Electricity, an invisible and boundless power at our fingertips that makes all sorts of things possible from a small socket in the wall. We all hate it when the power goes out. It’s annoying to have to revert to the Stone Age, to rummage for candles and torches, and to miss whatever is on TV that night. That ‘power’, has been generated by burning up materials of that we only have a finite amount. (more…)
The tobacco industry sells the only legal product that, when used as directed, causes death — and for that, they have rightfully earned the highest level of our contempt. I suppose one could argue that agribusiness, Monsanto in particular, has a solid grasp on the number two position. But apparently, the coal industry is not content to settle for number three. (more…)
Here’s a post on a conference held at Stanford University recently on driverless cars. As I’ve mentioned, I don’t deny that there are benefits, e.g., fewer accidents, better productivity due to better flowing traffic, and better fuel efficiencies. But I sure would like to see a new paradigm in personal mobility that does more than remove the driver. How about removing the car?
We need more mass transit, ride-sharing, car-sharing, e-bikes, micro-rentals, small urban commuting and package-delivery vehicles, as well as cities designed to promote walking and bicycling.
I just did a 30-minute-long interview with a brilliant and charming woman in Atlanta: Mary Blackmon, CEO of Farm Star Living. I encourage readers to check this out; the purpose here is to clarify and promote what farmers really do, while spreading the word on important trends in agriculture, like farm-to-table dining.
I began with the caveat that I’m not an expert in agriculture, but I believe Mary and I really did have a productive conversation, largely about how energy and farming come together in important ways, e.g.: (more…)
As we all know, there are a few beneficial effects of global warming – at least in the short-term. Apparently, the governor of Maine saw fit to point out that the melting ice is opening up the Arctic for shipping, and this will be good for his state. According to the Bangor Daily News, Paul LePage (R) told an audience at a transportation conference Thursday morning, “Everybody looks at the negative effects of global warming, but with the ice melting, the Northern Passage has opened up.” (more…)
May I ask a quick favor of you, please, and at the same time, get you to check out something that I think you’ll find cool? (more…)
The environment is declining, natural resources are on the fall, global warming has become a tangible phenomena and yet there are many simple steps that we can take in order to stem and reverse the ill-effects that we have on the climate of the world. These steps can be taken at home and can help in reducing the carbon footprint of a house and also in keeping the bills in check.
Let us start with steps that can be taken in that all important of places, the bathroom. (more…)
While solar power has become prevalent in the mainstream construction business in the past decade, passive solar design has been used around the world for thousands of years. Ceramic tiles and stones walls in the Mediterranean made it possible to keep homes cool even under the scorching heat of the summer sun. Likewise, small window openings and semi-subterrain living spaces in northern climates promoted efficient heat retention. (more…)
I’m a frugal guy, and, like most people who spend only when they must, I acquired this characteristic from my parents – in my case, principally from my father.
Strangely, perhaps Dad’s greatest pet peeve was the misuse of the word “frugal” itself. When he declined to spend money on himself, perhaps for a new car, his friends at his tony country club might call him “cheap.” “No, that’s not correct. I’m frugal,” he’d respond. (more…)
I recall with fondness the days in which I served as a marketing consultant to the large tech companies of the world, and, in particular, my work for a few clients who are currently active in renewable energy. The Swiss industrial giant ABB is one such key player in this space, providing the power electronics to those wishing to implement microgrids. (more…)
