I am a typical Silicon Valley engineer concerned with the environment. This blog chronicles my thoughts and explorations on nature, the environment, and green technology. This is my…

Some Background

I have been a supporter of environmental groups such as the World Wildlife Fund, National Wildlife Foundation and National Parks Conservation Association for many years. But I was a “lazy” environmentalist. I would send in a few checks a year, but continue to live the typical, unsustainable lifestyle. I wanted to make a change.

I wasn’t all bad. I did recycle pretty extensively at home. A few years ago I traded in my Ford Explorer for one of the first Ford Escape Hybrids in the Bay Area. Ok, I know it’s not a Prius or an Insight, but it was a start. I was slowly starting to change other things in my home. Swapping out incandescent lighting for CFLs, turning down the water heater, etc. Still, it wasn’t enough. I wanted to do something more pro-active. Something that could positively effect others.

The Challenge

In early 2007, I decided that I wanted to move my career into the Green Technology space. I had been involved in semiconductors and consumer electronics most of my career. I wasn’t really sure how my skills could be applied to Green Tech. Most of the obvious markets, such as solar photovoltaic, alternative fuels, and fuel cells, required completely different backgrounds from a technical perspective. I started this blog as a means to learn more about the industry.

Eventually I ran across the California Clean Tech Open, which is a business plan competition for green tech companies. I worked with one of the companies in the 2007 CCTO. We made a lot of progress but eventually our paths diverged. Now I’m looking for my next opportunity to make a difference. In the mean time, I’m working on this blog again.