If your organisation is trying to get it's head around greenhouse gases (GHG) and how to monitor and reduce them, Betsy Fargo from BSR has a really useful summary appearing on GreenBiz.  She discusses the types of tools available, the leading ones on the market and their features,  and how to select the most appropriate one.  

Geothermal energy has enormous potential for meeting the energy needs of low-carbon economies.  How much?  According to MIT, an "estimated that tapping just 2% of the potential resource from so-called enhanced geothermal systems between 3km and 10km below the surface of continental USA could supply more than 2,500 times the country's total annual energy use."

Problem is, thusfar it has often been quite expensive to access and involves expensive drilling projects.  Good news on the way however, as Guardian reports a new tool has been developed and tested by Potter Drilling.  The tool has managed to reach a depth of 1000 feet deep in the earth, which is a good first step.  The bulk of geothermal energy potential lies as much as 3-10km deep in the earths crust, so there is still some way to go.  But the technology is proving very promising and it is likely this depth may eventually be reached.  This would have a massive effect on lowering project costs and improving the potential for geothermal energy to be tapped worldwide.  Something to watch in the years ahead. 

Courtesy of Green Habitat Design, here's a quick primer on how geothermal works:

“How dare they claim the right to block the sun? To colour the clouds? To change the chemistry of the ocean? Look at the oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico. If we learn one lesson from this disaster, let it be that we cannot control the effects of our technology, nor is our technology capable of fixing the Earth disruptions that we unleash. It’s time for some collective humility in the face of awesome natural forces, not more eco-hubris.”

Word up Naomi.  To anyone who agrees, please take a moment to join the Hands Off Mother Earth Campaign to stop geoengineering. 

How will recent developments in Copenhagen and elsewhere affect progress on climate change?

Check out our interview --  Eco-business.com has an exclusive with Professor Tim Flannery, scientist, explorer, conservationist, and Chair of the Copenhagen Climate Council.

(Special thanks to SAVE at NUS for helping us get access)

Two very interesting articles in the media, with good summaries appearing on Ecologist website.

Big picture issue: Experts think that climate change agreements should be focused more on finding cheap ways to enable clean energy (e.g. non-carbon) production, rather than trying to flog the dead horse of emissions targets.  Interesting thought, and one that keeps coming up more and more in recent times.  Will COP16 in Cancun be affected by this?  We're going to talk with Dr. Tim Flannery this weekend after his talk at NUS and ask him for his two cents.  Stay tuned.

Local picture issue: Singapore is in the spotlight again for damaging regional ecologies through technically illegal sand trading.  It's bad PR and surely there must be a better way to add to landmass (or for that matter, more effectively use what's already available). 

On behalf of our client, we are looking for a large parcel of agricultural real estate in the larger north Auckland region.  This includes Kumeu, Helensville, Riverhead, and Kaipara Harbour areas, as well as Matakana and Wellsford region.  Approximate land area sought is 100 acres (30-50ha) that is at least 20-40 metres above sea level.  For full information on our real estate requirements please click here.  Please feel free to contact us if you know of a worthwhile site, or might be looking to sell your land in the near future.  Note: land parcels currently under organic production are highly desired. 

Check out this month's issue of Idealog Magazine and see our article on New Zealand business leader's cleantech plan for the country.