Nuclear Power - Moratorium is fine; REAL answer is phasing out old plants

As my fellow greenies fight hard for moratoriums, I would ask the medical community to step forward and explain to politicians and the public the essence of the true solution, and that is rapidly phasing out the oldest, most dangerous atomic energy plants.

In the eastern GTA region of Ontario we have the Pickering plant, which was built in the 1960s using 50s technology, and we have Darlington, constructed in the 70s utilizing 60s technology. At the moment we are holding hearings on expanding Darlington, so tactically it is correct to fight for a moratorium at these hearings. If the government can place a moratorium on offshore wind due to primarily emotional concerns, then a clear mandate to postpone new nuclear plants should be within reach for the Liberals. It can be superbly argued on economic merits alone, as green energy creates far more jobs and export opportunities, and installs a more sustainable, equitable society.

Pickering was designed for 30 years of operation and I believe it's now been running for over 40 years, In the USA the situation is equally dire, as many plants are running at 110% of capacity, long after their shelf-life has expired.

In Ontario and significant areas of US northeast, we are faced with the opportunity to phase out BOTH coal and nuclear power, and by doing so assume a co-leadership position in the global green energy industry. States such as Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan could form a BIG FIVE Great Lakes Green Energy Initiative with Ontario, and co-ordinate a complete transformation of the area's grid, taking it off of coal and nuclear and onto wind, solar, biogas, geothermal and other renewable clean energy sources. Natural gas can be a valuable transitional fuel as we evolve an Infinite Energy-based Electro-Hydrogen Economy.

Having Lake Ontario and Lake Erie governments declare clear timetables for closing down coal-fired and uranium-fueled electricity plants would create thousands of new companies and lead to hundreds of thousands of new jobs over the next 5 to 7 years, injecting life and stability into many hard-hit, financially depressed communities.

Telephone and email your local, regional and national representatives to let them know you support phasing out toxic plants in favor of green energy industries development.

Supermoons link Japan earthquake with Indonesia and Haiti

2011 Japanese earthquake / tsunami and Supermoon connection

On February 18, 2011, there was a SuperMoon. On March 19/20, 2011, an extreme SuperMoon will occur. A major earthquake (8.9) and tsunami occurred on the Japanese coast of on March 11, 2011.


2010 Haiti earthquake and proximity to Supermoons

On December 31, 2009 there was a SuperMoon and one month later, on January 30, 2010 there was an extreme SuperMoon. Right in the middle of these two Supermoons, there was a major earthquake, a 7.0 event in Haiti on January 12th, that the country is still recovering from.

Supermoon near 2004 Indonesian earthquake and tsunami

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake. The resulting tsunami is given various names, including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Asian Tsunami, Indonesian Tsunami, and Boxing Day Tsunami.

AccuWeather Facebook fanpage member Daniel Vogler adds, "The last extreme super moon occurred on January 10th, 2005, right around the time of the 9.0 Indonesia earthquake. That extreme super moon was a new moon. So be forewarned. Something BIG could happen on or around this date. (+/- 3 Days is my guess)"

Understanding Supermoons and Extreme Supermoons

Super Moon - A new or full moon at 90% or greater of its closest perigee to Earth has been named a "SuperMoon" by astrologer Richard Nolle.

Extreme Super Moon - Occurs when a Super Moon when passing closest to Earth. Specifically, an extreme "SuperMoon" is when the moon is full or new as well as at its 100% greater mean perigee (closest) distance to earth. By this definition, last month's full moon, this month's and next month's will all be extreme "SuperMoons".

History of Supermoons and global flooding, earthquakes, tsunamis

Accuweather.com blogger Mark Paquette article on Supermoons

New solar atlas of Los Angeles a valuable energy planning resource

Photovoltaic solar power potential of Southern California

UCLA's Luskin Center has released a crucial new study focusing on the plentiful photovoltaic solar energy resouces available in the Los Angeles, California region. The atlas (linked below) is designed to help cities and electricity utilities understand their own solar rooftop potential so that they may be better stewards of these resources. Each map presents the geographical distribution of solar potential across neighborhoods and parcels. The maps are accompanied by a description of how the solar potential varies across single- and multi-family residences, commercial and industrial parcels, and non-profit and government parcels since the economic benefits and policy incentives may vary accordingly. Because cost-effectiveness increases with the size of a solar installation, the atlas also presents, for each jurisdiction, the number of potential solar projects by size as well as the total rooftop potential.

Los Angeles County has over 19,000 megawatts of rooftop solar PV potential, while the City of Los Angeles has over 5,500 megawatts.* These maps, which are based on aerial photography of the solarusable rooftop space,** should be viewed as providing long-run estimates of rooftop potential.

Solar Energy Capacity Statistics of the City of Los Angeles

Area 484.3 square miles
Population 4,003,500 (2009 estimate)
Total Potential Sites 464,325
Commercial & Industrial 8.2%
Multi-family 20.9%
Single Family 70.1%
Government or Non-profit 0.8%

Median Rooftop Availability 14.5%
Median Potential of Parcels 3.6 Kilowatts
Median Solar Density Index 8.2%
Total Rooftop Solar Potential 5,536 Megawatts

View online pdf of City of Los Angeles Solar Atlas

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Renewable Power Stocks, Clean Energy technology websites and blogs

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Geothermal Power company stocks symbols

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Solar Energy and Renewable Power companies links

PV Intell - Photovoltaic publicly-traded pv solar stocks

21st Century Architecture - Sustainable Green Buildings

Wind Intell wind power investing blog

Rare Earth Strategic Metals investing website

Water Intell - Water purification, tidal energy, wave power technology

A Green Realtor Sustainable Development resources blog

Next stage for China: Secular Humanism

Chinese leadership put the lie to communism a long time ago, yet the word remains in the name of the nation's largest political party. China is neither communist nor capitalist, it is China-ist, which can be roughly translated as "socialist."

I would venture to claim that China is already moving into secular humanism, and their foresight shown by the rapid expansion of green energy technologies will benefit both their image and economy. Previously I have xpounded on a plan for peaceful democratic evolution in China, and I continue to believe the leaders and people will both benefit more from channelling the democratic energy, rather than fighting it.

It is time for China to officially move beyond the outdated tenets of communism, and join the progressive forces on the planet, the secular humanists.

China needs to let Bob Dylan sing

Bob Dylan with the recently deceased Suze Rotolo

Dylan tour dates in Shanghai and Beijing under review

Last year Bob Dylan cancelled his entire Asian tour after the Chinese Government denied his application to perform in the country. Ya gotta admire Zimmy's fortitude, as he is right back at it and trying to play in China next month, April 2011.

Robert Allan Zimmerman (Dylan's birth name) is the greatest songwriter of the 20th Century, and of the modern era. China is a major world power, and this crucial artist's tour will be another indication of whether China as an emerging dominant nation is truly ready for the big leagues. Fifty years after the writing of Blowin' in the Wind, it's high time for Dylan to be allowed to sing in front of his Chinese fans.

7-point plan for peaceful democratic evolution in China

Canada suspends diplomatic relations with Libya, closes Tripoli embassy

PM Harper expected to announce Canadian sanctions on Libya

Six embassy officials plus eighteen other Canadians were among the forty-six people spirited out of Libya overnight, as Ottawa is suspends diplomatic presence in a country now mostly controlled by the democracy protesters, yet whose government clings to power utilizing foreign mercenaries.

The two dozen Canadians were part of a group of British and Australian nationals flown to Malta aboard a C17 overnight Friday.

A song for Revolution 2.0: Ready to Start, by Arcade Fire

Ready To Start

Lyrics by Win Butler

If the businessmen drink my blood
Like the kids in art school said they would
Then I guess I'll just begin again
You say we can still be friends

If I was scared... I would
And if I was bored... you know I would
And if I was yours... but I'm not

All the kids have always known
That the emperor wears no clothes
But they bow to down to him anyway
It's better than being alone

If I was scared... I would
And if I was bored... you know I would
And if I was yours... but I'm not

Now you're knocking at my door
Saying please come out with us tonight
But I would rather be alone
Than pretend I feel alright

If the businessmen drink my blood
Like the kids in art school said they would
Then I guess I'll just begin again
You say we can still be friends

If I was scared... I would
And if I was pure... you know I would
And if I was yours... but I'm not

Now I'm ready to start

If I was scared... I would
And if I was pure... you know I would
And if I was yours... but I'm not

Now I'm ready to start

Now I'm ready to start
I would rather be wrong
Than live in the shadows of your song
My mind is open wide
And now I'm ready to start

Now I'm ready to start
My mind is open wide
And now I'm ready to start
And I'm sure you opened the door
To step out into the dark

Now I'm ready

Revolution, lyrics by John Lennon

Beatles lyrics, Lennon-McCartney songs, john lennon lyrics

Revolution

You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out?

Don't you know it's gonna be
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?

You say you've got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We are doing what we can
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is, brother, you'll have to wait

Don't you know it's gonna be
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?

You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You'd better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow

Don't you know it's gonna be
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?

Credited to Lennon-McCartney, Revolution was written and sung by John Lennon.

Middle East News and Global Intelligence Websites

Here are some useful websites for following events in the Mideast:

Al-Ahram Weekly Cairo Egypt newspaper

Al Jazeera English-language website

ArabNews.com Middle Eastern and Global News Reports

BBC News International

BusinessMonitor.com Middle East Business Intelligence

CBC World News from Canada

CIA World Factbook Middle East

Debka.com Israli intelligence website

Gulf-Times.com Persian Gulf, Middle East and World News

Haaretz.com News from Israel

Jerusalem Post Israel and Middle East News

MEED.com Middle Eastern Business Intelligence

Stratfor.com Global Intelligence website

Webcams and live video feeds from Egypt, Israel, Tunisia, Lebanon, Middle East

Wikipedia.org Middle East Forum

New Era in Mideast means renewed hope for Palestinians

One can only imagine that the hearts and minds of the Palestinian people have been revitalized in recent days as the status quo in the Middle East experiences such upheaval.

The power of nonviolent protest must be increasingly evident to the leaders and common folk of Palestine. Ideally this opportunity will lead to a new Israel-Palestine peace plan.

Rare Earth Elements (REE), Green Energy stocks investing

Here are a few recent blogposts relating to alternative energy investing:

Publicly-listed Rare Earth Elements (REE) Stocks to Watch

Wind Energy Stocks for 2011

Geothermal Energy investing tips

Photovoltaic Solar Power stocks

Green Mutual funds investing

Best Green stocks blog

Green Energy Stocks search engine; Find cleantech companies

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3-Step Process to Palestinian - Israeli Peace

Step 1

One million Palestinian women, children and men walk into Jerusalem with not a weapon among them, and stay in the City for two days, offering peace and a ten year truce to the Israeli people. November 24th would be a date to consider.

Israeli and Palestinian religous and civic leaders meet to agree on and verify a renewable ten year truce, setting the table for border discussions.

Circa 2011




Step 2

Israeli and Palestine leaders finalize border and sign a permanent peace, security and development agreement. Nation of Palestine is launched August 24th with either the "Arafat" as the national currency, or at minimum having Yasser Arafat on some significant bills and coinage.

Development of solar city Khanara (Khan Arafat) begins in southern Gaza, between Rafah and Younis.

Circa 2013





Step 3

Israeli and Palestinian people vote in separate referendums to forge an economic and politic union, with the Federation of Israel and Palestine being created seven months after the second referendum. The new nation becomes a regional and global engine of economic growth, particularly benefiting Africa and the Middle East.

Circa June 2018

Eco-friendly architecture a blend of form and function

Vodafone building in Porto, Portugal


Perhaps a key to human surthrival, the development of beautiful, sustainable buildings is as important to progress in the 21st Century as anything else, with the possible exception being the equally crucial conversion of vehicular traffic to pure fuels.

In my new blog 21st Century Architecture, my goal is to present the most forward-looking new architecture, based on functionality / sustainability and aesthetics / visual appeal. If anybody knows of any gorgeous buildings, or self-sustaining (eg self-powered, heated, cooled) structures, or even better some combo of form and function, please post pics and links in the Comments section below.

Peace 2 All,

Yuya Joe





Oceanografica in Valencia, Spain






Beijing National Aquatics Centre, China



Green Energy investing links:

Wind Energy Stocks to Watch

Geothermal Power Investments Companies

Green Mutual Funds Ethical Investing

MORE Dead birds falling from USA sky

After 1,000s of birds fell from the Arkansas sky on New Year's Eve, now it has been reported that 300 miles away in Louisiana there has been another mass bird death. Hopefully this will put an end to the imbeciles claiming it was fireworks that killed these avian creatures!

The Huffington Post is reporting in their Green section that an estimated 500 dead birds have fallen from the sky along a stretch of highway in Point Coupee Parish, Louisiana.

Huffington Post story on dead birds in Louisiana

Wikileaks founded by Chinese dissidents; China blocks access

My belief is that when the corporate and banking shit starts to leak out in 2011, all this government crap will seem like child's play. Still, as I've recently had feelings where I wished wikileaks would release info about the Chinese government or oppression in the Middle East, I was fascinated to learn that it was created to do exactly that!

Here are some explanations of the origin of Wikileaks:

A) From Wikipedia:

The organisation describes its founders as a mix of Chinese dissidents, journalists, mathematicians, and start-up company technologists from the United States, Taiwan, Europe, Australia, and South Africa.


B) From Wikileaks:

Wikileaks was founded by Chinese dissidents, journalists, mathematicians and startup company technologists, from the US, Taiwan, Europe, Australia and South Africa.

Our public Advisory Board, which is still in formation, includes courageous journalists, representatives from refugee communities, ethics and anti-corruption campaigners, including a former national head of Transparency International, human rights campaigners, lawyers and cryptographers.

C) From US Intelligence (source: wikileaks report on US Army Counterilligence plan to destroy wikileaks):

Wikileaks.org was founded by Chinese dissidents, journalists, mathematicians, and technologists from the United States, China, Taiwan, Europe, Australia, and South Africa. Its Web site became operational in early 2007. The advisory board for Wikileaks.org includes journalists, cryptographers, a ―former US intelligence analyst,‖ and expatriates from Chinese, Russian, and Tibetan refugee communities. The ACIC does not have any information to associate or link the ―former US intelligence analyst‖ on the Wikileaks.org advisory board with the leakage of sensitive or classified DoD documents posted to the Web site.




Again according to this US Army intelligence report, not all countries are as open to wikileaks info as Canada and the United States.

The governments of China, Israel, North Korea, Russia, Thailand, Zimbabwe, and several other countries have blocked access to Wikileaks.org-type Web sites, claimed they have the right to investigate and prosecute Wikileaks.org and associated whistleblowers, or insisted they remove false, sensitive, or classified government information, propaganda, or malicious content from the Internet. The governments of China, Israel, and Russia claim the right to remove objectionable content from, block access to, and investigate crimes related to the posting of documents or comments to Web sites such as Wikileaks.org. The governments of these countries most likely have the technical skills to take such action should they choose to do so.


VERY interesting is the stated purpose of the website:

A) From Wikileaks:

Wikileaks is developing an uncensorable Wikipedia for untraceable mass document leaking and analysis. Our primary interest is in exposing oppressive regimes in Asia, the former Soviet bloc, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, but we also expect to be of assistance to people of all regions who wish to reveal unethical behavior in their governments and corporations. We aim for maximum political impact. Our interface is identical to Wikipedia and usable by all types of people. We have received over 1.2 million documents so far from dissident communities and anonymous sources.


B) From the US Counterintelligence report on wikileaks:

The stated intent of the Wikileaks.org Web site is to expose unethical practices, illegal behavior, and wrongdoing within corrupt corporations and oppressive regimes in Asia, the former Soviet bloc, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East. To do so, the developers of the Wikileaks.org Web site want to provide a secure forum to where leakers, contributors, or whistleblowers from any country can anonymously post or send documentation and other information that exposes corruption or wrongdoing by governments or corporations. The developers believe that the disclosure of sensitive or classified information involving a foreign government or corporation will eventually result in the increased accountability of a democratic, oppressive, or corrupt the government to its citizens.



With the recent focus on the USA, has wikileaks strayed from its stated purpose? Or is it merely a pipe for information, with little control over what goes into the pipe?


The US Army had plans to hurt wikileaks by prosecuting the leakers, and though the strategy on paper seems to make some sense, this is a tap that may be extremely difficult to turn off (I like the emergence of wikileaks to the publishing of the complete Dead Sea Scrolls on the Internet in 1998, each a watershed event):

Web sites such as Wikileaks.org have trust as their most important center of gravity by protecting the anonymity and identity of the insider, leaker, or whistleblower. Successful identification, prosecution, termination of employment, and exposure of persons leaking the information by the governments and businesses affected by information posted to Wikileaks.org would damage and potentially destroy this center of gravity and deter others from taking similar actions.


Let's give wikileaks the last word. In response to the question, "Is wikileaks concerned about legal consequences?", here is the reply on the wikileaks website:

Our roots are in dissident communities and our focus is on non-Western authoritarian regimes. Consequently we believe a politically motivated legal attack on us would be seen as a grave error in Western administrations. However, we are prepared, structurally and technically, to deal with all legal attacks. We design the software, and promote its human rights agenda, but the servers are run by anonymous volunteers. Because we have no commercial interest in the software, there is no need to restrict its distribution. In the very unlikely event that we were to face coercion to make the software censorship friendly, there are many others who will continue the work in other jurisdictions.


Peace 2 All

Futuristic architecture takes feminine forms

The best new buildings all seem to have a flow and a curvaceousness that points to the future of green architecture: feminine, sustainable buildings. As opposed to the penile skyscrapers that are emblematic of the 20th Century's emphasis on masculine architecture, 21st Century architectural design will prominently feature feminine architecture, that is, buildings designed to blend aesthetically and sustainably into their local environments.




Check out my new blog 21st Century Architecture to see the future of building design on Gaia!


Happy HolyDays and Peace 2 All!

Yuya Joe College




More Green links:

Soy beverage company offers $5,000 prize for best sustainable living plan

Best Green Mutual Funds

Wind Power Stocks to Watch

Geothermal Energy Investing Blog

Tidal Energy Wavepower Stocks

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange granted bail!!!

Great news out of the United Kingdom! With over half of the British population believing the Swedish sex charges are an excuse to keep Wiki-leaks found Julian Assange in jail, it is a relief and a joy to many freedom activists to see Julian released today.




Now, if we could only get Wikileaks to secure and release some private Al Qaeda communications, or perhaps some Iran / Afghanistan cables...

Green Energy Stocks Research and Investing Blogs

Solar Forest Parking Lot




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Water Intell Energy From Water website

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PVintell.com Solar Photovoltaic Energy Companies Stocks

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SolarIntell.com Solar Energy Stocks, Renewable Power Funds

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