Climate change checklist manifesto: energy and materials

There's an organization called the Regenesis Group that specializes in Integrative Design:

"The benefits of this process include higher efficiency, lower costs, reduced waste, faster time to market, and the realization of exponential value to the social, ecological, financial and human qualities of a project, the community and its ecosystem."

solar and wind help power the Audubon Center of the North Woods

Photo by J. Harrington

We believe that most, if not all, of the options listed below would benefit immensely by being embedded in a more complete context through integrative design. Technology, and behavior change, need to be fit into a broader context than the ones described below, if they are to have an optimum impact. We have social systems and economic systems and technical systems and many other systems that warrant consideration when looking toward behavior change by individuals, families, farmers and others.

ENERGY AND MATERIALS

6 . Rooftop solar — Installing rooftop photovoltaic systems under one megawatt

We've looked at getting a photovoltaic (ground mounted) system. One major drawback is the battery backup available is insufficient to serve as a backup during any longer term failure of the grid. No electricity: no water from the electric pump, no (gas) heat, no refrigeration. We remember reading about the longer term failure of gas station pumps after Sandy, so portable generators have notable limitations. This option needs better systems integration.

14 . Solar water — Using solar radiation to pre-heat or heat water for building use

Our electric water heater is about due for replacement. We'll consider a solar option along with a tankless option starting with this evaluation by the Minnesota Sustainable Housing Initiative.

20 . Methane digesters — Adopting technologies that produce biogas for household heating through anaerobic digestion of organic waste

Not applicable unless we add livestock.

21 . LED lighting — Using energy efficient lighting in households

Over the years we've replaced incandescent bulbs, first with compact fluorescents and then with LEDs. The quality of white light from most LEDs we find unappealing. Perhaps it's atavism and relating to the hearth fires that makes us prefer warm light to cool.

23 . Household water saving — Using water saving devices in homes such as low-flow showerheads

We've done this on all except the utility sink and the external faucets.

24 . Smart thermostats — Using devices that reduce heating and cooling demand through sensors and settings in the home

When members of the household are at home much of each day, these are of less utility than when folks head for work and school all day.

27 . Household recycling and recycled paper — Recycling paper, metal, plastic, and glass materials

We do this and have for years.

30 . Micro wind — Installing small wind turbines to provide household electricity needs

This may serve as an alternative to or complement to photovoltaic, but doesn't address the battery limitation issue.

Statement on Energy Policy

By Carter Revard

It’s true we have invented quark-extraction,

and this allows our aiming gravity at will;

it’s true also that time

can now be made to flow

backward or forward by

the same process. It may be true as well that

what is happening at the focal point,

the meristem of this process,

creates a future kind of space,

a tiny universe that has

quite different rules. In this, it seems,

whatever one may choose to do or be becomes

at once the case. In short,

we have discovered heaven and

it’s in our grasp. However,

the Patent Office has not yet approved and cites

less positive aspects of this invention. First, it

does not generate profit, and

it does make obsolete all present

delivery systems for our nukes. Then,

it will let private citizens do things that only

a chosen few, that is, OUR sort, should be allowed—

fly freely from one country

to any other, spreading diseases

and bankrupting transportation.

Home-heating, auto-making industries will be trashed,

employment shelled, depressions spread worldwide,

sheer anarchy descend.

For these and other reasons,

no one must know of this. . . . 

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