CAFE oh, yay?

Posted on September 16, 2009 by JPierce

Yesterday afternoon the Obama administration released a proposal for new CAFE standards of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, up from the current 27.5 MPG. Soon the average automobile may finally get significantly better mileage than the Model T. Still, under these regulations, cars sold on the American market in 2016 will consume use more gas than Chinese cars from 2005! It is worth noting though, that since Ford’s time vehicle safety has improved, and most drivers have ridiculous amounts of horsepower to spare.

The 250 grams per mile of carbon dioxide limit the proposal puts forth is not a restriction at all. This comes to 19.42 pounds per gallon for 35.5 MPG vehicles, the same quantity of emissions as the EPA currently reports for a gallon of gasoline. In other words, at its current value it is redundant, and simply another way of saying 35.5 MPG. However, this needn’t be the case if gasoline formulations were to change.

Lastly, here’s some coverage of events leading up to the announcement, and some interesting graphs of DOT and EIA fleet fuel economy; this is real-world MPG, and is therefore affected by driving practices, weather, etc.

Biosphere 1: The Great Experiment

Posted on September 15, 2009 by JPierce

Laymen can have a tough time following complex stories such as climate change, particularly when the media and opponents characterize new findings or revisions as examples of uncertainty, rather than of science as evidence-based consensus building. This false discord is often then used to lend weight to “alternative” views. The American public is not unique in this regard, and recently Australian climate scientists have had to cope with similar issues as parliament began debating their own climate legislation.

Contributing to this problem, is a general lack of awareness of what the current state of climate research is. Models and geoclimatic records—like tree or ice cores—seem to receive the most coverage, as well as speculation based on freak weather events, even though weather is not climate. This is somewhat understandable if one still truly believes there is a debate about the existence of rising CO₂ and a related warming trend, yet there is not. Consequently, the wide variety of direct experimentation on the effects of these phenomena receives little attention.

After unforeseen difficulties in regulating its atmosphere caused the initial experiment at Biosphere 2 to be closed down, administration of the facility was passed on to Columbia University and now the University of Arizona. Both universities have used the space to conduct unique experiments (video link) into the effects of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide on a variety of ecosystems, and the news is not good.

Yet whether or not “US crop yields will wilt in heat,” it is indisputable that burning fossil fuels produces CO₂. Meanwhile, scientists continue to gather evidence that “carbon fertilization,” or increased plant growth due to greater availability of carbon dioxide, many not be the boon we might hope for. Just last month, a paper was released indicating that the nutritional quality of wheat decreases when grown under high CO₂ conditions. The more we learn, the more it becomes clear that we’re running great risks by treating the atmosphere as a limitless garbage dump.

On a related note, Presidential science advisor John Holdren recently gave a nice interview at New Scientist, wherein he answers many questions about ACES and global warming.

Earth’s “New” Ocean

Posted on September 15, 2009 by Tara Holmes

A new ocean is emerging on planet Earth. This ocean was once composed mainly of solid ice, sometimes hundreds of meters thick. During this past summer however, the first known commercial shipment from Asia to Europe took place — via the Arctic (NYTimes). The German cargo vessles Beluga Foresight and Beluga Fraternity are two examples of such a new-found commercial shipping trend. The cargo carriers originally left from South Korea and are departing on their last leg from Siberia. Such a passage has been the dream of many a mariner, sea-voyager and commerical tradesman, yet the gripping reality of vast open Arctic waters is not the dream of those concerned about climate change. For about a month each summer, Arctic ice recedes to a degree that now allows cargo ships to pass through with ease, unlike in years before where large ice-breaking machinery had to be used. Scientists are concerned that this trend will lead to an economic thirst for greater speed in commerce thus fueling the world’s appetite for rapid growth and development. While growth and development aren’t necessarily evil entities unto themselves, the quantity of demand as developing nations develop and as global population soars is what puts the planet, and the long-term health of the species living on it, in serious jeopardy.

Rebounding Oil Demand and Push for Tar Sands

Posted on September 15, 2009 by LGlick

Alberta Tar Sands

It is conventional knowledge that oil is a non renewable resource made over 100 million years ago through the decomposition of small animal and plant life. These deposits are not spread evenly over the globe and in a number of key locations supplies have peaked and are on a permanent fatal decline. Take our second largest exporter Mexico, the Cantrell field peaked in 2004 and is showing a 17 percent decline. The United states also peaked in 1972 and now produces just 35% of what it did during peak production and this trend can be seen in 40 other countries globally. While there have been a number of large oil field finds over the last couple of weeks in Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico, these fields are not the cheap easy to access oil fields but located deep in the ocean and under incredible pressure.

The future of oil is scarcity, and the high price of oil today even during the most severe economic recession since the great depression has kept prices hovering around $70 dollars a barrel. Major oil companies have now found it profitable to extract poor quality and high carbon oil in the form of tar sands. One of the largest fields under development is in Alberta, Canada which expects to unearth an area the size of Florida. The dirty little secret behind tar sands is that it is a highly toxic process that abuses water supplies, destroys forests, contaminates the water tables of local communities, and is more carbon intensive than conventional oil.

In the latest report by the Cambridge Energy Resource Association (CERA), it is expected that by 2010 oil demand will rise again with the recovering economy. While there has been quite a bit of contraversy about when Peak Oil should hit the global economy, it has become apparent that since 1960 we consume about 3 barrels of oil for every 1 we find. Many of the optimistic views on oil supply from industry is based on potential arctic supplies, now close to becoming a reality with the arctic passage open for the first time. It is critical that we find ways to drastically ramp down our consumption of oil and explore alternatives to this high energy commodity, not only because of climate change, air pollution, and environmental degredation, but to protect our economies from future potential price spikes due to the inevitable scarcity of oil and other non renewable resources.

Building a House on your property? That’s so 20th Century!

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Anthony Butler

St_paul_home If any of our readers have the opportunity to build on a vacant lot, we recommend they visit this page at the Jetson Green website.

This week, they are featuring a story on David Schmit, a Minneapolis photographer who decided he wanted a home in the suburbs with the design features of his downtown rental loft. After some investigation Schmit found a company called Hive Modular that supplies prefab homes. Actually prefab home parts which are then shipped, assembled and fitted out on site.

If you’re thinking trailer home, make sure you scroll down to view some of the interior shots of Schmit’s home after it was finished and furnished.

If you want to read the whole story behind the approval, construction and siting of the house, visit the Midwest Home website.

Anyone still reading this article probably wants to know the green angle. Even though the owner originally chose Hive Modular becasue they could provide a loft-like space on his suburban lot, the construction of these homes off-site means many efficiencies in material usage are realized. Low cost per square foot construction leaves money on the table for incorporating other sustainable living features. Schmit chose locally harvested woods and pre-installed insulation to keep heating costs as low as possible during the long Minnesota winters.

It’s easy to see how other energy efficiency technology could also be incorporated into this home-from solar panels on the flat roof to Energy Star double glazed windows that will help maintain the house envelope temperature all year long.

Dollars 4 Dishwashers

Posted on September 9, 2009 by JPierce

There were a number of issues with the “Cash for Clunkers” program, including excessive paperwork and bureaucracy, poor planning, etc. Even though the program was touted as having environmental benefits, and not merely another handout to big business, there were questions as to the significance of these impacts before the program ended. Soon there will be another rebate program, which has thus far received little attention, and has apparently been dubbed by some “Dollars for Dishwashers” to disparage it. The outcome of this enery star appliance rebate “program” will be more interesting to watch since each state is responsible for developing a plan to disperse its awarded funds. Massachusetts was awarded $6 million by the DoE, and rebates should become available in 4 to 6 weeks. Keep your eyes open, and get ready to build a super-efficient fridge… I know I’ll be bugging my landlord soon enough.

Clever Climate Comics

Posted on September 8, 2009 by JPierce

This comic strip yesterday:

reminded me of a wonderful, but unfortunately defunct strip, Rustle the Leaf; though I don’t know why it wasn’t “Russell the Leaf.” I really used to look forward to this every week, and was quite disappointed when it stopped updating. Included below are some of my favorite strips as a brief introduction to this little known gem, and I hope you enjoy Russell and Rooty as much as I do:

rustle041226

rustle060730

If you work with kids, or just want to enjoy some extra strips, check out their lesson plans too; especially February 2006 – Toxic Transmissions. There’s also a simple but cute animated explanation of global warming.

Greening Living According to No Imapct Man

Posted on September 8, 2009 by LGlick

No Impact Man Spending three days in a meditation retreat center in western Massachusetts for labor day weekend reminded me how complex and busy my life has become in the hustle and bustle of Boston. It is easy being green out in the woods, where you are not tempted by the daily conveniences of fancy coffees, take out foods, and the countless other goodies to consume at ones whim. On a number of occasions I have lived in the countryside practicing permaculture and other eco-techniques like raising chickens, vermiculture, and biking as my sole mode of transportation. While these options are available here in Boston, finding the time to fully practice being green is an incredible challenge.

Collin Beavan, also known as No Impact Man, decided to try living impact free for one year in Manhattan with his family and their story is being released on September 11th to raise awareness on how to live more sustainable lives. The documentary trailer highlights some of the difficulties and rewards of living more sustainably and challenges individuals to look at what they eat, consume, drive, and all the other modern conveniences that have a collective impact on the planet. For instance, Colin Beavan’s wife Michelle struggled with giving up her Starbuck coffee’s but ended up reversing her diabetes through adopting a healthy diet and walking 24 flights of stairs instead of taking the elevator. The family initially mourned the loss of their television and other conveniences but ended up finding more quality time for each other. Check out No Imapct Man’s tips on how to live green and the savings they made over the course of their project.

350: The new Climate Target?

Posted on September 2, 2009 by LGlick

Photo by John Quigley

NASA Climate Scientist James Hanson and national climate activist Bill McKibben are pushing to move the climate debate from keeping global emissions from surpassing the original danger zone of 450 parts per million as recommended by the IPCC, to instead recognize 350 parts per million as the new limit that should not be passed. Their recommendations come from recent findings by James Hanson, that indicates that climate change is happening faster than expected and feedback loops have a greater impact on climate than originally hypothesized. At 450 parts per million, we potentially run the risk of returning the planet to conditions when it was largely ice-free, when sea levels were higher by more than 200 feet.

The 350 movement is gaining steam with a top UN Scientist signing on in support. Currently, CO2 emissions are now at 387 parts per million and it is expected by 2100 emissions could reach between 400 and 1,000 parts per million. To get back to 350 parts per million, industry, governments, and individuals will have to go way beyond the proposed reductions which are already meeting incredible resistance here in the US and overseas.

To learn more about the movement visit 350.org and on October 24th individuals and groups across the globe are taking action to build public awareness on the importance of 350 ppm and leveraging meaningful political change. The city of Cambridge has also recently passed a resolution recognizing the climate change emergency. Cambridge residents can weigh in on climate change at the Climate Emergency Forum on September 17 at the Cambridge Community Center at 7 PM and a city council hearing scheduled for September 24th.

IBM survey suggests awareness is not enough

Posted on September 1, 2009 by JPierce

Japanese tea pot A recent study conducted by IBM in Great Britain uncovered some non-intuitive trends. Although millenials seem to be the most aware of environmental issues in general, they still remain grossly ill-informed about the specifics, and waste more resources than their elders. It seems, having rarely experienced shortages themselves, British youth consume utilities with little consideration while professing eco-consciousness. For instance, approximately half of millenials surveyed waste a dozen or more gallons of water per day by running the shower before use, and not turning off the tap while brushing teeth. More astoundingly, 55% of youth—and 43% of Britons overall—were unable to indicate that a dryer uses more energy than a typical light-bulb!

Frugality is founded on the principle that all riches have limits. – Edmund burke

Unfortunately, conscientious use of resources does seem to correlate more with personal experience of scarcity rather than expressed concern for the environment. So, next time you’re rinsing out your coffee pot, consider using the fluid to brew your next batch, or make flavored ice cubes for an iced coffee. Cooking pasta? Water the garden after draining.

Warm Home Cool Planet

Sustainability begins at home