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NYT-fest

My home computer is completely on the fritz, so I can't do my usual slavish weekend work (darn it). However, let me echo ironmanbretta's comment that everyone should browse the New York Times op-ed page. There's this piece by Beyond Oil author Ken Deffeyes, which points out that the debate over the Arctic Refuge is somewhat beside the point, since global oil production is going to start declining soon anyway, regardless. There's this piece by Thomas Homer-Dixon and Julio Friedmann, which urges exploration of "a combination of gasified coal plants and geologic storage." There's this piece by Oliver Sacks on how much he hearts his hybrid (mentioned by Chris the other day). And of course, as mentioned by Geoff below, there's this piece by Tom Friedman, revisiting his "geo-green" schtick. (Watch for an interview with Friedman in the pages of Grist in coming weeks.)

What should we take from all these? If nothing else, it appears that conventional wisdom is finally coming around to the notion that the age of oil is ending. Bush's short-sighted energy policy -- which is hurting this country's security, its economy, and its reputation -- is finally penetrating the Beltway Bubble's consciousness. Despite my occasional contempt for the cozy Beltway politico-media scene, this is an unambiguously good thing. Now it remains for the green movement to be smart about this, positioning themselves as ahead of the curve rather than on the sidelines shouting "not enough! not enough!" More on that later.

Geo-green, geo-green, geo-green

Tom Friedman wrote another geo-green column this weekend, presumably hoping that repetition begets action. The piece does not cover new ground for Friedman or the argument but is useful for keeping the issue on the front burner. It is both fitting but also a bit concerning that he twice quotes Peter Schwartz, the scenario writer (and occasional Hollywood script consultant) behind the Pentagon climate change report that got so much attention after mentioned in Fortune.

Clean-car dominoes

Clean-car dominoes keep falling. This week, it's Canada, with Oregon next.

On Wednesday, word came that the Canadian government and the big automakers have signed an agreement to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from new vehicles. The previously announced target of a 25 percent reduction in new-car emissions by 2010 has apparently been nixed. In its place is a specified number of tons of gases that automakers must keep out of the atmosphere through improvements to new cars, as MacLeans reports.

The number of tons, according to one report, is roughly equal to the old 25-percent target. Unfortunately, that's a hard claim to assess, because the details of the agreement are still secret.

The 25-percent target has always been important, and ambitious--more ambitious than the 30-percent emissions reduction written into California's clean-car standards because the latter standard has a deadline of 2016. The year 2010 is just around the corner in a gigantic industry that takes many months to usher new technologies into mass production. So even if this agreement turns out to be watered down, it's likely that it at least matches the California standard.

An InterActivist corrects the record and devoted readers ladle on the love — some of them, anyway

  Re: It All Comes Out in the Walsh Dear Editor: I would like to set the record straight. Bill Walsh identified the American Chemical Society as one of 1,000 “trade associations defending the rights of polluters.” Walsh said he has a collection of “voodoo dolls” representing the “flacks” for these associations and after reading […]

He Shoots Horses, Doesn’t He?

Trophy-hunting enthusiast appointed to head Fish and Wildlife Service Nothing gives one an appreciation for the challenges facing endangered species like, uh, hunting and killing said species. With that verity in mind, the Bush administration has appointed Matthew Hogan as interim head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Director Steve Williams resigned earlier this […]

Funny, but Not Baja Funny

Gray whales in Baja sanctuary threatened by development Five years ago, conservationists in Baja Mexico won a difficult battle to prevent a salt production plant from setting up shop near the San Ignacio Lagoon, a winter refuge for migrating California gray whales. But the Mexican government’s shift toward industrialization has some local residents gearing up […]

Elevator Pitch Contest winner

More than 2000 votes have been placed, and the people have made their choice clear. Without further ado, the winning Elevator Pitch:

Do you love breathing air and drinking water? Mountains, oceans, cities, streams? Want kids to grow up healthy, happy, and peaceful? That's environmentalism. It's about everyone and everything you love.

Congratulations to winning (and mysterious) Gristmillian saltman! As soon as we get in touch, a VFOGT (Very First Official Grist T-shirt) shall be winging its way to his/her door.

Thanks for playing, everyone. And thanks for voting.

(Some slightly grumpy and deflationary comments beneath the fold. Don't even click. Seriously.)

Gristmill to hybrid drivers, calling all hybrid drivers

A few days ago I blogged about Wired's review of hybrid cars. I was hoping to hear from others to learn how Wired's reviews stacked up against the experience of actual hybrid car owners/drivers. Sadly, no comments.

However ...

Winning water

Any list of top environmental NGOs in India has the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) near the top.  They have coupled research-based innovations with action on the ground. Their forward looking work on rainwater harvesting builds on the fundamental insight that water management, and not water scarcity per se, is the critical difference in many situations. Through in no small measure CSE's efforts, the Indian water strategy now takes rainwater harvesting seriously.

CSE just had its 25 year record of research, practice, and lobbying recognized internationally with this week's announcement they will receive the 2005 Stockholm Water Prize. The prestigous award, and its $150,000 prize, will be awarded to CSE director Sunita Narain this August at World Water Week, held every summer in Stockholm.

Umbra on talking about environmentalism without being preachy

Dear Umbra, Since you’re the closest thing to Miss Manners that the environmental community has, I’d like to ask for your etiquette advice. I was recently on vacation with some friends and friends of friends and was disturbed by the lack of environmental awareness. For example: the 30-mile round-trips to get a takeout latte. Really. […]