New study on health effects from windfarms

Alison Rourke writes in the Guardian about a new study in Australia that shows that more people have been getting sick in areas where environmentalists are most active. So, is there a psychological effect? Windfarm sickness spreads by word of mouth, Australian study finds Health complaints from people living around turbines shown to be … Continue reading New study on health effects from windfarms →

Report shows importance of energy efficiency

Stephen Lacey writes in greentechefficiency about the important role that energy efficiency plays as an economic driver. Report: Efficiency Is a More Important Economic Driver Than Energy Supply A new analysis concludes that economic productivity is more closely tied to energy efficiency than energy production. The debate around energy in the U.S. is focused … Continue reading Report shows importance of energy efficiency →

Can energy efficiency be easy?

Walter Frick provides a very interesting post in Cleantech and Firstfuel about the importance of making operational changes in commercial buildings. This is important because, when it comes to buildings, too often our first reaction is to undertake a major retrofit. Maybe there is some merit in taking a different view. What if Energy Efficiency … Continue reading Can energy efficiency be easy? →

2012 – the year in graphs

The Washington Post asked many experts for the graph that they felt best explained 2012. Two of the graphs relate to sustainable energy. First, the nominee related to climate change was Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org. The second graph is by Michael Greenstone, professor of economics at MIT and Director of the Hamilton Project. It … Continue reading 2012 – the year in graphs →

Positive impact from home air conditioning

Juliet Eilperin recently wrote in the Washington Post about a new study that has analysed the impact of deploying air conditioning on a wide scale to reduce deaths from excessive heat. While this is interesting indeed, it does not mention that maybe houses should be better built to integrate passive heating and cooling in order … Continue reading Positive impact from home air conditioning →

The challenge of meeting energy efficiency obligations in the UK

Terry Macalister of the Guardian writes the efforts of Britain’s energy regulator, Ofgem, to ensure the big six energy suppliers to ensure they meet their legal obligations. Energy firms face fines over obligations to vulnerable customers Suppliers have until 31 December to meet commitments to make homes more efficient after data reveals failings, says Ofgem … Continue reading The challenge of meeting energy efficiency obligations in the UK →

Does UK really rank number 1 in energy efficiency?

After ACEEE’s league table of major economies on their progress on energy efficiency, there is growing scepticism on Britain’s leading status. The articles and emails have been coming fast and furious. Many are questioning the indicators that are used. As one wrote this week: “The damage is done . . .” The ACEEE ranking contradicts … Continue reading Does UK really rank number 1 in energy efficiency? →

Does energy efficiency raise house values?

Frequently analysts are asked to know if there is a premium on energy-efficient homes since the change in asset value has an effect on undertaking a retrofit investment or the purchase of a high performing new building. This study, reported in the Washington Post by Kenneth Harney, gives some strong evidence that there is a … Continue reading Does energy efficiency raise house values? →

Summer reading: on fossil fuel subsidies

This is a good report on updated estimates of global fossil fuel subsidies that was produced by Oil Change International, a research, communication, and advocacy organization focused on exposing the true costs of fossil fuels and facilitating the coming transition towards clean energy. The report highlights that, while there has been progress, there is definitely … Continue reading Summer reading: on fossil fuel subsidies →

Quote of the week – We are all Japanese

On July 10th, Gerald Curtis, a professor at Columbia University wrote a commentary in the Financial Times about the Fukushima disaster. He refers to a recent Fukushima commission report that assessed the factors leading to the tragedy. His last paragraph reads: The Fukushima commission report ‘found an organization-driven mindset that prioritized benefits to the organization … Continue reading Quote of the week – We are all Japanese →