During this past Presidential Campaign, I was part of a group called “CleanTech for Obama” which developed an impressive network of individuals throughout the country, especially in the 15 battleground states. Our focus was to promote Obama’s new energy economy agenda and illustrate the need for building green jobs. Now, as President-Elect Obama creates his administrative team, it is clear that the new energy economy continues to be a priority for the future.
Leaders from the “CleanTech for Obama” gathered in San Francisco this past week to discuss the possibility of forming an organization to build on the network from the campaign. I was flattered to be invited to participate in this meeting. It was a very impressive group of individuals whose expertise range from venture funding to policy development to grassroots organizing and environmental advocacy. Even with differing personal agendas, the members of the group came to a very important consensus - the urgency to create a future that leads with green collar jobs, builds energy solutions companies, creates energy security, and supports energy efficiencies.
The epicenter of energy activity has been focused on states like California and Oregon where environmental issue are part of every day life. But now with the auto crisis these past couple of months, it becomes more apparent that the spotlight needs to shift and widen to include the Midwest. There is now more significance to the notion of converting our industries into green businesses and green collar jobs as well as a driving force for the economic transformation of this region. We need to be at the forefront of encouraging creative innovations that will support the auto industry’s transition period. And, we can utilize these new skills for broader energy solutions throughout our region and our country as a whole.
I was one of only a few people of the Midwest at the meeting in San Francisco, so I feel compelled to help bring the new green environmental message and initiatives to this part of our country—the heart of it all.
Bonnie Milenthal is a partner of The Milenthal Group – a strategic marketing firm focused on helping "game changers" transition from ideation to commercialization, or from public unawareness to mass movement by helping develop their missions, create brands, establish persuasive selling propositions and find a powerful voice in today's new ideology and new economy.
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3 comments:
Good for you, Bonnie! This certainly is no longer just a "coastal" concern. I'm glad to see someone representing the Midwest!
Great job Bonnie. Let me know how I can expand this into the Southeast (I'm outside Atlanta). We could sure use this type of effort here too.
Krishna Avva
Krishna@cleantechstoryteller.com
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Avva Communications
Telling Your Cleantech Story for a Greener Tomorrow
Algae is indeed the best solution for a number of reasons; wastes remediation; cleaner air and water; rapid growth rates (doubling in as little as 2 hours); produces either fuel, feed or food; geographically diverse - depending on growth strategy; not sun limited – mixotrophic strategy.
Imagine a scenario where thousands of acres of algae are being grown for fuel and a natural disaster impacts the food and feed crops – well algae can come to the rescue because food and feed algae species can replace the fuel producers and start to kick out 600 to 800 pounds of food per day per acre. This would be dry weight and suitable for a population because of the high quality proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Algae can seriously be considered an either/or food, feed, or fuel and that is the kind of flexibility civilization needs to develop.
A successful algae strategy does not require algae to be grown in high light (desert environments) to be successful. Simply utilize mixotrophic species of algae to reduce light dependence and algae can be grown anywhere successfully. The Canadians and Irish will be happy to tell you they have no problem growing algae. Take a look at NASA’s SeaWIFS project (see this link - http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/oceancolor/scifocus/oceanColor/nab.shtml) and you soon discover the right conditions outside of the desert exist naturally and are very dependable.
Salt water is a great approach near oceans, however if saline is your choice inland then you need an endless supply of saline water so you can flush through your system continuously otherwise need lots of fresh water to keep you saline concentrations from going to high. An alternative strategy is to utilize grey and brown waters that need additional treatment (algae love these nutrients) prior to release (polishing, tertiary treatment) and do this in areas were there are lots of these wastes. Ideally your customers for the algae products and bi-products will be close as well so you’re not shipping half a country away.
We suggest areas that are rich in industry, livestock production, and human footprints because of the synergies associated with adopting a waste to energy while cleaning the environment. Ross Youngs, www.AlgaeVS.com
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