Energy
There is an energy alternative
A lot of arguments in favor of hydraulic fracking for natural gas end up with the statement—you can’t be against everything. People will want to be warm with the lights on. [Read more…] about There is an energy alternative
Renewable energy aspirations
Getting 100% of our electricity from renewable sources is an aspiration many of us have – but is often thought to be little more than a pipe dream. For years, states and countries around the world have timidly established targets for integrating renewables into their grids. Numbers like 10% and 20% have been the rule. But things are changing. [Read more…] about Renewable energy aspirations
The high cost of congestion
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The Texas A&M Transportation Institute has been studying traffic patterns in the U.S. for more than thirty years. They recently issued their annual Urban Mobility Report and the results are eye-opening. [Read more…] about The high cost of congestion
Corn ethanol and greenhouse gases
Ninety-five percent of all gasoline sold in the United States contains ethanol. This is the result of the Renewable Fuel Standard established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. These laws require renewable fuel to be blended into transportation fuel in increasing amounts each year through 2022. [Read more…] about Corn ethanol and greenhouse gases
Measuring real progress on carbon
International attention on the growing problem of climate change has resulted in a number of agreements regarding carbon emissions, most notably the Kyoto Protocol, originally adopted in 1997. Over the years, 191 nations have been signatories to this accord and its various extensions. But notably, the United States has never ratified it. [Read more…] about Measuring real progress on carbon
An update on offshore wind
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The planned wind farm in Nantucket Sound known as Cape Wind was the first offshore wind energy project proposed in the United States, back in 2001. Since that time, the project has been through a bewildering permitting, approval, and assessment process involving multiple federal and state agencies. It has also been the subject of numerous lawsuits. [Read more…] about An update on offshore wind
Hydroelectric dams and carbon sequestration
One of the key ways of mitigating climate change is to keep carbon away from the atmosphere where it is found as carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas. Carbon that is stored in trees and other woody plants, in soils, and in the oceans is said to be sequestered. [Read more…] about Hydroelectric dams and carbon sequestration
The problem with coal
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Coal is by far the most plentiful and cheapest fossil fuel we have. Burning coal generates more than 80% of the world’s electric power and its use is growing steadily. [Read more…] about The problem with coal
Fuel from the sun
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We’ve learned to harvest some of the sun’s energy with solar hot water heaters and photovoltaic panels. These green technologies serve us well when the sun is shining. But neither compares to the ability that plants have to convert sunlight, water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates – the process known as photosynthesis. [Read more…] about Fuel from the sun
Curbing carbon pollution
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/EW-03-11-13-Curbing-Carbon-Pollution.mp3|titles=EW 03-11-13 Curbing Carbon Pollution]
Congress seems unable to tackle the problem of global climate change, driven by rising concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) in Earth’s atmosphere. Some feel that a carbon tax would stifle the weak economy. Others don’t like regulations or taxes at all. [Read more…] about Curbing carbon pollution
Digging for geothermal energy
Since prehistoric times, people have used hot springs, which are warmed by Earth’s mantle, for bathing and heating. Nowadays, geothermal energy is used to make electricity, producing over 10 gigawatts globally. [Read more…] about Digging for geothermal energy
Drowning in fossil fuels
The need to wean ourselves off of fossil fuels has been driven by at least three distinct considerations: the impact of fossil fuels on the environment, the geopolitics of oil, and the increasing scarcity of fossil fuel resources. [Read more…] about Drowning in fossil fuels
Saving energy with a new car
Fuel economy in cars is going up. The 2025 CAFÉ standard for cars is over 54 miles per gallon. Hybrids and plug-in vehicles reduce the amount of energy we use to drive, and we all should want to lower our energy consumption and our carbon footprint. But does buying a high-mileage car really help? [Read more…] about Saving energy with a new car
How many dollars does it take to change a light bulb?
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There have been heated debates about light bulbs ever since Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This law imposed efficiency standards that spelled the end of the incandescent bulb. Since its passage, the law’s requirements have been under attack from many quarters. [Read more…] about How many dollars does it take to change a light bulb?
Solar panel payback
Solar panels are becoming a common sight on rooftops. A combination of dropping prices, new incentives, and the growing availability of solar leases is making solar power more and more popular. People are reducing or even entirely eliminating their electric bills with these systems. [Read more…] about Solar panel payback
How green is a green car?
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A primary reason to drive an electric car is to save energy and, in particular, reduce the amount of carbon going into the atmosphere. It is a fact that driving a mile using electricity uses less energy than driving a mile using gasoline. It is also true that running an electric engine doesn’t produce carbon emissions. [Read more…] about How green is a green car?
Acid rain: Progress but not triumph
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Though not in the news as much as it once was, acid rain remains a problem. Most of our energy needs are derived from burning fossil fuels, such as coal and gasoline. Power plants, factories, and vehicles give off sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions, which react in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acids. These acids are then deposited back onto the landscape in rain, snow, fog, or particles. [Read more…] about Acid rain: Progress but not triumph
Curbing global mercury pollution
Mercury exposure has been tied to a suite of health problems, among them damage to the central nervous system and the immune system. [Read more…] about Curbing global mercury pollution
It’s radiant in Virginia
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