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Futurists Explore Alternative Energy
2008-03-05 04:40:00 What are the prospects for solar being the catch-all solution to our energy problems? Most environmentalists will say that it cannot, and then go on to list the array of belt-tightening solutions that need to be addressed. They and other naysayers will point to the low efficiency of solar panels, or the manufacturing expense, or what-have-you. Usually an improvement in technology is not factored in, but that's because they tend to be taking the wise and conservative position of doing what we can with what we have, not hoping for a breakthrough that may never come. Ray Kurzweil, noted futurist, doesn't quite see it that way, and neither does the panel he sat on at the request of the National Association of Engineers. With a series of strong predictions under his belt, and a penchant for seeing dramatic changes down the line for humanity, Kurzweil provided a no less bold prediction by suggesting that solar will be supplying all of Earth's energy in 20 years. One of the reas... More About: Energy , Alternative , Alternative Energy , Explore
Futurists Explore Alternative Energy
2008-03-05 04:40:00 What are the prospects for solar being the catch-all solution to our energy problems? Most environmentalists will say that it cannot, and then go on to list the array of belt-tightening solutions that need to be addressed. They and other naysayers will point to the low efficiency of solar panels, or the manufacturing expense, or what-have-you. Usually an improvement in technology is not factored in, but that's because they tend to be taking the wise and conservative position of doing what we can with what we have, not hoping for a breakthrough that may never come. Ray Kurzweil, noted futurist, doesn't quite see it that way, and neither does the panel he sat on at the request of the National Association of Engineers. With a series of strong predictions under his belt, and a penchant for seeing dramatic changes down the line for humanity, Kurzweil provided a no less bold prediction by suggesting that solar will be supplying all of Earth's energy in 20 years. One of the reas... More About: Energy , Alternative , Alternative Energy , Explore
Greenedia Weekly Blog Report: EU Reports Kyoto Progress, Oil by the Barrel
2008-03-03 04:18:00 This is a selection of recent popular blog articles aggregated on Greenedia.com, where you will find the best blogs from the world of green media, as well as video uploads, podcasts, and blog authoring. EU Releases Environment Scorecard Treehugger blogged this week on the self-scoring the EU released on their progress toward Kyoto emissions and energy goals. The outlook was not that great, altogether, though progress has been made in the appropriate direction, unlike the US and Japan, which also received scores, and seem to be heading in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, according to the scorecard, the EU is still not on track to meet those goals. They reproduced a chart from the report in the post, giving a clear indication of how the various initiatives are doing, as percentage changes from a baseline calculation. In fact, the chart shows the only current hope for success in the EU of meeting their goals, in greenhouse gas emission reduction. Other areas, such as electrici... More About: Blog , Report , Weekly , Progress
Greenedia Weekly Blog Report: EU Reports Kyoto Progress, Oil by the Barrel
2008-03-03 04:18:00 This is a selection of recent popular blog articles aggregated on Greenedia.com, where you will find the best blogs from the world of green media, as well as video uploads, podcasts, and blog authoring. EU Releases Environment Scorecard Treehugger blogged this week on the self-scoring the EU released on their progress toward Kyoto emissions and energy goals. The outlook was not that great, altogether, though progress has been made in the appropriate direction, unlike the US and Japan, which also received scores, and seem to be heading in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, according to the scorecard, the EU is still not on track to meet those goals. They reproduced a chart from the report in the post, giving a clear indication of how the various initiatives are doing, as percentage changes from a baseline calculation. In fact, the chart shows the only current hope for success in the EU of meeting their goals, in greenhouse gas emission reduction. Other areas, such as electrici... More About: Blog , Report , Weekly , Progress
EnergyStar and Server Efficiency
2008-03-01 23:12:00 Energy efficiency in the IT industry needs a broad-spectrum attack on most every aspect of the information technology experience, but the area most in need of attention is that of servers. Data centers and server farms tend to be dramatically inefficient, especially as they have a tendency to hold onto old and outdated equipment which runs less efficiently as it ages. But they're also high concentrations of high powered computers that run hot and need a commensurate amount of cooling hardware to keep them running at their peak. The US Environmental Protection Agency's EnergyStar division has long been a player in making computers more efficient, but now they're stepping it up in order to make the servers that are the hub of the entire industry more efficient. Virtually every business, down to some of the smallest, uses servers to store their critical data and guide their operations, and EnergyStar's attempt to create meaningful guidelines should help improve them. Togeth... More About: Server , Efficiency , Energystar
EnergyStar and Server Efficiency
2008-03-01 23:12:00 Energy efficiency in the IT industry needs a broad-spectrum attack on most every aspect of the information technology experience, but the area most in need of attention is that of servers. Data centers and server farms tend to be dramatically inefficient, especially as they have a tendency to hold onto old and outdated equipment which runs less efficiently as it ages. But they're also high concentrations of high powered computers that run hot and need a commensurate amount of cooling hardware to keep them running at their peak. The US Environmental Protection Agency's EnergyStar division has long been a player in making computers more efficient, but now they're stepping it up in order to make the servers that are the hub of the entire industry more efficient. Virtually every business, down to some of the smallest, uses servers to store their critical data and guide their operations, and EnergyStar's attempt to create meaningful guidelines should help improve them. Togeth... More About: Energy , Server , Efficiency , Energystar
Cheap Hydrogen For Fuel Cell Vehicles
2008-02-28 03:46:00 One of the obstacles to what some call the hydrogen economy is the prospect of refuelling infrastructure. Most naysayers for hydrogen envision that hydrogen will become a one-to-one replacement for gasoline--my car will have a hydrogen tank in place of the gas tank, I'll go to the hydrogen filling station when I need more, and we'll have to find some way to distribute hydrogen from massive refiniries to the filling stations. But hydrogen isn't oil. It's a major component of water, for instance, and thus in theory can be made anywhere. The prospect probably puts a chilling fear into the hearts of oil company executives everywhere, but their goose is likely cooked any way that you slice it. The future of transportation is not in fossil fuels, or any other sort of resource like it, unless ethanol becomes a lot more viable than it is right now. And there's possibility there--hydrogen right now is no more or less viable than ethanol--but hydrogen has the advantage of order... More About: Fuel , Cell , Hydrogen , Vehicles , Cheap
Cheap Hydrogen For Fuel Cell Vehicles
2008-02-28 03:46:00 One of the obstacles to what some call the hydrogen economy is the prospect of refuelling infrastructure. Most naysayers for hydrogen envision that hydrogen will become a one-to-one replacement for gasoline--my car will have a hydrogen tank in place of the gas tank, I'll go to the hydrogen filling station when I need more, and we'll have to find some way to distribute hydrogen from massive refiniries to the filling stations. But hydrogen isn't oil. It's a major component of water, for instance, and thus in theory can be made anywhere. The prospect probably puts a chilling fear into the hearts of oil company executives everywhere, but their goose is likely cooked any way that you slice it. The future of transportation is not in fossil fuels, or any other sort of resource like it, unless ethanol becomes a lot more viable than it is right now. And there's possibility there--hydrogen right now is no more or less viable than ethanol--but hydrogen has the advantage of order... More About: Fuel , Cell , Hydrogen , Vehicles , Cheap
Cheap Hydrogen For Fuel Cell Vehicles7763
2008-02-28 03:46:00 One of the obstacles to what some call the hydrogen economy is the prospect of refuelling infrastructure. Most naysayers for hydrogen envision that hydrogen will become a one-to-one replacement for gasoline--my car will have a hydrogen tank in place of the gas tank, I'll go to the hydrogen filling station when I need more, and we'll have to find some way to distribute hydrogen from massive refiniries to the filling stations. But hydrogen isn't oil. It's a major component of water, for instance, and thus in theory can be made anywhere. The prospect probably puts a chilling fear into the hearts of oil company executives everywhere, but their goose is likely cooked any way that you slice it. The future of transportation is not in fossil fuels, or any other sort of resource like it, unless ethanol becomes a lot more viable than it is right now. And there's possibility there--hydrogen right now is no more or less viable than ethanol--but hydrogen has the advantage of order... More About: Fuel , Cell , Hydrogen , Cheap , Fuel Cell
Greenedia Weekly Blog Report: Germany and Renewables, Biggest Greenwasher,
2008-02-25 00:21:00 This is a selection of recent popular blog artciles aggregated on Greenedia.com, where you will find the best blogs from the world of green media, as well as video uploads, podcasts, and blog authoring. Germany Gets Creative With Renewables This past week Treehugger wondered if Germany was on the road to a 100% renewable, sustainable economy. They point to a potentially groundbreaking experiment in weaning an energy grid off of nuclear and fossil fuel energy sources in a short time frame. The University of Kassel cooperated with three German energy companies in the experiment. Treehugger goes into a bit more detail (while also providing an in-line YouTube video), and suggests that the approach used, of building a power plant that combined a number of different sources of energy--from solar, to wind, to biogas--could provide steady and uninterrupted power for the grid around the clock and in any conditions. Such a distributed means of providing power, in the small scale, was ab... More About: Blog , Report , Weekly
Greenedia Weekly Blog Report: Germany and Renewables, Biggest Greenwasher,
2008-02-25 00:21:00 This is a selection of recent popular blog artciles aggregated on Greenedia.com, where you will find the best blogs from the world of green media, as well as video uploads, podcasts, and blog authoring. Germany Gets Creative With Renewables This past week Treehugger wondered if Germany was on the road to a 100% renewable, sustainable economy. They point to a potentially groundbreaking experiment in weaning an energy grid off of nuclear and fossil fuel energy sources in a short time frame. The University of Kassel cooperated with three German energy companies in the experiment. Treehugger goes into a bit more detail (while also providing an in-line YouTube video), and suggests that the approach used, of building a power plant that combined a number of different sources of energy--from solar, to wind, to biogas--could provide steady and uninterrupted power for the grid around the clock and in any conditions. Such a distributed means of providing power, in the small scale, was ab... More About: Blog , Report , Weekly
Official Renewable Efforts Gain Traction
2008-02-23 21:35:00 Renewable energy remains one of the big issues in terms of converting to a clean economy, and official action on many levels is required to make that happen. While national governments slowly start to catch up, much of the heavy lifting is still being done on the state, province, and local levels. In many ways intended to prepare for eventual federal requirements, and also to placate a populace that demands action, a number of states and localities have provided very aggressive measures to attempt to curb greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy consumption. On the federal level, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) called for new renewable energy legislation at the Renewable Energy World Conference & Exhibition North America. Seeking a national standard of renewable energy, along with incentives for participation and standardization for home renewable energy efforts, Sen. Reid is banking on a growing feeling of urgency for renewable energy standards. He also seems... More About: Renewable , Official
Official Renewable Efforts Gain Traction
2008-02-23 21:35:00 Renewable energy remains one of the big issues in terms of converting to a clean economy, and official action on many levels is required to make that happen. While national governments slowly start to catch up, much of the heavy lifting is still being done on the state, province, and local levels. In many ways intended to prepare for eventual federal requirements, and also to placate a populace that demands action, a number of states and localities have provided very aggressive measures to attempt to curb greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy consumption. On the federal level, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) called for new renewable energy legislation at the Renewable Energy World Conference & Exhibition North America. Seeking a national standard of renewable energy, along with incentives for participation and standardization for home renewable energy efforts, Sen. Reid is banking on a growing feeling of urgency for renewable energy standards. He also seems... More About: Renewable , Official
Greenedia Weekly Blog Report: Coal Prices to Double, Chrysler Sets Broad Si
2008-02-18 05:34:00 This is a selection of recent popular blog artciles aggregated on Greenedia.com, where you will find the best blogs from the world of green media, as well as video uploads, podcasts, and blog authoring. Coal Prices Open The Door To Biomass Looking toward the possible rise of biomass as an energy source, BioPact Blog points out that coal prices could conceivably double in the next two years. A variety of pressures on the supply of coal, including limits on production in Indonesia and Australia, and spiraling demand in China and India, are consiring to drive prices up, perhaps much more rapidly than the market is ready to absorb. The market already received a shock, in fact, when rumors circulated that an Asian steel company paid well above market value for coal. BioPact goes on to suggest possible high volume alternatives to coal, such as massive brush overgrowth in northern Namibia that could provide up to 500TWh of energy in lieu of coal. This concept, as well as BioPact's o... More About: Chrysler , Double , Sets , Report
Greenedia Weekly Blog Report: Coal Prices to Double, Chrysler Sets Broad Si
2008-02-18 05:34:00 This is a selection of recent popular blog artciles aggregated on Greenedia.com, where you will find the best blogs from the world of green media, as well as video uploads, podcasts, and blog authoring. Coal Prices Open The Door To Biomass Looking toward the possible rise of biomass as an energy source, BioPact Blog points out that coal prices could conceivably double in the next two years. A variety of pressures on the supply of coal, including limits on production in Indonesia and Australia, and spiraling demand in China and India, are consiring to drive prices up, perhaps much more rapidly than the market is ready to absorb. The market already received a shock, in fact, when rumors circulated that an Asian steel company paid well above market value for coal. BioPact goes on to suggest possible high volume alternatives to coal, such as massive brush overgrowth in northern Namibia that could provide up to 500TWh of energy in lieu of coal. This concept, as well as BioPact's o... More About: Chrysler , Double , Sets , Report
Government A Bellwether For Green Fortunes
2008-02-13 04:21:00 How can we tell when spending on cleantech and other eco-friendly sectors is on the up? When government gets in on it, especially in an election year. With Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) taking the lead in delegates tonight for the Democratic Presidential nomination, the question opens up as to how he plans to deal with energy issues in the event of his nomination and potential election to the Presidency. And so far, it seems like he is pushing the most aggressive line of the three remaining major candidates across both parties. According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Sen. Obama wants to push for carbon neutrality in the federal government itself by 2025 and 50 percent reductions in emissions nationwide by 2030. [via Green Bang] Perhaps in spite of, but perhaps because of this very aggressive push for emissions reductions and carbon neutrality, Obama is enjoying broad popular support and vying for a nomination that some saw as Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) to lose. But support ... More About: Government , Fortunes
Government A Bellwether For Green Fortunes
2008-02-13 04:21:00 How can we tell when spending on cleantech and other eco-friendly sectors is on the up? When government gets in on it, especially in an election year. With Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) taking the lead in delegates tonight for the Democratic Presidential nomination, the question opens up as to how he plans to deal with energy issues in the event of his nomination and potential election to the Presidency. And so far, it seems like he is pushing the most aggressive line of the three remaining major candidates across both parties. According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Sen. Obama wants to push for carbon neutrality in the federal government itself by 2025 and 50 percent reductions in emissions nationwide by 2030. [via Green Bang] Perhaps in spite of, but perhaps because of this very aggressive push for emissions reductions and carbon neutrality, Obama is enjoying broad popular support and vying for a nomination that some saw as Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) to lose. But support ... More About: Government , Fortunes
Greenedia Weekly Blog Report: Biofuels Harm the Environment, Bush Promotes
2008-02-10 22:55:00 This is a selection of recent popular blog artciles aggregated on Greenedia.com, where you will find the best blogs from the world of green media, as well as video uploads, podcasts, and blog authoring. How Biofuels Increase Carbon Emissions Science Blog offers interesting criticism of the use of biofuels by way of a report from the University of Minnesota and the Nature Conservancy that says use of biofuels can actually speed up global warming where natural ecosystems are converted to biofuel farmland. The existing flora, it turns out, is better at processing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than the stock used for ethanol and biodiesel, worsening the climate change balance. The article cites a classic example in the Amazon rain forest, where farmers are being encouraged to clear cut existing rain forest and plant soybeans, the current system rewarding them for quantity of crop as opposed to carbon balance. Science Blog does go on to say, however, that there are a number of dif... More About: Bush , Environment , Report , Weekly
Greenedia Weekly Blog Report: Biofuels Harm the Environment, Bush Promotes
2008-02-10 22:55:00 This is a selection of recent popular blog artciles aggregated on Greenedia.com, where you will find the best blogs from the world of green media, as well as video uploads, podcasts, and blog authoring. How Biofuels Increase Carbon Emissions Science Blog offers interesting criticism of the use of biofuels by way of a report from the University of Minnesota and the Nature Conservancy that says use of biofuels can actually speed up global warming where natural ecosystems are converted to biofuel farmland. The existing flora, it turns out, is better at processing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than the stock used for ethanol and biodiesel, worsening the climate change balance. The article cites a classic example in the Amazon rain forest, where farmers are being encouraged to clear cut existing rain forest and plant soybeans, the current system rewarding them for quantity of crop as opposed to carbon balance. Science Blog does go on to say, however, that there are a number of dif... More About: Bush , Environment , Report , Weekly
Greenedia Weekly Blog Report: Biofuels Harm the Environment, Bush Promotes
2008-02-10 22:55:00 This is a selection of recent popular blog artciles aggregated on Greenedia.com, where you will find the best blogs from the world of green media, as well as video uploads, podcasts, and blog authoring. How Biofuels Increase Carbon Emissions Science Blog offers interesting criticism of the use of biofuels by way of a report from the University of Minnesota and the Nature Conservancy that says use of biofuels can actually speed up global warming where natural ecosystems are converted to biofuel farmland. The existing flora, it turns out, is better at processing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than the stock used for ethanol and biodiesel, worsening the climate change balance. The article cites a classic example in the Amazon rain forest, where farmers are being encouraged to clear cut existing rain forest and plant soybeans, the current system rewarding them for quantity of crop as opposed to carbon balance. Science Blog does go on to say, however, that there are a number of dif... More About: Bush , Environment , Report , Weekly
What It Takes
2008-02-09 05:12:00 One of the biggest hurdles to pushing an alternative energy technology is that it must compete with entrenched energy tech that has billions--literally, the economies of entire regions--behind it, which means it needs millions and billions in order to gain ground. Most investors, in fact, even angels and VCs, are going to need to see new technologies and techniques working in scale, beyond the laboratory before they take their calculated risks. That's where Google aims to become a major player, an enabler of sorts in the greening of America. Where nascent technologies hope to supplement or replace our current energy technologies, but need a hand over the transom so to speak, Google's philanthropic arm wants to be there to provide the funding to bring scale to these technologies. The Mountain View, CA-based company has long been passionate about the role of cleantech and alternative energy in the future of human endeavor. Their corporate headquarters is partially powered by s...
What It Takes
2008-02-09 05:12:00 One of the biggest hurdles to pushing an alternative energy technology is that it must compete with entrenched energy tech that has billions--literally, the economies of entire regions--behind it, which means it needs millions and billions in order to gain ground. Most investors, in fact, even angels and VCs, are going to need to see new technologies and techniques working in scale, beyond the laboratory before they take their calculated risks. That's where Google aims to become a major player, an enabler of sorts in the greening of America. Where nascent technologies hope to supplement or replace our current energy technologies, but need a hand over the transom so to speak, Google's philanthropic arm wants to be there to provide the funding to bring scale to these technologies. The Mountain View, CA-based company has long been passionate about the role of cleantech and alternative energy in the future of human endeavor. Their corporate headquarters is partially powered by s...
Greenedia Weekly Blog Report: Sky Trust Carbon Trading, Increasing Solar I
2008-02-04 20:37:00 This is a selection of recent popular blog artciles aggregated on Greenedia.com, where you will find the best blogs from the world of green media, as well as video uploads, podcasts, and blog authoring. Carbon Cap-And-Dividend That Pays Citizens In his blog, TriplePundit takes a look at a carbon trading scheme aimed at paying back to citizens and consumers. Wanting a workable, sensible carbon policy for the US, TriplePundit assesses the Citizens Guide to Carbon Capping, a novel approach to the question of carbon trading that attempts to reach citizens directly, rather than being a shell game for corporations. Otherwise it would seem to work on the same concept--individuals and companies would be rewarded for reducing their consumption and emissions, rewards essentially funded by those less eager to change their lifestyle. According to the post, the SkyTrust is an answer of sorts to the short-term failure of the European Trading Scheme (ETS) which has actually resulted in an in... More About: Solar , Blog , Report
Greenedia Weekly Blog Report: Sky Trust Carbon Trading, Increasing Solar I
2008-02-04 20:37:00 This is a selection of recent popular blog artciles aggregated on Greenedia.com, where you will find the best blogs from the world of green media, as well as video uploads, podcasts, and blog authoring. Carbon Cap-And-Dividend That Pays Citizens In his blog, TriplePundit takes a look at a carbon trading scheme aimed at paying back to citizens and consumers. Wanting a workable, sensible carbon policy for the US, TriplePundit assesses the Citizens Guide to Carbon Capping, a novel approach to the question of carbon trading that attempts to reach citizens directly, rather than being a shell game for corporations. Otherwise it would seem to work on the same concept--individuals and companies would be rewarded for reducing their consumption and emissions, rewards essentially funded by those less eager to change their lifestyle. According to the post, the SkyTrust is an answer of sorts to the short-term failure of the European Trading Scheme (ETS) which has actually resulted in an in... More About: Solar , Blog , Report
Greenedia Weekly Blog Report: Hybrid Buses Are Go, Oregon Proposes Cap-and
2008-01-27 20:47:00 This is a selection of recent popular blog artciles aggregated on Greenedia.com, where you will find the best blogs from the world of green media, as well as video uploads, podcasts, and blog authoring. 1700 Hybrid Buses Ordered Allison Transmission, according to the Green Car Congress, has received orders totalling 1700 new hybrid bus transmissions for municipal fleets in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. The order would double the number of GM-Allison powered buses on the roads, and may create the largest fleet of hybrids in the US via Washington's order for nearly 1000. There are currently about 1000 of the hybrid buses on the roads right now, helping to make an efficient form of urban travel even cleaner. According to GCC, Allison builds the hybrid transmissions under license with General Motors, and that GM intends to release a number of new hybrid models in the near future. GM has attempted to position itself as a very green automaker at the recen... More About: Blog , Report , Oregon
Greenedia Weekly Blog Report: Hybrid Buses Are Go, Oregon Proposes Cap-and
2008-01-27 20:47:00 This is a selection of recent popular blog artciles aggregated on Greenedia.com, where you will find the best blogs from the world of green media, as well as video uploads, podcasts, and blog authoring. 1700 Hybrid Buses Ordered Allison Transmission, according to the Green Car Congress, has received orders totalling 1700 new hybrid bus transmissions for municipal fleets in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. The order would double the number of GM-Allison powered buses on the roads, and may create the largest fleet of hybrids in the US via Washington's order for nearly 1000. There are currently about 1000 of the hybrid buses on the roads right now, helping to make an efficient form of urban travel even cleaner. According to GCC, Allison builds the hybrid transmissions under license with General Motors, and that GM intends to release a number of new hybrid models in the near future. GM has attempted to position itself as a very green automaker at the recen... More About: Blog , Report , Oregon
Greenedia Weekly Blog Report: Hybrid Buses Are Go, Oregon Proposes Cap-and
2008-01-27 20:47:00 This is a selection of recent popular blog artciles aggregated on Greenedia.com, where you will find the best blogs from the world of green media, as well as video uploads, podcasts, and blog authoring. 1700 Hybrid Buses Ordered Allison Transmission, according to the Green Car Congress, has received orders totalling 1700 new hybrid bus transmissions for municipal fleets in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. The order would double the number of GM-Allison powered buses on the roads, and may create the largest fleet of hybrids in the US via Washington's order for nearly 1000. There are currently about 1000 of the hybrid buses on the roads right now, helping to make an efficient form of urban travel even cleaner. According to GCC, Allison builds the hybrid transmissions under license with General Motors, and that GM intends to release a number of new hybrid models in the near future. GM has attempted to position itself as a very green automaker at the recen... More About: Blog , Report , Oregon
Art and Utility in Green Building
2008-01-27 07:52:00 With green building, there is a necessary concern over form and function. For instance, solar water-heating options have been around forever; they're extremely simple, generally quite effective, and require nothing in the way of special or sensitive technology. They do tend, however, to be extremely ugly black appliques to existing structures, and not easily integrated visually. It's hard to say if that's been a factor for their extremely slow adoption, but it has to be taken into consideration, certainly. But as Wall Street Journal reports, green building is becoming easier to integrate into building design, and it is in fact starting to become standard, often ahead of building codes. Art museums, as they focus on, seem to be a natural target for green building advocates, especially as they often require energy-intensive climate control and security systems to safeguard their charges. The Grand Rapids Art Museum, of Grand Rapids, Michigan recently opened as the first n... More About: Building , Green Building , Green , Utility
Art and Utility in Green Building
2008-01-27 07:52:00 With green building, there is a necessary concern over form and function. For instance, solar water-heating options have been around forever; they're extremely simple, generally quite effective, and require nothing in the way of special or sensitive technology. They do tend, however, to be extremely ugly black appliques to existing structures, and not easily integrated visually. It's hard to say if that's been a factor for their extremely slow adoption, but it has to be taken into consideration, certainly. But as Wall Street Journal reports, green building is becoming easier to integrate into building design, and it is in fact starting to become standard, often ahead of building codes. Art museums, as they focus on, seem to be a natural target for green building advocates, especially as they often require energy-intensive climate control and security systems to safeguard their charges. The Grand Rapids Art Museum, of Grand Rapids, Michigan recently opened as the first n... More About: Building , Green Building , Green , Utility
Break Through: A Book Review
More articles from this author:2008-01-22 23:58:00 One of the things I like the most about the upcoming Presidential election is that we could actually wind up with candidates from both parties expressing a vision of a strong America, but one that is also energy- and emissions-conscious. Both sides have front-runner candidates that seem to be concerned about energy independence (at the very least from a national security standpoint) and seem to be invested in harnessing the traditional ingenuity and industry of the American people to make dramatic and lasting change. If that happens, I think Break Through by Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger is going to be seen as a seminal work in that regard. They start at a point where they posit the pending death of environmentalism--that is, the historical end of the notion that ecology can be preserved exclusively through limits on human action, and the coordinating assumption that no human action other than imposing limits can help preserve nature, setting the two in essential, and fal... More About: Book Review , Review , Book 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
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