Lumber and building material can be replaced with look-alikes made from non-renewable materials but it may not be wise. One example, a U.S. National Science Foundation panel analyzed the amount of energy necessary to extract, transport, and convert various raw materials into finished products found that substituting other materials for wood products comes at aContinue reading “The True Cost of Lumber Substitutes”
Author Archives: Norm Benson
Prop 37 – It’s déjà vu all over again
In 1986 Californians wanted labels warning them of the toxics polluting their environment. Now with Proposition 37 Californians want labels to warn them of the “pollution” of their foods by biotechnology. Proposition 37, if passed by the voters, will 1) require that most GE (genetically engineered) foods sold in California be labeled as such, 2)Continue reading “Prop 37 – It’s déjà vu all over again”
What the Frack? U.S. CO2 Output the Lowest in 20 years.
“The best is the enemy of good.” – Voltaire Good news travels slowly, if at all. Given headlines of the century you might think that good news does not exist. A newspaper will not stay in business without readers—and they need drama to get readers—so even good news often gets described as bad news. AtContinue reading “What the Frack? U.S. CO2 Output the Lowest in 20 years.”
Charbroiling puts more particulate into our air than diesel trucks
According to a media release, researchers at the University of California, Riverside have found that commercial charbroilers — the same ones that grill hamburgers from your favorite burger joint — emit more particulate matter into the air we breathe than large diesel engines. “Emissions from commercial charbroilers are a very significant uncontrolled source of particulateContinue reading “Charbroiling puts more particulate into our air than diesel trucks”
16 Fire
As of 7:30 PM the 16 Fire is 500 acres and 10% contained.
Proposition 37 Doesn’t Go Far Enough
California’s Proposition 37, the awkwardly titled “California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act,” does not educate consumers enough about what is in their food.
Analysis by the Legislative Analyst of Proposition 37, the “California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act.”
This the text of the analysis done by the Legislative Analyst on the proposed Proposition 37, the “California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act.” (PDF file here) Genetically Engineered Foods. Mandatory Labeling. Initiative Statute. Background Genetically Engineered (GE) Foods. Genetic engineering is the process of changing the genetic material of a living organism toContinue reading “Analysis by the Legislative Analyst of Proposition 37, the “California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act.””
No One Expects the Organics Inquisition
Here is this month’s Green Chain column for the Lake County Record-Bee: In 312, Roman Emperor Constantine was told in a dream to paint a cross on his army’s shields. Based on that dream, he commanded his generals to have crosses put on pretty much everything. If it went into battle, it had a crossContinue reading “No One Expects the Organics Inquisition”
Can a $40 Washing Machine Really Bring Families Out of Poverty?
Yes, yes it can. GiraDora is a blue bucket that conceals a spinning mechanism that washes clothes and then partially dries them. It’s operated by a foot pedal, while the user sits on the lid to stabilize the rapidly churning contents. Sitting alleviates lower-back pain associated with hand-washing clothes, and frees up the washer toContinue reading “Can a $40 Washing Machine Really Bring Families Out of Poverty?”
Genetically engineering microbes to work for us
Interesting video from the Open University. Genetically engineered (GE) E. coli bacteria produce much of today’s insulin supply. By using GE, we are turning microbes into “tiny factories” that happily churn out what they get re-programmed to do.
Nullius in Verba 