The Power of India

Posted on October 29, 2010 by quest

A new report called “Indian Power Sector Analysis”, indicates there is a huge demand for power in some Indian states due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. Electricity is vital for economic development of a country. The Indian electricity market today offers one of the highest growth potential for private players. Government reforms will be the key factor driving the power sector. Reforms such as The Electricity Act and National Electricity Policy will give impetus to the Indian power sector.

The report conducted by RNCOS a leading market research firm also revealed that alternative energy sources such as nuclear, wind and solar will fulfill a large chunk of India’s energy needs in the coming years. Many states are formulating exclusive policies for renewable energies in order to promote and develop these energy sources. RNCOS E-Services’ report focuses on the growing power sector in India. It thoroughly investigates the current market trends, evolving markets and growth prospects for the power industry. It will help interested parties to analyze the driving forces and leading-edge opportunities critical to the success of the power industry.

Based on the study of the Indian power sector, the report discovered that the total installed capacity will add around 45000 MW by 2013-14. However, demand is much higher than supply with a deficit projected to be more than 12% during 2010-11. The report also found that renewable energy creates huge opportunities for power generators as the commitment to generate clean energy and environmental obligations have become top priority for most of the nations around the world. However, coal based power will remain the dominant source for energy in India.

JAMES CAMERON ON PROP 23

LISTEN TO QUESTPOINT N THE MIX

Yo New York City greens up and so does Yo Valley

Posted on October 28, 2010 by quest

Let’s give it up for green city New York, New York. Just a few days ago Mayor Bloomberg and other city officials broke ground on a new municipal recycling facility in Sunset Park that will process all of the city’s metal, glass and plastic recyclables. The opening represents another step for New York in going green. The Sims Municipal Recycling Facility on the Brooklyn waterfront will minimize the distance that collection trucks travel between pick-up sites and receiving centers and allow Sims to expand its barge and rail-based transport systems which will eliminate over 260,000 vehicle miles traveled annually from New York City roadways. The project will create 100 new jobs when the facility is opened, which is expected in December 2011; with 11,000 more to follow over the next 10 years.

“This state-of-the-art facility is another great example of repurposing our Brooklyn waterfront. And we’re not just talking trash here – this facility will promote recycling, take garbage-hauling trucks off our already overburdened streets and highways, and create jobs as well,” said Borough President Markowitz. “It’s a win-win for everybody, and proves yet again why, when it comes to recycling, Brooklyn and New York City make everyone else ‘green’ with envy.”

Selldorf Architects of the project designer created the facility to be sustainable. It includes green roofs, renewable solar and wind energy production, on-site stormwater treatment, and landscaping that serves to offset heat and provide a pleasing visual aesthetic for the surrounding community. The project will revitalize Brooklyn’s waterfront industrial space, improve pedestrian access to the waterfront by adding 22 acres of new open space, and reduce truck traffic throughout the region by 70,000 truck trips annually. An onsite Visitor Education Center will welcome school groups and visitors who can learn about recycling. It will operate 24 hours a day, six days a week.

YO VALLEY

Like the green movement we know that rap music has spread around the world. French, Chinese and rappers from India all have some swag and lay it down for real. But Yo Valley (Yeo Valley)…who knew, organic farmers rapping from England? I guess it was time for the song “Ole MacDonald had a Farm” to get a makeover…E i… E i… O !

Write a story: A Green Renaissance

Mayor Reed sets new sustainable vision for Atlanta

Posted on October 26, 2010 by quest

With the start of Atlanta’s Sustainability Week, now through October 29, 2010 Mayor Kasim Reed set out a new goal for Atlanta to be a top 10 US Sustainable City. The release of Mayor Reed and the City of Atlanta’s Sustainability Plan is the first event of the city’s first Sustainability Week, which runs Oct. 25-29. Each day of the week includes daily activities and programs highlighting different focus areas of the plan, such as water quality and conservation, energy efficiency, jobs growth, local foods, and electric vehicles.

By implementing the plan the City of Atlanta will reduce toxic emissions by 25 percent and reduce energy use for existing municipal operations 15 percent both by 2020. Renewable energy will represent five percent of total municipal use by 2015.
Additionally the plan will bring local food within 10 minutes of 75 percent of all residents by 2020. “Being a more sustainable city not only protects and preserves the environment, it makes economic sense for the city,” said Mandy Mahoney, Atlanta’s first Director of Sustainability. “It helps drive financial savings and efficiency and creates jobs.” The City of Atlanta’s Office of Sustainability already has established a strong track record of success. One of Atlanta’s first wins in sustainability was to become the first city in Georgia to determine its municipal carbon footprint, which occurred in 2008. By 2010, Atlanta reduced its footprint by 12.5 percent.

“I believe the City of Atlanta should be a leading example of how a major urban municipality can take greater responsibility for efficient energy and water use, the conservation of green space, and the promotion of a healthier, cleaner and greener environment,” Mayor Reed said. “It is vital we take concrete, measurable actions around sustainability now to protect the future of our city.”

READ THE YALE REPORT

Americans’ Knowledge of Climate Change

Ecotourism as a political act

Posted on October 23, 2010 by quest

When travel writer Rick Steves talks about “Travel as a Political Act,” the title of his new book; to me what he is essentially talking about is incorporating ecotourism principals into a travel experience. As a writer, and producer of the popular television series Rick Steves’ Europe, and through his travel books, he encourages Americans and readers to discover not only major cities, but also cozy villages away from popular tourist routes. In a recent Sacramento Bee interview he said he felt that in some ways ecotourism was a marketing hook; yet making a difference through responsible travel seems like something everyone can do. While it’s sometimes called sustainable, green or even adventure travel, ecotourism seeks to recognize the environmental, economic and social impact travel can have on the traveler as well as with people and places visited.

With respect to his own travel experience Steves says “I fondly remember the confusion I felt when I first met someone who wouldn’t trade passports with me. I thought, “I’ve got more wealth, more freedom, more opportunity than you’ll ever have—why wouldn’t you want what I’ve got?” I assumed anyone with half a brain would aspire to the American Dream. But the vast majority of non-Americans don’t. They have the Bulgarian Dream, or the Sri Lankan Dream, or the Moroccan Dream. Thanks to travel, this no longer surprises me.

RICK STEVES – TRAVEL AS A POLITICAL ACT

In fact, I celebrate it. I was raised thinking the world is a pyramid with us on top and everybody else trying to get there. Well into my adulthood, I actually believed that if another country didn’t understand that they should want to be like us, we had every right to go in and elect a government for them that did.” Steves believes that Americans who approach travel thoughtfully — as a political act — can have the time of their lives and come home with a better understanding of the interconnectedness of today’s world and just how our nation fits in. His book, “Travel as a Political Act” is now available in stores and online. It was Mark Twain who wrote, “travel is the enemy of bigotry, narrow-mindedness, and prejudice.”

NEW WATER

EPA gives San Francisco Green Leadership Award

Posted on October 22, 2010 by quest

Green city by the bay San Francisco has just received the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) 2010 Green Power Leadership Award. Mayor Gavin Newsom in announcing the award said, “San Francisco’s commitment to clean energy is producing green jobs and real benefits for our City today. The economic advantages of a green economy are very tangible and we can feel the effects of clean energy in the air we breath; with each solar panel, day-by-day, we’re fueling San Francisco’s transformation into a green economy powered by increasingly clean, renewable energy.” In the past the EPA has given San Francisco other awards , including an award for its Moscone Convention Center Solar Array.

The EPA Green Power Leadership Awards recognizes winners in several categories such as; Green Power Partner of the Year; On-site Generation; Green Power Purchase, and Green Power Community of the Year. The City of San Francisco was one of only two organizations nationwide to receive a Leadership Award for the on-site generation of green power. By using more than 25 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually from its biogas facilities and nine municipal solar installations the City has become a nationwide leader. These solar installations are located on nine facilities and rooftops throughout the City, including the City’s largest reservoir and the San Francisco International Airport. San Francisco is soon set to begin generating up to 5 megawatts (MW) of solar energy at the Sunset Reservoir Solar Array just completed by Recurrent Technologies at what will be California’s newest and largest municipal solar project (nearly 24,000 solar panels).

Speaking for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) General Manager Ed Harrington said, “We’re honored to accept this Green Power Leadership Award. Our solar and low-impact hydroelectric projects, as well as our ongoing wind and wave power studies are making San Francisco a focal point for emerging technologies that are greening our economy and power.” The SFPUC is responsible for the installation and operation of the City’s renewable energy generating network. San Francisco is also currently studying the feasibility of offshore wave power generation.

WAVE ENERGY

NEW WATER

This BP Thing

Posted on October 20, 2010 by quest

It’s been just over six months since the BP oil rig explosion released well over 200,000,000 gallons of toxic oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The figure is staggering, making it the largest environment accident in US history. What is also mind boggling is that according to the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) Americans use 800 million gallons of oil a day. 800 Million PER DAY. Now that’s a serious habit. If there’s a silver lining to every dark cloud maybe, just maybe this tragedy can be a catalyst to begin an honest national discussion about how we move the nation forward in what’s still a new century.

Solar, renewable energy and climate change are issues that must be addressed and yet there is the need to explore the economic condition of what’s happening now in the Gulf.

This month NRDC, Story Corps and Bridge the Gulf went to the Gulf region to interview and share the stories and experiences of those living through the BP oil disaster. What you will see and hear is not traditionally heard in the mainstream media. The NRDC hopes that by getting these stories out there we all can help prevent another BP oil rig explosion.

GEORGE BARISICH – THIS BP THING

NRDC is a well established and highly regarded international environmental action organization. Founded in 1970 by a group of law students and attorneys at the forefront of the environmental movement NRDC lawyers helped write some of America’s bedrock environmental laws. With the support of 1.3 million members they use law, science, policy experts and and online activists to protect the planet for all living things.Today they operate in Beijing, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington.