Narrow tract vehicles - an answer to global traffic congestion

Mobility is a vital indicator of societal wealth and we are faced with a fundamental dilemma as to how it is managed. Transportation infrastructure, specifically motorways, are increasingly costly to maintain due to resource scarcity and inadequate due to accelerating vehicle ownership. Urbanization is transforming our lives and how regions cope with mobility issues will dictate prosperity. The sustainable benefits of densification are diminished with increased congestion, resulting in a crippled economy with low productivity and environmental degradation.


The solution is a highly efficient multi-modal transport SYSTEM. Western society is immensely dependent on the utility our personal vehicles provide, but this (often excess utility) diminishes rapidly if the network it relies on cannot deliver. While public transit (built with the engineering capabilities of the 21st century) is an essential offering, personal transport is here to stay. It is our image of personal transport that needs to expand by shrinking. Narrow tract vehicles are one solution that can double the capacity of our motorways. They may not offer endless utility, but as a commuter vehicle, where a majority of time behind the wheel is spent, it makes absolute sense. Watch the video (link below) to envision the future. Now we just need to demand the auto industry to move beyond concept to production.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CAnq5DyNG0

A need for frugality (our flawed food cycle)

Want not, waste not... it's a start but it's not that simple. Before anything reaches our kitchen an immense system of waste exists due to the inefficiencies in our supply chain and consumption patterns. Wasted food can feed all the hungry people in the world 3 times over. Additionally, agriculture accounts for 1/3 of GHGs, reducing waste will reduce pollution drastically. Our 'food cycle' is flawed. We all need to be conscious consumers, we have to understand the system to change it.

Begin by watching this documentary:

http://tastethewaste.com/

A campaign of ignorance

Follow the link to see one of the arguments in opposition to harnessing wind energy. This is from the same 'Institute' I mention in my previous blog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpucONE7WWk

This argument is ridiculous, it's like saying don't recycle because your recycling bin might be made of non-recycled plastic, an oil based product. I don't know what bothers me more, the fact that that people are working against wind energy to maintain the status quo or that people might just be ignorant enough to believe this.

Debate over wind energy in Denmark - Sound research or politics?

Last September the Institute for Energy Research (IER) began a campaign in the US with the aid of a report by CEPOS refuting claims by the Obama Administration that Denmark is a model of wind power generation, producing nearly 20% of their electricity from wind power.

Objective research or another political battle in the struggle between the fossil fuel industry and the green movement (I suspect the later)?

It has been stated that the report by CEPOS, Center for Political Studies, was funded by IER, a fossil-fuel industry funded group according to AWEA, the American Wind Energy Association.

CEPOS describes itself on its website as "... an independent Danish think tank promoting a society based on freedom, responsibility, private initiative and limited government." It appears to be a conservative think tank funded by private businesses.

http://www.cepos.dk/english

On the surface the debate addresses the economics of renewable energy investments, but underneath is a battle of special interests. These types of battles will continue in the US as long as climate change is considered a political debate not science with a business community lubricated with oil to ensure the status quo. I have included the following links for you to make your own determination; I think you know where I stand.


IER's website claiming the failure of Danish investments:

http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/2009/09/14/something-rotten-obama-says-danes-receive-20-of-their-power-via-wind-new-study-tells-the-real-story/

Response from the AWEA refuting the claims:

http://www.awea.org/blog/?mode=viewid&post_id=196


Does objectivity exist in this sector anyway?! I think we can find it in a recently released report by researchers at Aalborg University titled: Danish Wind Power Export and Cost:

http://www.energyplanning.aau.dk/

Nordic Energy Solutions - Pig City

Pig City 2010 to be build in Denmark. Symbiosis could be the future of farming:


http://www.nordicenergysolutions.org/inspirational/pig-city

GPI Speech - a science lesson, history lesson and pep talk all in one!

Follow the link below to a fantastic speech by Lester Brown from the World Policy Institute to both awaken and encourage us to meet the challenge of climate change. From the implications of glacial melt on world food markets to examples of projects that are finding solutions. Doubling as a history lesson he reflects on the fortitude that made the US an industrial powerhouse during WWII, referring to the 'catastrophic event model' that was Pearl Harbor and how we need to retool as a Nation for the our 3rd industrial revolution, a green economy. Secondly he refers to the 'Berlin wall model' and how a rise in public opposition brought about a change in world economies that no one predicted and that this same public will is needed now. He affirms we are entering the 'sandwich model' which requires this same public will from the grassroots as well as strong support from the top, leading us to rapid social change... a necessity for our future. Unfortunately it would seem he is preaching to the choir.

http://www.earthdaytv.net/

CHP and District Heating Explained

The following link is to an excellent video explaining the benefits of combined heat and power and a district heating network, vital in the energy planning quest for sustainability:

http://kontinentfilm.eu/flash/District-Energy-WebTV.wmv