How to Clean an Oil-Slicked Penguin
I thought readers would appreciate the Writers Almanac’s poem for the day:
How to Clean an Oil-Slicked Penguin
by Andrew Gent
Island Nations Turn to Geothermal
Island nations generally find themselves in a very interesting position with respect to energy generation. In particular, they certainly don’t want dirty fossil fuel plants, normally burning bunker diesel shipped in at great cost, both financially and environmentally. But their choice of renewables is often constrained by the small and therefore extremely precious land mass.
Let’s not forget about a solution that unfortunately is often overlooked: geothermal. Here’s an article on what the French territory of Guadalupe is doing in the Caribbean. An interview with the spokesperson at Ormat, btw, was the basis for the chapter on geothermal in my first book, Renewable Energy–Facts and Fantasies.
Happy 137th Birthday: Albert Einstein
“The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth.” -Albert Einstein, physicist, Nobel laureate (14 Mar 1879-1955)
Sure, Einstein will always be most remembered for his place in the pantheon of our most important scientists, but he also was arguably the most quotable person who ever walked the Earth. Most remarkably, virtually all these thoughts express a profound humanism and a set of instructions for how we can build a better world. He left us with a contribution of unimaginable proportion.
Nuclear Energy Losing Out in Sweden
Here’s a great article on the electricity grid in Sweden, one of the best and most reliable in the world today. At issue is the demise of nuclear, a phenomenon based largely on rising costs vis-a-vis competitive energy resources, including wind, that is even cheaper there than it is here. In addition, Sweden places a tax of about 25% on nuclear, and mandates the retrofit of all plants to include a backup core cooler to eliminate the possibility of a Fukishima-style accident–while at the same time, it offers incentives for wind.
The result: nuclear is going away. Not sure that’s a bad thing.
From Guest Blogger Chloe Taylor: Go Sustainable in 2016 with Smart Home Designs
The cornerstone of the eco-friendly home project is a suitable backdrop. It all starts in the initial, building phase: An ideal home needs to be well-designed, properly insulated, and on a location that enables passive heating and cooling. It should nurture a strong connection with the outdoors, and limit the environmental footprint on the ecosystem. Reduce, reuse, and recycle is the sacred mantra of sustainable home design that guides you every step of the way. It summons the empowering combination of sublime functionality and stunning visuals that drives many architectural innovations of today. (more…)
From Guest Blogger Emma Sturgis: Is Solar Power Actually Affordable? (Spoiler: Absolutely)
Over the last decade, between its installation boom, advancements in technology and the growing understanding of its eco-friendly characteristics, the cost of solar energy has dropped a significantly. Currently, there is enough solar energy capacity in the U.S. to provide energy to millions of homes. In 2014, solar energy was responsible for a large percent of total new power generation. That meant solar energy, though still trailing behind natural gas, exceeded wind and coal energy. (more…)
Environmentalism and Wealth Creation
According to legendary environmental activist Paul Hawken: “Environmentalism isn’t a way to GET rich; it’s a way to BE rich.”
Having said that, we all need to manage our financial assets responsibly, and Glenn is quite helpful. We met in kindergarten and we were best pals instantly. Now, he’s a hedge fund manager and I’m trying to guide our civilization into a sustainable future. But we’re still friends; go figure.
2GreenEnergy on Instagram
I have to admit that I’m having a ball with these Instagram posts, in which I make a daily attempt to inform and inspire (mostly young) people via this social media platform that has become so incredibly popular. The one on the right received a near-record number of “likes.”
Tagged with: 2GreenEnergy Instagram
How Much Do We Care about the Criminal Proceedings Being Initiated Against ExxonMobil?
Here’s the Scientific American article on Exxon’s conspiracy to suppress the vast knowledge they had in their possession as early as 1981 concerning the connection between fossil fuel consumption and climate change. It’s fascinating to see how this criminal investigation is rolling out, and, in particular, how the public is reacting to it. To my great astonishment and dismay, it appears that very few people share any great sense of outrage. (more…)
A Historical Look at Lighting Efficiency
Until the last quarter of the nineteenth Century, the use of electrical power had only a very few functions within American industry and commerce. However, with Thomas Edison’s invention of the first electric light bulb featuring a long-lasting filament in 1879, all this began to change. By 1886, there were more than 1500 light poles in New York City, illuminating the length of Broadway, marking the beginning of the way our society would choose to light up the world around us in our burgeoning civilization. (more…)
Tagged with: 1886 light poles New York City, AuroraGlow Colour Changing LED bulb, electric transportation, energy storage, Historical Look at Lighting Efficiency, lumens per watt of electrical power, negawatt, Renewable Energy, smart grid, Thomas Edison’s invention of the first electric light bulb featuring a long-lasting filament
