President Obama is rolling back Bush’s executive policies faster than the falling shares of Detroit’s so-called Big Three. One of those regulations will be the reversal of the last administration’s soft pedaling of environmental policies. In particular, those of increasing mileage and limiting emissions on our everyday modes of transportation. California is helping to lead the way for cleaner federal environmental policies, thanks to green Govenator Schwarzenegger, which will not only put the brakes on carbon levels, but help put America back on the road to prosperity. Building fuel efficient vehicles with hybrid and other green forms of technology, and the jobs this generates, could very well be a significant step forward to rolling back Detroit’s old smoggy facade and the “Obamination” of environmentally unfriendly policies.
One of the root causes of runaway wildfires is Global Warming. I know, you’ve heard it before, but wait, millions of acres, (four million in 2008), of Lodgepole, Scotch, Ponderosa pines and other woody plant species from Colorado to the shores of California are becoming ample fuel source for errant infernos that consume America’s natural beauty. In part due to severe drought conditions and the ever increasing “American Dream” home building mania in many localities in Southern California and the Southern Rocky states. Firestorms are now considered a routine risk worth taking for many residents in Southern California. With record breaking summer temperatures helping to increase the likelihood of a “perfect firestorm” near major population areas, (according to National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration, NOAA.), stirring mass migrations and fouling-up the air, it gives pause for all to be more aware of planet warming trends we can help to lessen.
What’s drier than a martini served up on a hot summer day in Arizona? Desertification, the once natural and excellerating process which converts fertile lands into arid deserts. This just in, large populations in Africa and Central Asia, ( about one billion) will be displaced by creeping desert sands within a generation, according to the United Nations University. By the look of things to come, we could also see the return of the not-so popular “dust bowl” of North America’s 1930’s too. Currently tens of millions of people are on the move trying to escape dry lifeless lands mostly in sub-sahara Africa. Unfortunately brought on by changing global climate patterns influenced from factory and auto emissions from first world countries and also from poorly planned development within that region. To help solve this problem our environmental homework should include using low energy lighting, planting CO2 sucking trees, and using fuel efficient means of transportation which will have a positive impact on the peoples of the third world and will make our homes a little less dusty.
We all know the Earth’s climate is not what Ozzie and Harriet once counted on every season. For the most part the mercury has been traveling towards the higher end of the thermometer. At least that’s what 2008 Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore so graphically displayed in his documentary An Inconvenient Truth, also collaborated by a world wide legion of climatologist and environmental gurus, who appear to be right, but also lets take into account weird weather patterns that may not be a direct result of humanities tampering with the atmosphere. According to NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, the 2008 meteorological year places the US in a relatively cool place on the planet while the rest of the world sweats bullets, (a steady incremental rise in planetary temperatures since 1998). This climate chaos is partially blamed on the atmospheric condition of La Nina, being the cool phase of the planet bucking against the warmer variations of the oceans and rest of the planet. That might explain weather anomalies like snowy mountain peaks in the lower altitudes around posh Palm Springs, California, and snow ball fights on the Las Vegas strip. Enjoy the cool respite, La Nina will be leaving soon.
Solar and wind generated electrons are the media darlings sharing the center stage of the current renewable energy revolution currently unfolding before us. Geothermal energy is the lesser known of the green applications getting ready to be tapped for the so-called green grid. The Leathers Geothermal Power Plant in California is staking its share in the new economy by pressurizing the steamy, volcanic stew from hundreds of miles below the surface to turn turbines and thus producing clean power. Other potential areas for geothermal-electric generation is the northern “Ring of Fire” a large circumference of volcanism in the Pacific, like Mount Spur near Anchorage, Alaska, a sure bet to produce large amounts of inexhaustible power required to satisfy Sarah Palin’s dry cleaning needs.
Last time I check my historical facts, the term Czar set fear in the hearts of the working classes and country folk of what was then the reign of Czar Nicholas II of Imperial Russia. Here we are today almost one hundred years from those despotic days and still using the infamous title of Czar. This time in a so-called modern capitalistic society where the democratically elected governing body is bailing out the Big Three auto companies with tax payers hard earned cash, but wait. Conditions are being placed for those rogue manufactures who several years ago fought against CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy), standards for passenger cars and light trucks. The electrification of Detroit, meaning the implementation of hybrid power trains to elevate miles per gallon is one of the main conditions set by the Obama government. With that said, development of state-of-the-art lithium ion battery packs to sustain a hybrid vehicle for over 30 miles without having to kick-in it’s fossil fuel burning engine and also to possibly build an electric car with that technology, similar to the all electric marvel the General Motors EV-1. Hopefully history won’t repeat itself and the angry, jobless, Bolshevik hordes won’t take down the reigning Czar and royal family.
They say the state of New Mexico has one of the most beautiful sunsets to behold. I’ve seen a few of the awe inspiring evenings myself. Lately though, many sunsets have a reminiscent look of the land of enchantment. Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (NOAA), have also noticed and commented about all the orange, unusually reddish sunsets around metropolitan areas and rural undisturbed areas near contaminated air corridors, much like Joshua Tree National Park. With all the carbon dioxide and other gaseous swill floating about the globe you would think a carbon sleuth would be keeping an eye and nose on all that. There is, the recent carbon dioxide-measuring observatory at Mauna Loa, Hawaii, aptly named the NOAA Mauna Loa Observatory. This may seem like another federal, amorphous, wind-bag attempt to put a band aid on the Global Climate Change challenge, but not only does the observatory monitor the amount and passage of airborne pollutants, but also where the insidious gases are “sunk” or naturally absorbed by crops, forests and bodies of water. Here’s a toast to the carbon cocktail chasers.
The Big Three are not living up to their name these days. General Motors and Chrysler are at the brink of insolvency and Ford has only enough working capital to last through 2009. Where did all the profits from SUV’s go? With margins up to about $10,000 per smog spewing, global climate changing, Detroit land yacht, the bloated Big Three were living the high octane life. Old habits die hard, it seems. Executives from the beleaguered three flew private jets to Washington with their hats in hand to get a piece of the bailout pie. Perhaps if they drove their concept hybrid vehicles, (ones that work, that is), to the capital, a more sympathetic Congress and public might be willing to consider handing out truck loads of billions. President Obama has strings attached to the would-be bailout, invest more in green vehicle technology where the “rubber meets the road” or domestic auto makers will be sputtering towards a dead end.
It never rains in Southern California, maybe thats a good thing. The popular electric utility, Southern California Edison will be installing the largest rooftop solar array by a private enterprise in the country, according to The Los Angeles Times. This comes with the blessings and prodding of Gov. Arnold Schnwarzenegger, who often displays shades of Al Gore, as one of the greenest public servants the Republican party has ever ridiculed.
California being the most populous state in the union boasting the fifth largest GDP in the world, at about 1.7 trillion is trying to reach the goal of providing 20% of its electricity needs through renewable means with solar and wind leading the charge by 2010. Now that’s putting energy needs where the sun shines.
The timing couldn’t be worse, American iconic legends from Detroit’s Big Three to small town governments are asking for a hand out, the bailout business is booming. Al Gore is asking for public support to build a national grid fed by renewable energy streams, to power America and ween the population from fossil fuel dependency. The national grid could pay for itself in less than four years, to the tune of $400 billion, since it currently costs $120 billion per year to stoke the coal fired and natural gas driven turbines to power all our gadgets and keep the midnight oil burning. If we can send the proverbial man to the moon in ten years we can certainly have energy independence and cleaner skies in less than a decade, to do so we must all pitch in together and send foreign oil where it belongs and get plugged in Gore’s green grid. Can we afford not to?
President Obama is rolling back Bush’s executive policies faster than the falling shares of Detroit’s so-called Big Three. One of those regulations will be the reversal of the last administration’s soft pedaling of environmental policies. In particular, those of increasing mileage and limiting emissions on our everyday modes of transportation. California is helping to lead the way for cleaner federal environmental policies, thanks to green Govenator Schwarzenegger, which will not only put the brakes on carbon levels, but help put America back on the road to prosperity. Building fuel efficient vehicles with hybrid and other green forms of technology, and the jobs this generates, could very well be a significant step forward to rolling back Detroit’s old smoggy facade and the “Obamination” of environmentally unfriendly policies.
