The World’s First Zero Carbon, Zero Waste City

Masdar City – the world’s first carbon-neutral, zero-waste city. A vibrant and beautiful city, powered by renewable energy, innovative building practices and new standards in sustainable living currently under construction in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Masdar City, soon to become home to 40,000 residents and 50,000 daily commuters, is being built around pedestrians, where open public squares intersect with narrow shaded walkways and connect to homes, schools, restaurants, theatres and shops. A city powered by solar cells and wind turbines, where 80% of the water is recycled. A city planned to be green. An urban environment being built in the desert. The 2.48 square miles (4 square kilometers), of city using micro-climate to both extract energy and keep the streets at comfortable temperatures.The architecture of the city is inspired by the traditional medinas, souks and wind towers of the Arab world. (more…)

I need a vacation and if I had the means to go, I would take a trip to Switzerland. I have always wanted to see this country ever since my 5th grade Geography teacher brought in some Swiss chocolate. I was a totally enthralled as a youngster munching chocolate while hearing all about the Alps. The highest mountain that I have seen to date is Pikes Peak by driving up to the top and seeing forever. I would love to see the Alps but maybe not drive up to the top! (more…)

Arizona’s Sun-Powered Bullet Train

Bullet trains are already considered a greener mode of transport that greatly curbs greenhouse emissions while cutting down on our reliance on pollution belching cars and airplanes, not to mention reducing the choke-hold OPEC and big oil have on everybody on this planet and the planet itself. (more…)

As PopSci.com So Eloquently Put It:

Despite all the talk about carbon capture, carbon footprints and carbon trading, carbon dioxide only causes nine to 26% of the greenhouse effect. That means that the majority of warming results from gases with a much lower media profile than the paparazzi-trailed starlet of global warming, CO2. In honor of last weeks’ report in the Journal of Geophysical Research, which identified a brand new greenhouse gas, we count down the gases that bring us bikini weather in Antarctica and beachfront property in Montana.

10. Sulfuryl Fluoride: The new kid on the block, MIT scientists identified this chemical as a greenhouse gas on March 11th, 2009. Used as a fumigant, Dow Chemicals produces sulfuryl fluoride to kill termites. The chemical, which is highly inert, has a lifetime of up to 40 years, and traps 4,800 times more heat per molecule than CO2. The chemical only exists in 1.5 parts per trillion in the atmosphere, but according to the recent Journal of Geophysical Research, that number is going up by 5 percent a year. (more…)

Laugh Your Way To A Cleaner Earth

U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are increasing rapidly: Up 16% between 1990 to 2005. The fastest way for each of us to reduce our carbon footprint is to change our use of vehicles. The best way to do that is a vehicle that uses little or no gasoline. So why not exchange that planet-choker on wheels with a vehicle that will drastically reduce your carbon footprint as well as relieve urban noise and congestion and put a grin on your face at the same time! (more…)

Biofuels, Not the Only Option!

Transportation accounts for more than 40% of California’s annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the state relies on petroleum-based fuels for 96 percent of its transportation needs. Causing in January 2007, California Governor Schwarzenegger to issue an executive order mandating a statewide goal be established to reduce the carbon intensity of California’s transportation fuels by at least 10 percent by 2020 (“2020 Target”). Establishing a Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) greenhouse gas standard for transportation fuels.

Late Thursday, April 23, becoming the first in the nation, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved standards to target greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels. With the aim to cut 16m tons/year of greenhouse gas emissions in the state by 2020. (more…)

Taurus launches OCO Feb. 24th , 2009

NASA‘s Orbiting Carbon Observatory satellite aboard a Taurus XL launch vehicle, failed to reach orbit after its 4:55 a.m. EST liftoff Feb. 24 from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base. As many of you know I spent many years of my career at NASA, and once NASA, always NASA, so I have seen my share of heartbreaking, tragic, disasters. In NASA terms, this launch failure is known as a ‘setback’. And that’s all it is. Or as my 15 year old nephew would say, “Ah Man, that really sucks”.

Preliminary indications are that the fairing on the Taurus XL failed to separate. Resulting in the spacecraft not having enough lift to reach orbit and likely landed in the ocean near Antarctica. The fairing is a clamshell structure that encapsulates the satellite, which shields the spacecraft during launch and atmospheric ascent. A Mishap Investigation Board is to determine the cause of the launch failure. (more…)