Good to know we're moving in the right direction. Let's try to change things. Let's try to build a Better World for the ones to come. It's we that can do it. It's our responsibility. It's our duty.
Does your home burn money or fuel?
martes septiembre 20, 2005 | Global Warming | Permalink
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"Where are the men? the little prince asked, politely.
The flower had once seen a caravan passing.
"Men?" she echoed. "I think there are six or seven of them in existence. I saw them, several years ago. But one never knows where to find them. The wind blows them away. They have no roots, and that makes their life very difficult.
No, it's not a boa constrictor that has eaten an elephant. As you might firstly think...
It's even more terrifying than that. It's the evolution of temperature deviations in Europe between 1850 and 2000. See?
As seen this report, dated april 2005 by the European Environment Agency.
It seems reasonable to expect that the frequency and intensity of extreme flooding events will increase in many parts of Europe in the future, especially in parts of central, northern and northeastern Europe...
But, wait, that's not all:
A massive global increase in the number of strong hurricanes over the past 35 years is being blamed on global warming, by the most detailed study yet. The US scientists warn that Katrina-strength hurricanes could become the norm.
So Katrina's damages are bigger than fourteen (1+1+1+1 1+1+1+1 1+1+1+1 1+1) previous hurricanes, at least on human lifes.
Summary
We've broken it. Global warming is not a joke. It's here. And it's here to stay. We don't know how to repair it. We don't even know if we can. All I can think of is responsible energy use and helping victims.
Last week I had a business visit to Alicante, south-east Spain. That's about 500 Km. away from Madrid. I decided to drive there to spend part of the weekend at the beach with some relatives there. The ride was about four hours and a half long. During that time I had time enough to observe the worst drought we're suffering in Spain since decades. Alicante, and its neighbour Murcia, are one of the most important places in the European Union where fruits and vegetables are grown. Centuries ago Arabs brouth oranges from China and grew them up there in Valencia and Alicante. It's sad to hear how local farmers suffer from drought there in Alicante.
Yes, we are changing the world, aren't we? Our environment is becoming mad. Environmental equillibrium is lost and, as Nature always does, equillibrium breaking things are eliminated. Ozone, pollution and floods. Nature is fighting us back. And it seems we're losing the battle.
Quijote's new windmills and energy efficiency
On my way back I had time to observe those new windmills being planted all around Spain . I wonder what Quijote would say about those. Of course he'll continue to think they were enormous giants!!. It's interseting to see how the European Union is moving towards alternative energy sources. Environmentally safe.
I am glad to see that the European Union is also concerned about energy efficiency. Most of the electrical devices for home usage have one information label (the "Energy Label" we call it) explaining how efficient the device is. It is mandatory to include those in all home electrical stuff being sold in the European Union. That's good, because you can choose how efficient your stuff is, or how good you are with your environment.
Regulation on domestic refrigeration appliances is in fact important. Think of it. Say 20 million fridges around in the country. Each one wasting energy without control. Say 100 watts per hour wasted. That's 20 million * 100 watts/hour = 2000 MW/h wasted. Wow.
It's good to see as well that some companies have been closed (spanish) because not complying with the Kiotto protocol. Wasting energy is not very supportive, is it?
Now, I'm getting worried... What is Sun doing? What can I do?
Of course supporting people is an obligation. But that's a solution to the symptoms, to the consequences.
A better solution is of course, as Jonathan says, fighting those environmently irresponsible. I think that's the root of the problem. Closing those companies that are not compliant with the Kiotto protocol. We are not energy efficient. We don't need new forms of energy, but new efficient forms of energy, environmentally safe. Such as those new high efficient Sterling engines in solar plants.
If we have "Energy Labels" for fridges and freezers here at the EU, why not having those for computers too? I will double check that with my EU representative. After all the old "Energy Star" is not enough nowadays. We run amazing computers at home, everywhere. I am glad to see that AMD, Intel and Sun think of this. Glad to hear Jonathan saying we're pushing energy efficiency standards in datacenters. That's the way to go, Jonathan!!
EU's
Energy Efficiency- What can I do? is a good starting point for those of us wanting to help out. We waste 15 billion euros!! per year at the EU with devices in standby. But there's even more. Do I switch off my work computer when going home? Is that monitor switched on all night long? Is it really necessary? Am I buying and using energy efficient computers? There're lots of things we can do to help reduce energy waste. Help to come back into equillibrium with Nature. Any ideas out there? I would like to hear from you. Any good pointers on saving energy with computers out there? What are *you* doing?
Last week I had a business visit to Alicante, south-east Spain. That's about 500 Km. away from Madrid. I decided to drive there to spend part of the weekend at the beach with some relatives there. The ride was about four hours and a half long. During that time I had time enough to observe the worst drought we're suffering in Spain since decades. Alicante, and its neighbour Murcia, are one of the most important places in the European Union where fruits and vegetables are grown. Centuries ago Arabs brouth oranges from China and grew them up there in Valencia and Alicante. It's sad to hear how local farmers suffer from drought there in Alicante.
I am glad to see that the European Union is also concerned about energy efficiency. Most of the electrical devices for home usage have one information label (the "Energy Label" we call it) explaining how efficient the device is. It is mandatory to include those in all home electrical stuff being sold in the European Union. That's good, because you can choose how efficient your stuff is, or how good you are with your environment.