Do the Brits Get It?

Tony Blair is often viewed as the Bush administration lap dog, at least as far as the Iraq war is concerned. Blair took a distinctly non-Bushian view of global warming this week when the British government published a report emphasizing the growing threat. Blair not only firmly acknowledged growing potential for catastrophe, but hired the global-warming-devil himself, Al Gore, to consult on ways to mitigate the effects of the on-coming heat wave. Bloody good job!

OPEC's Secretary-General Mohammed Barkindo issued a statement on Tuesday stating that the British report "has no basis in science or economics", further evidence the Brits are onto something here.
g

It's a Buoy!

I'm just now looking into this technology for generating electricity from the power of waves through a system of offshore buoys. LINK

Here's the Wikipedia info on this source of alternative energy. It appears the greatest challenge is creating a device that can withstand the destructive power of the ocean while remaining affordable. Many systems for producing alternative power have great theoretical potential but, at least at present, fail to deliver economically.
g

Green

Click on our latest renter's thumbnail in the sidebar, appropriately titled, "Green". Green's publisher is a lovely young lass from the British Isles conveying all the fresh possibilities and insights of a young vibrant mind. Check it out, you won't be disappointed...and don't forget it's... "Green".
g

MIT scientists develop new engine tech...

Innovation and economic feasibility will hold the key to creating widespread consumer acceptance of hybrid and alternative fuel automobile technologies. MIT scientists have started a company to develop and market new ethanol injection technology that can increase power, cut engine size, provide fuel efficiency equal to current hybrids and do so at a much reduced price. What's not to like? Vehicles with the new direct ethanol injection system could be on the market by 2011.
g

It's un-American...

I happen to be of the mind that predators, both large and small, are integral components of any healthy eco-system. Here the the USA, large predators have been completely eliminated from many portions of the country. Deer, possum and raccoon populations are controlled, not by coyotes, wolves and mountain lions but by Fords, Chevies and Toyotas. Can we overcome prejudice, fear and loathing of large predators and rehabilitate their images? Should we even try? There are large economic forces that oppose the re-introduction of predators in many areas of this country, including the far west, where wolves are still viewed as a blood thirsty enemies of farming and cattle interests. Until we, as a country, can embrace the full spectrum of traditional predators in appropriate habitats, we will still just be paying lip service to wildlife management.
g

Gridlock

The upcoming mid-term elections appear to be shifting Congressional power away from total Republican dominance. The Democrats may take majority control (albeit slim) of the House and possibly the Senate. Ironically the shift in power may not usher in much change. George Bush will remain in the White House fiddling with his pen awaiting the opportunity to veto or delay any meaningful environmental legislation. Even in the House, a thin Democratic majority may only insure gridlock on green initiatives like tightening automobile emission controls. U.S. Rep. John Dingell could rise to head the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee but change may be hard to come by when Dingell's home district includes Detroit and he is highly unlikely to support tougher vehicle fuel standards. The volume and tenor of the environmental debate may rise but meaningful change and legislation will may not be a byproduct of a Democratic Congress.
g

A prime example...

Earlier this week Brazil rejected an international plan to buy and protect large tracts of the Amazon rainforest. Environment minister, Marina Silva, cited sovereignty issues and Brazilian support for their own rainforest-protection plan as the basis for their rejection.

The quandry facing Brazil, a country with vast poverty and vast natural resources, is one the that is all too common around the globe. Even in developed nations like the good'ol USA -- development, oil drilling, strip mining and Federal Land Use are very contentious subjects not always decided in the environment's favor.

A gaping hole in the Kyoto protocol is the provision that exempts developing nations from playing a role in the reduction of greenhouse emissions. Until economic issues are resolved developing nations will continue to reach deep into their cookie jar of natural resources to feed their poor and line the pockets of government and business criminals.

I believe Brazil has every right to responsibly control the harvesting of their natural resources (though they've done a tragically crappy job thus far). But I would help them make the right choices through a combination of incentives and/or trade restictions that promote sustainable practices and preservation of the rainforest. If no market exists for ill-gotten gains of the burning rainforest, then the destruction will slow. They are now looking at reducing the advance of "progress" to 1990's levels, which is not enough, but probably practical. Unfortunately the ultimate end to the burning may be when the last tree goes up in flames sometime later this century.
g

Google goes green...

Google is turning to solar power to supply as much as 30% of its giant headquarter's power needs. The project, which will be the largest corporate solar energy project in the world, should pay for itself in 5 to 10 years. LINK
g

What's Arnold doing here?

Gov. Schwarzenegger has invaded my space.. The campaigning Gov is here in New York to do some carbon emissions research while trying get California into the Northeast's program of trading and reducing carbon emissions. Finding creative means to offset the economic burdens of the transition to lowered carbon emissions from power plants and manufacturing sources is a key component of any plan to reduce global warming through regs or legislation. Arnold seems to have found an issue that may just keep him in office out in liberal Cali, maintain his national profile and actually accomplish tremendous good.

Growing Growin Gone

Please welcome our new renter, Growing Growing Gone. GGG has great commentary, articles and info, on a wide range of green topics. Expend your energy resources wisely, and show some green love, by clicking on the thumbnail in our sidebar.


ps: had a couple of other bidders for the spot and just wanted to try the "new green guy". Next time.
g

Does this water taste funny?

A Rawstory investigative report has uncovered widespread fraud and discrepancies in drinking water testing for, and by, the EPA. Labs used by the EPA to test drinking and wastewater were found to have hundreds of weaknesses, including, missing data, no log books and falsified measurements...all not noted or ignored by the EPA. Scary stuff.
g

I Feel Better Already...

The EPA mandated, ultra-low sulphur formula for diesel fuel, scheduled to start pumping on October 15th, is projected to save tens of millions of dollars in health and pollution related costs. After switching to the new formula existing diesel engines in trucks and buses will cut harmful particulate emmissions by 10% and newer technologies mandated to be implemented in all new diesel engines after 1/1/07 will reduce the emmissions by 95%. Changes in the refining process enable the improvements.

In making the announcement on Tuesday, the Bush administration took credit for the change although the original regulations were created in the Clinton administration and delayed earlier in the current presidency. LINK

Truckers remain skeptical.
g

The Modern Humanist

Do yourself an intellectual favor and click on the thumbnail of our renter, Modern Humanist, in our sidebar. A very heady and sophisticated look at society from the Humanist perspective.
g

Asia Will Take a Hit

Australia's main research agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, predicts a 4 degree rise in global temperatures by 2030. Flooding and displaced populations, the spread of disease, crop damage, extreme weather patterns and food and water shortages will result in an ugly economic scene. As in much of the rest of the world, optimism is low for enactment of the changes needed to slow or reverse the global heatwave. LINK

That's Hot!!!

Ah...fall in the Catskills. In the near future my favorite season may be coming a little sooner. My weekend bunker happens to be in the Catskill Mountains in close proximity to a couple of ski areas. I hope the Wall Street guys who recently bought the local ski mountain don't read this article on global warming in the Northeastern U.S and have second thoughts. A ten degree jump in temps would make skiing a fond memory and trout fishing something grandpa did. "Local Warming" may be the issue that get's many individuals into smaller cars, or if they stay the present course, speedos instead of ski parkas.
g

Falling gas prices....

Could there be a connection between big oil's rapid reduction in prices at the pump and the fall elections going against the Republican party? One more "naughty" email and we may see gas prices rolled back to pre-Vietnam War levels.
g

East Coast Seals...

Seems fishermen on both coasts have taken issue with growing, protected seal numbers. Fishermen in my old stomping grounds in Massachusetts are blaming dwindling fish populations on the exploding gray seal population. STORY

Predators are often the most obvious suspects when human economics and wildlife management practices collide. In the fishing industry, major fish population problems are usually created by commercial overfishing and poor fish management practices. Seal and fish populations have existed in harmony and balance for centuries. Commercial fishing is the new variable in the foodchain equation.
g

Seeing is believing...

I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but I found this Fox interview with Senator Inhofe. He spouts the same tripe debunking the global warming "myth" and attacking the pinko mainstream media for creating the hysteria on the issue... LINK

I promise I'll post something on the chickadee population explosion that's threatening the northeastern U.S. or some other compelling enviro-topic. Just give me a minute.
g