Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.5.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Four nations ask EU to consider more flexible CO2 market (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Australia emissions could rise 9% if Tony Abbott is elected (via RTCC)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU agrees on deal to pare back CO2 curbs on aviation (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Trans-Pacific flights create most amount of ozone (via Phys.org)

Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf both set new monthly sales records (via Autoblog Green)

DOE pumps $33 million into EV batteries and other green car tech (via CleanTechnica)

ARPA-E takes innovative approach to EV batteries (via Energy.gov)

RENEWABLES 

Renewables generated 14% of America’s electricity in first half of 2013 (via EarthTechling)

US adds 976MW new solar PV capacity in 2Q as California sets record (via CleanTechnica)

Higher wind generation in Southwest Power Pool reducing use of baseload capacity (via US EIA)

Interior Department touts offshore wind auction results, promises more (via The Hill)

Report: Ohio renewable energy law cuts costs, emissions (via Midwest Energy News)

Las Vegas welcome sign to go solar by January 1 (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Scientists call for overhaul of UN “blockbuster” climate reports (via The Guardian)

Climate change reframed: China, World Bank prioritize pollution (via Sustainable Business)

What’s motivating sport fishermen to become climate advocates? (via Climate Progress)

Heartland Institute behind latest climate change denier campaign (via Climate Progress)

OIL 

Oil’s dwindling role in Middle East affairs (via Christian Science Monitor)

America’s oil boom won’t make it energy-independent from Middle East madness (via Time)

Hawaiian utility to deactivate Honolulu oil-fired power plant (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

20-story Vienna office building is first passive high rise (via EarthTechling)

US home energy management systems market to pass $4 billion by 2017 (via Greentech Media)

43% of energy leaders will invest more in efficiency next year (via Data Center Journal)

NYSERDA completes 50,000 home energy efficiency projects (via Breaking Energy)

COAL 

Nordic countries join US push against coal plant financing (via The Hill)

Demand cools as fight rages over coal-export terminals (via Seattle Times)

GRID 

Greenpeace launches solar-powered microgrid in India (via India Blooms)

Smart meters are getting smarter at distributing electricity (via Houston Chronicle)

California sets terms of 1.3GW energy storage mandate (via Greentech Media)

The perils of electricity capacity markets (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking fights spread to Europe (via Grist)

POLITICS 

Australia’s federal election just couldn’t face up to climate change (via The Guardian)

EPA, DOE chiefs to appear at House climate hearing (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Why Obama just named Sweden as a model for energy policy (via Climate Progress)

Barack Obama should practice what he preaches on climate change (via The Guardian)

Budget gridlock risks international climate and renewable investments (via Center for American Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.5.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Four nations ask EU to consider more flexible CO2 market (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Australia emissions could rise 9% if Tony Abbott is elected (via RTCC)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU agrees on deal to pare back CO2 curbs on aviation (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Trans-Pacific flights create most amount of ozone (via Phys.org)

Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf both set new monthly sales records (via Autoblog Green)

DOE pumps $33 million into EV batteries and other green car tech (via CleanTechnica)

ARPA-E takes innovative approach to EV batteries (via Energy.gov)

RENEWABLES 

Renewables generated 14% of America’s electricity in first half of 2013 (via EarthTechling)

US adds 976MW new solar PV capacity in 2Q as California sets record (via CleanTechnica)

Higher wind generation in Southwest Power Pool reducing use of baseload capacity (via US EIA)

Interior Department touts offshore wind auction results, promises more (via The Hill)

Report: Ohio renewable energy law cuts costs, emissions (via Midwest Energy News)

Las Vegas welcome sign to go solar by January 1 (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Scientists call for overhaul of UN “blockbuster” climate reports (via The Guardian)

Climate change reframed: China, World Bank prioritize pollution (via Sustainable Business)

What’s motivating sport fishermen to become climate advocates? (via Climate Progress)

Heartland Institute behind latest climate change denier campaign (via Climate Progress)

OIL 

Oil’s dwindling role in Middle East affairs (via Christian Science Monitor)

America’s oil boom won’t make it energy-independent from Middle East madness (via Time)

Hawaiian utility to deactivate Honolulu oil-fired power plant (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

20-story Vienna office building is first passive high rise (via EarthTechling)

US home energy management systems market to pass $4 billion by 2017 (via Greentech Media)

43% of energy leaders will invest more in efficiency next year (via Data Center Journal)

NYSERDA completes 50,000 home energy efficiency projects (via Breaking Energy)

COAL 

Nordic countries join US push against coal plant financing (via The Hill)

Demand cools as fight rages over coal-export terminals (via Seattle Times)

GRID 

Greenpeace launches solar-powered microgrid in India (via India Blooms)

Smart meters are getting smarter at distributing electricity (via Houston Chronicle)

California sets terms of 1.3GW energy storage mandate (via Greentech Media)

The perils of electricity capacity markets (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking fights spread to Europe (via Grist)

POLITICS 

Australia’s federal election just couldn’t face up to climate change (via The Guardian)

EPA, DOE chiefs to appear at House climate hearing (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Why Obama just named Sweden as a model for energy policy (via Climate Progress)

Barack Obama should practice what he preaches on climate change (via The Guardian)

Budget gridlock risks international climate and renewable investments (via Center for American Progress)

5 Wood Pallet Crafts: Weekend Project Ideas!

wood pallet crafts: succulent table

Need a fun weekend project? How about some good ol' wood pallet crafts to keep you busy and revamp your decor or your garden!

Wood pallets are becoming popular as craft materials, and that's because we use (and discard) so darn many of them. The trick to wood pallet crafts is making sure that the pallets you choose are safe for crafting, and then disassembling them while preserving the wood planks.

Tracking down wood pallets for crafting doesn't have to be difficult, but you do want to make sure that the pallet you're using has outlived its usefulness in the shipping industry. Don't just grab a pallet that you see outside a shop - businesses reuse them! Instead, ask the store manager if they have any pallets that are past their prime. Big box stores are a good place to start, especially home improvement stores that get a lot of big shipments. Don't be shy about asking - if you take an old pallet or two off their hands, they don't have to bother with disposal. Most big businesses like that have to pay for trash disposal, so you're doing them a favor.

Wood Pallet Crafts

upcycled ottoman

1. Upcycled Ottoman

This plush, upcycled ottoman might not look like it's made from wood pallets, but that's part of the charm of this project.

2. Pallet Planter

Transform an old wooden pallet into a vertical planter for ornamentals or succulents. You can also use this method to create an herb planter, but you want to be 100% sure that the pallet you're using is made from untreated wood. Click here for details on how to tell if your pallet is made from treated wood.

wood pallet bookshelf

3. Wood Pallet Bookcase Makeover

Transform that an ugly, pressboard bookcase into an heirloom piece with some sweat equity and an old wood pallet.

4. DIY Succulent Table Planter

Pallet wood planks make a beautiful outdoor table with a planter embedded right in the center. Wouldn't this make a magical spot for entertaining?

5. Pallet Desk

Want to get in on the wood pallet crafts craze but aren't super good at wood working? This pallet desk is easy peasy and very fresh. No wood working skills required!

Have you done anything fun with old wood pallets? Tell us about your favorite wood pallet crafts in the comments!