Archive for November, 2008

Garbage, waste, dung as basis for energy production

Thursday, November 6th, 2008

Cement producer Norcem is basing its energy production on a mixture of industrial  and household waste specially prepared and made outside Norway. The household waste is separated at the houses where it is picked up. Included in the process is several stages of metal extraction. This reduces the use of fossil fuels and reduces waste deposits.

An even bigger source of energy is animal dung from cows, pigs etc. The potential is many tens of TWh/year in little Norway alone.

And the unmentionable: human defecation has a huge energy potential, as well as fertilizer potential and huge saving in the use of water.

The tragedy of the commons

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

Many of the world´s common resources are in danger – a recent example being the bluefin tuna. 

Increased international focus is necessary to understand the depth of the problem and what remedies should be used.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_tragedy_of_the_commons

  • Public resources
    • Radio frequencies - Unlicensed frequencies used for wireless communications especially 802.11 a/b/g, detailed under Part 15 (FCC rules) are vulnerable to the overuse of high power transmitters, especially overdriven transmitters with dirty signal profiles, and especially when combined with omnidirectional antennas.
    The Digital Library of the Commons (DLC) is a gateway to the international literature on the commons. This site contains an author-submission portal; an archive of full-text articles, papers, and dissertations; the Comprehensive Bibliography of the Commons; a Keyword Thesaurus, and links to relevant reference sources on the study of the commons.

    The International Journal of the Commons (IJC) is a new journal set-up by the International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC). As an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed open-access journal, the IJC is dedicated to furthering our understanding of institutions for use and management of resources that are (or could be) enjoyed collectively. 

    Using resources collectively is often believed to be problematic. In pratice however, there are many cases to be found of situations where common pool resources are used in a sustainable way. In this journal we want to offer room to both sides of the debate, and we hope our interdisciplinary approach will contribute to creating a more balanced view of how common pool institutions actually work.

    http://www.thecommonsjournal.org/index.php/ijc/index

Make creativity matter in industry

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

It could be possible to get quick reduction of emissions if companies are allowed to make money from doing it!  The fight against emissions must not only be a fight against expenses, but a possibility for extra income. Creativity should be used to find new technology, stimulate in finding solutions, use the best available technology and permissible quotas should be based on the same.

But remember that solutions must be efficient in the the sense that they are economically sound, and not dependent upon grants and subsidies in the long term.

We must see what industry needs to find good solutions and create a climate of cooperation.

EXAMPLE:

“Industry Genius: the book presents the inventive genius behind technological breakthroughs by ten global companies including Alcoa, DaimlerChrysler, Honda, ST Micro and Visteon. Readers will gain understanding and insight into how cutting-edge technology is helping protect the climate and/or the ozone layer, while contributing to the company’s bottom line. Each chapter chronicles the challenge and triumph of invention, introduces the engineers and executives who overcome conventional wisdom, and demonstrates the contribution these companies are making to environmental protection. In full colour and crammed with graphics to illustrate the creative process of technological breakthroughs, the book is accessible and informative. The genius of these ten companies will inspire the engineer, the policy-maker, the student, the environmentalist, the CEO and the investor alike.”

Architects of climate change: Copenhagen 2009

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

Some of the persons behind protocols and agreements: Stephen Andersen, Madhava Sarma

They are now preparing the December 2009 Copenhagen Climate Conference. Agreement is in the wings, and the  finance crisis is now being used to reduce climatic ambitions in many nations.

Too much energy too little reductions

Finance crisis can be positive as it shows more clearly the necessity of change.

There is also discussion about what should be the main theme for negotiations – ozone, co2, climate, Gaia? The theme has to be sold to “the world”!

We must also foster scientific agreement as to what the problem is – scientific authority has to be established.

We must also make all states agree about goals, procedures etc.

Voters must tell/advise their politicians what to do: Everybody on board

Widen the scope: all countries, developed and non developed must participate

Poor countries want somrthing in exchange for adoption?

Basically it has to do with the earth!

The role of the USA is complex!

http://www.cop15.dk/en/