sustainAgility

Via: Technology Review: Synthetic Tree Hauls Water

Their 'synthetic tree' opens up a new way to move liquids over long distances without using mechanical pumps.

Gotta love smart people. Some blokes over at Cornell have found a way to mimic a tree's ability to move water from roots to leaves. (FYI... trees have no mechanical pumps to accomplish this feat. Just in case you didn't know that.)

So what. you ask? Well this system they've prototyped could be used to extract pollutants from contaminated fields, for instance. Personally, I'm thinking this would be a nice alternative to my well pump. Right now, if I lose electricity, I am gonna start stinking in no time cause I cannot easily access the water down there. If I could co-opt their product, maybe the water is simply siphoned up to the tank in the basement.

Even better would be to move the our pressure tank to the attic. This way I'd have water and pressure without using electricity.

Sheesh, me thinks I'd best contact them and see if i can get my paws on one of these.

Just came across this link: http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Sept08/stroock.trees.aj.html (straight from the horses mouth)

via: One Silver BB: A synergistic set of solutions to multiple issues focused on Electrified Railroads

Not a Silver Bullet, rather many BBs. This article goes into depth regarding electrifying US railroads and the many benefits of doing so.

This is the kind of thinking we are in desperate need of around here. It is well thought out and possible. Here are some of the points made:

• technically feasible today
• reduced oil usage by utilizing the much greater efficiencies of rail based freight and transferring truck based freight to rail (and in some cases air freight)
• synergies with alternative energy sources along rail lines
• better use of current electrical infrastructure
• economic benefits
• decreased road damage
• safety
• national security
• job creation

This piece finishes with well thought out solutions.

via EurekaAlert: *Why eating less can help the environment*

Virtuous circle alert...

Study finds a healthier diet and a return to traditional farming can help reduce energy consumption in US food system by 50 percent

50 percent?! Holy crap! So now we have another benefit to eating less:

• trim our phat arses
• live longer
• support small family farms
• stick it to the man (think of any industrial ag company and then think of not giving them your money)
• save money
• eat healthier chow

I'm sure there are others I have forgotten.

Why does this list seem so obvious? Why does it seem so hard to follow through on?

via ecoGeek: Mercedes to Cut Petroleum Out of Lineup by 2015

I know it's supposed to be Jump the Shark, but c'mon? This is electricity we're talking about here. And instead of its original meaning as an allusion to ridiculousness, my intent here is to commend Mercedes for doing something not only unpredictable, but heroic.

This is truly an awesome announcement from a major player, in any industry. For them to put this particular stake in the ground, that they will no longer build gas burning vehicles, indicates to me that they have either already developed much of the technology they deem necessary, or, even mo' betta cooler, they believe they can develop what is necessary.

In a way I hope it is the latter of the 2. That'd be like a call to put a man on the moon.

Whichever it is, full congratulations to them for having the seeds to say this publicly.

Eight reasons you'll rejoice when we hit $8-a-gallon gasoline - MarketWatch

Wow?! Excellent? Yes!

Chris Pummer at MarketWatch recently published a «it's time to take our medicine» piece. He enumerates nicely why we should relish the coming gas pains as an opportunity to set ourselves back on track as global citizens, political and economic participants, and family members.

1. RIP for the internal-combustion engine
2. Economic stimulus
3. Wither the Middle East's clout
4. Deflating oil potentates
5. Mass-transit development
6. An antidote to sprawl
7. Restoration of financial discipline
8. Easing global tensions

Way to go MarketWatch for putting that yucky medicine in the spoon for us. Who's ready to plug their nose?

This article, at face value, asks why IT planners do not take into account advancements in technology when making assumptions about how they will do business in 5 years.

Almost never do people look at processor power or storage capabilities and cost trade-offs and decide, 'What does this mean to us in three to five years?

I think we fall into this same trap when considering our plans to, say for instance, ween ourselves from foreign energy supplies. The estimates made by the experts of our energy policies often reflect current capacities... like how much of our energy needs could be met by wind, solar, or geothermal investments.

And yet, every single day smart folks around the world invent new technologies, or improve current ones, that improve efficiencies and costs which taken together could help us reach our goals.

All I'm saying is that from now on, I'll be taking the prognostications of 'experts' in the current regime with a grain of salt when they try to tell us that we'll never be free of oil. (OK, so I already ignore them, but you could too.)

from Why are we ignoring Moore's Law? | IT Leadership | TechRepublic.com

Nice little theme cooking today... waste.

Here are some examples from different resources and different solutions (or yet to be identified solutions):

• Carbon Sciences May Save the World with Chalk (via EcoGeek)
  • Recover CO2, convert to $$$, prevent global warming, prevent further mining
• Canadian Chemical Companies Waste Enough Hydrogen To Power 200,000 Fuel Cell Cars (via Ecotality)
  • Recover hydrogen, convert to $$$, prevent global warming
• Overbuilt America (via Salon)
  • Utilize wasted resources (empty homes) and help a fella out (fight homelessness)

If we can tackle our problems systemically we can realize ever greater returns on resources used.

If you don't know about hyper-milers, this is a good place to start.
Tips for improving gas mileage 30% or more (via  Philadelphia Inquirer | 04/24/2008)

According to Mr Rubin and Treehugger the gas stations of our future may need to team up with local chiropractors to get that crick in our backsides fixed.

Hyper-milers, though a little extreme at times, have developed  some practices which could be adopted by less enthusiastic folks. For instance, removing roof racks and/or extraneous weight from the trunk, like your golf clubs.

Wikipedia

Driving Tips:

www.fueleconomy.gov lists official EPA mileage ratings for most cars and trucks from the 1985 model year on.

www.cleanmpg.com has detailed tips from top hypermilers, including Wayne Gerdes, who is widely credited with coining the term.

www.ecomodder.com, Benjamin Jones' how-to site for people willing to modify their cars to boost mileage.

www.ecodrive.org takes a global look at driving for mileage, and points to European countries that now require ecodriving instruction.

Bachmann is pro-choice on bulbs

Not only my state, but my district. I swear I'd vote for a pile left behind by my dog before ever voting for her.

'... address is known...' ~ Elvis P

There is a company right here in Minnesota (ecoEnvelopes) which has received the okey doke from the US Postal service to bring to market a re-usable envelope.

So what, you ask? Consider all of the junk mail you still cannot rid of despite your best efforts. How many of them contain a 2nd envelope inside? The folks at ecoEnvelope figure that use of their product could save «an estimated cost of 1 billion pounds in greenhouse gas emissions and more than 71 trillion BTUs of energy» across the 81 billion return envelopes mailed annually. Not to mention the savings in trees, processing water, fuel saved by having less cargo on board and finally happier mail delivery personnel.

So how do they convince the many, many companies with mailers to adopt this product? Well, besides promoting a greener front, they also recognize actual dollar savings. Yes, real money is saved by using fewer resources, less printing, and the lighter shipping weight.

Via :: Unusual Business Ideas That Work