Let’s face it - as a nation, we’re not exactly the healthiest. I read a startling statistic in this article: “the average American consumes an estimated 3,747 calories a day, - at least 1,200 more than health experts advise.” That is crazy!

So anyway, with us eating less, this means that our waistlines get smaller, and greenhouse gas emissions get lower (since everything we consume impacts our environment). I guess it’s true when they say that there’s a silver lining in every cloud?

Ironically, NF3 started becoming popular as a replacement for perfluorocarbons, which were phased out because of… global warming!And while the article goes on to explain that the worldwide production of NF3 by 2010 will only be roughly equivalent to 5 or so coal plants, (so it’s not that bad?) what this NF3 problem indicates to me is that the best way to reduce the impact we have on the planet is to not buy so much shit.

Personally, I believe in buying better stuff, and using it longer. What about you?

To our readers: Sorry about the delayed post, but we were having problems with our servers last night.

San Jose is hosting the Plug-In 2008 conference this year which runs through July 24. It is the largest and first dedicated plug-in hybrid conference. This year, representatives from government, auto, and utility are discussing what is needed to make plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles a reality. In other words, they are dealing with the when scenario, not the if. One big issue being discussed is the electric grid upgrade that will need to happen in preparation for a surge in demand once plug-in hybrids are mass produced and sold.

Also in attendance are scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and exhibitors. New technology and research will be shared along with the latest innovations in plug-in technology and power grid infrastructure improvements. What makes this conference particularly exciting is that the conversation has changed from speculation and theory to planning for the inevitable introduction of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.

I’m encouraged conferences and conversations like this are occurring. You can be sure more will come in the near future. Currently, the general consensus is that Toyota and GM will offer plug-in hybrids some time in 2010. You can be sure other automakers will be right behind them!

I’m posting the article below…

1. Earlier Migration: Several bird species are making their annual northward jaunt slightly ahead of schedule in recent springs, as the East Coast of the United States heats up, according to a study detailed in the June issue of the journal Global Change Biology. The report confirms similar studies dating back to 2006. Early birds may not sound like a huge deal, but scientists warn that long-distance migrators who start out in South America, and therefore lack cues about the timing of spring in Northern Hemisphere destinations, will be less able to keep pace with the changing climate. “Trees and shrubs are further along in their development, and different groups of insects are out,” said lead author Abraham Miller-Rushing of Boston University. “Spring is coming earlier for most other plants and animals, but not for the long-distance migratory birds. Thus, these long-distance migrant birds may need to learn to eat different sources of food or face other challenges because of the changes in timing.”

2: Jellyfish Rule: An outbreak of jellyfish in oceans across the planet has resulted from the stinging creatures hitching rides on ships that circumnavigate the globe. In fact, studies suggest that almost a quarter of all marine species in international harbors are alien transplants, thanks to human-assisted dispersal.

3: Food Web Contaminated. Scientists said last month that they found toxic pollutants in nine deep-sea species of cephalopods, a class of mollusks that includes octopuses, squid, cuttlefish and nautiluses. Among the contaminants were at least two banned in the United States in the 1970s: dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Scientists say it’s further evidence that contaminants make their way deep into the marine food web.

4. Heading for the Hills: Thirty species of reptiles and amphibians have fled uphill to cooler climes as global warming has caused the mercury to rise. We could see a rash of extinctions occurring between 2050 and 2100, scientists say, because higher ground will eventually run out.

5. Penguins in Peril: A rapid population decline among penguins because, in addition to a warming planet, they face the triple whammy of oil pollution, depletion of fisheries and aggressive coastline development. “Penguins are among those species that show us that we are making fundamental changes to our world,” said Dee Boersma, a University of Washington biology professor who has studied the flightless birds for more than 25 years. “The fate of all species is to go extinct, but there are some species that go extinct before their time and we are facing that possibility with some penguins.

6. Sea-Life Shift: Scientists see a notable shift in the composition of coastal marine animal communities, caused in part by changing ocean temperatures, from vertebrates (fish) to invertebrates (lobsters, squid, and crabs), as well as from bottom-feeders to species that feed higher in the water column. Meanwhile, warm-water species have superseded larger, cool-water species in population size.

7. Migrating Parasite: The parasite Angiostronglyus vasorum, commonly known as “French heartworm,” is migrating northward because of rising temperatures. Normally found in southwestern England, the parasite has been detected in dogs admitted to animal hospitals in Scotland. Climbing temperatures in the country have also resulted in a sudden proliferation of slugs and snails.

8. Food Shortages: Plant-loving animals in extremely seasonal environments such as the Arctic struggle to feed themselves because global warming causes their food supply to peak in availability before they can reach breeding grounds. “Think of it like this,” said Eric Post, a biologist at Penn State. “You’ve been out on the town with friends, and on the way home you want to stop off for a bite to eat, but the restaurant you’ve always gone to has closed early. So you try for one around the corner that’s always open a little longer. But when you get to that one, it too is closed. For herbivores, the fact that there are several ‘restaurants’ — their food patches — dispersed across the landscape isn’t useful if they all begin closing at the same time in addition to closing earlier in the season.”

What do you guys think?  Are we totally screwed?  Is it too late?  …How many more days til George W is out of the White House?

CONGRESS, ACT NOW!!

Two months ago, I wrote how high gas prices may actually be good in that we are beginning to change our often wasteful habits. As a nation, gas consumption is noticeably decreasing. We’re carpooling more, we consolidate errands, we avoid unnecessary trips, and we’re buying smaller cars. I can’t remember the last time larger, more powerful vehicles were out of vogue!

I just read a Time magazine article that discusses things we can like about $4 gas. It’s a great article which not only discusses the sacrifices we have to make, but also looks at the silver lining in terms of the positive adjustments we’ve made to accommodate high gas prices.

So, what can we possible like about $4 gas you ask? According to Amanda:

1. As shipping costs increase, more jobs are coming back to the U.S.
2. With increasing transportation costs, urban sprawl has dramatically decreased
3. JB wrote about this – 4 day workweeks are reality in some companies and governments
4. Decreased pollution
5. We are more frugal – we check tire pressure more often and are buying smaller cars
6. People are driving slower to save gas, which has resulted in fewer traffic deaths
7. Insurance rates for some are decreasing as they drive less and qualify for lower mileage rates
8. There is less traffic as people drive less, carpool more, and increase their use of public transportation
9. With skyrocketing gas bills, police are walking and bicycling more, which means more police spending time in communities
10. As people eat out less, obesity decreases

You may not agree with all these points, but Amanda does offer a fairly compelling perspective. We all hate to see people making sacrifices, especially when putting gas in the tank means being unable to put food on the table. However, as Amanda writes, “The suffering will go on. But the story, like any good tragedy, is not without redemption. “

“Casual car pools” or “ad hoc car pools” are informal car pools that form when drivers and passengers meet — without specific prior arrangement — at designated locations.   

It’s totally fascinating because it’s organic, and the site even lists a set of etiquette (don’t talk to the driver), and a list of drivers to avoid.From what I can tell, casual car pools have only sprung up in the S.F. Bay Area, and it’s really hard to get one going because it requires critical mass, but it’s a really interesting concept, and speaks to the fact that even though we are in a car society, there are many creative ways we can use to break the tyranny of $5 gas.Want to learn about some in your area? Do a Google search for ‘alternatives to driving’, and there are a ton of great resources. And let us know if you have any other interesting ideas. 

The culprit?  It’s unclear but many speculate it’s either due to:  1.   overfishing, which causes penguins to fish closer to shore and get caught in swift current; or 2.  pollution, the Campos oil field (off the shores of Brazil) and other pollutants are weakening penguins’ immune systems.

It’s pretty sad to see so many plant and animal species being so detrimentally impacted by our environment.  Honeybees, polar bears, penguins and more… what next?

the United States to wean the nation from its entire electricity grid to carbon-free energy within 10 years, warning that drastic steps were needed to avoid a global economic and ecological cataclysm       

Gore said, “I see my role as enlarging the political space in which Senator Obama or Senator McCain can confront this issue as president next year.” As I see it, I see this as an admission that climate change is at heart a political problem, because it’s the only way we solve these problems at scale. And our leaders are conflicted. And weak. And because of that nothing is happening, all the while Rome is burning. So my question to everyone is this: What have you really done about global warming? Did you write or visit your congressperson? Have you organized others to do so? Did you join a environmental lobby like the NRDC Action Fund? Because if you haven’t and you’re just driving a Prius and using a few less shopping bags, you’re probably not doing enough. Let’s get going, everyone! 

One area bucking this trend is green technology. A United Nations report indicates over $148 billion was invested into alternative energy last year, up a whopping 60 percent from the $92.6 billion spent in 2006. The report describes this as a “green energy gold rush”. Wind energy led with $50 billion in investments, but solar was the largest gainer with a 90 percent rise, totaling $28 billion in investments. Even high profile venture capital firms such as Kleiner Perkins have established funds and partner areas earmarked for green investments.

What’s great is that this appears to be a global trend led by Europe, which as we all know is far more advanced from clean tech and alternative energy perspectives than the rest of the world. There appears to be strong and growing interest in emerging countries such as Brazil, China, and India as well, as these countries recognize their growth and development will soon be hindered by their consumption and dependence on foreign energy. In case you’re wondering, not only do we pollute the most in the U.S. (on both an absolute and per capita basis), but we are one of the worst, least advanced clean tech, developed countries in the world.

According to this article:

He then punched the air while grinning widely, as the rest of those present including Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy looked on in shock. One official who witnessed the extraordinary scene said afterwards: “Everyone was very surprised that he was making a joke about America’s record on pollution.”

What a disaster. I’m amazed that George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush have not died in shame and remorse yet.