Davos - Speech by Rajendra Pachauri - IPCC Chief.

Speech by the IPCC Chairman, Mr. Rajendra Pachauri, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, January 23, 2008

I caught this on CSPAN yesterday. It's packed full of information; definately worth a read.

Here's the official website for the IPCC. Oddly enough, it doesn't have a name, just an IP Address.

Thriftville and Squanderville

If you haven't read it before, check out an essay by Warren Buffett on the dangers of the trade deficit.

America's Growing Trade Deficit Is Selling the Nation Out From Under Us. Here's a Way to Fix the Problem — And We Need to Do It Now.

As stated by Joseph Campbell:

Follow your Bliss.

About Me:

I guess you could call me an optimist.

I'm learning Lessons.

I've had a small amount of money in ESLR for about two years. Prior to that the only time I've invested was right at the end of the dotcom boom. My main activity started at the end of March with the addition of a significant chunk of money to my account.

With a degree in physics, it could be said that I've been studying energy pretty thoroughly since about 1996, but my drive towards alternative energy really kicked in soon after 9/11.

Since March I've ranged from about -10% to +60%. Right now I'm at about +10% after taxes.

Watching this LDK drama is incredibly fascinating.

For one thing, I'm learning that to sell a good company because the price is down is the height of foolishness. You can only do that so many times before you will have nothing.

For another thing, I've learned that you can't trust the reporters. They all have their own motives, and know very well their effect on the markets. You gotta do your own work, and get as close to your own truth as possible.

Note that after close today the WSJ put out quite a friendly article on LDK ( Partial Eclipse: LDK Solar
Highlights China Stocks' Risk

This morning I was way down, not just in LDK, but in AKNS and ASTI. I felt great and confident, however. By the end of the day, I was pretty burnt out, but still feeling good, because I'd not gotten afraid and sold out. Yes, I sold FSLR at a gain, and I sold some ASTI at a profit. I was concerned about my available margin. I figure that as long as I'm not forced to sell, then I've got no problems.

We're still just getting started in putting together an industry, but it's a critical industry, and the long term is white hot. My ultimate goal must be to stay in until it's ready to pay me off for my patience.

Here's an article about some people who are doing good right now

I'm glad to see it.

The Corn Belt Gets Rich, Quietly

Making Gasoline from Bacteria

http://www.technologyreview.com/Biztech/19128/

For future Reference:

http://www.technologypartners.com/html/cleantech.html

http://insidegreentech.com/1544/technology-partners-starts-new-300m-fu

http://insidegreentech.com/770/imperium-renewables-lands-214-million

Some articles.

First Solar shares may be overvalued - Barron's


Investors put more toward renewable energy

Global Warming Bill in Congress. More Alaskan Hijinks.

Compromise Measure Aims to Limit Global Warming

The complex measure, sponsored by Senators Jeff Bingaman, Democrat of New Mexico, and Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania, would put in place a firm limit on emissions of heat-trapping gases that most scientists say are causing the warming of the planet. Like other so-called cap-and-trade schemes, it would allow companies to buy and sell the right to emit carbon dioxide, which is seen as the chief culprit in global warming.

But to secure labor and corporate support, the measure also places a limit on the price industry would have to pay for such permits. And to win the endorsement of Alaska’s two Republican senators, the bill contains billions of dollars in new money to help their state cope with the effects of climate change on roads, bridges and coastal areas.



I'm torn on this. Of course, I'd rather have a superior bill, like one that we might get after 2008, but on the other hand, this sounds to me like quite a reasonable bill, considering the difficulty in getting the support of the affected unions, as well as many of the affected corporate interests.

I'd be perfectly happy if this passes; to my knowledge this bill is actually separate from the Energy Bill that they've been working on, and that will address much that this one doesn't. On the other hand, if it fails, then we'll just have to wait until there's a new President and a more Democratic Congress.



There is one thing that I do find offensive about this bill, though, and that's the "Billions of Dollars" that will go to Alaska in order to "help them cope." Come on. That money is a payoff to the Senators for their support of the bill. Alaska really doesn't need this money, they still have oil, and they're still going to be pumping it. Should coal states get cash in order to "cope?" What about states that have been proactive and have been working hard to invest in and develop clean, renewable energy prior to the US Government forcing that change with legislation.

No, Alaska should not be getting Billions of Charity Dollars in return for supporting Global Warming Legislation. If we don't pay them off, and they kill the bill, how much money is Alaska going to pay to the other states that will be having to "cope" with the environmental affects of Global Warming?

As long as Alaskans can count on their Senators to get away with these kind of counterproductive giveaways they're going to keep voting in the same corrupt breed of person.

It seems that though the State of Alaska only cost $11 Million Dollars to buy, the cost of maintaining the State is in the Billions.

Inverters: For future reference.

Manufacturer List

For the record... My Bio.

Though I am writing about solar stocks pretty frequently, I'm not a terribly experienced picker of stocks. I do have some experience over the years, and I've done more than my share of studying of issues of economics, politics, and energy.

I have a BS in Physics, so energy has been one of my biggest area of study, though I don't work in the field; I'm in IT at a Health Insurance company.

They say "invest in what you know," and so that's what I'm doing, and that's what I'm writing about, and continually learning more about.

The last thing I want to do is send someone in the wrong direction.

On the other hand, I feel like right now the opportunity is so great in getting involved in investing in these companies, which, barring some economic meltdown, are going to be tomorrow's behemoth energy corporations.

I can only ask the reader to not ever take my word for it. Of course, they shouldn't take Cramer's word for it, either.

Live Earth is just the beginning.

From this 30 minute interview with Gore he makes the following statement:

"... see saturday, 7/7/07, as the great launch, where we really have, it's like a kick-off, it's a wakeup call, SOS, and ask people to answer that call, and then launch the intensive messaging that will get us across the tipping point."

Gore isn't done talking about this, he's just getting started, and he surely won't be alone.

On Live Earth and Activism.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20070706/music-live-earth/


SYDNEY, Australia — Live Earth got a traditional Aboriginal welcome in Australia and a high-tech virtual one in Japan, as the 24-hour global concert series to raise awareness about climate change kicked off Saturday.

Al Gore made appearances at both _ as a hologram in Tokyo and via live video link with Sydney _ urging rock fans to join the fight against global warming.


Sounds like a good start. Also sounds like they might still be able to do something in Washington DC.

I'm recording what I can of it, as I'll not be around tomorrow, and there's always online options (www.liveearth.org).


As for those who are scoffing at the concept of "celebs" flying around the world, using fossil energy, and blasting away with stacks of speakers, again using fossil energy, and suggesting that this in some way invalidates the point of the concerts; I'd just like to point out that the other option is to do nothing at all.

Any action requires energy.

Action on a Global Scale, which Live Earth represents, requires a large amount of energy.

The vast majority of the energy supply on Earth is Fossil-based. Therefore, in order to take any action at all requires Carbon Emission.

So, if action is required to move the World Economy towards Carbon Neutrality, and yet action is not allowed simply because it causes Carbon Emmissions, then there can be no transition at all towards a Carbon-Neutral Economy, and so we settle for a future devoid of alternatives to Fossil Energy.


Bonus Info: Solar Web Hosting Company Powers Live Earth Sites

Double Bonus: Gore Brings Surprise Live Earth Concert to Washington

Triple Bonus: Garth Brooks will be at the Washington show. Now, last I checked, Mr. Brooks and the majority of his fans are not Moveon Liberals.

Green Dancefloor...

Gas going back up...

Next time somebody tells you that the reason that gas prices are so high is because of limits on Refinery construction, tell them they're full of crap.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/27/markets/oil_eia/index.htm?postversion=2007062715

Prices would go down considerably simply by fixing the problems in the current plants. Of course, the owners don't necessarily benefit by increasing production since they're making profits off of the high prices.

Locate Biodiesel retailers near you.

http://www.nearbio.com/

Biodiesel and Forests

As much as I get excited about biodiesel, I can't help but have a real problem with the deforestation that is the current result.

Palm oil puts squeeze on Asia's endangered orangutan

Yikes.