Eco-Chick · The modern girl's guide to living green & fabulous.

Three Gorges Dam in Action

Within the last 24 hours, the final temporary retaining wall that held water intended for the Three Gorges Dam project was destroyed in order that the water may enter and discharge through the dam. Three Gorges Dam is on.  This is the largest dam ever constructed in the world and is surrounded by controversy from groups concerned with the environment, human rights, and history/archeological. Construction of this monstrosity began in 1993 and was officially completed in May 2006, 13 (lucky) years. The government of China, unmoved by international appeal to the contrary, went ahead with the project and displaced over one million people. The construction was possible in part by funding from countries including the United States, Canada, and Germany. Exact numbers are not known, but the total cost exceeds $25 billion dollars and may be as much as $100 billion. The dam is located on the Yangste River, stretches 1.3 miles and is just over 610 feet high. The hydropower generation will not be fully functional until 2009, but is expected to generate 18,000 megawatts of electricity.

A Story No Less Important

All this talk about global warming and the current backlash from “anti-environmentalists” reminds me of something I experienced only months ago.  

Photo of Dr. Jim Hanson courtesy of the New York Times 

I attended conference at the New School in January 2006 entitled “Politics & Science” and the place was buzzing because Jim Hanson was there to speak.  I didn’t quite know who he was at the time, but had heard some vague reference to a NASA scientist who had been silenced because of his statements on global warming and how this had involved some young unqualified political appointee in a power position. 

This young man (I later found out his name: George Deutsch) took the heat shortly after and resigned.  But, I suspect that he was not the only one who was engaged in this attempted censorship.

The two day conference featured many slides that demonstrated increased levels of Carbon, Temperature, and Sea Level. 

It was a bit disconcerting, but no shock. 

When Dr. Hanson got up and spoke he was reading off of a paper and his lecture was over the heads of most people sitting in the room; this was disappointing.  Suddenly though he stopped and looked out at us from under the glaring stage lights.  He said something to the effect of “Look, I have to tell you something about what is happening to scientists working for the government.”  He went on to tell us that scientists are afraid to speak out because they think that they might lose their jobs or their funding, but strange things are happening.  As an example he told us that if a government employed scientist wants to talk with the outside world about their research, they have to have a third party from the administration listening on the other end of the phone.  He finished by saying that this is America not Stalinist Russia or Germany in WWII.  We applauded him.

This information was both disconcerting and a shock.

Although Hanson lectures around the country about the dangers associated with the unknown path we are walking due to our unrestrained consumption, he does not get much press time.  I would encourage all to check out his message.  It speaks not only to the possible dangers associated with consumption rates, but also to the dangers of what politics is doing to science.

As a side note, Deutsch, the political appointee, in his own defense, stated that the accusation against him was because:

“It’s a culture war issue. They do not like Republicans. They do not like people who support the president. They do not like Christians.”

Lets return to the planet and the issues currently affecting it!

 

Women in Science Site

This month the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation in partnership with L’Oreal created and launched a website that serves as a platform for discussion about women in science. This website is a new piece of the ongoing Women in Science program sponsored by UNESCO and the French cosmetics company. The existing posts, written by Nobel Prize winners and women scientists among others, discuss education and the role women play in science, encourage us to step through the barriers of sexism and to create more girl power in the field. Further discussions are slated to include women’s role in, and importance to, the environment.

Solar technology is lookin' good…

Many people think solar panels are ugly and that they are an eyesore on the roof of otherwise attractive homes. Some more rigid housing communities have gone so far as to ban them because of this bias. But most of us are familiar with the story about the ugly duckling. 

Watch out because solar technology is growing up and changing its look!  

In the industry there is a technology called BiPV – building integrated photovoltaics.  BiPV offers a solution to having both the benefit of solar energy generated on your rooftop and the sleek roof of your dreams: solar shingles.

 Yes, that’s right, solar technology is now being integrated right into roofing tiles – and they have them in different colors and styles to suite any taste.  SUNSLATES, GE, Sharp, Kyocera, and Powerlight are among companies who offer these products for your home.  BiPV is also available for flat roofs, walls, and glass installations. 

So, if the aesthetics of solar technology has turned you away from an investment in your future and the future of our global environment, let its new face turn you on!

State of the Union Address States Something Incredible

 

Although our President has tried to hold back the tide of change toward cleaner healthier energy, some things he said in his last State of the Union Address suggests that he may be changing his tune, at least for now.  The oil money man said that “America is addicted to oil”, and implied that this is a bad thing.

Bush acknowledged that energy sources from solar, wind, and hydrogen not only exist, but that further support into research and development for “alternative energies” will be funded by the federal government!  In his speech he declared that we have to push forward in two vital areas: how we power our homes and offices and how we power our vehicles.  Following his speech, Bush even went so far as to visit a plant that produces solar panels in Michigan and make public statements about the importance of the technology. 

Regarding vehicles, ethanol was mentioned specifically in the State of the Union Address.   Ethanol is a fuel that can be produced from various plants and plant matter.  It can be manufactured in our own backyard or rather our own rural communities, and in fact, it already is.  There is a fuel available, called E85; a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, and it is used to power cars and trucks. 

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