This article by Ted Nordhaus was originally published at Aeon and has been republished under Creative Commons. In a recent Nature Sustainability paper, a team of scientists concluded that the Earth can sustain, at most, only 7 billion people at subsistence levels of consumption (and this June saw us at 7.6 billion). Achieving ‘high lifeContinue reading “The Earth’s carrying capacity for human life is not fixed”
Author Archives: Norm Benson
I Want the Freedom to Pour Hot Coffee on My Balls
We know from the last Green Chain post, that Jerry Brown (aka Governor Moonbeam) is a Prophet. Fewer folks know that he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth–son of Edmund G. “Pat” Brown–and a stick up his butt. As a prophet (a Jesuit one, at that), he believes that people ought toContinue reading “I Want the Freedom to Pour Hot Coffee on My Balls”
Jerry Brown is a Prophet
California’s legislature recommends that standard be 55 gallons per person per day. Keep in mind an average person uses an average of 90 gallons per day. If you are poor and have older water appliances, you will be hit the hardest by this act. For example, older washers will use 40 gallons per load; one load of clothes in the old washing machine and a three-minute shower and you’ve reached your legal limit for water use for the day. Flushing the toilet will have to wait until tomorrow.
California’s Solar Virtue Signal Could Put Housing Out of Reach
The California Energy Commission (CEC) said, “Eureka, we have a refulgently brilliant idea! Let’s require installation of solar panels on new home and low-rise apartment building construction.” Assuming the California Building Standards Commission ratifies the CEC’s proposal (a purported slam-dunk) it will take affect starting January 1, 2020. Less than two years from now. ”TheContinue reading “California’s Solar Virtue Signal Could Put Housing Out of Reach”
California Warns Cell Phone Users
Lately people have been losing their goddamned minds over the repeal of so-called Net Neutrality. The idea seems to be that more government oversight, regulation, nappy wiping are sure to protect us from naughty and not nice corporations who just care about money. Well if more oversight, regulation, and having your bum wiped is yourContinue reading “California Warns Cell Phone Users”
California’s Chemophobic Political Science
Without chemicals life would be damned hard. Alcohol is a chemical, for crying out loud, and without it, many of us find life damned hard. Oh sure, there are other important chemicals too, I suppose. Salt is a chemical and sort of important. Water is a chemical; it’s useful in making beer and wine. OxygenContinue reading “California’s Chemophobic Political Science”
California bureaucrats consider lowering detection limit for purposes of reporting for perchlorate
This is my response to the State Water Resources Control Board regarding their proposal for lowered detection limit for purposes of reporting for perchlorate. (see the previous post for SWRCB’s announcement). The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) seems to appreciate the Precautionary Principle, which says, “When an activity raises threats of harmContinue reading “California bureaucrats consider lowering detection limit for purposes of reporting for perchlorate”
An Open Letter to California’s State Water Resources Control Board (Draft)
I received this in an email on June 16, 2017 and I’ve been mulling it over since then. This is a message from the State Water Resources Control Board. You are receiving this email because you have requested notification from the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water (DDW) regarding important updates onContinue reading “An Open Letter to California’s State Water Resources Control Board (Draft)”
March for Climate Earth Change Day
Earth day, since its beginning in 1970, has tried to have ecological gravitas. It has tried to raise awareness of earth’s health, which its founders saw as a fraying cord tethering humans very existence. We were doing to the earth what I wanted to do with Mary Sue Horsley. At the time of this firstContinue reading “March for Climate Earth Change Day”
Industrial Chemicals and the Cancer Epidemic
The Sierra Club mulls the question, “Why are so many people getting cancer?” And then, without evidence, answers itself (like homeless guy on the corner), “One reason may be the legal release of millions of pounds of cancer-causing chemicals into our air and waterways.” Similarly, Rachel Carson asserted that “more American school children die ofContinue reading “Industrial Chemicals and the Cancer Epidemic”
Nullius in Verba 