Growth Has an Expiration Date
Bio Tom Murphy Tom Murphy is an associate professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego. He currently leads a project to test General Relativity by bouncing laser pulses off of the reflectors left on the Moon by the Apollo astronauts, achieving one-millimeter range precision. Murphy's keen interest in energy topics began with his teaching a course on energy and the environment for non-science majors at UCSD. He has explored the quantitatively convincing case that our pursuit of an ever-bigger scale of life faces gigantic challenges and carries significant risks. Click on any word within the transcript to jump to that point in the program. next previous cancel To download this program become a Front Row member. ZOOM IN: Learn more with related books and additional materials. For related Britannica content, please search on Britannica's Web site, at www.britannica.com.
A Plan to Power 100 Percent of the Planet with Renewables
In December leaders from around the world will meet in Copenhagen to try to agree on cutting back greenhouse gas emissions for decades to come. The most effective step to implement that goal would be a massive shift away from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy sources. If leaders can have confidence that such a transformation is possible, they might commit to an historic agreement. A year ago former vice president Al Gore threw down a gauntlet: to repower America with 100 percent carbon-free electricity within 10 years. Select an option below: Customer Sign In *You must have purchased this issue or have a qualifying subscription to access this content
Are Market GM Plants an Unrecognized Platform for Bioterrorism and Biocrime?
Gini coefficient
Gini coefficient of national income distribution around the world. This is based on 1989 to 2009 data, estimated by the CIA. Some are pre-tax and transfer, others post-tax income. The Gini coefficient (also known as the Gini index or Gini ratio) (/dʒini/) is a measure of statistical dispersion intended to represent the income distribution of a nation's residents. The Gini coefficient measures the inequality among values of a frequency distribution (for example levels of income). There are some issues in interpreting a Gini coefficient. Definition[edit] Graphical representation of the Gini coefficient The graph shows that the Gini coefficient is equal to the area marked A divided by the sum of the areas marked A and B. that is, Gini = A / (A + B). The Gini coefficient is usually defined mathematically based on the Lorenz curve, which plots the proportion of the total income of the population (y axis) that is cumulatively earned by the bottom x% of the population (see diagram). where and
How to power America with renewables on the cheap: Build a shit ton of wind and solar capacity
America could be powered almost entirely with wind turbines and solar systems by 2030 at a cost comparable to what we’re spending for dirty power today, a new study finds. The necessary approach would surprise most people, and it would generate enough economic activity to make any capitalist drool: Build, build, build … and then build some more. From Midwest Energy News: The analysis … challenges the common notion that wind and solar power need to be paired with fossil fuel or nuclear generators, so utilities can meet electricity demand when it’s not windy or sunny.The paper instead proposes building out a “seemingly excessive” amount of wind and solar generation capacity — two to three times the grid’s actual peak load. By spreading that generation across a wide enough geographic area, Rust Belt utilities could get virtually all of their electricity from renewables in 2030, at a cost comparable to today’s prices, it says. So keep those wind and solar farms coming, America.
Kalmička zajednica u Beogradu
Beogradski Kalmici. Iz foto-arhiva Politike. Opis života društvene grupe koja se raspala pre više desetleća i zatim se skoro bez tragova zagubila povezan je, bez sumnje, sa posebno vrućim problemima metodološke i metodičke prirode. Za etnološku struku beogradska kolonija Kalmika, zapadnomongolskog naroda sa područjeg donjeg toka Volge, zanimljiva je kao primer male zajednice u kosmopolitskom velegradu, kao doprinos etnološkom izgledu Beograda i, konačno, kao fragment istorije Kalmika u emigraciji. Većina Kalmika došla je u Jugoslaviju decembra 1920. sa grupom od 22.000 vojnika, u pratnji članova porodice. Tako su u novoj sredini nastavljali tradiciju uzgoja konja, kojim su se bavili na donskim stepama. Neki Kalmici stigli su u Jugoslaviju 1922. godine, kad su iz Vladivostoka morale da se povuku i poslednje protivboljševičke jedinice. Glavnina ruskih iseljenika u Jugoslaviji živela je u Beogradu. Budistički hram u Malom Mokrom Lugu, Beograd - izgled oltara u različitim periodima. Fusnote: 1.
Listen, Little Man!
The Oil Drum | Discussions about Energy and Our Future
Effects of pesticides on our wildlife | Policy and insight
We know pesticides harm bees – the evidence is compelling. What about other wild species? When I searched for the effect of pesticides on wildlife, I couldn’t find a good summary so I produced this one. In our new report 'Problems with Pesticides' I’ve pulled together the main findings of recent scientific studies and reviews of evidence from the UK and beyond. From butterflies, beetles, damselflies and hoverflies to earthworms, hedgehogs, frogs and fish – not forgetting the impact on our water and soils – the evidence shows that problems with pesticides go well beyond bees. ...many species have struggled as their habitats have shrunk and climate change and pesticide use have taken their toll. Bees and beyond It’s well known that bees are in trouble and their exposure to pesticides isn’t helping. Pesticides include chemicals that kill insects (insecticides), plants (herbicides) and fungi/moulds (fungicides). They may be unintended victims but are affected because: Key findings: Earthworms
theyrule
Rebuilding the Foodshed: Fields of ENERGY
Over the coming days, we'll be sharing material from Chapter 4 (Energy) of the latest Resilience guide, "Rebuilding the Foodshed: How to Create Local, Sustainable & Secure Food Systems". This is a heck of a chapter, one that takes a look at the complex relationships between food systems, energy and waste. If you eat food, grow food, use energy, create energy, or make waste, you'll find yourself fascinated. Read Part 2, Read Part 3, Read Part 4, Read Part 5, Read Part 6, Read Part 7 Food is energy. Food provides energy. As soon as one opens wide and espouses the need for a food system that’s balanced in terms of health, equity, and ecology, it becomes apparent that much of the discussion is about how to extract one’s ecological footprint from one’s mouth. Do we simply go retro? The energy behind human civilizations was once a product of the food supply. Such inquiries into food security should not be viewed as mere intellectual exercises or myopic self-preservation interests.
