At its core, the fuel cell is very simple. It uses hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, as fuel. One type of fuel cell uses a membrane and it looks something like plastic wrap. It allows the hydrogen’s proton to pass through while the electron is forced to take a different course. This produces electricity. The fuel cell runs as long as it’s fed hydrogen.

The cleanest and most readily available source of hydrogen is very easy to find. It’s water. Of course it couldn’t be this simple. Somehow, the hydrogen in the water molecule must be stripped and stored, and that takes power. In 1990, Peter Layman of Humboldt State University in Northern California decided to build a renewable hydrogen fuel cell system for a research aquarium.

“I think the legacy of the 20th century is that we were very good at burning things. Fuel cells offer a clean and efficient way to generate electricity. They are totally pollution-free and they are significantly more efficient than traditional ways of generating electricity.” says Peter Layman.

He bought solar panels to provide power to remove the hydrogen from water and tanks to store the hydrogen fuel. The problem was the fuel cell. No one produced one that would’ve worked the aquarium. So Peter went ahead and built it.

Peter’s system has been running the aquarium 24 hours a day for a decade. During the day it uses power from the solar panels, but only part of that power; the rest is turned into hydrogen for use later by the fuel cell. That creates a completely renewable full-time system. The goal of fuel cell makers is to offer totally reliable independent systems. But the competition is tough.

To thrive in a market place, fuel cell makers must compete against that cheap and reliable power provided by fossil fuels. Peter’s reliable fuel cell system has already satisfied customers who are off the power grid. Now he’s ready to convince the rest of us.

Despite the fanfare many have dismissed the Boeing 747 test flight as a media stunt while others noted that scientists are questioning the environmental benefits of biofuels.

The world is currently rushing to develop biofuels, especially ethanol from corn, as a substitute for gasoline. But recent studies have found that almost all biofuels actually cause more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels if the full emissions caused to producing this alternative fuels are considered.

Still Virgin Atlantic is not the only airline conducting or planning test flights with non traditional fuels. Air New Zealand also plans to conduct test flights running partly on biofuel.

The devices have been designed to move in a similar way to ocean fish and plants while getting power from waves and tidal streams. They will be secured to the ocean floor and will reach more than 65 feet high. Small scale models are being put through final testing in a tank which simulates currents and waves at the Australian Maritime College.

Generating power from the ocean isn’t new and this designs aim to have a low impact on the environment.

Two full scaled prototypes are scheduled to be installed in Tasmanian waters in 2009.

Thanks to some scientists in France that possibility may soon become a reality. Researchers at the Grenoble (France) based Atomic Energy Commission are hoping to harness energy released from a variety of clean sources. They’ve simulated raindrops falling in order to collect the electric energy produced by the drops. The materials used materials with built in sensors that can convert mechanical energy into an electrical charge. The scientists say that despite harnessing only a very small amount of electricity it’s a step in the right direction. This energy will be used to feed some sensors which measure for instance temperature, the level of the water and then transmit this information to a remote control panel where it can be used.

The aim of the researchers is to help in reducing dependence on conventional batteries which need recharging or changing and create toxic waste. The idea is to recuperate energy to feed low consumption communicating devices.

Another example developed by the team is a thermometer which feeds on the energy generated by the touch of a button.

Elsewhere in the laboratory scientists are looking at how power generated through heat can operate everyday lightning appliances. By simply placing your thumb on a sensor you can harness enough heat to switch on a small desk lamp. Despite not feeding the lamp itself it’s enough to activate the switch which then remotely turns on the light.

Those involved in the project hope that one day their work will help to power a cleaner and greener society.

July 31st 2006 – Los Angeles. Climate change jumps to the front page as California and the United Kingdom sign an agreement committing both to dramatic cuts in carbon dioxide emissions. The agreement is a bold challenge to official U.S. policy and reflects changing public opinion. Multi national polls reveal that an amazing 70 percent of people rate climate change as a key issue.

At the same time as the Los Angeles agreement is announced 25 of the worlds biggest cities including Delhi, Cairo, London and Mexico City also agree to cut carbon emissions. Together, this cities generate approximately 15% of the worlds carbon dioxide. Another push in that direction came with the remarkable growth in demand for low carbon alternative fuels.

October 18th 2006 Quan Chi Chuan – China. Builders brake ground on one of the largest ethanol plants in the world. This gigantic operation will generate over 400,000 gallons of low carbon biofuel per day. This is part of a global trend in producing ethanol and biodiesel. Right now there are over one hundred ethanol plants in the U.S. and others are under construction. The growth is a boom to farmers because all of this biofuels are made from crops like corn, sugar cane, or palm trees. It’s a net benefit in the fight agains global warning too. Compared to regular gasoline, ethanol cuts climate changing gases by almost half. But, in terms of their popularity, biofuels have a long way to go. At the moment, they make up only a little bit over 1% of the total transport fuel consumed worldwide.

Salvation and going green seem to get on the same track. Regardless of what prompted the shift, people voted with their wallets. Consumers demand for solar energy jumped by 30% and wind generated electricity grew even faster. As people become more green shoppers they’re demanding not only more green products but more green companies too.

Many firms, including the worlds largest, concluded by building new stores with renewable resources, including wind generators and solar panels that can not only do good, they can do well.

For experts, tracking the health of the planet this are signs of hope. Some are concerned that we’ve already passed the tipping point. If all the extra green house gases humans have pumped into the atmosphere were removed would the sea ice come back? Would the deserts retreat?

Everyone of us needs ten trees to take care of our own carbon dioxide. Let’s plant our own trees, don’t use the trees of others

Landfills are overflowing with what’s called e-waste. In fact e-waste is the fastest growing portion of the U.S. wastery. In 2005 electronics are counted for 2.63 million tons of waste and only about 12 percent of that was recycled. Take a look at the computer you’re using right now. How long will you keep it? What will you do with it when it brakes or starts to lag behind newer models with better features?

Here is how you make the environmentally responsible choice with your computer and all your other electronics.

First, some facts you should know. According to the Silicon Valley toxics coalition the amount of energy used to manufacture new computers is four times what it takes to extend the life of an older machine a few years. So in most cases, the best choice for the environment is to repair and upgrade for as long as you can. A computer can be upgraded by adding memory (RAM). 1 GB of memory cost much under 100 dollars and you can install it your self.

But what do to when the computer is actually broken? Well, that’s not such an easy decision… Name brand computers often have to be shipped back to the manufacturer, sometimes even overseas, to be fixed. Not necessarily the greenest choice. On the other hand, white box computers, that is generic models without name brand parts, can easily be upgraded at local computer stores. Check your warranty though. They come without software and finding technical support may be difficult. White box models are available online or at large computer chains.

If you buy a name brand computer or peripheral, choose one with a strong take-back program that will guarantee your computer won’t end up on the landfill. DELL, for example, takes back all its branded products for free other companies accept their models for a small fee.

Now, should you buy a laptop or a desktop? Environmentally it’s a toss-up. The Silicon Valley toxics coalition says that even though laptops are smaller, they often have just as many chemicals to dispose of.

You’ll definitely want to replace some computers. If you still have a large CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) replace it with a flat panel LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). A 15” LCD screen uses a fraction of the electricity a CRT needs.

When it comes to other electronics such as printers, televisions, digital cameras and cell phones it’s probably not cost effective or even possible in some cases to repair them but before you get rid of them always consult the instruction manual. Maybe you can fix it your self. Also, consider contacting the manufacturer. Some manufacturers will provide repairs for a small fee.

Whatever you do, keep discarded electronics out of the landfills. The key is to recycle them.

Let’s start with the refrigerator. If you need to make repairs on an older fridge it’s probably worth getting a new one instead. New refrigerators consume up to 75 percent less energy than those made before 2001. When you buy a new fridge opt for a top freezer model rather than a side by side and make sure it’s energy star certified. A new refrigerator should than last you 14 years.

Replacing older dish washers is also a good idea. Newer models use less hot water, have energy efficient motors and use sensors to determine the length of the wash cycle making energy star models 25 percent more efficient than the minimum federal standards. Now, when you shop for a new dish washer choose one with a light wash or energy saving cycle and expect to hang on to it for about 9 years.

Here is something you might not know. It’s not a good idea to hand wash your dishes as an alternative to running the dish washer because you’ll generally use more hot water in the sink.

When the dryer breaks fixing is probably better than ditching. A dryers average life cycle is about 13 years and as long as it have a moister sensor (most of them do) it functions at about the same efficiency as current models. When it’s time to buy a new drier look for one with the sensor in the drum. It’ll shut off a little sooner and save you slightly more energy. However, since dryers consume large amounts of energy line drying or hanging your cloths on a rack is really the greenest option.

If there is any question about whether the ditch will fix your washing machine consider replacement first. Especially if you’ve got a top loading washer. Top loaders use a lot more water than new front loading machines. Look for one with the energy star label on front. Might cost a little more but this models circulate clots in a shallower pool of water, use less water and heat and save you money in the long run.

And now to the hot water heater. If your unit’s electric you can probably cut down on energy use by about 40 to 50 percent just by switching to a high efficiency gas model. Now, if you’ve already got a gas system your not in the clear just yet. It all depend how old it is because older gas systems may also need to be replaced because although they last about 25 years they get a lot less energy efficient as time wares on. So, if your gas hot water heater is more than 10 years old it probably deserves to be ditched. What you want to do is look for a demand or tank less system meaning that the water that’s circulated is going through a large coil and heated only when needed. Although energy star doesn’t certify this models, the government estimates they use up to 60 percent less energy when you compare them to the standard minimum efficiency heaters. And all of that, is going to save you some money. Up to abut 1,800 dollars a year.

You’ve seen what running your air conditioner can do to your electric bill so you know it’s using a lot of energy in the summer. When the air conditioning fails, if the appliance is older than 10 years, ditch before you fix and that goes for both, window units and central air conditioners.

Remember that when you’re getting rid of your appliances you really need to know what your community requires for their disposal. Because of the coolants used, old window air conditioners need to be disposed of in hazardous waste facilities. Old central air compressors are usually disposed by the contractor hired to install the new one but that’s something you can always ask about ahead of time.

People are coming up with common sense solutions like putting smaller turbines in residential areas and the huge machines further from people. Of course, the easiest way to avoid the troubles associated with any technology is to need less of it.

Americans are nearly 40 percent more efficient today than during the oil crisis of the 1970’s. That event turned energy conservation into a good business. But the U.S. still uses more energy and creates more pollution per person than any large nation. The U.S. has learned to conserve but other nations have learned to conserve much more.

Renewable technologies like solar panels, wind turbines and fuel cells also offer another benefit. They can be built, installed and used locally. But U.S. government support for renewable technologies still lags far behind subsidies for nuclear, oil or coal.

For years supporters of renewable power have fought to make clean energy competitive. Now technology is catching up with that dream and when people begin to see economic and environmental benefits, public attitude shouldn’t be to far behind.

Water inside the boiler turns to steam which powers a turbine and produces electricity. The steam is than captured and cooled naturally so the water can be reused. The test plant does not have a turbine to create electricity but engineers can measure the pressure and temperature of the steam to estimate how much energy the towers will produce.

Harnessing the suns raze has proved expensive and often inefficient. Bright Source CEO John Woolard estimates that the new technology could cut the cost associated with solar energy by 30 to 50 percent.

“By operating at higher temperature and higher pressure than it’s been done before you can cost down dramatically. So it’s all about higher efficiency driving lower cost and that can help make solar thermal compete directly with fossil fuels” - John Woolard

Solar tower technology is not a new idea. Bright Source’s effort is just one of several solar technologies currently being tested around the world. All companies developing alternate technologies face big hurdles related to cost and efficiency. In the United States alone government agencies are testing several different types of solar technology in an effort to find ones that are the most cost and energy efficient. Bright Source’s concept is in the final testing stage. Results from the experimental facility are fractions of the size of the commercial plants.

The plan is to complete full sized facilities in California’s Mojave desert by 2011.

The islands host a very high percentage of endemic species, plants and animals that don’t show up anywhere else on earth. And although they are all unique they share a common thread. Even before westerners came to the Hawaiian islands in 1778 the loco people had began to alter their environment. They cleared natural vegetation in order to farm. Westerners accelerated the process by introducing grazing animals and exotic plants that further denuded the landscape.

Today, real estate development puts relentless pressure on some of the remaining native habitat and nowhere are this problems more evident than on the island of O’ahu, the most densely populated of the Hawaiian islands. O’ahu also has the military to content with. Pearl Harbor is located here along with more than two dozens other military bases within the Hawaiian islands. Colonel Howard Killian, the commander of the US Garrison in Hawaii said: “I’m the largest electricity user on the island” Schofield Barracks was until recently a mish mash of historic homes dating back to the 1930’s. But over the next ten years, all this places will get an energy make over. At the center of the strategy, something Hawaii has in abundance: sunlight. Every new house contains solar heated hot water. For a place this size, that’s a huge deal.

“In terms of energy the energy consumption, all the houses are going to have solar hot water on their roof. That in Hawaii is roughly 30 to 35 percent of the electricity used by the average home.” Said Perry Brown, Technical Development mgr. Army Hawaii. And for a bit of perspective, this base spends between 30 and 40 million dollars a year on electricity.

Each new home also has photo voltaic cells mounted on the garage that actually collect energy and return it to the utility company. When all this construction is finished, Schofield Barracks will be one of the largest solar powered installations in the world. Seem like an odd thing for the army to be doing? Well, it depends on how you look at it. Last year the electric company raised their rates. How much did it cost the army in one year? Almost 3 million dollars that the army didn’t budget for.

The bases are also negotiating with Hawaiian electrical utilities to create a wind farm on the large tracks of land within the base. In fact, the hope is that the base might some day supply energy to the power grid. It’s an aggressive and expensive plan but one the army hopes will ultimately pay off.

Terms like “zero net waste” and “garbage as a commodity” aren’t standard talking but it’s a language that will likely become part of a new global vocabulary as we all confront our uncertain future together.