Paris Restaurants Turn Food Scraps into Biogas

A group of Paris restaurants is turning food scraps into biogas and compost ahead of a new law that will force thousands of French food outlets to recycle their organic waste.

By Jeanne Goddard

14 February 31 Views

China's Emissions Fell for the First Time in a Decade, Clean Energy Up

China's emissions of carbon dioxide fell last year for the first time in 13 years - a drop of 2 percent during a year when their GDP was still growing by 7.4%. This decoupling of economic growth from emissions is significant and should buoy clean energy efforts around the world.

By Jeanne Goddard

13 March 45 Views

'Solar Suitcase' Saving Moms, Babies During Childbirth

In some African countries, a lack of reliable electricity is to blame for hundreds of deaths each year during childbirth. Dr. Laura Stachel witnessed this tragic truth during a trip to Nigeria five years ago and with the help of her husband, a solar energy educator, started delivering a solution: solar energy in a suitcase.

By Jeanne Goddard

02 March 40 Views

13-Year-old Recycles Cooking Grease into Heating Oil for Needy Families

After reading an article in the local newspaper, Cassandra Lin of Westerly, Rhode Island discovered that many residents could not afford to heat their homes. Inspired to do something, she formed a team of five seventh graders to recycle waste cooking oil and turn it into biofuel for distribution to needy families. Started in 2008, TGIF (Turn Grease Into Fuel) works with local biofuel companies to recycle the grease from residents and restaurants, and refine it into biodiesel. The award-winning project has been collecting more than 36,000 gallons of waste cooking oil a year, bringing an estimated value of $60,000 of alternative energy that keeps 92 needy families warm in the winter.

By Jeanne Goddard

15 July 28 Views

Congressman Touts Rhode Island's Switch to Hybrid Buses, Trollies

U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin is encouraging other agencies to follow the lead of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority that recently bought 53 hybrid buses and upgraded 10 trolleys to run on a hybrid system.

By Jeanne Goddard

05 May 35 Views

Seattle Bike-share Program Hits 4,000 Rides in First Week

In the first week of Seattle's bike-share program, the 500 green bikes were rented around 4,000 times with 1,450 cyclists signing up as member, according to Pronto Cycle Share's executive director.

By Jeanne Goddard

25 October 50 Views

Booming Wind and Solar Power Has Slashed Europe's CO2 Emissions

Increased Solar and wind energy use in Europe is causing greenhouse gas emissions to plummet by more than a billion tons of CO2 emissions per year.

By Jim Stout

15 August 40 Views

Tesla Unveils Insanely Efficient Battery That Can Power Your House

Electric car maker Tesla Motors has rolled out a new battery for homes and businesses that they say could end electric bills while creating a cleaner world.

By Jim Stout

01 May 54 Views

Poetry in Motion: Power Plant Will Use Ocean Tides to Power 155K Homes

A planned power plant in Wales may look like the Guggenheim Museum but its benefits will outweigh the beauty: it will use the ocean tides to power 155,000 homes.

By Jim Stout

14 October 53 Views

Europe's Largest Solar Station Powers Up — In Ukraine?

With solar panels spread over almost 400 acres (160 hectares), a solar power facility in Ukraine began producing power on Monday, aiming to power 20,000 houses with electricity.

By Jeanne Goddard

18 August 40 Views

A Green Leader, Philadelphia Captures Water Where it Falls

Every year storm-water run-off causes nearly 10 trillion gallons of polluted water to be dumped into America's rivers and oceans. As cities across the country struggle to comply with federal regulations surrounding pollution, Philadelphia is emerging as a model of innovation in water management by opting for cost effective natural solutions that save its two rivers from excessive run-off.

By Jeanne Goddard

11 June 37 Views

London Fashion Students Hail Green as the New Black

Could green be the new black? While stilettos are hitting the catwalks at Paris Fashion Week, students at London's Kingston University have taken up the challenge of trying to lower the industry's carbon footprint by using biodegradable materials to produce luxury clothes, shoes and accessories.

By Jeanne Goddard

04 March 37 Views

$800 Million Kansas Wind Farm Set for 2012

BP announced plans on Monday to build an $800 million wind farm in Kansas next year, providing a lift for the US wind power industry at a time when the expiration date looms for federal tax credits. The 419-megawatt wind farm will include 262 General Electric turbines placed 43 miles from Wichita.

By Jeanne Goddard

08 October 33 Views

Air Conditioners Not Needed in Helsinki With Huge New Underground Reservoir

Helsinki, Finland is pioneering a huge cooling system that will use cold water from its lakes instead of electricity-powered air conditioning.

By Jeanne Goddard

04 October 41 Views

Solar Kiosk Debuts in Ethiopia, Brings First Electricity to Remote Villages

A German company has installed its first clean energy kiosk in rural Ethiopia powered by rooftop solar panels. The self-contained SolarKiosk functions as a small-scale power company for surrounding villages that have no electricity. The large metal roadside booth, which can hold 6-8 people inside, is expected to provide enough power for villagers to charge their mobile phones and car batteries, run a computer, and power its own solar fridge, which might offer the only refrigeration for miles.

By Jeanne Goddard

05 September 54 Views