It’s Getting Hot In Here

Participants at the latest meeting of the U.N. Environment Programme’s Convention on Biological Diversity expressed growing concern over the increased use of non-food crops as sources of cellulosic ethanol. According to The New York Times , scientists from organizations such as the Nature Conservancy, The International Union for Conservation of Nature, and others concerned about the use of plants such as reeds and wild grasses may clash with policymakers in the U.S. and E.U., both of which have established targets for expanding biofuel use in response to climate concerns, and are now “anxiously awaiting the commercial perfection of second generation biofuels.”

The scientists’ concern stems from the fact that many of the plant species targeted for use as “second generation” biofuel sources (i.e. non-food crop sources of biofuel, as opposed to corn or soybeans) are not native to the areas in which they will be harvested as a fuel source, creating risky potential for their spread as damaging weeds. They cite biodiversity loss and economic costs as possible side effects of culitvating invasive species for fuel. Continue reading ‘More bad news for biofuels? Well, that depends…’

Deval Patrick, the often-controversial governor of Massachusetts, has not had an easy year. Amidst a protracted legislative brawl with his Republican opponents on Beacon Hill, Patrick was the focus of a A New York Times Article depicting his tenure in office as a lot of campaign bark and no bite. Of all unlikely venues for bipartisan success, however, Patrick has succeeded in eliciting significant support in the State House for a slew of recent clean energy measures.

Today, Patrick addressed Massachusetts business leaders in an effort to gain crucial buy-in for his effort to encourage substantial growth in the state’s clean energy sector. Wracked with debt and staggering from the national economic downturn, the Bay State is looking for ways to get rich quick and climate-friendly. The portfolio of clean energy measures in the works is notably diverse – from incentives for renewable energy companies to set up shop in-state to proposals to eliminate the gas tax on biofuels.

That may have been the moment when your eyebrows shot up toward your hairline.  Although the Boston Globe describes the Governor as “Convinced that the age of fossil fuels is over” and highlights Patrick’s legislative favoring of biofuels derived from switch-grass and agricultural waste over energy-guzzling corn-based “biofuels”, the efficacy of the plan in terms of long-term climate impact may be undermined by its persistent emphasis on a traditional (read:  outdated?) economic growth paradigm. Even if Patrick could somehow convince us of the theoretical soundness of this approach, it is difficult to get comfy with the idea absent a mandatory emissions cap (for the state or nation – either would do) to ensure that the (clean) industrial growth in the state would in fact cause a rapid, significant, and consistent decline in overall emissions.

While the verdict may still be out on Deval, Bostonians with two wheels will be applauding the efforts of their Mayor, Tom Menino, during next week’s Bay State Bike Week . Cycling enthusiasts from numerous neighborhoods will “Kick Gas” in fine form, and possibly ride a few circles around the State House in the process.

Over the weekend, students from across the state of Maine participated in Operation Keep ME Warm, a project of the state government that sends volunteer teams to winterize the homes of low-income seniors. This year, the Maine Climate Campaign facilitated the largest student volunteer contingent in the program’s history. Students from Bowdoin College, Unity College, College of the Atlantic, U-Maine Farmington, U-Maine Orono, the University of Southern Maine and other schools around the state set off on a day-long blitz to winterize homes by caulking around windows and doors, covering windows and foundations with plastic sheeting, insulating electrical outlets, and replacing standard lightbulbs with CFLs – the donation of which was arranged by students from Unity. Continue reading ‘Maine Students Help Low-Income Neighbors Save Energy’

The purchase of 100% renewable electricity by Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME has attracted the attention of the EPA, which applauded Bowdoin’s efforts this week and made the college a member of its Green Power Leadership Club. Bowdoin has been powered by renewable electricity since July, after a student-run campaign last spring succeeded in securing a commitment from President Barry Mills and Treasurer Catherine Longley. Continue reading ‘Bowdoin College Recognized by EPA as Leading Green Power Purchaser’