A RISING SUN FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

Japan is a laggard on renewable energy, ranking well below the top 10 countries in both annual installations of renewable equipment and total renewable generating capacity. That, however, is set to change under a new energy policy that’s been taking shape since last year’s meltdowns at Fukushima. Some major projects are being planned. Among them are a 200-megawatt solar installation that... 

Will Hurricanes Topple U.S. Wind Turbines?

As plans for wind farms rising out of the ocean along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts inch closer to fruition, a new study from Carnegie Mellon University suggests that hurricanes could destroy a significant number of turbines in some of these areas, even coming close to wiping them out. Although turbines are designed to both harness and withstand the forces of wind, they can be severely damaged by too... 

In Overheated Climate Fight, a Search for Common Ground

Here’s a request for this weekend (and beyond) inspired by the sign above, which was placed outside the “Church on the Hill” near my home by the Rev. Tim Greco, a good friend and creative, fun-loving pastor. I’d love it if you could point to a worthwhile idea or finding presented here (or elsewhere) by someone whose views on climate science and environmental policy generally clash... 

In the Developing World, Solar Is Cheaper than Fossil Fuels

The falling cost of LED lighting, batteries, and solar panels, together with innovative business plans, are allowing millions of households in Africa and elsewhere to switch from crude kerosene lamps to cleaner and safer electric lighting. For many, this offers a means to charge their mobile phones, which are becoming ubiquitous in Africa, instead of having to rent a charger. Technology advances are... 

Can Better Communication of Climate Science Cut Climate Risks?

Over the weekend I noticed a clever new effort to visualize how natural climate variability interacts with the heating effect from accumulating greenhouse gases – made by Teddy TV and the animator Ole Christoffer Haga for the 10-part math series Siffer on Norway’s NRK channel*: The video, which has been making the rounds, reminded me of a conversation I videotaped a year and a half ago when... 

REAL CHRISTMAS TREES SAVE WATER

Fake Christmas trees might be convenient and seem eco-friendly at first glance, but their environmental costs – measured in greenhouse gas emissions and landfill space – far outweigh their benefits, say conservationists who urge consumers to ”stay real’’ this holiday season. “All of the environmental groups and all of the scientists say you should use a real tree. The debate is... 

HUNDREDS OF ORANGUTANS KILLED ANNUALLY FOR MEAT

by Ker Than People are eating orangutans to extinction in Indonesia, a new study says. Hundreds of the big apes are hunted annually for meat or to eliminate threats to crops in the country’s Kalimantan region on the island of Borneo, according to a survey of 7,000 local villagers. The survey results suggest that between 750 and 1,790 Bornean orangutans are killed each year in Kalimantan – ”high... 

If You Act Your Age, What’s Your Carbon Footprint?

by Rachel Nuwer We’ve all heard that some countries produce more carbon dioxide per capita than others, with the United States among the leaders of the pack. But how do your individual emissions change over the course of a lifetime? As it turns out, if you’re enjoying senior citizen discounts, you’re probably much kinder to the planet than you were in your slightly younger days, but your 20-something... 

How much will the Earth warm up?

by Rachel Nuwer Scientists say the Earth will warm in response to increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, but since the 1970s, they have not made much headway in narrowing down exactly how much it will warm. Typical forecasts say that if humanity doubles the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere before emissions cease, the temperature will most likely rise by about 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit,...