The environment has become an increasingly big concern for companies around the world. While many companies are begrudgingly forced to abide by local environmental regulations, the are other companies that are constantly looking for new and more efficient ways to be green. In addition to our recent America-centric article about corporate social responsibility in the […]
Titans of eco-friendly industry, 2013 edition Read More 👉
Behold the IKAROS house. Built in Germany by the University of Applied Sciences (Rosenheim), this house aims to be completely self-sustainable. The build uses a wealth of green technology like natural ventilation, solar panels and vacuum insulation panels, as well as efficient mechanical systems. “Yeah, yeah,” I hear all you inspired economists saying. “But what’s
Economics of an energy efficient home Read More 👉
Environmental Economics has been practiced ever since the dawn of mankind but it wasn’t always called that. The principle that being more efficient and less wasteful brings benefits to human beings and the environment alike, has been demonstrated since the times when the first hunter-gatherers would use every part of the plant or animals they
Environmental Economics At Work in the Home Read More 👉
For those who are following the economics involved in energy benchmarking practices, this story from the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) is worth reading. Energy Benchmarking Key to Realizing $9 Billion in Savings in Apartments and Condos: Benefits for Owners and Renters (via Green Building Elements) This information on energy benchmarking has been provided by
Investors reacted lukewarmly to the passage of the “beyond midnight” fiscal cliff compromise that left Democrats unhappy and Republicans, well, unhappy. When investors react with a mere “meh” to a bipartisan deal that averted what we were told was the potential end of the world as we know it, that might mean one of two
Effects of the Fiscal Cliff deal on green energy and investment Read More 👉
Solar Power World has published its ranking of top U.S. solar contractors. The ranking lists the solar industry’s top 100 companies in order of total megawatts (MW) installed in 2011. The ranking includes a wide variety of solar installers, with both publicly traded and privately owned companies dispersed throughout. The top 100 companies installed a combined
First Solar Leads U.S. in Solar Installations Read More 👉
Worry sweeps across Britain as five of the “Big 6” energy companies declare their gas and electricity prices will have significantly risen by the end of 2012. With Christmas approaching and temperatures dropping in the UK, this news is hitting families and property-owners hard. The UK government, however, is set to launch its scheme, The
Like other industries, construction companies feel the negative effects of the recent economic downturn. A decrease in new home construction and remodeling projects means contractors work less and make less money. There is hope, however. As the Great Recession recedes into history, the future holds bright possibilities for construction business growth. Hurricane Sandy might have
Fitting into the New Economy Read More 👉
It is refreshing watching cities like San Francisco take a leadership role on issues like controlling the amount of energy that is used in the city’s commercial buildings. Recently the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) announced it was providing detailed energy usage information for some 300 municipal buildings in the city – part of
Measuring the Economics of Energy Consumption in San Francisco Read More 👉
Earlier today I was scribbling away furiously trying to keep up with the news that BP admits criminal liability for the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Then an astounding thought struck me: it’s actually paying BP to be a criminal. My thinking goes something like this.
Why it pays BP to be criminal Read More 👉
Here in Australia, we’re all feeling the pinch of rising electricity costs and small business owners are no exception. In the State of New South Wales (NSW), which has the country’s largest population, energy costs will jump by 38% in two years largely due to underinvestment in infrastructure (electricity poles and wires etc) and the
Commercial Solar Energy – Why Australian Businesses are Switching Read More 👉
Fleet companies face challenges that go beyond what the average car owner sees. The automotive landscape changes completely when managing more than one vehicle. Those in charge of a fleet must balance fuel efficiency, environmental responsibility and capital expenditure for multiple cars. Economic innovations have stepped up to help fleets stay true to the current
The Future of Green: Innovations That Promote Economic Engagement Read More 👉
Companies are looking to renewable energy in growing numbers, both for cost-savings in the long term, but also for public relations benefits. Whatever the motivation, these companies are moving markets by creating demand for renewables in their many forms. The list below is a top 20 of companies that have gone solar. The list contains
Which companies are doing the most solar? Costco? REI? Google? Mars?!? Read More 👉
The presidential candidates in this year’s election are increasingly rallying their base by pointing out the differences in their philosophies and showcasing the choice before Americans. As voters, we get a chance to choose the direction of the country based on these very different approaches. But is either side telling the truth, and how would
2012 Election Energy Policy Choice Read More 👉
A recent study shows that establishing a wind farm can create up to 1,100 new jobs in the immediate area where it’s located, largely proving the correlation between a move to green energy sources and an improvement in the country’s overall economic position.
When it Comes to Creating Jobs, It’s Hard to Beat a Wind Farm Read More 👉
This week, the Important Media Network has committed to highlighting some of the women that are making the world a better place. At Inspired Economist, we thought we’d take part by profiling a great sustainable woman CEO every day this week. See previous posts on Gail Kelly of WestPac Bank, Irene Rosenfeld, CEO of Kraft Foods, Kim Jordan, CEO
Women in Focus Week, Day 5! Meet the Top Women Sustainable CEOs: Jan Blittersdorf Read More 👉
The idea that coal is cheaper than wind and solar is what keeps coal in the forefront of energy production in the U.S. But what if the idea itself is completely flawed? The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity is actively promoting the benefits of coal power. If you see an ad on a website
How is coal power so cheap? (Hint: it’s because you’re subsidizing it) Read More 👉
Pairing the words “economy” and “energy” in the same sentence seems straightforward enough. Yet these two words–combined with the word “sustainable”–open up a world of controversy as well as immense opportunity. The controversy comes from differing opinions of how best to tap the Earth’s resources to meet humanity’s power needs. The opportunity is the number
Energy Production – Economically Speaking Read More 👉
During the first few months of 2012 there were fewer carbon emissions as a result of power us, 7% less than in 2011. Here’s why emissions are down…
As Demand For Coal Drops, Carbon Emissions Also Fall Read More 👉
Former Governor and republican presidential candidate Willard Mitt Romney knows how to rile up his base. “Do you know how much money he (President Obama) invested in so-called green energy companies?” asked Romney of his carefully selected crowd of supporters at a campaign speech in New Hampshire. “Ninety billion. Ninety billion!” Oh, how could he? How
Clean Energy Funding: Truth vs. Truthiness Read More 👉
Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney recently rankled feathers in his own party by opposing a very popular wind energy tax credit at the federal level. Romney’s top energy advisor is from a giant oil company, and many see this as the latest of a series of moves in which his campaign is bending to the
Romney shows disturbing lack of understanding of capitalism Read More 👉
Paul Ryan Loves Government Spending (via Red Green & Blue) If there’s one thing Republicans love, it’s federal government spending. Their other great love is keeping up a continuous echo chamber around the idea that federal government spending is the source of all evil in the world, that Obama’s stimulus package didn’t create a single
One Billion Cars For many years, it was assumed that the primary emphasis on decreasing greenhouse gas emissions should concentrate on automobiles. After all, as a recent “Huffington Post” article decried, the world now has over a billion cars and their greenhouse gas emissions to deal with. In an April 2010 article, “Impact of Aviation
Green Aviation? The Sky’s the Limit for Job Creation Read More 👉
In the face of rising gas prices and increasing turmoil in the Middle East, President Barack Obama called for a one-third cut in oil imports by 2020. The President’s plan to accomplish this goal relies on a variety of domestic energy sources including increased oil production and natural gas powered fleet vehicles. But the aspect
Stable government policy and cellulosic ethanol Read More 👉
