Green technology is also being developed outside of the energy sector and it is important to give it notice. These projects, often funded by defense contracts, are able to advance much faster than private research and eventually influence and enhance public technologies and drive the market and research towards greater heights.

Check this UK built, record breaking plane out.

Since Zephyr, a 30kg solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), completed a 54-hour flight in late August 2007, it holds the world record for the longest-duration unmanned flight. During the 54 hour test flight, the Zephyr UAV, built by a team from the UK defense contractor Qinetiq, reached a maximum altitude of more than 18,000m. The previous record in the longest duration unmanned flight category was set in 2001 by a jet-powered US Air Force surveillance aircraft, which stayed in the air for over 30 hours. “This aeroplane is going to go a lot higher and a lot further. You ain’t seen nothing yet.” – said Chris Kelleher, Zephyr’s technical director.

In case you missed the webcast last night I have outlined the discussion and Q&A from the thirty minute segment with Al Gore and the leader of PowerVote.org.

The webcast began with a brief intro made up of sound bytes and video clips of Gore’s past speeches (notably the Challenge Speech). It focused on the global climate projections made by the IPCC, the reliance on fossil fuels, and the lack of anything but baby steps in the right direction by the government. We were reminded that JFK made a promise in 1961 to put a man on the moon and bring him back safely in 10 years, but instead we did it in 8. The video ended by showing us that this new goal will change civilization as we know it and will keep it open for a bright future.

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Even if you are new to “being green” you can start off on the right foot by making sure your home does the best job it can by reducing it’s energy costs and environmental footprint. The Department of Energy has a great guide to auditing your home’s energy use. From plugging leaky windows to locating those tricky cracks in the structure that cause annoying drafts. The guide helps you to choose better heating and cooling appliances and light fixtures. Don’t forget that many states or electric companies offer rebates for improving your energy efficiency, so before you say no to that more expensive model, look up your state laws!

Don’t forget that they do provide a huge resource, for example their Energy Calculators are a great one!

An important email from 1Sky.org

This coming Wednesday, October 29, Vice President Al Gore will headline a live webcast kicking off the final pre-election push to grow the climate vote and expand the mandate for bold climate solutions next year.

Please RSVP for this important online event here:

http://www.powervote.org/gore

During the webcast, Gore will speak about the connection between energy, climate and the economic crisis, why this election is so important to our push for bold climate action, and what we can do to get out the climate vote.

Here are the details:

• WHAT: Al Gore webcast on climate change and the 2008 election
• WHEN: Wednesday, October 29th, 2008
  5:30 pm Pacific / 6:30 pm Mountain / 7:30 pm Central / 8: 30 pm Eastern
• RSVP: http://www.powervote.org/gore

We need our leaders to know there are millions of voters for whom climate is a top priority. That’s why 1Sky is partnering with the Energy Action Coalition and the We Campaign to spread the word about this event and support their get-out-the-vote efforts. This webcast will be a powerful tool to motivate climate voters to turn out in greater numbers than ever before.

Please RSVP today to watch Al Gore’s webcast and share this email with all your contacts:

http://www.powervote.org/gore

On behalf of the 1Sky team,

Liz Butler
Field and Outreach Director, 1Sky

I hope you all go watch this, it will certainly be important to spread the word about his speech, so sing it loud.

What happens when you take all the air out of a tire? You will lose all support inside the tire and it won’t hold it’s shape. The same thing has been happening in Iran for the past 15 years. As the scarce aquifers of the area are drained of water over time the soil above is slowly sinking to fill the gap left from the water loss. Last month National Geographic ran the story of the sinking farmlands of Iran.

The obvious water needs brought about by the climate of the region are creating a dilemma for infrastructure planners. As the need for water increases so does the risk of more land collapse. Due to such heavy extraction the German Research Centre for Geosciences based in Potsdam, Germany, estimated that the water level has dropped half a meter every year since 1997. With the region’s overall water level 15 meters lower than in 1997 and in some areas, land collapse up to 50cm per year, the ever expanding and booming populace of Iran has something else to worry about now.

Learn more about aquifers, land collapse, and ground water recharge on Wikipedia.

That’s right, even sex can be green! I know it is a bit strange and probably might make some uncomfortable, but that is what science is all about! Forget taboo and just be smart!

Stumbled across this one while I was looking through the Planet Green website; How to Go Green: Sex. As I said, it may be a bit strange to think about, but even America’s favorite (private) pass-time can be a great target for those who wish to truly make all aspects of their life green! Check out their tips on how to find safer and cleaner lube, condoms, and whatever else!

Since this site has been pretty PG so far, I advise only the “experienced” and “mature” to go on reading. There is nothing profane, of course, but it may be a touchy subject for younger readers.

If you’re old enough and nerdy enough you may remember a certain show called Bill Nye the Science Guy. Well this quick and simple “DIY garden roof” reminds me of the grass covered car he used to drive around in.

Good luck!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to sit down with the president of Transformations Inc.,  R. Carter Scott. I first learned of him and his company at the GreenJobsNow fair a few weeks ago. After his intriguing speech I had the chance to speak with him and he was kind enough to offer an interview. This of course was a great opportunity for me to learn, and share with you, what it is like to develop greener homes and what sorts of things are going on in the market right now.

If the name sounds familiar it is because Mr. Scott had the pleasure of being chosen for a segment on the popular Discover Channel show; Renovation Nation with Steve Thomas. I grew up watching This Old House with Steve, Bob Vila, and Norm Abram, so I must say that I am fairly jealous! If you would like to read more about Transformations Inc. and the field of green home development read on below.

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This whole green thing is not always about recycling plastic and paper, it’s about recycling everything! If you’ve never tried it you should. If you have a garden you won’t believe the improvement. If you don’t know what it is, go read about it here or here.

Composting is essentially the practice of accumulating scraps of rapidly biodegradable waste (usually food like; egg shells, fruit rinds, coffee grounds, and other vegetable scraps) into a pile underneath a dark container designed to absorb and contain heat to kill bacteria. Eventually this “mash” can be used as extremely rich fertilizer for any application.

How to Compost.org provides a great resource for those looking to get into the practice. Since it is the season, they even have a great bit about giant pumpkin growing, which of course, was only possible with great compost! Even National Geographic has gotten in on the stinky mess with their Green Guide – Compost Tools section.