Charles Frost's blog
Could climate change herald mass migration?
"Sticking a straw in the Great Lakes is not a solution to Phoenix's water problems."
Robert Shibley, State University of New York at Buffalo.
Concerns raised as the U. S. Southwest grapples with historic drought, water supply depletion and the creeping sense that things can only get worse
Jul 22, 2007 04:30 AM
Murray Whyte
Staff Reporter
The state of Arizona has more than 300 golf courses, a booming economy, endless sunshine and, at last count, at least five Saks Fifth Avenue department stores — in short, nearly everything the well-heeled sybarite would need.
There’s just one thing missing: rain.
Cleveland State U's Rooftop Windmills: U.S. House Panel OKs Seed Money
CLEVELAND (TDB) -- Cleveland State University scientist Majid Rashidi is closer to obtaining federal financial aid to help develop energy-producing "windspires," four of which may soon be spinning on the rooftops of Northeastern Ohio. The House Appropriations Committee has agreed to authorize putting about $1.1 million of taxpayers' cash into the project, which also has backing from the state.
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Cleveland, announced the influential House panel's decision to support the windspires, which are souped up breeze-powered machines without the huge spinning blades typical of windmills. Rashidi wants to set build test devices to see how effectively they function.
Tubbs Jones said the project is an investment in retooling the state's economy and portrayed it as critical to efforts to get Ohio growing again.
From the Washington Post article below "Through much of the 20th century, lead in
U.S. paint and gasoline fumes poisoned toddlers as they put contaminated hands in their mouths. The consequences on crime, Nevin found, occurred when poisoning victims became adolescents. Nevin does not say that lead is the only factor behind crime, but he says it is the biggest factor."
Ashley, and her trash - after 10 days...
By: Trash Talk - May 13, 2007
When Will Global Warming Galvanize You To Action?
We all have our limits.
Yes, it's true. After 15 successful years of promoting the design of ecological cities, EcoCity Cleveland is merging with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. This is a fantastic opportunity to align the resources of two strong and respected organizations — and accelerate the transformation of Northeast Ohio toward greater sustainability.
In the next month, I will become the director of a new Center for Regional Sustainability at the Museum. Other core EcoCity staff members also will transfer to the Museum. Our work and key projects, including this GreenCityBlueLake site, will continue. And, drawing upon the scientific expertise of the Museum, we will be launching a new climate change project to help reduce the region's carbon footprint.
Traditional farms are beautiful. They're sweeping, green, majestic even, and without them we wouldn't have the Archers. They're also a waste of space.
Suburbs Are Graying Faster Than Big Cities
By SAM ROBERTS
(82 pictures of bicycles taken during 73 minutes on 9/12/06 in Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Background & Explanation: I stopped in Amsterdam, Netherlands on my way back from a 2006 europe motorcycle trip. During a 73 minute period on 9/12/06 at one corner of Nieuw Markt (a nice open square in Amsterdam), I took the following 82 pictures of bicycles. Why? Because sitting there I noticed how remarkably different the whole Amsterdam bicycle scene was from my home, and at the same time certain very clear "Amsterdam Bicycle Trends" appeared I thought might be interesting to point out. I am from the San Francisco area, California, USA.
Leaders of all sorts are keen for green right now. It's trendy for a start, so a guaranteed popularity boost. And also, to drop the cynicism shield for a second, it's possible that these people really care about the environment. In the UK, as we approach election time, we have seen Tony Blair and David Cameron attempting to install various alternative energy devices on their homes, with equally disastrous results. Celebrities are falling over each other to get into either a Prius or a Tesla, and even the Pope is doing his part.
Kansas City rain gardens aid in stormwater management
 As part of the company's Earth Day activities on April 21, 2007, Black & Veatch professionals, along with their families and friends, celebrated the first anniversary of Kansas City's original corporate rain garden, which is affiliated with the city's "10,000 Rain Gardens" initiative.
The celebration ceremony at the rain garden, outside the office of Black & Veatch's water business in Kansas City, drew many local dignitaries and civic leaders, who joined the company volunteers in planting an additional 75 native plants.
Rain gardens—shallow basins or depressions planted with native plants—are catching on in Kansas City and the surrounding areas. The native plants have deep roots that allow water to infiltrate into the soil. According to recent research, properly designed rain gardens can effectively trap and retain a high percentage of common pollutants in urban storm runoff, potentially improving water quality and promoting the conversion of some pollutants into less harmful compounds.
The idea for the 10,000 Rain Gardens initiative was generated as part of the city of Kansas City's stormwater management efforts, with participation of its Stormwater Steering Committee. With Mayor Kay Barnes' adoption of the initiative, the program has been funded by Kansas City's comprehensive citywide stormwater management plan, called KC-One. Black & Veatch is the prime contractor for KC-One and has been active in the initiative by making various presentations, participating in training sessions, and assisting with a mayoral-appointed advisory panel of civic leaders.
The 10,000 Rain Gardens initiative links citizens, corporate sponsors, educators, and members of nonprofit organizations with government officials to take action on important environmental issues like water quality and stormwater flow. Planting 10,000 actual rain gardens in the Kansas City area during the next few years should reduce potential problems with water pollution and stream degradation.
"Black & Veatch has taken a corporate leadership role in the 10,000 Rain Gardens Initiative and has encouraged active participation by other local groups," said Dan McCarthy, president and CEO of Black & Veatch's water business.
For more information about the 10,000 Rain Gardens initiative, please visit www.rainkc.com or www.bvraingardens.com.
It is unimaginable to me that a technologically advanced civilization would readily commit environmental and economic suicide when we have most of the necessary clean tech tools already developed. Not effectively leveling this cost comparison playing field now is one step closer to that potential unimaginable outcome.
May 28, 2007 · Filed under Environment & Wildlife by Craig Mackintosh
I really shouldn’t be telling you this, as, in a way, it’s giving away the state secrets of many poorer nations. In fact, I risk sharing one of the few economic advantages some countries have over western countries. But, the following information has such a potential to improve lives and the well-being of the environment, that it would be morally wrong for me to keep quiet.
In the west, most Saturday mornings, you’ll find people everywhere outside with their lawn mowers in the early morning light (while some of us are trying to sleep). The grass, of course, has to be cut, and it has to be cut short. It is totally imperative that this is done, obviously, because if allowed to grow without restraint your lawn will eventually grow so high as to completely cover your house and possessions. For as long as modern man can remember, he has had to live with this very real fear of being overcome by his lawn.
Being from the west myself, the need to keep ones lawn under control is just as much a part of my make-up as any. But, to my amazement, the people in some of the countries in which I’ve travelled and lived have made a significant discovery. It’s simply this – the grass stops growing!!
It’s really true; a lawn will reach a certain point, then stop right there. You heard it here first – I’ve seen it with my own eyes.
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Just wondering about this new product, coming out late this fall/early winter.
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Give solar energy chance
Give solar energy chance
By Andrew Korfhage
In the early 1980s, the future looked bright for solar energy. The Carter administration had published the report "A New Prosperity," detailing how emerging technologies and smart policy could together help the United States meet 28 percent of its electricity needs from renewable sources by the year 2000. Before he left office, President Jimmy Carter installed a solar thermal water heater on the roof of the White House, and the government extended federal solar energy tax credits to homeowners so they could do the same.
As a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of electric vehicles, we thrive on providing drivers with choices they can feel good about. Working with our internationally respected partners, we’re bringing the world’s finest zero-emission vehicles to you—setting a new standard for what electric vehicles can be. The culmination of this passion for quality, the ZENN™, the only luxury NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle) on the market.
US National Archives & Records Administration Facility,
Waltham, MA. Photo courtesy of Sika Sarnafil Roofing Systems, Inc.
****(....this is part of a series of articles, and the author is just finishing up the building of his workshop)****
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