Climate & Nature

An Idea to Green Your Grave

jplatt — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0500

Looking for an idea that can help the people you leave behind? The Spanish town of Santa Coloma de Gramenet has turned its cemetery into something better than a memorial. By installing solar panels on top of mausoleums, they have turned the cemetery into a green-power-generating lifeline for the town.

According to an AP report, the cemetery boasts 462 solar panels, which produce enough energy to power 60 homes.

Cemeteries take up a great deal of land that could be better put to use as untouched wilderness, but it's good to see someone producing green change out of death.

Fight Climate Change, Win $75,000

jplatt — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0500

Got an idea to fight climate change by reducing carbon emissions? The Forum for the Future wants to hear about it. They have teamed with the Financial Times for the new Climate Change Challenge competition, which seeks innovatitive, practical ideas that can be implemented quickly and create real change.

The $75,000 prize for the top idea has been sponsored by HP. The winner will be expected to use the prize money to help make their idea a reality.

What is the competition looking for? Any good idea that has already made it off the drawing board will do: "We want to find ideas that are below the radar – being developed by think-tanks, academic institutions or individual entrepreneurs – and identify those that can be taken to scale quickly and make a real difference. We will be scouring the world for the most exciting low-carbon ideas. These could be new technologies, systems or services, novel organisations or business models."

Forum for the Future will collect and review all the entries, and then pick 12 of the most promising ideas to a panel of judges, including Sir Richard Branson and other business and environmental leaders. Five of those ideas will then be published in the Financial Times this March for reader voting. The winning idea will be announced in April 2009.

Interested in entering? Don't delay. The deadline is January 30, 2009.

Green Tech on Time Magazine's 50 Best Inventions of 2008

jplatt — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:31:24 -0400

Okay, there are still two months left to go on 2008, but we've already seen some incredible innovations hit the the market this year. Time Magazine has gone ahead and picked its "50 Best Inventions of 2008," and several green technologies and devices are on the list.

The list includes three different electric and hybrid vehicles. The luxury Tesla Roadster clocks in at number 2, while the forthcoming Chevy Volt ranks at number 7. Much further down the list was another concept vehicle, the Aptera Electric Car, at number 46.

Speaking of green transportation, Montreal's public bike rental system ranked number 19. This solar-powered, high-tech innovation is a great way to inspire local bike-riding and cutting greenhouse gases.It's time for this to take hold in other cities around the world.

Biofuel ranks high at number 11, but it's not the corn-based ethanol you can buy now. Time looked at algae-based biofuel -- currently being tested in labs around the country -- and found it to be good.

Another power source, Nanosolar's thin-film solar panels, came in at number 25. A prototype biomechanical energy harvester (a device you wear that collects the energy from your movements) ranked 33, while a flying wind turbine from Sky Windpower followed at number 35.

Innovative smog-eating cememt, which just hit the market from Italcementi, came in at number 37. A great idea, and I hope we hear more about it in the coming year.

An eco-friendly fridge that Albert Einstein invented in 1930 -- and which Oxford University scientists recreated this year -- hit the list at a not-too-chilly 31. Sadly, this hasn't been commercialized yet.

While not exactly tech you can use, the Global Seed Vault came in at number 6 on Time's list. But it's still an important innovation.

And while not technology at all, the Vatican's new 7 deadly sins -- including polluting -- made the list at number 40. See, pollution is evil!

Sometimes the Greenest Technology is Elbow Grease

jplatt — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:01:18 -0400

It's fall foliage time here in Maine, and the skyline abounds with brilliant red and yellow leaves in every direction. So does the ground, where the leaves form a crunchy carpet that rustles beneath me with every step.

But unfortunately, the arrival of Autumn signals the arrival of something awful: the dreaded leaf blower.

Two or three times a day now, the roar of gas-powered leaf blowers shatter the silence that makes country living so special. Their operators wield them with abandon, attacking every leaf, pine needle and stray blade of grass as if their very lives depended upon it. More often than not, they end their assault by standing in the same spot for five minutes, futilely trying to force the last two or three leaves into a pile that refuses to stay controlled.

I ask you, what's wrong with a good old-fashioned rake and broom to combat this dreaded detritus? Is it really a time-saver to blow leaves all over the lawn, then hope they end up in a single pile? Is it worth emitting of greenhouse gases the equivalent of a 2,200-mile drive? What's wrong with a little outdoor exercise?

Sadly, the days of the rake seem to have gone by. And with gas prices somewhat lower right now, that might stay the case. But when it comes to getting rid of red, yellow and brown leaves, nothing is greener than the power of your own arms. Give it a try. Your muscles might thank you.

So will the planet.

Financial Crisis Inspires Investment in Cost-Saving Solar Technologies

jplatt — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:08:34 -0400

Solar power is more than just green -- investors are hoping it will earn them a lot of green.

You might call it a perfect storm for solar. The world financial markets are in turmoil, energy prices are at record highs, and new solar innovations are being announced almost every week. Companies know they can save money by buying solar energy, and banks know that solar is a mature enough technology that it is an investment likely to pay off.

A few weeks ago, GreenTech Media revealed that venture-capital funding in renewable-energy companies more than doubled in the third quarter of 2008, with solar companies raking in a record $1.5 billion. And it didn't end there. Bankers are reportedly lining up at this week's Solar Power International Conference, ready to put their green into green.

So what does this mean for you? The next few years will see even more solar devices, more efficient solar innovations, and more options for home and business energy. And that's good news for everyone.

What Will McCain and Obama Do About Nuclear Power?

jplatt — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:34:26 -0400

When it comes to the environment, few topics cause as much debate and friction as nuclear energy.

On the one hand, nuclear energy is relatively clean, creating no emissions and running at relatively low cost.

On the other hand, the byproducts of nuclear energy production take hundreds of years to become safe. They pose security questions, and no one seems to want the waste stored in the backyards.

Energy policies are obviously critical to this election, so it might come as a surprise to you that both candidates are actually pro-nuke.

Both McCain and Obama told ScienceDebate2008.com that nuclear power is critical to this country's ability to generate electricity without producing carbon emissions. Says Obama, "It is unlikely that we can meet our aggressive climate goals if we eliminate nuclear power as an option."

But Obama takes a hard-line look at nuclear security: "However," he says, "before an expansion of nuclear power is considered, key issues must be addressed including: security of nuclear fuel and waste, waste storage, and proliferation."

As for McCain, he tells ScienceDebate2008.com it's time to "recommit" to nuclear energy. He says he will "put the country on track" to build 45 new reactors in the next 20 years. Obviously, that's well past any term he would serve, but if he puts the investment in during his time in office, it's unlikely that any future administration would pull the plug.

So how about the issue of nuclear waste storage? Writing on his web site, Obama says he does "not believe that the current Yucca Mountain site is suitable." He promises to develop requirements for waste storage "using the most advanced dry-cask storage technology available." McCain has historically been pro-Yucca Mountain, but he has also called for the creation of an "international" site, although he has also suggested opening an international center overseas to store nuclear waste. (In other words, "Not in my backyard.")

So how do you feel about nuclear power? Will either candidates' position sway your vote? Let us know!

What Will McCain and Obama Do About Plug-In Hybrids?

jplatt — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0400

With four weeks to go until the presidential election, it's time to start thinking about the potential impact that Barak Obama and John McCain will have on the environment over the next four years. One area where both candidates see a future is in hybrid vehicles.

Each candidate has expressed a desire to bring plug-in hybrid cars off the drawing boards and into our garages.

McCain's plan is simpler, and hinges on the thought that plug-in prototypes are not quite ready for prime time. McCain told ScienceDebate2008.org: that he would create a "$300 million prize for the development of a battery package that has the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars. This is one dollar for every man, woman and child in the U.S. -- a small price to pay for helping to break the back of our oil dependency – and curb the dangerous effects of global climate change."

Obama, on the other hand, is ready to start buying hybrid vehicles right now. According to his web site, Obama wants to use government buying power to jump-start the commercial market for plug-in hybrids. He promises to convert all White House vehicles to plug-in hybrids within one year (as long as that doesn't create any security issues). After that, he says he'll mandate that half of all new vehicles annually purchased by the government are plug-ins in just four years.

Obama's energy platform promises a $150 billion investment over 10 years which will, among other things, "accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrids." He wants to put a million plug-in hybrids on the road in seven years, and will push for a $7,000 tax credit to help make that happen. He also promises $4 billion in "retooling tax credits" to manufacturers so they can be ready to put plug-ins on the road and repair them.

Interestingly, neither the Green Party nor its candidate Cynthia McKinney appear to have a specific policy about hybrid vehicles.

Toshiba Offers Free Electronics Recycling

jplatt — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:08:01 -0400

Looking for a way to get rid of your old electronics in an environmentally responsible way? Toshiba has a solution for you.

Toshiba's Digital Products Division this week expanded its free recycling program, which previously only accepted Toshiba products, to include devices from any manufacturer. They'll accept PCs, laptops, MP3 players, digital cameras, mobile phones, and a whole lot more.

What makes this program a bit different is that you have the option of turning in your old devices for cash. For example, I have an old Palm Z22 PDA lying around. According to the site, the Palm has not trade-in value, so I wouldn't get any money, but they would send me a $25 Starbucks gift card for recycling it through them. (Too bad I don't drink coffee...)

Once you decide to send a device to Toshiba, you can print out a postage-paid label to send it to their warehouse. They'll check it out, then send you a check or whatever other bonus you earned.

Of course, it's always good to know what happens to a device once you send it in for recycling. Are they taking care of it responsibly? But Toshiba at least has a solid "green" initiative, so you can feel pretty good about giving this program a try.

Justin Rudd Keeps Long Beach Trash-Free

Marcus — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:08:22 -0400

For the past nine years, Justin Rudd has organized a monthly beach cleanup of the beach around Granada Avenue in Long Beach, California. On the third Saturday of every month, volunteers show up at 10 AM to comb the beach for garbage, socialize, and take part in keeping the natural beauty of their community intact. The 30-Minute Cleanup team provides trash bags, gloves, and refreshments courtesy of a variety of local sponsors. Over time, the event has grown and its popularity has blossomed, to the point that the average cleanup now boasts over 150 participants!

In order to encourage participation, Rudd decided to make the cleanups short, in order to emphasize the fun, positive aspect of the activity. And it worked. The cleanups have been growing in popularity since they first started, all the way back in June of 1999. At this point, the 30-Minute Beach Cleanups have become a widely recognized community event in the Long Beach area. In fact, Rudd recently received the Hal Albertson Volunteer of the Year Award from Keep California Beautiful, a non-profit dedicated to maintaining California’s natural beauty. While he’s honored to receive the award, Rudd plans to continue his efforts to keep his community litter-free and beautiful for years to come.

For more information on 30-Minute beach cleanups, click here.

Greenpeace Ranks Nokia as Most Eco-Friendly Electronics Maker

jplatt — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0400

Greenpeace has once again updated its list of the electronics makers with the best (and worst) records of producing eco-friendly goods.

Greenpeace not only ranks companies by the materials they use in their devices, but also how easy their products are to recycle and how much the company does to encourage recycling. They also look at energy efficiency and other criteria.

This time around, Nokia has topped the list, thanks, Greenpeace says, to the company's "improved take-back practice in India."

Samsung took second place this time around, thanks to the energy-efficiency of its products. Fujitsu Siemens climbed a few places in the list after setting 2010 as its deadline to eliminate toxic PVC plastic and all BFRs from its computers and other products.

The manufacturer with the worst ranking? Once again, Nintendo earned that distinction for its high levels of toxic chemical use and the low recyclability of its products.

You can download the entire Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics here.