SolarGlass

Buenos dias.

This is Jon Becker blogging in from Tamarindo Costa Rica. I’m here with my 16 year old son Jorin, who is having a change of scene, attending high school in an exotic new setting. Despite my being on the underground side these days, one of his school teachers decided that i might know something, and she’s asked me to do an energy unit for her 12th grade science class (or she just wanted to get out of a day of teaching?). Now i’m always thinking about energy, because i know without it matter doesn’t go anywhere or do anything. Even though I’ve been a little more focused recently on energy issues such as wave height and frequency, and solar concerns have included SPF 30 vs. 40, it was easy and fun to jump on the net and put together some links that cover a broad and important range of energy thoughts. So I welcome the Senior Class of Guanacaste Country Day School in Brasilito Costa Rica Click here: Country Day International School in Costa Rica. Boarding schools in Costa Rica (Central America). Top boarding sch

and all of my old (or new?) SolarGlass friends and colleagues, to follow some of these pathways, see what makes sense or seems totally loco, and maybe even share back with me (and us) some of your experiences.

EL MUNDO DE ENERGIA

the electromagnetic spectrum chart. i love this way of looking at energy, from gamma rays through the solar spectrum, down through tv/fm/am/microwaves, sound, all part of a continuum. you don’t have to be a surfer to love wave theory (although it helps): Click here: Electromagnetic Spectrum

here’s the solar radiation spectrum, it’s more than just what you see (isn’t life like that?). notice to planet earth – this is your income. and as your banker will tell you, either you live within your income, or the repo man will come see you: Click here: Solar radiation – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

from the cold hard facts department. it’s obvious that many of our political and business leaders haven’t read or understood this. note disparities between u.s. and the rest of the world. that’s just one of the reasons why the u.s. needs to lead on this, even if our leaders don’t get it: Click here: U S Energy and World Energy Statistics

a look at the smaller, more manageable costa rican energy and resources picture. impressive levels of renewable use (in electricity generation), but the typical dependence on oil for transportation, all of it imported, and sharply increasing use despite holding steady on per capita and unit of GNP basis. why is that? increasing population – another area we need to work on: Click here: http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/ene_cou_188.pdf

another graphic on costa rica energy mix, showing 30+ years of evolution: Click here: http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/ene_cou_188.pdf

NRDC’s write up and recommendations re: costa rica’s very exciting national energy plan, with target of being the world’s first carbon neutral nation. are you listening u.s.a.?: Click here: http://www.nrdc.org/international/costa.pdf

more energy facts, with an eye to the future, from our friends at Solar Energy International in Carbondale Colorado: Click here: SEI: Energy Facts

an article by and an interview of amory lovins of rocky mountain institute in colorado. for 30 years now one of the most sane voices talking about energy and resources and the future, so of course considered to be nuts by much (though an increasingly smaller subset) of the power establishment: Click here: http://www.rmi.org/images/PDFs/Energy/E06-08_GettingOffOil_World2007.pdf

Click here: Alternative Energy Guru Reflects on Policy, Fuels

So there you have it kids. Your assignment – check it out, follow your instincts, THINK!! And then if you feel like it, let us know what you think.

As we say here, PURA VIDA (Costa Rican for “it’s great to be alive”)!!! Jon