In an interview published in The Atlantic, billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates had two very astute observations about wind and solar energy: On the limits of wind power and solar photovoltaic cells: Wind has grown super-fast, on a very subsidized basis. Solar, off a smaller base, has been growing even faster—again on a highly subsidized basis. But it’s absolutely fair to say that even the modest R&D that’s been done, and the various deployment incentives that are there, have worked … [Read more...]
Climate Skeptics: Bought By Fossil Fuel Companies?
This video is worth watching and sharing. Well-known scientists, scholars, and policy leaders respond to accusations of receiving money from oil companies, and reveal where their funding really comes from. … [Read more...]
India Dances toward Paris
India last week announced its "climate action plan" in preparation for December's climate summit in Paris, and the featured points grabbed the world's attention: 40% increase of "clean [i.e., CO2-free] energy" by 2030; reduced CO2 "emission intensity" by 33% from 2005 levels by 2030; calling for wealth countries of the West to help it meet the costs of these efforts. That last point is the one to be taken most seriously. As for the first two, well, there's lots of smoke and mirrors, but … [Read more...]
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Gets It: Forget ‘Climate Change’, Energy Empowers the Poor
Speaking September 29 at the UN General Assembly, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it perfectly clear: India will not stop or even slow its people's rise out of poverty to satisfy the global warming elites of the West. Modi told the UN that any climate agreement acceptable to India must function "without affecting our ability to meet the development aspirations of humanity." And India intends to meet those aspirations by providing the abundant, affordable, reliable electricity without … [Read more...]
Ethanol: A Federally Mandated Killer
Terry Scanlon of the Capital Research Center leads his latest email this way: When you gas your car with 10% ethanol, you're dragged into the Renewable Fuel Standard morass run by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). This environmentalist policy is so terrible, even the greens have turned against it. But as a government program, it's immortal. Our latest "Green Watch" documents how this disaster funnels money from consumers to crony capitalists, reduces your car's mileage, raises food … [Read more...]
Europe’s Appetite for Wood Pellets Instead of Coal Threatens Forests
In its Quixotic quest to fight global warming, Europe is switching many coal-fired electric generating plants to wood pellets. Not a good idea. One of the most important advances for both humanity and the environment was our move from using wood as primary energy source to coal, natural gas, and oil. That led to a reversal of the deforestation that was happening all over the Northern Hemisphere as population rose. The higher-density fossil fuels allowed us to generate far more energy while … [Read more...]
Environmentalists Use Millennials to Further Divestment Agenda
Environmental activists are at it again—using well-meaning college students to further their political agenda. Activists tried to turn February 13th and 14th into “Global Divestment Day.” Petitions circulated and pledges were taken by students and faculty at dozens of colleges across America (and the globe) to try to convince their respective schools to “rid their portfolios of investments in coal, oil, and natural gas interests.” But the divestment movement, which began a few years ago, is … [Read more...]
To Divest or Not to Divest—That is the Question
“To be, or not to be? That is the question.” With those words Hamlet pondered suicide. That’s a question we should ask as we ponder shrill calls on various college campuses for divestment from fossil fuels – as took place this past weekend as part of Global Divestment Day. For with the end of fossil fuel use comes the eventual death of a significant portion of the human race. Yes, I just said that. And it’s true. 1.3 billion people live without electricity across the world, 2.6 billion lack … [Read more...]
Europe Flees Economy-Destroying Green Initiatives While Obama Presses On
C02 reduction regulations and subsidies for “green energy” are destroying the European economy, and the United States is next. But Europe’s waking up. After years of trying to lead the push to go green, it has turned around and begun steep cuts in its climate protection goals. Why? To save member states’ economies. For example, Germany, one of the strongest proponents of environmental regulations in the European Union (EU), has seen energy prices soar, making its prices the highest in Europe. … [Read more...]
Hydraulic Fracturing: A Safe Way to Produce Abundant, Clean, And Affordable Energy
British scientists have declared hydraulic fracturing safe, and yet political opposition to shale and other fossil fuels rages. Ohio and New York have vigorously opposed shale drilling. Despite 2.6 quadrillion—that’s 2,600 trillion—cubic feet of natural gas that is buried under the U.S., which could easily solve many future energy concerns, many view hydraulic fracturing with fear. Natural gas now makes up about twenty-three percent of total global energy expenditure in BTUs, and it will become … [Read more...]
