Politics & economics – Feb 17

Syria switches to euro amid confrontation with US /
IEA calls for more investment in renewable energy /
U.S. concludes ‘Cyber Storm’ mock attacks /
A way to cut fuel consumption that everyone likes, except the politicians /
Ford Europe exec: climate change requires radical change of mindset

Solutions & sustainability – Feb 17

Kicking Our Fossil Fuel Addiction: one man’s efforts to live sustainably / Kinsale Action Plan – sending up shoots around the world… / Peak Oil Denial Comes in Many Forms… / Rain gardens ‘cut city pollution’ / Standby electronic chargers gobble power – some in industry seek to delay reform / Japanese Putting All Their Energy Into Saving Fuel

The silencing of science

Unfortunately for the authors of “Potential Environmental Impact of a Hydrogen Economy on the Stratosphere,” their research, while bold and innovative, didn’t exactly mesh with the hype about hydrogen. [The resulting government action] left some scientists feeling that they’d better stay away from “political” subjects if they want government grants.

Other energy – Feb 5

Nature: Reprocessing nuclear fuel – laying the idea to rest /
Nuclear costs underestimated and renewables overlooked /
Russia needs another 40 nuclear reactors /
Brazil fills up on ethanol, weans off energy imports /
Dept of Energy says biomass is feasible