China outspends major powers in 2010 federal stimulus funding on smart grid projects

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We have been covering China’s intensive and substanstial focus on Green Technology, Smart Grids and non-petroleum-based energy sources and supplies here at fund-balance.com since our launch in October 2008. Now that a picture of national stimulus spending is emerging for 2010, its no surprise then to see that China will …

Clean water and air in conflict with greater access to coal and electricity

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Over the past few weeks we have seen communities increasingly turn away from unchecked development and new electricity access, especially from coal burning plants, in the name of preserving clean air and water supplies. Even if it means that short-term economic gain may be traded for a greater quality of …

Chinese and Indian policy-makers looking ahead while many in U.S. look to the side

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Over the last two weeks, a substantial amount of journalism has covered stories that converge on a basic theme: China and India are planning for a world where a) Green Technology drives economic activity, and b) the need for Energy Technology, however “Green” will conflict with available natural resources and drive rapidly increasing investment outside of their borders, and equal demand for innovation on both sides.

More Ominous Signs from PRC Government, Californian Lakes Warming, Cap and Dividend

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My top three stories this from this week. — WB The Chinese Government is moving to restrict and in some cases completely block, supplies of Rare Earth Metals (REEs). These metals, such as Neodymium, are critical to building wind-turbines and ultra-efficient motors. I have heard fearful commentary concering their virtual …

Earth’s genetic trust fund, the internet’s carbon footprint, and secretive skeptics

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Protecting our genetic trust fund, the impact of software on electricity consumption and climate change skeptics make my list of most interesting stories from this past week. An article from today’s San Francisco Chronicle notes that a wave of extinctions, comparable to the one that eliminated Dinosaurs from earth is …

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch — In the central North Pacific Gyre, pieces of plastic outweigh surface zooplankton by a factor of six to one

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The Great Pacific Garbage Patch — as covered by firstaffirmative.com By Sara Laks and Steve Schueth Why is it so important to be a conscious consumer and a responsible investor? Here’s a reason for today:  The Island of Garbage swirling in the Pacific Ocean, also known as The Great Pacific …

The beginning of the end of framing Climate Change as a partisan issue or topic for debate in undergraduate classes/cable talking head programs

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The Governor of California said an international agreement at Copenhagen will usher in a new era of renewable energy and economic growth through manufacturing green technology. Even if a deal cannot be done between nation states, he said cities and regions such as California are moving forward in transforming their …

Upcycling: Using plastic to make batteries

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Waste plastic from “throwaway” carrier bags can be readily converted into carbon nanotubes. The chemist who developed the technique has even used the nanotubes to make lithium-ion batteries. This is called “upcycling” – converting a waste product into something more valuable. Finding ways to upcycle waste could encourage more recycling: …

Fund-balance covers the Blue Economy: As oceans fall ill, Washington bureaucrats squabble

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WASHINGTON — Off the coast of Washington state , mysterious algae mixed with sea foam have killed more than 8,000 seabirds, puzzling scientists. A thousand miles off California , researchers have discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a swirling vortex roughly twice the size of Texas filled with tiny bits …