Tag: earth

Environment

Renewing the Economy

tonightatdawn November 11, 2014

Text by Hayden Bernstein, a contributing writer at The Capital Press

The Future of Green Energy Investment

It should come as no surprise that as the global demand for energy will only continue to rise. It is estimated that energy usage will increase nearly 40% worldwide over the next 20 years. This will be a challenge for all sectors of the energy industry and investors who are looking to alternative and renewable energy options to help meet these steep demands.

Alternative energy needed to meet growing demand

Unfortunately, there is no avoiding the fact that the fossil fuel will remain the most powerful player in the energy industry for the foreseeable future. Oil, natural gas, and coal will still account for 80% of global energy production come 2040. Still, investors are expecting alternative energies to make serious gains as demand swells. A recent study by Bloomberg New Energy Finance shows that the renewable energy sector is posed to receive $5.5 trillion in investment by 2030. Between 2004 and 2011, worldwide investment increased from $40 to $279 billion and is already up 16% from the last year (though it should be noted that much of this year’s gain is on the heels of a two year slump in renewable energy investment).

In past decades, investing in renewable energy has been an unpredictable if not volatile task. Especially when compared against traditional energy sources, the proportionally tiny renewable sector is overly susceptible to swings in government policy and public opinion and has been limited by the high capital cost of its complex infrastructure. Fossil fuels have been the safe bet for years, but that may be changing.

The winds of change

Today, renewable resources contribute approximately 11% of the world’s total energy; the majority of this clean energy is produced via hydropower. While hydropower will remain the most dominant form of renewable energy, wind and solar are predicted to increase their combined global energy contribution from 3% to 16% by 2030. And as is often the case, the key factors contributing to this double digit increase will be China and the developing world.

China is already the world’s number one producer and market for wind energy with more than 100 gigawatts of wind capacity. In addition to the already 65,000 operating turbines, China is building an average of 30 new wind turbines per day. For investors the building of new turbines is only a fraction of the overall investment opportunity. The cost (or opportunity, depending on who you ask) to operate and maintain this growing fleet of wind turbines is predicted to exceed $3 billion per year by 2022.

Emerging economies drive solar investment

In emerging economies such as India and Latin America, solar energy is poised to become a major contributor as well. Unlike the large scale and capital intensive solar farms in Spain and the American Southwest, the new trend in solar energy micro-production on individual rooftops. Solar panel technology has advanced the most out of all the renewable energy options in recent years, making it a viable option on a much smaller scale. Due to a lack of power grid infrastructure in these developing economies, rooftop solar will actually be a cheaper option for electrification. Brazil is home to the world’s largest rooftop solar farm and Central America is on pace to increase it’s solar megawatt output from 81% between 2015-2018. Though again, the bulk of solar-oriented funds are in China.

Divestment in fossil fuels

As investment in renewable energy is grows, there is a small but growing movement to “divest” in traditional fossil fuels. Whether for moral reasons, public relations buzz, or simply better opportunities for profits elsewhere in the economy (most likely the case), companies and investors are slowing their investment in fossil fuels. Google, a company dedicated to following data trends, is making strategic investments in renewables across the country and last year Stanford University removed it’s investment interests away from coal. The White Paper detailing this movement is careful to point out that the divesting in fossil fuels does not directly equate to investing in renewables. Even though a straight line can’t be drawn connecting these two investment trends, it is a fact that fossil fuel prices are going up while renewable prices continue to fall.

Renewable energy should be viewed in the long-term for investors looking to diversify their energy holdings. As climate changes affects more areas of our personal lives, it may be time to consider how it will affect our investment portfolios as well. There’s no doubt that our appetite for energy is growing and it’s up to us to decide how we will feed it.

About the Author

A contributing writer at The Capital Press, Hayden Bernstein is a Dallasite educated by way of University of Texas at Austin (M.A.) and San Diego State (B.A.). When not contributing content across the web, Hayden can be found plotting his next road trip on Google Maps and counting the days until South-by-Southwest.

Sources:

http://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/070814/why-you-should-invest-green-energy-right-now.asp

http://about.newenergyfinance.com/about/press-releases/multibillion-dollar-opportunity-service-wind-farms-china/

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/05/latin-america-report-the-future-of-solar-in-latin-america

http://about.bnef.com/white-papers/fossil-fuel-divestment-5-trillion-challenge/

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Don’t throw the best of your produce in the trash

tonightatdawn June 22, 2014

Text by Dr. Nina Radcliff

Stop! That’s not Garbage!

I am not advocating that we eat garbage. What I am advocating for is a plant version of “Nose-to-Tail” cooking. For those reading who have not heard this term before, it comes from the “foodie” classic book by Fergus Hend-erson on how to consume an entire pig. After-all, if you’re going to “pluck the plant,” it seems only polite to use the whole thing.

Because plants are sedentary – they are not hunters or gatherers – they have to make everything they need to grow, protect, and heal themselves. That means the skins, peels, seeds, and inner portions that usually end up in the trash (or compost) are often filled with valuable nutrients that we miss out on.

Here’s Dr. Nina’s what you need to know about the plant version of “Nose-to-Tail” eating:

Lemon Peels: When life hands you lemons, don’t throw away the peels. Citrus limonum, the scientific name for lemon peels, are rich in calcium, potassium, Vitamin C, fiber, and a number of other minerals and enzymes. Eating the lemon peel can help decrease cholesterol levels and blood pressure. It can also improve bone health, oral health, skin conditions, as well as boost metabolism and fight cancer.

So, when life gives you lemons, don’t stop with just making lemonade, go the step further and grate or zest the peels to add to meals, salads, or drinks.

Leafy Green Stems: “Good health stems from leafy greens.” Vegetable stems including kale, collards, parsley and Swiss chard are jam-packed with vitamins, nutrients, and fiber. In fact, they often contain more fiber than the leaves themselves. Fiber is considered a “miracle” food and helps us feel full faster. In doing so, we consume less food and calories. Additionally, fiber aids with decreasing bad cholesterol levels and normalizes bowel movements. But let’s face it, those stems are tough to chow down on. Some suggestions to incorporate it into our diets include sauteing in garlic and olive oil, tossing it into a pot of homemade soup, stir frying, or pureeing them into a smoothie or soup.

Pineapple Core: I love, Love, love eating pineapple on the beach on warm summer days. But, like many, I have been missing out on the numerous benefits of the tough, woody center. Bromelain is a protein enzyme that can decrease inflammation and pain, blood clotting, and tumor growth. The sweet fleshy part of the pineapple contains this enzyme. However, the core, which usually ends up in the trash, contains the highest levels of bromelain. One slick trick to capitalize on this is to blend the core into a smoothie.

Veggie Leaves and Stalks: Don’t ‘leave’ the leaves and stalks behind. Broccoli and celery leaves are superfoods when it comes to Vitamin A. Additionally, broccoli leaves contain more beta-carotene than the rest of the veggie. It sounds like we have been chomping on the wrong part of the veggie this whole time! Consider steaming or sauteing the leaves. Alternatively, the leaves can be finely chopped and used to garnish meats or added to salsa. And let’s not forget about the stalks; they contain more calcium, Vitamin C, and fiber than the flowery bulbs. Stalks are great for dipping into sauces, hummus, or salsa, as well as stir-frying.

Onion and Garlic Skins: Who would have guessed that an onion’s waxy coating is rich in flavonoids, in particular the powerful antioxidant compound, quercetin? In fact, it contains more flavanoids than the onion itself! Quercetin is believed to decrease bad cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation, as well as fight allergies and enhance muscle growth. Garlic skin also contains a variety of antioxidants. Consider simmering the skins in stocks, soups and stews. They are safe to eat, but you can also discard before eating.

So there you have it, my version of “Root-to-Leaf” eating. And don’t forget about zesting orange peel to add to dishes; leaving cucumber peels when cutting; eating the white rind of watermelon on the slice; adding thinly sliced kiwi peel to salads; and blending banana peels into your smoothies. In addition to being healthy for us, utilizing these extra “parts” is cost-conscious and can help build flavor and add texture to our meals.

Dr. Nina Radcliff (Photo Credit: Charles Skaar)

Dr Nina Radcliff is a physician anesthesiologist, television medical contributor and textbook author.

For more news on Dr. Radcliff:
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Visit her official site, http://www.ninaradcliffmd.com

Notice: This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither Dr. Nina Radcliff or Kimberly Cecchini take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
Before engaging in any complementary medical technique, including the use of natural or herbal remedies, you should be aware that many of these techniques have not been evaluated in scientific studies. Use of these remedies in connection with over the counter or prescription medications can cause severe adverse reactions. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness.

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Tread Lightly: Dr. Nina Radcliff on Witch Hazel

tonightatdawn June 4, 2014

Tread Lightly on Your Skin, In Your Wallet & On the Earth: In the first piece in her series on natural beauty products for Tonight at Dawn, Dr. Nina Radcliff discusses the origins and potential uses of witch hazel. Dr. Nina Radcliff is a syndicated medical columnist who also appears on the Fox News Channel and The Dr. Oz Show.

Dr. Nina Radcliff (Photo Credit: Charles Skaar)

Don’t let the name scare you. Witch hazel branches were once the wood of choice for dowsing rods used to locate water (heard of the term “witch a well” or “water witching?”). Obviously dowsing is not based on scientific evidence and hence where the wishful or magical thinking comes into play. However, rest assured that there is no witchcraft, sorcery, or paganism when it comes to this herbal remedy.

Today, our witch hazel preparations come from the leaves and bark of the North American Witch Hazel shrub, which are high in tannins. Tannins give this plant its astringent properties. And just a refresher course: astringents are substances that can dry, tighten, and harden tissues.

Here are some potential uses:

o Pimples. Even the word sounds icky. Witch hazel reduces inflammation, redness, pore size, and excess oil from our skin. After washing our face, saturate a cotton pad and apply to our skin, letting it dry. Some people apply it daily to prevent acne.

o Diaper rash. My daughter’s pediatrician recommended applying witch hazel with a cotton ball to soothe and heal her diaper rash. While I continued with keeping her bottom clean and doing “naked” time, the witch hazel appeared to provide her much needed relief.

o Puffy eyes. Wanna get rid of those bags under your eyes, but not so keen on using hemorrhoid cream? Applying witch hazel can shrink our under-eye bags. Afterall, one of the magic ingredients in hemorrhoid cream is witch hazel. Generously soak a cotton pad and apply to your closed eye for 2-3 minutes. Allow it to dry and then repeat.

o Varicose veins. The compound tannins help constrict blood vessels and will help reduce the inflammation, especially the swelling of the varicose veins. Soak a washcloth in witch hazel and lay on your legs to help tighten the veins and temporarily relieve discomfort.

o Bruises. These unsightly marks that come from walking into things or falling will eventually heal after several days. Want a short cut? Consider dabbing witch hazel to the bruise 3-4 times a day.

o Razor burn. Witch hazel is believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties, and can thereby decrease those itchy bumps around hair follicles that form after shaving. Consider applying before or after shaving.

o Sunburn. Broken blood vessels result in the redness that we see with sunburn. Pain comes from the inflammation and swelling. Witch hazel may decrease the inflammation and discomfort. But make sure to use an alchohol-free preparation.

o Dry skin. Apply witch hazel right after showering to lock in the moisture that just soaked into our skin.

o Cuts and scratches. There are a plethora of over-the-counter choices when it comes to cuts. In the past I have thrown everything I can find at them to decrease the discomfort, risk of infection, and scarring. Although there is no scientific evidence that witch hazel can do this, it seems plausible for minor skin breaks.

o Bug bites. Witch hazel is believed to have anti-pruritic (itching) and anti-inflammatory properties. Worth a try!

o Tired or red eyes. Apply witch hazel and cold water to a clean washcloth and then place the compress over your closed eyes for 10 minutes.

o Deodorant. Witch hazel is believed to possess antibacterial properties, remove excess oil and moisture, and constrict tissue to which it is applied. The malodorous odor that we call “B.O.” comes not from the sweat that our body secretes, but the bacteria that live on our skin. To use as a “deodorant” you can pour a generous amount onto a large cotton ball and dab liberally to your armpits. Alternatively, pre-soaked pads are available.

Eczema and psoriasis. The anti-inflammatory effects can decrease itching, redness, burning, and the scarring that results from this.