Posts Tagged by global climate change
Dealing with Global Climate Change
| May 23, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Sustainability |
Not that you needed another, but here’s an article painting a frightening picture of what life on planet Earth will look like by 2050. One of things I found interesting about it is that it offers this theory for the reason for our inaction at this critical point in time, as the oceans are rising and the species are disappearing: “One answer may be found in our DNA. Growing evidence suggests our brains aren’t wired to handle future threats. We may be hardwired to deal with the present proximate, not the future probable.”
I’m reminded of what my friend Tom Konrad told me in an interview: Read More
What Sherlock Holmes Would Advise About Global Climate Change
| May 22, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Science |
In listening to The Writer’s Almanac this morning, I learned that it’s the birthday of Arthur Conan Doyle, who gave us the character Sherlock Holmes, and thrust the power of deductive reasoning onto the world stage a century ago. Holmes told us, “It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly, one begins to twist facts to suit theories rather than to twist theories to suit facts.”
I bring this up because it’s so precisely relevant to the discussion of global climate change; this is exactly what the deniers claim, i.e., that the theory is based on a manipulation of facts to suit a theory. Having said that, 97+% of climate scientists don’t see it this way.
Energy Scarcities Cause Food Scarcities
| May 22, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Business |
There are many components to the cost of growing food and shipping it to its final destination – a surprisingly large part of which is energy. Moving water around the state of California uses 18 percent of all the electricity and 31 percent of the natural gas consumed in the state.
And of course, pumping water is only one element of the energy that is part of the food supply chain. Think of the:
• Manufacturing and transportation of fertilizers and pesticides
• Sowing, harvesting, and processing
• Transporting the food to market
The average food item we consume in the U.S. travels 1200 miles to reach our supermarkets, and even “fresh” food is two weeks old (and far less nutritious than it was when it was harvested) by the time it gets to us. Read More
Energy Policy Should Be Based on Reason
| May 21, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Science |
Perhaps the greatest single threat facing mankind today is our failure to apply reason to effect solutions. In fact, we appear to openly defy and ridicule the findings of our scientific community, writing them off as so many lairs and frauds. At least here in the United States, a significant segment of our population has bought into the idea that science has conspired to fabricate the notion of global climate change, fudging the figures so as to create the appearance of a problem, in order to generate ongoing funding for additional research. Read More
From Guest Blogger Douglas Santos: Finding Renewable Energy Sources Promotes a Greener Environment
| May 15, 2012 | Posted by AmyWiltbank under Renewables - Science |
Traditional methods of generating energy are giving way to new environmentally-friendly ideas. Instead of stripping the land for coal mining and clearing miles of land for oil fields or natural gas pipelines, the concept of renewable energy is evolving. The term “renewable energy” is an often-used buzzword, but how does using green energy affect animals in their native habitat?
Saying “No” to Fossil Fuels
Global warming is the biggest threat facing the planet today but sustainable energy is a cleaner and safer way to generate needed power. Everyone has seen the sad images of birds living near the ocean with their feathers matted with slick black oil after an oil spill, or thousands of dead fish washed up on the shore because of water pollution. The use of renewable energy from the sun and wind gives animals a second chance at life. Read More
From Guest Blogger Alia Haley: 7 Ways Homeowners Can Power Their Homes with Renewable Energy
| May 15, 2012 | Posted by Alia under Renewables - Science |
You can see lots of attention is focused towards alternative and renewable energy systems. This is due to the soaring energy costs and the need to decrease the climate change effects over earth. Though these solutions may seem complicated for the homeowners in their daily chores, however, the fact is that they are now becoming more accessible to common man. There are number of options available for homeowners which can prove pretty affordable financial investment. Also, by treading these paths, you can benefit from state and federal tax and avail the utility rebates and incentives. The below are the top seven ways which the home owners can heat and power their homes via renewable energy systems.
From Guest Blogger Alia Haley: Power of Clouds and Climate: Mystery in the Environment
| May 12, 2012 | Posted by Alia under Renewables - Science |
Scientists and researchers have been trying hard to find out the power of cloud to harness for everyone’s benefits. They are therefore seen collecting a number of historical data and records to find out how clouds can respond to the earth’s warming. This is critical since clouds are considered to be one the biggest single uncertainty in the attempt to predict the future climate. A few contrarian scientists simply emphasize that cloud will change in such a way that it will basically counterbalance the greenhouse gases released by the mankind. However, a majority or scientists are seen calling global warming a big issue in the coming future. Yet, since past few years, the contrarian scientists or climate skeptics have strong feelings that clouds will save the human race. Read More
The World Resents American Environmental Policy
| May 11, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Politics |
As a younger man, I had a business partner with whom I ran a marketing consultancy that was 200 employees strong, with clients on four continents — during which time I logged a great number of air miles. I used to joke that my seniority on American Airlines was sufficient that, not only would I be instantly upgraded to first class upon booking my ticket, but I could, had I wanted, bring a baby elephant on board with me, prompting the flight attendants to remark, “What a lovely animal, Mr. Shields. I assure you that we’ll make him quite comfortable.” Read More
Heartland Institute’s Impressive Display of Guts
| May 11, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Sustainability |
Wow, I have to credit the right-wing Heartland Institute with a world-class level of chutzpah, though that’s actually too mild a word. The sheer crust, brass, audacity, effrontery – there’s a vulgar term too — required to run this ad on global warming, while promoting an intellectually oriented event to discuss the issue, is unparalleled. Understandably, participants are withdrawing, and sponsors are dropping them like a hot potato.
I wish I could have been in the conference room when they were discussing this. Didn’t someone ask, “It’s bold, but doesn’t it make us look like mean-spirited idiots?”
Prospective Electric Vehicle Owners Analyze Break-Even Point on Fuel Costs
| May 10, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Electric Vehicles |
Cameron Atwood writes:
I recall seeing figures indicating the $45k Volt pays off the difference in savings on gas over electric cost over its ICE (internal combustion engine) brethren in six years. That’s not especially dismal.
It depends on how far you drive, and, in the case of a plug-in hybrid like the Volt, how you drive, i.e., how seldom you exceed the battery-only range (about 35 miles) and start to use gasoline. The analysis is easier with a battery electric like the LEAF. Let’s say: Read More
