Archives for "Environment":

An Alternative to Ugly Highway Barriers on July 1, 2009 in Environment

Cement is ugly. Even if you are not an environmentalist, one has to admit that the look of old, dirty cement is unattractive. Governments on all levels invest a tremendous amount of man power, resources, and effort in doing whatever they can to keep the City's cement walls clean. It's not uncommon to see a lane shut down as a...

Will Walk for Food on May 5, 2008 in Environment

A number of publications have recently ran critical articles on bio-fuel. The April 7, 2008 issue of Time referred to the industry as the "clean energy scam." "Ethanol increases global warming, destroyed forests and inflates food prices. So why are we subsidizing it?" states the article. The U.S. ethanol mix - composed of corn - makes up about 30% of...

My Environental Manifesto on May 4, 2008 in Environment

The environment has an impressive ability to manage itself without the need of humans, government work crews, or intervention. The invisible hand of nature will carve the most efficient waterways, provide sufficient food for the its wild life, and maintain a balance that will last for eternity. Even our "improved vision of nature" as referred to by "The World Without...

Monopolies, Resources, and Theft on April 22, 2008 in Economics , Environment

I am not too fond of monopolies - be they private or public. Even public corporations - if possible - should permit competition. In cases where there exists natural monopolies, then of course I prefer public over private ownership. Nathaniel Branden in "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal" argues that there are no such thing as "natural" monopolies. "Nickel of Canada...

The Trump Stump on April 19, 2008 in Environment

The planned Trump International Golf Club in Rio Grande has recently received heat for being construction on natural land, lacking permits, and occupying public lands (in Puerto Rico, all coastal land is public land.) This is not a rare occurrence, for the Costa Serena and Paseo Caribe projects in Loiza and San Juan share similar concerns. Development patterns such as...

Pensando Como Los Locos... on April 18, 2008 in Environment

Two quick reforms for the public energy industry: 1) A solar panel-driven water heater can lower your bill from 1/3 to ½ of its present cost (at least in Puerto Rico.) Theoretically speaking, one can say that if all Puerto Rican households were to have solar panel water heaters, the country would be 1/3 to ½ less dependent on...

The Garden is my Machine on March 30, 2007 in Environment , Puerto Rico

This morning I made the two hour drive to Guanica where I caught a short boat ride to Cayo de Aurora, also known as "Gilligan's Island" by many. Gilligan's is a tiny island off Puerto Rico's south coast only reachable by a boat ride. Often wooden boats can be seen 'parked' on either of its coasts as locals barbecue...

$9-20 on January 8, 2007 in Environment

I found the above products in an online West Elm catalog. I find it ironic how we as humans beings have separated ourselves from nature to the point where we have to place leaves in protective frames in order to hang up on our walls. I imagine one day we'll be looking at them in museums....

Repost: Alternate Economic Models and the Environment on April 5, 2002 in Environment

From a "Research and Writing" course:Environmentalists and private property custodians commonly clash when it comes to enacting environmentally-safe economic measures. Environmental protection usually leads to an increase in regulations, which in turn is seen as a direct assault on private property rights. The question is, can there exist environmentally-responsible policies that respect private property rights and free-market capitalism? The following...