Sunday, November 6, 2011

Al Gore & the Ozone Crisis! The Real Cause of Global Warming!


Many researchers and climatologists don't subscribe to Al Gores CO2 induced theory on man made Global Warming. This is not false research done by scientists under the influence of oil companies, it is based on unbiased research.

Global warming has absolutely nothing to do with Earths population or, current population either. Those that say our population is the problem, are severely misinformed, and or have a population control agenda.

I'm not saying that man made global warming doesn't exist, because man made global warming does exist! But, there are several causes that must be factored in.

Heat from combustion, carbon monoxide, soot, volatile organic compounds, deforestation, nuclear weapons testing, weather manipulation & testing, aerial spraying, war & mining must all be taken into account.

Let's not forget to include the dumping of toxic waste, chlorine and bromine and pesticides into our oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams.

The Truth is, the increase of CO2 in our atmosphere is Not the Direct Cause of "Global Warming".

OR

"Climate Change" as it's been so conveniently renamed.

The evidence shows that the increase of CO2 in our atmosphere is a Consequence that followed the destruction of Earths Ozone Layer. CO2 is not the cause, as Al Gore is now promoting.


Ozone Depletion; As an example; from September 21-30, 2006 the average area of the ozone hole was the largest ever observed, at 10.6 million square miles (27.5 million square kilometers).

This image, from September 24, the Antarctic ozone hole was equal to the record single-day largest area of 11.4 million square miles (29.5 million square kilometers), reached on Sept. 9, 2000. Satellite instruments monitored the ozone layer, and NASA used this data to create the images that depict the amount of ozone. The blue and purple colors are where there is the least ozone, and the greens, yellows, and reds are where there is more ozone.


Taking years of research as well as this info into careful consideration I have to disagree with Mr. Gore's CO2 induced theory! If you disagree with me, that's OK, but common sense facts cant be ignored. 

The most basic of these facts is that all Oxygen breathing mammals, including human beings, exhale CO2!

We all exhale CO2; so does that mean that we "7 Billion" living and breathing human beings are causing global warming? Of course not.

But some misinformed green extremists like Bill Gates want to get CO2 down to Zero.

Just food for thought, but, you do know what "Eugenics" means right?

Well, lets just say Bill Gates is a fan of using healthcare, vaccines, and reproductive health services; not to help save lives. But to depopulate our planet.

Plus... If CO2 goes down to Zero, then we wouldn't have livable atmosphere, and the majority of all life on Earth would cease to exist.

Gates said our population was a problem and linked our Population directly to man-made CO2 induced global warming. He is quoted as saying that one of these (Population or CO2) has got to go down to Zero. 

Yes, he said Zero.

Bill says so in the first 5 minutes of this video: Bill Gates - TED presentation

"This equation has 4 factors. Uh, a little bit of multiplication. So you got a thing on the left (CO2) that you want to get to Zero; and that's gonna be based on the Number of People; the Services each Person's using on average; the Energy on average for each Service; and the CO2 being put out Per Unit Of Energy. So lets look at each one of these, and see how we can get this down to Zero. Uh, probably one of these numbers is going to have to get pretty near to Zero. Uh, that's back from High School Algebra. But, lets take a look! First we've got Population; the world today has 6.8 Billion People, that's headed up to about 9 Billion. Now, if we do a really great job on New Vaccines, Healthcare and Reproductive Health Services; We could lower that, perhaps by 10 or 15%." 
- Bill Gates 

Gates clearly states in that quote that he deems our population as a problem and is targeting poor nations 1st; using new vaccines, healthcare and reproductive health services to reduce Earth's population. 

That is Eugenics.

Needless to say, Bill Gates isn't the philanthropist he's trying to brand himself as. 

This is explained in more detail by; Max Keiser & Stacy Herbert from RT that Bill Gates is Profiting from Bad Vaccines & Monsanto.

Further more, it shows us how dangerous it is to allow a misrepresentation of scientific facts like CO2 induced global warming and overpopulation go unchecked.

CO2 induced global warming is a false theory with monumental consequences, and Al Gore must be corrected.

This false information Al Gore has made mainstream has been used to brainwash the masses to believing a lie. A lie so big that it could then be used to fulfill what some call a "Green Nazi" agenda to significantly reduce the human population using Eugenics.

However.

I'm not saying that this is or was Al Gore's desire or agenda. I am saying his CO2 theory is an incorrect theory with dangerous, real life consequences.

But, Al Gore's attempt to simplify the causes in order to sell Global Warming to the masses, was intentional.

So was his idea to turn CO2 into a Trillion dollar carbon trading scam. A scam that failed to reduce emissions or pollution, senselessly promoted growing corn to create ethanol fuel and led to the implementation of carbon taxation, (consumption taxation).

All of which has led to the significant decrease in food production, causing Millions more people to starve to death.

This has led to the outrageous increase in food prices, cost of living and inflation.

All the while, these government imposed carbon taxes do nothing more than redistribute wealth from the poor, working class citizens while the government sits back and collects the cash.

In return for this tax money, taxpayers have seen no change, only an increase in the prices for energy, transport costs and increased food prices.

During this time, we have seen no new renewable energy transportation alternatives, services have been implemented.

This shows us that Al Gore is partially doing this for profit.

Rather creative on his part, but CO2 induced global warming is not the whole truth, its half truth. Al Gores "An Inconvenient Truth" is teaching half truths. These half truths are dangerous because they have mislead good people, and misdirected their good intentions.

A great example is Bill Gates... He's convinced that Al Gores theory is correct to the point where he's implementing population control methods because he thinks it will save the planet.

The so called solutions imposed on the world due to this lie, is the wrong way to go about solving any environmental crisis. 

Over 20 Years ago, In the 1989 book written by Sharon L.Roan, titled "Ozone Crisis" The 15 Year Evolution of a Sudden Global Emergency".

Al Gore suggested that the most significant cause of Global Warming and the Global environmental Crisis, is related to man-made Stratospheric Ozone Depletion.

The foreword to the "Ozone Crisis" The 15 Year Evolution of a Sudden Global Emergency" was written by Senator Al Gore.

Here is an excerpt of what he wrote; 

"When I began my campaign for the 1988 Democratic nomination, I said that the depletion of the ozone layer, the greenhouse effect, and the global environmental crisis were the most important issues this country would have to face in the next decade and the next century. The political pundits, to put it mildly, were not impressed. Some said that anyone who thought ozone belonged on the next presidents agenda was not going to be the next president. The pundits were right about that, as it turned out, but they were wrong about the issue. After years of neglect, global warming and stratospheric ozone depletion have suddenly become matters of widespread international concern. The escalation of the ozone crisis even jump-started an unprecedented international treaty. While we have hardly begun to make the dramatic changes that will be necessary, it is a revolutionary step for society to recognize the problem at all."
                                                                                                                                                   - Al Gore

Not once did Al Gore mention a word about CO2 or even its relation to Global Warming.

At the time Al Gore linked the Global Environmental Crisis to man-made Stratospheric Ozone Depletion.

Now, he only mentions CO2.

Why did Al Gore change his opinion from man-made stratospheric ozone depletion caused the Global Environmental Crisis... To his "An Inconvenient Truth" man made CO2 caused Global Warming Theory?

He was right! Ozone depletion is the main cause of global warming.  

In 1984 researchers detected a 40% ozone loss over Antarctica. This amount of ozone loss hasn't been reduced it has since increased. That means Earth has been absorbing enormous amounts of solar radiation due to man-made ozone depletion for well over 25 years.

Logically; any unbiased scientist studying all the effects of natural and man made causes of global warming would conclude that because Earth is a closed loop system in which we are all dependent upon, and all its systems work as one; that to destroy one aspect of Earth's complex system, such as the Ozone Layer, has catastrophic consequences. This consequence for man made ozone depletion started a chain reaction that allowed and continues to allow more solar radiation into our biosphere and has led to man made Global Warming.


I'm not the only one to come to this conclusion. NASA scientists know this to be true.

I looked for another source to help explain the severity of this problem. In the process of researching this further, I ran across a very informative article titled "The Chlorine Cover-up" an interview with world-renowned scientist Adam Trombly. 

Here's an excerpt;


Chlorine is a chemical demon. One chlorine ion will interfere with the reactions that otherwise would produce 100,000 ozone molecules. 

When Mario Molina and Sherwood Rowland predicted in 1974 that the ozone loss would reach 7-8 percent by the year 2050, it caused a panic. 

We reached that level in the 1980s. What accounts for the difference? 

Molina and Rowland were only figuring the chemical impacts for chlorine releases from CFC's. But this source only accounts for a small part of the destruction that has occurred to date. 

Where did the other chlorine come from?

The truth is that we have chlorine going up into the atmosphere from all kinds of sources. It's not just CFC's. It's chlorine from sewage treatment plants, water treatment plants, backyard swimming pools, even household chlorine bleach. 

We were told that these molecules were too heavy; that they couldn't get into the stratosphere, but it isn't true. Atmospheric scientists have known this for years--it's lunch table conversation.


Not all chlorine rises into the air (some compounds become entrained in the soil or precipitate into water) but massive amounts of chlorine have been getting into the stratosphere the whole time. Once the parent molecule--whether its carbon--tetrachloride, poly-chlorinated hydrocarbon or CFC--gets into the stratosphere, it photo-reacts with the ultraviolet radiation and interferes with the production of ozone.

We've got to realize that as much chlorine production as possible must stop. This is the kind of talk that can get you killed. Chlorine is a huge industry. There is a tremendous amount of money involved. Do you realize the liability issue that is involved here? Remember asbestos? There was congressional testimony from the 1930s on the dangers of asbestos but nothing happened because the lobbies were too strong.

The first major extinctions in the world's oceans were caused by an abundance of oxygen. Anaerobic organisms were killed off by the "aerobic revolution". Then came the invertebrates and the fish. In the atmosphere, membranes of ozone slowly developed, allowing the emergence of land life. This evolution of a natural sunscreen for the whole planet was a living process that took millions and millions of years to occur. And we've totally screwed it up in a couple of centuries.

The Montreal Convention [to control chlorofluorocarbon gases] is an obscene compromise. We've compromised not only our lives but the lives of all species. The trees are dying and many of them are not dying from acid rain. In Colorado, only 15-20 percent of the forests, soils were found to be acidic but 28 percent of the state's coniferous forests are now diseased or dead. 

They've been sunburned by ultraviolet radiation.


We're being exterminated by congressional committees that turn their backs on the truth. When people figure out what's been going on, we're going to have War Crime Trials.


Twenty to thirty million people died at the hands of the Nazis, but now we're talking about everybody dying.

End of Excerpt

So, Why aren't more people talking?

Here are a couple of links for you to check out regarding how our planets ozone layer is currently doing.


2011 NASA finally admits Arctic Ozone Hole

Ever wonder why Boeing Aircraft are spraying our skies with giant plumes of expanding aerosol trails at 45 degree angles that look like a game of Tic Tac Toe?

Look up! It might open your eyes to the reality of the ozone problem we face, because every country in the United Nations is using this type of aerial spraying.

The spraying is said to be used to make up for the loss of our ozone layer. Acting as a shield to deflect solar radiation back into space, thus reducing the greenhouse effect.

But according to Nicola Tesla, and Bernard Easland's patents. These atmospheric aerosol trails have an alternative purpose and can be used along with frequency technology.  

The aerial spraying is also highly toxic, and instead of reducing the effects of global warming this geoengineering experiment is accelerating it and earths ozone layer isn't healing itself like NASA said it would.

It turns out Al Gore was right back in 1989.

Leaders should have listened to him then when he said the Ozone Layer is being destroyed.

I believe his "An Inconvenient Truth" CO2 theory, was his last attempt to get politicians, industry, public and corporations heads out of the tar sands and get people to demand real change to our energy policies.

Unfortunately, Al Gores CO2 theory is now acting as a convenient lie, a misdirection, covering up the biggest environmental problem mankind will ever face.

The destruction of our planets life giving, oxygen rich, atmosphere.


Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Y-Green's Top 10 Victory Garden Posters!



Victory Gardens were vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted at private residences, rooftops and public parks in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada during WWI & WWII to reduce the pressure on the public food supply brought on by the war effort. 

In addition to indirectly aiding the war effort, these gardens were also considered a civil "Morale Booster" where gardeners could feel empowered by their contribution of labor and rewarded by the produce grown. 

This made Victory Gardens become a part of daily life on the home front. Posters were created, printed and distributed to help promote the concept. 

The result was astonishing... 

In the United States, from 1940-1945 over 10 Million Victory Gardens were grown to collectively produce 40% of the U.S.A's domestic consumption of fruits and vegetables. 

In Canada over 200,000 Victory Gardens were planted, each one producing over 500 lbs of fruits and vegetables each season.

This stands as a great achievement, as it proved that even inexperienced gardeners and farmers could grow food and help feed their families, friends and local communities throughout the year. Without the Millions of volunteer farmers, gardeners and harvesters that collectively produced the food needed to survive, the food shortages would have led to the starvation of Millions of women, children, elderly and disabled people. 

They are the unsung hero's of wartime, they are the ones that held the fort at home and looked out for one another to overcome tough times. 

This Top 10 List is a Tribute to these remarkable people.

10)

9) 

8) 

7)

6)

5)

4)

3)

2) 

1)

Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Creation of Consumptionism!


It seems almost unbelievable that tens of millions of aboriginal people, around the globe, managed to live their lives in a sustainable manner for thousands of years. Although you may not have learned that in history class, it is true! But their core values were significantly different from ours today, and that's what made it possible. The foundation of these values started with "Respect"; Respect of the self, others and Nature. 

It is this basic concept of "Respect" that was lost in the last 300 years and this "Respect" desperately needs to be restored now, and in our daily lives, if we are to turn things around.

300 years isn't that long ago! Yet, today's civilization, with all our accomplishments, forgot about the importance of "Respect" and in the process, managed to: Strip the majority our planets valuable resources, pollute our oceans, destroy our atmosphere, drive countless species into extinction, negatively affect our climate, and destroy the health of millions of people world wide!

But, what caused such a monumental shift in our thinking?

To many in both business and government, the triumph of the self is the ultimate expression of democracy, where power is truly moved into the hands of the people. Certainly the masses may feel they are in charge, but are they are not!

This four part BBC documentary series titled "The Century of the Self" by Adam Curtis; tells the untold and extremely controversial story of the growth of the mass-consumer society and the birth of Consumptionism.

The documentary tells us how the all-consuming self was created, by whom, and in whose interest?

The Freud dynasty is at the heart of this compelling social history. Sigmund Freud, founder of psychoanalysis; Edward Bernays, who invented public relations; Anna Freud; Sigmund's devoted daughter; and present-day PR guru and Sigmund's great grandson, Matthew Freud. Sigmund Freud's work into the bubbling and murky world of the subconscious changed the world. By introducing a technique to probe the unconscious mind, Freud provided useful tools for understanding the secret desires of the masses. Unwittingly, his work served as the precursor to a world full of political spin doctors, marketing moguls, and society's belief that the pursuit of satisfaction and happiness is man's ultimate goal.




Part 1-Happiness Machines: Part one documents the story of the relationship between Sigmund Freud and his American nephew, Edward Bernays who invented 'Public Relations' in the 1920s, being the first person to take Freud's ideas to manipulate the masses. He showed American corporations how they could make people want things they didn't need by systematically linking mass-produced goods to their unconscious desires.

Part 2: The Engineering of Consent: Part two explores how those in power in post-war America used Freud's ideas about the unconscious mind to try and control the masses. Politicians and planners came to believe Freud's underlying premise that deep within all human beings were dangerous and irrational desires. They were convinced that it was the unleashing of these instincts that had led to the barbarism of Nazi Germany, and in response to this, they set out to find ways to control the masses so as to manage the 'hidden enemy' within the human mind.

Part 3: There is a Policeman Inside All Our Heads, He Must Be Destroyed: In the 1960s, a radical group of psychotherapists challenged the influence of Freudian ideas, which lead to the creation of a new political movement that sought to create 'new people', free of the psychological conformity that had been implanted in people's minds by business and politics. This episode shows how this idea rapidly developed in America through "self-help movements", into the irresistible rise of the expressive self: the Me Generation.

Part 4: Eight People Sipping Wine in Kettering: This episode explains how politicians turned to the same techniques used by business in order to read and manipulate the inner desires of the masses. Both New Labor with Tony Blair and the Democrats led by Bill Clinton, used the focus group which had been invented by psychoanalysts in order to regain power. Both set out to mold their policies to manipulate people's innermost desires and feelings, just as capitalism had learned to do with products.

My Conclusion:  

This 4 part documentary series done by the BBC is probably one of the most important documentaries ever produced! Although it was created in the 1990's "The Century of the Self" is even more important today, because history it seems, is repeating itself! The series truthfully reveals how self sufficient, independent people, and sustainable communities were taught to be consumers.

The documentary also explains that this consumer way of life was intentionally created and reveals how mass production and consumption of goods has led mankind down a very dark path. Not because we are all consuming, but because we were taught that our sense of worth is connected to a high level of consumption. It's this false concept that has led to the poor management of our resources, and this lack of respect that is responsible for a great deal of the problems we face today. 

But is it too late to change our ways? Can we free ourselves from this consumer based lifestyle, and learn to act more responsible and implement a new system of business that is responsible, ethical and sustainable? 

We must remember that we, as human beings have the capacity to adapt and create positive change; we have in the past, and we can now... through necessity! Currently, we are ruled by a system that promotes massive consumerism, but it wasn't always this way! This hyper consumptionism started in the 1920's and now in 2011 this way of life is coming to a crashing halt! The limit to growth isn't about our current population being 8 Billion or even 9 Billion, it has to do with doing away with the Greedy ways of doing business and the false concept of endless oceans, oil, fish, water, land, soil and oil. I believe that humanity is inherently Good, but we must learn to curb our Greed, and "Respect" must be part of our daily lives. 
 
It may take another 5 generations to completely relearn accountable, responsible, ethical and sustainable ways of living. It may also take this long to undo the damage we have done to our planet, but it can be done! 
 
We can do it by combining the knowledge of our ancestors with innovative new technology that works along side nature and not against nature. We can do it, by creating sustainable manufacturing, housing, agriculture and utilizing natural, renewable energy sources and means of anti-gravity and maglev transportation. 
 
Change starts from each of us making a choice. 
 
For instance, I do my best to live in a sustainable manner that is within my means, and respectful of nature and others, and I continue to improve. I am not alone, it's just not as prominent today, and with good reason! 
 
Humanity as a whole had to adapt to survive, and we have, by conforming to a system, earn $$$$ and over-consume. 
 
Luckily, over-consumption can be unlearned, and people are! Government and multinational corporations must do their part as well by acting responsibly, morally and with accountability. This is the trickiest part, But! If big business want to continue to do business, they will have to embrace change, or they will go out of business! In the meantime, a good way to help promote change, is to continue to "Vote with your Dollar" & buy from ethical, sustainable businesses, buy local, support local businesses and farmers! This will cut into the profits of Big Businesses that are behaving badly, and drive home the message. 
 
Do the right thing!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Think Possible! Think Renewable Energy!


I'm forever an optimist, but I am not apathetic, blind or complacent to what ails the world. I see what goes on and I look for solutions to problems that exist, I do so because there is to much negativity in the world.

One thing I believe must occur, is that all War's must end and a World War must be avoided at all costs. We must work towards ending war in a peaceful manner, and I believe we can start solving this mess associated with the global economy, by cutting military spending.

We return the troops home to help build a renewable energy future, and phase out America's dependence on nuclear energy and foreign Oil.

Doing this would save Hundreds of Thousands of Human Lives and create Millions of Jobs. The money that would be saved by bringing the troops home, would save the United States taxpayers over a Trillion Dollars a year.

This one solution is also beneficial to protecting our environment and would reduce the amount of environmental damage and resources we use. Some of these resources, that would have been used to create war, could then be used more wisely by employing more people to upgrade the United States infrastructure, and would include a revitalization of local manufacturing.

By manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines, wave and tidal generators in the United States, would also spur on a Renewable Energy Industry that would create more Good Paying Jobs for Americans.

These jobs would then provide the American people with the money they need to survive and thrive. People would start spending more and people can be reminded that they can "Vote with their Dollar" by supporting local businesses throughout the United States.

We stop all corporate bailouts and demand that they pay appropriate taxes on their profits.

This would rejuvenate the economy, restore faith back in the American Dollar and end the social, economic and environmental crisis.

Think Possible! Together, the people of the United States can solve the problems they face, get things back on track, achieve Renewable Energy Independence and take action to avoid the collapse of the Global Economy.

People cant afford to stand by and do nothing while our elected representatives make decisions that benefit the few and hurt the many.

If you believe in peace, and my message of Hope! Please forward this post to everyone you know. Contact your elected government representatives and demand real change.



( This post was brought to you by Y-Green's desire to be a Leader of Positive Thought and Intention )

( Slogan and Artwork Copyright by Y-Green 2011 )

Y-Green's Feature Friday: Aquaponics UK - Sustainable Food Production




Aquaponics UK is a not for profit social enterprise that provides support for the development of Aquaponics. 
    What is Aquaponics? Aquaponics integrates the best qualities of Aquaculture and Hydroponics to grow healthy organic food in a local, sustainable manner.

     


    The fish and plants are grown in symbiotic unison to achieve a balanced, closed loop system of agriculture, where the system feeds and waters itself. Waste from the fish provide nutrients for the plants, and the plants filter the water for the fish. Crops are constantly harvested and plant trimmings are composted in a wormery to provide food for the fish. The system is then surrounded with a greenhouse, where lady bugs and other beneficial insects are added to create a sustainable Aquaponics Cycle.




    In this TED Talks presentation, Charlie Price from Aquaponics UK, explains the role aquaponics can play in the future of our collective food supply. He also provides insightful information about the applications for aquaponics. But more specifically, he acknowledges aquaponics as a new approach to creating sustainable urban agriculture within any community.

    My conclusion, is that aquaponics will empower thousands of people worldwide to become more self-sufficient, and grow their own food for their household, and community. I also agree with Mr. Prince that aquaponics has the potential to create more resilient communities. 

    Aquaponics can be utilized as a great educational tool for schools to teach their students about sustainable food production.

    Aquaponics UK, proves that we can turn waste into resources, by transforming misused urban spaces into a commercially viable, sustainable way to produce healthy, nutritious food. The examples Mr. Price shows in his presentation also proves; that by growing food with a sustainable Aquaponics system. We can protect the environment, conserve valuable resources and grow healthy abundant food locally, 365 days a year.

    The future looks bright for Aquaponics UK, and I'm convinced that aquaponics is a very timely and much needed sustainable method of farming that will help End World Hunger.

    "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."   

    - Chinese Proverb

    For more information about Aquaponics UK, be sure to visit their website and learn how you can implement Aquaponics in your own community. 


    ( Images provided by Aquaponics UK )

    Thursday, July 14, 2011

    Solar Ink! MIT Aims to Print Nano-Virus Solar Cells




    A team of researchers at MIT's Gleason Laboratory created a revolutionary new way to print Solar Cells. The five layer printing process, uses vapors and temperatures less than 120 degrees Celsius to produce simple, inexpensive solar cell's on paper, cloth or plastic.

    It might look like a regular sheet of paper with an intricate pattern printed on it. But, as seen in this video that MIT posted: after the paper is attached to the multimeter via two wires and a light is flashed on the paper, the multimeter instantly starts to display the voltage produced by the paper cell! 




    If you're wondering how this is possible! The Secret is in the Special Ink they use to create the printed photovoltaic cell, or Polymer Solar Cell. But this specific technology that MIT researchers are working on is new and MIT calls their Solar Cell "Organic".
     

    "Organic" is a term with many meanings. Despite this, most people associate the word "Organic"  with "Natural" and this confusion raises two Very Important Questions:
     
    • What exactly, is in this Solar Ink? 
    • Is it Safe?

    The Ink is said to consist of a special blend of conjugated polymers and organic solvents, but the rest is unclear. 

    In their Conclusion section; Wikipedia mentions that the process involves "Nanostructures".


    "Still, organic PV devices show great promise for decreasing the cost of solar energy to the point where it may become widespread in the decades ahead. While great progress has been made in the last ten years with respect to understanding the chemistry, physics, and materials science of organic photovoltaics, work remains to be done to further improve their performance. Specifically, novel nanostructures must be optimized to promote charge carrier diffusion; transport must be enhanced through control of order and morphology; and interface engineering must be applied to the problem of charge transfer across interfaces."

    - Wikipedia 

    In this case; MIT is using Genetically Modified Carbon Nano tube particles. This is the part that I found concerning! I love technology... But, when people start playing around with DNA, Nanotechnology and Viruses, it makes me very uneasy to say the least!


    I looked into this further and found that MIT Researchers have in fact, Genetically Modified the M13 Virus, altering its DNA and attached it to a Carbon Nanotube.


    MIT did so, with the intention of incorporating this Virus/Nanostructure into their "Solar Ink" because they believe it will significantly improve the efficiency of solar cells. 

    Sounds like science fiction, but its reality! My source comes directly from the April 25th 2011 MIT News article titled "Solar Power Goes Viral".

    I also found this shocking photo of what this Virus looks like via James Mulroy at PCWorld.


     

    This Genetically Modified M13 Virus/Carbon Nano Tube, looks pretty ominous. 

    • What do you think? 
    • Is this genetically manipulated mutation really Good for Humanity?
    • Or could it Contaminate our Biosphere? 

    These are relevant questions to ask, but also questions that MIT should answer! Tampering with Nature has serious consequences, and to call it Organic is misleading to say the least.

    In the future! If, this technology is deemed safe! People could print these solar cells in a manner that is similar to the one used to make the metallic lining found in potato chip bags; which can be created inexpensively, and on a large commercial scale.

    It sounds optimistic! but, before it gets to that stage! I think its important to know how this special "Solar Ink" reacts in nature, how it decomposes, and if there's any risk of contaminating nature in any way. 

    Another Question to ask, is regarding the viability and functionality of the technology itself, for instance: 

    • How long could one of these solar cells last, and how resilient would it be?

    To help answer this question; MIT researchers printed a solar cell on a sheet of PET plastic and claim to have folded and unfolded it 1,000 times, with no significant loss of performance. By contrast, a commercially produced solar cell on the same material is said to have failed after a single folding.



    "We have demonstrated quite thoroughly the robustness of this technology. We think we can fabricate scalable solar that can reach record-high watts-per-kilogram performance. For solar cells with such properties, a number of technological applications open up."

    - MIT Professor of Electrical Engineering; Vladimir Bulovic


    Presently the paper printed solar cells only have an efficiency of 1% and Professor Bulovic admits the process requires more fine-tuning. Bulovic also suggested that; despite the low rate of efficiency, at this point, it should be good enough to power small electronic devices. 


    My Conclusion: 

    Printing solar cells with MIT's "Oxidative Chemical Vapor Deposition" method; appears to have the potential to overcome the shortfalls of the expensive, heavy, glass photovoltaic solar cells that are on the market today.

    Applications would include everything from: portable solar power-plants, swim suits, jackets, bags, tents, umbrellas, wallpaper, window-blinds and roof-tiles.

    The Possibilities are Endless... But! 

    • Is the "Modified Nano-Virus" aspect in the "Solar Ink" Safe?

    Before we tout this as a safe, viable solution to produce cheap, Solar Electricity. We should ask MIT the Difficult Questions, and proceed with extreme Caution. 

    Its true that the results the researchers have shown thus far, are Amazing! But, as optimistic as it may seem, my doubts are regarding the "Solar Ink" itself!


    The potential of widespread negative implications regarding the use of, and manipulation of, viruses and nanotechnology could severely out-weigh the positive aspects and shouldn't be overlooked.

    • At this point, I'm not convinced of the safety of MIT's, Solar Ink! Are you?



    Photo by Patrick Gillooly via MIT News 

    (This article was made possible by a Generous Coffee Fund Donation from an Anonymous Donor!)  

    Friday, June 24, 2011

    Y-Green's Feature Friday: SPACE Canada - Space Based Solar Power



    SPACE Canada (Solar Power Alternative for Clean Energy) is a not for profit organization dedicated to the promotion of solar energy from space. Their mission is to be a leader in the promotion of space based solar power, significantly reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels and envisions: 

    • A world that is free from the harmful effects of climate change/global warming
    • A world that is secure; providing global access to an endless supply of safe, clean energy
    • A world that is just; ensuring affordable energy to developing nations

    Along with these noble aspirations, SPACE Canada maintains a strong set of values that are:

    • Grounded in scientific principles
    • Dedicated to social justice
    • Open to creativity, innovation and imagination

    To accomplish these goals; their mandate is to promote, support and encourage space based solar power through research, education and commercialization. They also facilitate international dialogue to enable individuals, organizations and governments to engage in dialogue regarding the benefits, safety and feasibility of space based solar energy. 

    To engage their audiences curiosity and desire to learn about this innovative technology, SPACE Canada produced this video. 

     

    It explains that space based solar panels could: 

    • Absorb 10 times more energy than ground based solar panels 
    • Produce energy 24 hours a day 
    • Provide us with more energy than we need
     
    These are all exciting possibilities and all-though they are not yet a reality, they could be within our lifetime. I also find SPACE Canada's aspirations to be more than noble! This kind of technology could create a paradigm shift, pave the way for more innovation and revolutionize the way we think about energy.

    To learn more about SPACE Canada or to donate to their organization; be sure to check out their website for details.