Cost and Effect

In the big picture of solving the world's energy problems, I think bio mimicry and sustainability initiatives are a great way to solve the world's energy problems. The ideas presented in this video may not only prevent waste from our environment, but I think they can solve some of the catastrophes that we go through every year. For instance, if we could incorporate Pawlyn's idea of solar powered greenhouses to some of our buildings in America, maybe we would could put some of the companies out of business that are drilling for oil and natural gas such as BP. With a limited dependence on oil in general, we could prevent catastrophic events like the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  I think we could also use the money we save on paying for oil and natural gas to help solve bigger problems like our educational system, which is unable to compete with other systems around the world.

I think we should do more research on Pawlyn's ideas of initiatives to make sure they are safe and then test them out in a small scale community. My only concern would be cost of implementing some of his ideas. I don't know if paying for the research to create some of this new technology may be too problematic with our Congress, who can't even seem to agree on paying the bills we have already accumulated in a timely manner and almost letting America default. I think when we have a more economically stable climate, we might want to take in these short term costs for a better long term future for America and the world.

My sustainable object would be a hydroelectric wind turbine. I would put the turbine near a mountain or other windy area. Once the wind blows, the turbine would spin, generating energy this energy would be converted to a generator at the bottom of the turbine, which would spin, allowing water to be brought to some local fields of crops. The fields would grow crops, which would be eaten by the villagers who live near the field. The waste that the villagers produce would be used to fertilize the field and keep the plants growing. Any excess crops could be sold and that money could be used to create more wind turbines to spread more water to more of the fields.

I think sustainability is connected to consumerism because the federal government can encourage sustainability initiatives by giving more money to green, sustainability projects and tax cuts to companies that use these ideas. I think we can replace some of the current tax cuts we give companies with tax cuts and federal aid for products that coincide with the green initiatives. The more green the company's idea is, the more money they will save. If companies have a positive incentive to go green, then they will be inspired to compete with each other to create the greenest products available on the open market. Companies around the world will continue to compete and the innovations created by the companies may solve some of the world's problems such as: creating new forms of energy, solving world hunger, and creating new ways to save our water supply. It may cost a lot of money in the short term, but it may save us millions more dollars in the long term.