Renewable Energy- Future of Solar

Harvesting the sun's energy with antennas

An Idaho National Research team, headed by Steven Novack, is developing a spectacular new technology. By using nanotechnology they have created a solar panel that is four times more efficient than conventional solar panels and hundreds of dollars cheaper. The nanotechnology was utilized to create antenna that can absorb and convert solar radiation into energy as well as light waves. Harvesting radiation makes these solar panels of the future collect energy even during the night! The reason this product will be so cheap once out on the market is because it can be printed on plastic. As the supply of silicon lags and the price of it increases this new solar panel's estimated $10 price will be phenomenally cheaper.

Water Pollution

Fresh Water pollution

Today more than ever freshwater has become extremely rare. Though renewable if given many years, the rate at which humans are polluting water does not allow for the cycle to keep up.

 Already only 0.01% of water in the world is drinkable and useable for food preparation and agriculture. Yet we continue to pollute our water ways to such an extent that 25% of waterways in West and South Europe are extremely polluted. Because surface water is no longer safe many people and much of agriculture is dependent on ground water. But ground water is not reusable.

 We are now seeing organic, radioactive, thermal, metallic, acid, and chemical pollution in water. Aquifers are not exempt. Everything is affected. Even parts of the world untouched by humans are now being affected by pesticides that evaporate and rain down again.

It is not just the environment we are destroying either. 2.2 million people die every year from waterborne illnesses. Every 8 seconds it is a child.

The balance of our water cycle has been thrown off and now countless species, including humans, are suffering.

Half of Amazon rainforest may be gone by 2030

Half the Amazon Rainforest to be Lost by 2030

According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF) half of the Amazon will be destroyed or severely damaged by 2030. Destruction of forest for logging or to produce farmland is the main culprit. Both these factors are rapidly increasing. Unfortunately at the same time in the next 20 years there is expected to be 20% rain fall and a 2 degree increase in the Amazon area due to global warming.

The lack of rain and increase in temperature will not only stunt the growth of the forest, it will also increase the likely hood of forest fires. In these conditions the forest will not be able to regenerate at a quick enough pace. If open soil is exposed the line layer of topsoil in the Amazon is quick to be eroded away and leaves the land unable to support healthy and significant vegetation.

If the Amazon continues to be destroyed at the rate it is the climate of the world will be affected as well. If 60% of the Rain forest is degraded this will cause global warming to such an extent that even precipitation in India will been changed.

We are starting a dangerous cycle where the rainforest will be destroyed by global warming and global warming will be speed up by the destruction of forests. This in effect will cause humanity much grief.

Environmental Organizations and Agencies

Listed below are a few orgnizations and agencies who are comitted to preventing the destruction of earth as well as the resoration of what has been degraded as well as thier mission statement.
All the groups I have posted are well respected and trustworthy, fully devoted to the cause of our planet. I only had previous, and basic knowledge of 3 of the 9 groups listed. Sadly I only  actively follow one, National Geographic Society. However after looking into the history and the agenda of these agencies and organizations I am certain I will begin to follow more and hopefully see where I can get involved or support them.

• Forest Stewarship Council -The Forest Stewardship Council A.C. (FSC) shall promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world's forests
• Greenpeace - Ensure the ability of the Earth to nuture life in all its diversity
• Natural Resource Defense Council -The Natural Resources Defense Council's purpose is to safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends
• National Geographic Society - Inspire people to care about the planet
• Sierra Club -Sierra Club Canada empowers people to protect, restore and enjoy a healthy and safe planet!
• The Nature Conservancy - To preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive
• United Nations Environment Programme-To provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
• World Business Council For Sustainable Development -Our mission is to provide business leadership as a catalyst for change toward sustainable development, and to support the business license to operate, innovate and grow in a world increasingly shaped by sustainable development issues
• WorldWifelife Fund -WWF’s mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth

Environmental Songs

Don't Go Near the Water-Beach Boys

Gone- Jack Johnson

Blackened- Metalica

Nothing but Flowers- Talking Heads

Treat yo Mama- John Bulter Trio
Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)- Marvin Gaye
Traffic Jam- James Taylor
Earth Blues- Jimi Hendrix
The 3 Rs- Jack Johnson

Big Yellow Taxi was written by Joni Mitchell in 1970 while she was on a trip to Hawaii. Joni was shocked one morning when she looked out her window. In the distance there were mountains and lush forests, paradise, but for as far as she could see around her there were only parking lots. The meaning of this song is very clear "you don't know what you got till it’s gone." We take for granted clean air, fresh water, forests, land, biodiversity, and people. But we only realize how precious this all is once its gone, but by then its often too late. We try to find solutions or ways to connect with what was lost (ie. Tree museum) but it’s not the same. This song plea is not to mourn the lose of nature but to prevent further damage (Hey farmer farmer Put away that DDT * now Give me spots on my apples But leave me the birds and the bees Please!).
Earth Song was recorded in 1994-1995 and was written and preformed by Michael Jackson. The song is a plea to all of humanity to stop and realise what we are doing to our planet. How we are hurting our Earth and the future children that will inherit it. It is a song that points out that we have failed ourselves, our planet, our ancestors, and our children. It does not provide solutions but is meant to grab the listeners’ attention and bring into light the devastation and inspire change.

Oilsands monitoring ineffective

Canada's environmental record was hit by Europeans, who

Alberta must kick its coal habit

This Globe and Mail article raised an excellent question; if Alberta is able, why don't they make the switch to clean energy sources? Geothermal, solar, wind, and biomass. There are many adequate, renewable, resources for the choosing.
Sadly, we know it all comes down to money. With the price of power already rising the idea of changing to new and premature energy sources is all but ridiculous the Texas of Canada.
Fortunately this call to sustainability can not be ignored. The time to change is now and people have to recognize this. In 20 years coal will have run out, it will take 20 years to make a full switch to renewable resources. It doesn't take a genius to realize what has to happen next, but it takes a selfless people to put that into action. Alberta needs to become province who is willing to 'plant a tree in who's shade [they] will never sit'.