tagged w/ Appropriate Technology
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Noise from wind turbine blades, inadvertent bat and bird kills and even the way wind turbines look have made installing them anything but a breeze. New York design firm Atelier DNA has an alternative concept that ditches blades in favor of stalks. Resembling thin cattails, the Windstalks generate electricity when the wind sets them waving. The designers came up with the idea for the planned city Masdar, a 2.3-square-mile, automobile-free area being built outside of Abu Dhabi. Atelier DNA’s "Windstalk"project came in second in the Land Art Generator competition a contest sponsored by Madsar to identify the best work of art that generates renewable energy from a pool of international submissions.Noise from wind turbine blades, inadvertent bat and bird kills and even the way wind... more
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National Geographic Magazine, June 2011.
If you’ve ever been pummeled by a wave at the beach, you know that moving water packs a wallop. The Electric Power Research Institute estimates that wave and tidal energy could supply 7 percent of the electricity for the United States—and in the United Kingdom, that contribution could be double. Engineers are designing all sorts of devices to tap this clean, renewable energy: “snakes” that jiggle over the water’s surface, buoys that bob with the swell, and turbines that spin in the current. (Items illustrated here show the diversity of wave power devices but wouldn’t be implemented together.)
Since populations are often concentrated near coasts, energy from moving water can be produced close to where it’s needed. And unlike wind energy, dependent on inconsistent gusts, this technology is as predictable as the tides. Technical and financial hurdles still exist, but projects are in the works for waters off Maine, New York, Oregon, Canada, and Scotland. Ocean power farms might be just over the horizon. —Juli Berwald
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Japan is looking for new sources of energy, and wave power would be a great choice. This new technology would probably be expensive to build, but with the added bonus of not generating any nuclear waste.National Geographic Magazine, June 2011.
If you’ve ever been pummeled by a... more
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They'd be carbon free, relatively cheap, and according to the industry, inherently safe. An underground mini-nuke could power a village.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No, really? A whole village?
A new twist on NOT IN MY BACK YARD, this is IN EVERY BACK YARD. FAIL!
The "Nuscale" mini nuke generates 45 Megawatts and the "Toshiba" generates 10 Megawatts. One thing they also generate is NUCLEAR WASTE, which we have to deal with forever.
Thanks for this informative and well balanced article National Geographic, NOT!
No mention of the nearly 10,000 Megawatts of WIND POWER that we installed in the United States in 2009 alone.
Write and call Obama, and your local and state representatives tell them how you feel about nuclear power.
Nuclear power: unnecessary, unsafe and unwanted.
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/big-idea/08/mini-nukesThey'd be carbon free, relatively cheap, and according to the industry,... more
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At TED2010, Bill Gates unveils his vision for the world's energy future, describing the need for "miracles" to avoid planetary catastrophe and explaining why he's backing a dramatically different type of nuclear reactor. The necessary goal? Zero carbon emissions globally by 2050.
http://www.ted.com/talks/bill_gates.htmlAt TED2010, Bill Gates unveils his vision for the world's energy future,... more
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Appropedia.org is a fantastic informative wiki for everything under the sun that could be considered “green”. It’s an “appropriate technology wiki” filled with user created content, like Wikipedia, that focuses on collective solutions in “sustainability, poverty reduction and international development through the use of appropriate technology and the sharing of wisdom and project information”.Appropedia.org is a fantastic informative wiki for everything under the sun that could... more
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Recently, the house and the senate have drafted opposing legislation on this matter into the new health care legislation (HR 3962). Black liquor is a toxic by-product of making pulp for paper production. It has been burned by paper companies as fuel for decades.
After mixing it with diesel, it's burned by the paper company as fuel, which qualifies them for a tax credit, enacted in 2007.
According to wikipedia, for one large company (International Paper) this could amount to as much as $3.7 billion in benefits per year.
This is another example of massive tax breaks for large companies that are not in the interest of the American public. Burning black liquor has a major negative effect on the environment, not to mention the additional consumption of diesel fuel. Additionally, smaller companies that produce 100% recycled post consumer paper cannot compete (they don't produce or use black liquor/diesel fuel so they can't get the massive tax break).
I encourage you to contact your representatives on this matter.
more at the article above and here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_liquorRecently, the house and the senate have drafted opposing legislation on this matter... 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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.....when Costa Rica put one minister in charge of energy and environment, “it created a very different way of thinking about how to solve problems,” said Rodríguez, now a regional vice president for Conservation International. “The environment sector was able to influence the energy choices by saying: ‘Look, if you want cheap energy, the cheapest energy in the long-run is renewable energy. So let’s not think just about the next six months; let’s think out 25 years.’ ”
Costa Rica Is 99% Powered By Renewable Energy.
http://www.metaefficient.com/renewable-power/costa-rica-is-99-powered-by-renewable-energy.html.....when Costa Rica put one minister in charge of energy and environment, “it... more
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The light from these 600 mirrors heat water, turning it to steam which is used to drive a turbine and generate electricity. The plant is the first commercial solar station in Europe, generating 11 Megawatts according to it's operators, Solucar. This is set to rise though, as the plant is not finished - thousands more mirrors will be added to the 600 already installed.The light from these 600 mirrors heat water, turning it to steam which is used to... more
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Watch Jerry Yudelson, author of The Green Building Revolution, talk about President Obama's plans to make green building a "permanent" part of the economic, cultural, and financial landscape. Yudelson also recently revealed his “Top Ten” list of green building trends for 2009. He says green building will continue to grow in spite of the global credit crisis and the ongoing economic recession.
Jerry Yudelson: "Top Ten Green Building Trends for 2009" here:
http://blog.islandpress.org/296/jerry-yudelson-top-ten-green-building-trends-for-2009Watch Jerry Yudelson, author of The Green Building Revolution, talk about President... more
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The Environment Court has confirmed the resource consent conditions for the massive Mahinerangi Windfarm in Otago, despite high profile opposition from former All Black Anton Oliver and poet Brian Turner, says power company TrustPowerThe Environment Court has confirmed the resource consent conditions for the massive... more
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In November, youll be able to buy a new laptop thats spillproof, rainproof, dustproof and drop-proof. Its fanless, its silent and it weighs 3.2 pounds. One battery charge will power six hours of heavy activity, or 24 hours of reading. The laptop has a built-in video camera, microphone, memory-card slot, graphics tablet, game-pad controllers and a screen that rotates into a tablet configuration.
The laptop consumes an average of 2 watts, compared with 60 or more on a typical business laptop. Thats one reason it gets such great battery life. A small yo-yo-like pull-cord charger is available (one minute of pulling provides 10 minutes of power); so is a $12 solar panel that, although only one foot square, provides enough power to recharge or power the machine.
David Pogue(video):
http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_story=6ffd976ed
Google Tech Talks April 12, 2007(video):
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4285568518538296189In November, youll be able to buy a new laptop thats spillproof, rainproof,... more
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This TELLY Award winning short film looks at Work Bikes which are bicycles designed for commercial and industrial purposes. The highlight of the film are the comments by various pedicab drivers in New York City. The film has also screened at the New York Bicycle Film Festival in New York City, The "Bike in Film" Festival in Philadelphia, PA and The Celluloid Cycles Film Festival in Melbourne Australia.
The point of the project is to show there are other ways to move things beside a 8 cylinder motor vehicle.This TELLY Award winning short film looks at Work Bikes which are bicycles designed... more
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Uranium mining threatens Aboriginal culture and land rights at many sites across Australia. In this film, Traditional Owners speak out against the mining companies which bring sickness to the land. Uranium Dreaming tells the story of the industry almost nobody wants.
by Scott Ludlam
@http://www.engagemedia.org/Members/scottludlam/videos/uraniumdreaming.mp4/view
Uranium mining threatens Aboriginal culture and land rights at many sites across... more
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'The Revolution Starts Right Now'
Student activists from across the country gather in Washington, D.C., to put the spotlight on environmental issues.
Thousands of students from across the country gather to shift attention to climate change and other green causes.'The Revolution Starts Right Now'
Student activists from across the... more
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A team of Philadelphia high school students explain how they souped up an environmentally conscious car -- and made it smell nice too.A team of Philadelphia high school students explain how they souped up an... more
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Did you know that in the U.S., cars are responsible for almost a third of all greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere? You've seen the latest Pimp My Ride, you've been following the 12-step Break the Addiction program, and you know that climate change is real. So what are you waiting for? It's time to pimp your ride eco-style! Did you know that in the U.S., cars are responsible for almost a third of all... more
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The California governor talks about how you can help the environment -- and his green Hummers.
The California governor talks about how you can help the environment -- and his green... more
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SVO= straight vegetable oil
Even better for the planet than biodiesel.
Sorry about all the ads and incontinuity, I wasn't sure how else to post it.
The message is excellent, though, and it's short.
Thanks.
P.S. Oops, I just realized all the videos play by clicking the first link.SVO= straight vegetable oil
Even better for the planet than biodiesel.
Sorry... more
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Kristoffer's '65 Chevy ImpalaXzibit sees that there's nothing super sporty about Kristoffer's 1965 Chevy Impala SS, but it's sentimentally special.
Before Kristoffer's Chevy gets pimped, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger visits Xzibit and the GAS team in this Earth Day special of Pimp My Ride.Kristoffer's '65 Chevy ImpalaXzibit sees that there's nothing super... more
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