2nd Green Revolution

Are Cities Really More Sustainable?

In the most recent Five Friday Facts, Justin provided information on the growth in cities outside the developed world. He points out that increasing populations pose challenges for sustainability. How ...

Growing Up in LA

A few weeks ago I was talking with another transplant from Los Angeles who also became interested in environmental sustainability. She asked what it was that got me interested in ...

Happy Birthday, 2nd Green Revolution

It has been three years to the day since our first post at 2nd Green Revolution. From that beginning, the number of visits to the site has tripled each year, ...

52 Japanese Municipalities Now Energy Independent

Given the dearth of natural resources, new concerns over nuclear power, and a "mottainai" mentality, it seems natural that Japan should look to put in place policies and develop technologies ...

Efficiency is not the Key to Sustainability

Justin has written a few posts about the importance of getting outside; one titled "Encroachment" and the other "The Set Aside". This post follows up, but takes the idea in ...

Energy Challenge Webcast Today at 12pm EST

by Justin Manger on November 13th, 2009

While reading the New York Times online this morning, I came across an interesting ad for a noon webcast today sponsored by Shell energy company. “Energy Challenge: The Role of Government and Industry” will begin at 12pm EST. You can can up to watch the webcast at http://energychallengewebcast.com/signup.php. Here’s the description of the program from the website:

“The future of energy poses vast challenges to government and private industry, as world energy demand is expected to double by 2050 to improve living standards. Join us in this live debate on the roles played by the public and private sectors in addressing the challenges to energy in the 21st century.”

- Justin Manger

Biofuels to be Used on Passenger Flight for First Time

by Justin Manger on November 12th, 2009

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced that it would become the “first airline in the world to make a demonstration flight on bio-kerosene with a select group of passengers. On 23 November 2009, KLM will operate a flight using Boeing 747 equipment. One of the aircraft engines will be running on a fuel mixture made up of 50% sustainable bio-fuel and 50% traditional kerosene.” The press release doesn’t mention how long a flight it will be or how the passengers will be selected and notified about the uniqueness of their journey.

KLM is a member of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group, which also includes Boeing, UOP, Air France, Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Tuifly, All Nippon Airways, Cargolux, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, KLM, SAS and Virgin Atlantic Airways. The group was formed in September 2008.

Following a series of intensive tests this year, KLM will transport the passengers on a Boeing 747 powered by a mixture of camelina-based oil and kerosene jet oil. Camelina biofuel has been shown to reduce emissions by as much as 80%. The jet will require no modifications when using the biofuel blend. For more on camelina see Sustainable Oils’ website.

- Justin Manger

Image Credit

Fall 2009 Energy Efficiency Expo in D.C. Nov. 14th

by Justin Manger on November 10th, 2009

This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Office of the People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia (OPC-DC)* will present it’s Energy Efficiency Expo at the Walter E. Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place). Click on the link for a video overview of the expo as well as information on home energy and water savings measures and other eco-tips. Standard Solar, featured in another post, talks about District solar incentives. Also mentioned in the video is the fact that DC residents can get free home energy audits. Here are a few of the features at the Expo:

•Free Energy Audits
•Solar Energy Providers
•Hands-On Demonstrations
•Energy Saving Windows
•Energy Grant Programs
•Green Loan Programs
•Green Insulation Providers
•Energy Upgrade Success Stories
•Economic Stimulus Programs

The Expo looks like a good place to get information on products and practices that can save you some cash while going green.

- Justin Manger
Image Credit: OPC-DC

* “The Office of the People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia is an independent agency of the District of Columbia government. By law, it is the advocate for consumers of natural gas, electric and telephone services in the District. The Office’s mandate is to advocate the provision of quality utility service and equitable treatment at rates that are just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory to assist individual consumers in disputes with utility companies about billing or services; and to provide technical assistance and consumer education.”

Power To (Or From) The People!

by Eric Wilson on November 9th, 2009

Following up last week’s story about Yale University installing human powered charging devices on elliptical machines and stationary bicycles at its gym comes a report from NPR‘s All Tech Considered on a company aiming to convert the mechanical energy of walking into an electrical current to charge people’s cellular phones. Tremont Electric, based in Cleveland, Ohio, plans to mass manufacture the nPower™ PEG (Personal Energy Generator) and have them on the shelf in time for the holiday rush. On their website, Tremont is allowing consumers to pre-order the devices.

Greenbuild Interantional Expo 2009: Phoenix, AZ

by Eric Wilson on November 8th, 2009

Green Build Expo As mentioned in the “November Clean Energy and Sustainability Events” post earlier this month, Wednesday November 11th through the 13th marks the Greenbuild 2009 International Conference and Expo. Taking place in Phoenix, AZ, the expo boasts 1,800 exhibit booths showcasing the latest in innovative products and services. With the world’s largest expo hall devoted to green building, Greenbuild 2009 is the place to go to learn how green can grow your business. Also, look for jobs or recruit employees by participating in the first-ever Green Building Job Fair.

Last year’s Greenbuild Expo in Boston featured record attendance. The following video from Fortune magazine highlights green building technology from last year’s expo.

Nobel Prize winner Al Gore will provide the keynote presentation.

Notable Quotes on the Blooming Second Green Revolution

by Justin Manger on November 7th, 2009

This week I’ve come across several quotes from various sources that struck me as noteworthy, so I compiled a short list below. The second green revolution is gaining steam and it’s exciting.

“If environmental policy is not good business policy, you will not get 60 votes [needed to pass the Cap and Trade Bill in the Senate]. The green economy is coming. We can either follow or lead.”

- Lindsey Graham, (R-SC); Source: New York Times

“Human beings change their behavior only when danger is imminent or when there is money at stake. For many Americans, global warming remains personally remote. Which means that commerce—or, to keep liberals happy, let’s call it commerce with a conscience—is our best hope. Energy technology could well be the successor to information technology as the next great engine of economic growth—and we surely need that engine.”

- Jon Meacham; Source: Newsweek

The World’s Greatest Untapped Energy Source: It’s People!

by Eric Wilson on November 6th, 2009

Yale In what may turn out to be a stroke of genius (not unlike the solar roof on the 2010 Toyota Prius), Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut has installed recharging devices on elliptical machines and stationary bicycles used for exercising in the campus gym. The recharging devices, powered by the people using the machines, were the result of an undergraduate working with a faculty member in the electrical engineering department. (Click here for a brief video.)

Five Friday Facts

by Justin Manger on November 6th, 2009

86.5% of the world’s energy is supplied by fossil fuels – compared with nearly 100% in 1985
Wind supplies just over 1% of U.S. electricity- but the DOE projects that could easily reach 20% by 2023.
57% of Americans believe there is solid evidence the world is warming- down from 71% in 2008
36% of Americans believe global warming is caused by human activity- down from 47% in 2008
20% of CO₂is attributable to deforestation- more than ALL the world’s cars and trucks combined.

Source: Newsweek’s November 9th Edition feature on Al Gore and the environment.

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Are Cities Really More Sustainable?

Growing Up in LA

Happy Birthday, 2nd Green Revolution

52 Japanese Municipalities Now Energy Independent

Efficiency is not the Key to Sustainability

Energy Challenge Webcast Today at 12pm EST

Biofuels to be Used on Passenger Flight for First Time

Fall 2009 Energy Efficiency Expo in D.C. Nov. 14th

Power To (Or From) The People!

Greenbuild Interantional Expo 2009: Phoenix, AZ

Notable Quotes on the Blooming Second Green Revolution

The World’s Greatest Untapped Energy Source: It’s People!

Five Friday Facts

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