We often wonder about the benefits of indoor hydroponic gardening, given that the sun is free. After all, Illegal hydroponic installations are often discovered by their abnormally high electricity use. Last month Sami introduced us to the Omega Garden system; looking at it a bit more closely I wonder, can it make high tech urban gardening economically feasible and actually more energy efficient than growing outdoors?

But Vancouver based Omega Garden’s Carousel system rotates the plants around the bulb. They claim that it yields three to five times the weight of plant per watt of electricity used, compared to conventional flat systems. Their commercial carousel system produces as much as a 1500 square foot greenhouse in only 150 square feet, and their LED system just sips electricity.

They claim a lot of advantages; the light is always even and exactly the same distance from every plant, at a close enough distance to get maximum light efficiency. They even provide case studies: For basil, using Fluorescent light took 3.7 kWh to grow a pound; with LEDs, a tenth that at .0.38 kWh. But growing outside uses none, how do you justify this?

Using green power sources coupled with local consumption of the goods produced, would generate close to zero fossil fuel inputs compared to the present system of production with farm tractors, pesticides, a 1500 mile farm to market transportation statistic per food shelf item, along with packaging, refrigeration, etc., all of which are heavily dependent on fossil fuel inputs.

But the most interesting claim is that the rotation of the plants actually increases the yield significantly:

Geotropism relates to the effect of gravity on plant growth hormones called Auxins. Omega Garden discovered that if plants are continually rotated horizontally top to bottom these Auxins are evenly distributed throughout the plant aiding in plant growth and strength.
The distribution of Auxins due to plant rotation increases plant growth rates by several times that of a stationary plant assuming that all other factors are equal. This phenomenon has been termed “Orbitropism” by Omega Garden Int.

Source: Treehugger

If you don’t like how something’s done, do it yourself. Google is taking that idea to heart when it comes to solar thermal technology. The company has been disappointed with the progress in this sector, so it’s developing its own mirror technology that will supposedly make solar energy cheaper by at least half.
Google is experimenting with different materials for making the mirrors, trying to find an efficient and cheaper solution. (more…)

This week in New York, at the UN climate talks airlines, airports and aircraft companies are presenting a plan to slash emissions by 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2050.
If the UN accepts the plan presented, it will be added to the Copenhagen agenda.

This would be significant because not only is the aviation industry responsible for two percent of yearly global emissions, but those emissions weren’t part of the Kyoto Protocol. (more…)

First Lady Michelle Obama helps open the Farmer’s Market on H Street near the White House in Washington, DC Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009. Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton

There was a lot of talk about the opening of the farmers’ market in DC last week, probably just because Michelle Obama gave a speech to which about 300 people showed up.
It is nice to see once again that the First Lady walks her talk.

There have been a lot of questions about how long this market would be open for, so here are the dates for 2009. A source confirmes that it will reopen in early spring.

FRESHFARM MARKET, BY THE WHITE HOUSE

Season 2009: Sept. 17 – Oct. 29
Day and time: Thursdays, 3 pm to 7 pm
Location: 810 Vermont Avenue, NW (between H St, NW and I St, NW). Click here for map.
Nearest Metro stop: McPherson Square (Blue and Orange Lines). MetroBus stops: S2, S4, S9, 42, X2, L2, G8 and 11Y. For more public transportation options, see www.wmata.com.

Shop for pasture-raised meats, artisan cheeses, milk and yogurt, fresh fruits and vegetables, breads and baked good, cut flowers, preserves and more. Our markets are open rain or shine! Double your Food Stamps, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Coupons at this Market.

The Prince’s Rainforests Project (PRP) was set up in 2007 by HRH The Prince of Wales following reports from leading climate change experts, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, to promote awareness of the urgent need to take action against tropical deforestation. The Prince of Wales has long been concerned about climate change and about how destruction of the world’s rainforests contributes to rising temperatures and sea levels.

The PRP’s work is focused on two very specific aims. The first is to raise awareness of the damaging effects of deforestation for everyone. The second is to identify appropriate incentives that will encourage rainforest nations to stop burning down vast areas of valuable forests.
video after the jump (more…)