Get the Dirt on Clean with this week’s video breakdown from Cleantech Authority: Week of November 6, 2011.
IEA Says We Have 5 Years to Act on Climate Change: The International Energy Agency (IEA) stated in its annual report that the world has until 2017 to cut down on carbon emissions, failing which climate change will be locked in. Emissions are currently at 390 parts per million (ppm), and are projected to hit a dangerous 450 ppm by 2035 if serious action isn’t taken within the next five years… at which time the carbon-emitting infrastructure, which makes up 75% of carbon emissions, is set to push the earth over the 450 ppm limit, making the planet 2º Celsius warmer. Full story
Keystone Pipeline Put on Hold: In reaction to intense environmental protest, the Obama administration in the USA decided to hold off on approving the controversial 1,700 mile Keystone Pipeline extension that would link the dirty oilfields of Alberta in Canada to the Gulf Coast. The pipeline will meet its final verdict after next year’s election. Full story
The Garden of LEDs: Garden Lights, Holiday Nights is a show running November 19, 2011-January 7, 2012 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. It will dazzle spectators with more than just the green beauty of plant life; this show features nearly one million LED lights powered by solar and biomass energy from its green energy provider, Georgia Power. Full story
Budding Biofuel Industry Causes a Spike in Grease Theft: Bobby Tessler, owner of St. Louis Wings, has lost $2,000 worth of grease to thieves since he opened shop in April of this year. With the rise in popularity of biofuels, grease has become a hot commodity, now selling for approximately $0.40- $0.43 per pound, says Tom Cook, President of the National Renderers Association. The multi-million dollar black market for grease is a relatively safe one for thieves, since they face only light penalties if caught. Full story
Boulder Votes to Form Municipal Energy Utility: Voters from Boulder, Colorado approved two ballot measures that break ties to their coal-dependent utility Xcel Energy, allowing them to create their own municipal utility — one that’s focused on generating renewable energy. Full story
100X Increase Projected in Global Energy Storage Capacity by 2021: Pike Research revealed in a recent report that energy storage solutions, such as compressed air and pumped hydro storage, will increase from 121 MW to 12,353 MW in just 10 years. The 100X increase will come from $122 billion of investment in energy storage over the next ten years. Full story
Toyota Releases 2011 North America Environmental Report: The auto manufacturer most committed to fuel efficiency, Toyota, has recently solidified its commitment to providing sustainable motor solutions to the world. Key achievements in its environmental report include the launch of a four-car family of Prius vehicles, a partnership with Tesla Motors to build an electric, zero-emission RAV4, a 12% increase in fuel economy for Toyota’s US cars, and near-zero landfill status at all of Toyota’s North American manufacturing plants. Full story
Here at the Cleantech Authority Network, we have:
- Polished off a web site redesign to make stories easier to find;
- Taken a look at the potential for environmental upside in commercial space travel;
- Explored hand crank-powered LED flashlights that could last longer and reduce their environmental impact by storing energy with capacitors;
- Taken a look at communities turning to solar power for long term savings;
- Interviewed a woman who is turning food waste into food for flies, and then converting their larvae into biofuels and fish food;
- Reviewed five hot products keeping the planet cool for this holiday season, including solar shingles, the new Mitsubishi MiEV, and the sold-out Nest learning thermostat;
- Investigated sustainable and clean-powered backup generators which run on solar, natural gas, and wind power.
