The Inspired Economist

Scientists at the University of Sydney in Australia have created molecules that mimic those in plants which harvest light. “A leaf is an amazingly cheap and efficient solar cell,” says Dr Deanna D’Alessandro, a postdoctoral researcher in the Molecular Electronics Group at the University of Sydney. “The best leaves can harvest 30 to 40 percent of the light falling on them. The best solar cells we can build are between 15 and 20 percent efficient, and expensive to make. We’ve recreated some of the key systems that plants use in photosynthesis,” says Deanna.

Via(The Green Geek), Via (What’s Next In Science & Technology)

Launched in 1999, the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes are the first global indexes tracking the financial performance of the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide. Based on the cooperation of Dow Jones Indexes, STOXX Limited and SAM they provide asset managers with reliable and objective benchmarks to manage sustainability portfolios. Currently 56 DJSI licenses are held by asset managers in 14 countries to manage a variety of financial products including active and passive funds, certificates and segregated accounts. In total, these licensees presently manage over 4 billion EUR based on the DJSI.

(AP file / Peter M. Fredin)

The Denver Post reports that Aspen Skiing Co. joined a lawsuit to stop global warming. Vail Resorts Inc. made a record-setting wind-energy buy. Tiny Wolf Creek Ski Area committed itself to renewable energy.  Colorado Ski companies are beginning to understand the advantages and opportunities of moving towards sustainable business practices.  The article outlines the following as their motivation:

• From a marketing perspective, it’s a way to appeal to the demographic that fills their slopes.  A recent Aspen Skiing survey found that 30 percent of its guests view environmental stewardship as being of "high importance," up from 10 percent five years ago.

• Wall Street is also beginning to value corporate environmental stewardship, according to Nancy Skinner. She is the U.S. director for The Climate Group, an international nonprofit group that promotes business leadership on global warming. Its members include British Petroleum, HSBC Holdings, Starbucks, Timberland and Johnson & Johnson.

• Financial powerhouses Goldman Sachs Group and JPMorgan Chase have joined in, adopting policies on investing in environmentally sensitive industries.

"We’re an investment bank. We’re in business to make money," said Christopher Williams, spokesman for Goldman Sachs, which has pledged to invest $1 billion in alternative-energy ventures. "We think this is good for business, as well as the right thing to do."

Click here to view the entire article.  This tip came from Inspired Economy reader TJ, thank you TJ.

A recent article in (Reuters) reports that Japan’s Sharp Corp., the world’s biggest maker of solar cells, expects the cost of generating solar power to halve by 2010 and to be comparable with that of nuclear power by 2030, Sharp’s president said,

"By the year 2010 we’ll be able to halve generation costs," Katsuhiko Machida told Reuters in an interview on Thursday. "By 2020 we expect a further reduction — half of 2010 — and by 2030 we expect half the 2020 level.

"By 2030 the cost will be comparable to electricity produced by a nuclear power plant," said Machida, speaking on the fringes of the IFA trade fair in Berlin, the world’s biggest consumer electronics fair.

The article cites as reasons for Sharp’s optimism an expected ease by 2008 on a shortage of solar-grade silicon as silicon makers step up production to catch up with soaring demand and Sharp’s technological advances toward producing more so-called thin-film solar panels, which use less silicon.

Please click here to view the entire article

Via(treehugger), Via(Reuters)

The Washington Post reports that California’s legislature approved the broadest restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions in the nation yesterday.  The California bill requires a 25 percent cut in carbon dioxide pollution produced within the state’s borders by 2020 in order to bring the total down to 1990 levels.  It will set up a cap-and-trade program that will allow businesses to buy, sell, and trade emission credits with other companies.

"This is a bill that is really rolling down the tracks," said PG&E’s vice president for government relations, Nancy E. McFadden, shortly before the state Senate vote Wednesday. "We made the judgment that we’re going to be constructive and make it a bill that would protect both the environment and the economy."

Some California companies broke with industry leaders, concluding that mandatory greenhouse gas reductions are smart politics and will be good for business. Pacific Gas and Electric chief executive Peter A. Darbee, whose company serves 15 million customers and ranks as California’s largest utility, issued a statement last night saying, "We’re supporting this legislation because we are convinced that climate change is an urgent problem and action is needed now."

Corporate opponents in California have not given up their fight, saying the legislation could cripple their industries and raise electricity prices. Jack Stewart, president of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, said industry is already taking steps to improve energy efficiency, and mandates will only increase the cost of doing business.

Click here to read the entire article in the Washington Post