TED Talk from Alex Steffen: The sharable future of cities

http://www.ted.com/talks/alex_steffen.html

Genius.

Do you have an electric drill that I can borrow?

I was so excited about the unveiling of the new New York City Solar Map. Not at all disappointed when I saw it. Beautiful. And very encouraging for the development of solar energy in New York City. The map shows all the potential locations across the five boroughs where solar is viable (flat roofs and direct sunlight help) along with existing solar arrays (you can get yours added).

The interactivity of the map is mind blowing. You can zoom down to any address and the map will tell you: how much money you’d save on electricity, the solar capacity of your roof, the carbon emissions saved and the equivalent number of trees you’d need to plant in order to achieve the same reduction. (The map also offers detailed explanation about how these numbers are calculated.)

Studio C’s Solar Potential:

• Annual electricity bill savings up to: $10,056.
• You can install up to 42.8 kilowatts of solar here.
• Reduce your annual carbon emissions by up to 37,098 lbs/yr.
• That’s the same as planting 99 trees!

Map developers Sustainable CUNY say that if solar panels were installed across the city at these locations, solar energy alone could meet half the peak energy needs of the city. Something to think about on an 85 degree day (never mind a 100 degree day) when plenty of air conditioners are running. Amazing.

Here’s what the NY Times had to say about the map: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/science/earth/16solar.html.

And definitely check out this gorgeous, interactive Solar Map: http://nycsolarmap.com/.

Renewable energy, green jobs, what’s not to love?

Every year, I look forward to getting garlic scapes and making garlic scape pesto. A simple, delicious garlic-y topping for pasta, bread, crackers…and eating straight up from the jar. Just don’t smooch anyone afterwards, unless you’ve been playing nice and sharing.

Basic recipe: 10-12 garlic scapes, 1 cup shredded parmesan and romano cheese, handful of pine nuts, 5 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper.

Government can create the room for businesses to expand and thrive. Starting with small businesses. Proposing to take $30 billion of money big banks gave back and reinvest it in small businesses. Elimination of capital gains taxes for small business investment (standing ovation).

And here comes the green element.

Our nation has been built to compete…China shouldn’t lead the way in clean energy innovation. Tomorrow, Obama will visit FL, where there’s a new high speed railroad paid for by reinvestment act money. Put more Americans to work building clean energy facilities. Give homeowners money for clean energy investments and weatherization. (Hurrah!)

(Oh, it’s hard to focus only on environmental elements. So much good stuff here. Focus, focus.)

They’re (China, Germany) making serious investments in clean energy cause they want those jobs. Says Obama: I will not accept second place for America!

As uncomfortable as the debates may become, we need to fix the problems hampering our economic growth. (I’m going to assume this includes addressing climate change.)

We should be producing the world’s cheapest solar cells. (I like.)

This year, a new CA business will put 1,000 to work, making solar panels. We need more production…oh, no. He’s talking about oil drilling and nuclear power. But also biofuels and clean coal…wait, both those things aren’t really that eco-friendly either. Dang.

But wait! Obama follows this build-up by announcing that clean energy means passing a comprehensive CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE bill. And he’s eager to pass this bill – through a bipartisan effort – this year. (Crossing fingers…)

Gotta say, I always agree with promoting education. College affordability. Increasing Pell grants. And loan forgiveness. Wow, wow, wow. (Back to focusing.)

Oh, Bush, you dug us into a financial pit of despair.

But Obama’s got solutions, baby.

Wrap up: fantastic first SOTU from President Obama, but sadly very little on the environment.

The full transcript.