The Drought of Pollination

Over the past decade, an increasing number of biologists and farmers have focused their attention to the issue revolving around pollination. Pollination is a key stage in the growing process for many plants and crops that is well out of the hands of humans. Farmers rely of certain insects and birds to pollinate their crops in order to yield a substantial output. This small but extremely important role can make all the difference in the amount of profit a farmer can formulate from their crops. Evidence has shown a declining number of pollinators across the United States, which has negatively impacted the agricultural community. The decreasing number of pollinators leads to fewer plants and crops that go through the cross-pollination process, yielding less output for farmers and increasing commodity prices. Action must be taken to bring back the efficient level of pollinators in North America. If nothing is done to restore this key economic actor, we will continue to see an increase in commodity prices nation wide.

The Native Pollinators in Agriculture work group is closely examining the causes for the decline in pollinators. If our nation wants to begin to use more renewable energy resources such as enthanol from corn and soy beans, efficient numbers of pollinators must be available to promote the growing process. These small but vital actors plays a big role in bringing our nation energy independence. We need to bring awareness to this issue before it is to late. The Native Pollinators in Agriculture work group is beginning to bring this issue to light which we all must back up in order to maintain our life style and start to use cleaner-renewable energy's.

Renewables

Over the past few years we have seen energy become a hot topic of debate. This serious issue has lead the formation of many new business opportunities. Entrepreneur's have seen our countries energy crisis as dollar symbols and created new energy markets through out the U.S. Many grass roots energy projects have also been on the rise, such as America's Future Energy Coalition in their 25'25 campaign. "25'25" is a national goal constructed by a group of farm leaders that has today reached out to many politicians. The goal states, " By 2025, America's farms, forests and ranches will provide 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States while continuing to produce safe, abundant and affordable food, feed, and fiber". Our dwindling energy resources have become apparent to many Americans and these same people are ready for a change. Our reliance on foreign nations for energy resources is no longer acceptable. It is putting our national security at risk while send revenue to foreign nations when our economy could greatly use it. American's are seeking cleaner energy sources so that one day future generation will experience the world as it was for todays generation. 25'x25 is one of the many groups actively seeking new ways to better our world.

Residentail Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is of great abundance and should be captured to increase our own energy efficiency. If you are sick and tired of paying high utility bills while contributing to foreign markets, then take matters into your own hands and install a geothermal heating and cooling system at your home. Installing a geothermal system to your home can cut your utility bills in half. Geothermal energy systems use the earths core to create not only warm and cold air but also water. A system of pipes can be placed under ground or in ponds in various ways to capture the earths core energy. These loop fields will run water through the pipes generating warmth where it will return to a base unit in the home where warm and cool air is created then dispersed through out the home. Maryland is currently encouraging home owner to install these systems at their residents with grants. According to Southern Maryland Online, Governor Martin O'Malley's new legislature will provide a $3,000 grant for those who install geothermal systems. Although the installation process can be messy, the rewards are much greater. Also the stimulus package is calling for 30% tax credit for residential installation and a 10% tax credit for commercial installation. This kind of legislation will not only increase our energy efficiency but also help pull us out of the recession.

Landfill's: New energy Opportunity

Landfills are becoming the new hot topic in clean renewable energy. After a landfill is cover and the garbage begins to decompose, gases are formed. One gas in particular that has some individuals foaming at the mouth is methane. Researchers have discovered that methane gas created from decomposing garbage can be used to generate energy. Companies such as Curtis Engine and William Campbell of GSF Energy are seeing dollars signs in landfills. These people are capturing the methane gas to create a new energy source. Landfills must release the methane build up into the environment to prevent an explosion. By releasing the methane into the environment they are killing vegetation, creating smog and are contributing to ozone depletion. So companies like Curtis Engine and GSF Energy are killing two birds with one stone. They are reducing the amount of methane released into the environment and creating clean energy. According to the New York Times Article "What a Dump!; Landfills Yield Riches as Fields of Natural Gas" California has the most landfill sites with methane generating plants followed by New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. More states need to follow this new clean energy source in order to make our country a cleaner place.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE1DB1238F936A35756C0A963958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2

Blue Water Wind

On Wednesday night I went to see a presentation given by Maryland's Blue Water Wind project director. At this lecture, he spoke about the many benefit that off shore wind power could offer to Maryland. This project would entail the construction of a wind park 12 miles off the coast of Ocean City Maryland. It would contribute to the four major issues that have been swarming the news: Environment, Efficiency, Energy, and Economics. Blue water states that Maryland will begin to see brown outs by the year 2012 due to an efficient transition line. They are proposing the off shore wind park to fix Maryland's inefficient energy issue. Although I knew a good amount about the wind park proposal in Delaware, I had not heard of Maryland's potential to be involved in capturing the environmentally friendly renewable sources. Maryland could act as a role model for neighboring states in the advancement of this new technology. I support this project and encourage other Maryland residents to increase awareness of Maryland potential to lead the way in off shore wind energy.

Cape Wind

It seems that Cape Wind is in its last stages of approval before construction can start. In an article I found on the Cape Wind website, officials pronounced that the project had cleared its last environmental review and the last step before construction can begin is for the new secretary of the interior to issue the final record of decision. Now this is a sticky situation for our new president. Obama has expressed strong support for wind energy but the biggest foe of the Cape wind project is senator Kennedy. Kennedy was a influential backer of Obama's presidential bid so when making the final decision Obama will have to choose sides among friends and political allies.

Wind Energy

During the course of this century our nation along with many other have been faced with an threatening energy crises. Many company's and work groups have been researching new technologies to lower our dependance on oil and other non-renewable resources. Not only are they looking to improve our environment but also strengthen our nations security. One solution we are starting to see more of is wind energy. Wind farms are starting to spring up in many states across our nation in attempts to improve our environment. This clean and renewable resource can still be harvested in many parts of our country including our bay's and oceans. Blue Water is actively seeking permission to build wind farms in Delaware's Bay. These are the kinds of thing that have to happen in order to fit our energy crisis.