When Jon Bohmer sat down with his two little girls for a simple project they could work on together, he didn't realize they'd hit upon a solution to one of the world's biggest problems for just $5: A solar-powered oven.
The ingeniously simple design uses two cardboard boxes, one inside the other, and an acrylic cover that lets in the sun's rays and traps them.
Black paint on the inner box, and silver foil on the outer one, help concentrate the heat. The trapped rays make the inside hot enough to cook casseroles, bake bread and boil water.
What the box also does is eliminate the need in developing countries for rural residents to cut down trees for firewood. About 3 billion people around the world do so, adding to deforestation and, in turn, global warming.
By allowing users to boil water, the simple device could also potentially save the millions of children who die from drinking unclean water.
Bohmer's invention on Thursday won the FT Climate Change Challenge, which sought to find and publicize the most innovative and practical solution to climate change.
"A lot of scientists are working on ways to send people to Mars. I was looking for something a little more grassroots, a little simpler," Bohmer said Thursday.
Bohmer's contest win notwithstanding, solar cooking with a cardboard oven isn't new. Two American women, Barbara Kerr and Sherry Cole, were the solar box cooker's first serious promoters in the 1970s. They and others joined forces to create the non-profit Solar Cookers International -- originally called Solar Box Cookers International -- in 1987.
Further, the organization's executive director, Patrick Widner, said that the plans for a solar box cooker were found in a book published by the Peace Corps in the 1960s.
"We are pleased that Mr. Bohmer has taken up the cause and interest of the 95 member organizations and 160 individuals of the Solar Cookers Worldwide Network," Widner said. "It would be a pleasure to work with Mr. Bohmer in Kenya where we have been promoting the use of solar cookers for ten years."
Bohmer, a Norwegian-born entrepreneur based in Kenya, said he also had been looking at solutions "way too complex, for way too long."
"This took me about a weekend, and it worked on the first try," Bohmer said. "It's mind-boggling how simple it is."
The contest was organized by the Forum for the Future -- a sustainable development charity -- and the Financial Times newspaper. Among the judges were British business magnate Richard Branson and environmentalist Rajendra Pachauri. The public also voted on the finalists.
Bohmer's invention beat about 300 other entries, including a machine that turns wood and other organic material into charcoal, wheel covers that make trucks more fuel efficient by reducing drag, and a feed supplement for livestock that reduces the methane they emit by 15 percent.
Bohmer named his invention the Kyoto Box, after the international environmental treaty to reduce global warming.
The box can be produced in existing cardboard factories. It has gone into production in a factory in Nairobi, Kenya, that can churn out about 2.5 million boxes a month.
Bohmer has also designed a more durable version, made from recycled plastic, which can be produced just as cheaply.
He envisions such cardboard ovens being distributed throughout rural Africa.
"In the West, we cook with electricity, so it's easy to ignore this problem," he said. "But half the world's population is still living in a stone age. The only way for them to cook is to make a fire.
"I don't want to see another 80-year-old woman carrying 20 kilos of firewood on her back. Maybe we don't have to."
Yyoto Energy
Source
Monday, April 13, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Gas prices: Above $2, and rising
Gas prices have risen 5% in just nine days, above $2, and they will continue inching higher despite the battered economy.
Motorist group AAA reported gas prices rose 2.3 cents to $2.009 on Thursday, rising above the $2 mark for the first time since Nov. 20.
Thursday's report caps a nine-day streak of increases in which gas prices have risen 5.2%.
The steady increase in prices at the pump recalls the previous year's wild ride when gasoline hit a record-high of $4.114. While prices are expected to continue climbing in 2009, the superspike seen in July seems unlikely.
It's a marathon, not a sprint
Prices traditionally increase in the spring and summer - but this year the climb "will be a jog, not a sprint," said Tom Kloza, publisher at the Oil Price Information Service.
"The market is moving up because of the season, not because of fundamentals," he said. "It's a trend, but this is not going to be a year of apocalyptic pricing."
This year will see a slow increase in prices, unlike the fluctuations of the last three years, he said.
Gas prices started 2009 around $1.61 a gallon, which Kloza expects will be the low for the year. Prices will probably peak at $2.25 for the first six months of of the year, he said.
Then hurricane season begins, and storms in oil-production areas can affect prices in unpredictable ways, Kloza said.
Gas prices are susceptible to world events, which make forecast difficult, said Robert Sinclair, spokesman for AAA New York.
"Any crisis, real or imagined, across the globe can make prices go crazy," Sinclair said. "Whether it's a major world event, government actions, or the weather, it's difficult to tell what will come up this year."
Regardless, gas prices will stay relatively low until the U.S. economy begins to stabilize.
Kloza pointed to still-low diesel prices as an indication of the commercial sector's continued suffering. A prolonged jump in the unemployment rate could also lower gas prices, Kloza said.
Though gas prices are off their recent lows, motorists will still save about $100 on gas in July 2009 over July 2008, he said.
Oil
Oil prices settled up $1.58, or almost 3%, to $53.44 at the close of trading Thursday. That's the highest since Nov. 28.
The Energy Information Administration released a mixed inventory report Wednesday, showing soaring oil supplies but lower-than-expected gasoline stockpiles.
Oil prices remained lower but recovered from earlier losses on Wednesday as news of the Treasury Department's bad-bank plan, which pleased investors, outweighed the supply report.
Source
Motorist group AAA reported gas prices rose 2.3 cents to $2.009 on Thursday, rising above the $2 mark for the first time since Nov. 20.
Thursday's report caps a nine-day streak of increases in which gas prices have risen 5.2%.
The steady increase in prices at the pump recalls the previous year's wild ride when gasoline hit a record-high of $4.114. While prices are expected to continue climbing in 2009, the superspike seen in July seems unlikely.
It's a marathon, not a sprint
Prices traditionally increase in the spring and summer - but this year the climb "will be a jog, not a sprint," said Tom Kloza, publisher at the Oil Price Information Service.
"The market is moving up because of the season, not because of fundamentals," he said. "It's a trend, but this is not going to be a year of apocalyptic pricing."
This year will see a slow increase in prices, unlike the fluctuations of the last three years, he said.
Gas prices started 2009 around $1.61 a gallon, which Kloza expects will be the low for the year. Prices will probably peak at $2.25 for the first six months of of the year, he said.
Then hurricane season begins, and storms in oil-production areas can affect prices in unpredictable ways, Kloza said.
Gas prices are susceptible to world events, which make forecast difficult, said Robert Sinclair, spokesman for AAA New York.
"Any crisis, real or imagined, across the globe can make prices go crazy," Sinclair said. "Whether it's a major world event, government actions, or the weather, it's difficult to tell what will come up this year."
Regardless, gas prices will stay relatively low until the U.S. economy begins to stabilize.
Kloza pointed to still-low diesel prices as an indication of the commercial sector's continued suffering. A prolonged jump in the unemployment rate could also lower gas prices, Kloza said.
Though gas prices are off their recent lows, motorists will still save about $100 on gas in July 2009 over July 2008, he said.
Oil
Oil prices settled up $1.58, or almost 3%, to $53.44 at the close of trading Thursday. That's the highest since Nov. 28.
The Energy Information Administration released a mixed inventory report Wednesday, showing soaring oil supplies but lower-than-expected gasoline stockpiles.
Oil prices remained lower but recovered from earlier losses on Wednesday as news of the Treasury Department's bad-bank plan, which pleased investors, outweighed the supply report.
Source
Monday, March 16, 2009
Top 10 Sustainability Myths
I winced when I saw the headline “Top 10 Myths about Sustainability.” These articles are almost always an excuse for lame contrarianism. Did you know that a Prius is worse than a Hummer!?!?!! Did you know that farmer’s markets kill panda bears!?!?
But hey, guess what, the article is really good, providing food for thought on a number of contentious issues. For example:
Myth 2: Sustainability is all about the environment.
Is climate change an environmental issue or an economic issue? Are we killing the planet, or just making it an inhospitable place for humans?
Myth 4: It’s all about recycling.
Recycling is important, but the outsized grip it has on the public imagination puzzles a lot of environmentalists. Do you recycle religiously, eat a ton of fast food, and drive thirty miles to work every day? If so, your environmental priorities may be out of whack.
Myth 7: Consumer choices and grassroots activism, not government intervention, offer the fastest, most efficient routes to sustainability.
We obviously need grassroots activism, consumer awareness, and government intervention. But in a world of tradeoffs and priorities, this all-of-the-above formulation can be a bit of a cop-out. What problems can we reasonably expect individuals to address, and what areas require a strong policy framework?
Myth 9: Sustainability is ultimately a population problem.
In a trivial sense everything is a population problem: no people, no problem. Unfortunately, this formulation fails to provide any leverage on a solution. The challenge for humanity is, how do we support this number of people on this Earth, in a sustainable manner?
But hey, guess what, the article is really good, providing food for thought on a number of contentious issues. For example:
Myth 2: Sustainability is all about the environment.
Is climate change an environmental issue or an economic issue? Are we killing the planet, or just making it an inhospitable place for humans?
Myth 4: It’s all about recycling.
Recycling is important, but the outsized grip it has on the public imagination puzzles a lot of environmentalists. Do you recycle religiously, eat a ton of fast food, and drive thirty miles to work every day? If so, your environmental priorities may be out of whack.
Myth 7: Consumer choices and grassroots activism, not government intervention, offer the fastest, most efficient routes to sustainability.
We obviously need grassroots activism, consumer awareness, and government intervention. But in a world of tradeoffs and priorities, this all-of-the-above formulation can be a bit of a cop-out. What problems can we reasonably expect individuals to address, and what areas require a strong policy framework?
Myth 9: Sustainability is ultimately a population problem.
In a trivial sense everything is a population problem: no people, no problem. Unfortunately, this formulation fails to provide any leverage on a solution. The challenge for humanity is, how do we support this number of people on this Earth, in a sustainable manner?
Saturday, March 14, 2009
5 Steps to a Solar Home
It's a lot easier and less expensive to take your home solar than most people think. Thanks to generous financial incentives from the government and innovative alternatives to purchasing a system, homeowners are discovering there aren't really any risks remaining to going solar.
Like many things, home solar was first adopted by people who were concerned about their environmental and energy footprints. Now, others are following suit, primarily because it makes financial sense. Our electricity rates are going up: the price we pay for residential electricity rose on average 26.8 percent from 2002-2007 in the U.S. With home solar, you essentially lock in a low rate for all the electricity you'll consume in the future--for instance, think about how much you'd save if you could lock in your gasoline price at $1 per gallon for the next twenty years. Over time, going solar today will save you serious cash.
Here are five easy steps to get you started.
1. Figure out your home's solar potential
- If your electricity bill is higher than $100 on average per month, solar can save you money--depending on which purchasing option you choose and your prevailing utility rates, you could see savings of up to 60% within the first month of going solar.
- You'll need enough sunlight on your roof. Geography, roof orientation, and shading are all factors an expert can assess for you.
2. Research your options
There are a lot of resources on the web. States that offer incentives frequently have websites with good information, and many solar companies have good general information about going solar on their sites as well.
- Most people choose to work with a professional solar company to design and install a home solar system. You can get a good feel for a solar company from its website.
3. Decide what's best for your home and finances
Questions to ask include:
Q: Should I purchase a system outright or pay as I go? There are alternatives to buying a system all at once that dramatically reduce the upfront costs of home solar and still provide the long-term benefits, including power purchase agreement (PPA) or leasing options.
Q: What's the best return on my investment? Make sure to consider how your home solar solution will reduce your energy costs over time. Also, investigate how having home solar will factor in if you sell your house.
Q: Are maintenance and repairs included? Some companies take care of your system for you, others don't.
Q: Does my solar company have happy customers? Talk to everyone you can before choosing a solar solution and installer. Ask to speak with recent customers to make sure they're happy with their solar experience.
Q: How will the panels look on my house? Not all home solar installations are created equal when it comes to aesthetics. Choose the product you're most comfortable with.
4. Install your system
- A typical home solar installation will take only four to six days. There will be some additional delays before your system can be turned on after it's installed: your local utility company will need to come out to approve the system and properly connect it to the utility grid.
5. Enjoy your savings
- There's nothing quite like seeing your utility meter spin backwards because of solar. In order to make sure your system delivers all the electricity (and resulting savings) you expect, however, you need to monitor it. Some companies will do this for you, and with others you'll have to buy a separate monitoring solution.
I think the following statement from one of my company's customers sums it up:
"I can't complain. My utility bill dropped from $275 to $5.25 the first month I went solar."
--Harry, Fresno, California.
Source: Huffington Post
Written by Lynn Jurich, president and co-founder of SunRun.
Like many things, home solar was first adopted by people who were concerned about their environmental and energy footprints. Now, others are following suit, primarily because it makes financial sense. Our electricity rates are going up: the price we pay for residential electricity rose on average 26.8 percent from 2002-2007 in the U.S. With home solar, you essentially lock in a low rate for all the electricity you'll consume in the future--for instance, think about how much you'd save if you could lock in your gasoline price at $1 per gallon for the next twenty years. Over time, going solar today will save you serious cash.
Here are five easy steps to get you started.
1. Figure out your home's solar potential
- If your electricity bill is higher than $100 on average per month, solar can save you money--depending on which purchasing option you choose and your prevailing utility rates, you could see savings of up to 60% within the first month of going solar.
- You'll need enough sunlight on your roof. Geography, roof orientation, and shading are all factors an expert can assess for you.
2. Research your options
There are a lot of resources on the web. States that offer incentives frequently have websites with good information, and many solar companies have good general information about going solar on their sites as well.
- Most people choose to work with a professional solar company to design and install a home solar system. You can get a good feel for a solar company from its website.
3. Decide what's best for your home and finances
Questions to ask include:
Q: Should I purchase a system outright or pay as I go? There are alternatives to buying a system all at once that dramatically reduce the upfront costs of home solar and still provide the long-term benefits, including power purchase agreement (PPA) or leasing options.
Q: What's the best return on my investment? Make sure to consider how your home solar solution will reduce your energy costs over time. Also, investigate how having home solar will factor in if you sell your house.
Q: Are maintenance and repairs included? Some companies take care of your system for you, others don't.
Q: Does my solar company have happy customers? Talk to everyone you can before choosing a solar solution and installer. Ask to speak with recent customers to make sure they're happy with their solar experience.
Q: How will the panels look on my house? Not all home solar installations are created equal when it comes to aesthetics. Choose the product you're most comfortable with.
4. Install your system
- A typical home solar installation will take only four to six days. There will be some additional delays before your system can be turned on after it's installed: your local utility company will need to come out to approve the system and properly connect it to the utility grid.
5. Enjoy your savings
- There's nothing quite like seeing your utility meter spin backwards because of solar. In order to make sure your system delivers all the electricity (and resulting savings) you expect, however, you need to monitor it. Some companies will do this for you, and with others you'll have to buy a separate monitoring solution.
I think the following statement from one of my company's customers sums it up:
"I can't complain. My utility bill dropped from $275 to $5.25 the first month I went solar."
--Harry, Fresno, California.
Source: Huffington Post
Written by Lynn Jurich, president and co-founder of SunRun.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Congress Passes the Most Powerful Solar Legislation in History
Homeowners battling against soaring energy prices and a struggling economy have gained a powerful new tool to help harness free, renewable energy from the sun, the wind and other sustainable resources.
The U.S. House and Senate passed historic legislation that will massively increase the use of solar energy all across the America. Renewable energy provisions in H.R.1424 include an eight year extension of the 30% solar tax credit and removal of the monetary cap for residential solar electric installations. The legislation became active on January 1, 2009.
Click here to find frequently asked questions, the full text of H.R.1424. or see bill summary.
The solar provisions in this bipartisan legislation will help position the U.S. as a global leader in the booming solar marketplace, generating thousands of green-collar jobs, promoting energy independence, and helping to tackle climate change.
"Renewable energy and energy efficiency are our economic drivers,” said Brad Collins, Executive Director of the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society. “I applaud members of Congress for coming together to extend the renewable energy tax credits that will strengthen the new energy economy and generate green jobs at a time when they’re needed most.”
Key provisions of this legislation will:
* Extend the investment tax credit for residential and commercial solar installations for eight years (it was previously set to expire at the end of 2008)
* End the $2000 cap on the investment tax credit for residential solar electric installations placed into service after December 31, 2008
* Allows filers of the alternative minimum tax to claim solar investment tax credits
* Allows public utilities to claim the solar investment tax credits
* Authorize $800 million in new clean renewable energy bonds and creates a new category of tax credit bonds called Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds to finance state and local initiatives to reduce carbon emissions
* Extends deductions for energy efficient commercial buildings
* Establishing a new tax credit for purchasers of plug-in electric-drive vehicles
* Extends research and development tax credits
The U.S. House and Senate passed historic legislation that will massively increase the use of solar energy all across the America. Renewable energy provisions in H.R.1424 include an eight year extension of the 30% solar tax credit and removal of the monetary cap for residential solar electric installations. The legislation became active on January 1, 2009.
Click here to find frequently asked questions, the full text of H.R.1424. or see bill summary.
The solar provisions in this bipartisan legislation will help position the U.S. as a global leader in the booming solar marketplace, generating thousands of green-collar jobs, promoting energy independence, and helping to tackle climate change.
"Renewable energy and energy efficiency are our economic drivers,” said Brad Collins, Executive Director of the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society. “I applaud members of Congress for coming together to extend the renewable energy tax credits that will strengthen the new energy economy and generate green jobs at a time when they’re needed most.”
Key provisions of this legislation will:
* Extend the investment tax credit for residential and commercial solar installations for eight years (it was previously set to expire at the end of 2008)
* End the $2000 cap on the investment tax credit for residential solar electric installations placed into service after December 31, 2008
* Allows filers of the alternative minimum tax to claim solar investment tax credits
* Allows public utilities to claim the solar investment tax credits
* Authorize $800 million in new clean renewable energy bonds and creates a new category of tax credit bonds called Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds to finance state and local initiatives to reduce carbon emissions
* Extends deductions for energy efficient commercial buildings
* Establishing a new tax credit for purchasers of plug-in electric-drive vehicles
* Extends research and development tax credits
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Kiva: Loans that Change Lives
Kiva's is an established non-profit whose mission it is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world. My wife and I absolutely love this organization and the good work they facilitate around the world. You can view our lender page here if you would like to. Also, there is a Give Green: Environmental Loans group which we joined up with too. Kinda fun to specifically invest in these types of eco ventures. It is easy for anyone to afford a loan with $25 minimum.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Green Fresno - New Online Community
Green Fresno is an information portal about making Fresno "green". It is about natural resource conservation,renewable energy, walkable city design, growing more trees, sustainable living, and the many folks that support and debate these ideas.
www.GreenFresno.org
www.GreenFresno.org
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