I was asked to be a speaker at the Pasadena seminar series, the Art of Business Survival, which is put on by the City of Pasadena, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, and the Workforce Investment Board. The focus of the seminar was "What it Means to be a Green Business."
The audience was mostly small business owners in Pasadena and surrounding areas. Here's a copy of the presentation:
Showing posts with label global warming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label global warming. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Global Sustainability: The Asian Perspective
Here at the offices of Go Green Solutions we've been doing some research into the Asian perspective on global sustainability. Since this issue is going to take a global effort it's vital to know the perspective from the other side of the Pacific. Here's a summary of our thoughts:
Overview:
China may be the biggest enigma in the environmental issue right now, and the most important. Three facts jump out at you:
1. During the past four years both China's GDP and its energy consumption have grown at an average of 11% a year
2. China has just passed the United States as the world’s biggest emitter of carbon dioxide. By 2030 it is projected to emit almost as much as the United States and Europe combined. (Economist, June 5th 2008)
3. China is now bringing 2 full-scale coal plants online every week
Reasons for China to Act Sustainably
China has massive incentives to act. Local pollution caused by acid rain, sulphur dioxide and wastewater is a large and dangerous problem. “Acid rain affects a third of China's land and hundreds of thousands of people die from pollution-related cancer every year” (Economist, June 5th, 2008)
China also needs to protect itself against supply shocks. It doesn’t have the necessary military power to protect shipping lanes that bring the oil needed for its transportation industry, so energy independence is a key factor.
Both local pollution and energy security can be solved by renewable energy, which coincidentally addresses the larger issue of global warming. It is unclear whether China’s commitment to fighting global warming is because of a long-term view or because of these two more immediate issues. The Economist discussed China’s push into renewables: “China is making considerable efforts to boost the amount of energy produced by non-fossil fuels. By 2020 the aim is to generate 15% of energy from renewable sources, up from around 7% in 2005. This is a big step up from the previous goal of 10% by 2020. China's investment in renewable energy last year, about $10 billion, was second only to Germany's.”
The Mood From the People and the Government
According to the Economist article mentioned above, “China is looking to America for its cue. If America commits itself to carbon cuts, China will feel obliged to make some kind of promise too.”
Another article on Chinadialogue.net discusses the fact that China’s former vice-premier, Jiang Chunyun wrote two books on the environment: China’s Ecology: Evolution and Management (2005), and Paying Back Environmental Debts – Explorations in Man-Nature Harmony (2008). The fact that such an influential government official is addressing the issue head-on demonstrates its increasing importance. The article states that “environmental awareness in China – by the government and the people alike -- has moved from an awakening to vigorous growth."
Next month’s Olympic games in Beijing claim to be the first carbon-neutral summer games (or the first at least since oil-skinned ancient Greeks flung discuses and javelins in Mt. Olympus shadow with nary an automobile or coal plant in sight). They will “involve solar power aplenty, tree-planting, banning many cars from the streets and ‘reducing emissions from enterprises’ (temporarily shutting many of them down, presumably). The games, say officials, will produce 1.18m tonnes of CO2 and the countermeasures will save 1.03-1.30m tones” (Economist)
India
India just released their country’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) on June 30th, 2008. The plan addresses eight priority National Missions:
1. Solar Energy
2. Enhanced Energy Efficiency
3. Sustainable Habitat
4. Conserving Water
5. Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
6. A “Green India”
7. Sustainable Agriculture
8. Strategic Knowledge Platform for Climate Change
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said of the plan: “[it] identifies measures that promote our development objectives while also yielding co-benefits for addressing climate change effectively.”
In a revealing line the report says these national measures would be more successful with assistance from developed countries and pledges that India’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions “will at no point exceed that of developed countries even as we pursue our development objectives.” This has been viewed as a savvy way of reminding the world’s richer countries that they can only control India’s carbon emissions by first reducing their own.
And according to the Economist article: “a senior official in the foreign ministry characterizes America's line as: ‘Guys with gross obesity telling guys just emerging from emaciation to go on a major diet.’”
India does not view itself as a main culprit in global warming, and it’s right to a large extent. It takes the issue seriously and wants to improve sustainability, but its main focus is on economic growth and living standards, and it too is waiting for the U.S. and other wealthy nations to take the lead.
Japan
Japan has long been a leader in the environmental movement:
Japan’s efforts on sustainability have been prescient and it now sees an opportunity in marketing its green technologies and developments worldwide.
In a speech in January, Japan’s Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda discussed his ambition to lead the world in efforts to cut greenhouse gas emission using Japan's advanced technology on clean energy and energy efficiency. He proposed a "low-carbon society" as a model for the world and said his government plans to establish a "financial mechanism" to encourage developing countries to adopt measures against global warming.
In May this year Japan and China issued a joint statement on protecting the Asian economy that included, among other things, an agreement on the need for all major economies to address climate change. One step they’ve already taken toward that goal is the Sino-Japan Friendship Center for Environmental Protection in Beijing, an 11-story building partially funded by the Japanese government. It monitors pollution and conducts research on new environmental technologies.
Overview:
- China is awakening to the importance of a sustainable economy. But it seems spurred on mostly by local pollution and the goal of energy independence. Global warming is a newer concern, but a major one given its growth and coal reserves. China seems to be waiting for America to take the lead.
- India’s priority is ensuring high economic growth and raising living standards. And while it understands that global warming is a vital issue, it’s projected CO2 emissions in 2030 still won’t approach those of Europe, the U.S., or China (see image below from the Economist). It therefore feels the wealthier countries must take the lead.
- Japan has been a leader in the sustainability movement for a while. Their solar industry is 3rd in the world. They are looking to export their ideas and technology to other countries, such as China.
China may be the biggest enigma in the environmental issue right now, and the most important. Three facts jump out at you:
1. During the past four years both China's GDP and its energy consumption have grown at an average of 11% a year
2. China has just passed the United States as the world’s biggest emitter of carbon dioxide. By 2030 it is projected to emit almost as much as the United States and Europe combined. (Economist, June 5th 2008)
3. China is now bringing 2 full-scale coal plants online every week
Reasons for China to Act Sustainably
China has massive incentives to act. Local pollution caused by acid rain, sulphur dioxide and wastewater is a large and dangerous problem. “Acid rain affects a third of China's land and hundreds of thousands of people die from pollution-related cancer every year” (Economist, June 5th, 2008)
China also needs to protect itself against supply shocks. It doesn’t have the necessary military power to protect shipping lanes that bring the oil needed for its transportation industry, so energy independence is a key factor.
Both local pollution and energy security can be solved by renewable energy, which coincidentally addresses the larger issue of global warming. It is unclear whether China’s commitment to fighting global warming is because of a long-term view or because of these two more immediate issues. The Economist discussed China’s push into renewables: “China is making considerable efforts to boost the amount of energy produced by non-fossil fuels. By 2020 the aim is to generate 15% of energy from renewable sources, up from around 7% in 2005. This is a big step up from the previous goal of 10% by 2020. China's investment in renewable energy last year, about $10 billion, was second only to Germany's.”
The Mood From the People and the Government
According to the Economist article mentioned above, “China is looking to America for its cue. If America commits itself to carbon cuts, China will feel obliged to make some kind of promise too.”
Another article on Chinadialogue.net discusses the fact that China’s former vice-premier, Jiang Chunyun wrote two books on the environment: China’s Ecology: Evolution and Management (2005), and Paying Back Environmental Debts – Explorations in Man-Nature Harmony (2008). The fact that such an influential government official is addressing the issue head-on demonstrates its increasing importance. The article states that “environmental awareness in China – by the government and the people alike -- has moved from an awakening to vigorous growth."
Next month’s Olympic games in Beijing claim to be the first carbon-neutral summer games (or the first at least since oil-skinned ancient Greeks flung discuses and javelins in Mt. Olympus shadow with nary an automobile or coal plant in sight). They will “involve solar power aplenty, tree-planting, banning many cars from the streets and ‘reducing emissions from enterprises’ (temporarily shutting many of them down, presumably). The games, say officials, will produce 1.18m tonnes of CO2 and the countermeasures will save 1.03-1.30m tones” (Economist)
India
India just released their country’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) on June 30th, 2008. The plan addresses eight priority National Missions:
1. Solar Energy
2. Enhanced Energy Efficiency
3. Sustainable Habitat
4. Conserving Water
5. Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
6. A “Green India”
7. Sustainable Agriculture
8. Strategic Knowledge Platform for Climate Change
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said of the plan: “[it] identifies measures that promote our development objectives while also yielding co-benefits for addressing climate change effectively.”
In a revealing line the report says these national measures would be more successful with assistance from developed countries and pledges that India’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions “will at no point exceed that of developed countries even as we pursue our development objectives.” This has been viewed as a savvy way of reminding the world’s richer countries that they can only control India’s carbon emissions by first reducing their own.
And according to the Economist article: “a senior official in the foreign ministry characterizes America's line as: ‘Guys with gross obesity telling guys just emerging from emaciation to go on a major diet.’”
India does not view itself as a main culprit in global warming, and it’s right to a large extent. It takes the issue seriously and wants to improve sustainability, but its main focus is on economic growth and living standards, and it too is waiting for the U.S. and other wealthy nations to take the lead.
Japan
Japan has long been a leader in the environmental movement:
- With companies such as Sanyo Electric and Sharp leading the way, Japan joins Germany and Spain as the largest solar markets in the world, larger than the U.S.
- The automobile industry has led the way with innovations in hybrid technology, and as a result the Toyota Prius is the top-selling hybrid in the world
- Its Renewable Portfolio Standard law from April 2003 requires electric power companies to use new energy sources, including wind power and solar
- Japan's energy efficiency is the highest in the world, according to a speech by its Prime Minister, Yasuo Fukuda
Japan’s efforts on sustainability have been prescient and it now sees an opportunity in marketing its green technologies and developments worldwide.
In a speech in January, Japan’s Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda discussed his ambition to lead the world in efforts to cut greenhouse gas emission using Japan's advanced technology on clean energy and energy efficiency. He proposed a "low-carbon society" as a model for the world and said his government plans to establish a "financial mechanism" to encourage developing countries to adopt measures against global warming.
In May this year Japan and China issued a joint statement on protecting the Asian economy that included, among other things, an agreement on the need for all major economies to address climate change. One step they’ve already taken toward that goal is the Sino-Japan Friendship Center for Environmental Protection in Beijing, an 11-story building partially funded by the Japanese government. It monitors pollution and conducts research on new environmental technologies.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Biofuels: Algae
I've mentioned biofuels before and how they've been mandated to replace 25-55% of the oil we use for transportation. Today I came across an interesting company that has an innovative way to grow biofuels from my preferred liquid fuel source of the future: algae.Valcent has developed a closed loop vertical bioreactor (right) which grows algae extremely efficiently. It's really quite clever as it allows the algae to get access to light by funneling it through vertically hanging curtains. The system is closed and therefore conserves water as it avoids the evaporation that occurs in open pond growth systems. Here's a video.
BIOFUEL USAGEAlgae could be the future of biofuels because it's extremely efficient. As much as 50% of its body weight is a high-grade vegetable oil. Different types can also be selected to produce different carbon chains, some better for jet fuel, some better for diesel, etc. The key measure of efficiency for biofuels is gallons per acre. As you can see from the chart on the left, algae crushes the competition.
CO2 SEQUESTERING
Algae is the fastest-growing plant on earth and sequesters the most carbon dioxide as well. So what does this mean about algae's ability to slow global warming by taking CO2 out of the air? Well, it sequesters a whole bunch of CO2, but when we burn it that CO2 is released. The net effect is that it's pretty close to being a carbon-neutral fuel source (not including the fuel involved in transporting it to its destination, i.e. your fuel tank). A U.S. Department of Energy study has shown that the production and use of biodiesel, compared to petroleum diesel, resulted in a 78.5% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
COST TO PRODUCE
I found this quote interesting: a Feb. 2007 article on biofuels in MIT's Technology Review said that "today's higher oil prices will make it easier for algae to compete." Note: oil was trading at roughly $60/barrel at that time. Today it's around $135/barrel. Algae is coming fast.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
The Energy Bill Passes - A Great Step in the Right Direction
Good news. The energy bill that included the biofuel mandate I talked about last week passed the House today, 314 to 100. This is an excellent step in the right direction, partially because of the biofuels, but also because it includes the first big boost in fuel economy in 32 years, from 25 MPG to 35 by 2020. Obviously, if your chief issue is the environment you're pretty happy about this.
But if your chief issue is the economy or homeland security, you should also be ecstatic. Here's why:
We use 9.2 million barrels of oil a day for transportation, which equals roughly 65 billion gallons of gas a year. If the average MPG is 25, that gas gets us 1.6 trillion miles. But with a MPG of 35, we can travel the same distance for only 47 billion gallons of gas, saving us $56 billion per year, not to mention the 374 billion pounds of CO2 we won't pump into the air each year.
So one way to think of this is as a $56 billion per year TAX CUT. That's a ton of money that the average Joe and Jane will cycle back into other goods in our economy, and not into the hands of governments that hate us.
But if your chief issue is the economy or homeland security, you should also be ecstatic. Here's why:
We use 9.2 million barrels of oil a day for transportation, which equals roughly 65 billion gallons of gas a year. If the average MPG is 25, that gas gets us 1.6 trillion miles. But with a MPG of 35, we can travel the same distance for only 47 billion gallons of gas, saving us $56 billion per year, not to mention the 374 billion pounds of CO2 we won't pump into the air each year.
So one way to think of this is as a $56 billion per year TAX CUT. That's a ton of money that the average Joe and Jane will cycle back into other goods in our economy, and not into the hands of governments that hate us.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Introduction to Energy Crunch
Welcome to Energy Crunch. As this is my first post, I think I'll lay out why I'm blogging here, why I'm focusing on energy.
Simply put, we are facing an Energy Crunch. Energy is going to be the #1 issue facing our country in the coming 50 to 100 years. Our economy has been built on the back of cheap energy. But getting that cheap energy out of oil has caused lots of problems. And lots of indicators show that we may not be able to get that energy out of the ground so cheaply anymore. Alternative energy sources will be needed, and fast. I say that energy is the #1 issue because working to solve the energy issue means that you're simultaneously working to solve other major issues, such as global warming, peak oil, and terrorism.
Global warming. We need to stop producing CO2. Renewable energy sources (which I will argue need to be re-branded as "free" energy sources, which is what they are... a post is almost certainly forthcoming on the re-branding of energy as the front line of the energy war) don't produce CO2, or produce a lot less of it. That case is pretty clear.
Peak oil is happening, in that oil production has already begun its decline year-to-year. Some will debate whether we're just seeing the effects of various geopolitical situations, which, when cleared up, will see us back to producing more and more oil for the foreseeable future. I think, though, the most reasonable assumption is that peak oil is here, and that we need to start thinking about what's going to replace all that oil. I'll do a post on that in the very near future.
Terrorism is linked to the oil problem, but this will be a lesser focus of my blog. Suffice to say for now that the U.S. needs massive amounts of oil, and this has meant dealing with the Middle East. It may be oversimplified to say our thirst for oil causes or funds terrorism, but not by much.
So what am I going to do? I'm on a mission of exploration. I'll be looking, and re-looking, at a lot of the potential solutions for what I see as the Energy Crunch problem. I'll spend some time discussing the problem itself (i.e., what is peak oil, have we hit it yet, etc), but I want to focus more on the solutions. What are the viable alternative energy sources out there? What new breakthroughs are popping up? How do those impact that technology as a viable source of energy in the future? How should individuals and governments act and react to these changes?
Let the energy exploration begin.
Simply put, we are facing an Energy Crunch. Energy is going to be the #1 issue facing our country in the coming 50 to 100 years. Our economy has been built on the back of cheap energy. But getting that cheap energy out of oil has caused lots of problems. And lots of indicators show that we may not be able to get that energy out of the ground so cheaply anymore. Alternative energy sources will be needed, and fast. I say that energy is the #1 issue because working to solve the energy issue means that you're simultaneously working to solve other major issues, such as global warming, peak oil, and terrorism.
Global warming. We need to stop producing CO2. Renewable energy sources (which I will argue need to be re-branded as "free" energy sources, which is what they are... a post is almost certainly forthcoming on the re-branding of energy as the front line of the energy war) don't produce CO2, or produce a lot less of it. That case is pretty clear.
Peak oil is happening, in that oil production has already begun its decline year-to-year. Some will debate whether we're just seeing the effects of various geopolitical situations, which, when cleared up, will see us back to producing more and more oil for the foreseeable future. I think, though, the most reasonable assumption is that peak oil is here, and that we need to start thinking about what's going to replace all that oil. I'll do a post on that in the very near future.
Terrorism is linked to the oil problem, but this will be a lesser focus of my blog. Suffice to say for now that the U.S. needs massive amounts of oil, and this has meant dealing with the Middle East. It may be oversimplified to say our thirst for oil causes or funds terrorism, but not by much.
So what am I going to do? I'm on a mission of exploration. I'll be looking, and re-looking, at a lot of the potential solutions for what I see as the Energy Crunch problem. I'll spend some time discussing the problem itself (i.e., what is peak oil, have we hit it yet, etc), but I want to focus more on the solutions. What are the viable alternative energy sources out there? What new breakthroughs are popping up? How do those impact that technology as a viable source of energy in the future? How should individuals and governments act and react to these changes?
Let the energy exploration begin.
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