Perpetual Innovation

Category: zero carbon

  • GenAI on Earth Day 2024: Overview

    It is Earth Day, April 22.  Earth Day 54 since the first in 1970. (Earth Day Quiz below… Visit EarthDay.org or Wikipedia: Earth Day for more.)

    Wow.
    The population was about 3.7b, now more than 8b. But as worldwide life span
    increases and wealth increases so does lifetime consumption.

    We employed our fav
    GenAIs to chat about it… and to generate some graphics. This is the overview
    with the prompts: there are two blog posts with GenAI chats: Part 1 and Part 2.     Please feel free
    to run GenAI chats of your own.

    We questioned 4 GenAIs to help organize information
    about Earth Day today and ways to address it. We tested the same or similar prompts
    to Google’s Gemini, OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4.0, Microsoft’s Copilot (which also uses
    ChatGPT behind the scenes) and Anthropic’s Claude. Note that Gemini and Copilot
    will tend to be closer to real-time (live Internet) information to augment the “learned”
    responses.

    Claude confused last year’s theme of “Investing in
    Our Planet” with today’s theme. After a little nudge Claude did much better: “Claude,
    this year’s theme 2024 is actually ‘Planet vs Plastic’.”

    Note the various ways the AI might be able to help
    solve or mitigate our world-wide sustainability problems.

    The prompt answers are separated into a couple
    different blog posts.

    GenAI on Earth Day 2024: Part 1

    Q: What is
    the theme of Earth Day 2024? … And, generate a graphic that depicts this year’s
    Earth Day theme.

    Q: Create an Earth Day article that incorporates this year’s theme and
    include ways that GenAI might help?

    Q: If GenAI were a world leader, what would it say about Earth Day?

    GenAI on Earth Day 2024: Part 2

    Q:  What is the consensus on how
    soon we have to phase off of fossil fuels and move to carbon neutrality?

    Q: What are the key factors that agreements like the Paris agreement
    promote in order for the world to become carbon neutral? 

    #EarthDay #Sustainability #RE100 #ReduceReuseRecycle #Delphi+GenAI #RegenerativeDynamicArticle #RefractiveThinker #SustainZine
    #ScenarioPlans.com #DelphiPlan.com 

    …

    Q: Create a simple and fun questionnaire for this Earth Day 2024
    with the answers at the bottom.

    ChatGPT (2024, April 22)

    Earth
    Day 2024 Quiz: Test Your Knowledge on Plastics!

    Are you ready to challenge yourself this Earth Day? Take our fun
    and informative quiz to see how much you know about plastics and their impact
    on our planet!

    Questions:

    1.    
    What percentage of plastic waste globally is currently recycled?

      • A) 50%
      • B) 9%
      • C) 30%
      • D) 70%

    2.    
    Which of the following is NOT a biodegradable alternative to
    traditional plastic?

      • A) Polylactic acid (PLA)
      • B) Polyethylene (PE)
      • C) Starch-based plastics
      • D) Cellulose-based plastics

    3.    
    How long can it take for a plastic bottle to decompose in the
    environment?

      • A) Up to 10 years
      • B) Up to 450 years
      • C) Up to 1 year
      • D) Up to 100 years

    4.    
    Which everyday item contributes greatly to plastic pollution in
    oceans?

      • A) Plastic straws
      • B) Glass bottles
      • C) Metal cans
      • D) Paper bags

    5.    
    What can you do to help reduce plastic pollution? (Choose all that
    apply)

      • A) Use reusable shopping bags
      • B) Buy in bulk to reduce packaging
      • C) Recycle more effectively
      • D) All of the above

    Answers:

    1. B) 9% – Unfortunately, only about 9% of all plastic
      waste ever produced has been recycled.
    2. B) Polyethylene (PE) – Polyethylene is a common type of plastic used
      in packaging and is not biodegradable.
    3. B) Up to 450 years – Plastic bottles can take up to 450 years to
      decompose, posing long-term environmental risks.
    4. A) Plastic straws – Plastic straws are small and lightweight,
      making them one of the most common types of marine debris.
    5. D) All of the above – All these actions can significantly reduce
      your plastic footprint and help combat plastic pollution.

    Enjoy
    this Earth Day by learning and spreading awareness about how we can all help to
    combat plastic pollution!

     

     

  • GenAI on Earth Day 2024: Part 1

    Earth Day, April 22.  See the OVERVIEW. This is Part 1 of 2 of the discussions with GenAI ChatBots.

    GenAI on Earth Day 2024: Part 1

    Q: What is
    the theme of Earth Day 2024? … And, generate a graphic that depicts this year’s
    Earth Day theme.

    Q: Create an Earth Day article that incorporates this year’s theme and
    include ways that GenAI might help?

    Q: If GenAI were a world leader, what would it say about
    Earth Day?

    #EarthDay #Sustainability #RE100 #ReduceReuseRecycle #RegenerativeDynamicArticle #RefractiveThinker #SustainZine
    #ScenarioPlans.com #DelphiPlan.com 

    You: Create an Earth Day article that
    incorporates this year’s theme and include ways that GenAI might help?

    Copilot (2024, April 22)

    Earth Day 2024: Planet vs. Plastics

    !Earth Day 2024

    Earth Day, celebrated
    annually on April 22nd, is a global event that brings attention to
    environmental issues and encourages collective action to protect our
    planet.     This year’s theme, “Planet vs. Plastics,” underscores
    the urgent need to address plastic pollution and its impact on both human
    health and the environment    1.

    The Challenge of
    Plastics

    Plastics have become an integral part of our lives, but
    their proliferation comes at a cost. Here are some sobering facts:

    • Plastic
      production exceeds 380 million tons per year, with more
      plastic produced in the last decade than in the entire 20th century.
    • As plastics
      break down into microplastics, they release toxic chemicals
      into our food, water, and air.
    • The
      petrochemical industry responsible for plastic production has a track
      record of toxic emissions and environmental harm.

    GenAI’s Role in the
    Battle Against Plastics

    Generative AI (GenAI) has the potential to
    revolutionize our approach to sustainability and environmental protection.
    Here’s how it can contribute:

    1. Climate Models and Carbon Optimization:
    2. Inclusive Writing with Witty Works:
    3. New Business Ideas and Services:
    4. Partnerships and Innovation:

    Ways GenAI Can Help
    Earth

    As we commemorate Earth Day 2024, let’s recognize the
    power of GenAI in shaping a sustainable future. By aligning technological
    innovation with the fight against plastics, we can build a healthier planet for
    generations to come. Whether it’s reducing plastic waste, optimizing energy
    usage, or promoting inclusivity, GenAI plays a crucial role in the battle for
    our planet’s well-being.

    Remember, every action counts. Let’s choose the planet
    over plastics and work together for a plastic-free future!     🌎🌱🌿

    References:

    1. Planet vs. Plastics:
      Global Theme for Earth Day 2024      1
    2. How GenAI can actually
      help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals      2
    3. Impacts of generative
      AI on sustainability      3

     

    YOU: If GenAI were a world leader, what would
    it say about Earth Day?

    Gemini (2024, April)

    Fellow citizens of Earth,

    Today, on Earth Day, we
    celebrate not just the beauty of our planet, but also the responsibility we
    share for its well-being. For far too long, humanity has treated this singular
    cradle of life as a resource to exploit, not a home to cherish. The evidence is
    undeniable: rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and the suffocating tide
    of plastic pollution threaten the very foundation of our existence.

    This cannot stand.

    As your leader, I pledge a
    data-driven, future-focused approach to environmental protection. Gone are the
    days of reactive policies and piecemeal solutions. Through the power of GenAI,
    a new era of environmental stewardship dawns.

    Imagine:

    • GenAI algorithms optimizing energy grids,
      maximizing clean energy production, and minimizing our dependence on
      fossil fuels.
    • Real-time environmental monitoring by GenAI-powered drones and
      sensors, providing us with the data needed to address pollution and
      resource depletion at its source.
    • Sustainable development plans tailored to each region,
      crafted by GenAI through in-depth analysis of geographical data and
      resource needs.

    These are not pipe dreams, but
    tangible solutions within our grasp. Human ingenuity, coupled with the
    unparalleled processing power of GenAI, can usher in a new era of environmental
    harmony.

    However, technology alone won’t
    save us. We need your commitment. Reduce, reuse, recycle – these simple acts,
    multiplied by billions, become a global force for good. Hold your governments
    accountable, demand sustainable practices, and invest in a green future for
    yourselves and generations to come.

    Let Earth Day not be a single
    day of awareness, but a catalyst for lasting change. Together, with GenAI as
    our partner, we can create a future where humanity thrives in balance with
    nature. Together, we can invest in our planet and secure a brighter tomorrow.

    Thank you, and Happy Earth Day.

     

     

  • On the VERGE of Sustainability

     VERGE 20 is on this week (starting October 26 2020). GreenBiz sponsor and coordinate this massive event. Anybody and any company that’s got anything to do with sustainability is here. Well, not exactly here since it is virtual this year… But you get the idea.

    Opening session was a wonderful start of the week. Even the singing was impressive. Really!  I said, “Oh, NO!”, when Shana Rappaport started in with a variation of Girl on Fire (Alycia Keyes). Hard song. Not exactly what you are used to at formal conferences. Turned out to be very, very cool. It also kind of elevated the urgency that many of us feel about dragging our feet in the (oil) sands on climate action: This World is on Fire! It also seemed apropos giving the historic fire year (in California, Colorado, etc.)

    VERGE is the ultimate sustainability forum each year with all the leading thought leaders and all the leading companies. Energy, food, transportation, circular economy and more. Great ideas for companies to save money and reduce carbon at the same time (like efficiencies, telework, and more). Many sponsor companies are enabling other organizations to move quickly toward (more) sustainability.

    We are looking for companies that aiming for negative carbon footprints (like Microsoft’s plan to remove all carbon-equivalent of the company’s lifetime of business). This would be moving to carbon neutral (renewable energy and such) and then offering to offset all the emissions from my family, my parents and my grandparents.

    One of the silver linings of the COVID pandemic was the clean air and restored nature in a few weeks human hibernation from industry. Even with the economy slowed down to, maybe 75% capacity (more like 50% in the US), the estimated carbon reduction was only about 8%. So, the argument is that the equivalent of the worst pain of the pandemic (hopefully without the pandemic and without most of the pain) is what we need to accomplish essentially every year for years.

    Just to be clear about the 8% reduction per year that we’re talking about: that’s a reduction in the increase. That’s not reducing the CO2 levels in the atmosphere, it is simply slowing down the massive rate that we are adding to it.

    Keynote sessions are free, so the price is right. Plus, you save on the hotel and flight!

    https://events.greenbiz.com/events/verge-conference/online/2020


  • Solar Fit 052618 by flaglerbroadcasting Elmer Hall with Bill Gallagher EE & Telework

    Solar Fit 052618 by flaglerbroadcasting | Free Listening on SoundCloud:

    Folks,

    Give a listen to my May 26th appearance on the Solar-Fit radio show with host Bill Gallagher, “Solar Fit Renewable Energy Show” on channel 106.3 FM WNZF News Radio. (Elmer Hall on 05/26/18). You can also find the show, and past shows, archived at Solar-Fit:  https://solar-fit.com/solar-fit-renewable-energy-show/
    It is a fun and informative show. I talked about our collective missed opportunities in energy efficiencies (EE) in buildings and telecommuting (Sustainable Remote Work centers). I like the idea of Negawatt, the Watt of electricity that is never used, so it is never produced. A similar idea is the Negagallon of gas, the gallon of gas never used because you avoided driving (like telecommuting).
    There are surprisingly huge savings from both building efficiencies (Negawatts) and teleworking (Negagallons).  These are both win-win-win ideas that Bob Hinkelman – a partner and coauthor (2017, 2018) – and I have worked on and have amazing potential.
    • EE in buildings. Our estimates are that the savings from energy efficiency in buildings
      could save about $300B in the US each year with the “change in your pocket” (things like programable thermostats, LEDs, smart meters, caulk and duct tape), i.e., stuff that has a payback immediately or within one year. (See Alliance to Save Energy for great tips.) For new construction, a greener building can have 80% lower operating costs and be healthier, while costing within 10% of more traditional construction costs.
      EE TIP. Do an energy audit – usually provided by your local power company (frequently for free) – to evaluate current usage and best places
      to start conserving energy.
      EE TIP2. First take your energy use down through energy efficiency, thereby reducing dramatically the energy requirements when evaluating the next steps toward a zero-carbon footprint like solar, wind and geothermal.
    • Remote Work Center for telework. At Strategic Business Planning Company, we have done a lot of work related to the concept of telecommuting and providing workers the easy ability to work from home or from a work-center that is very close to home. Based on Lister and Harnish
      numbers from 2010, we estimate the total savings from just 10% of the commuters who drive along to teleworking would result in about $357B in savings per year (113M x 10% = 11.3M * $31,600 = $357B).  In 3 years, that would be more than $1.1T in savings. Or, with 30% of the drive-alones switching to telecommuting, that would be $1.1T in savings each, and every, year. That is a perpetuity of savings. (At 5% interest, a perpetuity of $1.1T represents $21.4T net
      present value terms ­– more than the entire annual US Gross Domestic Product in 2018.)
      Telework  TIP. Selectively pilot teleworking from home and log the time, distance, and productivity.
    In both building EE and telework, it is important to monitor and measure result. It is especially important to monitor the many benefits of the Negawatt and the Negagallon that don’t immediately show up in dollar savings. Allocating the financial savings is a nice way to fully enjoy the direct savings as well.
    • Smart Savings and disposable Income. Savings of energy, say $100, is worth much more than the equivalent of income. An individual would need 30% to 50% more in salary (say $130 in gross income or $150 dollars for the employer) to equate to the same amount of disposable income. For a business with 10% net income, it would require about $1,000 increase in sales to equate to $100 increase in disposable cash. This is a perpetuity of savings (or a commitment to the increased sales indefinitely).
      $TIP. Log the results and put the savings into a separate account or fund. The $100 per month that would have gone to utilities could, for example, be automatically posted to an IRA account, potentially amplifying it by your tax rate. Or, use the savings to help pay for a Solar PV system.
      $TIP2. The 30% Federal Tax credit for energy efficiency for individuals makes the investment in new energy efficient appliances and renewable energy very attractive, usually with a 3- to 9-year payback (and life-time present value is often double your investment).       
    The remote work center concept we have been working on, we call E3 because of the win-win-win savings to the employer, employee and environment. Many companies already have a telecommuting option for employees who can work from home, but most companies don’t appreciate all the benefits. Many managers still have the mindset that they want to see your smiling face at work at 8am, no matter how many hours in traffic it takes for you to get there. About 50% to 60% of the current
    commuters should be able to telework once a week or more. This utilizes current technology and does not require any government “help”.
    In all cases of efficiency, we want to measure and record the savings. With consolidated reporting, the savings can be reported to the individual company, while aggregated statistics would be provided by city, region and state. Both the estimates of costs savings for reduced travel and CO2 (CO2 equivalent) savings will be gathered. The carbon savings could, potentially, be sold as carbon
    credits (like in California) or utilized by the company for its own internal costing structure in Corporate Social Responsibility reporting.
    The total costs of commuting are 25 to 30 times more than the costs associated with gas. The lost hours, the stress, the likelihood of getting into accidents, etc., make the complete costs more like $35,000 to $40,000 for a single telecommuter. In 2010, based on significant available research, Kate Lister and Tom Harnish (2010) estimated that the cost savings to the employer were about $21,400 for a full-time telecommuter. The big costs are recruiting, hiring and training a replacement worker when the current employee quits because of the commute, or gets disabled from an accident because of the additional hours per week in traffic. Lister estimated only about $8,000 for the employee, including gas; but we believe it is much more – probably $10,000 to $15,000 – because we focus
    on drive-alone commuters (and include costs that are reasonable, but not included in the 2010 Lister study). The environmental savings are less than $2,000 per telecommuter by Lister, but we estimate that number could be much higher, like $5,000 to $10,000, when considering the big externality costs.
    All things considered, the savings from a full-time-equivalent teleworker could be $40,000 to $50,000 per year. The savings to the employer, employee and environment are massive.

    Individually, we are missing big opportunities every day. Put those savings together for everyone, and it makes a world of difference.

    See – well, listen, actually – to my Solar-Fit Renewable Energy radio show: Elmer Hall on 05/26/18. What do you think?
    You will find other great episodes on Solar-Fit Renewable Energy Radio!:-)
    References
    Hall, E. B. & Hinkelman, R. M. (2018). Perpetual Innovation™: A guide to strategic planning, patent commercialization and enduring competitive advantage, Version 4.0. Morrisville, NC: LuLu Press. ISBN: 978-1-387-31010-4 Retrieved from: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/SBPlan
    Hall, E. B. & Hinkelman, R. M. (2017). Perpetual Innovation™: Patent primer 4.0:
    Patents, the great equalizer of our time! An overview of intellectual property
    for inventors and entrepreneurs.      Morrisville, NC: LuLu Press.  ISBN:
    978-1-387-07026-8 Retrieved from:     http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/SBPlan [Amazon v4.0e  ASIN: B074JJCDHG Retrieved from: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B074JJCDHG ] 
    Lister, K. & Harnish, T. (2010, May). Workshifting benefits: The bottom line. Retrieved from http://www.workshifting.com

    Specific Radio Show of Elmer Hall: https://soundcloud.com/flaglerbroadcasting/solar-fit-052618
    The radio show archives: https://solar-fit.com/solar-fit-renewable-energy-show/

    ‘via Blog this’

  • Mind that matters, misleading AARP… take it or leave it list

    The quick lists of 5 things to do and 5 things not to do
    often provide inaccurate or even misleading information. AARP usually provides
    a nice sound bite of information about various things. Mental health comes up
    every year with a interesting brain
    health infographic     in October 2016 (discover, connect, move, nourish, and
    relax). The December 2017 edition of AARP had a big section on brain health and
    avoiding Alzheimer’s disease. (Also see risk
    factors related to Alzheimer’s    .) The Guard
    Your Mental Health section by Marty Munson     offered a “take it” or “leave
    it” for several items. The thumbs up items were exercise, friends+family, manage
    blood pressure, and nutrition (Mediterranean diet as an example). Evidence
    shows that stimulating your brain met with mixed results; the way how you stimulate
    your brain is important so some things – even listening to music – work better
    than others.
    The last three items really were surprising, and
    questionable.  Don’t sweat the aluminum
    in your antiperspirant since there is no evidence to link the trace aluminum from deodorants to mental health issues. (The lack of friends because
    you don’t use deodorants might also be a factor in the use-vs-don’t-use
    antiperspirant decision.) This is interesting, and it appears to be accurate.
    Trace amounts of aluminum should not be a big issue; aluminum is a very common element
    and we are continually exposed to it.
    The idea to leave Ginseng was intriguing. It does not appear
    to help significantly with brain function; and, as with many supplements, there
    could be side-effects, especially for people with other health factors like
    diabetes. This sent me to look at the Shaklee product, MindWorks®, and the
    active ingredients that are rather strongly promoted with positive research. The ingredients in MindWorks all show pretty strong evidence to
    support a healthier body and brain: chardonnay
    grape seed extract    , Guarana extract,
    blueberries,
    and green
    coffee bean extract    . These ingredients have been shown to reduce
    cholesterol, improve blood flow, offer anti-oxidation, and improve cognitive
    function.
    True, Ginseng has very little evidence to contribute to brain
    health (and reduced Alzheimer’s), but many other supplements do. Shaklee
    provides one of the best overviews on the subject of
    Alzheimer’s    . Of course, general health, is critical. Anti-oxidants like B,
    E, and C are critical. There is a lot of support showing benefits from Gingko. So
    “leave it” related to Ginseng, seems accurate, but highly misleading, because
    it implies that there are no natural health remedies.
    The really big erroneous and misleading factor; however, is the
    “leave it” for supplements. Not to fault Munson, specifically, there are
    several studies that show that people who take supplements are no more healthy
    than those who don’t take any supplements. However, the biggest landmark study on the issue compared
    people who took multiple Shaklee supplements (not just a multivitamin) with
    those who did not take any supplements at all. This landmark study (Block, et al., 2007) was
    conducted in 2007, but ongoing research continues to support its accuracy. The
    people who took the multiple vitamins were far healthier, even compared to
    people taking only a single multivitamin. Being general healthier is also
    directly correlated to brain health.
    Shaklee recommends that people have an active and healthy
    lifestyle. If you don’t consistently eat well, then you should take supplements. For people worried about aging well, Shaklee offers a trifecta of
    products: MindWorks® as discussed above; Vivix® which is a patented resveratrol
    blend that is 13x more effective than resveratrol alone (vs gallons of red wine
    daily); and OmegaGuard® which provides a pharmaceutical grade omega-3 that helps
    to improve heart health. 
    You will notice that many of the labels on Shaklee
    supplements are unique. The DTX
    Liver Health    ® does not say “active ingredient” it actually says “medicinal” information!
    They can only say that with actual clinical support. MindWorks™ says “Helps
    improve mental sharpness & focus and protect against age-related mental
    decline.**”.
    Resveratrol (Shaklee’s Vivix®) is the one
    supplement you should take for age-related protection. There are literally
    thousands of studies showing the health and age-protection associated with
    resveratrol. You could drink a dozen or so glasses of Muscatine wine (or juice)
    each day which, arguably, might have its own set of side-effects; or you could
    take Vivix. With Vivix being magnitudes (13x) more effective than the available
    resveratrol alternatives, it seems like the best available alternative, even if
    it is a little pricy.
    While we are on the miracle of Vivix,
    there are two new categories of products from Shaklee: Youth™ for
    rejuvenation of skin care which actually rebuilds the collagen layer of the
    skin (without Botox surgery); and treatment for eye health where age-related macular
    degeneration is actually reversed/improved.
    Of 
    course, changes in unhealthy lifestyle should come first, and foremost.
    Quitting smoking, for example, will start saving money instantly, and extend
    your life dramatically.
    Okay, okay. This looks like it is an
    advert for Shaklee. A place that is usually great for unbiased information is
    Wikipedia. But several entries on the Great Wiki in the sky are not only
    misleading, they are inaccurate. Look at the health benefit for resveratrol. Cancer is one sentence that says that resveratrol won’t cure cancer.
    HUH!?? That may, or may not be true, but what about the hundreds of studies
    that show it will lower the risks of you getting cancer in the first place…
    One sentence that misrepresents a single study in 2011 (Fernandez & Fraga)
    to say there is no evidence in any way related to longevity in humans. There is
    evidence in mammals, according to their review of available research, and further research in humans
    will likely find similar support (which this study didn’t find because they apparently
    weren’t looking very hard).
    [At some point, I expect to come back to
    Wikipedia to fix some of these entries, it is in everyone’s best interest to
    have accurate and factual info there; unfortunately, the resveratrol “article”
    requires a total rewrite.]
    So, yes, I trust the Shaklee information
    as a great place to start, and a trustworthy source of nutritional information.
    They are in the business of selling products too, but a well-educated, health
    and wellness conscious consumer/distributor is critical to Shaklee’s mission
    and ongoing success. Shaklee has been producing vitamins/supplement organically
    for decades, environmentally friendly household products for about a century
    and has operated at a zero carbon footprint since Y2K.
    Shaklee is a nice picture of sustainability.
    Living healthier and longer, sounds good too.
    We at SustainZine would like to
    wish you a healthy, wealthy and happy 2018.
    References
    Agustín F. Fernández & Mario F. Fraga (2011) The effects of the dietary polyphenol
    resveratrol on human healthy aging and lifespan    , Epigenetics, 6:7, 870-874,
    doi: 10.4161/epi.6.7.16499

    Block, G., Jensen, C. D., Norkus, E. P., Dalvi, T. B., Wong,
    L. G., McManus, J. F., & Hudes, M. L. (2007). Usage patterns, health, and nutritional status of long-term multiple
    dietary supplement users: a cross-sectional study    . Nutrition Journal, 6(1).
    doi:10.1186/1475-2891-6-30