Discussion
Your Questions About Sustainable Energy Companies
Michael asks…
Can there ever be a sustainable company?
That is, a company that uses completely renewable energy and does not waste any of earth’s resources or pollutes the environment. Plus also produces ethical goods (ie. not made from animals) and workers are well paid, etc. There is no company at present that can fulfill all elements of sustainability; but can there be one? Please state your sources as well. Thanks.
admin answers:
No company on earth can function effectively under the parameters you describe. To make anything, ANYthing, requires resources, which in turn creates waste products. Workforces do not work for nothing and will not work for what they are worth. They will always want more, which in turn means the employer can afford to employ fewer of them and they will have to do more work per head as a consequence. Try working for yourself for a while and you will see what I mean.
Sharon asks…
Major in ChemEng, and minor in sustainable energy, good idea?
I want to do a Major and Minor, University of Toronto offers chemical engineering program and it says i can minor in 1) sustainable energy 2) environmental engineering 3) biomedical engineering
I would choose 1) because i think it has the highest demand in the future.
So, will I be able to find a job with a minor in like lets say, Hydro company with my minor in sustainable energy.
Does having a minor really help?
admin answers:
You have a winning combination./
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Your Questions About Renewable Energy Certificates
Richard asks…
What possible reason could anybody ever have for wanting to get a renewable energy training certificate?
What possible reason could anybody ever have for wanting to get a renewable energy training certificate?
admin answers:
With engineering, manufacturing, agriculture, and customer support all outsourced to other countries what is left are the jobs that have to be done locally. This includes jobs to come to a customers home to survey, install and service their energy use.
Lisa asks…
What possible reason could anybody ever have for wanting to get a renewable energy training certificate?
What possible reason could anybody ever have for wanting to get a renewable energy training certificate?
admin answers:
To be a salesman perhaps is all it is really good for.
Most of that training is too short to go into any real depth or address any real issues such as structural integrity, windloading, building code issues, electrical code issues, and applicable state laws. As a standalone seminar, it is only consciousness rasing. If it is not part of an established curriculum in technical colleges, or universities- it has no recognizable value to the people doing the hiring. Who is accediting them? Another 501C3? Or a legit accredition agency like “North Central?”
If it is just another 501C3- save your money.
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Your Questions About Sustainable Energy For All
Joseph asks…
United Nations resolutions that China has signed concerning renewable energy?
I know that China has a lot of renewable energy in their country but i’m in Model United Nations and I’m having a hard time finding *specific* resolutions or acts that China has signed or agreed to from the United Nations. If someone could direct me to a website or a name of a resolution concerning sustainable energy It would be much appreciated!
admin answers:
Here is a list; http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/sgsm12381.doc.htm
Maria asks…
What engineering major am I looking for?
The development of a sustainable energy source has fascinated me for years. During the past few years, I have tinkered with wind turbines, solar panels, and other types of renewable energy sources. I do not want to confine my education to the already existing energy sources (wind, energy, solar, thermal, etc) because I believe that a revolutionary, sustainable energy source will be discovered – like zero point energy. Does anyone have any suggestions for possible engineering fields that are centered on the development of sustainable energy sources?
admin answers:
I am a mechanical engineer graduate with masters. I would say mechanical engineering for two reasons. First, I think it suits exactly what you want to do (wind turbines, solar panels, energy sources, solar thermal etc) are all completely mechanical engineering related, I did most of them myself. Secondly, suppose you were to change your mind and for instance, would like to go to the finance sector. I think that institutions prefer hiring mechanical engineers than other types of engineers because its the toughest and they are generally perceived as the most competent.
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Your Questions About Renewable Energy Group
Michael asks…
an electrical engineering can work on renewable energy?
I want to know if electrical engineering is the right choose to work on renewable energy like bio-diesel.biomass or hybrid technology also I want to know if an electrical engineer could lose his job when he become older for instance computer science company hired younger people is the same with electrical careers? thanks
admin answers:
An engineering background would be quite useful for renewable energies, quite useful for most things in general. Most engineering programs have a general engineering requirement where the students spend one to two years studying all the engineering fields before specializing so an electrical engineer would have sufficient chemical and mechanical engineering background to be useful in bio-diesel and biomass as well as be suited for the electronic controls inherent in all modern processes. Naturally, a hybrid would have a large electrical component that the EE would be useful for.
It’s illegal for a company to age discriminate but it is true that as one gets older and better paid, one’s liquidity on the labour market is reduced. However, many companies value experience and for good reason. Without some experience in a group, one’s bound to constantly repeat the same mistakes over and over again.
The risk of loosing one’s job and then finding it difficult to be re-employed is common no matter what the field and often if a company wants to take a risk on a prospective employee that they have not worked with before, they might as well hedge their bet by hiring somebody inexpensive such as a fresh grad.
You can take measures to ensure you remain valuable in the job market, insist that the company pay for at least one professional association membership and at least one industry conference a year. Attend the tutorial sessions and pay the extra $10 for the CEU credits so that you have something to add to your portfolio.
Above all, build up a network of contacts in the industry. It all boils down to relationships and people.
You might want to start with an English course though.
David asks…
How do I go about starting a small business?
I have an excellent idea for a small business. Its a renewable energy business in an area where that hasn’t tapped into that aspect yet. I don’t how to make my ideas become reality, where do I get financing to start it up?
admin answers:
You need to find the Small Business Development Center or similar group for YOUR state. For example, this is the one for Delaware:
http://www.dsbtdc.org/
They tell you who to contact, how to do it, what you need, all that type of thing.
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Your Questions About Sustainable Energy Without The Hot Air
Ruth asks…
How to protect the environment?
what are some examples of sustainable practices and stewardship that can protect the environment?
admin answers:
In Your Home – Conserve Energy
Clean or replace air filters on your air conditioning unit at least once a month.
If you have central air conditioning, do not close vents in unused rooms.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120.
Wrap your water heater in an insulated blanket.
Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods.
Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time.
Set your refrigerator temperature at 36 to 38 and your freezer at 0 to 5 .
When using an oven, minimize door opening while it is in use; it reduces oven temperature by 25 to 30 every time you open the door.
Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load so that it uses less energy.
Unplug seldom used appliances.
Use a microwave when- ever you can instead of a conventional oven or stove.
Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.
Reverse your indoor ceiling fans for summer and winter operations as recommended.
Turn off lights, computers and other appliances when not in use.
Purchase appliances and office equipment with the Energy Star Label; old refrigerators, for example, use up to 50 more electricity than newer models.
Only use electric appliances when you need them.
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy.
Keep your thermostat at 68 in winter and 78 in summer.
Keep your thermostat higher in summer and lower in winter when you are away
Insulate your home as best as you can.
Install weather stripping around all doors and windows.
Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.
Plant trees to shade your home.
Shade outside air conditioning units by trees or other means.
Replace old windows with energy efficient ones.
Use cold water instead of warm or hot water when possible.
Connect your outdoor lights to a timer.
Buy green electricity – electricity produced by low – or even zero-pollution facilities (NC Green power for North Carolina – www.ncgreenpower.org). In your home-reduce toxicity.
In Your Home – Reduce Toxicity
Eliminate mercury from your home by purchasing items without mercury, and dispose of items containing mercury at an appropriate drop-off facility when necessary (e.g. Old thermometers).
Learn about alternatives to household cleaning items that do not use hazardous chemicals.
Buy the right amount of paint for the job.
Review labels of household cleaners you use. Consider alternatives like baking soda, scouring pads, water or a little more elbow grease.
When no good alternatives exist to a toxic item, find the least amount required for an effective, sanitary result.
If you have an older home, have paint in your home tested for lead. If you have lead-based paint, cover it with wall paper or other material instead of sanding it or burning it off.
Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers.
Have your home tested for radon.
Use cedar chips or aromatic herbs instead of mothballs.
Ways To Protect Our Air
Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting.
Recycle printer cartridges.
Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.
Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency.
Don’t use your wood stove or fireplace when air quality is poor.
Avoid slow-burning, smoldering fires. They produce the largest amount of pollution.
Burn seasoned wood – it burns cleaner than green wood.
Use solar power for home and water heating.
Use loco or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.
Purchase radial tires and keep them properly inflated for your vehicle.
Paint with brushes or rollers instead of using spray paints to minimize harmful emissions.
Ignite charcoal barbecues with an electric probe or other alternative to lighter fluid.
If you use a wood stove, use one sold after 1990. They are required to meet federal emissions standards and are more efficient and cleaner burning.
Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible.
Join a carpool or van pool to get to work.
Ways to Protect Our Water
Re vegetate or mulch disturbed soil as soon as possible.
Never dump anything down a storm drain.
Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly.
Check your car for oil or other leaks, and recycle motor oil.
Take your car to a car wash instead of washing it in the driveway.
Learn about your watershed.
Maria asks…
what can i do for the environment?
I want to be greener,i need to know more things i can do. here is what i already do:
I do not leave the tap running when using my toothebrush
I use a toilet that has a smaller flush and a larger flush
I do not shower as often as my other family members
I dont know what else to do, i am only 15 so i cannot reduce a vehicles co2 or anything like that. Please suggest some things for me to try.
Thanks for your help.
admin answers:
Whatever you do but people will pollute it, so try to stop it.
Try these
1. Replace standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs
2. Choose energy efficient appliances – I’m documenting the power consumption of my computers
3. Wash clothes in cold(er) water – Colder than what? I suspect this is based on American machines that are controlled by mixer valves rather than using a thermostat.
4. Turn the thermostat of your hot water tank down to 50°C (125°F) – this is a good safety measure anyway
5. Install a programmable thermostat (or turn the heat down over night and when you’re out of the house)
6. Register with the [Canadian Marketing Association’s] Do Not Contact Service to reduce the amount of junk mail delivered to your house. – Substitute MPS.
7. Eat less meat (particularly feedlot beef) – For practical purposes I’m vegetarian, with occasional exceptions.
8. Walk, bike, carpool or take public transit as often as possible – I’m writing this on the tram
9. Make sure you know what can be recycled in your area, and try to recycle as much household waste as possible
10. Compost using an outdoor compost bin or an indoor vermicomposter
11. Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner
12. Buy local, organic or fair trade food where possible
13. Reduce air travel – pity that long-distance trains suck in Australia
14. Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket
15. Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible – don’t own a clothes dryer, hanging up clothes inside near a heater works on cold days
16. Plant a tree – pity my trees are dying because of the drought / climate change
17. Buy fresh foods instead of frozen
18. Keep your car tuned up and your tires inflated to their optimal pressure – also minimise driving. I drive about 5000Km per year.
19. Use biodegradable dishwashing liquid, laundry soap powder, etc.
20. Drink tap water (filtered if necessary) rather than buying bottled water – remember the Benzene incident…
21. Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth
22. Unplug seldom-used appliances and chargers for phones, cameras, etc., when you’re not using them – the power use is small so I only do this for rarely used chargers.
23. Plug air leeks and drafts around doors and windows with weatherstripping
24. Switch from disposable to reusable products: food and beverage containers, cups, plates, writing pens, razors, diapers, towels, shopping bags, etc – I’ve done this for most things, could improve though.
25. Consider garage sales, Freecycle, eBay, or borrowing from friends/family before buying a new tool or appliance – second-hand and refurbished computers are so powerful and so cheap that you don’t need to care about the environment to do this.
26. Reuse bathwater, maybe to flush the loo, water the garden, etc.
27. Make sure your roof is well-insulated. – I think it is, but as tenants it’s not really our choice.
28. Always wear a jumper/sweater and socks indoors unless it’s warm enough outdoors to go without both.
29. Run your vehicle on biofuel/sustainable fuels
Set up a grey water barrel to use when clean water isn’t necessary – grey water should never be stored. It contains chemicals that are used as food for bacteria.
30. Put grey water on your garden immediately without storing it.
31. Install tanks to collect rain-water from your roof for watering the garden, washing your car, etc.
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Your Questions About Renewable Energy World
Mark asks…
Where in the world is there undergraduate degrees in renewable energy and/or sustainability?
I’ve already found a few, such as the University of New South Wales – Photovoltaic/solar energy degree. However, I would like to fully know all my options for undergraduate degrees in solar energy/wind energy/renewable energy etc. Most other programs I’ve found have been standard engineering degrees, which lead to graduate work in the subject. Any university in the world is the scope, as I’m not committed to residing with the United States.
admin answers:
I think Slippery Rock University
George asks…
Can you make money by buying stocks of renewable energy companies?
since global warming and the need for more greener energy like wind power increases, is it really possible you can make lots of money by buying these companies now that are worth virtually nothing, and wait until the world gets the need of renewable energy? (buying shares of stocks). Thanks
admin answers:
Nobody can predict the movement of any stocks whether going up or coming down. Many of the market professionals use fundamental analysis of companies along with technical analysis like chartology, option movements and relative price strength of stocks.
There might be many people who think the same logic as yours and made investment in renewable energy companies. Consequently, some of these companies’ shares have gone up significantly where you might have to find a good spot to buy at certain time.
What you need to do is to study the company’s performance (revenues and earnings and their growth) in relation to the stock price. Also, look into the company’s financial condition (does it have a lot of debts?), market share of its products, product leadership, and earnings browth rates vs. Its competitors.
Since you will be investing your hard earned income, be very careful in doing the preliminary studies before investing. I recommend you also read a couple of books on investment.
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Your Questions About Sustainable Energy Systems
Helen asks…
Discuss the relevance and significance of sustainable /green site design and building practices in today’s env?
Discuss the relevance and significance of sustainable /green site design and building practices in today’s environment. What are some of the relevant LEED’s criteria for making a site “certified” green?
admin answers:
Any building element that will lead to energy savings or reduce CO2 emissions and increase the greenery , that is relevant to LEED , to be certified green you require the country requirements and it’s procedures, there are minimum requirements to be certified, some of the elements could be the heat transfer through walls and windows , waste management system, amount of green areas, ventilation system, minimize water consumptions , minimize power consumption , energy storage for AC system . These are some examples you may consider
Maria asks…
How do I make my home more environmentally sustainable?
especially in the area of energy consumption
admin answers:
Check the integrity of your insulation and replace it, if necessary. This will help control heat loss in the winter.
Replace all your regular incandescent bulbs with flourescent bulbs. You can purchase them to burn as brightly as 60, 75 even 100w bulbs, but they only USE around 14-20 watts of energy. This can be especially significant in fixtures that have multiple bulbs in them.
Make sure you have good windows that are properly sealed.
Landscape your exterior to help with summer heat absorption and winter heat loss issues. Plants can sometimes help quite a bit in this area, and it’s always nice to plant a tree. 🙂
Don’t know if this is even an option residentially, but I know that there are water conservation means becoming available that conserves water utilized in the sink/bathtub in a special resevoir and uses then THAT for flushing the toilet/irrigating the land instead of fresh water.
I have heard that radiant floor heating can save energy, but I don’t know from personal experience, so you might want to research it.
I DO know of some individuals with two-story homes who installed separate heating/cooling systems for each floor. It seems like a bit much, but they ultimately saved quite a bit, because they didn’t have one system chugging away to heat/cool a whole home(where all the heat is going to rise upstairs anyway with the downstairs staying too cold).
Setting your water heater to a slightly lower temperature will conserve a little energy.
Good window coverings can make a big difference, too, especially when used in layers. Trying to use a thicker more opaque layer of window coverings over a more translucent layer will help, technically, add layers of insulated air between the window and the room and will also help with light control/loss. Blocking the sun from shining into a room during a summer day can SIGNIFICANTLY affect how warm that room and, ultimately, the house gets.
These tidbits run the gammut, I know. And some are huge investments while others are pretty simple.
Hope you find at least some of it useful.
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Your Questions About Renewable Energy For Kids
Helen asks…
Why do people think that renewable energy is not viable or economical?
Think about how much it costs to pull stuff out of the ground, refine it and ship it all over the world? How about wind, solar, geothermal, tidal etc?
I am not saying don’t have oil for back up. I am saying it shouldn’t be used first and only.
Elmer going onto websites and acting tough just makes you look like a sissy.
Dez Pirate that is a great answer. Thanks.
admin answers:
Probably because of years of big oil propaganda. I know I look a conspiracy theory nut saying this, but just look at some of these answers. Its sad. If they worked better, we would be using them. We aren’t using them, therefore they must not be better?? Are you kidding me? Do you know how much money oil companies spend lobbying not to spend grants on renewable energy research, or other forms of energy in general? Car companies and other industries that rely on fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, etc… Do this as well. They make too much money as it is, of course they dont want change.
We could make a lot of progress on renewable energy sources and ways to package it/store it if our government (and corporations) cared at all about anything more than money. General it they constantly say it isn’t an issue, and that global warming is fake, and that there is no alternative. We are the US for Pete’s sake. If it doesnt exist yet, then we should be making it happen. But no. We are controlled by greedy fat bastards
Jenny asks…
I know fluorescent lighting is more energy efficient but how much energy is it saving?
What if all the fluorescent lights in a classroom were turned off, about how much money or energy would that actually save?
admin answers:
Hey Pink, Jerry is pretty close on the power usage. To answer your question as directly as possible, my son is in 5th grade, and his classroom has three strips of lights, each one made up of five fixtures. Each fixture is 4 feet long and has 2 – 48inch tubes inside. This type of fixture generally uses 72watts with both tubes running. The total wattage for the room is 72 X 15 = 1,080 watts when all the lights are on. Flourescent lighting is about 4 times as efficient as incandescent lighting. To light that same room with old fashioned light bulbs would require over 4000 watts, so the power of flourescent lights is pretty easy to see.
Most schools pay a slightly reduced rate for electrical power, but still the amount varies quite a bit from state to state. In our town, a school should pay around 9 cents per kilowatt hour. A kilowatthour, or KWH is 1000 watts running for one hour. Let’s say the school is open for 8 hours, but the kids are only in the room for 6 of them. If the lights were on for 6 hours, it would use 6.5 KWH, at a cost of about 60 cents. So if the lights were off all day, it would save the school 60 cents each day. If they were only on for 3 hours each day instead of 6, it would save 30 cents each day of school, or about $6.00 per month. Again, this will vary school to school, and town to town, but the idea is the same.
If you’re in the education business, here is something you might be interested in. Look online for a device called a, “Kill – A – Watt,” meter. They cost around $35. They look like a lamp timer, but are really a load meter. Plug it into the wall, then plug any device with a cord you have laying around into the meter. It will tell you how many watts your device is using at the moment, and how many KWH’s it has used over time. Some models even let you punch in your utility rate, and it spits out how much your device has used in dollars and cents for as long as you have it plugged in. Now take a lamp and put in a 40 watt light bulb and run it on the meter, it will tell you it is using 40 watts. Next, change the bulb to a 15 watt compact flourescent one, it will register 15 watts, but ask the kids in the room which one is brighter, turns out they are about the same. It’s really interesting to see the lights literally come on in the room when you do experiments like this.
We live in a home that is powered by the wind and sun, and over time we’ve had to learn a great deal about energy savings. From time to time, we get to run a solar power seminar for the kids in the schools in our area, and this is one of the experiments we do. It’s also interesting to plug other items into the meter, like a radio, or a game system, so the kids can see how much they are using at home. There is a great magazine out that covers all this stuff, it’s not very common on news racks, it’s called Home Power. I will include the link below, and some other places you can google to find out lots of interesting info on renewable energy and energy savings. Take care Pink, Rudydoo
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Your Questions About Sustainable Energy Systems
Laura asks…
Is America doing a good job at training it’s future geniuses?
Standardized testing seems to be pushing teachers to teach toward the mean, more than every before. Can this system train the next generation’s Einstein’s, who will solve problems like Climate Change, Food Distribution, Sustainable Energy, and Political Issues that are arising.
admin answers:
Sadly no. The next generation’s Einstein will need to think outside the box, and that is not encouraged in our public school systems.
Mandy asks…
How is high speed rail in the UK sustainable?
I’ve heard that high speed rail in the UK is sustainable. Obviously I know it hasn’t been built yet but the government say it will be sustainable? How so? And also what is the argument about it? WHY IS IT CAUSING SUCH A STIR?
admin answers:
Elia – Good or bad? In the new scenario of alternative transport, a specific type begins to stand out: the bullet train. Several countries have already begun to adopt this model and plan to invest heavily to make real mass transit in this type of vehicle. Despite the promised environmental, economic and social, some environmentalists oppose this transport option.For advocates, the bullet train can help reduce global warming and protect environmental resources. Studies undertaken by the Authority Railway High-speed link from California to invest in bullet trains, rather than building new roads or airports can generate several benefits by 2030.These benefits include: lower environmental impacts, low energy (1 / 3 of what it takes to move planes and 1 / 5 required for car travel) and economy of 12.7 million barrels of oil, even with the improving the energy efficiency of transportation today. The study also shows that the construction of high-speed rail can prevent the emission of more than 5 million tons of CO2 by 2030.Today these vehicles can pass the 500 km / h and carry a lot of passengers in a short time. But experts DeFede that this speed can be much higher. This makes them more advantageous than the planes as they do not spend time with loading and unloading and are not subject to climate change. They are also safer and quicker than traveling by car.
Despite the apparent advantages, many people have sniffed for these investments. For some environmentalists, the implementation of this system requires the construction of new railways, since the high-speed trains require rails specific.He adds: “Do not get me wrong. With the decline of the airlines and the condemnation of the automobile transportation system, we desperately need a new rail system. But we already have a system that was envied around the world to be abandoned. And right now we have neither the time nor the resources to build a new parallel network.All the promise of government, so let’s wait –::
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Your Questions About Renewable Energy Jobs
Mark asks…
How would I get a intern-like job (non-payed) in a renewable energy company?
I’m 16, and will be 17 by the summer, I’m still in Secondary school and I would really like to get some sort of insight into renewable energy over the summer, as I would like to persue a career in that field. I live in Ayr in Scotland, so it would have to be near there possibly out to glasgow. I’ve no idea how to go about it, and I don’t know what company I could go to either. The company I could think of is EDF Energy. I thought of maybe writing an email and asking if I could come in and maybe help out, getting coffee etc. Any help would be great!
admin answers:
Research a list of companies in your area, or close to where you live. Look under their “careers” page on their websites to determine if they have any internship positions available. If they do, apply for them. If not, contact the company and describe how interested you are in renewable energy and that you would be willing to intern/help over the summer.
I hope this helps! Being proactive usually helps in cases like these. You never know what will happen if you don’t try!
Laura asks…
Where to look for jobs in renewable energy?
I wish to find employment in the renewable energy field. I am a physics graduate and wish to work in the UK preferably. Any ideas?
admin answers:
Ask them if their force is also renewable…
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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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Your Questions About Renewable Energy Group
Mandy asks…
What are some interest groups for farming/agriculture?
I’m doing a government project. I’m having some troubles, Could someone help me?
These are the principles our group stands for :
-more regulation over industries
could cause environmental problems
-Family farmers supply clean food supply
-Farmers feed us
-For more crops
-For renewable energy
I need some interest groups that support these things.
and we also are against industries because they cram animals together in small places and that creates problems, while Farmers don’t do that
thanks so much for your help 🙂
admin answers:
Groups that come to mind:
PETA (people for the ethical treatment of animals)
Organic growers groups (there are a number of these, mostly local county based)
http://www.ota.com/organic_and_you/10reasons.html
Renewable fuels association (http://www.ethanolrfa.org/)
good luck.
Robert asks…
What are some interest groups for farming/agriculture?
I’m doing a government project. I’m having some troubles, Could someone help me?
These are the principles our group stands for :
-more regulation over industries
could cause environmental problems
-Family farmers supply clean food supply
-Farmers feed us
-For more crops
-For renewable energy
I need some interest groups that support these things.
and we also are against industries because they cram animals together in small places and that creates problems, while Farmers don’t do that
admin answers:
Http://organicconsumers.org
http://www.localharvest.org
http://www.rodaleinstitute.org
http://www.attra.org
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Your Questions About Sustainable Energy Without The Hot Air
Chris asks…
Are there ways to save energy without unplugging appliances?
admin answers:
I have a HUUUUGE list available at www agua-luna com it’s like 33 pages long and would just spam this whole answer. But here’s a few cut from the list below. If you’d like the entire list feel free to visit www agua-luna com or email me through the site directly and I’ll send you a copy.
Also Agua-Luna com now offers Carbon Offsetting Credits, since our Team of Volunteers is already accomplishing several carbon eliminating projects, we’re now converting the carbon offsets to you. Visit www agua-luna com for a FREE carbon calculator to calculate your carbon footprint for free and more info on carbon credits.
You could also Volunteer with us, planting a tree or working on a Sustainable Renewable Energy Building Project in Mexico with us. Again see www agua-luna com for more info.
I also do some free consulting, there’s more info on the site about that too. Here’s some more ways to help the environment…
Recycle paper, cardboard, newsprint and magazines.
Recycle aluminum cans.
Recycle all batteries.
Recycle and reuse. Roughly 50% of the average person’s trash can be recycled. Don’t forget that hazardous waste like batteries, your printer’s ink cartridges, and cell phones can be recycled too! Find out how and where to recycle in your area. Always buy recycled paper. Just 1 ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees.
Just because your community doesn’t pick up all recyclables on the curb, it doesn’t mean there are not viable alternatives nearby. Check with dry cleaners, supermarkets, manufacturers, your local public works department and civic organizations to find out where recycled goods can be dropped off, at a location near you.
Did you know that just in 1995 alone, recycled toner cartridges kept over 21,000 tons of trash out of landfills? Believe it or not, now you can recycle your printer’s toner cartridges! Every year, Americans throw out enough printer cartridges to stretch from Los Angeles to New York City and back again. Toner cartridges can be recycled, having just as good a performance as an unrecycled cartridge. To recycle your toner cartridges, find a local business that does printer cartridge recycling, or contact the manufacturer of your current toner cartridge and ask about a cartridge recycling program.
Not only should you recycle, but buy products that are recycled. By purchasing these products, you are helping to conserve natural resources, and to protect the environment.
Wash clothes in cold water.
Hot water is unnecessary for most clothes. When needed, use warm water.
Fill your toilet tank.
Put a plastic bottle or two, filled with water and rocks, in your tank to reduce the amount of water used in each flush.
Clean your filters.
Clean the filters of your air-conditioners once a month to improve energy efficiency. While you’re at it, change your car’s filters as recommended in your manual.
Get a low-flow shower head.
Stop at the hardware store on your way home, and get a low-flow shower head. Takes a few minutes to install, and it’ll save gallons of water a day.
Lower your thermostats.
If you use heating, get by with less heat and wear warmer clothes. If you use air-conditioning, get by with less cooling and wear cooler clothes.
If it’s a nice sunny day, hanging clothes only takes a few minutes, and you’re using solar power instead of electricity to do the job. It also makes your clothes last longer.
Turn down your water heater.
Most people have their water heater’s thermostat turned up too high, wasting energy. Turn it down to 130 degrees, saving energy but still hot enough to kill bacteria.
Use CFC light bulbs.
If your light bulb burns out, replace it with a Compact Flourescent bulb (those spiral-looking ones). They’re more expensive, but if you just replace them one at a time, it doesn’t cost much, and the energy savings is great. And as they last longer, over the long run, you’ll save money.
Wash and dry only full loads of laundry and dishes.
Follow your community’s water use restrictions or guidelines.
Install a low-flow shower head.
If you are not looking to change your car just yet there are a number of ways you can be more environmentally friendly and help you save money by conserving fuel.
Lighten your car to reduce weight by not carrying unnecessary items.
Cut your speed and stick to the speed limits
Drive smoothly avoiding heavy accelerating and braking.
When stationary for a long time, switch off the engine.
Closing windows will make the car more efficient by being more aerodynamic. Remove roof bars when not is use also helps.
Make sure your tyres are properly inflated as under inflated tyres cause more resistance.
Where possible, walk, cycle or even use public transport.
If possible lift share to reduce the number of cars on the road.
Try mass transit.
Millions of people use it, and it saves tons of fuel. If you don’t already, give it a try.
Unload your car.
Remove excess weight from your car (such as stuff that might be in the trunk) to reduce the amount of fuel you use.
Walk instead of drive.
You don’t have to do this all the time, but walking the short trip to a store, or to lunch from work, or some other short trip like that, can reduce the amount of fuel you use over the long term, and you shed some fat at the same time. Or at least burn off that morning donut.
Buy a smaller car.
You won’t be able to do this today, probably, but the next time you’re in the market for an automobile, get a smaller and energy-efficient car rather than a big, lumbering one. It’s one of the best things you can do to reduce your fuel consumption.
Inflate your tires.
Many people don’t realize that their tires are under-inflated. Check the recommended pressure for your tires, and fill them up to that pressure. It only takes a few minutes, but it will save you on fuel consumption (a little) and more importantly, make your tires last longer and reduce the rubber that’s worn off your tires.
Get creative with gift-giving. The gift of time, services, or environmentally positive gifts may be more appreciated than disposable goods that are not to the taste or needs of the recipient.
Look into those lifestyle changes you’ve been putting off
Work from home more. Many organisations, when prodded a little, will accept flexible work arrangements where there is no impact to the work that needs to get done.
Use your oven less.
The oven not only uses a lot of energy, it heats up your kitchen, requiring more cooling. Instead, use toaster ovens, crockpots, microwaves, and electric grills when you can. And when you do use your oven, open it less – you lose 25% of the heat every time you open the oven door.
Mend your stuff.
Try not to throw stuff away and buy new stuff if the old stuff can be fixed. Torn clothing? Takes a few minutes to sew up.
Install a water filter.
If you buy a lot of bottled water, use your tap instead. Some places need a filter to make tap water taste drinkable, but they don’t cost much and they can save money, water, and plastic bottles over time.
Unplug appliances.
If you don’t use an appliance several times a day, it’s better to unplug it, as they often use energy even when turned off
Use rechargeable batteries.
Instead of throwing your batteries away all the time, reuse rechargeable batteries. Costs a little more, but cheaper in the long run.
When you’re looking to buy appliances, be sure to research the most energy-efficient ones. They may cost a little more, but they’ll more than make up for that in the long run with lower energy bills.
Buy a smaller home.
The next time you’re home-shopping, instead of buying the McMansion, look for a smaller home that’s big enough to meet your needs comfortably. Reducing the amount of stuff you own is a good way to need less house. It’s cheaper, and requires less energy to heat and cool. And easier to clean at the same time.
Look for energy efficiency.
Use acryllic paint.
Compost.
It’s not hard to set one up (look it up online), and you can save a lot of waste from the landfill and help your garden at the same time
Water grass early in the morning.
Reduces the amount of water you need to keep your grass looking fabulous.
Plant shade trees near your house.
It’ll take awhile before they can make a difference, but shade trees greatly reduce the need to cool a home.
Coat your roof.
This’ll take up an afternoon, but you only have to do it once every few years. And it’ll save you a lot of money and energy in heating and cooling over the long-term, more than making up for the cost of paint.
Avoid fast food.
Instead, eat at home or at a sit-down restaurant. Fast food restaurants are one of the worst polluters of the environment, both in the massive amounts of beef they must raise, in the wasted packaging, and in the energy they use in so many ways. And they’re tremendously unhealthy.
Buy a manual reel mower or electric mower.
If you’re looking for a new lawn mower, and you have a small yard, consider getting a manual one. They’re much advanced from the reel mowers of our grandparents’ generation, much quieter, cheaper, and they save on fuel and pollution. Electric mowers are also quieter and use much less energy.
Clean up.
Hope this helped, feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions if you’d like assistance in making your first self sufficient steps, I’m willing to walk you step by step threw the process. I’ve written several how-to DIY guides available at www agua-luna com on the subject. I also offer online and on-site workshops, seminars and internships to help others help the environment.
Dan Martin
Alterative Energy / Sustainable Consultant, Living 100% on Alternative & Author of How One Simple Yet Incredibly Powerful Resource Is Transforming The Lives of Regular People From All Over The World… In
Lisa asks…
What can we do to avoid further negative impact of global warming?
admin answers:
One important thing we can do is get more people to realize that global warming and climate change is real. It is hard to believe that there are some that can’t see what global warming is doing to the planet and that we can just go on without doing anything to reduce and eliminate it, but there are: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjtSjGqmYUtFD73QACdiNsXsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20100522093338AAjOu9z&show=7#profile-info-WcvGeYaoaa
Part of my answer to the problem can be found in my answers to other questions:
Yes, it is real…
I honestly believe “global warming”, now referred to as climate change, is real. From where you and I live, we can see it in longer growing seasons, snow that melts a lot faster, more rain and ice than snow, etc… We can also see local warming trends, called urban “heat islands”. The next time you go shopping, realize that the parking lot that you stand on, on a hot summer day, is a lot hotter than the forest that used to be there before the land was developed by the stores you shop at… Your car is only one of millions and millions of vehicles, cars, planes, etc… That send emissions into the atmosphere that cause more and more heat to be trapped near the earth’s surface – enough for most people to realize that global warming and climate change are indeed real.
With all this said, scientists and many others know that the earth has been on a warming trend naturally for thousands of years, since the last ice age, and scientists also know that the billions of people on earth and our industrial and commercial activities are adding to and perhaps even accelerating this warming.
So, with all this knowledge, we can at least try and reverse this trend before things go out of control on the only planet we have to live on. One thing that has been done already is the phasing out of CFCs in air conditioners and other gadgets so that we do not destroy the ozone layer, the thin layer of gas in the atmosphere that prevents ultraviolet rays from reaching the planet’s surface. Now, we are in the process of finding ways to run our economies without the use of fossil fuels and using alternative energy, so that we do not destroy this world that we have taken so long to build…
No, “global warming” isn’t a government trick. Governments have a vested interest in continuing on as they have by growing their economies and if they can, finding a way to reduce global warming without reducing economic growth…
And
Read about:
1) Going off the “grid”. There is a movement called sustainable living, where you can make an attempt to live on power that you create (hydro-electric – dam generated power, geothermal, solar, wind, etc…) so that you are not dependent on fossil fuels.
2) Driving a Hybrid vehicle. Although it isn’t the final solution, it is a step in the right direction. People I know that drive Priuses and other hybrids just love the fact the their car is helping to reduce pollution, and, they can’t remember that last time they had to fill up their gas tank !
3) Building an Eco friendly “greenhouse” to live in… There are new ways of building houses that make clever use of recycled materials and allow for much larger energy savings…
4) Read up on the subject at the following websites to find out about more or about anything that you can do :
Stop global warming: http://www.care2.com/causes/global-warmi…
Yahoo!’s green page: http://green.yahoo.com/
Yahoo’s green directories: http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture…
http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture…
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/green-1…
http://www.care2.com/channels/ecoinfo/gl…
http://www.treehugger.com/
http://www.futurefriendly.com/Home.aspx
http://everygreenthing.net/
and,
those are just a few of my thoughts on the subject, you’re more than welcome to read my other answers that I’ve posted to this topic…
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Your Questions About Renewable Energy For Kids
Michael asks…
What are renewable & non- renewable energy resources?
What are renewable energy resources? Give three examples
What are non-renewable energy resources? Give two examples
btw this is out of curiosity i never really listened in science… =]
admin answers:
Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources—such as sunlight[2], wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat—which are renewable (naturally replenished). Renewable energy technologies include solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity, micro hydro, biomass and biofuels.
Http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/whatsenergy.html
Non-renewable energy is energy taken from “finite resources that will eventually dwindle, becoming too expensive or too environmentally damaging to retrieve”, [1] as opposed to renewable energy sources, which “are naturally replenished in a relatively short period of time.” [2]
Fossil fuels:
Coal exists as a mined solid.
Petroleum is a liquid, and forms the basis for heating oil, diesel fuel, and gasoline.
Natural gas is commonly also referred to just as gas. It is mostly methane, and most of the additional material is removed before use as a fuel.
Nuclear energy fuel for fission is mined as Uranium ore, see Renewable energy#Nuclear power.
Goodluck! Sometimes I agree science is BORING!
Jenny asks…
is the solution to the energy problem under our feet?
I refer to geothermal energy. With modern drilling techniques it ought to be possible to drill in many locations throughoiut the world to obtain clean, polutionless heat in unlimited quantity. Why has this idea not taken off?
Oh dear! These answers are all crap.
admin answers:
I was wondering the same thing. Apparently ample amounts of geothermal energy is not accessible in many areas. It is used in a few places here in N.C. At youtube under “alternative energy” many video’s about people all over the world creating a generator that runs strictly on magnets is shown (either they stole the idea from each other or all got the same idea on the same day – not sure lol) but its about the size of a small outdoor central air conditioning unit, and will run an entire house of electricity, and will probably hold up to punishment for about 30 to 40 years before it needs replacing but all utilities would be free as well as zero pollution. The magnets would probably be recyclable for reuse as well. At TEDtalks.com a huge amount of video’s there on future energy inventions, the best of which is being tested at UCLA now in California, of hydrogen powered refrigerators. They actually got one working but its enormous size is not useable but they are working to reduce it in size. The project came up by African nurses that travel from village to village to give insulin injections to those off grid. The trouble is to keep the insulin cold while traveling since it has to be refrigerated. An Ice chest just won’t stay cold in the extreme heats of the arid country so UCLA set out to invent something portable. They say soon, everybody will be able to create their own power with their own water which of course is non polluting as well. Frankly tho the gov talks big about renewable energy, there are many proven techniques to achieve this and they don’t seem interested in any of it. Therefore, I don’t think renewable energy is a true concern of theirs but a front for something “not green” unless its money. If we could all make our own power image the billions lost each year in kick backs to officials who all get free shares in nuclear power etc. They want our dollars and blame it on the environment. They could care less about pollution, or costs or damage to the earth frankly. Its all about the dollar. But check out Tedtalks.com for tons of inspirational video’s. TED stands for Technology, entertainment, and (i forget what D is for) anyway, its worldwide experts in every field you can imagine. They show a super poor boy that lived in africa, saw a book once about wind energy from a traveling library in a bus. Years later he built the most incredible wind turbine out of scraps from the near by dump. This thing looks like total trash and yet he burns like 4 lights in his mothers hut all equivalent to 4 christmas tree lights. Not much light, but for a kid, in a 3rd world country, who only checked out a book once, all that info stuck in his head. Imagine what he could do with an actual battery or LED lights. Its a web site of the most amazing things i’ve ever witnessed. GL on your search. Elon College in North Carolina has 4 geothermal wells dug so far and is going to expand they are so pleased with their new system so check that out online as well. Good luck on your search and peace
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Your Questions About Sustainable Energy Definition
Mandy asks…
What is a sustainable Development in biology terms?
I have this biology project and don’t know what it means because I missed the module because I changed schools late. Can anybody help me?
admin answers:
Well the technical definition is: a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This basically means, growing enough food and sourcing our energy and raw material needs without doing irreversible damage to the environment.
Hope it helps!
Laura asks…
How is sustainable development sustainable? *sigh*?
I know its a hard question. At our school the statement ‘sustainable development as a concept is unsustainable’ came up. i disagreed but couldnt come up with any valid arguments.
Lets see if anyone here can. it will be much appreciated ; )
admin answers:
Sustainable development :
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the natural environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future. The term was used by the Brundtland Commission which coined what has become the most often-quoted definition of sustainable development as development that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
The field of sustainable development can be conceptually broken into three constituent parts: environmental sustainability, economic sustainability and sociopolitical sustainability.
The United Nations Division for Sustainable Development lists the following areas as coming within the scope of sustainable development:
* Agriculture
* Atmosphere
* Biodiversity
* Biotechnology
* Capacity-building
* Climate Change
* Consumption and Production Patterns
* Demographics
* Desertification and Drought
* Disaster Reduction and Management
* Education and Awareness
* Energy
* Finance
* Forests
* Fresh Water
* Health
* Human Settlements
* Indicators
* Industry
* Information for Decision Making and Participation
* Integrated Decision Making
* International Law
* International Cooperation for Enabling Environment
* Institutional Arrangements
* Land management
* Major Groups
* Mountains
* National Sustainable Development Strategies
* Oceans and Seas
* Poverty
* Sanitation
* Science
* SIDS
* Sustainable tourism
* Technology
* Toxic Chemicals
* Trade and Environment
* Transport
* Waste (Hazardous)
* Waste (Radioactive)
* Waste (Solid)
* Water
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Your Questions About Renewable Energy Companies
Daniel asks…
Where to start for Investment Banking hopefuls?
I am a college junior with a summer’s experience in investment management of renewable energy companies. Where should I look to gain knowlege in career advice for investment bank analyst? A specific reference to website, forum or books would be appreciated.
admin answers:
The Valut.com career IB guide is a great resource for anybody interested in investment banking. I would also suggest you attend information sessions hosted by all of the banking firms at your college or university. The campus recruiting process is fairly rigid and you must adhere to the process very carefully. Many firms will not consider applicants who did not attend their on-campus information sessions. For companies that participate with your school’s career office, look there first for investment banking career opportunities. Be sure to also submit applications to firms that don’t recruit at your university. This can be a numbers game, so the more applications you submit, the better your chances of landing a job. A high GPA is very important to investment bankers, so be sure to keep on top of that. One of the classic books on an interview prep reading list is called Liar’s Poker.
Sharon asks…
What’s the name of the wind and solar energy companies… How can I buy stock?
I want to invest in the clean and renewable energy but I don’t know how? Don’t know the names of the companies?
admin answers:
It’s not a good idea to invest in individual stocks, or even sectors, unless you really understand what is going on. If you are an adult, you can buy stock in companies through scottrade, etrade, td ameritrade, or a similar online broker. But do your homework first, unless you are just playing and can afford to lose all the money. For example, if you had this mindset at the end of 2007, you might have bought Suntech Power, the world’s largest maker of solar panels, for $90 a share. So let’s say you bought 100 shares for $9000. Today, Suntech is still the largest maker by wattage, last I checked, but the stock is at 0.80. So your investment would be worth $80. Just saying.
There are exchange-traded funds such as (stock symbol) TAN, which invest in solar. I’m not saying to go out and buy shares in it, but do research into it to see the list of companies they picked. You can do similar things with other alternative energy ETF’s.
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Your Questions About Sustainable Energy Companies
John asks…
What is the best energy company to go with in Houston?
Finally gettin my own place but damn im overwhelmed i come from a city where there was just on energy provider but in houston there’s like at least 20, does neone know who is the best to go with as far as rates and where i could save money every month
admin answers:
I would suggest going with the energy company that provides wind power, a sustainable natural resource. 🙂
Susan asks…
I just want to know what is Obama planning to do with alternative energy if he wins the Presidency?
Obviously, we can’t rely on fossil fuels anymore.
*Please no links. If you’re a die-hard Obama supporter, then please provide me with a one or two sentence summary of his alternative energy plan.
Thanx Danny Boy.
admin answers:
This is what he proposes, from his website:
“Require 25 Percent of Renewable Electricity by 2025: Obama will establish a 25 percent federal Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to require that 25 percent of electricity consumed in the U.S. Is derived from clean, sustainable energy sources, like solar, wind and geothermal by 2025.
Clean Technologies Deployment Venture Capital Fund: Obama will create a Clean Technologies Venture Capital Fund to fill a critical gap in U.S. Technology development. Obama will invest $10 billion per year into this fund for five years. The fund will partner with existing investment funds and our National Laboratories to ensure that promising technologies move beyond the lab and are commercialized in the U.S
Deploy Cellulosic Ethanol: Obama will invest federal resources, including tax incentives, cash prizes and government contracts into developing the most promising technologies with the goal of getting the first two billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol into the system by 2013.
Double Energy Research and Development Funding: Obama will double science and research funding for clean energy projects including those that make use of our biomass, solar and wind resources.
Convert our Manufacturing Centers into Clean Technology Leaders: Obama will establish a federal investment program to help manufacturing centers modernize and Americans learn the new skills they need to produce green products.
Increase Renewable Fuel Standard: Obama will require 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels to be included in the fuel supply by 2022 and will increase that to at least 60 billion gallons of advanced biofuels like cellulosic ethanol by 2030.
Establish a Grant Program for Early Adopters: Obama will create a competitive grant program to award those states and localities that take the first steps to implement new building codes that prioritize energy efficiency.
Reduce Carbon Emissions 80 Percent by 2050
Cap and Trade: Obama supports implementation of a market-based cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions by the amount scientists say is necessary: 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Obama’s cap-and-trade system will require all pollution credits to be auctioned. A 100 percent auction ensures that all polluters pay for every ton of emissions they release, rather than giving these emission rights away to coal and oil companies. Some of the revenue generated by auctioning allowances will be used to support the development of clean energy, to invest in energy efficiency improvements, and to address transition costs, including helping American workers affected by this economic transition.
Expand Locally-Owned Biofuel Refineries: Less than 10 percent of new ethanol production today is from farmer-owned refineries. New ethanol refineries help jumpstart rural economies. Obama will create a number of incentives for local communities to invest in their biofuels refineries.
Renewable Fuels: Obama has worked on numerous efforts in the Senate to increase access to and use of renewable fuels. Obama passed legislation with Senator Jim Talent (R-MO) to give gas stations a tax credit for installing E85 ethanol refueling pumps. The tax credit covers 30 percent of the costs of switching one or more traditional petroleum pumps to E85, which is an 85 percent ethanol/15 percent gasoline blend. Obama also sponsored an amendment that became law providing $40 million for commercialization of a combined flexible fuel vehicle/hybrid car within five years.”
Planning and proposing is one thing, but to actually do it is another. Let’s hope Obama can actually implement and execute what he wants to do if, and only if, he becomes President.
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Your Questions About Renewable Energy Definition
Carol asks…
Do the leftwingers like sticking a giant middle finger in those who sacrificed to make our lives better?
Dinosaurs sacrificed their bodies to become our fuel, but liberals don’t want to use fossil fuels. That’s right; dinosaurs, which are one of the definitions of AWESOME in the dictionary, are being told to go away by the liberals.
Using renewable energy is the same thing as saying “**** YOU!” to the dinosaurs. FACT.
admin answers:
That fossil fuel is also responsible for polluting this world. We accept that we’re still dependent on fossil fuel, but we are also exploring non-polluting energy resources.
Jenny asks…
What real experience (not self serving or self promoting) is Hillary Clinton talking about?
Clinton as made the statement “since when has experience become bad?”
What experience does she have? If she were not married to Bill Clinton, is there anything she has done that would associate her name with: women’s rights? Health care? Children’s advocacy? Homeland security? Renewable energy?
Other than taking donations in exchange political favors that usually means the working class will be paying for it, what has she actually done in ther alleged career?
admin answers:
In a news conference Deanna Favre announced she will be the starting QB for the Packers this coming Sunday. Deanna asserts that she is qualified to be starting QB because she has spent the past 16 years married to Brett while he played QB for the Packers. During this period of time she became familiar with the definition of a corner blitz, and is now
completely comfortable with other terminology of the Packers offense. A survey of Packers fans shows that 50% of those polled supported the move.
Does this sounds idiotic and unbelievable to you? Well, Hillary Clinton makes the same claims as to why she is qual ified to be President and 50% of democrats polled agreed. She has never run a City, County, or State.
When told Hillary Clinton has experience because she has 8-years in the White House, Dick Morris stated, ‘So has the pastry chef.’
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Your Questions About Sustainable Energy For All
Lizzie asks…
Major in ChemEng, and minor in sustainable energy, good idea?
I want to do a Major and Minor, University of Toronto offers chemical engineering program and it says i can minor in 1) sustainable energy 2) environmental engineering 3) biomedical engineering
I would choose 1) because i think it has the highest demand in the future.
So, will I be able to find a job with a minor in like lets say, Hydro company with my minor in sustainable energy.
Does having a minor really help?
admin answers:
A minor will only “expose” you to the subject. I don’t think it will have any direct impact on your future employment since it only introduces you the very basic foundations. Referring to what you said about Hydro companies, i think they would much prefer someone with a more suitable background (i.e Civil or Engsci’s Energy Systems Engineering).
Did you know that U of T now allows engineering students to take a minor in the faculty arts & science. Why not choose one of the hundreds of minors available within art&sci? I think something like Chem Eng & Econ/ Chem Eng & Stats would be a good combo.
David asks…
What do you think is stopping human beings around the world from thriving?
People live in poverty, lack access to food, clean water and sustainable energy. People die from starvation, disease and war. Who or what is responsible for this?
Joe – I’m talking about lack of access on a global scale.
It’s time that people start thinking “outside the box.” We close our minds to certain ideas or realities because not doing so would reveal just how dire our situation is. Most of the population have become sheep who have been convinced that they need a shepherd.
just thinking – But why?
admin answers:
The people who have the money and control of it are greedy. They do not care enough to change those things.And the people who do care and try to help do not have the resources to do it.
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Your Questions About Renewable Energy
James asks…
What is the role of renewable energy in addressing climate change?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy in to climate change? Whatare the contributions of renewable energy to climate change?
admin answers:
It is a political term to describe power sources that don’t emit much CO2 but which can’t actually provide the power our civilisation needs (so far no country has managed to get much more than 20% of their power from wind or solar and even then they had to rely on their neighbours’ hydro and nuclear as well as their own coal to prevent the grid from collapsing). Hydro is the main renewable energy source for electricity production right now but is opposed by most of the people who claim we need renewable energy (and unlike their opposition to nuclear power they actually have good reasons to oppose hydro).
They are used mainly to delay the switch to nuclear power (which despite being not renewable should be good for millions of years at higher than current energy use) that would allow us to actually solve the global warming problem and thus contribute to global warming by keeping the fossil fuel industry in business.
Basically the way it does that is that a bunch of windmills get built and start supplying power to the grid but because of natural variability in the wind they don’t provide that power all the time (20% of rated capacity is considered pretty good for wind) nor can we control when they provide their power so to use wind power you need a source of backup power that is reliable and usually that means fossil fuels (nuclear could be used but if you use nuclear for that then you may as well not bother with the windmills because the windmills would not reduce CO2 emissions or save money). Solar is less variable but PV cells cost a lot more and it still needs backup at night and partial backup on cloudy days. The need for backup means that the fossil fuel industry still gets to exist (and continue pumping CO2 into the atmosphere) if the way to address (if very badly) climate change is to use wind and solar.
Hydro and geothermal have the reliability to be used for baseload although they only work in some locations and hydro power probably won’t be used where it can be because of the massive environmental damage building a dam causes.
Wave and Tidal power when you calculate how much energy there is turn out to be way too diffuse to be useful. Biofuels show promise but not much because you need land to grow them on and that land could be better used growing food or even being turned back into forest.
William asks…
What’s the difference between renewable energy and environmental resources engineering?
Oregon Tech offers renewable energy engineering and Humboldt State offers environmental resources engineering. When I look at the differences between these 2, I couldn’t tell so what should I do? I’m a senior in highschool with a 3.6 GPA
admin answers:
Oregon tech is a masters degree. Humboldt is a bachelors. The humboldt state program is a more traditional “civil” engineering program, which is sort of parallel to environmental engineering. This is probably the safe bet, as these jobs are always in demand. The civil/environmental/water resource engineer does a variety of work and large and small projects. Treatment plants design, sewer line design, water line design, levee design, floodway studies, water quality studies (streams, lakes, rivers, industrial discharge water quality, etc…). Also, alot of report preparation, dealings with the EPA on almost all projects, public meetings explaining projects, drainage studies, storm drain design, environmental clean-ups… The list goes on…
As for the Oregon tech program, it seems more like a ‘green’ energy engineering program. I only briefly looked at the curriculum, bit it appears that they teach the fundamentals of todays renewable energy markets, and also emphasize research into those technologies. This type of engineering is more volatile and risky from a career standpoint, as those companies who engineer renewable energy are often start-ups, government subsidized, and so forth… With the price of copper so high now, the wind energy market is dying fast, since it is effectively impossible to cost effectively use wind power now… Same with solar, the rare earth minerals needed to produce the panels are in short supply, and getting more and more expensive, and on top of that, I belive the U.S. Has only one location where such minerals are mined, the rest are controlled by the Chinese overseas… Thats worth checking into, but I believe that to be the case currently. At any rate, perhaps the graduates from Oregon Tech will engineer new renewable energy sources that we haven’t heard of yet… That seems like the type of program that is… Highly research and innovation based. So a career in that line of work you have to understand the emerging technologies, strength of the markets, and the politics that usually go hand in hand with renewable energy technologies…
Both are ABET accredited engineering degrees, so you’ll be able to become professionally licensed once you complete your degree… That is a good thing, and you’ll want to avoid a program that isn’t accredited.
Good luck.
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