tagged w/ Sustainable Living
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It may be the most wonderful time of the year but there's a helluva lot of consumption going on! Here are some easy tips that any and everyone can incorporate into their holiday festivities.It may be the most wonderful time of the year but there's a helluva lot of... more
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Personalized energy (PE) is a transformative idea that provides a new modality for the planet’s energy future. By providing solar energy to the individual, an energy supply becomes secure and available to people of both legacy and nonlegacy worlds and minimally contributes to an increase in the anthropogenic level of carbon dioxide. Because PE will be possible only if solar energy is available 24 h a day, 7 days a week, the key enabler for solar PE is an inexpensive storage mechanism. HY (Y = halide or OH−) splitting is a fuel-forming reaction of sufficient energy density for large-scale solar storage, but the reaction relies on chemical transformations that are not understood at the most basic science level. Critical among these are multielectron transfers that are proton-coupled and involve the activation of bonds in energy-poor substrates. The chemistry of these three italicized areas is developed, and from this platform, discovery paths leading to new hydrohalic acid- and water-splitting catalysts are delineated. The latter water-splitting catalyst captures many of the functional elements of photosynthesis. In doing so, a highly manufacturable and inexpensive method for solar PE storage has been discovered.
Top of PageIntroductionA Chemist’s Toolbox for Catalysis of Consequence to Renewable EnergyWater Splitting CatalysisConcluding RemarksReferences1 Introduction
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Global energy need will roughly double by midcentury and triple by 2100 because of the rising standards of living of a growing world population.(1) Most of that demand is driven by 3 billion low-energy users in the nonlegacy world and by 3 billion people yet to inhabit the planet over the next half-century. To hold atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels to even twice their preanthropogenic values and at the same time to meet the increased energy demand of these 6 billion additional energy users will require invention, development, and deployment of carbon-neutral energy on a scale commensurate with, or larger than, the entire present-day energy supply from all sources combined.(2-4) The capture and storage of solar energy at the individual level—personalized solar energy—drives inextricably toward the heart of this energy challenge by addressing the triumvirate of secure, carbon-neutral, and plentiful energy.(5) Because energy use scales with wealth,(1) point-of-use solar energy will put individuals, in the smallest village in the nonlegacy world and in the largest city of the legacy world, on a more level playing field. Moreover, personalized energy (PE) is secure because it is highly distributed and the individual controls the energy on which she/he lives. Finally, the possibility of generating terawatts of carbon-free energy may be realized by making solar PE available to the 6 billion new energy users by high-throughput manufacturing. Notwithstanding, current options to harness and store solar energy at the individual level are too expensive to be implemented, especially in a nonlegacy world. The imperative to science is to develop new materials, reactions, and processes that enable the capture, conversion, and storage of solar energy to be sufficiently inexpensive to penetrate global energy markets.(3) Most, if not all, of these materials and processes entail a metallic element. Accordingly, the subject of inorganic chemistry is especially germane to delivering solar PE to our planet.(6)
much more at the link.Personalized energy (PE) is a transformative idea that provides a new modality for the... more
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If you compare the shape of umbrellas and skirts I guess someone could say they have a little something in common. That someone is Cecilia Felli who has discovered that umbrella material is the perfect candidate for upcycling into skirts and dresses. Since umbrellas have a tendency to break down when you need them most, there’s no shortage of old umbrella material lying around and the concept is so simple most people can create their own umbrella skirts.
http://www.whitespace.bz/ws/web/forms/pulse/PulseMainArticle.aspx?id=341If you compare the shape of umbrellas and skirts I guess someone could say they have a... more
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Good office space can be hard to come by, and even then it doesn’t come cheap. Orange County printing company MVP found a creative, affordable and convenient alternative – they turned part of an industrial warehouse into office space. Of course, being a warehouse, it wasn’t equipped with fancy things like private offices, climate control, and break rooms. MVP’s solution? They grouped ten 20-foot shipping containers inside the warehouse to serve as offices.
http://www.whitespace.bz/ws/web/forms/pulse/PulseMainArticle.aspx?id=332Good office space can be hard to come by, and even then it doesn’t come cheap.... more
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There’s a new site on the net and its sole purpose is to provide inquiring minds with news of the latest and greatest sustainable developments in the beer industry. It doesn’t matter if it’s the largest commercial brewery in the world or a pub across town, SustainaBrew will report on it.SustainaBrew is your key to understanding what the beer industry is and isn’t doing to make their product as environmentally friendly as possible.
http://www.whitespace.bz/ws/web/forms/pulse/PulseMainArticle.aspx?id=327There’s a new site on the net and its sole purpose is to provide inquiring minds... more
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Helping the Environment one Fundraiser at a Time......
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The change is coming... and we will bring it. This looks like another must read from Mr. Patel.The change is coming... and we will bring it. This looks like another must read from... more
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I'm starting to see these little empty non-recyclable, non-biodegradable petroleum-based plastic containers everywhere. I've seen entire trash cans filled with these things at convenience stores after the morning rush... day after day.
In this day and age, you would think that Keurig and the companies associated with this product (Paul Newman's Own, Heifer, Green Mountain Coffee, Celestial Seasonings, Ghirardelli) who claim to be "organic" and/or "sustainable", would be more aware of it's impact to our environment.
You can contact these companies at the blog post above.
"The Keurig single-cup brewing system uses a special packaging for coffee, tea and hot cocoa called K-Cup portion packs or "K-Cups". Each K-Cup is an airtight, mini-brewer that locks out oxygen, light, moisture and humidity while locking in freshness and flavor. "
Personally, I'll take a french press any day over hot plastic brew.
http://www.coffeehabitat.com/images/2007/05/15/pitfall.jpg
About the K-Cup:
http://www.keurig.com/explore/choose.asp?mscsid=M4DDGKT2QWHL8LUSJH2PWEX7NT2PDTGFI'm starting to see these little empty non-recyclable, non-biodegradable... more
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Here’s an alarm clock you might not want to smash with a mallet each and every morning. This living Bamboo Soil Clock uses two household potted plants and copper electrodes buried in the plant’s soil to run.Here’s an alarm clock you might not want to smash with a mallet each and every... more
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In Graphic Detail
http://cait.wri.org/figures/World-FlowChart.jpg
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A healthy ecosystem rich in biodiversity is better equipped to withstand and recover from natural and man-made environmental threats and disasters and provides the necessary elements for the continued survival of our planet...
Understanding the importance of Biodiversity and how it effects us and all living things... Exploring ways each of us can reduce our negative impact on the Earth.A healthy ecosystem rich in biodiversity is better equipped to withstand and recover... more
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Farmer in the Rift Valley, Kenya, shows how to compost, mulch,and grow food sustainably. This is the way you feed the world while maintaining biodiversity.Farmer in the Rift Valley, Kenya, shows how to compost, mulch,and grow food... more
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According to the Rodale Institute, organic farms that fertilize with compost can sequester carbon at a rate of up to 3,200 kg/ha/yr.
Under the Kyoto Clean Development Mechanism, cities in the Global South are composting their organic waste (wood, straw, coffee residues, fresh green material and manure) to create carbon credits. Composting avoids methane emissions and also improves the soil fertility of the degraded soil. Soil & More, the global composting project, gets 1 carbon credit equals to 1 ton of CO2e emissions reductions for every ton of compost produced.
Some US cities have also begun municipal composting. San Francisco has the nation's first mandatory composting law. The city already converts over 400 tons of food scraps and other compostable discards into high-grade organic compost every day. It's snapped up by farms and vineyards across the Bay Area. By requiring all residents and businesses to compost, the city will be able to increase the amount of "black gold" available for sustainable regional agriculture and improve our environment.
But it's not just farmers and cities, you can compost at home! So, if you haven't already, take your food, lawn, garden waste - even poop - and make your very own carbon piggy bank: COMPOST!According to the Rodale Institute, organic farms that fertilize with compost can... more
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The solutions to climate change, hunger, and poverty are in the soil. The key to reducing and sequestering greenhouse gases and increasing yields safely is to phase out the use of fossil fuel fertilizers and replace them with sustainable methods including cover cropping, rotation and composting. This is easier to accomplish in developing countries and would allow more farmers control over their seeds thus bringing them out of poverty and giving them food sovereignty.
Local control of food that farmers can grow for their communities and benefit from in a fair market without having to grow luxury export crops to satisfy World Bank loans thus leaving them short of food will also cut down on reliance of GM food aid from the U.S. Don't then wonder why these methods are shunned by the agricultural elitist corporations and the governments in their back pockets.
A healthier more productive world awaits us if we take it into our own hands and make the choice to stand up to those who would subjugate us to globalization at the expense of sustainability and our rich biodiversity.
Please watch this informational video on soil, agriculture and climate change and then think about supporting a campsesino group or making yoir voice heard regarding sustainable agricultural methods which have been proven to not only increase productivity, but benefit the health of the environment and those who partake of its bounty and preserve biodiversity.
As with solving the climate crisis, it is up to us.The solutions to climate change, hunger, and poverty are in the soil. The key to... more
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Nothing is wasted at the London-based charity Africack which collects bodily waste from across London and ships it out to Africa for use as an organic, environmentally friendly fertiliser. From Africack's East London collection point and processing centre, we learn how our own pooh can save the world. Next time you visit the loo, spare a thought for the needy and contact your local Africack centre.Nothing is wasted at the London-based charity Africack which collects bodily waste... more
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Eco fabrics and brands have been hanging around in the fashion world for a couple of years, but critics waived it off as a fad from the jump. I wonder if those critics are the same people that called Hip-Hop a fad in the '80s? But I digress...anyway, brands like Diesel, Burberry, H&M, and Christian Dior attended the Interstoff Asia Essential exhibition last week in Hong Kong to learn more about "eco fabrics, safe dyeing processes, and good working conditions"Eco fabrics and brands have been hanging around in the fashion world for a couple of... more
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Companies like EDUN, which launched in Spring 2005, have been pioneers in the emerging eco-fashion industry. The clothing line was created by Ali Hewson and Bono and founded on the premise of trade as a means of building sustainable communities in developing countries to help foster economic growth rather than provide charity.
EDUN uses organic cotton wherever possible: 61% of the Fall/Winter 2008 collection and 50% of the Spring/Summer 2008 collection is organic. EDUN sources its organic fabrics from Peru, India, Turkey and Uganda. Not only are EDUN products made in a socially and environmentally conscious way, they are also super stylish!Companies like EDUN, which launched in Spring 2005, have been pioneers in the emerging... more
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Who’s the next green ‘it’ girl? Project Green Search is looking for the woman who wants to be an advocate for the environment, animal welfare, fair trade, and human rights. The next green ‘it’ girl is a model, spokesperson, host, brand ambassador and all around green model citizen, for progressive, sustainable, ethical companies, from fashion & beauty to cars & computers.
We know just the girl… our own Dorothee Royal-Hedinger (http://projectgreensearch.com/dorothee-royal/1554), sustainable food advocate and co-founder of OrganicNation.tv! Dorothee is more than just a (ridiculously) pretty face – she’s got brains and passion for sustainability in spades, just the qualities that a well-rounded green ‘it’ girl should have.
Please vote for Dorothee so she can continue her work in spreading the message of sustainability. Voting is really easy, and every single vote counts… just click this link: http://projectgreensearch.com/dorothee-royal/1554 & select 5 stars under her photo, and leave a note at the bottom of the page if you like. Hurry – voting ends TODAY!Who’s the next green ‘it’ girl? Project Green Search is looking for... more
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KAIST’s newly developed electric vehicle system could be onto something. The vehicle does away with batteries completely and relies on pulling power from a system of cables buried beneath the road. The On Line Electric Vehicle (OLEV) is comprised of electric buses that drive over tracks containing power coils. When a bus crosses the track a boost of electricity is delivered, allowing the vehicle to continue travelling without having to stop and recharge.KAIST’s newly developed electric vehicle system could be onto something. The... more
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It’s taken a long time, but the issue of global climate change is finally getting the attention it deserves. While enormous technical, policy, and economic issues remain to be solved, there is now widespread acceptance of the need to confront the twin challenges of energy security and climate change. Collectively, we are beginning to acknowledge that our long addiction to fossil fuels — which has been harming our national security, our economy and our environment for decades — must end. The question today is no longer why, but how. The die is cast, and our relationship to energy will never be the same.
Unfortunately, this positive shift in the national zeitgeist has had an unintended downside. In the rush to portray the perils of climate change, many other serious issues have been largely ignored. Climate change has become the poster child of environmental crises, complete with its own celebrities and campaigners. But is it so serious that we can afford to overlook the rise of infectious disease, the collapse of fisheries, the ongoing loss of forests and biodiversity, and the depletion of global water supplies?
Although I’m a climate scientist by training, I worry about this collective fixation on global warming as the mother of all environmental problems. Learning from the research my colleagues and I have done over the past decade, I fear we are neglecting another, equally inconvenient truth: that we now face a global crisis in land use and agriculture that could undermine the health, security, and sustainability of our civilization.
Our use of land, particularly for agriculture, is absolutely essential to the success of the human race. We depend on agriculture to supply us with food, feed, fiber, and, increasingly, biofuels. Without a highly efficient, productive, and resilient agricultural system, our society would collapse almost overnight.
But we are demanding more and more from our global agricultural systems, pushing them to their very limits.
Continued population growth.The massive environmental impacts of our agricultural practices rival the impacts of climate change.(adding more than 70 million people to the world every year), changing dietary preferences (including more meat and dairy consumption), rising energy prices, and increasing needs for bioenergy sources are putting tremendous pressure on the world’s resources. And, if we want any hope of keeping up with these demands, we’ll need to double, perhaps triple, the agricultural production of the planet in the next 30 to 40 years.
Meeting these huge new agricultural demands will be one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. At present, it is completely unclear how (and if) we can do it.
If this wasn’t enough, we must also address the massive environmental impacts of our current agricultural practices, which new evidence indicates rival the impacts of climate change. Consider the following:
Ecosystem degradation. Already, we have cleared or converted more than 35 percent of the earth’s ice-free land surface for agriculture, whether for croplands, pastures or rangelands. In fact, the area used for agriculture is nearly 60 times larger than the area of all of the world’s cities and suburbs. Since the last ice age, nothing has been more disruptive to the planet’s ecosystems than agriculture. What will happen to our remaining ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, if we need to double or triple world agricultural production, while simultaneously coping with climate change?
end of excerptIt’s taken a long time, but the issue of global climate change is finally... more
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