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On becoming less unsustainable

Join David Smernoff on his personal journey towards environmental sustainability, from childhood outdoor playtime to activism in nuclear power and education. Learn about his work with NASA, community service, and project-based environmental activism. Discover his involvement in ecological restoration, stewardship programs, and the creation of an environmentally-friendly business model. Explore the potential of cyanobacteria in protecting our atmosphere and reducing carbon emissions. Stay inspired to make a difference and create a sustainable future for generations to come.

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On becoming less unsustainable

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  1. On becoming less unsustainable ToP Environmental Sustainability September 6, 2013 • David Smernoff

  2. Personal Journey • Childhood • Outdoor playtime = No Nature Deficit Disorder • Parents: value education! • HS Activism - Nuclear power • Education • MS Environmental Management • Ph.D. Ecology • NASA- Ames Research Center Closed Ecological Systems: Mass and energy balance

  3. Community • Public Service (elected) • Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District • Los Trancos County Water District • Community Service (volunteer) • Ames Environmental Conservation Committee • Bay Area Action • Acterra

  4. “If it Ain’t Fun, it Don’t get Done!” • Outgrowth of Earth Day 1990 staff/volunteers • Invented organizational structure • Reluctant leadership role • Project-based Environmental Activism • Redwood Summer • 100th Monkey - Stop Nuclear Testing • Electric Vehicle Conversion • Urban gardens • Arastradero Stewardship Project

  5. Negotiated contract with City of Palo Alto • Community-based Stewardship • Ecological Restoration • Environmental Education • Trail improvements - GIS mapping • Starts 1997 - Current Acterra program has >12 sites, multiple contracts, native plant nursery

  6. Gateway Facility • Deconstruct - salvage materials • Straw bale, Solar PV & water • Native Landscaping • Stewardship program benefits • Volunteerism • Program effectiveness • Funding

  7. Created by merger in 2000 • Common values • Significant cultural challenges • Executive Director 2000-2003 • Managed 20+ programs • Significant Issues • Governance • Finance • Administration • Program renaissance

  8. “Social Change organization masquerading as an Environmental Group” Stewardship Business Environmental Awards Educate Engage Empower Be the Change Environmental Leadership Carbon Reduction

  9. Searching for solution to fossil fuel pollution/climate change • Apply microbiology expertise • Incorporate sustainability values into business model • Non-profit and government agency experience helps • Turning ideas into economically viable reality challenging

  10. 2µ Cyanobacteria:What have you done for us lately? • First O2 producing photosynthesizers • Gave us our O2 atmosphere! 2.5 BYA • Highest photosynthetic efficiency • Worldwide distribution, robust, prolific • Excrete sugars and nitrogen compounds • Can they help us protect our atmosphere?

  11. How does it work? Fermentable Sugars: monosaccharides disaccharides polysaccharides Nitrogen compounds N2 CO2 Fermentation sugars & NH3 Marine cyanobacteria community Ethanol Butanol Renewable Chemicals Seawater

  12. Production process schematic Feedstock Production Post-Production CO2 Seawater Laboratory Lowest cost Separation Technologies Algal Growth Ponds Lipids/Biodiesel Sugar feedstock Pumps Ethanol Cyanobacteria propagation ponds Fermentation & Distillation Processes Brine Chemicals Pre-Treatment Fish, shrimp, etc. Production Ponds 100 tons/acre/yr Aquaculture Residual Biomass Anaerobic Digesters Water Pumps Compost To ponds, other processes Electrical energy (pumps, distillation, etc.) Solar PV or Wind Turbines To other power needs

  13. Staying on the path • My education and engagement with issues and my community has empowered me. • Solutions are out there, we all have to work together to create the future our children deserve "Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts."   Rachel Carson

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