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Currently the world's population uses three main energy sources: fossil, renewable, and fissile. The fossil energy sources are petroleum, coal, natural gas, bitumen, oil shale, and tar sands; the renewable energy sources include biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower; and the fissile energy sources are uranium and thorium (Demirbas 212). Demirbas also estimates that at the present rate of production, known petroleum reserves will be depleted in less than 50 years (212). Additionally, energy production from fossil fuels results in high greenhouse gas emissions creating critical environmental problems throughout the world. According to Demirbas energy consumption will be double the 1998 level by 2035 and triple by 2055 if the global growth rate of about 2% a year of primary energy use continues (213). The combination of climate change, escalating oil prices and concerns about long-term energy security has put energy at the top of political and policy…
Bohn, Christiane, and Christopher Lant. "Welcoming the Wind? Determinants of Wind Power Development among U.S. States." Professional Geographer 61.1 (2009): 87-100. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 6 June 2011.
Demirbas, A. "Global Renewable Energy Projections." Energy Sources Part B: Economics, Planning & Policy 4.2 (2009): 212-224. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 6 June 2011.
Kaygusuz, K. "Wind Power for a Clean and Sustainable Energy Future." Energy Sources Part B: Economics, Planning & Policy 4.1 (2009): 122-133. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 6 June 2011.
Leipoldt, Erik. "What Are The Wind Energy Facts On The Renewable Wind Energy Industry?" Alternate Energy Sources.com. (2010) Web. 6 June 2011. http://www.alternate-energy-sources.com/wind-energy-facts.html
1349). In that last case, the lesson learned should be clear -- don't build wind turbines too close to residences, or don't build homes too close to a wind turbine.
When it comes to nuisance suits based on aesthetic issues, Butler explains that "the courts have been extremely hesitant to label ugly, unattractive, or otherwise visually unappealing structures as nuisances" (p. 1350). The author argues in his Conclusion that a "balance must be struck" so when a wind energy development is proposed it doesn't have to go through a jury trial to get a building permit. In that regard, Butler argues, courts should not hesitate to "dismiss nuisance claims based on noise from wind developments when the pleadings show that the turbines have been reasonably sited" (p. 1373).
There is no simple answer to "d" -- but when it comes to offshore wind power there are regulatory issues and aesthetic…
Langer, Gary. "Poll: Fewer Republicans and Conservatives Believe Global Warming is
Happening." ABC News. Retrieved Feb. 13, 2010, from http://abcnews.go.com .
Langer's article is strictly hard news content from the point-of-view of a national poll. Meanwhile, in late 2009 the ABC News / Washington Post poll showed a drop in the number of people who believe global warming is real. In 2006 some 85% of Americans believed the planet is heating up; in late 2009, that was down to 72%. The point here is, if Americans are being propagandized by right wing media and others into believing global warming is just a political ploy by liberals or Democrats, then why would it be crucial to push ahead with renewable energy sources like wind power? If fossil fuel power plants aren't part of the problem then why think about building wind farms? This is a real problem. Only 53% of Republicans in the poll believe the earth is warming, and 54% of "conservatives" believe the planet is heating up. Misinformation and politically driven polarization could prevent the country from having the clean, safe, renewable energy future that citizens deserve.
Offshore Wind Energy
(Facts and Features, Usage, Future Prospects, Strengths and Weaknesses, ecommendations)
It is an undeniable fact that human activity needs energy as a basic requirement. Energy input is a fundamental need for transportation, water and food provision and mobility services. In the contemporary energy system, non-renewable fossil fuels are the principal resources that satisfy the global energy needs. They are preferred due to their dependability and low-cost. On the contrary, wind energy, hydroelectric power and biomass are also used as energy resources all over the world, especially in developing countries (Edinger & Kaul, 2003, p. 43).
The exchange of goods and energy has become an imperative process as globalization has been pursued trendily. This trade guarantees efficient production and advantageous exploitation of proportional costs. On the other hand, the need for energy in the developing countries is increased continuously as they put efforts to strengthen their…
Blakeway, D., & White, C.B. (2005). Tapping the Power of Wind: Ferc Initiatives to Facilitate Transmission of Wind Power. Energy Law Journal, 26(2), 393+. Retrieved September 13, 2011, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5044925284
Cinti, V. (2008, April 17). The Political Economy of Oil Depletion. In ASPO International. Retrieved September 11, 2011, from http://www.peakoil.net/publications/the-political-economy-of-oil-depletion
Cleveland, C.J., & Morris, C. (2006). Dictionary of Energy (pp. 371-487). Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. Retrieved September 11, 2011, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=115695819
Co-kun, B.B. (n.d.). Energizing the Middle East: Iran, Turkey and Persian Gulf States. Retrieved September 13, 2011, from http://www.turkishpolicy.com/dosyalar/files/71-80.pdf
Offshore Wind Energy
Creating the Offshore Wind Energy Industry as a center of attention for more investment in the Persian Gulf countries and providing a study and recommendations to the governments and companies to be more comfortable investing in this field.
Opportunities in Offshore Wind Energy
It is generally acknowledged that changes in wind energy prices affect economic welfare in ways that are not entirely reflected in transactions in the wind energy market. The pervasive importance of wind energy as a factor of production and in final consumption means that higher wind energy prices can potentially influence real income and its growth and distribution. Thus, to the extent that rising import demand pushes up the price of wind energy and indirectly produces adverse side effects on income, these economic costs are candidates for inclusion in the wind energy import premium. This chapter explores the connections between import demand, the price…
(2009). 1 The Analysis of Energy Use in the Residential Sector: An Economist's View. In Consumer Behavior and Energy Policy: An International Perspective, Monnier, E., Gaskell, G., Ester, P., Joerges, B., LaPillonne, B., Midden, C., et al. (Eds.) (pp. 3-11). New York: Praeger. Retrieved October 30, 2011, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=28512301
Brus, D., & Hotek, D. (2010). Exploring Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology. The Technology Teacher, 69(6), 20+. Retrieved October 30, 2011, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5041614183
Cuervo, L.E. (2008). OPEC from Myth to Reality. Houston Journal of International Law, 30(2), 433+. Retrieved October 30, 2011, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5027694836
Hewett, E.A. (2008). Energy, Economics, and Foreign Policy in the Soviet Union. Washington, DC: The Brookings Institution. Retrieved October 30, 2011, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=37120180
Subsidies in Wind Energy in Holland
As it appears, Holland is not the only nation to give an economic boost by supporting a promising new source of energy. In the Holland history, energy subsidies have been crucial for the overall economic development. This essay looks at the positive aspects of these intermittent subsidies. It also details how the same subsidies are weakening the renewable energy industry by focusing on how the Production Tax Credit (PTC) is affecting the industry. Nevertheless, the essay will establish that despite the precise information about the subsidies in wind energy, the provision of long-term and predictable subsidies is important in ensuring a sustainable shift to a renewable energy source.
Holland's subsidies in wind energy, in the form of PTC, are a government incentive that serves financial support for the development of renewable energy facilities. Firms that produce electricity from geothermal, wind and "closed-loop"…
Clayton, B. R. (1992). Wind Energy Conversion 1992: Proceedings of the 14th British Wind Energy Association Conference, Nottingham 25-27 March 1992. London: Mechanical Engineering Publications.
Piscitello, E. S. & Bogach V. S. (1998). Financial Incentives for Renewable Energy Development: Proceedings of an International Workshop, February 17-21, 1997, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Parts 63-391. World Bank Publications, 1998
Piscitello, E. S., & Bogach, V. S. (2008). Financial Incentives for Renewable Energy Development: Proceedings of an International Workshop, February 17-21, 2007, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Washington, DC: World Bank.
Strachan, P., Lal, D., & Toke, D. (2009). Wind Power and Power Politics: International Perspectives. London: Routledge
Even with the fact that Ancient Greeks obviously had a limited understanding of winds, it is nonetheless intriguing to look at how they perceived conditions in which winds are more likely to occur.
ind speed is faster above the ground because it encounters less friction and winds move very fast when there is nothing to slow them down. This is why wind turbines are mounted on top of towers. Anemometers connected to control boxes are mounted on top of turbines with the purpose of providing data to the turbine. This makes it possible for turbines to start when wind speeds are useful and to stop when winds are slow.
Ahrens, Donald C., Jackson, Peter L., Jackson, Christine, E.O., "Meteorology Today: An Introduction to eather, Climate, and the Environment," (Cengage Learning, 01.07.2011)
Emeis, Stefan, "ind Energy Meteorology," (Springer, 2013)
"Geostrophic ind," retrieved February 20, 2013, from the University of…
Ahrens, Donald C., Jackson, Peter L., Jackson, Christine, E.O., "Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate, and the Environment," (Cengage Learning, 01.07.2011)
Emeis, Stefan, "Wind Energy Meteorology," (Springer, 2013)
"Geostrophic Wind," retrieved February 20, 2013, from the University of Illinois Website: http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/ (Gh)/guides/mtr/fw/geos.rxml
"Origin of Wind," Retrieved February 20, 2013, from the National Weather Service Website: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream//synoptic/wind.htm
Nuclear energy possesses perhaps the largest potential for growth over the next few decades. The reason for this is the simple fact that it creates a relatively small amount of environmental pollution and can be adapted for use in nearly any part of the world. It certainly poses some security risks if it this technology is misused or mishandled, but the benefits certainly outweigh the costs. This type of energy production does not create smog, or direct environmental wastes, and many scientists, entrepreneurs, and engineers are looking at low cost, micro-nuclear solutions for small cities and towns (Kruger, 2006). Instead of building huge, multi-billion dollar power plants, the focus has shifted to creating small, sustainable, community nuclear power plants. The sustainability level of nuclear power is quite high given that a very small amount of nuclear waste is created for a huge amount of power output, unlike coal-fired power plants…
Hekkert, Marko P.; Hendriks, Franka H.J.F.; Faaij Andre P.C. And Maarten L. Neelis.. (2005).
"Natural Gas as an Alternative to Crude Oil in Automotive Fuel Chains Well-to-Wheel Analysis and Transition Strategy Development," Energy Policy: Vol. 33: Iss. 5, pp. 579-594.
Hoffmann, Peter. (2002). Tomorrow's Energy: Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and the Prospects for a Cleaner Planet. MIT Press: Cambridge.
Kruger, Paul. (2006). Alternative Energy Resources: The Quest for Sustainable Energy.
Budget Detail & Narrative
Florida, the United tates and the broader world in particular is facing an energy crisis. Indeed, it is a battle and one with many fronts. There are a number of good reasons out there to find alternative energy. They include the increasing world population, the pervasive use of fossil fuels, concerns about those fossil fuels running out, pollution associated with those fossil fuels and access to energy for everyone. Indeed, there is an increased need for energy that departs from the dirty energy sources like coal and petroleum. Beyond that, these new sources need to be sustainable. This grant proposal covers precisely such an energy source and it is a source that can greatly improve the quality of life and energy costs of people in the southwestern part of Florida much like it is already doing for people around the rest of the…
Spear, K. (2015). Department of Energy: Taller turbines would bring wind energy to Florida. OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved 24 June 2016, from http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-wind-energy-orlando-announcement-20150519-story.html
SWFL. (2016). SWFL Sustainability - People, Place, & Profit Improve Our Quality of Life for Today & Tomorrow. SWFL Sustainability. Retrieved 24 June 2016, from http://www.swflsustainability.com/
Windustry. (2016). How much do wind turbines cost?. Windustry. Retrieved 24 June 2016, from http://www.windustry.org/how_much_do_wind_turbines_cost
Energy use is expanding and includes several different ways to harness power. From hydropower, to solar energy, to wind energy, the world is using the elements to create electricity for homes and businesses. While some favor solar power for use as the new kind of energy; businesses and those aiming to power many homes, opt for wind energy. Regardless of what is used, there is still a long way to go before people move away from traditional forms of energy like hydropower to more cost-effective ways like solar. I myself use hydropower or batteries to get through my days and understand the need to save energy and increase my power source options.
Most of the sources of energy I use are non-renewable except my re-chargeable solar batteries. These can be charged with sunlight and thus recharged from a renewable source. A second way I use energy each day is cooking.…
Ecological Preservation at the Hart of Dynamic Boca de Iguanas Development (2008) St. Michael Strategies (SMS) Press Release. PR.com online available at http://www.pr.com/press-release/35513
Jeffrey Chow, Raymond J. Kopp, Paul R. Portney. (2003). Energy resources and global development. Science, 302(5650), 1528-31. Retrieved September 5, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 490116241).
Mattson, K.M., and Angermeier, P.L. (2007) Integrating Human Impacts and Ecological Integrity into a Risk-Based Protocol for Conservation Planning Journal of Environmental Management Vol. 39, No. 1 Jan 2007. Online available at http://www.springerlink.com/content/t13674l78j31jq05/
Maximizing building performance: through environmental strategies (2003) Buildings 1 July 2003. Online available at http://www.allbusiness.com/operations/facilities/601308-1.html
Negative Secondary Impacts from Oil and Gas Development (nd) the Energy & Biodiversity Initiative. Online available at http://www.theebi.org/pdfs/impacts.pdf
Santopietro, George D. (2005) Raising Environmental Consciousness vs. Creating Economic Incentives as Alternative Policies for Environmental Protection Journal; Journal of Economic Issues, Vol. 29, 1995. Excerpt online available at http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst?docId=5000322449
("Fossil Fuels and Minerals," n.d., 173 -- 215)
The impact of wind farms on the natural landscape is troubling. This is because some communities think that the sight of large fields is destroying the scenery. Evidence of this can be seen in Martha's Vineyard. What happened is many residents began to oppose these kinds of projects out of concerns about how this will impact their views. This led to animosity about where to place wind farms. As a result, proponents argue that establishing these fields in different locations will be challenging. This is when the project will face increased delays and higher costs. ("Fossil Fuels and Minerals," n.d., 173 -- 215)
Advantages of Wind Power
Despite the claims of opponents, the reality is that the use of wind power is a viable resource. A good example of this can be seen with Denmark (who produces 20% of their total energy…
Fossil Fuels and Minnerals. (n.d.).
Renewable and Nuclear Energy. (n.d.).
Deal, W. (2010). Wind power: An emerging energy source. Technology & Engineering Teacher, 70 (1), 9-15.
Nuclear Energy: isks vs. eward
Every source of energy has its own drawbacks. This is more so the case taking into consideration the recent energy source related accidents including but not limited to coal-mining mishaps, the nuclear crisis in Japan, the B.P. oil spill, etc. In this text, I will amongst other things concern myself with nuclear power and the consequences associated with the development of the same.
As I have already pointed out in the introductory section, every source of energy has a set of drawbacks. For instance, while there are a number of benefits associated with wind energy, the same also has several disadvantages. In the words of Eccleston, March and Cohen (2011), "wind farms can interfere with radar, creating a hole in radar coverage affecting aviation and national security." The author further points out that wind energy is largely unpredictable. Similarly, although hydroelectric power in the opinion…
Eccleston, C.H., March, F. & Cohen, T. (2011). Inside Energy: Developing and Managing an ISO 50001 Energy Management System. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Ginley, D.S. & Cahen, D. (Eds.). (2011). Fundamentals of Materials for Energy and Environmental Sustainability. New York: Cambridge University Press.
McKinney, M.L., Schoch, R.M. & Yonavjak, L. (2012). Environmental Science: Systems and Solutions (5th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Miller, G.T. & Spoolman, S. (2007). Environmental Science. Belmont, CA: Thompson Higher Education.
San Gorgonio ind Farm is one of three major wind farms that provide 95% of California's wind generating capacity (and 30% of the world's wind generating capacity). This amounts of 4258 million kilowatt hours of electricity, or 1.5% of the state's total electricity production (California Energy Commission, 2011). ind energy is considered to be one of the 'clean' energy sources, as opposed to fossil fuel production and nuclear energy production in particular. However, wind farms have their own drawbacks as well from an environmental perspective. ind farms can be devastating to the local environment as they have a massive footprint. This is especially troublesome in desert environments such as that occupied by San Gorgonio. There are also visual impacts, noise produced by rotor blades and potentially high degrees of avian/bat mortality (INDEIS, n.d.). This paper will analyze the benefits and impacts of the San Gorgonio ind Farm, in particular with…
California Energy Commission. (2011). Overview of wind energy in California. California Energy Commission. Retrieved September 24, 2011 from http://www.energy.ca.gov/wind/overview.html
ECW. (2000). Wind power and the environment. Energy Center of Wisconsin. Retrieved September 24, 2011 from http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CEEQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecw.org%2Fprod%2F433-3.pdf&rct=j&q=wind%20farms%20environmental%20issues&ei=nSV-TubMLYjmiAKu1uG5Aw&usg=AFQjCNGRg1s_hHtoaAJ8K6l2ulKPhoMhlQ&cad=rja
Palm Springs.com (2011) Palm Springs wind energy. Palm Springs.com. Retrieved September 24, 2011 from http://www.palmsprings.com/services/wind.html
Pasqualetti, M. (2011). Opposing wind energy landscapes: A search for a common cause. Annals of the Association of American Geographers. Vol. 101 (4) 907-917.
The primary sources of energy in the UK comes in the form of oil and gas reserves from the North Sea and coal. These sources are expected to continue to be dominant until at least 2020, although it should be noted that the annual output from the North Sea is now on the decline (UK Parliament, 2010). As a result, the government has embarked on a strategy to reshape the energy dynamic of the nation. The objective of the program is to establish renewables as the largest source of energy in the UK by 2020.
Nuclear power has been downplayed in the UK energy landscape. A lull in new capacity existed until 2007, so no new capacity is expected to replace decommissioned nuclear power plants until at least 2017, meaning that renewables development is critical to reshaping the UK energy landscape (Ibid). Wind is the crucial form of…
Appleyard, D. (2013). UK confirms plans for 39gw of offshore wind by 2030. Renewable Energy World. Retrieved November 11, 2013 from http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/11/uk-confirms-plans-for-39-gw-of-offshore-wind-by-2030
Department of Energy and Climate Change (2013). UK renewable energy roadmap update 2013. Department of Energy and Climate Change. Retrieved November 11, 2013 from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/255182/UK_Renewable_Energy_Roadmap_-_5_November_-_FINAL_DOCUMENT_FOR_PUBLICATIO____.pdf
Czyzewski, A. (2011). Government reveals plans to reform UK's energy landscape. The Engineer. Retrieved November 11, 2013 from http://www.theengineer.co.uk/news/news-analysis/government-reveals-plans-to-reform-uks-energy-landscape/1009385.article
Buchan, D. (2013). Can shale gas transform Europe's energy landscape? Centre for European Reform. Retrieved November 11, 2013 from http://www.cer.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/attachments/pdf/2013/pbrief_buchan_shale_10july13-7645.pdf
S. pp). For more than ten years, Chinese officials have stated that production from Chinese firms investing overseas is more secure than imports purchased on the international market (U.S. pp). In order to secure more reliable access, Chinese firms are being directed to invest in projects in the Caspian region, Russia, the Middle East and South America (U.S. pp).
The National Intelligence Council's report also states that Europe's energy needs will probably not grow to the same extent as those of the developing world, partly because of Europe's expected lower economic growth and more efficient use of energy (U.S. pp). Europe's increasing preference for natural gas, combined with depleting reserves in the North Sea, will provide an added boost to political efforts that are already under way to strengthen ties with Russia and North Africa, since gas requires a higher level of political commitment by both sides in designing and…
"Globalization and Energy Supply: Strategic Risk in the 21st Century."
A Deloitte Research Viewpoint. May 2004.
Harris, Martha Caldwell. "The Globalization of Energy Markets."
Geopolitical Energy Competition
One hundred years ago, oil supplies were a non-issue. There was limited demand for oil, and hence limited supply. Today, oil is the most important factor shaping the geopolitical landscape. Global demand for oil is estimated to be 84.6 million barrels per day (OPEC, 2009). OPEC produces 24.845 million barrels per day, and non-OPEC nations produce a further 50.7 million barrels per day for a total production of 75.545 bpd (OPEC, 2008). Many observers believe that the world has already passed "peak oil," that is to say the point at which the majority of the world's oil reserves have been discovered and production maximized (Deffeyes, 2003). Demand in the United States is presently estimated to be 20.7 million barrels per day, some 68% of that going to meet transportation needs (Energy Information Administration, 2007). However, demand from emerging economies such as those in India and China are…
No author. (2009). 152nd Meeting of the OPEC Conference. OPEC. Retrieved April 15, 2009 from http://www.opec.org/opecna/Press%20Releases/2009/pr042009.htm
No author. (2008). 151st Meeting of the OPEC Conference. OPEC. Retrieved April 15, 2009 from http://www.opec.org/opecna/Press%20Releases/2008/pr172008.htm
Deffeyes, Kenneth S. (2003). Hubbert's Peak. Retrieved April 15, 2009 from http://books.google.com/books?id=fgDBgqhR_lsC&dq=peak+oil&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=Xp3iQQ8M6m&sig=BuO97Gq_zTX4h4gxnz8pqxOwPeo&hl=en&ei=kHvmSb_8Bc_gtgf7rYieBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2#PPA1,M1
No author. (2007). Energy Information Administration: 2007 Annual Review. Retrieved April 15, 2009 from http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/pdf/pages/sec5_3.pdf
Who is Leading the International Clean Energy Race?
The race for clean energy is already underway, but some countries are in vanguard while others remain heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Unfortunately, even the winners of the clean energy race fail to realize the full range of benefits that can accrue to renewable energy sources as long as other countries continue to rely on fossil fuels for their energy needs. To determine the facts about what is happening today and likely outcomes for the future, this paper reviews the relevant literature to describe how developing countries can reach 100% renewable energy as well as some of the more severe challenges that are involved in providing clean energy in developing regions of the world. In addition, a discussion concerning whether the goal of achieving clean energy access for all humanity by 2030 is achievable or not is followed by an analysis of…
eduction of Energy Consumption Among Corporations
The following are suitable ways to lower energy consumption
Encouraging reuse and recycling of waste materials.
Installing solar systems to provide alternative source of energy.
Having in place efficient manufacturing systems and machines that demand lesser energy than outdated models.
Harnessing of wind energy.
Change from the traditional bulbs to the light emitting diode (LED) bulbs that consume far much less.
The corporations need to instill in their employees the value of unplugging or switching off all appliances that are not being used especially when closing office for the night or for long holidays.
All energy consuming appliances need to be serviced regularly to make them more efficient, for instance the aid conditioners in the offices.
Corporations need to make their buildings as insulated as possible to help cut down on the heating costs (Pace University, 2000).
Having shade trees and painting of houses…
Natural Resources Defense Council, (2015). How to Reduce your Energy Consumption. Retrieved January 28, 2016 from http://www.nrdc.org/air/energy/genergy.asp
Pace University, (2000). Twenty Tjings you can Do to Conserve Energy. Retrieved January 28, 2016 from http://www.powerscorecard.org/reduce_energy.cfm
Waste and Energy Presentation
The first waste product is organic food waste. This ends up in landfills, and there are a number of negative outcomes. Food waste releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Landfills are 20% of all methane emissions in the United States. Further, organic food waste is material that could be composted, but usually is not, representing a lost opportunity to create valuable compost for growing food. In addition, prior to making its way to the landfill, food waste is often stored in back alleys and in garbage cans, where it attracts rodents and other vermin (EPA, 2015).
Nuclear waste is a by-product of nuclear energy production. Nuclear waste comes in a number of categories, but it generally must be treated before it is deposited, and usually it must be turned to glass, stored in ceramics and then buried deep in the earth. Nuclear wastes have a long…
EPA.gov (2015). The food recovery hierarchy. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved June 1, 2015 from http://www.epa.gov /foodrecovery/
Tollefson, J. (2015). U.S. government seeks sites for nuclear waste storage. Nature. Retrieved June 1, 2015 from http://www.nature.com/news/us-government-seeks-sites-for-nuclear-waste-storage-1.17183
Greenpeace (2014). Coal impacts on water. Greenpeace. Retrieved June 1, 2015 from http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/climate-change/coal/Water-impacts/
SourceWatch (2015). Fracking and water pollution. SourchWatch.org. Retrieved June 1, 2015 from http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Fracking_and_water_pollution
The urban village is being constructed on brownfield land that was formerly being used by an oil refinery that was called the Llandarcy Oil efinery that was owned by BP. This oil refinery was constructed between the years 1918 and 1922 and it has been labeled as the first crude oil refinery in the country. Since there were some economic changes, the site was closed in the year 1997 (Brownfield renewal in Wales and South West egion, 2007).
Planned Outputs of the Urban Village
According to the plan that has been prepared for Coed Darcy, the community will comprise of 4,000 homes along with employment space, community facilities as well as open space that covered an area of 1,300 acres. The estimate of the development of this community is about 1.2 billion pounds. Moreover, four new schools have also been planned for this community. These schools include 2…
"Brownfield renewal in the South West and Wales region" (2008). Investor Site Visit - 1st October 2007. St. Modwen Properties PLC.
"Coed Darcy gets outline planning permission" (2007). WalesOnline.
"Coed Darcy Name Revealed at Llandarcy Development Exhibition" (2008). Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council.
"Coed Darcy Urban Village" (2008). The Prince's Foundation.
Future Energy: Guiding Decisions Evidence in order reduce negative environmental impacts growing human population increasing demands energy technological advances continue, individual countries, states, cities households opportunity shift energy sources renewable
Most consumers are unaware of the extreme negativeness surrounding their consumption of goods and that it inevitably leads to environmental degradation. However, there seems to be a more conscious effort to go around the negative impact of consumption of energy by choosing renewable sources. In this essay, we will assess a particular region in America and that is the state of Florida with specific references to certain areas in order to observe what sources of energy are currently used and what renewable sources may be best suitable and least suitable in the area, considering climate and the environment.
With climate changes accelerating at a fast pace, Miami, which is already subject of the increase of Earth's temperatures and rise of…
Miami -- Dade County. N. y. Energy -- Electricity and Fuel [Data File] Retrieved from http://www.miamidade.gov/greenprint/planning/library/milestone_one/energy.pdf
Natural Resources Defense Council. N. y. State Profiles -- Florida [Data File] Retrieved from http://www.nrdc.org/energy/renewables/florida.asp
Ultra Long-Term Perspectives World Energy
Energy is a very important part of our lives and the world that we live in today. It has always been important since the time that the humans used to do all their work by themselves to the times when they started using animals and even today when we make use of the energy sources around us to produce energy such as electricity.
Today our main source of energy are the fossils fuels that won't last forever as, they take millions of years to form and very little time to get used as a source of energy. One of the very important concerns of today's time is the speed with which we are consuming these fossil fuels and how it will be very difficult for us to keep up with the increased demand which is expected to double by 2050 as the population is expected…
European Renewable Energy Council EREC. (2010). Re-thinking 2050 - A 100% renewable energy vision of EU. Retrieved from http://www.erec.org/media/publications/re-thinking-2050.html
Jess, A. (2010). What might be the energy demand and energy mix to reconcile the world's pursuit of welfare and happiness with the necessity to preserve the integrity of the biosphere? Energy Policy, 38(8), 4663 -- 4678. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421510003009
Khatib, H. (2011). IEA World Energy Outlook 2010 -- A comment. Energy Policy, 39(5), 2507 -- 2511. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421511000930
Khatib, H. (2012). IEA World Energy Outlook 2011 -- A comment. Energy Policy, 48, 737 -- 743. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421512005149
Establishment Energy Cooperation
Establishment of Energy Cooperation System East Asia
The economic growth and its sustainability of any developing and developed country are dependent on the basis of its energy requirements (Lincoln, 2004). The countries in East Asian region are also no exception. The energy requirements of the region are swelling with the increased focus on its development. The regional focus has also established grounds for the political and industry leaders to focus on the requirements and prepare their countries for future energy needs. The region is also dependent on the energy imports especially the fuel for energy including oil and gas. The increasing energy production requirements are also creating an issue for the local governments to manage the energy prices within the affordable range of its consumers.
The local cooperation among various countries in the region is affected by the political and territorial issues. However the regional cooperation organizations…
Dent, C.M. (2008). East Asian Regionalism. USA: Routledge.
Dincer, I., & Rosen, M.A. (2012). Exergy: energy, environment and sustainable development. USA: Elsevier.
Economides, M.J., & Wood, D.A. (2009). The state of natural gas. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 1(1), 1-13.
Fujita, M., Kuroiwa, I., & Kumagai, S. (Eds.). (2011). The Economics of East Asian Integration: A Comprehensive Introduction to Regional Issues. USA: Edward Elgar Publishing.
Community's Source of Energy
An Examination of Energy Sources in the Willows Community of Gilbert, Arizona
The community of Willows is located in the city of Gilbert, Arizona. It is an HOA community of single family homes, with a number of amenities included. As with any community, it has power usage needs that have to be considered. Before the community was built, the issue of how to get power to the area and how much power might be used by the residents there was considered. Then, the community was built and the houses were sold. That raised the amount of power that was needed in Gilbert, which is a growing city with a strong population base and many things for residents to enjoy. The power needs of any community are important, because residents want to be assured that they have enough of what they need to power their homes (Aitken,…
Aitken, D.W. (2010). Transitioning to a renewable energy future. NY: International Solar Energy Society.
Lovins, A. (2011). Reinventing fire: Bold business solutions for the new energy era. NY: Chelsea Green Publishing.
Makower, J, Pernick, R., & Wilder, C. (2009). Clean Energy Trends. NY: Clean Edge.
Renewable energy. (2014). SRP. Retrieved from http://www.srpnet.com/environment/renewable.aspx
Cape Wind Project proposed for Cape Cod, and the political, economic, and social impacts to Cape Cod and Nantucket. The Cape Wind Project is a proposed wind-turbine project off the shoreline of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Supporters of the project believe it is the right clean-air, renewable energy project for the area, and it will negate the need for an old, outdated fossil fuel electrical generating plant. Opponents believe it is the wrong project for the area, and it will reduce their quality of life, as well as block local fishermen from their livelihoods. Controversial and very public, the project has been debated since 2001, and it still has not begun construction.
I am David McCullough, author and historian, and I live full time on Cape Cod. I am adamantly opposed to the Cape Wind project for a number of compelling reasons. First and foremost, in my mind, is that…
Editors. "Wind Farms." Cape Cod Times. 2009. 19 May 2009.
Editors. "Cape Wind: The Economy." Save Our Sound. 2009. 19 May 2009.
Alternate Energy in Daily Life
Imagine that you could travel in time, much like Doc Brown and Marty McFly in the movie Back to the Future. uppose you traveled back to 1955 with the Doc and Marty and asked a resident of 1955 what the year 2011 would be like. Would he predict hybrid cars, or flying cars? Would he believe that the United tates has a moon base -- or that is has no moon program at all? Would he believe that kids carry cell phones but that the only commercial viable robot is the Roomba vacuum? omeone living in 1955 would probably predict a future much different from the one we are actually living today. When you consider how life in the future was depicted in movies, TV programs, and books in the middle of the 20th century, it easy to see that our predictions about the future…
Sources." (February 21, 2009.) Retrieved April 27, 2011 from the Alternative Energy website at http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/hydrogen-fuel-from-non-food-sources/
IBM. (2000.) "Flying Cars Commercial." Retrieved April 26, 2011 from YouTube.com at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzm6pvHPSGo
Johnson, Keith. (August 10, 2009.) "Blown Away: Wind Power Makes Electricity Cheaper in Texas." Retrieved April 28, 2011 from the Wall Street Journal at http://blogs.wsj.com/environmentalcapital/2009/08/10/blown-away-wind-power-makes-electricity-cheaper-in-texas/
Kobayashi, Teruo. (December, 2005.) "Progress of Electric Railways in Japan." Japan Railway and Transport Review issue 42. Pp 62-69. Retrieved from http://jrtr.net/jrtr42/pdf/s62_kob.pdf
Loftin, Josh. (April 18, 2011.) "Home renewable energy for focus of Utah conference." Retrieved April 27, 2011 from Business Week at http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9MM3JV80.htm
For one thing, while the deregulation of panish retail markets has driven interest among the nation's utilities to differentiate themselves and so win overall share, Iberdrola is already competing quite effectively on its renewable power proposition -- it is likely that most paniards who want to go green have already done so. hould Endesa require additional renewable capacity to meet demand, it also has the relatively captive resources of its recently announced corporate affiliate Enel Green Power to fall back on, allowing it to keep any value-added green power buying "in the family."
If cottish & outhern Energy finds it necessary to enter the fast-growing panish market, it may be easier to simply buy a small local utility and compete on the ground. This would give the company direct access to the wind-friendly panish subsidy regime; so far tightening budgets have not led Madrid to take a less active role…
Crouch, M. (2010). Electricity interconnector policy (PDF document). Retrieved from http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Europe/Documents1/Interconnector%20policy%20consultation.pdf .
Enzili, M.M. (2008). Country study Morocco (PDF document). Retrieved from http://gtz.de/de/dokumente/cder2008-en-country-case-study-morocco.pdf.
European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) (2009). Statistical yearbook 2008: Regional group Continental Europe (PDF document). Retrieved from http://www.entsoe.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/_library/publications/ce/Statistical_Yearbook_2008.pdf .
European Union (2001). UK-French electricity interconnector opens up, increasing scope for competition (Web page). Retrieved from http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/01/341&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en .
Downside of Nuclear Energy:
Energy production has been a major issue that has attracted huge concerns in the recent past because of the negative environmental impacts associated with generating energy through burning of fossil fuels. A growing interest in nuclear power has significantly increases during this period as it is considered as a real solution to energy security and means of dealing with climate change. Actually, there have been concerns on whether nuclear power is the solution or answer to a warming planet or it is dangerous and expensive to meet the future energy needs of the modern society. hile some people have argued in support of the use of nuclear energy as a solution to these problems, others have opposed such attempts. These varying opinions have been based on arguments and counter-arguments that demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy.
Increased Attention on Nuclear Power:
As previously mentioned,…
Adamson, Greg. We All Live on Three Mile Island: The Case against Nuclear Power. Sydney: Pathfinder, 1981. Print.
"The Case against Nuclear Power and the Case for Real Solutions to Energy Security and Climate Change." Greenpeace International. GREENPEACE. Web. 31 May 2014. .
Totty, Michael. "The Case For and Against Nuclear Power." The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, 30 June 2008. Web. 31 May 2014. .
Williams, Chris. "The Case against Nuclear Power." ISR - International Socialist Review. The Center for Economic Research and Social Change. Web. 31 May 2014. .
My energy use varied depending on the day. In general, heating oil is used, so this will increase on days that are cooler or wetter. Electrical reflects appliance usage for the most part. There is a baseline of electrical usage for things like lights, coffee maker and other daily essentials. Electricity usage spikes on laundry day in particular. There is a small solar component to the heating, providing heat for a couple of rooms. Auto gas reflects car usage, which fluctuates. There is a commuting baseline for five out of seven days, and so non-commuting days can see lower gasoline usage.
The local energy company uses primarily coal as its power source, but also makes use of a small percentage of nuclear power as well. The utility posts this information on its website. The different power sources are all outlined, so consumers can effectively understand the source of the…
EDF (2011). California's global warming solutions act. Environmental Defense Fund. Retrieved October 31, 2011 from http://www.edf.org/climate/AB32
As the term suggest, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been reduced to a liquid by cooling it to minus 161°C thereby eliminating oxygen, carbon dioxide and other unwanted components to achieve almost pure methane (Liquefied Natural Gas 2012). According to one LNG producer, "In the liquefaction process, impurities are removed from the gas before it is cooled. The cooling of natural gas to -162°C causes it to liquefy at which point it takes up 1/600th of its original volume. This allows the gas to be stored and transported safely and economically in large vessels" (LNG Liquefaction Process 2012, p. 2). Interestingly, Chandra (2012) points out that after natural gas is cooled to -- 161.5° C ( -- 260° F) and reduced, the actual volume shrinkage is about 610 times; however, 600 times reduction is typically cited in the literature. Because of its highly cooled and liquid…
Akimoto, K., Sano, F., Odo, J., Homma, T., Rout, U.K. & Tomoda, T. (2008). 'Global Emission
Reductions through a Sectoral Intensity Target Scheme.' Climate Policy, vol. 8, pp. 46-
Ben-Moshe, S., Crowell, J.J., Gale, K.M., Peace, B.A., Rosenblatt, B.P. & Thomason, K.D>
However, they are worth considering on the long haul. Since the oil and gas reserves are suffering from a chronic shortage, a major company such as Exxon should think strategically and expand into this area. The discussion is more complex, in the sense that intensive research and development efforts are needed to both improve the above mentioned alternatives and to discover new sources of energy.
Exxon Financial esults
Due to the high crude-oil and natural gas prices, in the context of a busy hurricane seasons in the Gulf of Mexico, Exxon has reported record figures for 2005, mounting up to $36 billion in net income and 31% return on average capital.
Source: Exxon Mobil 2005 Company eport
The results Exxon reported for the 2005 fiscal year are impressive:
record earnings of $36 billion, up 46%;
net income per common share of $5.76;
net income to average shareholder's equity of 339%…
Armstrong, M. 2003, Human resource management practice, (9th ed.), Kogan Page Limited, London
Litle, J. 2005, Get Rich - While Exxon Goes Broke, Retrieved Online from URL: http://news.goldseek.com/DailyReckoning/1162413657.php
Logan, A. And Grossman D. 2006, ExxonMobil's Corporate Governance on Climate Change, Ceres & the Investor Network on Climate Risk
Maxwell C. And Feshbach B., Energetic Discussion, Retrieved Online from URL: http://www.weedenco.com/welling/archive/li/v06i04lilogo.asp
Energy is the basis of industrial civilization and modern society. There is little doubt that without energy, modern life would cease to exist. Over the last two hundred years, human beings have relied heavily on fossil fuels for their energy needs. Fossil fuels, however, are non-renewable and in limited supply and if we continue to use the earth's fossil fuel resources at the present rate, we would soon run out of the earth's fuel reserves. Moreover, burning of fossil fuels contributes to air pollution, acid rain, and global warming that could ultimately make life unsustainable on our planet. ith several promising alternate energy sources such as 'geothermal,' 'nuclear,' 'wind' and 'solar' power having proved either too expensive, too dangerous or impractical, the need for a new invention that provides an alternate fuel was never more urgent as it is today. The invention that I have in mind is the…
Lindemann, Peter DSc. "Where in the World is all the Free Energy?" Extracted from Nexus Magazine, Volume 8, Number 4. (2001) September 23, 2003 http://www.nexusmagazine.com/freeenergy.html
Patch, Kimberly. "Sunlight turns Water to Fuel." Technology Research News. January 9, 2002 September 23, 2003 http://www.trnmag.com/Stories/2002/010902/Sunlight_turns_water_to_fuel_010902.html
Since nuclear energy is derived from uranium -- a finite resource -- it is a non-renewable resource
Kimberly Patch (2002). "Sunlight turns water to fuel" Technology Research News
The modern world has been characterized with several environmental issues in the recent past including natural resource depletion, climate change, pollution, and overpopulation. However, climate change has attracted significant attention because of increased environmental impact of industrialization and globalization. Climate change is largely attributable to the current energy sources, which continue to affect the environment. As a result, the search for a suitable energy source with little to no environmental effect has become a major issue for policymakers, governments, and environmentalists. Despite conventional views that nuclear power is unsuitable, recent studies and statistics have considered it a clean energy source. This has contributed to arguments and counter-arguments on whether nuclear energy is clean and safe for the environment. Despite having little to no emission of dangerous gases, nuclear energy is unsustainable when considered from an economic and social perspective.
The Case for Nuclear Energy
In the past few…
Cavanagh, R. & Cochran, T. (2013, November 6). Nuclear Energy Film Overstates Positives, Underplays Negatives. CNN. Retrieved February 9, 2016, from http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/06/opinion/pandora-nuclear-energy-opinion-cavanagh-cochran/
Kemfert et al. (2015, November). European Climate Targets Achievable Without Nuclear Power. DIW Economic Bulletin, 5(47), 619-625.
Koffler, D. (2008, July 8). The Case for Nuclear Power. The Guardian. Retrieved February 9, 2016, from http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/jul/08/nuclearpower.energy
Totty, M. (2008, June 30). The Case For and Against Nuclear Power. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 9, 2016, from http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121432182593500119
Speed here is of essence and spices like flying fish are able to jump out of water to escape predators. Others that lack like jellies are transparent. Turtles will have a shell to protect them. Gills enable animals to manage different water pressures like the sharks while whales have the capability of holding their breaths for longer periods. On the other hand, since the benthic zone does not allow sunlight to reach it due to its depth (beyond 600 feet), some fish and crustaceans, at this level do not see, in fact half of the species at this level are blind. In this sense, the organisms have adapted to produce their own lights from their specialized parts in their bodies known as photophores. In addition, since there is lack of phytoplacton to start the food chain, life is limited and fish have adapted to fulfill their needs. For instance, some…
Crouse, R. (n.d.). Waves: Tsunamis/Seismic sea waves. Water encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Tw-Z/Waves.html
Gardiner, L. (2010, January 8). Surface ocean currents. windows.ucar.edu. Retrieved from http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Water/ocean_currents.html
Lee, H.J., and Normark, W.R. (2009). Earth science in urban ocean: The Southern California continental borderland. New York, U.S.: Geological Society of America.
Makai. (n.d). Threats to marine ecosystems. Waianae ecological characteristics. Retrieved from http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/czm/initiative/wec/html/sea/marine/threats.htm
Light Energy illustrates the techniques employed by various scientists in determining the accurate value of the speed of light. This paper outlines all the methods employed by them and the grave difficulties they faced in acquiring a more accurate value. This paper also emphasizes on the importance of the value of the speed of light.
One of the fundamental concepts that is put forward for the students, who are studying about light is that it is a form of energy. Even though light shows properties like reflection and refraction, Huygens suggestion that light consists of waves in1680 was rejected by many scientists. This was because scientists then were not able to demonstrate the wave properties of light such as interference and diffraction. Even Newton considered light to constitute of small particles which he referred to as corpuscles. It was only later, in 1801, when Thomas Young observed the…
Botha A. (2002), The Speed Of Light, [Online], Available from:
[12 Feb. 2004].
Fowler M. (1996), The Speed Of Light, [Online] Available from:
[12 Feb. 2004].
There have not been specific funding promises from the candidates for specific aspects of the Pickens Plan, either.
The final verdict on the Pickens Plan campaign will not be known for months, if not years. The new president will not take office until January, and will require time to formulate a cohesive strategy. In terms of the action plan, the strategy to mobilize the grassroots in order to put pressure on the government has not succeeded thus far. The grassroots will give the new president his mandate, and the supporters of the Pickens Plan will ultimately take a back seat to that.
In terms of action, the most effective part of this public relations campaign has been the direct contact between Pickens and the candidates. This may or may not have occurred without the grassroots, but it is reasonable to expect that it would have occurred due to Mr. Pickens'…
Pickens, T. Boone. 2008. "Pickens Plan" PickensPlan.com. [online] Accessed October 28, 2008 at http://www.pickensplan.com/about/
Lazarus, David. 2008. "T. Boone Pickens could gain from his energy plan, but so might we" Los Angeles Times [online] Accessed October 28, 2008 at http://www.latimes.com /business/la-fi-lazarus9-2008jul09,0,7890733.column
Rose, Charlie. 2008. "Pickens: My energy plan is the only plan" CBS News/60 Minutes. [online] Accessed October 28, 2008 at http://www.cbsnews.com /stories/2008/10/23/60minutes/main4541322.shtml?source=mostpop_story
Tree Wind Power Generator
Currently, there is a growing demand for sustainable energy sources given the rising fossil fuel prices, carbon dioxide emissions, and energy security. In apt response to this critical issue, a renewable alternative energy innovation is receiving wide spread interest and attention. This innovation entails the manufacture of energy harvesting trees to capture both wind and solar energy (Alternative Energy, 2009). The technology behind this; bio-mimicry is an emerging science using nature to alleviate human suffering. Using bio-mimicry techniques, scientists have come up with an artificial tree functioning as a passive solar-wind harvester. The harvested energy is stored and later converted into high value energy form.
Energy is harvested from a wide range of sources including water, wind, and solar among other sources. These methods have been efficient as far as energy harvesting is concerned but, scientists are still looking for methods of harvesting energy using fewer…
Alternative Energy. (2009, March 3). Artificial Trees to Harness Solar and Wind Energy. Retrieved October 29, 2012, from www.alternative-energy-news.info: http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/artificial-trees-to-harness-solar-and-wind-energy/
Alternative Energy. (2010, May 27). Scientists Study Fish Schools for Wind Farm Ideas. Retrieved October 29, 2012, from www.alternative-energy-news.info: http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/scientists-study-fish-schools-wind-farm-ideas/
Beeby, R. (2011, July 23). Star Scientist's Smaller and Better Wind Turbine. Canberra Times, p. 4.
BeyondFossilFuel.com. (2008). Wind Tree Concept - Wind Power. Retrieved October 29, 2012, from www.beyondfossilfuel.com: http://www.beyondfossilfuel.com/windpower/wind_tree.html
These technologies are can be separated into three main categories (Alternative Energy):
Wave Energy Converters: These systems extract the power of ocean waves and convert it into electricity. Typically, these systems use either a water column or some type of surface or just-below-surface buoy to capture the wave power. In addition to oceans, some lakes may offer sufficient wave activity to support wave energy converter technology. (Alternative Energy).
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC): OTEC generates electricity through the temperature differential in warmer surface water and colder deep water. Of ocean technologies, OTEC has the most limited applicability in the United States because it requires a 40-degree temperature differential that is typically available in locations like Hawaii and other more tropical climates (Alternative Energy).
Offshore Wind: Offshore wind projects take advantage of the vast wind resources available across oceans and large water bodies. Out at sea, winds blow freely, unobstructed by…
Alternative Energy. "Renewable ocean energy: Tides, currents, waves." 23 October 2006. alternative-energy-news.info. 18 November 2009 .
AWEA. "Wind Energy Basics." 2005. American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). 18 November 2009 .
Burgermeister, J. "Germany: The World's first major renewable energy economy." 3 April 2009. Renewableenergyworld.com. 18 November 2009 .
CIA. "World Factbook: Germany." 11 November 2009. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). 18 November 2009 .
Cost and CO2 reduction analysis were performed using local data available from both commercial and professional bodies. A majority of current thermal rating programs require the equipment to be tested in accordance to a standard test under specified testing conditions. This approach provides reliable data because it is possible to replicate such tests within an accepted uncertainty band. There are, however, some rating programs which combine a standard test and a calculation procedure to produce a performance rating. Such is the case for the energy guide label for electric and gas hot water heaters. A similar method has been developed to provide a practical rating system with the goal of presenting an easily understood comparison between SDHW systems and conventional hot water systems. Note that the performance any individual commercial enterprise will experience may differ due to location and hot water usage.
The thermal performance rating is based on the…
Abbasi, T., & a., a.S. (2011). Renewable Energy Sources . New Delhi: PHI.
BRE (2002), BREDEM-8 Model Description: 2001 Update, BRE, UK ? BSI (1989), BS5918:
British Standard Code of Practice for Solar Heating Systems for Domestic Hot Water,
Bradford, J. & Bean, F. (2011). 'Here comes the sun: a field trial of solar water heating systems.' The Energy Saving Trust. [PDF]
CEFC and the Future of Environmental Finance
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) represents the most aggressive environmental finance initiative sponsored by the Australian Government to date. The CEFC is an independent entity established as part of the Clean Energy Future Policy by the Australian government. As of March 2012, funding for the program totaled AUS $10 billion in government backed investments for the commercialization and deployment of clean energy technologies. This research will explore the CEFC and its role in the development and deployment of environmentally friendly energy sources and alternatives.
Governments around the world recognize the need for developing clean and renewable energy sources that reduce their environmental impact. The topic of global warning and climate change has increased the need for the development of less energy intensive and environmentally damaging energy sources. Although the role of human beings in these changes is a topic of debate, it…
Business Innovation & Skills. 2011. The economics of the Green Investment Bank: Costs and Benefits, rationale and value for money. [online] Available at: http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/business-sectors/docs/e/12-554-economics-of-the-green-investment-bank.pdf [Accessed 10 June 2012].
Clean Energy Council. March 2012. Design Features of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.Deloitte. [online] Available at: http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/...CEFC.../ ... [Accessed 10 June 2012].
Commonwealth of Australia. 2011. Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Expert Review. [online] Available at: http://www.cefcexpertreview.gov.au/content/Content.aspx?doc=report/default.htm [Accessed 10 June 2012].
Department for Business Innovation and Skills. 2012. UK Green Investment Bank. [online] Available at: http://www.bis.gov.uk/greeninvestmentbank [Accessed 10 June 2012].
In this regard, some exceptions have been given to the insurance companies while the other companies should follow these principles.
In the year 2005, the commercial sector of the United Kingdom spent $16,500 million for fossil fuels of 350,000 GWh. On the other hand, researchers have reported that a decline of energy consumption has been observed in the tertiary sector of the United Kingdom (Probst & oecker, 2011, pg 109-124).
Hot water consumption
Probst (2011) stated that hot water is consumed around three percent in industries and fifteen percent I the fossil energy. This shows that a total of 22,000GWh of hot water is consumed each year.
The high and low temperature hot water from the hot water boilers is used in a number of things such as apace heating, washing and in some industrial processes. The direct and straight use of hot water is in washing. Modern hot water…
Abbasi, T., & a., a.S. (2011). Renewable Energy Sources . New Delhi: PHI.
Council, E.R. (2004). Renewable Energy in Europe: Building Markets and Capacity. London: James & James.
DeWinter, F. (1990). Solar Collectors, Energy Storage, and Materials. Cambridge, Mass. [u.a.]: MIT Press.
Herring, H., Hardcastle, R., Phillipson, R., & Energy, G.B. (1988). Energy use and energy efficiency in UK commercial and public buildings up to the year 2000. London: HMSO.
Regulating Oil and Gas Drilling and Transport
The American economy runs on energy produced from oil, coal, natural gas, hydroelectric power, nuclear power and renewable sources like solar and wind energies. In fact according to a report in the Congressional Research Service, oil provides the United States with 40% of its total energy needs. It is used in myriad ways, providing "…fuel for the transportation, industrial, and residential sectors" (Ramseur, 2012). Because of the great need for energy to fuel the American economy, oil in "vast quantities" enters the country and moves through the country by ships and by pipelines, Ramseur explains in the Congressional Research Service. Hence, it is inevitable that some spills will occur, and they certainly do occur, notwithstanding the attempts by the industry to conduct its business safely.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that the U.S. consumed 6.87 billion barrels (about 18.83 million barrels…
American Petroleum Institute. (2012). Energy Security. Retrieved February 15, 2013, from http://www.api.org.
Barkham, Patrick. (2010).Oil spills: Legacy of the Torrey Canyon. The Guardian. Retrieved February 14, 2013, from http://www.guardian.co.uk .
Griffin, Catherine. (2013). European Satellite Confirms Arctic Ocean is on Thin Ice, Global
Warming Strikes Again. Science World Report. Retrieved February 15, 2013, from http://www.scienceworldreport.com .
However, not every element of renewable energy will prove advantageous for us to implement. All of the forms of renewable energy have not been mass implemented on a large scale in the past. This means that we would have o completely redesign our energy plans in order to accommodate these new technologies. This will prove labor intensive and costly in the initial implementation stages (Hick 2009).
Yet, despite disadvantages, these new renewable energy sources are crucial to a better life tomorrow. Some prove much too costly to implement with any sort of immediate returns, such as massive wind energy plants. However, solar energy is much less costly, easier to access from an individual standpoint, and completely unlimited. Solar energy proves one of the most desirable and cost effective renewable energy sources for today, and can be implemented while we develop more strategies for the future.
Hick, Matthew. (2009). Advantages…
Hick, Matthew. (2009). Advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy. Renewable Energy Today. Retrieved October 11, 2009 at http://renewableenergy-today.com/Renewable-Energy/Advantages-Disadvantages-Renewable-Energy.html
White, Dowl. (2009). The advantages of renewable energy. Ezine Articles. Retrieved October 11, 2009 at http://ezinearticles.com/?the-Advantages-of-Renewable-Energy&id=1436956
Wind energy itself is a completely renewable source. In fact, it actually relies on solar power as its own source; "The sun's energy in interaction with the Earth's surfaces creates the winds and as long as the sun is up there, wind is a renewable energy source," (Sustainable Table 2010). Modern implication and practice have proven that generating power through wind energy can be a reliable and clean source of providing practical uses of power. esidential and commercials cities have been provided with much power coming from the windy plains of America's greatest desserts. It is a growing strategy for alternative energy solutions, and "Today, wind energy is captured by wind turbines and used to generate electricity," (West 2010). More and more facilities of seemingly endless white wind turbines are being built across the country. Such facilities will provide great sources for energy within the future development of the nation.…
Alternate Energy Sources. (2010). Alternate Energy Sources for a Flourishing Future. Retrieved March 11, 2010 from http://www.alternate-energy-sources.com/index.html .
Organizing America. (2010). New energy for America. Issues. Retrieved March 11, 2010 from http://www.barackobama.com/issues/newenergy/index.php
Sustainable Table. (2010). Fossil fuel and energy use. The Issues. Retrieved March 11, 2010 from http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/energy/
West, Larry. (2010). Top 7 renewable energy sources. Environmental Issues. Retrieved March 11, 2010 from http://environment.about.com/od/renewableenergy/tp/renew_energy.htm
When finished, it will produce enough energy to power 8,000 Oahu homes and reduce carbon dramatically. The Kaheawa Wind Power farm expansion now has 14 more turbines which will make it a 50 megawatt production center with some capability for overnight battery storage. Even with the advances in technology, the idea of using wind -- a free resource that simply needs funding for equipment and maintenance, is increasingly important ("enewable Energy Sources," 2010).
Other companies are exploring the combination of solar and wind to produce energy for smaller projects. For example, alternative power generators could drive down the need for energy if just 20% of corporations used renewable energy. One case in point is the Parker ang, using a combination grid and tracking system that literally turns cells toward the sun and aims the wind turbines. This system was built in just 5 months, and will completely pay for itself…
"Hawaii Small-Scale Energy Projects," (2010). Power-Technology.com. Cited in:
"Hawaii Wind Energy News," (2010). Wind Energy Industry Today. Cited in:
Photovoltaic power system is a type of renewable energy that converts solar energy into solar photovoltaic electricity. Photovoltaic (PV) technology converts energy from the sunlight into the electricity. One of the advantages of the PV technology is that it is pollution free, and it is applicable with little maintenance.
(EPIA 2008). Since sunlight is available free of charge, there has been an increase in the research and development (&D) to make the Photovoltaic energy available to all households and industry in the future. With the advantages derived from the PV energy systems, varieties of research have been launched at national and international laboratories focusing on the mass production of solar power at possible lower costs. (Dahl, 2005). In German, there are varieties of efforts in the development of PV technology. There has been an increase in the collaboration of government, university and the industry consortia in the development of Photovoltaic…
Dahl, T ( 2005). Photovoltaic Power Systems. Technology White Paper
El-Beyrouty, K. Meimanaliev, A. Petrosyan, L. et al. (2009). Germany's Photovoltaic Cluster. Competitiveness of Microeconomics: Clusters, Firms and Economic Development.
EPIA (2008). Photovoltaic Energy: Electricity from the Su
EPIA, (2011). Who is EPIA? Retrieved 25 October 2011 from http://www.epia.org/about-epia/who-is-epia.html
All of these steps are easy to take and can help protect the Earth. Developing renewable energy sources is also an important step Christians should take regarding preserving the environment.
The commercial energy consumption, in the United States alone, in 2006, was 1,994,876 kilotons of oil equivalent. The most disturbing part of that figure is that only 8.41% of that energy came from renewable electricity production ("Energy"). Investment in research and development for technology to efficiently harness renewable energy sources is critical. In addition to investment in new technology, large energy consuming countries, such as the United States, need to take advantage of current technology to utilize renewable energy sources -- like wind.
In 2004, the United States generated 6,740 M of power with wind turbines. However, other, smaller countries have taken greater advantage of this inexpensive, clean, renewable source of power. Germany produced 16,629 M of power with wind…
Air Pollution. United Nations, Oct. 2009. Web. 9 Dec. 2009. http://unstats.un.org/unsd/environment/ODS_Consumption.htm .
Climatological Disasters. United Nations, Oct. 2009. Web. 9 Dec. 2009. http://unstats.un.org/unsd/environment/Climatological_disasters.htm .
Energy. United Nations. Sept. 2009. Web. 9 Dec. 2009. http://unstats.un.org/unsd/environment/Energy.htm .
Greenhouse Gas Emissions. United Nations, Aug. 2009. Web. 9 Dec. 2009. http://unstats.un.org/unsd/environment/air_co2_emissions.htm .
Against Nuclear Power
When considering the ever-changing and highly competitive global landscape of international relations and business today, all nations and their respective economies must be able to effectively globalize their energy operations in order to reach a greater potential resource base and sustain fiscal durability in the long-term. In accomplishing the aforementioned tasks, many nations have placed environmental considerations at the bottom of the ladder of priority. However, with countless new environmental initiatives cropping up each day, it behooves any and all government and big business personnel to gain a greater respect for the fragile environment in which we live. Terms like "emissions," "energy consumption," "fossil fuel depletion" and "carbon footprint" are increasingly becoming a part of the average global citizen's vocabulary. The future of all nations lies in the hands of those who seriously embrace the importance of such rhetoric. Accordingly, several energy-producing options have been considered and…
Bodansky, D. (2004). Nuclear Energy: Principles, Practices, and Prospects (2nd Edition ed.). New York, NY: Springer-Verlag LLC.
Hatch, M., Ron, E., Bouville, A., Zablotska, L., & Howe, G. (2005). The Chernobyl Disaster: Cancer following the Accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Epidemiol Review, 27 (1), 56-66.
Jo, D.-J., & Gartzke, E. (2007). Determinants of Nuclear Weapons Proliferation. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 51 (1), 167-194.
Ryan, V. (2009). Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Power. Retrieved June 27, 2011, from http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/wind8.htm
She also mentions the huge energy giant British Petroleum (BP) came up with some honest and effective marketing in its green promotions. And while it is laudable for an oil company to invest in green technologies, BP did it with "appropriate humility that admits its own guilt while setting the stage for conversion to alternative energy sources" (Ottman, 2002). Meantime she says to Exxon, "ake Up!" because Exxon was at that time running "green-themed" ads that spoke to the need to "find more oil."
In still another green marketing-themed article from Ottman, she writes in the publication in Business that while the George . Bush Administration "abdicates responsibility for a strong response to slowing down" global climate change, Bush's lack of leadership on the issue opened a "unique window of opportunity for America's advertisers and marketers" (Ottman, 2002). That advice to advertisers and marketers is this: using the same effective…
Bird, Lori, and Swezey, Blair. 2006. Green Power Marketing in the United States: A Status
Report (Ninth Edition). National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Retrieved February 18,
2010 from http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy09osti/44094.pdf .
Business.Gov. 2009. Green Marketing Regulations. Retrieved February 20, 2010, from http://www.business.gov/expland/green-business/green-marketing/regulations.html .
Japan abolishes current nuclear plant Fukushima Crisis. What effects immediately long-term Japan world a case stop operation of nuclear power plants.
As a brief description, Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power plant was an operating energy facility in Japan particularly in the Fukushima prefecture or province. The plant was established in 1971, which occupied a total of 3.5-kilometer site that makes it as one of the largest nuclear power plants in the world by land area. This nuclear power plant was very useful in the Japanese energy regulation system because it has an economical generation costs that is more reliable than using hydroelectric power sources from dams and streams. It is operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company that is the largest operating agency around Japan as claimed by Arnold (2010).
On March 11, 2011, a powerful earthquake hit the northeastern portion of Japan with an epicenter just off the coast of Fukushima…
Arnold, Wesley., 2010. Nuclear Power Plant facilities. New York: McGraw Hill, 78-97.
Cousins, C., (2011). Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. Retrieved from: http://www.scj.go.jp/ja/info/jishin/pdf/t-110405-3e.pdf .
Fraser, Scotty., 2009. Environmental Issues: Natural Disasters. Alexandria: Tim and Gale Publishing, 35-38.
Gilbert, L.F., 2011. Application of non-conventional and renewable energy sources. Accessed at: http://www.em-ea.org/Guide%20Books/book-4/4.12App%20of%20Non%20conventional.pdf.
Technologies which allow the integration of power stations underground and as such reduce the damaging effects of surface coal mining (Allied Publishers)
Technologies which reduce the environmental damage associated with coal burning such as fluidized bed combustor or coal gasification (National Energy Education Development Program)
Efforts in the creation of additional sources of renewable energy, such as hydro energy, wind energy or solar energy
On the downside, it has to be noted that the development of technology could not have been possible without the existence of coal. In other words, the simple advent of technology has generated higher levels of coal consumption and has accelerated the process of coal consumption and environmental instability (Laskowski, 2001).
Today, the needs and limitations of energy generation with coal burning have yet to be fully addressed and resolved. This specifically means that the bilateral relationship between technology and coal would continue to unfold --…
Graeber, W., Coal-mining safety in the progressive period: the political economy of reform, University Press of Kentucky, 1976
Laskowski, J., Coal flotation and fine coal utilization, Gulf Professional Publishing, 2001
Leer, S.F., Anderson, G.F., Vision 2020: The role of coal in U.S. energy strategy, DIANE Publishing, 1997
Nersesian, R.L., Energy for the twenty-first century, M.E. Sharpe, 2007
Electronic and Hybrid Engines Be Used Instead of the Petrol Engines
Hybrid engines and electric and other forms of fuel are being tried the world over on account of multiple problems. It is not only for vehicles but also for the industries that use fossil fuels and chemicals for manufacture. The primary problem is the pollution of the air, water and the entire planet on account of fossil fuel use. Not all fossil fuel forms are harmful. For example CNG, compressed natural gas is less harmful. The use of fossil fuel has deadly repercussions on human, animal and plant health. In other words all life on the planet can be at jeopardy. The shocking truth is revealed as follows: John Vidal of the Guardian reported that millions die in Asia on account of vehicle pollution. According to the report he quoted, issued by a consortium of universities working in conjunction…
Alternative Fuels Data Center. Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles Govt Energy site.
Eto, Joseph. 1996. The Past, Present, and Future of U.S. Utility Demand-Side Management Programs.
Imperial College. Environmental Planning and Management. Imperial College Press.
Nu Star Energy L.P. is a limited partnership that is publicly traded and headquartered in San Antonio. It has 9,063 miles of pipeline, eighty-six terminal facilities, four storage facilities for crude oil and two refineries for asphalt. It is the second in size among independent liquid terminal operators in the United States. It operates in the U.S., Netherlands, Canada, United Kingdom, Antilles and Mexico. The entire system of the partnership can hold up to 86 million barrels in its storage infrastructure. It has refineries for asphalt, crude oil and has pipelines for refined products. Also present are terminals for refined products, a storage facility for petroleum, a terminal operation as well as storage facilities for crude oil. NuStar strives to protect the environment and continually works to improve its programs and processes so as to meet even the most stringent of environmental practices. This has resulted in better environmental performance.…
Becker, R., & Henderson, V. (2000). Effects of air quality regulations on polluting industries. Journal of Political Economy, 108(2), 379-421.
Bradbury, J. (2010). EPA, The Clean Air Act, and U.S. Manufacturing. Retrieved January 30, 2015, from http://www.wri.org/blog/2010/11/epa-clean-air-act-and-us-manufacturing
Deschenes, O., Greenstone, M., & Shapiro, J.S. (2012). Defensive investments and the demand for air quality: Evidence from the nox budget program and ozone reductions (No. w18267). National Bureau of Economic Research.
Environmental Decision Making, Science, and Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved January 30, 2015, from http://environ.andrew.cmu.edu/m3/s7/us_laws.shtml
Cindy is making a consideration to investing in a new business consists of the installation of solar panels. In the current periods, this has been perceived as a profit making venture. This is for the reason that the world continues to shift more and more into renewable sources of energy of which solar power energy is one of the leading ones. Another reason is that the government has made incentives to the industry by giving out subsidies to the suppliers in this market so as to increase the number of solar panels being produced. Bearing this in mind, Cindy is necessitated to take two decisions. First of all, there is a need to review the probable or likely profit or loss that can come about in this business in the forthcoming by making an allowance for the impending prospects for this line of business. Cindy needs to take…
Baker, E., Fowlie, M., Lemoine, D., Reynolds, S. (2013). The Economics of Solar Electricity. Energy Institute at Haas.
Borenstein, S. (2008). The market value and cost of solar photovoltaic electricity production. Center for the Study of Energy Markets Working Paper 176. University of California Energy Institute.
Bosetti, V., Catenacci, M., Fiorese, G., Verdolini, E. (2012). The future prospect of PV and CSP solar technologies: An expert elicitation survey. Energy Policy, 49:308 -- 317.
Brown, P.S. (2006). Making Sense of High Oil Prices: A Conversation with Stephen P.A. Brown.FRB Dallas Southern Economy, Issue 4, July/August, pp. 8-9.
There would be no nectarines and tomatoes in the dead of winter, although when these foods were eaten in season, they would be healthier, tastier, and leave less of an ecological footprint. This would require a shift in approach to buying food, and perhaps require more canning, freezing, and preserving of foods than people might have done in the past. More cooking would also be necessary, given the smaller supply of foodstuffs. Produce might also be more expensive, given the more labor-intensive practices involved in pesticide-free farming.
ith the use of solar power for energy, people would no longer be able to live in a 24/7 society. Sunrise to sunset would define the day as it did so long in the past. This might make people happier, given the beneficial effects of sunlight -- it raises the mood, is full of Vitamin D, and is naturally energizing. But again, this…
Callenbach, Ernest. Ecotopia Imagined. Heyday Books, 1981.
What autos a society depends on says a lot about that society too, and the gas-guzzling SUVs and pickups that have made up the backbone of American transportation indicate our indifference to global problems, including the problems the country is creating itself.
What is so disturbing about America's role in the five-gas-stations theory is the message it sends quite openly to the rest of the world. Friedman notes in his essay that this message breeds resentment because the United States is not content to spread technology and industrialization. In addition, it is spreading democratization, capitalism, fast food, and even Hollywood values to the rest of the world, and many of them strongly resent America for its presumption that everyone would be better off following her example, whether they want to or not (Friedman 134). The country feels the need to drag everyone down the same "righteous" path, and that is…
Friedman, Thomas L. "Revolution is U.S." Signs of Life in the U.S.A., 5th ed. Maasik & Solomon, eds. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2006. 130-135.
In this author's opinion, a greater than ninety percent probability that humans are involved in global climate change, with the additional concern that irreversible detrimental consequences may result, is sufficient to warrant immediate action in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. ithin the scientific field an absolute certainty that humans have fueled global warming will never be obtained, no matter how much time is provided for study. It is paramount that action, such as the Cap and Trade Policy, is taken immediately to mitigate the production of greenhouse gases and slow global warming. Failure to take these steps will only exacerbate the deleterious effects of global warming as time progresses.
Many opponents to implementation of emissions restrictions, such as that of the Cap and Trade Policy, have also suggested that alternative energy sources are not sufficiently advanced or effective to meet the energy demands currently provided by fossil fuels. Presently, alternative energies…
Farrar, Amy. Global Warming. Abdo Pub Co, 2007.
Hufbauer, Gary Clyde, Steve Charnovitz, and Jisun Kim. Global Warming and the World Trading System. Peterson Institute, 2009.
Labatt, Sonia, and Rodney R. White. Carbon finance. John Wiley and Sons, 2007.
Metz, Bert, and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Climate change 2007. Cambridge University Press, 2007.
Management Strategy to Utilize Meta-Analysis Technique for Nuclear Energy and Waste Disposal and Create Social Sustainability
This research proposal explores the link between public perceptions of nuclear power, how those perceptions are formed, and what influence those opinions have on energy policy. These issues are important in light of two realities. First, nuclear energy is declining in its share of global energy. Second, nuclear energy offers what might well be the best solution to climate change. Given the threat posed by climate change, it makes sense that nuclear power would be increasing in share, not decreasing. This esearch proposal seeks to look at some of the issues facing nuclear power, and how it can overcome these issues to increase share going forward.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents v
List of Tables viii
List of Figures vii
Chapter One: Introduction 1
Topic Overview 7…
Abokeng, A.K. (2005). Understanding Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 90, 845-848.
Alic, J. (2012). Six things to do with nuclear waste: None of them ideal. Oil Price.com. Retrieved June 17, 2015 from http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Nuclear-Power/6-Things-to-do-with-Nuclear-Waste-None-of-them-Ideal.html
Alley, W. & Alley, R. (2013). Too hot to touch: The problem of high-level nuclear waste. Review by Konikow, L. (2013). Hydrogeology Journal.
Bangert-Drowns, Robert L. & Rudner, Lawrence M. (1991).Meta-analysis in educational research.Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation, 2(8). Retrieved September 4, 2008 from http://PAREonline.net/getvn.asp?v=2&n=8
urban area of Tampa, Florida, and serves as an instrumental case study of how an urban locale can address problems of environmental health and safety. Specifically, this study assesses the failures and successes of Tampa to regulate and reduce water, air and waste pollution through various programs. Through quantitative analysis of city managers' statistics and survey of the population (random sampling), findings indicate that positive steps have been taken through initiatives like S.W.E.E.P. and the attention given to Tampa's estuaries and water sources so as to maintain healthy ecosystems. However, air pollution has yet to be addressed, as the state has eliminated its vehicle emissions testing. Coal-burning power plants like Big Bend also contribute to air pollution and a discussion of the beneficial impact of wind power is provided as a recommendation for addressing this issue.
Environmental Health and Safety Case Study: Tampa, Florida
Urban areas in the U.S.…
Ackermannn, T., Soder, L. (2000). Wind energy technology and current status: a review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 4(4): 315-374.
Boyle, G. (2012). Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future. UK: Oxford.
City of Tampa. (2013). Solid Waste Recycling. Tampagov.net. Retrieved from http://www.tampagov.net/solid-waste/programs/automated-recycling
Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing among
Stop Global Warming
What can be done to combat global warming?
Global warming is a very serious threat that should be taken seriously by people everywhere. It is happening all around the world: ice caps are melting, environments are changing, and regions are suffering because of this atmosphere change, as Al Gore (2006) says. What is happening to the world because of carbon monoxide and because of air pollutions from factories is bad for the health of the planet and it is also bad for the health of people. This has been proven by research and the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO states that outdoor air pollution is not safe to breathe because it is "carcinogenic to humans" (p. 1). So if it is bad for people and bad for the planet, why does it continue to happen? That answer has received some attention on a global scale at the…
Gore, A. (2006). An Inconvenient Truth. NY: Rodale.
Herbert, G. et al. (2007). A review of wind energy technologies. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 11(6): 1117-1145.
Nordhaus, W. (2014). A Question of Balance. CT: Yale.
Shepherd, W., Zhang, L. (2011). Electricity Generation Using Wind Power. NJ: Wind


Canadian wildfire smoke will once again engulf the entire state of Minnesota for about 48 hours, beginning early Thursday and lasting until late Friday.
Heavy plumes of smoke have been pooling and building up from fires in the Northwest Territories over the last several days and the shifting wind is pulling it all toward Minnesota, said David Brown, air quality meteorologist for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
“It will get to northern Minnesota right at midnight, at the start of the day (Thursday), reach the Twin Cities sometime in the morning and blanket the entire state by the afternoon,” Brown said.
For the 10th time this summer, the agency issued a red air quality alert for the Twin Cities and most of eastern Minnesota — meaning enough smoke and fine particles will be in the air to make it unhealthy for everyone. That’s the most red alerts issued in a single summer since at least 2000, when the agency started tracking fine particles more consistently.
Air quality is only expected to be slightly better in western Minnesota. The smoke could cause serious health risks, especially to those with heart and lung conditions. Experts advise to stay indoors, or to wear a well-fitted N95 mask if that’s not possible.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Thursday that it would not issue or activate any burning permits for as long as the smoke remains. Agency officials said that campfires are highly discouraged.
Strong winds throughout the day on Thursday will help a little, Brown said. But the wind is expected to die down on Friday morning.
“If we have several hours of light wind it could cause smoke to pool up. So Friday morning is probably when it will be at its worst,” he said.
The air pollution this summer has been brutal throughout the Upper Midwest, mainly due to Canadian wildfires. Recent rain and cool weather has helped relieve some of the smoke coming from forests in Saskatchewan and Alberta that plagued Minnesota throughout May and June.
But for the past several months a heat dome has remained over the Northwest Territories, where a handful of fires continue, Brown said.
“We’re past the halfway point of wildfire season in Canada,” he said. “It usually goes to the end of September, but we’ve seen these kinds of fires in the Northwest Territories through October and into November before.”
When the fires are raging, the smoke follows a familiar pattern. Cold fronts that come into Minnesota from the north typically bring smoke with them. When heatwaves follow winds from the south, the smoke typically clears.
Southern heat is expected to blow in to Minnesota late Friday.


In recent years, plant-based meat products have gone from an option for a vegan diet to a popular dish, in fact one in every ten Americans say they do not eat meat. However, plant-based meat products are no longer the only alternative to traditional meat. Cell-based meat is a new alternative that is way “beyond” plant-based meat—it is real meat. Cell-based meat is grown in a laboratory from cells taken from living animals. This technique requires zero animal slaughter, uses fewer natural resources, potentially produces less air pollution, and yields less potential for environmental contamination.
The evolution of cell-based meat and sea food as a potential human food has resulted in significant disagreement about how and who should regulate the products. Since cell-based meat is produced by stem cells obtained from the species of livestock and parts of the animals, the meat may satisfy the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) current definition of meat and trigger its jurisdiction. Still, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has jurisdiction over most food products according to the Federal Drug and Cosmetic Act, which authorizes, among many other things, the FDA’s jurisdiction over biologics. Appropriately, the FDA has taken the lead role involving the safety determination of new biotechnological approaches to foods. Under 7 U.S.C § 1639(1), bioengineered food refers to food made up of genetic material that is modified in vitro using certain laboratory techniques and which modification could not have been obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature. The FDA and USDA agreed in 2019 to ensure that, when it comes to the market, cell-based meat is “safe and properly labeled.” FDA will oversee the cell collection, banking, and growth, using existing rules such as facility registration, and Current Good Manufacturing practices while USDA will conduct inspections and develop labeling for cell-based meat.
When asked about consumers being worried about a product in the market that may have such recent FDA approval, Arye Elfenbein, co-founder at Wildtype Foods, one of the food biotechnology companies that is currently working on the field of cell-based salmon, answered “the imminent availability of cultivated meat and seafood options have resulted in an illuminating dialogue between us and our future customers… the process of FDA consultation has mirrored our discussion with future customers, resulting in a thoughtful and productive exchange from the beginning.” He also added that “the process with FDA is one that has transpired over the past 4 years; it’s been an extremely thorough review, one that we believe will further bolster customer confidence when these products hit the market,” giving us a bit of an insight of the rigorous FDA approval process every cell-based startup is currently going through.
In December 2020, Singapore became the first nation to approve the sale of cultivated meat—chicken nuggets from the company Eat Just. In comparison the U.S. seems to be making regulatory strides to get cell-based meat approved by administrative agencies. The agencies published a request for comment in November of last year, asking interested parties to suggest what the cell-based meat should be called. More excitedly, as of November 16, 2022, the FDA announced the pre-approval of Upside foods, a cell-based chicken startup, making it the first company in the U.S. cell-based space to receive pre-approval from FDA. Products are expected to appear as early as 2023, and it will be interesting to see how the American public will respond to this new innovative and refreshing idea to the market.


Tuscany's History and Culture
Tuscany is one of twenty regions in Italy. The region is located in the central, western part of the country, north of Rome and south of Genoa. It is bounded by the Apennine Mountains to the North and East, the Apuan Alps on the northwest and by the Tyrrhenian Sea on the West. Its land area is about 9,000 square miles (23.300 square kilometers). Its major cities are Florence, Pisa, Siena and Arezzo Its major river, the Arno, begins in the Apennines and heads toward the coast - both Florence and Pisa sit astride the Arno river.
This section offers pieces of Tuscany's history and culture that should prove to be interesting to anyone wishing to learn more about what lies behind the Tuscan - and for that matter Florentine, Sienese and Pisan - personality and character. The identity of any Tuscan today is deeply tied to the territory's past and, as we glimpse and discover various aspects of that identity, we hope to be able to share it with you.


— Frightened and resilient, a group of Johnstown citizens gathered inside the Fourth Ward schoolhouse the day after a horrific flood destroyed much of their city.
Their task was almost incomprehensible. More than 2,000 individuals had died when a wave of water, unleashed by the collapse of the South Fork Dam, slammed into the town on Friday, May 31, 1889. A smoldering debris pile clogged the confluence where the Little Conemaugh River and Stonycreek River come together to form the Conemaugh River. The groans of the dying could still be heard. Homes, businesses, possessions ... all gone. Confusion, terror, uncertainty.
“Everything about us was in inextricable confusion, showing the effects of the terrific convulsion through which nature and humanity had passed,” wrote the Rev. David Beale in his book “Through the Johnstown Flood.” “Here were uprooted trees, houses upturned or demolished, furniture of every description – hardware, woodenware, parlor ornaments and kitchen utensils, mattresses, bodies of horses, cattle and swine, corpses of men, women and children, railroad cars and locomotives – overturned or on end, and pressing down upon the half-buried bodies of the drowned.”
Despite the enormity of the situation, the individuals who met inside the schoolhouse outlined a plan to rebuild their community, which was founded as Conemaugh Old Town by Joseph Johns, a Swiss-German immigrant, also known as Joseph Schantz, in 1800. Under the general leadership of A.J. Moxham, the citizens formed committees: finance, dangerous buildings, police and others.
‘Sympathy and help’
But the residents of Johnstown were not alone.
Donations arrived from across the country and the world.
“The responses from within and without the State have been most generous and cheering. North and South, East and West, from the United States and from England, there comes the same hearty, generous response of sympathy and help,” said Pennsylvania Gov. James Addams Beaver. “The President, Governors of States, Mayors of cities, and individuals and communities, private and municipal corporations, seem to vie with each other in their expressions of sympathy and in their contributions of substantial aid. But, gratifying as these responses are, there is no danger of their exceeding the necessities of the situation.”


An area of the brain involved in the planning and production of spoken and signed language in humans plays a similar role in chimpanzee communication, researchers report.
"Chimpanzee communicative behavior shares many characteristics with human language," said Jared Taglialatela of the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. "The results from this study suggest that these similarities extend to the way in which our brains produce and process communicative signals."
The results also suggest that the "neurobiological foundations" of human language may have been present in the common ancestor of modern humans and chimpanzees, he said.
Scientists had identified Broca's area, located in part of the human brain known as the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), as one of several critical regions that light up with activity when people plan to say something and when they actually talk or sign. Anatomically, Broca's area is most often larger on the left side of the brain, and imaging studies in humans had shown left-leaning patterns of brain activation during language-related tasks, the researchers said.
"We didn't know if or to what extent other primates, and particularly humans' closest ancestor, the chimpanzees, possess a comparable region involved in the production of their own communicative signals," Taglialatela said.
In the new study, the researchers non-invasively scanned the brains of three chimpanzees as they gestured and called to a person in request for food that was out of their reach. Those chimps showed activation in the brain region corresponding to Broca's area and in other areas involved in complex motor planning and action in humans, the researchers found.
The findings might be interpreted in one of two ways, Taglialatela said.
"One interpretation of our results is that chimpanzees have, in essence, a 'language-ready brain,' " he said. "By this, we are suggesting that apes are born with and use the brain areas identified here when producing signals that are part of their communicative repertoire.
"Alternatively, one might argue that, because our apes were captive-born and producing communicative signals not seen often in the wild, the specific learning and use of these signals 'induced' the pattern of brain activation we saw. This would suggest that there is tremendous plasticity in the chimpanzee brain, as there is in the human brain, and that the development of certain kinds of communicative signals might directly influence the structure and function of the brain."
This research is reported online on February 28th in the journal Current Biology, a publication of Cell Press.
The researchers include Jared P. Taglialatela, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, Department of Natural Sciences, Clayton State University, Morrow, GA; Jamie L. Russell, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA; Jennifer A. Schaeffer, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA; and William D. Hopkins, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, Department of Psychology, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA.
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