- Resolution: It's Time For Americans to Stop Being Stupid SeattlePi, 12/31
- Report: Tools Businesses Can Use to Benefit From and Avoid Impacting Ecosystems GreenBiz, 12/31
- Smart Energy Solutions: Free Money For Taking Charge of Your Power Greener Buildings, 12/31
- Helena's Energy Investments Pay Off in Lower Bills, Emissions Missoulan, 12/31
- Weatherizing Homes and Buildings: Save Money, Create Jobs, Slash Greenhouse Gas Emissions NY Times, 12/31
- It's Time For a Gas Tax - to Help the Auto Industry Move Forward N Y Times, 12/31
- Methane Time Bomb Ticking Louder Grist, 12/31
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/31/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/30/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Energy Efficiency Gets Cheaper the More You Spend On It Grist, 12/30
- Will Energy Savings Jump-Start the Economy CNN, 12/30
- Forest Research Helps Scientists Study Carbon Storage Daily Astorian, 12/30
- Business Leaders Positive About Green Giving, Investing GreenBiz, 12/30
- Heat is Plentiful in Passive Solar Homes NY Times, 12/30
- Rooftop Gardens Bring Food to Oakland Families SF Chronicle, 12/30
- (Un)clearing the Air: Westerners Breathing Dangerous Pollution From Drilling High Country News, 12/30
Monday, December 29, 2008
More Support for Shade Grown - The Most Ecologically Important Attribute of Green Coffee
Here's some more support for what I see as the current scientific consensus on what makes for the greenest coffee -- that of all related eco-labels (organic, fair trade, shade grown), Shade grown is the most ecologically important.This is, of course, not to understate the importance of organic or Fair Trade. We here at CVI go for triple-certified whenever possible!
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/29/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Pondering the Sustainable Consumption Conundrum Two Steps Forward, 12/29
- Ambitious Climate Goals Make Economic Sense New Scientist, 12/29
- Thomas Friedman: Win, win, win win win (on green vehicles) NY Times , 12/29
- Time to Reboot America NY Times, 12/29
- Shade-Grown Coffee Preserves Native Tree Diversity Mongabay.com, 12/29
- Sierra Warming: Later Snowfall, Earlier Melt, Higher Anxiety Sacramento Bee, 12/29
- Native Leaders Say Climate Affecting Caribou Populations Anchorage Daily News, 12/29
Saturday, December 27, 2008
The Path to Lower Oil Demand and Gas Prices: A Green Vehicle Revolution Is a Much Better Route Than a Global Financial Crisis
Would a dramatic reduction in demand for oil caused by a green vehicle revolution cause the same type of reduction in oil prices that the global financial crisis has?Overall, I don't see why not.
In fact, I'm guessing that the eye-opening impact of the financial crisis on oil demand and prices is exactly what major oil producers are afraid of should the world experience a green vehicle revolution.
Think about all the benefits that our society would receive from an oil demand-destroying green vehicle revolution that lowers gas prices via efficient, clean technologies rather than via a global financial crisis:
- Broad economic stimulus beyond the oil sector: the combination of highly efficient clean vehicles and low gas prices will free up untold fortunes of peoples' gasoline money to be spent on all things non-energy, providing a green injection of economic stimulus far and wide. Previously, I noted that:
Switching from a car that gets 20 mpg to one that gets 50 mpg will save the average American nearly $1,100/year in gas costs at $3/gallon (given the average distance Americans drive per year – about 12,000 miles; savings rise considerably as gas prices and miles driven go up). That savings is nearly two times the cash provided to us by our 2008 stimulus checks! Multiply that by the 112 million households in the U.S. alone, and that’s $123.2 billion/year that American households are now spending on gas that with a mandate for more efficient vehicles, they would have to spend on…everything else.
Even at currently lower gas prices, a Clean Vehicle Revolution promises to be a significant stimulative force in our economy.
- Greater economic stability as we break society free from the whims of increasingly unstable oil markets: I don't know anybody who wouldn't be thrilled to see more stability and predictability in their energy bills. The volatility of gas and other energy prices crimps many a budget -- from families to businesses to whole governments. Another -- and major -- economic benefit is that the U.S. will no longer need to spend untold $billions on military operations to secure oil supplies in the world's most unstable regions -- which cost us dearly both economically and politically. A Clean Vehicle Revolution promises to be a welcome stabilizing force.
- Massive environmental benefits - climate change and beyond. Not only will global heating carbon emissions be dramatically slashed, but so will emissions of other pollutants that have negative -- and expensive -- impacts on human well-being, like particulates, ground-level ozone, and acid rain-causing pollution. As we've noted previously, these environmental impacts of vehicle pollution inflict untold $billions in health-related, agricultural, and quality of life damages upon families and businesses each year. A Clean Vehicle Revolution will be healthy for our environment, and as a result, for our families and businesses.
- Significant security benefits will result from cutting off the flow of dollars from our gas and energy purchases that currently end up funding harmful agendas of countries that don't like us. Reports are that the Saudis, Iranians, and Russians -- countries that either showed increasing military boldness as oil prices rose (e.g., Russia and Iran), or are breeding and financing terrorism (e.g., Iran and Saudi Arabia) -- are struggling with their first budget deficits in years. That means less money to spend on military adventurism and support for terrorist groups. Of course, the root causes of terrorism, such as poverty and the associated lack of education and social services, will still need to be addressed.
- Obviously, there are many more environmental, economic, security, and quality of life benefits that we will realize via a green vehicle revolution. You get the picture. Please feel free to contribute more in the comments below!
Unfortunately, unless we act now to implement a green vehicle revolution at World War II mobilization-level speed, the low gas prices that we're currently enjoying will be painfully short lived. In fact, as soon as the economy starts to recover, demand for oil will recover with it, and growth will hit what I call "The Petroleum Ceiling". This is especially likely now because low oil prices are slowing the development of new production projects. Thus, once the recovery begins, oil supplies won't be able to keep up with rising demand, and there is a real danger that we will experience a far worse price spike than this past summer's. Should this happen, it could potentially plunge us into a much more dire economic crisis than the one we're currently experiencing -- one rooted in Peak Oil.
The good news: we've learned this year just how quickly demand destruction can lower oil and gas prices. Now, let's make this demand destruction permanent by implementing a historic green vehicle revolution that stands to become the type of victory story that our history texts tell for generations.
America can lead the way by devising a smart Auto Industry Bailout that propels Detroit into the forefront of a new age of efficient, green vehicles. The result will be both a psychological boost that helps lift America out of our recessionary malaise, and a broad economic boost as the proliferation of next-generation vehicles cuts our energy costs and inspires the creation of whole new sectors of supporting industries.
Jonathan L. Gelbard, Ph.D. is a conservation biologist and communications expert. He is the Executive Director of the Conservation Value Institute and the National Sustainability Producer of the Green Apple Festival.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
New Section on Motivating Green Change: Environmental Communication & Education
Happy Holidays, friends. You'll note that we've recently added a section to our news page for stories about 'Motivating Change: Communication and Education'. Lots of juicy food for thought in there. Enjoy!
First and foremost, of course, enjoy your time with your friends and families. Remember to be thankful for what we've accomplished in 2008, and be ready for a critically important 2009. We're all going to need to pitch in to turn this ship around and foster the growth of A New Green Economy!
- Jon Gelbard
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/24/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Top Green Stories of 2008 Grist, 12/24
- America's Stop and Go Energy Plan - Is This Time Different? LA Times, 12/24
- A Japanese Town That Kicked the Oil Habit Time, 12/24
- Linking Rural Health Care to Forest Conservation Proving a Success in Borneo Mongabay.com, 12/24
- Green Convenience Key to Purchases, According to Study LOHAS Weekly, 12/24
- Green Perception is No Match for Reality MediaPost News, 12/24
- The Coming Oil Train Wreck: First Stop, Mexico? Financial Sense, 12/24
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
A Big Save for Canyon Country: Props and Thanks to Tim DeChristopher
This is among the great stories of eco-heroism I've read from the American West in awhile.Having done my Master's research in Utah's Canyon Country, including lands around Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, I was deeply concerned about the Bureau of Land Management's rush to auction oil and gas leases on these sensitive lands during Bush's final days.
This is some of the finest country I've ever visited, naturally and spiritually mesmerizing. It's a powerful and healing place vibrant with the spirits (and arrowheads, cave paintings, and old hogans) of its past inhabitants. During long days out in the field researching the ecological impacts of roads, it almost seemed that the spirits would whisper clues of what to look out for into my ear. My scientific ideas seemed to emerge as gifts from the pinyons and the quiet coves of Wingate sandstone.
The BLM's action was tremendously irresponsible - lacking the normal public input and environmental analysis. They didn't even give the neighboring National Parks a chance to co-plan the leases, even though the impacts of drilling on air and water quality would be highly likely to affect Park lands.
So in walks Tim DeChristopher - giving us all the public input we needed to put the sale of 22,000 of these acres off until after Obama takes over in January. As High Country New's blog states:
So it seems fitting that a student protester off the street was able to make his own end-run around the BLM’s auction process. On Dec. 19, 27-year-old Tim DeChristopher walked in the door of the BLM's state office in Salt Lake, got himself a bidding paddle and managed to win 22,000 acres for $1.8 million and drive up prices on other parcels by an estimated $500,000. DeChristopher has no intention of paying, and the parcels he won wouldn’t be available for lease again until Barack Obama is in office, meaning they may not be leased for energy development at all. If the BLM’s rush in the waning days of the Bush administration left no time for adequate environmental analysis or public process, DeChristopher told Democracy Now, it also meant the agency “didn’t have time to make sure that all the bidders were bonded, which is how I got in so easily.” Oops.
Tremendous job, Tim - a big thank you! First beer's on me if we ever meet. On another positive note, I'm sure many BLM employees are nothing short of thrilled that you put a stop to the Bush Administration's shenanigans here. I know quite a few phenomenal conservationists in the agency who have spent the last 8 years feeling like quite the fish out of water. Here's to a much better next 8...
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/23/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Recession Fails to Curb Consumers' Appetite for Green Toronto Globe and Mail, 12/23
- Businesses, Consumers Must Work Together For Sustainable Consumption GreenBiz, 12/23
- Indigenous Insights Help Save Coral Reefs Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 12/23
- Taboo Talk in Green Business: Buy Less Stuff GreenBiz, 12/23
- US Feds Open Office to Advise on Development of Ecosystem Markets Ecosystem Marketplace, 12/23
- Underwater Permafrost Thawing and Releasing Methane Grist, 12/23
- Abrupt Climate Shifts May Move Faster Than Thought ENN, 12/23
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/22/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- A Green Agenda For Obama's First 100 Days Yale Environment 360, 12/22
- Obama's 'Green Dream Team' To Make Energy, Environment a Priority Voice of America, 12/22
- Climate Change: 'We Need to Unleash the Power of the Masses' The Guardian, 12/22
- Green Architects, Designers, Engineers Challenged to 'Climate Proof' The Bay Area SF Chronicle, 12/22
- Financing Building Efficiency Retrofits for All, II Sightline, 12/22
- Eco-Friendly Wood For the Greater Good ENN, 12/22
- Climate Change Is a Massive Market Failure Grist, 12/22
Friday, December 19, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/19/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Electrification is Key to Chrysler's Bailout Pitch - Company to Electrify Entire Product Line Grist, 12/19
- Helping Grid Go Green Is Crucial to Our New Energy Future The News Tribune, 12/19
- Sustainability is In For Portland Planners The Oregonian, 12/19
- Duke Energy Wants to Rent Roof Tops for Solar Power Greener Buildings, 12/19
- Sucking Carbon Out of the Air Nature, 12/19
- Prince Charles Warns Environmental Threat Even More Alarming Than Recession London Telegraph, 12/19
- Higher Oil Prices Crucial to Future Supply - Oil Producers Worry About Energy Challenges That Economic Recovery Will Bring GetRealList, 12/19
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/18/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Can China Go Green? Grist, 12/18
- Economic Turnaround: A Special Series on Sustainable Solutions Sightline, 12/18
- Americans Driving Less Even As Gas Prices Drop Idaho Statesman, 12/18
- Reframing Northwest Environmental Issues Crosscut, 12/18
- How to Take Control of Your Energy Use: One Minute At a Time The Triple Pundit, 12/18
- Your Top 20 Econondrums - Solved Mother Jones, 12/18
- Environmental Declines Trigger U.S. to Tighten Tap on Southern California's Water From Northern California LA Times, 12/18
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/17/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Obama, Introducing Environmental Team, Touts 'New Green Economy' Grist, 12/17
- Diesel - Made Simply From Used Coffee Grounds NY Times, 12/17
- United Environmental Community Gets Attention From the Obama Team Grist, 12/17
- New Research Ranks Top Renewable Energy Options WorldChanging, 12/17
- EU Consumers Reluctant to 'Buy Green' ENN, 12/17
- Greenland's Loss of Ice Accelerating ENN, 12/17
- Current Readings On Peak Oil and Energy Get Realist, 12/17
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/16/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- UN Talks Set Countries on Hopeful Path Toward a Global Climate Treaty NY Times, 12/16
- Are Environmental Journalists An Endangered Species? GreenBiz, 12/16
- Lester Brown: Create Jobs, Cut Emissions, and Reduce Oil Imports by Investing in Renewables and Energy Efficiency Grist, 12/16
- Will the Media Be Fooled By Global Warming Denier Talking Points Again? Grist, 12/16
- The Real Impact of Green Buildings GreenBiz, 12/16
- Oil Executives: Oil Out, Renewables In The Triple Pundit, 12/16
- Lessons From the Mighty Maya High Country News, 12/16
Monday, December 15, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/15/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Solar's Bright Future Living On Earth, 12/15
- What Is a Green Job, Anyway? Grist, 12/15
- As Rainforests Disappear, A Market Solution Emerges Yale Environment 360, 12/15
- California Adopts Plan to Slash Greenhouse Gas Emissions NY Times, 12/15
- Chef Survey: Locally Grown Produce Will Be Hot in 2009 Treehugger, 12/15
- Climate Change Will Transform the Chemical Make-Up of the Ocean Mongabay.com, 12/15
- Bits of Plastic Turn Parts of the Ocean Into Deadly "Soup" Vancouver Sun, 12/15
Friday, December 12, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/12/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- UN Chief: Time for Green New Deal on Climate, Energy Terra Daily, 12/12
- Nobel Prize Winning Energy Secretary Nominee Gets Both Climate and Energy Efficiency
- Grist, 12/12
- Obama Is Right: Why Politically, Higher Gasoline Taxes to Boost Efficiency Would Be a Mistake Grist, 12/12
- Watershed Restoration Corps Would Create Jobs While Protecting Groundwater Sustainable Business, 12/12
- Smart Energy Solutions: 'Free' Money for Taking Charge of Your Power Greener Buildings, 12/12
- Five Green Nightclubs Where You Can Party the Night Away Treehugger, 12/12
- Good Planets Are Hard to Find CNN, 12/12
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/11/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- EU Leader Sees 'Meeting of Minds' With Obama On Recession and Climate Change Financial Times, 12/11
- Why Are Gasoline Prices So Low - And Where Are They Headed? The Oil Drum, 12/11
- Can Teaching Art to Future Scientists Help Save the Planet? Grist, 12/11
- Talking Forests in Poznan: The Shape of Forests to Come Ecosystem Marketplace, 12/11
- Hill Briefing Tries to Stir Support for Carbon Tax Grist, 12/11
- Climate Change Experts 'Lose Faith' In Renewable Technology The Guardian, 12/11
- Wetting and Wilder: The Signs of Warming Everywhere ENN, 12/11
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/10/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Schwarzenegger: Going Green Can Help Save Economy AFP, 12/10
- New Standards Ensure Forest Carbon Projects Protect Indigenous Peoples, Biodiversity Mongabay.com, 12/10
- Senate EPW Chair Calls for Obama to Invest in Infrastructure and Green Energy Grist, 12/10
- On Predators, Ranchers, and Public Land Grazing High Country News, 12/10
- UN Suspends Leading Carbon Offset Firm Nature, 12/10
- Global Heating Aided By Drought - Deforestation Link Science Daily, 12/10
- With Drought, California Water Conflicts Heat Up High Country News, 12/10
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/9/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Van Jones Green Vision and Obama's Economic Plan GreenBiz Radio, 12/9
- Obama Pledges to Use Stimulus to Make Schools and Other Public Buildings More Energy Efficient Grist, 12/9
- A New (Energy Efficiency) Corps For a Green New Deal GreenBiz, 12/9
- Are Store Brand Organics OK? Grist, 12/9
- Scientists Say Ancient Farming Technique Cuts Greenhouse Gases Reuters, 12/9
- A Ted Turner Interview - His Environmental Hopes and Ambitions Grist, 12/9
- Islanders Plead at Climate Talks to Be Saved From Rising Seas Bloomberg, 12/9
Monday, December 08, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/8/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Climate Bill 'Could Lead World' BBC, 12/8
- Give Us $34 Billion to Build Green Cars, Big 3 Say LOHAS Weekly, 12/8
- Lester Brown: A Wartime Mobilization on Climate & Energy Earth Policy Institute, 12/8
- Science Journalism Implosion - CNN and Beyond - Comes At Dumbest Time NY Times, 12/8
- Forest Hot Spots Pinpointed for Carbon, Biodiversity ENN, 12/8
- Dying of Over-Consumption NY Times, 12/8
- Five Dire Green Myths Causing the Greatest Global Harm Treehugger, 12/8
- Another Failure of 'The Market': Back at Junk Value, Recyclables Are Piling Up NY Times, 12/8
Friday, December 05, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/5/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Can America Afford Not to Go Green? LOHAS Weekly, 12/5
- Clean Energy Poised to Phase Out Coal and Avert Catastrophic Climate Change ENN, 12/5
- Obama Can't Get a Global Climate Treaty Ratified, So What Should He Do Instead, Part I Grist, 12/5
- For Three Years, Every Bite Organic NY Times, 12/5
- Hawaii to Be the First With Statewide Electric Car Charging Stations Treehugger, 12/5
- How to Green Your Cocktails Treehugger, 12/5
- REDD May Harm Indigenous Peoples, Says Report Mongabay.com, 12/5
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/4/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Climate Change Accelerating, As First Commercial Ship Sails Through Northwest Passage Grist, 12/4
- Obama Embraces 'Green Path' in Stimulus Plan to Aid Environment ENN, 12/4
- The Green Path to Restoring America's Economy and Global Role: An Interview With Tom Friedman Grist, 12/4
- Ford to Speed Green Car Launches The Wall Street Journal, 12/4
- Co-Management of Conservation Areas Offers Multiple Benefits Mongabay.com, 12/4
- The Fool's Gold of Carbon Trading Times of London, 12/4
- Black Swans, Peak Oil and the Looming Energy Crisis GetRealList, 12/4
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/3/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Green Coalition Delivers Whopping U.S. Environmental Recovery Plan to Obama Grist, 12/3
- Weekly Green Business Roundup The Triple Pundit, 12/3
- How to Create Change In a Conservative Culture GreenBiz, 12/3
- Clean Tech Goes Through the Roof The Triple Pundit, 12/3
- Green Building Impact Report 2008 GreenerBuildings, 12/3
- Giving the Gift of Green Living On Earth, 12/3
- Science / IEA: World Oil Crunch Looming Grist, 12/3
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/2/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- The New Politics of Climate Change Green Futures, 12/2
- Green Taxes Need Explaining or Risk Backlash: Study ENN, 12/2
- Guide to Reducing Emissions Through Forest Conservation Released Mongabay.com, 12/2
- The Peak Oil Crisis: Electrical Efficiency Falls Church News Press, 12/2
- Inside the Race for Next Generation Batteries Newsweek, 12/2
- Edible Playgrounds and Political Vegetables The Guardian, 12/2
- America's Perfect Storm: Transition to Survival After Peak Oil Hits Denver Post, 12/2
Monday, December 01, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 12/1/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Why Low Oil Prices Are Dangerous GetRealList, 12/1
- Revolutionary Device Could Provide Enough Power For the Entire World, Scientists Say The London Telegraph, 12/1
- Low Carbon Economy Could Save the U.S. Up to $240 Billion Per Year ClimateBiz, 12/1
- The Vatican's Crusade On Climate Change ABC News, 12/1
- Save $1,400/Yr, Reduce Waste + Carbon Footprint By Drinking Tap Water Treehugger, 12/1
- Trees to Fight Warming? Insurers Ponder the Risks Reuters, 12/1
- Modified Genes Found in Local Mexican Maize SciDev.net, 12/1
Friday, November 28, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 11/28/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- We Must Plan a Survival Strategy For Our Species New Scientist, 11/28
- World On Cusp of Clean Tech Revolution: Merril Lynch Canada.com, 11/28
- George Monbiot: The Planet Is So Vandalized That Only Total Energy Renewal Can Save Us The Guardian, 11/28
- Now Is the Time to Get the Energy Equation Right Miami Herald, 11/28
- A Resilient Suburbia: Weighing the Potential for Self-Sufficiency The Oil Drum, 11/28
- With Gas Prices Low, Is World Back In Energy 'Trance' Mode? NY Times, 11/28
- Head of Shell Oil: The Coming Energy Crisis Is Going to Dwarf The Financial Crisis The Guardian, 11/28
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 11/26/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Happy Thanksgiving! The News Will Be Back on Monday 12/1
- Green Efforts Embrace Poor - Cities Greening Low Income Housing to Cut Energy Use and Utility Bills ENN, 11/26
- Cataloguing Nature's Business Genius - Ask Nature.org Biomimicry Design Database Launched Two Steps Forward, 11/26
- The Transition to a Green Economy: A Clean Tech Roadmap The Triple Pundit, 11/26
- GreenPeace Releases Updated Greener Electronics Guide Treehugger, 11/26
- Green Consumers Have Different Purchasing Motives LOHAS Weekly, 11/26
- Thinning Glaciers Endanger South Asia's Water Supply SciDev.net, 11/26
- Air Pollution Costs California Billions ENN, 11/26
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 11/25/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Sustainable Happiness - An Agenda for a New Economy Yes Magazine, 11/25
- Ford Looks Beyond Bailout to Green Agenda NY Times, 11/25
- Obama Announces Economic Advisers, Stresses Clean Energy Grist, 11/25
- 10 Best Cities to Live Through An Oil Crisis Treehugger, 11/25
- How to Green Your Beer Drinking Treehugger, 11/25
- Your Money Still Has Power - How to Weather the Economic Storm Yes Magazine, 11/25
- American Medical Association: Global Warming Has Health Toll ENN, 11/25
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 11/24/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- The New Frugality - Americans Return to Thriftiness, Consuming Less SeattlePi, 11/24
- Bill McKibben - There's a New Wind Blowing Grist, 11/24
- Harnessing Markets to Build New Forests Ecosystem Marketplace, 11/24
- Electric Car Infrastructure Coming to California's Bay Area San Jose Mercury News, 11/24
- Surprise Drop in Power Use Jolts Utilities (and this is written as bad?!) Wall Street Journal, 11/24
- Living a Sustainable LIfestyle Taps Into Inner Problem Solver Register Guard, 11/24
- California's Salmon and Trout Populations in Deep Trouble Contra Costa Times, 11/24
Friday, November 21, 2008
Sustainability News Headline - 11/21/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- President-Elect Obama Promises "New Chapter" On Climate Change Change.gov, 11/21
- Congressional Leaders Call for $100 Billion Stimulus With Green Components Grist, 11/21
- California Joins Effort to Fight Global Warming By Saving Rainforests Mongabay.com, 11/21
- Solar Company Offers to Buy Piece of GM The Triple Pundit, 11/21
- China and U.S. Cooperate on Renewable Energy ENN, 11/21
- Green Building Report Questions How Good Is Good Enough The Triple Pundit, 11/21
- U.S. Intel Office Adds Warming to Warnings MSNBC, 11/21
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Waxman Ousts Dingell - Another Key Barrier to Climate & Energy Progress Removed
This is fantastic news - and another sign that the stars are aligning for some serious change in Washington...Automakers' closest friend kicked out of chairmanship
It's the end of an era -- Michigan Democrat John Dingell has been officially toppled from his post as head of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
In a secret ballot, Dingell was voted out by the Democrats 137-122 and replaced with Rep. Henry Waxman, a notable critic and aggressive investigator of the Bush Administration as chairman of the House Oversight Committee.
The vote is a victory for environmentalists and a huge new blow for the US auto industry. Dingell was one of the auto industry's biggest supporters -- his wife Debbie is a lobbyist for General Motors and is a descendant of the founding family -- and (he is) a consistent (opponent) of tighter fuel efficiency [CAFE] standards for automobiles.
In effect, Dingell was probably the biggest Democratic opponent to efforts to tighten fuel economy standards as a means of combating now accepted global warming concerns.
Waxman is younger than the long-serving Dingell, who is near to becoming the longest serving House member in history. Waxman is 69; Dingell is 82.
"The ascension of Waxman, a wily environmentalist, recasts a committee that Dingell has chaired since 1981 with an eye toward protecting the domestic auto industry in his native Michigan," Politico noted Thursday. "The Energy and Commerce Committee has principal jurisdiction over many of President-elect Barack Obama's top legislative priorities, including energy, the environment and health care."
A momentous policy opportunity continues to take shape. Waxman's staunch support for climate change and clean energy solutions is likely to have significant positive implications for the clean transport sector and emerging green economy as a whole...
Sustainability News Headlines - 11/20/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- The Big 3 Stickup: Bailing Out the Automakers Is Stepping Backwards GetRealList, 11/20
- Energy At a Tipping Point, Part I The Triple Pundit, 11/20
- Cutting Emissions While Boosting Profits ClimateBiz, 11/20
- Obama Talks Energy On 60 Minutes Grist, 11/20
- Hollywood Aims to Put Climate Change on Prime Time Reuters, 11/20
- Flower Power Key to Saving Bees Reuters, 11/20
- Studies Point to Ecosystem Damage From Factory-Style Farming Grist, 11/20
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 11/19/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Plug-In Electric Vehicles and the Electrification of Road Transport Science Alert, 11/19
- Updating the Science on Global Warming Scientific American, 11/19
- California Seeks One Third Renewable Power By 2020 Reuters, 11/19
- Forests May Play Overlooked Role in Regulating Climate EurekaAlert, 11/19
- Why the Energy Crisis Will Outlast the Credit Crisis Time, 11/19
- Climate Change May Lead to Violence Chron.com, 11/19
- Finite Earth - Economics Blind Spot Is a Disaster for the Planet New Scientist, 11/19
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 11/18/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Ecosystem Services in Action: One Big (and Potentially Lucrative) Filtering Forest Ecosystem Marketplace, 11/18
- Youth Vote (And Their Environmental Concerns) Rising Living On Earth, 11/18
- Rainforest Alliance President Calls for Coffee's Green Revolution ENN, 11/18
- Top 8 Ways to Go Green On the Cheap GreenBiz, 11/18
- First 100% Organic Bar Opens in NYC Treehugger, 11/18
- Groups May Sue EPA Under Clean Water Act to Reverse Ocean Acidification Mongabay, 11/18
- California to Begin Preparing for Sea Level Rise Sustainable Business, 11/18
Monday, November 17, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 11/17/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Greenbacks for Greener Cars Living On Earth, 11/17
- Why Bail Out the Car Companies When They Bailed On Us? Grist, 11/17
- Energy Vs. Climate - A Surprising Confluence of Goals Climate Feedback, 11/17
- Nations Move on How to Put 'Natural Assets' At the Top of the Agenda ENN, 11/17
- Belief Does Not Equal Action On Climate Change Sightline, 11/17
- Election Week Polls Probe Voters on Green Issues Grist, 11/17
- Killer Smog Smothers Sunlight Across Asia Treehugger, 11/17
Friday, November 14, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 11/14/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Climate Change Measures Could 'Stimulate Economies' Financial Times, 11/14
- Gus Speth: Seven Post-Financial Crisis Opportunities for Healthier Economies Grist, 11/14
- Reasons to Save the Forests Vancouver Sun, 11/14
- DOE Hits 50 Percent Milestone On Road to Commercial Zero-Energy Buildings Greener Buildings, 11/14
- Rapid Action to Stop Ocean Acidification Would Save $Billions in Revenue Mongabay.com, 11/14
- How to Green Your Thanksgiving Treehugger, 11/14
- Plea to Avert 'Shocking' Climate Change Financial Times, 11/14
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 11/13/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Obama's Toughest Challenge: America's Energy Crunch Comes Home Grist, 11/13
- Al Gore: The Climate For Change NY Times, 11/13
- A Strategy for Green Recovery Center for American Progress, 11/13
- Obama Energy Plan and Five Business Opportunities It Supports The Triple Pundit, 11/13
- Think Again Before Going Nuclear High Country News, 11/13
- Green 'Hoods, Slimmer Kids LOHAS Weekly, 11/13
- Dire Warnings of Oil Price Spike From IEA The Triple Pundit, 11/13
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Sustainability News Headlines - 11/12/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- Global Investors Urge Action on Climate Change Reuters, 11/12
- A Green New Deal Living On Earth, 11/12
- The First 100 Days Living On Earth, 11/12
- Getting the U.S. Forest Service Back on Track High Country News, 11/12
- 10 Green Ways to Save Some Green $$ ENN, 11/12
- If a Tree Falls in the Forest, Are Biofuels to Blame? It's Not Easy Being Green Wall Street Journal, 11/12
- Five Nations Under Threat From Climate Change New Scientist, 11/12
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
National Teach In - Obama's First 100 Days
I just read through the following email that I received from Eban Goodstein and the National Teach In On Global Warming Solutions. This is a wonderfully inspiring effort focused on what we need to accomplish during President Obama's First 100 Days:Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Here is a brief talk I gave this morning at the AASHE meeting in NC – with 1600 people attending, the sustainability movement is strong and growing, but we are in a race against time. Please pass this along to educators and others who should know about the Teach-In. Thanks for the work you are doing.
--Eban Goodstein
Professor, Lewis & Clark College
Director, National Teach-In
The Talk
“We played a game last Tuesday, where we took a drink every time the news anchors said the word “historic”. But it was no game when my sister wrote to me about what it meant to vote for an African American president in Tennessee. When we were growing up there, not so long ago, there were separate scenic stops on the road up the mountain to our town-- a “white view” and a “colored view”.
From 1960-1964, a powerful grassroots movement swept across this country, and with the Civil Rights and Voting Acts, changed America, and the future.
Five hundred years from now, historians will look back on these days—stretching from Obama’s election through the first years of his administration—and say that this was humanity’s finest hour. Because in 2009, America will pass sweeping legislation that initiates a clean energy revolution, inspires global cooperation, and stabilizes the global climate.
Or we won’t.
That decision rests in the hands of the people in this room.
We are alive at a truly extraordinary moment. I am here today asking you to join the The National Teach-In on Global Warming Solutions. Next February 5th we are engaging the nation around a vision of a sustainable future grounded in one over-arching goal for America:
Cut carbon 40% below current levels by 2020.
Can we do this? What will it take? And if not, how shall our children, and their children, live in this world?
Show of hands: How many of you participated in the national teach-in last January 31st—called Focus the Nation? Thank you—with your help, we created the biggest one-day mobilization around clean energy solutions the country has ever seen, engaging over a million people at 1900 colleges, universities and other institutions across the country.
Show of hands: How many of you think it is less important this year to involve our young people in a serious discussion of global warming solutions?
Here is what we are organizing now, for the teach-in on February 5th:
1. Launch Webcast: The First 100 Days. Co-produced with NWF, featuring David Orr, Hunter Lovins, Billy Parish and others--NOT LIVE, available for viewing and downloading the week before.
2. The Teach-In: Engage faculty and staff to engage the whole campus. At Lewis & Clark we have 25 faculty who will be sitting on a days' worth of panels—mostly people participating last year. Or you can follow the UNC or U of Michigan models and ask faculty to talk about global warming in their classrooms. This does not take long to organize—we just started last week.
3. Climate Dialogue: Work with us to invite your Congresspeople and Senators to engage with students in round table dialogue, via video-chat; invite mayors, governors and state representatives to talk with young people about their future.
The focus of the Teach-In this year is “Solutions for the First 100 Days”, and unlike last January, we are challenging the nation to debate a concrete set of policy proposals. These come from The Presidential Climate Action Project based out of the University of Colorado. In addition to the 40% carbon target, the recommendations include policies calling for Green Jobs; recapturing American leadership in renewables; and carbon neutral power.
A new President and congress make all this at least possible, but was built for gridlock. Without the voices of millions of Americans demanding solutions, next year, history will fail to be made, and we fail ten thousand generations to follow.
These AASHE summits have doubled in people power every two years— 1600 here today—amazing. And we have become an educational force big enough to change the future.
Since The National Teach-In launched in September, 300 schools have signed up— we have the power in this room to increase that number by tomorrow by a factor of 5. Open your laptop and plant a flag for your school—committing to holding an educational event on February 5th—at a minimum showing the launch webcast. You don’t need your President’s permission for this—just commit to do something educational through your department, office or school.
To learn more, I am holding a workshop on the Teach-In tomorrow, and will be out at the NWF booth during the day. Please sign up on our list-serv—the sheets are going around.
Last Tuesday, President–elect Obama called our earth a planet in peril. Top scientists at the IPCC and NASA have told us, clearly, that this is our defining moment. We must act next year or a window will close for our children, forever. Join us, and help rescue our future during the first 100 days.
Show of hands: How many of you are going to make sure that your school gets signed up?
Thank you.”
Books & Videos For the National Teach-In
With inspiring vision and a timely focus on the economic crisis, Van Jones' new book is a critical resource for global warming educators. The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems.
On video: Jon Isham and Eban Goodstein talk about their recent books on building the global warming solutions movement-- Fighting for Love in the Century of Extinction (Goodstein) and Ignition (Isham and Waage)
Other recent books of note: Gary Braasch’s Earth Under Fire; and Gary and Lynne Cherry’s How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming, Laurie David’s Down to Earth Guide; Jay Inslee and Bracken Hendrick’s Apollo’s Fire and Fight Global Warming Now from Step it Up.
Global Warming Organizing Films: Everything’s Cool (Dan Gold and Judith Helfand); Revolution Green (Stephen Stout and Jessica Kelly)
Featured Sponsors:
The Clif Bar Foundation joins the National Teach-In as a partner. Forty Percent of Car Trips are within two miles of your home: Take Clif Bar’s Two-Mile Challenge and ride or walk instead!
Bon Appetit Management Company is helping educate students, staff and faculty across the country about food impacts on global warming with their LOW CARBON DIET.
***
Thanks for your support for the The National Teach-In on Global Warming Solutions.
Sustainability News Headlines - 11/11/2008
News of Sustainability Benefiting People Today
- What Can Greens Expect From Obama? Grist, 11/11
China Tells Rich, Polluting Nations to Change Lifestyle ENN, 11/11
- Spreading the Green Around Sightline Institute, 11/11
- Hollywood Spotlights Environment, Reducing Waste and Energy Use ENN, 11/11
- Sustainable Food and Agriculture - What's Next For America? Grist, 11/11
- Americans' First 100 Day Green Wishes Living On Earth, 11/11
- Parks Can Cut Health Gap Between Rich and Poor Reuters, 11/11
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