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climate change
November 2009 
Grinning Planet 2007 Eco Wrap-Up
Posted on Nov 30th, 2007
by 
Mila
Mila
OUT WITH THE BAD, IN WITH THE WORSE (on the environment)
— Highlights from 2007, Likely Trends for 2008
at grinningplanet.com
"Are we seeing a world of opportunity these days, or are we in a world of trouble? The paragraphs below summarize some of the most important things that went on in 2007 and are likely to be hot topics again in 2008.
Ethanoholics — The US government (and others) are pushing for big increases in ethanol use, ostensibly to compensate for tightening petroleum supplies and to fight climate change. Good news, right? Not really. Ethanol has a barely positive "net energy" ratio, and even if all of the US corn crop were converted to ethanol—farewell, beloved corn chips—it would barely make a dent in the total petroleum requirement for US cars. The following George Monbiot essay takes a more global perspective as it shows what rotgut the ethanol plan really is: "An Agricultural Crime Against Humanity" (at Monbiot.com). So, what should our energy plan be instead? For thoughts on this, check out the Grinning Planet article on real energy solutions.
Climate Changesaurus — Thanks partly to the movie An Inconvenient Truth (Amazon.com) and persistent Gorefication, the US populace is finally starting to get it. Not get it as in "let's change our lifestyles to solve the global warming problem" (which is what's really required), but at least they're getting it along the lines of "they should do something about it" (whoever they are). Hopefully, by now people also understand the differences between weather vs. climate change vs. global warming And while the nattering nabobs of negativism continue haggling over whether environmental hypocrites on the left are better or worse or more carbony than the heapin' helpin' of environmental hypocrisy on the right, actual measurements of sea ice and other factors are indicating that scientists' climate change models have greatly underestimated how fast the serious effects of global warming will begin hammering us.
GastroPod People — Each January often brings attempts at dietary change. It's really just the basics we need to focus on—minimizing baddies like booze, junk food, sugar, and saturated fat while maximizing goodies like pure water, fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts. You may want to incorporate a few thoughts from these GP articles in your New Year's regimen: Health Benefits of Organic, Living Food vs. Dead Food, Chocolate and Health.
Dollars and Devils — As long as we're on the subject of things that threaten your well being, you reeeaaally need to be paying attention to what's going on in the financial world. The fat-cat bankers and slicksters on Wall Street have really done it this time. The sub-prime mortgage mess is just the tip of the iceberg. And don't think that your innocence in these matter will protect you from getting hit with the blowback. For historical background on how we got here, try this excellent series of video interviews with William Clark (BrightCove)—Clark is author of the book Petrodollar Warfare (Amazon.com)—or delve into the daily coverage of the financial fricassee over at the LATOC website And for further information on how oil factors into the equation, see the archived GP article on oil wars.
Converging Crises — The list of global challenges seems to go on and on: High gas prices and an apparent peak in global oil production; a fast-melting Arctic and climate change tipping points; big trouble in the money system, an imploding US dollar, and looming global depression; shortages of fresh water; a swirling, Texas-size Charybdis of plastic trash in the Pacific Ocean (Best Life online); toxic chemicals permeating everything everywhere, seemingly endless military conflicts over limited resources.... The brilliant author and speaker Richard Heinberg details the problem of converging crises in his new book, Peak Everything (Amazon.com). "We the peeps" can continue dancing and ordering drinks aboard the USS BusinessAsUsual, or we can start implementing real solutions like reducing waste with a New Materials Economy or throwing out our current crop of corrupt politicians (that's both parties, folks) and replacing them with someone better—or something better, like Direct Democracy.
Closing Thoughts — "Wow—that sure is a lot of negativity, dude!" Yeah, sorry. On a more positive note, there are solutions available to you. The most important steps for you to start taking ASAP next year are to go local and reduce your reliance on the grid. Taking action toward that end can make you healthier, save you money, and insulate you from a lot of the messes described above. Start with these three Grinning Planet articles: (1) The Need for Re-Localization, (2) Local Food and Farmers Markets, and (3) Home Solar Energy. Also consider this book: Storey's Basic Country Skills: A Practical Guide to Self-Reliance (Amazon.com)
— Highlights from 2007, Likely Trends for 2008
at grinningplanet.com
"Are we seeing a world of opportunity these days, or are we in a world of trouble? The paragraphs below summarize some of the most important things that went on in 2007 and are likely to be hot topics again in 2008.
Ethanoholics — The US government (and others) are pushing for big increases in ethanol use, ostensibly to compensate for tightening petroleum supplies and to fight climate change. Good news, right? Not really. Ethanol has a barely positive "net energy" ratio, and even if all of the US corn crop were converted to ethanol—farewell, beloved corn chips—it would barely make a dent in the total petroleum requirement for US cars. The following George Monbiot essay takes a more global perspective as it shows what rotgut the ethanol plan really is: "An Agricultural Crime Against Humanity" (at Monbiot.com). So, what should our energy plan be instead? For thoughts on this, check out the Grinning Planet article on real energy solutions.
Climate Changesaurus — Thanks partly to the movie An Inconvenient Truth (Amazon.com) and persistent Gorefication, the US populace is finally starting to get it. Not get it as in "let's change our lifestyles to solve the global warming problem" (which is what's really required), but at least they're getting it along the lines of "they should do something about it" (whoever they are). Hopefully, by now people also understand the differences between weather vs. climate change vs. global warming And while the nattering nabobs of negativism continue haggling over whether environmental hypocrites on the left are better or worse or more carbony than the heapin' helpin' of environmental hypocrisy on the right, actual measurements of sea ice and other factors are indicating that scientists' climate change models have greatly underestimated how fast the serious effects of global warming will begin hammering us.
GastroPod People — Each January often brings attempts at dietary change. It's really just the basics we need to focus on—minimizing baddies like booze, junk food, sugar, and saturated fat while maximizing goodies like pure water, fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts. You may want to incorporate a few thoughts from these GP articles in your New Year's regimen: Health Benefits of Organic, Living Food vs. Dead Food, Chocolate and Health.
Dollars and Devils — As long as we're on the subject of things that threaten your well being, you reeeaaally need to be paying attention to what's going on in the financial world. The fat-cat bankers and slicksters on Wall Street have really done it this time. The sub-prime mortgage mess is just the tip of the iceberg. And don't think that your innocence in these matter will protect you from getting hit with the blowback. For historical background on how we got here, try this excellent series of video interviews with William Clark (BrightCove)—Clark is author of the book Petrodollar Warfare (Amazon.com)—or delve into the daily coverage of the financial fricassee over at the LATOC website And for further information on how oil factors into the equation, see the archived GP article on oil wars.
Converging Crises — The list of global challenges seems to go on and on: High gas prices and an apparent peak in global oil production; a fast-melting Arctic and climate change tipping points; big trouble in the money system, an imploding US dollar, and looming global depression; shortages of fresh water; a swirling, Texas-size Charybdis of plastic trash in the Pacific Ocean (Best Life online); toxic chemicals permeating everything everywhere, seemingly endless military conflicts over limited resources.... The brilliant author and speaker Richard Heinberg details the problem of converging crises in his new book, Peak Everything (Amazon.com). "We the peeps" can continue dancing and ordering drinks aboard the USS BusinessAsUsual, or we can start implementing real solutions like reducing waste with a New Materials Economy or throwing out our current crop of corrupt politicians (that's both parties, folks) and replacing them with someone better—or something better, like Direct Democracy.
Closing Thoughts — "Wow—that sure is a lot of negativity, dude!" Yeah, sorry. On a more positive note, there are solutions available to you. The most important steps for you to start taking ASAP next year are to go local and reduce your reliance on the grid. Taking action toward that end can make you healthier, save you money, and insulate you from a lot of the messes described above. Start with these three Grinning Planet articles: (1) The Need for Re-Localization, (2) Local Food and Farmers Markets, and (3) Home Solar Energy. Also consider this book: Storey's Basic Country Skills: A Practical Guide to Self-Reliance (Amazon.com)
Access: Public
Of course, many of our cities here in the US are within… I dunno… only a few months or so of running out of water, due to endless draught that's definitely tied in with the climate change, I don't care what anyone says to the contrary.
And, Christ, you oughtta see the layer of garbage covering almost every square mile of my state of North Carolina, courtesy of our never-stop-driving, stuff-your-face-with-crap, pitch-it-out-the-window, who-gives-a-damn-anyway culture? It's sickening beyond words… not the least because the public really seems to be unfazed by it all!
But thanks for putting this up, Mila. It's a good reminder to all of us to get up offa that (lazy) thang and make serious ajustments… NOW, not later.
Yes, thank you Mila. It isn't pleasant to hear, but it is what is or at least what it sure as heck appears to be.
I struggle with my belief that I need to clean up my own house first, and the sense I ought to be doing more. It may not be true, but I believe that we can't solve problems at the level of the problem…we have to take a wider perspective…but is that just a cop out on my part? What does that mean in practical terms for me? These are questions that I need to engage and answer for myself, and thank you for the post.
One of the first things I noticed, too during my last visit was the amount of garbage in many homes in Renton/Seattle area, even in my own brother's. I guess many people have to be get hit hard on their faces until they realise that the time to do something has to start, you're right Ric, NOW not in the other's backyard but one's own.
Even here in Kathmandu, my husband has been using the bicycle whenever practical and stretching what practical means as much as possible. I better start relearning how to bike myself as I have become spolied riding a car all the time. And here we're having petrol shortages every so often, and what with the rising oil prices and all other basic necessities, we really feel responsible to act rather than wait for others.
Helen, thank you for your insights into the wider perspective of the problem and the realization of starting from your own turf and the realization that more indeed ought to be done.
By the way, here's a great community to join to start and keep doing something green
http://www.dothegreenthing.com/
Thank you Mila…