Don't Let The Arctic Vortex Fool You

Due to the bone-chilling temps caused by the recent Polar Vortex,  many North Americans (myself included) were contemplating moving closer to the equator. Those who are skeptical about climate change were quick to use the extreme cold as a way to disprove global warming. Don't let the Arctic Vortex temperatures fool you, or those who are trying to dismiss climate change. Global temperatures are on the rise, resulting in extreme weather. Researches have found irrefutable evidence showing the Arctic is the warmest it has been in 44,000 years.

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News: EU to Outlaw Shark Finning

Great news, finally this brutal act will be banned!
 EU to close shark finning loophole

Protecting Kids From Toxic Chemicals

Nation’s Pediatricians Call on Congress to Protect Kids from Toxic Chemicals

Finally! Let's hope they listen.

Toxic Waters

Thanks to Google Maps Mania, I found a piece on the NY Times where you can search the U.S. for toxic water pollution. Check it out here.

This is how I think modern technology needs to be used to inform the public about what is going on in their backyards, literally. There are no excuses anymore and nobody can hide behind regulatory walls or keeping things hidden from the public. Hopefully this brings in some increased responsibility on the part of those that have polluted and puts the pressure on regulators to actually regulate.

I applaud the NY Times for their work on this and it goes to show that a media outlet which is focused on quality reporting is important to society.

Swine Flu's Impact

Swine flu is all over the news. The impact of a pandemic will be widespread. The agricultural sector is no exception. Not pork producers either. In North America we have relied on cheap, migrant labor to the work on farms. Many of those migrants are from Mexico and Central America. If those people are not allowed to travel who will do the work? What will the price of produce be? Obviously migrant labor in agriculture is part of many other policy issues, like immigration, but we need to realize that we rely on cheap labor at industrial farms to supply our food. Can we do something to change that or will it take a border shutdown to temporary workers to make us realize? Growing your own is the superior solution despite the arguments against it from economists regarding specialization (generally you can spend your time doing something more valuable in dollar terms). Locally grown may be a solution as well but it depends on the people doing the work. Read this article and see what the impact might be.

Madagascar in Peril

There is ongoing strife in Madagascar resulting from a recent coup. This has put the local environment at risk. Reports from the area have indicated that forests are being logged illegally and many animals and plants unique to the island may not survive. It is already difficult to preserve natural areas but in the face of civil unrest like this it is impossible. Hopefully more international attention can be focused on this area of the world to help create the conditions to preserve their natural resources while they sort out the political situation.

Miss USA and Perez Hilton

This is way off topic as Miss USA and Perez Hilton have nothing to do with me or my site and I really don't pay attention to this stuff. However, I saw Perez Hilton on Larry King last night and found out about the Miss USA issue. It made me really angry.

It is my understanding that we as a society recognized that women should be more than their appearance, have valid opinions and possess free thought. Now, on a beauty pageant, a "scandal" erupts because the pretty girl dares have her own opinion! As far as I'm concerned the issue is not what she said as much as her being raked over the coals for expressing her views. If Miss USA cannot espouse the fundamental American value of free speech what does she represent? I understand the response is "she doesn't believe in equal rights" etc but the majority of people in her home state of California voted against that as well. Regardless of your position on an issue, everyone needs to accept that people will disagree with you. If we as a society cannot accept people holding dissenting opinions we have a much larger problem.

Lost in the Shuffle

Project Censored is a project that brings to light events that may be lost in the shuffle of day-to-day news coverage or that may be deliberately overlooked. They have a top 25 list for every year.

In 2008, story 25 is about energy resources on Native lands and who will actually reap the benefits. Number 17 is about drinking water contaminated with military waste. Number 15 tells us about how toxic exposure can alter DNA.

These are all relevant stories that would not be available to everyone without the free, open system of the internet. Read these stories and pass on Project Censored to people you know.

The Oil Market and Alternative Energy

Oil prices are reported daily in every paper, newscast and radio show just like the NASDAQ was in 2000 before the crash. There is a near hysteria in the public about the price continuing to rise and people are oblivious to the facts. I'm not suggesting an imminent oil price crash nor am I offering financial advice but I'm trying to illustrate a point.

An article titled "The Great Oil Deception" explains how the supply and demand equation is being distorted not in reality but in reporting. This creates price distortions and eventual impacts for the broader economy. Much like the NASDAQ market in 2000.

What is the impact on alternative/renewable energy? If oil prices are grossly distorted then the perceived value of alternative energy is also distorted if it is valued in relation to fossil fuels. Without a carbon tax, or another model to achieve full cost recovery for using and producing fossil fuels, alternative energy will not be able to compete if oil prices decline. For alternative energy to continue to be viable it will need to have continued subsidies. If a broader economic decline follows the oil price spikes these subsidies will not be affordable. Alternative energy is again at the mercy of fossil fuel and conventional energy because these conventional sources are not priced to include their broader impact on the environment and the economy. If conditions continue higher oil prices are the only thing that can save alternative energy.

Green Light for Hybrid Research

Regulators have given scientists the green light to create human-animal embryos for research.

Green Automotive News

For all information about the Detroit Auto Show and other green developments in the automotive industry head on over to AutoblogGreen.