Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
The fun qualities of helium stand in stark contrast to its deadly serious applications which are increasingly endangered. For although helium is the second most abundant element in the universe–hydrogen is the first–it is exceedingly rare on Earth; and, our cavalier attitude toward its use threatens tasks that are critical to maintaining our complex society.
Nature’s success (despite us) inspires green-building mimics
New Post Carbon fellows: McKibben, Farley, Karlenzig, Martenson
Redbook: What does living ‘green’ look like?
Addicted to the daily grind (and the virtue of sloth)
Energy descent pathways – Post Carbon cities, Transition Towns and eco villages
New book: The Pocket Guide to Surviving the Next Great Depression
Beyond peak oil and climate change – a breakthrough (CO2 to methanol)
Book advocates Integral Fast Reactor (IFR)
Schlesinger and Hirsch: Getting real on wind and solar
California takes on King Corn
If companies can collect solar energy in space and transmit it to earth they will have opened up a significant new energy resource. The concept of space based solar power was first proposed in 1941 by science fiction author Isaac Asimov. Most skeptics focus purely on the unfavorable economics.
A weekly review from a UK perspective.
There is more to the sustainability problem than just renewable energy, transportation and food – and that is our infrastructure. Large agglomerations of people living under reasonable conditions in the 21st simply cannot continue in a healthy, sustainable state without clean water, sewage, electricity, communications, a source of warmth and a transportation network to move life-sustaining supplies about.
A weekly review from a UK perspective.
Forecasting Coal Production Until 2100
In search of Lithium
The Future of Oil Prices
Study: low-carbon fuel standards are unlikely to reduce warming
Are you ready for the ‘ZigBee’ world?
Corn ethanol concerns spread to Oregon
Energy Secretary Steven Chu has recast the energy problem to give himself the 20 to 80 years he requires to find a way to replace oil. His long range solution involves applications of synthetic biology to create 4th generation biofuels. Is this a good solution? Is it realistic?
Are we happier in the West?
U! S! A! We’re Number …. 15?
Experts agree giant, razor-clawed bioengineered crabs pose no threat
U.N. raises “low” population projection for 2050
