global warming

Seeing 2 Kinds of Green Amid the Black Gold of Canada's Oil Sands

When it comes to energy, what we desire is a source that's cheap, reliable and clean -- but so far, there's no way to get all three attributes in one abundant source. And nowhere are the trade-offs that surround those competing desires more obvious than in Canada's oil sands.

Treasury's Big Stake Weighs on AIG's Stock Price

During the past month, AIG stock fell nearly 10% drop after an announcement that the government would sell some of its stake in the insurance giant. The Treasury's ownership in the company has declined from 92% to 77%, but the prospect of its future sell-offs are holding the stock down.

A Hot Solar Stock: SunPower's Sales Have Far to Rise

SunPower boasts of being able to manufacture the most efficient large-scale solar modules in the industry, and shipments of its residential and commercial components have been growing rapidly. Trefis predicts they'll keep growing, especially if federal policy shifts further in favor of solar.

Using an Easy-Bake Oven Is About to Become Difficult

The Easy-Bake Oven is falling victim to the fight against global warming. The incandescent light bulbs that heat the toy ovens are being phased out in 2012 in favor of energy-efficient compact fluorescents. But precisely because they are energy efficient, they don't get hot enough to bake a cookie.

What U.S. Energy Policy Needs: Less Coal, More Uranium

With cleaner air and energy self-sufficiency high on America's list of priorities, our irrational dislike of nuclear power looks increasingly imprudent. China, France and the U.K. have raced ahead safely on nuclear power: It's well past time for the U.S. to start catching up.

It's Getting Hot in Here: 2010 Temperatures Hit Record High

Global temperatures in 2010 tied 2005 for the warmest on record and are likely to increase further as developing countries expand their economies and produce more greenhouse gases, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said in a report Wednesday.

Natural Gas Boom: Cheap, Clean Fuel Presents Problem, Too

A natural gas boom is coming in the U.S, but while consumers are likely to benefit from the cheap energy source, investors may not. Huge new discoveries of domestic reserves may keep prices down, and the political push toward renewable energy sources could cut into producers' profits.

How Did Global Warming Fare on Election Day?

As California voters wait to find out whether they've suspended a major global-warming law, which requires the state to scale back carbon emissions 25% to 1990 levels by 2020, New Mexico on Tuesday passed its own measure to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions -- but it only takes effect if other states follow suit.

Climate Change: Smart Businesses Are Preparing Now

From flooding in Pakistan to wildfires in Russia, something seems to be going on. Climate change? A growing number of businesses aren't waiting around to find out for sure. Instead, they're making pragmatic plans to get ready just in case.

The Inconvenient Truth About Gore's PR Problem

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore was a leading voice in the fight against climate change just three years ago. Now, amid accusations of sexual misconduct, he faces an image problem. Is the environment losing a key spokesman?

Solar Energy Market Will Get Even Hotter in 2010

This year is turning out to be a good one for solar energy equipment makers and project developers. Solar panel makers saw a 92% jump in shipments in the second quarter from a year ago, and market research firms have issued bullish outlooks for the industry.

A Big Chill,
but Not Always
So Painful

So far, much of the U.S. has experienced a bitterly cold winter, and the harsh weather is forecast to linger through February. It's been a boon for some sectors of the economy, even as it drags down others.

Obama Gets Climate Deal but Emissions Cuts Not Binding

In a political victory, Barack Obama emerged from the climate summit in Copenhagen Friday with a global deal to reduce earth-harming emissions. But greens were disappointed the cuts weren't binding while skeptics were sad there was any deal at all.

Finding Common Ground
in Copenhagen?

As the world's leaders converge for the global climate summit, the clouds over what had been deemed a fairly useless exercise in geopolitical stagecraft appear to be lifting. Most dramatic is a proposal that rich nations provide a $100 billion per year to help poorer nations cope with emission cuts.

Inflation Fears in India -- Food Prices Up 20%

The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that it won't raise interest rates anytime soon, indicating that it doesn't see inflation as a threat in the U.S. But not every nation shares our situation. In India, wholesale food prices were up 19.95% year-over-year for the week ending Dec. 5.

A Green Stock Index for Emerging Markets

Until now, green companies in the developing world have lacked a yardstick to track their stock performance versus the rest of the market. The newly introduced "carbon-efficient index" fills that gap -- just in time for the Copenhagen climate meetings.