energy
Good for you, Good for Planet II: People Power Produces Electricity
Sep 21st
With all of the gyms around, we’ve wondered about the potential for generating power to light the studio spaces or run the always on ESPN tuned TVs for awhile now. Rather than using electricity to run all the newfangled cardio machines, why can’t we channel our energy and put our calorie burning activities to use?
A little further investigation led us to the Green Microgym, a Portland based outfit which bills itself as “the world’s first electricity generating gyms.” Through energy creation and conservation, they figure they generated 36% of their power needs and saved 37,000 kilowatt hours of electricity in 2010 — the equivalent of:
- 74,000 pounds of carbon emissions
- 81,400 miles NOT driven
- 15 acres of trees planted
Pretty darn impressive, and when combined with their other sustainability-focused efforts (no bottled water for sale; purchase of quality lightly used equipment when possible; member controlled lights, fans, tvs; recycling program and focus on recycled products; high efficiency compact fluorescent lighting; etc), it makes one wonder the collective impact corporate fitness centers could make if they sacrificed a little green to Go Green…
For info about the equipment they use at GreenMicrogym, visit Plugout Fitness>>
Closer to home, some local students are having a bit of fun adn getting into the act. Check out the piece that recently ran in Philly.com:
GreenSpace: At Drexel and Temple, pedaling produces electrical power – Philly.com
Powering the Planet with Green Energy–within 20 years. Can it be done?
Feb 4th
A thought provoking study by a pair of scientists from Stanford University and the University of California at Davis goes further than suggest 100% of Earth’s energy needs could be met by renewable sources by 2030: It maps out the hows, whos, and whats of a renewable-energy run world. The study, by Mark Z. Jacobson and Mark A. Delucchi, is an in-depth analysis of a plan the pair put forth Jacobson, an atmospheric scientist and professor of civil and environmental engineering, is director of Stanford’s Atmosphere/Energy Program and senior fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment and the Precourt Institute for Energy. Delucchi is a research scientist with a background in economic, environmental, engineering, and planning of transportation systems at the Institute for Transportation Studies at U.C. Davis.
CNET News published a piece last week with all sorts of links to the study and its various reference charts. Check it out here >>
Like any world changing concept, there are all kinds of barriers in the way, but it’s a pretty exciting proposition,don’t you think? A pretty cool Scientific American presentation of the plan brings the thinking to life:
With the Global Climate proving more wacked every week, the days of denial seem to be numbered. Can we shift course away from fossil fuels in this kind of radical way?
Check out Scientific American’s multimedia report of the Powering a Green Planet plan >>
New Years in Philly: Mummers Tackle “Fracking” for Gas
Jan 5th
It’s pretty obvious that Mummers have no fear of controversy, but who knew one troupe would make a passion play out of the debate over drilling for natural gas? Check it out:
New World Order: Electricity Choice is full on in PA
Jan 4th
We take electricity for granted, but how often do we think about where it comes from, its environmental costs, or what we can do differentl
Here at GreenTreks, we’ve followed the renewable story for more than decade and we’ve said for awhile that consumers do have a choice; but, until now, we’ve had to pay more. With the expiration of rate caps on electricity generation, the free market has taken over–and new options abound. You may be able to save go green for less, save some green, or both!
Check out the article from the Philadelphia Inquirer on choosing renewable energy >>
Go to the PA Public Utility Commission (PUC) site on making a switch >>
If you think you’re in tune with your energy use, Check out the following video. It’s from our Energy Thinking DVD, which is available now at our Shop.
Energy Aware from GreenTreks Network on Vimeo.
Come out to Philadelphia City Council Hearing on Gas Drilling, Sept. 28
Sep 27th
The City of Philadelphia will not be able to escape the effects of gas drilling in the Delaware River Watershed. 36% of the Delaware River Watershed is underlain with Marcellus shale, including the upper reaches of both the Delaware River and its major tributary, the Schuylkill River, which join together in Philadelphia and supply 1.5 million people in the Philadelphia region with their water. Pollution, water depletion, the transformation of upstream watersheds to industrial conditions will all combine to degrade downstream water quality. Philadelphia’s intake is the furthest south and acutely vulnerable to the effects of inadequate fresh water to meet its requirements to supply clean drinking water.
What is Philadelphia City Council doing about it? Councilman Jones has called a Hearing to examine the potential impacts of natural gas drilling on the Delaware River and Philadelphia. An impressive roster of experts will present testimony, including Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper.
Who: The Committees on Transportation & Utilities and the Environment
When: Tuesday, September 28th 10:00AM — 2:00 PM
Where: City Council Room 400, City Hall (enter at southeast door of building)
What: “Marcellus Shale” Philadelphia Council Hearings
Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. will hold “Marcellus Shale” hearings on Tuesday, September 28th at 10am, in City Hall to the joint committees of Transportation & Utilities and the Environment. These hearings will examine the environmental and economic impacts for Philadelphia of hydraulic drilling (Fracking) onto Marcellus Shale .The Marcellus Shale formation is the one of the largest natural gas reserves in the country.
There are many unresolved questions regarding this natural state possession, and the paramount issue for Philadelphia, as the “down-stream” community is the safety of our drinking water. We, Philadelphians, can not isolate ourselves from the economic and environmental impacts that affect the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.. This hearing will carefully explore and balance all the issues; job creation and environmental preservation yet my focus is to protect Philadelphia, first and foremost.
Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr.
The Marcellus Shale hearings will serve as the foreground to create safeguard policy for Philadelphia’s water supply. There will be several panels to address the concerns of Philadelphians, from regulation, scientific experts, the input of utility and water commisioners, as well as those who represent the drilling industry. Several council members are weighing in their concerns as well as the benefits and direction of Philadelphia legislation for Marcellus Shale.
This is a very important issue, that has potential implications on our environment and water supply, council must closely examine this issue before haste decisions are made forward.
Councilman William Greenlee
Further study of fracking is needed to insure that ground water and other environmental resources are protected. We should also explore more environmentally responsible methods of extracting natural gas from the Marcellus Shale.
Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell
As the author of the first resolution calling for no fracking in the Delaware River Basin until an environmental impact study is completed, I see this hearing as an essential next step in providing the public with the information necessary to form an educated decision on this important environmental issue.
Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown
Marcellus Shale natural gas offers significant advantages for Philadelphians over petroleum (cleaner-burning and less dependence on foreign energy), but we need to make certain that the fracking process does not irreparably damage our natural resources.
Councilman Frank Rizzo
Invited Witnesses include: Delaware River Basin Commission, Philadelphia Gas Works, Philadelphia Water Department, Protection Our Waters, Dr. Engelder, Dr. Boufadel, Marcellus Shale Coalition, Academy of Natural Sciences, National Fish & Wildlife, Senator Casey, Congressman Sestak, Regional and National Environmental Protection Agency commissioners, Water Keeper Alliance, and the Department of Environmental Protection.
September 28th is our time to be in direct contact with the experts to create the best supported by evidence legislation and regulations. Government is the job of risk-management and secured implementation and direction. As a councilmember it is my obligation to promote legislation that will benefit our region, instills exceptional protocols for our city and to be on the forefront of what is best for Philadelphia.
Councilman Jones, Jr.
