Note: apparently this was covered on Oprah and as a result it is backordered until July. However using these Smart Strip Power Strips is a dead simple way to save a lot of power. Most of today’s electronic devices including TVs, stereos, computers, monitors, microwaves and other kitchen appliances, etc., continue to draw power even when turned off. The net result is a huge waste of energy resources. Putting a strip between the outlet and the device that can sense when the energy flow has slowed and then cuts off the power will not only save you money- it will cut carbon emissions created when that power is generated.

In addition the strips serve as surge protectors. Most of us use surge protectors for our computers but not our other electronics. Practically any device made in the last ten years has chips in it and can be damaged by surges so it makes sense to add them. Given the fragile architecture of our national grid and increasing power demand, surges are going to be a bigger problem going forward.

BTW, I’m not pitching this thing for money- no affiliate links here! (not that there’s anything wrong with that…)

According to a Times article, scientific consensus is now discounting the European instant ice age theory associated with the melting of the Greenland ice pack. That theory was that a very fast meltdown of the ice cap would dump a huge amount of cold fresh water into the North Atlantic. Because fresh water is heavier that salt it would sink and divert the North Atlantic current that funnels warm water towards Europe, moderating the climate. This is why European countries that are very far north compared to the US (for instance), like Britain, experience mild climates. If this flow were to be interrupted the theory predicted a cataclysmic drop in average temperatures creating a new ice age. New evidence suggests that current global warming is going to offset any meltdown effects in the perceivable future.
I always had a hard time recounciling the predictions that the Meditteranean would become a desert lake with the theory that northern Europe would experience an ice age- but that’s climate prediction for ya!

The MIT Tech Review covers this new combination of silicon solar technology and targeted mirroring that combines to make practical residential solar panels. As they point out this isn’t rocket science- Soliant utilizes a combination of proven technologies. What it is is usable tech that can be installed by existing installers without a learning curve + a 50% increase in efficiency. Their next generation model promises 88% improvements, bringing their costs below conventional energy sources. Love it.

The Blue Economy is a blog devoted to the world’s oceans and how they are impacting the post climate change economy. Lots of good stuff here from an authoritative source.