New LED Bulbs?!

Green America, formerly Co-op America, recommended some snazzy LED bulbs in a recent mailbag response. They're from the EarthLED store and the two notable bulbs are called ZetaLux ($50 ~60W equivalent) and EvoLux ($80 ~100W equivalent). While expensive, they're still a great way to get breakable mercury-filled CFL's out of your home.

Here's a photo of the ZetaLux. Note the metal heat sink around the bottom of the "bulb."

Tom Linzey on Democracy Now!

One of the most insightful activists in the environmental movement is a mild mannered lawyer named Tom Linzey. After winning a streak of lawsuits against companies violating or planning to violate pollution and other laws, only to see the companies eventually secure victory for themselves because of pro-corporate case law, he has taken citizen rights to a whole new level. PLEASE check out this brief interview here:

Interesting Research on Energy Alternatives

I've been following the research of a Stanford professor named Mark Jacobson, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He published an article in the Journal of Energy and Environmental Science that ranks energy options according to an extensive list of criteria. As Professor Jacobson puts it...

This review evaluates and ranks 12 combinations of electric power and fuel sources from among 9 electric power sources, 2 liquid fuel sources, and 3 vehicle technologies, with respect to their ability to address climate, air pollution, and energy problems simultaneously. The review also evaluates the impacts of each on water supply, land use, wildlife, resource availability, thermal pollution, water chemical pollution, nuclear proliferation, and undernutrition.

What technology comes in first? Wind energy comes in first place, and Ethanol come in last. Carbon sequestered coal and nuclear tie for "next to last" place. I'm not sure where biodiesel would come into play here. I'd guess better than CCS Coal. I'm also not sure where non-carbon-sequestered coal would come in, but I'd guess it would show up dead last. The article is not without its critics, and you can check out some interesting counterpunches in the comments at TreeHugger.com.

Here's another article by Jacobson (and Masters) that appears in the journal Science. It is a little older, but a bit easier to understand, and can be summed up in this opening quote:

the cost of wind energy is now less than that of coal.

I'm going to get this information spread around as best I can. Would love feedback, too.

Truthdig Highlights Amy Goodman!

A great interview of Amy Goodman on Truthdig for you to enjoy. She just released a new book, "Standing up the Madness." I've read her other books and they're always insightful and timely, and I love the way she gives teeth to independent journalism. She is a brave and admirable woman. If you haven't listened to her daily radio program, Democracy Now, I'd definitely check it out. http://www.democracynow.org.

Peace,
Mark

YERT on EarthHour!

A belated post of YERT's latest video all about Earth Hour. Ok, so maybe they don't go into all the details, but they do show you exactly how they spent Earth Hour '08-- in Washington DC...



Enjoy.

YERT Interviews President Lincoln!

Not to mention five other President... heads. What would the bailout have looked like had Lincoln been at the helm? This video takes environmental sustainability straight to the executive offices of more giant presidents than you'll ever see in your lifetime. Unless, of course you visit President's Park in SD.

A highlight of this video is watching Jimmy Carter get into an argument with Ronald Reagan about the solar panels on the White House, among other things. Another fun eco video from YERT ...



You can find out more information about this video and everything in it at YERT's blog.

Long Speech by David Korten About Economic Crisis

Here's a full version of the speech given by David Korten about the economic crisis, bailouts, and a holistic approach to solving it from the bottom up. His ideas are powerful and resonate with me. The entire piece is worth watching-- all 1.5 hours!