Renewable and Sustainable Energy Program
International Computer Users Group - I.C.U.G.
"Welcome to ICUG's Environmental Energy Page!"
Unless You stay abreast of the very latest developments at ICUG, You are probably wondering to yourself …"Gee, I thought that said "Computer Users Group??" Relax, and let me reassure You that you didn't misread it, You are correct. Now, take another good look at our logo above, and You will notice that it not only features an International Scope, but it also encompasses a Global Theme. In that Global Theme you will further notice the prominence of the Air, Water and Land the Elements that make up that Global Environment in which our WorldWide ICUG Members and Associates live, and that same Environment that so many of Us take for granted, (just because it's always been there) and that All of Us rely upon as we go about our daily activities of Learning Computer Technology Skills for a better Life or Communication for the Promotion of better Understanding and Exchange. Now let me draw Your attention to the ICUG Motto again -
~ ICUG - Building Bridges WorldWide - Thru Better Communication ~
And our ICUG Focus of Training -
"Not Just Computers for the sake of Technology, but Computer
Technology helping to make the World a Better Place for Us All!"
Now, to bring it all together in summation, As We Build those Bridges promoting Better Communication, it means that we are ever Expanding our Circle around the World. And as we continue to offer and promote Computer Training, Skills and Support, helping to take Computers to people who haven't had them, we are also taking CPUs, Monitors, Modems, Printers, Scanners and any number of electronic Computer Peripherals. In an ever expanding circle of new Computer Users, and new technological devices, ICUG on a smaller scale, and All people around the World are placing Greater Demands on existing Energy sources, as well as creating new demands for more Energy. More energy to plug in and use all of those old and new electronic devices of the Computer Age! Now do You begin to see why You have a vested interest in Energy and the Environment?
To many People, "Energy" is a not so interesting subject. Most think of big power producers, Oil Companies, or Power Stations. I agree, that's not very interesting at all. The average person has more interest in things that happen that affect their everyday life "directly". Those things that do not , become more abstract to us, and don't call for a great degree of interest or thought. There are a few things that more recently have grabbed the attention of more people, and made these abstract things to Realities that Do indeed effect our ever day lives let me list a few -
The sharp increase in Gasoline Prices of upward toward
$3.00 a gallon in some areas. Result: Those of us that drive, and ride, know
that means filling up at the Pump more often and a bigger chunk of money being spent out
of the personal of household family budget Deregulation of the Electric, Gas and Energy Companies.
As when the Telephone and Cable companies were broken up by the Government to bring more
benefit to the Consumer, the opposite has happened in many cases. Result: Monthly
Home Energy Bills have actually Increased drastically, and in some cases Skyrocketed!
Everyone having to pay more for Electricity and Gas means that Higher Prices to Companies
for the Cost of doing Business ~ Higher operating cost means that the Increase gets passed
along to the Consumer as Increased Prices! Due to the Growth of demand for Electricity and the
inability of Power Companies to produce enough Power to meet those demands, Power
Blackouts have become more commonplace and Rolling Brownouts (when the Power Company
reduces Power for an hour or so, to a specific Neighborhood or part of a City ) have
become routine operating procedures in many Cities across the USA Result: Electricity
is not available for this time to power and run all of the electronic devices that have
become a integral part of our daily lives ~ Air Conditioners, Computers, Televisions,
Radios, and CD players, Refrigerators and Washers and Dryers just to name a few. Depletion of Natural Resources ~ Coal Companies strip
mining practices, Oil companies drilling more and more, Forests Preserves being cut down
to fill the demand for more Lumber, Rain Forests being cleared and destroyed in the name
of progress and commercial development, Waters being polluted by Industrial Toxins, Oil
spills, Sewage and Pesticide runoff, Air Pollution from Industry, and Smog from Auto
emissions, Nuclear Waste Disposal on Native American Indian Reservations Results:
Worldwide Increases in Pollution of the Air-Water and Land which everybody shares. Massive
Fish Kills, Birth Defects increasing in frequency in both Animals and People. With dwindling Natural Resources it means that Energy
Companies have to expand in to new Territories. The world in a finite place, and so those
new territories must include the Third World and Developing Countries of the World as well
as heretofore, less populated areas and reserves such as National Forest Preserves, Rain
Forests and areas such as Alaska and the Arctic and Antarctic. Result: Scientist and
Meteorologists point to signs of Global Warming and the melting of the Arctic Icefields
Glaciers and Icebergs. Some speculate that the Global Warming also produces such events as
El Nino and La Nina which are attributed to more climate changes and Flooding in some
areas while Drought in others. In any case, These things are happening with more and more
frequency, and affecting millions of People around the World.ICUG is not against Technology or Development or Progress. We do feel that it is Our Responsibility to embrace these things in a Responsible way and find a Balance that does not Pollute, Deplete and Destroy our Natural Resources and the World that We All Live In, while we go forward into the future. There ARE Options available that will not only insure that a Natural Balance is maintained but will also Benefit Everyone in Reduced Energy Costs, Reducing Pollution and Promoting Self-sufficiency to All.
Here at ICUG's Energy Web Project, we will begin to Present these Options for You.
Here We will help to Educate and make the Confusing and Abstract Energy Issues, Easy to Understand and Available for the Average person to begin to Benefit from.
Here We will provide a Platform for Education, Understanding, Development and Implementation.
Energy is something that All People Rely on and All People Use and Need.For the Many who have a long standing relationship and association with ICUG, You may think back and remember when we were first presenting the whole idea of Computers and PCs. Many thought that it was a passing fad or something that would not affect their lives. A look at today shows Computers and Computer Technology as a facet in use of almost every aspect of Society. Trust Us, as we've been doing Our Homework, and You can count on Energy becoming more and more a concern and need for just as many facets of ever day life.
Here We Invite You to Go Forward with ICUG ~ Don't just take Our Word for it, We in fact advise You to Investigate it and find Your Own Truth! Then Share and Add it to Ours. Join with ICUG in a stake for the Future of A Better World for Us All and Our Children and Future Generations to come.
Through Cultural Exchange We All Benefit by Sharing with One Another. From the Native American Indian Culture there is a saying that has enriched Our Lives and so we will pass it on to You. It is said ~
"That We Must Take Responsibility for the World That We All Live In and Share
We Must make Our Decisions and Actions, with Always Keeping A Vision for the Future
For All Actions We Take, We Must Look at their Effects and Consequences Seven Generations from Now
We Do Not Own This World, We Are but Caretakers of the Earth For Our Children"
Follow Us as We Present the ICUG focus on Renewable and Sustainable Energy
ICUG Attends Philly 2000 Conference in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ~ Nov 1999
ICUG Plans Renaissance Institute as
a Model Green Building with Solar Power~2000
ICUG Attends the 5th Annual SolFest
2000 in San Francisco, California ~ August 2000
Solar Energy - "How It Works" | Food 4 Thought | More Food 4 Thought