Energy & Environment
-
Conservation Development: Residential planning with an environmentalist’s eye
•
While conservation development schemes hold promise as a method of protecting sensitive lands within residential development, the ordinances that promote them should be improved.
-
Evaluating the entire cost of renewable energy sources
•
New evidence of a “not in my backyard” attitude, illustrated in a recent study, conflicts with the conception of the inevitability of renewable energy sources as most important future sources of energy.
-
The Uphill Battle to Reduce CO2 Emissions May Be Twice as Steep as Previously Thought
•
A new study examines the role of uncertainty in modeling the social cost of carbon use. Its conclusions indicate that the optimal carbon dioxide tax and abatement level may be double the estimates of a widely used model.
-
American Skeptics: How Special Interests Create Ambiguity on Climate Change
•
Much of the controversy over environmental issues in the US can be attributed to interest groups campaigning in the media. A new model strives to show the ways in which these efforts might inform or misinform audiences and their effects on environmental issues.
-
Food for Thought: Quantifying agricultural intensification using indicator crops
•
Researchers look at the worldwide production efficiency of agriculture’s four most important indicator crops and use the information to interpret global sustainability trends.
-
Are Water Markets Effective? Despite implementation challenges, water markets hold promise
•
An analysis of water markets around the world indicates significant challenges of implementation. In spite of the difficulties, water markets may be a promising means of improving water sustainability.
-
Buy One, Get One: Air Quality Co-Benefits of US Carbon Policies
•
Co-benefits from improved air quality can offset some if not all of the near-term costs of carbon-reduction policies. If the US commits to buying a carbon policy, citizens will also get reduced air pollution and improved health for free.
-
Culture and the Environment: How Cultural Values Influence Global Ecologic Practices
•
Researchers explore whether links exist between global environmental performance and culture.
-
Renewable Energy Policy – Not Just a Domestic Issue
•
Supportive renewable energy policy has a significant effect on international trade for solar energy technology components, where early investment is the key to large growth for exporting countries.
-
Opt-In, Opt-Out Options Vie for Top Billing in Efforts to Reduce Electricity Use
•
A 2011 pilot program found that when customers opted-in to electricity rates that vary by time of day, they reduced their peak-hour electricity use.
-
Raise the Roof: Comparing Cost Savings from Efficient Roof Upgrades
•
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers compare the 50-year net savings for white and “green” (vegetated) roofs, which are displacing conventional black roofs in the US building sector.