Moon Palace charged by Solar for UN climate meeting

Posted on November 30, 2010 by quest

Moon Palace Hotel in Cancun, Mexico today announced the completion and operation of a solar power project. The 130 kWp pilot project is capable of generating 220 MWh of electricity per year and reducing 110 tons of CO2 emissions annually. Moon Palace Hotel is hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference. This global event has attracted about 20,000 participants from nations around the world. It runs through December 10, 2010, with the objective of discussing future commitments to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

The photovoltaic project team for the Moon Palace Hotel was led by Enel Green Power, one of the leading renewable energy operators worldwide, with support also from the Italian Ministry of the Environment and SEMARNAT, the Mexican Environment Ministry. “Being selected as the solar power provider of choice for this high-level and important global conference location is a testament to the quality and unique characteristics of UNI-SOLAR(TM) modules,” said Mark Morelli, President and CEO of United Solar’s parent company, Energy Conversion Devices. “We believe that solar power will continue to play an important role in addressing global climate change.”

VISIT THE SOLAR WALL

The Green Governor will be back

Posted on November 18, 2010 by quest

“We can’t afford to wait for national and international movement. Action is needed now, and action is what we’re taking with R20,” said Governor Schwarzenegger at the closing of the Governors’ Global Climate Summit 3. “The role of subnational governments is more important than ever, and California has shown that state and regional governments can institute policies that will grow the green economy, create jobs and clean our environment. With this unprecedented level of cooperation and collaboration, R20 will continue this leadership around the world and will help influence national and international action.”

R20 is a global coalition committed to fast tracking the development of clean technologies, climate resilient projects and green investment, and influencing national and international policies. As a first-of-its-kind, the innovative subnational public-private alliance will work toward climate change solutions and building the global green economy. It is composed of subnational governments and private and nongovernment partners. Schwarzenegger has also just announced a new Clean Energy Job Training Program targeted at providing training for professional sales people. The training will teach the specifics of sustainability and energy efficiency. It will consist of 40 hours of immersion in those topics and graduates will be interviewed by electrical contractors and hired to sell sustainable energy projects.

As Arnold Schwarzenegger winds down his term as governor it’s his action on implementing California’s job creating climate change legislation; AB32 and his involvement in helping to defeat Prop 23 which will most define his accomplishments. Arnold seems passionate in his role as a green mover and shaker and it’s a pretty safe bet…he’ll be back!

EXPLORE BUILDING GREEN

October is solar energy month in California

Posted on October 21, 2010 by quest

Earlier this month California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared October “Solar Energy Month.” In his proclamation that “under the California Solar Initiative we are moving toward our goal of installing 1 million more roof systems by 2018.” This is in response to California’s Climate Change Initiative which set a goal that 2020 33% of California’s energy consumption will come from clean renewable energy sources.

Because California produces 6.2 percent of the total U.S., greenhouse gases the state has been working on and finding solutions to reduce on climate since 1988. In 2005 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signed an executive order on climate change that kicked into high gear to further advance clean renewable energy and other solutions to lower our state’s greenhouse gas emissions.
He also praised the job-creating value of increasing reliance upon solar power from commercial and residential projects springing up all the round the state. While the benefits of an ever expanding California solar market seem obvious, sponsors (Texas oil) of Proposition 23 want to smack the bill back into yesterday. What do Californians have to say about it?

CALIFORNIA ENERGY SMACK DOWN

CARL POPE SIERRA CLUB CHAIRMAN

Taking Initiative

GO MOBILE GO QUESTPOINT

What Americans know about climate change

Posted on October 18, 2010 by quest

I heard the words today on the Stephanie Miller Show one of the guest contributors of the show multi talented Edie McClurg said “There are none so deaf then those who do not listen” It seems American are beginning to listen to news and information about the environment and climate change, but may not know what to do about it. A new report from Yale’s School of Forestry & Environmental Studies called Americans’ Knowledge of Climate Change reports results from a national study of what Americans understand about how the climate system works. The report explores the causes, impacts, and potential solutions to global warming. Among other findings, the study identifies a number of important gaps in public knowledge and common misconceptions about climate change.

The Yale Project on grew out of a groundbreaking conference convened in 2005 in Aspen, CO. Over 100 national leaders representing science, media, religion, politics, entertainment, education, business, environmentalism, and civil society came together to develop an action plan to engage American society on climate change. Their charge was to diagnose why, in the face of ever stronger climate science, the United States had been slow to act and to recommend a set of initiatives to catalyze action. The Yale Project on Climate Change Communication works to: Advance public understanding and engagement with climate change science and solutions, and: Catalyze action by the general public and leaders of government, business, academia, and the media through improved knowledge and understanding.

Consider that the research reveals that 63 percent of Americans believe that global warming is happening, but many do not understand why and most have never heard of the of coral bleaching or ocean acidification. While a knowledge gap does exist many Americans understand that a transition to solar and other renewable energy sources is an important solution. Americans’ Knowledge of Climate Change reports results from a national study

SUSTAINABILITY

The White House will go Solar

Posted on October 5, 2010 by quest

Maybe the White House was listening after all. It was just a few weeks ago that member students from 350.org went on a solar mission along with environmentalist Bill Mckibben to ask the White House to reinstall solar panels that Jimmy Carter had installed in the 70′s and that were later removed by Ronald Reagan. Just announced today Steven Chu US Secretary of Energy said, “As you know, President Obama (Weekly Address) has a strong commitment to American leadership in solar technologies and the jobs they will create. Through the Recovery Act, we’re supporting the deployment of today’s solar technologies. And we will double our renewable energy generation capacity by 2012. We’re also investing in the next generation of solar power through the R&D programs at the Department of Energy.

Today, we’re taking an important next step. As we move toward a clean energy economy, the White House will lead by example. I’m pleased to announce that, by the end of this spring, there will be solar panels and a solar hot water heater on the roof of the White House.These two solar installations will be part of a Department of Energy demonstration project. The project will show that American solar technology is available, reliable, and ready to install in homes throughout the country. Around the world, the White House is a symbol of freedom and democracy. It should also be a symbol of America’s commitment to a clean energy future.”

On 10/10/10, 350.org will be holding a Global Work Party to celebrate climate solutions and send our politicians a clear message: “We’re getting to work—what about you?

Maldives President taking a lead with solar energy

Posted on September 30, 2010 by quest

You ever have one of those moments when you say to yourself? Oh now I get it. That was my reaction when I did some research on the Maldives. I have been fortunate to have traveled the globe and I just sort of thought of Maldives as a tropical paradise. For me what also comes up is Madagascar and the Cape Verde Islands although they aren’t anywhere near each other. It’s just idea of the Maldives just being so remote and exotic. And even though I didn’t hear the President of the Maldives, Mohammad Nasheed‘s voice when he made an impassioned plea at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen…I hear him now.

In a largely symbolic gesture to persuade world leaders to go green and demonstrate their commitment to renewable energy, President Mohammad Nasheed will install solar panels and green up the presidential residence. It’s hard to figure out why the White House rejected 350.org plea to reinstall solar panel at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, but if you see and hear President Nasheed speak you can understand the situation in the Maldives and recognize the real time effect of climate change.

The Maldives is a very small country of 1200 islands most of them uninhabited, which lie off the Indian sub-continent. The country is just 5 fleet above sea level. It has the distinction of being the lowest country on the planet. So you can easily see that rising sea levels from climate change will spell certain doom.

President Nasheed at the UN

So severe is the situation that in 2008 President Nasheed announced plans to look into purchasing new land in India, Sri Lanka, and Australia because of his concerns about global warming and the possibility of much of the islands being inundated with water from rising sea levels. The purchase of land will be made from a fund generated by tourism. Nasheed said, “We do not want to leave the Maldives, but we also do not want to be climate refugees living in tents for decades.”The solar panels are to be installed as part of 350.org’’s ”Global Work Party” on October 10.