25% of Mammal species may become extinct

Author: martin

6 Oct

Due to warming and deforestation, a new study finds that mass extinctions are taking place with up to 25% of land mammals and 33% of sea mammals disappearing during this century. Biodiversity is essential to maintaining a healthy bio-system and a genetic pool that can support continued evolution. The loss of these species will have incalculable effects on humanity.

We’re destroying this planet as fast as we can and we have a vice-presidential candidate who does not believe in science.

Newsflash: God is not going to bail us out.

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Filed under: global warming, climate change, Denial, Local Effects

Negative Demand

Author: martin

3 Oct

“As prices peaked, oil consumption fell by 6 percent in July to its lowest level in five years, while the number of miles driven dropped the most since 1979, according the latest statistics from the Federal Highway Administration. For industrialized countries, which account for about 60 percent of global oil demand, consumption could fall by 1.3 million barrels a day this year, the steepest decline since 1982, according to analysts at Bernstein Research. That would more than offset the growth in consumption from developing nations like China, the analysts said.

“A study of the 1980s reaffirms our pessimism about oil demand in 2008 and 2009,” the Bernstein analysts said in a recent research note. “Recent data suggests we may finally be reaching the point of negative demand.”

Falling oil prices are “equivalent to a new stimulus package for consumers”…

Does anyone really believe that oil will stay down long term? If higher prices mean a real change in how much oil we use, then long term they will help. Right now, economically, I’m glad they’re down a bit.

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Filed under: economics, Oil and Energy, Near Future Speculation, Local Effects

Solar power breakthrough funded by Rochester entrepreneur

Author: martin

1 Aug

Scientists at MIT have unveiled what many consider to be the Holy Grail of alternative energy research. They have discovered a simple and inexpensive way to store the energy generated from solar systems. Storage is critical because it solves the night/clouds problem and the battery problem. Their method splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using the electricity generated by the solar source. The hydrogen can be stored and used in fuel cells for virtually any kind of power generation. Until now cracking hydrogen from water has cost more in power than the energy value of the hydrogen. Now, with this system, which the inventors claim is only a few years away from commercial viability, we could have an inexhaustible source of clean energy that can be used anywhere, at any time. It should be noted that the only byproduct of using hydrogen fuel cells is pure water.

While time will tell whether this is the huge breakthrough it appears to be, the reception among informed scientists and engineers is more positive than we usually see when someone makes these kinds of claims.

For me the really interesting local angle of this story is that this research was funded by a ten million dollar donation from a foundation created by Rochester entrepreneur Arunis Chaesonis, founder of Paetec, a very successful telecom based here. Wouldn’t it be great if a breakthrough energy story came out of innovative thinking in Rochester?

One other thing: GM has long had their fuel cell hydrogen car project based in Rochester at a skunkworks operation in Honeoye Falls. The only thing holding back their technology has been a lack of efficient hydrogen production and delivery infrastructure. So this is a double win for Rochester.

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Filed under: Green Business, emissions, economics, Rochester NY, Energy Efficiency, Technology, Near Future Speculation, Oil and Energy, Alternative Energy, Local Effects

The Energy Cost Domino Effect

Author: martin

28 Jul

Here’s how they fall:

Rising gas prices cause Americans to drive less, a lot less. In April it was 1.8% less, in May 4.3%. 40 billion less miles this year.
Less driving means less gas purchased
Less gas purchased means lower tax revenues from gas taxes
Gas taxes are commonly used for improvements to transportation infrastructure including desperately needed public transport systems, bridges, roads, etc.

Just another example of how our economy was built to support oil companies on every level, to the point where we cannot extract ourselves without major sacrifice.

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Filed under: Cars, economics, Oil and Energy, Personal Action, Near Future Speculation, Local Effects

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25% of Mammal species may become extinct

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