Causes of Global Warming

Greenhouse Gases

Energy Timeline

Green Energy Politics (U.S.)

Keys to Climate Change Policy

Current U.S. Policy

Global Green Politics

Kyoto Protocol

Renewable Resources

Green Energy News and Blogs

Green Products

SquidooCool Blog

Understanding the cause and effect of global warming is essential to placing achievable and sustainable solutions in motion right now. Evidence is mounting that the next decade will be crucial in making changes in order to reduce human footprint on global climate, and to ensure that the footprint doesn't evolve into a stampede of environmental issues.

Why should I care? Though it is a valid question considering the scientific evidence for global warming seems almost too far-fetched at times to consider, there are very real dangers that are a direct result of practices that we as humans instill in our lives on a daily basis. It can be as simple as changing a few light bulbs to conserve energy, or understanding how recycling or using organic or recyclable materials can push our planet back into the safe climate zone.

The days of counting on politics or non-profits to punch our meal tickets to environmental change are firmly in the past. It's up to you and I to understand and implement these changes.

Greenhouse gases—the earth's natural heating blanket—serves as insulation to keep the planet's surface warm enough to remain habitable. Otherwise, Earth would be a giant ice block. Ozone, carbon dioxide, water vapor and other major greenhouse gases provide an essential insulation for radiation absorption from the sun's rays, but the increase of emissions from humans is causing a greenhouse gas overload.

The Earth's atmosphere remains in a delicate balance. Our ecosystem functioned with strained purpose prior to the Industrial Revolution, but now the ever increasing greenhouse gas emissions from human sources has nearly doubled the introduction of gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

25 percent of radiation from the sun is absorbed by the planet, with the rest being reflected back into outer space. The problem is that with increased greenhouse gases, the amount of radiation that is bounced back to the earth's surface in the form of heat also increases, as the infrared radiation is trapped in the growing blanket surrounding our planet.

There is scientific evidence that other factors such as volcanic eruption, solar activity and supposed changes in the earth's orbit around the sun—though the percentage is very low compared to greenhouse gas concentration.

Understanding both the natural existence and human production of greenhouse gases is essential to limiting their footprint.

Fossil Fuels
Much of the earth's carbon dioxide comes from natural processes such as photosynthesis, but the burning of fossil fuels has led to nearly 3.2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere yearly. Combustion of fossil fuels (burning at extremely high temperatures) for power generation contributes more than three-quarters of
carbon dioxide emissions, with the U.S. contributing more than 25 percent annually from energy production.

Coal is the worst culprit emitting nearly twice as much carbon dioxide as oil and natural gas, though natural gas in itself is not necessarily the sole cause, as it creates about half the carbon emissions of coal, and a quarter of oil. Improper burning of natural gas to generate is not only wasteful, but also emits more methane and carbon dioxide than natural gas used in vehicles and appliances.

Vehicle Emissions
Vehicle Emissions rack up a whopping 20 percent of our carbon footprint, and the lower the fuel economy, the higher the carbon dioxide that is pumped into the atmosphere.

Airplanes
Sure it was neat when we were five to stare up at a passing airliner or military jet and wonder at the stream of white, fluffy clouds tailing close behind.
Of course, the white, fluffy clouds are really contrails of exhaust that are estimated to cause between 2 and 3 percent of a carbon emissions.

Landfills
The release of methane—which traps twenty times more radiation than carbon dioxide—happens when landfills gradually decompose. Decomposition in landfills produces almost 35 percent methane mixed in with carbon and other gases.

Deforestation
Anyone watched "Fern Gully" recently? Chop-happy humans are responsible for 25 percent of all carbon emissions, burning more than 34 million acres of forest each year. Losing tropical forests is causing a severe imbalance in photosynthesis, emitting millions of tons of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere.

Permafrost
Vast areas of soil frozen below nearly 85 percent of Alaska and a good chunk of Canada as well, is slowly but surely starting to thaw, causing much of the trapped greenhouse gases underground to be released. Though the process is slow, permafrost's gradually softening will eventually release larger amounts of carbon and other gases into the atmosphere.

Records of humans using petroleum can be traced back as far as 3000 B.C. with the Mesopotamians—residing in modern day Iraq—using petroleum for ship caulking and building roads. Varied records of coal being used during the Bronze Age, as well as during Roman occupation also exist.

Understanding the long history of fossil fuel gives us a point of reference to discuss the emergence of green energy as well. What many people do not know is that renewable energy has a deep-rooted global history.

Below is a time line of various significant events in energy history, with renewable energy highlighted in green to show it's gradual climb to the forefront of global conscience. A big shout and thanks must go the Energy Information Administration (EIA) for providing a great source of historical information.

2000 B.C.
Chinese refined petroleum for lamps and heating homes.

200 B.C.
Chinese used natural gas to produce salt from brine, which is basically salt water.

Approx. 600 B.C.
Thales, a greek philosopher and widely considered the "father of science," discovered static electricity.

250 - 400 A.D.
Romans built a water-powered mill in France.

600 A.D.
Arab and Persian chemists use petroleum to make "Greek fire," a burning liquid later utilized to a great degree by the Byzantine Empire.

800-1500 A.D.
Viking ships, lots of wind energy and battle axes... Enough said.

Between 500 and 900 AD
The Persians built windmills for pumping water and grinding mill.

Late 1500s
The United States becomes firmly entrenched in importing coal, consuming nearly 108,000 tons until the 1800's.

1700s
Ben Franklin fortunately decided to fly a kite during a storm, leading to important insights into the nature of electricity. Well, he didn't just decide to fly a kite during a storm, but it was still a guy with a kite standing out in the middle of lightning and rain.

1800-1826
First electric utility in the U.S.

Mid-1800s to around 1950
Wood is a primary resource for fuel, though it's use for functions outside of heating decreased in the 20th century with the shift to coal.

1870-1880
First combustion engine is created using gas and alcohol. Thomas Edison's Pearl Street Station opened shortly thereafter, the first U.S. power plant to produce electricity.

1888
First wind turbine is used to generate electricity in Cleveland, Ohio.

Early 1900s
The Italians began using geothermal energy to produce electricity commercially.

1938
German scientists discovered nuclear fission.

1940-1950
The Atomic Energy Act, the adoption of electricity ( 0.6 percent) and natural gas (25 percent) as main energy sources in businesses and homes, and the first electricity produced from nuclear power are just some the of the events scattered across this decade.

1950s
First silicon solar cell for solar photovoltaic energy is invented.

1960s
National Environmental Policy Act and Clean Air Act are the initial push in policy to recognize the importance of understanding natural resources and the ecosystem. The Clean Air Act was very significant in the U.S. government devoting close attention to the effects of air pollution.

1970s
Department of Energy (DOE) is formed and the Natural Gas Policy Act decreased price control at the wellhead (move to deregulation). In 1972, the Clean Water Act established standards for controlling waste discharge from power plants.

In 1974, The National Renewable Energy Laboratory began researching and supporting the development of renewable energy.

1980s
First wind farm built in the U.S., with more than 2,200 megawatts of wind energy eventually produced in California, which was nearly half of global production at the time.

1990s
Over 50 percent of U.S. homes were heated with natural gas. A whopping 99 percent of all homes also had color televisions.

The Green Millennium?
A recent Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) has 24 states adopting policies to increase the production of renewable energy. The two largest wind farms in the world reside in Texas, both combining to produce nearly 1,240 megawatts of wind power, enough to power thousands of homes.

Obviously the energy time line is missing significant events that I just don't have enough space to mention. The real purpose behind this section was to outline the fact that renewable energy may be a relatively new concept to the energy consumer, but in reality has existed in varied use for thousands of years.

This section will feature information on global warming and green energy legislation, political projects, environmental news and
several other bits of information on the politics of green energy.

I have decided to separate domestic and international green energy politics since there is just too much information to lump into a single category. I will research and add content and links as green energy continues to surge through global politics.

This section will feature information on global warming and green energy legislation, political projects, environmental news and several other bits of information on the politics of green energy.

*Let me conclude this by saying I am not promoting any political messaging, propaganda, partisanship or any information that could be viewed as a political ploy.

This part of my green energy lens will feature news, research and links into the growing green conscience in Washington. The United States is unique in that we produce and consume more energy than other nation on the planet. A recent landslide of scientific evidence and a growing mass of information on the Internet, many on Capitol Hill are pushing for increased adoption of green energy legislation.

The 1973 oil crisis changed the landscape of conversation regarding fossil fuel in the United States, as the Department of Energy was created to plan and implement strategies for conserving energy resources.

The immediate need for energy independence was at the forefront of U.S. policy, as the newly formed Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)began rationing supplies and harshly controlling price structures, nearly crippling the U.S. oil industry.

The introduction of the National Energy Act in 1978 was a significant step to adopting research and development of renewable energy, and the push for finding additional oil supply to lessen the dependence on foreign resources.

Here are some daunting numbers representing U.S. fossil fuel consumption:

• As of 2006 the U.S. was consuming 20.8 million barrels of oil per day, as well as producing close to six million per day.


• With only 22 billion barrels in reserve, the U.S. consumes 7.6 billion per year.


• Coal production and consumption doubled from 1950 to 2006. Compare 1950 to 2006 in which only 19 percent of coal consumption was used to generate electricity. In 2006 the numbers reached 90 percent


• As of 2004, 20 percent of the nation's electricity was produced from nuclear power.

The innovative thinkers at Environmental Defense have a ton of great information on green energy and global warming policy, which believe it or not, can be very difficult information to find that isn't locked into a government PDF filled with political jargon and legislative mumbo jumbo. I also included some of my observations under each of the keys to global warming policy.

So without further adieu:

Four Keys to Global Warming Policy

1. A real limit on global warming pollution
It's not easy to convince politicians that climate science is accurate. It's even more difficult to push legislation forcing a cap and trade legislation. (I will explain a bit more about cap and trade, carbon offsets and renewable energy credits later)

2. An inclusive trading system
The big boys help out the little boys. Basically, all areas of the economic umbrella (all economic sectors) contribute to cutting emissions. What makes this solution economically viable is larger companies to sell carbon offsets and reductions to smaller companies that cannot as easily afford to purchase renewable energy. It's a group effort.

3. A standard for biofuels
Environmental Defense isn't pulling any punches, and industries other than agriculture have to step up the research and development of biofuel technology.

4. Winners chosen by the market
Let the innovative companies that fuel the economy develop a unified front against global warming. The technology is there, but the desire to work together is being trampled by competition.

The push for energy reform occurred shortly after the Nation Energy Act in 1978, and a growing green conscience in subsequent decades has exploded as we climb toward 2008.

Close to 98 percent of energy produced in the U.S. comes from fossil fuel resources, with a minute two percent devoted to renewable or green energy.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the federal government has established a three-tier approach to widespread global climate policy:

• Slow the growth of emissions


• Strengthen science, technology and institutions


• Enhance international cooperation

Key Elements

• Reduce Emissions Intensity
  Dating back to February 2002, the U.S. government expressed an explicit plan to reduce the greenhouse gas production in our economy by 18 percent, all over the period of a decade. The laundry list includes technology improvement, energy efficiency and a switch to cleaner fuel.



• Gas Reduction Initiatives
  The EPA has worked diligently to set various intititaives with large coprorations, consumers and industrial working hand-in-hand to reduce emissions. Energy Star® was introduced in 1992 as a labeling system to promote energy efficient products, with a partnership offered to thousands of businesses. The program has saved nearly $10 billion annually. Other partnerships with the EPA and companies encourage individual development of goals for greenhouse gas reduction.



• Climate Change Technology Program (CCTP)
  The CCTP is a conglomerate of agencies aiming to develop key technology that can provide reliable, clean and consistent energy resources. See their Strategic Plan for more information on the application of these technologies.



• Climate Change Science Program (CCSP)
  The CCSP is one of the largest multi-agency efforts in the U.S., focusing on the science of climate change and it's impact on the environment.



• International Cooperation
  The U.S. is working diligently to establish extensive partnerships with the global community working to combat climate change. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)is one example of important relationships that are researching the science and technology that can reduce human impact on the environment.

Here is a list of a few of the current policies in Congress

America's Climate Security Act of 2007
A new legislation calling for mandatory caps on carbon emissions, with an estimated 19 percent reduction in levels compared to those in 2005, all by the year 2020. By 2050, the bill estimates that a cut in emissions from mandatory caps could reach 63 percent below 2005 levels. Companies can purchase agricultural offsets (maximum of 15 percent) as farmers and agricultural businesses can assist in lowering emissions through several practices. Both this bill and a similar predecessor would establish a Climate Change Credit Corporation to help reduce costs associated with adopting carbon caps.

Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act
Debuting in January, this act focuses on electricity generation and vehicle fuel emissions. New emission standards for vehicle fuel and renewable requirements would land circa 2016, with the hopes of reducing greenhouse gas 15 percent by 2020. Also includes new renewable energy portfolio and energy efficiency standards beginning in 2008, and electric generation standards specifically for utilities set to begin in 2016.

I will add links to this section as I come across more information regarding green policy and the different means by which we can be important cogs in the process of change.

Green Power Policies
Research your particular state's policies and contact State legislature for additional information. It's better to know whether your state is behind the eight ball, or is at the forefront of green policy changes.

Green-e Certification
Great resource of information regarding renewable energy certificates. Business can become green companies and carry the Green-e logo by purchasing or selling renewable energy.

Send an E-mail to Congress
Environmental Defense comes through again with a petition form urging Congress to adopt significant changes in climate policy.

Fifteen members from a panel formed in 1997 by Nobel Physics laureate Steven Chu of the U.S. (the national science academies of the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Brazil, China and India) recently published a global warming report that outlines some very disturbing statistics. Other reports from the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration and additional information from participating bodies within the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have shown some of the following evidence:

• Up to 30 percent of the Earth's species could face complete extinction due to global temperature rising 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit above the average between 1980 and 1990.


• Oil consumption could see a 40 percent increase by 2030, with a nearly 50 percent increase in carbon emissions over levels measured in 2004.


• 10 billion tons of carbon emitted in 2006: 35 percent higher than in 1990.

This section of the green energy lens will focus on the climate change debate within the international community, including key studies from leading scientists and news regarding hot topics such as the Kyoto Protocol.

A meeting of the United Nations in Kyoto, Japan led to the introduction of a treaty aiming to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. Official ratification of the treaty means that participating countries pledge to adopt climate change policy, including carbon emission reduction, as well as reduction of five other primary gases, and the introduction of emissions trading that provides economic incentives for emission reduction and caps.

Here is a brief background on the Kyoto principles:

• Annex 1: Developed countries who have accepted the challenge of reducing emissions and are required to submit an annual report of emission statistics.


• Non-Annex 1: Developing countries: No definitive greenhouse gas reduction requirements, though these countries can participate in the Clean Development Mechanism, a program that allows Annex 1 countries to promote and invest in emission-reduction projects in developing countries, as opposed to the more expensive route of adopting emission reduction standards and caps in their own country.


• 2008-2012: Reduction in participating countries five percent below 1990 emission levels, which is a collective average, though some countries have varying standards for reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are more ambitious than the five percent mark.


• Annex 1 countries can also purchase greenhouse reductions from other economies, an additional means to meet Kyoto standards called flexible mechanisms, which the Clean Development Mechanism falls under as well.

The main reason that the mechanisms are in place lies in the expensive and restrictive nature of adopting reduction policies, especially for developed countries that already have implemented greenhouse gas and pollution policies. The Kyoto Treaty also provides opportunity to purchase carbon credits, which is also an effective manner for developing economies to put their collective economies in the hat so to speak.

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is governed by the CDM Executive Board (CDM EB), which undertakes the difficult task of ensuring main criteria are met in all CDM projects:

• Developing countries must sustain projects after initial investment and funding is provided by an industrialized country


• Annex 1 countries undergo a significant approval process, which includes establishing an estimation of future emissions that would occur without adoption of the project.


• It is essential that standards are in place to avoid freeloaders, what the treaty describes as projects that would have already established themselves without being provided credits by the CDM.

Current CDM projects are estimated by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to have reduced carbon emissions by 171 million tons annually. According to UNFCCC reports, 828 projects are registered by the CDM Executive Board, with more than 2,600 in the queue.

How about grabbing a chunk of the climate change debate and tossing it out the window? Wouldn't you rather own a piece of the foreseeable future, and do your part to offset the impact of emissions? Enter RECs, the close brethren to the cap and trade system, but aims to give the consumer the ability to directly offset emissions, and purchase credits created by generating electricity with renewable resources.

It's quite simple:

1. A green or renewable energy provider is credited by the state for every 1,000 kWh of renewable electricity it produces.

2. The REC is the bundled environmental benefits that are separated from the actual commodity (electricity) and is given an identification number so it can be tracked.

3. The renewable energy is pumped into the grid and the REC is sent out into the world to be sold on the market.

4. The residential consumer or business can purchase RECs to offset emissions and claim carbon neutrality.

The main difference between the cap and trade system initiated in the Kyoto Protocol and the newer REC program, is a carbon emissions trading program encourages reductions and carbon projects by providing economic incentives for entities that adopt emission reductions. An REC represents the environmental benefits of a particular chunk of renewable energy, specifically the benefits we all experience when traditional fossil fuels are not used to generate power.

Though going green is hogging the spotlight as we speak, many of us don't know a whole lot about renewable energy sources, and how the various processes work to generate clean and environmentally friendly power.

I will split each form of alternative or green energy into sections so that each is given equal TLC.

The Energy Information Administration estimates that Hydropower attributed 73 percent of all renewable energy in 2005, which is approximately 7 percent of the total energy portfolio in the U.S.

How It Works
Hydropower is essentially the power of moving water, and is generated using the mechanical energy of flowing water, much like traditional electricity generation uses mechanical energy produced by steam.

Types of Hydropower Production

• A run-of-the-river system utilizes the natural flow of a river from a high point by forcing it through a pipe called a penstock, which then forces the fast-flowing water against turbine that spins a generator and generates electricity


• A storage system uses a reservoir of water created by a dam to generate hydroelectricity, such as the famous Hoover Dam, and still uses penstocks to force the pressure of the water against a turbine.


• Watermills were used as far back as the Roman Empire, possibly even 4th century BC in India, as a means to move and power machinery.


• Tidal energy is harnessed in estuaries and bays also using turbines, but depends on the widely spaced tidal schedule, making it difficult to produce a consistent power source.


• Wave power is undergoing heavy research in Europe and Australia as scientists search for a means by which to use air-powered generators to harness wave energy, though the technology is slow coming, and as of 2007, wave power facilities have not been established outside of small-scale research.

The Persian first utilized windmills to pump water and grind grain, just as the Vikings used the power of wind to sail great distances across the world's oceans. It was the late 1800's when windmills, and eventually the first wind turbine used for electricity generation, would begin popping up all over the U.S.

How It Works
Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy (motion) of wind into mechanical energy that is then captured and harnessed for residential and commercial use. The resulting energy is fed through a generator, converted into electrical energy, and then fed through lines to a substation before being distributed.

Did You Know

• Charles F. Brush built the first windmill to generate electricity in Cleveland, Ohio, circa 1888. General Electric eventually acquired his company.


• More than 2,200 megawatts of wind power capacity was established in California in 1990. At the time, California's wind energy production was more than half of the world's total production.


• The world's two largest wind farms now reside in Texas, both combining for nearly 1,240 megawatts (MW) of wind power.


• The U.S. has almost 14,000 MW of installed wind power capacity, with Germany topping the world's production at more than 21,000 MW.

Though the most commonly known form of renewable energy, solar power is far more intricate than many people realize. It's potential is remarkable, and the constant technological advances in solar fuel cells and larger scale research projects may see an eventual push for global adoption of solar technology for heating and powering our lives.

How it Works
Solar power is converted from the sun's radiation in two ways:

• Photovoltaic cells (solar cells) absorb solar radiation from the sun. The process is fairly scientific, so in the best layman's terms I can muster, it involves the buildup of photons within the solar cell, with electrons eventually separating from the solar materials atoms, and moving to the frown end of the cell. The resulting imbalance creates a negative and positive charge similar to the ends of battery. This is the very basic function of solar power, but as the purpose for generating solar power grows in scale, so does the complication and process of generating solar power.


• Solar-thermal technologies involve using large reflective devices (panels, windows, etc.) to heat water and create steam for turning a generator and creating power.

Did You Know

• Charles Fritts invented the first solar cell in 1884.


• Photovoltaic technology in the U.S. first appeared in the 50s with the silicon cell from Bell Labs.


• The Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) formed in 1977, later becoming the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), providing ongoing solar research and development


• In 2002, the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, California opened the fourth largest solar power system, capable of lowering the facility's traditional electricity use by nearly 30 percent.


• The U.S. Department of Energy predicts that eventually the Southwestern U.S. will be capable of producing enough solar power for the entire country. The DOE believes that a 10X15 mile desert area could provide close to 20,000 megawatts of power.

The geothermal process is yet to be perfected for wide-scale power generation, providing less than 1 percent of the world's energy.

How it Works

• Rising magma near the surface, turning to lava, and heating rock and water nearby to create either hot water or steam.


• Once the steam reaches the surface, it's harnessed and used to turn a steam turbine.

Did You Know?

• A geothermal plant rests on it's fuel source, therefore is able to run 24 hours per day.


• First commercial geothermal facility was built in Italy in 1904.

Perhaps the most varied form of renewable energy, Biomass fuels are produced from all manner of materials, everything from cow manure to landfill waste. Biomass are dead or living biological materials that can be used for fuel production, and can be as simple as burning wood for heat.

How it Works

• Biomass power plants use large-scale boilers to heat biomass fuel to create steam, which then turns a turbine to generate steam.


• Burning biomass releases the chemical energy in the material as heat

Did You Know?

• Recent biomass fuel projects include converting the methane in cow manure to dry natural gas.


• Corn and sugar cane can be fermented to produce ethanol as an alternative fuel for transportation, as well as using vegetable oils and left-over animal fats to produce biodiesel.

I'll be adding various articles and blurbs of current events affecting the global climate debate.

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