Earth Wise

Most of the world has accepted the analysis of the overwhelming majority of climate scientists that shows that our planet is warming and that our actions are the primary cause.  However, some people – notably a number holding high office – reject this analysis.   What exactly does it imply to say that climate change is […]

Islands around the world have a difficult time developing the infrastructure for electricity generation.  Many are simply too small or too poor for conventional power plants.  The most common electricity source on islands is diesel generators which are not environmentally friendly and result in some of the most expensive electricity in the world. Shipping diesel […]

In 1988, President Reagan signed the Montreal Protocol, which banned CFC refrigerants like Freon in air conditioners and refrigerators. The chlorofluorocarbons were the cause of a giant hole in the ozone layer, which has been shrinking ever since the ban. Unfortunately, the chemicals that replaced CFCs – hydrofluorocarbons or HFCs – have their own major […]

When we think of global climate change, what comes to mind?  Rising seas? Melting glaciers? Shrinking sea ice?  How about diminishing ocean oxygen levels?   According to a new study published in the journal Nature, the ocean’s oxygen content has dropped by more than 2% over the past 50 years.  Researchers in Germany analyzed data […]

Installations of solar power continue to increase rapidly around the world and in no place more than China.  By the end of 2016, total solar generating capacity in China reached 77.4 gigawatts, making it the largest producer of solar energy in the world.  Globally, there is a total of 228 gigawatts of solar power installed, […]

Geothermal energy uses the heat trapped beneath the Earth’s surface to generate electricity.  Typically, geothermal energy plants tap into the steam from natural sources such as geysers, or they draw water from hot, high-pressure underground sources.  The hot vapors are then used to drive electric turbines. Iceland has tremendous geothermal resources and gets much of […]

Organizers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games announced in February that all the Olympic medals for the games will be made from recycled materials.  The strategic roadmap for the games, laid out in the document “Olympic Agenda 2020”, specifically calls for the inclusion of sustainability in every aspect of the games. The gold, silver and […]

With the arrival of the Chevy Bolt and the long waiting list for the forthcoming Tesla 3, there is starting to be some momentum for electric cars in the United States.  But we are still well behind Europe in terms of the significant growth of so-called e-mobility. As a result of ambitious emissions-reduction targets, strong […]

For many decades, hydroelectric dams were the top source of renewable energy in the United States.  But for the first time ever, by the end of last year, installed wind power capacity in the U.S. outpaced hydroelectric capacity. The total installed wind power capacity is now more than 82 gigawatts, exceeding the 80 gigawatts of […]

High levels of an element found in coal ash have been detected in fish in two lakes where Duke Energy coal-fired power plants are located, according to a peer-reviewed study at Duke University. The element, selenium, occurs naturally but is concentrated in coal ash.  Coal ash, the common name for coal combustion residuals, is created […]