websites

Do the emissions from a single Google search matter?

Apparently the question of how much greenhouse gas emissions can be traced to a single Google search is the hottest topic on the internets.

Research from U.S. physicist Alex Wissner-Gross says a single search produces 7g of CO2. Google says, nuh uh, it only produces 0.2g CO2 -- less than your personal computer generates while running it. Lots more here.

There may be some value in drawing attention to the substantial carbon footprint of the IT industry, but by the time this kind of thing gets filtered through the media it ends up yet another story about how every human action is a source of guilt and shame. Now they want us to search Google less?

In fact, the emissions of Google searches is a goofy distraction. As Joe notes, the internet has been a phenomenal driver of energy efficiency and dematerialization. Imagine how much clueless driving around has been eliminated by Google Maps!

The ultimate directory of climate change cases

The estimable Arnold & Porter law firm has released a comprehensive online directory of climate change cases. Don't be deceived by the simplicity of the opening page. Just click on "Case Index" at the bottom of the opening page, which opens up a 35-page directory. Fantastic!

Green Map's inspiring 'green eye' view of the world

What kind of power tool did you wish for this holiday season? Grist readers are likely to be seeking something that transforms the view of their own community, highlighting all the ecological richness and green living innovations in a tapestry that weaves in local culture and justice resources to boot.

So if you didn't get that cordless DeWalt screwgun you wanted, consider the powerful tool of the Green Map network, which has been busy creating unique community self-portraits of over 500 places around the world, from Seattle to Singapore (and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, at right). And each map is locally-created, which I find to be the most inspiring aspect: The map making groups transcend gender and ethnic lines in many places around the world, bringing together powerful groups (in 54 countries!) from among those who normally do not interact to create a sustainable vision of their city or place.

It's also an ideal time to get involved with these folks' new participatory platform OpenGreenMap.org. Designed to reduce the stumbling blocks of fundraising, technology, and distribution and involve significantly more people, they are open to enhancements in any language. Every site on the map has space for your images, insights, and impact assessments, so you can help tell the story of its evolution. It's a great place to find projects to emulate and to learn about how each site has changed the people and community it serves.

Editing is really a good thing for the blogosphere

There is a kerfuffle in the blogosphere because Matt Yglesias’ employer forced a post into the blog Matt writes that disclaims something Matt said about a group called Third Way. And there are good reasons for raised eyebrows. It’s the wrong way to make such a disclaimer. The Center for American Progress could have asked […]

Vote early, vote often to help Grist win $10K in the MySpace Impact Awards for Environmentalism

You (and all your MySpace friends) can help land Grist a cool $10,000 just by exercising your right to vote (again), which is way better than us searching for loose change in our couch. Grist is one of three finalists in the MySpace Impact Awards for Environmentalism, which gives props (and moolah) to organizations and […]

Facebook app facilitates carpooling to the polls

Could a potential record number of voters tomorrow also mean massive CO2 emissions as people drive to the polls? Live Earth and carpool site Zimride sure hope not. They’ve partnered to make a Facebook app enabling people to find a ride in their area to their local polling spot. Their Carpool to the Polls application […]

The Christian Science Monitor will abandon its daily print edition in April 2009

Wow — the Christian Science Monitor is going to bag its print version. This is a very big deal. In 10 years, my guess is that printed papers will be rather rare. The ramifications are huge for the environment.

The Encyclopedia of Life keeps plugging along

Check out this article by Wade Roush writing for Xconomy. Interestingly enough, his thoughts parallel those expressed in two previous posts I’ve done on this topic. I’m happy to see that you can now use Flickr to upload your photographs to the Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) database. Huh, wonder where they got that idea? Hopefully […]

Full frontal scrutiny

The current Consumer Reports has a quiz to help educate readers about those benign-sounding industry-funded front groups. As CR writes, “You think Americans for Balanced Energy Choices tout solar power? Nope.” Match the groups with their missions (click to enlarge, answers below): Even better, CR has set up a website with the Center for Media […]