Daily Green Wrap-Up 30.July, 2012

Despite the fact that, for years, a majority of climate scientists have been in agreement that rises in global temperatures are the result of human activity, there has remained a steadfast minority holed up in denial — though their numbers may be diminishing. In a statement, one of the world’s most prominent former-climate skeptics has made a surprise about-face, declaring that climate change is not only real, it’s likely our fault.
Where does the highest concentration of innovation exist? Some would say Silicon Valley. In one case, you’d be half right: ReadySet is a product of Fenix, a company headed by two Silicon Valley Apple alumni, but it was born, beaten, refined and deeply proven for three years in Africa. It is readying to debut back here in America. What is it? As Co-Founder Mike Lin puts it, it’s a really smart battery.
Government agencies and public utilities often get a bad rap when it comes to innovation: They are seen as cautious, bureaucratic and lumbering. But a panel* of green building professionals recently made a strong case for public sector buildings, such as hospitals, colleges, and public utilities, as pioneers in sustainability.
The Amish are best known for their simple living, their plain dress and their reluctance to adopt many of the technological luxuries we take for granted. In many regards, they are among the greenest and most sustainable communities in the US given their farming methods, their recycling of resources, their reliance on horse power and a prohibition on automobiles. However, a new report from Ohio State University on the Amish population in the US has found that a new Amish community is founded, on average, about every 3 1/2 weeks. This would suggest that the Amish are the most rapidly growing community (and religion) in the US!
If you’ve consumed any type of soda or soft drink recently, chances are that you probably still have an empty plastic bottle lying around. As you’re undoubtedly an eco-conscious creature, you’ll likely pop that into your recycling bin at your earliest convenience — but did you know there’s something else you could do with that lovely little bottle? Growing plants upside-down can actually yield far more growth than you’d expect; since their energy isn’t being used to keep them upright, they can harness all of that growing potential into making leaves and fruit, which is spectacularly awesome. If your space is small but gets plenty of light, try creating a few of these upside-down planters and prepare to be amazed! Follow our 6 fool-proof steps ahead!
Republicans have been going after the Navy’s biofuel program, the “Green Fleet,” as I covered here and here. As I’ve said, I have mixed feelings about military biofuels. Apart from the details of that program, though, I expect that this is the first sortie in what will become a broader conservative campaign against the military’s efforts to move beyond fossil fuels. So let’s have a reminder of just why the military is doing what it’s doing.

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