Environmental Sustainability Updates

[environmental-sustainability] Solar Energy For Homes – Got Our First Inspection

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:12:26 GMT

Today was not a solar power day though as the rain was coming down when the city inspector arrived. It made it a little tricky climbing on to the roof in the rain but they did get it done and checked out without anyone slipping or sliding on the roof.

[environmental-sustainability] Big Pharma Lobbyists Script Speeches In U.S. Congress, Industry Fights Against Generic Drugs

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:01:32 GMT

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While our focus here at DeSmogBlog is to expose the public relations and lobbying antics that hinder effective responses to climate change, we are always on the lookout for other examples of how lobbying and PR impede progress on critical legislative efforts to protect people instead of profits.

The health care reform bill in front of the U.S. Congress provides several noteworthy examples, perhaps none so appalling as that described in a front-page New York Times article this week about the pharmaceutical industry’s efforts to script the floor speeches delivered by members of the House of Representatives.

The article, “In House, Many Spoke With One Voice: Lobbyists’”, describes how lobbyists working on behalf of Genentech, one of the world’s largest biotechnology companies, succeeded in having their ghostwritten talking points repeated, often verbatim, by over 40 lawmakers on the House floor - 22 Republicans and 20 Democrats.

Genentech also succeeded in getting many of its willing spokespeople in Congress to mention the issue of generic drugs, a critical item on the industry’s lobbying agenda in the health care reform debate. Genentech no doubt hoped to drum up additional support for an amendment put forth by Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA), in whose district Genentech is located. Rep. Eshoo’s provision would have granted pharmaceutical companies up to 12 years of monopoly advantage – and perhaps longer – to sell their profitable cancer, diabetes and AIDS drugs without competition from cheaper generic forms.

Taxpayers have already paid for the development of many of these drugs, yet reports of sick Americans losing their houses or going bankrupt due to overwhelming drug costs are seemingly everywhere in the news these days.

Undeterred by such heart-wrenching tales of woe, the pharmaceutical industry is moving in the opposite direction, raising prices on life-saving medicines at frantic rates in anticipation that health care reform measures will limit their profits at some future point.

And the industry has deployed its lobbyist army to weaken the legislative effort to make these life-saving drugs more affordable for the public through the development of cheaper generic versions. Arguing passionately against allowing generics onto the market, the industry actually wants Congress to grant patent extensions on their highly-profitable (taxpayer-funded) biologic drugs.

Never mind that this lobbying effort is designed to continue the pattern of bankruptcy and lost years of life for breast cancer, AIDS and rheumatoid arthritis patients. To hell with the victims, this industry wants to ensure endless profit streams.

Big Pharma, just like the climate denial industry, is willing to sell future generations down the river in exchange for a few more years of blockbuster profits for entrenched corporate powers. (While the climate denial machine’s victims are mostly the unborn generations who will experience the worst effects of global warming, the pharmaceutical industry’s victims have names and faces today.)

Such grotesque lobbying tactics, coupled with huge cash outlays from industry to elected officials, are designed to protect short-term profits at the expense of human health and the planet.

Is this really the best we can do for our children and grandchildren?

[environmental-sustainability] ?Shedding the Toxins With Sustainable Replacement

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:30:02 GMT

Sustainability isn’t just about avoiding the worst of climate change. Its also about keeping people healthy by monitoring and adjusting the diet, getting plenty of sleep and generally keeping disease at bay with vigor. One way to keep the body strong is to try and remove as many toxins as possible while keeping more from going in.

It is surprising just how toxic our world has become in just a few years. Synthetic chemicals didn’t even exist in any significant numbers before the turn of the 20th century. You can replace furnishings in your home as they wear out to gradually to avoid a giant expense all at once. The things that are in close contact with you the most each day or things that were made before 1980. In most homes, the first items to go are usually carpets and pillows. Other items that you’ll want to replace over time with their natural and sustainable counterparts include curtains, bath items, towels.
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[environmental-sustainability] You're all invited to a Toronto event with George Monbiot

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:52:53 GMT

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Regular DeSmog readers know we are big fans of Guardian columist George Monbiot, and we're very proud to be co-sponsoring a big event next weekend in Toronto with Monbiot as our special event.

Here's the details, hope to see you all there!

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Join George Monbiot, Guardian columnist and author of “Heat: How To Save The Planet From Burning," in Toronto next weekend for a special event!

Countdown to Copenhagen: Who in Canada is Killing the International Climate Treaty?
With the international climate treaty summit less than a month away, leading experts on the science, policy and politics of climate change will lead a forum on the role Canada is (and isn't) playing on the international stage.

Special Guests will include:
Richard Littlemore, co-author of the new book Climate Cover Up: the crusade to deny global warming.

Details of the event are as follows:

Date: Saturday, November 28
Time: 2pm to 4pm

Location: J.J.R. MacLeod Auditorium, Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto
1 King's College Circle, Toronto

Admission: suggested donation of $10-$25. Nobody will be turned away for lack of funds.
Seating is limited; come early to guarantee a seat.

Media are welcome.

This event is brought to you by:
DeSmogBlog.com
Power Up Canada
Climate Action Network, Canada

Greenpeace Canada
University of Toronto Student Union
Science for Peace

For more information contact:

Kevin Grandia
Managing Editor
DeSmogblog.com
e: desmogblog@gmail.com
c: 778.240.6343

[environmental-sustainability] Home Improvement, With Tax Collector as Lender

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:47:14 GMT

New York has joined more than a dozen other states in approving a fast-spreading new method of financing renewable-energy and efficiency improvements.

[environmental-sustainability] The Angry Mermaid Greets Corporate Blockers of Climate Action With an Award

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:18:56 GMT

Standing watch over its harbor is the iconic symbol of Copenhagen – the Little Mermaid. Soon she will greet the international community coming to Copenhagen as her town hosts the COP15 climate summit early next month. She takes her role as host to the world seriously, but there are some that are coming to her home that make her angry. It is the thousands of lobbyist and Big Business representatives planning to come to the climate conference that have no interest in dealing with the problem and instead seek ways to hobble progress in order to pursue short-term profit over long-term sustainability.

Because of those people, the Little Mermaid has become the Angry Mermaid. And to help expose those groups, businesses, and lobbyists who work tirelessly to block progress, she has established an award, the Angry Mermaid Award, asking anyone interested to vote for the company or organization that has done the most to sabotage effective action on climate change.

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The Angry Mermaid Award was created through cooperation from five organizations, including Attack Denmark, Corporate Europe Observatory, Focus on the Global South, Friends of the Earth International, and Spinwatch.

The group considered the most egregious offenders and came up with a short list of eight companies and lobby groups eligible to receive the Angry Mermaid award:

And the winner is…

That is up to you! Help decide which of these lobby groups and companies have done the most to sabotage climate action by taking a few moments to vote. Voting is open until December 13 and the winner will be announced in the Little Mermaid's home, Copenhagen, on December 15. Which one did I vote for? Here's a hint.

[environmental-sustainability] On Our Radar...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:13:15 GMT

Climate change and national security, and other energy and environment coverage on the Web.

[environmental-sustainability] Climate contrarians spinning hard with stolen email files

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:33:21 GMT

I'll admit, as someone who spends most days looking for leaked documents, the package of stolen emails and documents from the Climate Research Unit at East Anglia University is pretty juicy. Anything that provides insight into the inner-workings of your opponents is pretty much manna from heaven in this line of work.

I have been going through all the files today and I hate to disappoint but it just ain't the scandal climate conspiracy theorists want it to be.

These emails are blissfully being spun by the climate contrarians as proof of some type of worldwide conspiracy by scientists to fake the climate change crisis. Michelle Malkin, who relishes Ann Coulter-esque statements, goes so far as to call it "the global warming scandal of the century.”

Right.

As Brad Johnson writes, it's more likely proof that climate deniers are the crazed conspiracy theorists we always thought they were.

At the center of the conspiracy claim is a quote in a casual conversation between colleagues talking about Mike's Nature "trick."

They are referring to the Michael Mann hockey stick study from ten years ago that has been the subject of attacks by climate skeptic bloggers for many years now. In fact, it got so bad that the US National Academy of Sciences was called in by the US Senate to look further into the validity of the Mann study.

Unfortunately for skeptics the NAS exonerated the Mann study, finding that:

"The basic conclusion of Mann et al. (1998, 1999) was that the late 20th century warmth in the Northern Hemisphere was unprecedented during at least the last 1,000 years. This conclusion has subsequently been supported by an array of evidence that includes both additional large-scale surface temperature reconstructions and pronounced changes in a variety of local proxy indicators, such as melting on ice caps and the retreat of glaciers around the world, which in many cases appear to be unprecedented during at least the last 2,000 years."

More importantly, and this is related directly to these leaked emails that are supposed proof of some massive conspiracy, the NAS concluded that:

"Surface temperature reconstructions for periods prior to the industrial era are only one of multiple lines of evidence supporting the conclusion that climatic warming is occurring in response to human activities, and they are not the primary evidence."

In layman terms this means that the Mann hockey stick study is only one of many studies and many lines of evidence that shows that the climate is warming. Even further, they point out that the Mann Hockey Stick isn't even a primary evidence source.

As for the Mann "trick," I would be very impressesd that this "trick" was never detected by the NAS report. As Mann himself explains today on Real Climate, the "trick" being refered to is that, "scientists often use the term “trick” to refer to a “a good way to deal with a problem,” rather than something that is “secret,” and so there is nothing problematic in this at all.

What people like Malkin and others don't understand is that the evidence for climate change is based on decades of research that builds and builds into a solid foundation from which conclusions can be drawn.

It is not the house of cards they want us to think it is. And while these emails don't look great, they are in no way "proof" that climate change is not happening. It just isn't the grand conspiracy they think it is.

[environmental-sustainability] Why students protesting tuition hikes in California are well-intentioned, but misguided

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:51:53 GMT

From CNN.com:

Students were occupying buildings Friday on several campuses of the University of California system in protest of a 32 percent tuition hike.

...

University officials said the $505 million to be raised by the tuition increases is needed to prevent even deeper cuts than those already made because of California's persistent financial crisis.

Protesting students said the hike will hurt working and middle-class students who benefit from state-funded education.

While well-intentioned, the students are failing to recognize the simple economics of education. Students demand education--therefore there is a demand curve for education(click the diagram to the right) that is downward sloping: some are willing and able to pay more than others. Private educators are willing to supply education, but it is costly (Private Tuition). For a variety of reasons--affordable access to education, reduced crime, increased productivity--society, through state and federal tax revenues is willing to subsidize education thereby reducing the costs of education (S_public). This downward shift in the supply of education decreases tuition (Public Tuition) and increases the number of people willing and able to get an education.

So what happens when the state is forced to reduce the subsidy, as California is currently doing? Starting from the fully subsidized situation (S_public ), the reduced subsidy will shift the supply curve back to the left raising the market clearing price of education (Current Tuition + hike) and reducing the number of number of people receiving an education from Q_before to Q_+hike. Not only are less people educated, but those losing access to education are those with the lowest willingness to pay OR ability to pay. And this is where the protests come in. The increased tuition reduces education among those with the least ability to pay. Sounds protest worthy, right?

But, what happens if tuition isn't raised in the face of the reduced subsidy? On that case, the price of education would stay at the current Public Tuition level in the diagram, but the supply curve still shifted left (actually up) by the amount of the reduced subsidy. If tuition doesn't rise, the quantity of education supplied at the current tuition will be less than if tuition rises (Q_nohike in the diagram).

Contrary to the tuition hike case, it's now a crap shoot as to which students lose out on education, but the end result in unambiguous: a successful protest for no tuition hikes (assuming funding for education is cut) will result in less total education than allowing tuition to rise.

Is that really what the protesters have in mind?

[environmental-sustainability] India to Spend $900 Million on Solar

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:28:16 GMT

The Indian cabinet approved a plan on Thursday that would vastly increase the amount of solar power produced by the country.

[environmental-sustainability] Green Builders' Study Forecasts Job Growth

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:57:11 GMT

Building green could add hundreds of billions of dollars to the economy, according to a new report released by the United States Green Building Council.

[environmental-sustainability] United States and Somalia: Only Two Countries that Won't Sign Children's Rights Treaty

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:53:53 GMT

The United States has had no functioning central government for 18 years. I don't know what Somalia's excuse is.

This is just another treaty that we in the rest of the world are waiting for the US to sign. The Kyoto protocol is another...

[environmental-sustainability] Life cycle costs for extra high voltage cables and overhead lines

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:49:26 GMT

Underground cables (UGCs) are – at installation – more expensive than overhead lines (OHLs), although it is very difficult to draw general cost ratios, due to the specificity of every project. In most cases comparisons are made solely on the capital costs of the equipment together with the costs of installation and accommodation works. In other cases, respective life costs are considered that take into account transmission losses, maintenance costs, availability (and associated outage related costs) and decommissioning.

[environmental-sustainability] Environment impacts of extra high voltage cables and overhead lines

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:35:18 GMT

For economic reasons, extra high voltage (“EHV”) underground cables (“UGCs”) are rarely appropriate for an entire new AC power transmission project (although in some long distance circumstances a DC cable may be a solution). UGCs are though especially effective at helping power transmission projects to cross areas where there are environmental sensitivities. These include areas that are:

[environmental-sustainability] Underground Cables at Extra High Voltage Levels

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:30:50 GMT

Europacable is the European Confederation of Associations of Manufacturers of Insulated Wires and Cables. Europacable, and its member companies in the European cable industry have spent 30 years investing in innovative technology for underground cabling that overcomes the limitations of overhead lines in certain circumstances and today cable manufacturers are able to provide innovative and customised solutions for the modern power transmission industry.

[environmental-sustainability] What are the Electro-Magnetic Fields from overhead lines and cables?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:27:32 GMT

As part of the European Union’s energy strategy, there is a commitment to reducing the social and environmental risks associated with the transmission of energy and in this respect cables can provide benefits as they have been shown to be more effective in mitigating potential health impacts.

[environmental-sustainability] Study Says Air Cars are Inefficient

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:21:59 GMT

A paper from the University of California, Berkeley, concludes that compressed-air energy storage is a relatively inefficient technology when it comes to personal transportation.

[environmental-sustainability] Doesn't this just create a different fishery?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:36:57 GMT

From the Columbus Dispatch:

Federal officials say the despised Asian carp may have breached an electronic barrier designed to prevent it from invading the Great Lakes and jeopardizing their $7 billion sport fishery.

Officials with the Army Corps of Engineer say Friday that DNA of the giant carp have been found north of the barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.

If correct, that would mean the carp might reach Lake Michigan if they get through a navigational lock. From there, they could spread throughout the Great Lakes and out-compete native species for food.

Asian carp escaped from Southern fish farms in the 1990s and have been migrating up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. They can exceed 4 feet in length and 100 pounds.

[environmental-sustainability] Siemens Chief Discusses Green Initiatives

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:10:23 GMT

Peter Löscher, chief executive of the German engineering conglomerate, answers questions about his solar and wind business and the American clean-tech market.

[environmental-sustainability] Is Food the Last Thing to Worry About?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:01:00 GMT

Toby Hemenway is my favorite permaculture writer because of the sense of balance he brings to his writings. By that I mean he has a great deal of plain old-fashioned common sense, and he doesn't let emotions or ideology cloud his intellect. His recent essay, Is Food the Last Thing to Worry About? is another excellent analysis. I hope everyone will take a moment to click over to his website and

[environmental-sustainability] I'm going to the SEA meetings!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:05:38 GMT

As Tim previously announced, you'll be able to find me in San Antonio this weekend. Here is the link to my conference schedule. I'll also be attending this great looking session.

I'll be presenting our (Tim, Rob, Kurt and John) recreation demand models for marine fishing for the last time, hopefully. We have a website to support this project: http://econ.appstate.edu/marfin. Check it out for the full report, data, programs, presentations and (coming soon) a working paper.

[environmental-sustainability] A song for happy, hopeful days

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:41:49 GMT

Always use good news for a boost: “the sky was the limit”

It’s also a cautionary tale, on the consequences of basking in past glory. Head down, keep on pedalling hard. But, for the time being, let me enjoy!

[environmental-sustainability] Distant stars shed light on the solar cycle

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:12:56 GMT

Are sustained solar minima the norm?

[environmental-sustainability] Picture of the day

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:53:31 GMT

Hat tip: Rich Woodward

[environmental-sustainability] El Niño intensifies Latin American drought

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:49:26 GMT

From a devastating food crisis in Guatemala to water cuts in Venezuela El Niño has compounded drought damage across Latin America this year.

[environmental-sustainability] India tells West to stop eating beef

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:44:40 GMT

India has urged the West to give up eating beef to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for global warming.

[environmental-sustainability] Result!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:23:04 GMT

From the snail-mail box:

Dear Mr. Ferreira

I am happy to inform you that the Examination Panel has recommended you be awarded the MSc in Applied Environmental Economics with Distinction.

I am so, so happy for this. And it’s Friday as well! So, in keeping with pure academic tradition,

Punchline: work hard, play hard.

[environmental-sustainability] Where I wasn't last night

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:14:02 GMT

[environmental-sustainability] How To Create a Free Energy Generator

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:50:42 GMT

A way that you can pay less for electric bills, so you want to know what it is? Most people will love this, but many will be extremely skeptical. Does it work? Many people have tried it with great results. Saving up to 50% on just a partial use of this free energy generator.

It’s a device that you can build yourself, and get free energy off the grid. It’s called a zero point magnetic generator, and with it you can get free energy. Using magnets with magnetic force it will produce perpetual motion, which in turn will create free energy for you to use. Running continually by itself, and will continually produce more energy then what it will use.

Imagine the benefits of such a machine, and then you can figure out why for years it has been kept from the general public. If you’re able to create your own free energy you won’t need to pay for it from all those big companies who make tons of money. This generator that you can make yourself will not use solar or even wind power.

Using very little space up in your home, so you will be able to place it without a big space being available. Power bills will be eliminated either by half or even the complete thing depending on how much you want to use the free energy generator. Doesn’t matter if it’s hot or cold out the generator does not have to be in an environmentally controlled area. Materials that you need to build your generator are inexpensive and easy to find anywhere in the world.

The cost of the material will not amount to much, and again it’s very simple to build. Many years have been spent testing this idea and perfecting it. Now it’s being shared with many people, hoping to save money on those electric bills.

Many have already tried this method out and many more are sure to give this free energy generator a try. Heck who won’t want to give up paying that electric bill for free energy! Extremely safe to use producing no hazardous gases or anything, even a child can walk right by this generator and not get hurt.

A very green idea to get energy into your home, eco-friendly equals help for the environment! The costs of materials to build this generator are indeed very inexpensive with a complete charge of 0. Not bad, and simply made up in a month of electric bills for most people out there. You won’t need to use it to completely power your home, if you are a bit tense of whether it will work or not, try it out for part of the procedure in your home.

Finally, if you want a new way to get energy for your home, and something that will cost you nothing. Well build your own free energy generator for a very small cost of 0. Save the money and use it for other things in your life that you could use. Use it for a nice family vacation, or something you’ve always wanted. Again it will help you save around 50% if you only use it for part of your home.

Magniwork power generator will teach you how to generate completely free electric power, meaning, create energy without needing any other source.

[environmental-sustainability] Bihar villagers now get green electricity

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:45:35 GMT

A technology that converts rice husk into electricity is gaining ground in Bihar. Some 100,000 households in the state already use electricity produced from biomass and their number is steadily growing.

[environmental-sustainability] Where I won't be this weekend

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:45:34 GMT

John's headed to the Southern Economic Association meetings in San Antonio this weekend. Unfortunately I can't make it. At the risk of exposing her to John's typcial meeting antics, I'm sending one of my brilliant Ph.D. students, Carolina Castilla*, in my place. She'll be presenting some work we're doing on consumers' price search strategies. Here's the abstract for Consumer Willingness to Search in the Gasoline Retail Market...

Abstract:

Price search enables consumers to overcome information asymmetries, it can lead to a reduction in price dispersion and it can increase consumer surplus. But, search is costly and we know very little about how the cost of search enters the consumer’s search decision. In the case of the market for gasoline, the cost of search is a function of the amount of gasoline consumed and the time spent searching for the lowest price. In this paper we conduct an internet survey among a random sample of 480 drivers in the State of Ohio to answer two main questions: when do consumers search, and are consumers considering search costs as sunk. We use a choice experiment on willingness to search to answer these questions. Though, it can be argued that consumers incorporate some search as a sunk cost in their current optimization decision because they have incurred some of that cost in the past, we find that this is not the case. When faced with prices above their expectations, consumers incorporate both gasoline and time costs into their search decision, whereas when faced with prices below their expectations the driving factor on consumers’ willingness to search is the difference between posted and expected price.

*And yes, Carolina will be on the job market next year, so if you are in the market for a well-trained economist with a humble advisor, give her a call.

[environmental-sustainability] Disinvest, use money for green assets: Finance commission chief

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:44:00 GMT

The government should sell off half its public sector undertakings and use the $200 billion it will thus make to build environmental assets, 13th finance commission chairman Vijay Kelkar said on Friday.

[environmental-sustainability] U.N. Report Calls for More Environmental Protection in Wartime

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:38:22 GMT

A report released this month by the United Nations Environment Program and the Environmental Law Institute says that existing international laws are not sufficient.

[environmental-sustainability] Apex court rejects plea to ban idol immersion in water bodies

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:36:19 GMT

The Supreme Court Friday dismissed a plea to ban idol immersions in water bodies across the country, saying restrictions would militate against the fundamental right of a section of citizens to profess and practice the religion of their choice.

[environmental-sustainability] Unclean air, water may be causing 8 lakh deaths a year: Report

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:34:12 GMT

Unclean air and water could be responsible for the death of eight lakh people every year in the country, according to a report released.

[environmental-sustainability] Flying foxes get sanctuary in Jharkhand

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:20:57 GMT

Welcome to the little known Jubilee Lake Mega (giant) Bat sanctuary - the state's lone urban bat reserve - on a 0.69 hectare island inside the Tata Steel Zoological Park in the heart of this industrial town in eastern India.

[environmental-sustainability] Germany calls for binding climate deal in 2010

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:17:36 GMT

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Friday for all countries to fix binding climate change targets next year at the latest, acknowledging that no such deal is likely at global talks in Copenhagen next month.

[environmental-sustainability] Melting sea ice dilutes water, endanger sea life

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:16:29 GMT

Melting of the Arctic sea ice due to global warming is diluting surface waters and this is endangering some species of shellfish which need minerals in the water to form their shells and skeletons, scientists have found.

[environmental-sustainability] Copenhagen summit will be 'success': UN climate chief

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:13:14 GMT

Efforts to craft a comprehensive climate treaty in Copenhagen next month will certainly "yield a success," the UN's top climate official pledged on Thursday.

[environmental-sustainability] Agriculture can adapt to climate change

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:50:58 GMT

Innovative agricultural technologies can produce crops that meet climate change challenges, says ICRISAT head William Dar.