It’s amazing how parochial some people are in their beliefs about energy.  I’m on an  email distribution list for the proponents of advanced nuclear, which normally means molten salt reactors based on thorium.  I’m a proponent too; who wouldn’t support the idea of a carbon-free source of baseload power with essentially no dangers in terms of operations, waste disposal, or weapons proliferation?  If we can do that cost-effectively (and the jury’s out on that) who would be so pigheaded to say it’s a bad idea? (more…)

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Liquid Fluoride Thorium ReactorEarlier in the week, we received the good news from our scientific community: following  the ban of CFCs and other compounds in the late 20th Century, the ozone layer that protects our Earth from harmful UV rays has made remarkable progress towards repairing itself. Of course, this makes us think of the current crisis with respect to climate disruption.  Can we simply ban a few chemicals, and expect the whole problem to evaporate in front of our eyes? (more…)

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When people think of air quality, they often think of the air outdoors. Indoor air pollution, though, can also be a big problem. Very often, the air in your home isn’t as clean as you think. Sometimes this is obvious but other times there can be impure or even dangerous elements in the air. Let’s look at some sustainable, green, and effective ways to improve the air quality in your house. (more…)

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One of the best ways of communing with nature is by going on a camping trip. It’s a wonderful educational opportunity, and if you’ve never been camping then you don’t know what you are missing. Camping is certainly a favoured family activity and there are more than a few ways to camp. You can go the comfortable way (in luxury), or the more traditional cramped in tent camping-style. (more…)

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Renewable Energy and Crowdfunding If the future looks even remotely like the past, there’s certainly no reason to believe that the UN meeting in New York next month will be any more successful than the dismal failures of the numerous similar sessions held over the last few years.

Here’s an article that suggests the opposite. Is it possible that momentum is building in the direction of a unified response to climate disruption? Personally, I think the author here is dead on course.

 

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How To Keep Shooting In Full Color When You're Going GreenBy 2010, 69% of businesses in the US had jumped aboard the Green Initiative. Going green is everything these days. It actually costs me less to buy eco-friendly light bulbs at my neighborhood store because companies have more incentive to churn out and market green products. It’s not just a marketing scheme, though: It matters if we go green, because our planet really is in trouble. (more…)

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Overturning Citizens UnitedWhat a magnificent time to be alive.  Last night, the Senate here in the United States did something great: they voted 79-18 to advance a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, meaning that every single senator will be forced to say—on the record—whether or not they think money and speech are the same thing. (more…)

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Let's Support the "Carbon Fee and Dividend"There are a great number of different ways to address the long-term environmental damage, climate disruption in particular, posed by our civilization’s consumption of fossil fuels. The problem, obviously, is an economic one. (more…)

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Solar Power Purchasing Tips and GuidelinesPurchasing a solar power system for your home may be exhilarating at first, but you should not be too amazed by advertisement. Focus on the purely practical aspects of what you have to do, since this will be a pretty hefty investment that needs a careful consideration. The tips ahead will give you a better idea of the things you must face when making your choices and what that entails: (more…)

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As If You Didn’t Know: In the U.S., Climate Disruption Is Politically ControversialHere’s an article that brings up a point that I face constantly: given the political controversy about climate disruption, is it wise to bring up the subject in public discourse?  I’ve had a number of really interesting discussions with colleagues on the topic.  For example, Jeff Siegel, a contributor to two of my first three books, is a financial analyst in the energy sector, and goes out of his way to avoid the topic when he speaks in public.

While I understand that, to me, it depends on my mood.  If I’m feeling puckish, I like to nail the audience across the forehead with the science, which is irrefutable, and the implications vis-a-vis moral philosophy.  Yet, if I think it’s more practical to lay low, I’ve been known to do that too.

The author here makes a good point: pragmatism is everything.  If you can achieve your goals without stirring up anger from misinformed people, what’s the downside of that?

 

 

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