Norm Benson

“Excuse me waiter, there are chemicals in my soup.”

My latest article for the Lake County Record-Bee Green Scene page: Regular readers of the Timberati blog or the Green Chain column know that I am not chemo-phobic. In fact, I enjoy eating chemicals because all foods are chemicals. To be afraid of chemicals is to fear our world. We cannot escape chemicals; they surroundContinue reading ““Excuse me waiter, there are chemicals in my soup.””

The World is Getting Richer, and That’s a Good Thing

Peter Diamandis, X-Prize founder, says the world is getting richer; and that’s a good thing for everybody, especially those living in poverty. Technology in the hands of several billion people will make those who subscribe to Paul Ehrlich‘s IPAT formula blanch. But it should mean a healthier population and a healthier planet. Take a momentContinue reading “The World is Getting Richer, and That’s a Good Thing”

Weekend Postcard: Sunset on Clear Lake

The sunset of a couple of weeks ago was stunning, and the picture taken with a mobile phone hardly does it justice. Still, the photo gives some idea of the splendor of the area. The days are getting longer. Spring is on its way.

The Green BS-ometer Checklist: 5 red flags to watch for

My latest Green Chain column for the Lake County Record-Bee: Do you think that what commercials want to sell you and people promoting a “green” lifestyle are miles apart? They are not as far apart as you might think. Commercials sell a fantasy world; the message is usually: “If you buy this, you will beContinue reading “The Green BS-ometer Checklist: 5 red flags to watch for”

Weekend Postcard: Our Big Blue Marble

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) says this, “‘Blue Marble’ image of the Earth” was “taken from the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA’s most recently launched Earth-observing satellite – Suomi NPP. This composite image uses a number of swaths of the Earth’s surface taken on January 4, 2012″and released January 25, 2012. Related articles SecondContinue reading “Weekend Postcard: Our Big Blue Marble”

Cal-Fire’s Seasonal Firefighter 2012 Application Deadline: January 29

With less than a week, applicants need to get the paperwork in quickly.

‘Sustainable’ projected to remain ‘robust’

This XKCD cartoon by Randall Munroe lampoons the notion of extrapolating anything far into the future. Buzzwords gain momentum, but then fall out of favor. Buzzwords, from my memory, that have had their place in the sun include: relevant, viable, resonate, robust. Let me utilize a Gaussian distribution curve to illustrate. Any others?

Weekend Postcards of Deforestation

I know the Weekend Postcards are normally devoid of argument and point making. But, I thought it would be fun to look at deforestation differently. To see that deforestation is not necessarily the result of logging (illegal or otherwise). Deforestation comes about from people using the land. Agriculture heads up the list of deforestation causesContinue reading “Weekend Postcards of Deforestation”

Discussing “Working Landscapes, Working Waterscapes”

I attended a panel discussion at the California Historical Society, January 18, 2012 about appropriate land uses on public land. It was titled Working Landscapes, Working Waterscapes. Its purpose was to explore how we might “build a consensus” and perhaps “change the ways we think about and manage cultural and working landscapes within parks, naturalContinue reading “Discussing “Working Landscapes, Working Waterscapes””

Weekend postcard: Alexander Valley

This weekend’s postcards were taken in the Alexander Valley area in Sonoma County near Healdsburg. They were taken last year in May so the grass on the hills had begun turning brown in the shallower and more exposed soils. The grapes were in full leaf. It was one of those perfect California days. I hadContinue reading “Weekend postcard: Alexander Valley”