http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/energy_issues/ Read about the latest scientific research on energy policy, energy issues and related topics. en-us Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:05:01 EST Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/energy_issues/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091125081622.htm Six new international studies show that cutting greenhouse gases, in particular ozone and black carbon, can quickly save millions of lives worldwide in addition to slowing climate change. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091125081622.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123083656.htm Seventy percent of U.K. households always separate their rubbish for recycling, but only 2 percent buy their energy on a green tariff, according to the early findings of a major new annual household survey. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123083656.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111114910.htm Fossil carbon dioxide emissions increased by 40 percent from 1990 to 2008, according to new findings. Coal has bypassed oil as the largest source of CO2 emissions. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111114910.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118160627.htm Engineering researchers have developed a unique and robust method to prevent cloning of passive radio frequency identification tags. The technology, based on one or more unique physical attributes of individual tags rather than information stored on them, will prevent the production of counterfeit tags and thus greatly enhance both security and privacy for government agencies, businesses and consumers. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118160627.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116103451.htm Researchers have launched a new community-based approach to electric vehicle design, conversion and operations. The new research project, ChargeCar, will explore how electric vehicles can be customized for an individual's commuting needs and how an electric vehicle's efficiency can be boosted and its battery life extended by using artificial intelligence to manage power. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116103451.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118143301.htm India may rank only a distant fourth in terms of carbon dioxide emissions, behind China, the United States and Russia, but its rapid economic growth rate coupled with aging and inefficient energy infrastructure suggest dire environmental consequences if "business as usual" continues. That's why experts have bee working to improve India's energy efficiency. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118143301.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113130008.htm With the countdown to the climate change summit in Copenhagen underway, a new article says that rich countries need to pay the full incremental cost of low carbon technology for developing countries to avoid dangerous climate change. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113130008.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104132821.htm Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Julio Friedmann, in collaboration with the Center for American Progress, the Asia Society Center and with partner Monitor Group, today released the report, "A Roadmap for US-China Collaboration on Carbon Capture and Sequestration." Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104132821.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029160119.htm Generating energy on a large scale by mixing salt and fresh water is both technically possible and practical. The worldwide potential for this clean form of energy – 'blue energy' – is enormous. However, several essential technological developments are needed and investments in large-scale trials, a Dutch researcher says. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029160119.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022141126.htm Scientists have identified an important but fixable error in legal accounting rules for bioenergy that could, if uncorrected, undermine efforts to reduce greenhouse gases by encouraging deforestation. They propose a fix that accounts for the direct and indirect land use impacts of biofuels. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022141126.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021100502.htm Britain's children and young people are potential agents of change for the development of more sustainable communities in the UK, according to new research. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021100502.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013105631.htm Could sustainable architecture address pollution, climate change and resource depletion by helping us build self-sufficient, off-grid, housing from "waste," including vehicle tires and metal drinks containers? That's the question researchers in Australia are trying to answer. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013105631.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006112846.htm "Blue haze," a common occurrence that appears over heavily forested areas around the world, is formed by natural emissions of chemicals, but human activities can worsen it to the point of affecting the world's weather and even cause potential climate problems, according to a new study. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006112846.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007223743.htm A new report argues that conventional oil production is likely to peak before 2030, with a significant risk of a peak before 2020. The report concludes that the UK Government is not alone in being unprepared for such an event -- despite oil supplying a third of the world's energy. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007223743.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921162236.htm It is often thought that firms will react by adopting a "wait and see" strategy in order to stave off spending any unnecessary capital on unstable or uncertain investments. New research shows that this is not necessarily the case, and firms do not always postpone such investments until the last possible moment. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921162236.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921091833.htm A new report by leading food and sustainability scientists calls for Europe to take a new approach on food security, prioritizing health and sustainability in research and using a holistic view when making policy. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921091833.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918100004.htm The largest US subsidies to fossil fuels are attributed to tax breaks that aid foreign oil production, according to new research. The study, which reviewed fossil fuel and energy subsidies for Fiscal Years 2002-2008, reveals that the lion's share of energy subsidies supported energy sources that emit high levels of greenhouse gases. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918100004.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915101353.htm In Sweden alone, 52 million tons of carbon dioxide is emitted every year. To mitigate the negative impacts of greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide sequestration has come to the fore as a hot new method. However, the process is hotly debated, and according to doctoral candidate Mårten Lind at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, it is of the utmost importance that energy companies not use the method as an excuse to delay conversion to more environmentally friendly energy forms. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915101353.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090907142347.htm Brewing engineers in Germany are investigating a new process combination that could enable beer makers to cut their energy consumption by as much as 20 percent. They propose a new production chain linking combined heat and power stations, which so far have proven unsuitable for breweries, with a thermo-chemical zeolite heat storage system. They further plan to model the energy balance of an entire brewery to realize savings from the cleaning system through the bottling plant. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090907142347.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901104854.htm Increasing population and employment density in metropolitan areas could reduce vehicle travel, energy use, and carbon dioxide emissions from less than 1 percent up to 11 percent by 2050. Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901104854.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827101221.htm A new policy paper shows a clear increase in the size and influence of noncommercial traders, or "speculators," in the oil futures market since regulations were eased by the Commodities Futures Modernization Act of 2000. Speculators now constitute about 50 percent of those holding outstanding positions in the US oil futures market. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827101221.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090814100109.htm New estimates say the federal government's "Cash for Clunkers" program is paying at least 10 times the "sticker price" to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090814100109.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810024823.htm A newly completed study of public reaction to the Sept. 11 attacks concludes that people in positions of power, from government officials to managers working on Wall Street to military personnel, tended to interpret the events in more abstract terms and with more certainty and positivity than ordinary individuals. Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810024823.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806191934.htm Levels of debt have been associated with an increased risk of being fat. Researchers blame the trend on the high price of healthy food, and a tendency for people worried by debt to comfort eat. Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806191934.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090807091208.htm Fish-processing industry could save energy worth tens of millions of kroner a year by adopting the results of recent research. Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090807091208.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716104659.htm Seasonal storage of floodwaters from three unexploited rivers that flow into James Bay and the channeling of this water to the Ottawa River would provide for the generation of 14 terawatt-hours of hydroelectric energy per year, producing annual revenues of nearly $2 billion, according to a new report. Mon, 20 Jul 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716104659.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716113252.htm A group of 34 US Nobel Laureates is calling on President Obama to urge Congress to include the president's proposed $150 billion Clean Energy Technology Fund in the climate legislation it is considering. The climate bill approved by the House in June falls far short of this goal, they told the president in a letter sent to the White House July 16. Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716113252.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706171505.htm Just months before world leaders are scheduled to meet to devise a new international treaty on climate change, scientists have developed a new way of dividing responsibility for carbon emissions among countries. The approach is so fair, according to its creators, that they are hoping it will win the support of both developed and developing nations, whose leaders have been at odds for years over perceived inequalities in previous proposals. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706171505.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090715131600.htm Forty years ago, on July 20, 1969, the United States achieved an historic first when Apollo 11 Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to land on the moon. Armstrong's now famous words, "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," fulfilled the challenge set out nearly a decade earlier by President John F. Kennedy to land a man on the moon. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090715131600.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629081849.htm The city of the future is currently being constructed on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. Masdar City shall be supplied exclusively with renewable energy and produce neither carbon dioxide nor waste. An underground transportation system, will leave its streets car-free. Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629081849.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630163631.htm Individuals prefer to be involved in a collective contribution to green electricity that involve everyone paying more, rather than having individual higher bills. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630163631.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617201800.htm Living in an area with more fast food outlets and convenience stores than supermarkets and grocers has been associated with obesity in a Canadian study. Researchers have shown that your local food environment can affect your weight. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617201800.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618084302.htm The British Climate Act is flawed and comprised of unrealistic and unobtainable targets, according to one expert. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618084302.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090603101400.htm Some $155 billion was invested in 2008 in clean energy companies and projects worldwide, not including large hydro, a new report says. Of this $13.5 billion of new private investment went into companies developing and scaling-up new technologies alongside $117 billion of investment in renewable energy projects from geothermal and wind to solar and biofuels. Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090603101400.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528142817.htm Cutting down forests for agriculture vents carbon dioxide into the air just as industries and fossil fuel burning does. But policymakers debate whether to include terrestrial carbon in plans to stabilize atmospheric greenhouse gases. A new study suggests that failing to include land use changes could lead to massive deforestation and higher costs for limiting carbon emissions. Also, improvements to agricultural technology could be as important as for energy in a carbon-limited future. Thu, 04 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528142817.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528135250.htm A "Life Cycle Impact Assessment" has shown that a biofuel eliminating even 10-percent of current gasoline pollutant emissions would have a substantial impact on human health in this country, especially in urban areas. Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528135250.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528135408.htm People like to believe their actions are driven by their own free will and are not unduly affected by other people. Research, though, shows the way we act is often subconsciously influenced by what we believe to be ‘normal’ behavior. A new research project is about to take this finding to the next level by investigating whether it is possible to nudge individual behavior in a socially-desirable direction, simply by telling people what others are doing. Sun, 31 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528135408.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090521144206.htm 123 million tons of carbon credits valued at US$705 million were transacted in the voluntary carbon markets in 2008. The average price for voluntary offset credits increased 20% to $7.34/tCO2e. Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090521144206.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519075847.htm Environmental organizations have succeeded in influencing the EU to set long term climate goals. However, in practical politics, the industry is the winner of the climate battle so far, according to new research. Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519075847.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090507145745.htm Rising shale gas production in the United States and Canada as well as potential natural gas supplies from Iraq could be pivotal in curbing Russia's ability to organize an "energy weapon" against European consumers, according to a new study. Mon, 11 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090507145745.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090427102235.htm Solar energy has the potential to improve the living conditions of poor rural households in India as well as contribute to the country's future energy security, according to an expert. A new study, looking at the benefits of solar lanterns on livelihoods of village communities, as well as sustainable use of the environment, has just been published. Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090427102235.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090424195920.htm Two of the most important climate change gases increased last year, according to a preliminary analysis for NOAA's annual greenhouse gas index, which tracks data from 60 sites around the world. Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090424195920.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090424073907.htm The EU promotes the production of biofuels and has set a target of 5.75% share of biofuels in the transport section for all EU Member States by 2010, and a target of 10% to be reached by 2020. Researchers have developed a new method of assessing biodiversity impacts resulting from changing land use due to the production of biofuel crops in Europe, distinguishing between arable (first generation) and woody (second-generation) crop types. The results indicate that more species might suffer from habitat losses rather than benefit from a doubled biofuel target, while abolishing the biofuel target would mainly have positive effects. Sat, 25 Apr 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090424073907.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090418075752.htm Overpopulation is the world's top environmental issue, followed closely by climate change and the need to develop renewable energy resources to replace fossil fuels, according to a survey of the faculty at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090418075752.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090409142252.htm Since Congress lifted a moratorium on offshore drilling last year, federal lawmakers have grappled with the issue of how best to regulate US ocean waters to allow oil, wave and wind energy development, while sustainably managing critical fisheries and marine animal habitats. Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090409142252.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090408140248.htm The prairies offer opportunities for capitalizing on environmentally friendly farming practices and potentially useful agricultural waste to produce jobs, economic growth, commercial opportunities, and renewable energy sources, according to a law expert. Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090408140248.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090407105557.htm Will global warming be slowed by the introduction of a tax on carbon dioxide by Sweden and other western countries? Not if the oil-exporting countries simultaneously lower the price of oil on their domestic markets, increase their own oil consumption, and attract new, energy-intensive businesses. Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090407105557.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326100716.htm Specific measures to tackle climate change, such as emissions trading, will only be successful if they are coherently supported by other government policies addressing economic and social issues, says a new report. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326100716.htm