Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.10.13

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

EMISSIONS 

IEA says global carbon emissions hit record high in 2012 (via Reuters)

US and China agree to wind down production and use of greenhouse gas (via Washington Post)

RGGI carbon auction raises a record $124.5 million (via Bloomberg)

College fossil fuel divestments don’t harm oil and gas or school fund performance (via Environmental Leader)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear plant closures show industry’s struggles (via Yahoo!/AP)

California’s San Onofre nuclear plant to close for good (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

China invests billions in US, European renewable energy projects (via CleanTechnica)

Wind generates 38% more than nuclear in India during first half of FY2013 (via Panchabuta)

Chile’s businesses set for 600MW renewable energy boost (via BusinessGreen)

WWF campaign calls for $40 billion in renewable energy investments (via Renew Grid)

Utilities and solar advocates square off over future (via Washington Post)

Oxford PV touts 15.4% efficiency record for solar glass technology (via BusinessGreen)

New solar guide could tap 3.3GW potential of HOA communities (via CleanTechnica)

Minnesota to define the value of solar power (via Midwest Energy News)

Wind turbines withstand E5 Oklahoma tornadoes (via BusinessGreen)

CLIMATE

IEA outlines global climate action plan (via BusinessGreen)

Climate change causing Pentagon planning shift, says DOD strategist (via The Hill)

Study: most investors don’t support climate-related shareholder resolutions (via TriplePundit)

Tough spot for farmers: adapting to climate change they don’t believe in (via Grist)

OIL 

OPEC’s slipping grasp on the world’s oil market (via Globe and Mail)

US shale boom putting OPEC on the defense (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking foes push California governor on ban (via Houston Chronicle)

Abandoned Texas oil wells raise fears of pollution (via New York Times)

GRID 

More utilities set to pursue advanced distribution management systems (via Renew Grid)

Texas grid girds for summer onslaught (via Houston Chronicle)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Shale exploration in China set to explode, says analyst (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

What’s the future of electric cars? (via National Journal)

California is closing a huge nuclear plant, so what will replace it? (via Washington Post)

What happens when California’s 33% renewable mandate is met? (via Greentech Media)

Vegan Shoe Review: Patagonia Advocate

VEGAN_SHOE-01

Shopping for a vegan shoe isn't always a simple task, but PlanetShoes and Patagonia make it easy.

Disclosure: Patagonia and PlanetShoes sent me a pair of their vegan shoes for this review. All opinions are 100% mine.

Patagonia Advocate Week is back! Patagonia will donate $10 to the World Wildlife Fund for every pair of Patagonia footwear sold on PlanetShoes from March 21 - April 4. The WWF is the world's leading conservation organization with an admirable set of preservation goals for the coming years:

The world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States and close to 5 million globally. WWF’s unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature.

Installing Camera Trap

WWF's expansive work includes the Tiger Survey Team:

Monitoring tigers and their prey is essential to achieving our goal of doubling wild tiger populations by 2022. By employing camera traps, tracking technologies and DNA collected from scat, WWF scrutinizes the progress of tiger populations in order to adapt our strategies and make conservation decisions based on strong science and field experience.
Photo credit: © WWF Indonesia/Tiger Survey Team

Ready to update your spring wardrobe with some eco-minded wares? Patagonia and PlanetShoes has just what you need!

Shoe manufacturing is rarely Earth-friendly due to the use of leather and synthetic materials, but vegan shoes offer a nice alternative for eco-minded or vegetarian/vegan folks. The best choice for a vegan shoe is organic cotton, canvas, hemp, or anything recycled (not leather). Opting for second hand shoes (or repairing the shoes you have) is another way to green up your footwear without harming animals and minimizing your environmental impact.

Vegan Shoe Review
An Eco-conscious company, Patagonia offers a wide variety of vegan shoes, not to mention almost all Patagonia footwear incorporates recycled materials. The Advocate Lace Plaid shoe boasts a recycled PET fleece collar and lining, a 15% recycled EVA insole, and a 20% recycled and durable armadillo rubber sole. And true to a vegan shoe, no leather or animal product is used in the Patagonia Advocate. A slip on shoe, the Advocate is cozy, cute and an easy choice for a camp shoe. The handy rear pull-loop makes it easy to slip these comfy shoes on and off, or clip them to your pack while you're rockin' your heavy duty kicks on the trail.

Overall I'm enjoying these shoes. Definitely casual and comfy, great for either wearing around the house like a slipper or cruising the streets of San Francisco. Small and soft, I can see taking them with me on trips as they pack easily or can be clipped onto my carry-on.

And for the fellas, Patagonia makes an Advocate for men.

Sizing
The Advocate line only comes in full sizes, so if you are a half-sizer like me you may want to order a size lower as they seem to run a bit big. I'm a 7.5 (but can occasionally wear an 8) and I ordered an 8. The fit is just a bit loose but doable with a sock. If you plan to rock these without socks than I definitely recommend going a size down.

Patagonia and the Environment
Patagonia has been one of my favorite company for years, from their awesome selection of outdoor gear to their committment to supporting environmental causes, it's a company that has earned my loyalty. A member of 1% for the Planet, Patagonia also maintains a high level of transparency about their manufacturing processes, so consumers are always able to make informed decisions when buying Patagonia products. You can read more about Patagonia's environmental initiatives on their site.

Check out the wide selection of Patagonia shoes on PlanetShoes and purchase by April 4 to support the World Wildlife Fund. And be sure to enter our $100 Gift Card Giveaway from Patagonia.

Vegan Shoe Review: Patagonia Advocate

VEGAN_SHOE-01

Shopping for a vegan shoe isn't always a simple task, but PlanetShoes and Patagonia make it easy.

Disclosure: Patagonia and PlanetShoes sent me a pair of their vegan shoes for this review. All opinions are 100% mine.

Patagonia Advocate Week is back! Patagonia will donate $10 to the World Wildlife Fund for every pair of Patagonia footwear sold on PlanetShoes from March 21 - April 4. The WWF is the world's leading conservation organization with an admirable set of preservation goals for the coming years:

The world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States and close to 5 million globally. WWF’s unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature.

Installing Camera Trap

WWF's expansive work includes the Tiger Survey Team:

Monitoring tigers and their prey is essential to achieving our goal of doubling wild tiger populations by 2022. By employing camera traps, tracking technologies and DNA collected from scat, WWF scrutinizes the progress of tiger populations in order to adapt our strategies and make conservation decisions based on strong science and field experience.
Photo credit: © WWF Indonesia/Tiger Survey Team

Ready to update your spring wardrobe with some eco-minded wares? Patagonia and PlanetShoes has just what you need!

Shoe manufacturing is rarely Earth-friendly due to the use of leather and synthetic materials, but vegan shoes offer a nice alternative for eco-minded or vegetarian/vegan folks. The best choice for a vegan shoe is organic cotton, canvas, hemp, or anything recycled (not leather). Opting for second hand shoes (or repairing the shoes you have) is another way to green up your footwear without harming animals and minimizing your environmental impact.

Vegan Shoe Review
An Eco-conscious company, Patagonia offers a wide variety of vegan shoes, not to mention almost all Patagonia footwear incorporates recycled materials. The Advocate Lace Plaid shoe boasts a recycled PET fleece collar and lining, a 15% recycled EVA insole, and a 20% recycled and durable armadillo rubber sole. And true to a vegan shoe, no leather or animal product is used in the Patagonia Advocate. A slip on shoe, the Advocate is cozy, cute and an easy choice for a camp shoe. The handy rear pull-loop makes it easy to slip these comfy shoes on and off, or clip them to your pack while you're rockin' your heavy duty kicks on the trail.

Overall I'm enjoying these shoes. Definitely casual and comfy, great for either wearing around the house like a slipper or cruising the streets of San Francisco. Small and soft, I can see taking them with me on trips as they pack easily or can be clipped onto my carry-on.

And for the fellas, Patagonia makes an Advocate for men.

Sizing
The Advocate line only comes in full sizes, so if you are a half-sizer like me you may want to order a size lower as they seem to run a bit big. I'm a 7.5 (but can occasionally wear an 8) and I ordered an 8. The fit is just a bit loose but doable with a sock. If you plan to rock these without socks than I definitely recommend going a size down.

Patagonia and the Environment
Patagonia has been one of my favorite company for years, from their awesome selection of outdoor gear to their committment to supporting environmental causes, it's a company that has earned my loyalty. A member of 1% for the Planet, Patagonia also maintains a high level of transparency about their manufacturing processes, so consumers are always able to make informed decisions when buying Patagonia products. You can read more about Patagonia's environmental initiatives on their site.

Check out the wide selection of Patagonia shoes on PlanetShoes and purchase by April 4 to support the World Wildlife Fund. And be sure to enter our $100 Gift Card Giveaway from Patagonia.

Giveaway: Win a $100 Gift Card from Patagonia and PlanetShoes!

Patagonia Vegan Advocate

Once again the folks at Patagonia have teamed up with PlanetShoes.com for Patagonia Advocate week, and they're giving away a $100 Gift Card to one lucky Green Upgrader reader to help spread the word!

Patagonia Advocate Week

Running thru April 4th, Patagonia will be donating $10 to the World Wildlife Fund for every pair of Patagonia shoes they sell at Planet Shoes. The world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States and close to 5 million globally.

Started in 2010, the Patagonia Advocate Weeks program allows retail partners to support the 1% For The Planet non-profit organization of their choosing.

The Giveaway
If you enter our giveaway, we hope that you'll also consider making a donation to the World Wildlife Fund, in lieu of the one Patagonia would be making if you purchased a pair of shoes. The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to use on Patagonia's site, so you can pick out any pair of shoes or Patagonia product.

Speaking of that giveaway, I bet you'd like to know how to enter! There are a few ways that you can get your "name in the hat." Please just make sure that you leave a separate comment for each thing you do, so that we can be sure to count all of your entries!

That's it! We'll announce the winner on Monday, April 8th, so hurry and enter while there's still time. Don't forget to check out our review of the Patagonia Advocate, an affordable and comfy vegan shoe.