Osmosis

A new osmotic power plant in Norway may be the future of renewable energy. Although small now, the plant claims that osmotic power could produce about 1,370 terawatt-hours per year. Osmotic power is the process of using diffusion (when a substance passes through a membrane into another area that contains less of the substance, ie... tea from tea bag diffuses into cup) to create power. In this case, salt water particles diffuse into freshwater when rivers meet seas and in fact, create heat energy. With a membrane between the two types of water, water particles diffuse and create osmosis. 

Though reverse osmosis has been around since the 1950's, using osmosis as energy was only created later on. It has been called a "very clean process" by Friso Sikkema and Statkraft, the company who created the osmotic power plant, believes in it so much they spent over $12,000,000 and ten years on it. Unlike some other renewable energy options, the process of obtaining osmotic power does not produce any carbon, still though, there are concerns that if this expands, it might effect marine life. Additionally, membranes may be too expensive for big-scale osmosis. Still, for now, it is an optimistic route for the future of renewable energy.  

As osmosis has been growing in popularity, NASA has begun using osmotic systems to take care of wastewater on spaceships, Hydro-Quebec is teaming up with Statkraf, and Japan has opened a Osmotic Power Research Centre. Also, as osmosis advances we can now create a "natural battery" by using PRO osmosis to replace RED osmosis. RED osmosis is the process of capturing the energy of mixing fresh and salt water using positively and negatively charged membranes, while PRO osmosis uses complex machinery to do the same thing. However, PRO is much more expensive, and RED will most likely be a more popular alternative.

So with all these upsides, why hasn't osmotic power become a big success? Well, the materials needed for an osmotic plant are not only expensive but many. Additionally, much space is needed for even a small osmotic plant and it is an excessive amount of work to find water clean enough to support the membranes. But there is still hope, for like other renewable energies, osmotic power, after an initial investment, will become a great success. Once cost-effective, osmotic power has the potential to power all of Russia as well as Eastern Europe.   

The next thing we need to do is create a bigger, more inexpensive plant and before you know it, maybe your house will be powered by osmotic energy.

For more information, check out: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2013/01/130107-osmotic-energy-norway/

Next week: Hopefully a video about daylight savings

Strawless

     When was the last time you used a straw? Did you really need it? Did you know that over 500 million straws are used each day in just the United States? Well, in 2011, Milo Cress, considered these questions and started a campaign to become strawless. 
     At nine years old, Milo recognized all the plastic that was being wasted through the use of staws. His Be Straw Free campaign has inspired restaurants and citizens to this very day. In fact, in 2013, many Texas Roadhouses decided to go strawless for a week. From May 20th - May 26th they asked customers if the wanted a straw instead of just giving them one. So next time you are given a straw, think, do you really need it?

For more information check out, http://www.kcbd.com/story/22293432/texas-roadhouse-going-strawless-to-help-the-environment
or help support Milo's campaign at, https://www.ecocycle.org/bestrawfree  

Next week: Spring Forward, Fall Back in March? 

Exo; Cricket Bar

What's your typical snack? Maybe you think immediately of chips and gwac, or perhaps crackers and hummus, but did any of you think of crickets? Well, a new company called Exo, created by two graduates from Brown University, makes protein bars using cricket flour. Co-founder, Gabi Lewis was looking for a protein bar that actually tasted good while Greg Sewitz, the other founder, had recently attended a conference about global warming and suggested crickets as an eco-friendly provider of protein for the bars. After brainstorming some more and putting some hard work into their idea, Exo was founded.

      Exo bars are organic, all-natural, gluten/grain/soy/dairy free protein bars that contain 10grams of protein and are made in America. They currently come in three flavors: cacao nut, peanut butter & jelly, and cashew ginger moroccan spice, with more soon to come. In addition, the cricket flour in them has high amounts protein, all the necessary amino acids, and lots of micro nutrients such as iron and calcium. With all these pluses, however, you're probably questioning the taste. Well, Exo bars have been given great reviews, some people even say it's the best protein bar they've ever eaten.

     Now you know about the heath and taste aspects of Exo bars, but how do they help the environment? For starters, crickets need less food, water, and space than cows, pigs, and sheep. In return, they reproduce much quicker and produce much less methane. Think of the 50% of human water and the 40% of land used for agriculture, eating crickets could help potentially solve these problems and Exo bars are just the first step!

      Of course, crickets are gross, right?! I mean who would want to eat bugs? While this may be our current attitude to eating insects, around 80% of the world already eats them. This is an amount that could grow quickly. More and more people are growing accustomed to eating insects, especially if they're in tasty protein bars. What do you think, would you eat crickets?

      Still, there are cons to Exo bars. The first main one is that their product could change. If they decide to edit just one thing in their bar, it could effect something as small as size to something as large as taste. Also, they rely on other companies to provide them with crickets, publicity, etc... and if anything happens to one of these providers it could potentially effect Exo. Finally, it is possible they will have to extend the shipping date if problems occur. While these can be dealt with, they, like all companies, are always going to have their problems.

       So now you're interested, but how can you help? Well they need donations from eager supporters to help sponsor Exo. Right now they have two money goals: a) to raise $50,000 so they can produce bars faster, etc.. and start focusing more on new ideas (ie. flavors) and b) to raise $20,000 so they can make their first group of commercially produced Exo bars. With your help, this idea can become reality. Obviously you don't have to donate, but you can open your eyes to the idea of Exo bars, and that by itself, will make a difference.

For more information, check out https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/exoprotein/exo-protein-bars-made-from-cricket-flour or their official website http://exo.co/

Next week: Strawless?

California Drought

     As you may have heard, there is a sever drought occurring in Los Angeles California. Due to lack of rain, approximately 40,000 people may run out of water in the next 60-120 days. This number, large enough already, has yet to grow, and may reach up to 25 million people. State officials are planning to bring drinking water to communities affected by truck. Additionally, wells will be built, and citizens will have to limit there water usage. Even with these efforts,this will be the worst drought in about 500 years. 
     However, the drought has already taken effect. The worst effects include farmers not being able planting anymore, ranchers having to sell their cattle, and pollution raising to a dangerously high level. Also, people have limited showers, washing cars, and watering lawns. On top of this, multiple species of animals are endangered. This being said, officials are stressed, and all have concerns about the drought.
     While it did rain recently, it was not nearly enough to make up for the three years of practically none. You may be wondering, three years of drought, how did this happen? I hypothesize that in fact, global warming is partly to blame. Studies show that over the next 100 years, dry areas will become drier and wet areas, wetter. That leaves one to believe, could this be the beginning of drastic global warming effects? What do you think, feel free comment your opinion below. 

For more information, check out: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/02/us/severe-drought-has-us-west-fearing-worst.html?_r=0

Next Week: Exo; Cricket Bars

Nuclear Energy?

      One of the many sources of renewable energy being debated about is nuclear energy. Ever since World War II we have feared this, but have studies proven our fears irrelevant? In fact, these same studies show that nuclear energy exposure, in small doses is practically harmless. If so, what is the hold up on using nuclear energy as a renewable source of energy?
     
     While some studies show that even the smallest amounts of nuclear exposure have serious health consequences, this particular one states that, out of the 10,929 people exposed to nuclear weapons who got cancer, only 527 actually got it because of this reason. This, among much more scientific evidence, is why we are so controversial on the topic of nuclear energy. There are a handful of people who believe this might be the only solution to the growing issue of global warming. Still, the common civilians have yet to overcome their fears of the power nuclear energy has. However, the civilian fears haven't kept scientists and engineers from planning out safer, reliable nuclear power plants. What do you think the next step into finding a renewable energy source should be?

For more information about these experiments and the article, check out: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/22/opinion/fear-vs-radiation-the-mismatch.html    

Next Week: California Drought

The use HFCs Need to Stop

     Recently, Europe wrote a bill that declared they would reduce a type of greenhouse gas used in refrigerators and ACs called hydrofluorocarbons by 79% as of 2030. This act is the most significant in the struggle to decrease HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons). However, Europe is not the only one trying to reduce HFCs, China and the US also have been making efforts to help. 

     Although, HFCs were already a replacement of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that damaged the ozone layer, however, they are still a threat to global warming. If the use of HFCs continues at the current rate, the 1% of global warming they are accountable for currently will rise to a whopping 20% by 2030 unless we take action. Already, we have technology capable of replacing HFCs and many people have taken action, what will come next? 

     While removing HFCs as a source of energy will not eliminate all global warming issues, it's a start and it is something we must do to help stop global warming. 

For more information, check out: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/08/opinion/curbing-a-potent-greenhouse-gas.html?_r=0

Next Week: Nuclear Energy?

Petition to Help Stop Air Pollution

Check out this link to a petition to help stop air pollution: it's easy to sign!

http://sierra.stopbigpolluters.org/pgb/CKF-NA-CT2-SBP1-Lib-BO-30p-T04-C07-EP-P02-D01