Free At Last

After the elections in US, the world seems to started to change its direction to a better way. At this point, Mr. Obama is the most effective factor and I think Obama will contibute a lot of thins to the World Peace. On the other hand, Mr. Obama may not enough to do this alone, there are some key countries at some of different points in the world. The most important and key country is TURKEY. Because Turkey is a key, a bridge between Europe, Asia and Middle East... Turkey has not only geopolitical advantage, also cultural and religious advantage to contribute world peace. I look forward to see all of the world leaders at the same desk. Because I really want peace not only fo some of countries, for all of the world.

By reducing ones energy requirements it is possible to become personally energy independant by using available clean energy resources such as solar and wind. The mercury in CFL lightbulbs are personally and invronmentally harmful. There's a new type of lightbulb called the Electron Stimulated Luminescence (ESL). It uses one watt to produce the equivelnt light of a standard 65-watt light bulb. There's no mercury in it.

I'm going to disagree with everyone. Why don't we stop fooling around and instead of spending billions on social engineering, we change the dynamic altogether? Instead of 8,500+ earmarks(wind & nod), how about we put thousands to work installing solar panels & windmills on ALL homes and businesses. Gee, now, that wouldn't make any sense would it? We would be polluting the earth with the materials and processes required to make the solar panels, right?! Right NOW we should do this to stimulate the economy, provide jobs, and guess what else? We will save hundreds of dollars possibly each month per household or business, and now get ready... We would be harvesting free energy the sun and earth already provide. President Obama, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, T. Boone Pickens, I've only written to one of you once before. Now who is with me?
courtesy-kurtisz

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I cannot disagree with Mr Zakaria on the points pertaining to efficient energy utilization, that he has expressed. However, on another topic, I would like to make an observation. Just as the cultural values of The United States and how The United States can relate to the values is important to her, so it is for the other cultures of the globe, to relate as vividly to the values dear to them. Hence, The United States are not alone in this state of affairs. The way forward is not to have a clash of cultures, but to cultivate understanding for each others cultures, as much as possible.

As long as we are dependant on a "fuel" of any kind, there will be those who will control it at the expense of others. I doubt that we will ever gain true independance...only the appearance of it.

Zakaria is correct in his general assessment, but just once I wish the real pioneers of efficiency and sustainability were given credit for their work. McDonough borrows heavily from the work of Walter Stahel, a noted industry analyst (and trained architect) from Switzerland who is widely considered to be the priniciple founder of modern industrial sustainability - and who not only coined the phrase 'cradle to cradle', but also worked with the companies McDonough and Friedman cite in their books. To help clear up many misunderstandings in the field and give credit where it is due - as well as for a good fundamental overview of the 'green' principles and practices helping to make astute companies more profitable - download the free book 'Managing the New Frontiers' which is currently being distributed by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) in Brussels, Belgium on its website (www.efmd.org/publications), as well as the websites of the University of Surrey (www.ces-surrey.org.uk) in England, Kozminski University (www.wspiz.edu.pl) in Warsaw, Poland, and the Birla Institute of Management Technology (www.bimtech.ac.in) in India.
This book is very easy to read, it covers most of the basics, and it's FREE!

Revolutionary energy breakthroughs are likely to emerge from the laboratories before this year is out. They promise inexpensive alternatives to fossil and uranium fuels.

The science and technology is radically new and will not easily be believed. Independent laboratory validations and initial production of products will overcome understandable skepticism.

Future power plants, much less expensive than nuclear and coal, are on the horizon. Blacklight Power has announced production later this year. Our own firm is pioneering other approaches to the same goal.

Cars, trucks and buses are becoming possible that will need no fossil fuel or battery recharge. Moreover, where utilities cooperate, they will be able to become power plants when parked, selling electricity to the local power company. Imagine the market for vehicles that can be expected to pay for themselves.

These green systems can spread very rapidly once it is recognized that the potential is real.

The great depression ended with World War II. The present economic disaster can end with a rapid expansion of radically new energy technology. Several firms across the planet are emerging to point the way.

Revolutionary energy breakthroughs are likely to emerge from the laboratories before this year is out. They promise inexpensive alternatives to fossil and uranium fuels.

The science and technology is radically new and will not easily be believed. Independent laboratory validations and initial production of products will overcome understandable skepticism.

Future power plants, much less expensive than nuclear and coal, are on the horizon. Blacklight Power has announced production later this year. Our own firm is pioneering other approaches to the same goal.

Cars, trucks and buses are becoming possible that will need no fossil fuel or battery recharge. Moreover, where utilities cooperate, they will be able to become power plants when parked, selling electricity to the local power company. Imagine the market for vehicles that can be expected to pay for themselves.

These green systems can spread very rapidly once it is recognized that the potential is real.

The great depression ended with World War II. The present economic disaster can end with a rapid expansion of radically new energy technology. Several firms across the planet are emerging to point the way.

This article is right, but doesn't discuss why that means the current administration is wrong. We need to utilize all resources that we have in gaining energy indpendence, not a few hand-picked by special interest groups.

I agree with using nuclear power, and our power prices here in Georgia have been increased to pay for additional nuclear plants for more power. One problem, however, is that the nuclear plants and coal plants use a tremendous amount of water for cooling - Water is the white elephant in the room which most people are ignoring. As a matter of fact, the State Climatologists in GA have declared the drought in our region over. With this in mind, the only drinking water supply for Atlanta and the surrounding area is 9 feet below where it should be. If the drought is over, then I suggest we stop fighting over the river water running along the FL / GA border. Once again, the implementation of a water based sustainability solution can help the nuclear plants and coal plants run more efficiently and take a lesser toll on the environment and the ability of the region to grow due to lack of water. Actually, we are currently working on a project at a de-salination plant, where rainwater is added to the water supply. Considering that for every inch of rain per 10,000 square feet on a building, a harvesting system will yield 5,000 gallons of usable water, this is pretty successful.

Energy savings is a priority which has been greatly overlooked in the USA. It is also greatly misunderstood. Most people think that energy saving technologies are expensive, however, they are not. If executed correctly, a properly designed plan can have a return on investment within about 1 to 2 years. Most people and businesses focus on a single tier approach, like solar. RainTrapper Environmental goes about it in a different way, using water to create a water based sustainability plan for buildings and companies. Through the use of water, the cooling costs for buildings can be reduced by up to 40%, (this is the largest consumer of power in buildings, and buildings create more greenhouse gasses than cars). So, if you were to install a solar system, and use water to keep them running at optimal temperatures where they are the most efficient at converting solar energy into power, the efficiency of the solar PV cells could be increased by up to 15%. By using water, the return on investment on the solar system is lowered, making it more attractive than a solar system alone. Through the implementation of a water based sustainability solution, buildings can lay the groundwork for financial and environmental sustainability, qualify for new and additional LEED credits, supplement current sources, and make the buildings much more efficient. While we are in a tough economic situation, there are also tools such as performance contracts which can help pay for the systems out of the savings generated, resulting in immediate savings on cash flow. Bottom line is that energy prices and water prices will continue to rise at faster rates, (they have never gone down, by the way), and through the use of RainTrapper Environmental products, engineering and performance contracts, sustainability is affordable, economical, and easy to start implementing.

We can't achieve these goals while stonewalling projects like Cape Wind and all other planned coastal wind farms. When Int Sec. Salazar announced a pushback (TBA) on any final decision, I must say that I was totally flabbergasted. All this talk of change and green energy...stymied at the behest of one Sen. Ted Kennedy. If by some miracle an Obama staffer is reading this, tell him that wrt environmental policy I have yet to see a change I can believe in.

Sustainability is a key issue facing all of us. It is the companies and business owners who have the greatest opportunities to benefit from embracing sustainable measures. RainTrapper Environmental Solutions, is a company that offers water based sustainability solutions for corporate and industrial clients. Through the use of water, power bills can be reduced, the cost to cool buildings can be reduced by up to 40%, and sustainable practices can be implemented with rates of return of between one and two years! It is possible to have an environmentally friendly power saving program that pays for itself in a year or two, and saves even more money and more value as the prices of energy go up. Its being done in Europe, Australia, South America, Canada, and the Middle East - Just not here yet. I offer an invitation to check out our company, let us show you what can be done - the results and delivered performance is astounding.