Category Archives: environment

Can anything go right this year?

Haiti still reels from its earthquake from one year ago, Darfur and Somalia fester, the Korean peninsula appears to be close to war, unemployment near 10% has become endemic. Problems, crises, tragedies. Can 2011 be anything but a repeat of 2010? Over at the Rational Optimist Blog, Matt Ridley reminds us of the accomplishments ofContinue reading “Can anything go right this year?”

Predictions from 40 years ago

Take a look at this Life magazine article from January 30, 1970. How many of the environmental predictions came close? Apologies for any typos…it’s hard to see the screen with my gas mask on. I believed the first prediction, “In a decade, urban dwellers will have to wear gas masks to survive air pollution.” CanContinue reading “Predictions from 40 years ago”

Should the FDA require DHMO to be listed on food labels?

  Dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO) is used in the production of genetically modified crops. It is also used as a food additive and preservative. Every year people die from accidents involving DHMO, including DHMO poisoning. Some have died from as little as one drop. Additionally, the burning of hydrocarbons (e.g., wood and fossil fuels) releases DHMOContinue reading “Should the FDA require DHMO to be listed on food labels?”

A no CARB diet

California has created a market out of thin air. On December 16, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) endorsed (by a vote of 9-1) the cap-and-trade regulation with the goal of reducing California’s greenhouse gas emissions under Assembly Bill 32, the Global Warming Solutions of 2006 law. The regulation limits emissions from sources responsible forContinue reading “A no CARB diet”

Letter to Lake County Record-Bee

Here’s a letter to the editor of the Lake County Record-Bee: I noted in the article, “GE crops hot topic at Board of Supervisors,” Lake County’s BOS were in “consensus in support of drafting letters to state legislators and federal regulators indicating Lake County’s support of requiring the identification of GE [Genetically Engineered] ingredients onContinue reading “Letter to Lake County Record-Bee”

Making money out of thin air

What do the South Seas Company and carbon exchanges have in common? A desire to make money from an idea.

200 countries, 200 years, 4 minutes

Do you wonder what the future will hold? Maybe the keys to the future reside in the past. Hans Rosling is a Swedish medical doctor who spent 20 years helping poor Africans get healthy. You might think after seeing famine firsthand he would be pessimistic. Dr Rosling defines himself as neither an optimist nor aContinue reading “200 countries, 200 years, 4 minutes”

Hottest year on record the quietest fire year in US since 1998

Image via Wikipedia This is interesting, don’t you think? The U.S. is on track for its quietest wildfire year since 1998 (3.3 million acres), and firefighter deaths (7 firefighters) are the lowest on record, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. USA Today reports, “The USA is on track for its quietest wildfire year sinceContinue reading “Hottest year on record the quietest fire year in US since 1998”

This week’s environmental story roundup

Supreme Court to Hear Climate Change Case As the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a decision that many new or upgraded factories, power plants or other facilities will have to get a permit under the Clean Air Act to emit carbon dioxide, methane or other greenhouse gases (Source: NYContinue reading “This week’s environmental story roundup”