2,000 Watts per person per year (or 17,520 kWh) is what we produce now. It is a baseline for sustainability, at least, this is what the scientists of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology believe. This 2,000 Watts includes all activities - working, eating, traveling, and investment in common infrastructure. Currently, Switzerland is a 5,000 Watt society and most other Western European countries are 6,000 Watt societies. The USA and Canada consume 12,000 Watts per person per year.
"At first glance, the objective of a 2,000-watt society appears unrealistic, but the necessary technology already exists," says Moritz Leuenberger, head of the Swiss Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy, and Communications.
Austin, Texas, is a leader in the United States on paths toward a more energy smart future. MSN called it the "Greenest City in America." IT has smart growth policies, has a focus on plug-in vehicles, wind power, and ... well, many things.
Yearly Kos 1 was in a center of conspicious consumption: Las Vegas. YK2 in a leading city when it comes to green roofs which had the Cool GlobesCool Globes up when we were there. Netroots Nation is going to an even greener pasture. And you can send a friend there through the DFA Scholarship for Netroots Nation.
A fleet of electric cars will reach the market around 2010. America must have a policy in place immediately to support our switch from oil powered transportation. Making Republicans the party that spends trillions while we vaguely lump global warming and oil dependence in one year 2020 fuzzy solution is the wrong thing to do. To not have a coherent oil policy (not energy) now is like not having an opinion on slavery before the civil war.
General Motors expects its gasoline-electric Chevrolet Volt to come to market in 2010 priced close to $40,000, say sources close to the project. ... Company insiders now predict 10,000 to 30,000 Volt sales in the first year, with volume growing as it hits full production. GM is counting on the Volt to be a high-volume seller after the first few years. GM expects to bring the Volt to market by November 2010, sources say.
Montgomery County, Maryland, is moving toward a stronger building code, with requirements for new homes to meet the Energy Star home building parameters. This is the type of measure rapidly implementable across the country to help foster the move toward a more sensible building infrastructure such as envisioned by Architecture2030 (which has a plan to a deCarbonized building infrastructure by 2030).
The move to Energy Star construction, as the minimum standard, will mean a reduction of energy consumption by at least 15 percent over existing building code.
But they're being opposed in their efforts by ... [drumroll] ... the Bush administration.
This is a direct response to Devilstower's Belated Earth Day: The Big Gulp article, which for some reason was rejecting my post.
I take reducing how far I drive more seriously than anyone I know, and I can tell you right now Devilstower's advice for reducing our reliance on oil is basically impossible. The fact is, there is relatively little that people can do to conserve oil in the present socioeconomic environment in America. The short answer is that non-car transportation options are far too limited, even the biggest cities aren't well designed for people to do without a car, and there is too much economic insecurity to effectively make the lifestyle changes that allow you to do without. As oil goes up individual citizens are going to get caught in the middle. The only effective solution is to address these underlying issues directly, even if it means re-engineering our cities and abandoning many modern presumptions about efficient businesses.
The Chairman of the Committee on the Environment, Representative Frank Smizik, hosted a meeting on Peak Oil at the Massachusetts State House on Monday, March 31. The hearing room was standing room only and there were Reps and Sens from Belmont, Boston, Somerville, Falmouth, and Arlington. This was in preparation for the establishment of a Massachusetts Peak Oil Caucus.
I know it seems a geological eon ago, but remember the resignation of Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle? And how Doyle never told Clinton about the campaign's massive hemorrhaging of cash, while Clinton kept Solis in the dark when she took out her $5 million personal loan? I couldn't clear my mind from the endless tape loop of "a candidate ready to lead on day one," and started wondering what that incident reveals about Hillary Clinton's competence, transparency and trust.
In fact, I wonder whether she specifically surrounds herself with people who are so intimidated they can't even stand up and disagree with her, or tell her bad news. Personal loyalty is fine, but we've had plenty of that in the current administration, with disastrous results. The charges and counter-charges around Doyle's departure suggest either that Clinton's built a team that is sharply lacking in basic skills, like high school math, or that she has a character that makes people afraid to challenge her.
Joseph Romm examines John McCain's climate change stance at Salon. Unlike most every other major figure in the Republican party, McCain does believe that climate change is happening, human-made emissions are causing it, and we should do something about it. So far so good. Unfortunately, He lives up to his "maverick" and "straight talk" labels only just that far.
The only technological solution to global warming that McCain consistently advocates is nuclear power. In his signature environmental legislation, the 2007 Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act, written with Joe Lieberman, McCain wants to devote a remarkable $3.7 billion in federal subsidies to nuclear power plants.
Increasing numbers of bloggers and grassroots activists are calling on Congress and the White House to direct a portion of the economic stimulus package (which could be as large as $150 billion) to clean energy.
Take action today by clicking here to sign the Breakthrough Institute petition. Breakthrough colleagues Energy Action, 1Sky, Center for American Progress, Ella Baker Center, and the Center for State Innovation. Happily, the Sierra Club are also working on a statement.
The Sunday Boston Globe runs a feature called "The Globalist Quiz." This Sunday it was about world fuel economy leaders. The premise was the recent energy bill which has raised fuel economy standards for the first time in about thirty effing years. We are scheduled to go to 35 miles per gallon by 2020.
The quiz part was does this new US standard outperform the standards in the EU, Japan, China, or not.
Suzanne Vega ... Toni Childs ... Roberta Flack ... voices with lyrics that, through my life, have found their ways to touch my soul.
Tracy Chapman's haunting voice is one that does not just touch, but often sears my soul, with lyrics that speak to me in new ways almost every time that I pause to listen.
The video below comes from Paul, a green builder in the New Orleans area, who made this video after receivng Tracy Chapman's "Rape of the World ..."
I live in a place experiencing the rape of the world ...
Amid all of the fascinating things out there on energy issues, there are many that will increase energy illiteracy, that don't merit the kilobytes wasted on them, that are, well, truly Energy NOT COOL. Tonight inaugurates a new series that will, occasionally, draw attention to one of these contributions to hindering meaningful debate on energy issues.
When it comes to the future of America's automotive fleet, it is clear that at least part of the Massachusetts Institute for Technology can't get its mind around the reality of change in the transportation system. They are focused on Business As Usual (BAU) rather than the Business To Be (BTB).
Factor of Two: Halving the Fuel Consumption of New US Automobiles by 2035 was recently published by MIT, a brand that carries a tremendous amount of credibility. When it comes to technology, MIT is like that old EF Hutton ad:
When MIT Talks Technology, People Listen
Sadly, however, this talk on auto technology could easily mislead rather than enlighten the discussion about the future and our future possibilities.
There is great news (sort of) coming out of Congress re a deal on an Energy Bill. As per the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, there will be an Energy Bill put to the floor next week, a bill including many important measures:
"CAFE will serve as the cornerstone of the energy legislation that will be on the House floor next week. We will achieve the major goal of increasing vehicle efficiency standards to 35 miles per gallon in 2020, marking an historic advancement in our efforts in the Congress to address our energy security and laying strong groundwork for climate legislation next year. We are confident that this final product will win the support of the environmental, labor and manufacturing communities.
"This landmark energy legislation will offer the automobile industry the certainty it needs, while offering flexibility to automakers and ensuring we keep American manufacturing jobs and continued domestic production of smaller vehicles.
"This comprehensive package will also include an increase in the Renewable Fuels Standard and a Renewable Electricity Standard, among other key provisions."
This is good news, but good news with an asterisk.
We face a perfect storm when it comes to Global Warming and energy issues. There are solution paths that can help us navigate these dangerous seas, yet often the technology seems to be the least of our challenges. On October 30th, the Brookings Institution Hamilton Project had a forum entitled: A Climate of Change: Economic Approaches to Reforming Energy and Protecting the Environment.
One presenter focused on three key issues inhibiting moving toward even more renewable power, three issues in how electricity is regulated and the financial environment structured that leave old coal plants at an even greater financial advantage. And, issues that are (quite literally) taking $billions from our pockets. Money that could, quite reasonably, be applied to creating a cleaner and more efficient electricity system.
Energizing America into an Energy Smart future will require engagement from us all, at all levels, individuals, businesses, communities, government (at all levels). One of EA2020's Core Principles is to Make the Right Choice, The Easy Choice (and the preferred choice) when it comes to energy issues.
And, well, when it comes to those choices, becoming Energy Smart begins at Home.
consumption: Las Vegas. YK2 in a leading city when it comes to green roofs which had the Cool Globes
is 
to touch my soul. 
One presenter focused on three key issues inhibiting moving toward even more renewable power, three issues in how electricity is regulated and the financial environment structured that leave old coal plants at an even greater financial advantage. And, issues that are (quite literally) taking $billions from our pockets. Money that could, quite reasonably, be applied to creating a cleaner and more efficient electricity system.
