Tuesday, November 30, 2010

>:( COP: Bjorn "Monkey Math"?



COP: Bjorn Lomborg: Monkey Math

From an article: ( the Guardian )

"There are two battles over climate change. The legitimacy of climate science has been challenged in the media, but repeated reviews have found only scattered typographical errors in IPCC reports and other assessments. Last year's theft of emails from climate scientists revealed the shocking news that leading researchers can be rude and competitive – but not much else. While science-deniers remain prominent in US politics, most of the world has moved on.

What the debate has moved on to, though, is concern about the costs of climate policies. Bjorn Lomborg, the poster child of climate scepticism, is no longer attacking the science; instead, he now claims that the damages from climate change would be small, while the costs of doing anything about it would be enormous. The new Lomborg ("Scepticism 2.0") relies heavily on a few conservative economists, notably Richard Tol and William Nordhaus, to suggest that we can't afford real climate solutions.
"

I read Bjorn Lomborgs "The skeptical environmentalist". Let me share what I learned: That it is ok to write in books using a pen.

The book is filled with his "one dimensional" "excel based" charts of "corn prices". It is sad to see such tools being used to attack a body of science that is young and growing and "complex" not "linear" in nature, because nature is not linear.

Bjorn Lomborg certainly did not show me his "complex math". Why? He does not have any. He uses linear analysis and stovepiped "examples" of why he "feels" that climate change science is flawed. Of course it is flawed. New science always is.

When new laws enter our government, they need work. Review, readings, rewrite until everyone "is happy". Well, that is also debatable, but, do I call into question the validity of the courts, because, a law is yet to be finalized? Technically, no. As you have seen from my previous blogs, I assert that governments cannot act morally, but, that is my opinion.

I wonder how much Bjorn lost in ABCP "his industrys" science? A science based on a symbol. The symbol of money. A concept. An idea.

See in business, money is "linear" symbol. A dollar is always worth its face value. What people pay for it, is the "market value". These market values are controlled largely by people that make the "big trades" not the tiny investor, like you or me.

What I found in Bjorns book, is that he uses business math, to attack "climate" math. One is linear ( the methods Bjorn demonstrated ) the other complex ( the methods scientists are using to model the earths climate: complex analysis ).

Nature is weird. It never behaves the same way twice. If you see the same cloud formation every day, maybe in the shape of a square or circle, you would think something is wrong? Yes, and you would be correct!

"Nature does not come" in: points, lines, circles, squares or triangles or cubes.

It comes in complex "shapes": "Flowers, rocks and "approximations of" the "shapes of electrons".

I use these three for a reason. One is living, one is not and the other is a "simple building block". You cannot use a linear math formula to define a flower in its entirety, but, we can understand molecules and the materials that rocks are made from, but, never precisely. That is the way it is folks.

The more "systems" you have in living things, the more complex. A carrot versus a tiger.

Using science to determine the impact on life: how plastics impact a bacterium, how changes in GHG's impact our climate are orders of magnitude more complex.

Both are complex, but, one is "simple" compared to "the massive complexity of other". I am sure you can guess which is which. Most people can "get it".

Bjorn does not. He is stuck with his linear analysis to describe a massively complex systems. His book is "full of crap".

I got "serious" and started marking up everything that he uses his linear "games" to refute something complex.

He uses squares, lines and circles to try to attack non-linear systems. Like a child, unable to see what he is talking about.

Nature is a "massive collection of unique shapes" with energy interacting with one another in real time, not a straight line on a sheet paper.

If someone ever shows you a two dimensional graph on the behaviours of a Black hole, just remember, real math has no "monkey numbers" or "squares in it". That chart is the product of complexity, reduced to illustrate simple factors. It is a one way street, much like entropy.

Humans developed the "primitive concepts" of math to quantify and understand our surroundings:

Linear math : 1 apple + 1 apple = 2 apples.

Complex math: Why are we adding apples? there is no "apple" just two unique shapes that humans call "apples" for simple purposes. They are genetically, topologically, volumetrically, and visually unique, etc.

But, complex math does "its job" when defining how much the two apples weigh together and their calorie content. And even more! No two apples are alike.

So when people, like Borjn, are given the same "platform" as the expert scientists, what do they have to add to the dicussion? Their amature "feelings"? This is why I wrote Metaman in Metalanguage. With this, Bjorn, can not hold us all back. We just discredit his assertions using science and "boot him to the curb". If he returns with valid peer reviewed science, let him speak, otherwise, lock the door and keep him out, thanks.

Even the scientists are a fighting each other, why? Because science works like that. But, you have to prove it using science. But, in complex analysis, not everything is as simple as my two apples concepts. There is multitude of factors involved, and none of them truely belong on a "two dimensional graph" to begin with. Science trys to give you graphs to illustrate a simplified relationship: a graph is the simplification of understanding. Bjorn uses graphs to try to explain complexity. It does not work that way. Sorry, Bjorn. You are incorrect again. Please go home, already!

If you have a snap shot of a friend, is "that the same" as being with her, in your backyard having a picnic? One is a description from the picnic, the other is reality of a picnic. Understand? I hope so. With a picture, can you tell the ingredients of the potato salad? Get my "picture"?

But, the science I see that Bjorn uses, is the same stuff that any kid can learn in highschool. Linear stuff. The science that trys to predict complex natural systems ( climate, the long term trajectory of a moon, the weather ) is different.

Interesting aside. A group tried to predict the orbit of one of jupiters moons using motion analysis. Their science was reliable for 22 days then the "little secrets" and "errors of the calulations" show their model as incorrect, after the 22 days. But, it was close "for 22 days". That is complexity. Close but never a "cigar".

Bjorn also fails to understand "tipping points": the complex and unpredictable nature of a system when the "rules" change when thresholds are passed.

I think Bjorn does not have the right "to talk". Why does he get the opportunity?

We should be critical of "who is saying" what.

All I am saying is that Bjorn does not know what math is.

From wikipedia:

“On January 6, 2003 the DCSD reached a decision on the complaints. The ruling was a mixed messages, deciding the book to be scientifically dishonest, but Lomborg himself not guilty because of lack of expertise in the fields in question:[6] “

Why does this guy get to be heard? Because a lot of people benifit from his lies and distortion of something he does not understand: math.

Of course, Lomborg complained.

Enjoy!



All information and concepts on my blog is property of me, Graham Chivers.

Retweeting is highly recommended!

This information may not be used, in any publications, without direct prior consent from Graham Chivers @ http://deepgreendesign.blogspot.com/. My Blog is not to be within or, on any entities that have advertising. Sounds weird? Well, that is my choice. Freedom of speech and freedom of access, without any capitalism, by companies, that I do not find green enough. I assert that my Blogs will deliver my blog with NO ADVERTISING! As such, If you wish to rebroadcast my content, ask for permission. If your publication has absolutely no advertising, anywhere, I will be happy let you use my content, on the condition that I verify the publication for content, first. I dreaded the day that my blog would be beside advertising for laptops or other non-green thingies, but, it did. Support Ad-Free knowledge! If you see this blog beside advertising, please, let them know to respect my authority as a citizen. Thank you! I assert the right to assert my opinion on each blog, I blog. I assert that I am not a “domestic terrorist”. I assert that I am an individual, not a marketing scam. I collect no data from my Blog. All the products use to manufacture this product are “free” on the Internet. I use no marketing software for data collection. I feel that anyone should be able to read my blog with only knowledge being the product for free.

If you do not agree with any above content, prove it first. If you can teach me something, I will thank you in a manner warranted. If you are intending to “limit my internet access” or Freedom of Speech or my Human Rights: please go away!




Friday, November 26, 2010

>:( CBC question: Gov. tackling climate change?



CBC question: Is Government doing enough to tackle climate change?

Of course this is a fluffy question. But, at least it was asked.

If I could ask the questions?: "Are governments capable of tackling climate change?" Answer: NO : and my response would be the same, as below.

So, I responded: ( not in funky METAMAN language like yesterday about Wikileaks )

>>>>

Good question CBC:.

My honest opinion is no. I have been trying to help Canadian excellence in "Green" for over 15 years. First part-time moonlights, then as an aside to my regular product design consulting and now, as a full time career. Tough!

The Canadian government is only working the way it has been modified to do: operated with corporations to make them money, reduce taxes through privatization ( a model from Chicago schools of disaster capitalism) and let the free market reign while trying to eliminate government regulation.

We all recognize that Canadas only saving grace with the US bank pre-election explosion was that our banks are more regulated by government. Trust me, if banks can sell, they will, with little regard to its largest populous of consumers: citizens. Making bad loans globally, while using us to hedge those losses. Makes sense, if you are a banker.

What if people (in government and banking, etc) had to take responsibility for their "decision points". How long would they last?

In my industry, I must plan for success the first time. I have no option. If I fail, it could be over for me. Gives me incentives to perform for my customers.

What is the incentive for government? You can "harper" this country up and still get a juicy benefit package at the end of the day. Look at the bonuses big corps. give to their "elite thinkers".

I assert that public Crown Corporations are the solution, but, with the caveat that if you "screw up" or steal, or engage in corruption, you get fired, like me, if I "screw up".

How can any organization perform with no penalty for failure? Or politicians get promoted or shuffled or placed into a corporation to continue the goal of sucking up taxpayer money to deliver the least for the most profit.

I am sure I am not the first to think this, probably been "whined about" for thousands of years.

But, we face a total game change. Peak oil. All we see now are corporations going "sustainable" ( ie. Rolls Royce car plant is sustainable now, but, how sustainable is a Rolls Royce: the destruction to acquire the loot to get one ) and getting taxpayer money to do it.

I assert that we must develop a government "green" standard that can be used on products, so, consumers can buy with confidence without a stack of textbooks in: math, biology, manufacturing process, energy analysis, etc.

Why is the burden of choice on a person that just wants a product. Does the Government feel it is not its responsibility?

<<<< Enjoy!



All information and concepts on my blog is property of me, Graham Chivers.

Retweeting is highly recommended!

This information may not be used, in any publications, without direct prior consent from Graham Chivers @ http://deepgreendesign.blogspot.com/. My Blog is not to be within or, on any entities that have advertising. Sounds weird? Well, that is my choice. Freedom of speech and freedom of access, without any capitalism, by companies, that I do not find green enough. I assert that my Blogs will deliver my blog with NO ADVERTISING! As such, If you wish to rebroadcast my content, ask for permission. If your publication has absolutely no advertising, anywhere, I will be happy let you use my content, on the condition that I verify the publication for content, first. I dreaded the day that my blog would be beside advertising for laptops or other non-green thingies, but, it did. Support Ad-Free knowledge! If you see this blog beside advertising, please, let them know to respect my authority as a citizen. Thank you! I assert the right to assert my opinion on each blog, I blog. I assert that I am not a “domestic terrorist”. I assert that I am an individual, not a marketing scam. I collect no data from my Blog. All the products use to manufacture this product are “free” on the Internet. I use no marketing software for data collection. I feel that anyone should be able to read my blog with only knowledge being the product for free.

If you do not agree with any above content, prove it first. If you can teach me something, I will thank you in a manner warranted. If you are intending to “limit my internet access” or Freedom of Speech or my Human Rights: please go away!




Wednesday, November 24, 2010

GREEN BLOG :) Bacteria!



Bacteria for what?!

Bacteria is mother natures little busy body. They “munch and munch” till there “ain't no more”.

Without bacteria, we would have no plants or animals. Why? Because bacteria are in symbiosis with all living things, most of the time. See life on earth is just one big symbiosis party. Until homosapiens discovered science! With science, homosapiens are out of control, add medicine, it gets worse, add computers and look where we are at now! Seems like when you evolve “beyond” “mother nature”, the rules change. How true is that! Mother nature cannot keep her simple balance formula going. She still has tricks though, tricks to eliminate a lot of homosapiens from the planet.

I like bacteria, especially in some foods! Yum. Some bacteria is good, some bad!

Bacteria can eat lots of stuff. Its natures tiny “recycling heebee – jeebee” that works 24/7 given the right environment to do “the dance it does”. I have known about “special” bacteria for almost a decade now. Special? Yes, Special. I know of bacteria that eat oil, eat lead and even make yogurt so yummy.

In fact, some companies use them to treat toxic materials with no long term damage to our environment.

Why did BP not use bacteria to clean up the oil spill? Simple! BP, and the oil-boys-network own a company! It makes COREXIT ( get it? Corexit – “corrects it” - those oil marketing guy sure are slick! Almost as slick as my #iearth1st , but hey, I am a greengenius and they are just scumbags #nailedya )! Thats the stuff they use. It is toxic to wildlife? Yep! So, why do they insist on using it? Because it makes them money “on the other side of the street.” Every time they screw things up: oil spills, tanker spills, municipal oil spills, etc., they can make more money by buying their own stuff to "fix it". Why do they not use bacteria? Because it replicates and solves the problem, over time, itself!

This is a poor business model for greedy corporations. Things that fix themselves are a no-no! They would prefer to sell things that only they make and can sell lots of. It makes sense, if you could care less about the environment and life on earth!

I talk about bacteria, in my blog “Green Electronics”, "how to compost your electronics". Check it out when you are emotionally stable!

So, now you know! You know that companies never do anything unless there is a profit to be made, no matter the environmental damage. Its the American way (the old way)! And has been adopted by many countries through privatization of foreign governments. Like Canada!

Sounds gloomy huh? Well, there is always a bright side in my blogs!

I rarely make a shout outs, but, I will today. And, this is a shout out to all companies that clean up toxic “whoopsies” using bacteria, or use bacteria to help improve processes. I am located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada! So, I am giving my shout out to this company (you just got the deepgreendesign "jolt")! Good work guys! You are part of our green future! I hope you keep decreasing your carbon footprint and ours!

Enjoy!



All information and concepts on my blog is property of me, Graham Chivers.

Retweeting is highly recommended!

This information may not be used, in any publications, without direct prior consent from Graham Chivers @ http://deepgreendesign.blogspot.com/. My Blog is not to be within or, on any entities that have advertising. Sounds weird? Well, that is my choice. Freedom of speech and freedom of access, without any capitalism, by companies, that I do not find green enough. I assert that my Blogs will deliver my blog with NO ADVERTISING! As such, If you wish to rebroadcast my content, ask for permission. If your publication has absolutely no advertising, anywhere, I will be happy let you use my content, on the condition that I verify the publication for content, first. I dreaded the day that my blog would be beside advertising for laptops or other non-green thingies, but, it did. Support Ad-Free knowledge! If you see this blog beside advertising, please, let them know to respect my authority as a citizen. Thank you! I assert the right to assert my opinion on each blog, I blog. I assert that I am not a “domestic terrorist”. I assert that I am an individual, not a marketing scam. I collect no data from my Blog. All the products use to manufacture this product are “free” on the Internet. I use no marketing software for data collection. I feel that anyone should be able to read my blog with only knowledge being the product for free.

If you do not agree with any above content, prove it first. If you can teach me something, I will thank you in a manner warranted. If you are intending to “limit my internet access” or Freedom of Speech or my Human Rights: please go away!

GREEN BLOG :) Green! Green?



Green! Green?

“Little” factoid for your brain today:

Did you know that the chemicals in colour dyes are bad for our environment?

Did you know that the colour green is typically the worst colour of our “consumer spectrum”? I am sure there are many different types of green dyes, but, on average, green is the worst offender.

Think! Is green “Green”? Next time you buy a “Green product” check the packaging. Is it green? Are the dyes all natural? If not, are you helping the environment, or hurting it? If they cannot think about the impacts of using green dyes, is the product any greener for the environment?

If packaging people are talking like this (#nailedya) what is inside? Read it. What you learn is that you need to teach yourself more about Green than packaging, by law, does not have to say.

Critical thinking: Do it!

Enjoy!

P.S. - I have other Blogs, for you, to spur your “critical thinking about Green”!



All information and concepts on my blog is property of me, Graham Chivers.

Retweeting is highly recommended!

This information may not be used, in any publications, without direct prior consent from Graham Chivers @ http://deepgreendesign.blogspot.com/. My Blog is not to be within or, on any entities that have advertising. Sounds weird? Well, that is my choice. Freedom of speech and freedom of access, without any capitalism, by companies, that I do not find green enough. I assert that my Blogs will deliver my blog with NO ADVERTISING! As such, If you wish to rebroadcast my content, ask for permission. If your publication has absolutely no advertising, anywhere, I will be happy let you use my content, on the condition that I verify the publication for content, first. I dreaded the day that my blog would be beside advertising for laptops or other non-green thingies, but, it did. Support Ad-Free knowledge! If you see this blog beside advertising, please, let them know to respect my authority as a citizen. Thank you! I assert the right to assert my opinion on each blog, I blog. I assert that I am not a “domestic terrorist”. I assert that I am an individual, not a marketing scam. I collect no data from my Blog. All the products use to manufacture this product are “free” on the Internet. I use no marketing software for data collection. I feel that anyone should be able to read my blog with only knowledge being the product for free.

If you do not agree with any above content, prove it first. If you can teach me something, I will thank you in a manner warranted. If you are intending to “limit my internet access” or Freedom of Speech or my Human Rights: please go away!




Tuesday, November 23, 2010

GREEN BLOG :) Geothermal: Quickie & Slowly



Geothermal, Quickie & Slowly.

Lets talk “just” green power ( no emissions: no corn-diesel “freaks” ).

"December 3,2010 Quick thought":

DGD "mymath" presents: What would you trust?: #dgd #opinion ( GEOTHERMAL / WIND / SOLAR )=GEOTHERMAL #dgd #opinion #(Asteroids + Earth = Darkness)& #(Future Wind Pattern Changes)

brought to you by METAMAN, Earths 1st "#iearth1st" no reports, just free votes!

back to your Blog:

Wind and solar only work when there is wind and sun:Intermittent power source. From Wiki: "Using larger amounts of intermittent power may require upgrades or even a redesign of the grid infrastructure.". Sounds like Hydro One is planning ahead to suck more taxes from Ontario? I am sure they are thinking of more ways to get tax money, than resolve our energy problems in Ontario.

Geothermal energy is: baseload, meaning “24/7” and constant output (except scheduled maintenance and no massive earthquakes). Add enough geothermal capacity, and we can also eliminate some peaking plants.

Load balancing is what stabilizes our electrical grid “energy” from intermittent sources. When wind and solar are operating, they also need to run traditional loads (coal & gas) to balance them out, load-following. Geothermal is baseload, like traditional generation plants. This is why wind and solar are not that great for direct transmission into the grid, far from communities. Wind and solar are great for distributed generation, meaning, feeding a small group of loads (homes & arcades) that are already grid connected. Why? Because of transmission losses. Transmitting energy through the transmission lines incurs a loss. You can ballpark it at ~30% loss, just on our wires. Distributed generation, using intermittent sources, is better than Intermittent sources feeding directly to the grid.

So when deciding about government grants for renewable energy: we should be choosing geothermal first. Why? With solar and wind, you need to run dirty energy to balance their loads ( plus transmission losses! ). Geothermal does not need load balancing, since it is baseload generation ( okay, power engineers, I do not want to bore my audience too much, so, keep it to yourself, okay? )

So the next time someone installs a big wind or big solar array, look at it first. Can Geothermal do a greener job? Yes, because of the compound benefit we get with each geothermal installation. Intermittent loads complicate the balancing "black magic" that Hydro One does. That is why the executives there make huge cash, right?. I see they are really thinking ahead too, thinking more profits and budgets as they have to modify the grid to accomodate a growing number of intermittent power sources accross the province.

And that was your Geothermal Quickie. Bye bye!

Want to think more? ....

Transmission losses can be thought of as “just the losses in the transmission lines”, but, I assert that we need to use science to get a better picture. This will become important when you think of investing in solar power, wind, passive solar, geothermal, and yes you geeks: compost, hydro, gas digester, etc. ( I included losses in heat, so, insulate those pipes!)

The losses are also based on what types of equipment we use and where you are “located”. I say “located”, because you want to be “as close” (meaning not only distance, but, number of “transformations” of energy that happen between, say, your toaster versus your electric car) as possible. Items that hold a charge are less efficient versus items with an electrical chord, but even chorded items can have losses, like electronic device such as your PVR, whew) to the “generator” that is actually powering your device. Plus, charged items have dirty batteries!

Equipment that transforms power between AC and DC always incurs a loss. Step transformers (that step up/down voltage) also have losses. Those are the laws of the universe folks, until we have super-cheap superconductors. The loss can be thought of mostly as heat. Sometimes a fan is needed for cooling them. Your microprocessor also has a fan, same idea. Items that use induction charging are even worse for losses, if the device is not in direct contact with the charger pad, again heat losses. Charge a battery, heat. Come to think of it: Car exhaust = heat, Truck brakes = heat. Heat losses at your home. All called waste heat, because its a waste. Could this be another factor in climate change too? ;)

So, once you add up all the transformation losses, you can look at the “total efficiency” of your energy "transmission". A solar panel connected to a LED: super efficient transmission. A cordless drill, charged with grid power, way out in the "sticks", much much less efficient transmission. A DC Drill connected to a larger solar panel + sunlight: super efficient transmission (“they” do not sell DC products: A DC refrigerator would help, think about it). Electric car charging with grid power, way out in the sticks, much much less efficient transmission. If you installed a solar panel at your house in the sticks, you would need batteries and a transformer and rectifier. More losses. But, it will be "less loss" than the energy from the grid. Gets complex sometimes. That is why you have to break it down and understand how you use electricity.

Whew, Geothermal. Most people whine about geothermal being location dependant. I agree. You have to be on earth to get it. Its down deep. Its called deep geothermal. Its potentially dangerous, until we figure this beast out. Does Canada have the resources to design a deep geothermal system? Think of each deep geothermal system being in the 100 – 200 MW class. Of course, there is nasty toxic chemicals and heavy metals, that is what earth is made of. Again, we have to use bacteria and metal capturing systems to keep it Green. We have a big country, plus, these stations can replace current systems, on location (no need to explode old coal stations! I talk about dirty coal trying to look clean. At the end, I provide a green migration path of older coal systems to deep geothermal. Reduce and repurpose old coal and NG with Green deep geothermal systems. No emissions, no fuel, no worries ( maybe ).

Canada also possesses “Best of Class” mining ( drilling ) technology. Deep geothermal is deep. Most would complain that it costs a lot to go “deep”. It is, if you do not innovate drilling techniques. This is why I assert that we must use hydrogen drilling. It is fast, and there is “no wear” versus drill bits that need replacing at ~$30,000 a pop. These “water channels” that need to be drilled have to be big. Hydrogen drilling is the best method that I have seen so far to meet that challenge. You could probably drill holes that are a meter in diameter, with depth rates that will blow your mind.

A team in France has already started, not with the “hydrogen drilling”, but they have 50MW deep geothermal working. Baseload. No emissions, but they still have the toxic problems.

Innovation is important to Canada. We need to leverage our knowledge and think up new strategies on green power. We need political leadership to bring these people together and start making big money, big jobs, clean our environment, and define world class systems for export. Sound like a dream? It is my dream for now.

Our politicians do not risk, thus no reward for us or other countries needing innovation.

Politicans would hate to lose one vote, even if it is at the expense of Canadas and our planets future.

Enjoy!

P.S. - I am not a power engineer! What I say may have some errors, but, I want to highlight the benefits of geothermal. Hope most of it "makes sense" to everyone!



All information and concepts on my blog is property of me, Graham Chivers.

Retweeting is highly recommended!

This information may not be used, in any publications, without direct prior consent from Graham Chivers @ http://deepgreendesign.blogspot.com/. My Blog is not to be within or, on any entities that have advertising. Sounds weird? Well, that is my choice. Freedom of speech and freedom of access, without any capitalism, by companies, that I do not find green enough. I assert that my Blogs will deliver my blog with NO ADVERTISING! As such, If you wish to rebroadcast my content, ask for permission. If your publication has absolutely no advertising, anywhere, I will be happy let you use my content, on the condition that I verify the publication for content, first. I dreaded the day that my blog would be beside advertising for laptops or other non-green thingies, but, it did. Support Ad-Free knowledge! If you see this blog beside advertising, please, let them know to respect my authority as a citizen. Thank you! I assert the right to assert my opinion on each blog, I blog. I assert that I am not a “domestic terrorist”. I assert that I am an individual, not a marketing scam. I collect no data from my Blog. All the products use to manufacture this product are “free” on the Internet. I use no marketing software for data collection. I feel that anyone should be able to read my blog with only knowledge being the product for free.

If you do not agree with any above content, prove it first. If you can teach me something, I will thank you in a manner warranted. If you are intending to “limit my internet access” or Freedom of Speech or my Human Rights: please go away!

Green Electronics?



Simple. Compostable Electronics. Not the big wires ok! Always recycle your copper!

Use Nanotechnoglogy to design compostable electronics. Seriously. I need this now! Please innovate or perish! Evolution will eventually catch up, will you be a part of it?

What is innovation? Innovation is all about removing inefficiencies in our system or processes ( examples: lawyers and politicians ). But our “Free Market Capitalism” will simply stomp any new ideas that compete with theirs. I have had so many stomp-downs, over the past 15 years, its silly! Making green proposals to many companies and getting the: “Our current market models are not seeing a concern in environmental habits. So long, and thanks for all the fish.

I used to think that all of these people, mostly “fart catchers ”, had "zero balls". They failed to risk. Maybe they failed to recognize a pretty simple concept? Maybe they knew they would get stomped too? Maybe they did not want to try anything other than what was taught? Original ideas rarely make it to consumer markets without going through the military first. The “global war machine” is strong and only fears a democratic vote. And what about the “Global Lynchpins”? Well, they are fart catchers too.

Where was I? Yes, innovation. Well, "compostable electronics" needs to be developed and nanotechnology ( future “Ad-Free Blog” on nanotechnology already under go folks! ) is the perfect fit. Give me them now! Then I could give you my green cellphone design. You know who you are!

Many would argue that it is impossible! Well, those that are not creative. As a designer, I have limited choices I can make for "green" designs. Some people say “blame the designers”. Well, us designers need the tools to help our environment! We do not make all the "doo-hickies" anymore. We design some of it, then buy others stuff to slap it on. I can't control every aspect of the design. I do not know everything. Okay? ;)

I do know this: anything is possible with creativity and science! Just look at railguns! Cool? Not Cool! Is there one in space already? Not sure. What about creativity that does not serve the “Global War Machine”? Can I have some of that? President Barack Obama started the ball rolling with a $18 Billion non-military research and development program ( soon to be crushed by the first woman to be elected Governor of Alaska? ).

So, how the heck do you compost electronics. Simple. By reducing the number of materials in the electronics design. So, in electronics, we need insulators, conductors and some good “doping”. Sure some chip designer ( sorry, no wiki entry for chip designer – donate today! ) is mad at me now. So, you get my point. Reduce materials. Sorry, Chip.

Okay, so, back to the this big pile of steaming compost. So, we reduce our number of materials into a known family. And this is where mother nature shines. We use “a mix of bacteria” that munch on each different material. Lets make sure those bacteria are safe first! Please! Thanks.

How to Compost your electronics: Find something to stomp with. Stomp electronics device at will, Add bacteria, dump contents into your composter!

Beautiful! Nature.

Education is all about sharing information and ideas. Consider this a “big share”, because, I cannot fix all problems. I am too busy. Get involved! Could you accomplish this? Good. I need your stuff fast! Please see my Blog for submission details, and lets get started now!

Did you know that you can heat your home with a giant pile of compost? If that were the case right now, maybe our politicans would be usefull afterall.

Enjoy!



All information and concepts on my blog is property of me, Graham Chivers.

Retweeting is highly recommended!

This information may not be used, in any publications, without direct prior consent from Graham Chivers @ http://deepgreendesign.blogspot.com/. My Blog is not to be within or, on any entities that have advertising. Sounds weird? Well, that is my choice. Freedom of speech and freedom of access, without any capitalism, by companies, that I do not find green enough. I assert that my Blogs will deliver my blog with NO ADVERTISING! As such, If you wish to rebroadcast my content, ask for permission. If your publication has absolutely no advertising, anywhere, I will be happy let you use my content, on the condition that I verify the publication for content, first. I dreaded the day that my blog would be beside advertising for laptops or other non-green thingies, but, it did. Support Ad-Free knowledge! If you see this blog beside advertising, please, let them know to respect my authority as a citizen. Thank you! I assert the right to assert my opinion on each blog, I blog. I assert that I am not a “domestic terrorist”. I assert that I am an individual, not a marketing scam. I collect no data from my Blog. All the products use to manufacture this product are “free” on the Internet. I use no marketing software for data collection. I feel that anyone should be able to read my blog with only knowledge being the product for free.

If you do not agree with any above content, prove it first. If you can teach me something, I will thank you in a manner warranted. If you are intending to “limit my internet access” or Freedom of Speech or my Human Rights: please go away!

TED Talks Thinks!



TED Talks and Me: Think!

I love TED Talks. Been a fan for a long time! It is great to hear so many talented people discuss important ideas and solutions for our "worldly issues". Thanks TED talks! You have taught me so much. Taught me to get out of my comfort zone and contemplate ways to improve our world.

I have been getting a lot of positive feedback on my Blogs. Yes, some are controversial, some funny but some are serious ( even though they look funny).

I am referring to my recent Blog : "Top Six “deepgreendesign” Project Fantasies". Some see it as a joke, but folks, I am serious! These are my dream jobs! Why? Because I feel they are extremely important.

My #1 "Project Fantasy" ( has been for at least 8 years now ) is to design and sell a “product-family” to feed people. Thats all I am saying! As a designer, my ideas are my only currency, so, don't even ask, unless you are serious about funding this project: "Cheap Green Food".

I love self validation. I wrote yesterday about an example, and today, I got more validation, this time not from science, itself, but from TED Talks! Smile!

TED Talks released its “Six Ideas That Are Changing the World”. Did they steal the “Top 6” idea from me? No, Just great minds thinking alike ( because 6 is more than 5 )!

The top winner is Jamie Oliver! Cool! He is my cooking hero! ( Julia Child, is another, she always made me hungry ). Jamie is a "simple guy". His curiosity and common cause of healthy food inspires me. Jamie is not a regular “TV Chef”, he is passionate about cooking and natural food, plus, he shares his passion, for our common good. His work on changing eating habits in schools is amazing! He is right on target! Jamie is tackling American eating habits: good luck dude! Well done Jamie, TED is right on target!

So, what is my validation today? That food, what we eat, and our health are very important. Eating organic, fresh, "cheap" food!

TED Talks thinks it is important, and so do I! Do you?

Enjoy!

P.S. - Oh ya, if you are into “better food”, like me, check out my Blog: “I Love Bulk Barn!”



All information and concepts on my blog is property of me, Graham Chivers.

Retweeting is highly recommended!

This information may not be used, in any publications, without direct prior consent from Graham Chivers @ http://deepgreendesign.blogspot.com/. My Blog is not to be within or, on any entities that have advertising. Sounds weird? Well, that is my choice. Freedom of speech and freedom of access, without any capitalism, by companies, that I do not find green enough. I assert that my Blogs will deliver my blog with NO ADVERTISING! As such, If you wish to rebroadcast my content, ask for permission. If your publication has absolutely no advertising, anywhere, I will be happy let you use my content, on the condition that I verify the publication for content, first. I dreaded the day that my blog would be beside advertising for laptops or other non-green thingies, but, it did. Support Ad-Free knowledge! If you see this blog beside advertising, please, let them know to respect my authority as a citizen. Thank you! I assert the right to assert my opinion on each blog, I blog. I assert that I am not a “domestic terrorist”. I assert that I am an individual, not a marketing scam. I collect no data from my Blog. All the products use to manufacture this product are “free” on the Internet. I use no marketing software for data collection. I feel that anyone should be able to read my blog with only knowledge being the product for free.

If you do not agree with any above content, prove it first. If you can teach me something, I will thank you in a manner warranted. If you are intending to “limit my internet access” or Freedom of Speech or my Human Rights: please go away!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Climate Change: Conspiracy!



Climate Change: Conspiracy!

Being "green" is a tough gig. A lot of people telling you this and that and how you should behave. Argh. Add to this to a collection of non-scientists barking that science can be wrong. Well, it can be, sometimes.

Climate change is a body of science. Science evolves as new theory is developed. Sometimes science is wrong ( incorrect/poor science: science that has drawn conclusions or assumptions based on poor data or poorly designed experiments that includes invalid assumptions ) and this science evolves. Good science lives, bad science dies. Like evolution, science is the survival of the “repeatable”.

Science of complex systems ( the environment ), versus the science of simple systems ( the mechanics of a pendulum ), is a tricky subject. "Complex systems" is a "math" term. In a nutshell, it means a system that has "almost an infinite" number “factors” that attenuate the system as a whole (Climate Science).

Can you write down all the factors that impact our environment? I can't. But, we have to understand that in a body of science, such as Climate Change Science, some "parts" are easier to prove than others. This leads to the “wiggle room” that skeptics use to deny the body of science, sometimes as a whole.

The "honest approach" is to accept the good science and exclude that "bad science". Scientists use peer reviews for validation, meaning, anyone is allowed to disprove a scientific "element of the body of the science", provided they can demonstrate it is incorrect. Think of it like a big book. You can erase parts of it, but, you have to add to the body of science to do so: improve it. No "wiggle room" there.

So, why my title: Conspiracy? Well, a lot of people are concerned by Climate Change and I concur. The science of Climate Change is tricky, since, our climate changes naturally and is very very very complex ( the mathematical definition of complex ). Over millions of years, our climate changes. That is pretty well accepted by everyone. The rates at which these changes are occuring and changes in "known climate prediction" should be the focus, not the new record snow level in, say, Texas.

Okay, conspiracy. What if there was a bigger threat? A bigger threat to all life on this planet. I assert that there is a bigger threat. Yes we all know there are: asteroids, exploding stars, massive gamma radiation bursts, comets, George W. Bush, "atoms disintegrating to a lower energy existences", ergo, Grand Unified Theory, but I want to identify a threat that humans can control. It is the things we can control that matter. Corporations must first realize the reliability of the calculation of the future value of currency to "see the light".

I assert that toxic pollution is a greater threat to our environment than Climate Change.

Yes, I said it. Why? Because our planet, and its lifeforms have evolved to adapt to changing climate. Ice ages, asteroids, volcanoes: the earth has seen it, done it, been there. Climate Change may eliminate humans from the earth ( something up for debate ), but, Climate Change will not kill all life on earth. Earths' surviving “heebee jeebees” will simply continue to evolve. Mother nature does not care about anything ( what a "mean mommy", but, it is for "our" own benefit ). Migration patterns are already in flux, trees are even migrating ( can they move fast enough? ).

Focusing on toxic pollution: creating toxics, releasing toxics into our environment and throwing toxics into landfills, these are my concerns. Why? Because toxics can disrupt all lifeforms. Currently, our human race is being "attacked" by toxics that are usually not naturally occurring. Toxic impacts are currently feminizing many mammalian and other groups of species. More female fish, sperm counts of many male animals are dropping, these are two known examples.

Climate Change will pressure life on earth to evolve, but toxics “poison” or "change" most life forms natural processes, interrupting the natural selection of species, breaking mother natures rules. Did we beat the "system"? No. We are beating ourselves.

Think about it. If humans use less "toxic things" and our governments pass laws protecting all life forms from toxics, humanity would naturally use less energy ( making toxics, transporting toxics, hurting the environment by extracting materials, etc. to make toxics, cleaning up toxic pollution and the simple health impacts on us).

A very simple example: If we used farmed wood ( or other more-natural materials), instead of plastic, think of the all the benefits: healthier environment for all life and humans would use less energy. We just have to ensure that these farms are ethical too (invasive species, etc.).

The “beauty” of focusing on toxics, is that, we would use less energy to make products, thus decreasing CO2 emissions that are responsible, in part, for Climate Change Modulation.

Seems like everyone in arguing about CO2 for some reason. Perhaps to build the next "free market"?

Two birds with one stone? Perhaps. Think about it. Don't let governments escape the impacts of toxins on you and all the other “heebee jeebees” on our planet!

Enjoy!



All information and concepts on my blog is property of me, Graham Chivers.

Retweeting is highly recommended!

This information may not be used, in any publications, without direct prior consent from Graham Chivers @ http://deepgreendesign.blogspot.com/. My Blog is not to be within or, on any entities that have advertising. Sounds weird? Well, that is my choice. Freedom of speech and freedom of access, without any capitalism, by companies, that I do not find green enough. I assert that my Blogs will deliver my blog with NO ADVERTISING! As such, If you wish to rebroadcast my content, ask for permission. If your publication has absolutely no advertising, anywhere, I will be happy let you use my content, on the condition that I verify the publication for content, first. I dreaded the day that my blog would be beside advertising for laptops or other non-green thingies, but, it did. Support Ad-Free knowledge! If you see this blog beside advertising, please, let them know to respect my authority as a citizen. Thank you! I assert the right to assert my opinion on each blog, I blog. I assert that I am not a “domestic terrorist”. I assert that I am an individual, not a marketing scam. I collect no data from my Blog. All the products use to manufacture this product are “free” on the Internet. I use no marketing software for data collection. I feel that anyone should be able to read my blog with only knowledge being the product for free.

If you do not agree with any above content, prove it first. If you can teach me something, I will thank you in a manner warranted. If you are intending to “limit my internet access” or Freedom of Speech or my Human Rights: please go away!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Sad To Be Canadian: Bill C-311



Sad to be Canadian: C-311?

With overwhelming evidence of threats to Canada's future: toxic pollution and climate change, it is sad to see Prime Minister Steven Harper fail to pass C-311. I am certainly not surprised, I thought it would not pass to begin with. Am I just negative or clever-realistic ( Cleverealistic: Colbert and Palin, look out! )?

Why was I negative about C-311 and Harper failing to pass it? Harper proroguing parliament. How can a leader lead when he is scared to take on big challenges. And what does our leader say: "It sets irresponsible targets, doesn't lay out any measure of achieving them other than ... by shutting down sections of the Canadian economy and throwing hundreds of thousands and possibly millions of people out of work".

I wrote in a Blog ( Green Economy: Risk and Reward ) about how Canadian technology is all around, but, the government cannot see the light. Prime Minister Harper certainly cannot see the light. The global economy in green technology has skyrocketed in the past few years and has outpaced most other markets around the globe. When Stephen Harper goes to Cancun ( for what purpose I am not sure ) he will have effectively slapped green technology investors in the face. “Not on my watch”, Harper might say, if he plagiarized from George W. Bush : Decision Points.

Whats at stake? Fifteen trillion dollars in potential Green Investment dollars ( in layman terms: $15,000,000,000,000 ). That sounds like a lot of money because it is. I am a designer. I have watched the manufacturing die in Canada. As a consultant, I have seen many of my customers go out of business. Businesses failed due to lack of innovation. Innovation in technology, advanced skills training, and capital equipment. Sometimes I would walk into companies and I would think, “you are going out of business” ( so far I have been about 85% correct ). Employers did not invest in their technology and workforce, “free-market MBA zombies” outsourced and now they are dying. Think I am full of it? Well, check out Canadas tax revenues over the past decade. When I worked in the USA, the Michigan Government paid for any training I wanted. I could even do it at night. Free. Smart.

I will spare you the rest of all that stuff. Canada had the chance, over the past decade, to foster this industry and develop a world class green economy. With lobbyists pumping cash to develop dirty energy and quietly poo-poo green interests, this government is responsible for lost business around the globe and lost industry leadership in Canada. There are plenty of great green technologies in Canada that need help! We need a Prime Minister that can lead and identify opportunities to: help the environment, provide green jobs for Canadians, enable Canadian green companies to become world leaders and to help people, and Canadians, live less toxic lives.

Canada is paying right now. Paying in lost time. We coulda been a somebody! As my old swim coach used to say “missing one practise takes two to catch up”.

Enjoy!



All information and concepts on my blog is property of me, Graham Chivers.

Retweeting is highly recommended!

This information may not be used, in any publications, without direct prior consent from Graham Chivers @ http://deepgreendesign.blogspot.com/. My Blog is not to be within or, on any entities that have advertising. Sounds weird? Well, that is my choice. Freedom of speech and freedom of access, without any capitalism, by companies, that I do not find green enough. I assert that my Blogs will deliver my blog with NO ADVERTISING! As such, If you wish to rebroadcast my content, ask for permission. If your publication has absolutely no advertising, anywhere, I will be happy let you use my content, on the condition that I verify the publication for content, first. I dreaded the day that my blog would be beside advertising for laptops or other non-green thingies, but, it did. Support Ad-Free knowledge! If you see this blog beside advertising, please, let them know to respect my authority as a citizen. Thank you! I assert the right to assert my opinion on each blog, I blog. I assert that I am not a “domestic terrorist”. I assert that I am an individual, not a marketing scam. I collect no data from my Blog. All the products use to manufacture this product are “free” on the Internet. I use no marketing software for data collection. I feel that anyone should be able to read my blog with only knowledge being the product for free.

If you do not agree with any above content, prove it first. If you can teach me something, I will thank you in a manner warranted. If you are intending to “limit my internet access” or Freedom of Speech or my Human Rights: please go away!

I Love Bulk Barn!



This is a wake up call! Just kidding, no fear here.

Giving credit is important and I would like to thank Bulk Barn ( and all bulk food stores ). I have spent the last few years evolving my “green being”. This has led me to reduce the number of processed foods I buy and buying things that offer me the best quality and “greenest” packaging.

People need to be aware that our food has the largest carbon footprint on the planet ( don't tell the US military this, they think they have the largest carbon footprint ). Consuming greenly is the single biggest action you can make on our environment. I always eat everything I cook and try not to let food spoil ( “crisper?”, they should call it “the rotter!” – some comedian ). These things help when you consider our world population.

Back to Bulk Barn. Making more meals from scratch, I find that Bulk Barn has most of the ingredients I need. They offer more organic items. Did I mention price? Price is good. But, my favourite thing is the packaging. Yes, it is plastic bags ( I would like to see them move to green plastic – crinkle crinkle ), but when you add up all your purchases versus “brand name” packaging, you have 1/3 the volume, nice! What does that mean? My experience shows that given a similar group of items bought at Bulk Barn versus a grocery store, I use one green-bag for Bulk Barn and three green-bags at the grocery store. Warning! That one Bulk Barn green-bag is heavy ( okay, a little fear ).

Thanks bulk food stores of the world!

P.S. - I am now demanding you use green plastic! Help me out here.

Enjoy!



All information and concepts on my blog is property of me, Graham Chivers.

Retweeting is highly recommended!

This information may not be used, in any publications, without direct prior consent from Graham Chivers @ http://deepgreendesign.blogspot.com/. My Blog is not to be within or, on any entities that have advertising. Sounds weird? Well, that is my choice. Freedom of speech and freedom of access, without any capitalism, by companies, that I do not find green enough. I assert that my Blogs will deliver my blog with NO ADVERTISING! As such, If you wish to rebroadcast my content, ask for permission. If your publication has absolutely no advertising, anywhere, I will be happy let you use my content, on the condition that I verify the publication for content, first. I dreaded the day that my blog would be beside advertising for laptops or other non-green thingies, but, it did. Support Ad-Free knowledge! If you see this blog beside advertising, please, let them know to respect my authority as a citizen. Thank you! I assert the right to assert my opinion on each blog, I blog. I assert that I am not a “domestic terrorist”. I assert that I am an individual, not a marketing scam. I collect no data from my Blog. All the products use to manufacture this product are “free” on the Internet. I use no marketing software for data collection. I feel that anyone should be able to read my blog with only knowledge being the product for free.

If you do not agree with any above content, prove it first. If you can teach me something, I will thank you in a manner warranted. If you are intending to “limit my internet access” or Freedom of Speech or my Human Rights: please go away!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Electrify GO?



Lets Electrify GO!?

Going green in public transit is a dirty game. With so many politicians getting their “information” from "experts", some information is good and some is bad. This information results in the extraction of your tax dollars.

With gentlemen like Rob Ford, in charge, we need them to make the wise decisions. ( this sentence added on January 20, 2011 ).

Recently, I saw a proposal to Electrify the corridor for the GO Trains. Currently, they are run with diesels. In the greeniness Toronto ( analogous to truthiness ), many folks are "hip to the scene" and see diesels as "dirty". "Yucky" some might even say. Electric is cleaner. Right?

The cost of electrification is huge upfront ( $10 Billion est.), but, "promises savings" in "future operation costs" and "improvements in commute times".

What they do not tell you are the challenges with the operation of electrified tracks ( once worked with an Amtrak dude with a headache from shopping carts breaking the electric connection from train to track ). Sure they have challenges, all things do but, I would rather focus on how “green” dedicated electrified rails are.

What most people forget about electricity is that there is typically a 30% loss in power in transmission. Lets quantify those as carbon emmi$ions.

So for efficiency, starting at 70% is an estimate. Transmitting power also requires lots of materials, safety design and plenty of maintenance to “light up” the third electrified rail, that does not even include the "installation fees". This loss of efficiency, plus the capital costs and maintenance add up fastest for the taxpayer. Imagine the construction-delay mitigation costs in Toronto. Can I invest in that for my RRSP?

Plus, most of this "green-train-idea" would use Ontario dirty coal and NG generation. Good thing we sold the nukes? When we move electricity from one place to another, there is a loss. Add up all the loses of the train combined with the losses from inefficient generation and the bill gets bigger.

There is such a thing as a clean diesel hybrid ( I think I have seen it in cars ). Canada had a company: Railpower Technologies. Of course it was gobbled up by a US company. What they do with the technology, I have not followed for many years. Clean technology that the Canadian taxpayer funded and then sold to a foreign company ( don't get me started ). The benefits of the system is searchable in wiki. What I am getting at is that the technology exists for a greener solution than electrifying rails.

I am sure that the "GO folks" know about this stuff, not my point, but we should be critical of these infrastructure proposals and pick the greenest solution. Don't get me started on the corruption involved with a $10 Billion dollar budget (it smells like $20 Billion already).

Solution: A clean-diesel electric hybrid car that runs on the existing rails. Simple. I am sure Bombardier could whip one up in short order. Might just create some more Canadian jobs!

Hey! That is something I could design for Toronto! With help from a few friends of course!

Enjoy!



All information and concepts on my blog is property of me, Graham Chivers.

Retweeting is highly recommended!

This information may not be used, in any publications, without direct prior consent from Graham Chivers @ http://deepgreendesign.blogspot.com/. My Blog is not to be within or, on any entities that have advertising. Sounds weird? Well, that is my choice. Freedom of speech and freedom of access, without any capitalism, by companies, that I do not find green enough. I assert that my Blogs will deliver my blog with NO ADVERTISING! As such, If you wish to rebroadcast my content, ask for permission. If your publication has absolutely no advertising, anywhere, I will be happy let you use my content, on the condition that I verify the publication for content, first. I dreaded the day that my blog would be beside advertising for laptops or other non-green thingies, but, it did. Support Ad-Free knowledge! If you see this blog beside advertising, please, let them know to respect my authority as a citizen. Thank you! I assert the right to assert my opinion on each blog, I blog. I assert that I am not a “domestic terrorist”. I assert that I am an individual, not a marketing scam. I collect no data from my Blog. All the products use to manufacture this product are “free” on the Internet. I use no marketing software for data collection. I feel that anyone should be able to read my blog with only knowledge being the product for free.

If you do not agree with any above content, prove it first. If you can teach me something, I will thank you in a manner warranted. If you are intending to “limit my internet access” or Freedom of Speech or my Human Rights: please go away!




Sunday, November 14, 2010

No Greenwash Christmas!



I'm fearing another Greenwash Christmas ( ... to the tune of “I'm dreaming of a white christmas" ).

Is there anything worse than a greenwash? Marketing firms schlepping the same old junk with a green facade. With “mega consumption day” , December 25th , on its way, many are out "to make a difference" by purchasing “green products”. People are somehow trapped into the social phenomenon that “what I buy for others” reflects on my person and charity. Even the notion that gift giving is an accepted means to express ones emotion, further demonstrates gift giving as a culture of consumption. As such, people are out there gobbling up “green products” in an effort to demonstrate how much they care about a person and the environment. Two emotions with one stone? No, give the gift of a healthy planet!

The fact is that very few products are green. Being a product designer, I can tell you that majority of these products are far from green. Using a few green materials on a device that will end up in a landfill, in short order, is not that of green. No improvements in lifecycle. No tangible benefit on the environment.

I saw one product, some tiny headphones, that uses wood ( that is “happy-farmed” ) to make it “green”. The same old headphones, but a tiny chunk of “green” wood. Seems, in my experience, that headphones break easily because of the tiny fragile wires that connect the “ear buds” to the playback device. In my youth, I can remember repairing these tiny headphones numerous times to fix them, but more importantly because they were expensive and I was “cheap” ( still am ). Yet, consumers seem to think that green products help the environment. The greenest thing is not to consume. Why not give “no gift” for the environment ( wow, people will think you are cheap ). My family has evolved ( but not completely ) to give more gifts that make great memories ( making a nice dinner, a few days visit to a cool place, a train ticket for a visit ). Still, I do get a plastic toy, from China, from my mom ( yes, I am over 40 ). I tell people: no gifts thanks, give me something more! Slowly, people are “getting it” after many years of me telling them “do not buy landfill-junk for an environmentalist Bright for christmas”. Okay, books are good, yummy food treats: yes. I think you get my point.

This christmas, break free from the lemming mentality and be original. Give a gift of experience. From my experience, people enjoy them more and they are friendlier on the planet.

Enjoy!



All information and concepts on my blog is property of me, Graham Chivers.

Retweeting is highly recommended!

This information may not be used, in any publications, without direct prior consent from Graham Chivers @ http://deepgreendesign.blogspot.com/. My Blog is not to be within or, on any entities that have advertising. Sounds weird? Well, that is my choice. Freedom of speech and freedom of access, without any capitalism, by companies, that I do not find green enough. I assert that my Blogs will deliver my blog with NO ADVERTISING! As such, If you wish to rebroadcast my content, ask for permission. If your publication has absolutely no advertising, anywhere, I will be happy let you use my content, on the condition that I verify the publication for content, first. I dreaded the day that my blog would be beside advertising for laptops or other non-green thingies, but, it did. Support Ad-Free knowledge! If you see this blog beside advertising, please, let them know to respect my authority as a citizen. Thank you! I assert the right to assert my opinion on each blog, I blog. I assert that I am not a “domestic terrorist”. I assert that I am an individual, not a marketing scam. I collect no data from my Blog. All the products use to manufacture this product are “free” on the Internet. I use no marketing software for data collection. I feel that anyone should be able to read my blog with only knowledge being the product for free.

If you do not agree with any above content, prove it first. If you can teach me something, I will thank you in a manner warranted. If you are intending to “limit my internet access” or Freedom of Speech or my Human Rights: please go away!

Science for Peace: Republican Nightmare?



Non-War Technology: A GOP nightmare.

I believe in evolution: evolution of our universe, evolution of life and the evolution of human culture.

Where technology and human culture meet a meta-organism evolved. I read a book, Metaman when it came out. The premise of “Metaman” was that a global event would get all nations united in response to crisis. I envisioned the Internet would be the medium that evolved humans into “Metaman” ( this was 1993). Well, it has, to an extent. “My” “Metaman” is young, less than 9 years old. I thought the 9/11 terrorist attacks were the “shock” that sparked Metamans conscious ( In the book it cited an asteroid: interesting how honest scientists perceive most threats as non-human. ). Metaman was also loaded with references, something my impressionable brain gobbled up. It spurred my thoughts about: the optimum global human population, the roll of technology in society, and this idea that humans are evolving with technology.

Humans have evolved with technology: there are 5.5+ billion people that have the “brain neuron structure” that identifies the sound of crackling plastic with food ( waiting for this discovery ). We use technology and science daily ( I think that people that deny science and use the Internet of particular interest ).

Seems like the “best and coolest” technology starts its “life” from an honest scientist and is then found to be “applicable for military use”. As such, the military uses the technology until the economies of scale provide for a technology rollover to consumers, part of the technology lifecycle. Being a designer, I have seen this repeated many times. Some universities' technology programs exist for this intent: design something for the military and make big bucks. Its a shame that a physics or math PhD candidate are not warned that their technology will be used to help kill people.

When the Obama administration introduced a $18 billion non-military research and development program ( in the stimulus package ), I felt hope. The wisdom and vision of this “new idea” made me feel more a little more secure. To see technology used for things other than military is a step in the right direction. When funds for technology ( grants ) are non-military they benefit humans or our environment ( an assumption, of course ).

Americas “bread and butter” seems to be the military. Schools doing the footwork for war profiteers. Tax money given to schools to create a seed-product for a tax funded military. Sounds communist to me. If peace “broke out” around the globe, I think America would have a hard time adjusting. America is hyper-leveraged on the disaster capitalism model: infinite growth though politically driven privatization of foreign countries. I firmly believe that the GOP intends to invade Iran, just to keep “its head above water”: use tax dollars to support corporate growth ( and leaving the bill with taxpayers).

Non-war technology is a GOP concern: no new science to drive the planned obsolescence cycle of consumption, the military is built upon. Innovate, kill, innovate more, kill more.

I would like to see technology used to benefit society without being obsoleted by the military first. I would like to see technology bridge politics and the people, such that, people have more impact on the “positive” evolution of the human culture.

Enjoy!



All information and concepts on my blog is property of me, Graham Chivers.

Retweeting is highly recommended!

This information may not be used, in any publications, without direct prior consent from Graham Chivers @ http://deepgreendesign.blogspot.com/. My Blog is not to be within or, on any entities that have advertising. Sounds weird? Well, that is my choice. Freedom of speech and freedom of access, without any capitalism, by companies, that I do not find green enough. I assert that my Blogs will deliver my blog with NO ADVERTISING! As such, If you wish to rebroadcast my content, ask for permission. If your publication has absolutely no advertising, anywhere, I will be happy let you use my content, on the condition that I verify the publication for content, first. I dreaded the day that my blog would be beside advertising for laptops or other non-green thingies, but, it did. Support Ad-Free knowledge! If you see this blog beside advertising, please, let them know to respect my authority as a citizen. Thank you! I assert the right to assert my opinion on each blog, I blog. I assert that I am not a “domestic terrorist”. I assert that I am an individual, not a marketing scam. I collect no data from my Blog. All the products use to manufacture this product are “free” on the Internet. I use no marketing software for data collection. I feel that anyone should be able to read my blog with only knowledge being the product for free.

If you do not agree with any above content, prove it first. If you can teach me something, I will thank you in a manner warranted. If you are intending to “limit my internet access” or Freedom of Speech or my Human Rights: please go away!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Green Buildings: How Green?



Living in Ontario, I have seen the manufacturing sector die. I have been watching: the results of “smart business decisions” decay Canadas economy, “smart political decisions” supporting the “free market” schemes cooked up in the Chicago schools ,the decreased standard of living for most Canadian families, the failure to invest and innovate using Canadian technology. Canadas revenues from taxes is down year after year. Privatization and more dependency on the private sector for a better Canada? How are things going so far?

The “next quarter” philosophy of economics is short sighted and needs to be questioned, but, its results are evident already. The markets have evolved to maximize operations for profit using the least investment. That is the sizzle in free markets. The economy is optimized according the laws they operate under and ROI ( return on investment ) plays an important role in accessing loans ( and grants ). The result: most companies ( and governments ) do not own the building the operate from.

Wow, where was I? Okay. So what concerns me is “Green money” or “Green economics” and greenwashing.

One example of “Green Economics” is the idea that companies become more “sustainable”. Some companies have adopted the notion that relocation to a “Green Building” is part of that effort. Selling this idea, relocation to a “Green Building” means: lower energy consumption, “eco-friendly” materials, government incentives, credibility of “green” operations, and the almighty marketing potential.

Sounds valiant and the right thing to do. Is it? From my observations, many industrial parks are becoming vacant. Developers tend to prefer new land ( especially flat farmland ) since development cost does not include demolition expenses. I have seen some larger facilities ( primarily those with high recyclable value: manufacturing type real estate ) razed for new “Green Building” space ( some being Big Box retailers ). Those that I have seen are rich in structural steel and machine systems ( mostly steel, copper, aluminum ). Don't misunderstand, recycling metals is a must.

The big picture here is the entire process ( of having a good place for companies to work in ). We build new buildings and leave old buildings for the market to transform ( raze or repurpose ). It is wasteful compared to repurposing buildings. People seem to forget how consumptive this is. Concrete production is responsible for ~10% of global emissions. When you think of humans and consuming, it makes sense. Look around, what do you see? Concrete folks. So when a new “Green Building” is going up, think of the emissions. Not only the emissions from making new concrete, but the emissions generated by each new item that building will contain ( green product or not ). Materials such as: glass, aluminum, steel, stone, copper, wood, cotton, paint, and the biggie:plastic.

Repurposing a building has environmental impacts as well. But, if we save the bones of a building ( and in some cases modifying them ), new standards of LEED can be utilized to repurpose. The benefit of repurposing is also a wise choice since existing infrastructure is conserved ( electrical grid connections, water mains and roads do not need to be constructed to service the new “Green Building”).

On this note, I would prefer Canada only provide “Green Money” to development projects that encompass this repurposing paradigm. Corporations that change buildings every few years for marketing image and lower tax regimes is having a destructive impact on our cities, our remaining greenspaces and most importantly, Canada farmlands.

I think it is time to have government regulate development that is scientifically-demonstrated as environmentally responsible.

Enjoy!



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Wednesday, November 3, 2010

US Midterms & The War on Green

Watching the Republican results, I am concerned that America's quest for change is over. Republicans will stall any progress made and delve back into the "anything but Obama" routine.

Americans were not impressed with Obama's performance over two years? I guess they did not read the fine print. Americans need to be more involved and aware of what Obama has accomplished.

The Teabaggers formed 30 some days after Obama took control of the "smoking heap of crap" left by the Bush puppetmasters—the only goal is control. Stupid people bought to fight the Democrats and anything progressive that may lead to change.

Funded by Koch Industries and like-minded goon corporations funded the Tea Party(s).

wiki - "From 2005 to 2008, Koch Industries donated $5.7 million to political campaigns and $37 million on direct lobbying to support fossil fuel industries.[citation needed] Greenpeace says that Koch Industries donated nearly $48m to climate opposition groups between 1997-2008.[40] According to Greenpeace, Koch Industries is the major source of funds of what Greenpeace calls "climate denial".[41] Koch Industries and its subsidiaries spent more than $20 million on lobbying in 2008 and $12.3 million in 2009, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan research group"

Obama must win the next election? Yes. Will he? Maybe...America had its chance and failed. What is at stake? Science, evolution and of course climate change.

Enjoy!




If you do not agree with any above content, prove it first. If you can teach me something, I will thank you in a manner warranted. If you are intending to “limit my internet access” or Freedom of Speech or my Human Rights: please go away!