Sam Carana's Comments

Green Refrigerators and Air Conditioners by Sam Carana

Dec 20, 2008 | rating: 9.6 | comments: 28

Sam Carana Nov 22, 2009, 4:01am EST

Earlier this month, the Montreal Protocol held its 21st meeting in Egypt. The 198 nations that are parties to the Montreal Protocol failed to reach a binding agreement to phase out hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs.

As anticipated (see above comments), the U.S. delegation pushed to amend the Montreal Protocol to allow for an HFC phase-down, supported by Canada and Mexico, and backed by an even stronger proposal from Micronesia and Mauritius and other island nations.

However, the meeting ended with no amendment and no binding decision on HFCs. Instead, 41 nations signed a weak 'declaration of intent'. For more background, see this Reuters report.

California's Climate Change Proposals by Sam Carana

Nov 25, 2008 | rating: 9.5 | comments: 24

Sam Carana Nov 22, 2009, 2:40am EST

The California Energy Commission proposes that television manufacturers be required to produce new models that use 33% less electricity by 2011 and 49% less electricity by 2013. This would apply to new televisions measuring 58 inches (1,400 square inches) and smaller offered for sale in California beginning in 2011 and 2013.

In California, televisions (along with DVRs, DVD players, and cable/satellite boxes) now consume about 10% of a home's electricity.

A study by the California Energy Commission had found that the U.S. EPA's voluntary Energy Star® Program for televisions would only obtain 35% of the calculated $8.1 billion in energy efficiency for the consumer that was calculated for the proposed efficiency standards.

California's Climate Change Proposals by Sam Carana

Nov 25, 2008 | rating: 9.5 | comments: 24

Sam Carana Nov 22, 2009, 2:00am EST

A new California regulation will require new cars sold in California, starting in 2012, to have windows that reflect or absorb heat-producing rays from the sun. This will help keep cars cooler, in an effort to reduce global warming pollution. Cooler cars mean less air conditioning, says the California Air Resources Board in its first Climate Change Newsletter.

Green Refrigerators and Air Conditioners by Sam Carana

Dec 20, 2008 | rating: 9.6 | comments: 28

Sam Carana Nov 21, 2009, 8:28am EST

The European Patent Office appears ready to grant a patent for a new, low-global-warming automotive air conditioning refrigerant.

The new refrigerant, HFO-1234yf, was developed jointly by Honeywell and DuPont to help the automotive industry comply with the European Union’s Mobile Air Conditioning Directive that will require auto makers to use refrigerants with a global warming potential (GWP) below 150 from 2011.

HFO-1234yf has a GWP of 4. This compared with a GWP of 1,430 for HFC-134a, currently in use in many automotive A/C systems, according to a report in TireBusiness.com.

In addition to tests conducted by DuPont and others, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has conducted its own evaluation of the product and has proposed a rule under the federal Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) that would approve HFO-1234yf for use in mobile air conditioning systems, according to a DuPont news release.

Ontario Green Vehicle Rebate C$10,000.- by Sam Carana

Jul 16, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 37

in reply to a comment by Sam Carana

Sam Carana Nov 20, 2009, 1:49am EST

On Oct 26, 2009, the Secretary of State for Transport said that the U.K. Government had established the Office for Low Emission Vehicles. Furthermore, £230 million will be available between 2011 and 2014 for a consumer incentive scheme to reduce the cost of electric and plug-in hybrid cars by between £2,000 and £5,000.

Up to £30 million will be available for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Over £140 million for research, development and demonstration of low carbon vehicles through the Technology Strategy Board's low carbon vehicle innovation platform and the Department for Transports low carbon vehicle public procurement program.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are also generously supported through the tax systems: owners of EVs are exempt from paying vehicle excise duty and fuel duty, businesses which purchase electric and low carbon cars can claim enhanced capital allowances and people who use electric cars as their company car pay the lowest rate of benefit in kind.

The Office for Low Emission Vehicles also mentions Local measures, for example Congestion Charge exemption in London and Free/reduced price parking in the City of Westminster.

Five Electrifying Transport Ideas by Sam Carana

Nov 17, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 12

Sam Carana Nov 20, 2009, 1:14am EST

Thanks all for commenting - and rating. Cheers! Sam Carana

Global Warming - Red Alert! by Sam Carana

Feb 15, 2009 | rating: 8.6 | comments: 139

Sam Carana Nov 18, 2009, 10:26pm EST

According to the Global Carbon Project, the annual increase in global CO2 emissions from fossil fuel was more than 3% between 2000 and 2008, adding up to a total increase for the period of 29%. When compared with 1990 levels, CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels have increased by 41%.

Meanwhile, the part of CO2 emissions that remains in the atmosphere each year has increased from about 40% in 1990 to 45% in 2008.

These figures put the world on course for a catastrophic 6° Celsius rise by the end of the century, comments the Independent, with cataclysmic and irreversible impact on Earth, making large parts of the planet uninhabitable and threatening the very basis of human civilization.

Five Electrifying Transport Ideas by Sam Carana

Nov 17, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 12

Sam Carana Nov 17, 2009, 9:26pm EST

Here are some further ideas. In Germany, several communities are switching the streetlamps off at 11.00pm instead of keeping them on all night.

The image on the left is from dial4light.com, where local residents sign up.

If they need a particular street illuminated, they can dial a central number and give voice commands to switch on specific lights. The lights will stay on for 10 - 15 minutes.

Here's a BBC video that explains how it works.

Furthermore, the Guardian reports on a streetlight experiment in Toulouse, France. On a 500-meter section of pavement, sensors detect human body heat when pedestrians pass.

The lampposts double the strength of the light they cast when people pass by. Ten seconds later they revert to normal.

Arctic Sea Ice Falls Below 2007 Low by Sam Carana

Jun 12, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 8

Sam Carana Nov 16, 2009, 2:58am EST

Meanwhile, sea ice extent remains well below the 2007 record low, as shown on the 14 November 2009 NSIDC image below.

Welcome to the Clone Farm by sunil m.

Nov 13, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 1

Sam Carana Nov 14, 2009, 6:06pm EST

Thanks for sharing, Sunil. As you know, one thing that I advocate is Fees on Livestock to fund Biochar.

Farms on the radar at Copenhagen climate talks by sunil m.

Nov 13, 2009 | rating: 5.5 | comments: 2

Sam Carana Nov 13, 2009, 5:29pm EST

How about fees on livestock and nitrogen fertilizers to fund biochar?

F1 designer unveils electric car by sunil m.

Nov 9, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 4

Sam Carana Nov 10, 2009, 1:46am EST

Thanks for sharing, Sunil.

Ontario Green Vehicle Rebate C$10,000.- by Sam Carana

Jul 16, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 37

in reply to a comment by Sam Carana

Sam Carana Nov 8, 2009, 2:05am EST

The picture on the left is from the St Enoch shopping mall in Glasgow, where customers can recharge their electric vehicles for free.

Meanwhile, the Sainsbury's supermarket chain has installed a network of electric car recharging points outside its London stores, reports Sky News Online. Charge points can now be found at nine Sainsbury's stores in London, with two more branches to follow later this month.

Mayor Boris Johnson aims to make London the "electric vehicle capital of Europe". Mr Johnson said that the Sainsbury's network will put half of all London's population within three miles of a charge point.

Electric cars such as the Reva G-Wiz typically have a range of about 70 miles on a full battery, which takes up to eight hours to charge. But an hour and a half plugged in to the charge point is enough to get the battery up to 80% full. Again, customers are not charged for recharging their electric vehicles at such recharging points.

Animal Rights Activism by Craig Olson

Nov 7, 2009 | rating: 5.5 | comments: 11

Sam Carana Nov 7, 2009, 11:48pm EST

Thanks for sharing, Craig. Apart from compassionate and health considerations, concern about the environment is becoming a major reason for people to turn to the vegan diet. Back in 2007, I suggested to Tax the sales of meat, and I have just updated that post at Fees on livestock to fund biochar.

Fees on Livestock to fund Biochar by Sam Carana

Sep 21, 2007 | rating: 9 | comments: 71

Sam Carana Nov 7, 2009, 4:50am EST

Good point, John, it's not just about meat. As I wrote in the post on black carbon, between 25% and 35% of black carbon in the global atmosphere comes from China and India, resulting from the burning of wood, coal and cow dung, much of which takes place in household cooking and heating of homes. In rural India, where 70% of India's population lives, cooking alone accounts for about 60% of the overall energy use and 80% of the non-commercial energy use. Cooking in rural India is mostly done by burning fire wood (78%) and cow-dung (14%).

The cow dung first releases methane and then also carbon dioxide and black carbon when burned. Solar cookers are good alternatives, but biochar can also help out here.

Biochar can enrich the soil, reducing (ill-perceived) urges to further cut back forest. In the process of making biochar, syngas is produced that can cater for local energy needs.

As I wrote in Save the Rainforest, an estimated 20% of the world's total emissions comes from slash-and-burn practices. Once the forest is gone, storms, rains and floods will wash away nutrients and soil. The land can no longer support crop farming, and is then typically used for grazing cattle. In a vicous circle, the crop farmers will then move on and slash-and-burn further rainforest. Loss of rainforest goes hand in hand with loss of biodiversity and further emission of greenhouse gases.

Biochar can enrich soil and restore forests. By using the proceeds of fees on livestock products to fund local rebates on biochar, these feebates can become more acceptable, thus making the overall policy doubly effective.

Arctic Sea Ice Falls Below 2007 Low by Sam Carana

Jun 12, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 8

Sam Carana Nov 7, 2009, 12:03am EST

Arctic sea ice has fallen below 2007 levels for a second time this year. The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) gives daily sea ice data updates, with a one-day lag. The gray line in the image below indicates the 1979 to 2000 average extent for the day shown. The blue line (2009) crossed the dotted green line (2007) on 5 November 2009, which constituted an all time low of recorded data for that date.

The image below charts the monthly October ice extent for 1979 to 2009, showing a decline of 5.9% per decade. — Credit: NSIDC.

Climate deal 'unlikely' this year by sunil m.

Nov 6, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 3

Sam Carana Nov 6, 2009, 10:42pm EST

We need to make a huge effort to agree in Copenhagen on targets for each country to achieve.

Global Warming - Red Alert! by Sam Carana

Feb 15, 2009 | rating: 8.6 | comments: 139

Sam Carana Nov 6, 2009, 5:27am EST

The above image is from a NASA news release discussing that interactions with aerosols boost the global warming potential of gases such as methane. A study published in Science by a team led by Drew Shindell of NASA concludes that chemical interactions between emissions cause more global warming than previously estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The study showed that increases in global methane emissions have caused a 26% decrease in hydroxyl. Methane now persists longer in the atmosphere, before getting transformed into the less potent carbon dioxide.

This strengthens the case for Fees on Livestock to fund Biochar.

Tesla completes record distance on single charge by Bernardus M.

Nov 4, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 3

Sam Carana Nov 4, 2009, 5:23am EST

Great achievement.
Cheers! Sam Carana

Setting the record straight on energy by Sam Carana

Sep 26, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 19

in reply to a comment by René Allen

Sam Carana Oct 31, 2009, 2:27am EDT

Yes, I love the graphic work, which was uploaded CC at flickr.com on March 17, 2008, by tsevis. It fits the expectations that people have of Obama's leadership role on issues such as energy and climate change.