In just over 20 years, the U.S. could wean itself from coal and oil for electricity generation and nearly halve its gasoline consumption, according to an analysis done by energy experts at Google.
The search giant's Google.org philanthropy on Thursday released updated numbers and policy recommendations on how the U.S. could dramatically change its energy consumption by 2030.
According to its Clean Energy by 2030 Web site:

A sampling of green-tech news with quick commentary. EPA Coal Decision Levels Playing Field for Wind, Solar - Wired.com
A good parsing of the EPA coal ruling's impact on clean tech. My sense is that we should expect more legal wranglings over EPA oversight over greenhouse gas emissions. More here.
# Renewable energy may end up scarred, but stronger - International Herald Tribune
Another pulse-check on the renewable energy industry, again showing concerns in short term and optimism over long term.
# UK coal agrees to windfarm venture - The Independent

As I suspected for a while, this is going to be a problem getting people to go green. According to the article below, 36% wont go green because of the high cost associated with it. I believe the government needs to help out! Front the costs and make homeowners pay them back as they are saving money! What do you think?

Article:

Not a surpise at all, but as the economy gets tight, saving the planet goes by the way side. I understand that long term global solutions dont matter as much as eating next week, but we need to keep the cause alive to keep the earth turning. An exerpt from a good article I found today on the issue:

This is a great example of forward thinking. Love when communities come together for a greater good.

I thought this very accurate, especially with what we are doing on this site. We must get communities working together.

Cutting greenhouse gas emissions, curbing our
addiction to oil, seeking energy independence, adopting renewable
energy sources, ending pollution of air and water from energy
consumption are all still tasks on the playlist of changes needed for
the coming years.

I always thought it was a little funny when you are staying at a $600-a-night Four Seasons hotel and they are trying to promote green and ask you re-use linens and bedding. While I dont need a clean towel every time I take a shower, I was always suspect that they were just trying to make more margin off my stay.

 This new company apparently is putting hotels in check on their green sales pitches.

This is a very interesting spin on an economic stimulus plan, provide interest rate cuts if someone cuts their home energy usage. Great incentive for people to invest in solar power and energy effecient products in the home.

AN ECONOMIC STIMULUS PLAN:
CUT HOME ENERGY FOR AN INTEREST RATE CUT.
by Bruce Mulliken, Green Energy News

This seems like a great idea for the home.  I'm not sure on costs yet but I plan on looking into it.  Does anyone have any ideas about the costs?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNudnI5tzf8

I have acres of land in Alabama and am planning an affordable weekend , weekly or monthly raw food (from garden and local farmers) retreat getaways etc. All plans are not yet formulated but I am also considering leasing out land space for yurts or maybe tipi living which will create a prehaps a more affordable place to live for raw foodist. This is simple country living. There would be an area designated for maybe 10 or so on prehaps an acre of land. Still trying to work it out but was wondering would there be an interest. Looking forward to hearing responses to my idea.  

Much of what we throw away is made of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen, the same elements that make up the fuels we burn

By burning our trash directly in waste-to-energy plants creates thermal energy for steam that can be used for heating or generating electricity. But burning waste also creates pollutantion.  Conventional waste-to-energy is probably not the optimum solution to our waste disposal problems.

The first and only FDA approved tableware of its kind, developed from a proprietary blend of natural plant fibers and earth based resins. Made primarily from bamboo fibers; the raw material is powdered and mixed with bio-based polymers at high temperature to form a collection of sustainable and durable dinnerware.

Ever since 2003, the Philadelphia Eagles have made enormous strides in reducing the organizations impact on the environment. See what they've done: http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/gogreen/news.asp

i always thought party balloons could be used for something useful and now they are. huge balloon-like objects will be installed later this month not far from the national laboratory are in fact Cool Earth Solar's solution for capturing the sun's heat. Here's how it works: With one shiny side and one clear one, the 8-foot-diameter device reflects sunlight at 400 to 500 times its usual intensity onto a small solar cell mounted in the center of the balloon. That's where power is produced. Each balloon has a cooling system and a mechanism that allows it to track the movement of the sun.

But a 21st century high-tech eco-village soon emerges from the mists.

There are paths leading to water recycling facilities, composting,
recycling, and 25 acres of organic-certified farmland, four of which
are planted with anything from hops for beer making to sweet peas. A
silver sign is prominently displayed in recognition of Serenbe's
ecologically sound construction, proving that Serenbe is not the
average cookie-cutter housing development.

read more

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/03/18/serenbe.green.community/i...

i'm one of those people who like to hang dry ALL of my shirts. My husband thinks i'm crazy, but just by hang drying my shirts they last ALOT longer!! Not to mention the color doesn't fade. it's a little embarrasing to admit that i still have shirts from when i was in college, which was about 15 years ago. crazy, i know. 

well, come to find out that all this time hang drying my shirts is good for the environment! who would've guessed it? simply by hang drying your clothes you are in turn saving energy. how simple is that?  

Join the MCCC to help you find ways to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint. http://www.millioncarcampaign.com/

this year i'm going to make a point to do what Canada is doing May 31 - June 6. they call it 2009 Commuter Challenge. Commuter Challenge is a national program that encourages Canadians to walk, cycle, ride-share/carpool, tele-work or take transit instead of driving alone to work. if Canada can do it, why can't we? http://www.gogreen.com/

my wife has always been known for burning candles in our house, mainly because of how they smell. but when i tell her that parafin wax, which is what common household candles are usually made from isn't so green she's not going to be very happy. parafin wax is a byproduct of oil refining. Even the wicks of some candles can cause problems - they may have a lead or other type of metal core that release toxic emissions during burning.