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green power
April 2008 
More thoughts on "Green Living"
Posted on Apr 28th, 2007
by 
Jeff
Jeff
I saw a program about eco-friendly energy sources on TV yesterday. It went like this:
So with all these green options available, why are we still dependent on Middle East oil for our energy needs? Something is seriously wrong here...
- If we set aside 10% of Nevada and constructed a photovoltaic (solar) array in this 10% of land, we could power all of the USA from this source
- If we set aside 10% of Nevada and constructed a solar heat exchanger-type system to heat oil in a closed loop, to boil water to make steam to power a generator, it could power all of the USA. So far that makes two eco-friendly systems we could adopt.
- Wind farms currently supply 1-2% of our nation's power needs. If wind farms were set up on the East and West Coasts, they could power the country. This makes 3 eco-friendly systems we could adopt.
- Geothermal, the idea of using the Earth's perpetual supply of heat to boil water to make steam to run generators, to make electricity is very "dooable"
- Switchgrass will grow anywhere with little effort. One unit of Switchgrass will convert into 11 units of energy.
- Ocean currents can be used to create energy, much like the wind farm, but under water, and endless supply of energy.
So with all these green options available, why are we still dependent on Middle East oil for our energy needs? Something is seriously wrong here...
Access: PublicTagged with: Green Power
I hope you get over to World Without Oil(WWO) and 'play”
World Without Oil(WWO) went Live last night as “$4 pump price looms…” That was supposed to be a mock headline to launch an Alternate Reality Game. Instead, it really was the headline in one of the largest Bay Area newspapers the day before the Game launch.
WWO is an Alternate reality Game(ARG) designed as a collaborative engagement for the public good, designed to distil inspired solutions to out profoundly precarious energy situation. The 'Game' only runs for 32 days (each day represents a week in real time)and will be best served by people posting unfolding real-time stories and solutions; what are you doing now that could inspire other to help shape a future worth walking into?
http://www.worldwithoutoil.org
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San Jose Mercury News article on WWO Alternate Reality Game (ARG)
Slick way to address oil thirst , by Dean Takahashi
California - San Jose Mercury News
from Article Launched:04/30/2007 01:35:26 AM PDT
Oil is the oxygen of our economy. What would happen if oil supplies dried up?
That's the story behind a new computer game launching today, “World Without Oil” at www.worldwithoutoil.org. This game, which can be played for free over the Internet, isn't purely make believe. It's meant to draw attention to the real possibility of an oil shock and what our country and the world have to do to prepare for it. The ideas that people come up with for surviving in a post-oil world in the game could actually pay off in real life if they lead to less consumption and more alternative sources of energy.
The blurring of imaginary and real life is intentional. Players can affect the story and outcome of the game based on what they do in real life. The game is part of the increasingly popular “alternate reality game” genre, and its creators believe that they can use it as a serious vehicle to entertain people and, simultaneously, draw attention to a social issue.
Jane McGonigal, a developer of alternative reality games, took a position as a research associate at the Institute for the Future, a non-profit research group in Palo Alto, where she is helping the institute think about how these games can help prepare us all for the future.
Thanks for the info. This sounds like a game we all need to play.
I expect gas prices will be $4.00 / gal nationwide average before summer is at it's peak. When it costs $160.00 to fill up an SUV, we'll see less of them on the road and prices like that will make my old, ugly 1993 Ford Escort, look pretty good when it gets 32 MPG.
This country can go Green. The options are already out there. It may take $5-6 / Gal prices to see a change in the way people think and drive.
Thanks again for your comments