Month: September 2011

Story: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Canada+urged+back+string+charging+stations+electric+vehicles/5461299/story.html

For years, we have tried to become a “greener society” by finding a substitute for fossil fuels. And we have. The problem however, is it’s cost and accessibility. But Electic Mobility Canada may have just taken a step to solve the problem.

Though electric cars seem like a great idea, they are extremely expensive and no one wants to wait for a 12hour charge at home. Electric Mobility has come up with a solution: kick-start a $15million dollar, cross-country, green highway that will have around 100 rapid charging stations for electric vehicles. If the proposal goes through, people will be able to charge their car within 15min at the station instead of 12hours in their garage. This accessibility could revolutionize the way we think about “green”.

This will cause people to seriously consider buying more electric vehicles. With easier accessibility, and later more powerful electric cars, it will open up a new world for fuel efficiency. Afterall, cars are not becoming any more fuel efficient than the original Ford Model-T. Sure they may be fast and flashy, but judging how rapidly technology is evolving, the 300 horsepower electric engine will arrive faster than you think.

The government should take the risk of spending $15million to give it a try. What if Canada became the leader in a souly electric-powered movement?

Article: Has 9/11 Changed Business Ethics? (http://sustainablebusinessforum.com/craneandmatten/53995/has-911-changed-business-ethics)

The article states that 9/11 has changed the way of US business ethics by disrespecting and abusing the people through privacy, government spending, and enthic discrimination. Here they are in point form:

Privacy: – started looking at/into personal emails, phone conversations, financial records, tax statements, just to name a few

Gov’t Spending: – spent trillions of dollars towards war, taking funds out of health care, education, and other public services; leading to the 2008/09 deficit

Discrimination: – irrational assumptions that all middle-eastern people are terrorists; also tightens security on all foreigners (Indian, Asian, Middle-Eastern, etc) (ex “random boarder checks” & not hiring employees because of their ethnicity)                                  – US letting fewer foreigners in for Post-Secondary Education; Canada and UK receiving more intelligent international students because their US educational pursuits were shot down.

Yes 9/11 was a huge turning point. Yes it was extremely shocking and catastrophic. But the “homeland security” ordeal went too far. Sure you’re protecting the nation, but to go and discriminate others and say “its for the good of the war” is uncalled for, and simply unethical. We may have gotten past the segregation of African-Americans, but we still have racial issues/tensions to deal with. This is not healthy in both society, or the work force.

This is the first time I’ve used a blog. I’ve never had twitter or anything blog based at all. This should be interesting. I’m not too sure how a normal blog should be/look like, so I’ll just give it my best shot…

University!!! Glad I’m out of high school and beginning an amazing journey at UBC. It’s a little overwhelming still, but I’m starting accept this place as home. The biggest anxiety for me is the amount of work, and having to balance both work and social life. I’m sure once I get into a pattern it will go smoothly.

I’m excited to start Comm 101’s course. I’m not quite sure if I’m comfortable using a blog just yet, but I have a feeling I’ll get used to it eventually. The difficulty will be getting into the habit of using this blog at least once a week (and trying to find something intellectually stimulating to talk about). But we’ll see how it goes.

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