Fight Global Warming, With White Roofs?

Photo via Marmel Radziner Prefab>

Just as the polar ice sheets have such a high albedo (the proportion of the incident light or radiation that is reflected by a surface) due to their whiteness aand thus reflect back a significant amount of heat back into space, so it is by no long stretch that white roofs effectively do the same, reducing the amount of electricity used for A/C and thus drastically cutting down on energy consumption. Some estimates say they save billions of dollars annually. And they’ve just gotten their most public, most official shout out yet – Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu has recommended that the world should try to have “white roofs everywhere to help fight climate change”

According to Bloomberg,

Painting flat roofs of homes and commercial buildings white would reflect more of the sun’s heat back to space and reduce electricity used for air conditioning by as much as 15 percent, Chu told reporters today in London, citing research by Arthur Rosenfeld, a member of the California Energy Commission.

Chu was speaking at a climate change symposium hosted by the Prince of Wales, and he called for a ‘new revolution’ in energy–with a number of initiatives like white roofing, stressed necessary for fighting global warming. He said that white or paler roofs would make a huge difference in scaling back energy consumption, and curbing carbon emissions. He also said that for now, he prefers solutions like white roofs to more intensive geo-engineering solutions like injecting the atmosphere with reflective particles–a suggestion that drew widespread attention and some ridicule when announced a couple weeks ago.

“Art Rosenfeld is pushing very hard for geo-engineering that we all believe will be completely benign and that is when you have a flat-roofed building, make it white,” Chu said. “It’s the equivalent of reducing the carbon emissions due to all the cars in the world by 11 years.”

It’s such a simple concept that some states, like California, have already mandated commercial buildings be constructed with white roofs. But paler colors shouldn’t be restricted to flat roofed commercial buildings, either:

For sloping roofs that are more visible than flat ones, Chu said paints known as “cool colors” are being developed. Those hues look like colors in the visible spectrum while reflecting a bigger portion of infra-red light, he said. Roads can also be made paler, he said.

With endorsements from such high profile figures as Chu–his remarks were carried in over 1,000 news wires–white roofs may be set for a revolution of their own.

The Copenhagen Call

At the World Business Summit on Climate Change, the latest of the climate change meetings going on in Copenhagen in the run-up to the COP15 UN Climate Change Conference, global business leaders have issued what has been dubbed as the Copenhagen Call – a six-point statement of what they believe is required to create an effective new global climate change treaty. The points are stated and elaborated below

1. Agreement on science-based greenhouse gas stabilization path with 2020 and 2050 emission reduction targets

We support the scientific evidence of the IPCC’s 4th. We are concerned that some recent scientific evidence suggests the problem may be worse than many of the IPCC estimates.

An effective global climate treaty must establish an ambitious goal and set emission targets that protect us and future generations from the risks of climate destabilization. Limiting the global average temperature increase to a maximum of 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels would entail abatement of around 17Gt versus business-as-usual by 2020.

This will require an immediate and substantial change in the current global greenhouse gases emission trend: it must peak and begin to reduce within the next decade. Longer-term targets must be informed by the evolving science, but the IPCC’s 4th Assessment Report indicates that global emissions must fall by at least half of 1990 levels by 2050.

We believe that working to reduce emissions now is less costly than delaying our efforts. There is nothing to be gained through delay. The deepest reductions should initially be made by developed economies though global emissions reduction will require all nations to play a part.

Emissions reduction at this scale will profoundly affect business, and business is already taking action to drive down greenhouse gas emissions. We are ready to make those changes and support ambitious political decisions to address the climate challenge wherever we operate. If policies are well designed and implemented, the benefits of early action will outweigh the short-term adjustment costs. This early action can only be achieved by setting an ambitious 2020 target.

2. Effective measurement, reporting and verification of emissions

Achieving and tracking greenhouse gas emissions reduction is vital to measuring convergence towards the objectives of an effective climate treaty. As businesses we can set an example by contributing to a unified, coherent and reliable measurement, reporting and verification discipline leading to mandatory reporting. Accounting for the emissions we are responsible for will provide the basis for emissions reduction beyond what may be required by regulation and allow our performance to be properly judged and rewarded by investors and the public.

3. Incentives for a dramatic increase in financing low emission technologies

To promote effective, efficient, equitable and ambitious action to address climate change the world will need to mobilize the scale of investment necessary to achieve the emissions reduction required. Properly established, an international carbon market framed around ambitious reduction targets can enable both cost-effective abatement and create the carbon price stability to drive the deployment of technologies that will deliver large-scale emissions reductions.

The first steps to establishing a global market will be to enable linkage between national and regional carbon markets. An international agreement will help secure investor confidence in the carbon market, and national actions will help generate new financial flows for climate investment.

The new climate treaty must “push” the development of new technologies through the use of public funds to leverage private finance in early stage demonstration and deployment. This will require policy measures that create clear, predictable, long-term incentives to stimulate private investment and enable the global diffusion of capital and technology.

4. Deployment of existing low emission technologies and the development of new ones

The private sector is already the source of over two-thirds of the world’s investments in clean technology innovation, and is the most effective source of know-how and technology dissemination and transfer. Many low-technologies already exist and can significantly reduce global emissions. Significant emissions reduction can be achieved through energy efficiency, much of it with positive financial returns. Standards and regulations are the best way to achieve this. A new treaty must support deployment of low-carbon solutions by encouraging incentives for public and private purchasers to choose the lowest emissions infrastructure and technologies and for investors to account for climate risk in their decisions.

Government and business must work together to ensure that all nations have equitable access to new clean energy technologies and other innovations by, among others, working with developing countries to improve the infrastructure required for effective deployment.

An effective global climate treaty must provide the means to fund research, development and the deployment of new clean energy technologies. Pricing can help “pull” these technologies through the innovation chain, generate revenue and enhance the flow of investment to developing countries. Governments should strive to end the current perverse subsidies that favour high-emissions transport and energy infrastructure and promote deforestation.

A shift to a low-carbon economy, supported by private sector participation and government, has the potential to drive the next generation of technological innovation, address the environmental and economic challenges that climate change presents, and contribute to global development.

5. Funds to make communities more resilient and able to adapt to the effects of climate change

We recognize that adaptation is as important as mitigation in an effective global climate treaty. Adaptation planning will require a holistic and long-term planning perspective, which will require different levels of activity at the international, national and local levels. Businesses will be responsible for building much of the infrastructure needed to protect us from climate impacts. An effective global climate treaty will mobilize funding that supports public private partnerships to enhance development, adaptive capacity, climate resilience and management of risk.

6. Innovative means to protect forests and balance the carbon cycle

Because a significant proportion of the CO2 reduction required by 2020 comes from the sequestration of carbon in forests and agriculture lands, an effective climate treaty must facilitate such sequestration. If emissions reductions targets are to be met, there is an immediate need to protect forests and enhance carbon sequestration. The private sector can play an important role in reducing deforestation, particularly in developing countries, through mechanisms structured to value conservation.

We believe these elements should form the core of the international climate change treaty agreed at Copenhagen. As business leaders we stand ready to innovate and operate within the framework established through that treaty and national policies.

Reducing the emissions that until now have been so linked to our economic growth and betterment will be an enormous, unprecedented global challenge but will also provide significant opportunities for sustainable growth, development and innovation. Acting together, we owe it to future generations to meet this challenge. Now is the time to create the foundations for long term, low carbon prosperity. We are willing to work with government to do so.

For more information, the Call itself, transcripts of the special address by Cate Blanchett and opening address by Ban Ki-Moon, do visit the Copenhagen Climate Council’s website.

Plants to Monitor Pollution in Two Turkish Cities

Redbud trees are among the plants that will help monitor air pollution in the Turkish cities of Tarsus and Erdemli. Photo by B~ via Flickr.

The bounty of tulips that the Istanbul municipality plants in the city’s public squares, parks, and gardens each April to celebrate the coming of spring shows how radically–and attractively–a bit of nature can transform urban space. But decorative plants are more, so to speak, than just a pretty face. By using them to monitor air pollution, cities can clean up as well as green up.

Monitoring heavy metals
A pilot project has been launched in two cities in the eastern Mediterranean province of Mersin to monitor the heavy metals and other pollutants in exhaust fumes using decorative plants, trees, and shrubs. A joint effort of the Alata Horticultural Research Institute, Çukurova University, and the Tarsus Municipality, with support from the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, the project will last for three years and will be conducted in Tarsus and Erdemli.

Some 390 redbuds, rubber plants, magnolias, orchids, Jacaranda, oleander, and Pyracantha have already been planted along busy roadways in the two cities.

A model for all of Turkey
Dr. Ayhan Aydın, the project officer at the Alata Horticultural Research Institute, where the plants to be used in the research are being cultivated, said if the pilot project is successful, it may be launched nationwide after the conclusion of the initial study period.

Istanbul could certainly use the additional greenery, as well as the new tool in its ongoing, and often seemingly futile, battle against pollution from cars, burning coal, industrial operations, and other sources. The capital, Ankara, and the Mediterranean city of Adana, the country’s fourth largest, are also air-quality trouble spots.

Air pollution a big issue
According to data compiled by the Environment and Forestry Minstry in 2007, out of the country’s 81 provinces, 73 are “faced with serious environmental problems.” Air pollution was named the most pressing problem in 27 provinces, but the ministry said it was an issue in almost all provinces.

A European Union report the same year said progress on the subject has been “limited” and “Turkey needs to adopt further legislation and take steps to start implementation, including upgrading air quality monitoring.” In making this recommendation, the EU may have envisioned something more high-tech than magnolia plants, but from small seeds, great things can sprout.

Via: “Plants to measure effects of exhaust gas,”Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review

Energy Department’s Weatherization Program and its Benefits

Rolling out attic insulaton. Image credit:Waterworks Valley

For implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), theUS Department of Energy has announced that US$5 billion dollars allocated for theWeatherization Assistance Program, will be used to insulate, seal leaks, or modernize heating and air conditioning equipment for low-income families, “at a cost of up to $6,500 per home.” The assistance is for families making up to approximately $44,000 per year in the lower 48 states, $55,140 per year in Alaska, and $50,720 per year in Hawaii.

Details also were announced forState Energy Program; but, in this post we’ll have a closer look at just the Weatherization Program.

No handouts.
No money is handed out to individuals to cover costs incurred in “weatherizing.” Local contractors are paid by a state-level administering agency. And, in a pleasing development, quarterly reporting by the local administering agency is done electronically! (trees saved)

DOE expects Weatherization to:

• result in 32% saved on an average family energy bill ( $350 per year depending on fuel prices).
• support at least 8,000 technical jobs in low-income communities.
• result in a local economic multiplier of three (see explanatory post here).
• increase the value of weatherized housing stock, helping make up the shortage of affordable housing.

If you are interested in applying for Weatherization, qualification requirements and contacts are listed here.

Oak Ridge National Labs, Weatherization and SEP Support Program, provides technical assistance. There are some fascinating engineering studies on this topic, by ORNL, listed here.

UK Grocery Chain Sainsbury’s to Start Turning Wasted Food Into Electricity

 

image: Sainsbury’s

Wasted food is a more significant problem than many realize. With the advent of just-in time supplying, and the grotesque overproduction for supermarket sales, the amount of food that isn’t bought, or eaten is staggering. A UN estimate on how much US retailers and customers (both) throw away each year amount close to US$48 billion. For the UK, a government-funded report by WRAP (The Waste and Resources Action Programme) has shown that the number is close to £16 billion. 

“About £6bn of the wasted annual food budget is food that is bought but never touched – including 13m unopened yoghurt pots, 5,500 chickens and 440,000 ready meals dumped in home rubbish bins each day. The rest is food prepared or cooked for meals but never eaten because people have misjudged how much was needed and don’t eat the leftovers.

The complete £10bn consists of food that could have been eaten, not including peeling and bones, the researchers say. Tackling the waste could mean a huge reduction in CO2 emissions, equivalent to taking one in five cars off the road. The figures have been compiled by Wrap, the waste and resources action programme, which previously made the £8bn estimate and has warned we are throwing away a third of the food we buy, enough to fill Wembley stadium with food waste eight times over in a year.

Now the UK’s third largest supermarket chain Sainsbury’s is planning to do something useful with a portion of that wasted food: Turning it into electricity. Here’s how:

Program Starts in Scotland, Nationwide by Summer
Each week Sainsbury’s will send 42 tonnes of wasted food from its 28 stores in Scotland to a biomass electric plant in Motherwell. Each tonne of food waste is is expected to be able to generate enough power for 500 homes.

By the summer Sainsbury’s stores throughout the UK will also be sending their unsold waste food to (unspecified) biomass plants. The whole thing is part of the company’s Zero Waste program, which by the end of the year will see Sainsbury’s stop sending any waste to landfills.

In the UK some 6.7 million tonnes of food is wasted every year, 50% of which is unopened or otherwise untouched, leading to 8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.

via: Cleantech

Kenya: Plans to Develop 300MW Wind Farm

Located near Lake Turkana, initial electric production could begin in three years. Photo: Wikipedia

Lake Turkana Wind Power has announced plans to develop a 300 MW wind farm on 150,000 acres of land in northwest Kenya near, appropriately enough, Lake Turkana. 

30% of Funding Coming from African Development Bank
Planned to be built in stages, with each of the project’s 360 turbines coming online as it is installed, the wind farm will start initial production in June 2011 and reach full capacity in 2012. Total costs for the project are expected to be about $760 million, 30% of which will be financed by the African Development Bank.

Though the plan is to stop at 300 MW, a company spokesperson indicated that the possibility of expanding it once sufficient transmission capacity is in place is being investigated.

Currently Kenya has an installed electric capacity of about 1,200 MW, with demand being just below that and growing at 8% per year.

More: Lake Turkana Wind Power

via: ENN

Renewable Energy, Africa
Largest Wind Farm in Sub-Saharan Africa Planned for Ethiopia
UN Supported African Enterprise to Set Up Major Geothermal Facility in East Africa’s Rift Valley
Solar Thermal Power in North Africa: How Much Land to Power the World?

Argentina Joins Ban Against Incandescent Lightbulbs

Picture: Greenpeace Argentina.

In the midst of the end-of-year-holiday-rush the Argentine Senate approved a law to ban incandescent light bulbs. The rule establishes that from December 31, 2010, the importing and commercialization of incandescent light bulbs for residential use will be forbidden in the country.

With this measure, Argentina joins the list of regions and countries that have already said goodbye to regular light bulbs, which includes the European Union, Australia, and Canada.

The law, which doesn’t have an official number but whose file is 36/08, has five articles:

1. The first establishes the ban of importing and commercialization of incandescent light bulbs for residential use in all the Argentine territory.
2. The second gives the Executive Power the ability to establish exceptions to the rule for, “technical, functional and operative reasons.”
3. The third says that the Executive will be able to announce measures to encourage the imports of finished efficient bulbs or their parts for production.
4. Finally, the fourth article says the law will enter force when published at the governmental Official Bulletin (the fifth is only operational).

Greenpeace’s local office had pushed this project all 2008 and celebrated the approval of the law. The idea is indeed a great step for Argentina in the face of the country’s deepening energy crisis. However, much remains to be seen about the efficacy of this law; political steadfastness and proper enforcement are just as important factors to success. A negative example would be the woods protection law, which was sanctioned in November 2007 and steady for a year without entering force (heavy interests from the agriculture sectors at stance there).

Changing incandescent light bulbs for CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs) is one of the simplest ways to reduce the amount of energy you spend at home and pay your contribution to the planet.

Original text from the Law Against Incandescents in Argentina (in Spanish)
Greenpeace Announcement of the Measure (in Spanish)

Via ERenovable

More on Incandescent Bulbs and CFLs:
Change a Light Bulb: It Really Can Make a Difference
Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Save Water, Too
How to Go Green: Lighting

ASUS Gets First Ever EU Eco Flower Award

 

Photo via ASUS

ASUS, in addition to getting its N series notebooks ranked EPEAT Gold, has earned the first ever EU Flower Eco Award for computers for that very same notebook series.

While the name is rather, well, flowery, the award is not. It’s a really big deal they achieved it and makes a big green-hued statement to the rest of the computing world.

ASUS has been a quiet leader for some time in environmental sustainability in the computer world. That is recognized by its earning one of the industry’s toughest awards, and being the company that made the world’s first computers to earn it.

With the awarding of EU Flower certification to the N50, N80, N20, and N10 notebooks, ASUS notebooks have secured a spot in history as the world’s first computers to be conferred the prestigious award. Underscoring the magnitude of this achievement is the fact that 15,000,000 computers are sold in Europe each year, and ASUS N Series notebooks are the first to obtain EU Flower certification.

The award criteria includes energy savings, hazardous substances, product design, user instructions, packaging, labeling, noise, lifetime extension, and Takeback programs. A computer has to be all-around green to even rank for the EU Flower award – one of the highest rated and strictest standards for computing in the world.

Go, go Green ASUS!

Via Press Release

More on ASUS:
Buy Green: Laptop and Notebook Computers
ASUS N Series Notebooks Finally Make EPEAT Gold
Asus Bamboo Computer Arrives. Verdict: Feh
Green Geek Opportunity: Intel, ASUS Open Community for User-Created Dream PCs

USGBC and Sen. Hillary Clinton Offer Energy Saving Solutions for Schools Via Upcoming “Webinar” (Web Seminar) Series

 

Source: “USGBC and Sen. Clinton Offer Energy Saving Solutions for Schools via Upcoming Webinar Series”, treehugger.com, Business & Politics, Kenny Luna, 11th Nov 2008

If you’re as interested in seeing our schools cutting energy costs and their total carbon footprint as Sen. Clinton and the United States Green Building Council are then there’s no doubt you’ll want to get involved with their upcoming series of webinars aimed to help schools across the country get a better idea of just how valuable some simple investments in green infrastructure can be.

Of course, a sneak TH preview of just what’s in store for those who participate is right after the fold…

As they’re set to feature a wide range of solutions, ranging from the “no cost” like controlling classroom thermostats and putting someone in charge of the common areas to “low cost” like coming up with a vacation energy shutdown plan and installing 365 day time clocks for outside lighting.

With the next scheduled event coming up on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 – 1:00pm – 2:30pm EST and titled “Top 10 Low-Cost Ways to Lower Your School’s Utility Bills” to be followed on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 – 1:00pm – 2:30pm EST with their “Top 10 Investments to Lower Your School’s Utility Bills”.

To register head on over to www.usgbc.org/webinars and find out more great ways that you can get involved making our nations schools a greener place to learn.
Via: USGBC

More on Green Schools and the USGBC
Economic Crunch Hits Schools Efforts to Go Green

Students Protest Lack of LEED

Wal-Mart Goes on a Plastic Diet: 9 Million Plastic Bags to Be Eliminated From Waste Stream

photo: Jim

Another significant environmental commitment coming out of the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting comes from an seemingly unlikely paring: The Environmental Defense Fund and Wal-Mart.

Announced in the Metropolitan Ballroom by President Bill Clinton, who was keen to point out the odd-couple nature of the situation, the Global Plastic Shopping Bag Commitment stands to make a serious dent in the plastic shopping bag waste by big box mega-retailer Wal-Mart. How much waste will be avoided:

One-Third Per Store Plastic Bag Reduction by 2013
Granted the qualifying word “potentially” prefaced this next figure in the public announcement, but this commitment could eliminate 9 million plastic shopping bags per year from Wal-Mart stores. To do this EDF will help Wal-Mart develop strategies for recycling, reusing and reducing the use of plastic bags in its stores by an average of one-third per store, from 2008 levels, by 2013.

An estimated 290,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and energy consumption equal to 678,000 barrels of oil will be eliminated through this action.

Specific Measures That EDF Will Be Taking 
Proving scientific advice to Wal-Mart on the environmental impact of plastic bag use, as well as quantifying the carbon footprint of alternative bags and packing options.

Assist in developing educational materials for Wal-Mart customers.

Evaluating Wal-Mart projections for program’s environmental benefits.

Monitor and assess the project’s progress.

:: Clinton Global Initiative

Clinton Global Initiative
3500 MW of Green Power in India, China to be Developed by Suzlon Green Power
Clinton Global Initiative Highlights: Old World is Oil, New World is Renewables

Plastic Bags
Encinitas, CA – Latest City to Ban Plastic Bags
Paper Bags or Plastic Bags? Everything You Need to Know

Source:

“Wal-Mart Goes on a Plastic Diet: 9 Million Plastic Bags to Be Eliminated From Waste Stream“, treehugger.com, Business & Politics, Matthew McDermott, 25th Sept 2008

California Considers Legislation to Reward Driving Less

Image source: Getty Images

California State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is proposing legislation that would allow insurance companies to lower rates for drivers that cut back on drive time, which could come in effect as early as next year. Two kinks still need to be worked out. The first that drivers would have to prove that they are in fact driving less, either by supplying maintenance receipts or odometer readings. A GPS or other electronic device is not part of the program. The second: the program would be voluntary for insurance companies to adopt. Though some insurance companies already offer a similar program so it would be up to customers to encourage their provider to get on board.

Benefits include fewer cars on the road (obviously) so less traffic, fewer traffic accidents, less pollution and customers would save money both on gas and insurance.Environmental Defense Fund reports that if 1/3 of Californians join the program, it would save 55 million tons of CO2 by 2020, equal to removing 10 million cars from the road. In 2000, California had 23.4 million registered vehicles and drivers logged 280 billion miles annually. No word yet on whether this will be linked to improved public transit programs or other alternative driving campaigns. Poizner is a possible GOP candidate for the next California Governator in 2010.

:KPBS::CA Air Resources Board

More on Reduced Car Insurance Rates
Slower, More Careful Drivers to Get Reduced Insurance Rates
Eco-Insurance in the UK
Travelers Insurance Offers Hybrid Discounts in 44 States
Farmers’ HelpPoint Anti-Biking Ad Gets Slammed

Source:

“California Considers Legislation to Reward Driving Less”, treehugger.com, Cars & Transportation, Kristin Underwood, 12th Sept 2008

IKEA Puts $U.S. 75 Million Toward Cheap Solar

Johan Stenebo is chief of an IKEA susidiary called Greentech, and a man with a dream. Stenebo wants to invest in the “cheapest, best” PV roof panels available in order to sell them in IKEA stores in the next two to four years.

Low-cost solar a tall order
Of course, that’s a very tall order. But IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad’s son Peter is an avowed green tech believer, and Stenebo’s Greentech will put about US$75 million into at many as ten companies in five different areas: solar technology, energy conservation, water saving products, alternative lighting, and new product materials. Scandinavian companies are Greentech’s first focus. Nearly all of these areas are ones we would welcome the IKEA low-cost approach to, although setting up solar roof panels with just the simplistic diagrams and little Allen keys that accompany IKEA’s usual do-it-yourself furniture seems something of a stretch. Then there’s the problem than many installations require building and other permits. But IKEA’s fabulous distribution network of 270 global superstores would mean green tech for the global masses, a welcome development.

Solar supermarkets in four years?
Up until now, IKEA has held itself to interior decoration rather than pursuing the constructing and building sector that is dominated (at least in the U.S.) by players such as Lowe’s and Home Depot. But these megastores haven’t tried to sell green solutions in any organized fashion, so IKEA sees little current competition for its plans to get products to stores in three to four years. Via ::Miljö Aktuellt (Swedish)

Read more on IKEA:
IKEA Bans Plastic Bags For Good
IKEA Gives Out 60,000 Free CFLs
IKEA Lighting The Way To Warmer LED Lamps

Source:

“IKEA Puts $U.S. 75 Million Toward Cheap Solar”, treehugger.com, Business & Politics, April Streeter, 14th Aug 2008

New York City to Cut Emissions From Public Buildings by 30%

Photo Credit: Kaldoon on flickr

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Monday that the city would spend $2.3 billion to cut greenhouse gas emissions from municipal buildings and operations. The goal is to reduce CO2 emissions 1.68 million tonnes a year from 2006 levels by 2017.

These reductions will be accomplished through improvements to the heating, cooling and ventilation systems of municipal buildings. Repairs to firehouses, police precincts, city offices and courthouses, along with purchases of more fuel efficient vehicles will also help reduce emissions 

Regarding the price tag for these efforts, the mayor said that the city should break even on its conservation investments by 2013. He added, “The city is doing its part. I hope the private sector follows our example finds conservation savings on their own.”

via :: Reuters

New York, Energy Efficiency Links by treehugger.com

Energy Efficiency Initiative Launched by New York State
Net Metering Program Expanded in New York