The definition of renewable energy seems clear cut: The sun continues to shine, so solar energy is renewable. The wind continues to blow, so wind turbines churn out renewable But industries are now pushing to have a growing number of other technologies categorized as renewable — or at least as environmentally advantageous. They include nuclear power plants and the burning of garbage and even the waste from coal mines.
“bottletop” technology could slash aviation emissions by a fifth
‘Bottletop’ technology could slash aviation emissions by a fifth
British researchers hope to cut airline fuel bills by placing hundreds of thousands of tiny holes in the surface of a plane’s wing to reduce mid-flight drag. From BusinessGreen.com, part of the Guardian Environment Network
- guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 26 May 2009 12.01 BST
- Article history
Airbus is said to be keen to accelerate the project and it is hoped that new wings could be ready for trial as early as 2012. Photograph: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE/EPA
A team of British researchers reckon they have hit on a way of cutting airline fuel bills by up to a fifth by harnessing the same principle that applies when you blow across the top of a bottle to make a sound.
Speaking to BusinessGreen.com, Dr Duncan Lockerby, from the University of Warwick, who is leading the project, explained that placing tens or even hundreds of thousands of tiny holes in the surface of a plane’s wing should dramatically reduce mid-flight drag, cutting fuel bills and carbon emissions by up to 20 per cent in the process.
CPRS’s imminent demise is opportunity for real climate action
CPRS’s imminent demise is opportunity for real climate action
Canberra, Tuesday 26 May 2009
The imminent demise of the failed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
provides the perfect opportunity for the Rudd Government to move
immediately on strong climate action and jobs creation, the Australian
Greens said today.
“With the Continue Polluting Regardless Scheme now set for rejection in
the Senate, it is more important than ever that the Government moves
rapidly on emissions reducing and jobs creating policies,” said Australian
Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne.
Nationals, Greens vow to block ETS
Nationals, Greens vow to block ETS
Updated: 10:27, Monday May 25, 2009
The Australian Greens want the federal government’s emission trading scheme legislation put to a vote as soon as possible – so they can defeat it.
The minor Senate party says Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has ‘browned down’ the government’s original carbon pollution reduction scheme to make it more palatable to the coalition and big business.
Labor wants parliament to approve its draft laws, which seek to have the scheme operating by July 2011, by the end of next month.
The Greens have vowed to oppose the scheme.
With Billions at Stake, Trying to Expand the Meaning of ‘Renewable Energy’
With Billions at Stake, Trying to Expand the Meaning of ‘Renewable Energy’
Left: Leah Nash for The New York Times; top right: Sean Gallup/Getty Images; bottom right: Rick Smith/Associated Press
The meanings of “renewable” and “alternative” have been expanded in some states. Wind, flammable pellets made from garbage and the burning of waste coal have all been designated renewable energy, or an equivalent, in at least one state.
Greens move for action,not delay.on climate
Greens move for action, not delay, on climate
Canberra, Monday 25 May 2009
The Australian Greens will move in the Senate to drive domestic and global
climate action without the failed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
dragging it down.
“Since the Rudd Government refuses to work with the Greens to fix the
CPRS, we want to see this ‘agreement to fail’ rejected and get Australia
moving with real climate action,” said Australian Greens Deputy Leader,
Senator Christine Milne.
“The Greens will move a motion in the Senate to give the Rudd Government a
mandate to negotiate the strongest possible global agreement at
Copenhagen.
Renewable energy’s 26.000 new jobs
Renewable energy’s 26,000 new jobs
Lenore Taylor, National correspondent | May 25, 2009
Article from: The Australian
RENEWABLE energy projects under construction or planned in response to the proposed emissions trading scheme will create 26,000 jobs, according to new research published as the federal Coalition seeks to defer the scheme on the basis that it could be a “jobs killer”.
Research commissioned by The Climate Institute shows $31 billion worth of clean energy projects already in the pipeline, many in regional areas, will generate 2500 permanent jobs, 15,000 construction jobs and 8600 associated positions. The research does not include jobs in domestic solar or insulation, or new projects funded through the $1.6 billion solar flagships program announced in the budget, and is based on surveying investors rather than making projections from modelling.
It comes after modelling commissioned by the Minerals Council of Australia found that even the most modest emissions-reduction target planned by the Rudd Government would leave the mining sector with 24,000 fewer jobs over the next decade than it could have expected without a price on carbon.