In this section we aim to discuss projects that we feel can lead us toward our objectives. The list represents a spectrum that starts with pure vision, gets underway, and continues to completion.
This is a broad category which at this point is in the concept stage. The premise is that more efficient engines can be used to power our machines and automobiles.
One concept being explored by one of our members is the possible use of small turbine engines.
Several of our members are interested in fuels other than gasoline to power our current vehicles. Some solutions require some modifications to the engine, but others do not.
The options include natural gas, methanol, ethanol, biodiesel, biofuel and more.
One of our members is working on a still, which will produce ethanol from a variety of types of organic waste. We will document his progress here.
We are well aware that disasters will happen. The only questions are what type, when and how big.
Our group is a local group, and most of us have a local focus. There are many things that we can do to prepare for fires, earthquakes, and water shortages, and we will address these in coming months.
To get ready, we need to train and equip ourselves. How to best do this will be a topic of discussion.
As we focus locally, we cannot help but be concerned with our neighboring communities, our state, our nation, and the rest of the world.
The specific actions we take will gravitate toward the priorities of the individual participants in our group.
One project proposed by one of our members is to develop a readiness to react to a disaster, such as earthquake, hurricane, or flood, and provide water purification capability. This will involve being ready on a moment’s notice to go to a disaster site with equipment that will provide for safe drinking water to victims.
Global warming and climate change have brought about drought conditions in Southern California that will be life-altering. Our effort will be in raising public awareness of this issue, and seeking solutions to the impending water shortage.
Although there is much that can be done on an individual and community level, to truly have an affect on this issue will require legislative action on many levels. We hope to have an influence on the legislative process.
We believe plug-in electric cars will play a large role in weaning our economy from its dependence on foreign oil. Since no manufacturer yet offers a highway-legal car with reasonable range, conversion of gasoline-powered cars to electric power by individuals offers the only option at present.
One of our members is presently converting a Porsche 914 to electric. For the moment, you may read about it here: http://watercharity.org/node/34. However, as time permits, we will be documenting the progress of the project on this website.
The environmental movement is propelled by citizens and groups, but is largely enacted by businesses. For-profit organizations can do good things for the environment while also creating and sustaining businesses and jobs.
In this section, we feature new and existing business endeavors that further the objectives of the green movement.
Hello everyone,
My name is Andrew Mastro, I own the ENERGY SHOP here in Lake Arrowhead ca. The only thing more beautiful than Lake Arrowhead is You, and your choices. Gratitude indeed, for all the choices we get to entertain, and to choose to be a user of "Greener" more Environmentally friendly products. The wonderful thing about the Energy shop is that we are very active locally, but think Globally. We believe that almost everyone wants to do something to beautify and better the Planet, but fall short. Education, Encouragement and Empowerment are at the foreground of our Mission for sustainability.
We are involved with some great people and together creating a better tomorrow.
Visit the Energy Shop online @ www.mastro.wwdb.biz
andrew@andrewmastro.com or call 1-866-300-4850 for a personalized Energy session.
We have several members working in various roles in the construction industry, including design, building, and financing.
Decisions are made at each stage of the construction process. As new technologies evolve, and prices become competitive, it is hoped that those decisions will be made in favor of green materials, processes, and methods.
When you invest your money in the stock of a company, you own a part of that company, and are responsible for what it does. Each purchase you make demonstrates your choice to support a company with goals, objectives, and methods you believe in. Alternatively, if you buy shares in a company that does bad things to society and the environment, you become an enabler.
We will maintain a dialogue to bring out the good and the bad about specific companies. This will enable you to make meaningful choices as to which companies you wish to support and those which you do not want to be associated.
Solar technology is improving and prices are coming down. However, at this time, it is a challenge for the individual to come up with a cost-effective solution.
We will be looking at alternative ways to bring this important technology to the forefront.
While our thrust is on the community level, we will be studying how solar systems fit into the national and international arenas, and how government will accept this challenge.
We can do better than to transport our garbage to the dump, to be sorted, transferred, and trucked down the hill to fill up a landfill. While our current recycling is to be applauded and encouraged, it is only a start.
Right now, organic waste is carried away and winds up in a landfill. We need to encourage and facilitate composting, on the individual and community level.
We need not be limited by the conventional. Perhaps we could, directly or through an intermediary, collect our community’s organic waste, and process it into a product with commercial value. While preparation of commercial compost is the obvious, could we make pellets that could be burned for heat or used as fuel for a still?
Specific water-saving solutions abound. The best solution for a particular circumstance depends on many things, such as the location, building laws, resources, and funding.
People are ready and willing to make changes that are beneficial to the environment, but they must be shown what is in it for them. If people can do the right thing and save money at the same time, true progress can take place.
For now, we’ll just list some of the many solutions that interest us. Soon, we will develop a more comprehensive list, and begin to address the solutions one-by-one. The areas are: greywater, rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, cisterns, appropriate landscaping, wells, pumps, filtration, and purification.