Articles
Energy Independence and Other Myths: A Q&A with Michael Levi, Author of The Power Surge
An energy revolution is changing America—for good and for ill. Michael Levi, author of the new book "Power Surge," talks about the economic and environmental...
If Carbon Markets Can’t Work in Europe, Can They Work Anywhere?
Europe has always been at the forefront of global climate policy. But its landmark carbon market is on the brink of failure.
2013: A Cloudy Forecast for Renewable Energy, With a Silver Lining
Wind and solar power had a great 2012, but they face major challenges in the new year.
Free Fuel! Ultra-Cheap Leases! Automakers Sweeten Deals on Alternative-Energy Cars
What with gasoline prices rising unexpectedly lately, drivers are more likely than usual to consider a vehicle powered by cheaper energy sources. Sensing an...
Bright Times: Ranking the G20 Nations By Renewable Energy
In the midst of the G-20 Summit closes in Mexico and the most likely futile Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, we can stop and consider how inadequately either of...
Over a Barrel
The 2012 election was supposed to be decided by sky-high gas prices. A gallon of regular gas cost more on average during 2011 than it ever had before, and in the...
“Dallas” Drama Goes Green
In case you thought that the battle between big oil and alternative fuel had cooled down, Hollywood has proven that the debate is hot enough to inspire soap...
Cutting Carbon Means More than Fancy Bookkeeping
You don't get much greener than Oregon. The Pacific Northwestern state is home to Portland -- the capital of American progressivism -- and is a leading...
Clean Tech Support Is About to Fall Off a Cliff. Here’s One Way to Save It
Debt-ridden and sclerotic Japan hasn’t been the go-to example of smart foreign governments since about 1991—that slot is now occupied by China—but there’s one...
5 Mainstream, Cost-Effective Alternatives to Alternative-Energy Cars
Soaring gas prices should be equating to free marketing for energy-efficient plug-in vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt. The higher prices are at...
Can Photo Ops Lower Gas Prices? Stay Tuned.
“No matter what happens to America,” the satirical pundit Stephen Colbert once observed, “She will always rebound with the most powerfully staged photo-ops in...
Will Austerity Derail Europe's Clean-Energy Movement?
On Jan. 30, a letter arrived at 10 Downing Street from 101 Members of Parliament, addressed to Prime Minister David Cameron. It's message: stop taxpayer...
Could the Wind Turbines of Chile Harm Blue Whales?
From a hill overlooking lush pastures on Chiloé Island in Chile, Gicella Saldivia and her family manage a small organic farm and restaurant. Bird-watchers arrive...
Why 2012 Will Be a Bad Year for Renewable Energy
The eyes of the environmental community were on the South African city of Durban over the past two weeks, as diplomats from more than 190 countries met for the...
Facebook, Greenpeace in Truce over Data Centers
Facebook and Greenpeace have called a truce over a clean energy feud that had the environmental group using the social network's own platform to campaign against...
President Obama—With Help from Bill Clinton—Pushes Energy Efficiency
It’s been tough going in the renewable energy business lately. Prices for solar panels have fallen drastically, which is good news for consumers, but not so good...
The China-U.S. Solar War Heats Up
You might remember that a few weeks ago the U.S. Commerce Department opened up an investigation into alleged unfair trade practices by Chinese solar...
How an Artificial Leaf Could Boost Solar Power
Nature is amazing. Take the humble leaf—it's capable of absorbing the sunlight and converting it into the chemical energy that fuels the growth of plants...
