Almost forty million metric tons of electronic waste is produced annually by the world. Only thirteen percent of the total waste is recycled and that too primarily in developing countries. Nine million tons of waste, a conservation figure according to the United Nations Environment Programme, is produced by the European Union itself. America is the world’s largest waste producer. (more…)
I’m working my way through a collection of esteemed essays on a variety of topics, and I happened upon a brilliant piece on environmentalism: Jedediah Purdy’s “Shades of Green.” A professor of law at Duke University, Purdy ably makes the point that there are several different such movements that have little to do with one another, and sometimes actually come into conflict. Consider a few different sectors, and think about the differences in ideas between those who: (more…)
I spend a few hours every day working for a client that offers a unique approach and capability in the solar thermal hot water space. For those who may be having trouble visualizing this, shown here is what is called “flat-plate” technology, which has been around for several decades. My job is to tell the world that breakthroughs in this space make it quite attractive from a cost/watt perspective. (more…)
Here’s a wonderfully entertaining crash-course in U.S. history that aims, appropriately enough, at the founding of the colonies in the early 17th Century. I was intrigued that the settlements in Massachusetts and Virginia had radically different conceptions of how people were expected to treat one another, the nature of human rights, and the proper role of government in our lives.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
This year is the 200th anniversary of the confirmation of the conservation of energy, marked by the publication of British engineer Peter Ewart’s paper “On the Measure of Moving Force” in 1813. Of course, the consequences of this are enormous. For one, we’re no longer on the hunt for perpetual motion machines. What we are looking for, however, are economically feasible means of taking enormous quantities of energy, e.g., that which has come from the sun, and harvesting them into useful work, by converting one form of energy into another.
Here’s an infographic on energy that readers may find useful.
As always, I’m willing to be wrong. But I believe that wave energy, i.e., that which is derived from the wind that blows over the ocean and creates the relatively small bit of kinetic energy that becomes the ups and downs that surfers so enjoy, is a lost cause in terms of a cost-effective way to power our planet. If you think I have this wrong, please let me know.
Here’s an attempt at the subject of wave energy that a reader sent me today that you may find interesting.
We’ve been hearing about various processes for converting waste-tires to energy, fuels, and other valuable stuff (e.g., carbon black) for decades now. And yes, there really are a few people with pyrolysis technology that really works; my friends from the Ukraine have equipment that’s been running 24/7 for the last three years. Having said this, we need to be frank: there are also many hundreds of others who, let’s just say, “make exaggerated claims.” (more…)
I wanted to write a short post to introduce a fellow I have known indirectly for a few years now: Paul Grist of Archon Energy, a developer of cutting-edge run-of-river hydro projects in California. I know what you’re thinking: You want to get a permit to mess with flowing water in California? (more…)
There are quite a few options after moving to utilize possible renewable energy sources around your home, such as wind turbines, solar panels and more. In most cases using solar panels is the popular choice for heat, lighting and electrical power.
If you have enough land with strong and steady winds you will be able to generate a good amount of electricity using a wind electric system. (more…)
Here’s an informative interview with South African activist and professor Patrick Bond, who spoke with Democracy Now!‘s Mike Burke at the March for Climate and Social Justice in Warsaw. As he discusses here, Dr. Bond believes, as I do, that the concept of carbon trading is unworkable, and will do little if anything to reduce emissions.
