Back

There really is a good reason for the six month hiatus. My son is now three months old. Throw in the third trimester, two moves (yes, two), and there you go.

Back on point: here's some things my son has to look forward to when he is my age:

• possible 1 degree increase in earth's average surface temperature, thanks to our decisions today (and yesterday)
• increasing ferocity of storm events
• decreased crop yields
• an older global population
• 35% more population
• delta regions at risk (uh, New Orleans perhaps?)

Just some background information. The word 'possible' might trouble some. To those people I ask: has science always gotten it right? have economic models never failed?

And finally, one more question: What harm would it do to REALLY embrace renewable energy like solar photovoltaics and wind for the vast majority of our energy needs?

If, in 50, 100 years we discover everyone was wrong about global warming and consuming fossil fuel did not cause any damage whatsoever, then it would still be there...

Contrary to the harm, here's the good it could do to really embrace renewable energy:

• stimulate high-quality knowledge economy jobs
• stimulate more manufacturing
• demonstrate inter-generational leadership
• reduce local air pollution
• take money away from un-democratic power mongers that continue to oppress women
• keep money for energy nearby
• make things better for my son

Here's a cool website. All you have to do is gather an electric bill or two, estimate your annual kWh consumption. Next, plug in your zip-code here:

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you/how-clean.html

Now, calculate the CO2 you are responsible for every year.

Good information to have. If you'd like to go a step or two further, I offer the following:

1. Implement cost-effective energy saving measures:

http://hes.lbl.gov/

2. Recalculate, and then offset your remaining CO2 pollution from your electricity use:

Here one (there are many many out there). I like this one because they verify their offsets according to the Chicago Climate Exchange procedures:

http://www.liveneutral.org/

It's all really about paying it forward....

It's good to be back!

You've Come A Long Way....

I can't believe Hillary is joining forces with McCain in proposing a 'summer tax holiday' on the federal gasoline tax. Does anyone really believe that the money will end-up back in the consumers hands? I'm not anti-hillary (or against any of the three contenders) at all, but the next president really needs to drive home a sensible energy policy. Why do you think food prices are rising? Hmm, let's see energy prices up and unpredictable, greater cost of fertilizer, transporation costs, etc. Food prices and energy prices go-up, so goes inflation. Anyway, she's come a long way from the days of idolizing the agitation politics of Saul Alinsky...

On a more optimistic note this is great site to help you navigate the maze of rebates and incentives available in your state for renewable energy such as rooftop photovoltaics, household-level wind energy systems, etc.:
http://www.dsireusa.org/
I think the biggest case for these systems is the ability to drive so much uncertainty out of your future cost of energy. Look at this chart I made as part of a project a couple years ago showing the volatility and overall trend in California electricity prices (1990-2006):.

Hedging

Even the country of Jamaica has set a Renewable Portfolio Standard of 15% by 2015. When is the US going to set one? There are abundant domestic sources of renewable energy in the United States, yet the US spends three orders of magnitude more on the military budget than on renewable energy research. Are those proportions consistent with your values US taxpayers?

What percentage of GDP should the US spend to ensure unlimited, domestically-source, renewable energy from wind, solar and other really renewable sources? 1%, 2%?

Jamaica's quest for more renewable energy development:
http://www.our.org.jm/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=519&Itemid=579

Leading by example....

Check this out - he'll make a big plus-sign right through the USA:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080418/us_nm/usa_oil_pickens_wind_dc;_ylt=AnAdPs_P7tBu4mZFP1haZhMDW7oF
The question is, how can YOU benefit from investments in renewable energy such as photovoltaics and wind energy?

Earth Day 2008

Well, at least a bunch of us carpooled to work today (public transit nor walking/biking are really options for me - I biked to work at my last job and loved it. uh, both the job, and the biking). So my wife and I are expecting our first child, and as you can imagine it helps reinforce how high the stakes are about the decisions we make about renewable energy today.

Speaking of decisions, I thought it would be useful to read what the US presidential candidates have to say about renewable energy in their platforms from their websites (only snippets are quoted, follow the links for more):

John McCain:
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/65bd0fbe-737b-4851-a7e7-d9a37cb278db.htm
"He has offered common sense approaches to limit carbon emissions by harnessing market forces that will bring advanced technologies, such as nuclear energy, to the market faster, reduce our dependence on foreign supplies of energy, and see to it that America leads in a way that ensures all nations do their rightful share. "
(there is also some energy related stuff in his economic plan:)
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/4dbd2cc7-890e-47f1-882f-b8fc4cfecc78.htm
"John McCain Believes We Should Institute A Summer Gas Tax Holiday. Hard-working American families are suffering from higher gasoline prices. John McCain calls on Congress to suspend the 18.4 cent federal gas tax and 24.4 cent diesel tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day"

Hillary Clinton:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/energy/
"To take the steps necessary to transition to a clean and renewable energy future, Hillary will urge all of the nation's stakeholders to contribute to the effort. Automakers will be asked to make more efficient vehicles; oil and energy companies to invest in cleaner, renewable technologies; utilities to ramp up use of renewables and modernize the grid; coal companies to implement clean coal technology; government to establish a cap and trade carbon emissions system and renew its leadership in energy efficient buildings and services; individuals to conserve energy and utilize efficient light bulbs and appliances in their homes; and industry to build energy efficient homes and buildings."

Barack Obama:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/energy/
“Well, I don't believe that climate change is just an issue that's convenient to bring up during a campaign. I believe it's one of the greatest moral challenges of our generation. That's why I've fought successfully in the Senate to increase our investment in renewable fuels. That's why I reached across the aisle to come up with a plan to raise our fuel standards… And I didn't just give a speech about it in front of some environmental audience in California. I went to Detroit, I stood in front of a group of automakers, and I told them that when I am president, there will be no more excuses — we will help them retool their factories, but they will have to make cars that use less oil.”

Today's post is dedicated to First Lieutenant Gaylord Nelson...

Hello World!

There seems to be a rivalry among various forms of renewable energy. I've seen the wind energy ads on the metro in DC, solar photovoltaics on billboards, thin-film solar, etc. when what we really need is an educated public on the plusses, minuses, and realistic applications of all of these renewable energy technologies. In places like Hawaii, or the Caribbean where the vast majority of energy is imported, a local source of clean, free renewable energy is as important to long term survival as it is to global sustainability. I welcome your thoughts as we sort through this maze of recently re-discovered ancient forms of energy.