Green Living Q & A

Broke young and in love couple gift ideas?

Okay! My older brother is engaged to the love of his life (and my best friend!). They are both young (22) and looking for jobs overseas (like peace corp.)

Anyways, their wedding is going to be extremely small because they don’t have any money and can’t get large gifts because they will most likely leave the country.

I want to get them something cool and useful, but I’m short on funds and out of ideas.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

ps. They both have graduated college with political degrees and are very eco friendly.

What gifts have you received from YAHOO Answers??

I got an eco–friendly light bulb a while back and just got a canvas tote bag today! Awesome!!

Gifts for Maya Lin?

I’m doing an art project and need to come up with gifts to give architect Maya Lin. I know she went to Yale, is eco–friendly, and is Chinese-American.
I was thinking about a wind power card and yale emblem…Can you help me come up with more ideas. I need a total of 6 gifts. Thanks!

Where can I find a solar panel charger like this one?

http://www.allthingsgreen.net/marketplace/freeloader-supercharger-solar-panel-charger-eco–friendly-p-5990.html

Its for a gift and I live in the US. I would like it to be around the same price as well and not off the internet. If it is off the internet to be off a well-known site.

Bridesmaid gifts – any unique ideas?

I am looking for something to give my bridesmaids as a nice thank you present. I am the first of my friends to get married so not sure of what to get. Everything online is corny and personalized. I don’t want to get them a tote bag or jewelry box – that’s pretty much what I’ve found online! I am doing an eco–friendly wedding with a “Poetry in Nature” theme, if that helps. Please give me ideas of things you would genuinely like to receive instead of just things I can give as if to just fulfill my obligation to give a gift! It would be nice if it fit my theme but it’s not necessary – it just shouldn’t clash (i.e. nothing TOO environmentally damaging). Thanks for your help!

Will 2010 be known as “The Year Global Warming Died”?

“The chief defence offered by the warmists to all those [2009] revelations centred on the IPCC’s last 2007 report is that they were only a few marginal mistakes scattered through a vast, 3,000-page document.

“OK, they say, it might have been wrong to predict

that the Himalayan glaciers would melt by 2035;

that global warming was about to destroy 40 per cent of the Amazon rainforest and cut African crop yields by 50 per cent;

that sea levels were rising dangerously;

that hurricanes, droughts and other “extreme weather events” were getting worse.

“These were a handful of isolated errors in a massive report; behind them the mighty edifice of global warming orthodoxy remains unscathed. The “science is settled”, the “consensus” is intact.

“But this completely misses the point. Put the errors together and it can be seen that one after another they tick off all the central, iconic issues of the entire global warming saga. Apart from those non-vanishing polar bears, no fears of climate change have been played on more insistently than these: the destruction of Himalayan glaciers and Amazonian rainforest; famine in Africa; fast-rising sea levels; the threat of hurricanes, droughts, floods and heatwaves all becoming more frequent.

“All these alarms were given special prominence in the IPCC’s 2007 report and each of them has now been shown to be based, not on hard evidence, but on scare stories, derived not from proper scientists but from environmental activists. Those glaciers are not vanishing; the damage to the rainforest is not from climate change but logging and agriculture; African crop yields are more likely to increase than diminish; the modest rise in sea levels is slowing not accelerating; hurricane activity is lower than it was 60 years ago; droughts were more frequent in the past; there has been no increase in floods or heatwaves.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/7332803/A-perfect-storm-is-brewing-for-the-IPCC.html

Montessori Model United Nations HELP PLEASE!!!?

Montessori Model United Nations HELP PLEASE!!!?
My country is Gabon the Location is Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea. Kind of confusing, I know. So my paper’s due Tuesday September 27th 2011 2:15 pm. and need as many questions as you can answer submitted. Here are some of the basic questions:

Allies/Blocs:_________________________…

Ports/waterways:______________________…

Infrastructure status:_________________________________…

U.N. dues payment status:____________________

Environmental stance; e.g., problems, innovations:_____

Standard of living (UNDP Annual Report):______________

Has the United Nations ever cited this country for human rights violations? If so, what were the circumstances?__________________________…

What are problems/threats that currently seem to affect this nation?_________________________________…

Ethnic/cultural issues:_________________________________…

Refugees problems:_______________________________…

Trade blocs/association:______________________…

Balance of payments/trade:_________________________…

Military organization:___________________________…

Military expenditures (percent spent on defense):_____

Major weapons, arsenal, nuclear, capability, etc: ________________________________________…

Percent of GNP spent of ODA (Overseas Development Aid): ________________________________________…

Economic system:_________________________________…

IMF, WB, GATT positions (debtor nation? Donor nation?): __________________________________ ________________________________________…

Energy sources (both the type of energy and its origin): _____________________________________

Major conflicts both past and present: ________________________________________… ________________________________________… ________________________________________…

Based on your research, what do you feel as the heart of this nations identity?: ________________ ________________________________________…

Development status:_______________________________

U.N. peacekeeping role (Blue Helmets):_____________

Has the U.N. ever had to intervene in any conflict involving this nation? If so, where the circumstances?: ___________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

Also if you can answer any that would be fantastic! Thanks for all your help.

” A perfect storm is brewing for the IPCC “, does this make you feel sorry for the Warmers?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/7332803/A-perfect-storm-is-brewing-for-the-IPCC.html

” The chief defence offered by the warmists to all those revelations centred on the IPCC’s last 2007 report is that they were only a few marginal mistakes scattered through a vast, 3,000-page document. OK, they say, it might have been wrong to predict that the Himalayan glaciers would melt by 2035; that global warming was about to destroy 40 per cent of the Amazon rainforest and cut African crop yields by 50 per cent; that sea levels were rising dangerously; that hurricanes, droughts and other “extreme weather events” were getting worse. These were a handful of isolated errors in a massive report; behind them the mighty edifice of global warming orthodoxy remains unscathed. The “science is settled”, the “consensus” is intact.

But this completely misses the point. Put the errors together and it can be seen that one after another they tick off all the central, iconic issues of the entire global warming saga. Apart from those non-vanishing polar bears, no fears of climate change have been played on more insistently than these: the destruction of Himalayan glaciers and Amazonian rainforest; famine in Africa; fast-rising sea levels; the threat of hurricanes, droughts, floods and heatwaves all becoming more frequent.
All these alarms were given special prominence in the IPCC’s 2007 report and each of them has now been shown to be based, not on hard evidence, but on scare stories, derived not from proper scientists but from environmental activists. Those glaciers are not vanishing; the damage to the rainforest is not from climate change but logging and agriculture; African crop yields are more likely to increase than diminish; the modest rise in sea levels is slowing not accelerating; hurricane activity is lower than it was 60 years ago; droughts were more frequent in the past; there has been no increase in floods or heatwaves.
Furthermore, it has also emerged in almost every case that the decision to include these scare stories rather than hard scientific evidence was deliberate. As several IPCC scientists have pointed out about the scare over Himalayan glaciers, for instance, those responsible for including it were well aware that proper science said something quite different. But it was inserted nevertheless – because that was the story wanted by those in charge. ”

So there is now going to be an international investigation.

What do you think of this?

Can you please grade my SAT essay.?

Quote: The old saying, “be careful what you wish for,” maybe an appropriate warning. The drive to achieve a particular goal can dangerously narrow ones perspective and encourage the fantasy that success in one endeavour will solve all of life’s difficulties. In fact, success can sometimes have unexpected consequences. Those who propel themselves toward the achievement of one goal often find that their lives are worse once “success” is achieved than they were before.
Assignment: Can success be disastrous? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from reading, studies, experience, or observations.
My Response:
Although many may think success can clear all problems, in truth, success narrows ones perspective and can lead to disaster. So, the saying “Be careful what you wish for” is apt. I would like to support my view using the story of Macbeth, the success and disaster in Lake Victoria and the recent hurricane, Katrina in USA.
My first example is from the literary work, “Macbeth” written by William Shakespeare. In it, Macbeth wanted to become the king and ‘becoming the king’ was his success. He achieved success and he gained many enemies in his path to success and he was never happy after he got success. He had to feel tensed every moment thinking Macduff or Banquo would usurp his throne. His position as a general was a happy one and kingship only brought him sadness and eventually death. One has to be careful with choosing one’s success.
My second example is from Lake Victoria. Nile Perch is a fish which grows well, breeds at high rate and whose meat is very delicious. The colonial powers of Africa introduced it into Lake Victoria for commercial purposes. The lake which was deserted earlier attracted tourists and gained the countries a sum of 600 million $. But, Nile Perch, a predator of cichlids, started eating the existing population of cichlids in the lake. This led to extinction of cichlids and Nile perch eventually perished of hunger. Cichlids which eat the plankton and smaller fish were no longer present and this led to exponential increase of algae and ferns. Algae covered the entire surface inhibiting the sunlight and air to enter the lake. Lack of lighting and fresh air in the water led to other species of fish to perish. And finally, Lake Victoria became a lake with no aqua life in it. The commercial success led to environmental disaster and eventually a great ecological imbalance.
Very recently, many heard of the hurricane Katrina which created havoc in USA. Although, many may get amazed about why a natural disaster made up to the human success-failure list, human’s lack of foresight led to such a disaster. Americans drenched many small islands in the mouth of Lake Mississippi to allow the sea water to enter the main land. They wished to avoid cost of transportation of goods from coastal areas to internal lands. But, the salty marshes and the mud acted as sponges for the storm and with their absence, the storm entered the main land creating the havoc. Human actions exacerbated the disaster. Katrina killed about a 1000 people in New Orleans. This was successful economically but failed environmentally.
With this, one is clear that one has to be careful in selecting what one’s success is. Else, it can lead to adverse effects. When once tries to succeed, one needs to consider the long-time effects of that success.
I think my intro is pretty boring and my conclusion is pretty short, I would be grateful if you give me tips to develop the above mentioned parts as well and Please grade it on a scale from 1-6

Ever think of WHY Somali Pirates Are Doing What their Doing?…..?

I mean, no one seems to realize and want to know WHY Somali pirates are hijacking ships.

Its mostly because of environmental protection.

Waste dumping

Following the massive tsunami of December 2004, there have emerged allegations that after the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in the late 1980s, Somalia’s long, remote shoreline was used as a dump site for the disposal of toxic waste. The huge waves which battered northern Somalia after the tsunami are believed to have stirred up tonnes of nuclear and toxic waste that was illegally dumped in Somali waters by several European firms. The European Green Party followed up these revelations by presenting before the press and the European Parliament in Strasbourg copies of contracts signed by two European companies—the Italian Swiss firm, Achair Partners, and an Italian waste broker, Progresso—and representatives of the warlords then in power, to accept 10 million tonnes of toxic waste in exchange for $80 million (then about £60 million). According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) assessment mission, there are far higher than normal cases of respiratory infections, mouth ulcers and bleeding, abdominal haemorrhages and unusual skin infections among many inhabitants of the areas around the northeastern towns of Hobbio and Benadir on the Indian Ocean coast—diseases consistent with radiation sickness. UNEP continues that the current situation along the Somali coastline poses a very serious environmental hazard not only in Somalia but also in the eastern Africa sub-region.

Under Article 9(1)(d) of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, it is illegal for “any transboundary movement of hazardous wastes or other wastes: that results in deliberate disposal (e.g. dumping) of hazardous wastes or other wastes in contravention of this Convention and of general principles of international law”.

According to Nick Nuttall of the United Nations Environmental Programme, “Somalia has been used as a dumping ground for hazardous waste starting in the early 1990s, and continuing through the civil war there,” and “European companies found it to be very cheap to get rid of the waste, costing as little as $2.50 a tonne, where waste disposal costs in Europe are something like $1000 a tonne.”

Illegal fishing

At the same time, illegal trawlers began fishing Somalia’s seas with an estimated $300 million of tuna, shrimp, and lobster being taken each year depleting stocks previously available to local fishermen. Through interception with speedboats, Somali fishermen tried to either dissuade the dumpers and trawlers or levy a “tax” on them as compensation. In an interview, Sugule Ali, one of the pirate leaders explained “We don’t consider ourselves sea bandits. We consider sea bandits (to be) those who illegally fish and dump in our seas.” Peter Lehr, a Somalia piracy expert at the University of St. Andrews says “It’s almost like a resource swap, Somalis collect up to $100 million a year from pirate ransoms off their coasts and the Europeans and Asians poach around $300 million a year in fish from Somali waters.”

According to Roger Middleton of Chatham House, “The problem of overfishing and illegal fishing in Somali waters, is a very serious one, and does affect the livelihoods of people inside Somalia […] the dumping of toxic waste on Somalia’s shores is a very serious issue, which will continue to affect people in Somalia long after the war has ended, and piracy is resolved.”To lure fish to their traps, foreign trawlers reportedly also use fishing equipment under prohibition such as nets with very small mesh sizes and sophisticated underwater lighting systems.

Under Article 56(1)(b)(iii) of the Law of the Sea Convention:

“In the exclusive economic zone, the coastal State has jurisdiction as provided for in the relevant provisions of this Convention with regard to the protection and preservation of the marine environment”.

Article 57 of the Convention in turn outlines the limit of that jurisdiction:

“The exclusive economic zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured”.

Do you think your MONEY has been wasted on the Stimulus?

This is what “SOME” of your money that will be paid by your GREAT, GREAT Grand children will be paying for.

2050:
Grandpa…..what the HELL am I paying for that your generation did back in 2009

$650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.
• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).
• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.
• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.
• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.
• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD’s.
• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.
• $525 million for the Washington DC sewer system.
• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.
• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.
• $75 million for “smoking cessation activities.”
• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.
• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.
• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.
• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.
• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.
• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into “green” buildings.
• $500 million for state and local fire stations.
• $650 million for wild land fire management on forest service lands.
• $1.2 billion for “youth activities,” including youth summer job programs.
• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.
• $412 million for CDC buildings and property.
• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.
• $160 million for “paid volunteers” at the Corporation for National and Community Service.
• $5.5 million for “energy efficiency initiatives” at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.
• $850 million for Amtrak.
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.
• $75 million to construct a “security training” facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.
• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.
• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations

That’s over 124 BILLION dollars in pork.

I’m especially fond of the 75 million to pay for salaries in the FBI. Were their projections so bad that they are already out of money, or is this evidence of Obama re-instating the failed Clinton policy of treating the Global War on Terror as a police activity?

How about another 650 billion to allow people to buy TV converters for the switch to digital. I never spent my expired coupons- how many other people ordered them and didn’t spend them? How much money has fallen through the cracks on this already?

400 million to prevent STD’s. I have one comment- zip up your fly- it’ll save us 400 million dollars.

Lastly 2 BILLION DOLLARS to fund a clean coal plant that has already been deemed a failure.

3 Million for the First Lady’s closet re-do

Are you starting to realize the Economy is the issue to dump the Republican Mantra?

It’s a matter of pay now or pay letter. Republicans are all for lower taxes and smaller government except when their greed gets them in financial trouble.

Here is the issue that you are dealing with… Since the Stock Market collapse of 1929 a system of checks and balances was instituted as the economy grew to keep greed in check. However, after Ronald Reagan took office and developed the theory of Trickle Down economics, They began to chip away at several levels of checks and balances. One of the first levels that they attacked were the Unions. Unions offered a level that reported abuses in the labor market. Second was deregulation where they actually removed regulation by allowing business to move off shore where inspection and over sight where non-existent… then they moved to gut the budgets of regulatory agencies that were left, to stop over-site. Usury laws were thrown to the wind and bankruptcy laws were changed to protect the rich. (Look up Usury Laws)

Example: There are only 8 inspectors for all the livestock sold for food in California. Providing 30 percent of all the meat eaten in the United States and exported.

The result is that you have lead painted toys for your children to play with, food is polluted with chemicals and Salmonella and Wall Street Collapses in a heap and your 401K falls through the floor while Oil prices shoot threw the roof because they changed the rules to allow speculation in the Oil market and fought alternative energy. All the while the Republicans keep claiming your taxes are to high and the reason is it’s Ear Marks were causing it which equal less than 1 percent of the US budget .

We need to start thinking smarter and get back to enforcement of good sound banking rules and reduce greed out of the equation. We need over sight at all levels of both government and business. We need to pay those taxes necessary to enforce regulation and stop investing billions in “Wars to No Where”. Think where we would have been financially if we had not swallowed “Georges War to No
Where” based on a lie.

Wake up America!!! Obama for President

Do we have scientific or economic/political differences of opinion here?

Let’s assume a new study (or hopefully several) came out that proved conclusively that CO2 was directly responsible for 90% of recent observed warming and 10% to natural causes.

From my perspective, before rushing to sign any Copenhagen treaty or instituting various cap and trade or carbon taxes, I’d want to look a little further into the impacts.

The first thing I’d start with is to project CO2 levels into the future, predict the corresponding warming effect of those future levels and then reconcile that with the predicted natural trend to get a future climate forecast. Then I’d want to look much more closely at the impact of that projected climate in the especially big areas like sea level rise and drought/flood predictions.

Second, I’d want to look at new technologies to assist this problem like carbon capture/sequester and geo engineering to produce an offset cooling. Who knows, maybe those technological solutions could prove cost effective. We’d also of course have to look at various CO2 reduction strategies and costs and effects on man of those.

In other words, we would have the largest and most complex risk management analysis in the history of mankind.

Yet, here we are today. Even the IPCC has not stated that CO2 is responsible beyond all doubt. Research into the effects of a warming world is sketchy. Sea levels have not been rising as predicted; hurricane activity has not been devastating, etc. Geo-engineering and carbon sequestering have generally been tossed aside without much thought or study. And most importantly, the cost and consequences of a treaty like Copenhagen are not fully transparent. That just might mean they aren’t known.

Sorry, I just don’t understand all this and how some people think it is clear how proceed based on what we know today. The only reasons I can think of are: well you give me some.

If you think cap and trade and Copenhagen are needed right now, tell me why to help me understand. Is it to reduce pollution anyways? We are running out of oil so this will force the research in alternative energy? Is a global governance needed to get control of runaway “Westernism”? Or is just “we need to save the planet and all costs”?
I gotta say Dr. Blob, you win some sort of special award for the longest post without actually saying anything. Perhaps you could expand a bit by explaining what “current approach is not working” (that’s just one of about ten).

And what the hell does this mean? “All who would use or transform resources should have to show how their activity can be sustained for the long term before being allowed to commence.” Does that mean you would vote for a leader who said this? And actually had some plan to implement it?

WHAT ARE YOUR REACTIONS Of this ?Synthetic Cells Shed Biological Insights While Delivering Battery Power?

Trying to understand the complex workings of a biological cell by teasing out the function of every molecule within it is a daunting task. But by making synthetic cells that include just a few chemical processes, researchers can study cellular machinery one manageable piece at a time. A new paper from researchers at Yale University and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) describes a highly simplified model cell that not only sheds light on the way certain real cells generate electric voltages, but also acts as a tiny battery that could offer a practical alternative to conventional solid-state energy-generating devices.
Each synthetic cell built by NI-ST engineer David LaVan and his colleagues has a droplet of a water-based solution containing a salt — potassium and chloride ions — enclosed within a wall made of a lipid, a molecule with one end that is attracted to water molecules while the other end repels them. When two of these “cells” come into contact, the water-repelling lipid ends that form their outsides touch, creating a stable double bi-layer that separates the two cells’ interiors, just as actual cell membranes do.
If the researchers only did that much, nothing interesting would happen, but they also inserted into the bi layer a modified form of a protein, , made by the bacterium Staphylococcus Ayres. These embedded proteins create pores that act as channels for ions, mimicking the pores in a biological cell. “This preferentially allows either positive or negative ions to pass through the bi layer and creates a voltage across it,” La Van says. “We can harness this voltage to generate electric current.”
If the solutions in the two cells start with different salt concentrations, then poking thin metal electrodes into the droplets creates a small battery: electrons will flow through a circuit connected to the electrodes, counterbalancing the ion flow through the channels. As this happens, the ion concentrations in the droplets eventually equalize as the system discharges its electric potential.
Building synthetic versions of complex real cells-such as those that enable an electric eel to zap its prey-is far too difficult a task for now, says La Van. So the researchers instead created this far simpler system whose performance they could understand in terms a handful of basic properties, including the size of the droplets, the concentration of the aqueous solutions, and the number of ion channels in the barrier between the two cells.
A tiny battery with two droplets, each containing just 200 nanometers of solution, could deliver electricity for almost 10 minutes. A bigger system, with a total volume of almost 11 micro liters, lasted more than four hours. In terms of the energy it can deliver for a given volume, the biological battery is only about one-twentieth as effective as a conventional lead-acid battery. But in its ability to convert chemical into electrical energy, the synthetic cell has an efficiency of about 10 per cent, which compares well with solid-state devices that generate electricity from heat, light, or mechanical stress-so that synthetic cells may one day take their place in the nanotechnology toolbox.

Can someone summarize this yahoo! article?

By Mary Milliken September 13, 2006
SACRAMENTO, California (Reuters) – A leading U.S.

climate researcher said on Wednesday the world

has a 10-year window of opportunity to take decisive

action on global warming and avert a weather

catastrophe.

NASA scientist James Hansen, widely considered

the doyen of American climate researchers, said

governments must adopt an alternative scenario to

keep carbon dioxide emission growth in check and

limit the increase in global temperatures to 1 degree

Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit).
“I think we have a very brief window of opportunity to

deal with climate change … no longer than a decade,

at the most,” Hansen said at the Climate Change

Research Conference in California’s state capital.
If the world continues with a “business as usual”

scenario, Hansen said temperatures will rise by 2 to

3 degrees Celsius (3.6 to 7.2 degrees F) and “we will

be producing a different planet.”
On that warmer planet, ice sheets would melt quickly,

causing a rise in sea levels that would put most of

Manhattan under water. The world would see more

prolonged droughts and heat waves, powerful

hurricanes in new areas and the likely extinction of

50 percent of species.
Hansen, who heads NASA’s Goddard Institute for

Space Studies, has made waves before by saying

that

President George W. Bush’s administration tried to

silence him and heavily edited his and other

scientists’ findings on a warmer world.
He reiterated that the United States “has passed up

the opportunity” to influence the world on global

warming.
The United States is the largest emitter of

greenhouse gases, most notably carbon dioxide. But

Bush pulled the country out of the 160-nation Kyoto

Protocol in 2001, arguing that the treaty’s mandatory

curbs on emissions would harm the economy.
Hansen praised California for taking the

“courageous” step of passing legislation on global

warming last month that will make it the first U.S.

state to place caps on greenhouse gas emissions.
He said the alternative scenario he advocates

involves promoting energy efficiency and reducing

dependence on carbon burning fuels.
“We cannot burn off all the fossil fuels that are

readily available without causing dramatic climate

change,” Hansen said. “This is not something that is

a theory. We understand the carbon cycle well

enough to say that.”

Design Engineering or Energy Mangement jobs in Australia?

Hi all,
I am currently looking to move to Australia with my partner and was wondering if anyone had any advice on design engineering or energy management jobs over there? What is the market currently like?

Education wise I have a BA in Product Design and an MSC in Design Engineering, plus training in energy management.

I have 4 years experience working as a design engineer for 2 firms, designing prefabricated cooling equipment.
As well as the above I have a wealth of experience in renewable technology and energy management; heat pumps, solar panel etc.

What does anyone think? Would there be jobs for me? Any particular areas worth considering?

Is the Department of Energy doing a good job of meeting its goals as set forth in its mission statement?

1.In your opinion, is the Department of Energy doing a good job of meeting its goals as set forth in its mission statement? Why or why not?

2. Do you agree with President Obama’s policies to reduce dependency on foreign energy and increase domestic production of renewable energy? Why or why not?

3. What are you doing to decrease your personal consumption of energy?

4. Do you think our nation is doing enough to address the growing energy needs of our population? What energy policy do you feel is best for our nation?

Obama has promised tons of green jobs, how is this program working for California?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123336500319935517.html?mod=djemEditorialPage

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was all smiles in 2006 when he signed into law the toughest anti-global-warming regulations of any state. Mr. Schwarzenegger and his green supporters boasted that the regulations would steer California into a prosperous era of green jobs, renewable energy, and technological leadership. Instead, since 2007 — in anticipation of the new mandates — California has led the nation in job losses.

The regulations created a cap-and-trade system, similar to proposed federal global-warming measures, by limiting the CO2 that utilities, trucking companies and other businesses can emit, and imposed steep new taxes on companies that exceed the caps. Since energy is an input in everything that’s produced, this will raise the cost of production inside California’s borders.

Now, as the Golden State prepares to implement this regulatory scheme, employers are howling. It’s become clear to nearly everyone that the plan’s backers have underestimated its negative impact and exaggerated the benefits. “We’ve been sold a false bill of goods,” is how Republican Assemblyman Roger Niello, who has been the GOP’s point man on environmental issues in the legislature, put it to me.

The environmental plan was built on the notion that imposing some $23 billion of new taxes and fees on households (through higher electricity bills) and employers will cost the economy nothing, while also reducing greenhouse gases. Almost no one believes that anymore except for the five members of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). This is the state’s air-quality regulator, which voted unanimously in December to stick with the cap-and-trade system despite the recession. CARB justified its go-ahead by issuing what almost all experts agree is a rigged study on the economic impact of the cap-and-trade system. The study concludes that the plan “will not only significantly reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions, but will also have a net positive effect on California’s economic growth through 2020.”

So now that we have seen how the “GREEN” jobs program works, why do we want to force this issue?
Meanwhile, the state is losing jobs, a lot of them. California’s unemployment rate hit 9.3% in December, up from 4.9% in December 2006. There are now 1.5 million Californians out of work. The state has the fourth-highest housing foreclosure rate in the nation, has lost more businesses than any state in recent years, and is facing a $40 billion deficit. With cap and trade firmly in place, the economic situation is only likely to get worse.

Other states are plundering the Golden State’s industries by convincing businesses to pick up stakes and move out before the cap-and-trade earthquake hits. Governors and Washington politicians who want to reduce their “carbon footprint,” but are worried about the more immediate crises of cascading unemployment, unbalanced budgets, and the housing-market collapse, would be wise not to follow California’s lead. Green policies have a tendency to push states into the red.
Meanwhile, the state is losing jobs, a lot of them. California’s unemployment rate hit 9.3% in December, up from 4.9% in December 2006. There are now 1.5 million Californians out of work. The state has the fourth-highest housing foreclosure rate in the nation, has lost more businesses than any state in recent years, and is facing a $40 billion deficit. With cap and trade firmly in place, the economic situation is only likely to get worse.

Other states are plundering the Golden State’s industries by convincing businesses to pick up stakes and move out before the cap-and-trade earthquake hits. Governors and Washington politicians who want to reduce their “carbon footprint,” but are worried about the more immediate crises of cascading unemployment, unbalanced budgets, and the housing-market collapse, would be wise not to follow California’s lead. Green policies have a tendency to push states into the red.

Is Obama’s “green jobs” plan going to end up the same way it did in California: a complete failure?

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB123336500319935517-lMyQjAxMDI5MzMzMTMzNjE1Wj.html

“Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was all smiles in 2006 when he signed into law the toughest anti-global-warming regulations of any state. Mr. Schwarzenegger and his green supporters boasted that the regulations would steer California into a prosperous era of green jobs, renewable energy, and technological leadership. Instead, since 2007 — in anticipation of the new mandates — California has led the nation in job losses.

The regulations created a cap-and-trade system, similar to proposed federal global-warming measures, by limiting the CO2 that utilities, trucking companies and other businesses can emit, and imposed steep new taxes on companies that exceed the caps. Since energy is an input in everything that’s produced, this will raise the cost of production inside California’s borders.”
madd……….but the general plan that was implemented in California in 2006 is very similar to what Obama is talking about doing on a national scale.

In your opinion what are a few ways jobs can be created?

I’m just curious as to what many think about our current economic situation. Some believe that this stimulus bill will do nothing but create more national debt, and it won’t create jobs. However some have faith in it. If more jobs are going to be created I believe we need to have renewable energy, and start assessing the damage done at the root which is the value of our money. What do you think the key is to creating more jobs?
By the way, the stimulus bill that was just passed is worth $838 Billion.
Genie: I think you are onto something. The infrastructure is damaged and without the rebuilding, there can be no job growth.

What’s Whole Foods’ stance on SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD?

I’m taking a class titled “Ecology of Sustainable Seafood.” My independent project for the class is to research Whole Foods’ stance on seafood, and sustainability in seafood. What are some good links for me to check out so I can make some bullet points about their policy?

Hi fellow seniors, do you leave food out for our feathered friends?

I’m more inclined to do so now especially in this cold snap.

I never used to put any out in the past because up until last year we used to have a cat and as you know it doesn’t do to encourage birds and cats to share the same small area.

We now have a lovely bird table adorned with various recommended feed and a water unit (which keeps on getting iced over) also a little box to keep warm in and it’s such a joy to see our native birds helping themselves to sustainable food at this inclement time of the year.

So do you like to feed and watch the birds in your vicinity?

Can we create a self-sustainable civilization on the moon or another planet?

So it seems like NASA is gonna be sending a colony to the moon soon. I am wondering how that will work? Where will they get food, water and oxygen? But my main question is: are there any ways to perhaps grow (or even synthesize) those things? (food/water/oxygen) Without any help from our planet what so ever. I know that for electricity and heat we could use solar energy, but not sure of the rest.

Are exponential population growth, consumer economics, and climate change the ultimate “tragedy of the Commons?

Individually and as nations we fight to protect what we “own”. But what are we doing to protect the Commons nobody owns (unless privatized) but on which life itself depends – clean air, water, sustainable food, and assurance of peace. It’s apparently not safe to leave it to politicians?

What are some good books about food ?

I’m looking for some books about nutrition. I’m not looking to loose weight as much as to develop a sustainable, healthy diet.

I’d like to read a book, or books, with advice that is grounded in science but also engaging and inspirational. Maybe even with a philosophical bend. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

Are there any good eco friendly lesbian dating sites?

I’m looking for a lesbian dating site that is geared towards eco friendly dating. I know that there are a lot of regular lesbian dating sites, however, I am more interested in green dating sites for lesbians. I only want answers from people who can be respectful of my question. Thanks so much.

What is a good company name that encompasses both toothpaste and eco-friendly?

I need a company name for a school project that brings together toothpaste and eco friendly in some way. Any suggestions?

What are fun and cool ideas to make our school more eco-friendly?

My friend and I decided we wanted to make our school more eco friendly. We asked if we can have a contest of the class who can recycle the most but we thought that kids will just go crazy only for the prizes and later on, stop recycling. So good ideas. We need it fun, good prizes! Please help!

What is the most Eco Friendly fleet service in India?

I have noticed that the CNG driven vehicles (DTC busses, Taxi services) propose they are “Eco Friendly” which still emit CO2. Considering the number of staff transportation vehicles in New Delhi & NCR, I wonder if there is a fleet provider who is eco friendly.

I have an area of concrete stained from grass/plants, do you know of a eco friendly solution to remove stains?

The concrete is red and I would prefer to have the stains taken out with a solution that is cheap and eco friendly.

Why do we allow the importation of goods not made under the same labor and environmental rules and regulations?

we use ? How in the hell are we suppose to effectively compete?

this was actually a question that Unka Dano on another question asked and he got 7 thumbs up and zero thumbs down —

so it occurred to me that this might actually be an issue that most of us agree on — just wondering

Who or what is Leadership U, is religion based, if so which one?

We have some friends that have been attending these weekly meetings with 400+ in attendence. Our friends can’t explain in any detail what exactly is being represented, just that they feel better; more positive. There are those who have been very successful selling something; again they’re not sure what.
I pulled up a website called Leadership U, and it seems to be
a Christian based organization with the main focus being on environmental issues. Our friends want us to attend a meeting with them, but I’m very skeptical and want to know more before I agree to go.

did mexicans colonize or immigrate to the us?

Did the group face prejudice,
segregation, racism or any combination of the three? If so, how and why?
Was this group effected by or did it participate in any of the following forms of
discrimination? If so, describe:
• Dual labor market
Environmental justice issues
• Affirmative action
• Redlining
• Double jeopardy
• Institutional discrimination
• Reverse discrimination
• Glass ceiling, glass walls, or glass escalator
o Do you culturally identify more with the ethnic group you examined, with United
States mainstream culture, or with both equally?

How do we get people to distinguish between living with a heightened awareness and being fearfully paranoid?

Education is paramount when it comes to being able to fix the problems plaguing us in today’s world. However, environmental issues such as global warming, issues over the war in Iraq, terrorism, and problems regarding health and personal safety are difficult for people to evaluate without feeling the fear of what they know. The fear can even become the source of apathy. People often believe what you don’t know won’t hurt you, but it can. You must somehow develop the ability to distinguish between living with a heightened awareness of circumstances without becoming too afraid and paranoid as well as ensuring others don’t quickly call you paranoid because of what you know but they do not. But that doesn’t answer my question. How do we get people to distinguish between living with a heightened awareness and being fearfully paranoid?

A couple of environmental policy questions…?

Hi,

I am doing a research paper on current happenings in US environmental policy. I have come across a couple of things I am unsure about, and am searching for some help.

1.) An article talks about various possible energy sources, and then talks about “government subsidies”. What exactly is a government subsidy, particularly in relation to environmental policy?

2.) In many articles I have been reading, I have come across the fact that a possible solution to warming is capping greenhouse-gas emissions, issue tradable permits, and giving plants the right to sell their credits. However, I was under the impression that this is already standard practice. Am I thinking of something else, or about something similar? Because I truly thought this was currently going on currently in the US industries.

Thanks very much for any help provided.

Why is wind power better than any other type of alternative energy?

I’m learning about alternative energy and I loved wind power the most. I wanted to know more about it. If you can give me names of companies that install wind turbines,the cost, and why it is better than any other alternative energy you could be the best answer and you can give me extra information too .

Should we punish the oil and gas company to help develop alternative energy?

Both Clinton and Obama want to stick it to the BIG OIL. BIG OIL only controls 3% of oil reserve in the world, why do we want to shoot ourselves in the foot?

Alternative energy?

What can we use instead of gas? What companies are out there?

Does it Concern you that McCain’s Energy Policies could Destroy Alternative Energy?

It is impossible for the economy to pursue both oil and alternative energy. One will phase out the other. So McCain’s plan is to Drill, Drill, Drill. Basically he is signaling his support of the Oil companies and their continued dominance.

Which power company offers alternative energy in the Phoenix metro area?

There are no jobs on a dead planet?

What do you guys who are worried about the economy say about that?

I say the answer is phasing out old technogies (coal etc) – renewable energy and green options create jobs too!
I completely agree that the costs will be so much higher to not act, but i don’t necessarily agree that nuclear is the best option, it depends on the situation.

1st, we only have enough uranium reserves for 40 years (totally not sustainable, considering the energy needed to create the plants)

2nd, we have no complete solution for nuclear waste!!

3rd, in countries like australia (where i’m from) – where conditions are perfect for wind, solar and geotherm (and more) technologies – it seems ridiculous to go with nuclear!

oh and to anyone who’s reading “CLEAN COAL technology” is NOT clean, and we don’t even have the technology yet, why are we wasting valuable time and resources on a technology that is dirty, pollutes, and DOESN’T EVEN EXIST? Go renewable -solar, wind, hydro, geotherm etc etc

😀
i don’t work at all, i’m a high school student in australia!

But that doesn’t mean i’m ignorant/uneducated etc etc etc

i know things are happening, and that people are waking up to climate change, it just needs to happen a whole lot faster, and governments need to help out too (although i know that we need to work together, and that the government can’t do everything)

Careers in Renewable Energy?

How does someone get into a career working with renewable energy? A technician or similar job working with wind or solar would be something I’d be very interested in. I’m a year away from completing my Associate’s in electronics and electrical control systems. This is something I feel I could be very passionate about and enjoy doing.

Renewable energy companies?

With an engineering degree, where can I find a job to help develop renewable energies, preferably in the southeast?

Is solar energy and wind energy creating millions of new jobs across Canada?

I know that Ontario’s manufacturing base has been devastated by this recession and that people need jobs, i was thinking of getting retrained for something new too, then I heard that everyone who got laid off from factories are now working installing solar power farms (Wind turbines and solar panels). Is this true, are the tens of thousands of unemployed people now working in renewable energy projects like solar and wind power ?

Are these new careers (wind turbine installer / solar panel installer ) the answer to North America’s unemployment problem? Will millions and millions of people soon be installing solar panels and wind turbines EVERYWHERE?

When you wake up and walk out of your house and head off to work / school, how many hundreds / thousands of solar panels / wind turbines do YOU see during the day ?

Facts about renewable energy? (solar, wind, etc) please answer?

I’m doing a poster on Renewable energy, and I would just like someone to verify that all these facts are correct:

Clean energy poster:
What is clean energy?
This is power produced from renewable (naturally replenished) and natural resources without having a negative impact on the environment.
Examples of reliable “clean” energy sources include: sunlight, water, wind, biomass and geothermal heat.

Wind Power – this is the conversion of wind strength into usable energy sources, especially for electricity. This type of power can be obtained by using wind turbines and wind mills.

Solar Energy – this is the power that is obtained from sunlight and can be converted into other types of energy. Inventions such as solar panels can help collect this source of energy for conversion.

Biomass Energy – Biomass is any plant (trees) or animal matter, and can be used to create an energy-rich gas called Biogas. Biomass can also be burned to create fuel for different uses.

SOLAR ENERGY
-This renewable source of energy does not produce waste or pollution.
-This fuel is used for many things: electricity, creation of biomass, heating water, and buildings, and even transport (solar-powered cars)
-This is a free, reliable and clean energy source.

WIND ENERGY
-This is one of the lowest priced renewable energy sources.
-This renewable source is a good alternative to nuclear energy in areas with favourable climate conditions.
-This source can provide cleaner air and a much healthier environment for all.

BIOMASS ENERGY
-Growing biomass for fuel can create jobs in rural areas.
-Biomass is not a fossilised fuel (like oil and coal), but fresh natural material that can grow again, even after harvesting.
-Using this source of power will not have a major affect on the environment.

Is everything correct/accurate? anything that I should edit/change?

Looking for a way to work on sustainable development projects in West Africa.?

My dream is to work with sustainable development, permaculture, seed banks, education, and strengthening communities in Western Africa, particularly Mali. I’m searching by reading, talking to people and I even registered for university. All I want to do is live in Mali and work with people to make their communities stronger from a grassroots level. Please, do you know where I could contact someone, what to learn, or any useful steps to reaching my goal?

Why do we recycle paper if timber is sustainable?

Trees are grown like crops. They harvest and then they replant. Timber is a sustainable industry. We won’t run out of trees while we keep replanting them and well keep replanting them as long as we need paper. So why the fuss over recycling paper?

Does any nation have a strong economy and a sustainable lifestyle?

I don’t count any nation having millions of people commuting to and from work in combustion-driven cars as having a sustainable lifestyle. I mean, there are plenty of other unsustainable practices, but that one is an immediate disqualifier.

What is a sustainable replacement for synthetic leather (PU) which can be used to construct a ballerina flat?

I would like to find a material which can be used to manufacture the upper of a ballerina flat that is sustainable (preferably biodegradable). This material should not be very porous, as the shoes should be water resistant, and attractive looking.

For the sole, I am considering using recycled car tire rubber, however if anyone has any other recommendations I would love to hear them as well!

How does recycling work in a eco-village / self sustainable community?

I am very interested to know how recycling works in an eco-village or a self sustainable community. Is there a recycling center? Send me links… and many details 🙂