Harnessing river flows through the use of water wheels dates back thousands of years and is considered by many to be the first application of renewable energy technology. Technological advances over the past decade have broadened the potential for application of the technology, and the sector is now on the cusp of a major revival. Hydrokinetic turbines capture energy in much … [Read more...] about Damless Hydropower: a renewable energy solution for Latin America?
Is Investment in Palm Oil Certification Worth It?
Palm oil has a terrible reputation. Especially among environmental and social advocates, palm oil is viewed as the crop responsible for a large-scale deforestation, particularly in Southeast Asia. Deforestation of carbon-rich forests leads to greenhouse gas emissions; between 2001 and 2010, palm oil-driven land-use change resulted in an average of 216-268 million tons of CO2 … [Read more...] about Is Investment in Palm Oil Certification Worth It?
Using corporate offsetting to finance climate change adaptation
The financing gap for climate adaptation is huge- it is estimated that developing countries need somewhere between US$70 to $100 billion per year through 2050 to meet current and future adaptation needs, and that’s on the low end! A more recent report from the United Nations Environment Programme – (UNEP) projects costs to be as high as US$250-500 billion per year until 2050. … [Read more...] about Using corporate offsetting to finance climate change adaptation
What do we mean by sustainable infrastructure?
Have you ever seen a building in your hometown that was never finished due to insufficient money? Have you suffered power outages due to hurricanes or flooding? Are there communities in your country fighting against infrastructure developments in their towns? These are only a few examples of the problems that can arise when infrastructure is built disregarding the risks … [Read more...] about What do we mean by sustainable infrastructure?
What is the Value of Nature?
An apple at a supermarket: $0.50. 1,000 gallons of tap water in New York City: $4.95. Annual value of pollination to agriculture: $200 billion. Cost savings from good land management in New York City’s watershed: $8 billion. Total value of benefits from nature: priceless? Robert Costanza, a leading environmental economist, just published the article: “Changes in the Global … [Read more...] about What is the Value of Nature?