Notes from a rare planet: LED vs. CFL — Which light bulb is more efficient?

LED vs. CFL — Which light bulb is more efficient? (Clean Technica) It depends. CFLs are unquestionable cheaper, but LEDs last much, much longer. They have about the same energy efficiency, however. Depending on the bulb and what you’re using … Continue reading

Notes from a rare planet: Green energy use in Germany passes 20 percent of total power mix

Green energy use in Germany passes 20 percent of total power mix (Yale Environment 360) Germany is aiming to produce 35 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. Expedition to unexplored areas of Amazon uncovers new species (Blue Channel … Continue reading

Notes from a rare planet: Cows fighting climate change and desertification?

Cows fighting climate change? (The Guardian) A Zimbabwe scientist explains how through regular controlled grazing cows can save grasslands from desertification and can put carbon back in the soil. “The goal [in agriculture] is to produce a positive carbon budget: … Continue reading

Notes from a rare planet: Blue iguanas saved from extinction

A success story:  The blue iguanas have been saved from the brink of extinction (The New York Times) A successful captive breeding program has released 500 iguanas to the wild and they are successfully breeding. In 2002, there were only … Continue reading

Notes from a rare planet: The carbon footprint of a cheeseburger

A new study shows the how much green house gasses are emitted from the production of protein foods (The New York Times) The biggest green house gas emitters? Lamb, beef and cheese. If everyone in the U.S. stopped eating meat … Continue reading

Notes from a rare planet: New York ranked No. 1 for green jobs

Brookings Ranks the greenness of US cities’ job markets (Climatide) A recent report that revealed the 2 percent of all US jobs were “green.” Among the top ranked: The New York, LA, Chicago and Washington D.C. metropolitan areas. Here’s some … Continue reading

Notes from a rare planet: Developing countries out-invest developed countries in renewable energy

Developing countries invested more than developed countries in renewable energy for 2010  (The Guardian)  Developing countries invested $72 billion, developed countries only $70 billion. China accounts for $50 billion of the developing countries’ investment. El Hierro of the Canary Islands … Continue reading

Notes from a rare planet: Renewables outpower nuclear in the US

Report reveals America now receives more power from renewable sources than nuclear (Inhabitat) The monthly energy review revealed renewable sources of energy produced a combined 2.2245 quadrillion Btus of energy (or 11 percent of US total) whereas nuclear only produced … Continue reading

Notes from a rare planet: Norway creates Energy+ to promote clean energy in developing nations to combat climate change

Norway wants to channel billions of dollars for renewable energy in developing nations to protect forests (Reuters) “Energy+ is an initiative to promote access to energy and low-carbon development” in developing nations, according to an internal document from the Ministry … Continue reading

Notes from a rare planet: Denmark invests the most in clean energy as percentage of GDP. US? 17th.

Denmark invests the most in clean energy per GDP. The US? 17th. China is second (first in overall spending) (Yale Environment 360) “The report says that China is currently investing $65 billion a year in clean tech, with renewable energy … Continue reading