Green Energy News Items - 03/13/2008
Gulf Dead Zone Would Get Bigger With Corn-Based Ethanol Production
Local fisheries and the crawfish and shrimp industries would suffer if more corn is grown to fuel ethanol production in the United States. The Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone, where crustaceans and fish fail to survive, already covers 7,700 square miles.
In order to shrink the Dead Zone, nitrogen levels will have to decrease, which is exactly the opposite of what will happen if corn production is increased. The already struggling fishing industry would be devastated, scientists say in Corn-Based Ethanol Could Worsen “dead zone”.
Army’s Trash Will Produce Electricity in Iraq
One of the most dangerous missions for US convoys in Iraq, is when they go to fetch diesel fuel for generators. To reduce the number of trips, two biorefineries will soon be using trash to power the generators. The refineries are 90% efficient and could also be set up near hospitals to provide temporary power in emergencies.
Purdue University worked with the Department of Defense to develop the refineries, which may someday be used for non-military applications. Read Army to Turn Trash Into Power in Iraq.
Futurists Predict That Solar Will Lead Renewable Energy Race Two Decades From Now
The man who predicted the fall of the Soviet Union and the explosive growth of the Internet, is convinced that solar power will be meeting 100 percent of our energy needs in twenty years.Ray Kurzweil, an inventor and author, was part of a panel convened by the National Association of Engineers.
While solar and wind power are now supplying only one percent of our needs, Kurzweil says that the use of solar energy is doubling every two years, which means that it will be multiplied by 1,000 in twenty years, thus fulfilling all of our energy needs. The panel also addressed other challenges of the 21st century which you can read about at Solar Power to Rule in Twenty Years Futurists Say.
Greener Concrete is Needed to Cut CO2 Emissions
Although manufacturing concrete is a relatively efficient process compared to other building materials, its manufacture and transportation accounts for five to ten percent of global CO2 emissions. A big part of the problem is that there’s just so much of it. About 2.4 billion tons in 2006.
Some concrete makers are experimenting with using organic materials in place of the cement that is the main pollutant in concrete. One manufacturer has even come up with concrete that removes pollution. Read Industry Scrambles to Find Greener Concrete to learn more about how the industry is addressing the environmental challenges of this ubiquitous material.
How To Save the Earth on a Budget
One of the most common complaints about environmentalism, is that it’s expensive. Organic food, recycling bins and eco-chic clothes can really add up. And what about all those donations to save the polar bears?
It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to go green. There are several things you can do at little or no cost to help the planet and its inhabitants. Here are Six Cheapskate Ways To Help the Earth at Gimundo.