About

The Great Energy Challenge blog focuses on the future of fuel and power with news and insights from journalists and insiders who are deeply engaged in the world’s shared energy and climate challenges.

We are aiming to inspire a diverse conversation on the future of energy with a range of perspectives. We believe this is the most effective way to encourage solutions to the problems of shrinking energy resources and climate instability.

The bloggers on this site are solely responsible for the ideas and opinions in their posts.

The Great Energy Challenge blog is produced and edited by National Geographic. It is part of The Great Energy Challenge, an important National Geographic initiative designed to help all of us better understand the breadth and depth of our current energy situation.

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Comments

  1. Ronan Kerouedan, CEO Carbon Hub
    London + Paris
    December 16, 2010, 11:44 am

    “The UK is one of the best countries in the world to be in terms of market growth for companies selling software and consultancy services addressing environmental performance management issues. This is partly thanks to the UK Government taking climate change more seriously than many other developed countries, and implementing regulations such as the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme. Businesses and organisations are being told that climate change issues and rising energy costs are something they will have to increasingly factor into their concerns and running costs; these issues will not be ignored.

    The opportunity for IT to contribute to the measuring and reporting of carbon emissions was quickly picked up on, and in the years between 2005 and 2010, there has been a huge growth in companies offering these services. But, as many business leaders and CEOs considering the implications of environmental policies to their businesses have noticed, becoming energy efficient is not a purely mechanical process; behavioural change, and a change in culture–of the company, and of society at large–are necessary if the efforts of companies are to bear any fruit.

    Carbon Hub completely understand this. Indeed, using technologies that are interactive and collaborative and that engage stakeholders is exactly what we do. Our belief is that greater efficiency means greater savings, and communication is a crucial facilitator in achieving both of these. Thus we not only provide the software for organisations and businesses to set up an automated tracking system for their energy use, but also an internet platform through which communities can exchange ideas on best practice, read up on the newest scientific and regulatory developments, ask our team of experts questions, and compare their energy management performance. If energy efficiency is to be an inevitable part of our future, why not make it a common effort that’s as easy and as fun as possible?

    Another thing to keep in mind is that this market is evolving very quickly; to keep pace with demand, Carbon Hub’s next move is to expand beyond carbon footprinting to measuring all CSR and environmental impacts. It’s very exciting to see our clients wanting to go above and beyond what regulations presently require. It shows that attitudes towards climate change are moving towards a more proactive stance, people are saying: this is not doomsday, it about risk management and reducing costs–we can do this!”

    –Ronan Kerouedan, CEO Carbon Hub

  2. Thomas M. Collins
    Shreveport, Louisiana
    April 23, 2011, 11:22 pm

    I suggest an internet search on the geothermal heat pump as an option for the heating and cooling of buildings. The failure to achieve widespread adoption is a significant example of the influence of the carbon based fuels industry. The fact that this technology requires no on site combustion for heating of both the air and water would have a heavy impact on the use of both coal and natural gas. When your combine this with the fact that it takes less energy to heat and cool using a water based process than air, you see why the energy industries have discouraged the use of this technology..

  3. Sarah Johns
    Tennessee
    April 4, 12:06 pm

    Just like Nuclear Power, there is NO “Safe” way of Fracking. OR of these Nasty Pipelines that spew Toxic Oil all over the Earth!
    We have UNLIMITED amounts of Wind, Sun and Ocean for our electric needs.. Why is the USA SO far behind almost every CIVILIZED country in Green & Sustainable Energy?? $$$ That’s why, Big Oil OWNS the Govt. as do Corporations & until this changes we are headed for an Ecological Disaster, the likes of which we have never seen.
    The “Green” Energy ( solar, wind, Hydro) ALL will make a LOT of JOBS! In this Jobless society it is only COMMON sense to go Green, stop these Pipelines, Fracking & Nuclear reactors! ( of which there is NO safe way to produce energy) because of the problem of Spent Rods.. Which are Dumped in Utah & Nevada.. Further contaminating the Aquifers and Lands! The USA is So FAR behind Europe in Green Energy Production, it makes Americans look like Cavemen!
    The Politicians MUST get off their behinds & stop taking Bribes from Lobbyists and GO GREEN NOW! Vote NO on the Keystone Pipeline!! Stop Uranium mining in North Dakota ( Canoco) a Canadian company, that mines the yellow ore, leaves OPEN Pits, which ground water gets into, thus into the Ogallala/ Missouri Aquifer and causes all kinds of Cancer, especially among the Native People Living on the South Dakota Reservations. ( which , of COURSE, is totally IGNORED)!! National Geo needs to do a special on that, to go along with August 2012 Issue of National Geographic Magazines Feature story, “A Nation Reborn, In the Spirit of Crazy Horse”. Thank You. ps. Wind/ Solar would also , ( If Located in South Dakota, On the Reservations) Give the Lakota ( Sioux) People WORK!! JOBS!! Which they so DESPERATELY Need! Thank You!!