Environmentalists Urge Renewable Energy at UN Meeting

During the United Nations meeting on Sunday, environmental activists urged nations to push through the development of renewable energy to prevent environmental problems and nuclear disasters like what happened in Fukushima, Japan.

One of the issues being raised at UN meeting in Bangkok Thailand was the formation of Green Climate Fund which was basically for helping the developing nations to get clean-energy technology. Nations had agreed to organize $100 billion a year, starting in 2020 however a “transition committee” to scheme the fund which was supposedly formed last month however it was still being discussed together with how the fund would be exactly be raised.

The technology committees and other institutions who would be implementing the resolutions were still negotiating. The World Wide Fund for Nature said that the talks in Bangkok needed to compromise at Cancun and "boost the overall ambition levels of the talks if we are to avert the worst consequences of climate change."

Greenpeace, another non-governmental organization, said that in light of the Japan disaster, governments represented in Bangkok were obliged to speed up changes in their energy sectors and promote green technologies.

"The world does not have to choose between climate disasters and disasters caused by dangerous energy like nuclear. We can choose a safe future where our societies are powered by renewable energy," it said.
As the conference began, activists from Asian and African countries began a weeklong protest outside the United Nations building, carrying an effigy of Uncle Sam to symbolize the role of the industrialized world in climate change. They said rich nations owed a huge climate debt to be repaid to developing ones by funding and technology transfer.

The global effort to avert climate change began with a 1992 U.N. treaty, when the world's nations promised to do their best to rein in carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases emitted by industry, transportation and agriculture.

Progress, however, has been slow and many scientists warn that dramatic reductions in emissions will be needed to substantially slow the melting of the polar ice caps and glaciers, the rise of sea levels and other consequences of global warming.

Global Warming, Is it a Fact or Just a Fiction?

Some people who have studied global issues are doubtful about global warming. They frequently say there was no such thing as global warming and it is all a big hoax. However, others disagree and believe that since the industrial revolution, we are having a negative effect on our environment.

The best place to start is to look at what we have already been led to believe. The Greenhouse effect is the relationship between the earth and the sun. The sun provides the earth with the heat and energy it needs and the earth releases back that energy into space.

The greenhouse effect comes into play as the gases in the earth trap that energy so that it cannot be released back into space therefore, warming the earth’s environment. The greenhouse effect is a natural process and vital to our survival, without it, the earth would be cold.

Gases such as Methane, Carbon dioxide and water vapor all trap energy from the sun and enable the warming of the earth. It is commonly known that plants provide Carbon dioxide (C02), but not so commonly known that plants also remove carbon dioxide. This is because, when a plant dies and is buried into the earth, these plants become fossil fuel which is coal and oil. When coal and oil is burned, this then removes the carbon dioxide from the air around it.
Two hundred years ago, before machinery was invented and cars filled our streets, global warming wasn’t an issue.
The natural gases which came from the earth would trap energy to warm the earth, however, since the industrial revolution, more gases are being produced, which means more energy is trapped and result is global warming.
Activists and researches cannot agree as to whether or not humans are causing global warming, but I think we can all agree that when something unnatural occurs, it affects the natural.
If we are producing more gases than what is known as natural, then you would expect that this would have an effect on our environment, but whether or not this affect is causing global warming, well, we will have to leave that down to the scientists.

It is said that in the last century the earth has warmed by 1%, although this is not a massive amount, it still could be an unnatural 1% which would have an effect on the earth’s climate. The truth of the matter is, the earth works in a certain way that even the best scientists in the world cannot fathom it. We can never assume we know it all just as we cannot 100% rely on what we already believe we know as there could be many unknown factors that have not been taken into account.

It is natural to believe that we are having some kind of effect on our environment in comparison to 200 years ago, but is the cause of global warming? I guess we couldn’t say either way, but what we do know is that we need to keep it in mind and do what we can to help in environmental protection.

Ecological Waste Management Solutions

There is nothing worse than seeing garbage blowing down the street of your neighborhood, or finding broken shards of glass at the local swimming hole where children play. Wildlife is just as vulnerable to garbage and many have lost their lives after becoming tangled in waste or mistaking garbage for food. It is up to each of us to make an effort to minimize this unsightly, and sometimes hazardous, problem.

There are various ways from which we could help in upholding waste management system in our community. For instance carry plastic shopping bags on your walks to clean up litter that you find along the way. Often, people are rewarded for their efforts by the deposits returned from bottles and cans. Those who have noticed your efforts will begin taking up the same habit once they realize the impact it has.

Another is report any dumping you witness, whether it was done illegally or accidentally. Just get the license number and leave the rest to the officials. Also, report any site where garbage has been left by others. These problems can be reported to the local city, highway, public works or conservation office. Ask them to arrange for it to be cleaned up.

By doing these relatively small actions, we prevent contamination and injuries to people or wildlife in the area. When separating recyclable items, we keep a valuable resource out of the landfill. In addition, we maintain a pristine environment for citizens, tourists and wildlife to enjoy. We can all take pride knowing that by keeping garbage in its place, we are making the world just a little better for everyone.

Moreover, there is now an effective and ecological way of waste management. This is the Biosphere Technology or Biosphere Process System, a waste to energy system that uses gasification method. Through this technology waste materials are converted into green energy. We can help promote this kind of green technology to further strengthen environmental protection.

The Disadvantages of Coal Burning

For more information about the biosphere technology visit SBSC Innovating Green Energy

Green Jobs in Alternative Energy Industry

Many people who take jobs in the renewable or alternative energies research and development sector have to, at least in the beginning, take relatively low pay. Taking a job in this industry is thus not about—or, not predominantly about—making money, although that is needless to say important, as one who is not well-fed soon becomes one who is not productive at work, especially when we are considering the brain-work involved in the work of researching and developing technologies in the alternative energies sector. There are those who take a job just because they find it is a fulfilling task that they have undertaken—something that is going to help mankind, or their society, or the Earth herself. But in truth, what most people dream of in terms of work is a position that they at once enjoy immensely while they also are receiving good money for their time and energy.

Positions in the alternative energy research and development industry often offer just such an opportunity.

The alternative energy field is in need of a vast array of different positions. Many people who get into this are the kind who would keep the power plants up and running (these include plant operators or mechanics), others are the developers of new alternative energies (engineers, scientists), and others make it all happen to start with by investing in alternative energy. So--not only do these people have the blessing of an exciting and fulfilling career, but these same people are making the world a better place.

The business of alternative energy is rapidly growing due to the fact that many governments are now supporting it. Investors have become excited about putting their financial backing into the alternative energy industry because they can see that it's the wave of the future, out of both need and the fact of government support. Rising oil prices make alternative energies' tantalization rise in the minds of investors. As investors become more interested, there is more money available for companies to start up or expand, and that leads (of course) to more job opportunities. 

For more green jobs and green investments information visit Innovating Green Energy

Who are the Green Energy Consultants?

The alternative energy or green energy consultants tell us that the transition from the petroleum-driven economy and society will not be a smooth one, on the whole. The amount of new technologies and infrastructures that need to be developed and built is staggering—even as Germany achieves powering 10% of the entire nation through the use of wind turbines and solar arrays, even as corporation after corporation is springing up, helped by various governments' tax breaks and rebate incentives, to drive forward the alternative energy mission. We have lain dormant on alternative energy on the grand scale for so long that we now have to scramble to play catch-up as access to cheap oil lurks ever closer to being a thing of the past.

Consultants on alternative energy also tell us that we need multilateral, international efforts in concert with one another in the direction of getting away from the heavy—almost total—dependence on fossil fuels. They are poised to become too expensive, burning them is polluting the atmosphere, and digging for them is disrupting the natural environment. We have about 30 years left of reasonably cheap oil and gas—and consultants say that within 20 years beyond that point, we had better be at least 90% independent of them. Unfortunately, at the present time the world is mostly not acting as if this is the case. The thirst for oil is growing, not slaking, and it is growing faster now than it did even in the 1970s.

Investments in Renewable Energy

It is possible to have a portfolio which profitably invests in renewable energy funds. Green energy production is expected to be a multi-billion (in today's dollars) industry by 2013.

The most recently developed wind-turbine technologies have brought us wind-produced energy which is more cost efficient as well as more widespread. More state-of-the-art wind energy technologies are typically more market competitive with conventional energy technologies. The newer wind-power technologies don't even kill birds like in days of old! Wind energy production is a growing technology, and companies engaged in it would make up an excellent part of a growth or aggressive growth portfolio.

Next to consider are solar cell, or photovoltaic cell, technologies. These are to be found implemented in pocket calculators, private property lights, US Coast Guard buoys, and other areas. More and more they find their way onto the roofs of housing and commercial buildings and building complexes. Cost is falling. Their energy efficiency (the ratio of the amount of work needed to cause their energy production versus the actual energy production) is steadily on the rise. As an example, the conversion efficiency of silicon cells has increased from a mere four percent in 1982 to over 20% for the latest technologies. Photovoltaic cells create absolute zero pollution as they are generating electrical power. However, photovoltaic cells are not presently as cost effective as “utility produced” electricity. “PV” cells are not [capable at present for producing industrial-production amounts of electricity due to their present constraints on space. However, areas where photovoltaic cell arrays could be implemented are increasingly available. In sum, costs are going down while efficiency is rising for this renewable fuel technology.

Another great green investment to consider is investing to waste to energy industry. This is now one of the multi-billion dollar industries that continue to flourish in today's generation. There are quite number of companies that sells stocks relating to this industry. No doubt green investments will dominate the economy in the future. A lot of people say that the future is GREEN.

Green Energy and Waste Disposal Solution

The world is in need of a safe and green way of producing energy to replace the burning of fossil fuels. It wouldn’t be that long enough before our natural resources run out. Dependence on fossil fuels causes serious problems to our environment and that is the exact reason why we have to find sustainable and environmental alternatives. Renewable energy is one of the feasible green energy solutions we have today. Among this renewable energy sources is the waste to energy systems like Biosphere Technology.

Biosphere technology is a breakthrough in waste management and energy generation. It uses gasification process wherein it destroys and converts wastes in ecological and cost effective manner. The waste materials or feedstocks undergo thermal decomposition at elevated temperature and oxygen starved environment, this way it does not emits harmful atmospheric emissions. Unlike other waste disposal facilities, biosphere technology can recycle or destroy waste materials into marketable end products without causing any harm to our environment. Moreover, with this technology we can revolutionize the green energy production at a large scale method without having to use our natural resources because it uses waste materials to generate energy. It also helps in clearing our environment free from waste materials.

For more information about this technology log on to www.spectrumbluesteel.com

What is Thermal Treatment?

Thermal Treatment Unit

Thermal treatment may refer to waste disposal technology that involves high temperatures. The waste materials or feedstocks are processed at elevated temperature that involves combustion. This method is not exclusively involves combustion of waste materials.

Some examples of technologies involving this kind of method are as follows:

Gasification - Is the process of converting carbonaceous materials into carbon monoxide and hydrogen using elevated temperature and controlled amount of oxygen. The process produces mixed gas called synthesis gas which is then use to heat a steam turbine generating electricity.

Incineration- It is a method of handling wastes that involves combustion of organic materials. It converts waste materials into ash, flue gas and heat.

Pyrolysis- This process refers to thermo chemical decomposition of organic materials at elevated temperatures and absence of oxygen. It is mainly used in chemical industry such as in producing charcoal, activated carbon, and methanol.

Waste Autoclave- This is a solid waste treatment method that uses heat steam and pressure of an industrial autoclave. It provides high pathogen and virus kill rate.

In handling waste materials, what matters is that it does not harm our environment and can be useful to the community.

Meet the Rainbow Warrior

The Rainbow Warrior was a former fishing trawler of UK Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) which later on bought by Greenpeace International. The ship was built in 1955 and originally named “Sir William Hardy” which entered service with MAFF until 1977. Then she was acquired by Greenpeace and re-launched on April 29, 1978 as the Rainbow Warrior. She served Greenpeace until it was sabotage and sunk on July 10, 1985. 

Today Greenpeace has their current Rainbow Warrior which will work to make a difference for our environment such as promoting clean green energy, defending our forests and protecting our oceans.

Green Energy Sources

An energy source is defined as a system wherein electricity can be generated or extracted. There are various sources of energy ranging from non-renewable to renewable energy sources. Non-renewable energy sources are the ones that cannot be renewed or regenerated quickly while renewable energy are the ones considered to be unlimited, and can be renewed or have the potential to be renewable. Renewable energy may also refer to green energy or alternative energy source.

Below are the examples of these energy sources:

• Biomass energy / waste to energy systems
This is derived from different energy sources including garbage, wood, waste, landfill gases, and alcohol fuels. In some cases living plants can also be used to generate energy, through other green technologies. With biomass, only biodegradable wastes are used to produce electricity. On the other hand waste to energy systems like biosphere technology can destroy and convert non-traditional waste materials such as fossil fuels, and municipal solid waste (MSW) into marketable by-products like energy or electricity.
Both use thermal conversion that may vary depending on the amount of oxygen and conversion temperature to convert materials into different chemical form. Combustion, torrefaction, pyrolysis, and gasification are some of the processes that involve thermal conversion. Among all other sources of energy, biosphere technology is the most efficient and most environmental system of generating energy.

• Solar energy
Solar energy is the harnessing of energy from sunlight. Nowadays solar energy is the commonly used renewable energy because it is free, cost-effective and energy efficient. It is now one of the growing industries worldwide. Though there is a single flaw regarding the production and disposal of solar panels which are used to harness energy from the sun: according to some studies solar panels are constructed using various toxic containing chemicals including toxic silicon that are harmful to human health. While solar energy industry is primarily advertised as “green energy”, but unfortunately it could be very harmful to our environment if not properly managed.
• Wind Power
Wind energy is another commonly used renewable energy and one of the ancient ways of harnessing energy. It uses wind turbines for energy production. Critics say that it also has an environmental impact since construction and maintenance of wind farms requires more energy from fossil fuels. For example, the hauling of materials uses large vehicles, not to mention cases of malfunctions of turbines which also requires huge amount of energy for repairs or replacements.


• Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is thermal energy which comes from the earth’s crust. The heat under the earth is used for generating electricity. The environmental effect of this however is the atmospheric emissions during the process consisting mainly of carbon dioxide. Water drawn from the deep earth carries a mixture of gases which cause environmental problems such as acid rain and global warming.

• Hydro Energy
Hydroelectric power is the energy from moving water. Hydropower plants are usually supported by large dams. The only problem with this is that it destroys habitats and displaces people if poorly managed.

One simple vision, Zero Waste for 2011

If there is one thing that True Green Energy Group (TGEG) and Spectrum Blue Steel Corporation(SBSC) wanted for the Philippines this 2011 that is to achieve zero waste society. This is a one simple vision for the country which can greatly help save our environment. The first step that TGEG and SBSC have taken into action is landfill-avoidance through deployment of biosphere gasfication facilities in various cities and municipalities in the Philippines. The campaign has already started in City of San Fernando Pampanga, where the first biosphere facility is being constructed.

Aside from being an alternative to landfill system, the gasification facility or biosphere technology will also serve as an alternative source of green energy. The biosphere technology is designed to convert waste materials into marketable products like green energy or electricity. By the time the biosphere gasification facilities are finished the environmental problems brought by inefficient waste management and energy problems will be resolved. According to SBSC Founder Ronald Flynn, this technology will make true changes in energy industry not only in the Philippines but in the whole world. A single biosphere gasification facility is integrated with three steam turbines and 3 boiler systems each producing 2.5 mega watts per hour on each steam turbine. Having this estimation of 2.5 mw per hour, the facility can deliver power to a large city and its nearby provinces.

TGEG in association with SBSC has been diligent in negotiating contracts to own and control landfill sites and dump site zones in the Philippines as well as Brazil and other countries. The company believes that through this they will able to achieve their vision of zero waste society for 2011.

Review of the Top Ten Environmental Moments of 2010

Below are the environmental moments that marks good or bad contributions to our environment.

Oil Spill. On April 20, 2010 a blowout in BP’s Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico killed 11 workers on the Deepwater Horizon rig and continued to destroy marine wildlife and ecosystems. About 172 million gallons of oil gushed into the Gulf of Mexico according to the estimation of government scientists.

The Bill. With the earnest desire to resolve the heat-trapping emissions that cause climate change, many environmentalists sought resolution on the Senate climate bill. However, after nearly two decades of planning and cajoling and restructuring a program to cap greenhouse-gas pollution and allow polluting industries and financiers to trade pollution allowances, the Senate bill enshrining all this complexity died.

Extreme Heat. No doubt the year 2010 could rank as the hottest year on record. The concentrations or amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere were recorded as high as 390 parts per million. This caused heat wave worldwide which led to peat fires in Russia and other forests.

Drought. The big question on the Colorado River, the source of some or all water for more than 25 million people in the Southwest, is whether 2011 will mark the end of the 11-year drought or make the tally an even dozen , forcing federal authorities to declare the first-ever water shortage on the river.

Solar Power. It was a topsy-turvy year for solar power in the United States. The good news was the development of promising new technologies to make solar cells more efficient; the approval of massive solar plants in the California desert; and the expansion of new policies and business practices to encourage their use everywhere from homes to store roofs to parking lots.

Electric Cars. Two new models, Chevrolet’s hybrid Volt and Nissan’s all-electric Leaf went on sale in 2010 and will become a growing part of the national automotive fleet in 2011. But they do not come cheap. The Leaf’s selling price is $33,600, in selected United States markets; the 20,000 slated for sale here have already been reserved. A New York Times reviewer wrote of the Volt, which sells for $41,000, “G.M. has nailed it, creating a hatchback that feels peppy and mainstream yet can sip less fuel than any gas- or diesel-powered car sold in America.” Both the Volt and the Leaf qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit.

Oil Sands Pipeline. In July, the State Department postponed its decision on whether to approve a controversial 2,000-mile, $7 billion pipeline project to deliver crude oil from Canadian tars sands to refineries on the Gulf Coast of Texas. The oil would be drawn from 178 billion barrels of proven reserves percolating through the sands of northern Alberta; the energy-intensive process of separating the oil from the earth has been the focus of environmental opposition. A decision by the Obama administration on the project — which could allow Canada to export up to 1.1 million barrels of oil daily — is expected in a few months.

Fracking. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has been a common method used by the natural gas industry to open up sealed pockets of gas in underground formations. But the impact of the high-pressure injection of water, sand and chemicals on groundwater is not well documented. That has been a matter of sharp concern in eastern states like Pennsylvania and New York, which lie above the gas-rich area known as the Marcellus Shale. New York’s governor, David A. Paterson, rejected a legislative moratorium on such drilling, replacing it with his own, which lasts until July but narrows the definition of the prohibited kinds of drilling. While the companies are eager to start their drills, the federal Environmental Protection Agency is conducting a study, mandated by Congress, of the technique’s effect on drinking water supplies. The results are expected in 2012.

Tigers and Bears. With major reports on biodiversity all showing an accelerating loss of species on land and in the oceans, attention was focused most closely on polar bears, whose sea ice habitat is melting for longer periods almost every year. A team of climate scientists and biologists is promoting the idea of setting aside a “sea ice refuge” — a swath of the Arctic from northwest Greenland west through northern Canada where the ice remains thickest. Another study predicted that polar bears would breed with grizzlies, creating hybrids that are less resilient. Meanwhile, fears of the extinction of the wild tiger prompted a summit of sorts in Moscow, at which officials agreed to a goal of doubling the number of wild tigers — now about 3,200 — by 2022.

Source: National Geographic