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Showing posts from August, 2010

RECAP: WSJ article green building

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704868604575433620189923744.html?mod=WSJ_LifeStyle_Lifestyle_5 Ok, I know that I'm simply re-posting other writers' articles, but I like to think I post the creme de la creme of environmental articles. Maybe you don't want to sift (ehem, read through) all those green articles out there. I'll do the heavy lifting for you. Creator of the Dilbert cartoon, Scott Adams, wrote a light-hearded, half satirical piece on his green building experience. I thought he touched on a lot of good points that I'm fairly familiar with in regards to the green building industry. There's a lot of certainty in what you're actually doing, and a lot of experimentation with materials. --All this while maintaining environmental- consciousness. In green building, the goal is to be aware of nature, as oppose to ignoring and overpowering it (ie: window placement, air conditioning in houses etc.)

To everyone who insists that oil in the Gulf has completely dispersed...

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and all is well, equilibrium has been achieved: maybe you're wrong! Gulf Oil Plume Is Not Breaking Down Fast, Research Says By JUSTIN GILLIS and JOHN COLLINS RUDOLF Published: August 19, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/20/science/earth/20plume.html?_r=1&hp Really, how could an oil rupture of that capacity be completely dispersed after just a couple weeks of containment? Either way, food for thought. It is politically sound to insist that the Gulf will be a safe haven again soon enough, but it just does not make sense. Oil oozed into the Gulf for months, and it only take a few weeks of ocean tides and additional bacteria to turn the area back to normal? It's inane; and what about the flooding in the South? Will the heavy rains have an affect on the state of the Gulf? Always; flooding has a substantial affect on the nearby bodies of water. I know that in Los Angeles it's unwise to go near the popular beach/sewer drainage spots right after heavy rainfall.

Interesting from the NY Times: Mining Country Pits Coal Against Wind

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http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/15/business/energy-environment/15coal.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=coal&st=cse This would be ideal. C'est possible?