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.

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.