Your Questions About Green Living

Sharon asks…

A sustainable future in relation to food?

Discuss values and associated behaviours in relation to a sustainable future, in relation to sustainable food.

That is the question I am being asked to write an essay on? I am really unsure about what I can include and anything would help!

So this is what is required of me: Has written or spoken on each value, explaining how that value supports a sustainable future, and provides in depth examples from the readings and interviews of the behaviours that arise as a consequence of one value and thenon how a value supports a sustainable future, with detailed examples from the readings and interview of the behaviours that arise as a consequence. The discussion includes justifying decisions, making judgements, stating opinions, considering implications, projecting future impacts, evaluating options, comparing and contrasting, analysing or suggesting alternatives, where appropriate.

Any links or your own thoughts would be very useful!

The Expert answers:

You need to read your class notes or topics that you have been given and do some research yourself. Go to a library and ask them some questions.

Food sustainability is very important as we are dealing with a warming climate and lack of resources like water. Another issue is food waste and that a lot of very wealthy countries have a lot of food waste which is terrible when you consider some countries still don’t have clean drinking water. Now that we are a global economy we need to look at how the food is distributed and used more effectively so that countries and people who need it can have access to it. Obesity is another problem as people in the west are so well feed and so unfit that we literally eat ourselves to death

Sandra asks…

What are some unsustainable food companies?

All of the food companies/brands that I research are going sustainable so I am having a hard time finding ones that aren’t yet.

The Expert answers:

Most of the big meat packers.
Monsanto/Syngenta with their GMO garbage. ( a biggger threat than most of the pollution concerns you have)
Archer Daniels Midland,
Tyson
Kraft Foods,

“sustainable” has varied meanings. To bankers it means one thing. To organic producers and consumers it means another. I am sure some of the companies you researched are in my list of unsustainable companies. Those companies are usually paying lip service hoping to tell the consumer what they want to hear, while the company continues it’s unsustainable practices.

The large companies know exactly what the public is demanding of them, and those companies are not willing to adopt orgainc practices or biodynamic practices and procedures- instead they muddy the water. Monsanto has spent billions in trying to dilute the organic standards, which is why the USDA standards for “organic” fall short of those of Oregon Tilth- one of the best resources for consumers and growers of organic foods. Http://tilth.org

Standard practices of the meat packing industry is to feed the refuse from the processing plants back to the animals in thier feed. This leads to disease, and can make BSE/Mad Cow virulent and pervasisve. While the industry calls it sustainable- it really isn’t. Words mean things- and they mean different things to different people- which is why so much propaganda gets loaded into textbooks.

With plants- GMO is NOT sustainable- be it your orange colored cauliflower to your round up ready crops- they came from test tubes, not natural selection so it is a gamble as to what diseases they will succumb to, what food allergies they will trigger, what diseases they will propagate. They rely on great amounts of chemicals.when you focus on Round up ready crops- and that overspraying regimen pollutes groundwater and surface waters- it was what the French documentary “The World According to Monsanto” is all about- and you will never see this broadcast in the USA.

The reality is exactly the opposite of what you have found so far.

Jenny asks…

In my APES class we are doing a Sustainable City Design Project. What city should we choose?

Apparently choosing the location is a critical part of this project and it should be researched in-depth. This city has to provide everything you can think of for a population of 50,000 and have an industry as well as housing, food, water, transportation, jobs, an education system, waste management, etc. My teacher said it would be stupid to choose a place like Miami or Buffalo because of the climates. So, what would be a wise place to choose? We were thinking California. Maybe Malibu or a little more north like Santa Barbara. Any suggestions?

The Expert answers:

Try
Arcosanti, Arizona
Treasure Island, San Francisco: is another project that aims to create a small eco city.
Coyote Springs Nevada largest planned city in the United States.
Babcock Ranch Florida a proposed solar-powered city.
Douglass Ranch in Buckeye Arizona
Mesa del Sol in Albuquerque,New Mexico
Sonoma Mountain Village in Rohnert Park, California*

Robert asks…

I need to do a project, and the topic is sustainable development. I need it urgently.?

The questions that have to be answered are:

How can sustainable development be applied to the following:

1)agriculture and food production
2)industry
3)energy production and use
4)transport
5)tourism

Pls answer ASAP, cos its deadline is approaching!!!! Any resources would be extremely useful. 🙂
Please give me sources. Thanks 🙂

The Expert answers:

Sustainable development is basically about restricting our economy and enforcing “politically correct” values upon the people in all areas of life. It comes directly from the United Nations’ Agenda 21, which you can read online (but is too long for you to read tonight).

Agriculture and food production is planned to be moved closer to the cities to reduce travel distances. Agriculture will also effectively be “collectivised”, i.e. Government regulated and perhaps owned (effectively both the same thing). Energy use will be reduced by means of heavy taxes and regulations and it’s method of production will be switched to far less efficient and more expensive (“renewable”) ones such as wind and solar.

Industry will be heavily regulated in many ways and will be transformed into “public-private partnerships”, which will mean that government-favoured businesses will get the jobs and work in acordance with government contracts. Private travel will mostly (if not all) be public transport (buses and trains) and bicycle and walking. Car use will be penalised and roads and facilities will be built to favour the other forms of transport.

Later on, please read through the following websites. They are warning us what “sustainable development” really is, You will not be told at school.

Http://www.newswithviews.com/Chapman/michael.htm
http://www.f21sc.net/site/downloads/chapman_sustainable_tyranny.pdf
http://www.newswithviews.com/Shaw/michael2.htm
http://www.magic-city-news.com/textfiles/Transforming_America.pdf
http://www.freedom21santacruz.net/site/downloads/sd-guide-web.pdf

Michael asks…

If there was an ecologically sustainable vacation resort, would you go?

Assume the cost is the same as going on a normal vacation.
Ecologically sustainable in this case refers to the resort using green energy sources, environmentally friendly building materials and designs, and serving naturally grown foods. It would still have many, if not all, of the comforts of a standard hotel experience.

The Expert answers:

Yes I sure would ,I have a strong interest in protecting the environment so I would be interested to see how the resort does that as well as just having my holiday.

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Your Questions About Green Living

John asks…

What do you call a person that designs eco friendly vehicles?

What do you call a person that designs eco friendly vehicles?

The Expert answers:

Greener

Sharon asks…

Cheapest to run and most eco friendly types of home water and room heating systems?

I am moving into a house along with family that my father built.What would be the ideal form of heating systems?Electric?Geothermal?Are there other ecofriendly types?
I dont have a heating system yet as its for a house my dad built with the heating and electrical wiring being set up

The Expert answers:

What heating system you have now? Is it a boiler with radiators in each room, or perhaps you have a furnace that blows air, to vents or maybe you have baseboard electric? The cheapest would be to stay with the same delivery system. You can change the source of heat but keep the delivery the same.

Paul asks…

Eco friendly bug repellent for my plants?

Something is eating my marigolds and I need an eco friendly way to stop them!!! Homemade is preferable but commercial will be appreciated as well. Thank you!

The Expert answers:

You either have rabbits (for which you could use a fence which also goes somewhat below-ground), or perhaps pill bugs or slugs. Go out at night with a flashlight and do a little detective work, and you may catch them in the act.

If it’s pill bugs or slugs… You could try putting out some beer in a shallow wide jar buried in the soil up to its neck. Slugs will crawl in and drown. Take the jar lid and prop it up with a small stick so rain won’t dilute the beer. Leave space for slugs to enter the trap.
Or try diatomaceous earth, which is the sharp, jagged skeletal remains of microscopic creatures. It lacerates soft-bodied pests, causing them to dehydrate. A powdery granular material, it can be sprinkled around garden beds or individual plants, and can be mixed with water to make a foliar spray.

Diatomaceous earth is less effective when wet, so use during dry weather. Wear protective gear when applying, as it can irritate eyes and lungs. Be sure to buy natural or agricultural grade diatomaceous earth, not pool grade which has smoother edges and is far less effective.

There are a whole lot of ideas on slug control at http://www.eartheasy.com/grow_nat_slug_cntrl.htm

You could also use one of the iron phosphate products (Slug-Go, Slug-Go Plus, Escar-Go, Organic Snail and Slug Killer) marketed as a snail and slug control, which also kills pill and sow bugs.

George asks…

What is an Eco friendly, hard plastic, drinking tumbler (16 oz) that is dishwasher safe?

In my work place we are in need of getting away from using Styrofoam and have access to a dishwasher. We need many plastic drinking cups on hand that are Eco friendly, reuseable over a long period of time and that aren’t costly.

The Expert answers:

Nalgene is the best water bottle you can buy. But know that all forms of plastic are made with petroleum, be it corn oil which is supposed to break down, or your standard Valvoline, it is still petroleum.

Mark asks…

Is there and eco friendly substitute for bug spray and hand sanitizer with less chemicals?

I use bug spray frequently but I feel like I am just putting chemicals all over myself. Its effective and it smells nice in small doses but it hurts your lungs when you breathe it in (not that I inhale it but it is inevitable) and leaves a visible cloud of chemicals. Is there a safer substitute? Also, I use hand sanitizer very often and I am wondering if anyone knows of an eco friendly substitute for that too.

The Expert answers:

Other that using hand sanitizer there is:

soap
lemon and water

other than bug spary there is:

clean areas
well lighted areas.

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Your Questions About Green Living

Ruth asks…

What environmental issues are discussed in the Simpson’s movie?

I have a paper due tomorrow on what environmental issues were discussed in the Simpson’s movie. It’s not a hard assignment, i know, its just i need some refreshing. Anything will help…thanks

The Expert answers:

Pollution. Homer is dumping “Spider Pig’s” (can’t remember the pigs actual name in the movie) dumps in the lake and contaminates Springfield’s water supply. That is why they put Springfield in the bubble, so the pollution doesn’t spread.

Richard asks…

What are some major environmental issues in the bay area?

I have to investigate an environmental issue for an academic project. sources help a lot. thanks!

The Expert answers:

Google this loads of answers

Maria asks…

What are some subtopics I can talk about in my report about the environmental issues of fresh water shortage?

At school I am doing an english report on the environmental issues on Water shortage. What are some good things I can talk about? What are some of the causes and effects of this?

The Expert answers:

Human Rights
THE U.N. Has declared access to drinkable fresh water a universal human right!

Robert asks…

How computers can help environmental issues?

The question is:

Explain how environmental issues can affect the use of IT in business and industry.

I have written about reducing paper use and saving trees and things like skype can mean not travelling to meetings etc. and not burning / wasting fuel

Has anyone got any others? thanks

The Expert answers:

One example that springs to mind would be businesses using video conferencing software on computers such as Skype for meetings rather than flying people out to meet with each other in the same room. This cuts down on greenhouse gasses as aeroplanes are one of the main human contributors to co2 in the atmosphere.

Donald asks…

Recent environmental issues happening in the world?

What are some environmental issues, including things like Arctic fox, Polar bears, the keystone land pipe, water, plastic bags, etc.
Can you please include a link, down below of a news article, or give me a topic that is currently a issue?
Thanks in advance!

The Expert answers:

Melting of glaciers in some parts of the world whilst there are expansion of glaciers in other parts of the world, search for it.

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Your Questions About Green Living

Laura asks…

What roles do chemical engineers play in the research and development of alternative energy?

I know that chem E’s work on fuel cell development. I wondered what else is availble in alt energy research, and what classes should a chem E take to be prepared for the alternative energy field?

The Expert answers:

Yes, they work on fuel cell development. And not just hydrogen fuel cells, but the trickier ones being developed for other fuels. So classes in electrochemistry are an obivous choice.

Other projects that they would be critical in include:

Alternative fuels: ethanol – take classes in fermentation (“Curds & Whey 101”);
hydrogen -the shift-gas reaction will be covered in your normal curriculum;
biodiesel – separations, reactor design

Solar (hot water/steam): heat transfer (listen during radiant topics, most ChemEngs don’t use it much), mass transfer, piping systems, control systems.

Passive solar: heat transfer, natural convection topics in fluid flow. HVAC/building design (archy classes).

Wind is more of a MechEng or AeroEng thing to do. But you could take some of those classes as technical electives. Tidal and Hydro are usually done by Mechs and Civils.

Since efficient reactions of future will be biologically mediated, IMO, try to find the most engineering/production oriented microbiology classes you can. The most sophisticated are those to make drugs, but, heck, wine-making addresses many of the issues.

As a Chem Eng, you will bring a more thorough understanding of fluid flow, mass transfer, chemical reactions, process controls, and how those all inter-relate, to any project team. Take classes in (or read up on) any of the above topics to know what to listen for in lecture, what class projects to research, etc. I found that knowing I was going to be doing environmental eng very helpful in my coursework. I knew how incredibly useful many classes would be and how absolutely pointless P-chem is (for a practicing engineer).

It sounds like you have a plan or at least a vision. That can be such an advantage and motivation in your classes. Try to meet with practicing engineers in alt energy – for lunch or at a career day or a company tour. Ask them for their thoughts. Good luck.

Michael asks…

Could anyone give me any examples of Alternative Energy Resources?

I need any examples of alternative energy. No matter how unusual, unheard of or anything. If it is something you have like that, please specify. Thanks.

The Expert answers:

I just did a speech about a possible alternative energy that can be coming soon. Bacteria. They can be engineered to take in our wastes and turn it into energy or even fuels like octane.

They are easy and cheap as well since you can just grow them, and are able to repair themselves if damaged. So they will make good batteries when we can harness them.

Linda asks…

What are the main (issues surrounding / benefits of) alternative energy?

I’m writing a paper on alternative energy, and I’m going to talk about how it is a cure for many of the world’s problems. I’m going to mention:
energy independence
– global warming
– global/national economy

I need one or two more ideas because it has to be a long paper. Basically, I need more things that would be improved if a stronger initiative were taken towards alternative energy expansion.

The Expert answers:

-National Security.
Wars arise from fighting over this limited resource

-Clean energy if it’s from solar, wind, geothermal, or wave/tidal powered.
Fossil fuels not only puts tons of CO2 in the air, but also particulate matter. You can also branch another benefit off this and say that this will improve the health of society by replacing fossil fuels with alternative energy.

James asks…

will majoring in biomedical engineering still allow me to work on alternative energy technologies?

I am a freshman undergraduate majoring in biomedical engineering. I’d like to know if i can stay in this major and still work on alternative energy technologies. I’m doing BME because i want to help people but i’d also like to be involved in green technology. I’m actually thinking of switching majors to either electrical or mechanical engineering. but i’d like some opinions from people to better help with my decision. Please leave me some good feedback and no wise remarks. thank you.

The Expert answers:

It’s generally a mistake to take Biomedical Engineering at the undergrad level. There aren’t enough jobs at the Bachelor’s level, and many Biomed Engng grads have to take jobs for which they are not optimally suited.

Better you take good basic Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering (or Engineering Physics) in undergrad, then do the Green/BioMed stuff in grad school.

Susan asks…

How does alternative energy lead to lower oil prices?

Alternative energy is energy…like electricity.

Oil isn’t used for electricity – or is it? I can’t think straight right now, I’m so confused.

So if we have more alternative energy, why does that reduce our dependance on oil?

Thanks
…You didn’t answer the question. Why is there less demand for oil (thus, creating lower oil prices) if there is more alternative energy?

Please help!
…You didn’t answer the question. Why is there less demand for oil (thus, creating lower oil prices) if there is more alternative energy?

Please help!

The Expert answers:

Oil is one of our 3 or 4 primary sources of energy.. Oil, natural gas, coal and nuclear (there are others sources of energy such as wind, water, wave, hydroelectric (dams) etc but these 4 are our primary sources.)

Alternate energy lessens demand for the 4 primary sources depending upon what use of energy you are replacing..

So alternate fuels, such as bio-diesel and ethanol based fuels, lessen the demand for oil for transportation. Electric cars will lessen the demand for oil but increase the demand for electricity.. So there may be more demand for electrical generation and power plants (i.e. Coal or nuclear).

Oil prices are highly dependent on demand.. A relatively small drop in oil demand can cause a a big drop in oil prices.. This is exactly what happened in the last year when the oil prices plunged from $150bbl to $40bbl now.. I think that oil demand dropped by roughly only 5% but the price dropped by over 60%…

BTW Oil and even natural gas are used at times, and in some places, for electricity generation but both are much more expensive than coal..or nuclear power… Therefore, oil and natural gas generators are mostly used to “top off” electricity generation in peak demand situations rather than a “base load” — or everyday common use. This is because oil and natural gas generators are easy to turn off while coal and nuclear power plans are hard to turn on and off..

Oil and natural gas are also widely used for home heating and other non-transportation uses so better insulated homes and higher winter temperatures will also affect demand.

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Your Questions About Green Living

Sharon asks…

Greens leader slams ‘robber barons’ @ £1,000 profit a sec BP, Centrica and Shell: demands a “Green New Deal”?

Press Assoc. – 1 hour 27 minutes ago

Bosses of energy companies have been branded “robber barons” by the new leader of the Greens as she addressed the party’s annual conference a day after her election.

Caroline Lucas was chosen as the first ever leader of the Green Party of England and Wales in a vote of party members, after a referendum last year scrapped their previous system of two principal speakers – one male and one female.

She used her first speech as leader to call for a windfall tax on energy companies and demand a “Green New Deal” of massive investment in renewable technology and energy efficiency.

Ms Lucas told the conference in London: “Just three companies – BP, Centrica and Shell – together made £1,000 profit every second over the first six months of this year.

“These corporations are robbing from the poor to give to the rich and they know it. And it’s about time they learned that, in a progressive democracy, there is no place for robber barons.”

She called for a Green New Deal to deliver public investment in “green-collar” jobs in areas including renewable energy, which she said could create hundreds of thousands of jobs while helping the fight against global warming and cutting fuel bills.

And she gave her backing to a programme of free insulation to every home in Britain.

“When the world faced economic depression back in the early 1930s, it was (US) President (Franklin) Roosevelt’s New Deal that got people back to work with a massive investment in infrastructure,” said Ms Lucas.

“Today we stand on the brink of a triple crisis – a combination of a credit-fuelled financial meltdown, accelerating climate change, and soaring energy prices. We need a Green New Deal in response.

“The core would be a 21st century project to make the nation’s buildings truly energy-efficient, with local authority bonds being issued to raise the necessary funds for a major investment in insulation, efficiency and renewables, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs in the process.”

MEP for South East England since 1999, Ms Lucas is the party’s candidate for its target constituency of Brighton Pavilion in the General Election expected in 2010.

She seems a formidable reform campaigner, not unlike Sarah Palin?

Are her figures, analysis & recommendations right ??

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pressass/20080906/tuk-greens-leader-slams-robber-barons-6323e80.html

Wanna ask BBC ‘Have your say’ for a proper global debate @ ‘Green New deal’?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/2804227.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7601832.stm – inc 2.57 video link of her talk
Greens coming of age, says Lucas

New leader says the Green Party’s ‘moment has come’

New Green leader Caroline Lucas has said the party was “coming of age” and expected to secure its first MPs.

Ms Lucas, unveiled as the party’s first leader at its annual conference, has also said she plans to draw attention to the party’s social justice policies.

In her speech to the London conference she called for a windfall tax on energy companies and a “Green new deal” of investment in energy efficiency.

Ms Lucas branded bosses of energy companies energy “robber barons”.

She told the conference: “Just three companies – BP, Centrica and Shell – together made £1,000 profit every second over the first six months of this year.

“These corporations are robbing from the poor to give to the rich and they know it. And it’s about time they learned that, in a progressive democracy, there is no place for robber barons.”

It follows her criticism of Gordon Brown for failing to >>
It follows her criticism of Gordon Brown for failing to impose a windfall tax on the energy companies.

Green spin doctors (yes they really do exist) insist there is no question of the party abandoning its principles

Carole Walker
BBC political correspondent

Greens push for the mainstream

The party leader also used her speech to call for a Green New Deal to deliver public investment in “green-collar” jobs in areas including renewable energy, which she said could create hundreds of thousands of jobs while helping the fight against global warming and cutting fuel bills.

And Ms Lucas gave her backing to a programme of free insulation to every home in the UK.

The party leader told the BBC she expected to see Green MPs at Westminster in the next two years.

She identified Brighton Pavilion, Lewisham and Norwich South as target seats.

Ms Lucas told the BBC success in local elections, combined with the change to the party hierarchy, meant the Green party >>
positioned for success at the next general election.

“I’m confident this is all part of a real coming of age for the Green party and we will be seeing Green MPs at Westminster next time round,” she said.

‘Abstract ideas’

The MEP for South East England – the party’s candidate for Brighton Pavilion – beat the only other candidate, Ashley Gunstock, by 2,559 votes to 210 in the leadership vote.

Earlier, Ms Lucas, 47, told the BBC: “We need to redouble our efforts to get our message across even more urgently. We think that by having a leader we can do that even better.”

She added the decision to switch from the party’s previous system of having two principal speakers followed “the realisation that people don’t respond to abstract ideas”.

“They respond much more to the people and policies that represent those ideas. We have a face to put to the policies,” said the new leader.

Ms Lucas added: “There is a huge number of people out there who want to hear our message
Good case for a Wooden Spoon Award there, James!

Best reply could well go to you if you can edit in any links to support what you say

Or to anyone else who can echo La Machine >> >>

Think I’ll change my name to Spidey & conquer da Web

LOL
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmqtmOs8iDUgQmS8ZeF_s8MgBgx.;_ylv=3?qid=20080906123626AA7Xu8Z

Maybe the Greens are counting da metal footprints there?

LOL
Good point there, Caggy!

Party Conferences should be good for a few laffs, y’all!

The Expert answers:

Apologies for not reading your post in full, but 3 companies make 1000.00 per second profit, what exactly does that mean, these are global companies which deal in huge figures. 333.00 GBP per second per company is hardly massive considering that fact – i mean how much money gets traded on teh stock market per day – billions

it is not as if one person is pocketing 333.00 per second and i presume the green party supports high taxes on fuel (oh think about the dreadful carbon footprint) considering a vast percentage of money the consumer pays on fuel is tax – who exactly is the robber – and i dont think the green party would do a u-turn on this

you cannot take the greens seriously as they are a one policy party, and they dont seem to give a damn that the policies that they are spelling out are potentially ruinous to teh economy

at least that is what i think

Joseph asks…

Are Republicans so desperate that they’re trying to pin Solyndra on Obama?

Republicans trying to turn this in to Obama’s whitewater… but facts suggests this was Bush’s!

It’s often claimed that the Solyndra loan guarantee was “rushed through” by the Obama administration for political reasons. In fact, the Solyndra loan guarantee was a multi-year process that the Bush administration launched in 2007.

You’d never know from the media coverage that:

The Bush team tried to conditionally approve the Solyndra loan just before President Obama took office.

The company’s backers included private investors who had diverse political interests.

The loan comprises just 1.3 percent of the Department of Energy‘s (DOE) overall loan portfolio. To date, Solyndra is the only loan that’s known to be troubled.
————————————————————————————————————————————-
May 2005: Just as a global silicon shortage begins driving up prices of solar photovoltaics, Solyndra is founded to provide a cost-competitive alternative to silicon-based panels.

July 2005: The Bush administration signs the Energy Policy Act of 2005 into law, creating the 1703 loan guarantee program.

February 2006 – October 2006: In February, Solyndra raises its first round of venture financing, worth $10.6 million from CMEA Capital, Redpoint Ventures, and U.S. Venture Partners. In October, Argonaut Venture Capital, an investment arm of George Kaiser, invests $17 million into Solyndra. Madrone Capital Partners, an investment arm of the Walton family, invests $7 million. Those investments are part of a $78.2 million fund.

December 2006: Solyndra applies for a loan guarantee under the 1703 program.

Late 2007: Loan guarantee program is funded. Solyndra was one of 16 clean-tech companies deemed ready to move forward in the due diligence process. The Bush administration DOE moves forward to develop a conditional commitment.

October 2008: Then Solyndra CEO Chris Gronet touted reasons for building in Silicon Valley and noted that the “company’s second factory also will be built in Fremont, since a Department of Energy loan guarantee mandates a U.S. location.”

November 2008: Silicon prices remain very high on the spot market, making non-silicon based thin film technologies like Solyndra’s very attractive to investors. Solyndra also benefits from having very low installation costs. The company raises $144 million from ten different venture investors, including the Walton-family run Madrone Capital Partners. This brings total private investment to more than $450 million to date.

January 2009: In an effort to show it has done something to support renewable energy, the Bush administration tries to take Solyndra before a DOE credit review committee just one day before President Obama is inaugurated. The committee, consisting of career civil servants with financial expertise, remands the loan back to DOE because it wasn’t ready for conditional commitment.

http://www.grist.org/solar-power/2011-09-13-bush-admin-pushed-solyndra-loan-guarantee-for-two-years

The Expert answers:

You lie.

Robert asks…

science please help?

Future City Assignment:
Design a U.S. coastal city in the year of 2057. Assume that global warming, either from human activity or a natural cycle has caused temperature to increase and sea level has risen significantly. Below are problems you must overcome when designing your city. Make a colored drawing of you city, or create a model for some extra credit, and write a paragraph explaining how you will overcome the problems listed. Be creative, but as realistic as possible.

Problems to deal with:
1. non-renewable energy is running out
2. global warming has caused higher ocean temperatures causing more violent hurricanes
3. increased population causing food shortages and excess waste removal.
4. Global warming and increased population causing fresh water shortages.

i don’t understand how your supposed to draw those problems and stuff. Please explain.
thank you so much!
really appreciated!

The Expert answers:

You could draw a map from above the city looking at all the buildings. On the map you could label the important things that solve the problems like an awesome levy, and a power plant that can generate energy from trash (or you could use wind power, esp. On the coast, or maybe you could use water power with the ocean).

Desalination plants exist now and can create fresh water from ocean water. You can also have lots of recycling centers & a good mass transit system (subway, maybe above ground train).

Mandy asks…

help please. science assignment?

Future City Assignment:
Design a U.S. coastal city in the year of 2057. Assume that global warming, either from human activity or a natural cycle has caused temperature to increase and sea level has risen significantly. Below are problems you must overcome when designing your city. Make a colored drawing of you city, or create a model for some extra credit, and write a paragraph explaining how you will overcome the problems listed. Be creative, but as realistic as possible.

Problems to deal with:
1. non-renewable energy is running out
2. global warming has caused higher ocean temperatures causing more violent hurricanes
3. increased population causing food shortages and excess waste removal.
4. Global warming and increased population causing fresh water shortages.

i don’t understand how your supposed to draw those problems and stuff. Please explain.
thank you so much!
really appreciated!

The Expert answers:

This sounds like a fun project to me. A couple things you could incorporate into your drawing: A desalinization plant off the coast to convert ocean water to drinking water, as done in some countries, already. How about large wind turbines on the hills to produce electricity. Maybe some large greenhouses to produce crops. Perhaps some extra high sea walls to protect your city from powerful water surges from the hurricanes? Hope this gives you some ideas. Good luck!

Susan asks…

Do conservatives hate Al Gore because he’s more successful than they will ever be?

-Gore served in the military honorably
-He played a vital role in the commercialization of the Internet. Vint Cerf, referred to as the “Father of the Internet” said of Gore, “His initiatives led directly to the commercialization of the Internet. So he really does deserve credit.”

-Senior advisor to Google
-On Apple’s board.
-Invests money in renewable energy, and donates the profits from investments to the Alliance for Climate Protection
-Pays higher electricity costs because he chooses to purchase energy from renewable sources

So it would seem they hate Al Gore because he’s more successful, and has done more for this country than they ever will. Oh yeah:

-While in Congress he tried to cut all assistance to Iraq after they used WMDs, but he was opposed by intense lobbying from the Reagan White House.

The Expert answers:

No, because he is a crook who is using public hysteria to get richer.

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Your Questions About Green Living

Joseph asks…

sustainable development __________?

sustainable development __________
a. ensures an economy that will decline over time
b. means consuming resources without compromising future availability
c. is impossible to accomplish
d. is beyond our current technology and attitudes
e. is possible given our increased use of fertilizers and technology for agriculture

The Expert answers:

B

Mark asks…

Sustainable development?

Regarding education in horticulture, what could colleges be doing better towards teaching sustainable practices?

The Expert answers:

Basically the effort is wasted!

While the enthusiastic horticulturalist will embrace sustainable practice, the average Joe will not. It all comes down to lifestyle…….. And too many of us are too bone idle to care!

Nancy asks…

Sustainable development?

A. will require making difficult decisions regarding the environment and lifestyle.
B. will require many humans to change their value systems.
C. must be achieved if the human species is to survive.
D. will require global, multinational cooperation.
E. All of the choices are correct.

The Expert answers:

I’d go with E.

Thomas asks…

How are the renewable/non renewable resources connected with sustainable development?

I kind of know the meaning of sustainable development, in which society is trying to enhance technologies ec.. to make the world better, also thinking about future generations. Then i also know what are the renewable and non renewable resources, but i have a test coming up on sustaianabel development, and have a problem how to connect/mention the resources when talking abt sdevelopment. thanks alot

The Expert answers:

There are several so I would google ‘renewable resources’ and you’ll get more information than you need.

Jenny asks…

Sustainable development?

a. Will require making difficult decisions regarding the environment and lifestyle

b. Will require many humans to change their value systems

c. Must be achieved if the human species is to survive

d. Will require global, multinational cooperation

e. All of the choices are correct

The Expert answers:

E

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Your Questions About Green Living

Sandy asks…

NEED HELP!! UNIQUE GIFTS :)?

im looking for some other cool companies or products such as TOMS shoes. companies who sell products, apparel, shoes, etc that are eco friendly, unique, not just something bought in the mall, has deeper meaning or helps out in some way. anything would help. websites, specific companies, ideas, etc.
im loving the chico bags and metowe. these are just the types of things i was hoping to find. anything more would be great.

The Expert answers:

Macy website, there iz plenty of neat stuff there!

Daniel asks…

buying Macbeth vegan sneakers for boyfriend…good gift to give him?

we’re both 22yrs old. been together a little over two months now.
i just really want to give him a gift (no special occasion), just gifting to show my appreciation towards him.
this will be my 1st gift for him.
the reason why i chose vegan shoes is because we both have sort of hippie-esqe, ecofriendly views on life.
i really wanted to get him blackspot shoes but they are out of stock.

The Expert answers:

Are you serious? How about a FUN gift, like a remote control speedboat?

Helen asks…

Hey, want to help me with picking out a vans shoe?

here are the links.
http://shop.vans.com/catalog/Vans/en_US/product/go-green/plus-jute-authentic.html
now, i already have this shoe in teal, but i really like the organic material/ ecofriendly element, despite the fact that they are a bit expensive.

http://shop.vans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=351051&storeId=10001&catalogId=10101&langId=-1&vcategoryId=SEARCH#
i don’t have any gray shoes, so i was considering gray. but i’m also considering black and white checkered, white, and black.

which shoe? and if you choose the kvd’s what color?

thanks!
i actually don’t skate, and i like the vans brand.

The Expert answers:

I like the first ones because they are eco friendly but I think the second ones in black and gray are cool too so I would go with the second ones myself.

Linda asks…

i gt afew questions for all you clever people out there quiz. write the answers below.?

1. What is the age of britains 2nd oldest mum?
2. how much is the daily mail on sunday?
3. Which shoes killed a women last week ( i think), ugg boots or high heels?
4. which 007 star swapped his car fpr an eco friendly car?

The Expert answers:

1. 57?
2. ?
3. Ugg
4. Bond

George asks…

Looking Mother Nature-y:D Help ASAP!?

Okay, Tomorrow’s Earth Day & I neeeedd some help!
I have a shirt picked out “Earth Day Every Day” (white & Green), Pair of Blue Jeans, Brown Shoes, how should I wear my hair? I want it to look Mother-Nature-y? & How can I make some ecofriendly stuff to wear? Maybe a bracelet er something like that ; out of stuff that’s probably already at my house though…Whoever comes the most ecofriendly to school gets extra credit on a Science Test, & considering I’m failing, I need all the help I could get.
Please? 😀
24 minutes ago – 4 days left to answer.
It doesn’t actually have to BE ecofriendly,
as long as it looks nature-ey(x

The Expert answers:

Hmmm, well you could put some little braids in you hair and take them out so some of it looks crimped, that’s always naturey looking. If you really wanna go all out for that extra credit though you should break out the facepaint and a cape and go as an enviro superhero or something, call yourself the Eco-Warrior or something like that and have your clothes all in earthy colors. That’s if you’re really desperate for the extra credit.

I thought this was also kinda awesome if you wanted to go all out.
Http://mydisguises.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/earth-day-costume.jpg
I know it’s late now, but you could get a big blue trash bag and wear that and fill it with something (it should be comfy to wear all day though) and then glue or tape green cut out paper for the land. That’d definitely get you the extra credit.

Good luck and have fun! 🙂

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Your Questions About Green Living

Lisa asks…

Are you surprised to learn that the main reason for this worldwide recession is oil?

Thats what was told on the NBC Nightly News tonight.
Decreased oil production and a 75% increase in gas prices was named as the first main reason and the mortgage crisis was the second reason.
So is the Peak Oil theory starting to make more sense now?
Which candidate has the best plan for alternative energy?

The Expert answers:

Not even remotely. We are being held hostage to oil wealth. The oil barrons are actively preventing other technologies from arising, out of concern it will displace them.

We will have to get into a smarter future over their dead bodies… And probably the dead bodies of a lot of innocent bystanders.

Thomas asks…

Repubs, why is Obama’s idea to invest stimulus funds in renewable energy a bad thing?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090116/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_economy

Sounds like a better idea than giving the banks the money (like we did with the 1st half). All they did was hold onto the money and keep it within their OWN circle not into the economy.

Obama’s idea is inline with job creation and alternative energy sources.

So, Obama haters, why is this such a bad idea again?

Thoughts?

The Expert answers:

Don’t expect real, rational reasons, because these guys believe that anything, absolutely anything that Obama suggests must be attacked.
Next they’ll claim the Earth is flat, just because Obama says it’s round.

Helen asks…

How much will it really cost consumers to use more “alternative” “green” “renawable” energy?

I live in Maine, and the govment is squabbling over whether to make renewable energy a larger part of the states portfolio of energy sources. Our “governor” Lepage and his cronies want to protect us against higher costs, the other side insist that it will save us money. Neither side will come out and give numbers supporting the arguement, I havent even seen any fake off the wall numbers in the so called newspapers like the bangor daily news.
I want to know two things, one is how much will this actually cost or save me, and two why dont they report on these things and tell me. If they mandate 10% more wind and it will cost the average consumer 5 bucks a month for the first year, and then save 2 dollars a month for the rest of time, then why dont they tell me that. Or why doesnt lepage come and say that it will cost everyone in maine 100 dollars a kilowatt hour forever. Why dont the papers actually follow up on things like these?
ps. Id also like to know if there is a better category to put this into
ha, ive seen wind turbines out west, and eyesore isnt my opinion of them, the cell phone towers they have on every hill top in maine on the other hand…..
bb., saying things like that is what Im talking about, for one thing the “back up” arguement is only if there is bad planning and a serious problem with lack of capacity, and you still dont give any actual numbers about expense. We stop subsidizing gas prices to the tune of 5-10 bucks a gallon, it would be expensive too.

The Expert answers:

You need to think long-term when it comes to renewable energy. It’s not just about you and other people alive today. Short-term costs are a distraction. Energy and money are two different things, the former being physical and the latter being a man-made construct to compensate for time and labor. People often abstract everything down to money and forget what’s really making life possible.

Look up “Peak Oil” and EROEI to see why fossil fuels can’t be banked on indefinitely. U.S. Oil production peaked in 1970 at 10 mbpd (about half our current consumption rate). That peak included offshore drilling, Alaska, and shale oil. There is no magic savior and alternatives are badly needed.

Having stated that, I’m aware of plans to expand eyesore wind turbines all over Maine’s scenic ridges, which doesn’t seem very “green” in the larger scheme of things. The human population is too large for simple answers to energy questions. Rural areas in Maine and elsewhere seem slated for sacrifice to distant energy needs.

Chris asks…

Does this present administration have on it’s agenda a definite plan for the “Alternate Energy Programs”?

I have followed the daily news reports and ask if we Americans can see the day when we will not have a reliance for consumption of foreign crude oil by implementing a substantial amount of alternative energies.
Presently I am paying for number 2 home oil and unleaded gasoline#$3.60 a gallon. At this rate, I will be broke by the fifth of September. We know a friend who shines for us each and every day, OUR SUN. We can tap into this buddy.
Respectfully Yours,
Panayiotis Kourkoumelis, Sr.

The Expert answers:

No .. They just talking bout doin so however they really have not put forth the foot to do so. They wanna give us the citizens incentives to find new energy sources.$$$$$$$ Im in same boat as you and im wondering when will people try to fix it. Especially after Obama(SOTUA) talks bout cutting the gov’t spending i ask what and how will they find diff energy sources..i feel they r blowing smoke up our assesz so we feel they r doing sum thing bout the problem.. IM for the sun and u hit it on the nose. Good question!

John asks…

drill, kill, or walk?

i knew when this war started it would end up about our oil! so are we gonna walk and change our whole way of life! are we gonna drill our own, or will we just keep fighting, and begging for oil? news flash alternative energy is a long way down the road! will you be the first to put your car on ice? and walk?

The Expert answers:

Hell no!

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Your Questions About Green Living

Lizzie asks…

What energy source produces the most energy in the USA, and the world?

I’d like to know about man-made, and renewable. in detail please!!!

The Expert answers:

Coal for the US and I suspect for the world also

Mark asks…

Renewable Energy question?

The idea of cold fusion obviously holds a lot of appeal – turning tiny atoms into vast amounts of energy that is clean and almost limitless. If this technology were developed and become suddenly available, it would make the scientists rich beyond their wildest dreams and perhaps throw our energy-based economy into chaos. If cold fusion were developed, who should control it? China is currently the leader in cold-fusion research. If they succeed, would it be fair for them to keep it this technology to themselves or should the technology be dispersed freely throughout the world? What, if anything, would be the downside to this source of power?

The Expert answers:

If cold fusion were developed, who should control it? Those that developed it and patented it.
If they succeed, would it be fair for them to keep it this technology to themselves or should the technology be dispersed freely throughout the world. Why would anyone give away anything that valuable? I sure would not.
What, if anything, would be the downside to this source of power?1. Extreme high cost to build such plants. 2. Safety Issues. 3. Disposal of waste issues.

Mary asks…

Do you think that the more the world uses green energy the better off we’ll be?

In the immediate, short, medium, long and very long terms? Because then price spikes, fluctuations and increases in other energy production methods will be insulated against, right? Plus once the green energy industry takes off prices will come down more and more while we know many other forms of energy production will get more and more expensive especially those forms that are not renewable or have expensive waste storage, pollution or emission problems.

The Expert answers:

Yes

Ruth asks…

Why is the claim that “energy independence” is an ideal never challenged?

The whole idea of “energy independence” is nothing more than protectionism, that old view of the economy that was discredited by Adam Smith back in 1776. Protectionism certainly benefits inefficient domestic producers (in this case, the producers of uneconomic forms of energy) at the expense of more efficient foreign producers (in this case, foreign oil producers) and the consumers (who have to pay higher prices for inferior products). These inefficient forms of “renewableenergy were used prior to the 20th century, but lost on the free market to petroleum.

Businesses that produce efficient products never resort to lobbying Congress for protectionist legislation, because they would win either way and because protectionist legislation leads to retaliatory legislation abroad. In fact, protectionism has a long history of fomenting wars. It is no coincidence that prior to both World War I and World War II, waves of protectionism broke out around the world. In the US, Herbert Hoover’s Smoot-Hawley tariff was a large part of the reason why the Great Depression became the Great Depression.

Were we ever to achieve “energy independence,” the likely result would be a weakening of our national security. The people of the Islamic world already hate our country because of our role in creating and propping up the Israeli government over the years. They already hate us for overthrowing their governments and for stationing troops in their region. The fact that we trade with a few Islamic nations is the one thing keeping these nations from turning into state sponsors of terrorism against our country. We trade with the nation of Saudi Arabia, which has prevented the government of Saudi Arabia from being captured by al-Qaeda like many other Middle Eastern governments.

No nation can isolate itself economically from the rest of the world and expect to prosper. Just look at Cuba, North Korea, and the Gaza Strip. It is long past time for politicians to stop trying to isolate us from the global energy market.

The Expert answers:

The whole idea of energy independence is one that big business corporations have been against since the 70s. The truth is that the foreign oil producers are cooperative partners with American oil companies and they have been for many decades now. In the 70s there was an energy revolution emerging from the jump in oil prices and while steps were taken by our government to invest in infrastructure projects, our beloved oil industry was able to halt the funding of these projects just long enough while their Arabian Oil counterparts lowered the price of oil, calming many angry Americans. You have to understand that American Oil Corporations do not have our national interests and you would be a fool to think that they did. A Corporation serves one purpose, and that is to profit for its shareholders. Chevron, BP, Shell, etc are not government entities buddy. We live in America and the last time I checked we live in the land of the free, we cannot look to the government to provide us with cheaper prices because we’re not happy with the rising costs of oil. If that was the case then this would not be the Great United States of America. The oil companies are not the enemy, foreign governments are not the enemy, there are no terrorists and there are no countries, the only threat to the average American is his own ignorance. Americans are falling behind when it comes to intellect.

Laura asks…

Riddl me this, Riddle Me that? What is the most abundant convertable energy in the Cosmos and on Earth?

Check this out. The most abundant source of energy is all the photons from the Sun and all the stars in the known Galaxy. I quote this info from Mark Goldes, who has researched and proven that we can extract photonic power from the space time fabric. Photons are evenly spread through out all space. Plus you can generate 20 times the power than solar 24/7. Look below… Magnetic Power Inc’s mission is to supply the world with clean, abundant, and inexpensive electricity.
The company is developing technology it calls Magnetic Power ModulesTM. Based upon proprietary breakthrough discoveries in MPI’s labs, Magnetic Power Modules are being designed that operate continuously, without fuel, extracting electricity by converting an abundant, renewable energy source that exists everywhere in the universe. The process will create no pollution. The cost of electricity is estimated to be significantly less than any competing form of power generation today or in the foreseeable future.
Check out these web sites and let me know what you think.
http://www.magneticpowerinc.com/index.html

Home


www.ultraconductors.com

The Expert answers:

Dirt.

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Your Questions About Green Living

Thomas asks…

Healthy sustainable foods?

I’m trying to eat healthier recently and I have noticed when I eat fruit it doesn’t fill me up leaving me still hungry. So does anyone have any suggestions on what foods are healthy but still fill you up so you dont want to eat any other unhealthy foods that do. Thanks.

The Expert answers:

Grilled chicken, shrimp, eggs, vegetables. Drinking lots of water will also keep you full

John asks…

how do you make a forever sustainable environment?

i have an environment project, we have to get a living organism(excludes snakes, insects and spiders) and have to create a environment for it to live in. where the environment will forever provide food for it.if non aquatic water may be added.
so for example
if i had a frog i could fill the bottom of a tank with water and have the environment built around. for food supply have a separate tank with flies that are continuously reproducing that can fly into the other tank for the frog to eat

The Expert answers:

For one thing, make sure its population doesn’t exceed the carrying capacity of its environment. Elbow room is a big deal.

People are currently trying to violate that rule on this finite planet, but don’t like to admit it.

Donald asks…

Do college students need a sustainable bank account?

I am an incoming freshman and I am wondering if I need a lot of money in my bank account to be “well off” in college.

My parents are paying tuition, food, and clothes…

I have about $200 bucks to my name and I am wondering if I need a bank account around $2,000 to have enough spending money in college.

I just want to know if you think I am okay as far as spending money goes…

The Expert answers:

“well off” is kind of a relative thing. It depends on what’s important to you. FOr example, I partied a lot in college, but a lot of my friends didn’t. For me to be well off I needed about $50 a weekend for covers, drinks, clothes and cab fare. For my friends, they didn’t need as much because they spent more time studying. So every summer I worked and saved up $3-4,000 and I spent a lot of that at school. (But my parents didn’t pay for my clothes. My senior year I had a car, so I had to get a part time job, also. (If I hadn’t needed the car for interviewing I would have skipped it–working cut into my party time and study time a lot.)

One of the most important reasons for a bank account is kind of a backboard in case you run into unexpected expenses. Your parents are serving that function for you right now.

So if your parents are paying for tuition food and clothes and you don’t have a car, you really don’t have much to spend money on. I bet if they are paying all that for you they probably also give you some cash from time to time. So I would think that your $200 plus gifts from them would keep you in important stuff like CDs/MP3s, an occasional date or sports game, plus a beer or two once in awhile (but not every weekend). If you’re careful you can be pretty well off on just what you already have. If you run across an unexpected expense, like for a class or something, your parents will probably just give you the money.

If you’re planning to party a lot, or join a frat (from what I’ve heard frats and sors are kinda expensive ’cause of all the activities they do) or order delivery pizza or own a car or you just want to have pocket money to spend then you’re going to need lots more money. Maybe it would be a good idea to get a job in that case.

Paul asks…

Is Drinking Coffee a Sustainable Food Source?

The Expert answers:

Yes. Anything edible is a sustainable food source. The question becomes what are the requirements and costs to continue using it. No, coffee provides no nutrition. But that is not your question is it?

Charles asks…

A sustainable future in relation to food?

Discuss values and associated behaviours in relation to a sustainable future, in relation to sustainable food.

That is the question I am being asked to write an essay on? I am really unsure about what I can include and anything would help!

So this is what is required of me: Has written or spoken on each value, explaining how that value supports a sustainable future, and provides in depth examples from the readings and interviews of the behaviours that arise as a consequence of one value and thenon how a value supports a sustainable future, with detailed examples from the readings and interview of the behaviours that arise as a consequence. The discussion includes justifying decisions, making judgements, stating opinions, considering implications, projecting future impacts, evaluating options, comparing and contrasting, analysing or suggesting alternatives, where appropriate.

Any links or your own thoughts would be very useful!

The Expert answers:

Well the first thing that needs to be done for a sustainable future in food is to stop using food and farm land to make fuel when there is plenty of oil in the world to use.

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