Opinion &c:
¶ “Meet The Environmental Scientist Who Wants To Decolonize Conservation” • Jessica Hernandez first learned of conservation science and environmental justice through her grandmother. Maria de Jesus showed her granddaughter how to tend the family milpa, a plot where they harvested beans, corn, squash, medicinal plants, and even grasshoppers. [CleanTechnica]
Central American Milpa (Ll1324, CC0 1.0)
Science and Technology:
¶ “Cut Carbon And Toxic Pollution, Make Cement Clean And Green” • Decarbonizing cement plants is critical for reaching our climate goals. Cement is key to making concrete, the most widely used man-made material on the planet, and has few realistic alternatives. Cement is incredibly dirty to produce, but there are ways to curb emissions. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “What Do Unprecedented Fires And Tornadoes Mean For The Future Of Energy?” • The increase in climate-related disasters is becoming more distinct. Rising temperatures fuel more violent storms. The question is how to ensure that the nation’s energy supply and infrastructure are protected and prevent disruptions in energy distribution. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
Tornado (Comfreak, Pixabay)
World:
¶ “Europeans Support Stronger EU Car Emissions Rules” • A large majority of people support stronger EU air pollution rules for carmakers to make vehicles as clean as possible, a YouGov survey shows. More than three-quarters of those polled said car makers should be legally obliged to reduce emissions as much as technically feasible. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “The Environmental Case For Buying A Coal Mine” • A growing number of campaigners, economists, and legal scholars now believe that there is an environmental case for getting involved in the fossil fuel market by buying up coal mines and acquiring drilling rights, in order to prevent the fossil fuel from being extracted, leaving it in the ground. [BBC]
Garzweiler lignite mine and power plants (Kateer, CC-BY-SA 2.5)
¶ “Volkswagen And Bosch Want To Industrialize Manufacturing Processes For Battery Cells” • Volkswagen and Bosch signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the establishment of a European battery equipment solution provider. They are are seeking industrial-scale solutions for battery manufacturing in Europe. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
¶ “This Colossal Floating Wind Farm Will Power Almost A Million UK Homes” • A floating wind farm being built in the Celtic Sea, off the coast of England and Wales, is twenty times the size of the world’s current largest floating wind farm. Called “Gwynt Glas” or “blue wind” in Welsh, it will provide power for around 927,400 UK homes. [Euronews]
EDF Renewables UK Teesside wind farm (© EDF)
US:
¶ “BlackRock Cares About Money, Not ‘Woke’ Politics” • Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, insists that companies need to disclose more about their climate plans and seriously consider their role in society. He says his reasons are financial, not “woke” politics. BlackRock is the world’s biggest money manager, with over $10 trillion under management. [CNN]
¶ “Ten Significant Water Power Accomplishments From 2021” • Over the last year, US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researchers worked hard to advance water power, a clean, carbon-pollution-free energy source. From surging oceans to rushing rivers, flowing waters are a constant and bountiful source of renewable energy. [CleanTechnica]
Verdant Power working on turbines (Paul Komosinski, NREL)
¶ “EV Commercials Go Prime Time” • Car brands collectively ran four times as many national TV ads for EVs in 2021 as they did in either of the previous two years, according to Bloomberg Green. General Motors, Ford, Volkswagen, and others, spent an estimated $248 million on nearly 33,000 spots, up from $83 million spent on 8,000 spots in 2019. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “New Renewable Power Plants Are Reducing US Electricity Generation From Natural Gas” • In its January Short-Term Energy Outlook, the US Energy Information Administration forecasts that rising electricity generation from renewable energy resources will reduce generation from fossil fuel-fired power plants over the next two years. [CleanTechnica]
EIA forecast graph
¶ “US Operator Seeks 1 GW Of Wind Power” • Appalachian Power issued a request for proposals for up to 1000 MW of wind and/or 100 MW of solar generation resources with optional battery energy-storage systems. The proposals will help the company meet the renewable energy requirements established by Virginia’s Clean Economy Act. [reNews]
¶ “Some Rural Co-Ops Embrace Renewable Energy, Keep Rates Flat” • Connexus Energy, the Minnesota’s largest electric coop, built the first large-scale, solar-plus-battery storage project in the state three years ago. Greg Ridderbusch, Connexus Energy’s CEO, said it’s one reason Connexus is able to keep its electric rates flat, year after year. [MPR News]
Solar and batteries (Connexus Energy image, cropped)
¶ “Green Mountain Energy Enters Agreement To Offer Arizona 100% Renewable Energy Ahead Of State Deadlines” • Arizonans have moved closer to having the power to choose renewable energy for their homes and businesses. Green Mountain Energy has entered into a Letter of Intent with Sawtooth DevCo, LLC for locally sourced renewable energy. [Benzinga]
¶ “Most US States See Nuclear Power As Part Of Their Green Transition” • Two-thirds of all states and the District of Columbia say that in one form or another, nuclear power generation will be needed in the US to meet the goals of a carbon-free grid by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2050, a survey by the Associated Press showed. [Oil Price]
Have a rewardingly enchanting day.
geoharvey 