So, it looks like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that the preponderance of global warming is caused by humans. Boom, outta’ here! While this may be hailed as a revelation in some quarters, it will be treated with disdain by a large chunk of the political establishment in the U.S. that treats any news about climate change by sticking their fingers in their ears and singing Christian rock. Yes, I am looking at you Steve King.
Nonetheless, I am hopeful that the conversation can move beyond the whole “the science is not settled” debate. Not likely, but I am hopeful.
On to the links…
Cherokee Bear Park May Be Sued By Tribal Elders For Violating Endangered Species Act–The fact that this place exists is a damn shame. A similar park was shut down recently and the bears were relocated to a sanctuary. PETA has been trying for years to get these animals released from hellish conditions.
In 2013, Worldwide Solar Power Installations Will Overtake Wind For The First Time–Part of it was a function of regulations and taxation, but solar is really coming on as a competitive source of energy. Not just renewable energy, but energy overall.
Energy Needs Water and Water Needs Energy–The two are inexorably tied. Without water there cannot be energy production and vice versa. It’s one of the angles about hydraulic fracturing that often goes unreported.
Will Offshore Wind Finally Take Off on the East Coast–It’s a trend in Europe, but the U.S. has yet to utilize offshore wind resources. Will that end with several offshore wind farms in the planning stages on the eastern seaboard?
India Plans To Build The Largest Solar Plant In The World–When solar power reaches the “India price” it should take off, so say the experts. Guess what? It’s already passed that boundary. Get ready for liftoff.
How Algae Could Create Better, More Efficient Gasoline Than Corn–Algae is the next great promising biofuel. Unlike first generation biofuels it does not compete as a food source and it can utilize marginal land. However, with biofuels the promise always seems to be illusory.
Supermarkets Should Sell More Ugly Fruit–Walk into the produce section of your supermarket and it is a veritable cornucopia of good looking fruits or vegetables. Now think back to the produce that comes out of your garden. How much of the homegrown produce would conform to the beauty standards imposed by retail? Not much I imagine.
The Solution to America’s Food Waste Problem? Feed People–It seems so simple, but the systems need to be in place to take advantage of the tremendous waste that exists in the system. The fact that we waste so much food while so many people go hungry.
Does Corporate Farming Exist? Just Barely–Mother Jones magazine has an interesting look at the ownership structure of some sectors of the agriculture economy. The good news is that corporate ownership is not yet monolithic.
Into the Wildfire–In a world where climate change is a reality, knowledge about wildfires will be increasingly important because it is likely that we will see more frequent and intense wildland fires. Ugh.
Patagonia’s Radical Transparency Keeps Getting Traction–It’s great to see that a company is so committed to this level of transparency, but it is sad to think about how small of a player such a company is in the grand scheme of things. Keep on keepin’ on Patagonia.
My Green Misadventure 