High oil prices dampens economic recovery — is peak coal here? — NY passive house project

Here's our usual round up of links that might interest you: 

It seems high oil prices are strangling global economy recovery. According to the FT: "Four months after the OECD warned that soaring oil prices could damage the economic recovery...that IEA has noticed that global oil demand has begun to flatten." Financial Times. This is a point we've been making as part of our Energise Ireland campaign — it's one reason we urgently need to wean Ireland off imported oil. If you agree, please sign the petition at the Energise Ireland website. 

Renewable energy can power the world, says the UN Guardian

Does preserving historic buildings save energy or not? Green Building Advisor

Profile of a passive hour project in New York Green Building Advisor

Have we reached peak coal? Energy Bulletin

Profile of a Spanish "grow home", designed to be "expanded and changed to fit the space needs and budget of its owners". Treehugger

The case for government investment in public transport — this argument applies to the US, but it makes sense for Ireland too The Infrastructurist

Biomass electricity production: how green is it? Green Building Advisor