In Between Times 3-2-2023
GOP Senator proposes carbon tariff, Modular nuclear energy, Clarkson's Farm as a model, Walkable cities
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REPUBLICAN Senator from ND proposes a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Let's show our support
This is worthy of a "wow. Three days ago in a hearing Senator Cramer, from fossil fuel rich North Dakota, proposed a a carbon border adjustment mechanism in a hearing. He argued a CBAM would reward generally clean(er) operations in the USA, would reduce overall carbon emissions, and would punish some of the most egregious carbon emitters overseas. For Senator Cramer to broach this topic, indeed to advocate for it, is remarkable. Let's encourage more thinking in the halls of the Senate along these lines by signing this petition.
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REPUBLICAN Senator Cramer from oil rich North Dakota sings the praises of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
Several universities to experiment with micro nuclear power
“Modularity” is a term you will hear used a lot more in coming months and years. In energy terms, it means more small centers of energy creation that together can make a system, rather than a spoke network with one centralized power plant. Modular systems tend to be less expensive and much more flexible. As markets and technology inevitably change, modular networks can adjust. Old centralized networks being built out have a much harder time adjusting to changes.
Modularity will likely be key to making solar and wind work at serious scale in the future. Increasingly it looks like it might work for nuclear too. Some universities are taking the first steps.
(From Green Citizen)
…microreactors can be built into factories and hooked up on-site. The goal is to use nuclear energy on demand as a product. The reactors can complement renewable energy by providing a lot of power without taking up a lot of land. For example, a 10-megawatt microreactor takes up less than an acre, which is much less compared to solar farms and windmills.
The University of Illinois and Penn State are only some of the universities that plan to use nuclear power. And they aren’t the only ones. The Department of Defense is also working on a microreactor.
Click here for the article.
Jeremy Clarkson (Of Top Gear Fame) buys a farm and learns a lot about farming, farmers, and the environment
By Elizabeth Sheldon
What can satisfy environmentalists, the wealthy, the working class, and farmers more than gorgeous democratized views enjoyed while consuming a sustainable farm-to-(well) farm meal? In Amazon Prime's Clarkson's Farm 2, Jeremy Clarkson works against the local government and pesky building permits to achieve his season's dream: building a farm restaurant.
In order to sell his produce at a much friendlier margin to the farmer (Clarkson) by selling direct to the consumer, Jeremy spends season 2 of his Amazon Prime show navigating the business, regulatory, financial, and logistical challenges of building a farm restaurant.
And what he's done might just be a gold mine for farmers, and an important societal behavioral change for building a more circular economy.
Clarkson's dream would prove to be more than just a content creation stunt. By conceiving and building a restaurant directly on his farm (all while managing to work around annoying and expensive, but probably mostly quite useful [though likely needing updating], permitting regulation), Jeremy managed to solve more than a few problems with this idea:
He removed the need for tons of plastic. There's nothing wrong with buying meat from a supermarket and strides are being made to reduce supermarket plastic waste (check out this EarthxAction Alert praising Tesco's recent move to reduce their plastic packaging), but, in doing so, the consumer is putting a requirement on the system for plastic and carbon emissions as produce needs to be packed and shipped. By serving the produce that was created on property to be consumed on that property, the farm restaurant concept reduces some of the energy and materials needed to transport and package our food.[a]
He has opened his stunning, once private, view to the public. One of the ways, I have noticed, that the rich experience life differently than the poor is literally what they see in front of them. Throughout this gorgeous planet I have seen it time and time again. The most beautiful things are hidden behind a paywall or, even worse of all, they aren't accessible at all unless you know the rich bloke who owns it (and I rarely do). While eating at a farm restaurant might not be accessible to all, and some will be priced out,this sort of dining opens the door to some of nature's most stunning views. Clarkson’s farm restaurant (and others like it) will expose more people to farm life and to where our food comes from.
He reduced food waste. By having a restaurant on the farm, a professional chef can determine how best to use all of the produce, whereas amateur cooks may struggle to know how to best incorporate parts of produce that have been fazed out of our Western suburban and urban norms. This can serve to inspire the restaurant goers, those amateur cooks who shape what is stocked in our supermarkets, and can help shorten food supply chains and move our consumption habits in a way that is more beneficial to our community. Brits learning how to cook different plates with produce grown 100% in the UK can shift a bit more consumption of British food within the country, putting slightly less pressure on international trade and all the work, waste and carbon emissions associated with it, which helps British farmers.
He taught the people what good, fresh food tastes like. 44% of adults are addicted to processed foods, the food that causes cancer and wreaks havoc on our bodies. You may think - I eat healthy, it doesn't affect me. Well, if you live in a society, than it does. No matter the setup of your healthcare system, having needlessly unhealthy members of a society does not benefit the community as a whole. Can it benefit some? For sure. Those few who profit off of illness and have low morality may not see an issue with a system that continuously reduces access to fresh food. But for most of us, the ethical majority, the goal should be healthy and happy neighbors. And being reintroduced, as a species, to just how mouthwateringly delicious fresh food is for the taste buds and for the soul, in my opinion, is part of the societal evolution towards a more circular economy.
I have been lucky enough to enjoy the produce that Andean farmers grow for those who venture the 4-day hike through the mountains on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It's hard to explain the taste and experience of eating a meal on the land where it all was produced - And that is why I hope that more restaurants like Clarkson's start popping up on farms around the world.
He has incentivized travel to his farm, opening up the door to selling raw produce direct to his restaurant go-ers. Like what you just ate? Skip this week's trip to the supermarket, and do your grocery shopping directly at the farm. By incentivizing farm visits, and making it a destination for the entire family, consumers can make the most out of their travel, and open up more opportunities for the farmer to sell their produce direct to the consumer, by stocking up on groceries during their visit.
Farm restaurants will not drastically change our supply chain, but they can definitely benefit local communities and community members, and they can give more people those wonderful experiences that make life worth living. They also can provide an excellent source of revenue for farmers to sell their produce at much higher margins, all while reducing waste and contributing to a circular economy. By promoting sustainability, health and happiness, and making farm restaurants accessible, we can change the world for the better.
Walkable Cities Provide a Path Toward Common Ground and Climate Progress
Those of us who are crazy in love with the process of democracy may not be the popular kids we think we should be.
Listen to last week’s A Moment of BS from Bill Shireman
Event
The EarthX Expo is the world’s largest green gathering held annually around Earth Day in Dallas, Texas. Our Congress of Conferences highlights a wide range of environmental & sustainability-related topics.
It has grown to become the largest event of its kind in the world, bringing together environmental organizations, businesses, academic institutions, government agencies, speakers, interactive programming, and subject matter experts.
EarthX Expo also features live music, art and food to help create a fun and engaging atmosphere for thought and experiential learning.