Altering Corn to produce enzymes

Not sure how I feel about this one.

The corn is genetically modified to produce 1 of 3 enzymes used in the breakdown of cellulose.   Breaking down cellulose to sugars is good.

Modifying the genes of the corn, to produce this enzyme, that’s questionable.  Even if the enzyme is only found in stem/leaf, isn’t the genetic instruction going to be distributed in the pollen?  I’ll blame the writer for that not making that part clear.  I doubt the scientist would want to confuse the issue.

But changing the genes of the plant, does something to the plant.  And not “part” of the plant, it changes the ENTIRE plant.  Every cell has the blueprints for the complete plant. It’s true for corn, it’s true for people.  1 skin cell has your entire DNA.  The cells found in the kernel have the blueprint for an entire plant.

Wired Blog on carbon map per capita.

There are two maps here. One that just has carbon footprint in the country.  One critcism was it looked too much like a population density map.  The per capital map is a little more telling.

Look at how "clean" relatively speaking, the major urban hubs are.  And how poorly suburban style living fares.

Check to see how good your region is.

MSNBC article on green roofs

There are several areas which are leading the way, but Chicago was one of the most agressive in the US.

Majora Carter's group, Sustainable South Bronx is invovled in green roofing for the Bronx area of New York.  It is an impressive organization, creating green jobs, making the area more livable, and exhibiting success under some difficult circumstances.

The idea of using soil and plants as part of the HVAC system in buildings is challenging for the folks in the US.  The explicit, and tascit knowledge do not exist in many places around this country.  But as more and more cities internationally begin demanding these programs, the architects and building support staff will need to come up to speed.

These will need to be low maintenance covers.  And I have no idea what will happen to allergies in cities where these roofs take off.  However, given the opportunity to choose between an larger sized pollen element, or a carbon soot element, I know which one the body is better designed to stop.

Salon's Joseph Romm has a good intro to Solar Thermal.

I agree with the premise that Solar Thermal is the most cost effective way of generating electric power, when placed with a grid.  Distributed generation/on site usage is going to be better in areas where there is no easy way of getting power distributed.

The powerful argument of using solar thermal for water desalination is fantastic.  Right now, areas of the Middle East are essentially boiling the ocean to get clean water, because the cost of fuel is less than the value of water.

Wikipedia Desalination 

But solar, in any form, is a good way to displace fossil fuels.

Here's a link to global warming art.

They have a mashup between google maps and NASA info to see how far above sea level your part of the world is.

Also a bit of warning before all the glacial melt ends up in the water.

But here's the part no one wants to hear.  Water issues are driving people closer to the coasts.  To the very areas that will be underwater as the sea levels rise.  Look at the major port cities, and see how many of those will survive.

I met the Jody Weiss, the CEO of PeaceKeeper Cause-metics, at an Investor's Circle event a while back. The company itself is trying to do incredible things. First, they are producing a cosmetics product without dangerous or harsh chemicals. They do no animal testing on their products, and best of call, they will take ALL after tax, distributable PROFITS, and DONATE them to charities.

Here is a quick link to their lip balm product.

Jody has taken the concept of business and evolved it to a different level, in the “for benefit” company model.

Not everyone is capable or willing to make this type of business. It's hard enough making enough money to bay the bills, much less have a business that donates profits.

I credit Jody as an inspiration for 1CO2.com. PeaceKeeper Cause-metics is an amazing attempt. She's been at it since 2002. But like every business, it needs customers. If this post helps get 1 sale, then I'll consider it a success.

AP Article on how glacier melts caused a "tsunami" down river. This is won't be the last time we see glacier melt cause problems or issues with water supply. But here's the bad news, once that glacier melt goes away what is the water source?

Again, water is going to be seen and valued more greatly in the future. We will probably see a migration of population to the coasts. And with more population going to urban areas (read slums) we are going to see a bigger problem.

Those coastal city slums are going to have issues as oceans level rise.

From TED

Here is Al Gore's latest slideshow

Earthday

April 22nd, is the target launch for this site.

If you are in the Washington DC area, the EPA is holding an ewaste recycling program on Sunday April 20th

Computers/Printers/monitors/mouse/keyboard will all be accepted, but nothing else.

Thanks to Jill Marquardt who we've worked with at the MIT Enterprise Forum of Washington and Baltimore.

She helped shape the text that exists now.

Everything will change over time, but she helped us understand what was needed on the first cut.