Monthly Archives: June 2011

impacts of extending ethanol tax credit

Posted on June 30, 2011 by

just a quick post today, from FAPRI and potential impacts of extending the ethanol blender’s credit: http://www.agrimarketing.com/ss.php?id=68115

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Climate “Skeptic” vs. Climate “Denier”

Posted on June 29, 2011 by

Thought I would add this small article written by technical scientist (M.S., PhD in physics) and author that discusses multiple topics concerning if you can define yourself as a climate “skeptic” or a climate “Denier”.  I don’t think that this … Continue reading →

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Auto execs and Republicans for improved fuel economy?

Posted on June 29, 2011 by

A letter from former GOP representatives and agency officials encouraging the Obama administration to aggressively increase fuel economy standards!  Not something you see everyday… On a related note, Mark Thoma of the University of Oregon on a recent MIT study … Continue reading →

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The carbon abatement cost of REDD+: improving ag yields and household cooking efficiency

Posted on June 28, 2011 by

A new study in Nature Climate Change (http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/v1/n4/full/nclimate1145.html, or for a synopsis, http://af.reuters.com/article/tanzaniaNews/idAFN2711500320110529) estimates the Carbon Abatement Cost (CAC) of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, a.k.a. REDD+, implementation in Tanzania.  Deforestation in sub-Saharan Africa is driven primarily by … Continue reading →

Posted in climate change, energy, policy, sustainable development | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Declining snowpack in the mountian west

Posted on June 28, 2011 by

As many who ski and recreate outdoors here this time of year can attest, the 2010/2011 winter has been a record year for snowfall throughout much of Colorado and the US mountain west.  But in an upcoming article in Science … Continue reading →

Posted in climate change, science | 5 Comments

Article series at National Geographic

Posted on June 27, 2011 by

National Geographic has a little series of energy related articles and thought I’d share two: I guess I never really though about where recycled motor oil goes, but apparently most of it is just burned, but some folks are trying to change … Continue reading →

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EU carbon trading issues..

Posted on June 24, 2011 by

Is this really as bad as it sounds?  I don’t know much about this, but if we ever get a carbon market rolling in the US, could we prevent this sort of thing? http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/23/us-eu-carbon-market-idUSTRE75M3VI20110623

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EPA releases 2012 RFS targets

Posted on June 22, 2011 by

EPA just published their final ruling on 2012 RFS targets This is important for current and potential biofuel producers as it basically defines their market.  As expected, the volumes for cellulosic are way below the original volumes specified in the … Continue reading →

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oil palm, biofuels, and policy

Posted on June 21, 2011 by

This commentary is the latest I’ve seen on trying to estimate the impacts of oil palm in Asia.  Interesting point about directing what resources we have on preventing further deforestation rather than attempting reforestation. Again, an example of the difficulty … Continue reading →

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Why we suck at long term decisions

Posted on June 16, 2011 by

Great article on Nature yesterday, and I clipped some parts to pique your interest. a little long, but def worth the read! …Should we do everything in our power to stop global warming? To make sure terrorists don’t board aeroplanes? … Continue reading →

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