Since Germany Is One Of The World’s Leaders In Energy Conservation Infrastructure

I thought it would be kinda interesting to look at their environmental Groups.

Wikipedia lists these:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_environmental_organizations

Germany

Ahhh if I only spoke German you say:

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And they list these sites as well:

Attac
B.U.N.D.
Bundesverband Bürgerinitiativen Umweltschutz e.V. (BBU)
Friends of the Earth
Germanwatch
Global Witness
Global 2000
Greenpeace
Indymedia
Institut für Energie- und Umweltforschung Heidelberg
International Council for Local Environmental
Klima-Bündnis
Kritische Aktionäre
Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU)
Naturland – Verband für naturgemäßen Landbau e.V.
Öko-Institut e.V.
Umweltbundesamt (UBA)
Urgewald
Wasserforum Bremen
WWF

But these guys are pretty radical so you watch out now. You might end up chaining yourself to the gate of the next nuclear power plant that they won’t build.

Aptera – Three Wheeled Car that seems Ready to go

This was reported by USA Today and is followed by a report on a test “Ride Along” From the LA Times. 

 http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2008-01-10-aptera_N.htm

  • 3-wheeled Aptera aspires to car-pool lane 

    •  

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Bored working as an engineer for a biotech company,

 Steve Fambro began to dream of a better way to get to work.

Why not design a fuel-efficient car that would allow a single drive

r onto California’s car-pool lanes?

YOUR OPINION: Would you buy one of these? Why or why not?

“Most people thought I was crazy,” Fambro recalls.

Some might still wonder when they see what emerged: a futuristic

 commuter car powered by electricity with a skin of epoxy resin,

not sheet metal. And perhaps oddest, it has three wheels, not four.

FIND MORE STORIES IN: Carlsbad | Aptera

The Aptera, with a range of 190 miles between charges,

is intended to sell for around $30,000.

It’s an example of how high gas prices are encouraging

entrepreneurs to give the car business a try. From electric

high-performance roadsters to low-speed runabouts,

start-ups are trying to take advantage of interest in

alternative technologies.

Aptera is being developed in a tidy industrial park here,

a few miles north of San Diego. CEO Fambro, 41, and COO

Chris Anthony, 31, a former stockbroker who also runs a

boat-making shop, have about 15 employees so far,

mostly fabricators and engineers.

At present, Aptera has one working prototype of its electric car.

A hybrid gas-electric version is being built. Production is

scheduled for later this year.

Fambro says about 400 potential buyers have slapped d

own a $500 refundable reservation to get in line. Having

received its start with an investment from company start-up

 incubator Idealab, Aptera is currently looking for another

 round of financing. Anthony, who spends most of his time on

 investment matters, says he has attracted interest.

They are drawn by the unique design.

The prototype features high-tech touches such as rear and

side cameras instead of rear-view side mirrors to further r

educe wind drag. There’s a solar panel on the roof to

provide a bit of extra power.

Making the car out of laminates slashes its weight to about

1,500 pounds, making it potentially one of the lightest cars

 on the road. Less weight means longer range. The company

 also hopes to use off-the-shelf lithium phosphate batteries

that are proven and safe, Fambro says.

Even though there is a lot of work left to be done, Aptera

has an advantage when it comes to development time. The

three-wheel design — two in front, one in back — means the

resulting vehicle will be classed as a motorcycle in many states,

 including California. The testing and red tape required to market

a motorcycle is less rigorous than for a four-wheel car. “It allows

 us to leapfrog into the market,” Fambro says.

What Follows is a drive along by LA Times Susan Carpenter

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/highway1/la-hy-throttle2jan02,0,6728757.story?coll=la-news-highway_1

The result is a future-is-now vehicle that’s spacious, stylish, comfortable, eco-conscious, high-tech and so unusual looking that at one point during my time with the Typ-1, all the cars and pedestrians within a one-block radius were staring and/or snapping pictures.

Because the Typ-1 is a prototype, I wasn’t able to drive it myself, but I did take a ride in the passenger seat. I just opened the DeLorean-type door, slid into the mod, green-and-white interior, closed the door behind me and strapped on my seat belt. Aptera Chief Executive and co-founder Steve Fambro turned the key to fire up the electric motor, pressed the pedal with the plus sign on the floor to accelerate, and we were off.

According to Fambro, the Typ-1 is capable of 80 mph and could travel up to 70 miles on a single charge while sustaining that speed, but he never took it up that fast and we didn’t travel anywhere near that far as we cruised SoCal suburbia. The fastest we went was probably 45 mph, at which it felt stable. Taking corners, we went even slower, so I couldn’t tell how it handled, but Fambro says the Typ-1 has been “designed for natural stability” and incorporates a traction control system that, in theory, can handle a 1G circle on par with a Honda Civic.

Riding in the Typ-1 is sort of like being in a high-tech fishbowl. There’s incredible visibility from all sides except the back, which is equipped with a rear-view camera that displays whatever’s happening behind the vehicle on a trio of computer screens.

The center of each of those three screens also displays the vehicle’s speed, voltage and power, while a touch screen at the center of the dash controls the navigation system, stereo and other gauges, such as the odometer and temperature reading.

The Typ-1 is unusual for any number of reasons, the most notable being the body. Its water-worthy shape is formed from high-tech fiberglass that isn’t just lighter than steel but 10 times stronger, according to Fambro. The Typ-1 has yet to be crash tested, but Fambro says the crumple zone on the Typ-1 is longer than that of a typical car, and the crush strength of the roof and side doors is stronger than what’s been mandated for a regular passenger vehicle.

So If Photvoltaics Are Good Enough For The Military Why Not Us?

This is pretty impressive stuff:

http://www.skybuilt.com/

SkyBuilt Power® is the leading renewable energy systems integration company.

Use renewable energy, such as solar, wind, fuel cells, and micro-hydro power, with or without fuel-based systems, on or off the grid. Our power, engineering, business, and other experts help you to cut costs, increase reliability, lower maintenance and logistical tails; and gain environmental benefits.

Military and Intelligence Uses:
Lower cost, more reliable power
No logistical tail, no heat signature

Mobile Power Stations:
Containerized, rapidly deployed power, expandable from 0.5 kW to
150 kW or more; use the inside of the container for any purpose in the field
Power without fuel and virtually no maintenance

Commercial Applications:
Cell tower conversions to renewables
Geo Exchange systems to reduce HVAC costs

Homeland Security:
Disaster relief power, baseload or backup
Emergency Ops centers for first responders
Power for CBW and other sensors
Border control power

International:
Water pumping, desalinization and irrigation for Sustainable
Economic Development
Mobile clinics and health facilities
Self-contained, self-powered classrooms, offices

Contact us today.

4449 N. 38th Street, Arlington, VA 22207
Phone: 703.536.7866 | Toll-Free: 866.786.2845 | Fax: 703.536.7836

 

The Christian Science Monitor had this to say:

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1018/p02s01-sten.html

 

from the October 18, 2005 edition

The latest investor

in green energy – the CIA

Within hours, solar and wind energy units can be up and running in war or disaster zones.

| Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

What if you had a power unit that generated substantial electrical energy with no fuel? What if it were so rugged that you could parachute it out of an airplane? What if it were so easy to set up that two people could have it running in just a few hours?

Now there is such a device – built by a small Virginia start-up – and the federal government has taken notice.

SkyBuilt Power Inc. has begun building electricity-generating units fueled mostly by solar and wind energy. The units, which use a battery backup system when the sun is down and the wind is calm, are designed to run for years with little maintenance.

Depending upon its configuration, SkyBuilt’s Mobile Power Station (MPS) can generate up to 150 kilowatts of electricity, says David Muchow, the firm’s president and CEO. That’s enough to power an emergency operations center, an Army field kitchen, or a small medical facility.

Privately owned SkyBuilt now has a new investor – In-Q-Tel, a venture capital firm set up by the US Central Intelligence Agency. Skybuilt and In-Q-Tel will announce Tuesday that they have signed a strategic development agreement, including an investment in SkyBuilt.

In-Q-Tel’s support is a breakthrough for the small firm. (The “Q” in In-Q-Tel is a whimsical play on the movie character “Q” who supplies James Bond with nifty gadgets.) SkyBuilt provides innovative energy solutions with the potential to help meet a wide variety of critical government and commercial power needs, says Gilman Louie, In-Q-Tel president and CEO.

The power stations could have important uses for disaster relief, homeland security, military operations, intelligence work, and a variety of commercial applications. The units are not yet designed for use by homeowners.

Though it is not mentioned, SkyBuilt units would have obvious applications in places like Afghanistan and Iraq, where soldiers risk their lives over long supply lines to truck in fuel for generators.

After hurricane Katrina, SkyBuilt units could have been rushed to the scene and set up in hours, restoring power to hospitals, evacuee centers, police and fire departments, and cellphone towers.

 p2a.gif

Chris Robertson – Peak Sun Silicon

Another old friend has gotten into industrial applications for the production of Silicon:

http://peaksunsilicon.com/index.htm 

 Highest Conversion Efficiencies
If you want to offer your customers next-gen solar cell performance, Peak Sun Silicon delivers. Our electronic-grade polysilicon helps you achieve the highest conversion efficiencies in silicon solar cells.
Improved Net-Energy Payback Time
If you want to improve the net-energy payback time of the solar cells you manufacture, Peak Sun Silicon delivers. Our proprietary, fluidized-bed polysilicon manufacturing process uses about 80 percent less energy than conventional silicon processes. Because we use much less energy to make our silicon, you can more quickly pay back the manufacturing energy cost of your solar cells and modules.
Dependable and Experienced
If you want a dependable supply of polysilicon, Peak Sun Silicon delivers. Our management team has a proven track record in the semiconductor and solar energy fields. We’re committed to doing what it takes to deliver material to you on time and at a reasonable price to keep your factory running.The Result
More-productive solar-energy systems that meet the growing global energy demands of your customers — whether consumers or electric utilities — better and more cost effectively

ABOUT THE COMPANY

You’re in business to serve your customers by giving them the best solar cells you can make. To achieve your objectives, you need a reliable granular form of silicon; high-speed, high-volume factory production; less material waste; and lower-cost source materials.

Peak Sun Silicon is a new entry in the polysilicon market, where global demand continues to rise steadily. Peak Sun Silicon offers the competitive advantages that you’re looking for, such as steady supply, high conversion efficiency, and availability in a form that simplifies the manufacture of solar-electricity generating equipment.

The founder of Peak Sun Silicon offers nearly 30 years of experience in the semiconductor equipment and materials industry. And other leaders in the company are prominent in the solar-cell manufacturing and sustainable-development communities.

Ray Merry is Working On the Great Expo

 2 of CES’ old friend got ahold of me recently and are working on very exciting projects, a global renewable conference/exhibit and a cheap silicon process for solar generation. For Google purposes I am going to list them seperately, first up:

 http://www.greatexpo.org/

GREAT Expo 2009 is going to be an awe-inspiring, grandiose, never before experienced single point of contact for the world-class industrial-giants, and the emerging and underdeveloped countries as well as businesses and individuals interested in moving forward the renewable energies industry. GREAT EXPO 2009 is splendid, grand and majestic in nature, creating a one of a kind point of gathering that can only be invoked by the idea of an Energy-Park in which all the latest technologies, heavy equipment and machinery of all nine sectors of renewable energy and Energy Efficiency will be showcased, including:

Agro Energy, Bio Energy, Hydro Energy, Hydrogen Fuels, Ocean Power, Geothermal Energy, Solar Energy, Wind Power, and Energy Conservation and Efficiency.

We expect equipment such as wind turbines and towers, dry/wet mill processing equipment, hydrogen and ethanol powered vehicles from the top distinguished firms (Le Mans, IndyCar Series, Toyota, BMW, GM, Honda, Tesla Motors), hydrogen powered motorcycles, hybrid watercraft, solar manufacturing equipment, solar energy innovations and much more to garrison at the Energy Park. It is in this sense that GREAT EXPO 2009 brings the software and hardware of the renewable energies industry under one roof.

GREAT EXPO 2009 brings, in its summit, all the programs and operating information useful to the renewable energies industry. The expo element of GREAT EXPO 2009 brings all the tools, machinery and physical components used in the renewable energies needed for an earnest and industrious effort towards a sustainable world.

GREAT EXPO 2009, to be held in Washington in Spring 2009, gathers the most prominent players in the renewable energies industry It is expected to attract over 45,000 professional visitors and political delegations, and 1,400 exhibitors from 180 countries. Visitors will represent all relevant parts of the decision-making chain – from engineers, purchasers, and analysts to political representatives and board members.

This is the only event that covers key aspects of all eight renewable energies market and Energy Efficiency, giving unparalleled access to business contacts and unique networking opportunities.

Do not miss the opportunity to present, exhibit or network at the world’s premier renewable energies and advanced technologies event.

Matt Nicodemus takes me to task – Corection Due!

I don’t usually post on the weekend but… 

Matt Nicodemus, currently on Taiwan, and my favorite cousin sent me stuff for a Climate Teach In and I mistook it for the Graduation Pledge that Matt started years ago. Anyway I will let Matt tell you in his own words.

…I didn’t help to found the project!  I’m just passing along the info.  Now, if you want to run a correction at some point, you could tell folks that what I did co-found was the Graduation Pledge Alliance (www.graduationpledge.org), another education-related world-improving network of school programs that will also, like Focus the Nation, give students opportunities to better manifest their social-environmental values & visions through their life choices, especially those choices regarding careers and jobs.

Hoping I’ll be able to drop by your office one of these days and see what & who y’all have got going there,

Mateo

I Am Running A Series Of Cool Sites for Energy/The Environment

These guys cover it all. 

http://www.greenprogress.com

Nation’s Largest Solar PV System

 Takes Flight at Nellis

Air Force Base

12/17/2007 – Today the US Air Force celebrates the completion of North America’s largest solar photovoltaic system at Nellis Air Force Base. A joint project of the U.S. Air Force, MMA Renewable Ventures, LLC, a subsidiary of Municipal Mortgage & Equity, LLC (NYSE: MMA), SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), and Nevada Power Company, the 14 megawatt Nellis solar energy system will generate more than 30 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity annually and supply approximately 25 percent of the total power used at the base, where 12,000 people live and work.

Combining technology and systems expertise from SunPower Corporation and financing by MMA Renewable Ventures with discounted purchase commitments by the U.S. Air Force, the innovative Nellis solar energy system demonstrates that the U.S. government’s goals for enhancing security through energy independence can be met both economically and practically when the public and private sectors work together.

SunPower Corporation designed and built the photovoltaic power plant using its proprietary single-axis SunPower(R) T20 Tracker solar tracking system which follows the sun throughout the day and delivers up to 30 percent more energy than traditional fixed-tilt ground systems.

Equally innovative is the funding and ownership of the landmark solar energy system: MMA Renewable Ventures, LLC has financed and will operate the solar power plant, selling electricity to Nellis Air Force Base at a guaranteed fixed rate for the next 20 years. Nevada Power will support the project by purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) generated by the solar array. MMA Renewable Ventures closed a fund for the system earlier this year with financing commitments from Citi, Allstate, and John Hancock Financial Services, with Merrill Lynch providing construction financing.

Dignitaries such as Air Force Assistant Secretary William Anderson and Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons will flip a switch marking full operation of the system at a ceremony to be held today at the Nellis base. A team including MMA Renewable Ventures, SunPower Corporation, and Nevada Power Company will join public officials in recognizing the United States Air Force for its commitment to national security, energy independence and environmental sustainability.

“This solar project at Nellis is a first step of many toward making renewable electricity integral to the operations of the U.S. Air Force,” said Assistant Secretary Anderson. “As the largest consumer of energy in the federal government, the Air Force is well-positioned to promote both solar technology and new approaches to its implementation. This pioneering initiative is a good example of how a creative approach to public-private partnership can make our energy supply more sustainable, more secure and more affordable.”

“The best way to secure a healthy and prosperous economy is to develop our affordable, reliable local resources,” said Governor Gibbons. “With these 14 megawatts, Nellis Air Force Base is leading the country in solar energy deployment, a move that is good for the environment and our nation’s energy security alike.”

Covering 140 acres of land at the western edge of the Nellis base, the photovoltaic system comprises 72,000 solar panels using the SunPower Tracker technology. The energy generated will support over 12,000 military and civilians at Nellis who are responsible for Air Force advanced combat training, tactics development and operational testing.

“We are faced with an incredible opportunity to promote U.S. energy security by developing our own abundant domestic resources,” said United States Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. “Nevada and the United States have the technology and natural resources to serve our growing power demand with clean, renewable energy. I congratulate the Air Force for its continued leadership on clean power.”

“Nellis, the ‘Home of the Fighter Pilot,’ is now home to the largest solar electric power plant in all of North America,” said Colonel Michael Bartley, Nellis Air Force Base commander. “Our base and indeed our entire nation will benefit from the predictable, secure supply of clean energy that this landmark power plant is now generating. The project also provides a future test bed for the Department of Defense to assess the benefits of similar arrangements on installations across the United States.”

“The Nellis project is a powerful demonstration of the U.S. Air Force’s ability to execute on its aggressive goals for clean energy. From early concept through today’s dedication, the Air Force collaborated closely with the strong coalition of partners instrumental in making this grand vision for solar a reality, and we look forward to maintaining that solid relationship over the long life of this clean energy system,” said Matt Cheney, CEO of MMA Renewable Ventures. “The Nellis project further demonstrates how public-private partnership coupled with an innovative approach to third-party finance can make solar an affordable solution at even the largest scale.”

“We congratulate the Air Force for having the vision to make solar power a mainstream energy source, and for hosting the largest solar photovoltaic system in the nation,” said Tom Werner, CEO of SunPower. “Solar power is the fastest growing energy resource to help meet our escalating power demand, generating reliable, affordable power without creating emissions or waste. Nellis’ decision to maximize the size and efficiency of its solar system underscores its commitment to secure energy and environmental preservation. We are proud that SunPower was selected by the Air Force to design, supply, and build this hallmark project.”

“Working with partners, such as Nellis Air Force Base, to develop and generate solar energy projects is part of our strategy of providing clean, safe, reliable electricity to our customers at reasonable and predictable prices,” said Michael Yackira, chief executive officer of Sierra Pacific Resources, parent company of Nevada Power. “Now that the Nellis solar energy system is on-line, the state of Nevada will be number one in the United States in solar generation per capita. We plan to expand our investments in renewable energy in order to increase the leadership position our company already has in renewable energy nationwide.”

Bird Friendly Wind Turbines That Love Turbulance

 

 

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/10/miniwind_turbin.php

 

        

New Wind Turbine Harnesses Aerodynamics of Buildings

by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 10. 2.06

Science & Technology (alternative energy)
email this article

architectural_wind.jpg

A company called Aero Vironoment, has unveiled a compact wind turbine that sits on the parapets of a building rather than the roof. It catches the wind as it travels up the side of a building, which, in some cases, results in a 30% increase in energy production. The “Architectural Wind” turbine is 6.5 feet tall, and weighs 60 pounds. It requires only a 7 mph (3.1 m/s) breeze to start up, and produces roughly 55kWh per month per unit. There are two available optional extras for the turbine: a canopy, and an “avian protection” option, which is designed to keep birds out of the turbine. it was recently displayed at Green Pavilion of Wired’s Nextfest. :: Via: EcoGeek

Merry Christmas and a Wind Powered New Year!

The Results of the Bali Summit on Climate Change

The reporting about the Climate Change Summit in Bali was atrocious. That is why I held off writing anything about it until the dust had started to settle. I hate “horse race” style reporting where there is “almost an agreement”, then a suprise compromise, then a new wrinkle, finally an extended meeting that leads to A BREAK THROUGH! I do not mean to poopoo the accomplishments of either Kyoto (I lobbied for it) or even Bali, but it was clear that all the Bush administration wanted was to push the whole thing off until the next administration. He accomplished that, signed the Energy Bill and then turned around and used the bill to block California’s attempt to crack down on tailpipe toxins. And he did it with that gotcha smile of his. He knows that California will win its suit to do just that, because of the waivers they have gotten in the past and because the SUPREME COURT has always said they can. Again that will be on someone else’s watch…what a prick!

http://unfccc.int/meetings/cop_13/items/4049.php

As you can see, all the fuss was about 5 pages of text.

Advance unedited version

Decision -/CP.13

Bali Action Plan

The Conference of the Parties,

Resolving to urgently enhance implementation of the Convention in order to achieve its

ultimate objective in full accordance with its principles and commitments,

Reaffirming that economic and social development and poverty eradication are global

priorities,

Responding to the findings of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental

Panel on Climate Change that warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and that delay in

reducing emissions significantly constrains opportunities to achieve lower stabilization levels

and increases the risk of more severe climate change impacts,

Recognizing that deep cuts in global emissions will be required to achieve the ultimate objective of the Convention and emphasizing the urgency1 to address climate change as

indicated in the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,

1. Decides to launch a comprehensive process to enable the full, effective and sustained

implementation of the Convention through long-term cooperative action, now, up to and beyond 2012, in

order to reach an agreed outcome and adopt a decision at its fifteenth session, by addressing, inter alia:

(a) A shared vision for long-term cooperative action, including a long-term global goal for

emission reductions, to achieve the ultimate objective of the Convention, in accordance

with the provisions and principles of the Convention, in particular the principle of

common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and taking into

account social and economic conditions and other relevant factors;

(b) Enhanced national/international action on mitigation of climate change, including,

inter alia, consideration of:

(i) Measurable, reportable and verifiable nationally appropriate mitigation

commitments or actions, including quantified emission limitation and reduction

objectives, by all developed country Parties, while ensuring the comparability of

efforts among them, taking into account differences in their national

circumstances;

(ii) Nationally appropriate mitigation actions by developing country Parties in the

context of sustainable development, supported and enabled by technology,

financing and capacity-building, in a measurable, reportable and verifiable

manner;

(iii) Policy approaches and positive incentives on issues relating to reducing

emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries; and

1 Contribution of Working Group III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate

Change, Technical Summary, pages 39 and 90, and Chapter 13, page 776.

Advance unedited version

2

the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of

forest carbon stocks in developing countries;

(iv) Cooperative sectoral approaches and sector-specific actions, in order to enhance

implementation of Article 4, paragraph 1(c), of the Convention;

(v) Various approaches, including opportunities for using markets, to enhance the

cost-effectiveness of, and to promote, mitigation actions, bearing in mind

different circumstances of developed and developing countries;

(vi) Economic and social consequences of response measures;

(vii) Ways to strengthen the catalytic role of the Convention in encouraging

multilateral bodies, the public and private sectors and civil society, building on

synergies among activities and processes, as a means to support mitigation in a

coherent and integrated manner;

(c) Enhanced action on adaptation, including, inter alia, consideration of:

(i) International cooperation to support urgent implementation of adaptation actions,

including through vulnerability assessments, prioritization of actions, financial

needs assessments, capacity-building and response strategies, integration of

adaptation actions into sectoral and national planning, specific projects and

programmes, means to incentivize the implementation of adaptation actions, and

other ways to enable climate-resilient development and reduce vulnerability of all

Parties, taking into account the urgent and immediate needs of developing

countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change,

especially the least developed countries and small island developing States, and

further taking into account the needs of countries in Africa affected by drought,

desertification and floods;

(ii) Risk management and risk reduction strategies, including risk sharing and

transfer mechanisms such as insurance;

(iii) Disaster reduction strategies and means to address loss and damage associated

with climate change impacts in developing countries that are particularly

vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change;

(iv) Economic diversification to build resilience;

(v) Ways to strengthen the catalytic role of the Convention in encouraging

multilateral bodies, the public and private sectors and civil society, building on

synergies among activities and processes, as a means to support adaptation in a

coherent and integrated manner;

(d) Enhanced action on technology development and transfer to support action on mitigation

and adaptation, including, inter alia, consideration of:

(i) Effective mechanisms and enhanced means for the removal of obstacles to, and

provision of financial and other incentives for, scaling up of the development and

transfer of technology to developing country Parties in order to promote access to

affordable environmentally sound technologies;

(ii) Ways to accelerate deployment, diffusion and transfer of affordable

environmentally sound technologies;

Advance unedited version

3

(iii) Cooperation on research and development of current, new and innovative

technology, including win-win solutions;

(iv) The effectiveness of mechanisms and tools for technology cooperation in specific

sectors;

(e) Enhanced action on the provision of financial resources and investment to support action

on mitigation and adaptation and technology cooperation, including, inter alia,

consideration of:

(i) Improved access to adequate, predictable and sustainable financial resources and

financial and technical support, and the provision of new and additional

resources, including official and concessional funding for developing country

Parties;

(ii) Positive incentives for developing country Parties for the enhanced

implementation of national mitigation strategies and adaptation action;

(iii) Innovative means of funding to assist developing country Parties that are

particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change in meeting the

cost of adaptation;

(iv) Means to incentivize the implementation of adaptation actions on the basis of

sustainable development policies;

(v) Mobilization of public- and private-sector funding and investment, including

facilitation of carbon-friendly investment choices;

(vi) Financial and technical support for capacity-building in the assessment of the

costs of adaptation in developing countries, in particular the most vulnerable

ones, to aid in determining their financial needs;

2. Decides that the process shall be conducted under a subsidiary body under the

Convention, hereby established and known as the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative

Action under the Convention, that shall complete its work in 2009 and present the outcome of its work to

the Conference of the Parties for adoption at its fifteenth session;

3. Agrees that the process shall begin without delay, that the sessions of the group will be

scheduled as often as is feasible and necessary to complete the work of the group, where possible in

conjunction with sessions of other bodies established under the Convention, and that its sessions may be

complemented by workshops and other activities, as required;

4. Decides that the first session of the group shall be held as soon as is feasible and not later

than April 2008;

5. Decides that the Chair and Vice-Chair of the group, with one being from a Party included

in Annex I to the Convention (Annex I Party) and the other being from a Party not included in Annex I to

the Convention (non-Annex I Party), shall alternate annually between an Annex I Party and a non-

Annex I Party;

6. Takes note of the proposed schedule of meetings contained in the annex; 7. Instructs the group to develop its work programme at its first session in a coherent and

integrated manner;

Advance unedited version

4

8. Invites Parties to submit to the secretariat, by 22 February 2008, their views regarding the

work programme, taking into account the elements referred to in paragraph 1 above, to be compiled by

the secretariat for consideration by the group at its first meeting;

9. Requests the group to report to the Conference of the Parties at its fourteenth session on

progress made;

10. Agrees to take stock of the progress made, at its fourteenth session, on the basis of the

report by the group;

11. Agrees that the process shall be informed by, inter alia, the best available scientific

information, experience in implementation of the Convention and its Kyoto Protocol, and processes

thereunder, outputs from other relevant intergovernmental processes and insights from the business and

research communities and civil society;

12. Notes that the organization of work of the group will require a significant amount of

additional resources to provide for the participation of delegates from Parties eligible to be funded and to

provide conference services and substantive support;

13. Strongly urges Parties in a position to do so, in order to facilitate the work of the group,

to provide contributions to the Trust Fund for Participation in the UNFCCC Process and the Trust Fund

for Supplementary Activities for the purposes referred to in paragraph 12 above and to provide other

forms of in kind support such as hosting a session of the group.

Advance unedited version

5

ANNEX

Indicative timetable for meetings of the Ad Hoc Working Group on

Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention in 2008

Session Dates

Session 1 March/April 2008

Session 2 June 2008, in conjunction with the twenty-eighth sessions of the subsidiary

bodies

Session 3 August/September 2008

Session 4 December 2008, in conjunction with the fourteenth session of the

Conference of the Parties

– – – – –

That is it! Yes there are 13 other COP 3 documents, 11 othe CMP documents and 1 AWG 4 documents, but the above is the heart of the agreement. It would have been nice if someone in the press would have published it and not left it up to the U.N.

Peak Oil – Another Perspective

While most environmentals and us that have done energy issues for along time have the perspective that the Oil, Natural Gas, and the Coal Companies are the problem. That is they want to keep burning as much as they can and that the only thing that will stop them is the severe results of Global Warming. There is another perspective that says that we are running out of those resources, in particular Oil, and that we are barely adding alternatives fast enough to offset our shortfalls in standard energy sources. Before I talk about the Bali agreements I thought I should give them their due.

http://www.peakoil.com/

 http://www.fcnp.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2255&Itemid=35

Falls ChurchNews – Press ONLINE

The Peak Oil Crisis: Issues    
Written by Tom Whipple   
Thursday, 20 December 2007

As 2007 winds down, it is good time to review some of the major issues that those of us following the peak oil story are watching closely.

Depletion vs. Production is, of course, the heart of the peak oil story. Every year production from the world’s existing oil fields declines by several million barrels a day. Every year new sources of liquid fuel, new oil fields, more natural gas liquids, ethanol etc., must be found to replace the losses and hopefully to satisfy increasing demand. For the last two years, new supplies have been roughly balancing declines so there has been little growth in world production. Some day soon depletion will get ahead of new sources of oil and other liquid fuels for such an extended period that it will be obvious to all that peak oil has arrived.

The prospects for an economic recession or worse increased markedly during the past six months. In recent weeks, oil prices have been moving up and down rather vigorously on economic news — interest rates, subprime losses, government bailouts, etc. — rather than on traditional oil market concerns such as stockpiles and geopolitical threats to production. Many believe that the recent $25 a barrel jump in oil prices was largely the result of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cuts taken in hopes of forestalling an economic setback.

Should serious economic difficulties arise from the current mortgage/liquidity problem, then a significant drop in worldwide demand for oil is likely. If a reduction in demand for oil were to continue for many months or years, then it is likely that world oil production will never grow much beyond current levels. By the time demand was restored, geologic and economic constraints on production would prevent production from ever again reaching current highs.

So much of the world’s oil production comes from around the Persian Gulf that nearly everything that happens in the region bears watching for possible impact on oil exports. The machinations of Kurds, Iraqis, Iranians, terrorists, mullahs, and numerous small states, tribes, sects and clans all could be important to the uninterrupted flow of oil to the industrialized world.

As the world’s biggest exporter and the only one that may have some spare capacity to increase production, the Saudis are worthy of special attention. Not only are there questions about the ability of the Kingdom’s oil fields to sustain or increase production over the next few years, but concerns also are arising over Riyadh’s domestic consumption of its own oil production which is increasing rapidly. Expectations that the Saudis alone will fulfill the world’s rapidly increasing demand for oil, even at $100+, will never happen.

The rapid rise in oil prices in recent years has resulted in a wave of nationalism on the part of producing countries. Contracts with international oil companies that were written back in the days of $10 or $20 dollar a barrel oil are falling by the wayside as producing nations are demanding an ever increasing share of the profits. In the past year Russia and Venezuela have essentially taken back “their oil” from the foreigners and Nigeria and Kazakhstan are on the verge of doing the same.

From a peak oil perspective, it does not matter if governments or international companies take most of the profit, but as the internationals’ role declines, so does investment and the availability of technical know-how. As oil becomes increasingly difficult to extract from non-conventional sources, partnering with ideological soul mates such as Venezuela and Belarus to help produce oil is unlikely to result in increasing production.  

With a population of 1.3 billion and an annual growth rate in excess of 11 percent, the course of China’s economy plays a key role in the peak oil story. Beijing is now a major importer of oil and products. For several years now, the Chinese have been making a major effort to secure long-term bi-lateral contracts with oil producers and have had numerous successes. It is only a matter of time before China’s demand leads to shortages in the developed world.

Given the close balance of the supply and demand for oil, the world’s importing countries are in constant threat of a sudden interruption to oil supplies. A hurricane, coup, earthquake, terrorist attack, assassination, bird flu or something we have not imagined could easily stop the steady supply of oil to the world’s fuel tanks. Although there are reserves, depending on the nature of the interruption, these could only be sufficient for a few days before serious disruptions occur. There are numerous chokepoints in the Persian Gulf where an interruption of more than a few days would cause serious grief around the world.

Nearly 40 percent or 5.3 million of the 13.6 million barrels of oil and products that the U.S. imports each day comes from Canada, Mexico, and Venezuela. We are going to have a little problem shortly because these sources of oil are going to dry up. Mexico’s biggest field is collapsing so that within ten years they will be out of the oil exporting business. For political reasons, Venezuela is doing its best to sell its oil to anybody but the U.S. and is off to a good start. If Hugo Chavez hangs in there as president for another five years the 1.4 million barrels a day we are currently getting is likely to be a lot less.

To many, Canada is America’s greatest hope to continue happy motoring for a while longer. They look longingly at those billions of barrels of “oil” trapped in the Alberta tar sands and assume that it will soon be flowing south in whatever amounts we desire. This is unlikely to happen for extracting “oil” from Alberta is turning the place into one of the greatest environmental disasters on earth. While production from the Alberta sands will likely continue for centuries, it will never reach the level to replace even a fraction of the 13 million barrels of imports the U.S. requires each day. It will not be long before the Canadian people start thinking about their grandchildren and exports will slow.