Climate Patriots

Posted: January 6, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: 4. Energy Security, 7. Physical Security | Tags: , | Comments Off

Two interesting, new terms to me, climate patriots and “environmental security”. These guys are right on and our best hope for bringing climate change awareness (and action) to Middle America.

Climate Patriots is a short video that provides a military perspective on energy, climate change and American national security.  The Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate conducted a series of interviews with former military leaders to discuss the challenges posed to the U.S. armed forces due to the impacts of climate change and our energy posture.  The video features:

  • Senator John Warner (R-VA), Former chairman U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee;
  • Vice Adm. Dennis McGinn, U.S. Navy (Ret.), CNA Military Advisory Board Member;
  • Former Captain James Morin, U.S. Army; and
  • Admiral John Nathman, U.S. Navy (Ret.), CNA Military Advisory Board Member.

Heating with wood

Posted: December 23, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 4. Energy Security | Comments Off

While I was stacking up two more cords this week, I had time to reflect on fuel sources for heat. Wood versus electric versus gas. From the Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings: assuming you’re burning sustainably harvested wood, the trees that replace the wood absorb more carbon dioxide than is created burning it. Interesting.

Hat tip to the hipster Umbra.

 

Energy efficiency project

Posted: December 18, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 4. Energy Security | Comments Off

We recently hired an energy efficiency company to do a blower door test on our home to pinpoint all our leaks. Pretty cool.

I am guilty of wanting to spend time and money on more glamorous energy projects like solar panels; all before I even changed our lightbulbs to CFLs and sealed up the leaks in my home!

Highly recommended and the kids will think it is cool, too.

Stages of awareness

Posted: August 7, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 1. Philosophy, 4. Energy Security | Tags: , | Comments Off

“Awareness arrives in stages” is still one of my favorites quotes because it passes the reality test every week in conversations I have with folks local or abroad. And now there is a useful corollary from Chris Martenson.

I personally spent the most time in the Bargaining stage. And although I currently sit at the Acceptance stage, I regularly return to Bargaining. And then I’m reminded of a very real need to get the worldwide carbon emissions to zero by 2050. Holy smokes, that’s a big goal. At least we have some of our brighter minds now thinking about it.

At which stage are you?

“In Transition 1.0″ the film

Posted: July 15, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 1. Philosophy, 2. Water Security, 3. Food Security, 4. Energy Security, 5. Alt Transportation, 6. Personal Training, 8. Wealth Management | Tags: , | Comments Off

Wow.

I think this short collection of vignettes may have just set the direction for my personal and professional time for the next 5+ years.

Highly recommended.

Solar and wind power

Posted: August 9, 2009 | Author: | Filed under: 4. Energy Security | Tags: , | Comments Off

We added a new feature to our view this week. Look closely in the picture and you’ll see a 30′ high pole with a small wind measurement tool on top.

Not everyone is thrilled with the addition; my wife and eldest child both commented on the first day, “Boy, that is ugly.” Oh well.

There are some bright folks (T. Boone Pickens comes to mind) who have teams analyzing wind power. Turns out the US has some of the best wind in the world for harvesting on a mass scale. We put up this measurement device to gather data for one year to see if our specific location is worthwhile for a small wind turbine.

We’re also getting bids for solar, specifically solar tubes to heat our hot water. We live in a difficult place from straight photovoltaic (PV) panels, but may be able to gather enough solar to significantly offset our hot water heater, one of our primary uses of electricity. You might be in a better area; check out this site to test your roof for PV potential. As PV technology improves in the future, I hope to be able to add panels to our roof as well as plant a solar forest in the front yard to replace the garage.

:)

The only thing that worries me about solar is the current reliance on oil and transport to produce the parts. When oil gets too expensive and then (permanently) goes away, I hope these same bright scientists can quickly convert to other building/transportation methods to get PV installed around the country.

The setup we’re looking to build is 50 tubes on the only two small pitches on our roof that face south, which will lead to a 120 gallon storage tank, which will feed into our existing hot water tank.

While we’re talking about alternative green energy options, I was recently called a Green Hawk by an acquaintance when I brought up the idea of microgrids for our small town.

“I’m a what?”

Green Hawks are those in the environmental movement who tend to think of green solutions as being good for the national defense of our country. Well, good point. I believe we need to get off oil and get off it fast. I guess that does make me a Green Hawk. I’m hoping there is a cool merit badge or secret handshake to go along with the label.
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