I Share (a Car) Because I Care
| Sharp’s Forecast is not Dull Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group foresees the U.S. reaching Japan’s level of solar power production by 2010 and passing Germany soon thereafter. As the two top solar generators in the world, Japan and Germany got a head start in the game because of their country’s energy shortcomings (the first step is admitting you have a problem–don’t worry guys, we all do), and their government’s ability to offer incentives way back before it was the cool thing to do. Providing well less than one percent of the world’s power, solar has room to grow. And where better to do so than. |
| Shimkus/Farmergy Webinar Highlights If you were unable to attend Farmergy’s webinar yesterday, with U.S. Congressman John Shimkus from Illinois’ 19th district, check out this link for highlights from the event. |
I Share (a Car) Because I Care Before moving to San Francisco this year, I thought I’d have no problem without a personal vehicle. After all, I have two working legs, two bicycles, and there are public transit stops just blocks from my home. Surely all I was facing was a test of patience and planning diligence. I could get over complaints that public transit is a black hole for time by planning to take buses with a limited number of stops, or bringing my bike on the bus for part of the commute. Buying locally in an effort to reduce my carbon footprint and bolster small, independent businesses had a somewhat romantic ring to it.It wasn’t long before I hit some snags in my idealistic plan. Furniture, big loads of groceries, and dogs all tripped me up. When you’re moving a couch, can you take it on the bus? If you reach a point where you no longer possess edible food, can you single-handedly transport a week’s worth of groceries on foot, bike, or public transit? Maybe, if you have incredible bike panniers, legs of steel, or Go-Go-Gadget Arms. Not me. While dog-sitting, I realized I couldn’t transport the pooch on the bus without a muzzle. Even that would have been a risky situation.What fills the gap for me? A car sharing program. Most of these still do not allow dogs, but that’s a dilemma that owners of non-service dogs choose to face. With the choice of several different types of vehicles about 4 or 5 blocks from my house, I no longer feel limited. A small truck can be reserved for the days when you and your roommate feel like raiding Ikea’s collection, 30 miles away. Having a car for unusually ambitious grocery and supply shopping trips can make life a breeze. While I still try to avoid it if I can, this option keeps me from seeking ownership of a personal auto. The world’s biggest car sharing program argues that each of one of its Zipcars takes more than 15 personal vehicles off the road. Benefits include (but aren’t limited to) less congestion, lower emissions, and less auto waste in our environment.To be honest, I’m in love with this service. (My choice is City CarShare.) Gas and insurance are included, and rates are usually quite reasonable when compared to the cost of ownership. The vehicles are frequently spotless, few miles from brand-new, and well-maintained. Reservations are dead-simple to make online or by phone, with options to extend if you’re running late or have an accident. A simple electronic key fob gets me into whichever car I’ve reserved, every time. I never have to worry that I won’t be able to park when I return, because spaces for these cars are reserved in safe locations. In the past, calling the emergency line was such a pleasant experience that I wouldn’t hesitate to drink a beer with the staff (which is an activity that should never, of course, involve their cars).In addition to public transit, walking, and bicycling, I believe car sharing programs are fantastic. They fill the gap between car-centric lifestyles and greener, more flexible, living. Of course, the situation cannot work for everyone, but if we incorporate this option as we plan better communities and increase awareness of climate change, we could win a few more people over. Some things in life require a little flexibility, and if car sharing can provide an option for those in need, I’m all for it. I encourage you to check out your local services today, and I hope your experience is as worthwhile as mine. |
| Wireless EEG System Self-powered By Body Heat And Light Scientists have developed a battery-free wireless 2-channel EEG system powered by a hybrid power supply using body heat and ambient light which could be used to monitor brain waves after a head injury or for other applications. The hybrid power supply combines a thermoelectric generator that uses the heat dissipated from a person’s temples and silicon photovoltaic cells. The entire system is wearable and integrated into a device resembling headphones. The system can provide more than 1mW on average indoor, which is more than enough for the targeted application. |
| Golden Scales: Nanoscale Mass Sensor Can Be Used To Weigh Individual Atoms And Molecules There’s a new “gold standard” in the sensitivity of weighing scales. Using the same technology with which they created the world’s first fully functional nanotube radio, Berkeley Lab researchers have fashioned a nanoelectromechanical system that can function as a scale sensitive enough to measure the weight of a single atom of gold. This NEMS scale could prove especially useful for measuring the mass of proteins and other molecules which don’t fare well in mass spectrometry. |
| Solar Night Attends Dedication Event at Western Michigan University-September 14, 2007 Modern Wind Energy Project at Western Michigan University September 14, 2007 Dedication of Skystream 3.7 |
Let’s Talk about Art and Sustainability Charlie Cannon of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) traveled to the democratic convention this week to present Dialog:City, creative methods for sustainable living and working. Cannon is a professor at RISD and with the help of students and colleagues, has put together an exhibition featuring projects from all parts of the globe that provide examples of environmentally responsible actions.The program works to generate awareness and discussion around each topic. In fact, it extends beyond a presentation of scientific facts and figures into an “arts and cultural event that catalyzes civic discourse by inviting internationally renowned artists and designers to create participatory, interactive, and dialogical site-specific works.” This art is not abstract, but is open for interpretation and thoughts on how to take the many sustainable ideas back to local governments for implementation.The exhibits have been strategically placed nearby the democratic convention in hopes of generating awareness about sustainable projects and initiatives that mitigate climate change. Project topics include agriculture, land use and energy use. Specific projects featured include a green roof project in New York, carbon offsets in California, and a green building in Colorado. The democratic convention is also working to be the greenest convention in history; Dialog:City helps to meet those goals by educating delegates about sustainable communities.Cannon’s students at RISD have helped formulate these exhibits as well. It all began with when Cannon assigned students the task of designing methods to reduce carbon emissions globally. Students then collaborated on which projects represented sustainable actions and would generate dialog.Not only is the exhibit meant to stimulate discussion for Democratic delegates, but also for the general public. To interest passersby, the project exhibit boards are setup in a “festival-like” format in Pepsi Center so that each project can be viewed via a tour of the grounds. To learn more about each project, the public can attend scheduled sessions that deliver details about each project.More than exhibiting these projects is a simultaneous opportunity with the democratic movement to bring about change. Change and theories for change are echoing in Denver and throughout the nation. Some of these changes should and will be about sustainability. Change in the way we operate as a country at home and abroad. Change in how we relate to the environment at work and at home. Change in how we protect our natural resources and our wildlife. Change in how we build our future so that it reflects our American dreams.Image courtesy Dialog:City |
| New ‘Window’ Opens On Solar Energy: Cost Effective Devices Available Soon Imagine windows that not only provide a clear view and illuminate rooms, but also use sunlight to efficiently help power the building they are part of. Engineers report a new approach to harnessing the sun’s energy that could allow just that. The work, reported in Science, involves the creation of a novel solar concentrator. |