2009 January | ECO PRATIQUE

How to Green Your Clothing

Posted by Paul on January 30, 2009 at 08:10 Comments Off

Jan 302009

I like the wikihow site – lots of practical advice on all sorts of things. I came across this simple article about making sure the clothes you buy are environmentally friendly.

Climate Change Largely Irreversible For Next 1,000 Years

Posted by Paul on January 28, 2009 at 11:26 Comments Off

Jan 282009

This report from the NOAA states that climate change is largely irreversible for the next 1,000 Years. It makes it sound like we’re all doomed, even if we stop emitting carbon now. What this fails to point out is that in addition to clean coal technologies like carbon capture and sequestration there also exist carbon scrubbing technologies, like these synthetic trees, which could be used to remove excess C02 from the atmosphere. In fact this report seems to be saying we need to start work on deploying these immediately.

Latest IPCC report: Humans blamed for climate change

Posted by Paul on January 27, 2009 at 07:50 Comments Off

Jan 272009

In the latest IPCC Report, it is clear that Humans are blamed for climate change.

Bear in mind that this is the politically, toned down, consensus view that everyone can agree is more or less the minimum we can expect. It doesn’t include ice sheets melting, or any of the more dramatic step changes (methane coming form defrosting frozen peat bogs) that could happen, but we are not certain about.

Obama acts on fuel efficiency, global warming

Posted by Paul on January 27, 2009 at 07:47 Comments Off

Jan 272009

Finally! With Obama acting on fuel efficiency, global warming, we can look forward to the US joining in the battle against the warming of our planet.

I rather suspect that in a few years we will look back at the US and wish we had done the same. What’s not to like about the lower running costs that new green technology will bring us?

Going Solar: Six Month Update

Posted by Paul on January 15, 2009 at 07:57 Comments Off

Jan 152009

Going Solar: Six Month Update is an interesting overview of what it is really like to have solar panels installed. I have another friend in Germany (with more clouds than southern California!) who has had this done and he says that basically it generates nothing in winter, but is still worth it for the months he pays no electricity bills.