[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgKgc_Oo1fI]As part of my series of basic videos for newcomers on the main renewable energy technologies, I lay out the basic forms of clean energy and say a few words about photovoltaics, solar thermal (aka concentrated solar power or CSP, biomass, hydrokinetics, and geothermal.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73aSNb7EvHg&w=500&h=369]
Here’s a short video in which I discuss the future of algae and other biofuels, synthetic fuels, and cold fusion.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s clarity of viewpoint, not to mention writing style, is quite impressive. In this short masterpiece, Big Carbon’s Sock Puppets Declare War on America and the Planet, he correctly identifies the issues that lie at the core of America’s pitiful abdication of world financial leadership.
Kennedy begins: “It’s now become de rigueur among the radical right wing rhetoricians to characterize any government support of America’s green energy sector as wasteful, fruitless, and scandalous.” (more…)
A friend from Chile just sent me this brilliant article on the economics of energy, adding, “If the author is right, it seems like we are in very deep four-letter-smelly-nitrogenous-compound.”
I reply:
I happen to believe he is, in fact, right on the money. I’ll send you a copy of my new book the moment I get one in my hands. This concept, i.e., that we can’t grow our way out of this, lies at the core of a great many of the interviews, especially my talk with economist Nate Hagens. This will force a great number of new ways of thinking.
A fellow I know has developed an incredible new coating for machinery, and points out that the business case for using this is quite compelling. He writes, “Experts estimate that 25 to 30 percent of all corrosion costs (estimated at $276 billion in the U.S.) could be eliminated through better painting practices.” He laments that the world doesn’t seem to have an appetite for this, even though the numbers are so obvious.
I reply:
What you’ve observed here is that we have a very hard time investing for the future — even when the business case is overwhelmingly strong. And unfortunately, this applies to almost everything we’re doing here in renewable energy and electric transportation. (more…)
How can you have a Green Holiday ? It’s not easy since we often travel to visit friends and family. We also do a lot of cooking and eating.
You could travel less, take a greener form of transportation and of course car pool with others. Even calling to say Hi instead of traveling could be a smaller carbon footprint.
When eating we can eat healthier and a little less. Maybe just once piece of that great pie your aunt cooks special for you. Of course eating more fruits and vegetables is always greener and very healthy.
What are ways you use to be greener on Holidays ?
EV manufacturer Coda continues to receive good press; they seem to enjoy the full credibility of an unquestioning media. But how is this possible?
Will people really pay $8000 more for the first car off the assembly line from a start-up than they will from a company of the stature of Nissan, whose LEAF is a proven, high-quality entity? Even if people are impressed with the styling (which is unimaginable), won’t prospective customers be worried that the company has announced one delay and re-organization after another over a period of years? And won’t people fear that even a competent fledgling organization in this tricky and capital-intensive space may burn through cash and not be around to honor its warranty?
I love electric transportation, but I simply don’t get this. If I’m missing something, please let me know.
Albert Einstein left us a number of gifts, most obviously his landmark breakthroughs in theoretical physics. The other, in my estimation, is the utter truckload of pithy philosophic quotes about mankind’s role in the universe. If you’re looking for something that will keep you out of trouble for a few hours, check this out – there are ten full pages of them.
Perhaps the most often quoted is this:
We can’t solve problems with the same kind of thinking we used to create them.
… which is often invoked by environmentalists to suggest that we’re foolish to count on the fossil fuel and nuclear industries to deal with the pollution and other externalities that come along with their products.
I’m with you all the way, good sir, and suggest that a combination of new modes of thinking are in order here:
1) Environmentalism itself, inspiring more and more people to act responsibly vis-a-vis the natural world
2) Energy conservation per se, making wholesale reductions in consumption, driven by building retrofits, mass transit, electric vehicles, etc.
3) Renewable energy – biting the bullet and making the investment in a clean energy future
Again, thanks to the ultimate man of ideas.
I’ve already received several dozen wonderful responses to my request for volunteers and interns; it certainly is gratifying to see the level of enthusiasm that so many of you have for this fascinating and vitally important subject. I thought I’d take a minute or two and jot down some thoughts about some specific ideas for projects that I’d love to get done, to initiate a conversation on exactly what some of you may want to do.
Writing. If you enjoy writing, I’m sure our readers would appreciate articles on any of the many facets of clean energy, electric transportation, and sustainability more generally. The sum of topics within the technology, the economics, and the politics – here in the U.S. – or anywhere around the world – is limitless. I’d be happy to make suggestions and offer hints if you need them. (more…)
By any standards, the folks at the Sierra Club have been terrifically effective at leaning on government with respect to environmental policy. On November 10, the Obama administration announced that it would order a new environmental review for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline — just days after thousands of Sierra Club members and other activists encircled the White House to protest the project.
I thought it would be appropriate to thank President Obama for this wise decision, which I did using this link here. You may wish to do the same.
