R.E.preneur

Simplifying Global Energy Consumption

Many people have difficulty conceptualizing exactly how much energy the world uses and from what sources that energy comes from. 

With so many metrics for measuring energy such as kilowatt-hours, BTUs, barrels of oil, cubic feet of gas etc, it can be hard to understand what the big picture is. 

Hew Crane of SRI International created a new, more simple metric.  Its called the cubic mile of oil (CMO).  In 2006 the world consumed roughly 3 CMO's of energy. 

credit: SRI International

Michael Kanellos wrote an informative article on CNET expanding the picture of global energy consumption.  He paints a fairly grim picture for weaning ourselves off of fossil fuels, as in, nice thought but it won't happen anytime soon.

Fortunately, he also ties the subject to other important issues such as the coming water crisis which is already beginning to impact the global population.  Water is one of the clearest areas where the effects of global warming can be seen. 

Global warming, caused by the fossil fuel emissions creating the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere, means that although we may not run out of fossil fuels anytime in the next century, is it ethical to continue accelerating the rate at which we use them?

There is the contention that fossil fuels with carbon capture technology must play a key role in providing energy for a growing world, and I generally agree with that. 

Here's the problem though: we can roughly quantify exactly how much time each fossil fuel that was created over millions of years will provide us.  Each year we use more of those precious fuels than we did last year.  By most estimates we may have 100-150 years worth of all fossil fuels to feed us.  Which will only be valuable to us if we find away to remove the greenhouse gases that are associated with burning fossil fuels. 

So we can see the end-point from here. We have the knowledge that the task to develop renewable energy is formidable, seemingly unfathomable.  Where is the balance between pursuing carbon capture technologies in order to clean up our growing fossil fuel appetite and an all out abandonment of fossil energy in pursuit of and mass investment in developing economies and societies that are fully dependent on energy that is renewable, sovereign, independent, and clean?

I understand that the solution to growing energy needs is a cornucopia of technologies applied to each energy source existing and being developed now.  However, I feel like all of the energy expended in cleaning up fossil fuels is energy taken away from renewable energy.  So while those efforts had good intentions, in the end they leave us worse off than we were before.  Deeper into our fossil addiction.

Via Blog Maverick: "What Are You Destined To Be?"

I was reading through Mark Cuban's Blog Maverick and came across a post entitled "What Are You Destined To Be?"

He discusses whether or not we know what we are destined to be until we've tried it out a few times.  Interesting thought. 

He also underscored one of my biggest beliefs about financial debt and one's ability to chase their dreams with this quote:

"I'm also a big believer that financial debt is the ultimate dream killer. Your first house, car, whatever stuff you might want to buy are going to be the primary reasons you stop looking for what makes you the happiest.

How crazy is it to settle for a house , car or ?? over what it is you would like to do on an hourly or daily basis ?

Never Settle and there is no reason to rush. If you aren't happy with where you are at, simplify your life and go out and try as many things as it takes to find what you may be destined to be. If there is such a thing."

It was another reminder that I will have to work very hard in order to stay focused on what I really want, which is to be financially independent while doing what I absolutely love to do.

This task will also be very difficult because I am a soon-to-be newlywed.  My fiancee is totally on-board with the concept, but often needs to be reminded of where our priorities really should be.

College Graduation ETA: 20 days

Adult life is coming at me Fast!

Bridging The Political Gap On Climate Change: The National Security Issue

Though the global climate crisis is widely accepted and becoming more popular in politics, there is certainly a large gap between the two parties on how quickly to act and what sacrifices or investments to make concerning the issue.

The current issue of Time Magazine has a great article chronicling the recent shift towards bi-partisan climate change politics. 

"I have focused above all on issues of national security," Warner said after the bill passed committee. "I see the problem of global climate change fitting squarely within that focus." For Warner, unchecked global warming could create a world that is inherently more dangerous for the U.S. Acting to mitigate climate change was another way of keeping America safe. It's a message that resonates with Americans who would sooner log a tree than hug it, and raises the possibility that conservatives and liberals might find common ground on climate change.

Last year saw a raft of studies tracing the linkage between global warming and global instability, and none was more influential than a report released last April by the CNA Corporation, a Pentagon-funded think tank. A team of 11 high-level retired officers — including Marine General Anthony Zinni, former head of U.S. Central Command, which has responsibility for the Middle East — termed climate change a dangerous "threat multiplier." If unchecked, the report warned, warming could lead to resource wars, environmental refugees and failed states in already vulnerable regions of Asia, Africa and the Middle East — the very places where you'll find American troops today.

Is America moving closer to a consensus on climate change legislation such as a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade system? 

Last week, President Bush's speech in the Rose Garden was received as a distinguishable shift in his administration's views on climate change.  Will President Bush walk the tree-hugging walk in a last ditch effort to alter the way history remembers G.W?

Or will America have to wait until our lame duck leader exits the oval office, replaced by one of three candidates who have all sung an environmental tune that is distinctly distanced from the current administration's accomplishments? 

What say thee?

Video: Navajo Nation Struggles with Economic Development Vs Environmental Effects

Here's a great short story (12 mins) about how the Navajo people are divided over the construction of a third coal-fired power plant on their reservation in New Mexico. 

 

The president says that jobs and economic development are what is needed most.  But is that ever acceptable at the cost of the environment and health of the citizens? 

This seems like a perfect location for concentrating solar thermal power or large photovoltaic installations which would provide greater economic benefit and match up well with Navajo values of caring for the land. 

You can follow more of the story at the Desert Rock Blog. 

Follow up on An Inconvenient Truth

Al Gore's most recent TED talk has been posted online.  If you haven't watched the Inconvenient Truth, this is a shorter (20 minute) talk that will allow you to take a simple test. 

If you watch this talk, and feel absolutely no urgent need to take some sort of personal action to solve the Global Climate Crisis than you are officially a moron. 

I used to think a lot about being politically correct.  But now, with all of the evidence so strong, I can't stop thinking about ways to get people off their aces.  I feel like I need to shake my entire generation into waking up from their obsession with consumer electronics and celebrity gossip and somehow convey the message that there are causes worth fighting for out there. 

I know, there was a time in my life when I didn't really get environmentalism, but come on, we're in college now.  In six weeks I will have graduated.  I'm scared that my graduating class is more concerned about what new ring tone they just bought for their iPhone than how their working life will affect the planet.

Just so we're clear on how much I take this to heart, here is a list of my current projects around this concern (not meant to brag, more to the point of: if you're not doing anything get off your ace):

• Trying desperately to finish a documentary highlighting the work of students, staff, and faculty from across the U of A working on sustainability/green projects
• Applying to be the convocation speaker at The Eller College of Management's 2008 graduation ceremonies.  An attempt to inspire 500+ graduates to consider "doing well by doing good" in 3 minutes
• Submitted an application to Property & Environment Research Center's Summer Week-long camp on Free-Market Environmentalism.  After all I called it "the opportunity of a lifetime", how could I not apply?
• Still working on getting a job developing renewable energy in America (or anywhere for that matter), if you are in this field and looking to hire a passionate young people with an entrepreneurial education, email me.
• Tomorrow, I will begin a new project (right like I have time for this) to develop solar power in a new way in the US.  Its not 100% original, but I haven't seen it done anywhere else in solar, and I think there may be some key advantages to this new approach.  Vague enough for ya?

As you can see, I have many projects.  If you think that you can help me, or would like to sponsor any of these projects, I'd love to talk with you.

In fact, that gives me a great idea.  Why on Earth have I not sought out a sponsor in much the same way that the FABULOUS PBS series e2 (that's E squared or the economies of being environmentally conscious) has been sponsored by Autodesk.

I wonder what Tucson businesses would be interested in sponsoring my video. One more project to keep in the air. 

REpreneur Vents: Renewable, Not Alternative

Time to sound off!

There is a fundamental change that needs to happen in our country and in the world.  But it starts with the people who are active in the climate change movement. 

Al Gore hinted at it when he addressed the issue that we need a different name for Global Warming.  He proposed "Global Climate Crisis".  I like that. He noted that global warming has been painted by the press as a still much debated issue that often conjures up doomsday scenarios that people espouse when they want attention. 

Solving the global climate crisis will take significant marketing prowess.  Its not about what you say, its how you say it.  We need to be realistic, and not condemn people for not considering climate change.  We also need to be positive, clearly presenting the benefits of acting now, in order to prevent more drastic effects later. 

So here is my REpreneur Vent.  Stop saying alternative energy when you refer to cleantech solutions.

What is alternative?  Its on the outskirts.  It isn't conventional.  Its unproven.  Its not Necessarily Good. 

Nuclear power is alternative.  Clean Coal is alternative.  Compressed Natural Gas engines are alternative.   Does it use a fossil-fuel?  Than its alternative.

Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Tidal, Wave power, Smart-grids, are all renewable energy and clean technologies that should not be thrown in with alternative energy.   Do you know the definition of renewable?  Apply it.

Politicians and executives are the worst at this.  They often have good intentions, but in their quest to  please everyone and tread lightly they throw cleantech under the bus with controversial and often negative solutions to climate change. 

We have an uphill battle as it is.  Its a culture shift, I know.  My entrepreneurship team working on a solar project development company took almost six months before they were finally able to cut alternative from their vocabulary. 

If you are a reporter, journalist, blogger, public speaker, politician, C-level executive, or HUMAN than figure out the difference between alternative and renewable energy and decide which one you support. 

Don't get caught meddling somewhere in the middle.  Be a leader.

Alright... I'm done now.

I have edited this post to reflect that Al Gore actually calls the issue the Global Climate Crisis, which was a hot topic in the comments of this post. 

New AWEA report: Wind Generation By State

Hat tip to the website Environmental Leader which I discovered after rummaging around through Al Gore's new WE campaign website.

If you haven't heard of the WE campaign, you gotta check it out.  It is a collaboration, supported by the non-profit Alliance for Climate Change. 

I love the Action Alerts that allow citizens to send messages & sign petitions to politicians, business leaders, banks, and the press urging them to consider and act on global climate change now. 

Back to the report.  Out today by the American Wind Energy Association, the AWEA Annual Rankings Report summarizes leading wind supporters by state, congressional district, managing owners, manufacturers, IOUs, Public utilities, and rural electric cooperatives.  Its really quite well done.

Plus the writers knew that executives hate reading long paragraphs, so they pretty much summarized everything using pictures, charts, graphs, and lists.  Love it.

Anyone looking to invest in Wind energy?  From the report a market share breakdown by manufacturer. 

The Great Green Giveaway

A lot of people are interested in buying and using green products, but they often don't want to go out of their way to purchase new items from companies they don't yet trust.

So what's the solution?

Win some green gear for free!

The guys over at Lifegoggles provide green reviews, news, and interviews.  They are hosting this giveaway competition in which they are giving away over $2,500 worth of free green gear.  Plus, they are adding more stuff to the list. 

This is a great tool because they have designed the competition to get lots of blog press and viral marketing attention for the companies who provide the free gear. 

So just by blogging about this event, I'm getting 10 entries into the contest.  Now you wish you had a blog too, huh? 

That's my 100+ words, now where's my free green stuff?