Daily Archives: November 7, 2008

Think a 2°C hike sounds bad? Try 6°C. That’s how much average global temperatures could rise, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) soon-to-be released 2008 World Energy Outlook. Reuters and The New Scientist’s Catherine Brahic write that the report, which will be released November 12, says that even stringent emission-reducing caps, coupled with action from the energy in

Often, really simple ideas work really well. The hot water bottle is a good example. They are back in style in Japan this winter, with promotion on the web and companies like Yutanpo Cuseberry offering attractive, colorful cotton covers with animal themes or vivid polkadot patterns, and ideas for your eco life

Valleywag is atwitter (literally) with news that renaissance man Al Gore an

Willie Nelson certainly knows a thing or to about sustainable food and farm policies –he’s the leader of Farm Aid, and one of the most visible figures in the move towards biodiesel. So what does this onetime Kucinich supporter have to say to our President-Elect? Well, a lot. He released today on the farm-aid Web site an open letter to Obama, calling for policies that support a family farm system of agriculture. Will the nex

For all the talk of green design and eco lifestyles, it’s odd that Australia has so few events for businesses, organisations and institutions to showcase their wares in this area. Melbourne does have its very well attended Sustainable Living Festival, where last year they also managed to hold the World’s Largest Green Drinks party. But Sydney, while having a few smaller community level green days is not quite so blessed in events that promote the bigger picture.

Fortunately it does have, what this year is called

While California voters rejected Propositions 7 and 10—which though on paper would’ve expanded renewable energy mandates and given tax credits for alternative fuel vehicles, were seen by many as being so poorly worded as to be counterproductive—they did approve Proposition 1A: The Safe, Reliable High Speed Passenger Train Bond Act. As you might imagine backers of the bill were highly enthusiastic.

Quentin Kopp, chairman of the California High-Speed Rail Authority:

Seaweed farms on Bali, photo: Hassan Abdel-Rahman.

Italian biodiesel producers are interested in it; the UK’s Crown Estate has expressed support as well. Now Indonesia is looking to capitalize on its abundant supplies of seaweed and turn it into biodiesel. To do so it’s engaging the help of South Korea, Cleantech reports. While S. Korea has the know-how, it doesn’t have enough seaweed, with the reverse being true of Indonesia

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photo: thecoolhunter.net

What better way to raise awareness of global warming on Amsterdam canals than a pair of realistic looking inflatable hands and a sign with a catchy message? One would think this was a bit of preaching to the choir in the Netherlands, but it’s seriously pretty great nonetheless. What you’re looking at was thought up by the clever folks at Ogilvy Action for MTV Switch. Via: thecoolhunter.net

Similar to our Green City Guides, the Healthy Voyager is an online video blog of healthy places to eat in different cities around the US. San Diego, Denver, and Big Bear are just a few of the featured locales.

photo: Wikipedia

Straight away let me say that I wouldn’t get my hopes up that this will solve our carbon capture and storage problems, and even if it went a long way to, there are plenty of other problems with obtaining and burning fossil fuels beyond their carbon emissions. Phew

There’s my preface to what’s a pretty cool discovery.

Scientists have discovered that peridotite, a rock normally found in the Earth’s mantle but which sometimes gets pushed up the surface, could be harnessed to absorb carbon emissions from burning fossil fuelsl. Perid