One of the largest of Greenland’s marine “outlet” glaciers (i.e. glaciers ending in the sea) has calved an enormous ”ice island” that reportedly extends over 100 square miles.  Not since 1962, when a 250 square mile island was formed from the Ward Hunt Ice Shelf, has such a large area of ice been calved in the Arctic.

I may be on vacation, but climate change isn’t.  So here’s Nick Sundt on WWF’s Climate blog with the story, along with background on Greenland.

Read more

On August 4^th, 2010, Brightsource Energy Inc., an Oakland, California-based developer of utility-scale solar thermal power plants, announced that the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) siting committee recommended approval of what will be the world’s largest solar energy project.  The project, called the Ivanpah Solar Energy Generating System (ISEGS), consists of a three-plant, 392-megawatt solar electric generating system located in California’s Mojave Desert.  After a 30-day comment period passes, the final permits allowing the commencement of construction will most likely be issued.  Additionally, Brightsource Inc. has received a conditional commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy for $1.37 billion in loan guarantees to fund the project.

Read more

“We’ve got to build 50 gigawatts a year of carbon-free power … and we’re failing miserably at doing it.”

Green energy superstar BrightSource Energy notched a big win this week when a California state regulator recommended approval of its 392-megawatt Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in the Mojave Desert.

The California Energy Commission will now hold a 30-day public comment period before voting on the final decision. Another regulatory approval, this one from the federal Bureau of Land Management, should come down in short order. The company plans to begin construction on the complex by fall.

G.E.R. spoke to BrightSource Chief Executive Officer John Woolard earlier this summer about the regulatory challenges of the project.

Concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) is a core climate solution.  Green Energy Reporter.com has an interview with Woolard about his big planned air-cooled CSP project:

Read more

Bruce Stutz, former editor in chief of Natural History, explains the latest research on cell phone safety in this reposting from Yale’s E360 online magazine.

While some studies have suggested that frequent use of cell phones causes increased risk of brain and mouth cancers, others have found no such links. But since cell phones are relatively new and brain cancers grow slowly, many experts are now recommending taking steps to reduce exposure.

Does your cell phone increase your risk of brain cancer? Does it affect your skin or your sperm viability? Is it safe for pregnant women or children? Should you keep it in your bag, on your belt, in your pants or shirt pocket? Should you use a hands-free headset? Are present cell phone safety standards strict enough?

You don’t know? You’re not alone.

Read more