At times it is easy to become discouraged as an energy guy. Too many people seem interested more in their current financial situation than in their future -and the future of our mutual home.
For those who are willing to step out of their "comfort zone", though, amazing things begin to happen! It is for such people that I have devoted my life.
When I see the eyes of those who discover just how much radiant energy sails through windows (even the best ones), and that there is a solution to this #1 waster of energy, then the huge process of starting a new, little understood, business is worth it! (See In'Flector blinds.)
In my experience many of the few who are willing to do something to reduce their "carbon footprint" are reluctant to take the next step (action) because they are afraid of change, fearful of failing, feel ignorant, or simply do not have the access to money.
At the Victoria Home Show, from which I have just returned, there were a few people who were willing to risk. Of the hundreds I met, only four were people with whom I have already established a relationship. The rest did not know me, hindering their willingness to risk. I don't blame them. All of us have been burned by unethical salespeople, those who value money more than people.
But even several of those with whom I am quite friendly have not followed energy suggestions I've sometimes given to them, and later have said that they wished they had done otherwise.
They are not alone. How often I have failed to follow the wisdom of others, and so have learned difficult lessons "the hard way!" And so I can be gracious toward them, and me!
As energy becomes much more expensive I know that the resulting pain will drive people to trust me more. Indeed, pain is usually needed before most of us make important changes. Still, I never enjoy seeing people hurting.
My strong wish is that all of us would be able to risk enough to move beyond our self-imposed confines and more fully grasp what it means to live on this beautiful, yet limited, planet. Then we will fear what we need to fear, not what we usually do fear. Then we will experience most amazing lives, and a future worth anticipating.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Taking action
What a wonderful response to my last blog was posted by Judy Roberts! As it turns out she will become a neighbour of mine once their co-housing project is completed late this spring.
Not wonderful in terms of the terror she experienced upon reading my last blog, but wonderful in terms of the actions she and others are already taking.
She listed several concrete ways that she is making a difference: putting her energies and capital into an energy-efficient building, becoming a member of a functioning, intentional, community. Giving up her car and using more sustainable methods of transportation. Growing their own food.
Together these efforts do make a tremendous difference to both the planet and Judy!
Of course not everyone can give up their car, especially since we value time more than we do the planet. Being a car-centric culture is extremely difficult to change! But leaders like Judy are showing us all that the quality of life can improve without a car (despite what auto ads suggest).
Judy asked for some suggestions about what to ask candidates leading to the upcoming provincial election in terms of fiscal matters. Unfortunately the banking industry is regulated by the Federal government. The province only regulates credit unions. So there is not a lot that can be done provincially, even though the Bank of Canada can (if not blocked by the Feds) lend money at very low interest rates to the provinces.
However, most of us could shift our banking to local credit unions. In any financial melt-down (such as is being experienced world-wide) credit unions are more likely to side with their members than are some impersonal banks. I expect that the financial problems will eventually hit Canada, perhaps as early as 2020.
Other steps can include buying gold and silver coins, investing in technologies that reduce our dependence on utility companies (such as insulation, solar equipment, window insulators, etc.), growing one's own garden (you do not need a lot of space!; consider joining a community garden or use someone else's yard), canning (water shortages will soon be threatening our food supply), forming a greater sense of community (through groups such as music, faith, mutual interests, action groups such as the "Carbon Busters", etc) so that you are not isolated when things get very scary, and more. I will post other ideas on this blog.
In the meantime we are all wise to get started somewhere. The first step is usually the hardest. And, as Judy has shown us, we are not alone.
Not wonderful in terms of the terror she experienced upon reading my last blog, but wonderful in terms of the actions she and others are already taking.
She listed several concrete ways that she is making a difference: putting her energies and capital into an energy-efficient building, becoming a member of a functioning, intentional, community. Giving up her car and using more sustainable methods of transportation. Growing their own food.
Together these efforts do make a tremendous difference to both the planet and Judy!
Of course not everyone can give up their car, especially since we value time more than we do the planet. Being a car-centric culture is extremely difficult to change! But leaders like Judy are showing us all that the quality of life can improve without a car (despite what auto ads suggest).
Judy asked for some suggestions about what to ask candidates leading to the upcoming provincial election in terms of fiscal matters. Unfortunately the banking industry is regulated by the Federal government. The province only regulates credit unions. So there is not a lot that can be done provincially, even though the Bank of Canada can (if not blocked by the Feds) lend money at very low interest rates to the provinces.
However, most of us could shift our banking to local credit unions. In any financial melt-down (such as is being experienced world-wide) credit unions are more likely to side with their members than are some impersonal banks. I expect that the financial problems will eventually hit Canada, perhaps as early as 2020.
Other steps can include buying gold and silver coins, investing in technologies that reduce our dependence on utility companies (such as insulation, solar equipment, window insulators, etc.), growing one's own garden (you do not need a lot of space!; consider joining a community garden or use someone else's yard), canning (water shortages will soon be threatening our food supply), forming a greater sense of community (through groups such as music, faith, mutual interests, action groups such as the "Carbon Busters", etc) so that you are not isolated when things get very scary, and more. I will post other ideas on this blog.
In the meantime we are all wise to get started somewhere. The first step is usually the hardest. And, as Judy has shown us, we are not alone.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Time
Have you ever wished that you had more time on your hands, time to accomplish things, time to appreciate what you do have, etc?
You are not alone!
You will see that this is my first Blog entry since January. What happened to the thousands of hours that have since passed? I suppose that I could account for many of them, but I still marvel at their passing.
The point of time at which we humans first became aware that we are running out of time to make a significant course correction was not very long ago. Relative to the time humans have walked this earth, it was only a few seconds ago that we realised we cannot continue to destroy our home indefinitely.
Yet we have had enough time to begin a serious move toward living in a truly sustainable manner. We began to head in this direction when oil prices went through the roof in the 80's, but quickly backed down when the oil crisis was over. Now we are truly in a fix.
There are many barriers to the urgently-needed (life-saving) transitions into which we need to throw ourselves. Life-style changes account for part of it. Mostly it is the fear of change, the politicians being pushed by the interests of certain businesses and even "environmentalists", the power of the media, and especially the way we collectively worship the economy.
The god we call "the economy" has to continue to expand indefinitely (even on a finite planet!) because the banking industry is predicated on such. If the economy does not continue to expand the banks go broke. Since jobs, taxes, wealth, and everything depends on money, we do anything to avoid the banking system from going down. We are seeing the degree to which governments are willing to bail out banks and major industries, all to keep the economy expanding.
This, it can become evident to all who see the bigger picture, is complete madness. We are sacrificing the planet, our home (and home to an amazing array of life-forms), all in order to keep producing more goods so that the banking system can stay alive.
In other words, we are converting the planet's wealth for the sake of digits on computers. In psychology this death wish would be quickly diagnosed. Yet we all continue on down this path.
Thankfully, and despite denial by governments, companies (especially media) and individuals, increasing numbers of folk from all walks of life are realising just how mad this process is, and are pushing for needed changes.
Just in time.
You are not alone!
You will see that this is my first Blog entry since January. What happened to the thousands of hours that have since passed? I suppose that I could account for many of them, but I still marvel at their passing.
The point of time at which we humans first became aware that we are running out of time to make a significant course correction was not very long ago. Relative to the time humans have walked this earth, it was only a few seconds ago that we realised we cannot continue to destroy our home indefinitely.
Yet we have had enough time to begin a serious move toward living in a truly sustainable manner. We began to head in this direction when oil prices went through the roof in the 80's, but quickly backed down when the oil crisis was over. Now we are truly in a fix.
There are many barriers to the urgently-needed (life-saving) transitions into which we need to throw ourselves. Life-style changes account for part of it. Mostly it is the fear of change, the politicians being pushed by the interests of certain businesses and even "environmentalists", the power of the media, and especially the way we collectively worship the economy.
The god we call "the economy" has to continue to expand indefinitely (even on a finite planet!) because the banking industry is predicated on such. If the economy does not continue to expand the banks go broke. Since jobs, taxes, wealth, and everything depends on money, we do anything to avoid the banking system from going down. We are seeing the degree to which governments are willing to bail out banks and major industries, all to keep the economy expanding.
This, it can become evident to all who see the bigger picture, is complete madness. We are sacrificing the planet, our home (and home to an amazing array of life-forms), all in order to keep producing more goods so that the banking system can stay alive.
In other words, we are converting the planet's wealth for the sake of digits on computers. In psychology this death wish would be quickly diagnosed. Yet we all continue on down this path.
Thankfully, and despite denial by governments, companies (especially media) and individuals, increasing numbers of folk from all walks of life are realising just how mad this process is, and are pushing for needed changes.
Just in time.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Rising above the fog
I have just arrived back to a foggy west coast. It was fascinating as we approached the Vancouver airport to see the tentacles of the fog reaching into the lower mainland and all the inlets. It was so bright and sunny up where we were, above the rolling fog!
I was amazed, when visiting in Kansas in this last week, to see not one solar hot water collector. That area receives close to 300 days of sunshine every year! They are showered with enough energy to heat their hot water with very minimal boost, all year long. Evidently there are some noises being made by their governor that this needs to change, especially in light of the fact that they get most of their electricity from coal, and most of their space heating from natural gas. Their clean-looking air is as deceiving there as it is in Alberta.
As we continue to use up what is left of the fossil fuels that stored millions of years of solar energy we will be regretting not moving more seriously, and more quickly, to the post-carbon world. The price that our children and especially grandchildren pay will be far greater than a small reduction in that god we call “the economy.” But we Canadians are just as guilty of dragging our feet as have been the Americans.
One piece of possibly good news recently arrived here in B.C. It seems that the government, especially sensitive in this election year, appears to have leaned on B.C. Hydro to buy more new green power than they had indicated they would. But still the mandate to offer the lowest cost power is still putting a tremendous dampening effect on replacing coal-fired power (coming from Alberta during our night hours) with more sustainable, clean, electricity. Such vision is difficult to find, especially when it pushes prices up a bit faster than might otherwise be the case. At least the voices of many citizens of British Columbia are being heard here.
Perhaps the fog is an apropos metaphor here. While it is damp and cold here near the ocean, the bright sunshine is not far away. Similarly, while efforts to change us from being fogged in to our old, understandable ways of thinking seem to dominate, only a couple hundred feet above us is the bright energy awaiting for us to reach up and grasp!
Pray that a good, stiff, wind soon comes and stirs us all up so that we might all know what awaits us, so close to home.
I was amazed, when visiting in Kansas in this last week, to see not one solar hot water collector. That area receives close to 300 days of sunshine every year! They are showered with enough energy to heat their hot water with very minimal boost, all year long. Evidently there are some noises being made by their governor that this needs to change, especially in light of the fact that they get most of their electricity from coal, and most of their space heating from natural gas. Their clean-looking air is as deceiving there as it is in Alberta.
As we continue to use up what is left of the fossil fuels that stored millions of years of solar energy we will be regretting not moving more seriously, and more quickly, to the post-carbon world. The price that our children and especially grandchildren pay will be far greater than a small reduction in that god we call “the economy.” But we Canadians are just as guilty of dragging our feet as have been the Americans.
One piece of possibly good news recently arrived here in B.C. It seems that the government, especially sensitive in this election year, appears to have leaned on B.C. Hydro to buy more new green power than they had indicated they would. But still the mandate to offer the lowest cost power is still putting a tremendous dampening effect on replacing coal-fired power (coming from Alberta during our night hours) with more sustainable, clean, electricity. Such vision is difficult to find, especially when it pushes prices up a bit faster than might otherwise be the case. At least the voices of many citizens of British Columbia are being heard here.
Perhaps the fog is an apropos metaphor here. While it is damp and cold here near the ocean, the bright sunshine is not far away. Similarly, while efforts to change us from being fogged in to our old, understandable ways of thinking seem to dominate, only a couple hundred feet above us is the bright energy awaiting for us to reach up and grasp!
Pray that a good, stiff, wind soon comes and stirs us all up so that we might all know what awaits us, so close to home.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Energy in Mexico
Having been given a free airline ticket to Puerto Vallarta I am enjoying the warmth of the air, water and the culture. My Spanish is improving; yet there’s lots of room for improvement!
Being an ‘energy guy’ I find myself being curious in seeing how this culture uses energy. There are lots of signs of the North American wasteful ways –the many private motor vehicles crowding the narrow roads, buildings using air-conditioning when the temperature is a comfortable 26, and others. Despite such influences, they have a vastly public superior bus system –one that is amply used. While this is likely due to many Mexicans having lower incomes, it also means that they live more responsibly and sustainably.
One personal disappointment is the absence of solar water heating systems, even in the seasonal tourist accommodations. Our winter is their sunny, dry, period. This is when tourists flock to this beautiful area. With the ample sun at a time when the tourist accommodations are full, why such an extensive use of propane heaters? Solar collectors don’t have to be expensive –even the use of black ABS pipe and a simple pump can easily bring the temperature of their ground-water (roughly 20 degrees C) to the required 35 - 40 degress using the sun’s energy found at this latitude. Such systems would likely satisfy everyone's needs all year long. Instead, they rely on propane heaters. Easy to install. Known equipment. And this solution keeps everyone dependent on the fossil fuel industry!
Here, though, the fossil fuel industry is prevented from having as much control as it tends to have in Canada. Mexicans don’t need double-paned windows and space heating. In this way they will be in a much better situation when fossil fuels resume their upward climb.
Another difference between them and Canadians is perhaps an even more profound one: here they still live in community, not the isolated, lonely, individualised lives of us North Americans. When huge changes sweep across the planet they will be far more resilient and able to help each other through those changes than will we.
Perhaps we need to rethink "wealth," as it appears that they may be better off than are we.
Being an ‘energy guy’ I find myself being curious in seeing how this culture uses energy. There are lots of signs of the North American wasteful ways –the many private motor vehicles crowding the narrow roads, buildings using air-conditioning when the temperature is a comfortable 26, and others. Despite such influences, they have a vastly public superior bus system –one that is amply used. While this is likely due to many Mexicans having lower incomes, it also means that they live more responsibly and sustainably.
One personal disappointment is the absence of solar water heating systems, even in the seasonal tourist accommodations. Our winter is their sunny, dry, period. This is when tourists flock to this beautiful area. With the ample sun at a time when the tourist accommodations are full, why such an extensive use of propane heaters? Solar collectors don’t have to be expensive –even the use of black ABS pipe and a simple pump can easily bring the temperature of their ground-water (roughly 20 degrees C) to the required 35 - 40 degress using the sun’s energy found at this latitude. Such systems would likely satisfy everyone's needs all year long. Instead, they rely on propane heaters. Easy to install. Known equipment. And this solution keeps everyone dependent on the fossil fuel industry!
Here, though, the fossil fuel industry is prevented from having as much control as it tends to have in Canada. Mexicans don’t need double-paned windows and space heating. In this way they will be in a much better situation when fossil fuels resume their upward climb.
Another difference between them and Canadians is perhaps an even more profound one: here they still live in community, not the isolated, lonely, individualised lives of us North Americans. When huge changes sweep across the planet they will be far more resilient and able to help each other through those changes than will we.
Perhaps we need to rethink "wealth," as it appears that they may be better off than are we.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Winter sunshine
It is not often that the sun shines during the winter months in this part of the world. It does not often snow here, either. So it is a particularly beautiful day today with the sun shining off of the white snow. Nature seems to be rejoicing now that our deep cold spell is ending.
I love the idea of the sun providing all the needed heating requirements in our buildings, but this is much more difficult given the lack of sunshine during the time of the year that requires heating. Such is not a problem in other areas of Canada and the U.S. that have a lot more snow than do we -because these areas also get a lot more sunshine in the winter.
An acquaintance of mine builds Structurally Insulated Panel (SIP) homes. Such buildings are very energy efficient as the walls themselves are essentially made of insulation. His 1000 sq. ft. "Qualicum Series" house has an EnerGuide rating of 89, about as efficient as a home can be. The builder says that the house can be heated for an average cost of $16 a month!
Why I mention this type of construction is that such buildings are so energy efficient it is possible to combine heat storage with a passive solar design and turn off the heater, even in our cloudy climate!
Given that the cost of building a house requiring no artificial heating typically costs only 5-8% more, avoiding future escalating heating bills, adding greater comfort and energy security, one wonders why more people do not opt for this option. The higher mortgage costs would be covered by the energy savings.
All those who are currently suffering from widespread power failures across Canada, freezing in their inefficient homes, may be asking the same question.
I love the idea of the sun providing all the needed heating requirements in our buildings, but this is much more difficult given the lack of sunshine during the time of the year that requires heating. Such is not a problem in other areas of Canada and the U.S. that have a lot more snow than do we -because these areas also get a lot more sunshine in the winter.
An acquaintance of mine builds Structurally Insulated Panel (SIP) homes. Such buildings are very energy efficient as the walls themselves are essentially made of insulation. His 1000 sq. ft. "Qualicum Series" house has an EnerGuide rating of 89, about as efficient as a home can be. The builder says that the house can be heated for an average cost of $16 a month!
Why I mention this type of construction is that such buildings are so energy efficient it is possible to combine heat storage with a passive solar design and turn off the heater, even in our cloudy climate!
Given that the cost of building a house requiring no artificial heating typically costs only 5-8% more, avoiding future escalating heating bills, adding greater comfort and energy security, one wonders why more people do not opt for this option. The higher mortgage costs would be covered by the energy savings.
All those who are currently suffering from widespread power failures across Canada, freezing in their inefficient homes, may be asking the same question.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Heat-sinking basements/slabs
I was more than dismayed to learn that a local builder, having lost its accreditation as a Built Green builder, was guiding the owners of a multi-family residence currently under construction toward non-sustainable energy ideas. It was bad enough that the manager of this project was not interested in adding solar hot water to the system, he wasn't even willing to build in the copper pipes to enable such in the future. This is typical of most builders today, and it is sad.
This week I learned that this same company had neglected to add insulation under the slab of the building, including the portion that was to have had in-floor heating. This is against current building codes.
Why? Because even in this mild climate (relative to the rest of Canada at least) the ground underneath the slabs or basements of our buildings is less than 15 degrees C. The ground does insulate somewhat. But the earth is a heat sink, one that continuously grabs heat energy from our uninsulated basements and slabs. While this heat loss is not as great as in uninsulated attics or the windows of most homes, it does make a real difference to the heating bills, and especially the comfort of its occupants.
At one time I thought, as do most people, that heat rises. This is true of convective heat energy. This is why upper floors of buildings are often warmer than are the lower floors.
However, most energy movement in homes is through radiant heat transfer. Sunlight is the best known source of radiant heat. Similarly, radiant heat moves in all directions, and particularly moves toward cold surfaces.
As a result a cold floor continually sucks heat energy out of that living space. Uninsulated floors cost us a lot of energy.
What a huge difference it made to my house when I insulated the basement floor, even with only R-10 insulation.
I can only hope that builders and architects soon catch up to this truth.
All of us will benefit.
This week I learned that this same company had neglected to add insulation under the slab of the building, including the portion that was to have had in-floor heating. This is against current building codes.
Why? Because even in this mild climate (relative to the rest of Canada at least) the ground underneath the slabs or basements of our buildings is less than 15 degrees C. The ground does insulate somewhat. But the earth is a heat sink, one that continuously grabs heat energy from our uninsulated basements and slabs. While this heat loss is not as great as in uninsulated attics or the windows of most homes, it does make a real difference to the heating bills, and especially the comfort of its occupants.
At one time I thought, as do most people, that heat rises. This is true of convective heat energy. This is why upper floors of buildings are often warmer than are the lower floors.
However, most energy movement in homes is through radiant heat transfer. Sunlight is the best known source of radiant heat. Similarly, radiant heat moves in all directions, and particularly moves toward cold surfaces.
As a result a cold floor continually sucks heat energy out of that living space. Uninsulated floors cost us a lot of energy.
What a huge difference it made to my house when I insulated the basement floor, even with only R-10 insulation.
I can only hope that builders and architects soon catch up to this truth.
All of us will benefit.
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