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This new book, Prospects for Sustainable Energy: A Critical Assessment, published by Cambridge University Press and written by Edward Cassedy, provides a critical overview and assessment of market readiness for the gamut of sustainable energy technologies: solar, biomass, wind, geothermal, ocean energy sources, and solar-derived hydrogen fuel. Written for the non-technical reader, it explores the technical features, status of research and development, and marketability of these alternatives. It addresses arguments for and against the implementation of each option. [sorry this link is no longer available]
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This new book, Prospects for Sustainable Energy: A Critical Assessment, published by Cambridge University Press and written by Edward Cassedy, provides a critical overview and assessment of market readiness for the gamut of sustainable energy technologies: solar, biomass, wind, geothermal, ocean energy sources, and solar-derived hydrogen fuel. Written for the non-technical reader, it explores the technical features, status of research and development, and marketability of these alternatives. It addresses arguments for and against the implementation of each option. [sorry this link is no longer available]
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The United Nations Sustainable Development Division has compiled SD success stories online in a concise, accessible format. For the year 2000, the stories address: Integrated Planning and Management of Land Resources, Agriculture and Forests; Trade and Investment, Economic Growth; and Consumption and Production Patterns, Poverty, Education, Capacity Building. Each case follows a one- page format which quickly covers the problem, how it was addressed, results achieved, lessons learned, and contact information. In the story, “Electric Vehicle Promotion in Nepal” we learn about the multi-pronged approach used to remove bottlenecks for EV use in Nepal. The impressive results include substitution of EVs for polluting diesel 3-wheelers (350 EVs are now in Kathmandu), government incentives for EV use, and measurably cleaner air. Another useful SD resource is ID21: Information for Development in the 21st Century. The online collection of brief abstracts of the latest social and economic research studies across 30 key topic fields, makes the constant stream of development research produced by researchers and NGOs accessible to a much wider audience. It covers categories such as: * Agriculture and Rural Livelihood Issues * Food, Water and Environmental Security * Urban and Industrial Development Issues * Human Wellbeing, Poverty and Health UNDP […]
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If you are interested in sourcing organic fiber products and materials, you might consult the latest version of the Organic Fiber Directory published by the Organic Trade Association. It contains supply chain contacts for 150 companies – growers, brokers, mills, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers – that handle organic cotton, flax, hemp, and wool. You can order it through email. Certified organic product suppliers and buyers can conduct business at WOCX online, the World Organic Commodity Exchange. Organic retailers and wholesalers, for example, can purchase products directly from farmers using the exchange.
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The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is spending $7.4 million to elevate the environment to the forefront of the U.S. 2000 elections. An advertising campaign will inform the public about the environmental records of members of Congress and federal candidates, and promote the strong environmental records of select Republican and Democratic congressional candidates in tight races. Notes LCV president Deb Callahan, “The nation is enjoying relative peace and prosperity and voters can afford to focus on issues that pertain to their quality of life.” Along with promoting “Environmental Champions,” LCV will target its Dirty Dozen – Congressional candidates with poor environmental records – for defeat. 16 of their 25 Dirty Dozen candidates have been defeated. For 1999, the average LCV score of Dirty Dozen designees was 19 percent, their replacements averaged 84 percent. [sorry this link is no longer available]
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Even though the BP Amoco shareholder resolution to stop oil exploration off the coast of Alaska failed, 13.5 percent of shareholders voted in favor it, which, according to Matthew Spencer of Greenpeace is the “highest vote for an environmental resolution anywhere in the world.” A resolution asked that BP Amoco stop pursuing its Northstar project and direct the oil exploration funds to support its solar power subsidiary, BP Solarex. BP Amoco defends its activities by claiming they are the best company to do the job because of their sensitivity to the environment. If they pull out, another less environmentally concerned company is likely to develop the area. And it is their conventional oil business that supports development in renewable energy.
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Production of the U.S. version of the Toyota Prius begins this month and hits the market in June at participating Toyota dealerships. The five-passenger hybrid-electric car will retail for $20,450. You will be able to register for test drives and purchase a car through the website this summer. All Prius vehicles will have standard features: anti-lock brakes, automatic transmission, air conditioning, power windows, doors and mirrors, AM/FM/cassette stereo, an eight-year/100,000-mile battery and hybrid system warranty, and free seven-day/24-hour roadside assistance. More than 35,000 units have sold in Japan since December 1997; Toyota expects to sell 12,000 cars a year in the U.S. The U.S. version has 70 horsepower and a more powerful, compact and lighter battery pack. It gets about 52 miles per gallon in the city and 45 highway, and meets “Super Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle” certification (emissions are lower by 76-97 percent from EPA requirements). [sorry this link is no longer available]
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The three Ballard fuel cell buses that have been piloted in Chicago for the past two years have been pronounced a success by the company and the Chicago Transit Authority. The buses performed well in both summer and winter conditions, carrying a total of over 100,000 passengers. Another three bus, two-year pilot begins in Vancouver, Canada this year. As a result of the Chicago pilot, XCELLSIS (Ballard and DaimlerChrysler joint venture) will be able to produce a fuel cell engine that is simpler in design, easier to maintain, and half the weight. The feedback from bus drivers indicates the buses ride smoothly and quietly and accelerate well. Meanwhile in Germany, DaimlerChrysler announced the first sale of fuel cell vehicles. Its subsidiary, EvoBus GmbHwill, will sell 20-30 Mercedes-Benz Citaro fuel cell buses by the end of 2002. The $1.2 million (1.25 million euros) price includes comprehensive technical consulting and maintenance for two years. “This first production step demonstrates that fuel cells have reached a stage of technological maturity,” says Professor Dr. Ferdinand Panik, head of the DaimlerChrysler Fuel Cell Project. “At the same time, we are aware that we have to reduce the cost, volume and weight of the fuel cell […]
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At the University of Colorado, the Student Union, Health Center, and Recreation Center will be running on wind power thanks to the largest student voter turnout in their history. Students voted by a 5 to 1 margin to increase student fees by $1 per semester for 4 years to purchase wind power from Public Service Company of Colorado’s Ponnequin wind farm. The increase in fees will raise $50,000 a year, enough to purchase the entire output of one wind turbine. Using a model for other universities to follow, the student group Clean Energy Now! and the Land and Water Fund of the Rockies ran a week long campaign providing information about wind power and distributing colorful pinwheels. The central campus lawn was covered with the pinwheels, a “CU wind farm.”
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The 21st Century Truck Initiative, announced late last month, is a government/business partnership to develop super fuel-efficient commercial trucks and buses. In the FY2001 budget, the Clinton Administration proposes an increase of 48 percent (from $47M-$142M) in research dollars to support research in advanced engines, fuel cells, lightweight materials, advanced propulsion technologies, vehicle design, and advanced emission control and vehicle safety systems. Within 10 years, the agreement should result in “production prototypes:” – heavy pickups, large delivery vans, and passenger buses with triple the fuel economy – 18-wheeler long-haul trucks with double the fuel economy – emissions reductions that exceed 2010 requirements The partners in this effort are the Departments of Defense, Energy, Transportation, and EPA, and Mack Trucks, Oshkosh Trucks, PACCAR, Volvo Trucks North America, Cummins Engine Company, Caterpillar, Detroit Diesel Corporation, Eaton Corporation, and Lockheed Martin Control Systems.
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