I want to thank Robert, a follower to this blog site for contributing this link to the article from The New York Times, June 29, 2009.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/us/29rain.html?th&emc=th
Did you know that in some Western States it is illegal to capture rain water from your own roof? That the rights to virtually every raindrop was given away over a century ago?
Please read this article, it really is fascinating.
Thank you Robert for this contribution to the site. Remember one stated purpose of this blog is to offer an interactive discussion about subjects of interest, so please contribute when you can through comments and links.
Brett
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Update - Bill Gregware - Editorial
As promised I sent an E-mail to Bill Gregware concerning posting his article "Rich Man's Energy Game" (Sunday American, June 26, 2009).
Bill was kind enough to respond to me, however he needs permission from the Editor, posting probably will not happen but a link to the paper might. Fair Enough.
I am waiting for that link, and once I have received it I will post so that you may go directly to the site.
I invited and hope that Bill will share other articles with us in the future.
Brett
Bill was kind enough to respond to me, however he needs permission from the Editor, posting probably will not happen but a link to the paper might. Fair Enough.
I am waiting for that link, and once I have received it I will post so that you may go directly to the site.
I invited and hope that Bill will share other articles with us in the future.
Brett
Sunday, June 28, 2009
An Important and Timely Editorial I want to Share With You
Today I read a most interesting editorial titled "Rich Man's Energy Game" by Bill Gregware (Sunday American, June 26, 2009).
Mr. Gregware writes in a very clear article, how the rich are taking advantage of Federal and State rebates and grants for alternative energy renovations and construction in their mansions and vacation homes on taxpayer provided money.
Taxes collected from both the rich and the poor should not benefit the wealthy who can take advantage of rebate laws.
Mr. Gregware provides several poignant examples of this waste of taxpayer money on wealthy individuals. The editorial is straight-forward but not mean-spirited.
I will be contacting Mr. Gregware asking permission to post his entire editorial on my blog.
Keep in mind I am not attacking or criticizing anyone with money or success, however, do you really think that Larry Hagman (Dallas, I Dream of Jeanie fame), who has made millions of dollars in his lifetime, needs to be compensated nearly 50% of the $700,000.00 solar panel system he has installed on his 40+ acres in California? I wonder if the money that Mr. Hagman makes from the sale of excess power, gets returned to California and Federal taxpayers, or at least donated to charities?
In many of the articles I have posted, I have spoken about the high cost of the technology and alternative energy products sold today. I have also written about companies that offer to install and maintain solar panels on your rooftops for a monthly fee.
I stated and stand firmly, "why trade one energy czar for another"?
Prices need to fall on solar panels, batteries, wind turbines and other "alternative energy technology" products before the average household can take advantage of them.
But what can one do if one does not have the money for the alternative energy products today?
I have focused on passive solar because there are many easy do-it-yourself projects that any home can take advantage of, at cost effective prices, usually only materials and your own labor.
Additionally, I have written about sustainable living practices that will help develop a self-reliant attitude and practices, rain water harvesting, storage and use for example.
Starting a home or community garden will help offset higher prices at the markets due to fuel or food price increases while providing a more nutritious vegetable or fruit for you and your family.
Many families are rediscovering home gardening. Learning how to bake from scratch and to preserve fruits and vegetables grown in your own garden will help any family save money and feel and be more self-reliant.
Are you unable to have a garden? Buying local produce from a Farmer's Market will help someone trying to support a family living in a rural economic community, while providing us with fresh produce, eggs, honey, preserves, bread and dairy products (organic milk, yogurt, cheese).
Brett
Mr. Gregware writes in a very clear article, how the rich are taking advantage of Federal and State rebates and grants for alternative energy renovations and construction in their mansions and vacation homes on taxpayer provided money.
Taxes collected from both the rich and the poor should not benefit the wealthy who can take advantage of rebate laws.
Mr. Gregware provides several poignant examples of this waste of taxpayer money on wealthy individuals. The editorial is straight-forward but not mean-spirited.
I will be contacting Mr. Gregware asking permission to post his entire editorial on my blog.
Keep in mind I am not attacking or criticizing anyone with money or success, however, do you really think that Larry Hagman (Dallas, I Dream of Jeanie fame), who has made millions of dollars in his lifetime, needs to be compensated nearly 50% of the $700,000.00 solar panel system he has installed on his 40+ acres in California? I wonder if the money that Mr. Hagman makes from the sale of excess power, gets returned to California and Federal taxpayers, or at least donated to charities?
In many of the articles I have posted, I have spoken about the high cost of the technology and alternative energy products sold today. I have also written about companies that offer to install and maintain solar panels on your rooftops for a monthly fee.
I stated and stand firmly, "why trade one energy czar for another"?
Prices need to fall on solar panels, batteries, wind turbines and other "alternative energy technology" products before the average household can take advantage of them.
But what can one do if one does not have the money for the alternative energy products today?
I have focused on passive solar because there are many easy do-it-yourself projects that any home can take advantage of, at cost effective prices, usually only materials and your own labor.
Additionally, I have written about sustainable living practices that will help develop a self-reliant attitude and practices, rain water harvesting, storage and use for example.
Starting a home or community garden will help offset higher prices at the markets due to fuel or food price increases while providing a more nutritious vegetable or fruit for you and your family.
Many families are rediscovering home gardening. Learning how to bake from scratch and to preserve fruits and vegetables grown in your own garden will help any family save money and feel and be more self-reliant.
Are you unable to have a garden? Buying local produce from a Farmer's Market will help someone trying to support a family living in a rural economic community, while providing us with fresh produce, eggs, honey, preserves, bread and dairy products (organic milk, yogurt, cheese).
Brett
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Food Under Attack - Coast to Coast
It seems that from the east coast to the west coast food providers are under attack. In an article in the June 2009 National Geographic entitled "The End of Plenty: Special Report - The Global Food Crisis", author Joel K. Bourne says "that the world is consuming more food than farmers have been producing for the last decade", and he asks, "What will it take to grow more"?
Recently I watched an interview with comedian Paul Rodriguez (representing local farmers and farms) discussing water rights in a central California food producing valley. California's central valley growing region is one of the most productive farming areas of the country and grows almost one-third of America's produce.
Farmers are being restricted water access for farm irrigation because the water canals are breeding grounds for a particular endangered fish. I am all for doing what we can do to protect endangered species, however, I believe that food production, and the rights and well being of the farmers and workers that feed America deserve better. America cannot afford to lose any more farms or productive lands.
America's growing use of corn-based ethanol has diverted more and more fields away from human consumption to a false sense of energy independence through bio-fuel. As more farmers switch to corn crops for ethanol, subsidized by the US Government, land use for soybeans and other smaller grains is reduced significantly. One interesting note is that China, the largest user of soybeans, is now buying soybeans from Brazil and not the United States.
Water tables are depleted as water is diverted to desert cities or pumped for commercial purposes, or poisoned with agricultural residues.
Meanwhile "thirty-six conservation groups, farm organizations, local governments, and others have joined together requesting that Congress and the Obama administration take quick action to address the crisis facing dairy farmers (June 2009, Country Folks - New England Farm Weekly"). It seems "severe and prolonged low milk prices are well below the farmer's costs of production", and dairy farms are closing by the thousands in the New England States.
At any moment severe weather conditions can wreak havoc in the Midwest, our the nation's breadbox. An over-abundance of rain, hail, drought, and poor soil practices all can create another dust bowl, or massive crop failures without much warning.
It is for this reason that I suggest to all that can to start home or community gardens, plant fruit/nut trees, and berries. If you are in a community that allows you to have backyard chickens then do so. Learn how to can and preserve foods, build a backyard food dehydrator, and harvest rainwater for irrigation, gray water use or even consumption, so that you do not have to rely on city or well water in emergencies.
Keep a supply of basic food stuffs in case of natural or unnatural emergencies. Last week we had floods in Texas, tornadoes in Illinois, and fires out west. Whether the emergency is one that has you flee or stay put, make sure that you have the most basic first-aid, water, food, medicine, and clothing supplies packed and ready, in the most adverse conditions it could take days for state or federal help to arrive.
Remember that now is the time to prepare, before any emergency, so that you can remain calm and sure in your survival and sustainability.
Brett
Recently I watched an interview with comedian Paul Rodriguez (representing local farmers and farms) discussing water rights in a central California food producing valley. California's central valley growing region is one of the most productive farming areas of the country and grows almost one-third of America's produce.
Farmers are being restricted water access for farm irrigation because the water canals are breeding grounds for a particular endangered fish. I am all for doing what we can do to protect endangered species, however, I believe that food production, and the rights and well being of the farmers and workers that feed America deserve better. America cannot afford to lose any more farms or productive lands.
America's growing use of corn-based ethanol has diverted more and more fields away from human consumption to a false sense of energy independence through bio-fuel. As more farmers switch to corn crops for ethanol, subsidized by the US Government, land use for soybeans and other smaller grains is reduced significantly. One interesting note is that China, the largest user of soybeans, is now buying soybeans from Brazil and not the United States.
Water tables are depleted as water is diverted to desert cities or pumped for commercial purposes, or poisoned with agricultural residues.
Meanwhile "thirty-six conservation groups, farm organizations, local governments, and others have joined together requesting that Congress and the Obama administration take quick action to address the crisis facing dairy farmers (June 2009, Country Folks - New England Farm Weekly"). It seems "severe and prolonged low milk prices are well below the farmer's costs of production", and dairy farms are closing by the thousands in the New England States.
At any moment severe weather conditions can wreak havoc in the Midwest, our the nation's breadbox. An over-abundance of rain, hail, drought, and poor soil practices all can create another dust bowl, or massive crop failures without much warning.
It is for this reason that I suggest to all that can to start home or community gardens, plant fruit/nut trees, and berries. If you are in a community that allows you to have backyard chickens then do so. Learn how to can and preserve foods, build a backyard food dehydrator, and harvest rainwater for irrigation, gray water use or even consumption, so that you do not have to rely on city or well water in emergencies.
Keep a supply of basic food stuffs in case of natural or unnatural emergencies. Last week we had floods in Texas, tornadoes in Illinois, and fires out west. Whether the emergency is one that has you flee or stay put, make sure that you have the most basic first-aid, water, food, medicine, and clothing supplies packed and ready, in the most adverse conditions it could take days for state or federal help to arrive.
Remember that now is the time to prepare, before any emergency, so that you can remain calm and sure in your survival and sustainability.
Brett
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