Energy
Linking clean energy sources solves blackout conundrum
German researchers have found a way to overcome one of the problems with renewable energy – the fact that it is not always available
Paint the town white to keep warming cities cool
Energy efficiency expert says painting roofs white in the world’s warm cities would have same effect as taking half the world’s cars off the road
Hansen urges Obama to abandon Keystone XL pipeline
NASA climate science chief James Hansen says approval of tar sands pipeline would be a “crushing blow” to the climate
IMF: scrap $1.9 trillion oil and gas subsidies
Organisation issues roadmap for successful reform of tax breaks and uncompetitive pricing that encourages unsustainable consumption habits and damages the climate
US emissions decline, coal exports rise
American exports of coal, and now of shale gas, are on the rise, in effect exporting the pollution which has been avoided at home.
Polish government accused of gagging anti-fracking groups
Poland’s government stands accused of considering new legislation to limit the influence of campaign groups opposed to its plans to frack for shale gas
US wind and biofuels potential exceed oil reserves
Report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimates commercial and potentially commercial projects could generate 46 billion barrels of oil equivalent
UK Budget: shale gas industry says it doesn’t need subsidies
Gas lobbyist tells RTCC industry does not want subsidies – just permission to drill
Africa renewable energy potential ‘can drive growth’
World Future Council report suggests supporting clean energy efforts in Africa would give continent huge economic boost
Masdar unveils 100MW solar thermal power plant
The world’s largest concentrated solar power plant opens for business at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi
Obama to establish $2bn clean energy fund
Revenue from oil and gas licences to be diverted to research on more efficient vehicles and fuels as Obama takes first solid steps on climate change since election
US Interior Sec: We won’t let Shell screw up Arctic drilling
Ken Salazar says Arctic oil is essential to Obama’s energy plan but must be approached with caution
Japan energy breakthrough could cause climate breakdown
Country’s success in pioneering the route to exploiting undersea methane stocks could be good news for a resource-hungry country, and bad news for an overheating planet
Obama on Keystone XL: No jobs, no money, no oil
President tells a closed door meeting that claims about the pipeline’s benefits have been exaggerated, according to a Keystone XL supporting congressman in attendance
UK shale gas firm forced to close fracking site
Cuadrilla blames environmental regulations for closure of one of its three UK shale gas drilling operations until 2014
US energy efficiency league tables revealed
Energy Star certified buildings certified in 2012 saved enough energy to power 2m homes for a year
Keystone XL: Clearing up job figures confusion
State Department report and pipeline company’s jobs fair confirm estimates were vastly inflated
Canada’s First Nations lead battle against Alberta tar sands
Leader of Canada’s Indigenous peoples arrives in Europe to stop the tar sands industry which he says is destroying their way of life
Burning coal costs the EU €43 billion a year
Coal power plants in Europe should be banned by 2040 as their emissions cause high levels of sickness, health campaigners warn
Will Arctic oil and gas ever be commercially viable?
Future of pristine environment rests on the price of gas and oil as opposed to climate change and pollution concerns