Peace

After an surprising political win for Barack Obama, winning the Nobel Peace Prize. I felt obligated to write something after a month of silence...
Here it is: PEACE mon'.
I am switching between Bob Marley and Xavier Rudd while I write this to help set the mood.

Every other prize they honor someone who has contributed substantially to society similar to the Peace prize. The only difference with the peace prize is that viewed in current year, while the others are subject to the unspoken decade rule. It's funny to think to can evaluate the years worth of history in October, but that's how they do it.

Hopefully this win will give Obama the political clout that most news people have been claiming that he is lacking. He has been given the extraordinary tasks of Health Care & Energy. I know I am leaving out the war, but the moat important in regards to $moolah$ are these. Congress is debating a Cap & Trade piece of legislation this week, in addition rumors of a health care bill to emerge with enough support in the immediate horizon. This win by Barack will help him out dramatically. It would be political suicide to fight tooth and nail over outlandish propaganda from the coal or health care industry. Millions are spent every year to put off the formation of a cap-n-trade market scheme. It simply corrects a market failure that uneducated people still believe that excess carbon in the atmosphere created by human industry is a hoax. Well, European society used to think the world was flat, once reaching the edge you would fall off the world into some form of an underworld. A frightful end to nice trip on a boat I say!

I shared a good article about how the next decade's # isn't 2010-2020, but 350 titled: A New Number For a New Era: From 9/11 to 350. 350 parts per million of carbon in the atmosphere that is. While we currently hover at 390, and wonder how far we can push it; other countries are attempting at taking the lead in a new world order. The order of the green sustainable revolution. I have 2 syllables for you So-Lar. Oh the all mighty bounty of solar radiation. I blame Regan and Bush 1, for us not needing coal to power our homes today. They put solar research into the dark ages until Clinton was elected. Heck, Regan tore down the wall and tore down the solar water heater on the white house at the same time. With the veil of individual freedoms for all, we pocketed a few extra for crony capitalist instead of mindset of sustainable economic development. Sustainable economic development in my humble opinion relies 100% on vast amounts of clean, cheap, and accessible energy.

So what is our government going to do? Vote for 'clean coal' or photovoltaic research? Natural gas extraction from Pennsylvania or wind/tidal capture research?

oh compromises....

World Population to Hit 7 Billion by 2011, New Stats Show

World Population to Hit 7 Billion by 2011, New Stats Show: "
Africa's population has now passed one billion and at current rates will double by 2050. School children in Central African Republic, photo: Pierre Holtz/UNICEF, Humanitarian and Development Partnership Team in CAR via flickr/Creative Commons.

Here's a sobering thought for your Friday morning: Mongabay reports a new study by the Population Reference Bureau shows that by 2011 ...Read the full story on TreeHugger

Top 50 Green Energy Purchasers

I am as shocked as you probably are. The E.P.A. announced it Top 50 green energy purchasers HERE. Of the top 5 companies I owned 4 of their stocks and didn't even realize it. It obviously makes me feel better with new realization of the information. I think the most shocking must be that Whole Foods(#5) purchases 100% of energy from renewable resources and Wal-Mart(#15)purchases 8%. That sheer volume of difference is exacerbating the 'Wal-Mart' effect. Whole Foods, while they are progressive only throw a drop in the bucket of what Wal-Mart has the capability to complete. Next most shocking, City of Oil (I mean Houston) right up there as the largest city purchaser of renewable energy. As I continue to read I have to retract my previous statements because Kohl's Department Store is # 3. Kohl's. I connect Kohl's with cheesy 30-60 year old woman's clothing. And now this. Wow.

This was as shocking as is was enlightening. I suggest for all to amuse and educate yourselves.

Australia's leap in front of expectations: Wind Energy

I came across an article that sums up a much larger position on our own direction with energy. It turns out that Australia has met it's prime ministers goal of producing at least 20% of the countries energy from renewables by 2020; after the completion of a 47 turbine wind farm. Read the article HERE. South Australia can now boast that 60% of the entire countries renewables come from the southern region. The 47 turbines installed are believed to produce enough power for 70,000 homes! Don't give all the credit to the Aussie's, it turns out the Kiwi's provided all the construction and design. Trust Power of New Zealand, also operates Australia's largest wind farm. This is a story of the people who demanded of themselves to be better.

First of all, this is terrific to hear, a country rising to the vision of it's leader and producing a clean energy resource WAY ahead of schedule. To me that sounds like the resident's, contractor's, and leader's all really cared about what was going on within their country. As we turn to a new day in America I can only hope that Americans can rise to such an occasion. We have the leader to guide us, we have the money allocated, and we have the national pride & desire to systematically move forward to our sustainable goal. The goal again, is to leave the planet in a better shape for our children than it was during our time spent on it. Making use of the abundant natural resource (wind) to power our homes is only logical in the sustainable developmental path we are headed. I hope Barack Obama drives this fact home into all of us. I hope he demands more of us. Of the $850 BILLION- allocated to development, I hope most of all- it is given to projects that include energy efficiency, clean energy development, and restructuring inefficient transportation systems. All of which will create new jobs, reduce carbon in the atmosphere, and provide the necessary building blocks for sustained growth.

Does anyone have any information on what other countries are doing?

Department of Energy: Steven Chu

Steven Chu has been nominated and looks to become the Secretary of Energy. This is a very significant role within the US government. He will have the final say on the single largest budget which could be devoted to alternative clean energy research. It is the governments largest influence on energy outside of legislation. Lack of funding / legislation are the only hurdles to spur such a large amount of technological innovation only comparable to the computing boom of the 90's. Most people don't realize, but the US is being out spent on clean energy research by the Chinese and a lot of other countries around the world. If American's are not the innovator's who will be?

Who is Steven Chu?

Long story short: He is an educated man whom looks at our energy portfolio as a system, for which vast improvement can be made in the areas of efficiency and using more of what is really abundant and free- The Sun, Wind, & Tide. I have high hopes for him to make the tough decisions and upset senators from coal producing states. To simply regain America's standing as the leader in research. High order for Steve Chu right? well he has the support of the most iconic & morally powerful man since John Kennedy or FDR.



While I fundamentally believe that the US has setup itself to seize leadership regarding clean energy, energy efficiency and energy independence; we must systematically go through all policies and funding to direct our efforts. What shall our underlying principal be? How about: Our planet is 1 single system that can't get any bigger. The economy is a subsystem of that planet. There is x amount of resources available to sustain life and grow the standards of others which will only last x years. Why not use what is clean, abundant, relatively free (if carbon had a price) and just morally good for society to make our children future better than ours? Well, almost every generation believed this notion except the previous. I don't hold it against them, by any means. The previous generation setup all which is good today, while using a form of energy(oil) as a cheap form of growth. Which it was and still is. We only recently fully understand that the complexity of global climate problem. Heck, 10 years ago we didn't the computer power to comprehend civilizations impact. And when you build a civilization over 100+ years reliant on a cheap form of energy to sustain life, it will be difficult to change that. I do not wish to state a laundry list of facts on how and why global climate change is occurring, it would take way to long. I will let you look at the world's foremost independent expert on the state of the planet: IPCC REPORT. The previous link will send you to their home page, scroll down to view last years report. Over arching principal: Human civilization is causing our planet to heat rapidly which is disrupting numerous systems on this planet.

I really didn't want to go in that direction, but the plug was needed.
Point of this rant- Steven Chu is a good candidate, and any progression that happens in our economy & society will inadvertently go through him. This is because: what one thing do we use that affects every part of our life.
Answer: Energy.

Barack Obama & Thomas Friedman on 'This Week' with George Stephanopoulos

Wow. If you didn't get the chance to watch the show, it was worth the hour- (This Week). Barack Obama is becoming a real positive leader in this world. Not only does his charisma motivate one, his policies are right in line with correcting America's economy to get on a sustainable path. His first point and question was of course concerning the economy. He outlined his plan with a little more depth, but highlighted the so called 'green economy'. Clean energy, mass transit, energy efficiency, etc. is thoughtfully being laid out as pieces to the sustainable economy & sustainable growth puzzle for decades to come. He is building the foundation that directs human civilization away from greedy inefficiency. With energy demand increasing we need to become more efficient. He is proposing that 75%+ of ALL federal buildings will be given money to solely solve 1 problem, increase energy efficiency. Listening to him speak made me feel motivated, encouraged and prideful of my country, something that has not been felt for at least 8 years and possibly much more; in actuality since 1996 when the Kyoto protocol was initiated by the US (but never signed on to: errrrr....).

To top off the enjoyable 30+ of uninterrupted minutes of Obama, I was pleasantly surprised to see Thomas Friedman on the show to follow up on the round table. While he mostly spoke of the middle east troubles of Hamas and Israel (one section of his expertise), he didn't get to touch on a lot of topics which he wrote about in his most recent book. If he hasn't met Barack Obama in the past I bet he got his opportunity today. I am sure the topic of discussion was the ideas covered in Hot, Flat, and Crowded- Energy efficiency, clean energy, & sustainable development. That brings me another few ounces of confidence in the direction of the Obama administration. Obama has stayed true to his principals since voting for him. His commitment to reorganizing the government & economy based on clean efficiency for growth and sustainability. I salute to 4 years of leadership, change, & sustainability. Something that Al Gore might be passionate about, but never showed enough leadership in until he was out of office. That was harsh, I know. Al Gore didn't have the luxury (hard to call it that) of an economy in shambles to implement such altering policies. I don't hold it against him, if anything I hope it motivates him to advise Obama, because we all know it is where his life's work exists. So overall, for anyone who cares about the future, your confidence should have just increased.

Sustainable Revoltuion

Today's Topic: Sustainable Revolution

I have been pondering the idea of a 'green' or sustainable revolution for a few years now. As I read through my current book of choice, Hot Flat and Crowded, I run into an author that elegantly and precisely lays out the blueprint for energy conservation, efficiency, and regulation.

I will not get back into a 'our country' speech, but I find it quite frustrating to understand the necessity for change in our energy mindset and have it crawl along. How might one help affect such an obvious flaw in our nations infrastructure?

Efficiency brings savings. Savings brings investment. Investment brings growth. Growth brings profit. Profit brings humanity and investment and growth and savings.

A Call for Action

Continuing on my journey, I wish to call for the greatness in people.

I was undoubtedly motivated and disturbed last night. I boarded a airplane just like I have every Thanksgiving and like always stood in long lines of families flying all over the world to see loved ones. Cars driving from all over Tri-State area to an airport, people funneling like sheep through to their gates. All just to board a plan for vacation, for the 4 day weekend at highly inflated prices. Once everyone is herded, they board a 300,000 pound plan bound for a city that is not their ultimate destination(there is so much fuel used to pick that plane up). We cut through the 30,000 altitude on a clear night. After a short conversation with my wife, I glanced out the window only to street lights for hundreds of miles. I don't believe I have ever seen such a far distance from a plane before (there was a heavy rain the night before). To look out on civilization growing for many years planned around the capabilities of car, was disturbing. There will be a lot of hurdles to cross on our path to become a more clean energy dominated economy. Almost every single neighborhood was planned in the 50's or late 90's. All when gas was cheap. Housing sprawl followed what was convenient for car commutes, based on old highway designs. Where does this take us?

Well for starters: I believe very strongly that America will rise to the greatest occasion in history and take a leadership role in growing & developing a sustainable economy based on clean & renewable energy. I believe this country has to to stay competitive throughout the world in the coming years. We can not take this for granted, we may have the greatest accumulation of brain power and in turn innovation. But, we have a infrastructure based on 1950's models. Outside of efficient commuting cities in the country (San Fransisco, New York, etc) all else is based on cheap energy to propel a car. How do we overcome such a hurdle and don't allow a country that has very innovative thinkers, a dictator in leadership (democracy is always slow to change because everyone wants to give their input), or abundant resources that have not been entirely exploited yet to step into our role? That is our challenge and the longer we wait, the harder old habits will take to overcome.

Who has suggestions?

A note worth reading

I decided that I needed to start this blog somehow. Of all that is going on in this world what would I start writing about? Well... How about a excellent chapter I read in my new book, Thomas Friedman's Hot, Flat and Crowded.

I just tackled a chapter, which title reads 'Petro-Dictatorship'. Which outlined the effects our energy consumption to unstable mineral-exporting rich countries. These nations have the luxury to be lazy in reform due to windfall profits from huge mineral deposits, in particular oil. With strong supporting information, the conclusion was that a nation will only want reform when they are forced into it. Otherwise the elite will oppress the weak and poor, financed by the large mineral exports. Oil slows reforms due to the money it provides for a country. That money allows dictators to 'silence' opposition, subsidize industries that would otherwise fail, and buy time to address real issues later on.

I have noticed over the past few months that the price of oil has been going down. Some of this was due to the past election, some from US consumers curbing their driving habits, but mostly from the loss of speculation in the market. The one and most important thing that came out of last summer's $150+ barrel price of oil was the sweeping realization that change in old habits is needed. Americans have spent the last few years propping up dictators with oil revenue. I don't know why it took so long for us to see our present economic situation brewing, or trouble ideological-oppressive religious states given there are many factors to it's stumble, the most important being our energy policy.

When I hear the words 'sustainable economic development' I think growth in moderation. Planning for unforeseen & predictable problems through strong economic policy and guidance. It is to view the world as one system, and the worlds economy as a subsystem. This means the overall health of our planet is immediately dictated by the size of the worlds economy. I believe it is inevitable that once the economy becomes X size, there will be no resources left to continue it's growth. We are talking about a closed system, size is definite, but not yet defined.

This leads me into energy policy. The harvesting of energy is essential for every economic system in place. To consume all of a finite resource, that is very efficient (oil) is unintelligent. To waste in the name growth, & hinder future possibilities of sustained growth sounds again, unintelligent. We have the resources available to us to use less of a non-renewable resource. Combining innovative & localized harnessing of wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, & supplementing these with oil where they won't work is the correct direction. What would need to be done is an outlined plan for energy development, investing today to make these resources more efficient. This would curb our appetite on oil, and allow greater sustained growth of our economy by using what is abundant and free before what is limited and non-renewable.

If we use up what took mother nature millions of years to brew, how will our economy continue to flourish? We live in 1950's infrastructure developed in the direction of ZERO knowledge about oil life cycle. The more we rely on oil to fuel our economic development the harder it will be to get off of it. It is like an addict, and we are on step 1, just beginning to admit the problem. The faster we tone down that addiction to unsustainable growth, the quicker we will prepare ourselves for the next 100 years. So this becomes a call to action, most will want to call upon Barack Obama, but that is not the correct place. It has to be a call to ourselves, a call that causes us to reduce our wasteful consumption. A call to strive and be better, and a call to demand that change of our leaders. Our leaders only do what they think is most beneficial to our county, and most believe that is saving our wallets by providing cheap oil. That mindset only re-affirms the addict.

So what will you do?.... Make a pledge.