39869164_10155913029576476_2651781841559748608_nLast January, if you had asked the people of Seattle to forecast their air quality in late August, very few would have predicted what you see at the bottom of these three photographs, i.e., the equivalent of smoking seven cigarettes per day.  And that’s not because the folks up there don’t understand that climate change exacerbates wildfires by creating droughts and higher temperatures, but rather because the size and nature of the fires burning all over the Western U.S. are totally unprecedented, and that the fire season extends almost completely through the year.

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38219907_2599471253397170_2908127089175560192_nThe author of this piece from the Los Angeles Times is scratching his head over the fact that Fox News ratings crashed on Tuesday (Manafort/Cohen Day) vs. MSNBC and CNN.  (more…)

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Wet-When-Raining-Sign-Holder-360x240Here’s a piece of much-needed comic relief, illustrating how, in the words of Bob Dylan, things have changed.  (more…)

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39821930_10214754566209489_2556998089500000256_nTrump is heavily implicated in a felony, people on both sides of the political spectrum are calling for his resignation/impeachment, and Fox News is offering recipes for Labor Day party coleslaw. Seems par for the course. (more…)

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39558146_2167868453483007_4735839779059400704_nThere’s a reason that it makes no sense to argue with hardcore Trump supporters, and it’s embodied in the memes to the left and below. (more…)

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82dbf6cae1772ebce3f61a4b34447ba4_XLHere’s a video of the project you see here, a double-axis tracking solar PV device that retracts (partially folds up) at night.  It sells for about $27,000 plus installation plus God-only-knows how much maintenance, making it a fabulous product for anyone who: (more…)

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5100From today’s Los Angeles Times:

President Trump is expected to head to West Virginia coal country today to drum up support for a draft replacement for the federal Clean Power Plan. (more…)

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1396610-largeHere’s a note from a young woman at the University of California at Santa Barbara:

My name is Colette King and I am part of the start up, MoreSolar. (more…)

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Being energy efficient can also help you save some green in your wallet! Here are five areas that will make a big difference:

1) Heating and Cooling Systems:

Adjusting the thermostat “can save as much as 10 percent a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting,” says Energy.gov. While that may seem too uncomfortable, a programmable thermostat can quickly take care of this while you are at work or sleeping and adjust an hour before you wake or get home for the day. Make sure to get an annual tune-up for the unit and change the filters on schedule.

2) Green Appliances:

Older appliances should be replaced every 10-15 years for maximum energy efficiency. In their energy saving tips, Kiwi Energy claims that energy efficient appliances can reduce your home energy usage by up to 50%. If you need more of a reason to use greener appliances, visit Energystar.gov, and you can use their calculator to determine how much you can save per year based on the age of the device and the cost of electricity in your area. Many local utility companies also run rebate programs for replacing older models with green appliances.

3) Energy efficient lighting:

Using LED light bulbs will be an investment upfront that will pay for itself. LED bulbs last about 15 years and also use 70-90 percent less energy than traditional bulbs. Because the bulbs do not emit as much heat, they can also help the room feel more cooling in the summertime.

4) Windows:

A drafty window is one of the fastest places to lose heat or cold air. It is also one of the most straightforward problems to fix. A caulking gun will help seal any gaps between the window and the frame. Also, try purchasing a window film kit to create a tight seal around the window. Finally, if you do have the ability to replace an older window, you can save up to 12 percent on your energy bill.

5) Keep your house clean:

A person with a clean home isn’t prone to leaving thrash around or keeping unnecessary (but recyclable) waste sitting at home. Keeping your house clean isn’t just a great personal decision that’s bound to impact your health, but it’s one that encourages greener thinking. Re-evaluate what you want to keep, where things go, how things work by cleaning your home and thinking of the possibilities for implementing a greener household.

Pick one or two of the areas listed above, and soon you’ll be seeing an impact on your energy bill and the environment.

hqdefaultFrequent commenter and professional troll of environmental sites MarcoPolo jests that perhaps my rants are generated by a lack of vitamin B12, citing that Oxford University tests reveal low levels of B12 are linked to mood disorders, including anxiety, depression, etc.

I have to admit that I’m outraged that my country is being run by a sociopath.  A year ago I thought this was more or less funny; now I’m angry. I’m not ashamed to say that, and a good 60% of the U.S. population feels the same way.  (more…)

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