jjprojects

Stunning 3D visualization of our known universe.

As Carter Emmart says in this TED video, to be able to look at ourselves in this much larger context, we can get a much larger sense of what home is. Our home is the universe. We are the universe, essentially, we carry it in us. To see such visualisations as this may help us understand where we are and who we are in the universe.

This visualisation of our known universe certainly does seem to put things into perspective.

Q: How many U.S. presidents in a row have called for energy independence? A: Eight! [VIDEO]

This is really worth watching. John Stewart makes an excellent (and funny and sad) point here. Every single president since Nixon has called for the US to ween itself off foregin oil and head towards energy independence as soon as possible. Needless to say, none have succeeded.

Let's hope Obama can make some headway, and this time his speech isn't just paying lip service to some seemingly unobtainable goal.

It's certainly not going  to be easy. Over at The Oil Drum, Robert Rapier outlines what tough (and unpopular) measures may have to be put in place for it to even begin to happen.

Hat Tip @expremejacob 

10 little known points about solar and wind power growth worldwide.

Solar

Solar

  • Since 2000 the solar photovoltaic industry has grown at a 51 percent annual growth rate.
  • This year will see a total of 20 gigawatts photovoltaic solar installed globally.
  • 10 gigawatts of this will be installed in 2010 alone.
  • 10 gigawatts represents about $US 50B of power generating capacity
  • The total amount of photovoltaics installed in the year 2000 was only 170 megawatts.

Wind

  • The wind industry installed 27 gigawatts in 2008, 38 gigawatts in 2009.
  • Wind has a total installed base of more than 158 gigawatts globally.
  • 2010 will see more than 200 gigawatts of installed wind and the Global Wind.
  • Global Wind Energy Council expects that to double to 400 gigawatts by the end of 2014.
  • Wind is the fastest growing energy source in the world.

Some Perspective

  • The world's total installed electricity capacity is about 5000 GW
  • 10 gigawatts is the total power that five or six nuclear power plants generate. There are about one hundred nuclear plants in the U.S alone.

via Greentechmedia

 

We can talk the talk, but can we walk the walk on clean energy?

I like these words from Obama in today's address on the BP oil spill and clean energy. I'd like to think these words will be followed up with strong action from everybody concerned. Time will tell.

"For decades, we have known the days of cheap and easily accessible oil were numbered.  For decades, we’ve talked and talked about the need to end America’s century-long addiction to fossil fuels.  And for decades, we have failed to act with the sense of urgency that this challenge requires.  Time and again, the path forward has been blocked -- not only by oil industry lobbyists, but also by a lack of political courage and candor.

The consequences of our inaction are now in plain sight.  Countries like China are investing in clean energy jobs and industries that should be right here in America.  Each day, we send nearly $1 billion of our wealth to foreign countries for their oil.  And today, as we look to the Gulf, we see an entire way of life being threatened by a menacing cloud of black crude.

We cannot consign our children to this future.  The tragedy unfolding on our coast is the most painful and powerful reminder yet that the time to embrace a clean energy future is now.  Now is the moment for this generation to embark on a national mission to unleash America’s innovation and seize control of our own destiny."