December 10, 2008. MSNBC: Florida university goes solar
Florida Gulf Coast University is beginning the installation of a 16-acre solar energy farm, which will eventually power the entire campus. WBBH's Adam Freeman reports.
November 22, 2008. History Channel: Modern Marvels - Green Building
September 18, 2008. MSN Slate:Grande Americano, Extra Green
What's the best way to drink your morning joe?
By Jacob Leibenluft
Posted Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008, at 6:54 AM ET
My office recently switched from Styrofoam coffee cups to a "bring your own mug" policy. Sounds like the right idea, but with all the water and paper towels we now waste on washing mugs, I'm not sure this is a huge net gain for the environment. What is the "greenest" way to drink coffee around the office?
September 14, 2008. Oklahoma Green Business Alliance has been established by local green companies
Centaurus Technologies and Innovations initiated discussions among local green businesses to start our own alliance. We got together in May of this year for the first time. A lot has been done since to work how exactly this group could help growth of green industry, generate "green collar" jobs and help Oklahomans cut their utility bills, and much more.
Our mission statement: We are a group of businesses formed in an alliance of services to better address the growing need for green technology. Our focus is clean, affordable, energy-wise products with support to optimize health and promote sustainable change in coming generations.
July 17, 2008. Al Gore issues a challenge - 100% of energy to come from renewable energy sources within 10 years!
July 5, 2008. Tulsa Lofts - First LEED Platinum housing in Oklahoma
On June 30, 2008 Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor officiated a "Green Ribbon" cutting ceremony for the first LEED Platinum rated housing. The building is constructed as a duplex. One half has already been completed and recieved LEED Platinum rating. One of only 35 homes worldwide! This house incorporates top-rated recycled materials, heats and cools itself through geo-thermal climate control underneath the house and collects its own rainwater for use in the rooftop garden. Architects, designers and builder made use of energy-efficient LED lighting, non-toxic paints, and energy-star appliances. All these features provide healthy and energy efficient home for Tulsa families for years to come.
Architect: Shelby Navarro
July 3, 2008. NY Times: U.S. Lifts Moratorium on New Solar Projects
By DAN FROSCH
Published: July 3, 2008
DENVER — Under increasing public pressure over its decision to temporarily halt all new solar development on public land, the Bureau of Land Management said Wednesday that it was lifting the freeze, barely a month after it was put into effect. Read the article - this was a close call
June 30, 2008. BBC: India unveils climate change plan
Whether one "believes" in global warming and human contribution to it, or not, and whether one "knows" that humans cause at least part of global climate changes, or not, it is my understanding that millions of tons of pollutants we throw into atmosphere, billions of tons of toxic trash we bury and throw into oceans simply cannot be good for us and for life around us. Nobody wants to live on a landfill and swim in a dead ocean covered with plastic trash. We want to enjoy prestine landscapes, bathe in the crystal clear waters of blue ocean, and relax on a sand beach. Thus, for very selfish reasons at least, we should think about organized way of minimizing our waste. Not consumption, no - waste. A big chunk of what we think we consume is actually a waste. With every purchase of stuff we think we need, we also get a couple of pounds of stuff we do not need. Would you buy a car, if it's trunk was filled with trash? A tiny memory chip for camera is wrapped in 10-times-the-weight plastic, and then transported halfway around the world! I understand the reasons they do it. Well, shouldn't we deal with those reasons.
June 29, 2008. NY Times: Citing Need for Assessments, U.S. Freezes Solar Energy Projects
2-year moratorium effectively kills US solar power industry. With solar market growing at astronomical pace throughout the World, a 2-year freeze would through US even further behind. We are already behind Germany, Japan, Spain. In two years, Britain, China, South Korea, and even Persian Gulf states will be far ahead. While other countries build eco-cities and implement innovative renewable energy technologies, our leaders for whatever reasons, pro-actively throwing us further back. The competetiveness of US economy depends on reliable, affordable, renewable, and local energy sources. Current leadership is solely focused on drilling, making US economy more and more dependent on one type of energy. Technically, the whole economy, the whole country is a hostage to a few corporations working with oil, gas and coal. We have no choice but to pay whatever rate they decide. Somehow, the interests are not balanced out, and the whole country is working to fill pockets of a few. I am sure those companies will be wise enough not to break the backbone of our economy. However, greed goes long ways.
June 28, 2008. BBC: Dubai plans 'moving' skyscraper
The world's first moving building, an 80-storey tower with revolving floors giving a shifting shape, will be built in Dubai, its architect says. Note an innovative use of building integrated wind power. Follow the link.
June 17-18, 2008. BuildingsNY and GreenbuildingsNY took place in New York
An annual construction trade show took place in Javic Convention Center. A large part of the trade floor was devoted to green building. Everybody was green. One booth had a banner saying "As Green As It Gets". I am not sure what they were selling. However, the sign caught my attention. Companies selling natural gas for heating presented themselves as green alternative to heating oil. Sales personnel learned key phrases, like "we are green", "we are green certified", "our product contributes to LEED certification". Few sales people I talked to could not follow up on why and how they were green. None of the sales people knew of any LEED project where their products were applied. I am not sure they new what LEED is and does. ..but they all were green!
I will write an overview of some interesting technologies I saw on BuildingsNY trade show. Visit BuildingsNY
April 22, 2008. NPR: Shell's Chief Strategist: Two Scenarios in Oil's Future
Morning Edition, April 22, 2008. Oil prices reached $117 a barrel this month, triggering speculation about where the world's energy supply is headed. Jeremy Bentham, head strategist for Shell Oil, which recently released an energy forecast looking to the year 2050, talks with co-host Steve Inskeep about his company's outlook for the world energy market. Listen to the interview
April 16, 2008. Green roofs popping up in big cities.
Environmentally friendly industry rapidly coming into its own
By Bryn Nelson, MSNBC contributor. Read the
article.
April 15, 2008. The Solar to Global Warming Connection - A short essay.
An article on What's Up With That? website. I am not sure about the author's name. Read the following discussion as well. As any subject, learning more and learning all aspects of climate science will only enhance understanding and help make better decisions.
April 14, 2008. The New York Times: Turning Glare Into Watts
Read the article by MATTHEW L. WALD on state of solar technologies.
Published: March 6, 2008
April 14, 2008. BBC: Grand scale of a nuclear clean-up
Read this article to learn about costs and scale of decomissioning of a nuclear facilities. I firmly believe that these costs should be included into economic analysis of any future nuclear power plant. These costs are important information for future investors, government and society in general. Business decision making requires all the information which will affect return on investment directly or indirectly.
April 11, 2008. BBC: First ever wind powered mega-structure
A building believed to be the world's first wind-powered mega structure is being tested in the Middle East. The Bahrain World Trade Centre has three huge blades incorporated at the centre of its design. View the video This footage contains no commentary.
April 8, 2008. Newsweek: Bad ideas in 'green' tech.
Sounds Good, But ...
We can't afford to make any more mistakes in how to 'save the planet.' Start by ditching corn ethanol.
By Sharon Begley. NEWSWEEK. Apr 14, 2008 Issue. Read the article. Also read comments below for different views and interesting comments. There is almost never only one side to a story. Read, learn and research to develop your own understanding.
April 7, 2008. TerraChoice: Six Sins of Greenwashing.
Many companies are trying to take advantage of hot "green" agenda. From oil and gas companies, to automakers and airliners, to supermarkets and manufacturers - they all claim to be green, or greener than others, or thriving to be greener - and use all the shades of green to describe themselves. Consumer education is becoming ever important. Read this article and try to learn more what's behind those ads.
Who is truly green? What is truly green? And who is just pretending to be green? One of the main problems with greenwashing is devaluation of the term green. Those companies, organization and groups who make serious efforts to apply scientifically proven and verifiable changes are sidelined by big-budget ad campaigns of companies simply taking advantage of the situation. Public understanding and belief in the value of the term green will be greatly diminished, which I assume is one of the objectives of at least some of those groups.
I am greatly concerned about overall devaluation of a term green even before it grew some roots in our society. Conferences, meetings and gatherings discuss environmental issues, million ways to be green, and frequently focusing on changing habits, or "learning more". Changing habits is a serious and long-term effort. Unless some extreme event happens, habits are last ones to change. "Learning more" is a very noble and positive cause to have a meeting. Yet, if no action is taken after the meeting, no difference will be made. Both objectives, while necessary, do not solve any issues short-term, and do not require any action now. Thus, after a meeting, all participants drive home in their executive cars, feeling good that they did their share of going green. In reality, nothing happened.
Do learn more! Do help people change bad habits! Do require action from your local groups! Talking to those who agree with you will not solve our problems. Talk to somebody new. Promote practical economically sensible solutions everyone can use. Contact professionals in the field to learn what works in your state. They will be glad to help out.
April 2, 2008. MSNBC: States sue EPA to move on global warming. Citing Supreme Court ruling, 17 states want to force rules within 60 days.
Why do states need to sue federal government in order for it to protect health and well being of Americans? Makes no sense to me. Read the article and see for yourself.
March 31, 2008. 440 Titanics made of glass!
... and here where all of that ends up!
GOT PLASTIC?
March 24, 2008. MSNBC: Is your grocery bill going up? You're not alone From rice in Peru to miso in Japan, food prices are rising all over the world. Read the article.
Globalized economy, over-reliance on food imports, rapidly growing population, and changes in climate are straining our planet's ability to feed us all. One thing is clear: we cannot carry on the same way we did for thousands of years. There is no more land. We have to learn to use what we have wisely and efficiently. Local and global wars over water, natural resources and food are not subject for science fiction. We have a real possibility for some major conflicts, which would lead to casualties on unimaginable scale. Thus, it is absolutely imperative we start taking action now. We should have started 50 years ago. It will be a bit challenging, but still possible.
March 23, 2008. MSNBC: In Good Faith Going Green is becoming a matter of faith. Watch the video.
February 29, 2008. Newsweek: The CO2 State Texas produces more carbon emissions than most countries, but the state government and business community don't seem too concerned. Read the article.
February 25, 2008. As a part of hOUR Norman event, on March 15th, 2008 there will be free light bulb exchange Bring your old incandescent bulb and get one energy efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb. The exact timing will be announces soon.
February 22, 2008. hOUR Norman is set for March 30th, 2008 between 8-9pm A number of Norman, OK businesses are expected to join the event by turning some of the lights off.
February 22, 2008. Exchange your old bulb to a new CFL bulb 1,000 light incandescent light bulbs will be exchanged for free CFL's at Sooner Fashion Mall on March 15, 2008
Bring one of your old incandescent light bulbs and change it a brand new CFL in Sooner Fashion Mall on March 15, 2008. This is a part of hOUR Norman project. Centaurus Technologies and Innovations of Norman, OK will supply the bulbs for the exchange. Times are to be annouced
February 11, 2008. Business Week: Rise of the Carbon-Neutral City Several ambitious plans around the world envision green cities, but such projects raise as many questions as they promise to answer
February 10, 2008. BBC News: Work starts on Gulf 'green city' Abu Dhabi has started to build what it says is the world's first zero-carbon, zero-waste car-free city.
Masdar City will cost $22bn (£11.3bn), take eight years to build and be home to 50,000 people and 1,500 businesses.
The city will be mostly powered by solar energy and residents will move in travel pods running on magnetic tracks.
How about your state or country? Would you champion first ever green city in your country?
February 6, 2008. MSN autos: Gasoline's New Math: Miles Per Dollar It's time to look at fuel consumption, and our national chug-a-lug gasoline habit, in a new way.
Read the article by Lawrence Ulrich. ..and evaluate your own cars 'miles per dollar' - how far will your dollars take you?
February 5, 2008. BBC News: France unveils super-fast train French President Nicolas Sarkozy has attended the launch of a new high-speed train made by engineering giant Alstom.
The AGV (Automotrice Grande Vitesse) train will travel at up to 360km/h (224mph), powered by engines placed under each carriage, the company says.
My take: We probably should take a hard look at successful fast rail systems in Europe, Japan and China. This seems like a good environmentally friendlier, somewhat safer and definitely faster than many airplane options. Local electric train lines could work as a good substitute for commuter trips for large areas like Dallas, Houston, and even our Oklahoma City. So much traffic goes up and down I-35 to and from Oklahoma City every day, that radio always reports of "usual congestion areas", without even mentioning exact locations. When choice is available, many people would choose to get to work in 30 min as opposed sitting in traffic jam for an hour, breathe exhaust and be frustrated.
February 4, 2008. BBC News: Ex-chairman of Shell says, EU 'should ban inefficient cars' The EU should ban the sale of cars that do under 35 miles to the gallon, the ex-chairman of oil giant Shell says.
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart told BBC News the motor industry would adapt to cope with stricter environmental rules. Read the article.
January 24, 2008. MSN Video: Life After Humans, from History Channel Trash lives on Life After People: Trash
January 21, 2008. Abu Dhabi plots hydrogen future The government of Abu Dhabi has announced a $15bn (£7.5bn) initiative to develop clean energy technologies.
By Richard Black, Environment correspondent, BBC News website
The Gulf state describes the five-year initiative as "the most ambitious sustainability project ever launched by a government".Read the article
January 18, 2008. Is your city green? See what these cities are doing to improve their environment, image and quality of life
From Organic Gardeing, By Beth Huxta
"From energy conservation initiatives to community gardens to carbon offsets, municipalities big and small are focusing their attention on the environment and quality of life for their residents." Read the article
January 16, 2008. MSN Video: Compact Fluorescent Lights make economical and environmental sense, and some other usefull videos
Since the first days of the green movement, consumers have been on the lookout for ways to save the planet while keeping their standard of luxury. Deirdre Wallace introduced such a way when she opened The Ambrose Hotel in Santa Monica, California in 2003.
January 4, 2008. MSN: 7 New Year's Eco-Resolutions for 2008Ideas even a toe-dipper in the green pool can deal with
Read the article by Annie Bell Muzaurieta, for TheDailyGreen.com
January 3, 2008. hOUR Norman event is scheduled for March 30th, 2008
From 8-9 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2008, Norman residents and businesses will have an opportunity to raise awareness about energy conservation. For one hour, all citizens of Norman will be encouraged to turn off their lights and think about other ways they can conserve electricity on a more sustainable basis.
