Top Stories
Scarce Water Resources a Growing Business
Risk.—reliability high.
"Increasing demand for water resources is a growing business risk, a
major economic threat, and a challenge for the sustainability of
communities, according to a global resources water report from
McKinsey." "the study evaluates four countries with significantly
different water issues: China, India, South Africa and Brazil. These
countries account for 40 percent of the world’s population, 30 percent
of the global GDP and 43 percent of projected water demand in 2030". See
Environmental Leader. PDF of full report here.
[Worth looking at.]
U.S. falling behind in clean-energy race:
Chu.—reliability high.
"'America has the opportunity to lead the world in a new industrial
revolution,' Chu told business leaders, political leaders and engineers
at a Clemson University symposium. But, he said, 'The world is passing
us by. We are falling behind in the clean energy race. ... China is
spending $9 billion a month on clean energy ... China has now passed
the United States and Europe in high-tech manufacturing. There is no
reason the United States should cede high-tech manufacturing to
anyone.'" From
Reuters.
Europeans could save planet for $3 a day:
study.—reliability high.
"Europeans could help cut climate warming emissions to much safer
levels for just 2 euros ($3) each per day, but they would also have to
cut back on driving and meat eating, a report said Tuesday. Other
long-term changes would include using the train instead of flying for
journeys of under 1,000 km, said the report by the Stockholm
Environment Institute, commissioned by Friends of the Earth Europe
(FOEE)." More details of report. See
Reuters. Access report here.
[HaraBara is
willing to bet they would much prefer to spend those euros on a latte
rather than save the planet (see our grouchy blog post here)]
Companies,
Industries, Markets and Supply Chains
Wi-Fi Alliance: 7 Reasons Wi-Fi Will Succeed
in the Smart Grid.—reliability medium.
"Responding to previous article on 5 Reasons Wi-Fi Will Take a Back
Seat for the Smart Grid, Greg Ennis, Wi-Fi Alliance’s technical
director, presented me with the group’s own list of reasons why, as he
put it, 'Wi-Fi will succeed for smart grid deployments.' " See
earth2tech.
REPORT: Ratan Tata again confirms hybrid
Tata Nano.—reliability medium.
"Tata chairman Ratan Tata has confirmed via the South Korean Maeil
Business Newspaper that his company intends to launch a hybrid version
of the Nano. . . . We're also unsure what kind of hybrid system Tata is
developing – we wouldn't expect to see a full hybrid system with an
electric motor and battery pack large enough to power the vehicle for
long periods of time, but we'd still hope for something more
substantial than a simple stop/start micro system." From
Autoblog.
Tech company SAP is living the green life.—reliability
high.
"SAP's four-story, 218,000-square-foot monument to energy efficiency
and planet protection is turning out to be a credibility booster. And
that was part of the plan. The 35-year-old company is expanding its
line of software products designed to help companies go green. Erecting
an office that is one of the greenest in the region was intended to
demonstrate SAP's commitment to "walk the talk," said Bill McDermott,
president of global field operations." From
The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Solyndra signs $105m rooftop solar supply
deal with Sun system.—reliability high.
"US rooftop solar photovoltaics manufacturer Solyndra has received a
$105m order from Italian solar integrator Sun System. The order, to be
delivered over several years, will be used in rooftop solar
developments in Europe." See
NewNet. [At
least the U.S. has some technology
somebody wants.]
Government and
Regulation
California Solar Power Transmission Line
Approved.—reliability high.
"the California Public Utilities Commission approved a new 500
Kilovolt transmission line from desert areas deep in southeastern
California where numerous solar projects have been signed, to urban
centers on the coast." "The Devers-Palo Verde No. 2 line was first
submitted in 2005. The $537 million, 500 Kilovolt line would span 170
miles in two segments across Southern California — 128 miles along
Interstate 10 from North Palm Springs to Blythe, and 42 miles from
Romoland to North Palm Springs." From
CleanTechnica.
China's Carbon Intensity Target.—reliability
medium.
Commentary and analysis of China's recently announced carbon-intensity
targets. See
NRDC blog.
Shock result as Abbott wins Liberal
leadership by one vote ... ETS dead.—reliability high.
"The Australian federal Liberal Party has elected Tony Abbott as
leader and in an unprecedented secret ballot voted overwhelmingly to
defeat the Government’s emissions trading scheme." From
Sydney Morning Herald. [When things go
down the drain in Australia, do they spin clockwise or
counterclockwise? Or will the greens step in and help get the
Government's plan passed?]
[Crossposted from HaraBara.com courtesy of HaraBara, Inc. Copyright © 2009 HaraBara, Inc.]