Solar Power

After reading an article in the new york times about the building of solar farms, i found this video on youtube. In regards to traditional solar power farms, these new ones being built are much more efficient. Instead of converting rays from the sun, directly into energy, these new farms take the suns rays, reflect them off mirrors, which in turn heats a synthetic oil, which heats water, which creates steam to turn turbines. I know, sounds complicating, but its actually pretty simple after watching the clip. This is the kind of technology our country should be investing its money in. We have so much open space in the southwest deserts of our country which would be the perfect place for farms like these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1HmY_ImHAg

Wind Power.. On the decline?

In this article from The New York Times, it talks about how recently with falling prices for natural gas and other fossil fuels, there has also been a decrease in the need for other renewable energy resources. The company, Invenergy, which deals with wind farming, recently lost a contract with Virginia utility companies after natural gas prices began to fall. The owner of the company, Michael Polsky, stated that his technology is hard pressed to sell, and that since 2009 installation of new wind power has dropped 72%. However I feel that from a consumer standpoint that this is a very bad idea because consumers are not thinking what will be most cost efficient in the long run, just what will work best right now. However, after reading further i came to findout, that by cancelling the contract with the wind farm, consumers are only saving 0.2% a month on their bills by using natural gas and otyher fossil fuels. This is really stupid on their parts.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/08/science/earth/08fossil.html?_r=1&ref=science

Bed Bugs

After reading an article on the recent explosion of bed bugs in new york city, I thought they would be an interesting invasive species to write a blog about. The bugs, known scientifically as Cimex lectularius, are small pests that feed on typically human victims at night. it was reported that during 2009, there were a recorded 33,772 bed bug related incidents, which was a 54% increase from the previous year. Also, it was reported that 6.7% of people in new york city reported having to deal with bed bugs within the last year. I find them to be a very interesting invasive species because there is no sure way to get rid of them. However, there are many ways of trying to prevent them from infesting your household. For example:
-Wash all bedding regularly in hot water. The water should be at least 120 degrees.
-Vacuum floors regularly. Use the brush tool of your vacuum to vacuum your mattress.
-Use the crevice tool to vacuum crevices in the mattress and your baseboards.
-Use a plastic cover over your mattress. Bedbugs can't hide on the plastic cover.
-If you purchase used furniture, examine it for bed bugs. Pay special attention to used mattresses and bed frames.
-Check your own bed for bedbugs from time to time. Catching them early will make bedbug treatment easier if bedbugs do occur.

Many of these prevention products are becoming more easily available on the market. Also, there are new organic sprays to help get rid of them as well, which is better for the environment than a synthetic spray or pesticide.