Rob Hopkins (@robintransition) reminds us that the oil our world depends on is steadily running out. He proposes a unique solution to this problem — the Transition response, where we prepare ourselves for life without oil and sacrifice our luxuries to build systems and communities that are completely independent of fossil fuels (via TED.com).
I believe in the power of communities. In our (Gen-Y) lifetime, we will see the move towards re-urbanization and the development of a self-sustaining ecosystem. Not this type of ecosystem. An ecosystem of urban food production and community-owned energy companies.
The biggest obstacle is government regulation. Although this vision might be impossible right now, I see no reason why legislation cannot be changed in the next few decades to allow for the transition movement of creativity, adaptability, and imagination. We deregulated commercial air flight and telecommunications. This is next.
Let’s all Go Green. Instead of printing out this coupon, show up to your favorite Starbucks with this picture on your iPhone, Blackberry, etc. Let’s go save some paper!
@starbucks: how much paper (tons) can we save by promoting this!!!?
Stealth Startup! Wow... the DEALFLOW!
I didn’t even have time to blink as this new post from VentureBeat ripped my face off! Check it out… V-Vehicles, backed by John Doerr (of Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers) and T. Boone Pickens, is going to hit the Efficient Vehicle Market where it hurts most- in the wallet.
Affordability has been the missing link, so if V-Vehicles can pull this off in the 18-month timeframe it is suggesting (already opening a plant in Louisiana), it is going to crush Tesla and Coda. V-Vehicles has already received tons of funding, and now they are going to receive $67 million in state incentives AND apply for a part of the Dep of Energy’s $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Loan Program.
Man, I would love to sit down with Frank Varasano, Founder and CEO at V-Vehicles.
Tesla Motors Model S. Swanky ride. Expected to sell for $57,400. Includes 17-inch touchscreen and 3G connectivity (Pandora Radio and Google Maps!). A single charge powers this baby for 300 miles. Did you know that Tesla’s batteries are powered by THOUSANDS of laptop batteries?
On the other hand, Coda Automotive (formerly Miles Electric Vehicles) rolled out a new sedan at $45,000. The design is based on functionality, kinda Honda-inspired. The new sedan can go only 120 miles on a single charge- kinda beat but still better than gas.
I cannot wait to see what AMAZING stuff comes out of the $2 billion the Department of Energy has dedicated to battery development. Coda has already applied for a $38 million grant. If they get it, Coda will break ground on a new battery plant in Connecticut by 2011 — its first facility in the U.S.
Hurry up Tesla!
Eco Rock - 52% of CO2 is from building materials; 9% of CO2 is from cars. Green Product of The Year from Popular Science.
