Climate Change Freshwater Management and Science

An event on climate change, freshwater management, and the role of science
will take place on Tuesday March 13th between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM at the Vivian and David Campbell Conference Facility, the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. The reception will begin at 8:30 am, followed by the panel discussion at 9:30 am.

Corporate Sustainability 2012 Executive Forum

Corporate Sustainability 2012 Executive Forum is subtitled, Your Company's Secret Weapon in Winning Market Share. The event will take place on March 18 - 20, 2012 at Greenrbrier America's Resort, WV. This event pertains to how corporations and organizations can successfully increase market share, increase revenue, and maintain customer loyalty while also making a environmental difference. The executive forum is structured to educate executive officers, managers, and those decision makers involved in sustainable initiatives.

World Water Forum 2012: Time for Solutions!

The World Water Forum is the largest world water event. The World Water Forum 2012 will take place in Marseille, France on 12-17 March, 2012. The Forum will be open to the general public on Saturday the 17th of March 2012.Every three years since 1997, the World Water Council, with a host country and city, organises a forum that mobilises creativity, innovation, competence and know-how in favour of water.

Video: The UK's Green Deal

A short film explaining the importance of the UK's Green Deal. This innovative program from will help homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient. The Green Deal will radically reduce their home heating bills while substantially reducing the UK's emissions profile. It will also create jobs and regenerate the national economy.

Video: Why the Keystone XL is so Hard to Kill

Like some immortal zombie, the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline keeps being resurrected from the dead. The American people have spoken out against the project and the President has postponed then canceled the project. How come the Keystone XL keeps being resurrected by the Republicans? This video contains interviews with various people during the August 2011 protests in front of the White House. One of the interviewees is 350.org founder Bill McKibben who adds his views on the powerful lobby that supports the project.

Video: Keystone XL will Raise Gas Prices

Republicans want to push through the Keystone XL and cirucumvent environmental review to reduce gas prices, but the GOP's logic is fundamentally flawed. In addition to endangering water supplies, and increasing carbon emissions the Keystone XL pipeline will also raise oil and gas prices. This is the view expressed by TransCanada pipelines, the Canadian company behind the Keystone XL. This statement was made by TransCanada in response to questions by ranking member Henry A Waxman (D-CA) at a subcommittee hearing. A Bloomberg article echoes the statement and reports that the Keystone XL will push gas prices up an addtional 10 to 20 cents per gallon in the Midwest.

Republicans Vow to Continue Push for Keystone

Republicans want to continue to push for the Keystone XL pipeline even though they failed to get the 60 votes they need in the Senate. Senate Republicans vowed that they will try again to speed up approval of the dirty tar sands project.

GOP's Keystone XL Proposal Fails in Senate

The GOP proposal to reopen the Keystone XL pipeline failed to get the 60-votes it needs to pass in the Senate, but the vote was very close. There were 56 votes in favor, with 42 in opposition. Republicans may have introduced the rider on the transportation bill but 11 Democrats supported the Republican measure.

Anti-Keystone XL Ad Campaign

An ad campaign spearheaded by grassroots organization 350.org states that the completion of the Keystone XL pipeline will result in higher domestic gas prices. The opponents of the pipeline argue its construction could raise prices at the pump by 10 to 20 cents per gallon in the Midwest and Rocky Mountains.

The Keystone XL and Rising Fuel Prices

As fuel prices rise Americans need to understand that gaining access to Canadian tar sands oil will not decrease the price gas and it may even increase it. Republicans argue that with rising gas prices it makes no sense to hold up a project that could deliver to market an additional 830,000 barrels of oil a day.

Green Economy Guide for Women

A manual from the Department of Labor offers guidance to women interested in entering the green workforce. The guide is entitled, "Why Green Is Your Color: A Woman's Guide to a Sustainable Career." Currently green jobs are largely dominated by men but there are many opportunties for women. The guide is a comprehensive manual designed to assist women with job training and career development as they enter into innovative and nontraditional jobs.

WAGE: Women and the Green Economy

To accelerate and provide the new thinking and creative power for a global post-carbon economy, Earth Day Network is engaging women business, government and NGO leaders in its “Women and the Green Economy” (WAGE®) Campaign. WAGE® is working today to create a policy agenda for Rio+20 and generate relevant national initiatives that will promote the green economy, secure educational and job training opportunities for women and channel green investment to benefit women.

Renewable Energy Education for Women

Ecotech Institute, a pioneer college dedicated to renewable energy and sustainability, offers a great environment for women to train for careers in renwable energy. On February 16th, Ecotech held a Women in Renewable Energy meeting to bring together women at the campus to “share ideas, help each other with classwork and empower one another as they embark on a green career.”

Women are More Environmentally Friendly

According to a large number of studies, women are greener than men in both their attitudes and their actions. One study shows that women have a greater stake in managing climate change as they are "more likely to lose their lives and otherwise fare worse than men in extreme events from heat waves to hurricanes and tsunamis." According to an international survey by Synovate, women are greener than men. A study published by France’s National Institute of Statistics and Economics shows that women emit less carbon than men. Men emit an average of 39.3 kilograms of carbon per day, women emit an average of 32.3 kilograms of carbon per day.

Republicans Refuse to Let the Keystone XL Die

Just when we thought it was safe, the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline project has once again reared its ugly head. Even though President Obama said no the pipeline, Republicans are trying to push it through as an amendment to the Transportation Bill.  Any day now the Senate will vote on an amendment that would force approval for the pipeline. Republicans in the House of Representatives have already passed the energy portion of their transportation bill, which would grant Keystone a permit. But this is the first time that the pipeline has had an up or down vote in the Senate.

The Green Economy is the Right Solution for our Troubled Times

The green economy offers a powerful solution to both a warming planet and economic volatility. There are a host of political and economic crises in the world today. The Eurozone crisis is expected to be followed by a European recession. In China we are seeing strong evidence of a slowdown and many are calling for major economic reforms. Finally, the hope and promise of the “Arab Spring’ has given way to a winter of discontent, as the Arab world suffers due to a weak economy and high unemployment.

Arizona's Republican Governor Knows that Solar is Green and this is the Color of Money

Arizona governor Jan Brewer is of two minds on the green economy. During her reign as governor she has both repealed and expanded the clean energy policies of her Democratic predecessor, Janet Napolitano. She campaigned on a platform that promised to pull Arizona out of any effort to cap its pollution. Once elected she made good on her promise by signing an executive order that withdrew her state from cap-and-trade as well as California's clean car program. However, she could not ignore the value of solar power to provide jobs and grow the state's economy.

Republican Governors See Value in Green

Unlike members of the GOP vying for public office Republican governors see value in supporting the green economy. The GOP presidential candidates and Republican members of Congress are largely united in their resistance to climate change, but an increasing number of Republicans are bucking this trend. Climate denial is a defining feature of the GOP and de rigueur for any Republican seeking the presidential nomination. However, some Republican governors are adopting policies that promote the green economy. Clean energy policies have been implemented in all 50 states and 30 of those states have Republican governors.

Renewable Energy Can Replace Fossil Fuels

According to new research from US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), green energy can affordably replace fossil fuel as the world's primary source of electricity within 20 years.

New Wind Energy Venture in Texas

Another wind energy venture has been announced for Texas. Energy companies have been pouring millions of dollars into building and operating wind farms in West Texas, helping to transform the oil country into one of the nation's leading hubs for green energy production. One quarter of the nation's wind energy is generated in Texas. Wind power is constitutes 7 percent of Texas' energy which is 4 percent more than the national average. At present Texas generates more than 10 gigawatts of wind energy.

US States Renewable Energy Ranking

The accounting firm Earnst & Young ranked US states in terms of their renewable energy markets and infrastructure as well as their suitability for individual technologies.

Predictably, California led the pack, followed by New Mexico, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Texas.

Sustainability and the European Super Grid

Work is being done to connect the UK grid to other European countries and in the long-term a European super grid could one day be created, sharing excess electricity between nations. The super grid is the future electricity system that will enable Europe to undertake a once-off transition to sustainability.

The Growth of London's Green Economy

London’s green economy is growing fast and with ambitious green initiatives from the UK government it will keep growing. According to an Innovas report commissioned by mayor of London Boris Johnson, areas like renewable energy and low carbon building technologies are growing the economy and creating jobs. Despite difficult economic headwinds in Europe, the low carbon and environmental goods and services sector grew by more than four per cent during 2009-2010. Some 160,000 people were employed by the sector across 9,000 companies.

Market Forces and the UK's Green Deal

In 2012 the UK is launching the green deal, which will unleash the competitive forces in the energy efficiency market. The green deal will be the biggest home energy improvement programme of modern times. Due in part to the green deal the energy efficiency market in the UK could reach £800m by 2020.

Certified Sustainability/CSR Practitioner Training

The Centre for Sustainability and Excellence, a global training & consulting firm, is conducting an IEMA-certified CSR training workshop on March 8-9 in Chicago, IL. Upon completion of the course, participants are able to effectively develop Sustainability strategies, implement CSR programs, and communicate performances through Sustainability/CSR Reports.

Building Energy 12 Conference

BuildingEnergy is the most established and most cross-disciplinary renewable energy and high performance building conference in the region. Organized by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, it brings together architects, engineers, builders, policymakers, developers and building managers for three days of networking, accredited educational sessions and a high-level trade show. Attracting participants from across the US and Europe, it will take place on March 6-8, 2012, at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, MA.

Event: Offshore Wind Risk Summit 2012

On the 19th and 20th of June 2012 a summit will be held to identify critical offshore wind risks for timely and cost effective project delivery. It will take place in Hamburg Germany at the Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. This summit will help developers and contractors address their toughest challenges in offshore wind. Managing risks in the offshore wind industry is the way to achieve successful project commercialisation. In the future, only those willing to take and able to manage offshore risk will be able to build profitable offshore wind farms. The Offshore Wind Risk Summit will give you the direction and tools you need to build a comprehensive risk management strategy to ensure success in this booming market.

Events: Solar Power UK Coping with the Cuts Roadshow

The "Coping with the Cuts Roadshow" is designed to help with proposed reductions to the UK's feed-in tariffs (FiTs) for the solar industry.  The Roadshow is a half-day, informal event, giving you the unique chance to quiz industry experts, get right up-to-speed with the recent policy changes and equip yourself with the necessary information to make sure your solar business is a success in 2012 and beyond.

Events: UK Wind Power Roadshows

The UK’s leader in renewable energy has launched a series of roadshows across the UK to help farmers and rural businesses beat the deadline for wind power subsidy cuts. The UK roadshows are designed to show British farmers just how profitable it can be for them to install wind power on their farmland.

Video: Interview with Michael Mann on the War on Climate Scientists

Climate Science Watch interviewed Michael Mann on the release of the Penn State University "Final Investigation Report" on allegations of misconduct levied against Dr. Mann late last year by climate change 'skeptics' and denialists. The report concluded that there is "no substance" to the allegations. We also asked Dr. Mann about ongoing attacks on the credibility of climate science and on the integrity of climate scientists, and about his recent comments about the iconic 'hockey stick' graph of the global temperature record.

Video: The Controversy Surrounding Michael Mann's Hockey Stick Graph

Michael Mann created a widely known graph commonly referred to as a "hockey stick." His data shows that the temperature has increased significantly at the same time as man has started pumping CO2 and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Climate deniers tried to refute his results accusing Mann of using faulty statistics, some even suggested that he was guilty of fraud. Although there is some variability, a host of scientists have corroborated Mann's hockey stick. If anything newer research suggests that the earth has gotten even warmer than suggested by Mann's hockey stick.

Video: Climatologist Michael Mann Headlines 2012 U.Va. EnviroDay Event

Climatologist Michael Mann of Penn State University speaks about scientific findings relating to global warming in this University of Virginia EnviroDay appearance. His talk, titled "The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars: Dispatches From the Front Lines," shows how his findings have brought political heat from some Virginia and national politicians. Mann continues his research and outlines its scientific soundness during this packed public presentation. Prior to his move to Penn State in 2005, Mann served as a professor of environmental sciences at the University of Virginia.

Video: Michael Mann and the Climate Wars

Michael Mann talks about the research related to the scientific finding that the earth is warming. He goes on to discuss the war between those who accept science and reason and those who do not. Mann reviews how he has been subject to criticism for his scientific research. Even though his life and safety have been threatened, he continues to wage war in defense of science. Mann compares the war against the science of climate change to the misinformation campaign efforts of the tobacco industry, some have even compared it to McCarthyism.

Scottish Wind Energy Can Power Europe

Scotland's massive wind energy capacity is capable of producing vast amounts of clean, sustainable energy to the rest of Europe. Due to Scotland's strong winds, skilled workforce, well-developed energy infrastructure and welcoming investment environment, the country has attracted overseas companies like Doosan, Gamesa and Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe. With over 25 percent of Europe’s wind resource Scotland has the potential to generate 159 GW of power which is almost 15 times Scotland's own peak requirement (10.5 GW).

UK Renewable Energy 2011 Overview

According to statistics from the Department of Energy and Climate Change the renewable energy sector contributed to a record breaking 9.6 percent of the electricity supplied by the UK grid in 2011. This is an encouraging 50 percent increase on the figures from 2010. Yorkshire and the Humber have the most renewable energy sites followed by the North West and the South West.

Cuts to UK Wind Power ROCs & FiTs

Under pressure from Conservative MPs the UK Government appears poised to reduce its committment to wind projects. The Government has proposed a 10% cut to the financial support available to onshore wind generation projects as part of its review of renewables obligation certificates (ROCs). This has prompted some of the world's biggest wind companies to tell the Guardian newspaper that they were reviewing potential projects in the UK because of the Government's perceived lack of commitment to renewables. The government has already stated that it is considering reducing feed-in tariffs (FiT) for small wind turbines between 1.5 and 15KW by 25 percent. This would cost rural businesses up to £70,000 over the lifetime of a turbine on their land.

UK Wind Energy

The UK has ideal off shore wind conditions which are capable of supplying the island nations energy requirements. According to German government research only Denmark can produce wind energy cheaper than the UK. At the beginning of 2012, the installed capacity of wind power in the United Kingdom was over 5.9 gigawatts which ranked the UK as the world’s eighth largest producer of wind power. Wind power is expected to continue growing in the UK for the foreseeable future, RenewableUK estimates that more than 2 GW of capacity will be deployed per year for the next five years.

Cuts to UK Solar FiTs Could Prove Deadly

On October 31st 2011, Greg Barker, Minister of State at DECC, announced a controversial proposal to halve the feed-in tariff (FiT) rates for solar installations in each band up to 50kW, with smaller cuts in the bands from 50kW to 250kW. These cuts to FiTs are jeopardizing the UK solar industry. A FiT is a policy mechanism designed to accelerate investment in renewable energy technologies. It achieves this by offering long-term contracts to renewable energy producers, typically based on the cost of generation of each technology. Cuts to homeowners solar power could prove deadly to the fledgling UK industry in addition to threatening tens of thousands of jobs.

Outlook for the Chinese Solar Industry in 2012

The Chinese solar industry will achieve unprecedented growth in 2012, adding between 2.8 and 5 GW. The strong growth of Chinese solar in 2012 is due to both the 12th Five Year Plan for Renewable Energy Development (2011-2015) and their feed-in tariffs (FiTs).

How the West can Capitalize on the Growth of Chinese Cleantech in 2012

For the past decade Western countries have led the way in cleantech, but the reduction of government support for the sector is advancing China's position as an international cleantech leader. Due to the eurozone crisis, China can expect to see very little demand from European countries. However, demand from domestic Chinese companies may be enough to drive the growth of China's cleantech industry in 2012.