Blue Earth Blog

Annie's - Nutrition Washing?

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:36:27 -0700

Annie’s has done a great job of “nutrition washing”. They do start with some natural and organic ingredients (good for the environment), but then they over-process it, and end up with junk food. Very few minerals and vitamins are left in finished cereals, macaroni etc. They even take another step backwards by not adding in any vitamins, leaving kids to eat empty Annie’s calories. Look for yourself under nutrition facts on the Annie’s labels.

There is a reason Jack Lalanne lived into his nineties. Parents should heed his credo: If man makes it, don’t eat it. He was referring to having manufacturers chew up and spit out our food for us to eat. It usually comes out in worse condition than it went in.

My wife, who likes Annie’s thinks I am being harsh on them. She tells me they are a good transition product. I think Annie’s needs to add some whole ingredients that have real nutrition and real fiber to be a good viable alternative to Kraft and Kellogg’s. Otherwise, these products are yet another contributing factor to bulging waistlines and early onset diabetes.

I personally think Food for Life has some great minimally processed products like breads and cereals under the Ezekiel brand. These taste great and have a decent amount of nutrition left in the product. Unfortunately they are not public. There are many other alternatives as well. Look for great ingredients in the bulk bins at your local natural foods grocer. They are a little extra work to prepare, but well worth the effort.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304444604577341734163239346.html?KEYWORDS=annie%27s

Breakthrough Battery

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:06:55 -0800

I knew it would happen someday. Someone would come up with a battery twice as good as those currently on the market, but not have to charge an arm and a leg.

Envia Systems today announced a pre-production battery that packs twice the energy density of it’s closest commercial competitor. This means that it will be half the cost.

The company hasn’t said how long it will take to scale up and test the batttery, but my guess is that you’ll be seeing this technology in laptops in 1-2 years (imagine an ipad with 20 hours of battery life) and in vehicles in 3-4 years.

What is truly remarkable about this is the Nissan Leaf could have a range of 200 miles at the same cost and the Tesla Model S could be at 600 miles. That would really make cross country trips possible, even if it took a few hours to charge this overnight.

By the way, electric cars have a really deluxe ride that no combustion vehicle can match. These vehicles will be 40% of all personal autos sold in 2025.

The grid better be prepared!

Solar Bright Spot

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 20:49:59 -0700

With many of California oil fields in decline, they are requiring steam to extract the last parts of oil out of the rock.

Interestingly, solar thermal is turning out to be a very cost effective way to make that steam. In fact, steam produced by plants built by BrightSource Energy are making the steam 25% cheaper than a new natural gas fired generator. That is saying something because natural gas is at a 20 year low in price.

BrightSource makes steam by pointing a field of mirrors up at the top of a 300 ft tower. There, the heat from the mirrors instantly converts water to steam. The steam is then injected into the reservoir to improve the viscosity of the oil so it can be coaxed from the rocks.

This is a win for everyone.

Gold Bubble

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 22:33:29 -0700

Gold is near and dear to people’s hearts. My Grandmother was a “goldbug” and followed gold mining stocks daily. Gold even has “smart” investors like Glenn Beck promoting it.

There is a gold rush going on right here in front of us. This is a sure danger sign that we are in bubble territory.

Notice the commercials for buying gold? Notice how gold has been one of the best performing asset classes over the last 4 weeks? I’d say we are building a gold “climax run”. These always end badly. US realestate went on a climax run in 2006, with prices appreciating 2% per month. We all know what happened afterwards.

Just when it looks like you can’t lose money on something - watch out below.

Look how oil ran up to $150 in mid- 2008 only to see the price get crushed back to $35 in a few short months.

Once people start running for the exits on gold - watch out below! Prepare to short it.

Bike Commutes Make Time, Car Commutes Suck Time

Fri, 27 May 2011 22:23:00 -0700

It was no surprise when I read a Slate article on the problems with long, passive commutes. I thought these commutes merely caused some extra stress. It turns out that long commutes increase obesity, divorce rates, neck pain, insomnia and overall happiness levels.

There is certainly a cost to owning that “cheaper” home in the suburbs.

My own opinion is that the human body does not like to be idle for long periods. Cars are especially good at captivating and restricting occupant movements. Throw in some congested traffic and voila - we have some road rage.

When it all seems difficult to find funding for cycling infrastructure and safety programs, decision makers need to know some of these hidden costs of driving and some of the unknown benefits to cycling.

Cycling not only helps the cyclists improve their health, but it helps the vehicle drivers reduce their stress by reducing traffic congestion.

So, what are you waiting for? Add time and well being to your life and start cycling now. Join an organization that helps bicyclists. I personally am a director at the non-profit Sustainable Streets that promotes active transportation through educational workshops and promoting Safe Routes to Schools.

Is the iPad a laptop killer?

Sun, 22 May 2011 20:54:00 -0700

I am sitting here making this post on my iPad. However, I am typing on a regular keyboard. I have the logitech/Zagg bluetouth keyboard and iPad case (www.zagg.com). I can pretty much do everything on here I can do on a laptop, but with the added convenience of a touchscreen.

If tablets kill the laptop category, it would be detrimental to Apple and everyone else in the laptop business.

When I say an IPad can “pretty much” do what a laptop can do, there are some key features Apple has left out to make this not quite work as well as a laptop. I do believe Apple is withholding some of these critical software upgrades so customers will still feel compelled to buy a laptop.

I especially think the college market would love this setup (the Ipad/keyboard combo) because of the long battery life, touchscreen and super light weight.

So, what has Apple done to constrict features on this machine.? For one, the file system makes it really inconvenient or impossible to send emails with attachments. Secondly, only 200 emails can be stored on the machine. This was really inconvenient for me today when I was down at the beach attempting to search for an older email while I was out of cell range to search on the server. Third, printing from the Ipad is insanely stupid. I bought a $10 print application, but Apple won’t let it interface directly with the Apple Mail application, so printing out an email is a multistep process involving going into another application. Also, web pages can’t be printed directly either, unless there is really new printer around that the IPad can work with.

So, given the above limitations on the iPad, it cannot yet fully replace a laptop. However, this just creates a fabulous opportunity for other manufactures to create a better tablet.

Eventually, Apple will either have to evolve or risk becoming the next Microsoft, where they don’t innovate in step with the market and their stock just drifts downward for a decade.

China and Africa - Friends or Foes?

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 21:11:00 -0700

China’s influence and

reach around the world is astounding. In particular, China’s trade with Africa increased from a mere $2 billion in 2000 to $60 billion in 2010.

China loves Africa’s natural resources, low wages and easy exploitation of workers and the environment with little transparency. Since western democracies and the companies based there tend to shy away from juristictions were it takes bribes to make things happen, China has had little competition doing deals in Africa.

However, according to the The Economist, Chinese firms are experiencing a backlash in Africa as a result of shoddy workmanship, rampant on the job deaths and environmental degradation.

So, Africa is in a tight spot. It needs the investment and expertise and China is the only country really stepping up to supply it. So, although there is downside to Chinese involvement in Africa, there is upside as well.

African countries just need to demand better quality higher wages and improved working conditions. This is the only way Africa can have an harmonious relationship to China.

How Green is Natural Gas?

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 12:37:00 -0700

A recent Cornell study concludes that electicity produced from natural gas fired turbines is far more carbon intensive than previously thought; even greater than coal. The study whose principal author is Robert Howarth uncovers some of the previously undistinguished leaks in the natural gas production system.

First energy is expended to begin producing energy. Geological surveys, geophysical work, drilling and getting a borehole production ready all consume energy. With natural gas production wells need to be vented (and the excess gas is burned most of the time), there are numerous leaks through the pipeline delivery system, and well fracking all add to carbon emissions.

Here is an example of a horizontally drilled well into shale that can produce shale gas after fracking (high pressure fluids, sand and ceramics are pumped down hole to crack the shale and keep it propped open).

Most troubling is natural gas leaks are methane, which is much more powerful at generating the greenhouse effect than straight carbon dioxide (which is produced after methane is burned.

This is also related to methane production as a result of cows (how can I put this delicately?) farting all day long out in pastures around the world. Cows generate 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions. We could all do ourselves a favor and begin to cut back on animal based protein as part of the quest to reduce waistlines and reduce our effects on global warming.

Interestingly, the China Study by another Cornell researcher T. Colin Campbell points to the deleterious effects of animal protein on human health. So, the conclusion here is eat veggies, carpool and try not to fart too much.

Nuclear? Non, Merci

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:21:03 -0700

While recent events in Japan have the world all twitterpated about nuclear power, the facts remain the same. Nuclear power is not economic in terms of return on investment.

While it is true that older plants create significant free cash flow, new plants are too expensive to build, resulting in negative returns on investment. That is why nobody has broken ground on a new plant in the US, because even with loan guarantees, plants need direct subsidies to make them work economically.

Maybe the situation is different in China in terms of plant costs, but in the US, new builds do not make sense.

Are Solar Companies Hoping to Double Panel Sales This Year?

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 21:18:00 -0800

The solar industry is getting big, but will it double in 2011 over 2010? Solar companies are expected to double capacity to 36 gigawatts this year (the equivalent of 36 nuclear power plants!). Capacity is the key word there. Yes, they will likely double capacity as they have been generating 100% IRRs on new plant construction. More is better, right?

The problem is sales need to double in order to fill all that capacity. Will that happen? I personally do not think so. Last year, the industry was saved by Italy catching a Hail Mary as they installed about 5 times the number of power plants they had originally had forecast. That will not happen in 2011 according to sources in the government. Within the next couple of months the subsidy incentive spigot will be turned off.

So, who will create the demand for all this new supply? It must come from countries willing to subsidize the installation of the solar plants. The US? No way, not with the current government makeup. What about Africa? There is not enough money there.

The only country with the willpower to really put on capacity is China. Unfortunately, China has just announced that it will be studying the successes and failures in Europe’s solar programs this year, and will announce something for 2012.

The bottom line here is that the solar component industry is operating in a state of hope. Probably only 10% of the planned installs have money down on the equipment. This is a train wreck in the making. Expect a very volatile year for the solar component manufacturers as selling prices get crushed by the excess supply.

Potentially the only beneficiaries in this situation will be installers in jurisdictions where subsidy levels remain high and there is budget to subsidize a robust pipeline through 2011. It looks like the US installers could be the big beneficiaries of this impending price drop in component prices.

Massive Defense Budget in the US does not Increase Security

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:03:00 -0800

Massive Defense Budget in the US does not Increase Security:

The roughly $1 trillion spent on defense is eight times the defense budget of the Chinese. Ultimately, the biggest threat to national security is our debt and global warming. So, if we spend more on the military, and increase our debt, we get a negative security return for every extra dollar we spend on the military. It is time to look at every program the Pentagon runs, and make some cuts. I think we would do just fine on $500 billion, or a 50% reduction in defense spending.

A new study by the Cancer Foundation of China estimates that...

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:21:07 -0800

A new study by the Cancer Foundation of China estimates that tobacco (aka drug) company profits are less than the costs to treat smoking related diseases in China.

Worldwide governments need to move to a free market approach to drugs. The price needs to be high enough to not only pay for treatment and education, but low enough so the black market does not thrive.

Mexico and other countries south of there have had a terrible spate of violence around drug traffickers. This is all thanks to the instatiable US demand. The US spend on this “war” has done nothing to change usage patterns in the US. Time to end that and go to a market based system that keeps more capital in the consumer countries, and decreases use.

Hi Brett. Amrit here. I just read this article in the New Yorker, which is saying basically that hybrid vehicles won't help our environment at all. In fact, they will do the opposite. That the more energy efficient we make things, the increase in demand will more than offset the energy savings. What do you think? http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/12/20/101220fa_fact_owen

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 07:59:00 -0800

Hi Amrit,

Great question. The answer is not so straight forward. Owen is right on the economic equation that typically efficiency = lower prices = increased demand. I guess hand in hand with that countries with artificially low prices (like Iran until recently) were very inefficient in oil utilization, because per dollar of GDP, oil consumption is one of the highest in the world there.

I like the fact that we have all these different ways to consume/produce energy. Competition means diverse supplies, fewer interruptions and lower prices. I think it is up to the people to decide if they want to lower consumption or increase consumption based on price. Drivers buy hybrids not so much for economic efficiency (because the higher capital cost hardly covers the savings in operating costs) but for personal reasons. For instance, they would rather pay Toyota more for the car than buy more gas from oil companies (and possibly from regimes they don’t like). Maybe they have a personal goal about reducing their carbon footprint. Maybe they like the fact that hybrids are less stinky when they back out of the garagge. Also, hybrid owners spend less time at the gas station, so there is an opportunity cost savings there.

I think when looking at a decision, or making a proclamation, people need to look at what THEY do first. For me, I am almost certain my driving habits have not changed at all since I bought a 45mpg Prius. We have a van that gets 18mpg, and it gets barely used, because given a choice we always take the cleaner, more efficient, less costly vehicle. It just feels better to me when driving, and economists will have a tough time quantifying that effect.

e readers will win this battle over time. Books will be...

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:17:37 -0800

e readers will win this battle over time. Books will be considered vintage.. still in use in 100 years, but most everything will happen electronically. Electrons are smarter and a heck of a lot easier to move than molecules.

Nissan Leaf Burning up Electrons at High Speeds

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:03:00 -0800

I just read a post by Oliver Chalouhi, the first person in the country to take ownership of a production Nissan Leaf. All is well, and he loves it. It is quiet, peppy and the electronics are really sophisticated.

His only issue is that when he drives on the highway at 75mph, his range goes down to 60 miles from the published 100 mile range. This makes sense, as air friction increases as the cube of velocity. So, the faster the car drives, the far greater the mileage impact.

I keep on wondering then if pure electric vehicles are better suited for speeds under 60mph. It actually sounds more efficient to have a gasoline or hybrid motor for fast highway conditions. I know the Prius (45 mpg) is extremely efficient over a wide range of speeds, even clearly beating out the Chevy Volt (33 mpg) after the electric charge runs out.

Nissan and GM Poor Online Electric Car Marketers

Sat, 04 Dec 2010 18:06:00 -0800

Electric vehicles are now ready for the masses. Top tier auto companies are now shipping production vehicles. Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt are now available in select markets.

Neither company is doing the best job building demand on-line.

Let’s take the Volt. The company is spending big bucks advertising the car on the TV and online. I just saw a display ad on techcrunch for instance. Cool, I clicked on it and it took me to the Volt site. So, when can I buy one? No information there. Where can I buy one?.. well not around here. My neighborhood in Santa Monica has EVs all over the place. Teslas, RAV4 EVs, Zenns and GEMs can been seen frequently on the streets. We probably have the most informed poplulation when it comes to EVs. In fact, my neighbor, Paul Scott a co-founder of Plug-in America is an expert on EVs and solar power. See his blog, evsandenergy.com here.

Fortunately, Paul is helping the local Nissan dealer get the word out on the Leaf. However, the online situation at Nissan is still pretty frustrating - although better than GM’s.

Still, the Nissan site is out of date. There is a link to schedule a test drive, but the link goes to past auto shows. How about Nissan tells us when we can test one at the local dealer with no appointment?

My view is that these companies need to think more unconventionally and connect up with the customer in a more intimate fashion if they expect to overcome the reluctance of the public to buy version 1.0 of some very cool but complex vehicles that are likely to have some trips to the dealer for recalls in the first couple of years.

Is someone online to chat with me about the purchase? No, but I did find the phone number of the dealer in downtown Los Angeles.

The Pope Going Electric?

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 08:41:27 -0800

The Vatican is looking for a new Popemobile. Preferably one that runs on electricity.

Pope Benedict the 16th is big on clean energy, and the church even published a book showing what the Vatican has done to make itself sustainable. Apparently the main hurdle is the Pope’s security force, which expressed concerns about the ability of an electric vehicle to act as a speedy getaway car in an emergency.

Not a problem, say the experts. Zero to 60 in three seconds flat. Mercedes makes the current edition of the Popemobile.

An impressive electronic publication that is also a good glimpse...

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 10:32:00 -0800

An impressive electronic publication that is also a good glimpse of our post-paper future, when we access much of our reading online (using high-resolution displays).

“ECOLUXE magazine is a global, bi-monthly online magazine. We promote only information, goods and services that inspire readers and consumers to live naturally and consciously. The online, digital format reflects our commitment to minimal environmental impact. EcoLuxe is proudly hosted by eco friendly, carbon neutral Dreamhost.”

Logitech has released the world’s first solar-powered...

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:02:00 -0700

Logitech has released the world’s first solar-powered wireless keyboard (model K750). It has a built-in light meter that shows whether there is enough light in the room.

Why did it take this long? … Well, let’s not complain! This is an easy way, albeit a minor one, to invest in the future by using less energy. Seeing the solar panel on the top of the keyboard serves as a simple reminder about conservation in daily life.

“We realize a game won’t change the world but we hope to...

Sat, 30 Oct 2010 09:58:00 -0700

“We realize a game won’t change the world but we hope to be part of the transition that brings us all to a better place,” says the company Late for the Sky about its Earthopoly board game. But this game is part of a changing world.

Sustainability is probably the most crucial lesson we can teach our kids today. Earthopoly promises to make learning about sustainability fun.

The web page for this game has an exhaustive list of its ingredients, right down to the lima bean pieces sourced from a local farmer, and the Carnelian stones from Botswana. The gameplay itself teaches about such things as carbon credits, clean air and global ecological sites of interest.

Late for the Sky is changing business culture, too. They make custom board games for companies who want to give their teams experiential learning, or surprise their clients with a truly unique gift. “Organizations use a custom game to inform, promote, reward, make money – anything you can do with a variety of promotional products.”