As one of my personal case studies, take the field of hydrogen. The details are provided in Chapter 3 of SIMPLE SOLUTIONS for Planet Earth, but appreciate that Hawaii is in the middle of the Pacific and runs mostly on oil. We have a wide variety of natural energy resources, but there was something about hydrogen a third of a century ago that made long term sense, especially as 40% of energy used here went towards aviation, and this gas was ideal as a future jet fuel. Why not, then, make Hawaii a leader in this field, as no one was yet doing anything of any importance. Choosing the U.S. Senate as the launching pad for action, using all the lessons above, Hawaii eventually became the U.S. National Center for Hydrogen Research. It took almost 20 years from initial vision to national center status, and, this is is only a very preliminary first step. Others are continuing the effort, while I have moved on to biomethanol as the bridge to the ultimate hydrogen economy.
Case two: Hawaii is surrounded by the largest ocean, so what about tapping the riches of the seas? Again, we would have no competition if we could have our congressional representatives place funds to help build credibility. We had to take this step because the University of Hawaii had no credibility in ocean resource technology. In the Senate, I helped write the ocean thermal energy conversion bill. Also, I shepherded the Hard Minerals Act for strategic seabed minerals, so why not establish a center on these subjects in Hawaii? Finally, marine biotechnology: Hawaii as the biological equivalent of Silicon Valley would be as high tech as they come, and no university at that time had any engineering capability in this field. My PhD involved using a tunable laser to stimulate the DNA/RNA of E. coli. The result, and this one only took 15 years, was the National Science Foundation Marine Bioproducts Engineering Center for the University of Hawaii. It is relatively easy to find unique themes in whatever makes sense from your experiences and natural advantages.
Combining all this ocean stuff, we could then have a Blue Revolution (Chapter 4), the marine equivalent of the terrestrial Green Revolution, where the only product was better grains. The Blue Revolution had the promise of providing next generation seafood, sustainable energy, new habitats, and natural materials, while enhancing the environment, plus, perhaps also preventing hurricanes and remediating global climate warming.
Now, there is a danger in floating a mega project, no matter how terrific it sounds, for governmental funding and staff people are inherently afraid of ten year, $10 million/year initiatives, especially when you get carried away and talk about something that will cost, perhaps, a billion dollars. You need to start reasonably small, and build up to the worthwhile adventures. Thus, while you must conceive of the total program and show at least a little vision, begin by suggesting an element of the system. This is a way to reconcile LESSONS ONE and FIVE. As you re-read Chapter 4, you should be able to identify all seven lessons being utilized.
Initial thoughts were imagined in the 1970’s, and matured in the 1980’s, for basic research at the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute of the University of Hawaii and technology transfer at the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research on green energy (Chapter 2), hydrogen (Chapter 3) and ocean resources (Chapter 4). A third of a century later, we are yet only a third of the way there. But the seeds have been planted. That was the best I could do. I have confidence that there will be others to carry on the total mission.
Case two: Hawaii is surrounded by the largest ocean, so what about tapping the riches of the seas? Again, we would have no competition if we could have our congressional representatives place funds to help build credibility. We had to take this step because the University of Hawaii had no credibility in ocean resource technology. In the Senate, I helped write the ocean thermal energy conversion bill. Also, I shepherded the Hard Minerals Act for strategic seabed minerals, so why not establish a center on these subjects in Hawaii? Finally, marine biotechnology: Hawaii as the biological equivalent of Silicon Valley would be as high tech as they come, and no university at that time had any engineering capability in this field. My PhD involved using a tunable laser to stimulate the DNA/RNA of E. coli. The result, and this one only took 15 years, was the National Science Foundation Marine Bioproducts Engineering Center for the University of Hawaii. It is relatively easy to find unique themes in whatever makes sense from your experiences and natural advantages.
Combining all this ocean stuff, we could then have a Blue Revolution (Chapter 4), the marine equivalent of the terrestrial Green Revolution, where the only product was better grains. The Blue Revolution had the promise of providing next generation seafood, sustainable energy, new habitats, and natural materials, while enhancing the environment, plus, perhaps also preventing hurricanes and remediating global climate warming.
Now, there is a danger in floating a mega project, no matter how terrific it sounds, for governmental funding and staff people are inherently afraid of ten year, $10 million/year initiatives, especially when you get carried away and talk about something that will cost, perhaps, a billion dollars. You need to start reasonably small, and build up to the worthwhile adventures. Thus, while you must conceive of the total program and show at least a little vision, begin by suggesting an element of the system. This is a way to reconcile LESSONS ONE and FIVE. As you re-read Chapter 4, you should be able to identify all seven lessons being utilized.
Initial thoughts were imagined in the 1970’s, and matured in the 1980’s, for basic research at the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute of the University of Hawaii and technology transfer at the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research on green energy (Chapter 2), hydrogen (Chapter 3) and ocean resources (Chapter 4). A third of a century later, we are yet only a third of the way there. But the seeds have been planted. That was the best I could do. I have confidence that there will be others to carry on the total mission.
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Crude oil prices are sinking again, down to $93.75/bbl. The DJI is also falling -348, even though the Senate passed the bailout package last night and the House is expected to follow-through tomorrow. Maybe investors are worried about how Sarah Palin will do in her debate with Joe Biden tonight.
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Let me just ignore Tropical Storms Kyle and Laura, as they are just too far north to cause any mischief to the USA. There is Tropical Storm Marie, now at more than 50 MPH and heading west, straight for Hawaii, with the potential to strengthen over the next couple of days. Most models, however, are predicting, then, a gradual weakening. Tropical Depression Higos, now weakened to 35 MPH, is approaching Hainan, then should turn northeast towards Hong Kong in three or four days and bring rain through the south eastern coastal regions of China beginning this weekend. Also known as Pablo, it brought 40 MPH winds and some rain to the Manila region yesterday, but was characterized as a gentle storm.
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