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.

First, what is the Renewable Electricity Standard (RES)?

The RES is a policy the AWEA is hopeful for to continue wind energy’s momentum as a renewable energy source.  The policy would be a national commitment to mandating that X amount of the US’s electricity comes from renewable energy sources, of which wind energy is obviously a major part of.

The policy is broader and more robust than anything we’ve seen before, and is probably something I endorse fully.  If the government is still adament on mandating renewable energy utilization in our cars with ethanol, (a completely irrational and failed source of energy in my opinion before cellulosic technology arrives), I see no reason why the government shouldn’t excercise its regulatory strength to come up with a broader standard to include wind energy.

Wind Energy and Job Creation - The economy

Like other issues today, the AWEA mad a strong appeal to those concerned about the economy, touting the amount of quality jobs wind energy can create and the industry’s readiness to meet the demand if a RES is passed. For example:

• The Windpower 2009 Conference featured many exhibits of firms that exist due to the wind industry.  From logistics and manufactuing to all the other support services that would benefit from a RES, the AWEA showed how wide of an impact a RES policy would have on US industry and job creation.
• Michigan touted its auto suppliers, not for their current businesses, but for their suppliers’ ability to switch over to wind energy products given the demand from a future Renewable Electricity Standard.
• Everyone loves federal jobs, right? The Department of the Interior was present touting its commitment to utilizing public lands for the use of wind energy.  Something I fully support, since such actions could create a much needed revenue source for the Treasury to finance all of Obama’s economic stimulus plans.

While I am a conservative at heart, I find no great reason for the government not to move forward with a Renewable Electricity Standard, especially as oil and energy prices are continuing to creep back up from their all time lows.

Check out the AWEA for more Wind Industry information.

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.

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.

2. The Deflecktor: A device for big trucks that reduces drag thereby lowering fuel consumption by 2%.  I prefer alternative fuels over mileage improvements since in the long term they are the most sustainable, but a very good product nonetheless.

3. The Kyoto Box: A cardboard stove that can even be flat packed. It utilizes solar energy to reduce the wood necessary to run the stove.  Obviously not a product for western markets. Instead, it could be great for developing countries.

4. Mootral: Oh mootral. A product slightly applicable to [some] humans. Mootral supposedly lowers the methane in cows’ stomachs (which results from the unnatural forced feeding of herds with corn), thereby reducing harmful emissions that cause global warming. It’s a natural product that acts like the tons of unnatural antibiotics that the herds already consume. It’s a great product, but widespread applicability and the actual impact on warming that is claimed I kind of question, but hope to be proven wrong.

5. Ceiling Tiles: The not so cleverly named ceiling tiles hope to increase energy efficiency in buildings with false ceilings that have air conditioning. Basically, it does it by applying the feeling that you get when blowing your hand after it was just dipped in water, if that makes sense.

What will ecofuss endorse with its one vote? I dont really know.  Right now I’m big on helping developing countries out with environmentally friendly products, since otherwise it’s usually easiest for them to utilize terribly inefficient devices in their unregulated markets.  Sooo the Kyoto Box it is!

Check out the site and be sure to launch your votes.

Via TriplePundit

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.