As the leaders of global trade met in a town that symbolizes “Made in America,” talks of tariffs and protectionism stirred up the conversation among participants and protesters organized around banners warning of climate destruction.
Meanwhile, cooperation and compromise appear to be barriers for creating a low carbon economy in the Mojave Desert of California. A 5000 acre solar thermal facility was abandoned for a monument to preserve the critical ecosystem of the desert. Harnessing the sun to supply humans with an alternative to fossil fuel energy seemingly trumps an outdated promise to keep the desert as is, forever. Why is it that protecting the desert and putting up solar panels are mutually exclusive?
This week’s HER LEED Award goes to Axion International for rolling out the world’s first thermoplastic bridge. Designed from 100% recycled plastic and materials including glass and vehicle bumpers, it can support a load of 70 tons and diverts waste from our endless stream. If it doesn’t require a military budget to implement, than perhaps our 2010 public works projects will produce this type of innovation.
Lisa Goddard
