Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Weather, Water, Energy 11-21-06

Quick hits:

  • Want to know how much energy goes into the products you purchase? The Carbon Trust is now doing "cradle-to-grave" carbon footprints, the amount of energy from supply of raw materials through disposal after use.
  • Australia caps its arrival as stupidest country in the Southern Hemisphere by opting for nuclear as its way of addressing the global warming that its Prime Minister says isn't really happening. Have another Foster's, nitwits.
  • On the other hand, the EU is investing in fusion reactors, which may waste resources better used elsewhere, but, if it pays off, they might even help out what's left of the morons Down Under.
  • On the other other hand, China is investing in one of the world's largest solar power stations.
  • Grist has a thought-provoking turn on how freight trains might once again rise as the toll of trucks on energy and global warming becomes more clear.
  • Meanwhile, the Netherlands is having its warmest fall in over 300 years.
  • Will that slow down now that the Dems are back in "power" and might actually force some fuel standards on the car companies, even on Bushnev and the unfortunate Dem John Dingell.
  • But some good news. Really. There's been a seven-year stabilization of methane levels, which should lead to a slight slowing of its global warming impact. See? We can be optimists here.