Calgary ranked #1 in quality of life

It seems all that Stampeding, free food, and oil money pays off. Calgary was ranked #1 in canada in terms of quality of life in a recent Angus Reid survey.

Surprisingly Calgarians rated their government high on items like environment, 65% agreeing the municipal government is doing enough in protection.

That may be ultimately true when it comes to municipal governments, the Nenshi like wave of enthusiasm still hasn't dampened. Provincially that's a different story. You'd think oil rich Albertans aren't so daff they believe they're doing admirably in protecting the environment. Unless they have some rose colored glasses, which according to this survey may be the case to some degree....

http://www.angus-reid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/2012.07.13_Cities_CAN.pdf

Brutal records on environment

It's oil rich Alberta, we all get that, but I still shake my head when it comes to the lack of policy and action on the environment.


Too bad the Evergreens won't win a seat and no more than 5% of popular vote. We could use a voice from the opposite end of the spectrum if only to challenge positions that opt for industry over environment and long term sustainability.

WRP has no policy. Well they do, but it's weak. You also have to shake your head at any political party that completely rejects any notion of global warming. I get the conspiracy theorists are out there, but the scientific community is pretty tight on this one.

All in all, enviro will lose, again. Which sucks. But at least we'll get revenue share cheques in the mail that we can blow on beer and steaks.

What matters most in an election?

The war of words has heated up. The WRP seem to be using Republican style tactics in their messaging, and heck, their platform as well. But this is Alberta and quite frankly that works for many. It will be interesting to see where people fall on election day. The WRP have garnered some momentum, but people I've talked to don't like the whole package. Apart from the fact they 've never governed, there's fragmentation within the party. Is it OK for a few of their candidates to publicly chastise homosexuality? Or is that OK for an elected official? PC aren't immune either, they're in panic mode trying to figure out how to stop the bleeding. Overall the leadership in the PC is the strongest, but we're also talking about a government that's used to winning and everyon nkows, where you settle, there you die. Alberta is going to get a change, we need a change, but some are left worried about how much of a change it will be. I for one don't want to be propelled into the the 70s with old thinking because rural Alberta hates the interweb.

Enough with bottled water

First world problems.

Namely, the taste of water. THE TASTE?!?!! Come on people. But let's say that you want to reduce your impact on the environment by drinking more tap water. Well some people insist on the pre bottled canisters. A pure marketing ploy if there's ever one. Now, get bottled water if you must, and most places in the world require it. However, in places like Calgary, drinking from the tap is one of the best sources of water. Yes, a Brita might get out a few more 'impurities', but when it comes down to it, it's not no bottles or a filter that helps, it's just drinking straight from the tap. We have the safest and cleanest water in the world. So really it all comes down to preference--we've been tricked into paying even more for cheap and clean water at our tap. Don't be rused, have a swig from the faucet.

Just don't do this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BeDPekd-DA

Election Call - Vote in a MOnth

Get ready because in a month we have our say to reshape Alberta. Things are going to change. Whether it's for the good or for the worse we'll see, but things will be changing .

Change your life now

Eat right.

Sometimes i wonder

Where does all my recycling go? I put tons of it in my green and blue boxes. But does that stuff actually make it to the magical recycling facility? I know it's processed somewhere, but then what? THe landfill? Someone buys the materials.....who? The Chinese? Do we boat it all there and then dump it at sea?!

Slow adoption rates will kill the hybrid car?

Alternative energy vehicles are the rage, in specific circles that is. For the normal consumer the appeal of 'Green' energy still doesn't displace the normal combustion engine. Some would chalk up the lack of willingness by car manufacturers to produce profitable hybrid cars in favour of the cheaper alternatives. Fact of the matter is manufacturers WILL support hybrid, their shareholders will keep them accountable to that, however, it deos have to make money. Gasoline guzzling engines will stop being produced on the assembly line as soon as a more profitable alternative is found (so there is an incentive to find that technology first). We the consumer also have to stop buying (voting with our purchases). In the meantime, the technology in the sub-industry will continue to expand, albeit at a slower pace ,one that mimics what the market dictates. I don't buy into the 'conspiracies' that companies are sitting on hybrid technology. If someone can make a cheap car that's reliable and doesn't use gas (or as much), then they'll win over the market in a big big way.

Distracted Drivers Bill 16 Hits the Streets

After a year of warning the Alberta Government's Bill 16 - the Distracted Drivers law, has come into full effect. From now on you can't so much as fart without the risk of getting a ticket. Although the research / correlation between this form of law and actual decreases in collisions is spotty, Alberta is the last among the provinces to introduce it. So what can you do or not do? Pretty much everything that has to do with electronics in your hand. Here's a PDF of what's included (and yes, cyclists are included). Also from a lawyer in calgary. I can't say that I'm agains the law, I suppose I'm not one to reject big government in all of my business, especially when it means the dumb kids (and adults) texting while driving will get a ticket (On the phone I can't quite understand, and makeup, come on, if I want to get dressed in my car.......)

Hyrbid tech relies on battery tech

The advent and expansion of hybrid technology has forced some additional markets to do some soul searching (or innovation as it's commonly called :P).

In order to have the scale of hybrids expected to hit the streets we require a battery that will accommodate the push and pull of driving. There aren't too many options out there so you can expect that car manufacturers are going to (they most certainly are) work hard to come up with better and more efficient solutions.

Currently the nature of hybrid technology is getting lighter and smaller, they keep charges longer and have a greater capacity.

The most prominent resource, currently, for hybrid batteries (which would be the primary method of storing energy) is a mixture called Nickle metal hydride. However, there are alternatives, one such alternative is lithium. Manufacturers are always looking for ways to expand the capability of hybrid batteries, lithium may be one of the answers.

Demand in the lithium market is generally fixed to a handful of major industrial players. Car manufacturers have kicked the tires on lithium, but currently the demand and expectations for increased immediate demand hasn't shot up.

We can expect two things. Lithium will increase in price as demand increased and the mostly fixed supply dwindles. But you can expect additional technologies to emerge using different metals in hybrid batteries.