http://www.greeningnewmexico.org/index.php/site/index/ en garret@arrayweb.com Copyright 2009 2009-04-21T21:15:57+00:00 http://www.greeningnewmexico.org/index.php/site/the_promise_of_technology/ http://www.greeningnewmexico.org/index.php/site/the_promise_of_technology/#When:21:15:57Z The Promise of Technology We’ve learned how to forecast natural disasters pretty well, but remain powerless to prevent them. Many of our current environmental problems are the result of the industrial revolution, and it’s high time to give technology a chance to clean up its own mess. Fossil fuel dependency must end More energy research is always helpful, but many promising technologies are already here. Biofuels are being made from plants or materials like wood chips or sawdust, and when biofuels are combined with wind power, and solar energy (and conservation) we could power our economy well into the next century. Nuclear power may be in our future, but storage and disposal of spent fuel rods is still problematic. Nuclear‘s made a steady comeback in Europe, however (nearly 80% of France’s power is generated by nuclear plants). Unfortunately, such plants take ten years to build and require massive investment, and we still don’t have a public consensus on building them. Wind looks promising. In The Netherlands and Denmark, wind power is the preferred renewable alternative energy source. Wind farms are also popping up in the U.S. Today’s windmills are nothing like their 17th century ancestors. They are the product of sophisticated aerodynamic engineering, computer testing and modeling, and constructed of composite materials able to withstand the toughest elements. With each turn of the blade, we’re spared CO2 and sulphur emissions that would have been released into the atmosphere had coal been burned to generate electricity. The life-giver We turn to our sun for heat and light … and energy. Passive and concentrated solar power is gaining momentum, especially in states with ample sunshine days like New Mexico. Though we only have very few megawatts of solar power generating capacity now, solar is rapidly gaining more converts. In the 70’s, the Federal government responded to an oil crisis with an ambitious program of incentives to conserve energy and diversify our energy use. Unfortunately, the need was too far ahead of the technology, and when world oil prices declined, we went back to our own wasteful ways. Today, technology is up to the task, and we are more aware of the economic and national security implications inherent in oil addiction. It’s time to bring back these incentives on a broader scale. The quest for national energy independence must be a defensive strategy as well as an ecologically progressive one. We can reduce our dependence on fossil fuel by combining conservation with technological diversification. Gas isn’t a disease; it’s a symptom   Gas prices are sky high in Europe where a gallon of unleaded gas goes for about $6.50. While the marketplace dictates prices, their governments levy high taxes on auto purchases and on large engines. It’s no surprise that fuel efficiency is a key buying factor there. While many opt for a small car or no car at all, they CAN because of their excellent public transportation systems. Technology + Conservation Equals Success What’s the cost of throwing things away? Our monthly trash bill doesn’t cover actual costs. It takes energy to collect refuse, to dump it, to separate it and energy to manage the landfill. While we must throw some things away, we ought to consider those costs as part of our buying decision. Technology insures obsolescence, but also provides options for more ecologically-driven decisions. Countries like Germany are tackling the problem with ‘recycling surcharges’ which are part of the purchase price of some items like computers, proving that when governments think conservation they become full partners with technology. To make more informed lifestyle choices, we need better information on the potential impact of our choices. One way to get that information might involve creating a partnership with industry, to provide some ‘environmental impact’ guidelines to tell us before we buy a product how long it will take to recycle it. We have an extraordinary ability to adapt, but adapting is something you do when you haven’t planned for contingencies. We know what the problem is with our environment. We just need to let technology help us solve it. Stephan Helgesen is Director of the Office of Science and Technology for the State of New Mexico.   Home 2009-04-21T21:15:57+00:00 http://www.greeningnewmexico.org/index.php/site/your_club_organization_nonprofit_information/ http://www.greeningnewmexico.org/index.php/site/your_club_organization_nonprofit_information/#When:23:32:21Z Your information can be listed in this space.  Use our Contact Page, and let everyone know about your upcoming events! 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A ‘double business card’ (with up to ten lines of text with the option of including your logo or a photo) will be billed at $40/month or $35 on a six month contract. Other Ad Rates The top ad (position one) on the home (front) page is sized 125 pixels x 125 pixels and is sold on a minimum three-month contract. Cost: $125/month. A finished jpeg or pdf file is required for this space. The second position ad on the home (front) page is sized at 120 pixels x 60 pixels and is sold on a minimum of three-month contract. Cost: $75/month. A finished jpeg or pdf file is required for this space. The third position ad is sized at 120 pixels x 90 pixels and is sold on a minimum of a three-month contract. Cost: $100/month. A finished jpeg or pdf file is required. The fourth position ad on the home (front) page is sized 120 pixels x 600 pixels and is sold on a minimum three-month contract. Cost: $150/month. A finished jpeg or pdf file is required for this space. All non-profit organizations will receive a 10% discount. All profits derived from advertising will be donated to New Mexican charities at the end of calendar year 2009 by Greening New Mexico. To be eligible to receive donations, charities must indicate their interest to Greening New Mexico and submit an application before December 31, 2009. Advertising 2008-09-24T20:12:54+00:00 http://www.greeningnewmexico.org/index.php/site/welcome/ http://www.greeningnewmexico.org/index.php/site/welcome/#When:19:50:38Z Join GREENING NEW MEXICO and help us to clean up, preserve and protect our beautiful New Mexican habitat.  Learn how you can make a difference by choosing the right products, the right technologies and the right conservation techniques that will work, right here at home. Share your views on the environment and conservation tips with thousands of your fellow New Mexicans. Becoming a member allows you free, password-protected access to our Member Forum where you can leave suggestions, comment on current topics, ask questions, answer other member’s questions and just ‘stay connected.’ Members can also receive important updates on ‘Green’ topics that may not make it into our regular site. We respect your right to express your opinion and we respect your privacy, so we would never sell or assign your email address to anyone else. Read about the latest in energy-saving devices and technologies now available for use — and about those under discussion by municipal state and federal governments. Learn how to help your club or non-profit organization develop conservation projects that will help you fundraise the Green Way! Read the Opening Letter from our founder. Home 2008-09-22T19:50:38+00:00