EXXON MOBIL
What do we see over the next 30 years? The answer to that question varies by region, reflecting diverse economic and demographic trends as well as the evolution of technology and government policies.
Everywhere, though, we see energy being used more efficiently and energy supplies continuing to diversify as new technologies and sources emerge. Other key findings of this year’s Outlook includ“In the decades ahead, the world will
View this complete post...BELFER CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
The United States and the world need a revolution in energy technology—a revolution that would improve the performance of our energy systems to face the challenges ahead. A dramatic increase in the pace of energy innovation is crucial to meet the challenges of:
CERES
Increasing water demand by the power and energy sectors is another growing competitive pressure. Many forms of electric power require massive amounts of water for cooling, with the sector accounting for 41 percent of total water withdrawals in the United States and 44 percent in the European Union. The water intensity of fuel production is also on the rise. In 2009, only five percent of the world’s liquid fuels came from water-intensive “unconventional” sources such as biofuels, oil sands and shale oil. By 2035, the U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts, that number could double or even triple, depending on global oil prices.
US COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
Since implementation of the Clean Air Act in the 1970s, followed by the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, Superfund, and other important environmental laws, America’s gross domestic product (GDP) has risen by 207 percent, and it remains the largest in the world. Complying with the nation’s public health and environmental protection laws has bolstered a $300 billion a year clean technology sector that employs an estimated 1.7 million people.
THE URBAN DESIGN LAB
With the generous support of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Urban Design Lab at the Earth Institute, Columbia University has conducted this comprehensive assessment of the potential for urban agriculture in New York City (NYC). This project is the first large-scale analysis of its kind for NYC, and while it is not definitive, we hope that the information and research will provide a baseline for understanding the critical issues related to urban agriculture in our city.
View this complete post...Over the weekend, NYC was the victim of nonstop and frightening downpours…
View this complete post...TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD
How does the transportation community develop solutions and approaches that will minimize or eliminate the impact of climate change? To many, this question is a paramount one as the nation builds, rebuilds, operates, and maintains its transportation infrastructure.
CENTER FOR CLEAN AIR POLICY
The preponderance of the evidence leads us to conclude that an inclusive planning process that yields more walkable neighborhoods with broader housing and transportation options can help communities, businesses and individuals make money, save money and improve quality of life.
AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY
The United States has ample renewable energy resources. Land-based wind, the most readily available for development, totals more than 8000 GW of potential capacity. The capacity of concentrating solar power is nearly 7,000 GW in seven southwestern states. The generation potential of photovoltaics is limited only by the land area devoted to it, 100–250 GW/100 km2 in the United States. To illustrate energy capacity vs. projected demand, the US generated electric power at an average rate of approximately 450 GW in 2009, with peaks over 1000 GW during the summer months. By 2035, electricity demand is projected to rise 30%.
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