MSTS@EMU

A blog to post multimedia content related to my threaded discussion post for EMU courses. All material is copyrighted © by the original publisher as noted. You can subscribe to a RSS feed of this content with this address: http://mymsts.tumblr.com/rss

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This video details Moss Landing power plant incident.

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Real concerns or exaggerated fears over fracking?

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Single-serve coffee revolution brews industry change

Single-serve coffee pods are the rage, benefiting harried caffeine addicts, the major specialty-coffee companies and many small coffee farmers. But they also carry a hidden price tag and some environmental costs.

Think before you drink.  Is the premium cost of a coffee pod, that allows for most of the coffee in the pods to be "Free Trade," a fair trade-off for the environmental cost of millions of plastic pod cups going into landfills?

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EDITORIAL: Hamaoka nuclear plant should be decommissioned, not restarted - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun

Chubu Electric Power Co. has filed an application with the Nuclear Regulation Authority for a safety assessment for the No. 4 reactor at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant in Shizuoka Prefecture as a step to restart the idle reactor.

The recent Tokyo governor election saw two nuclear foes fall to a more market neutral candidate, despite strong backing from many parts of the political establishment.  This has led to a flurry of speculation that the national government will quickly act to restart select nuclear plants.  One controversial plant that recently submitted a request to restart is the Hamaoka plant in Shizuoka prefecture, right next door to the heart of the Japanese auto-industry hub in Nagoya.  This editorial articulates some of the reasons people believe this plant should not be restarted at any cost.   

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Fracking brings oil boom to south Texas town, for a price

CARRIZO SPRINGS, Texas — Just a few years ago this was a sleepy town of 5,600, and people eked out a living from the land. They farmed, worked ranches and leased their property to hunters to make a few dollars.

How fracking changes the dynamics of sleepy (shale) oil towns.

Hennesy-Fisk, Molly. "Fracking brings oil boom to south Texas town, for a price." The Los Angeles Times. 16 Feb. 2014. Web. 16 Feb. 2014

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Visit Original Link

A great radio documentary on the impact of and value of music for British servicemembers in current day Afghanistan (and how it is all been made possible by the iPod - among other portable music players.).

Fidgen, Joe. "My War, My Playlist." BBC World Service. 8 Feb. 2014. Web. 8 Feb. 2014.

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The World Bank’s report last summer (2013) on global warming declares, among many potential outcomes, that Bangkok’s land mass – situated on a wide river delta flowing to the Gulf of Thailand, will be reduced by 40% due to sustained flooding in as little as 20 years if the effects of global warming are not reversed.

If this is true, why is no one heeding the warnings?  This video is from the most recent Thai political protest at Bangkok’s democracy monument – no one seems to be concerned about ozone emissions.  This group (I think) is advocating for a suspension of democratically elected governments, others believe a military coup is eminent.  No one there seems convinced that global warming is eminent.

Sangvilert, Chumporn and Jetjaras Na Ranong. “What happens at night – a timelapse video of the Bangkok protests.” The Bangkok Post. 16 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Feb. 2014.

“Small global warming rise would have 'alarming' impact -World Bank.” Reuters. 13 Jun. 2013. Web. 14 Feb. 2014. http://tinyurl.com/lzs9sme

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Visit Original Link

This sure seems like a crazy way to reduce demand for natural gas when temperatures dip.

Marritz, IIiya. "What Behind the Spike in Heating Oil Prices." WNYC. 12 Feb. 2014. Web. 13 Feb. 2014

Image © heatingoilallentownpa.com

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One way of looking at solar versus other renewable technologies.  Do you buy it?

Cieplak-Mayr von Baldegg, Kasia and Kyle Thetford. "When Will Solar Get Cheap Enough for Everyone to Use? It's taken 60 years, but solar energy is tantalizingly close to beating fossil fuels on price.” The Atlantic. 20 Aug. 2013. Web. 12 Feb. 2013.

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Nuclear Issue in Limbo as Indecision Grips Japan - NYTimes.com

Even many of those who support phasing out nuclear plants after the Fukushima disaster see a temporary need for them.

Good take on Japanese attitudes towards nuclear power.

Fackler, Martin. "Nuclear Issue in Limbo as Indecision Grips Japan." The New York Times. 11 Feb. 2014. Web. 11. Feb. 2014.

Image © The Japan Times.

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Couple to remodel 1807 home

To build a new green home or preserve a historic residence?   This central Ohio home is a good example of very historic living.

"Couple to remodel 1807 home." The Columbus Dispatch. dispatch.com 10 Feb. 2014. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.

Image is of the Buxton Inn in Granville, Ohio.  A stagecoach inn that dates to 1812.

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Attack on California electric grid raises alarm

Shooters armed with assault rifles and some knowledge of electrical utilities have prompted new worries on the vulnerability of California's vast power grid.

Halper, Evan and Mark Lifsher.  "Attack on California electric grid raises alarm." The Chicago Tribune. 6 Feb. 2014 Web. 6 Feb. 2014.

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What is more sustainable, landscaping with LEED certified plants or using native species?

"Sustainable gardening at Stone Silo." WLUK. Live broadcast video content from General One File. 30 May. 2010 Web. 5 Feb. 2014.

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Senate approves Farm Bill.  This bill includes provisions for water and soil conservation programs.  Could other federal spending bills include provisions to "green" buildings?

"Senate Approves Farm Bill." KSAN. Live broadcast video content from General One File. 5 Feb. 2014. Web. 5 Feb. 2014.

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Germany's Energy Poverty: How Electricity Became a Luxury Good - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Germany's agressive and reckless expansion of wind and solar power has come with a hefty pricetag for consumers, and the costs often fall disproportionately on the poor. Government advisors are calling for a completely new start.

Interesting series from Germany's Der Spiegel newspaper on the country's energy market after the Fukushima inspired plan to abandon nuclear energy.  Is "going green" regressive?

Image copyright © DER SPIEGEL

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It's been a brutal winter for most of Ohio this year with daytime temperatures 20 degrees below average and snow, snow and more snow accumulating and stressing even the best planned municipal snow removal budgets. Is this winter an anomaly or a reflection of real, more permanent changes to climate for the area as a result of global warming?

Wise, Carrie. "Digging Out of the Snow." The Columbus Dispatch. 5 Feb. 2014. Web. 6 Feb. 2014.

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This is the other side of the fracking debate - the side for fracking. Like the Gasland film, it clearly seems to have a bias. The interview at 07:30, however, includes on part of the fracking question that many seem to overlook: it's fueled by the demand to maintain our lifestyle. Truthland: Dispatches from the Real Gasland. Energy In Depth, a project of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, 2012. Web. 3 Feb 2014.