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Energy Consumption

Computers and Appliances: Today's Home-Based Energy Hogs

Bill Chameides | Posted 05.12.2013 | Green
Bill Chameides

The Energy Information Administration is touting the fact that "heating and cooling" now comprise less than half of our residential energy usage. But that's only half the story.

Charging iPhone Costs How Much Per Year?

The Huffington Post | Ron Dicker | Posted 10.15.2012 | Technology

Spare change, anyone? That's all it costs to charge your smartphone for a year. The iPhone 5 requires a mere 41 cents annually to juice up once a d...

Energy Addiction or Gluttony?

Christopher F. Jones | Posted 11.19.2012 | Green
Christopher F. Jones

Although calling Americans energy gluttons doesn't suggest the same sense of crisis as addiction, it better captures how we should treat the problem. We don't need a detox program; we need a healthier relationship with energy consumption.

Tired of Chest-Thumping Patriotism

Leonard Steinhorn | Posted 09.02.2012 | Politics
Leonard Steinhorn

We are indeed an exceptional country, and we should celebrate that. But patriotism also means calling our nation out for its problems and troubles. Here are my top four patriotic criticisms of Americans that I wish a politician would articulate.

Waste and the Great American Energy Machine

Yul Kwon | Posted 06.23.2012 | Green
Yul Kwon

Americans on average are the biggest consumers of energy on the planet, and keeping the power that we need flowing is a monumental undertaking. Despite our increasing demand for energy, Americans waste a staggering amount of it.

Rep. Donna Edwards -- Advocate for Green Concerns

Marcia G. Yerman | Posted 07.17.2011 | Green
Marcia G. Yerman

Rep. Donna Edwards is a strong believer in the importance of the Clean Air Act. I reached out to her with four key questions on energy and her commitment to the environment.

The Missing Energy Piece

National Journal | RONALD BROWNSTEIN | Posted 07.12.2011 | Green

Peering into the future, the federal Energy Information Administration recently released a kaleidoscopic collection of 57 computer-generated scenarios...

Food Industry Energy Consumption Runs Rampant

Posted 07.02.2011 | Home

Food-related energy consumption in the United States is growing, explains USA Today with some alarming statistics. From 2002 through 2007, food-re...

The Twin Elephants in the Room

Paul and Anne Ehrlich | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green
Paul and Anne Ehrlich

Two large-scale, interconnected trends are driving almost every other global crisis today. But don't expect to hear about them from the media.

China Announces Priorities for Next Five Years

Daniel K. Gardner | Posted 05.25.2011 | World
Daniel K. Gardner

This past Saturday, Premier Wen Jiabao delivered his 2011 "Report on the Work of the Government" to the 3,000 delegates gathered in Beijing for the Na...

The Carbon Bubble

Gregory Unruh | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green
Gregory Unruh

The carbon bubble, quite simply, is the constantly increasing consumption of fossil fuels. I call it the master bubble because it drives the growth of every economic indicator, from GDP to corn harvests.

How to Cut Energy Consumption: Pre-Pay for Watts

Seth Bauer | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green
Seth Bauer

Twenty years ago, Elton B. Sherwin, Jr. plugged a rechargeable flashlight into an outlet. And within a few hours, it was ready to use as soon as the situation called for it. Only somehow, the situation never called for it.

Eco Etiquette: Should I Turn Off The TiVo?

Jennifer Grayson | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green
Jennifer Grayson

Send all your eco-inquiries to Jennifer Grayson at eco.etiquette@gmail.com. Questions may be edited for length and clarity. I try to unplug all my ap...

A Greener, Level Playing Field With Boulder's SmartRegs

Anne Butterfield | Posted 05.25.2011 | Denver
Anne Butterfield

The proposed SmartRegs would require rental property owners to update their residential properties through measures such as installing efficient light bulbs, dishwashers, insulation or solar heating.

Congress to Finally See the National Broadband Plan

Ramon Nuez | Posted 05.25.2011 | Technology
Ramon Nuez

Today the FCC sent the National Broadband Plan to Congress. They have also made the plan publicly available -- it's a big read. Details inside.

The Warrior for the Land: Sebastian Copeland's View of Antarctica

Mary Hall | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green
Mary Hall

With the challenges we're facing in the new economy, Mr. Copeland's photographs in Antarctica remind us that the state of the planet and our climate is as important as the changing course of the stock market and the unemployment rates.

Edward Burtynsky Oil Exhibit: Examining Our Crude Oil Consumption

Posted 05.25.2011 | Green

The Edward Burtynsky Oil exhibit is on display now until December 13, 2009 at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. This exhibit features l...

Saving Energy: Efficient Electronics Still Power Hogs

nytimes.com | Posted 05.25.2011 | Technology

The proliferation of personal computers, iPods, cellphones, game consoles and all the rest amounts to the fastest-growing source of power demand in th...

The Optimistic Scientist and the Pessimistic Politicians

Yuna Shin | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green
Yuna Shin

Steve Chu, the Secretary of Energy, is a non-politician in a political position, but no one doubts that he is a very logical choice to be in charge of energy policies in this country.

Does Your Toilet Really Need to Chirp Like a Bird? Japan's Un-green Lifestyle Expectations

Mairi Beautyman | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green
Mairi Beautyman

After a 20-day trip, four Japanese social norms made me wonder if pledges for extremely ambitious greenhouse gas emission cuts are realistic.

Smart Energy Meters In Every UK Home By 2020

treehugger.com | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green

UK Government Reveals Ambitious Smart Meter Plans The European Union has already made moves to mandate smart meters, but now the Guardian tells us tha...

2030 Predictions: Flat Demand For Oil, Surge In Number Of Hybrid Vehicles

Dot Earth | Andrew C. Revkin | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green

The Annual Energy Outlook projecting United States energy trends through 2030 foresees flat demand for oil, a shrinking need for imports and enormous ...

Silent Night, Sparkle-less Night

Cathy Erway | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green
Cathy Erway

In the lobby of my apartment building, there is a Christmas tree adorned with ornaments and colored lights. A boombox is placed conspicuously behind i...

Now For A Green Bailout: Twice The Bang, Half The Bucks

Van Jones | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green
Van Jones

I am willing to concede that Wall Street and the big bankers need some propping up. But while we are at it, we should find a way to bail out the little people -- and the planet.

Reduce Energy Use At Home: How To Easily Cut Back

Huffington Post | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green

There sure is a lot of energy being spent on the energy debate lately. Sometimes it's best to hone in on what you can do, personally, at home, before ...