Palm | Kelapa Sawit

I read an interesting article online about the energy situation in Hawaii. I agree with the author Shermakaye Bass who says that Blue Hawaii needs to go green in order to be energy self-sustaining state.
Currently, Hawaii gets 90 percent of its energy from imported oil, while its isolation makes it vulnerable to frequent power outages. Price for electricity here is from 25 to 55 cents per kilowatt hour which is - three to five times the national average. Gas prices are the highest in the US..

On the other hand, Hawaii has some of the best wind, some of the best solar, some of the best access to the ocean to use wave power, a lot of waste-biomass, and one of the most volcanic activity to use for geo-thermal power.
All of these sources can and will be used to produce alternative energy for the island, says Kimura, solar-tech pioneer and the founder of clean-energy/eco-friendly Sopogy company. His company recently introduced a new rooftop Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) collector which are about 30 percent cheaper than traditional solar collectors.
These new solar power collectors represent one of nearly $1 billion in clean energy projects which will be implemented in Hawaii during the next two decades.

The article says that in January 2008, during her State of the State address, Gov. Linda Lingle told constituents she would make energy a priority. Within a few days after her speech, Honolulu had signed the historic Clean Energy Initiative with the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE), whereby America’s 50th state would shift from a fossil-fuel driven economy to one that buzzed with power from wind, sun, water (and biofuel and geothermal tech and hydrogen fuel…) by 2030. Specifically, the plan calls for Hawaii to get 70 percent of its power from clean energy – 40 percent from actual renewable power, 30 percent from energy efficiency and consumer conservation.

To read the rest of the article you can go to this website: http://www.greenrightnow.com/kabc/2009/10/28/blue-hawaii-getting-greener-every-day/
-Peter Y.

It's November 4, 2008. Do you know what YOUR choice believes? Just when you thought politicians couldn't go any lower in trying to get a vote. Right before the election, Senator John Sununu from New Hampshire changed his views on drilling for oil in the United States. While his views and his votes were for drilling, he greenwashed his records to appear that he cares for the environment. Initially, he voted for drilling. Then he claimed to have voted against drilling but, when it was convenient, he then voted for drilling. According to Senator Sununu (on a conservative talk show) he said he voted for drilling. http://thinkprogress.org/2008/10/24/sununu-global-warming/Now, I personally am for drilling for oil in the United States but I understand that some people feel we shouldn't drill in the United States. This is a hot topic - especially since this was an election year. What bothers me is that a person in a high office claims to vote a certain way in order to appear "green" and to appease a certain population but then changes his vote in order to benefit from the other segment of population - that's just wrong. He is not being honest. It smells like greenwashing to me.

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With the rising cost of gas prices and the effects on the environment that fuel has, its time we all start thinking about alternative fuel options. There are a few options currently available to consumers and one of them is biodiesel. Biodiesel is an alternative to petroleum diesel and consists of both new and used vegetable oils and animal fats. It’s also better for the environment since it reduces emissions of carbon dioxide into the air. According to the US Department of Energy biodiesel also “reduces greenhouse gas emissions because carbon dioxide released from biodiesel combustion is offset by the carbon dioxide sequestered while growing the soybeans or other feedstock” (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.html). Another type of fuel is E85 which is comprised of ethanol and gasoline. Although it uses gasoline is still burns cleaner than unleaded gasoline.

Make sure you do your research when looking in to alternative fuel sources or hybrid cars so you can avoid greenwashing by the company selling the product. Items that need to be checked into include fuel economy, CO2 emissions, and just the general pollution the vehicle is emitting. Also there are new lines of hybrid SUV’s on the market, which are great since they consume less fuel however they are still an SUV and utilize more fuel than a compact car. Another type of greenwashing to watch out for are the car companies that produce a hybrid vehicle but the company themselves don’t practice being “green” in other ways.

It seems that no matter where you turn today there is new information about how we can help save the world’s energy supply and our hard earned money. The Department of Energy has condensed some of their advice, recommendations, and tips into a few websites that has something for almost everyone; easy ways for individuals, families, and even large building owners to save. Below are links to websites that integrate the already known ways with fresh ideas…Check out each one to see if there is something in there for you!

For Consumer Tips on how to save energy and money in your home go to:
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/
For ‘Energy Star’ products, a home advisor for customized recommendations, a superior step by step guideline for energy management, and much more just go to this website http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home.index
For a ‘Do-It-Yourself’ home energy saver and money saving energy audit, plus a great deal more go to: http://hes.lbl.gov/
On this wonderful site are energy solutions that start right at Home, on to Retail Buildings, Schools and finally all the way up to addressing technologies and green building practices for High Performance Buildings. To see if this website fits your needs go to: http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/energysolutions.html
Check Them Out!!

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Often it seems that the opposite sides of the global warming argument must be mutually exclusive. However everyone likes to save money; furthermore, if it just so happens that small changes in lifestyle, behavior, etc. fatten our bank accounts while helping to save the environment, we can all relish the win-win.
By now everyone knows that the combustion of gasoline produces carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. The U.S. Department of Energy’s website www.fueleconomy.gov has a multitude of information about how to save money and potentially help the environment simultaneously through practical transportation practices.
The link: www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/savemoney.shtml through this website demonstrates the monetary savings induced by fuel efficiency with an interactive fuel savings calculator. It is a great way to compare the amount of money that may be spent by vehicles with differing miles per gallon ratings or just to get an idea of your current vehicle’s fuel costs.
Not sure you alone can make a difference to the environment through gasoline conservation and fuel efficiency? www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/contentIncludes/co2_inc.htm explains how a gallon of gas can produce 20 pounds of carbon dioxide!

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http://sites.google.com/site/ecomerge2008/