Everyday Thinking

Listen Again: The Families of 'Earth'

   Film directors Alastar Fothergill and Mark Linfied follow the movement of polar bears, elephants and humpback whales in their new film, Earth. Shot at 200 different locations in 64 different countries, Earth covers a vast terrain that ranges from the tops of mountains to the bottom of the ocean. The film was five years in the making.

Fothergill and Linfield also directed the BBC series Earth and the Discovery Channel series Planet Earth. The duo says that while the television series they directed were "habitat-based," the new film is "character-based."

Click here to the interview originally broadcast on Fresh Air.

Watch the trailer here.

The energy footprint of bottled water

 by Crystal Sarakas                                                                                           

This article from LiveScience examines a new study on how much energy it takes to produce bottled water. While the overall percentage may be small in terms of how much energy the United States consumes, does knowing just how much energy it takes change how you drink water? Have you switched from bottled water to something that uses less plastic? Do you bring water with you from home?

From the article:

Our bottled water habit has a huge environmental impact, including the amount of energy it takes to make the plastic bottles, fill them and ship them to thirsty consumers worldwide.

A new study breaks down just how much energy is used at each step of the process.

An estimated total of the equivalent of 32 million to 54 million barrels of oil was required to generate the energy to produce the amount of bottled water consumed in the United States in 2007, according to the study, detailed in the January-March issue of the journal Environmental Research Letters. Of course, this is but a third of a percent of the energy that the United States consumes as a whole in a year.

In 2007, the last year for which global statistics were available, more than 200 billion liters of bottled water were sold around the world, mostly in North America and Europe. The total amount sold in the United States alone that year (33 billion liters) averages out to about 110 liters (almost 30 gallons) of water per person, according to the Beverage Marketing Corporation.

...

The final tally of 32 million to 54 million barrels of oil may be only about a third of a percent of the total U.S. energy consumption, but it could be considered an "unnecessary use of energy," Gleick said. (Roughly three times as much oil would have been needed to produce the global amount of bottled water consumed.)

The amount is 2,000 times more than is required to make tap water, "and we live in a country where we have very good tap water," Gleick said.

Gleick said that the purpose of the study was not to propose that bottled water be banned, but to help consumers "understand the implications of our choices." With the information on the energy impacts, "we may choose to do different things as individuals," he added.

Understanding the energy costs of the process also sheds light on the greenhouse gases that energy use emits. "Energy is sort of the first piece of the puzzle," Gleick said.

 

Cornell initiative transforms 'biotrash' into 'bioenergy'

by Lauren Chambliss, for the Cornell Chronicle

In a new campus initiative, vegetable oil from deep fryers in campus dining halls, animal bedding, farm waste and other sources of "biotrash" will be transformed into fuels for use on campus.

The Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (CUAES) has launched the Cornell University Renewable Bioenergy Initiative (CURBI), an ambitious plan to use 57 campus waste streams and other biomass resources to generate bioenergy to keep Cornell humming in economically, environmentally and socially sustainable ways. CURBI is a key component of President David Skorton's Advanced Sustainability Action Plan and the Cornell Climate Action Plan and is intended to be a model bioenergy operation for New York state and the country.

"CURBI -- a partnership between research, the CUAES and Cornell's administration office to create a living learning laboratory at Cornell -- represents a new chapter in Cornell's efforts to promote a sustainable environment," said Stephen T. Golding, executive vice president for finance and administration.

CURBI will not only be an operations and research-based facility but also will be used for teaching and outreach to showcase multiple cutting-edge technologies under one roof to produce renewable energy.

Slow pyrolysis, for example, is one of the technologies CURBI is considering; it generates both energy and a valuable soil amendment called biochar, which when added to soil, sequesters carbon, making it the only renewable energy technology that actually removes carbon from the atmosphere and buries it. Although no commercial slow pyrolysis operation yet exists in the United States, Cornell is home to Johannes Lehmann, Cornell professor of crop and soil sciences, one of the world's leading experts in biochar.

A feasibility study -- funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in partnership with Cornell and launched in January by the engineering firm Stearns and Wheler -- is assessing the engineering, economic and environmental viability of pyrolysis and other technologies being considered for CURBI.

CUAES agricultural operations director Drew Lewis, who spearheads CURBI, says that housing different renewable energy technologies under one roof -- or in close proximity -- will offer beneficial opportunities for comparing, demonstrating and improving efficiencies, while addressing operational, environmental and economic issues through integrated, collaborative efforts with researchers and educators.

The CURBI feasibility study is also looking at anaerobic digestion, high-efficiency direct combustion and other "stackable" renewable energy technologies, so that waste products from one system can be used by another. This would increase the overall efficiency of the systems and make using biomass even more attractive.

Michael Hoffmann, CUAES director, notes that CURBI's harvest of energy from on-hand resources at Cornell's many operations -- including some 8,000 tons of organic waste that is generated by Cornell annually -- could be a model not only for the state but for the country.

"We are in a unique position to use input streams that are readily available," says Hoffmann. "Also, the interest of research faculty and extension experts from many different departments see this as an opportunity to further their research, teaching and outreach programs in bioenergy. In partnership with others in the private and public sector, we have the intellectual and operational capacity to do this right and be a model for the state, the region and the nation."

CURBI involves faculty and staff from several departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Environmental Compliance and Sustainability Office, and the Department of Utilities and Energy Management.

EarthTalk: Reducing home energy use

Dear EarthTalk: This winter is shaping up to be one of the coldest in recent memory where I live. What can I do to reduce my home heating bill now and in the future?     -- Eric Lenz, Seattle, WA

Whether global warming is somehow to blame or not, much of the United States is getting walloped this winter. The Seattle area has suffered its most significant and lingering snowfall—and lower than average winter temperatures—in decades. Even Los Angeles is getting a nasty taste of winter, with several days topping out at the freezing mark on the thermometer. And other parts of the country more used to challenging winter weather have been getting an extra dose of wind, snow and ice this year as well.

Besides the cold, another challenge this wintry weather presents, especially during such trying economic times, is higher heating bills. Heating typically accounts for about 28 percent of the average American home’s energy use, but this year staying warm might occupy a larger slice of the household expenditure pie. Homeowners who take a few simple steps to make their homes more weather-tight, though, just might be amazed to see their heating bills go down while they languish inside their toasty and warm homes.

If you’re a handy person and your draft issues are minor, you might want to go around and assess just where cold air seems to be coming in—and then caulk, putty or insulate to your heart’s content. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council’s (NRDC’s) green-living oriented SimpleSteps website, small gaps around windows, light fixtures and plumbing are easy to cover with caulk. Large drafty areas that are protected from moisture and sunlight can be covered with expanding foam sealant, while a little weather-stripping around door jambs goes a long way toward keeping the cold out.

Beyond these easier fixes, adding or updating insulation can pay dividends on your utility bills. NRDC says that if you do it yourself, be careful not to cover or close up attic vents, as proper air flow is key to keeping indoor air quality good. Replacing single pane windows with sealed double or triple pane windows will also improve your home’s energy efficiency significantly. Other tips include insulating heating ducts and your hot water tank, and upgrading to a programmable thermostat which allows you to heat your home when you’re there and lower the temperature when you’re sleeping or at work. Switching ceiling fans to rotate in a clockwise direction will help circulate warm air throughout your home.

Older, inefficient furnaces can also lead to large heating bills. New models which qualify for the federal government’s Energy Star program will use far less gas or oil and reduce your utility bill handily. The non-profit American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) rates different furnaces and boiler options and reports on their findings for free via the consumer guide section of its website.

For those of us less qualified or less interested in doing our own home repair, bringing in a professional energy auditor might be just the ticket. Many local and regional utilities offer free basic energy audits. Meanwhile, the trade group Residential Energy Services Network, as well as the federal government’s Home Performance with Energy Star program, offer free searchable online databases of trustworthy local contractors with experience keeping homes in your area nice and warm.

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it online , or by e-mail. You can read past columns on our archives.

Greener biogas for farmers

Cornell plant scientists have invented a new method that uses manure and other farm byproducts to remove toxic hydrogen sulfide from biogas -- a renewable energy source derived from the breakdown of animal waste.

Hydrogen sulfide can combine with water to cause acid rain and to corrode engines. Its removal makes biogas a more viable alternative fuel source. The new method will be marketed under the name SulfaMaster.

"SulfaMaster has a very large potential application for distributed bioenergy production at small sites around the country," said Gary Harman, professor of plant biology at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva.

Harman and Terry Spittler, a retired analytical chemist at Cornell, own Terrenew, a small company at Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park in Geneva that will market the product. In addition, Terrenew markets two other products that also use agricultural waste to help clean up environmental contaminants, including oil spills and heavy metals, from water.

With more than 9 million dairy cows in the United States, each producing on average more than 120 pounds of manure daily, biogas is already a key energy source for many sustainable farms. It's created by anaerobic digestion -- a process by which microorganisms break down manure and other organic matter in the absence of oxygen. The resulting biogas contains high levels of methane and carbon dioxide, but also a small amount of hydrogen sulfide.

Most methods for hydrogen sulfide removal require expensive industrial scrubbers that are not feasible for smaller farms.

Read the full article here.

(Image: Terry Spitler, left, director of Terranew's research and development, and Gary Harmon, Cornell professor and Terranew's chief scientific officer, pose with their pilot system for hydrogen sulfide removal. Biogas is pumped into the barrels, which contain a special medium on a manure base that removes the hydrogen sulfide.)

Going 'green' even as oil prices drop

   Like clockwork, it seems like every time oil prices skyrocket in the United States, the country takes a step toward energy independence. Then the price of oil recedes and American energy consumers revert to their profligate ways.

It happened in 1973 when Middle East countries imposed an oil embargo. It happened in 1979 in the aftermath of the revolution in Iran. And it has happened again in the past few years as fuel prices spiked and a flush economy combined to propel the nation toward renewable energy, alternative fuels and the reduction of corporate America's carbon footprint.

Everybody jumped on the bandwagon. There has been an explosion of corporations "greenwashing" — paying lip service to environmentalism — their missions. Automobile manufacturers tout new, cleaner-greener technology. Grocery stores encourage reusable bags. Professional sports franchises instruct fans on how to recycle.

But recently, falling gas prices and a flailing economy have again put the brakes on many of the green initiatives — sincere and otherwise — of corporate America.

Absent a comprehensive national energy policy, what will it take to get corporations and consumers beyond this yo-yo effect and onto a permanent path toward renewable energy?

Read the full article here.

Waste not: Butternut squash seed oil hits the market

What's a farmer to do with the pounds of waste generated when his butternut squash is processed? One New York farmer had the brainstorm to contact the New York State Food Venture Center (FVC) at Cornell. The result: A new product is soon to be marketed -- a nutty-tasting butternut squash seed oil that is perfect for salad dressings, marinades and for sautéing.

It all started two years ago when Dave Schwartz of John B. Martin and Sons Farm in Brockport, N.Y., contacted FVC, located at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, asking for help with what to do with the squash waste his farm produces.

The farm is one of the region's largest growers of butternut squash. Workers harvest the squash, store it in refrigerated warehouses and process it for market as needed, generating a significant amount of waste, including seed.

The FVC evaluated options using funding provided by the New York Farm Viability Institute's Agriculture Innovation Center Program, which focuses on adding value to agricultural products.

"The farm sent 600 pounds of seeds and peels, and as a result of some trials we did, several potential products were developed," said Herb Cooley, a technician at FVC. "One of the trials involved separating the seed from the rest of the waste and drying it. We then tried roasting some of the seed and pressing that in our oil press, which yielded an excellent result."

Read the full article at the Cornell Chronicle.

Which grass is 'greener?' Cornell scientists looking for the best grass for biofuel

Talk about a field of dreams. Cornell bioenergy plant experts are learning which field grasses are the  best candidates for "dedicated energy" crops in the Northeast, considering the region's climate and soil conditions.

The experts hosted their first field day Sept. 10 to give farmers, government officials, extension educators and researchers the opportunity to view stands of tall grasses that represent the future of bioenergy in the Northeast.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' (CALS) Bioenergy Feedstock Project, now in its second year, is the only project of its kind devoted to exploring the many species of field grass that grow in the Northeast and their potential as sources for biofuels.

The project has roughly 80 acres of different warm- and cool-season perennial grass varieties, otherwise known as "feedstocks," growing in 11 counties across New York. "Our ultimate goal is to maximize the economic benefit of bioenergy production as an alternative energy source," said Donald Viands, professor of plant breeding and genetics, who heads the project, speaking against a colorful backdrop of a field of blue, green, lavender and beige hues, where some plants were withering, but some were some thriving.

Switchgrass, big bluestem and other wild grasses native to the United States have great potential for producing the quantity and quality of biomass needed for conversion to alternative, renewable energy, particularly biofuels, Viands said. The grass project will eventually provide farmers and producers with answers to such critical questions as which varieties of grasses to plant, appropriate seeding rates, weed control and other best-management practices to produce "quick, cheap" sugars that can be most easily liberated from the plant biomass and converted to fuel.

Read the full article here.

EarthTalk: What do I do with my plastic lids?

Dear EarthTalk: Everyone knows we should recycle metal, glass and plastic cans and bottles, but what about all the lids, tops and caps?  I see people recycling plastic bottles, for example, with their caps on, but I've always been told to thrown them out. Is that wrong?      -- Stefanie Gandolfi, Oakland, CA     

Many municipal recycling programs throughout the U.S. still do not accept plastic lids, tops and caps even though they take the containers that accompany them. The reason is that they are not typically made of the same kinds of plastics as their containers and therefore should not be mixed together with them.

“Just about any plastic can be recycled,” says Signe Gilson, Waste Diversion Manager for Seattle-based CleanScapes, one of the west coast’s leading “green” solid waste and recycling collectors, “but when two types are mixed, one contaminates the other, reducing the value of the material or requiring resources to separate them before processing.”

Also, plastic caps and lids can jam processing equipment at recycling facilities, and the plastic containers with tops still on them may not compact properly during the recycling process. They can also present a safety risk for recycling workers. “Most plastic bottles are baled for transport and if they don’t crack when baled, the ones with tightly fastened lids can explode when the temperature increases,” says Gilson.

Some recycling programs do accept plastic caps and lids, but usually only if they are off their containers completely and batched separately. Given the many potential issues, however, most recyclers would rather avoid taking them altogether. Thus it is hard to believe but true: In most locales the responsible consumers are the ones who throw their plastic caps and lids into the trash instead of the recycling bin.

As for metal caps and lids, they, too, can jam processing machines, but many municipalities accept them for recycling anyway because they do not cause any batch contamination issues. To deal with the potentially sharp lid of any can you are recycling (such as a tuna, soup or pet food can), carefully sink it down into the can, rinse it all clean, and put it in your recycling bin.

Of course, the best way to reduce all kinds of container and cap recycling is to buy in large rather than single-serving containers. Does the event you’re holding really require dozens and dozens of 8- to 16-ounce soda and water bottles, many of which will get left behind only partly consumed anyway? Why not buy large soda bottles, provide pitchers of (tap) water and let people pour into re-usable cups?

The same kind of approach can be taken with many if not all of the bottled and canned grocery items we buy routinely for the home. If more people bought in bulk, apportioning out of larger, fewer containers, we could take a huge bite out of what goes into the waste stream.

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it online , or by e-mail. You can read past columns on our archives.

EarthTalk: How to 'clean green'

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve read that household cleaners contain cancer-causing toxic ingredients. What should I do, then, to keep my house clean but also safe for my kids?  -- Christine Stewart, via e-mail

While much of the research is mixed or inconclusive, a variety of human and animal studies have linked chemicals common in household cleaning products with a wide range of health risks.

The most offensive common ingredients, according to a 2006 study by the University of California Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, are ethylene-based glycol, used commonly as a water-soluble solvent in cleaning agents and classified as a hazardous air pollutant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and terpenes, a class of chemicals found in lemon, pine and orange oils that can morph into carcinogenic compounds when they mix with ground-level ozone.

Also, chlorine, often labeled as “sodium hypochlorite” or “hypochlorite,” is almost ubiquitous in household cleaners, unfortunately for the inhabitants of many homes. Breathing in its fumes can irritate the lungs, and as such poses a serious health risk to those with pre-existing heart or respiratory problems.

According to the non-profit Cancer Prevention Coalition, some other problematic chemicals found in many household cleaners include crystalline silica, an irritant to the eyes and lungs and a likely carcinogen, and butyl cellosolve, which has been linked to kidney and liver problems and is reportedly toxic to forming cells. The group lists dozens of other potentially dangerous ingredients in household products on the “Hazardous Ingredients in Household Products” PDF available for free on its website.

Gaiam, a leading purveyor of green household and lifestyle items, reports that the average American household contains between three and 25 gallons of toxic materials, mostly in the form of household cleaners filled with petrochemical solvents designed to dissolve dirt. The company bemoans the fact that no law requires cleaning products manufacturers to list ingredients on their labels or to test their products for safety, leaving it up to consumers to make sure their homes are not only clean, but also non-toxic.

Luckily there are plenty of “greener” alternatives now widely available from manufacturers like Gaiam, Earth Friendly Products, Citra-Solv, Ecover, Mrs. Meyers, Sun and Earth, SimpleGreen, Method, and Seventh Generation, among many others. Even big players are getting in on the act. Clorox recently released a new line of home cleaning products under the Green Works label to attract a greening clientele.

For those so inclined, making your own green cleaning solutions is easy and cheap. According to The Green Guide, consumers can “circumvent the armada of commercial cleaners” by keeping handy an ample supply of eight ingredients for nearly every do-it-yourself cleaning job: baking soda, borax, distilled white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, lemons, olive oil, vegetable-based (liquid castile) soap, and washing soda.

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it online , or by e-mail. You can read past columns on our archives.