Stories

I am a former aerospace design engineer. Three years ago I decided to reeducate and reinvent myself. I chose the solar energy industry, an industry for which I always had a passion, as my new profession. My goal is to make a contribution to our country and to our environment. more »

I started the U. Maine Solar Vehicle Team so that students and I could construct a practical vehicle that would run solely on renewable, non-polluting resources. The Solar Black Bear, a solar powered pickup truck, is the result. I see this vehicle as a first step toward reducing human impacts (through oil extraction and use) on the natural/biological systems of this planet. more »

There are many tasks that we do that do not require burning petroleum. Often when I need a small item at the local hardware store, I ride my bicycle to the store rather than driving in my car and using gasoline. I get some exercise, save a some money on gasoline, and avoid polluting the air with vehicle exhaust gases.
Our crude oil reserves are a finite resource that we will need in the future even if the oil is not used for motor fuel. Oil is needed to make products that we depend on, such as plastics and other organic chemicals. more »

I've had the solar water heater on my roof for years, but I've recently installed photovoltaic panels to offset my electrical usage. Excess electricity is sent back into the grid for my neighbors to use (until they install the panels on their own roofs...) How many homes and buildings could be outfitted for the price of just one new power plant (hydro, nuke, etc.)? And my greenhouse provides space heat for the whole house in the most low-tech way imaginable. more »

I have a draughty old house; that's why God invented sweaters and gym socks. In California I get a lot of sun during the summer; it's why God invented awnings if I need a cooler house. I wash only full loads of clothes, using cold water, and line-dry when weather permits. I use manual gardening equipment, figuring I can use the exercise--at 71, I retain the vigor to do so. I put myself mentally back into my "end of Depression" childhood -- fewer gadgets requiring electricity and less money to squander on them. It's amazing what can be done with at least one renewable energy source. It's called "elbow grease", and usually 6 or 8 hours rest replenishes the supply very nicely, thank you.

We need to develop renewable energy sources NOW, both to curb pollution of our already beleaguered planet and to cope with dwindling, finite supplies of conventional energies that have the additional drawback of keeping us dependent on other nations. more »

I do my best to leave a small footprint on this earth. I have installed solar panels on my roof, keep my thermostat high in summer, low in winter. I harvest water, recycle, and compost. I drive an electric scooter to work that gets the equivalent of 700 mpg. I avoid driving as much as possible. I do these things because I see the damage our culture of consumption has caused already, and I know we can do better. I do these things to set an example for other in an effort to get all of us to move towards a more sustainable culture. more »