Frustration: Asia invests in Clean Energy, the US does not
By Nick |November 21, 2009
Staggering figures came out recently showing that the Asian powers of Japan, China, and South Korea are spending 3X more on clean energy investment than the US. In the long run, this means we may be relying on Asian imports to pursue any clean energy initiatives domestically, which isn’t so much different than our reliance on oil depending on how you look at it.
Looking at the Stats
To be fair, however, the statistics used seem a bit skewed. The claim “3x as much” is not really comparing apples to apples. So let’s look at the numbers first people and then decide how grave the picture is.
First off, the Asian countries in the survey are Japan, China, and South Korea, aka the Asian powers. Looking at the GDPs will give us a clearer picture.
China is 4.33 Trillion, Japan 4.91, South Korea 1 trillion, USA 14.2 Trillion. So collectively, it’s Asian $10 trillion versus USA $14 trillion.
Ugh…. nevermind. The situation is actually grimmer than the headline suggests, which is a first in journalism practice nowadays. So essentially, the US should be spending 50% more than all those countries based on GDP just to keep pace with the Asian lions. Instead, we are getting killed at our own game.
What are we doing?
US Government has slightly different priorities when it comes to spending. We have runaway deficit spending in areas that don’t increase the long term stability economic or environmental stability of our nation.
Something needs to change before it’s too late.
Topics: Research | No Comments »
AWEA Windpower 2009 Pushes Renewable Electricity Standard (RES)
By Nick |May 13, 2009
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) recently held its annual conference dubbed “Windpower 2009) which had a heavy, heavy focus on one major issue: Pass a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). The conference featured leaders in public policy from all around the nation, including the outspoken AWEA person of the year T Boone Pickens, who spoke on wind issues and praised the great potential it holds in the US’s economy and energy consumption.
First, what is the Renewable Electricity Standard (RES)?
The RES Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Energy, Government | No Comments »
Eco friendly Healthy Tap Water packets review
By Nick |April 21, 2009
The folks from Healthy Tap Water have been kind enough to get in touch with me and supply me a sample of their water purification product which has some health benefits coupled with some green brownie points as well.
Basically, the product are just small tea bags that you put in your gallon water pitcher in order to purify the tap water. After mixing the bag around a little, your tap water converges to a healthy pH level, the chlorine is removed, and zinc + calcium are added for some more benefits.
The whole ‘green’ part comes in the fact that Healthy Tap can replace your demand and consumption of bottled water, which many resort to for their supposed health benefits over tap water (which is a huge farse/marketing ploy in itself). While more expensive Pur or Brita water filters can do *close* to the same thing, they are much more expensive and not portable like the simple Healthy Tap packets which can be taken anywhere.
Furthermore, all the packaging and ingredients are made in a socially responsible green minded way too.
I had some concerns before I tried it personally, like taste and coloration. Rest assured, there’s nothing to be really worried about. The packet made my water taste *different* - not necessarily worse or better, just different. One tip though, is to keep the ratio of one packet per gallon the same or else the taste may change along with the coloration.
All in all, it seems like a healthy product that is a decent value at $20 for 60 packets if you’re someone concerned about the quality of tap water and environment.
Topics: Consumer Products | No Comments »
Vote! Climate Change Challenge: Final Five Green profit Ideas
By Nick |March 25, 2009
The Financial Times Climate Change Challenge is off and running with their competition for green innovators and thinkers. Green for the environment, for the $75,000 prize awaiting the winner, or both. The FT climate challenge has come down to Five ideas still in the money for the prize to help turn their green ideas into reality. And, best of all, we get to decide. So let all your green friends know and get excited by the following ideas.
1. The Black Phantom: A device that transforms biomass (wood!) into charcoal, which then can be used for whatever, like electricity, fertilizer, or underground as a carbon sink. It has a net energy gain when burned, but I do question its cleanliness. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Climate Change | No Comments »
GE Smart Grid Hologram online advertisement
By Nick |March 21, 2009
GE is getting cocky showing off their smart grid technology with a new online ad. The digital ad is interactive and really a neat time waster if you have printer and a webcam. A microphone helps too.
The great smart grid movement has been capturing the eyes of many US Big businesses, including General Electric and IBM. With all the waste in the current energy grid, billions in infrastructure spending, massive potential, and the green movement it’s understandable why GE continues to unleash their massive ecomagination campaign and green energy focus.
Topics: Energy | No Comments »
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