from NASA
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Portland: Greener and greener
Check out this page listing the top 15 Greenest Cities in the world, and please, notice if you will number 2.
Keep it up homies, and know I'm doing my best too, and if anyone out there has any questions on how they can do better, feel free to ask away. I may not have the answers you are looking for, but I might have the resources you can use to figure it out.
Keep it up homies, and know I'm doing my best too, and if anyone out there has any questions on how they can do better, feel free to ask away. I may not have the answers you are looking for, but I might have the resources you can use to figure it out.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
A great quote
"I know the people of Washington state didn't want lawyers and judges and prosecutors arguing about little piddly details like this," Hiatt said. "Is the person sick? Yes. Are they using it with a doctor's permission? Yes. Then leave them alone." From this article.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Amazing site
Talk about science, this is amazing. Or don't talk about it and just read about it instead, since you don't know what you are talking about. Yet.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Realestate speculation: positive
Look for the neighborhoods along the dotted line to blow up. I'm talking renaissance. Property values through the roof. Milwaukie; the next N Mississippi? I found this information here from a site that aggregates blogs based on location. Pretty sweet stuff! Thanks again to Tarek for being the source of all cool information.
Ethanol
The grain required to fill a 25 gallon gas tank with ethanol would feed one person for a year. Every time you fill your tank, think about biking, walking, mass transit or just relaxing at home. Live simply so that others may live.Ethanol is an interesting idea, and I plan to go over the pros and cons in this blog over the next few weeks, but bear with me, as I will be researching and writing at the same time so look out for corrections.
First blush must consider the corn industry in the US and it's own problems. For instance, if we stop using corn to feed animals that were never intended to eat corn because it becomes too expensive is that a bad thing? I think not. Cows put back to pasture, and Americans eating less meat? Sounds too good to be true. We'll see.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
My money where my mouth is
Here's something I don't ordinarily do: ask you to donate money (no of course not to me). The only reason I would consider this is because I believe in it, and I just donated some myself.
How many posts have I written about declining species on the Green Manifesto? Well here's a chance for me and you to do something.
http://www.nrdcactionfund.org/
This site is about protecting OUR national resources, which include wild spaces and wild animals, not just oil or coal. Other resources have value, and values much harder to calculate than the cost per barrel. So if you want to find out more, click the link. This campaign is about Grey Wolves, a distinctly American animal and one I personally find incredibly beautiful and elegant. And worth protecting.
As some of my more market driven friends might say, it's not the government's job to regulate the protection of these animals, but unfortunately they are the only people with the power to regulate these animals protection or destruction. It is the government in Idaho who is legislating the ability to hunt these animals who have just recovered from the brink of extinction. So I say, let the market speak! And I have now spoken with my very own hard earned dollars!
Preserve, protect, or perish.
How many posts have I written about declining species on the Green Manifesto? Well here's a chance for me and you to do something.
http://www.nrdcactionfund.org/
This site is about protecting OUR national resources, which include wild spaces and wild animals, not just oil or coal. Other resources have value, and values much harder to calculate than the cost per barrel. So if you want to find out more, click the link. This campaign is about Grey Wolves, a distinctly American animal and one I personally find incredibly beautiful and elegant. And worth protecting.
As some of my more market driven friends might say, it's not the government's job to regulate the protection of these animals, but unfortunately they are the only people with the power to regulate these animals protection or destruction. It is the government in Idaho who is legislating the ability to hunt these animals who have just recovered from the brink of extinction. So I say, let the market speak! And I have now spoken with my very own hard earned dollars!
Preserve, protect, or perish.
Monday, April 30, 2007
An Awesome Idea
http://www.freespiritspheres.com/
just follow the link, then come back here and read if you care.
This is an incredibly cool idea/form/space/habitat and I am fully in favor. It could be incredibly sustainable, or it could degrade our natural spaces just as viciously as standard development. But I don't think it will ever be like that. Because people who would consider living in this sort of space do it for one or two reasons - they love and want to connect with nature as intimately as possible, or they are plum crazy-wild and have some similar tastes to your's truly.
Let your imagination run wild as I have. A grouping of these beautiful spheres, dangling in the canopy connected by suspended walkways is incredibly compelling. Perhaps one day, we'll get to see it in action!
Additionally, these interior spaces remind me more of a sailboat interior than a house. I think my aunt and uncle would tickled by this product. Thanks for the link Jess!
just follow the link, then come back here and read if you care.
This is an incredibly cool idea/form/space/habitat and I am fully in favor. It could be incredibly sustainable, or it could degrade our natural spaces just as viciously as standard development. But I don't think it will ever be like that. Because people who would consider living in this sort of space do it for one or two reasons - they love and want to connect with nature as intimately as possible, or they are plum crazy-wild and have some similar tastes to your's truly.
Let your imagination run wild as I have. A grouping of these beautiful spheres, dangling in the canopy connected by suspended walkways is incredibly compelling. Perhaps one day, we'll get to see it in action!
Additionally, these interior spaces remind me more of a sailboat interior than a house. I think my aunt and uncle would tickled by this product. Thanks for the link Jess!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Outrage
I can only say it so simply. This is outrageous, and has outraged me. Our country is a bunch of sissies and this is exactly the kind of 1st Amendment protection America is supposed to be about. Read this link about a high school senior who has been punished for following the rules and writing something honest. I am not defending his content or timing, but I will defend his rights. The shooting at Virgina Tech is a tragedy and we must do what we can to prevent such tragedies in the future, but not by sacrificing our rights.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Yet another reason to install that bunker while you still can
Have you heard about the bees? They are dying. Life forms like bees that are a crucial and obvious part of our ecosystem are key factors that we use to predict and understand the natural world. And when they start dying, we know something bad is happening. Like the fabled butterfly monsoon connection, this sort of die off is usually the precursor to greater widespread environmental degradation and danger.
I am not suggesting that you go out and buy a bunch of honey, but if you want my suggestion, go out and start a beehive! Or simply create some habitat for bees to encourage their safe growth and a long term supply of life on earth. If you need more convincing here's a great link to an article about bee ecology and how they play a role in our agricultural economy way outside of the honey in the pot.
What's more, this article above suggests something even more interesting. As species decline in number, it is the smaller populations that decrease first. This suggests that smaller niche organisms are the first to go, and that the broader and more robust organisms remain. This has been the case for eternity and is nothing to laugh at or feel remorse over. It is a rule of nature. What it implies though does give me a bit of pause. Postulate with me what could happen if the niche organisms disappear or diminish greatly? It is the loss of the extraordinarily adapted symbiotics, the bizarre plants that lure outlandish insects, the rare plant that requires feeding by even rarer ants. Do you see where this takes us? To a world of switch grass and flies. To a land of few, not plenty. Speciation is one of the gifts of our extraordinary world, and one we must not take for grated.
I am not suggesting that you go out and buy a bunch of honey, but if you want my suggestion, go out and start a beehive! Or simply create some habitat for bees to encourage their safe growth and a long term supply of life on earth. If you need more convincing here's a great link to an article about bee ecology and how they play a role in our agricultural economy way outside of the honey in the pot.
What's more, this article above suggests something even more interesting. As species decline in number, it is the smaller populations that decrease first. This suggests that smaller niche organisms are the first to go, and that the broader and more robust organisms remain. This has been the case for eternity and is nothing to laugh at or feel remorse over. It is a rule of nature. What it implies though does give me a bit of pause. Postulate with me what could happen if the niche organisms disappear or diminish greatly? It is the loss of the extraordinarily adapted symbiotics, the bizarre plants that lure outlandish insects, the rare plant that requires feeding by even rarer ants. Do you see where this takes us? To a world of switch grass and flies. To a land of few, not plenty. Speciation is one of the gifts of our extraordinary world, and one we must not take for grated.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
BioFules in the sky and Bottles in the bank!
Now this is promising news, and coming from an industry leader, and not a government regulation! Being green and saving the world has FINALLY become clear and obvious to the tipping point majority, thank you world!
On another awesome note Oregon looks like it will move ahead and increase the acclaimed Bottle Bill to include water bottles and flavored water bottles! When the bill was introduced 30 years ago it was a landmark bill that increased bottle recycling 90% (all stats are from my memory right now) and stands to do the same with the ubiquitous plastic water bottle. This could make a very big difference in the world.
On another awesome note Oregon looks like it will move ahead and increase the acclaimed Bottle Bill to include water bottles and flavored water bottles! When the bill was introduced 30 years ago it was a landmark bill that increased bottle recycling 90% (all stats are from my memory right now) and stands to do the same with the ubiquitous plastic water bottle. This could make a very big difference in the world.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Living Green, and coping
If you haven't noticed, I like to use the internet, for both reading and writing. And I am amazed every day by the sheer amount of information passed through this novel portal. Today I was amazed yet again, and by two very divergent yet strangely related sites. The first was Monsters & Critics who posted a story about Cheryl Crow, a person I know very little about, on a website I know nothing about. And the second was a satire posted by my friend trav.is.
What got me about the first story was the asinine response by all the people who went to the page containing an article that reports Ms. Crow's proclamation that women should be a part of protecting the environment by reducing their use of toilet paper to the minimum of one square per visit. This makes an incredible amount of sense, is very responsible thinking and can actually have a HUGE impact on both our water systems and our paper uses. It implies that this is for going "number 1" but the page did not specify. Nearly all of the responses on the page where churlish and rude, condemning Ms. Crow for voicing her opinion. I say to the people who wasted their time, energy, and money responding so sophomoric: get your heads out of the toilets and respect a small bit of honesty. She is right. This is one of the infinite, incremental steps you can do every day, every time you go to the bathroom to make a difference. It adds up.
We are so blessed in our first world nations (those of us who do, and of whom I am guessing represent 100% of my audience now) to have plenty, to have comfort, and to have extra. And we use more than we need because most of us do not know any better. This is one very palpable lesson in using less. Good for you Ms. Crow.
And now for the second article; a satire my Mr. Trav.is on the dangers of .... water. It took me some reading and common sense, and enough desire to even care what he wrote, to decode the blather of the site mentioned in his post, and it was funny, but I hate to say it, trav.is, I didn't really enjoy the joke.
Many people have incredibly intelligent and sound ideas about free market and open capitalism, and the effect of self regulation, but I am guessing, none of those people have ever suffered through or had someone close die from exposure to a toxic chemical leaked by an unconcerned corporation. It is simple fact that we do not understand the effects of what we do and create until years later, and I believe we should be responsible for our own actions. Just because we work for a company or corporation or government does not insulate us from the effects we cause, weather inadvertently or with full knowledge. Unfortunately not everyone acts with this level of responsibility, and in the glare of the gross, net, and margin, forget everything they every learned about what is right.
Because of these facts, it is vital and necessary to regulate people.
What got me about the first story was the asinine response by all the people who went to the page containing an article that reports Ms. Crow's proclamation that women should be a part of protecting the environment by reducing their use of toilet paper to the minimum of one square per visit. This makes an incredible amount of sense, is very responsible thinking and can actually have a HUGE impact on both our water systems and our paper uses. It implies that this is for going "number 1" but the page did not specify. Nearly all of the responses on the page where churlish and rude, condemning Ms. Crow for voicing her opinion. I say to the people who wasted their time, energy, and money responding so sophomoric: get your heads out of the toilets and respect a small bit of honesty. She is right. This is one of the infinite, incremental steps you can do every day, every time you go to the bathroom to make a difference. It adds up.
We are so blessed in our first world nations (those of us who do, and of whom I am guessing represent 100% of my audience now) to have plenty, to have comfort, and to have extra. And we use more than we need because most of us do not know any better. This is one very palpable lesson in using less. Good for you Ms. Crow.
And now for the second article; a satire my Mr. Trav.is on the dangers of .... water. It took me some reading and common sense, and enough desire to even care what he wrote, to decode the blather of the site mentioned in his post, and it was funny, but I hate to say it, trav.is, I didn't really enjoy the joke.
Many people have incredibly intelligent and sound ideas about free market and open capitalism, and the effect of self regulation, but I am guessing, none of those people have ever suffered through or had someone close die from exposure to a toxic chemical leaked by an unconcerned corporation. It is simple fact that we do not understand the effects of what we do and create until years later, and I believe we should be responsible for our own actions. Just because we work for a company or corporation or government does not insulate us from the effects we cause, weather inadvertently or with full knowledge. Unfortunately not everyone acts with this level of responsibility, and in the glare of the gross, net, and margin, forget everything they every learned about what is right.
Because of these facts, it is vital and necessary to regulate people.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Federal law vs. State law
Ohh boy, where to begin? I had never thought about this issue before, because I used to have faith in our federal government, but ever since the election in 2000 I have begun loosing faith.
So to the point; states, as described in the Constitution (ever heard of it?) States are supposed to have the right to make and enforce their own laws, and yet the federal government is always sticking it's nose where it doesn't belong! Here's a for instance i just read about where the federal government is preventing a woman from taking the medicine prescribed to her by her doctor! The federal government is KILLING this woman and therefore it HAS FAILED.
We are very close to the end. I am not a doomsayer but I am saying it now. We are going down quickly, all hands on board.
So to the point; states, as described in the Constitution (ever heard of it?) States are supposed to have the right to make and enforce their own laws, and yet the federal government is always sticking it's nose where it doesn't belong! Here's a for instance i just read about where the federal government is preventing a woman from taking the medicine prescribed to her by her doctor! The federal government is KILLING this woman and therefore it HAS FAILED.
We are very close to the end. I am not a doomsayer but I am saying it now. We are going down quickly, all hands on board.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Barren worlds: opportunity
What will happen when we discover other worlds with no extant life? Will we be able to tell that there is not life enough to justify bringing our own? Assuming the answer to that question is yes the next steps will be just as difficult. Will we bring plant and animal species from earth to populate a barren world with life as we see fit? Will we try to copy the successful bio system established on earth or will we experiment and make a new world in our own image? This begs the question of genetically altered species being a viable solution if there is no native species to harm.
All questions, and no answers yet... but maybe soon.
All questions, and no answers yet... but maybe soon.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Solar utility
What is the biggest problem with solar? Real estate. So here's my new brilliant idea that will make me millions (of gigawats). A new form of electrical utility based on distributed generation and short distance delivery. So here's the pitch:
Lease from home owners and building owners roof top space wherein Solar PV cells are installed on leased roof space, the payment for the space will be in discounted energy rates, but the surplus energy will be distributed to the grid.
Prospective problems: Currently a pv array on your roof is too expensive to get a big enough array to fully power your own house, let alone surplus energy to share with the grid, but with the buying power of a utility (Publicly or privately owned) this problem can be overcome. PV arrays are notorious for being outdated quickly, but with a utility there can be a constant level of replacement and repair, and with this degree of investment technology will progress faster and the cells can be swapped out and updated more frequently.
What do you think? Are you ready to invest? Send me a note and I'll get us all started!
Lease from home owners and building owners roof top space wherein Solar PV cells are installed on leased roof space, the payment for the space will be in discounted energy rates, but the surplus energy will be distributed to the grid.
Prospective problems: Currently a pv array on your roof is too expensive to get a big enough array to fully power your own house, let alone surplus energy to share with the grid, but with the buying power of a utility (Publicly or privately owned) this problem can be overcome. PV arrays are notorious for being outdated quickly, but with a utility there can be a constant level of replacement and repair, and with this degree of investment technology will progress faster and the cells can be swapped out and updated more frequently.
What do you think? Are you ready to invest? Send me a note and I'll get us all started!
Monday, February 19, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
http://action.wilderness.org/campaign/save_tongass_tafTuesday, January 23, 2007
Become a Conscious Warrior - Today.
An incredible person, friend, human being, athlete and thinker has published an incredible book; The Conscious Warrior's Manual. The author Ben Musholt is a physical therapist and good friend. I recommend this book to anyone seeking inspiration, ideas, or invigoration in their life. It is an easy read, entertaining and challenging. Ben addresses your personal health, the health of our civilizations, mental, spiritual, and global health in a scintillating convalescence of right mindedness and simple truths.
I just can't say enough about this book or the author, so figure it out for your self and click on the link to the right that I added to my template, or on the link above. You can buy this book online direct from the publisher (and as a one off, direct sale, this is one of the least environmentally taxing methods of book distribution possible). Enjoy the read and your future good health.
The Greenstigator
I just can't say enough about this book or the author, so figure it out for your self and click on the link to the right that I added to my template, or on the link above. You can buy this book online direct from the publisher (and as a one off, direct sale, this is one of the least environmentally taxing methods of book distribution possible). Enjoy the read and your future good health.
The Greenstigator
Monday, January 22, 2007
Damn it Chavez... why?
I've been a pro-leftist for years and I think I will always be, and then there are days. I understand the anti-Imperialist stance of nations, and I understand the use of that position pollitically. I also believe that many leaders use this catch phrase as a means to another end, a pollitical scapegoat or catch-all, that can be used to justify any action against an Imperial nation. And also, please remember that Americans in general are NOT Imperialists, just the one's that Republicans like to elect.
For instance, Chavez of Venezuela is a very left leader and I have supported his desire to set the course of Venezuela without the heavy handed influence of the US. That is their right as a country. And I understand many of the viewpoints in the Middle East that want the US out of their affairs as well.. some for very reasonable and righteous reasons, and some for political and often aggressive purposes. I think the conflict that is arising (politically, NOT militarily) with Iran is being argued on these levels. But that this is sometimes used as afalse front as an attempt to use a valid argument to further a dangerous, and possibly catastrophic, plan of action.
Recently the president of Iran met with Chavez and they spoke out together against the US imperialists. Understandable when coming from Chavez, who has felt directly the covert operations of the US secret service, and not so secret services. However this is not as reasonable when coming from someone who touts freedom with one lip and hatred with the other! Ahmadinejad is an outspoken anti-Semite who is actively pushing for the destruction of Israel and all Jews. Is this the kind of ally anyone should be making (anyone who is not a racist I mean)? Chavez has his hands full diplomatically with the US and the UK and probably the EU to a lesser degree, so why would he lend his support to someone with even worse relations?
"My enemies enemy is my friend" as the adage goes... a philosophy that speaks volumes about this strategy, and ultimately a strategy that works in wartime but not in times of peace. And that is what this is all about. Peace. Chavez, I want peace between all nations, and between Venezuela and the US is a good place to start. There are many people here in the US who support your efforts towards equality and freedom, and this is HURTING your cause, and mine.
I hope that this sentiment reaches your ears or eyes and you can review your choices to work with this man whom I believe is touting dangerous and hateful positions. Please do not facilitate this further degradation of your position or of the attempts to find peace between all peoples and all religions.
Ahmadinejad is a dangerous man and not someone to ally with until he changes is stance.
For instance, Chavez of Venezuela is a very left leader and I have supported his desire to set the course of Venezuela without the heavy handed influence of the US. That is their right as a country. And I understand many of the viewpoints in the Middle East that want the US out of their affairs as well.. some for very reasonable and righteous reasons, and some for political and often aggressive purposes. I think the conflict that is arising (politically, NOT militarily) with Iran is being argued on these levels. But that this is sometimes used as afalse front as an attempt to use a valid argument to further a dangerous, and possibly catastrophic, plan of action.
Recently the president of Iran met with Chavez and they spoke out together against the US imperialists. Understandable when coming from Chavez, who has felt directly the covert operations of the US secret service, and not so secret services. However this is not as reasonable when coming from someone who touts freedom with one lip and hatred with the other! Ahmadinejad is an outspoken anti-Semite who is actively pushing for the destruction of Israel and all Jews. Is this the kind of ally anyone should be making (anyone who is not a racist I mean)? Chavez has his hands full diplomatically with the US and the UK and probably the EU to a lesser degree, so why would he lend his support to someone with even worse relations?
"My enemies enemy is my friend" as the adage goes... a philosophy that speaks volumes about this strategy, and ultimately a strategy that works in wartime but not in times of peace. And that is what this is all about. Peace. Chavez, I want peace between all nations, and between Venezuela and the US is a good place to start. There are many people here in the US who support your efforts towards equality and freedom, and this is HURTING your cause, and mine.
I hope that this sentiment reaches your ears or eyes and you can review your choices to work with this man whom I believe is touting dangerous and hateful positions. Please do not facilitate this further degradation of your position or of the attempts to find peace between all peoples and all religions.
Ahmadinejad is a dangerous man and not someone to ally with until he changes is stance.
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