Your Questions About Sustainable Energy Fund
Robert asks…
I am currently enrolled in a “Sustainable Systems” course, and we have been asked, as groups, to create and im?
I am currently enrolled in a “Sustainable Systems” course, and we have been asked, as groups, to design and implement a project to make our University campus or surrounding community more sustainable. Our group has come up with several ideas, but none that are feasible provided the funding (none) or other resources that are at our disposal. My question is, what are some simple, yet effective, projects that we could undertake and actually make a small difference in the future health, environment, or economics of our community?
admin answers:
Switching all lights to energy saving globes.
Our university had stickers near each light switch reminding us to turn them off if not in use.
Could have sensors in rooms for lights too.
In regards to computers the university could start moving towards terminal servers instead of desktops (if they have this setup).
My university use to have a box next to printers for all one-sided printed paper that you didn’t want … This paper was then used to make scribble pads for students.
Also having recylce bins near printers for paper.
Recylce bins around the campus for paper, bottles, cans etc.
Encourage riding to and from the university (or walking, or public transport) … Cut down on driving.
Could have waterless urinals … Instead of water special cakes are used in them to neturalise the urine.
Could have flow limiters on all taps (especially in bathrooms). Or have push down taps or sensors so they aren’t left on.
Encourage all to set their air conditioners at a specific temperature (many will set it too low in summer and too high in winter). Encourage the use of natural warming and cooling systems (e.g. Open window, shut blinds etc.)
Could try to organise a community garden within the uni grounds. Within that garden you could have a compost, and then compost food scraps in there (no meats).
Sharon asks…
Is the greed for short term profits essentially why western economies fail in a long term crisis?
The way in which we neglect our energy infrastructure, refuse to develop anything but software and military advances even though we possess the unique ability, for the time being, to achieve far more toward the long term goal of reaching a sustainable, industrial civilization?
You all have valid points- the sad thing is that our problems stem from excessive greed and an out of touch government, more so before than now however but it may already be too late.
admin answers:
I reckon that you’re right on there… But some level of hunger for profit, i think, is a very good thing..
But what we’re actually missing is a tax-free super-rich class, that has nothing better to do than to invent new stuff… Like the JPMorgans/Rockerfellers/Fords, etc… Instead, we now have billions of dollars of profits going into huge funds, managed by companies that take exhorbatant fees, and dilute the economies of scale created by these huge insititutions…
I reckon that one dude, earning $50b a year, would find much more socially beneficial ways to manage such an income, than would 10,000,000 shareholders getting an average of $5,000 each….
Eh, rant over… That’s definately something you notice these days.. There used to be a huge differnece between traveling between ‘western’ and ‘eastern’ nations.. Now, often, traveling to eastern nations is regularly more efficient and more pleasant than coming home… Better roads, more traffic, but less traffic jams.. Better tubes, etc…. And what do we have? Huge welfare projects to compensate us for our guilt complex that we get from some people making ‘so much’ money…
Funny… Imagine how much cool stuff could be done if we went back to 1900’s welfare levels, with all that money spent instead on infrastructure…
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