Discourse for all interested in all things air-quality related
A segment of the Jan. 13, 2013 installment of the CBS 60 Minutes television program covered robotics. Given that I have now had plenty of time to digest what I have watched, my take is, robots, with their ranks apparently increasing, I can only imagine the effect on the electric grid supply and the environment. The presumption, of … Read more
There appears to be growing consensus world air quality is worsening. Recognizing polluted air is a problem is one thing. Cleaning it up is a whole ‘nother matter entirely not to mention doing so is easier said than done. “According to the latest research, a majority (56 %) of Europeans believe that air quality has deteriorated … Read more
I have put off discussing indoor air quality long enough. That changes today. California right now is feeling the effects of a cold front that has swept down out of the Gulf of Alaska driving nighttime temperatures into the low-to-mid-twenties over much of the San Joaquin Valley floor. Many, it seems, are right now relying on a … Read more
During the summer of 1984, I booked a roundtrip flight from California to Maryland and back. I remember riding an Amtrak San Joaquin from Fresno (in the San Joaquin Valley) to Richmond (located on the east side of San Francisco Bay). At the Richmond station, one can make a cross-platform switch to BART, the Bay Area Rapid Transit … Read more
Continuing the discussion from Jan. 7, 2013, Editor Jim Wrinn in the Sept. 2011 issue of Trains writes: “By 2050, 100 million more Americans will live here. Will we plan ahead or just deal with the crisis?”1 Considering what was written, the vehicle in which these statements appear and keeping it all in perspective, one … Read more
In my collection of resource materials, I found a book that I had completely forgotten about. The book is titled: “30 Simple Energy Things You Can Do To Save The Earth.”1 Energy savings idea number 27 on page 57 has to do with: “Auto Savings.” On that page near the top in italics is the … Read more
Number nine in the Clean Air Technologies Series. I find it amazing the way technology has evolved so. I remember being able to walk into the neighborhood electronics parts store with vacuum tubes from home audio entertainment equipment, guitar amplifiers, televisions, radios, and what-not and being able to test their integrity on vacuum tube testers, … Read more
In America a half-century ago, transportation ate up approximately 10 percent of household income. Those days and times are gone for good, but, then again … At any rate, according to renowned architect, a founding member of Congress for the New Urbanism and book author Peter Calthorpe in “The New Transit Town: Best Practices in Transit-Oriented … Read more
Number eight in the Clean Air Technologies Series. Think how many fugitive vapors or emissions there are in the world. What if they could all be captured and put to good use? In “Device converts manure gases into clean and useful energy,” discussed was how methane, a biogas emitted naturally from manure and, how with the … Read more
In “Trains prove their worth in helping improve air,” I offered, “In the final analysis if the growth in passenger train ridership is to continue, then additional service will be necessary. ….Electrified California high-speed rail service, on the other hand, expected to break ground later this year, when built and operational, will provide a viable alternative to meet … Read more