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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

How Clay Walls Can Flood Proof a PropertyAs you may already know, flooding damage is a serious threat to homeowners as we see more and more extreme weather events due to climate change. In England, there are approximately 5.2 million properties that are at risk of flooding. Current estimates on the annual expenses incurred by flood damage are set at £1.1 billion. However, the House of Commons anticipates that a rise to upwards of £27 billion annually in flood damage expenses could occur by 2080. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

Sources of EnergyElectricity is a formidable component of daily life. We use it to heat, cool, and power our homes, offices, airports, and industrial endeavors. Electricity is so prevalent that we often forget where it comes from, much less how it is generated. (The author conflates “energy” and “electricity” and, as a consequence, makes many misstatements here, e.g., that transportation represents 3% of our energy use, since we have such a low implementation of electric transportation; transportation is actually about 30% of our total energy consumption. – Ed)

Only when we dig deeper into statistical data do we begin to realize how much electricity is generated, consumed or wasted. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Solar/Wind Hoax?I see this solar/wind tower thing about once a week, and I have to presume it’s a hoax,  perhaps to see how credulous we green energy folks are, or to test our grasp on sixth-grade math.  It costs $1.5 billion and will generate 435 MWhs of electricity per year?  That’s about $30,000 per watt, about 2,000 times more expensive than solar PV with a capacity factor of 20%.   Or, presuming a lifespan of 20 years and zero operation and maintenance, it’s $150 per KWh — seems a bit steep.

I think I feel someone pulling my leg — or perhaps they really do think we’re all dunces; I’m not sure.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Smart Grid

Dealing with Opposition to Smart MetersSadly, progress in smart grid is slow and incredibly painstaking.  In particular, there are people who oppose smart meters, largely on the basis of health issues (i.e., the scientifically unfounded claim that the meters emit dangerous levels of radiation), as well as privacy.  It’s true, your utility will be able to infer something about your family’s personal habits from the way you consume electricity.  Personally, I think that’s a small price (very close to zero, in my mind) to pay for the benefit of reducing the environmental impact of our society’s energy generation and consumption.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Chumash Indians Celebrate Earth Day, PermacultureThe indigenous people of the part of California in which I reside are the Chumash Indians, who, anthropologists believe, came here about 15,000 years ago in the Bering Strait Migration, across the “Land Bridge” formed when that part of the Earth was frozen over.   In the early 1500s, the Chumash began to notice ships in the channel between the beach and the islands that lie about 20 miles off the coast.  100 years later, concerned that the Russians who had claimed the Pacific Northwest could move south, the King of Spain ordered a preemptive settlement to be formed,which would be called “Santa Barbara,” after the 4th Century Christian saint.

Like all Native Americans, the Chumash have a reverence for the land, and for sustainable practices in managing that land and other resources.  At their Earth Day celebration, which I attended yesterday, I was impressed to learn how committed they are to the many various aspects of permaculture.  More information on the Chumash and permaculture can be found by following the link above.

 

 

 

 

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Taking On New Cleantech Marketing ProjectsJust a short note to mention that I’ve recently finished up marketing/PR projects for four or five clients in cleantech, making me (temporarily) available to take on more work.  If you have a good idea in renewable energy or sustainability more generally, and need some horsepower to take it forward and tell the world about it, please let me know.  Please call my office (01-805-691-9381), or write to me at craig@2GreenEnergy.com.

There is nothing more satisfying than successfully applying the proven principles of positioning, branding, demand generation, business development, online marketing/social media, and public relations to the challenges facing cleantech entrepreneurs.  Having a great product is important, but it’s only part of the battle.  Now, let’s work together to take your concept and aggressively move it into the marketplace.

I look forward to hearing from you.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

Video on Climate Change LegislationHere’s an extremely powerful and well-made five-minute-long video that gets to the very core of the “debate” surrounding climate change; it explains precisely why there is essentially zero legislation that would serve to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Water, Energy, and Food – How Shortages Are Affecting Us AllFor his final project in his Environmental Horticulture class, I’m helping my son write a paper called “Water, Energy, and Food – How Shortages Are Affecting Us All,” and I thought readers may be interested in how we’re attacking the challenge.  Here’s a short note to him, suggesting that he answer certain critical questions:

• When we say there is a “water shortage,” what exactly do we mean?  Is there less water on this planet now than there has been in the past?

• What causes shortages of potable water in certain places?  Discuss droughts, floods, saltwater intrusion, and desertification.  What are the causes of the problems that are occurring here? (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

Obama Administration's Report on Climate Change Won’t Change Much, But Environmentalists Are Making Progress AnywayIn the few days since the U.S-based report on climate change was published, several people have asked me if I believe the document will mark a turning point in Americans’ attitudes and behaviors on the subject.   My response: No.  Make that:  Hell no.

At the risk of over-simplifying: (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

Classic Car to Electric Car--an Easy ExperimentI loved my 1972 VW Beetle. It was the car my mom bought when I was a baby, and I spent many childhood hours riding in it and, when my parents replaced it, playing in, on, and around it. When I learned to drive, it became my first car. It was the car I drove my girlfriends around in and even the one who would become my wife (though her parents imposed the ridiculous stipulation that I replace the passenger side seatbelt first). I drove friends around in it, and we acquired dozens of great stories from it, (like how one of them sat down too hard over the battery and got a shock that burned through his shorts). I had beaten up, abused, and loved that car for decades so that it had become real, like the Velveteen Rabbit. (more…)

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