Why we need alternatives to oil by Sura, November 7

An article by John Schmid in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on soaring oil prices tells us why we need alternatives

“The U.S., with 5% of the world’s population, burns nearly one-quarter of all the oil - 20.6 million barrels a day in 2006…”

According to the article, traders on the oil markets have reacted to:

• A bombing in a previously peaceful province of Afghanistan, which killed scores of people
• An attack on a Yemeni oil pipeline
• President Musharraf of Pakistan declaring a state of emergency, fraying ties with the U.S.
• Last month’s skirmish over the Turkish border when Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq killed 13 Turkish soldiers
• Iran’s nuclear program prompted the U.S. to step up sanctions against Iran, further unnerving traders

Renewable energy will allow us to be free, politically and economically from the countries who have oil. Maybe it would keep them safer from our reach too.

7 Nov 2007 | 9:52 am | Environmental Sustainability | Read 1 comment - Add your comments

Berkeley going solar - city pays up front, recoups over 20 years by Sura, November 1

Here’s a win-win creative concept for the environment and cost savings — have the city fund changes through low interest loans that are cheaper to pay back than the energy cost.

Berkeley going solar - city pays up front, recoups over 20 years

Berkeley is set to become the first city in the nation to help thousands of its residents generate solar power without having to put money up front - attempting to surmount one of the biggest hurdles for people who don’t have enough cash to go green.

1 Nov 2007 | 11:30 am | Environmental Sustainability | Read 1 comment - Add your comments

If this is revolution, bring it on! by Sura, November 1

Bike shop promotes ‘revolutionary’ idea

Bike culture shapes our youth, creates employment, promotes good health, saves our environment and creates community.

1 Nov 2007 | 7:49 am | Health, Economic Development, Streets, Bicycles, Pedestrians | No comments yet - Add your comments

Lots to Plots by Sura, October 22

Milwaukee needs more community gardens, urban agriculture and a vital food policy. We can do what many other cities in the U.S. started doing years ago to build community, create jobs, strengthen community health and empower youth. See what Seattle is doing here.

22 Oct 2007 | 10:00 pm | Green Spaces | No comments yet - Add your comments

Lawns to Gardens by Sura, October 22

Here’s an interesting page from a website site called Food Not Lawns

It points out that Americans spend almost $30 billion per year on their lawns. These lawns, often chemical-saturated, could produce enough organic vegetables for thousands of families, using much less water, and caring for our environment.

lots of interesting information!

22 Oct 2007 | 9:37 pm | Green Spaces | Read 2 comments - Add your comments

Micro Wind Power by milo, October 15

Here’s an interesting idea for micro wind generators. I could see these strung between houses and buildings to lessen the amount of fossil fuels that need to be consumed to light and heat our neighborhoods.

15 Oct 2007 | 8:56 am | Environmental Sustainability | No comments yet - Add your comments

Simple idea: Change the margins! by Sura, October 14

Change the Margins is a website my friend Wendy told me about. I’ve been doing it for years, but never thought to share the idea. I’m glad someone did. One other suggestion I’ll make is to use the column feature for easier reading or for drafts. There’s a reason newspapers and magazines use columns–it’s easier on the eyes.

14 Oct 2007 | 3:37 pm | Environmental Sustainability | No comments yet - Add your comments

« Previous Page · Next Page »