The growing scientific evidence that global warming will seriously affect the global quality of life in the near future, has encouraged Arizona Public Services Co. to institute two brand new renewable energy programs for its customers.

Primarily utilizing geothermal and wind power, the Green Choice programs from APS will adopt a small increase in the rate per kilowatt used. The upshot: Green Choice customers will see 100 percent of their electricity from green energy sources.

Though the additional charges may dissuade some APS customers from making the switch to green power, the rate increase is due the cost of conventional fossil fuels being cheaper to produce. Steve Gotfried—renewable energy spokesman for APS—believes the Green Choice programs will alleviate some of the confusion and misinformation regarding viable options for using green energy.

"We know renewable energy is important to our customers," Gotfried said. "We're finding that people say they are interested in climate change, but they just don't know what to do about it. This is what they can do."

APS is presenting three options: a customer can select either a percentage of their energy from renewable sources, a set amount of kilowatt hours, or a third option called Total Solar, for those who wish to use only solar energy in their homes.

For additional information regarding APS' Green Choice Programs, see the "renewable energy programs" press release.

The Capital Master Plan, a 1996 proposal to completely renovate the international organization's Manhattan home, is surging forward after nearly a decade-long stalemate. The $1.9 billion budget to improve the security, IT infrastructure, and energy-use shortcomings was finally approved at the end of last month, as five architectural companies will combine with the Swedish construction company Skanska and collaborate on the estimated $1 billion construction.

Scheduled for completion in April 2014, the new design will look to reduce energy costs by 30 percent, as opposed to the energy bill of just over $15 million that the U.N produced in 2006. Proposed improvements include energy-efficient light fixtures, room sensors for lighting and solar energy systems. The U.N. building will also feature a more open-faced design to allow natural light to work it's way through the 39-story building.

The design goals include aiming for LEED silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, a green building rating system that determines the level of sustainability and energy efficiency in various areas of a buildings function and design.