In my continuing effort to launch the CleanTechies community to the forefront of the clean energy debate – and perhaps, in some small part, because I am an insatiable gadfly – I dashed off the following letter to the New York Times yesterday.

It is tough to give much nuance to the argument in less than 200 words, but to me, there are clear connections and contradictions between the the two energy/environment Op-Eds they ran yesterday, one by Gregg Easterbrook, the other by Paul Krugman. The letter follows: (more…)

In a sign of the growing importance of renewable sources of energy, global investment in wind power, solar power, and other alternative forms of energy last year exceeded investments in coal, oil, and carbon-based energy for the first time.

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There’s a kernel of good to this story, if you care about climate change and high food prices.

Sure, ethanol has been a great example of how America can begin to overcome its dependency on foreign fossil fuels. But using a staple like corn to make the biofuel has driven up food prices and displaced other food crops.

Now comes the Obama administration, which has proposed new rules for renewable fuels, aimed at cutting carbon dioxide emissions. At the same time, he’s vowed to help prop up the corn ethanol industry with stimulus dollars, and commit stimulus funds to biofuel research.

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Don’t be insulted. Relax.

World Wildlife Fund has released two studies on lowering your carbon footprint. It turns out that it’s good for the environment, and your quality of life.

There’s nothing wrong with wearing a tie, or spending time in an office. Professionalism is important. But you don’t need to drive or fly (all the time) to be a professional. With the advent of the Internet (years ago), virtual conferencing can often take the place of in-person meetings. And who’s to say you aren’t wearing a pair of pajama bottoms below your shirt and tie. Who’s to know?

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