CBS's 60 minutes has reported that a new method for generating electrical energy has been developed. They call it the Bloom Box. A number of well known companies already are utilizing these generators. In fact, the Google facility has been generating power with Bloom Boxes for the past 18 months. To see the 60 minutes video, click here.
The Bloom Boxes are twice as efficient as natural gas power plants – and they claim the Boxes are clean... However, I'm not convinced yet. Oxygen and hydrocarbons come in... but they don't tell us what comes out. These fuel cells could be a way for the fossil fuel industry to get in on the fuel cell market, since this version burns fossil fuels.
Personally, I find hydrogen fuel cells more exciting. CNN International has reported that Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies has developed a table-top hydrogen power station that stores hydrogen in a solid form at low pressure. Hydrogen technologies such as this (combined with solar and wind power) have the independence boosting potential to completely bypass fossil fuels and the power companies. For more info, click here.
Precision breeding has led to the development of flood tolerant rice – which could lead to rice yields that could feed as many as 30 million more people. Precision breeding is not genetic engineering. In fact, precision breeding could even be considered organic. Precision breeding is actually a high-tech form of selective breeding. Which, of course, has been in use for thousands of years. Consider corn; which grew naturally only about an inch long. What took Indians hundreds of years to develop might now only take a few. What this implies is astounding. Precision breeding has the potential to help us modify successful local plant species (even weeds) to grow more edible parts. For more info, click here.
Sterling Water LLC has announced that they have constructed a successful prototype of a market capable zero-emission desalination unit in which “the overall cost of desalination by this process becomes almost insignificant.”
When our civilization makes fresh water, and allows our natural aquifers to regenerate; we will totally change the paradigm for water use on the planet. We will be creating abundance, rather than profiting from scarcity. This will be reflected onto all life around us. More things will live. For more info, click here
An open-source design 3-D printer is available as a kit for $950. Though it only makes small plastic parts now, it is the first step towards being able to download an open-source design for a mechanical part or an electrical circuit. Once we can do that, we'll be able to make much of our own stuff. For more info, click here.
Bioplastics (plant-based plastics) are coming into their own. And, of course, wouldn't it be nice to be able to make our own stuff from materials that won't harm the environment. For more info, click here.
These five technologies are poised to radically change how we live. Imagine what it would be like to make your own stuff, utilizing energy you've generated yourself, from environmentally safe chemicals. Imagine what it would be like to organically grow your own food from plants that naturally grow where you live. And imagine having the water to grow your own food without having to drain what's left of our aquifers.
It looks like the 21st century is finally arriving.
I was starting to wonder how long the established industries oligarchy could hold innovative technologies back – so that they could keep their own profits coming in (from antiquated technologies). Nonetheless, people keep coming up with good ideas. The flood of new technologies are building to a paradigm shifting force.
...But then again, the powers that be have held back renewable energy for 30 years – and they still have control over the U.S. government. If you don't want these paradigm-shifting technologies suppressed, be prepared to fight subsidies, tax breaks, resource give-aways, or other unfair advantages established industries have awarded themselves (by subverting our democracy).
Remember; the devil is in the details. Usually both the new and the old industries get subsidies. It's just that the old industry gets far more. It's a scam. Hey, how in the world are the new guys going to compete with an established industry that is (because of government subsidies etc.) say... 6 billion dollars ahead of them? They aren't. We can't let this continue to happen.
It's not about taxes... it's about how our taxes are spent.
No comments:
Post a Comment