As Aquabounty gets closer to FDA approval for genetically modified salmon, we need to take a closer look at this issue. Do you really want to eat salmon with genes from other fish, without even knowing it? Andrew Gunther’s blog explores the issue: News that an “efficient and environmentally sustainable” genetically modified (GM) salmon...
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It was not happenstance that brought 2010 Renewable Energy World Conference to Austin, TX from February 23rd to 26th. Texas is now the largest producer of renewable energy in the country and has emerged as perhaps the most intriguing example for energy integration. The Energy Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has gained an enviable...
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There is increasing discussion among environmentalists, economists and fiscal conservatives about the benefits of replacing income taxes with carbon taxes. More income is a good thing–all else equal–but income taxes can discourage income and encourage inefficient expenditure, and many parts of the income tax code are believed to be unfair and inefficient. More carbon...
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Last semester I had two West African students in my physics classes that had moved with their family to Tracy, California. In case you haven’t heard of Tracy, it’s a bedroom community town about 20 miles from the campus and even further from nearly all sources of employment. Both students were well on their...
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If cap and trade passes it will cost you $.77 a gallon? Really? Based on what? Cap and Trade is not exactly the hot topic being chatted up around the water cooler these days. But there is probably good reason for that: Iraq, Afghanistan, Wall Street, Health Care. That is as more than enough...
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I am at the 2009 Bioneers Conference in San Rafael, CA, and it is truly amazing. When I first arrived I knew this was going to be a major event, as there were very few spaces left in the sprawling parking lot. I met up with my friend Stephanie Welch, a producer at Paragon...
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In my last post I had mentioned that “development” as we know it would make our earth unlivable in a very short span of time. This post illustrates that assertion with a real-life incident that touches almost every one of us. Or at least each one of us who drinks soft drinks. It was...
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LCA IX is the annual meeting and conference of the American Center for Life Cycle Assessment (ACLCA). It brings together hundreds of academics and professionals in environmental life cycle, as well as industry, government, and NGOs. I was there this past week in Boston because I focus on sustainable engineering and design. One aspect...
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Most organizations today have some type of recycling program in place as part of their quest to “go green.” They set up containers to collect plastic bottles, cans, glass and paper and cardboard, and have joined the wonderful world of recycling. My question to you, if you are one of these businesses: are you...
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Times are changing for sure. Rather than ‘life cycle what?’, companies I am talking to are more educated on sustainability and what ‘green’ means. Rather than just adding green dye to the plastic hopper, I am now finding many are ready to earnestly embrace measurable sustainability for product offerings. Perhaps it is the a...
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