Nový Mlýn - green tech south bohemia

It was my husband’s birthday recently, and my main present for him was a subscription to New Scientist. Recently, I’ve been careful to spend time with him, he’s incredibly important to me and will support me in what I want to achieve with my life.
On Saturday we went to visit a friend in Melton Mowbray, and this involved a compulsory visit to the pub to watch the England game. Or rather, he watched the England game & I, rather self consciously, had the lap top out, working on an application for a research doctorate. Obviously, the only reason to do this is to further the cause of bog, or in other words, to make sure that I can have the most positive personal impact on combatting climate change. I filled out all the easy bits, but I’m not sure how to phrase the project.

So, there was quite a lot of inspiration from New Scientist… an article by a guy who compares the cost of micro generation with that of macro generation - off shore wind farms. An item about population growth (in passing - their conclusion too is that 2 billion people would be a good world population to aim for), also, comments on the dangers of leaving nuclear waste which could be utilised for weapons by extremist groups at some point in the distant future. (And by inspiration - I mean inspiration to wholeheartedly apply myself to the task of making a positive contribution to our development). Finally there was some debate about patent law, and wether this was something that restricts technological progress, or shares ideas in the long run.

So - I’ve formulated some ideas for a possible Phd:

1. Micro generation from storm water - a device that fits in standard drain pipes. Also could adapt bog to store storm water and gather the energy at times when it is needed (a problem with wind energy & solar energy - you don’t normally get the energy made available when you need it).
2. A review of lapsed patents for micro generation solutions & experimental models.
3. Tackling obesity, poverty and climate change by home/work or gym based micro generation (could contact the bloke FutureEnergy told me about re his demo model of an exercise bike hooked up to a generator).
4. There has been a problem with wind turbines in the over optimistic estimations of how much power they can generate - with figures given on the basis of gale force, rather than ‘normal’ winds. This problem would not have happened had the research been put through a peer review system, as scientists use. Can I somehow put together a research project which would provide a solution for this?
5. Then, going back to my Culture & Communication degree - a very memorable idea someone told me there was that what is accepted as scientific truth, are only the best marketed ideas of the time. I have a feeling that both environmentalists and scientists don’t seem to relish sales & marketing. Is there something I can do with my marketing experience which could help tackle climate change?

Also, I’ve taken inspiration from the combined forces of Anthea Turner (Perfect Housewife) and Frank Zappa - there was a programme on radio 4 by Germaine Greer on Saturday morning - Frank had said - be highly organised in your home life so that you can be highly creative in your work life. As a result the house has improved loads, and is beginning to look tidy and welcoming again.
Life is exciting. But at the same time I’m occasionally filled with dread. People can do such horrible things to each other (awareness heightened by accidentally reading News of the World this evening!). There are signposts up in the hospital in the event of a ‘major incident’ - sensible guides to the press or relatives rooms. At the moment, you just don’t know if they are a reaction to the terrorist threat or the weather change threat. On the way down to London last weekend, it rained so hard and so suddenly - monsoon like. Definitely not the soft drizzle I grew up with.

I wonder what will happen next… I will do my best to have a positive impact no matter what this is.