Inhabitat's Week in Green: containment domes, robot fish and lunar bases
By Inhabitat 
posted June 5th 2010 8:02PM
posted June 5th 2010 8:02PM
The Week in Green is a new item from our friends at Inhabitat, recapping the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us.
This week Inhabitat followed the ongoing saga of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill as we tracked BP's latest attempt to plug the leak with yet another containment dome. We can't help but wonder why BP refuses to use hair mats donated from thousands of businesses to clean up the slick, but we're glad that the nuclear option is off the table for now. We also looked at one inventor's plan to lead sealife to safety using a swarm of remote-controlled fish-like robots!
Several exciting advances in sustainable development also took place last week, starting with the announcement of this year's Buckminster Fuller Challenge -- Operation Hope! Led by Allan Savory, the organization has pioneered a new way to transform desert into fertile farmland using a whole systems approach to range management. We also watched as London opened the UK's first desalination plant in a bid to secure a sustainable water source -- they'll need it, as 700,000 people are expected to move to the city by 2021. On this side of the pond, California is on the brink of becoming the first state to ban plastic bags - take that Pacific Gyre!
Renewable energy also saw an upswell this week as a recently released report showed that wind could power 35% of the western states without major infrastructure upgrades. Biofuels are also on the rise as a clean burning fuel made from sewage sludge was recently projected to cost just 10¢ a gallon more than petrol. Finally, we followed one Japanese firm's blue-sky plan to shoot for the moon with a massive solar-powered lunar base that beams energy back to the earth.
In other news, we watched the worlds of tech and fashion collide as we showcased 7 celebrities who are pushing the envelope with awe-inspiring examples of wearable technology. We were also wowed by this prototype for a futuristic computer bracelet that would blow Dick Tracy's mind.
Finally, as our Spring Greening DIY Design Contest comes to a close we'd like to shine the spotlight on two of our favorite designs - check out this pint-sized snack serving robot and this stunning crystalline chandelier made from recycled plastic hangers.
Several exciting advances in sustainable development also took place last week, starting with the announcement of this year's Buckminster Fuller Challenge -- Operation Hope! Led by Allan Savory, the organization has pioneered a new way to transform desert into fertile farmland using a whole systems approach to range management. We also watched as London opened the UK's first desalination plant in a bid to secure a sustainable water source -- they'll need it, as 700,000 people are expected to move to the city by 2021. On this side of the pond, California is on the brink of becoming the first state to ban plastic bags - take that Pacific Gyre!
Renewable energy also saw an upswell this week as a recently released report showed that wind could power 35% of the western states without major infrastructure upgrades. Biofuels are also on the rise as a clean burning fuel made from sewage sludge was recently projected to cost just 10¢ a gallon more than petrol. Finally, we followed one Japanese firm's blue-sky plan to shoot for the moon with a massive solar-powered lunar base that beams energy back to the earth.
In other news, we watched the worlds of tech and fashion collide as we showcased 7 celebrities who are pushing the envelope with awe-inspiring examples of wearable technology. We were also wowed by this prototype for a futuristic computer bracelet that would blow Dick Tracy's mind.
Finally, as our Spring Greening DIY Design Contest comes to a close we'd like to shine the spotlight on two of our favorite designs - check out this pint-sized snack serving robot and this stunning crystalline chandelier made from recycled plastic hangers.
", but we're glad that the nuclear option is off the table for now."
listen to me, the only reason why they haven't blown up the well is "PROFIT". At this point it's the worst environmental disaster in "HISTORY" becuase of "PROFIT".
there is no need for nukes when conventional explosives can be used
blow the well up. stop the leak.
@iPaul Conventional explosives would be more difficult to use. Nukes are much more effective. Also, the radiation pretty much stays in the ocean and diffuses, causing little serious harm. Its not like an air-burst where the radiation spews into the atmosphere.
That being said, SHALLOW nuke detonations are a VERY VERY VERY BAD IDEA. At Bikini Atoll the reef was contaminated for years and the nearby island, as well. The oil leak here, on the other hand, is several miles down and is hundreds of miles away from land (or something like that).
@The Shadow you say very very bad, but this is the "WORST NATURAL DISASTER IN HISTORY". If they had closed the well this would never had happened. The only reason they didn't was becuase of PROFIT. BP should be nationalized.
@iPaul The linked article pretty much nails it. A small tactical nuke would be safe, environmentally friendly (compared to millions of barrels of oil), and would work. Radiation could be kept very low... probably completely contained underground or at levels similar to an x-ray machine. People forget that nukes come in all shapes and sizes. They have nukes small enough that they can be fired from a shoulder held launcher (and not kill the soldier.)
"would look terrible against President Obama’s recent efforts to stop nuclear proliferation"
Translation: it's more important to maintain our liberal talking points than protect the environment... even when environmentalism is our supposed platform.
@iPaul
I agree that it's a shame they haven't blown up the well. Very early on after the platform collapsed, and the leak was apparent, Pravda discussed using a nuke, suggesting that it's been employed previously by the USSR to seal wild wells. Looking back on it now, the environmental impact of doing so would've been minuscule compared to what's now occurred. Unfortunately, the political ramifications of having done so would've been enormous, particularly without the images of oiled pelicans yet to circulate. It's too bad Obama doesn't seem to have the courage that it took Truman.
@iPaul Profit is good it makes the wheels turn on your car. Anywho, We can just wait till August when they will have another drilling station and that we stop the one with the leak unless that fails to lol... :)
But who cars about the environment?? Mom-Nature will fix it it's her planet anyway we are just a bunch of roaches making a mess till some asteroid wipes us out. Mr. Positive I am :)
Maybe one day robot fish will be the only fish in the Gulf.
We need to figure out how we will feed 3 billion more people by 2050? We use 80% of the worlds fresh water for agriculture, how the hell will we double food production with no more fresh water.
@iPaul
That is not true...
We use 80% of the CURRENT WATER USAGE for irrigation, not 80% of the world's total fresh water.
- We use 80% of what is avaliable from the 2.5%.
The Water Resources of Earth
Over 70% of our Earth's surface is covered by water ( we should really call our planet "Ocean" instead of "Earth"). Although water is seemingly abundant, the real issue is the amount of fresh water available.
* 97.5% of all water on Earth is salt water, leaving only 2.5% as fresh water
* Nearly 70% of that fresh water is frozen in the icecaps of Antarctica and Greenland; most of the remainder is present as soil moisture, or lies in deep underground aquifers as groundwater not accessible to human use.
* < 1% of the world's fresh water (~0.007% of all water on earth) is accessible for direct human uses. This is the water found in lakes, rivers, reservoirs and those underground sources that are shallow enough to be tapped at an affordable cost. Only this amount is regularly renewed by rain and snowfall, and is therefore available on a sustainable basis.
Water as a Resource
Since antiquity, irrigation, drainage, and impoundment have been the three types of water control having a major impact on landscapes and water flows. Since the dawn of irrigated agriculture at least 5000 years ago, controlling water to grow crops has been the primary motivation for human alteration of freshwater supplies. Today, principal demands for fresh water are for irrigation, household and municipal water use, and industrial uses. Most supplies come from surface runoff, although mining of "fossil water" from underground aquifers is an important source in some areas. The pattern of water withdrawal over the past 300 years shows the dramatic increases in this century.
We use 80% of what is avaliable from the 2.5%.
what's the point in solar energy when you're already on the moon?
the abundance of H3 should bring about rapid progress toward fusion
and anyway, these solar supporters are going mad with the wild ideas when nuclear is still by far, the best solution to our problems
FUD = Fear Uncertainty Doubt
A whole lotta that is behind the current green movement
I am so sick of this "green" bullshit.
Prepare for downvotes...
@Alex resources are limited, the U.S. uses 10x it's share. Something is going to give in the next 10 years. Major, major cutbacks are coming if things do not change.
9 Billion People by 2050.
@iPaul
Indeed. Humans consume resources. All these little BS innovations are insignificant won't change that, and are ultimately a waste of money.
@iPaul
This isn't new. The mantra of no resources, zero population growth, etc, etc have been banging around for 50 years (at least). We will find a way to survive. Necessity inspires people to create new solutions to solve problems.
Just think how the world will be different if 75% of our energy is renewable or nuclear. We'll forget about oil wells and gas stations. Or, what happens when desalination plants become viable alternatives to traditional fresh watch supplies? You are talking about a revolution that will change the world.
As need arises solutions will come. Humans have a remarkable track record of innovation when their backs are against the wall.
@bjsguess The solutions are already here, the "status quo" is however preventing the progress that could be achieved by those solutions.
@bjsguess
I couldn't have said it better myself. When we ran out of wild (naturally-occurring) Christmas trees, Christmas tree farm businesses sprung up. When we overfished the salmon population, we created salmon farms (and now salmon is $7 instead of $40).
We'll be fine.
@Alex
Yes. We'll make...oil farms...
Seriously do you even think before you post?
@Alex
It's true that people act crazy over green issues, but a lot of their arguments are sound.
Luckily for us nuclear fusion will solve our energy problems... a clean limitless supply... but it will take a lot of money, effort and time before we get it.
We need to stop using oil for 'fuel' as soon as possible. Imagine a world where we can't package our food in plastic any more? What the hell are we going to use as an alternative?
To make things worse we are going to run out, just as the worlds population is going into overdrive and food production will be pushed to its limits.
This "green" bullshit is going to be effecting you and your family sooner than you think.
@Sogeking
Actually "oil farms" are not that far-fetched. Maybe they won't produce the exact same crude oil we extract from the Earth, but maybe we'll run our cars on Ethanol or something. When the need arises, we'll figure it out.
@Alex Technology is reactionary and behind the times. Everything BP has tried to cap that well? 20...40...100 year old tech.
The OLED wristwatch thing made me think of a sleek version of the Pipboy.
Great way to bring the cost of solar down... mount your panels on the surface of the moon. Watch out fossil fuels!
Did they spill oil on the Moon too? What a shame.
Inhabitat is seriously a terrible blog. It is poorly written, and has stupid articles with very little real information, and no real practical solutions. I am sure there are websites out there that base their environmental journalism on actual science, and not just things that sound cool to people who don't know any better.