More Posts on the Way Soon

Just a note that we'll be blogging more soon. Been a very busy few weeks here at CV as we've been hard at work getting the development of a new web system (slated for launch in 2007) going.

We are currently raising funds to support the completion of what we promise will be a very unique and excitingly useful (and even fun to use) online sustainability project. If you're interested contributing to this fund via a tax deductible contribution, please click here to donate online or learn where to send a check.

More soon...

Transition to Clean Diesel in the U.S. Almost Complete - Now How About Some Hybrid Diesels in the U.S.!

The EPA has issued a press release, which many major newswires have picked up, that the transition to clean diesel fuel in the U.S. is almost complete.

I'm hoping that this opens the door to being able to buy a Toyota or Honda diesel in the U.S. sometime (very) soon. Ideally, a hybrid diesel. Such as Toyota's ES3 hybrid diesel, a more-than 5-year-old concept car that gets over 100 mpg! Or for my ecological field work, for which I need a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to access remote study sites, a hybrid diesel Toyota Hi-Lux.

If people who like the height and size of SUV's that get 10-20 mpg could purchase diesel versions, which get significantly better fuel economy, or better yet, hybrid diesel versions that get 40+ mpg, this would be a tremendous step toward both freeing America from dependence on foreign oil, and reducing our emissions of greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants. This is especially true because without any alteration, diesel vehicles can run on home-grown biodiesel, and in summer months in warmer climates, you can even mix in straight vegetable oil, including filtered waste oil that local restaurants will often give you for free.

If I could be driving a hybrid diesel that I run on biodiesel (and mix in waste vegetable oil to help local restaurants save money on waste disposal while I save big bucks on gas), I'd be one very happy and energy independent camper - with significantly reduced gas costs and more money left in my wallet to spend on travel, music, home improvements and all sorts of other good things.

U.S. Loses Millions on Ecologically Damaging Post-Fire Logging

In late August, I reported that a special issue of the scientific journal, Conservation Biology, has explored the ecological impacts of post-fire logging, and found them to be devastating.

Now ENS is reporting that on just one (very contentious) post-fire logging operation in Oregon, the U.S. government stands to lose $2 million. So post-fire logging not only causes tremendous environmental damage, but also is a big money loser for taxpayers.

Nice job.

That's $2 million that could be put toward education, feeding and providing healthcare for the less fortunate, supporting farmers, or simply be saved for more beneficial projects. In the case of this contentious Oregon timber sale and many others, post-fire logging is clearly not only the wrong ecological decision, but also the wrong economic one.

World Health Experts - Air Pollution Causes 2 Million Premature Deaths Per Year

Environmental News Service is reporting that two million premature deaths per year are caused by air pollution.

This of course in addition to other health impacts of air pollution (from childhood cancer to asthma), and ecolocial impacts such as acid rain, global warming, ozone depletion, toxicity to trees and other plants, nitrogen saturation of soils that causes and accellerates invasions by nasty noxious weeds (thus harming agriculture)...

The good news - technologies and practices that reduce air pollution, from renewable energy to clean vehicles to green buildings and energy efficient appliances, help to solve all of these problems. Healthier people and planet alike!