THE NEW CO2 RECORD ... In 2009 energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in the US dropped 7 percent, a new record since the start of U.S. Energy Information Administration's comprehensive record of annual energy data that began in 1949. EIA attributes the large decline to the economic downturn, the trend toward a less energy-intensive economy and a decrease in the carbon-intensity of the current energy supply. The analysis can be found on EIA's website, and the emissions data upon which the analysis is based can be found here. Cheers to continued improvement!
SOLAR CELLS ON PAPER ... Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have successfully coated paper with a solar cell! No joke. The announcement was made when Susan Hockfield, MIT's president, and Paolo Scaroni, CEO of Italian oil company Eni, dedicated the Eni-MIT Solar Frontiers Research Center Tuesday. Eni invested $5 million into the center, which is also receiving a $2 million National Science Foundation grant. The printed solar cells, are still in the research phase, but the technique, "in which paper is coated with organic semiconductor material using a process similar to an inkjet printer," is the most promising way to potentially reduce the weight of solar panels. They're even suggesting we could use staple guns for the installation. Cool. Read the full article here.
WHAT ARE OFFSHORE OIL RISKS? ... Alan Boyle, covering everything in science, anthropology, tech and space science and exploration for MSNBC.com posed an interesting topic for debate regarding the recent oil rig explosion. Boyle claims catastrophic events greatly affect our natural inclination for weighing risks and benefits. He notes, as I mentioned last week, that massive amounts of oil are leaking from the ocean floor naturally -- so in his opinion the general public thinks "it's OK if nature leaks this stuff into the ocean, but this is man-made, and man-made risks are scarier than natural risks." He implies we act irrationally in the wake of catastrophic, man-made events.But there's more to it. Check it out and let me know what you think. Be honest if it made you second-guess any of your stances in the past.
GREEN IS NOW ORANGE, TRY TO KEEP UP ... Have you heard of the Carrotmob? If you have, good on you. I had not, but now that I've been 'schooled', I like where it's going. Carrotmob "is a network of consumers who buy products in order to reward businesses who are making the most socially responsible decisions." It's the opposite of a boycott. It's a positive, economically stimulating consumer movement. They're young, so they're starting with small businesses but plan to go big. I signed up to be notified of new events, or 'mobs'. If they manage to pull this off and start influencing corporations, they'll be more than just a super cool concept with a hipster-chic name. Check it out.
SMALL BUSINESS CHALLENGE ... Staples Inc., the office supply people, and Entrepreneur.com just launched an online contest that would supply the grand-prize winner with a $10,000 green makeover. Enter the "Green Your Small Business Challenge" by submitting a 100 word essay on how and why you would make your office more sustainable. Go here to enter and read the official rules. Come on, entries are due by June 4, what do you have to lose?
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