2nd Green Revolution » Five Friday Facts

FFF: Fastest Growing Metropolitan Regions in the World

Justin Manger — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:27:08 +0000

A very comprehensive report by The Brookings Institute reveals just how rapidly the cities of the developing world are growing. In the midst of the largest human migration from the countryside to cities, the report portends a rise in living standards for millions as well as highlights the challenges in sustainably providing energy and food for the inhabitants of these thriving metropolises.

The Brookings report analyzed “per capita GDP (income) and employment changes in the 2010 to 2011 period for 200 of the world’s largest metropolitan economies, which account for nearly one-half (48 percent) of global output but contain only 14 percent of world population and employment.” The study reveals that,

Ninety (90) percent of the fastest-growing metropolitan economies among the 200 largest worldwide were located outside North America and Western Europe.
By contrast, 95 percent of the slowest-growing metro economies were in the United States, Western Europe, and earthquake-damaged Japan.
Dallas and Houston, Texas were the only two cities in North America to make the top 40.
The highest per capita GDP of all the metro areas studied was found in Hartford, CT.
10 of the top 40 cities are found in China, including Shanghai, the fastest growing metropolitan region in the world in 2011

Five Friday Facts: Potpourri

Justin Manger — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:37:27 +0000

Worldwide meat production tripled between 1971 to 2012 to about 600 billion pounds.
The top three foods that generate the most greenhouse gases before and after they leave the farm: lamb, beef, and cheese .
Higher ozone levels could trigger 2.8 million additional serious respiratory illnesses in 2020.
Red LED bulbs have 8 times the amount of lead allowed under California law.
Life expectancy in major European cities could increase by 22 months if air pollution in those cities were reduced to levels recommended by the World Health Organization.

Source: Guide to Green Living Magazine, Fall/Winter Edition

Image source: Metropolitan Museum of Art

FFF: Americans Ate a Ton in 2011 (Literally, 2,000 pounds)

Eric Wilson — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:22:25 +0000

From a recent NPR article, this week’s Five Friday Facts are about food consumption in the US last year.

1,996 pounds, or nearly one ton. This is an estimate of how much — by weight — the average American eats over the course of one year. The figure comes from economists who crunched food consumption data collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
We consume about 630 pounds of milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream per year. About 31 pounds of cheese alone sailed down our gullets and about 185 pounds of chicken, turkey, pork and beef per person (though beef consumption is trending downward).
Wheat and other grains total 197 pounds.
While we eat about 273 pounds per person of fruit most of it is water weight. Few Americans eat the recommended five fruits a day. While we do get some 415 pounds of vegetables into our diet each year, the most popular choices are corn and potatoes.
141 pounds of sweeteners (including 42 pounds of corn syrup a year), and 85 pounds of fats.

Here’s a bonus fact from the article:

The USDA estimates that the average American is eating more than the recommended 2,000 calories a day. It’s hovering around 2,700.

Image source: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Five Friday Facts: Vermicomposting

Justin Manger — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:15:22 +0000

We’ve had a several posts on composting, including one on an experiment with worm or vermicomposting. Some advantages to composting with worms (if you aren’t squeamish) is that they convert the waste to rich, usable soil faster than conventional methods. Also, because the castings from the worms have a mucous coating, the nutrients are released into the soil over time instead of right away. Here are a few other interesting bits about the little guys and the work they do.

Earthworms can eat their own weight in organic material every day.
Worm populations double each month.
Worm castings contain: 5 times more nitrogen, 7 times more phosphorous, and 11 times more potassium than plain soil.
How to make compost tea or liquid fertilizer: take 2 tablespoons of vermicompost, add to 1 quart of water and let stand a day. Voila!
Vermicomposting can be done year round vs. outdoor composting, which is more difficult to keep going in the cold months due to the decreased activity of decomposers.
* Also, be sure not to confuse hummus with humus!

Source: Guide to Green Living Magazine, Fall/Winter Edition

Five Friday Facts: Aluminum Recycling

Justin Manger — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:15:28 +0000

Nashville, Tennessee’s Evermore Recycling is North America’s largest purchaser of used aluminum cans for recycling. It is a joint venture between Novelis and Alcoa.
60 days = time period from when you recycle a can until it reappears on the store shelf
68% = the recycled content in every aluminum can
73% = the amount of aluminum that has ever been produced that is still in use today
95% = the energy and greenhouse gas savings from recycling vs. new aluminum production

Source: An ad by Alcoa and Novelis in Guide to Living Green, Fall 2011 edition

Disclaimer: I have own some shares of Alcoa stock.