No one can deny the fact that climate change is occurring quickly, and that we need to move even faster in order to combat it. This is why, according to BBC News, recently police in “Copenhagen say 900 protesters have been detained following a huge climate change rally. The move came after youths threw bricks and smashed windows as more than 30,000 demonstrators marched…” The goal of these protestors was to call the members of the conference to decisive action, as similar rallies around the world have recently done.  Read the full story

One of the many pressing issues discussed at this week’s United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen is rainforest deforestation.  With deforestation responsible for 20% of global carbon emissions, it’s crucial that the issue be discussed at Copenhagen and beyond. Read the full story

The main goal of the Copenhagen Conference that began Monday is to set up a basic political policy to reduce global greenhouse gases by a certain amount and to determine how much wealthy countries should pay developing countries not to pollute the environment. The current climate treaty, The Kyoto Protocol, does not expire until 2012, thus whatever treaty is agreed upon at Copenhagen will be non-binding. Read the full story

Who would have thought that a member of the global south could also be one of the world’s greenest countries? Nestled between Panama, Nicaragua, and the beautiful blue ocean within Central America, Costa Rica is demonstrating that it has what it takes to support major sustainability initiatives. Some might find it surprising that Costa Rica is one of the greenest countries in the world, and more importantly, that environmental sustainability can also lead to greater economic growth. Read the full story

When most small business look for cost cutting tips to include in the office, they usually overlook their HVAC systems. Depending on the type of business you have, HVACs may play a huge role in your day to day business operations. And if a water system is a significant component of your small business, you may want to consider using a tankless water heater. Read the full story

According to new research conducted by the independent EU Energy Institute, the cost of installing and owning solar panels will fall even faster than expected. While solar panels were originally predicted to last 20 years, recent tests have shown that 90-percent of existing solar panels will last for 30 years, according to Roger Harrabin, environmental analyst for BBC News.  This extended lifetime guarantee will drastically cut the lifetime cost of solar panels. Read the full story

Noreena Hertz, mentioned previously on Padosa.com, wrote a compelling editorial in the UK’s Guardian – The New Green Revolution. Worthy read – reminds me of Thomas Friedman’s call to action offered in Hot, Flat and Crowded as well as his other writing. Ms. Hertz offered this in advance of the Copenhagen meetings. Read the full story

In the 2009 Green Building Market & Impact Report published November 4 by GreenerBuildings.com, it was stated that despite losses faced by most segments of the construction marketplace over the past year, green building activity managed to sustain an impressive growth. Read the full story