The German government envisions thousands of wind turbines in the waters off the country’s northern coast. Construction on the first project begins in August. And many more are in the planning stages. Has Germany’s offshore energy revolution finally arrived? The official blessing came from the very top. “Wind energy is a very important prospect for [...]

At first sight, the G8 agreement on climate change promises much. Leaders are “committed to avoiding the most serious consequences of climate change”, and determined to stabilize greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at levels that would avoid “dangerous climate change”. In fact, this is exactly what leaders of nearly 200 countries signed up to in [...]

With energy prices going through the roof, an alternative lifestyle powered by solar panels and wind turbines has suddenly become more appealing to some. For architect Todd Bogatay, it has been reality for years. When he bought this breezy patch of scrub-covered mountaintop with views to Mexico more than two decades ago, he was one [...]

Last week, oil prices hit another record high, topping $126 a barrel and leading to a new rash of stories about gasoline spurting over $4 a gallon. Coincidently, my company opened a DC office last week, meaning that I’ll be commuting (by car, rail and bike) at least part-time from now on. And that gave [...]

Germany records world’s biggest cut in energy use in 2007. A new annual energy consumption report by the oil giant BP paints a split picture of the world: rapid rises in emerging economies, a smaller fall in the EU. Energy-conscious Germany emerges as the star environmental performer. When it comes to tackling climate change, Germany’s [...]

According to media reports, the European Union is planning to implement a phase-out of energy-wasting, climate-killing incandescent lightbulbs, starting next year. They will be replaced by energy-saving compact fluorescent lightbulbs, which last 10 times longer.
An energy-saving compact fluorescent lightbulb uses one-fifth of the energy required by a conventional incandescent bulb and lasts 10 times longer. [...]