February 8, 2011

Americans need new incentives to save energy at home

February 8, 2011 No Comments

A national poll released today finds new incentives will be needed to persuade Americans to make energy-efficient improvements to their homes.
Beginning this year, tax incentives that once rewarded Americans for energy-efficient improvements have been slashed. For many Americans, the survey found, those incentives were a prime reason for making such improvements as replacing windows, adding insulation and buying energy-efficient appliances.
The survey found:
1. almost one quarter (23%) of Americans who made energy-efficient improvements said they’d received a rebate or financial incentive. Of those, most said they’d received either a utility rebate (41%) or a federal tax incentive (39%).
2. A full 25% of respondents said they wouldn’t have acted without the incentive, and
3. another 7% said the incentive encouraged them to pay slightly more for a higher-efficiency model.

Federal Court Hands Victory to Washington Consumers by Upholding State’s Building Energy Codes – NRDC Press Release

February 8, 2011 No Comments

Source: Natural Resources Defense Council
The U.S. federal district court in Washington this week upheld the State’s new energy efficiency building code for residential homes that will save customers millions of dollars in energy bills and prevent harmful air pollution, the Natural Resources Defense Council said.
NRDC and Earthjustice became parties to the case to defend the State of Washington’s strong efficiency code.
Following is a statement from Noah Long, attorney with the NRDC’s energy program:
“The court’s ruling is a tremendous win for Washington State homeowners. Building energy codes are a critical tool for states to lower energy consumption, reduce pollution, and enhance energy security. Washington’s nation-leading standards are already saving consumers $200 million dollars in energy bills annually.”

Community members planting trees and working in raised garden beds in a green space with solar-paneled homes and a city skyline in the background.

Climate Change Education: Why It Matters Now

February 8, 2011 No Comments

Social impact gaming indie developer Red Redemption is pleased to announce the global English language edition of their PC game called FATE OF THE WORLD.
In the USA, Fate of the World will make its first public presentation before a panel of distinguished national scientists and leading developers of serious games and gaming technologies titled “Gaming the Future”.
Dr. Otis Brown, Director of the Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites in Asheville, North Carolina, says: “The use of real data and models provides an excellent introduction to the complexities of balancing global energy needs with available resources.”
Fate of the World is a dramatic global strategy game covering the next two centuries, from 2020 to 2200, in which the player must find a way to protect Earth’s ever-depleting resources and climate whilst reconciling the needs of a growing world population who demand more food, power, and living space. Time is running out.
Having secured the very best in creative gaming talent with music from critically acclaimed composer Richard Jacques (Mass Effect, Alice in Wonderland and James Bond: Blood Stone) and writing by award-winning screen writer David Bishop (Doctor Who, 2000 AD and Judge Dredd Magazine), the game has already been highly praised. The game has four challenging missions with over 40 hours of compelling gameplay covering 12 regions and steeped in the latest climate science:

Alliance for New York State Parks Calls for “Pennies for Parks” Fee on Plastic Bags

February 8, 2011 No Comments

Source: The Alliance for New York State Parks
In response to the cuts of $17 miiion the New York State Parks department, the Alliance For New York State Parks called for the a “Pennies for Parks” program. This program is a one cent fee charged to consumers for disposable grocery store plastic bags.
A poll conducted in December, 2010 shows that 73 percent of New Yorkers support the penny surcharge if the generated funds were dedicated to keeping state parks open and well maintained.
“The crisis facing New York’s state parks goes far beyond this year’s budget proposal. From failing swimming pools and bathrooms and crumbling masonry to outdated water and electrical systems, our parks have been diminishing before our eyes over the past decades. And although parks may be open, there are pools and campsites not open to the public due to the continuing deterioration of the system,” said Kulleseid. “We must reverse this trend.”