Day: October 19, 2020

Why green roofs are a must-have for modern cities

Read the full story at JLL.

Traditionally given over to ventilation shafts or solar panels, today’s rooftops are increasingly becoming green spaces as part of a drive towards cleaner cities.

California has a renewables curtailment problem. Can your Google and Facebook activity help?

Read the full story at Utility Dive.

A new study proposes data center processing loads be shifted to match wind and solar supply, but the issue may take a mix of solutions.

Lisle Library District earns recognition from SCARCE for sustainability efforts

Via the Lisle Library District.

On September 16, 2020, the Lisle Library District (LLD) was officially awarded an Earth Flag by SCARCE.  SCARCE Executive Director, Kay McKeen and DuPage County Board member, Liz Chaplin, attended the LLD Board of Trustees meeting to present the Flag and read the offical Resolution of Commendaton from DuPage County Chairman, Daniel Cronin.

To earn the Earth Flag, the LLD had to achieve a number of objectives.  Ms. Chaplin read aloud some of those accomplishments: 

I am so happy to be here tonight to present the Earth Flag Resolution. Earning the Earth Flag is a huge accomplishment that takes a lot of work and dedication by the staff. I want the staff and the community to know what a great accomplishment this is and everyone should be very proud. I’m going to read off all the work the staff has done to receive the Earth Flag…

  • Comprehensive Recycling Program
  • Staff Education
  • Patron Education
  • Educated patrons on proper recycling practices – hosted the Where Is Away? exhibit
  • The Library has upgraded all its’ lighting to LEDs, T- 8s, T-5s and CFLs
  • The Library has a cool roof to help with the urban heat island effect
  • The Library also recycles electronics, scrap metal and batteries
  • Updated their HVAC system in the Fall of 2019
  • Has syringe collection bins in their bathrooms for staff & patrons
  • The Library donates books to Better World Books
  • Has used book sales
  • Handles hazardous waste appropriately
  • Uses eco-friendly deicer
  • Library employees use reusable mugs, dishes & utensils
  • Has reusable bag available for patrons to use
  • Library has all low flow toilets & faucets with automatic sensors

Energy players ‘positive’ about sustainable tech adoption by industrial sector

Read the full story at Smart Cities World.

Research carried out by EIT InnoEnergy also found that customer readiness for new technology and access to partnering organisations for R&D areas requires more action.

Cities push ahead on Energy Efficiency as a Service as private sector plays catch up

Read the full story at Utility Dive.

Forms of EEaaS have existed for decades as alternative funding mechanisms in cities. Now, as technologies accelerate and COVID-19 continues, the private sector wants in.

Farmers Edge and Radicle offer hi-tech carbon credit program

Read the full story at Future Farming.

Farmers Edge and Radicle announce collaboration for high-tech carbon credit program powered by real-time field data.

New Citizen Science Program Will Use Social Media Posts To Monitor Drought In Utah

Read the full story from Utah Public Radio.

Through a new citizen science initiative, the Utah Climate Center will capture drought data through public observations posted on social media.

Safely meeting demand for renewable energy with innovative material design for health and sustainability

Read the full story at PV Magazine.

Clean energy is critical to solving our climate crisis. But we need to consider the full environmental and human health impacts of solar energy generation across its entire lifecycle, including mining, manufacturing, use, decommissioning and recycling. This requires us to identify critical stages in the production process, and how choices in materials and chemicals at different stages of production influence each other.

The Future of Carbon Capture and Sequestration

Read the full story at JD Supra.

By ratifying the 2015 Paris Agreement, nations across the world made a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by the year 2030.  Carbon dioxide is one of the primary greenhouse gases found in the Earth’s atmosphere, accounting for 76% of global greenhouse gas emissions according to published reports.

Any effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will undoubtedly rely heavily on reducing the presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. There are two primary ways to achieve a reduction of CO2: (1) decrease the output of carbon dioxide emissions; or (2) increase the amount of carbon dioxide that is removed from the atmosphere.

The latter option is known as carbon capture and sequestration (“CCS”). CCS is the process of seizing atmospheric carbon dioxide and storing (or “sequestering”) these gases in physical formations in the ground. Carbon capture and sequestration techniques have existed for decades, but the development of specific technologies for CCS has been largely cost prohibitive due to lack of governmental support in the legislative, regulatory and financial arenas.

However, majors such as Exxon, Chevron and Shell are joining a broader push to make the requisite technology cheaper and more efficient. Producers and governments have shown interest in CCS as it allows for the continued use of fossil fuels while reducing net carbon dioxide emissions. 

Safer States

For over a decade, Safer States has united state advocacy groups to pass common-sense policies that keep harmful chemicals out of food, water, and air.

33 states are considering 248 policies to protect people from toxic chemicals. 208 state policies have been adopted in 35 states.