Found this cool tool from the Sustainability Institute in Hartland, VT at the Cobb Hill co-housing community where we installed solar hot water and where one of our solar installers lives.

Here is the link: http://climateinteractive.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/climate-scoreboard-cop15-widget/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ClimateInteractive+%28Climate+Interactive%29

I recently posted my support of clean energy on the Repower Wall at Repower America and I encourage you all to do the same. Let your voice be heard.

Here is my post:

“It’s time. The science is sound, while still developing details. The evidence is clear, and mounting higher. There can be no more stalling, equivocating, deception.  We have the technology to start making the needed changes now, and can create the largest economic opportunity ever, for all. The US now needs to be the leader again it has been in times past, and work to create a fair, just, and equitable agreement to move the world toward a sustainable climate. There is no more important issue for us; no more important environmental, social, or financial issue. Let us move, together, now.”

I’m posting from foggy Denmark. Much like Vermont, but flatter and with thatched roofs (beautiful roofs, but how would we attach PV)! A few hundred years ago the area we are in, Tisvildeleje, was buried by sand dunes due to deforestation. These dunes buried entire villages including a church we visited! Eventually they reseeded, then reforested 60,000+ hectares of dune and then shoveled many things out. Took about 150 years to fight the dunes back but they were successful.  A lesson we need to relearn in many more parts of the world today. (They are doing a massive tree planting program west of Beijing, which is threatened by sand dunes.) Nothing can stop the sand dunes except replanting. Can’t plant fast enough really.

Meanwhile, after a horrible night’s sleep and a late start, we managed to go to Helsingor, (legendary setting of Elsingor for Hamlet) and tour the castle Kronborg. Quite impressive, considering it was first constructed in late 1500’s. Again took public transit successfully (though we did take the ‘long way’ accidently!)

And although I have been enjoying an actual vacation, I have been keeping in the loop of news and media surrounding the climate conference and have a few observations:

• there is considerable angst surrounding the proceedings. I think there is a feeling, finally, that something needs to be done.
• the EPA’s announcement that it can and will regulate greenhouse gases is a huge step forward. While we cannot solve the problem using just the hammer of the clean air act, it is a hammer that can help move the Congress forward.
• Some back room deals that are being discussed, while poor in overall equity and outcome, do seem to show the US tentatively agreeing to very significant cuts in the long term, deeper than anything that has been discussed previously.
• I think the confluence of Obama being here with the other world leaders could in fact, have a huge effect. It will be a show of huge suspense and imperiled outcome, with obstacles at every turn.

More to come from Copenhagen…

Wonderful bike ride in Denmark. Like VT, but flat. 25 km – good for out-of-shape guy!

Most people take a vacation to escape the day to day of life and work and to really rest and relax. Jeff & Dori Wolfe are not “most people.” Our founders are taking a vacation to Copenhagen, Denmark to be there for the climate change conference.

As Jeff said, “We’re going to Copenhagen not simply to watch, but to move the world toward a sane climate policy. Taking vacation at a climate conference in not most people’s idea of fun, especially in Denmark in the winter, but Dori and I did not hesitate to commit to it.”

Jeff & Dori are traveling as part of the delegation from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). SEIA has “party status” – meaning the organization has been nominated by the U.S. to participate in climate discussions at the conference. SEIA will be working with other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) during the conference.

While in Copenhagen, Jeff will be presenting Al Gore’s climate slideshow – an updated version of the one seen in “An Inconvenient Truth” – at the local Bella Center office of the U.S. Alliance for Climate Protection on December 14.