Peer pressure makes people conserve: psychologist

Want your neighbours to start conserving energy? Conserve it yourself and then let them know you’re doing it. A study by a psychologist at Arizona State University says that, while people say that what their neighbours do does not affect their behaviour, it actually does.

Read it here.

Public opinion drives Green Europe: ambassador

It would be political suicide for a European government to be seen as less than green, the European Union’s ambassador to Canada says. Last week, Ambassador Dorion Prince told the Fredericton Daily Gleaner how public opinion is driving European politicians to bring in strict limits on greenhouse gas emissions. He made the comments while on tour in New Brunswick to promote a “cap and trade” program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Go here to check it out.

Clinton Climate site highlights best practices around the world

Who’s the world leader in stopping water from leaking out of municipal pipes? What city has integrated bicycles right into its public transit system? What city is more than halfway to becoming entirely fossil-fuel free? Want to know how much it costs to drive a “Chelsea Tractor” in downtown London? If you’ve ever wished there were one place that listed all the best practices for saving energy in one place, www.C40cities.org is for you. Check it out for ideas that could help us transform Toronto.

Germany makes it mandatory: Homes must use renewables for heating

Germany continues to set a torrid pace in its race to be the world leader in the fight against global warming. As of Jan. 1, 2009, a new federal law will require all new homes to use renewable energy sources to meet at least 14 per cent of their energy needs for space heating and hot water. From 2010 on, older homes will have to use renewables for at least 10 per cent of their heating.

Germany aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020.

Key renewable technologies include solar panels, wood pellet stoves and boilers, and geothermal heat pumps. For more on Germany’s new renewable energy law, read the story here.

Alberta power line story incredible - but true

If you like stories of arrogant villains, rowdy town-hall meetings, spies listening in on phone lines, courtroom drama, and corruption in high places, then you’ve got to read about the battle by some Alberta landowners to stop a giant power line from Edmonton to Calgary. See Andrew Nikiforuk’s piece for Canadian Business magazine.

Termite-inspired building stays cool when it’s hot

Designers in Harare, Zimbabwe have created a shopping centre/office building that uses 90 per cent less energy than its conventional counterpart. Despite peak temperatures above 40o C., the Eastgate Centre stays comfortable all year long – with no air conditioning. How? Simple: The building uses a ventilation system inspired by local termites. Details on this cool design are available here and also on Wikipedia.

For more ideas about how copying nature can help humans survive, check out the Montana-based Biomimicry Institute.