Saturday, March 31, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
How Behavior Programs Can Help Build an Energy-Efficient Culture
www.sustainableplant.com - January 11, 2012
Energy behavior programs aimed at reducing energy use through change in employees' attitudes and behaviors, such as those instituted at The House of Representatives and the Empire State Building, can help build an energy-efficient office culture, according to a report released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). These programs also create benefits that extend beyond the workplace, as participants often become more energy conscious at home and in their communities.
One of the case studies examined, “Green the Capitol,” a program instituted by the House of Representatives, was recognized as a positive example of how government can deploy low-cost, low-risk energy initiatives to control its own energy usage through the change of its employees' attitudes and behavior toward energy saving.
The Green the Capital initiative promoted a comprehensive package aimed at reducing energy use, waste and the carbon footprint of the House of Representatives by switching electricity fuel from coal to natural gas, relighting the Capital Dome with compact fluorescent light bulbs, and promoting a series of behavior programs at offices such as turning off computers and other office equipment when not in use, carpooling, commuting by bicycle and recycling. Eighteen months after its launch, the Green the Capitol program had reduced the institution's carbon footprint by 74%.
The report also looked at four other energy behavior case studies across the U.S. and Canada, including the “Tenant Energy Management Program” in the Empire State building; “Conservation Action!” at BC Hydro, Canada; an energy behavior campaign undertaken at a provincial governmental building in Canada; and the “TLC – Care to Conserve” program at the University Health Network of the University of Toronto.
Four common intervention approaches were shared by the five energy behavior programs: (1) setting the tone with the support of upper management and its public pledge; (2) building a team with a project committee and peer champions on board; (3) utilizing communication tools such as e-mails, prompts, Web sites, public meetings and posters to reach target audiences; and (4) engaging building occupants by means of feedback, benign peer pressure and competition, as well as through performance-linked rewards.
The report suggests that the key benefits of energy behavior programs extend beyond the workplaces that undertake these programs. Often a change in participants' thinking and behaviors follows, and after participation in the program they may become more active in their own energy-saving practices.
“Participants in these programs may reduce their home energy use, or actively participate in or even organize energy conservation programs in their communities,” said Dr. Shui Bin. “They may act as agents for change within and outside of the organization, spreading energy-efficient behavior in other settings, leading to direct and indirect reduction of energy expenditure, energy use, and carbon emissions.”
One of the case studies examined, “Green the Capitol,” a program instituted by the House of Representatives, was recognized as a positive example of how government can deploy low-cost, low-risk energy initiatives to control its own energy usage through the change of its employees' attitudes and behavior toward energy saving.
The Green the Capital initiative promoted a comprehensive package aimed at reducing energy use, waste and the carbon footprint of the House of Representatives by switching electricity fuel from coal to natural gas, relighting the Capital Dome with compact fluorescent light bulbs, and promoting a series of behavior programs at offices such as turning off computers and other office equipment when not in use, carpooling, commuting by bicycle and recycling. Eighteen months after its launch, the Green the Capitol program had reduced the institution's carbon footprint by 74%.
The report also looked at four other energy behavior case studies across the U.S. and Canada, including the “Tenant Energy Management Program” in the Empire State building; “Conservation Action!” at BC Hydro, Canada; an energy behavior campaign undertaken at a provincial governmental building in Canada; and the “TLC – Care to Conserve” program at the University Health Network of the University of Toronto.
Four common intervention approaches were shared by the five energy behavior programs: (1) setting the tone with the support of upper management and its public pledge; (2) building a team with a project committee and peer champions on board; (3) utilizing communication tools such as e-mails, prompts, Web sites, public meetings and posters to reach target audiences; and (4) engaging building occupants by means of feedback, benign peer pressure and competition, as well as through performance-linked rewards.
The report suggests that the key benefits of energy behavior programs extend beyond the workplaces that undertake these programs. Often a change in participants' thinking and behaviors follows, and after participation in the program they may become more active in their own energy-saving practices.
“Participants in these programs may reduce their home energy use, or actively participate in or even organize energy conservation programs in their communities,” said Dr. Shui Bin. “They may act as agents for change within and outside of the organization, spreading energy-efficient behavior in other settings, leading to direct and indirect reduction of energy expenditure, energy use, and carbon emissions.”
Friday, January 13, 2012
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
To the Peope of Japan - Our Thoughts and Prayers are with You
We wish you strength and resilience in over coming this great tragedy. God be with you.
Japan earthquake: £100bn bill for costliest disaster in world history
The Telegraph - 15 March 2011
The tsunami is expected to be the world’s most expensive natural disaster, with predictions that the repair bill will top £100 billion.
Japanese rescuers search for the victims of Friday's tsunami in Miyako Photo: AP
Hurricane Katrina holds the record, having caused damage estimated at £77 billion to the Gulf Coast of America in 2005.
But the company Credit Suisse predicted yesterday that the total cost of Friday’s earthquake and tsunami would be at least 14 trillion yen (£106 billion).
The disaster caused a 6.2 per cent drop in Japan’s Nikkei share index, wiping £90 billion off stocks and shares traded there. That in turn dragged share prices to a six-week low in many countries.
In Britain, the FTSE 100 index closed almost one per cent or £15 billion down, while the Dow Jones suffered a similar slump in early trading.
Andre Bakhos, the director of market analytics at Lek Securities in New York, said: “The earthquake could have great implications on the global economic front. If you shut down Japan, there could be a global recession.”
Other experts suggested that the tragedy would at least hinder worldwide recovery from the economic downturn. The Bank of Japan responded by pumping a record £113 billion into the banking system to prop up confidence and meet demand for borrowing in the aftermath of the disaster. Japan was already struggling, with its national debt standing at twice national income and its economy shrinking in the last three months of 2010.
Dozens of factories were unable to open yesterday and many companies could not predict how long it would take to repair damage and restore supply lines.
Among the major businesses that could not operate factories were Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Canon, Nestle, Sony and Panasonic.
Dozens of factories were unable to open yesterday and many companies could not predict how long it would take to repair damage and restore supply lines.
Among the major businesses that could not operate factories were Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Canon, Nestle, Sony and Panasonic.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Malaysia Hopeful World Oil Price Will Stabilise Soon, Says Awang Adek
BACHOK, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia hopes global oil market will stabilise soon so that the impact of the current volatile situation is not significantly felt in Malaysia.
Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin said it was the fervent hope of the international community that the political turmoil and civil unrest in several oil producing countries like Libya would come to an end soon.
"Oil price is very sensitive, the price can go up and come down based on certain indicators (like conflicts).
"If what is happening in certain countries like in Libya continues unabated, it will cause oil price to spiral," he told reporters after giving cash aid to fire victims of Ladang Kampung Kuau Besar/Beoh in Jelawat here Wednesday.
Fourteen people received RM3,000 each.
The latest report from Paris said one-fourth of the total crude oil production from Libya has been stopped following continued violent street demonstrations in that country, prompting oil companies to issue a warning that oil supply in the third largest oil producer in Africa would be disrupted.
Oil companies like Total, Repsol, Eni and BASF as well as OMV from Australia had warned that they would downsize or stop oil production in Libya.
This latest development will have a serious impllication on oil supply from Libya which produces high quality oil as much as 1.6 million barrels per day or two per cent of the total world oil production.
Responding to the heightened tension following widespread civil unrest and continuous street protests in Libya, Awak Adek said it was still premature to say Malaysia would be adversely affected by the political turmoil in that country.
"It is still too early for Malaysians to feel the impact here (Malaysia). Nonetheless, we hope the political conflict in Libya will not prolong as the crisis will also give a blemished image to Islamic nations worldwide," he said.
Two days ago, the government said it was examining several options not to raise petrol prices in the near future though several countries have raised fuel prices twice in three months following spiralling world oil prices.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said his ministry and the Finance Ministry were jointly studying other options to avoid an increase.
-- BERNAMA
Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin said it was the fervent hope of the international community that the political turmoil and civil unrest in several oil producing countries like Libya would come to an end soon.
"Oil price is very sensitive, the price can go up and come down based on certain indicators (like conflicts).
"If what is happening in certain countries like in Libya continues unabated, it will cause oil price to spiral," he told reporters after giving cash aid to fire victims of Ladang Kampung Kuau Besar/Beoh in Jelawat here Wednesday.
Fourteen people received RM3,000 each.
The latest report from Paris said one-fourth of the total crude oil production from Libya has been stopped following continued violent street demonstrations in that country, prompting oil companies to issue a warning that oil supply in the third largest oil producer in Africa would be disrupted.
Oil companies like Total, Repsol, Eni and BASF as well as OMV from Australia had warned that they would downsize or stop oil production in Libya.
This latest development will have a serious impllication on oil supply from Libya which produces high quality oil as much as 1.6 million barrels per day or two per cent of the total world oil production.
Responding to the heightened tension following widespread civil unrest and continuous street protests in Libya, Awak Adek said it was still premature to say Malaysia would be adversely affected by the political turmoil in that country.
"It is still too early for Malaysians to feel the impact here (Malaysia). Nonetheless, we hope the political conflict in Libya will not prolong as the crisis will also give a blemished image to Islamic nations worldwide," he said.
Two days ago, the government said it was examining several options not to raise petrol prices in the near future though several countries have raised fuel prices twice in three months following spiralling world oil prices.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said his ministry and the Finance Ministry were jointly studying other options to avoid an increase.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
RON97 Petrol Price Rises By 10 Sen Per Litre Effective Midnight
January 31 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- The price of RON97 petrol will rise 10 sen to RM2.50 per litre effective midnight tonight, said the deputy president of the Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia (PDAM) Datuk Zulkifli Mokti.
He said the increase was due to the rise in the price of crude oil to USD105.00 per drum this week compared with USD100.00 previously.
"The consumption of crude oil in the United States and Europe rose significantly due to the extremely cold weather there which had raised fear about the shortage of crude oil," he said when contacted by Bernama tonight.
Zulkifli said the price of world crude oil would drop again as soon as the summer season arrived in June and the petrol price would remain stable then.
On Jan 4, the price of RON97, which was floated according to the prevailing oil market price, rose 10 sen to RM2.40 per litre.
-- BERNAMA
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