Tag Archives: Sustainable

Growing food in the backyard to combat the rising cost of imports in Jamaica

Posted on August 3, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (August 3, 2013) describes the growing cost of food imports, exceeding a billion dollars for Jamaica, and the response. The local population is encouraged to grow in their backyard, including grocery stores and … Continue reading →

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Shipping HP computers by rail from China to the Netherlands

Posted on July 21, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (July 21, 2013) describes Hewlett Packard’s shipment of computers, produced in Chongqing to Oostrum in the Netherlands. The trip takes 21 days, compared to 5 weeks by sea, and is cheaper than air … Continue reading →

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Paying Auditors to audit pollution compliance inspections

Posted on July 18, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (July 18, 2013) describes an experiment in Gujarat, India, to increase the correctness of the pollution readings by auditors. In the past, most pollution audits claimed compliance. But two experiments were conducted – … Continue reading →

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Can electric-assisted tricycles use for local deliveries become economical ?

Posted on July 7, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (July 7,2013) describes a company, B-Line Sustainable Urban Delivery, that uses electric-assisted tricycles to make local deliveries hauled in a 60 cubic foot cargo box. The company coordinates deliveries in a local area … Continue reading →

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The impact of short cell phone life cycles in Japan

Posted on June 26, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (June 26,2013) describes the example of Sony’s Xperia Z smartphone whose life cycle started on February 9 but ended one month later after selling 1 million units. The dominance of cell phone carriers … Continue reading →

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Will Tesla’s new 90 second battery swap increase electric car demand ?

Posted on June 21, 2013 by aviyer2010

A report in PCmag.com (June 21, 2013 http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2420802,00.asp) describes a demonstration of a 90 second battery swap by Tesla, thus offering consumers the choice of waiting and getting free battery charging or paying close to the price of tank of … Continue reading →

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Can low shale gas prices attract new steel capacity to the US ?

Posted on June 19, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the Financial Times (June 19,2013) describes a new plant in Ohio built by Vallourec to produce steel tubes for the oil and gas industry. The company describes the low US gas prices, as well as the surging … Continue reading →

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Competition between railroads and pipeline operators to transport oil

Posted on June 15, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (June 17,2013) describes competition between a oil pipeline owner, Kinder Morgan, and railroads to transport oil from West Texas to Los Angeles. While pipeline operates demands long term contracts to cover their capital costs, railroads can … Continue reading →

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Should Europe ban the “beaching” of old ships flying the European flag?

Posted on June 15, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (June 13,2013) describes a move to ban the beaching of old ships (flying European flags), a method used in India and Bangladesh to recycle old ships. Instead, recycling will require use of dry … Continue reading →

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Is blocking logistics for US coal exports good for the global environment ?

Posted on June 15, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (June 15,2013) describes efforts to block train shipments and port expansion for low sulfur coal from native American reservations. Environmentalists claim that train transport will result in coal dust being blown into rivers … Continue reading →

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