Each of the many challenges facing humankind is exacerbated by our failure to realize how grim the situation is. Obviously, this applies to things like climate change, where, remarkably, we have a whole political party in the U.S. in which most adherents question the validity of the entire theory. (more…)
The annual celebration of U.S. independence on the 4th of July is a time for Americans to reflect on the basic nature of their country, the meaning of patriotism, and the direction in which their beloved nation is headed. (more…)
We live our lives inundated with information. Anyone wishing to purchase anything from a car to case of wine to a box of toothpicks can go to any of a myriad of studies so as to formulate the best purchase decision. (more…)
My 64th birthday tomorrow sets my mind in motion as to what I’m going to experience in the remainder of my life, and what I’ll miss. Several items in particular threaten our sustainability: (more…)
What happens when an expert group calls for transformative change, based on a documented decline of the natural world? That’s the subject of this article in Science Magazine.
One million of the eight million total plant and animal species is facing imminent extinction, and their loss is likely to have a cascading effect, essentially destroying our planet’s capacity to support an organized civilization. We must take immediate action. (more…)
Question: The five hottest summers in Europe’s 600-year history of record keeping have all occurred in the last 20 years. What is the probability that this is a random occurrence, and thus that the theory of AGW (anthropogenic global warming) is not at work here? How would one calculate that?
Answer: Can be found at Clean Energy Answers.
Relevance: Still June, it was 111 degrees F in France today. Temperature records are being smashed all over the Continent.
Commercial air conditioning optimization technology to reduce energy consumption is the coolest new trend in sustainability practices, literally since the technology provides the most efficient building cooling systems, while easing the load on the environment and your wallet.
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Washington State has among the cleanest grid-mixes in the U.S., due to its prodigious hydro power. But there are times when The Evergreen State can’t generate enough electricity from within its borders and needs to import from neighboring states, and up until now that meant tapping into coal plants in Montana. (more…)
Like every other country on Earth, the United States is not at all homogeneous, but, rather, composed of regions that have their own character, some charming, others not so much. Maine is known for its bountiful lobsters and its boots from outdoor clothing outfitter LL Bean boots (shown), befitting its cold and wet climate, but also for its unusual social fabric, where it seems that everyone knows everyone else’s business. (more…)
If you haven’t already done so, you may want to acquaint yourself with the concept of an LCA — life-cycle analysis (or “assessment”). It’s simply a summation of the environmental inputs and outputs of the “cradle to grave” sequence of events, as they affect the environment, associated with a certain item.
