The final version of the massive U.S. economic stimulus bill contains $37.5 billion for neglected environmental programs . In the package: a three-year extension for the wind energy tax credits program, and over $6 billion for new wind and solar projects.
Spotting missing insulation in the corner of a home
British chemist, inventor and environmentalist James Lovelock says it’s too late to reduce man-made carbon emissions. Lovelock says humanity’s only salvation is massive conversion of agricultural waste into non-biodegradable charcoal. Even then, the Gaia Hypothesis author thinks human population will be decimated by famine toward the end of the century. (New Scientist)
Record cold temperatures — including a hard freeze which penetrated deep into Florida’s fruit and produce belt — could bump food prices this spring. One ray of sunshine: the Indian River district, crucial to Florida citrus production, seems to have fared well during this week’s cold snap.
Carnival of the Green #163 is online at SustainaBee . It’s a great way to catch up on some of teh better green posts from last week, and perhaps doscover a new site or two.
Your friends may laugh, but you’ll be comfy in the The Lippi Selk’Bag. Crank down your thermostat and laugh all the way to the bank.
In the finals days of his term, outgoing President Bush has slapped small farmers with a crippling new set of livestock regulations. (Change.org’s Sustainable Food blog)
A Lundberg survey released Sunday shows the first rise in U.S. gasoline prices since July. The 12-cent bump may indicate that fuel prices have gone as low as they’re going to fall, so hold off on that Hummer for now.
From CES 2009: The Smart Lite. When it burns out, replace the bulb — but not the pricier ballast. Don’t forget to recycle or safely dispose of the discarded unit.
More next generation diesel goodness at this year’s Detroit Auto Show — this time from Volkswagen. It’s just a concept car, but this mid-engine roadster sure looks like a diesel Boxter.
There’s more than one way to save gas. Never mind the fact that the economy is in reverse: Hyper-efficient transmission maker Fallbrook has raised $25 million to expand its fuel-saving offerings. (Earth2Tech)
Grocery salvage stores can save you big money. Here are some tips to help you decide what is safe to buy.
The next-generation diesels are coming. Audi’s efficient A3 diesel hatchback is bound for North American roads. This isn’t an econobox: The A3 comes with leather seating, Sirius satellite radio, and a 140-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine with six-speed automatic transmission.
Here’s the latest preposterous environmental hand-wringing to make us Greens look like wingnuts: Google searches are generating too much carbon dioxide . Never mind that Google search can make you smarter, tracks down resources without you having to get into a car, and replaces all manner of dead-tree media. (TechCrunch)
Interesting opinion piece at Groovy Green: Rather than just tossing money at U.S. automakers, throw them orders for advanced electric vehicles . While companies such as UPS began modernizing their delivery fleets long ago, the Post Office is woefully behind in replacing its aging gas-fired trucks and vans.
North America’s car of the year is Hyundai’s lux, V-8 powered Genesis sedan. The Truck of the Year is Ford’s massive F-150. One wonders how deeply out of step with reality the jury of 50 auto journalists responsible for the annual honors must be to give the nod to such gas-guzzling dinosaurs.
Garmin is fielding a new add-on to its consumer GPS units that will map the most fuel-efficient routes to a destination. Unlike conventional route planners, Eco Route software chooses the most efficient plan, rather than the shortest or fastest.
