There are more than 140 synthetic chemicals in your bloodstream. There are PCBs in the Arctic.
These are two of the many thousands of reasons that geologists claim that we’ve moved from the Holocene Era to the Anthropocene, as described in the article linked above.
While there is no turning back, there’s plenty of time to make adjustments in our civilization to ensure that this new era isn’t the end of the world, both figuratively and literally.
Predictably, the pro-nuke group of which I’m a part took issue with my defense of renewable energy. They pointed out that a) one single member does not speak for the group as a whole, b) there are some really bright people in the group, and most significantly, c) the only positive aspect of wind energy lies in the subsidies it receives from the government; it’s totally incapable of making a real difference on the planet. This prompting me to write: (more…)
I just came across something that reminded me of how sorely the world misses the late Christopher Hitchens. (more…)
A member of the pro-nuke group writes: Craig, we have no $ interest in nuclear. We have concern for our descendants and all the species around us. We have concern for facts, since human progress proceeds no other way. You know this. What motivates you to support energy sources that waste resources, species, $ and intellect? So, Craig, what’s your personal interest that motivates your denial of those facts?
I’m like you guys in the sense that I don’t have a dog in the race financially. I suppose that’s not 100% true, as a few of my clients in the RE space have given me stock in their companies whose value is a function of the success of renewables. Having said that, like you, my real motivation for my actions is the sustainability of our civilization. (more…)
I’m giving a talk later this month on the subject of multinational corporations and their participation in environmental stewardship and sustainability. I get the distinct impression that the guy who invited me to speak expects this to be uplifting, and, while I’m not anxious to disappoint him, it’s hard not to notice that this is mixed bag. (more…)
Today’s engineers are trained to innovate from an environmentally-friendly perspective, and some of their ideas directly assist individuals and communities to build healthier, more sustainable futures for themselves and their families.
#1 Small Scale Home Gardens (more…)
We do a daily post of Instagram in an effort to reach out to young people. (We currently have 3943 followers; we want 3.9 million).
As suggested here, we try to create a message that blends urgency with optimism.
In this case, you may ask: Did this really happen? See below for the answer. (more…)
If you believe that every iota of U.S. politics is shameful, you are certainly not alone. But I challenge you to listen to this six-minute speech and not come to a different conclusion.
Here’s one on “Alternate Histories (Hypothetical Historical Scenarios)” What would the world look like today if fossil fuels never existed? Without access to abundant cheap energy from fossil fuels could a society have developed using different technologies that would allow them to support a population and level of affluence similar to that in the west?
Ryan Carlyle, BSChE, Subsea hydraulics engineer, whom I greatly admire, answers: (more…)
I volunteer to answer questions on renewable energy on Quora.com. From today’s feed:
Question: What is the most hyperactive solar power product (per cubic volume) that is coming in 2016? Volume because transparent solar panels have been invented already. So “transparent cubes with layers and layers of solar panels inside” would be a good product. (more…)
