Growing Growing Gone

Detroit: A City In Transition? Or Just Another American Ghetto

Here's a thought on a possible fix for our ghetto fabulous Detroit. It may be as simple as changing our surrondings. Ghetto tends to stay that way, because no one seems to care about what is around them, or maybe they just don't believe that things ever could change. The graffiti, broken glass, and other unsightly trash seem to litter every ghetto in America. Sure, just cleaning up is not going to fundamentally change the people that live there, but maybe it would make them take a second look at their living environment. That drug dealer or pimp may think twice about operating on a nice clean street corner, rather then the typical ghetto street corner. I guess I don't understand why the individuals living in these areas don't step outside their doors and think to themselves "wow", maybe I should pick up that empty beer can, or paint over those gang signs that have been there for years. Or maybe take it one step further and demolish that old abandon house across the street. Why are people that live in these areas so set in their ways that change seems impossible? In my opinion, all we need is for people to lead by example. We need leaders to step up to the plate and start making a difference. It is amazing how human nature is to always follow the crowd. I think it could catch on like a standing ovation. Once those few people stand up in the front row, others follow until soon they are all standing united. Don't get me wrong Detroit is definitely on the road to recovery with Comerica Park, Ford Field and the renovation of the Detroit River Front, but we need the individuals there to start feeling proud of their surrondings. Boy, wouldn't that be a change. Let's not let the bad seeds in Detroit ruin the whole city. Let make a stand against violence, drugs and unsightly street corners. It's a lot of work but I am confident it can be done with the support of the people of Detroit. Let me know what you think. Can our fair city return to it's former motown glory? Let's make it happen.

Solar Powered Indoors

Why don't we have solar powered lamps that simply sit by our windows during the day? That way when we draw the shades at night, they turn on and use the energy that was generated by the solar panel. The price of solar power has been going down as it becomes produced on a mass scale, but it still seems like products like this just don't exist. It would be great this type of merchandise was readily available at a Wal-mart or Home Depot. Hey, how about fans in the summer, and solar heaters in the winter? It could even be as simple as powering a clock. I say if plants can do it why cann't we? What do you think of this idea?

The Simple Solution

Right now 2/3 of the power generated from fossil fuels is just wasted and harming our environment every day. This movie sums up a lot of the real solutions to our energy problems. It discusses some of the policies already in place in other countries like Sweden and Germany. We need to harness energy created from solar PV cells, wind generators, geothermal energy or simply catching the wasted heat given off by traditional power plants. Let have our generation be the ones that made a difference. Is anyone with me?

The Modern Johnny Appleseed

I am sure most of you have heard the story of Johnny Appleseed or John Chapman (1774-1847), as he was know back then, but for those of you who haven't, here is a quick recap. He was a simple man from colonial times that traveled across the vast USA planting apple seeds all along the way. Years from then there were hundreds, if not thousands of apple trees, all full grown and providing a healthy treat for those in it's vicinity. My question to you is, "Why can't we use this same logic today to help out poor parts of cities, or even countries?" I mean how about planting an orchard in Central Park, or blueberry and raspberry bushes all along the Detroit River Front. It's not like there isn't all ready trees and bushes in these locations, so why not have them serving their community. I certainly don't think there would be a problem with the fruit rotting considering how many hungry mouths there are out there in the world. In fact, it might be the exact opposite, in that there would not be enough for everyone, or people would pick the fruits and vegtables too early, but they would learn the hard way if they had to. So why hasn't the government, or someone else started a program such as this? Instead, we hear every year about all the starving people in the world, when we could be slowly growing towards a solution. Hopefully, this may at least make you think twice about tossing that apple core in the trash, and who knows maybe you will be the next Johnny Appleseed?

The Amazon River Dries Up (Does Anyone Care?)

The worst drought in decades....

Check out more climate change videos here!

A Brighter Outlook for Green Energy

It's time for a change. More and more people are voicing their opionion about high oil and energy prices. So, what do you think the solution is? Here are my thoughts, first I think that governments in the world should provide more subsidies or tax credits for Solar, Wind, Geothermal, and other forms of "Green Energy". On a smaller level, I also believe corporations and individuals need to receive at least half of their energy from these type of energy sources and eventually even higher. The problem is that this issue needs to be solved on a global level and with tensions growing in the world every day, I don't know if any one nation can even begin to solve this growing phenomenon. So, do you know how I am going to do my part? Well, I am putting my money where my mouth is. I mean what could be better than making money and saving mother nature at the same time? Companies like Evergreen Solar stock symbol (eslr), Sunpower (stp), Suntech (spwr), Zoltek (zolt), Quantum (qtww) and Ormat (ora) are all great growth stories of alternative energy. With the price of oil, very uncertain and most likely not headed south with the Middle East situation, and the huricane season bearing down on us. We need to take action immediately, and if the government isn't going to subsidies them, then perhaps the individual investor like me or you can, and maybe even make a bit of mula in the process. Join the alternative energy revolution, and help save us from our own human ignorance, before it is too late. Voice your opinion below in comments and please watch the videos throughout the blog for even more info on global warming and alternative energy.