Power Shift: The Clean Energy Revolution

Clean energy initiatives like traditional wind and solar generation to game changing technology are explored. Featured topics include a free solar training program for transitioning vets offered through Tidewater Community College; plans for a major solar installation at the Oceana Naval Air Station; new energy modeling program based on weather data; 50 MW offshore turbines that mimic palm trees to withstand hurricane force winds; and wave energy conversion.

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Virginia Visionary Displays Innovative Architecture at the World Economic Forum

As global leaders and financial titans met last month in Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, they were exposed to a new kind of structure designed by Virginia architect William McDonough and partners. The gathering place for Forum participants dubbed ICEhouse™ was sited in a prominent location on the main promenade of Davos to showcase Cradle to Cradle innovation.

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Virginia Benefits from Down to Earth Applications of Space Agency Research

Monitoring earth systems from the vantage of space provides critical weather, land use, and environmental data. With some data sets covering decades, important trends can be identified to inform land users and policy makers. In the Commonwealth, work is underway on innovative projects that will have benefits extending from the shore to the mountains. Existing remotely sensed data is being used to support the wine industry while innovative microsatellite networks are in development to improve hurricane forecasting along the the coast.

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Virginia Earns $120+ Million for Resilience Planning from HUD

The Commonwealth is one of 13 recipients out of a pool of 67 applicants to receive funds made available through HUD's National Disaster Resilience Competition. The January 21, 2016 NDRC Announcement in Norfolk included Rockefeller Foundation COO Peter Madonia, HUD Secretary Julian Castro, Mayor Paul Fraim, Governor Terry McAuliffe & Representative Bobby Scott. Read More.

Aviation Pioneer Plans Hemp Flight from Kitty Hawk, NC

Meanwhile legislation introduced in Virginia's General Assembly could help hemp production take off.

This Spring on 4/20, a Kickstarter campaign will launch that organizers hope will ignite a funding frenzy to lift their project off the ground, literally. They want to fly the world's first hemp plane. Read More.

Automated Vehicle Testing & Research in the Commonwealth

In October, federal and state officials were treated to an automated driving experience courtesy of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. Among the participants of the test drive conducted on a 10 mile stretch of Interstate 395 in Northern Virginia was Senator Mark Warner. Read More.

Bringing Produce to Food Desserts

Creating better food access was the topic of an agricultural summit held in Richmond, Virginia in the Fall of 2015. Innovative urban agriculture opportunities like the soon to open Durham, NC all in one shipping container farm and grocery are discussed. Image: The Farmery, Durham, NC - Read Post.

$20+ Million benefit from Ghost Pot Removal in the Chesapeake Bay

New research conducted by VIMS scientists is featured in Scientific Reports from the publisher of Nature.

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Voices Rise Against Offshore Drilling / Seismic Testing

Proposed offshore drilling and prerequisite seismic testing off the Atlantic Coast has residents and environmental groups concerned. As of this writing, Oceana reports that 102 East Coast municipalities, 100 Members of Congress, more than 660 state and local elected officials, and roughly 750 business interests have all publicly opposed offshore drilling. Read more about local and regional endeavors to stop oil exploration off the Atlantic Coast.

Plastic Pollution

National Microbead Ban Signed by the President! Read More.

Fashion Sends an SOS for the Ocean - Apparel fabricated from plastic debris recovered from the sea is rolling into the marketplace. In a campaign championed by Virginia Beach native and pop icon Pharrell Williams, the artist is spotlighting the plight caused by pollution and an innovative solution. Through his contribution, he hopes to garner support and catalyze action. Read Post.

Pollinator Protection

2016 Beekeepers Introductory Class - February 20, 27 & March 5, 2016 from 8 AM to 2:00 PM

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is participating in a national strategy to restore pollinator populations. Local stakeholder listening sessions are scheduled.

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Master Naturalist Training

Many Virginia Master Naturalist chapters are still accepting applications for their Spring 2016 training courses.  Individuals interested in the environment and who have a desire to give back to help natural resources in their communities are encouraged to apply. 

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The Climate Cure: Balancing Earth's Carbon Equilibrium by Transforming a Climate Liability into a Commodity

World leaders agreed in Paris December 2015 to constrain global greenhouse emissions. During the landmark UN event, 195 countries committed to take steps that will slow the climate warming trend and limit the global thermostat from inching 2 degrees Celsius above historic averages.

By engineering high tech as well as down to earth strategies, entrepreneurs aim to cash in on the carbon conundrum. A host of pioneering carbon offsetting initiatives are discussed including carbon trading, regenerative agriculture and biomass fixing, as well as drawing down ambient CO2 as a feedstock for products including fuel.

Bay-Saver Bags similar to the Gulf-Saver Bags pictured here were planted along the Maryland shoreline as a carbon offset. Read more about developing carbon assets through biomass storage.