This article, by our student Jasmine Friedrich Yap, initially appeared in the R.E.A.L. newsletter for September 2022. What if the effects of climate change could be reduced or eliminated? Smiths Falls may already have a key solution to the climate change crisis which becomes more pressing each and every day. News outlets are continuously reporting […]
Category: Environment
BIOCHAR – everything you need to know about a technology that can enhance your soil
Provides a link to a website devoted to all things BIOCHAR. Don’t know what BIOCHAR is? Visit the website!
Resilience in a time of climate change (second in a series of short articles)
Introduction This post is a “work in progress”. It is not a scholarly article, insofar as it does not quote other scholarly articles. Mostly it is a dump of thoughts I have on the subject of resilience. It is intended only to stimulate conversation on the subject. Questions to be addressed Resilience: what is it? […]
What type of coolant should you use for your solar system?
I just came across an interesting item describing the three most common types of coolant for solar hot water systems and some of their properties. The article seems to be written by the manufacturer so there may be a bit of bias, but it does highlight the issues inherent in coolant selection. It is short […]
The State of the Earth in 4 Climate Trends
Originally posted on jpratt27:
What better day to step back and take stock of the planet than Earth Day? Started in 1970 to raise awareness in the U.S. about the environmental state of the planet,?Earth Day?is now celebrated in more than 190 countries and has led to the creation of legislation in the U.S. aimed…
The same old energy mix — The Japan Times editorial
The same old energy mix — The Japan Times editorial. I follow the folks that write Japan Safety: Nuclear Energy Updates and they just posted an article from the Japan Times where they look at the current government’s plans for energy sustainability over the next few decades. The picture is disturbing in light of the […]
Sweden have successfully used taxes to reduce environmental damage.
Sweden has shown a longstanding commitment to the environment, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and nitrogen leaching. Renewables supply more than a third of its energy needs. Sweden has set itself tough targets for the future, however, and must continue to innovate if it is to meet them, according to a new OECD…
New green energy course inspires high school seniors from across the country
I always look at MIT’s stuff whenever the world gets me down and I feel like giving up. There is so much innovation and enthusiasm there that my hope gets restored. Thanks MIT! New green energy course inspires high school seniors from across the country.
A molecular approach to solar power (MIT News)
This is another example of excellent innovation from MIT and Harvard. This one is for energy storage and it is quite similar to one I just recently posted on the “bionic leaf”. With better solar energy conversion and more efficient energy storage the idea of moving away from fossil fuels and nuclear power begins to […]
Construction is set to begin on a $150 million-plus solar powered greenhouse in South Australia’s Port Augusta
John [jpratt27] has published an excellent summary of a new plan to develop a new solar-powered greenhouse in South Australia. This plant will not only produce fresh vegetables but will also be used to desalinate water in a very arid region. A few more details are needed about how the resulting salts will be dealt […]
February 17 Energy [Science and Tech] News via GeoHarvy
Originally posted on geoharvey:
Science and Technology: ¶ A number of studies investigating the effect of wind turbines on birds have found that the actual impact wind turbines have on avians is relatively low. However, according to this new research, published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research, wind turbines’ effects on bats cannot be…
A ‘bionic leaf’ turns solar energy into chemicals and fuels
The site at the link below (“A ‘bionic leaf’ …”) presents a really interesting idea on how to store energy from the sun and at the same time act as a temporary carbon sink by absorbing CO2 for creation of the chemicals. I will be looking forward to seeing how this plays out when they […]
The Australian Academy of Science says man-made climate change is real.
Originally posted on jpratt27:
The Australian Academy of Science says man-made climate change is real and the consequences will be dire if no action is taken to address it. The academy, in an update to its science of climate change booklet produced in 2010, says its authoritative account of the science behind global warming will…
Why Tesla’s battery for your home should terrify utilities
Originally posted on On the River 2009+:
Elon Musk’s electricity empire could mean a new type of power grid http://www.theverge.com/2015/2/13/8033691/why-teslas-battery-for-your-home-should-terrify-utilities
Max Finkelstein Wows them at Rideau Roundtable event
About 60 paddlers and environmentalists got together yesterday to see renowned paddler, raconteur, and author Max Finkelstein speak about his latest adventure paddling the Big Muddy (Mississippi) with the American adventurers that rowed across the Atlantic.
Max was at his casual best, evoking
Continue reading “Max Finkelstein Wows them at Rideau Roundtable event”
Gourken's Brain Dump (more of a trickle actually) 