My Green Dream

I read in Discover magazine that some engineer had designed a solar hot water system for third world countries that would only cost about $100 per family. I thought about how cool it might be to design something like that and then I realized that I'm a trained development engineer. I work in oceanography but I've been jonesin' for a career change (the whole seasickness thing doesn't work well with being an oceanographer-- go figure!) Lately, I've been thinking about a masters degree.

Humboldt State University offers a program in renewable energy engineering. With the Schatz Energy Research center they have a whole lot going on! I started talking to faculty who called me an "idea candidate" and "way ahead of the game." But I wanted to come in with funding and a project.

So the solar hot water thing inspired me. Maybe I could get funding and some undergrads to help me build some cheap solar power system to bring to third world countries. Which, really, in turn could bring cheaper more efficient solar to the people domestically as well. Yes, a $2000 tax rebate is a great incentive, but that's still not enough for someone like me who can barely pay the mortgage.

I also discovered Engineers without borders, an organization that helps local groups "adopt" projects abroad and work on them. They have a list of proposed master's projects.

I have the will, but actually making a career change is stressful for me and my family. But I'm sick of talking. I want to get off my butt and actually do something more than replace all my lightbulbs with CFLs... because I CAN!