With a 32% increase in global capacity in 2006, high market demand and low operating costs, wind power is leading the way among renewable energy sources. World wide capacity is currently 15,197 Mega Watts (MW), enough to power 22.5 million homes, and is expected to grow to 171,000 MW by 2015.

Canada has been named as one of the top ten countries in the world for attracting investment in wind power. With many projects growing around the country, particularly in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, global companies like Ireland’s Airtricity Inc. are recognizing the growth potential in the Canadian wind market.

Read the full article at Globe Net

Plastics made from corn and other plants are carving out a niche in the market as a green alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics for everything from bulk food containers to lipstick tubes and clothing fiber. 

A major bump on that road will be their cost. Growing the market for bio-plastics is key to bringing down their price, industry leaders said. NatureWorks, a leading company in corn-based plastics, says its production costs are just 10 to 20 percent above those of conventional plastics and the price difference is expected to shrink as quantities grow and oil prices rise.

Read the full article at the Washington Post

Researchers at Japanese carmaker Mazda think cars will in the future run on a water component - hydrogen. Mazda executive Nobuhiro Hayama said Mazda was developing a hydrogen engine with Ford. German automaker BMW is also working on hydrogen technology.

"We have to prepare for sustainable zoom-zoom," Hayama said on Monday. "We have to make a link with the hydrogen society of the future."

Read the full article at Reuters Environment

Global sales from clean energy sources like wind, solar, geothermal power and biofuels could grow to $1 trillion a year by 2030 according to U.S. bank Morgan Stanley. Solar power will lead the way with an estimated 11.2% of the market followed by 9.6% from wind (up from the current 0.9%). Several factors justify these estimates, including global population growth and soaring prices for fossil fuels. 

Read the full article at Reuters Environment