Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Graph of the Day: The role of ‘soft costs’ as solar panels get cheap
US analysis shows that streamlining solar permitting rules could cut the cost of installing residential solar systems by as much as 40%.
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‘Space Oddity’ astronaut has unique perspective on climate change
As well as a rendition of the David Bowie classic, Canada’s first ISS commander offers a unique perspective on how humans are changing Earth’s climate.
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ARENA plans new mechanisms as funding cut, deferred
ARENA has suffered a 5 pct cut in funds, and had a further $370 million in funding deferred. However, the agency says the “reprofiling” may suit its investment plans, as it considers tariff support and contracts for difference to augment one off grants. And it is about to launch a new $400 million off-grid and…
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Why the 400 ppm climate milestone is irrelevant
We were always going to blow past 400ppm. What matters now is whether humanity can avoid the positive feedback spiral.
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Legendary investor Warren Buffett pumps $1.9bn into US wind power
Iowa governor’s fight for wind tax credit pays off with $1.9bn investment in state wind farms from the Buffett-connected MidAmerican Energy.
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Mixed Greens: S Korea set to introduce world’s highest carbon price
BNEF report says $90/tCO2 carbon price would make South Korea ETS world’s most ambitious. Plus: SolarCity posts loss.
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Graph of the Day: Solar investment allure of Sunbelt countries
Australia ranks among other Sunbelt countries as a clear leader on the latest global solar PV investment attractiveness index.
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Muddle-headed wombats bury their heads on climate policy
The investment world might be taking greater notice of the global ‘carbon budget’ – issuing warnings about capital risk on investments with a clouded future – but as the world’s atmospheric CO2 levels sail past 400 parts per million, Australia’s politicians plough on regardless.
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As carbon dioxide levels hit a new high, there’s still no Planet B
Earth’s land, oceans and biosphere are now in extreme danger, but this doesn’t seem to be driving the urgent measures required to arrest current trends.
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Scapegoating solar: Why the QCA’s fixed price proposal is all wrong
The proposal to increase fixed charges for Queensland rooftop PV customers is not only inequitable, it won’t achieve what the QCA wants it to achieve.
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Rooftop solar owners vs utilities – the battle begins
As utilities in Australia and the US act to protect their business models against the growing impact of rooftop solar and other technologies, new alliances are being formed to protect the rights of solar customers. The “democratisation” of electricity is putting centralised production in direct competition with their consumers.
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EVs get a dose of testosterone
A century ago, early electric cars were marketed at women – because the EVs were “quiet, smooth and comfortable.” Some of that automotive gender bias continues today.
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