Donald asks…
Power, by Cow?
Dean Foods is exploring ways to turn animal waste from its thousands of cows into renewable energy for the local power grid. The use of an anaerobic digester is also known unofficially as a poop-to-power energy system.
The effort may reduce greenhouse gas emissions and generate carbon and renewable energy credits.
http://climatebiz.com/node/24666
The Expert answers:
Yeah there’s several methods of making use of methane, which is great because not only is it making energy out of waste, but it’s also preventing the methane from increasing the greenhouse effect.
One example I like is Waste Management collecting methane from landfills to power their collection trucks.
Linda asks…
Are the Inaugural carbon footprint offsets enough to impress?
There are many inaugural events unfolding. Two are Green. The first of these was open to the public; tickets for the black-tie gala were $500 apiece, and five percent of ticket prices will go to nonprofit groups that have partnered with event planner Event Emissary. The company is Washington, DC’s first green event planning company. The Green Ball’s power consumption will be minimal and the electricity used to produce the event will be offset by the purchase of renewable energy credits.
http://www.eventemissary.com/
The 2nd green ball is sponsored by Al Gore: The invitation-only affair at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery is called “The Green Ball: Inauguration of a New Green Economy.” Ticket prices to the sold-out event were not made public.
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-obama-green11-2009jan11,0,7797733.story
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2009/2009-01-13-01.asp
Are the efforts to keep it green sufficient? If not, will the footprint be offset by improved programs and education within the first 100 days of the Adminstration?
The Expert answers:
Well the way I see it is that you’re not going to have an inaugural event without a pretty large carbon footprint. That’s just the reality of the situation. But the important thing about the green balls is that they’re symbolic. They show that the Obama Administration is going to have a serious commitment to the environment, which is more than we’ve been able to say about the American government for a long time.
You can criticize them all they want, but at least they’re making an effort to be green.
Mark asks…
Was Gore’s speech for clean energy in 10 years planned? Is he trying to beat T. Boone Pickens’ plan?
Where did this come from? He recently spent $30 million on advertising and not on building or researching renewable energy sources. What’s his deal? Is Gore just trying to come in and take credit? Did the advertising for T. Boone Pickens’ plan come as a threat to Gore?
The Expert answers:
I’d suggest you stop looking for ways to find fault, start using the leverage provided by both these men and do your part to help our planet. Whether you like either of these men, they are trying to help and they have the kind of clout that most people could only dream about. They are taking a lot of flack that each of us should be sharing. What are you doing to help? What can I do to help? Our way of life is in serious jeopardy and we’d better get started changing it now. And what would you do with 30 million dollars? Would you give it to the poor or build a huge solar power plant or would you get a full body tatoo, get drunk and buy a boat?
Betty asks…
Will Russia’s decision to cut off gas to European countries encourage the EU to do more about renewable energy?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090106/ts_nm/us_russia_ukraine_gas
It now looks like its not just the Ukraine that is being hit, as Russia has decided to halt all gas supplies via Ukraine to Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece and Macedonia. Something it said it wouldn’t be doing over the weekend.
Holding whole countries to ransom over the winter months when gas is most in demand, must surely make the EU think again about reducing its reliance on Russia and making there own alternative forms of power. Necessity is the mother of invention as they say. If we won’t put the money into research and infrastructure because of the credit crunch, maybe we will because of political necessity?
The Expert answers:
You would hope so wouldn’t you.
I find it unbelievable that Europe has not got together, as a whole, to explore and develop new energy ideas. Between us we’ve got the brains, the technology, the manufacturing bases and the money, but instead all we seem good at is law making.
So I’d like to think so but think it’s unlikley in the near future.
Shame really, I’d love to see those countries, those that hold others to ransom, sitting on barrels of the stuff that they can’t give away.
Jenny asks…
Why are the house republicans so furious. Democrats took away tax credits from their masters.?
The House of representatives shifted $16 Billion In Tax Breaks From Big Oil To Renewable energy proyects. Like wind and solar power proyects.
That is right, when they were in power, the republicans had given big oil billions in tax credits. That was at the time when the big oil companies were making record profits.
Well today, the representatives of the people took those gifts away and put the money to work for all of us.
The Expert answers:
It’s about time. I’ve had enough of corporate freedoms and advantages. It’s time we put those credits to good use.
Plus, this goes to show that the Democrats are doing what they promised. They promised change, and that’s what they’re doing; changing things.
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