Triangle Institute and MIT find that the market for agricultural offsets could range between $243 and $624 billion by 2050.
“The report verifies what we have been saying all along – woody biomass can play an important role in supplying renewable energy,” Jeff Doran, Executive Vice President of the Florida Forestry Association. “It also supports our position that forests are not the sole solution to the state’s renewable energy needs and that a comprehensive solution including solar, wind and nuclear, will work best for Florida.”
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| 2008 Buckminster Fuller Challenge Winner - John Todd John ToddDr. John Todd won the 2008 BFI challenge with his “Comprehensive Design for a Carbon Neutral World”. Todd’s early work with the New Alchemy Institute was featured in early versions of the Whole Earth Catalog.From the BFI Website: The Comprehensive Design for a Carbon Neutral World project sets forth a revolutionary concept [.] |
| High gas prices High gas prices may stay up because foreign factors determine how much we pay a BP economist says. |
| Home energy woes Buying a house is a huge investment.buying a home with a bad energy structure is a big investment too. |
| Press Release: Federal Agency Analysis: Economy Will Grow Strongly Under Lieberman-Warner Climate Bill FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
Steve Cochran, 202- 572-3333
(Washington-April 30, 2008) Bold action to combat climate change is consistent with strong U.S. economic growth, according to an analysis released today by the federal Energy Information Administration. The Agency estimates there would be minimal change in long-term economic growth under the Lieberman Warner Climate Security Act, when compared to business-as-usual.
“This study makes crystal clear that we can address climate change and have robust economic growth at the same time. Anyone claiming the Lieberman-Warner bill will bring economic doom can now go sit with those still saying climate change is a hoax,” said Steve Cochran, director of Environmental Defense Fund’s Climate Campaign. “It’s time for the Can’t-Do crowd to retire the scare tactics.”
The EIA analysis did not include the cost of failing to solve climate change, including rising insurance rates, public spending to fix costal infrastructure, agricultural damage from droughts, substantial public health costs, increased international instability, and more intense hurricanes and storms.
“This analysis by the federal government should settle this question because it reinforces what we’ve learned from other credible studies. In a twenty year economic forecast, a difference of less than one percent is nearly non-existent,” said Cochran. “It’s like two cars driving different routes from New York to L.A. and predicting one will get there at noon on the third day and the other will arrive at 12:45.”
"For a small investment, the nation would avert the worst impacts of climate change, create clean energy jobs, reduce pollution, and tackle global warming," Cochran said.
A recent analysis by Environmental Defense Fund economists, reviewing data from a range or academic studies, showed the same minimal impact on economic activity under a strong climate policy. More information can be found at www.edf.org/climatecosts.
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| Do You Make These Energy Mistakes? Don’t make these energy mistakes or you could be hurting and not helping your energy bill! |