Ypa! A high-tech start-up by a Yale chemistry Ph.D. can make ethanol with air, water, and renewably-sourced electricity. Read about it here:
https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a29715699/carbon-negative-vodka-air-co/ The entire mission of this company is so in line with what I support that I want to make it clear: I'm not trying to criticize what they are doing, or to discourage anyone from giving them business. The plight of our planet will require all of us to find creative ways to go greener, and this is exactly the direction we should be headed. BUT! As I read this article, I had a couple of thoughts.
First, there was this: "Besides eschewing the energy claims of traditional farming and distilling, the company [making this vodka]..." Now, I know that agriculture has energy claims. But I want to get something clear: The energy required to farm a parcel of land can come entirely from within that parcel of the planet. And TRADITIONAL practices did just that. It is only very recently, within the last 150 years, that farms began to input forms of energy that weren't already on the plot of land itself, because it was only recently that farmers started buying tractors run on petroleum and applying chemicals to their soil for fertilizer and pest/weed control. As I say, this isn't to detract from the accomplishment of our grainless distillers, only to note the possibility that such technological advances don't need to disparage the efforts of sustainable farming using more ancient, traditional methods. It is both/and, people. Technology AND tradition can friends. Or, I'm afraid, we're doomed.
The other thought I had is, unfortunately, a bit more philosophical. But try to hear me out. In this business model, the carbon-harvesting company just accepts that our economy depends on people who live their everyday as consumers. Read the article again with an eye to this if you like. People work for money; then they spend the money for food/necessities and entertainment/pleasure. This company can capture some of that money from consumers who want greener pleasure. And that's good. But it isn't all we can do.
If nothing else, this business model totally ignores that some people are left empty as consumers. They may not realize it, but they long to be producers in some way. It is my contention that very many people could incorporate production into their way of life, and that this production could both be completely green and healthy for people and planet, as well as be conducive to more satisfaction with how they spend their time. Why am I making a big deal about this? It's not just because we've taken the route of trying to be greener by practicing the productive side, in sustainable agriculture. As I say, I'm thrilled that this company is doing its thing. But this is a high-tech operation, and its approach is unavailable to the vast majority of us. On the other hand, adding productive practices to an otherwise consumer lifestyle? That is within everyone's reach. Plant a garden, even a window box. Learn to repair your own clothing. Use tools that extend the power of your own body (like rakes), rather than replace it with a combustion engine (like 'leaf blowers'). Make gifts rather than buy them. Entertain yourself with a small group of friends. And if you must buy things, buy them from local producers.
Oh, and ride your bike when you shop. Anyone else have good ideas for how to be producers rather than consumers? Let me know in the comments!