Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.8.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

EMISSIONS 

UN carbon market scheme passes 7,000-project mark (via RTCC)

Could DOE loans to “advanced” fossil fuel projects lower carbon emissions? (via Climate Progress)

Power plant rules coming from EPA as soon as September (via The Hill)

United Church of Christ puts its faith in fossil fuel divestment (via CleanTechnica)

ENERGY POLICY 

Warmer water to boost hydro, nuclear power costs (via Bloomberg)

BLM won’t allow new mining claims on lands tagged for solar (via Greenwire)

RENEWABLES 

EU edges toward solar trade deal with China (via BusinessGreen)

Global solar PV market to hit 45GW in 2014, says Deutsche Bank (via Renew Economy)

Residential solar PV systems experiencing slow adoption in China (via Renewable Energy World)

Pakistan to develop 25GW of wind power by 2015 (via RTCC)

SolarReserve wants to build 600MW solar power plant in Saudi Arabia (via CleanTechnica)

Wind increases production 15-fold since 2003, provides 4% of US power (via Facts of the Day)

The world’s thinnest solar cell, just a nanometer thick (via Christian Science Monitor)

Biofuel investments at seven-year low as BP blames cost (via Bloomberg)

Biofuel program could invite giant grass invasion (via Grist)

Behind Ikea’s coast-to-coast solar push (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

Coal’s slipping grip: New England leads the way (via Climate Central)

The coal industry vs. everyone else: who will win? (via The Guardian)

CLIMATE 

World Meteorological Organization: more heat, more storms, more extremes (via Climate Central)

Australian heat waves “five times more likely due to global warming” (via The Guardian)

UK study suggests economic stagnation no excuse for climate inaction (via Green Car Congress)

Homes keep rising in US West despite growing wildfire threat (via New York Times)

65% of Congressional Republicans deny climate science (via Facts of the Day)

OIL

Crude oil-carrying train derails and explodes in Quebec town (via Climate Progress)

Quebec train explosion fuels rail vs. pipeline debate for moving oil (via The Globe and Mail)

BP asks court to end “feeding frenzy” in Gulf oil spill settlement (via Houston Chronicle)

BP oil spill claims climb ahead of appeal day (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

In Europe, greener transit on existing infrastructure (via New York Times)

EV battery prices drop 40% from 2010 to 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

2013 plug-in electric car sales won’t quite double 2012 (via Green Car Reports)

NUCLEAR 

Japan nuclear operators file for plant safety checks, but early restarts unlikely (via Reuters)

Companies face long wait to restart nuclear plants in Japan (via New York Times)

GRID 

North America will lead global microgrid market with 6GW capacity by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Japanese utility investing in 60MWh battery for grid storage (via Green Car Congress)

UK smart meter installations behind target (via Energy Manager Today)

Pumped storage provides grid reliability even with net generation loss (via US EIA)

FERC signs off on proposed CAISO-PacifiCorp deal (via Renew Grid)

Summer sun brings a focus to Texas power debate (via Houston Chronicle)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Oil to flow through Keystone XL’s southern leg this year (via Houston Chronicle)

Enbridge’s Keystone XL competitor has a permit controversy of its own (via Midwest Energy News)

GREEN BUILDING 

Siemens and partners launching $51 million Vienna smart city project (via Green Car Congress)

The battle for sustainable cities (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS 

Poland’s shale gas dreams fade as investors complain of red tape (via Reuters)

British company applies for UK shale gas fracking permit (via New York Times)

Coal-to-gas plant conversions face challenges (via Navigant Research)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Rating US energy efficiency progress (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Emissions trading in China: risky and difficult, but necessary (via Renew Economy)

Nuclear energy is largely safe, but can it be cheap? (via Time)

Which US state are hot for solar power? (via GigaOm)

Biofuels from invasive plant species open Pandora’s Box (via EarthTechling)

Clean, Green Eating while Traveling

Travel-writingA friend recently asked me for some tips for staying healthy while traveling, and I thought that perhaps our savvy readers here at Green Upgrader would be interested too! Admittedly, it's been years since I've traveled internationally. But since I live in Hawaii, island-hopping is a very good, affordable substitute, and I am not complaining!

Whether you are traveling on short island trips or international adventures, even a few days away from home can disrupt our dietary patterns and mess up our digestion and nutrition. Here are few tips that have gotten me through international travel to Southeast Asia, mainland United States, and Europe. If you are staying closer to home this summer, here is another post about healthy backpacking foods. Hopefully you will find all of them useful!

Drink your Veggies

Green drinks are an easy, simple way to ensure that you get some daily greens into your diet. My favorite brand is AmazingGrass, which is a dry powder that includes barley grass, wheat grass, spirulina, veggies, flaxseeds and probiotics. Simply mix the powder into some water and drink! This oddly colored beverage gives you a nutritional boost when you are not eating your best. You can buy single-serve packs or larger containers in various flavors. There are many brands on the market– ask your health food store for some samples, they should always share! But be careful, some are sweetened with fructose (PowerPak) and others have dairy (Spiruteen), so I recommend avoiding those.

amazing grass

Get your Vitamins

When we're at home, most of us probably eat a pretty balanced diet and get adequate amounts micro- and macro-nutrients. But when traveling, we might be missing out on some important stuff (in Germany, I subsisted on beer, pretzels and Kaesespaetzle, the German version of macaroni and cheese!). In addition to greens powders, you might want to bring along some simple protein or meal replacement powders. The really good ones are Vega, Garden of Life and Sunwarrior– these all feature a variety of plant-based proteins, vitamins, minerals and more. These can often just be mixed or shaken with water for a quick boost to make up for all that beer! Check out the Lunchbox Bunch and Choosing Raw for some reviews of protein powders.

vega products

Make Quick Superfood Snacks

Granola bars, Larabars and other snacky foods are helpful both for long travel times (air, train, car, what-have-you), but they can also come in handy when there is just not enough food around. If you have time before your trip, make up some healthy superfood snacks like Homemade Larabars or these Mango Sunshine Cashew Bites. If you don't have time to prepare your own, stock up on Larabars, WaiLana bars or similar. Always be sure to bring along nuts, seeds, kale chips and dried fruits too, for some snacky fun. And be sure to restock anytime you can along the way– sample the local versions of trail mix, granola and get fresh fruits whenever you are able. These foods will get you by in a pinch, and keep your sweet tooth happy! And if you have even more time before your trip, prepare some wholesome, homemade airplane meals– an important start for any trip. Start your holiday off healthfully with pre-made salads, trail mixes, and wraps. My New Roots  and 101 Cookbooks both have some great suggestions. As long as there is not liquid, most foods can be taken on the airplane without a problem.

Keep your Belly Healthy

During my time in Indonesia, I often found myself with 'Bali Belly'– an unhappy tummy from unclean food. To avoid all that awfulness, take probiotic supplements before, during and after your trip to keep your intestinal flora happy and balanced, which can decrease the likelihood that you might become ill. Additionally, acupuncturists and naturopathic doctors recommend liquid collodial silver and grapefruit seed extract to keep our tummies happy on international trips. These supplements kill off the bad stuff that makes us sick. Check with a practitioner to find which method is best for you.

Hopefully these tips will help keep you well on all your holidays! Happy trails!