Among the environmental community, nuclear energy is a very touch subject. As with most forms of energy, it has pros and cons - no air emissions at the point of generation, but significant issues with fuel extraction and waste disposal. After a long time in the shadows, nuclear energy is back in the spotlight for both good and bad reasons (global warming and Fukashima). But many environmentalists are opposed to nuclear energy in its current form.
But what if there was a different way to harness the atom for power? Our current reactors use uranium fuel - that's been the standard for a long time, so all of the infrastructure for nuclear power is built around that fuel source, which makes it difficult to think about changing the way nuclear power is generated.
I recently read an article, and watched a video about nuclear energy based on a different fuel source - Thorium. While I'm certainly not an expert on nuclear energy, watching the video filled me with hope that there is another option out there for meeting our power needs.
As I've said before, there is no silver bullet for reducing the many environmental impacts that we have imposed on this world. And given that truth, we need to take a look at every potential opportunity that presents itself. I agree with Albert Einstein - "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
11/12/11
11/1/11
Counter Culture?
I recently read an article on the Fast Company web page about a new program from Patagonia. For those who don't know, Patagonia is a private company that manufactures outdoor clothing and gear. They are known for creating items that are both stylish and last a long time. And now they have taken a step which will likely seem odd to a lot of people.
Patagonia recently introduced their Common Threads Initiative - and on the face, it may not seem like a big deal. A lot of well known consumer product companies have environmental initiatives designed to reduce the impact of their products. But unlike many, this initiative starts where many companies won't go...
We design and sell things made to last and to be useful. But we ask our customers not to buy from us what you don’t need or can’t really use. Everything we make – everything anyone makes – costs the planet more life than it gives back. The biggest, first step we can all take to reduce our impact is to do more with what we have.
The text above is taken directly from the Patagonia Common Threads Initiative web page, and as you can see they are asking their customers to not buy stuff. Let that concept sink in for just a second - as a consumer, I am being challenged to ask myself "do I really need this" before I make a purchase. To most folks who work in the corporate/for profit world, this may seem outright crazy. But it is one of the key questions that I need to ask myself each day.
My impact on this world is determined largely by the stuff I buy, and how much I buy. If I take the time to question the necessity of each purchase, and to put my "old" stuff to better use, I can help reduce the impact that I have on this world. I can break the cycle of work-buy-toss and put my time and resources to better use, like improving the world around me and taking time to truly love my neighbor. And as I reward companies for taking these types of steps, I can help alter the culture of our economy. It all starts with "Reduce" and it starts with each one of us.
Patagonia recently introduced their Common Threads Initiative - and on the face, it may not seem like a big deal. A lot of well known consumer product companies have environmental initiatives designed to reduce the impact of their products. But unlike many, this initiative starts where many companies won't go...
We design and sell things made to last and to be useful. But we ask our customers not to buy from us what you don’t need or can’t really use. Everything we make – everything anyone makes – costs the planet more life than it gives back. The biggest, first step we can all take to reduce our impact is to do more with what we have.
The text above is taken directly from the Patagonia Common Threads Initiative web page, and as you can see they are asking their customers to not buy stuff. Let that concept sink in for just a second - as a consumer, I am being challenged to ask myself "do I really need this" before I make a purchase. To most folks who work in the corporate/for profit world, this may seem outright crazy. But it is one of the key questions that I need to ask myself each day.
My impact on this world is determined largely by the stuff I buy, and how much I buy. If I take the time to question the necessity of each purchase, and to put my "old" stuff to better use, I can help reduce the impact that I have on this world. I can break the cycle of work-buy-toss and put my time and resources to better use, like improving the world around me and taking time to truly love my neighbor. And as I reward companies for taking these types of steps, I can help alter the culture of our economy. It all starts with "Reduce" and it starts with each one of us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
