Tag Archives: Sustainable

Adhoc social networks to assist during hurricane Sandy in NJ and lessons learned

An article published in the CNN.com website (http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/20/us/new-jersey-sandy-social-media/index.html?hpt=hp_c1) describes the use of facebook and street signs to create volunteer groups to assist people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Providing food, cleaning supplies, clothing etc and helping clean out flood affected rooms … Continue reading

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The internet of things and supply chain impact

An article in Wired magazine (December 2012) describes the low price points to make physical objects wen enabled. A WeMo switch enables an outlet to be controlled through the internet, thus enabling a temperature triggered adjustment of cooling. Decentralized Geiger … Continue reading

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Setting up a supply chain of transformers to transmit power during a grid failure

An article in the New York Times (November 16,2012) describes a recently unclassified National Academy report describing the vulnerability of the US power grid. Solutions described include custom step up and step down generators to maintain transmission across the grid … Continue reading

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The Mad Max Economy and supply chains

An article in the New York Times (November 11,2012) describes the Mad Max Economy that focuses on the impact of bad events such as Hurricane Sandy – when generators,kerosene heaters, radios, batteries, candles and industrial fans see demands soar. But … Continue reading

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Fresh water with mobile payments in rural Kenya

An article in BBC news (http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20121102-mobiles-call-out-for-fresh-water) describes an initiative for rural residents to get an opportunity to pay for about 4 cents for a 20 liter jerry can of water, a price claimed to be affordable to all. The company, … Continue reading

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Green US navy and ocean fuel source impact

An article in BBC news online (http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20121019-turning-the-oceans-into-jetfuel/2) describes plans by the US navy to get to 50 % of its fleet powered using alternate energy fuel sources by 2020. One approach is to use seawater as a source of fuel, … Continue reading

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A novel solution to get pregnant women in Ghana, ready to deliver, to a hospital faster

An article in the New York Times (October 30, 2012) describes the benefit on women and children’s health if the mother delivers in a hospital. But getting the mother, who cannot afford to pay for a cab, to the closest … Continue reading

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The economics of vertical farming in downtown locations in cities

An article in the Wall Street Journal (October 15,2012) describes vertical farming – growing crops in greenhouses in cities – close to customers. A twelve floor vertical farm in Sweden is the largest such effort – claimed to save transport … Continue reading

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Climate neutral products from Eosta

An article in Sustainable Business newsletter describes Eosta (http://www.eosta.com/index.cfm?vid=64DD31DB-AB5A-D733-DF31869591EFD001), a Dutch company that sells fruits and vegetables claimed to be climate neutral. Use of organic fertilizer that does not release methane, avoiding mineral fertilizers and thus saving nitrous oxide and … Continue reading

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Ban plastic bags ? Or worry about unintended consumer costs ?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (October 8, 2012) describes two sides of a decision to ban plastic bags. On the one hand, plastic bags clog up recycling equipment, create clean up costs and add up to $ 30 … Continue reading

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