We live in a “time of consequences.” We, as individuals and collectively, are setting the path which will determine the living conditions for millenia to come. This time of consequences is both long term and quite immediate.
This is true for the individual. Do you invest in an energy efficient future life? Will you unplug the computer before going to sleep?
And, it is true for society. What is the transportation infrastructure we want 30 years from now? And, what is the legislation that will emerge in coming weeks and months related to energy, farming, and Global Warming?
We live in a Time of Consequences. And, we can chose to live through this time, buffeted by the consequences, or we can seek to act to drive change in a positive direction.
There are many tremendous technologies, processes, and such out there that can help us move toward a prosperous and sustainable energy future. These range from urban bike programs to energy efficient public housing to finding out just how easy it is to cook with the sun. Or, as advertised here, Frying in the Sun.
ANNOUNCEMENT There is a major Solar Cooking Demonstration in Washington, DC, by the US Senate Friday afternoon, 27 July. Information within the diary.
July 26th, 2007 · Comments Off on Goliath Slays David? Cheer for Goliath!
Front-page of the Metro section is not where readers typical turn to a tall tale suitable for the fiction section, something with an “H” for Horror.
In With Close Contacts, Md. Wind Project Gets Boost, Post readers discover that a well-connected industrialist (Goliath) has run roughshod over concerned environmentalists (the David) through a legislative end run to gut environmental protections for the construction of windmills that will “kill millions” of birds.
A compelling story of a lobbyist-connected Goliath running roughshod over that poor citizen activist David? Absolutely.
July 24th, 2007 · Comments Off on Tonight, a hero has a name …
We each have heroes in our lives, some quite personal and close, others remote to us. Some to whom we can attached face and powerful emotion, others to whom our respect is a less tangible relationship.
For me, those who serve for a greater good, often anonymously, often at great personal sacrifice are a form of loosely associated, numerous (and uncountable), often faceless heroes that can range from volunteers helping rebuild New Orleans to Medecines sans frontiers (Doctors Without Borders) to the teacher who volunteers to help literacy classes to … well, my list is long.
Part of the back of the mind thought of ‘hero’ has been those who struggle to protect the environment amid even the worst of civil strife.
Every so often, need to delve into one of those policy arenas which are — on their face — arcane, but critical pieces of moving the nation on the path toward a sustainable and prosperous energy future, on the path to Energize America.
Just as Renewable Power Standards are critical to helping drive America’s electrical supply away from fossil fuels, so too is Profit Decoupling critical to foster ever more efficient use of that electricity.
On a cold winter’s night, storms outside, wrapped in a blanket by a crackling fire, whiling away the hours reading a good book.
Well, there are an increasing number of great books that suggest that blanket and fire will be required fewer and
fewer evenings in the coming years.
The genre of Global Warming literature has moved from the dusty reaches of little read science shelves to the best seller lists.
This discussion will briefly touch on some of the Global Warming books on my Energy Bookshelf — with an urging to all of you to jump in with comments as to these and others worth reading.
Amid the discussions of Global Warming today and in the years to come, vigilance to language, to framing, to nuance is and will remain an imperative as we seek a path forward to a sustainable and prosperous energy future (Energize America).
The Washington Post, today, had perhaps its most extensive discussion of Global Warming, to date … with the key article front-paged, three full pages in the front section, and the Travel section dedicated to places to visit because:
Climate change is transforming many of the world’s most striking tourist destinations. If you want to see them, better go soon.
And, these articles are precursors to a series of articles to come in the Science section about specific Global Warming proposals.
What coverage … truly giving visibility in the kitchen tables of Washington’s elite … yet, visibility embedded with truthiness, with misleading “known” information that helps skew discussion and debate away from where it should be.
There is tremendous material in these articles … but truthiness throughout … truthiness requiring vigilance. [Read more →]
July 14th, 2007 · Comments Off on Jour de la Bastille: Charting a Climate Revolution
A beautiful summer day … perfect for soccer and basketball with the kids … biking to a picnic in the park … gardening … sipping a glass of wine … perfect for celebrating life …
consequences is both long term and quite immediate.
just how easy it is to cook with the sun. Or, as advertised here, Frying in the Sun.
over concerned environmentalists (the David) through a legislative end run to gut environmental protections for the construction of windmills that will “kill millions” of birds.
America’s electrical supply away from fossil fuels, so too is Profit Decoupling critical to foster ever more efficient use of that electricity.
of Global Warming, to date … with the key article front-paged, three full pages in the front section, and the Travel section dedicated to places to visit because:
location picture