December 3rd, 2008 admin
They say the state of New Mexico has one of the most beautiful sunsets to behold. I’ve seen a few of the awe inspiring evenings myself. Lately though, many sunsets have a reminiscent look of the land of enchantment. Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (NOAA), have also noticed and commented about all the orange, unusually reddish sunsets around metropolitan areas and rural undisturbed areas near contaminated air corridors, much like Joshua Tree National Park. With all the carbon dioxide and other gaseous swill floating about the globe you would think a carbon sleuth would be keeping an eye and nose on all that. There is, the recent carbon dioxide-measuring observatory at Mauna Loa, Hawaii, aptly named the NOAA Mauna Loa Observatory. This may seem like another federal, amorphous, wind-bag attempt to put a band aid on the Global Climate Change challenge, but not only does the observatory monitor the amount and passage of airborne pollutants, but also where the insidious gases are “sunk” or naturally absorbed by crops, forests and bodies of water. Here’s a toast to the carbon cocktail chasers.
Posted in Green Solutions | 1 Comment »
November 28th, 2008 admin
The Big Three are not living up to their name these days. General Motors and Chrysler are at the brink of insolvency and Ford has only enough working capital to last through 2009. Where did all the profits from SUV’s go? With margins up to about $10,000 per smog spewing, global climate changing, Detroit land yacht, the bloated Big Three were living the high octane life. Old habits die hard, it seems. Executives from the beleaguered three flew private jets to Washington with their hats in hand to get a piece of the bailout pie. Perhaps if they drove their concept hybrid vehicles, (ones that work, that is), to the capital, a more sympathetic Congress and public might be willing to consider handing out truck loads of billions. President Obama has strings attached to the would-be bailout, invest more in green vehicle technology where the “rubber meets the road” or domestic auto makers will be sputtering towards a dead end.
Posted in Green Solutions | 1 Comment »
November 24th, 2008 admin
It never rains in Southern California, maybe thats a good thing. The popular electric utility, Southern California Edison will be installing the largest rooftop solar array by a private enterprise in the country, according to The Los Angeles Times. This comes with the blessings and prodding of Gov. Arnold Schnwarzenegger, who often displays shades of Al Gore, as one of the greenest public servants the Republican party has ever ridiculed.
California being the most populous state in the union boasting the fifth largest GDP in the world, at about 1.7 trillion is trying to reach the goal of providing 20% of its electricity needs through renewable means with solar and wind leading the charge by 2010. Now that’s putting energy needs where the sun shines.
Posted in Green Solutions, Solar Energy | 2 Comments »
November 19th, 2008 admin
The timing couldn’t be worse, American iconic legends from Detroit’s Big Three to small town governments are asking for a hand out, the bailout business is booming. Al Gore is asking for public support to build a national grid fed by renewable energy streams, to power America and ween the population from fossil fuel dependency. The national grid could pay for itself in less than four years, to the tune of $400 billion, since it currently costs $120 billion per year to stoke the coal fired and natural gas driven turbines to power all our gadgets and keep the midnight oil burning. If we can send the proverbial man to the moon in ten years we can certainly have energy independence and cleaner skies in less than a decade, to do so we must all pitch in together and send foreign oil where it belongs and get plugged in Gore’s green grid. Can we afford not to?
Posted in Green Solutions, Solar Energy, hybrid vehicles | 1 Comment »
November 4th, 2008 admin
With the price of gas tumbling to familiar lows, Americans are hitting the highways and byways once again with little regard to the environmental impact that cheap gas brings to our fossil fuel dependant society. Short term memory loss seems to affect us all with the distractions of everyday life. So as we go merrily motoring down to the grocery store let us not forget about our cute, furry friends on thin ice. The numbers vary from 22,000 to 27,000 polar bears roaming the circumpolar North Pole according to Greenpeace. They are one of the first mammalian species currently most affected by global warming gases causing irrevocable damage to their habitat. Palm trees at the poles anyone?
Posted in Green Solutions, environmental stewardship | 1 Comment »
October 16th, 2008 admin
If Sammy Hagar could be in our driving shoes at this moment, he would most likely be considerate of posted speed limits as the price of gasoline reached levels unseen since the 1970’s oil embargo this past Spring. Currently with the economic malaise affecting every corner of the globe, consumers still need to be aware of the pain at the pump.
According to the Union of Concerned Scientist, driving at 65 mph or below reduces gas consumption by 30% on highway driving, giving the consumer a savings between 30 to 75 cents per gallon. You only loose about 10 to 15 minutes of travel time by slowing down to 65 mph on any giving commute. Not to mention fewer emissions being spewed adding to the climate change challenge. Plan your trips and leave your home earlier to make it on time to work or play. So Sammy, slow down, we can’t afford not to drive 55.
Posted in Green Solutions, Solar Energy | 2 Comments »
May 26th, 2008 admin
From erratic and unpredictable weather patterns, contaminated watersheds affecting potable water supplies and the growing urban air contamination causing respiratory problems in children and the elderly. A new workforce will be needed to address the rapidly changing concerns of a society undergoing the challenges of fewer natural resources coupled with an increasing global demand. Green Collar workers will be needed to begin a new era of earth friendly stewardship with energy conservation and green power generation as paramount to a sustainable society. President Barack Obama is counting on passing a bold, new initiative to employ 2.5 million workers in the next two years, many of those will be rolling up their sleeves and working along with green technologies pushed by Al Gore, Dennis Kucinich, and other green-minded reformers. Let us not only change our light bulbs to compact fluorescent, but also politically support those on a local, state and federal level, the ones committed to a greener place for all to live.
Posted in Green Solutions, Solar Energy | 8 Comments »
