Environmental Sustainability Updates

[environmental-sustainability] Down Load Movies

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:42:34 GMT

you will be able to find online a lot of sites from where you can find movie downloads. This will allow you access to many different movies that are from different times as well as all different categories. You can access them from your own seat without ever having to leave your home.

You should also know whether or not they offer unlimited access for a one-time fee. This is much more preferable to the one year or two year plans. Most of us don’t like having monthly payments that keep coming at us each month. And finding out if they feature streaming video is another plus. With this type of viewing you don’t have the need to fill up disc space or spend the time it takes for a download.

If you are really serious about moving downloads, and you are an avid fan of movies, then you will want to make sure that you have an unlimited Internet connection. Many of us already do, or our limits are extremely high and will never be reached.

Possibly the most popular movie download software online is QuickTime. QuickTime works across all browser sand operating systems and is a free download. It is possible to watch all types of movies trailers and other media through QuickTime. QuickTime can burn these movies to a disk or transfer them to a portable device.

Movie download sites are quite plentiful these days and it all started with iTunes a few years ago. Now there are many different resources available which have a good reputation for being faster and having wide range of movies in their selection.

If you download movies illegally not only are you risking damaging your computer with viruses and risking your personal security with spy-ware you could also get into a lot of trouble by doing so with the law, and end up with not only a fine but also a prison sentence. To get a legal download you will need to go with a reputable firm and any that offer these services free you need to avoid like the plague.

It is possible to download DivX movies from many different websites. However most DivX movie downloads will cost a small fee or you may need a subscription depending on the download site. The DivX player is free but the studios make their movie from the downloading fees. If you are willing to take the time to search online you may even be able to find some DivX downloads for free.

The main advantage is the most obvious one, that being that you don’t need to go to the high street store to try to find what you want. Also, if you are inspired by a review of a certain movie that you seen on the Internet, and you want to get it right away, there is nothing more frustrating than going all the way to the shop and find that you can’t get it because it isn’t in stock or never was.

Through a lot of download companies you will find that they will give you a trial period in which you will be able to see why they are so popular. You will also be able to judge the high quality in which the films are recorded.

Many DivX movie downloads can be loaded directly to your iPod. You can get the latest releases in music, movies and trailers. Many of these new movies were just released from theaters and they are available before they can be purchased on discs. All DivX files are all digitally enhanced and as with televisions movies will soon all be in high definition.

You also don’t need to worry about being able to play your videos on a conventional standalone DVD unit. This is easy, since all you need to do is burned the movie to disc and any standard DVD player should be able to play it without a problem, providing you use a standard format such as divx.

Another consideration I like on my site, is having the capability to search the site through a site search engine. Movie Rentals New Releases Divx is by far the most popular industry standard and will play and just about everything. All you do is just press download movie and munch on burgers while you wait.

[environmental-sustainability] Washington State Approves Coal Plant Pollution

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:25:56 GMT

Conservation groups work to get stronger pollution controls November 9, 2009 Seattle, WA – Conservation groups today objected to a proposal by the state of Washington to allow a dirty old coal plant to skirt strict air pollution standards. The proposed deal, between the Washington State Department of Ecology and TransAlta Corp.’s coal-burning power plant in Centralia, promises the state will delay [...]

[environmental-sustainability] The staggering cost of crazed quangocrats

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:58:10 GMT

It would be much easier to admit that the belief in manmade global warming arose through a very unfortunate scientific blunder says Christopher Booker.

[environmental-sustainability] It's a good thing I'm not egotistical, or I would want credit for this too

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:14:59 GMT

Yesterday I took undue credit for a UK proposal personal carbon accounts. Today, I'm taking slightly less undue credit for a Dutch proposal for mileage fees*.

On May 8, 2007 I wrote:

So I have a proposal--I'll call it a fuel efficiency payment. Here's how it works: All cars are subject to an annual fee based on miles driven...

From Breitbart:

The Dutch government said Friday it wants to introduce a "green" road tax by the kilometre from 2012 aimed at cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent and halving congestion.
"Each vehicle will be equipped with a GPS device that tracks how many kilometres are driven and when and where. This data will be then be sent to a collection agency that will send out the bill," the transport ministry said in a statement.

Ownership and sales taxes, about a quarter of the cost of a new car, will be scrapped and replaced by the "price per kilometre" system aimed at cutting the Netherlands' carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent.

*Although my proposal makes more sense.

[environmental-sustainability] Pluses and Minuses of Wind Power

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:05:36 GMT

Residential wind turbines have really improved over the last decade. New materials and technological advancements have enabled newer designs for residential wind turbines, and these in turn generate even more energy from less wind than ever before. The sheer variety of sizes and styles of residential wind turbines now available means that interested parties are certain to find a unit to meet their needs.

Advantages

Endless energy

Unlike some energy sources, we’ll never hit “peak” wind. As long as we do what’s necessary to harness it, the wind will keep on being a source of energy. Fossil fuels can’t make that claim. Non-renewable energy sources such as oil, coal and natural gas are just that – non-renewable. Once they’ve run out, there won’t be any choice but to switch to other sources of energy. As fossil fuels become more and more scarce, they’ll only get more and more expensive, wind energy will only become an even more attractive option.

Energy without the bills

No matter how much wind energy you use, the price remains the same: After the one-time cost of installing a wind generator, you have permanent, free power.00. Residential wind turbines can enable you to provide all of your own power, so won’t ever have to pay for electricity again. Clean energy.

Wind energy is totally free of pollution

The same can’t be said of fossil fuels, which represent a huge threat to the environment in current usage quantities. Switching to wind power is perhaps the best way to reduce your carbon footprint. Forget about foreign oil.

Many Americans are looking for ways to cut dependence on foreign oil

Electricity produced by wind power directly replaces energy that is derived from foreign oil, and therefore it can make a big difference in terms of lowering dependence. Energy 24/7.

Wind energy can be produced at any time of day or night and in any weather, which isn’t the case with solar power

Solar panels, meanwhile, only generate electricity when the sun is shining. Therefore, with solar panels, it’s likely that you’ll still be required to pay for electricity from a power company. These limitations don’t apply to wind energy. No home orientation problems.

Solar power systems are limited by the fact that they require significant sun exposure in order to operate at peak efficiency

For homes that have too much shade, or lack sufficient southern exposure on the roof, this can be a problem. A wind turbine will produce power regardless of any of these factors. Wind turbines are also more efficient in terms of use of space than solar panels are. Drawbacks.

Installation cost

Even though the ongoing costs of wind energy are miniscule, some potential users are intimidated by the startup costs

This cost is more than mitigated by the savings that come from switching to wind power over the long term. If you’ve got the technical savvy, some basic tools, and enough time, you can even put together your own wind generator, which will make the entire process that much more economical. To read more about how to do it yourself check out. Wind Generator Plans Height needed.

If you’re using a larger type of wind generator, you’ll need to be sure that it’s set up high enough to experience strong and consistent wind

Depending on the nearby tree line and buildings, this can be quite high. Wind turbine users who are located in areas with many tall buildings or trees often need to mount the generators on towers. If so, it’s often necessary to obtain HOA approvals or permits, and this can lead to some further up-front cost. But, once again, constructing. home made wind turbine will help lower the cost. Wind needed

Wind generators work best in areas with consistent wind

Especially windy areas are ideal. This means that wind energy can be produced most effectively in locations with relatively few buildings or trees. Even though you can get around these issues by using a tower, it is most efficient to generate wind energy in areas without these problems. Plans such as those referenced above can show you you. how to build a wind turbine These characteristics make wind power different from other kinds of power.

An increasing number of homeowners are finding out that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Even compared to other renewable energy sources, wind power has a variety of distinct strong points. The benefits of wind power in some ways actually correspond to the disadvantages of solar (and vice versa). Solar and wind power do share the common problem of being costly to start up. Perhaps the most effective way to deal with this problem, if you find the expense is discouraging you from moving forward, is to build a wind generator yourself. [inserttext].

[environmental-sustainability] (Silly) Song of the Day

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:56:46 GMT

Talk about quirky tastes.

As far as I remember, the song is two bits of Miami Sound System’s (Gloria Estefan!) Dr. Beat and one bit of Mylo’s Drop the Pressure. Pointless, noisy, great fun.

[environmental-sustainability] Make Free Magnetic Energy

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:13:21 GMT

When environmentalist and physicist come together, they are always talking about power and the future. The reason is not hard to see.

For some more really good articles regarding free magnetic energy. Free Magnetic Energy Today

It is popular news that the current methods of energy creation are mostly inadequate. Many of these methods end up harming the environment with carbon gases. These gases are responsible for the green house effect and the increasing threat of global warming. It is for this very reason that the need for an effective and clean form of energy is always an essential issue.

The future source of energy must be more efficient than current methods . It must have the following properties. It would have to be inexhaustible: Unlike the use of oil, the next production of power will require an unending supply of fuel that guarantees continuous power creation.

{It must be clean}: With the constant pollution occurring all around, it is vital that steps be taken to locate cleaner sources of power. It would be healthy for humans and the environment (Both the immediate and extended habitat).

{It needs to be affordable}: New power options would be useless if they ended up being unaffordable. Ensuring that energy is easily affordable for everyone is an important factor.

{It needs to be proficient}: power production methods used today are mostly inefficient. Coal power plants for example only use up 60% of its resources. A lot of heat and gas are let into the environment.

{It must be easily adjustable}: The problem with many of the current power types is that they are large, bulky and end up requiring a lot of maintenance. An power source that can easily be serviced and managed is exactly what earth needs.

Take a seat and hold your breath because such an option is finally here.

Welcome to the Magniwork generator. By using the Magniwork generator, you are guaranteed a clean and dependable means of generating energy. Cut down how much you have to pay for power. Easy to install and even easier to maintain, the Magniwork generator is the answer that the planet has been waiting for.

Just a reminder don’t forget to check out this top grade product about how to create free magnetic energy, especially for those presently researching alternative methods of electricity. See: Create Free Magnetic Energy Today

How does it work?

The source of power of a Magniwork creation is free magnetic power. Not many people realize the factthat the earth is a huge magnet. Our lives are spent in a continous free magnetic energy field. It is with the use of such magnetic power that the Magniwork generator is run. The generator can be powered indefinitely, thanks to the constant provision of free magnetic energy. A Magniwork generator can very easily power up the different appliances in your home.And thanks to its relative simple size, assembling and maintaining the generator is not a problem.

Some Benefits.

By powering your home with a magniwork generator, you are immediately provided with a lot of benefits. With a generator installed in your home, you will be able to save significant dollars of your budget. By using a generator, your power bills can be dropped by as much as 50%. The creation of power is not only cheap; it is also very safe to the environment.And because Magniwork generators are simple to assemble and service, you will have improved control over your power consumption.

We really hope you have enjoyed reading this article, here is that link again: Create Free Magnetic Energy. Here you will find a great ebook with step-by-step instructions that can show you how to build your own magnetic energy generator that you can use to start generating energy of your own straight away.

[environmental-sustainability] Paper or Plastic? No Thank You!

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:50:32 GMT

I think it is great that everyone is deciding to say NO to paper or plastic. It's a great step froward. But...Paper bags (paper of any kind) requires soooo many chemicales to produce (anyone living close to a paper mill will atest to this, they smell the chemical every day) that they are not much better than plastic.

The plastic bags are bio-degradable, it only takes 1000 years for them degrade back.

Just something to think about...I keep a cooler in the back of my truck. When I go shoping, I decline any bag, I ask the cashier to place the items in another buggy. Then take them out and unload the buggy into the cooler. When I get to the marina parkinglot I set the cooler in the dock cart and wheel it to the boat to unload.

No paper, no plastic and NO foul.

[environmental-sustainability] Africa's Rarest Monkey Had An Intriguing Sexual Past, DNA Study Confirms

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:09:06 GMT

The most extensive DNA study to-date of Africa's rarest monkey reveals that the species had an intriguing sexual past. Of the last two remaining populations of the recently discovered kipunji, one population shows evidence of past mating with baboons while the other does not, says a new study. The results may help to set conservation priorities for this critically endangered species, researchers say.

[environmental-sustainability] Lightning Strike In Africa Helps Take Pulse Of Sun

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:09:06 GMT

Scientists have developed a more definitive and reliable tool for measuring the sun's rotation when sunspots aren't visible ---- and even when they are -- based on observations of common lightning strikes on Earth.

[environmental-sustainability] Canada: Alberta's Hidden Valleys Offer Both Resources And Danger

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:09:06 GMT

Alberta is crisscrossed with hidden glacial valleys that hold both resource treasures and potential danger. Researchers discovered a 300-meter-deep valley hidden beneath the surface of the ground near the community of Rainbow Lake in northwestern Alberta.

[environmental-sustainability] Green Heating And Cooling Technology Turns Carbon From Eco-villain To Hero

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:09:05 GMT

Carbon is usually typecast as a villain in terms of the environment but researchers have now devised a novel way to miniaturize a technology that will make carbon a key material in some extremely green heating products for our homes and in air conditioning equipment for our cars.

[environmental-sustainability] Wholesale Movies

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:58:51 GMT

You should be able to see some sample videos to get a good idea of the quality on offer. Undoubtedly, you do not want to compromise on quality and get something that is significantly lower in quality than a DVD the you can just go and buy in a store or off an online shop.

Divx can be played and just about anything, so if you’re looking for something which is extremely versatile, then divx is the way to go. Nonetheless, if you want higher quality, then you should also have other formats available to you and ideally, you can download and no definition and high definition copy of the same movie without having to spend any extra. This way you will have ultimate versatility, and you can watch the format of works on your machine.

You can obtain a subscription from most movie download sites. This will mean that you can pay a small amount for a set amount of films or you can pay a one off fee and download as many as you wish whenever you wish depending on your computers capabilities.

As well as this downloading illegal movies can be of extremely poor quality, they can freeze when playing as well as you may not be able to see the characters, and in some really bad ones you may even see people walk in front of the camera that has been illegally recording the film from a cinema.

The whole concept of watch online movies has changed the movie maker’s world. Now it is much cheaper to reach all four points of the compass without physically delivering a disc or video tape. That cuts down some production cost. This avoided cost is however greedily munched by video piracy. That is the illegal downloader.

This means that no matter what you want and when you want it, you should be able to start downloading straight away. In an ideal scenario, you want to have an unlimited Internet connection and a fairly fast broadband speed but any broadband connection will do.

A very popular way to download movies online is through peer to peer sharing. Movies To Purchase If you can’t get questions answered, and in a reasonable amount of time, then I’d avoid this site. This way you will have ultimate versatility, and you can watch the format of works on your machine.

[environmental-sustainability] Time for a Coasian bribe

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:19:06 GMT

Lexington: Farmers v greens | The Economist.

As mentioned before, farmers are the make-or-break group in approving the Boxer-Kerry cap-and-trade bill in the US:

In the Senate, however, every state gets exactly two votes. Sparsely-populated states are thus hugely over-represented: senators representing a mere 11% of America’s population can block any bill, since 60 votes out of 100 are needed to guarantee passage.

Let’s be very clear: farmers here are behaving like economics predicts, like individualistic utility maximizers. They’re not throwing a fit:

To grow his crops, Mr Wright needs fertiliser, fuel and pesticides—all of which are derived from oil. When the price of oil hit the sky last year, Mr Wright’s operating costs nearly trebled. He survived because the oil-price surge also forced up the price of grain. But such wild swings make him nervous. If he has to invest three times as much in his crop and the crop fails, he says, he will be buried in debt.

…

But the main point is to discourage the use of high-carbon fossil fuels. If it does not make them more expensive, it will not work. That alarms people like Mr Wright.

In other words, these are indeed some of the people who stand to lose the most, and they won’t let go of their present situation for what they do not perceive as their immediate problem. I’ve heard people comment the world cannot be held hostage of the American Agricultural lobby; none of these people I’ve heard is an American farmer, of course. But the fact is Climate is a global public good, of which all will consume the same, but some will pay more for than the others. And, while the Maldives may be the country who ultimately pays the most, sooner than later farmers are, among American voters, the ones who stand to pay the highest bill.

The solution? Deal with the agricultural sector the same way we always have: bribe them off.

Any final deal is sure to include vast handouts for farmers and subsidies for “clean coal”—the idea that you can burn the stuff and then bury the CO2 underground. This is hideously expensive and won’t work if the CO2 leaks. But the political appeal of “clean coal” is irresistible. Both of Montana’s senators support it. The state’s senior senator, Max Baucus, is particularly influential, since he heads the Senate Finance Committee, which will handle parts of the bill. Mr Baucus is worried that his Democratic colleagues are pushing for cuts in emissions too quickly, and argues for a more gradual approach. He is anxious to ease the pain the bill will cause in the short term, though he says he believes that the costs of doing nothing will, in the long term, be much greater.

Either because he believes it, or because he wants to please his constituency, Senator Baucus is also one of the major proponents of the wrongful “carbon tariff” policy. Which is awful, but sounds great to certain ears.

Punchline: some time soon we’re going to have to make a decision about whether to tackle Climate Change and consequently approve some rather unpalatable measures, or do nothing and face the consequences. Maybe we’ll just have to count “paying off farmers in the American Mid-West” as part of the Marginal Abatement Cost curve.

[environmental-sustainability] Green School Project

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:18:11 GMT

I am a student at Michigan State doing a "green" project and would appreciate it if you took our short, 17-question survey:
http://broad.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_6hzLtJsKrC55JfC&SVID=Prod

Thanks!

[environmental-sustainability] Be good

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:02:25 GMT

Chuck Berry rocking from somewhere in the late fifties: Johnny B. Goode, whose story served as an inspiration for the birth of Imp Y Celin, the main character in Terry Pratchett’s unforgettable parody, “Music with Rocks In”.

Two minutes and forty seconds of pure feel-good sound. Brilliant!

[environmental-sustainability] Wireless Protocols Vie for Smart Grid

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:17:01 GMT

The Wi-Fi Alliance argues that it is best positioned to be the wireless standard for smart grid applications.

[environmental-sustainability] Is Do It Yourself Solar Doable? Part One in a Series

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:30:39 GMT

For homeowners around the world, the idea of reducing their power bills and helping the planet is pretty enticing. The problem now as it always has been is money. Solar can be expensive, and even with government rebates the cost can scare some people away. If you are a do-it-yourselfer you've probably wondered if you can tackle a solar project. Let's walk through a typical design and installation process and see if its right for you and your home.

Location Selection Basics

Well you're probably smart enough to figure out that you'll need A) a sunny region and B) a sunny place to install the system. The more sun you get, the quicker your systems will pay for itself, its that simple. There are some nice tools to determine where exactly you should put the system. The solar pathfinder is one of easiest and most affordable ways to find the best location for panels. This ingenious device works by showing you a reflection of the sky and the sun's path for all four seasons in your area. Using this you can see exactly what will shade your panels throughout the course of the year.

You also want solar panels installed fairly close to your home and power meter. Since photovoltaic power is DC, the wire that carries it grows larger and more expensive the further away it is from the inverter, meter, and power center of the house. You'll want a place close to the house but out of way of children and their errant soccer balls. Also if you are planning on installing the system on your roof, its worth it to do a roof inspection. No sense in installing a system if it will have to be removed in a couple years to replace the shingles.

Determining Angle and Azimuth

Generally speaking the closer you can get your panels to facing due south (or 180 degrees azimuth) the better. If you live in an urban area and are not sure which way south is exactly, use Google Maps to look up your address and click on the satellite image. You might be surprised to see that roof you thought was south facing is actually southeast facing!

The angle from horizontal is very important too. The angle should be equal to your latitude since this will mean the panels will be perpendicular to the sun for greatest amount of time. If you're not sure what latitude you're at, check out this latitude map of the US. So if you live in Portland, with a latitude of approximately 45 degrees, your panels should be set at an angle of 45 degrees from horizontal. IF your roof angle is within 10 degrees of you latitude you can mount the panels easily, if not you may have to consider a rack system that will tilt the panels.

Space Considerations

The rule of 1/10 is easy to remember for solar power. You'll need 1/10 of a square foot for every watt you install. So if you want to install 2,000 watts, you will need about 200 square feet of space for panels, racking, wiring, and a little space to work around them. This will vary slightly by the type of installation and panels you get but this will serve as a guide for the time being. You'll also need about a 4'x4' area near the meter for the inverter, breakers, and power components. Keep in mind also that your power company may want to install a new meter or even an additional meter for the system.

Contacting the Utility and Building Department

Its always a good idea to talk to your power company about installing a system. You will probably need an interconnection agreement, an inspection, and a rate schedule if you are planning to sell back power. They'll also want some information about the panels and inverter you are installing. Also, ask about additional rebates and an up to date cost per kilowatt-hour that you are paying.

You should also place a call to the local building department and ask about permits. This may seem like a pain, but really it protects you from hassles in the end. Eventually they'll probably find out about your systems anyway and you may have to pay a fine for not getting a permit. The vast majority of inspectors will allow you to install a system on your own home, they may just require you to have a master electrician sign off on the installation.

Estimate Your Production

you'll want to decide just what the system is going to produce over the course of a year. The National Renewable Energy Lab has a cool tool that will allow you to do this. With the information you've determined in the steps above, click on this solar map. Then find your area, and double click on it. You should see a data window open up with a link at the bottom that says 'Send to PV Watts'. Click on that link, then enter the information we determined in the first steps for angle, azimuth, and cost of power. Also enter the size of the system you want in kilowatts. Click on the calculate button and you'll see the production per month for a year. This can help you determine payback.

Finally: Determine a Budget

Possibly the most important part is deciding how much you can spend on a system. Most complete solar power kits cost between $4 and $6 per watt, depending on the size and racking system. Be sure to take into account all state, local, and utility incentive programs, which can be found here. You may even find a supplier that will take the rebates off the price of the system, then the manufacturer goes after the rebate. Sharp has a program like this.

Next we'll determine what skills and tools are needed, and start planning the installation.

Part one in a series on do-it-yourself-solar by solar energy expert Kriss Bergethon –

Location selection basics
Well you're probably smart enough to figure out that you'll need A) a sunny region and B) a sunny place to install the system. The more sun you get, the quicker your systems will pay for itself, its that simple. There are some nice tools to determine where exactly you should put the system. The solar pathfinder is one of easiest and most affordable ways to find the best location for panels. This ingenious device works by showing you a reflection of the sky and the sun's path for all four seasons in your area. Using this you can see exactly what will shade your panels throughout the course of the year.

Determining angle and azimuth
Generally speaking the closer you can get your panels to facing due south (or 180 degrees azimuth) the better. If you live in an urban area and are not sure which way south is exactly, use Google Maps to look up your address and click on the satellite image. You might be surprised to see that roof you thought was south facing is actually southeast facing!

Space considerations
The rule of 1/10 is easy to remember for solar power. You'll need 1/10 of a square foot for every watt you install. So if you want to install 2,000 watts, you will need about 200 square feet of space for panels, racking, wiring, and a little space to work around them. This will vary slightly by the type of installation and panels you get but this will serve as a guide for the time being. You'll also need about a 4'x4' area near the meter for the inverter, breakers, and power components. Keep in mind also that your power company may want to install a new meter or even an additional meter for the system.

Contacting the utility and building department
Its always a good idea to talk to your power company about installing a system. You will probably need an interconnection agreement, an inspection, and a rate schedule if you are planning to sell back power. They'll also want some information about the panels and inverter you are installing. Also, ask about additional rebates and an up to date cost per kilowatt-hour that you are paying.

Estimate your production
You'll want to decide just what the system is going to produce over the course of a year. The National Renewable Energy Lab has a cool tool that will allow you to do this. With the information you've determined in the steps above, click on this solar map. Then find your area, and double click on it. You should see a data window open up with a link at the bottom that says "Send to PV Watts". Click on that link, then enter the information we determined in the first steps for angle, azimuth, and cost of power. Also enter the size of the system you want in kilowatts. Click on the calculate button and you'll see the production per month for a year. This can help you determine payback.

Finally: Determine a budget
Possibly the most important part is deciding how much you can spend on a system. Most complete solar power kits cost between $4 and $6 per watt, depending on the size and racking system. Be sure to take into account all state, local, and utility incentive programs, which can be found here. You may even find a supplier that will take the rebates off the price of the system, then the manufacturer goes after the rebate. Sharp has a program like this.

Next we'll determine what skills and tools are needed, and start planning the installation.

—————-

Kriss Bergethon lives off the grid with his wife in Colorado. For more information visit his website at Solar Power Kits.

[environmental-sustainability] Moving Sustainability Forward in Portland

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:29:58 GMT

At a meeting of the Portland Metro Climate Prosperity Project, efficiency was billed as an economic opportunity.

[environmental-sustainability] Brazil deforestation drops to lowest level since 1980s

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:00:02 GMT

On the eve of vital climate change talks in Copenhagen Brazil has announced a reduction in Amazon deforestation to its lowest level since the 1980s.

[environmental-sustainability] On Our Radar...

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:49:48 GMT

The E.U. hits its Kyoto climate targets and other energy and environment news from around the Web.

[environmental-sustainability] Behavior Modification Could Ease Concerns About Nanoparticles

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:39:08 GMT

In an advance that could help ease health and environmental concerns about the emerging nanotechnology industry, scientists are reporting development of technology for changing the behavior of nanoparticles in municipal sewage treatment plants -- their main gateway into the environment.

[environmental-sustainability] Health Care Accounts For Eight Percent Of US Carbon Footprint, Calculation Finds

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:39:07 GMT

The American health-care sector accounts for 8 percent of the country's carbon dioxide emissions, according to a first-of-its-kind calculation of health care's carbon footprint. Researchers used expenditures from different parts of the health care sector to measure the industry's potential effect upon global warming through the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

[environmental-sustainability] Is Solar Power Expensive or Competitive?

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:03:17 GMT

The head of the Carbon War Room points to the cost advantages in using solar power combined with smart grid, energy efficiency and energy storage. Is he right?

[environmental-sustainability] Can Barack Obama kill the climate pirates?

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:30:57 GMT

It was all the more surprising to find on the Hill that Obama has a good chance eventually of getting a climate bill writes Geoffrey Lean.

[environmental-sustainability] Banker Seeks to Put a Price on Nature

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:42:17 GMT

A new study suggests that in the battle against climate change, conserved natural resources should be given a price.

[environmental-sustainability] Carbon dioxide emissions 'cut by recession'

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:52:45 GMT

Global greenhouse gas emissions will be 9 per cent below the expected level in 2012 researchers say.

[environmental-sustainability] Greenland ice loss speeds ahead

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:23:07 GMT

Surface processes playing greater role in mass loss than previously believed

[environmental-sustainability] The devil's number (with a decimal)

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:27:05 GMT

This week I was "incentivized" (gosh, how I hate that word) to estimate a recreation demand model for South Atlantic (NC - FL) marine recreational fishing using the MRFSS and the standard NMFS nested logit demand model. Using almost 4000 angler trips there are six mode/species alternatives. In the party/charter mode 4% of all anglers target big game, 3% percent target small game and 2% percent target snapper-grouper. In the private/rental boat mode mode 22% of all anglers target big game, 61% target small game and 8% percent target snapper-grouper. There are 31 county level fishing sites and 100 species/mode/county alternatives overall.

All of the regression results are as expected (i.e., costs, benefits matter in the expected ways). The willingness-to-pay values for big game, small game and snapper-grouper are $52, $6 and $14 per fish caught and kept.

In terms of policy, public hearings about red snapper and snapper-grouper recreational closures in the South Atlantic have been underway. From the SAFMC webpage:

Public Hearings scheduled for November 2 - 16, 2009 for Snapper Grouper Amendments 17A, 17B and 18. Alternatives to end overfishing include a closure of the red snapper fishery, closed areas for all snapper grouper fishing, and deepwater closures.

The about willingness-to-pay values can be applied to the catch of each fish. For example, according to the NMFS, 473,219 red snapper were caught on the Atlantic coast of Florida in 2008 (a huge year compared to the previous 9 -- more than a doubling of the weight of fish in 2007). My estimate of the value of the catch is $6.66 million (with a 95% confidence interval of about $4 million to $9 million).

Of course, the biology says the red snapper and other snapper-grouper species are overfished. Continuing business-as-usual would lead to lower stocks and lower catch. The $6.66 million value of the catch is not sustainable and will likely fall over time and, conceivably, could go away. A closure now would help rebuild the stocks, leading to increased catch and the $6.66 million value of catch could be low relative to future sustainable values.

[environmental-sustainability] How to Staff Any Salesman’s Home Work Space and the Accurate Type of Cartridge For Printer

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:01:19 GMT

How to Equip Your Home Office and the Right Kind of Cartridge for Printer

It is vital to your homebased enterprise that you select the accurate computer, copier and cartridge for printer. Ink printer cartridges aren’t difficult to understand.

1. Computer

Your computer and photo printer cartridge selection actually depends on the form of work you do and the quantity of time spent in your home office. There seems to be countless choices in brands and models, however there are really just three basic choices you need to make. Chosing the correct photo printer cartridge isn’t that difficult.
The traditional desktop computer is the number one alternative for nearly all home office users. Conversely, if you go out on the road to meet your customers you most surely can locate laptop, or notebook computers, with almost the same speed and storage as a desktop. If a docking station is available you should surely get it for your notebook computer. Docking stations allow you to utilize a standard keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

A Personal Digital Assistant, PDA, is an extra productivity device in addition to your computer that you may find valuable. If you expect real time access to your email, task list and calendar, then a PDA is a must have tool for you. Through the seemingly never-ending quantity of latest wireless internet applications accessible, you can even use PDA’s to hook up to your home office from just about anyplace.

2. Printer

Ink jet or laser; that is the original option you are going to be required to make when looking at which laser copier you want. Laser printers make use of toner cartridges or drum assemblies whilst ink jets accept ink cartridge for printer. Laser printers are more often than not better for high-volume printing and are equipped for higher duty cycles that is the manufacturer’s rating for a printers suggested monthly workload. Although many incredibly high end ink jet printers might compete with the low end laser printers, laser printers usually produce higher quality black text.
Ink jet printers offer a lower cost if you want color printing then again, laser printers will print a great deal faster than ink jet printers. The most high-priced printer cartridges on the market remain the color laser ink. You might mull over purchasing both laser printer and ink printer cartridges because the prices are so low.
It is especially crucial that you look into the resolution of the laser copier. The quality of the printed documents will be determined by the printer’s resolution. Resolution is defined by the number of dots per inch that are printed on the page as a measurement, horizontally and vertically, such as 600 x 600 dots-per-inch or dpi. In general, a 600 x 600 dpi resolution can produce a quality print for nearly all projects.

The closing deciding factor is the printer’s speed. Despite the fact that most printers don’t perform to the manufacturer’s claims, you nevertheless should use the laser printer manufacturer’s suggested performance specifications as a rule. A normally standard speed for laser printers (personal use) is approximately 6-10 pages per minute (ppm). A frequently accepted range for ink jets is about 4 ppm or higher.

There are copiers that have a cartridge for printer that serves as other tools too, such as fax machines, scanners, and copiers too. Think about looking at these models as you should locate one that fits every one of your requirements.

[environmental-sustainability] E.U. Environment Chief Still Hopeful for Global Climate Cooperation

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:32:15 GMT

The European Union's climate chief noted that the trade bloc would meet its Kyoto obligations, and that talk of failure at Copenhagen was too pessimistic.

[environmental-sustainability] If this is Orwellian, then call me George

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:23:57 GMT

From the UK Telegraph:

Lord Smith of Finsbury believes that implementing individual carbon allowances for every person will be the most effective way of meeting the targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

It would involve people being issued with a unique number which they would hand over when purchasing products that contribute to their carbon footprint, such as fuel, airline tickets and electricity.

Like with a bank account, a statement would be sent out each month to help people keep track of what they are using.

If their "carbon account" hits zero, they would have to pay to get more credits...

Ruth Lea, an economist from Arbuthnot Banking Group, told the Daily Mail: "This is all about control of the individual and you begin to wonder whether this is what the green agenda has always been about. It's Orwellian. This will be an enormous tax on business."

Cue eerie flashback music and blurry fade to the past. Admittedly in a slightly different context and with a slightly different goal, on November 1, 2006 I wrote the following:

There has been a lot of talk lately about raising the gas tax. Call for a $1/gallon increase have been raised by the political and academic elite: Al Gore, Greg Mankiw, John. I'm in full agreement that gas prices are too low, and $1/per gallon may be in the ballpark of the right price increase. But yesterday in class I was talking about pollution trading markets and their benefits and I inadvertently convinced myself that there is a better way to solve the gas consumption external cost problem.

The proposal I'm about to put forth is not new, nor is it polished. Instead, it's a first attempt to generate a discussion. Let's set up a gas credit market. Here's how my version would work.

1) Cap gas consumption at current level--hey it's a start.

2) Issue gas consumption cards (GCC) to the public. Every U.S. citizen of driving age will receive a card (similar to a drivers license).

3) Credit each GCC holder with a monthly allotment of gas. The total allotment is equal to the current gas cap established in 1).

4) Set up a GCC clearinghouse (similar to ebay) where GCC holders are free to buy and sell gas credits.

5) Every time a driver fills up, they must swipe their GCC and be deducted the appropriate number of credits. This is in addition to paying for the gas itself.

6) Annually decrease the gas cap by 5% (or some percentage).

7) Temporary GCC cards can be sold at gas stations to avoid any problems with running out of gas credits. Sort of like buying calling-card cell-phone minutes.

Correcting market failures/externalities through efficient pricing of the associated goods is not Orwellian; it's prudent. Failing to correct market failures is Mad Maxian.

[environmental-sustainability] The New Jellyfish Wind Appliance Provides Plug in Wind Power for Your Home

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:03:21 GMT

Imagine having a roof mounted 36″ turbine on your home that would be able to supply enough power to provide lighting for a home that is up to 3,600 square feet. This product is just about to hit the market, and it’s true. The Jellyfish Wind Appliance by Clarian Technologies, which is located in Seattle, WA, is a 36″ turbine that can generate this amount of power using a simple “Plug and Play” operation.

The new technology used in the wind turbine has all the features a home owner would desire. It is safe, very affordable, quiet and in can be installed by just about anyone. You won’t have to worry about zoning codes or huge products costing thousands of dollars because you can now utliize the power of the wind, using a 36″ wind turbine.

The Jellyfish Wind Appliance sets a new standard in that it makes it easy for anyone to afford, and again, it makes it easy for just about anyone to install. Think of it as another household appliances that in the future could become as common as the microwave or computer. Watch the following video to see how it works.

From a technical standpoint, the Jellyfish is only 36″ tall and incorporates a solid-state controller with a variable-speed induction generator that plugs directly into one of your existing wall outlets. Then, when the wind blows, power is automatically generated into your home.

By mounting it to your roof or to a wind tower or pole etc., it can generate up to 40 kWh per month and that is in moderate winds. This can power the lighting of an average size home using energy efficient bulbs, like CFL’s, for the entire month. Imagine the amount of money you could save over time.

Best of all, this product has a target price of under $400.00. That is quite a deal. The company projects that as demand for these units goes us, the price will come down even more.

The Jellyfish is virtually maintenance free since it uses the same proven design found in other household appliances that use industrial type motors. It also uses no brushes or moving parts that can wear out. From a safety standpoint, if your electricity were to go out due to a temporary outage, the Jellyfish will immediately stop generating power. So, the Jellyfish is not intended to be used as a back-up type generator.

To find out more about this great product and get an a email list so that you can be notified when they are available click on the following link.

Jellyfish Wind Appliance

[environmental-sustainability] Madhya Pradesh could lose tiger conservation funds

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:52:11 GMT

Madhya Pradesh stands to lose out on crucial tiger conservation funds as the union government has refused to part with the money unless the state signs a tripartite agreement, officials say.

[environmental-sustainability] Chinese gangs seek to corner ivory trade

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:49:08 GMT

With falling demand in Japan for ivory name seals, China is fast moving in to fill the gap.

[environmental-sustainability] US, Japan 'aspire' to cut emissions 80% by 2050

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:44:19 GMT

The leaders of the United States and Japan say they ``aspire'' to reduce their countries' greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.

[environmental-sustainability] Low Carbon Business Seminar - 3 December 2009

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:22:00 GMT

The Low Carbon Best Practice Exchange is running in Harrogate on 3rd December - a whole day of round table discussions and one-to-ones - a delightfully powerpoint free zone. I'm leading two sessions on staff engagement and environmental strategy and there are loads more. I know I've said it before - these are probably the best events of their type.

To book your place, visit the LCBPE website.

[environmental-sustainability] G.M. Recycles Mercury Switches ... For Now

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:21:36 GMT

Until 2003, automakers used highly toxic mercury in switches that controlled trunk and under-hood lights. Benign alternatives are now used, but 38 million mercury switches still remain in cars.

[environmental-sustainability] Fast-Tracked Solar Project Could Speed Mojave Desert's Demise

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:12:00 GMT

But a closer look at a federal draft environmental impact statement released last week reveals that even with extensive mitigation, the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System project would destroy rare plants and permanently alter prized views from the nearby Mojave National Preserve. It would also annually consume an estimated 32 million gallons of groundwater in a region where water is scarce.

Such findings concern environmentalists who are almost certain to challenge the project. They also add to mounting criticism that the Obama administration is rushing to permit utility-scale renewable energy projects without considering the projects' effects on pristine public lands and the rare plants and animals that inhabit them.

Moroever, one of the central strategies for mitigating the project's environmental damage -- the relocation of federally protected desert tortoises -- is projected to kill nearly one out of every five animals that are transported, according to the draft EIS document.

"It's a good project in the wrong location," said Ileene Anderson, a staff biologist for the Center for Biological Diversity, which has criticized a similar Mojave tortoise relocation effort involving the Army's Fort Irwin.

The Ivanpah project is one of several renewable energy proposals being fast-tracked under a new Interior Department policy aimed at speeding the development of domestic clean energy. The project's developer, Oakland-based BrightSource Energy Inc., has indicated it wants to begin construction of the massive thermal solar plant before next March, only weeks after public comment on the draft EIS is set to expire.

But Greg Suba, conservation program director with the California Native Plant Society, said the Bureau of Land Management, which jointly issued the draft EIS with the California Energy Commission, is failing to consider the proposal's greatest shortcoming.

"The question that's not being addressed here is basically why are they going on wild public lands first?" Suba said. "Our organization and many others understand why we need renewable energy, and why large-scale utility projects will need to be part of the initial equation. But why put these big-scale projects in the intact wildlands first?"

As proposed, the Ivanpah project would cut through 4,073 acres of undisturbed land, "substantially affecting many sensitive plant and wildlife species and eliminating a broad expanse of relatively undisturbed Mojave Desert habitat," the draft EIS states. Some of the impacts would be offset by the developer's planned purchase and preservation of 8,146 acres nearby, but such mitigation would not replace "permanently lost" habitat for tortoises and other species, BLM found.

Regulators also noted the project's "unmitigable" impacts to the nearby Mojave National Preserve, where solar arrays "could strongly alter the character of views of Clark Mountain from the valley floor, interfering with the public's ability to enjoy those views."

Yet the draft EIS concludes such impacts are reasonable given the project's "noteworthy benefits" of "reducing global carbon emissions" and helping California meet an ambitious goal of producing 33 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020.

"No matter how we mitigate the project, the question is, 'Is the trade-off in impacts to the desert landscape, which is to be significant, worth the production of green energy from solar power?'" said Jan Bedrosian, a spokeswoman for BLM's California state office in Sacramento.

Fast-tracking solar

The Ivanpah project represents the latest in a string of emerging conflicts between environmentalists and federal regulators working to meet an Obama administration mandate to aggressively expand renewable energy resources to replace carbon-emitting fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal.

And perhaps nowhere are the stakes higher than in the Mojave Desert, a landscape many environmentalists believe will soon be under siege from renewable energy developers attracted by the desert's unparalleled solar intensity.

"For us this is a difficult issue because we support renewable energy," said Joshua Basofin, California representative for Defenders of Wildlife in Sacramento. "The difficulty for us is how do we guide these projects to be more environmentally sustainable and minimize impacts to wildlife habitat?"

A total of 126 renewable energy project applications covering 1 million acres are under review by BLM officials for the California portion of the Mojave, according to agency statistics. Those include 63 solar power plant projects that, if built, would cover 567,974 acres.

At the same time, 351,000 acres of Mojave Desert has been designated by the Interior Department as a solar study zone, meaning it could gain even more federal backing as a site for commercial-scale solar development. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has said he wants to have at least 13 major solar projects under construction by next year, when the solar study zone areas are finalized.

And last week Interior officials announced they would fast-track five new renewable energy projects in California -- four solar plants and one wind farm -- with hopes of making the projects eligible for grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

But first up is the Ivanpah project, located about 25 miles southwest of Las Vegas. BrightSource Energy has applied for federal stimulus money grants for the project and also is racing to get the permits in hand by the end of 2010.

Keely Wachs, a company spokeswoman, said in a statement that when completed, the Ivanpah complex "will exceed all of the rooftop solar energy installed in 2008 in the United States and more than double the nation's total solar thermal energy capacity."

Moving desert tortoises

One of the central challenges identified in the draft EIS is the relocation of at least 25 desert tortoises currently occupying the development site to another location, preferably to the west of the proposed project. Once those relocations have occurred, deed restrictions would need to be adopted that keep the tortoise-occupied land off-limits "in perpetuity."

But relocating tortoises poses inherent dangers to the animals. The biggest problem, experts say, is that the tortoises instinctively try to return to their original burrows. And once in unfamiliar territory, they become easy targets for coyotes, ravens and other predators.

That is what happened last year when the Army moved 600 tortoises from their desert habitat to BLM land to make room for expanded training operations at Fort Irwin, about 50 miles north of Barstow, Calif. Roughly 90 transported tortoises died, primarily from coyote predation, prompting the Army and BLM to temporarily suspend the $8.7 million translocation program (Land Letter, Aug. 13).

"The track record for desert tortoise relocation is definitely suboptimal," said Anderson, the Center for Biological Diversity biologist.

Anderson said BLM should hold off on relocating additional tortoises until they can provide greater certainty that the animals will survive.

But BLM and the California Energy Commission already project that some will not survive the relocation, according to the draft EIS.

"Mortality for translocated desert tortoise has been estimated at approximately 15 percent," according to the draft EIS.

Basofin, the Defenders of Wildlife representative, said he is bewildered that regulators would approve a mitigation strategy that results in the death of federally protected tortoises. "It's enough to make your head explode," he said.

Bedrosian, the BLM spokeswoman, said the agency would look closely at the Fort Irwin relocation problems and make necessary adjustments to the mitigation plan for the Ivanpah site.

"Certainly that's going to be looked at because we want to make sure the tortoise transfer is successful," Bedrosian said.

An overlooked landscape

To some, the fact that energy firms have put a bull's-eye on the Mojave Desert reflects a kind of ignorance about desert ecosystems.

While public perception may hold that desert landscapes are barren, advocates say such notions are false. "It's a diverse area. It's full of life," Suba said. "But there are those who tend to marginalize and be dismissive of the desert as a valuable ecosystem."

Many of those biases are reflected throughout the draft EIS document, critics say.

For example, the area will need to be bulldozed flat. That, according to the draft EIS, will destroy habitat for rare plants like the Rusby's desert-mallow, which is classified by BLM as a "sensitive species," as well as the Mojave milkweed, which is found in the Ivanpah Valley project area and has been classified by California as vulnerable to extinction "due to extreme rarity."

Another species expected to be affected by the project is the desert pincushion of which 25 are known to exist in California and "approximately one-third of which occur in the project area."

The draft EIS acknowledges that effects to the Mojave milkweed and Rusby's desert-mallow cannot be sufficiently mitigated. Instead, the state and BLM want BrightSource Energy to conduct surveys for both plants on the more than 8,100 acres it will be required to purchase for the mitigation, as well as any land it purchases to relocate the desert tortoise.

"This requirement does not serve to reduce the impacts of the ... project to less-than-significant levels," according to the draft EIS, "but provides information that might help inform future siting to avoid additional impacts from other development."

[environmental-sustainability] GLV keeps head above water with $37.5 million in new contracts

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:54:00 GMT

The municipal orders come from customers in the United States, Ireland and Algeria. The largest, worth $13 million, is for a complete waste-water treatment system for a South Carolina city for delivery in July. GLV teams in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Austin, Tex., will handle the design work.

This is a sign the U.S. market for municipal infrastructure is starting to recover, said GLV's chief operating officer, Richard Verreault.

The industrial sector contracts, worth about $9 million, cover water intake screening equipment for several clients.

GLV supplies its screening technology to the energy, desalination, food and beverage and chemical industries.

The depressed pulp and paper industry, with heavy investment cutbacks, hit GLV's results for the second quarter ended Sept. 30, while the water treatment business grew and improved its return. Verreault sees signs the downturn in orders from pulp and paper companies has stabilized.

GLV's quarterly earnings were $1.8 million, or six cents a share, down from $2.9 million, or 11 cents a share a year earlier, on revenue of $104 million, down 30.7 per cent.

First-half earnings were $2.9 million, or 10 cents a share, down from $5 million, or 19 cents a share, a year earlier, on revenue of $217 million, down almost 29 per cent.