Green Elements

Saving Water and California

 According to University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nearly 40% of 

California is in exceptional drought conditions; another 10% or better is under extreme drought.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in July of last year that it would provide $9.7 million dollars in aid to the over 73,000 residents affected by the driest year on record.  Special grants for water related efforts, including waste water, and research for special evaluation was also provided.

Consider this, it takes anywhere from 30-60 seconds for your hot water to hit the spout to bring your showering experience an acceptable level.  Even with a tankless water heater this can be the case.  The exception might be a heat on demand system, but most homes in the U.S. don't have those units installed, though it is a great idea.  That 30-60 seconds represents at least 1-1.5 gallons of water.

Given the magnitude of these drought events, there is something individuals can do at a local level. 

Californian population is nearly more than 39 million people(US Census Bureau); it can be assumed that that vast majority probably shower daily.  Approximately 136,000 people are homeless, so that number can be rounded down to perhaps 37 million people.

With the average shower lasting approximately 10 minutes and each person consuming, with a low flow shower head, in an 8-10 minutes shower about 20-25 gallons of water.  This number is based on the flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute.

But there is another part of this picture that is not in the frame.  how much of that water is wasted that you could get some secondary use out of with a minimal effort that does not contain soapy byproducts from your body while showering?

What are you doing in the shower during that time; how might you be more conservative or conservation conscious when showering?  Solution is pretty simple especially if you have a stand up shower.  While it might not seem appealing at first, how much access you have to water, just might make common sense if you will consider the following option. 

Take a clean 5 gallon plastic bucket that you may have lying around, or you can pick one up at the home improvement or hardware store.  While you are preparing your shower, place the bucket under the shower head and let it fill until your shower reached your desired temperature; then simply slide the bucket over to the corner of the shower you use least.  When you are finished, empty the water into your plants, grass or garden.

 That water then goes back into the earth and recharges our natural aquifers.  Multiply that by the roughly 37 million people in California and you have roughly 55 million gallons of water every single day; that is not only water that you $ave, but also water that recycles back into our watering system that would otherwise go into our wastewater system.  The water you dump back on your lawn or in your garden becomes more like the natural cycle of water (link) going back into the ground.

 The EPA states that a family could save another 2900 per year just by using a shower head labeled WaterSense, that translates into 260 billion gallons of water a year.

 We can get different results, but it means that we have to behave differently, not in terms of being told what to do, but in terms of each of us being in control of doing better.

 

 

Relationships Don't Always go Green

This article is more personal (man, woman, and green) in nature so if you are looking for a technical stimulant, you'll want to take a pass on this one.

 

Not too long ago I met someone new, in an attempt to explore building a relationship with someone.  She is an amazing individual with a list of accomplishments and a sense of independence and determination that would rival any over achiever.  I am honored to share a part of my life with her.

 

As most new relationships go, we had a conversation about attributes we appreciated about one and other as well as expectations.  Within this context, she expressed concern about her personal lifestyle and not wanting to be pressured to change.  This came on the heels of a statement about my commitment to sustainability as my lifestyle relates to it.  My lifestyle by far exceeds her level of commitment to sustainability, which forced her to share that such a chasm could very well be too much of a hurdle to overcome.

 

It is very early in the relationship so there is no real level of commitment at this point, this can also be known as the discovery period.  You learn about the other persons habits, lifestyle etc. and determine if going forward makes sense.  The other good thing about these tougher conversations is that you are not too engulfed in the relationship that you can't see daylight on the other side because all that seems to matter is hos caught up you are in the moment of emotions, that have you wound up and twisted in a potpourri of your favorite chocolates.  It is great that our more sensible/ mature side has prevailed.

 

My response to her concern was simple; as a grown woman, I don't expect her to change her lifestyle rather I believe my lifestyle might encourage her to change her own.

 

I do what is good for me and the environment; my hope is that my behaviors and lifestyle choices will influence people in a way that encourages them to make significant changes- of their own volition.  Such changes will likely have a more profound impact not only on the environment, but will also systematically foster changes in people who are not as committed, to shifting lifestyle impact on climate change.  So while I don't expect her to change her lifestyle, I do expect that my choices will encourage her to make lifestyle changes.

 

My lifestyle choices have evolved over time.  Because of my circumstances or personal choices; making the adaptations have been profoundly easier for me than such changes might be for virtually all other people.  This does not make me a super hero (except perhaps in my own mind), but stands to explain how I have positioned myself for success relative to environmental sustainability issues and that I can continue to do so- a priority in my life.  Just as one must position themselves for financial success by strategically positioning specific actions and objectives, so have I done with sustainability.  Each day I grow better at what I am capable of doing because of my intentions.

 

Where does this leaves our relationship, I cannot say with certainty, but choosing to broach the conversation positions each of us to make well informed decisions going forward and it will not be a hurdle that was stands in the way of our pursuit of happiness.

 

New Beginnings with Renewables

“The chapter for us is closed,” Peter Löscher, the chief executive of the Munich-based conglomerate, said in an interview with Der Spiegel, (NYT, September 18, 2011)

Perhaps one of the most powerful statements made by any trans-global corporation in decades, Siemen's announcement that it would discontinue its investment in nuclear energy production is long awaited good news to the environmental communities.  

According to the NYT article, Germany is targeting 35% of their energy to come from renewable resources by 2020.  Such ambitious efforts reflect a growing trend in concerns about how the natural environment is being affected by human activity.  More importantly, as corporate leadership takes ownership of accelerated climate change, we get closer to achieving a more sustainable path.  

Important in understanding decisions about climate change is the pathology behind it.  The EPA offers the following as a way to explain the process for determine climate change concerns regarding indicators: "An indicator represents the state of certain environmental conditions over a given area and a specified period of time."  With indicators we can more accurately assess what is happening and how human activity is affecting what is happening.  Is Siemens decision based on such indicators?  It would seem so.  With over $100.b in revenue from investments in nuclear energy, one can assume Siemens considered all possible angles including EPA indicators which are also driven by ICCP (International Climate Change Panel, a UN entity) reports.

Where do we go from here?  Hopefully Siemens decision will influence more business organizations to take a leadership role.  While nuclear energy is cheap in dollar terms, the economic externalities of nuclear energy vastly overshadow any benefits.  Our faith in the monetary system is being tested; along with that it might be a good time to challenge our faith in financially inexpensive energy.  There are multiple 

In a 2004 article of Industry Market Trends, their author reported the following: Over the past 10 years, the installed capacity of solar power has increased by 700%, while wind energy capacity has expanded more than thirteen-fold. That translates to 10-year annual growth rates of nearly 22% and 30%, respectively, which far exceed the single digit growth rates of many current energy economies.  Twenty-four years later than the original time-line, where are we?  In a June 2011 article from enn (Environmental Network News),  the global research director for General Electric Co., Mark M. Little stated "...that solar power may be cheaper than electricity generated by fossil fuels within 3-5 years."  A likely next step, following a natural progression, would be to launch major campaigns that shift consumer thinking to persuade them to be more aggressive about their individual commitment to climate change.  With companies like Siemens and General Electric playing key roles, change will be a lot easier to accept--  where positive social change will help us avoid human induced climate change. 

 

New Beginnings with Renewables

“The chapter for us is closed,” Peter Löscher, the chief executive of the Munich-based conglomerate, said in an interview with Der Spiegel, (NYT, September 18, 2011)

Perhaps one of the most powerful statements made by any trans-global corporation in decades, Semen's announcement that it would discontinue its investment in nuclear energy production is long awaited good news to the environmental communities.  

According to the NYT article, Germany is targeting 35% of their energy to come from renewable resources by 2020.  Such ambitious efforts reflect a growing trend in concerns about how the natural environment is being affected by human activity.  More importantly, as corporate leadership takes ownership of accelerated climate change, we get closer to achieving a more sustainable path.  

Important in understanding decisions about climate change is the pathology behind it.  The EPA offers the following as a way to explain the process for determine climate change concerns regarding indicators: "An indicator represents the state of certain environmental conditions over a given area and a specified period of time."  With indicators we can more accurately assess what is happening and how human activity is affecting what is happening.  Is Siemens decision based on such indicators?  It would seem so.  With over $100.b in revenue from investments in nuclear energy, one can assume Siemens considered all possible angles including EPA indicators which are also driven by ICCP (International Climate Change Panel, a UN entity) reports.

Where do we go from here?  Hopefully Siemens decision will influence more business organizations to take a leadership role.  While nuclear energy is cheap in dollar terms, the economic externalities of nuclear energy vastly overshadow any benefits.  Our faith in the monetary system is being tested; along with that it might be a good time to challenge our faith in financially inexpensive energy.  There are multiple 

In a 204 article of Industry Market Trends, their author reported the following: Over the past 10 years, the installed capacity of solar power has increased by 700%, while wind energy capacity has expanded more than thirteen-fold. That translates to 10-year annual growth rates of nearly 22% and 30%, respectively, which far exceed the single digit growth rates of many current energy economies.  Twenty-four years later than the original time-line, where are we?  In a June 2011 article from enn (Environmental Network News),  the global research director for General Electric Co., Mark M. Little stated "...that solar power may be cheaper than electricity generated by fossil fuels within 3-5 years."  A likely next step, following a natural progression, would be to launch major campaigns that shift consumer thinking to persuade them to be more aggressive about their individual commitment to climate change.  With companies like Siemens and General Electric playing key roles, change will be a lot easier to accept--  where positive social change will help us avoid human induced climate change. 

 

Life without Microsoft-- Linux

Choices.  Academic, personal, social, there are so many choices.  Combine choices with fear; and you can go into a type of psychological paralysis in making simple decisions about any of the above categories.  In fact, choices are not necessarily the difficult task, but the fear of making choices is.  More unfortunate is that fear (when managed methodically) can control how we behave, react and live.  From the fear of terrorist attacks to choosing not to use certain operating systems; we sink in our courage to stand up to what is unjust or perhaps we fail to stand up because we want to be as comfortable as possible.  Tonight is different; though it can be said, for me every day is different.  Not one to follow the normal crest on the wave, I dumped Microsoft this evening with the help of a new and very good friend.

 

I took up the Linux system; and if you are not familiar with Linux, make it a point to learn about it.  While I will say that the process is rather time consuming (largely due to my slow internet connection), learning and observing the process of upgrading my operating system (OS) from MS to Linux was the best decision I every made from a technology perspective.  But other decisions led up to that which cannot be ignored.

 

I took time off from graduate school to work on writing my book.  Other things came up and leading to this summer being one of the best I have had in my entire life.  People I met, places I have and am going, decisions I've made, have all played a role in the shedding of MS to Linux.  I am a firm believer in the power of subatomic particles developing an organic attraction to other subatomic particles in a way that brings people and systems together that would otherwise not occur; it influences our decision-making in many ways to respond to the nature of those subatomic particles that behave in similar ways.  It is the very conversation that lead to a conversation with my physicist friend who also installed my new operating system.  Were it not for these deep conversation there is a strong possibility I would never have had the opportunity to install Linux on my computer.

 

Not that it is critical to know, but Linux is much less susceptible to viruses, less resource consuming, more efficient and as simple to navigate as the system I was previously using.  In fact, I have more space on my hard drive, more efficient use of my hard drive and more choices for how I use my computer than every before.

 

Granted that I have a physicist willing to take the time to walk me through the installation and set up of Linux, but I would be willing to share the experience and the process for installing Linux over the more traditional OS any time.

 

I no longer have a fear of whether or not the system will work; fear of losing my programs or documents because the majority of people are using another OS; I have taking the confidence of my decision-making up a notch, because quite simply, I am not one to follow the pack. 

 

We have all choices to make; don't be blinded by the system set up to keep you in fear or create patterns that prevent you from exploring; whether that means exploring life, cultures, science, or different technology.

 

 One translation of Ubuntu, I am what I am because of who we are (from Wikipedia).  This is the source of the Linux OS which I installed.  Open source is an important framework from which the Internet was modeled as well as the networks it sustains, some elements have reemerged as a result of the Internet.  As new systems emerge, it is important to exercise the liberation of the social network of the Internet which more resembles society at large.  Moreover it resembles what somewhat reflects the nature of the Earth, that everyone take ownership of and is able to participate in the development and maintenance of it.

 

It is my belief that the human experience is suppose to be general, but develop an expertise; better yet, be a great generalist with expertise in multiple areas- you will increase you intellectual capital.  I am as grateful for my beginning education in epidemiology and environmental engineering as I am to have Linux as an alternative to the other OS; for without either, I would not have be able to be where I am today.  Knowledge is power, and my epi experience has granted me insights into life I never would have known. 

 

I continue to be as happy about life and my experience in it as I can possibly be.  I am free for fear regardless of what tomorrow brings; I am embracing the moment...right...now.

 

If you have the opportunity to installing a new OS such as Linux, do it.  I can't promise you will be as happy as I am, but then you will have to make your own choices-- won't you.

 

Good fortune to all!

 

iPhone Toxins and Responsibility

Corporate Responsibility

By Scotland Willis

iPhones have become an international icon for communication savvy and pop culture.  Unfortunately a connection between the iPhone and the hazardous chemical n Hexane, have become linked; it appear a step in  manufacturing of the iPhone is resulting in neurological damage to some workers inChina.  N Hexane is a toxic chemical and on rare occasions can be deadly.  

In February 2010, claims were reported that Wintek Corporation a subsidiary of Suzhou had workers who experienced neurological symptoms due to exposure from Hexane.  The significance- Wintex produces the iPhone product and the n Hexane is a chemical used for cleaning the screens on iPhones.  Hexane has a flash point of -10F and there for evaporates faster than alcohol as a cleaning agent- speeding up production. It is important to understand a few more facts about n Hexane itself.  

Hexane if inhaled enters your body through your lungs. A person's liver helps to break down harmful substances such as the gases from n Hexane.  The liver makes proteins that regulate your blood, and attempts to neutralize toxins in the blood like those found in Hexane.  These toxins that don't get filtered pass through your blood stream and are carried to all of your organs. 

Research from NIOSH (responsible for health and safety standards under the Center for Disease Control,) reveals that n Hexane has severe neurotoxins and can lead to a range of debilitating affects from peripheral neuropathy to pneumonitis.   OSHA's permissible exposure limits of hexane in a contained workspace is 500 parts per million (ppm).  Though proposed limits of 50 ppm were submitted to the U.S. court system, the court repudiated this proposal and its legal limits remain at 500 ppm today as listed on OSHA and CDC's NIOSH.  It should be noted that even at 500 ppm neurological damage can still occur.

To provide some perspective OSHA allows 5000 parts per million(ppm) of CO2 (carbon dioxide), per million parts of air.  This indicates that n Hexane at an allowable 500 ppm, present a dangerously higher level of risk to human welfare when compared to the allowable ppm for carbon dioxide(U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services). 

Hexane is also found in many soy products from baby formula to soy milk.  Manufactures use Hexane to extract proteins in these food products.  Traces found in food products are often in the low 20 ppm and even less in soy milk.  The objective is to explain how common the presence of Hexane is in our food, and put its risk factor in perspective.  Hexane is a very harmful chemical and ideally manufacturers of soy products would not use Hexane in processing food at all.  Preventable measures would be most ideal but that would most likely require reducing the production levels- as is the case with the iPhone.

Any of the point made here can be verified and are in no way presented to drastically shift public opinion, but hold companies accountable for counter intuitive practices to sustainability. As an environmental strategist the goal is to encourage businesses to look at more effective ways to approach eco-friendly practices, by making alternative recommendations.

From a public consumer perspective, we can influence what happens in the manufacturing process.  By letting the company know that we would like evidence within 60 days that their policy regarding exposure this chemical demonstrates significant change; and that we would consider shifting our loyalty to their brand if reasonable steps were not taken.  This give the manufacture reasonable time to make changes and does not threaten the disruption of business immediately.  Everyone should have time to respond so that they don't react in a nonproductive or less meaningful way.

Corporate and social responsibility extend beyond our boarders.  When we decide to globalize our products and services, that brings with it accountability in those new territories; not only for those products and services but to the quality of life that speak to who we are and our regard for people and the ecosystem. For business, environmental priorities should be a expansive part of a evolving green print for success.

 

Exploring truth and avoiding cancer

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the importance of alkaline in ones diet because of the deficiency from our over consumption of various processed food products and sugar.  I offered a list of foods to anyone who emailed me.

I want to continue to remind people that I am not doctor; that being said I will proceed.  

There is a necessary ph balance that helps food products grow; I suggested that because we are heavily dependent on foods grown rather than processed, our nutrient requirements would not be so different.  In humans the healthy ph balance is about 7.4.  Further I stated that our excessive intake of sugar more particularly sucrose and fructose are especially harmful to our physiology.  Because of our dietary habits, most people in the U.S. (and likely other developed nations as well), maintain a population of people with highly acidic imbalances (a deficit of alkalinity).  I challenge everyone who reads (and please share it with everyone you know within your network) this article to calculate how much sugar intake you ingest each day or week.  

Further our passion for chocolaty sweets, caffeine and like products add an additional burden to our body.  Utter disregard for the correct pH balance is in part our demise.

Additional curiosities arose for me as I was looking to increase my alkaline intake to balance out the sugars in my own diet.  Not only did I discover the health detriment of caffeine, sugars, sweets, etc; I also began to think about my semester at Tufts in health risks affects in civil engineering forcing me to ponder some of the following topics that helped me link more of what I am concerned about:

1) Cancer does not do well in oxygen rich environments.  When cells fail to thrive they seek environments where they can (oxygen poor environments provide such an environment for cancer)

2) Oxygen cannot adhere to blood cells as well if the ionic charge is highly acidic 

3) Alkaline enrichment can help offset the consequences of an acidic diet (i.e., sugar)

4)  Soy can contribute to or foster environments that cancerous cells require

5) Your pancreas uses an enzyme known as trypsin necessary for protein digestion; soy irritates pancreatic activity (causing stress) reduces the oxygenation counteracting (or acting as an inhibitor) for metabolizes of protein

If you have been told  about as an old remedy or tried, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to help reduce acid- it works, but not just for an upset stomach.  Even the NIH (National Institute of Health) indicates that it reduces blood acids (here).  Still be mindful of your use.  Too much of anything is not a good thing.  Nonetheless, it has really powerful benefits.

We should question why soy is being emphasized as a health product, when we should be getting advised about the importance of moderation of it as well as coffee, chocolate, processed foods (including dairy); and most importantly what is going in to school lunches especially in primary and secondary schools.  I would advise people to look at what a "balanced diet" is.  Lastly I would consider what large pharmaceutical companies lose by being fully transparent and what they stand to gain by people consuming high acid producing foods.   It could mean a significant reduction in the prevalence of cancer which would all but decimate the pharmaceutical and medical industry.   The point here is only to consider the possibilities not attack the pharmaceutical companies- I don't support that approach

Look into the data for yourself, do your home work- do not rely on one source, including me.    Below are some key words that might help you understand more about this content in my article:

Red blood cells; oxygen; trypsin; alkaline; acidity; ph balance; gout; oncogenes; sodium bicarbonate; oxygen exchange. 

My recommendation:

Grow your own food whenever possible and learn to enjoy healthy foods more.  Stop going to the grocery store to buy quick packaged food so often and invest in yourself and your health.  These are just brief thoughts to help you think critically about your health.  Exercise that infuses your body with higher levels of oxygen is important as well; also do not over look the importance of breathing clean air (i.e., take a hike in the mountains once in a while).

If you are interested in more information I have articles and medical references that you may find helpful and informative.  Though I don't consider myself a naturalist, the research I have is both medical and naturalist in nature.

Be well,

Scotland

 

Ps   If you would like a chart of alkaline and acidic foods you may email me or leave a comment.

 

 

Reality check on Earth Day

Earth Day was established in the 1970 by then  United States Senator Gaylord Nelson to inspire awareness for what is commonly associated today with climate change or sustainability.

As inspirational as the message might have been on that now famous date of April, 22nd, 1970 I cannot settle for where we are today.  To put my concerns in perspective please consider the following.

Car sales by decade are as follows: 

1970    1980          1990         2000      2009 

(figures in hundred thousands)

8,399      8,949      9,303      8,847      5,456 

Other data suggests that 2009 sales were 10.4 million units and expect 2011 sales to reach 11.5 million. This represents a 19% increase between 1970 and 2010 (using the 10.4 m. figure).

As you look at increases in production across other sectors a similar increase can be found.  For instance since 1970 U.S. domestic oil production went down from 9.6 MBD (millions of barrels)/ day to 4.9 MBD; but add  foreign oil production (OPEC & non-OPEC countries ) from 3.1 MBD to 11.4 mbb/d for a total net increase of 14.8 mbb/ day of oil (imports minus exports = net oil import).

If we increased our commitment to sustainability and carbon output reduction by similar margins 1) we would likely have less vehicles on the road and 2) we would likely have more fuel efficient vehicles or better yet zero emission vehicles on the road.  It is important to look at legislative decisions to fully consider the comparison across the decades we are concerning ourselves with.  This could be done in part by determining legislative authorization for pollution allowances for automotive manufacturers, regulations on crude oil imports and exports etc.  A variety of benchmarks could be used.

These examples are only to demonstrate that manfacturing and production are increasing at rates greater than that of sustainabile industries.

Earth Day should remind us that there is much work to do still, despite that increase in wind generated energy, solar energy awareness and other "preferred" (a term I use rather than alternative [which suggest that something else is not the best choice] ),  energy sources.

Awareness is good but change is better.  Lobbyist continue to mount cases against rapid changes that would aggressively protect the biosphere from profit making over environmental priority setting.  This is what we have to contend with.

 

 

Water Why(s)

Why, is water so important in our life?  

Imagine if you decided to not consume or use anything that was related to water, for just one day:

*The most obvious exclusion would be drinking water- none of that.  On average an adult consumes about two liters of water per day;

*you would also have to stop eating that day; water is required to grow anything that grows from the earth, i.e. agricultural products;

*you'll have to turn off those lights also; coal fired powered plants use about 2.2 billion gallons of water each year (UCS); 

*you would have to decide not to drive that day, because : the amount of water used to manufacture a new car, including new tires? 39,090 gallons per car;

*chicken wings? water is used during the growing/production of a chicken? 400 gallons;

*Water required for irrigation (2005 estimates)  128 billion gallons of water per day.

Water under the bridge

Clearly, water is a key resource to everything we do.  It is important that we are more conscious about making wise consumer choices to avoid over use, of this precious natural resource.  Since only three percent of our earth's water resources is considered drinkable water understanding its scarcity is something we should be educated about, not threatened by.  This simply means as you are making your purchases, go the extra mile and let manufactures know by sending them an e-mail, calling customer service or contacting their head quarters, that you would like to know what steps they are taking to conserve water in their manufacturing and distribution process.

Certain arms of the government such as WETT, are looking at the value of water to the environment not just the value of water to for human consumption.  On their web site they state that their research will "...enable an environmentally and economically more appropriate evaluation by including quantified environmental benefits..."  This is an approach of internalizing the externality (or realizing the cost in other than dolar terms).

Putting your best foot forward

With so much effort into understanding water that is taking place behind the scenes, it is understandable why we need to know much more about the impact of our own consumption habits and usage regarding water.  There is not doubt that human related activity has an impact on water quality and availability; so we can make a conscious choice to change the impact we have by reducing and reusing water whenever possible.

Water availability is a real concern and there are a lot of good sites you can visit to understand more about it including: the U.S. Geological Survey; American Water Use; WETT (Water Energy Technology Team) and the radio active risks associated with Japan and our fish consumption.  You might also want to visit the World Health Organization's site to look at impacts around the world.

Ending on a memorable note; in the United States, we consume about 346,000 million (that's "346 hundred-thousand-million" gallons of water each day.

Let water why(s) help you become water wise.  It is a global issue, but the change begins with you.  

Happy drinking!  

Climate change bears and fatalities