well, could it?

Could your trash can solve the energy crisis? is the question asked by the latest issue of the New Scientist.

The article highlights one of many companies looking to convert your trash into clean, green energy.

IST is not alone in this revolution. It is one of a growing number of companies and research groups around the world working on gasification – a process that zaps household waste into energy and which, its advocates say, produces few or no harmful emissions. Yet as pilot gasification plants begin to spring up around the world, this apparent environmentalist’s dream is not being universally welcomed. Opponents argue that the process is far from clean and that its track record in terms of energy efficiency and emissions can hardly be considered green. Not to mention the fact that it encourages the throwaway society that the environmental movement has been trying so hard to get rid of. So what is the real story? Is vaporising trash the answer to our energy and waste-disposal woes, or an environmental wolf in sheep’s clothing?

It involves a process called plasma gasification, which is something I won’t go into, since the article is very informative about the process.  

I am directing you to this article a.) because it is interesting, but more importantly, b.) continuing proof that people are innovative and working hard to come up with alternatives to how we view waste and energy.  I think it is also important to look at criticism of these new process by looking at who is the critic.  Many large, established, politically active corporations are looking at these innovations as a threat.  They have the time and money for extensive ad campaigns to confuse the consumer with what is good and bad about emerging technologies.

I do think the article is well written and deserves attention so that you have this in your mind.  Especially, if we start seeing the attacks by other “scientists” challenging or refuting these processes as a possibility.