Category: Good Fact

Renewable Energy Gaining Capital

The renewable energy sector is attracting a lot of investment recently, which is great to hear. This is good news because the forces of capitalism are working in favour of our environment. Here’s some great examples of all this renewed interest in renewable energy.

Great new technological development in solar power:

“CA-based Nanosolar had raised $100 million to finance a new solar-cell factory based on an inexpensive process, similar to that used to print newspapers, and that it will make enough cells to produce 430 megawatts of power annually, is just one sign that new types of solar power are emerging as a viable alternative energy source.”

Wind power is generating interest:

“The report says wind power is the world’s fastest-growing energy source with an average annual growth rate of 29 percent over the last ten years. In contrast, over the same time period, coal use has grown by 2.5 percent per year, nuclear power by 1.8 percent, natural gas by 2.5 percent, and oil by 1.7 percent. ”

There is more evidence that switching from non-renwable energy to renewable energy will help create jobs:

Tackling the green challenge can create Welsh jobs

2006 is looking to be a great year for improved energy technologies.

Building Green = $$$

A new study by the Real Property Association of Canada reveals that adding green features to a building equals better sale value!

“Rick Nevin and Gregory Watson found that people pay $10-$20 more for a home for every $1 reduction in annual fuel bills.

The Heschong Mahone Group found that ‘adding skylighting to the average non-skylit retail store would be likely to improve its performance by 40%’.

Pennsylvania Power and Light noted a conversion’s electricity savings amounted to a payback in 4.1 years with a 24% return on investment.However benefits from lower absenteeism and higher productivity meant a simple payback of just 69 days,a 540% return on investment…

Not only are green buildings good for the environment, provide healthier places to live and more productive places to work ,they can command higher rents and prices, attract tenants more quickly, reduce tenant turnover and cost less to operate and maintain.”

And in other building related green new, scientists have figured out how to use people power!

The World Dosen’t Like Torture

Today June 26 is the international day against torture! The United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the world says a clear NO to torture. On this special day, the struggle against torture is being celebrated by thousands of people worldwide, and the victims of this shameful practice are remembered.

It’s a great time to remember that we are the ones that need to speak out against torture. It’s also a good opportunity to tell people about the good organizations like the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture that aim to prevent torture and help those that have suffered through it.

From Me to We

Me to We is a great idea! It’s all about getting individual people to make large changes. Some of the people who have taken me to the we level seem kinda cheesy, but hey – at least they’re doing something. From the site:

“Me to We is a worldwide movement of people finding purpose through living with compassion, strengthening community and making a commitment to our shared humanity. “