Adding to the increasing numbers of celebrities adding their voice to the anti-fracking and anti-extreme extraction movement overall, Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon today joined protesters at a rally at the offices of NY Governor Andrew Cuomo in Albany. The rally was organized by a coalition of anti-fracking activists, including “Artists Against Fracking” and […]
Generally speaking, we compare products when shopping. We look for the cheapest, greenest, most socially responsible options we can find. It’s quite common for us to do this when it comes to food, clothing, electronics, and even cars. However, there’s one huge expense we pay for regularly without even thinking (or hardly thinking), and
A Huge Purchase You Make Without Thinking Read More 👉
Seriously. This is the best environment infographic ever. Politicians and oil companies might waste time debating whether or not we’ve reached peak oil. What they ignore is that we run out completely in under 40 years’ time, by which time a third of the planet’s biodiversity will be lost. In the meantime, tantalum, that great
Best Environment Infographic Ever Read More 👉
To my friends, family, acquaintances, and readers who think that there isn’t enough of a difference between Democrats and Republicans to bother voting (i.e. for the Democrats), let me be absolutely 100% clear — actually, there are HUGE, HUGE differences between these two parties these days, and in nearly every situation I’m aware of, Democrats
Yes, There's A HUGE Difference Between Democrats & Republicans (Get Out & Vote!) Read More 👉
If you’re voting in the Massachusetts election today or tomorrow, you should be voting for Elizabeth Warren without any hesitation — she’s one of the best politicians I’m aware of. Here’s a quick rundown of how her and her opponent, Scott Brown, differ: Not many politicians are so dedicated to the people as Elizabeth
Elizabeth Warren For Senate (Massachusetts) Read More 👉
A new survey conducted by UK pollsters YouGov has shown that support for renewable energy remains consistently strong in Britain whilst support for fossil fuels continues to decline. However, the same survey shows that there is division over whether large scale fracking in the north of England should go ahead, and most people continue to
Brits Love Renewable Energy, Hate Fossil Fuels, Divided on Fracking Read More 👉
Tomorrow, the US House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 3409, the “Coal Miner Employment and Domestic Energy Infrastructure Protection Act.” The bill has been called the “single worst environmental law” proposed by the most virulently anti-environmental US legislators in history. The bill is aggressively anti-science and anti-public health. Its priority is made clear:
In a little-noticed Aug 2012 report, Bloomberg News reported that gas and oil energy companies failed to comply with their own voluntary plan to disclose chemicals in their operations — and, further, failed to report on the very existence of half of their wells. The report analyzed the efficacy of “FracFocus.org” — a voluntary
The President of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Francis Beinecke, recently visited areas in western Pennsylvania where ‘fracking’ operations are occurring, and spoke with local residents about the impacts of these projects in their communities. My cousin — a medical professional without any affiliation with environmental organizations like Ms. Beinecke’s — also spent
Fracking and the Natural Gas "Boom" — No National Standards, Secrecy, and Carcinogens Read More 👉
Former Imperial Fleet Supreme Commander Darth Vader, in his first public appearance in years, today announced his support for Mitt Romney for President. Vader’s endorsement, the subject of much backroom gossip in recent weeks, was secured after the selection of Paul Ryan as the Vice Presidential candidate, according to a Dark Star spokesman. “The
New Worldwatch Institute report discusses the rise in subsidies for renewable and fossil fuel-based energy production Washington, D.C.—-Total subsidies for renewable energy stood at $66 billion in 2010, but are still dwarfed by the total value of global fossil fuel subsidies estimated at between $775 billion and more than $1 trillion in 2012, according
Fossil Fuel and Renewable Energy Subsidies on the Rise Read More 👉
by Jared Conner People, As humans, we have long considered the Earth as invincible, unchangeable, and unable to be exploited. The thing is, we are wrong. Because of our flawed beliefs over the last two centuries, we have begun to wound, change, and exploit the Earth. And if we do not unite, forget our differences, and work together to stop and
The Fate of Mankind Read More 👉
Scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have recently measured levels of CO2 in the atmosphere at 400 parts per million. This is the first time in 800,000 years this has happened on planet Earth.
By Will Bates This is huge. Two weeks ago we joined a diverse coalition to launch an all-out offensive to end fossil fuel subsidies, and we weren’t quite sure how it would turn out. Well, we’ve currently got 958,422 signatures on our combined global petition — almost a million people strong! Will you help
Recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA ) findings have raised awareness of potentially harmful levels of water contamination that may be the result of hydraulic fracturing. Lawsuits from individuals who believe their water has been contaminated by hydraulic fracturing are coming in all across the country and support for stricter regulations is growing. Just
EPA Findings Point to Water Contamination from Hydraulic Fracturing Read More 👉
A new lawsuit is challenging petroleum exploration in Alaska’s Cook Inlet, claiming that the seismic testing will do harm to the endangered beluga whales that live there. The Native Village of Chickaloon, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Center for Biological Diversity, and Center for Water Advocacy are the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. They are
Endangered Beluga Whales Threatened by Oil Exploration in Alaska's Cook Inlet Read More 👉
In the never ending battle between regulators and the fracking industry’s biggest players, yesterday proved to be another victory for industry profits over public safety interests, as the Obama admin backed off on its proposed new fracking chemical reporting rules for drilling operations on public lands. Under present law, oil companies engaged in hydraulic fracturing
Holy Terror Farm is a paradise of sorts on the banks of Terror Creek in the Western Colorado Rockies. Bushels of fresh fruits and vegetables of every sort, species, and color sprout from this soil every season (yes, even winter!). And all the water that irrigates the orchard, garden, and pastures here is siphoned directly
To honor this year’s Earth Day, SnagFilms has brought to you a collection of excellent films that speak towards our need to protect our planet. Check them out right here or at SnagFilms.com, share them with others, and spread their important message on Earth Day 2012! (Films embedded below the list.) 1. I Love
SnagFilms Offers Earth Day Collection Read More 👉
In a heartfelt attempt to prove to the American public just how happily ignorant he is about the public health implications of energy policy, the 2012 Presidential challenger Mitt Romney said at an April 5 campaign stop in Pennsylvania: “I’m actually for everything that comes from above, and everything that comes from below.” Can
Romney — "I'm for Everything." Are You for Benzene? Read More 👉
The Colbert Report Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive Mark Ruffalo in as Academy-Award-nominated actor. He is also a director, producer, writer, environmentalist, and (as Colbert puts) it “looks like everybody’s old boyfriend.” Um… must have been one of the self-educating, deep-thinking, philosophically-delving, right-action-seeking, and humanitarian old boyfriends. He is
Colbert Banters with Mark Ruffalo on Fracking Read More 👉
Shell is planning huge new fracking projects in South Africa now. There is historical irony here. It was the Dutch who, three centuries ago, were the first large-scale commercial European settlers in South Africa. Around 1600, the Dutch East India Company began the European settlements
The Dutch Invade South Africa Again — Beware the Fracking Hype Read More 👉
Yep, times have changed. Aggressive renewable energy (especially solar) policies have made rooftop solar power more competitive than fossil fuels or nuclear energy in Germany. And that has the fossil fuel and nuclear industry pulling all the strings they can to try to kill this democratized electricity revolution in Deutschland. [repostus hash=515137636ca1caa273dbc6674e6767bf title=German%20Solar%3A%20Mission%20Too%20Well%20Accomplished%2C%20from%20Perspective%20of%20Fossil%2FNuclear%20Lobby%20(Reader%20Comment) host=Clean%20Technica
Cheap Solar Energy Threatening Fossil Fuel & Nuclear Lobby in Germany Read More 👉
A couple days ago, over on sister site CleanTechnica, I reposted a Grist piece on a new study by former Microsoft executive Nathan Myhrvold and climate scientist Ken Caldeira. The post and new study were about what energy transition is needed to address global warming this century. The basic conclusions of it all (also
Clean Energy Needed (NOW) to Stop Global Warming (.. Natural Gas Not a Good Option) Read More 👉
Some top green news from around from the past day or so: Global Warming Heartland associate taught ‘biased’ climate course at Ottawa university An associate of the Heartland Institute, the thinktank devoted to discrediting climate change, taught a course at a top Canadian university that contained more than 140 false, biased and misleading claims about
Green News of the Day (VIDEO) Read More 👉
In case you missed these amongt the 70+ posts of the past 2 weeks, here are the top 14: Greenpeace and the True Story Behind the Film Big Miracle In First, NASA Probe Detects ‘Alien Matter’ Entering Our Solar System (VIDEO) Roseanne Barr Running for Green Party Presidential Nominee! LeBron James Biking to Work/Game (Photo
Top 14 Posts of Past 14 Days Read More 👉
We all know that the affordability, efficiency, and sustainability of cleaner, greener energy will be a major challenge for this century. Some have called natural gas a better and cleaner energy source; yet, even if we set aside this hot air, the process of extracting the gas (called hydraulic fracturing or fracking) proves problematic for
5 Reasons We Should Be Concerned About Fracking (Film) Read More 👉
Wowza, that’s some surprising news to come home to. Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning director of Gasland, Josh Fox, was arrested today at Congress. Why? Well, he was trying to film a committee meeting about fracking. Hmm,… that’s illegal? Filming our publicly-elected Congresspeople at work is illegal? Yikes. “The House Science Committee had convened to discuss the
Gasland Director Josh Fox Arrested for Filming Congress Read More 👉
http://youtu.be/u7n5FokvQeU “‘People Power’ behind him” is what made it possible for President Obama to veto the Keystone XL pipeline, according to Bills Moyers on Bill Maher’s HBO talkshow. And this backs up what we here on Planetsave have been promoting for a long time now — direct action and people power. Bill Moyers is one
Bill Moyers on People Power and the Keystone XL Read More 👉
by Bill McKibben Hey everyone, Yesterday was one of the truly fun days in this whole wild year of organizing. We had hundreds of referees outside the Capitol, and we blew our whistles like crazy, and we threw penalty flags, and we had a hell of a good time. My favorite scene, actually, was watching hundreds
In just the last couple of years, environmental agencies, foundations, bloggers, and filmmakers have thrust the natural gas extraction method of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, into the public’s consciousness. Arguing that fracking poses serious environmental concerns such as water contamination, flammable water (scientifically linked now), methane emissions, and even earthquakes (linked by U.S. Army and U.S.
Watch Battle for Wetzel County Online Read More 👉
After a lot of pressure from grassroots citizen activists, including from the Sierra Club, which posted a story here on Planetsave about the matter last week, “the vote to allow ‘fracking’ of the Delaware River Basin has been cancelled,” 350.org reports. Congrats to more citizen activists and the 16 million people who rely on drinking
Grassroots Activism Wins Again! Delaware River Basin Fracking Vote Cancelled Read More 👉
The fight is on to protect one of our nation’s most beautiful and vital rivers, the Delaware. Yesterday the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), a group made up of Governor Cuomo, Governor Corbett, Governor Christie, Governor Markell, and Colonel Christopher Larsen of the US Army Corps of Engineers, released a final set of rules that
Fight to Save the Delaware River Read More 👉
There’s no denying it — reports of massive earthquakes have been rocking the news lately. All this recent seismic activity has caused many to wonder: has the earth always been this shaky? Or is human activity causing some of these earthquakes? While some earthquakes are due to the shifting of tectonic plates above the earth’s
Man-Made Earthquakes? Read More 👉
I’ve drawn the link between natural gas hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) and earthquakes numerous times, long before the Oklahoma earthquakes or Blackpool (Lancashire) earthquakes in England. I started doing so early in 2011 when the Arkansas earthquakes were all the news and I got the hint that it might be related to fracking. The case
Oklahoma Earthquake & Fracking Read More 👉
Natural gas may be better than coal, but the boom in natural gas has come as a result of hydraulic fracturing (or ‘fracking’), which, beyond emitting greenhouse gases, has been linked to earthquakes (something we’ve written about many times here on Planetsave) and water quality problems (including flammable water).
Hydraulic Fracking Infographic Read More 👉
Here are three good activism stories I wanted to cover in more depth this week but never found the time to:
Activism Link Drop (3 Stories) Read More 👉
Reportedly, an Oklahoma natural gas drilling rig exploded near the town of Watonga last night. The drilling rig has around-the-clock workers and about a dozen workers were working at the time of the explosion, but they were reported to have evacuated right before it. The explosion occurred at about 10:30pm local time.
Oklahoma Gas Drilling Rig Explodes (VIDEO) Read More 👉
A few weeks ago we were sorely reminded of the extremism of the majority of the current Republican candidates. Among many other alarming things said, Republicans suggested eliminating or privatizing: FEMA, NASA, the EPA, the Federal Labor Relations Board, Medicaid and food stamps. Herman Cain promised not to appoint any Muslims who want to kill Americans to his cabinet. Michele Bachmann supports states’ rights on gay marriage, but also supports a constitutional amendment outlawing it. Rick Santorum wants to “a system of discipline” to “punish” gay soldiers, which suggests that his problem with pornographic Google results is not likely to abate. Tim Pawlenty views Iraq as “one of the shiniest examples of success in the Middle East.”
Current Extremism and it's Toll on the Environment Read More 👉
I received an email from 350.org the other day with a link to a great Bill McKibben article in the Washington Post. Worth a read. Here’s the intro:
Some activism news from around from the past week or so….
Activism News {Weekly Round-Up) Read More 👉
As always, there has been a lot of crazy environmental (or anti-environmental) and climate change political news over the past week. Here’s a weekly link drop of what I thought were the top stories…
Crazy Environmental & Global Warming Politics News {Weekly Round-Up} Read More 👉
As reported in the June 30 on-line edition of Le Monde, the French Parliament has voted to ban hydraulic fracturing — the natural gas extracting technique known popularly as ‘fracking’. The law had passed the National Assembly nine days earlier and then moved on to the Senate, where the measure passed by a small majority of 176 (yes) to 151 (no). This makes France the first nation to ban the controversial extraction technique.
France is Now First Nation to Ban 'Fracking' Read More 👉
One of the big news stories of the day is a bright one for those concerned about nuclear power. In Italy, Silvio Berlusconi’s nuclear power plans got crushed by a public referendum when well over 90% of voters voted “Heck No!” (but yeah, not in those words).
Berlusconi's Nuclear Power Plans Get Defeated by Citizens Read More 👉
Mark Ruffalo is probably the most outspoken Hollywood star opposing hydraulic fracturing (aka fracking) for natural gas. But he has gotten quite a few big name Hollywood stars on his side and fighting it now, including Ethan Hawke, Zoe Saldana, Amy Ryan, Nadia Dajani, and Josh Charles.
Other than the 50+ stories we covered in the past week, here are 15 more green stories I thought were worth a share:
Here’s a great song & video on hydraulic fracturing (aka fracking), a relatively new method of obtaining the “clean fossil fuel” — natural gas. Check it out & enjoy 😀
Video: My Water's On Fire Tonight (The Fracking Song) Read More 👉