Many of you may be unaware of of the fact that Australia is currently only a few days away from heading to the polls. Our fearless leader, John Howard – also known to some as George Bush’s whipping boy (and that’s the cleanest of the analogies) – has served for eleven years as head of […]
The Commonwealth and the Climate Read More 👉
I love an honest man, and Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) is on the top of my list, after his appearance at a Manchester, NH high school. When asked about his high school days he openly admitted to being a “pot head,” who experimented with drugs and alcohol. Obama attended high school in Hawaii,
Will Honesty Win The Presidency? Read More 👉
For the past month I’ve brought to your attention here at Planetsave and Green Options the issues surrounding Japan reinstating the whale hunt. They claim they are doing it for scientific research, but thanks to Greenpeace, it’s indisputable that such “evidence gathering” is unnecessary. From the top: It is simply not necessary to kill whales
Environmentalists already have good reason to despise bottled-water companies, but local economic development folks might now have reason to question the industry too. That’s the message from opponents of a proposed Nestle water-bottling facility in McCloud, California, a small community with natural springs fed by the glaciers of Mount Shasta. McCloud’s defenders today released an
Bottled Water Not So Hot for Economy Either, Report Finds Read More 👉
By: Anthony J. Gerst. The following is derived from a report issued by the Sierra Club and Worldwatch Institute entitled ‘Destination Iowa: Getting To a Sustainable Biofuels Futures.’ Iowa is 88% farmland. This breaks down to 24.5 million acres of cropland with 51% planted in corn and 41% in soybeans. The next generation of biofuels
Caretakers of the Land Read More 👉
When you consider the evolutionary timeline of human history, it is surprising to find that our birthplace is now little more than a passing thought in our minds. Africa is the country that receives the least attention from the world. We know only countries like Somalia, South Africa and Sudan because of their strife and
The Forgotten Continent Read More 👉
Fellow blogger Joshua Hill has already expressed his aggravation with the U.S.’s efforts to water down the latest climate change assessment from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, but things might be even worse than they already sound. A new report from The Climate Institute in Australia examines the latest research on climate change and
IPCC Climate Report Might Underestimate Risks Read More 👉
China regularly takes its fair share of heat for its pollution problems, tainted seafood and lead-based toys, but maybe it’s time to give it some credit too. While the country is on pace to pass the U.S. as the world’s top emitter of carbon dioxide, it might also be on its way to becoming the
China Poised to Become Clean-Energy Leader? Read More 👉
We hear a lot about the crises’ facing the world as a result of global warming and climate change. Often, it seems far off, and unreal; as if it isn’t really happening to us. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine that we’ve screwed up our planet so badly that – whether it is manmade or not
Climate Change and a Slow Death Read More 👉
Can large retail chains help lead the way in green building? LEED certified (Leadership in energy and environmental design) retail stores currently account for only 6% of the LEED certified projects. The recent collaboration between the U.S. Green Building Counsel (USGBC) and national retail chains indicates that change is on the horizon with the USGBC
Eco Friendly Big-Box: A Dream or Possibility Read More 👉
By: Anthony J. Gerst It was maddening to hear that ole George put a veto stamp on the Water Resources Appropriations Bill. By press time we hope to see the Senate come on board and over ride this veto, as the House repassed this legislation 361-54. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa pointed out, in
In a not so surprising move, U.S. District Judge Dan Hovland said he would decide by the end of the month, whether to throw out the case of two North Dakota farmers who want to grow industrial hemp under state law, or instruct the DEA to let it happen. The action took place in Federal
No Decision in North Dakota Hemp Case Against DEA Read More 👉
The threat of global warming would have been bad enough had it occurred on a planet of logic-filled Vulcans. That it happened on a planet full of irrational, illogical, self-aggrandizing egotistical humans is just proof of further bad luck. And according to a new report, that human penchant for selfishness may begin to exert itself
Globalization at Risk of Global Warming Read More 👉
Technology can undoubtedly make the world a better place. Where, after all, would we be without the wheel, agriculture or email? Still, there’s almost always a flipside to technological advances. The wheel improved not only travel, but warfare. Agriculture made food more reliable for humans … but also, eventually, helped give rise to confined animal
Geoengineering: Quick Fix, or a Way to Go from Bad to Worse? Read More 👉
By Anthony J. Gerst. So, today looking at the Sierra Club we will bring you some action updates. I have always had an appreciation for this organization. It wasn’t until this morning that I could recall where this respect for them came from. As you advance in age, you to will seek out reasons for
Remember When Sierra Club Read More 👉
Actually, every day should be radon day. Don’t know what it is? Radon is a natural occurring radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell or taste. It seeps into your home through floors, into your body while jogging or walking outside, or just by taking a deep breath. You can’t escape radon, it’s everywhere. Mother
January is National Radon Month, but Why Wait? Read More 👉
By: Anthony J. Gerst With current events still unfolding in Pakistan the world stage has taken a turn for the worst. In his rush to create allies, the President’s saying ‘you either wit us or agin us,’ is showing itself as a dangerous two sided coin. Musharraf has milked this administration for billions of dollars
Public Enemy Number One Read More 👉
In a year where much of the political focus has centered on environmental issues, nothing will be bigger than 2007’s last two months. Already meeting in Valencia, Spain, are the Nobel winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) members. Speaking to the IPCC members was Yvo de Boer, head of the U.N. Framework Convention on
The Global Warming Political Climax Arrives Read More 👉
Am I the only person that felt up-in-arms after hearing about all-natural Burt’s Bees being bought by the Clorox conglomerate? Having touched on the subject of sustainable sellouts once before on Victoria-E.com, the buyouts within the beauty industry have increased immensely in the past year (including Body Shop going to L’Oreal and Jason/Zia to Hain
Sustainable Skincare Sell-Outs Are Giving Me Acne Read More 👉
By: Anthony J. Gerst. My friend the photographer works for Siemens building wind turbines. He is excited because the next time there is a problem in the field he gets to travel and attend to the issue. His counterpart has just returned from a trip to Texas, where he brought back some photos. In half
Breathe Mother Nature, Breathe: Read More 👉
Back in May I wrote an article for Green Options called “The Perfect Hydrogen Vacation,” and it was centered around a young Galesburg, IL college student by the name of James Hunt. His claim to fame is development of a hydrogen fuel generation system that would power internal combustion engines with hydrogen. To say the
SAFE, Inexpensive Hydrogen Fuel For Your Car? Read More 👉
Is there any upside to climate change? There might be, if the international community turns it into an opportunity for peace-building, according to a new report from International Alert. The report, “A Climate of Conflict: The Links Between Climate Change, Peace and War,” doesn’t sugar-coat the global security threats posed by global warming. In fact,
Climate Change as Opportunity? Read More 👉
“How can we stop this,” asked German visitor Herman Kirst, aged 70, as he watched the Chilean San Rafael glacier recently. He was watching it deposit chunks of glacial ice in to the water around it. Already the glacier has shrunk 100 meters this year. In reality, San Rafael has shrunk a total of 12
The Chilean San Rafael Glacier: Proof Enough? Read More 👉
If you’ve ever been to Yellowstone National Park, you’ve undoubtedly waited for one of the most photographed and viewed natural phenomena to take place, Old Faithful erupting on it’s not-too-regular schedule. But if scientists are to be believed, Old Faithfuls act would be a spit in the ocean compared to the eruption of Yellowstone’s caldera.
Is Yellowstone Ready to Blow? Read More 👉
There is something within many environmentalists that gets them irked off very easily. I know for a fact that I wouldn’t be able to get away with telling you that I’m not easily angered. Most of those who know me would be up in arms, consternation and hysterics. All of that being said, when we
Continual Unfounded, Random and Childish Attacks Keep Coming Read More 👉
By: Anthony J. Gerst The last democratic presidential debate was coming in very sketchy on my computer. So I figured I would catch highlights on the news in the morning. Silly me, Halloween is scarier than Presidential politics, not. I doubt any of the candidates outlined a policy addressing Climate Change last night. I am
It sounds a little like the title of a book you might find in the thriller section of your local bookstore, but I assure you that I’m not in a literary mood. In fact, my title describes two phenomenons that are currently dangerously affecting the Gulf of Mexico, among other oceanic locations across the planet.
The Red Tide and the Dead Zone Read More 👉
You know those horror movies where one of the characters just doesn’t get it? All the bizarre little “accidents,” strange noises, bad dreams and other signs of foreboding that the character is oblivious to while en route to meet his doom. It seems cruel to say, “I told you so,” but come on … how
How Many Warnings Do We Need? Read More 👉
Imagine a wind tower with stained glass illuminated by solar energy. It’s happening at Regent College, a graduate school of Christian studies affiliated with the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. The stained glass was designed by Sarah Hall, and is titled “Lux Nova”. The column contains an array of solar cells that collect energy
Art Goes Solar on Canadian Wind Tower Read More 👉
It was only the other day where I commented on some of the plans involving dumping various chemicals into the waters. The plans, to increase the ability to combat algae blooms and eat carbon were risky, untested and highly controversial. Today, however, much to my relief and surprise, I found a story that may
Science and Mother Nature on the Same Team Read More 👉
Those are the conclusions of one Dr. Dave Mason, owner of a tech site, Dave Mason.com, and host of his own syndicated tech-oriented radio program. It would appear the good “doctor’s” environmental stethoscope has been misplaced into some dark region, and his environmental view small enough to fit through the eye of a needle. Now
Gore is a Liar and NBC has Capitulated to the Tree-Hugging Left Read More 👉
Daylight savings is one of the bane’s of my existence. Granted, I’m not the sunniest person around to begin with, so my ability to acquire further “banes” is possibly a negating factor in describing my dislike of DST. But I want to stress this; daylight savings is simply not worth it. Luckily for me, I’m
How the Circadian Rhythm Affects the Environment Read More 👉
Over my tenure as part of the Green Options network, I’ve brought you – more often than not – the gloomy side of global warming. Of course, I would say that there is no good side, but I’m trying to be a bit lenient here. As Green Options undergoes some changes, I’ll be writing primarily
Up, down or in? Where does our carbon go? Read More 👉
It’s sunny and hot in Cloncurry, Australia, so much so that the Queensland government is planning construction of a $7 million solar thermal power station to provide the community of under 5000 with 24 hour a day electricity. Anna Bligh, the Premier of Queensland, announced the town will be powered by a 10-megawatt plant using
Solar Power to Electrify Remote Australian Town Read More 👉
Happy Halloween Planetsavers! If you’re like me, without fail, you are just now thinking of a Halloween costume for tonight’s festivities. As a woman, you really have only a few options, whore, whore or whore. What’s it going to be, sexy alien version of Alice in Wonderland (Paris Hilton’s Costume choice), sexy bat girl or
Sexy Alien Alice in Wonderland’s Green Halloween Read More 👉
By Anthony J. Gerst The war-torn and ravaged nation of the Democratic Republic of Congo is a rather confusing issue. A rapid-fired crash course on the subject brings up some interesting facts, however. This nation has basically been at war since 1998, and the result has been an estimated 3.5 million deaths. There are more
Hunger is a Perspective Read More 👉
By Max Lindberg She moves from one challenge to another, always keeping in mind her passion for righting what she sees as environmental wrongs. 78-year-old Betty Krawczyk was released from the Alouette correctional center in Vancouver, BC, Canada on September 26th, to a welcoming party of supporters and the press, and proceeded to hit the
Betty Krawczyk: Great-Grandmother, Activist, Ex-Con and Now a Mayoral Candidate Read More 👉
By: Gavin Hudson Most of us never question our decision to buy and drive cars because we identify cars with our culture. “Driving is what people do.” That’s been the unspoken motto of the last handful of generations and it’s the lesson we’re teaching our children. Handing over the keys to the car is our
Tailpipes and Tribalism Read More 👉
By: Anthony J. Gerst From Patagonia to the not-so-frozen Russian Tundra, unto the Brazilian tropical savannahs, the planet, “she be a changing, mate.” I consider it an honor to be writing for Planetsave. It is the freedom of pure expression that is the net-gem to be found here. Normally, when writing for this page, I
Action Round Up and Accolades Read More 👉
Renewable energies are up against the wall right now, with skeptics and financial binds restricting what many believe to be humanities only hope for continuing clean and friendly power generation. “It’s too expensive” is often the cry of the politician, who seems to think that just because he’ll be dead, he doesn’t really mind if
Wave of the Future Read More 👉
Hey Diggers! Here’s reason #42 why this site is better than yours. And, my weekly non-green bit of bizarrary brings us to Germany and the scene of one of the creepiest ways to die around… A MAN who lived in his own “zoo” of lizards and insects was fatally bitten by a pet black widow
Worst way to die. Ever. Read More 👉
Pure pwnage… It wasn’t a fair fight at all, but for funsies, a vintage-car hill-climb allowed Forbes Magazine to enter a late model HUMMER H2. You know, just to see how the 316-hp, 4WD SUV would do against, say, a 100-hp 1921 Model T driven by a 70-year-old man. Like we said, it wasn’t fair
Hummer H2 Gets Owned in Hill Climb Race by Ford Model T Driven by a 70 Year old man Read More 👉
Hello world! I’m Shea and this is my new blog. Here’s the story of how that came to be… In the old days of the internet- before AdSense and blogging and even Wikipedia-, a young man named Jan Van Voorst started a website so he wouldn’t have to get a real job. He was a