Hot Rod - Natural Capitalism - New Euro Directive

hr

it sure seems like a common sense-ical look at the world in general.

It sure seems like the planet is getting angry these days. Too much taking and abuse. Tens of thoudands die of hunger in third world countries weekly while other countries throw away tons of good food every day.

I worked in a restaraunt once, also on a garbage truck. The food we waste, per week, in this country would blow you away.

hot rod

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rb_8

environmental performance a priority in manufacturing

This news release is reflected in Natural Capitalism by Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, L. Hunter Lovins - a book that found its way into my personal library courtesy of Hot Rod.

Think HVAC systems and equipment - and imagine as it is in some parts of Europe where boilers & water heaters are consider home appliances...

________________________________________________________

A new directive on eco-friendly design in energy-using products has been adopted by the European Parliament this week, which aims to make environmental performance a priority in manufacturing of consumer products. The initiative has been warmly welcomed by the European Commission and environmentalists.

Among the issues which the directive aims to improve upon are energy use, water use, noise levels and recyclability of component parts, along with minimising the general environmental impact a product may make throughout its life-cycle.

Once the Directive is formally integrated into member states’ regulations the Commission is expected to introduce a of set eco-design requirements for specific energy-using products which have a significant impact on the environment, such as home appliances and electrical goods.

EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said; “The Directive will deliver long-lasting and increasing energy savings beneficial to consumers that will also contribute to a reinforced security of energy supply for the Community.”

“The Eco-design Directive will prepare EU industry to face worldwide challenges related to environmental improvement of their products,” added Vice President Verheugen.

hr

Interesting info, Robert

Solar Today mag had a write up about what Germany is doing along the lines of energy conservation and alternate sources. Be fun to watch how this work out over there

Thanks for the info.

hot rod

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Dale Pickard

Thanks Robert

Hot Rod turned me onto Natural Capitalism as well. I actually attended a weeklong energy workshop with Amory Lovins and his wife Hunter almost 20 years ago at the Feathered Pipe Ranch in Helena. All I know that I remember is that Amory is a physicist that is really into rope and knots. Funny guy. Quite bright.

I took myself to ISH this year mostly to see what they are doing with renewables and conservation. A real breath of fresh air, so to speak. These technologies have a very strong future and the Europeans are poised to take advantage of it.

Could you imagine a simlar agreement between the North, Central, and South Americas? I'm afraid that we are still too busy plundering our "resources". In Natural Capitalism, a major point that Lovins makes is that of the value of ecosystem services, things that we take for granted, things that economists call, "externalities". If you had to make up the oxygen content in the atmosphere, how much would it cost?

One of the points that Lovins makes in the book is the failure of the Biosphere II project. They spent millions trying to create an artificial ecosystem, and failed.

Dale

rb_8

Yes...very interesting stuff

So in 20 years what has changed - and what remains the same? Where will another 20 years find us? If I recall correctly, Lovins declared the construction industry as one of the worst managers of resources and greatest contributors of waste.

Didn't someone from RMI talk at a conference a few years ago? What was the message?

RB

S Ebels

Tell us something

We didn't know about the modern housing industry.

rb_8

gotta love that word...

'modern'- almost impossible not to grin sheepishly when using it.

Dale Pickard

Check

Somehow, it's a word that's never quite up to date.

Dale

DVW_2

I'd love to return to the good old days

of basket weaving and dental floss farming, but nothing beats Nuke energy - We just need to realize that the Navy needs to operate these bad boys. And not the "private" sector.

DanHolohan

Here we go

again.

Dale Pickard

I'll pass

I got a crop of floss to get in before the hail gets it.

Dale

rb_8

Too funny...

Harvesting the Humor - Flossophizing the wax flax. What would Deere John have to say?

hr

DVW, maybe the Navy could help with this

clean up mess, before the salmon start glowing in the Columbia

http://www.popsci.com/popsci/science/article/0,20967,1044458,00.html

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Dale Pickard

I was just pulling his leg...

I figured that being and easterner and all, Dave wouldn't realize that Floss is ranched and not farmed.

I run 1000 head of floss yaks over several sections of land.
Shearing time is coming up, and spinning time. We have to put all that floss on those little plastic spools.
Boy those yaks sure look funny without their coats.

Dale

Dale Pickard

The navy is too busy..

blowing the eardrums out of whales with their sonar. The price of paranoia.

Dale

John_79

Movin' to Montana soon....
Gonna be a dental floss tycoon....

me and the

pigmy

ponies

Dale Pickard

Yes, many tried....

after hearing Frank Zappa's call. They went west pursuing the dreams of a floss rancher. Most failed though, their dreams dashed, unable to live the harsh life of a Yak rancher. They had to go back to California. Yes the labor is hard and the rewards are few...clean teeth, that's about it.

And though you're teeth may be clean; you still have to scrape the Yak crap off your boots. Those that are successful are the salt of the earth. We owe our good dental hygene to these unsung heros.
yippie ky ay ky oh!

Dale

"But they've never seen the northern lights, they've never seen a hawk on the wing, they've never seen spring on the great divide, they've never heard 'ol camp cookie sing."
Jerry Jeff Walker

Mark Eatherton1

Let's see now...

4 megawatts per hour, time 24 hours per day, times 7 to ten days... Who's going to pay the utility bills on this sucker?

I know the Columbia river gorge is famous for cheap electricity, but that's a LOT of megawatts.

Hey Pick, you feedin' them Yaks Mint Flavored wax these days? That's my favorite flavor, and it makes for a great swimmin' suit too!

ME

leo g_13

and here I thought

that dental floss was spun from spent nuke rods.....

Leo G

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Jimmy Gillies

EU Directive.

Most EU directives are unworkable, there have been many that are just PLAIN CRAZY!

The EU is made up of poor and rich countries and many cultures. Some of these countries will comply with Directives(like the UK), some will not(like France).
Then there are countries like Ireland, that are doing very well out of being members - if you know what I mean!

Please don't get me wrong, I have no problems with any of the people living in the above countries, all very, very nice people.

Thanks for reading.
Jimmy Gillies (Scotland)

hr

Don't confuse natural

organic floss with the artificial, synthetic "bio floss" They do a lot with chemicals these days, Leo.

hot rod

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DVW

Ahhh that's good

It was just a ribbin' Danno' - That's all. I've grown up a bit to know we all live in what we make.

I'll tell ya' tho'. The first time I heard that song (probably LONG after it was recorded) I thought of Dale and the first time I met him at an RPA show......

Sometimes you don't know who your talking too. I did learn a lot from that meeting.

I have only fun now. Nothing personal at all!!!

- David

DVW

My point

is I hug my kids every day - sometimes several times a day, I watch them intensly at dinner (cause it's the only time we're all sitting close by and no ones allowed to get up).

I pick up garbage if it's near me. If everyone picked up one piece of trash every day......

I try to effect and affect what I can. Solving/proving/changing the world is done either in tiny steps or GIGANTIC concusions.

- I'll take the baby steps. Raise the children to be responsible, informed, open minded (hmmmmm. took me a long time to learn that one) and caring of the needs of others....

All the rest will follow.

- DVW

Dale Pickard

Now you're pulling my leg...

I think everybody knows that mint flavored floss comes from floss yaks that are grazed exclusively on peppermint.

Dale

Unknown

Natural Capitalism revisited

Sometimes a great thread just needs to be brought back to life. This is one of those threads. I hope it doesn't upset anyone.

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bob_44

Hot Rod you

must have bought every copy of that book! I didn't whored mine though I sent it along to another wallie. How come we are the only species on this planet that can't get along in our environment without all this stuff? bob

ScottMP

HHmmmm Tweezers

I'm a mental toss flycoon.

Time to shine up the zircon encrusted tweezers.

Let me sterilze them .... give me your lighter....

Chesters Gorrila

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bb

Danfoss

Danfoss has agreed to follow 2 of the new EU directives.

The RoHS directive relates to hazardous substances, and is effective July 2006. The 6 substances are: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent, chromium, and 2 flame retardants, PBB and PBDE.

The WEEE directive relates to electronic waste will be introduced within the next year. Producers of electrical equipment must pay whit it will cost to scrap the product when in it is produced.

The Danfoss Drives Division is switching to a lead-free solder which will reduce 4 tons of lead being used per year.

I’m glad to be part of a company that considers the environment with the products it designs.

bb