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.

On Sunday, Jeff posted the following to his Facebook account:

Why are people so ready to deny climate change? I guess just like people hate going to the Dr., and don’t believe the bad news they sometimes give. People want to avoid bad news any way they can. Those who are obscuring the truth of climate change are affecting us all, and putting us in grave danger.

Responses to the post came quickly and passionately. You can see all of the responses on Jeff’s Facebook here (friend him if you are not already connected).

We’d like to open up the same discussion here on the blog. Why are people so ready to deny climate change? What are your solutions to our cultural (or perhaps biological) inability to recognize and respond to future danger?

The 101 kW PV installation on our roof is going well. It is about 30% complete and our installation crew has had some clear, crisp Vermont weather to work in.

Great quote from Jeff Wolfe for an upcoming interview with B-Green Collaborative:

Beating back climate change and transitioning the world’s energy supply to renewables is inarguably the biggest economic opportunity we have ever seen. It makes the internet and telecom economic boom seem like a pop rather than a boom.

The full interview should be up on B-Green Collaborative in a couple of weeks.

Our corporate offices, in White River Junction, VT, are in a shared building on Old River Road and  we’re very excited because our landlord is going solar! RSD Companies, a trucking and transportation company (and also our landlord), will be purchasing power from a 101kW system that will be installed by us on our roof! This is the largest installation east of the Green Mountains and North of Boston. The project just got underway this week. Check out the photos below and check back for updates.

Our installation crew saying hello!

Brian directing the crane

This entire area will be covered with solar panels

Back in August we told you about Jagger & Kristi, morning DJ’s on Magic 92.5 in San Diego, going solar. Well, their system was recently installed and is up and running. Check out the picture of Jagger in front of the solar array and here is the nice email we got from Jagger & Kristi:

Just wanted to shoot a quick e-mail and say Thanks for the great Solar experience. We are lovin’ it. We were so thrilled when the system was fired up for the first time and our meter started turning backwards. So amazing! It really does give you a different feeling, going solar!

Your installers were great and very helpful at understanding how things work!

Here are a few shots of the finished project. We actually have a tree-trimmer coming to cut our trees back so we can see the panels better from the street!

Gone Green and not going back….

Best,
Jagger & Kristi