The World is Getting Greener, Just Not Fast Enough

The World is Getting Greener, Just Not Fast Enough

BP released their predictions for the next twenty years of how much usage the entire world will use and rely on energy. Between 2012 and 2030 the world’s energy needs will rise 39%, or about 1.6% every year, nearly all of which will be coming from developing countries including China and Russia. Countries like the United States and England are for the most part “topped off” at a cap. We will use less energy while creating more economic output. We have very slight growth, if any at all.

There is more good news. According to BP’s predictions, they believe by 2030 the entire Western Hemisphere is capable of complete energy independence. We will be completely self-sufficient when it comes to energy. Most of this energy would come from ultra deep-water drilling, oil sands, as well as shale oil.

A great thing BP points out is that renewable resource energy will grow at about 8% every year. The problem is this: The world’s demand for energy is increasing every year. The world’s green energy, energies that do not contribute to the ever increasing amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, are not being adapted and used fast enough. Scientists believe if the overall average Earthly temperature increases 2C we will “doom” ourselves. Based on BP’s predictions we will easily surpass that temperature.

The ever increasing demand for natural and renewable resources is a great thing. Developed countries should continue to not only invest in these resources but to try to and push for big name companies and newly built houses and buildings to incorporate strict energy laws. The world needs to shy away from the “cleaner” natural gas that is incredibly cheap (compared to crude oil) and invest heavily in solar power, wind, and other forms of renewable and clean energy.

Inevitably BP’s outlook could be completely wrong. They are a crude oil company after all. We shouldn’t be surprised if they’re numbers are a bit skewed in their favor. Also no one is capable of telling how economies, nations, and other unforeseen events can affect the world over the course of nearly twenty years. We should all do what we can to support green energy. If we don’t we will all face a bleak future.

Creator of "Carbon Neutral Bra" A Model Of Green Business

Creator of "Carbon Neutral Bra" A Model Of Green Business

Vidhura Ralapanawe is Mark and Spencer's Manager of Sustainability and Communications. He's also the head of a team that successfully manufactured what can be considered the world's first “carbon neutral” bra. What this means is that Ralapanawe and his group figured out the bra's carbon footprint, and then found a way to offset it. The bra is not brand new; it was first launched in April under Mark and Spencer's “Leaves” collection. Since it's release, however, Ralapanawe has been given a great deal of attention, and now has been nominated as a “cultural engineer” at the Honda Dream Factory.

So why is the Honda Dream Factory a big deal? The ten current members are all visionaries, who have all succeeded in making an impact on the world, in various fields. The 11th member will be determined by public vote and the election is being run by the UK's famed Guardian newspaper. Vidhura speaks candidly about his success, without being boastful. “A few times in my past I’ve worked in spaces where people come together. What that does for you is amazing. It just changes your perspective, your understanding of what is possible. For me sustainability is primarily a design question,” he says. “Every step of the way you have to keep re-visualising it. You have to ask why.”

The very factory in which Vidhura works is like something from an environmentalist's dream. Called “Thirulie”, the factory runs on sustainable energy from solar panels and hydroelectricity. Vidhura proudly explains, “We designed the factory to be a center for learning and inspiration. If you're serious about sustainability you have to share your ideas.” Thirulie is located in Sri Lanka, where Vidhura had previously helped set up the country's first mini hydroelectricity plant. Vidhura worked alongside colleagues at Columbia University in communication about environmental issues and how it relates when put in a Sri Lankan context.

Vidhura's own home is very eco-friendly and he and his family are no strangers to composting. The car in Vidhura's garage? A Toyota Prius. Outside of working for Mark and Spencer's, Vidhura is director of Co-Enerji, which focuses on sustainability and energy services.

Tom is a green blog writer and also does some computer repair NJ.

Bike Sharing Program

Bike Sharing Programs in a City near You

Regardless of people’s opinions concerning sharing the road with cyclists and the laws that govern both drivers and riders, the environmental facts are irrefutable. Bicycles are the greenest mode of transportation available today.

From manufacturing to riding, a bicycle taxes fewer resources and is cheaper to produce and maintain than any other mode of transportation. Some forward-thinking cities are offering bike sharing programs for those times that you need a bike but aren’t interested in buying one.

Eco-Friendly Benefits of Bikes

The amount of energy it takes to manufacture a bicycle is a fraction of what it takes to produce a generic American car. 11,546,658,000 Joules of energy are required to make a 7.2 kg road bicycle with a carbon frame. Contrast this energy use against the 118,284,466,000 Joules it takes to manufacture an American car. This isn’t the only way bicycles prove greener than other transportation options. Bikes also do not create any emissions or noise pollution.

Pollution is more than just exhaust fumes; noise is also part of the equation. In busy cities, the carbon emissions from cars and buses and other modes of transportation are compounded by the noise they emit. Riding a bicycle produces none of these byproducts. Plus, the exercise benefits are significant.

There are media reports every day declaring that America is fatter than ever. Obesity among young people is at an all-time high, and the White House has made nutrition in schools a priority. One of the contributors to the problem is the sedentary lifestyle of the typical American. Riding a bicycle on errands instead of taking the bus or train would combat the inactivity. You don’t have to make a significant investment, though, to reap all these green rewards.

Rent a Bike

Keep the garage door shut and rent a bike! Baltimore is the latest city to announce a new bicycle sharing program through B-cycle, a partnership formed between Trek Bicycle, Humana Inc., and Crispin Porter + Bogusky. B-cycle believes that through bike sharing, the health of the city’s citizens will improve as well as the city’s environment. They’ve already installed bike stations in Denver, Boulder, Chicago, Des Moines, San Antonio, Honolulu, Madison, Omaha, and Spartanburg. Next summer Baltimore will be joining their ranks.

The City of Baltimore plans to install 250 bikes in 30 stations across the city. As with most bike share programs, the first half-hour is free. After that, the cyclist is charged a fee every half-hour or hour to use the bike. B-cycle plans to shoulder the $1.2 million price tag of installing the bike sharing stations and infrastructure so that the City of Baltimore has little to pay for on its own.

There is even talk of beginning a helmet sharing program to accompany the bike sharing. Although still in the planning phases, it’s clear that the bicycle is the green transportation option of the future.

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Chris Keenan is a green and general blog writer. He writes for many sites including Precision Garage Door. Chris also maintains a personal house and garden blog.