2nd Green Revolution

Late last year Thomas Friedman was interviewed by Anne Strainchamps on Wisconsin Public Radio’s To The Best of Our Knowledge. The focus of the interview was the current green revolution, what we have taken to calling the second green revolution. He argues that everyone must participate if this is to be considered a true revolution.

In the interview, which can be heard here, Friedman claims that today’s measures fail to qualify as a revolution. He cites the general greenwashing of goods and services and argues that the day when every product achieves the highest energy efficiency will mark the next green revolution. What Friedman fails to acknowledge is that a revolution starts with a small force. However, his observation that “people actually have to change” is an important one. Behavioral changes represent the most daunting hurdle. Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday’s post about the Chinese automaker BYD’s announcement at the Detroit auto show begs the question about the future of the automobile. What does the coming decade hold in store for the automobile? Share your thoughts by answering the following poll:

(polls)

- Eric Wilson

Chinese battery maker-turned-ambitious-automaker BYD (Build Your Dreams) made some noise recently at the Detroit Auto Show. Scheduled to arrive in the U.S. later this year, their E6 electric vehicle has been the target of much speculation. With an “Fe battery” that may be lithium ion phosphate instead of the usual lithium ion, the Discovery Channel reports that the automaker’s battery is fully recyclable, lasts 10 years, and can move the car 205 miles on a single charge. Pricing for the car may be announced later this spring. Read the rest of this entry »

In yet another symbol of China’s rapid development and increasing technological prowess, a high-speed train called the Harmony express shortened a previously 11 hour trip across China to a mere 3 hours. The Harmony express raced along the 1,100km (684 mile) route from Guangzhou to the central city of Wuhan at an average speed of 350km per hour (218mph), reaching a top speed of 394km per hour (245mph). Japan’s “Shinkansen” bullet trains and France’s TGV service, two pioneers and models when it comes to high-speed rail, have maximum services speeds of 300km per hour (186mph). The U.S. has the so-called “Express” Acela service from Amtrak which takes 3.5 hours to trundle between New York and Boston, a distance of only 300km (186miles) or roughly 30% of the distance that the new Chinese route can cover in the same time. Here is a summary of the new rail line and China’s rail ambitions by the numbers: Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday’s post about fake and real Christmas trees and menorahs developed out of several conversations during the holidays, but was precipitated by an article in The New York Times about the use of so-called rare earth elements in the manufacture of clean energy components. Cradle to cradle design would suggest that all materials used in consumer products ought to be capable of serving some function once the original purpose of the object has long passed. This design philosophy necessitates making components for consumer goods out of materials that can return to the ecosystem with toxification of the soils, water, or atmosphere. Read the rest of this entry »

• The United States is likely to install just one-eighth as much new solar power this year as Germany.
• China is expected to surpass the United States this year as the leader in adding new wind energy capacity.
• General Electric, which has 10,000 wind turbines in the United States, says that to encourage growth in the wind industry, the nation should adopt a target of obtaining 12 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2012.
• Some note that even with the administration’s recent moves, it has spent less than one-fourth of the $80 billion clean energy component of the stimulus package. Administration officials boast that the $80 billion figure is by far the largest amount ever committed to renewable energy.
• Solyndra, a company that makes solar photovoltaic panels in Fremont Calif., received a $535 million loan guarantee to finance a manufacturing plant, creating 3,000 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs.

Source: New York Times

- 2nd Green Revolution

[image credit: Metropolitan Museum of Art]

Over the past month, American Public Radio’s Marketplace has aired a series titled “The Climate Race“. Yesterday’s installment focused on the role that China is playing in the clean energy economy. According to the story, China is churning out solar panels and wind turbines and “it produces more alternative energy than any other country.” However, they are also the top producer of greenhouse gases. Due to the abundance of coal in China, the possibility of carbon capture sequestration (CCS) as a way to reduce emissions has gained traction. During the normal burning process for turning coal into electricity at a power plant, carbon dioxide is captured instead of being released into the atmosphere. Read the rest of this entry »

Several months ago 2nd Green Revolution reported on a story from NPR about toxic drywall imported from China in the post-Katrina building boom. Today, NPR ran a follow up story on the materials. According to the story, “Emissions from the drywall corrode plumbing and electrical systems.” Furthermore, “Homeowners also blame them for headaches and respiratory ailments.” NPR cited a report from the insurance industry that claimed replacement costs of could range from $15 to 25 billion (US). The figure includes “replacing drywall, as well as legal fees, the toll on health and other costs.”

For a link to the follow up story from NPR, click here.

- Eric Wilson