Energy

The Kootenays has some amazing people driving social events for change. KAST – the Kootenay Association for Science and Technology is hosting an Energy conference in October. With a range of topics from Global down to Local, this is an event that can be assured will touch on issues faced by all who live in the Kootenays and beyond.

The Practice of Sustainability: Problem Shift-Advantage Inspiring our region to continue being proactive about our energy needs... Registration will be open in September from our website.

Friday October 17, 2008 Keynote Address, Brilliant Cultural Centre, Castlegar 7pm

Saturday October 18, 2008 Full day of discussions and workshops Selkirk College, Castlegar

Kootenay Energy Conference | Kootenay Association For Science & Technology | KAST

See the pdf flyer here for more information.

Many times a day, I’m reminded that less can mean more from an environmental perspective, but this thought provocing video goes strictly against the grain of everything we are tought about child safety and car seats. In fact just a couple of months ago, I argued the exact opposite for older children, stating that they were  allowed to be in simple boosters rather than full harness car seats at 40 pounds only becuase it was too difficult to make these kids strap into the “safer” equipment.!  read more »

If you haven’t heard of James Howard Kunstler, you should watch this short CBC video focusing on the various skills that we will need to revive as we navigate through the impending energy descent…

CBC.ca - Life Without Cheap Oil

It's not a question of if, but when. Futurist and author James Howard Kunstler talks about life in a world without cheap oil

This is not some crackpot idea, (apparently like Urban Chickens and Goats in Castlegar – more on that later), but this is a balanced approach to a real issue – and James Howard Kunstler is not alone in his theories.

If oil production is in decline, oil consumption is increasing, and there are no technologies that have the energy capacity as oil, what can we do except use less of the stuff?

About six months ago I wrote a four post series (that could definitely be added to) entitled “Strategic Sustainability for Survival - Are you ready for change?”

Link: James Howard Kunstler’s Website.

HT to Craig at Our Green Year.

One of the fears with adoption of alternative energy technology is that it isn’t going to produce enough power. So maybe there’s just not enough wind, or maybe the sun don’t shine. But in urban areas, the challenge goes further when your neighbours change things around you. This has happened recently in Aberdeen, SK, Canada when a neighbour started building a home that will partially block the sunlight on the adjacent lot…

This was going to be our retirement home," said Annette Schewe, who moved with her husband Les into the home in Aberdeen, Sask., about 35 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon, on April 14. "We just can't believe this is happening. I can't tell you the mental anguish it's had on both of us."

A closet is filled with 12 large batteries that store the energy produced by the massive solar panels on the south-sloped roof. The sun powers and heats the entire home, including its ceramic floors. The house is also linked to the town's power grid as a backup source. The trouble is, a concrete foundation for what's to be a two-storey home - looming 10 feet higher than the Schewes' - has been built on a 25-foot lot behind them.

"It's our own stupidity. We didn't get a survey done when we bought the house," said Schewe, who assumed the lot was too small for any structures.

Owners of solar-powered home left in the dark

Do Canadians have a right to light? Certainly, the law is weak on many fronts when it comes to disputes that between neighbours that fall outside of municipal ordinances such as zoning bylaws.

The article states that other countries have “solar easements”, here’s an interesting document (pdf 100kB) from the Energy Policies Initiatives Centre in San Diego about Californian Legislation on the matter.

I am a Civil Engineer and apparently this sort of project is supposed to get me excited...  read more »

And they said I was an idiot to believe that there would be an energy descent...

With Gas Costs Rising, Farmers Take to Mules : NPR

Two Tennessee farmers have found an old-fashioned solution to the problem of high prices at the gas pump: They've hitched their farming equipment to two mules named Dolly and Molly. T.R. Raymond and his son Danny say it's a lot cheaper to fuel their mules than to fuel their tractors.

I had previously predicted that horses would be used, but in this case I'm happy for the farmers, and the mules.

From my previous post...

New World Transportation | UrbanWorkbench

Bullock teams were used extensively in early colonial Australia to haul large and heavy items such as logs from the forest to the sawmills. Horses have been popular around the world for both fast personal transport and heavy hauling. Other animals include mules, donkeys, dogs and elephants (think Hannibal crossing the alps!)