Obama, he might not fix all of our problems, but he is trying. He is finally doing something that i forgot could happen politically; Obama is raising the the fuel-efficiency standard of vehicles for the nation and not only allowing but encouraging states to follow the more strict standards that California is allowed to set but has been prevented from doing so by the former president Bush II.
So, yes, we all know that according to Global Warming things are heating up including Antarctica, but this article from the BBC discusses the heating of that giant ice cube. If Antactica really does break into pieces it will greatly speed up the rising of the oceans and will augment oceanic patterns. The changes will reverberate. When reading the article notice the language used by the BBC regarding global warming, they seem to still be in the stage of appeasing and addressing global climate change deniers.
Energy Independence is a mine in the battle field of environmentalism dressed up as an end to be sought after. As with the "buy local" movement, it is a good idea so long as you do not do it completely. MotherJones gives a good commentary on the myths of energy independence, be critical of MotherJones' criticalism, but this article is part of the corrections that need to be made to environmental theory and policy.
The CATO Institute is a great place to learn about what is really going on with the economy and what are the purely economic fixes. There has been a lot of political rhetoric and explanation for our current situation. Read this from CATO and make some adjustments to your beliefs and facts.
For political news, Obama is altering the executive order that allows former presidents to control the public releasing of sensitive documents. Obama is making it so that Bush II has to sue Obama just to attempt to keep documents unreleased.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
1/18/09: The Environment is the focus once again
The importance of the financial bailout will show its self in the near future. The point of the financial bail out is to ensure cheap credit to everyone, cheap credit is the driving force of our economy. This article from the NY-Times talks about the future of many businesses that are looking at a future that demands payment on loans of which companies do not have money for. This issue is going to rear the rest of its head in the next year as many companies fall out of the market.
Environmentalism used to be so simple: find the bad guys and make them stop. Well, we are finding that environmentalism is effective when it is practical not just reactive. The EU is very progressive and loves all out bans like its ban on GMO. The EU is trying to decrease production and use of synthetic pesticides but it will be at a price. It will mean increased pests, increased instances of infection from things like malaria, and a higher cost of producing some agricultural products. Everything comes at a price, and when it comes to "banning bad things" a comprehensive approach is needed.
Bush has made some last minute envrionmental decisions, some good, some not so good. This is a really good coverage of the changes and some commentaries on their effects and circumstances. It is from National Geographic.
The Detroit Auto Show revealed plenty new cars mild changes to the combusion engine model. The chevy Volt is the star thus far, it is an electric car with a regular engine, it goes 40miles on the electric then if uncharged starts running the oil burning engine. The electric car seems to be the favorite and it makes sense when you consider that electric cars depend on electric energy generation that at this point depends on hydroelectric dams and coal fired power plants. The great thing about electric cars is that the more energy we generate from renewable sources the more the electric car is environmentally friendly.
While buying one of these new cars from Detroit seems like the environmental thing to do, it may be more environmental to just use an old well preserved car that gets fairly good mileage. Or, vehicular conversions to biodiesel or other renewable systems could be more environmental. This article from the ChristianScienceMonitor gives some commentary.
Democrats from the House of Representatives in the American Congress are pushing for more than $80 billion to be spent on "the environment." If you want really good details on this current issue the Scientific American provides a great news article that lays it all out.
Environmentalism used to be so simple: find the bad guys and make them stop. Well, we are finding that environmentalism is effective when it is practical not just reactive. The EU is very progressive and loves all out bans like its ban on GMO. The EU is trying to decrease production and use of synthetic pesticides but it will be at a price. It will mean increased pests, increased instances of infection from things like malaria, and a higher cost of producing some agricultural products. Everything comes at a price, and when it comes to "banning bad things" a comprehensive approach is needed.
Bush has made some last minute envrionmental decisions, some good, some not so good. This is a really good coverage of the changes and some commentaries on their effects and circumstances. It is from National Geographic.
The Detroit Auto Show revealed plenty new cars mild changes to the combusion engine model. The chevy Volt is the star thus far, it is an electric car with a regular engine, it goes 40miles on the electric then if uncharged starts running the oil burning engine. The electric car seems to be the favorite and it makes sense when you consider that electric cars depend on electric energy generation that at this point depends on hydroelectric dams and coal fired power plants. The great thing about electric cars is that the more energy we generate from renewable sources the more the electric car is environmentally friendly.
While buying one of these new cars from Detroit seems like the environmental thing to do, it may be more environmental to just use an old well preserved car that gets fairly good mileage. Or, vehicular conversions to biodiesel or other renewable systems could be more environmental. This article from the ChristianScienceMonitor gives some commentary.
Democrats from the House of Representatives in the American Congress are pushing for more than $80 billion to be spent on "the environment." If you want really good details on this current issue the Scientific American provides a great news article that lays it all out.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
1/11/09: The human world is still confused and endangered, but atleast the times are interesting.
According to facts, and measurable results globalization has done the most to reduce poverty out of any effort ever made in the modern world. Emerging economies are tied to developed economies and right now that is not the best thing, and as modern history as shown increased economic protectionism in times of crises just makes the situation worst for everyone. So a slump in our wealth means a slump in poverty reduction.
Criticisms of the International Energy Agency (IEA) are emerging regarding their view of the future of renewable energy. The agency gives advice to many large governments in the world regarding energy policy. What the IEA's position on renewables has created is a reinforcement for government leaders that oil and coal will continue to be our energy sources in the next couple of decades.
This is an article from Canadian news. There is a perception that Canada is more "liberal" than America, but this article will show that this is not so true when it comes to the CBC. This article gives a critique of hydrogen and electric cars and while it is vastly misleading and pathetic there is some good information on the subject. Where the author goes wrong in the article is in two ways: one, although there are many technological obstacles to electric and hydrogen cars that is no reason to abandon the entire project, technology limitations has never stopped us especially when there is no alternative, two, the main critique of alternative cars is that they will be less powerful, more inconvenient and more costly- of course it will be at first and as it becomes more researched and manufactured cost and inconvenience will decline. But, the most ridiculous thing about the article is that because of a slightly higher cost and some inconvenience the author seems to suggest that we should just continue as we have been and accept the consequences of environmental degradation. I think that this is called Nihilism and laziness.
This article is an example of what the future will hold as the consequences for our toxic economy begin to reveal themselves as the bio-feedback mechanism rears its ugly, environmentally corrective head. Disoriented Pelicans are falling out of the sky in large numbers, test are being done, but so far it looks like our fault.
George Bush II has an environmental legacy? This is news to me, but apparently Bush is setting aside some non-controversial isolated bits of marine environment as a sanctuary. This totals 3 sanctuaries created by Bush, at least he did something good.
Criticisms of the International Energy Agency (IEA) are emerging regarding their view of the future of renewable energy. The agency gives advice to many large governments in the world regarding energy policy. What the IEA's position on renewables has created is a reinforcement for government leaders that oil and coal will continue to be our energy sources in the next couple of decades.
This is an article from Canadian news. There is a perception that Canada is more "liberal" than America, but this article will show that this is not so true when it comes to the CBC. This article gives a critique of hydrogen and electric cars and while it is vastly misleading and pathetic there is some good information on the subject. Where the author goes wrong in the article is in two ways: one, although there are many technological obstacles to electric and hydrogen cars that is no reason to abandon the entire project, technology limitations has never stopped us especially when there is no alternative, two, the main critique of alternative cars is that they will be less powerful, more inconvenient and more costly- of course it will be at first and as it becomes more researched and manufactured cost and inconvenience will decline. But, the most ridiculous thing about the article is that because of a slightly higher cost and some inconvenience the author seems to suggest that we should just continue as we have been and accept the consequences of environmental degradation. I think that this is called Nihilism and laziness.
This article is an example of what the future will hold as the consequences for our toxic economy begin to reveal themselves as the bio-feedback mechanism rears its ugly, environmentally corrective head. Disoriented Pelicans are falling out of the sky in large numbers, test are being done, but so far it looks like our fault.
George Bush II has an environmental legacy? This is news to me, but apparently Bush is setting aside some non-controversial isolated bits of marine environment as a sanctuary. This totals 3 sanctuaries created by Bush, at least he did something good.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
1/6/09: The new elctric car movement
Shai Agassi is one of my new heroes. He is a young man who has made it his mission to materialize a vibrant market for electric cars so to end the world dependence on oil. He is making deals in Israel and Denmark and is trying in America. Agassi is so far unsuccessful with the American government, not a surprise.
This is a long article about Agassi, his efforts and his company.
It is technology that improves our lives. Everyone outside of creating and implementing new technologies is just dancing around trying to get recognition, money, power, etc.
This is a long article about Agassi, his efforts and his company.
It is technology that improves our lives. Everyone outside of creating and implementing new technologies is just dancing around trying to get recognition, money, power, etc.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
1/3/09: Sustainable consumerism, Financial Bailout is unsuccesful, Canadian forest's disturbed, An auspicious movement in the Muslim world
China's economy is doing worse than expected and will have to deal with a downturn. Since the Chinese government is very controlling over its people it can implement economic plans more effectively, like spending more and saving less.
This article from MotherJones shows a list of ways to be more sustainable in your home. One column shows what to buy according to American advertising and the other column shows what to buy or not buy to actually be more sustainable. The point of sustainability is not to throw out your appliances and buy ones that use slightly less energy, the point is to change behaviors and lifestyles, which sometimes means using a cloths line more, or showering less while using less water during each shower.
Canadian forests, mainly the Boreal, are on the aggregate emitting carbon instead of "sinking" it, they are considered a carbon "source." Just when we need the earth to compensate for our carbon emissions the mechanisms for naturally dealing with our carbon emissions are being hindered by rising global temperatures. Furthermore, beetles are infesting forests because of the lack of cold winters and burning forests seems to be the only human solution in use.
Pakistan, a supposed ally of the USA, has a record of not dedicating themselves to ending terrorism in their country: whatever that means. The recent attacks on India by a group based out of Pakistan has increased mutual opposition between India and Pakistan. What will the future of this conflict be, i do not know.
A non-religiously educated man from the Middle East becomes a celebrity and helps start a new movement in the Muslim world of modern and moderate faith practice. The efforts of this man is what is greatly needed. Religious conflicts have been dealt with in the past by moderate religious leaders gaining popularity by preaching peace. This man is my new hero. His name is Ahmad al-Shugairi, checkout his facebook account, it is the only thing in english i could find.
This article from MotherJones shows a list of ways to be more sustainable in your home. One column shows what to buy according to American advertising and the other column shows what to buy or not buy to actually be more sustainable. The point of sustainability is not to throw out your appliances and buy ones that use slightly less energy, the point is to change behaviors and lifestyles, which sometimes means using a cloths line more, or showering less while using less water during each shower.
Canadian forests, mainly the Boreal, are on the aggregate emitting carbon instead of "sinking" it, they are considered a carbon "source." Just when we need the earth to compensate for our carbon emissions the mechanisms for naturally dealing with our carbon emissions are being hindered by rising global temperatures. Furthermore, beetles are infesting forests because of the lack of cold winters and burning forests seems to be the only human solution in use.
Pakistan, a supposed ally of the USA, has a record of not dedicating themselves to ending terrorism in their country: whatever that means. The recent attacks on India by a group based out of Pakistan has increased mutual opposition between India and Pakistan. What will the future of this conflict be, i do not know.
A non-religiously educated man from the Middle East becomes a celebrity and helps start a new movement in the Muslim world of modern and moderate faith practice. The efforts of this man is what is greatly needed. Religious conflicts have been dealt with in the past by moderate religious leaders gaining popularity by preaching peace. This man is my new hero. His name is Ahmad al-Shugairi, checkout his facebook account, it is the only thing in english i could find.
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