Sundance Channel

Africa’s farm land: a new source of exploitation

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:30:51 +0000

Quick: think of something that Africa has in abundance. Given the tenor of most of the news we get from the continent, answers like poverty, disease, and social unrest may pop into your head. All of those answers are correct, unfortunately, but governments around the world, as well as investors, are seeing something else: land, particularly farmland. With aquifers falling beyond their refresh rates and soil fertility eaten up by erosion, over-farming, and/or deforestation, many governments are looking for new places to grow food. And Africa, as it has for centuries, is looking ripe for exploitation. According to the World Bank, "approximately 56 million hectares of arable land has been purchased or leased worldwide, 70% of which took place in Africa...

Green tech finds (9/30/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:15:19 +0000

Solar ivy, French hybrids, and green cheese... your weekly green tech finds.

Are smart grids smart for cities?: Stephen Hammer at Harvard Business Review wonders if smart grid technology is the most efficient way to make our cities more sustainable.
New portal features green tech ready for funding: Looking for a green technology investment opportunity? The US Department of Energy's new Technology Commercialization Portal features over 200 marketing summaries of technologies ready for investment or licensing. (via Environmental Leader)

Investors Representing $13 Trillion Call for Climate Action Now

Sundance Channel — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:00:10 +0000

The world's largest investors today issued a statement calling on the United States and other governments to "act now to catalyze development of a low-carbon economy and to attract the vast amount of private capital necessary for such a transformation."

Five critical questions to ask before installing that home wind turbine

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:30:06 +0000

Dreaming of a green home? Already got a picture in your head of your carbon neutral, low impact house? Even if it's just an upgraded version of your current home, that picture almost certainly includes solar panels on the roof, and/or a wind turbine situated on your land. It's an inspiring image. In reality, it may also be one that's going to produce more headaches (financial and otherwise) than clean energy... unless you do your homework. Learn more on what you need to do if you want to use solar or wind energy on your property...