Five Percent: Conserve a Little Energy

Well folks, no more hiding behind illusions. The EPA has updated the MPG estimates that all vehicles sold in the US are required to display on their sticker. The good news is that these estimates are more realistic, because they account for things like lower fuel economy in cold weather. They also account for things like air conditioner usage, higher speeds on roads (check it out: the site shows an image of an 80 MPH speed limit sign) and faster acceleration — things that have changed since the standards were introduced in, probably 1980 or so? (more…)

Biofuels have gained a lot of publicity recently as a renewable form of energy. However, with a carbon footprint sometimes 10 times that of conventional petrol, mass-deforestation and the reduction of food-bearing land, it may not be the solution that many had hoped for.

This is a very evenhanded and factual explanation of why bio-fuels are more than just not a very good solution, but pretty much a bad thing all around. Well, my comment is less evenhanded than the article.

read more | digg story

A subtle parody of carbon industry greenwashing. Found on Grist — very funny. Sort of.

read more | digg story

I read way, way too many eco-blogs, enviro-blogs, politico-blogs and globalwarmingo-blogs. With several exceptions (e.g. IdealBite and An Inconvenient Truth, to name several) there’s way too much polarity in the conversation — it’s all or nothing, when often the best choice is both, either or just some.

Locally grown vs. Organic food, for instance: both would be great, either is good, some is good. (more…)