On Wednesday 7th September 2011, I did some PR photography at the Hilton. For the first time, I felt at ease with the Executives of Energy conglomerates, Embassy Ambassadors and representatives, Corporate and Technology representatives and a Senator, amidst others.
The men dressed in either sharp black power suits or dark-blue power suits. Some had on ties and others had their shirts slightly opened at the first button, giving them an air of the suave, debonair, James Bond/GQ look. What I love were the shoes. I always adored men's shoes, especially if they were well-made, and patent-leather black loafers, oxfords or brogues.
Women executives certainly know how to dress. Some of them smartly dressed in possibly Manhattan/Europe-bought black blazers and snake-skin/leather pumps…with covered toes. Slightly loose pencil skirts (ends at the knees), sharp clean leather bags, and professionally done hairstyles (with gold-toned or burgundy highlights) finished up their looks…no weaves here.
The BPTT function was based on the BP Statistical Review of World Energy June 2011.
From 12 noon, there was a delicious menu of main courses, salads, desserts and refreshing fruit juices. After lunch, all were welcomed by BPTT Regional President Mr. Norman Christie who took up his post earlier this year. The guest speaker was Mr. Christof Ruehl, BP Chief Economist. Mr. Ruehl gave the Statistical Review presentation, and then a Q & A segment after. I found that he was quite exceptional, especially when it came to simplifying the statistics into words, not many people could do that. Finally, the Senator Mr. Kevin Ramnarine, Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs gave the final remarks. Mr. Richard Young, President of the Bankers Association concluded with a vote of thanks. Giselle Thompson, Vice President Communications & External Affairs hosted the event.
Let me break it down for you:
Hydroelectricity as defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is a renewable energy resource that is made from the energy created by flowing, rushing or falling water to generate energy. Not bad, I totally believe that this would be fantastic to implement. The only thing is that our rivers would be affected by the massive dams that would need to be built to facilitate the hydroelectricity to flow into households into all of Trinidad and Tobago. However, I found out that in the Island of Dominica, one of the waterfalls was made into a dam to facilitate distributing hydroelectricity throughout the island.
Biofuel or Agrofuel is derived from Biomass or Biowaste. According to Biofuel.org.uk, biofuels main use is for the transportation sector. Many new vehicle engines now requires the use of fuels that are clean and in liquid form. It is also considered renewable energy.
Right.
Data in the booklet was collected from around the world, this included consumption of oil per capita in 2010, consumption by region, oil production gains, and the amount of reserves in much of the oil producing countries. In his speech, Mr. Ruehl mentions that China has increased its consumption of oil and/or natural gas…even more than the United States (italics ours). China has one of the largest populations in the world, well over one billion people, and it also has a class of wealthy new Chinese society, who are not afraid to pay top dollar for their products and services. India is not too far behind in either population quota or it's advancing technological strides.
Moving on…
After the function, I had a late lunch with my boss and a lovely gentleman from ANSA Technologies. My meal consisted of salmon, olive salad, butter and two small wholewheat and oats rolls. I also sampled the buttered chicken and tasty beef. As we ate, we spoke about the concluded conference and the extensive possibilities of green technology, plus I asked him some questions:
1. Since we get plastic from petroleum, is there a way we can recycle plastic to the point that it returns to its biofuel state for cars, or in other sectors in technology? I asked this because plastic has a shelf life of 150 (one hundred and fifty) years.
His answer was that for us in TnT, that process would be very expensive, however there are a few companies here that recycle plastic.
2. George Clooney drives two electrical cars, a Tango and a Tesla Roadster. I am wondering how green are electric cars if one of the main ingredients in creating electricity is petroleum, if we are trying to conserve energy, why use electricity?
He replied that there is extensive research going on about that.
I then told him of my short stint at KFC and how I observed that after they use the shortening oil, they put it back into the container and a company picks it up to be discarded. I suggested to him that the bottle of shortening can be donated to a UWI facility that deals electrical and mechanical engineering courses. In addition there are lots of discarded cars, why UWI don't pick up a few and fix them according to green technology, where students in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering courses team up to find ways to run a vehicle on KFC donated shortening. The final result and analysis can be displayed in a special exhibition, or the trade expo. Just to be fair, the work can be graded. It would show team-work, passion, environmentally consciousness assessment and a sense of pride in what TnT can accomplish in terms of green energy. He agreed.
Then we spoke about solar panels and harnessing energy from the sun. What about Monos, I asked? Is it possible to demonstrate the uses and possibilities of using solar panels to run homes in the Caribbean? We have a tropical atmosphere, and yet we run petroleum-infused electricity. (I have nothing against T&TEC, I believe we need to diversify our options when it comes to utilizing resources.) The ANSA rep stated that for most of TnT, line electricity is readily available and 'quite cheap'. They may never see the need for an alternative source of energy, for instance, the use of solar panels. I subsequently agreed. I then asked him another question 3. How can local folks here be encouraged to support the vast amount of opportunities that can come from using solar energy? He told me he was unsure. I then told him of an idea I had.
In hindsight, lets recap this long essay:
1. KFC/Royal Castle Resturant donating its used shortening to UWI or a selected College for use in its course syllabus with a goal towards jump-starting the drive for serious Green Technology in TnT. It will help educate schools and people to advance more recycling projects in the future. As a matter of fact, Green Technology, Green Management, Green Industry….basically Project Green can be an asset to the Caribbean.
2. An environmentally-correct green demo home, outfitted with recycled furniture, and built with recycled or recyclable materials. The home should also be outfitted with the latest in Eco-Technology. Perhaps it should be displayed in an Expo or Seminars.
3. Implementing creative challenges through competitions directed towards primary and secondary schools. Students up to the age of 18 years will be encouraged to create works of art or everyday items out of recycled items. The challenge is that the items presented must have a sense of style and must be original.
What do you think?
2011©Lisa Marie Bonaparte
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