Diesel Riot

Diesel Riot

The Hidden Price of Going Green

As the cost of energy keeps spiraling upwards my interest in renewable energy especially that of micro-power generation increases. Let it be know that this interest is purely a selfish one; I want to be able to warm my home on the winter and cool it in the summer without having to think whether I can afford it.

Going "green" has a cost implication. No matter how environmentalists, lobbyist and other vested interests try to sugar coat the pill, it all comes down to money. I want to see a return on my investment.

There are hard questions to be asked such as:

- How much is it going to cost initially?
- What are the maintenance costs?
- How long will it take before I see a return on my investment?
- What are the environmental costs involved?
- What are the human costs involved?

I consider it important to observe and put a figure on both the positive and negative properties of renewable energy.

The costs in money terms are easily quantifiable. Numbers are impersonal. They remove the emotions from the equation. However, it is well known that while the numbers may tell us one thing, one should proceed with caution as they can be skewed by government policies including subsidies, tax rebates and hidden taxes such as import duties to make certain products less competitive than those pushed by the lobbies.

Whatever your views on the matter, as I've stated before, I think its important to weigh all the evidence before barging forward in the name of 'green'!

We really need to have a frank and honest discussion on the true environmental impact of some of the renewable energy products. The cultivation of bio diesel crops, for instance, has had direct and indirect environmental consequences through the substantial deforestation of the jungle in Brazil and Indonesia and the subsequent loss of the bio diversity in those areas.

While soybeans, like corn, had some great potential for fuel however people are starting to notice the direct negative impact of using food crops for something other than food. Consider spiraling food prices and the food riots in various parts of the world about a year ago.

Apart from the above consider the human cost where in four separated cases more than 1,700 sugar cane workers were rescued from forced labor and slavery conditions in Brazil. I really wonder whether these are isolated cases or the tip of the iceberg. Or are they simply the so-called "collateral damage" of the environmentalist cause.

Lets not kid ourselves and consider some of the unpalatable truths behind some of the products including the companies and politics behind them.

I am not a conspiracy theorists but having lived in various parts of the world I know that most people in the west don't really give a damn about others in far off places, working for a pittance or as slaves, just as long as their standard of living is not affected.

In spite of the above I still believe that there is a future in renewable energy solutions. However, I believe that must add a degree of moral values in the mix and sanction companies that devastate the environment and enslave others.

I don't believe that government subsidized ventures, such as these massive wind farms (which are from "green"), are the answer as these have a way of skewing and often nullifying any economic benefits to the general population at large. Government subsidized programs often mean that those close to the politicians normally take the gravy leaving only a few crumbs to the rest of us.

What I believe in is the micro-generation of home energy generation, with each home producing more than enough electricity for its need.

Think about it! Imagine having your own home power generating plant producing enough electricity for your home and to power your own electric car. You could even produce some extra power to light up some of the street lights in your neighborhood. This would indeed be a "green solution" as they would reduce the need for electricity pylons and power lines as well as that of petrol and diesel.

About the Author

Alain Prudhomme writes about the issues surrounding the micro-generation of renewable energy for homes as well as on the contentious and controversial issues surrounding global warming and climate change. You can find more resources at http://www.renewablehomeenergysolutions.com

Riot $6.49 Riot

Is That A Riot $12.99 Is That A Riot

Riot Riot Upstart $9.49 Riot Riot Upstart

Red Riot $12.49 Red Riot

There's A Riot Goin' On $6.49 There's A Riot Goin' On

Rhythm Riot! $12.49 Rhythm Riot!

Internal Riot $10.49 Internal Riot

Riot On Sunset... $12.49 Riot On Sunset...

Riot Squad $14.49 Riot Squad

Riot Avenue $9.99 Riot Avenue

My Riot $8.99 My Riot

Riot Now $9.49 Riot Now

Riot City $12.49 Riot City

Riot - $19.99 A desperate group of convicts stage a minor riot to divert attention in an escape attempt. Red (Gene Hackman) and two others perpetrate the uprising, but word has leaked out and the riot is quickly changed into a symbolic protest against prison conditions and alleged cruelty by sadistic guards. Cully (Jim Brown) is the convict who is caught up in the riot of which he had no prior knowledge. As the prisoners take over the institution, a drunken party is hosted by two homosexuals in drag. The prisoners set up a mock court in which prison informers and guards are tried, convicted and brutally punished. Knives slash, fists fly and blood is spilled leading to the return of the vacationing warden. Red becomes the media spokesman for the group as the siege continues and the prisoners administer their own macabre brand of justice to those found guilty. The film is based on an actual riot that took place in Minnesota, an event that is chronicled in the novel by Frank Elli. An aura of authenticity is provided by real-life warden Frank A. Eyman, who added his personal experience to the realistic prison escape saga. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Advocating a Riot $10 Advocating a Riot - M.C. Mack

Riot Sugar $10 Riot Sugar - Boris

Riot Maker $6 Riot Maker - Tech N9Ne

Riot In The Streets $174.99 Riot In The Streets - Framed Poster

Quiet Riot $7.99 Quiet Riot - Photo

Riot Casualty $24.99 Riot Casualty - Photographic Print

Riot Patrol $24.99 Riot Patrol - Photographic Print

Dragstrip Riot $19.99 Dragstrip Riot - Poster

Is That a Riot? $11.99 Track Listing: 1. Atlatl, 2. One, 3. Strict Scrutiny, 4. Pulse Conditioner, 5. Interracial Dating, 6. Two, 7. Your Excellency, 8. Three, 9. Lifetime Ranger, 10. Four, 11. Mosaicist, The, 12. Black Dove, 13. Five, 14. Merit, 15. Postscript