The article below, published in the Los Angeles Times, demonstrates the need for a shift in our current energy system to better align the needs of California residents and businesses with the goals of energy providers. Currently, the main objective of private California utilities is to maximize shareholder profits. In the Community Choice Energy model, … Read more
In 2010 I invited Hans-Josef Fell, at the time a German Parliamentarian, to visit Sonoma County to talk about the policies he successfully advocated for, which helped lead Germany in the transition to renewable energy. I caught up with him again in 2012 at the annual InterSolar conference in San Francisco shortly after he had … Read more
In researching climate communications, I’ve been dabbling in the world of moral psychology. It’s a fascinating topic and Jonathan Haidt offers some very interesting insights into those funny creatures we call human beings. He has done quite a few TED Talks, but this one seemed particularly relevant to climate communications. If you want to reach … Read more
Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus just announced that it will cease operations forever this May. It will hold its final performance in New York where I saw it in the mid-sixties as a young child. As I read the reasons offered by circus owners to end after 146 years, I was struck by … Read more
While Wyoming Republican lawmakers try to ban the purchase of renewable energy by utilities, it is clear that state renewable energy mandates are producing great economic benefits. A recent study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab shows benefits outweighing costs for renewable energy portfolio standards – by more than 200 percent. State renewable portfolio standards (RPS) … Read more
With the incoming administration, I expect to hear the same arguments pitting energy conservation against the economy, followed by a call to build more pipelines and drill. Next time you hear that argument, you can share this graph. Between 1980 and 2011 the economy expanded by 230% from $6.5 trillion to 15.2 trillion (in inflation-adjusted dollars), while energy … Read more
Since November we have all heard much about the January 21st Million Women Marches against Donald Trump being planned in Washington D.C. and beyond. Many will use it as an outlet for their anger. Neo conservative pundits will use it to feed into a narrative about “those lefty urban activists marching again.” Personally, I plan to attend … Read more
by Andy Ferguson, North Bay Clean Energy Forum How can communities quickly transition from using fossil fuels like natural gas and gasoline to using renewables like solar? A community group called the North Bay Clean Energy Forum has released a new white paper describing specific strategies to rapidly make this switch. The group envisions that … Read more
In a new report, the World Economic Forum has concluded that renewable energy is becoming competitive with fossil fuels, but the industry needs institutional investments. The World Economic Forum analysis shows that the cost of generating electricity from renewables has plunged over the last three years and is now equal to that of coal and … Read more
We are so very grateful to you who support our work in myriad ways! We ended the year on a high note, meeting our fundraising goals and heading into the New Year in eager anticipation of spreading our solutions far and wide for maximum impact. We look forward to bringing you climate news in 2017 … Read more
