<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Some leftovers to browse before T-Giving]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by JMG http://www.grist.org/article/giving-thanks-for-links/ Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:58:11 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/giving-thanks-for-links/1 Esurance -- why no PAYD???

I was excited to see a link for an environmentally enlighted direct-to-consumer auto insurance company.  I've been looking for one for years, since my company (the otherwise generally awesome USAA) has ignored my steady stream of requests for "pay as you drive" insurance that rewards the driver for driving less.

Surely an environmentally enlightened company would offer insurance by the mile, rather than by the month ...

Except not.  No mention of PAYD on their site anywhere.

The 5% Project Let's live on the planet as if we intend to stay.

]]> Esurance -- why no PAYD???

I was excited to see a link for an environmentally enlighted direct-to-consumer auto insurance company.  I've been looking for one for years, since my company (the otherwise generally awesome USAA) has ignored my steady stream of requests for "pay as you drive" insurance that rewards the driver for driving less.

Surely an environmentally enlightened company would offer insurance by the mile, rather than by the month ...

Except not.  No mention of PAYD on their site anywhere.

The 5% Project Let's live on the planet as if we intend to stay.

]]> Comment #2 by onetwothree http://www.grist.org/article/giving-thanks-for-links/ Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:45:39 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/giving-thanks-for-links/2 Per Cellulosic Ethanol - Home brewed alternative?

Regarding the mention of cellulosic ethanol - Has anyone every discussed the possible economics and green implications of home made cellulosic ethanol?

If individuals could get their hands on the enzymes that breakdown cellulosic materials, couldn't ethanol be made the same way the Tennessee crowd uses ethanol stills to make it now?

Think about it, the feedstock would/could be had for free from tree branches, grass clippings, leaves, etc. and there would be no labor costs (farmers spare time), no environmental studies, no transportation costs, etc.

I imagine the biggest challenge will be getting the enzymes, but second tier enzymes would find a market if the large commercial plants bid up the first tier enzymes.

Even if the fermentation process was slow, who cares, it could just sit on the back of the farm and work and sooner or later put a dent it ones oil/gas bill.

Just something to think about . . . or not?

]]> Per Cellulosic Ethanol - Home brewed alternative?

Regarding the mention of cellulosic ethanol - Has anyone every discussed the possible economics and green implications of home made cellulosic ethanol?

If individuals could get their hands on the enzymes that breakdown cellulosic materials, couldn't ethanol be made the same way the Tennessee crowd uses ethanol stills to make it now?

Think about it, the feedstock would/could be had for free from tree branches, grass clippings, leaves, etc. and there would be no labor costs (farmers spare time), no environmental studies, no transportation costs, etc.

I imagine the biggest challenge will be getting the enzymes, but second tier enzymes would find a market if the large commercial plants bid up the first tier enzymes.

Even if the fermentation process was slow, who cares, it could just sit on the back of the farm and work and sooner or later put a dent it ones oil/gas bill.

Just something to think about . . . or not?

]]> Comment #3 by GreyFlcn http://www.grist.org/article/giving-thanks-for-links/ Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:36:22 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/giving-thanks-for-links/3 Well

How about I toss my hat in the ring with this one.

Looks like the oceans are worse off than we thought.
http://digg.com/environment/Oceans_Ten_Times_More_Acidic_ ...

-David Ahlport


]]> Well

How about I toss my hat in the ring with this one.

Looks like the oceans are worse off than we thought.
http://digg.com/environment/Oceans_Ten_Times_More_Acidic_ ...

-David Ahlport


]]> Comment #4 by Whiskerfish http://www.grist.org/article/giving-thanks-for-links/ Sat, 29 Nov 2008 02:13:32 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/giving-thanks-for-links/4 GE'd biofuel bugs

I hope someone is worrying about what happens if super-efficient genetically-engineered buglets that break down cellulose into petroleum or diesel or ethanol get loose in the wider world... Holy moly! Talk about ecosystem collapse!

Even if they bugs they're developing can in theory not survive outside the lab, we all know how quickly single-celled orgs mutate: Is it just a matter of time that disaster strikes?

Whiskerfish

]]> GE'd biofuel bugs

I hope someone is worrying about what happens if super-efficient genetically-engineered buglets that break down cellulose into petroleum or diesel or ethanol get loose in the wider world... Holy moly! Talk about ecosystem collapse!

Even if they bugs they're developing can in theory not survive outside the lab, we all know how quickly single-celled orgs mutate: Is it just a matter of time that disaster strikes?

Whiskerfish

]]>