Red, Green, and Blue

The green jobs sector will grow.

With Obama’s election there will be (already has been) a much stronger focus on the environment–a focus on renewable energies, pollution reduction, green jobs, energy efficiency, fuel efficiency, and more. So, excuse me for not getting excited when Nike and Starbuck’s–two companies infamous for what they could’ve done rather than what they’ve actually done–join with Sun Microsystems, Levi Strauss, and Timberland to form a coalition with a focus on getting Congress to take action on climate change.

Sure, it’s a step in the right direction. Sure, it’s something I should be praising. But how can one not be skeptical when these companies, which have long had the opportunity to promote change (and change themselves), are only doing so when they obviously realize things are moving in this direction anyway.

It’s called “jumping on the bandwagon”.

The coalition calls itself BICEP (Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy). Let’s hope that unlike the over-inflated biceps found on an egomaniacal gym rat, these BICEPs aren’t just for show.

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BICEP

Wind energy advocates won a big victory Thursday in Washington when the state’s Supreme Court ruled that local county commissioners can’t block wind farms.

The case, Residents Opposed to Kittitas Turbines v. State of Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, represents a big win for renewable energy advocates in the ongoing struggle to site wind energy installations; a struggle that has become a pervasive part of local renewable energy politics.

>>More on Wind Energy at RG&B Read the rest of this entry »

A mere four centuries after the Dutch founded a little settlement in a far off land they named Nieuw Amsterdam; New York City could really use their expertize in dealing with sea levels. Even by the end of this century.

According to new research, by 2100, the area in lower Manhattan near the wall that kept the original settlement safe from invasion will need to be protected, with dykes. Or something.

Wall Street was named for that ancient protective wall.
Read the rest of this entry »

Nike, Starbucks, Levi Strauss, Sun Microsystems, And Timberland Demand That Congress Act Now On Climate  Policy

Five leading companies joined Ceres today to announce a business coalition demanding stronger U.S. climate and energy legislation as early as 2009. The team includes Nike, Starbucks, Levi Strauss, Sun Microsystems, Timberland And Ceres and is going by the moniker BICEP - I am thinking Nike had something to do with that one. Read the rest of this entry »

Since it was announced last week that a deal had been reached for the probable removal of four dams on the Klamath River, I’ve been ecstatic. The Klamath dams have been the cause of massive fish kills, are owned by the richest man in America Warren Buffett, do not provide green energy, have shut down west coast fisheries, and have hurt the Native American culture.  Of course, since the Bush administration negotiated the deal, I am wary there may be a hidden agenda for this once mighty river in my neighborhood.

Should the nonbinding deal go through, this would be the largest dam removal project in US history.  The alternative for PacificCorp to re-license the dams was to build fish ladders mandated by federal biologists costing $300 million. Dam removal is the cheapest option and the best decision for the health of endangered salmon on the Klamath River. The California Energy Commission reported PacifiCorp could save $101 million over the next 30 years if the dams were removed and replacement power bought.  As part of the deal, ratepayers will foot $200 million in removal cost, and California will ask voters to approve a $250 million bond.  Studies and analysis will occur until 2012, at which point the dams could be removed in 2020.  Under the deal, PacificCorp would receive immunity from the dams’ environmental liabilities.

Bush wanted the deal to remove the dams, yet his administration has always backed farmers in the dispute over water rights, such as when irrigation was shut off to under the Endangered Species Act in 2001. Even after the Klamath dams’ removal deal was announced on November 13, 2008,  Bush released a statement saying, “Together, we have produced an agreement that will greatly reduce the risk of future shutdowns of the irrigation system.“  Already, the Klamath deal is under attack for supporting farmers over fish. Many suspect the deal will shut down California water quality hearings that may have doomed the dams anyway. Read the rest of this entry »

On Tuesday, more than 600 environmental officials and activists, along with five U.S. governors and regional politicians from local and foreign regional entities gathered in Beverly Hills for a two-day Global Climate Summit, hosted by California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Conferees were greeted with an unannounced video welcome from president-elect Barack Obama, which, according to reports, received a standing ovation from those in the Ballroom at the Beverly Hilton. Read the rest of this entry »

One Million Acts of Green is a new website from the Canada Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), to promote and encourage Canadians to take steps to make the environment greener.

While not a radical approach, One Million Acts of Green is encouraging website viewers (and Canadians in general) to take the small steps, the small actions, that cumulatively add up to something significant. Read the rest of this entry »

The EPA’s Appeals Board ruled last Thursday that coal-fired power plants must limit CO2 emissions.

Good news! Although it’s shocking that it took this long for a ruling that would limit CO2 emissions from new coal-fired power plants…

…Equally shocking is the fact that it took me since Thursday to come up with this very average cartoon to immortalize said ruling.

Gov. tells state agencies they must prepare for the impacts of climate change, especially those caused by rising sea levels.

California’s water supply and coastal resources, including valuable natural habitat areas, are particularly vulnerable to sea level rise over the next century, and according to an executive order issued by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday, the state could suffer devastating consequences if adaptive measures are not taken.

In a first-of-its-kind executive directive, Schwarzenegger, a Republican, has ordered the state to begin taking immediate action to mitigate the impending damage to state resources caused by climate change. Read the rest of this entry »

The Icelandic singer used her spot at a climate change conference in Brussels to give an impassioned speech warning about the risks of allowing the economic crisis to override environmental regulation.

In her home country, Iceland, thermal energy from the volcanic system that makes Iceland one of the youngest countries in the world has also created a thriving industry in aluminium smelting. The three largest smelters in Europe are sited there, and Alcoa and Rio Tinto both have substantial investments in the Icelandic economy. Read the rest of this entry »