Rice alliance calls to make Houston clean tech capital

Story here.

"Sustainable" computer cases

I'm lazy and my sinuses are pounding. Story here.

Thomas Friedman and the U.S. solar Industry

In today's New York Times, Thomas Friedman spotlights American company Applied Materials and laments the country's lack of support.

Because of AM's nanotech research, CEO Mike Splinter decided to explore solar energy potentials. The result: building machines that build solar panels.

Now Applied Materials has 14 such plants.

None of them are in the U.S.

Because the U.S. does nothing to support the industry. Germany does, making solar second only to auto manufacturing in that country.

This is because the U.S. only subsidizes oil, coal and nuclear, i.e. the industries that do the most lobbying.

Even assuming that global warming is not real (and I don't), aside from nuclear, those resources are dirty and finite and "The world is on track to add another 2.5 billion people by 2050, and many will be aspiring to live high-energy lifestyles. In such a world, renewable energy - where the variable cost of your fuel, sun or wind, is zero - will be in huge demand."

Is everyone waiting for 2012 when the world supposedly ends?

Come on, people now!

Denialists "smear campaign" leads Obama advisor to resign

I'm too irritated to write anything on this.

I'll let Democracy Now tell the story.

In our backyard

The unfortunate plight of our amphibian friends hits closer to home. The Barton Springs salamander, found only guess where is facing extinction as the oxygen levels in the water drop to to lack of rain.

Story here.

Yup, it's humans

According to the article "Arctic Warming Overtakes 2,000 Years of Natural Cooling," humans are indeed responsible for the current watery state of the Arctic.

The final paragraph states:

"'If it hadn't been for the increase in human-produced greenhouse gases, summer temperatures in the Arctic should have cooled gradually over the last century,' says Bette Otto-Bliesner, an NCAR scientist who participated in the study."

Read the full article here.

Valero, whoa-oh-oh-oh! (an open letter)

The Valero oil company is actively campaigning against the cap-and-trade bill, threatening customers with rising prices using signs at their gas stations.

Dearest sweetiekins Valero,

Yes, it is true that gas prices are most likely going to rise slightly due to the bill, but come on Valero, the scare tactics are simply your way of avoiding responsibility.

I love you, but why not encourage your customers to drive more fuel efficient, less carbon emitting vehicles?

I don't want to ruffle your feathers, but why not make your own plants less polluting and more efficient so your own emissions won't cost you the projected $6 billion a year your current output indicates?

The money you'll spend on overhauling your own plants will cut back on the money you spend for carbon allowances and pay for itself in less than a decade, dear.

Ok, now I'm angry and please excuse me, but NOOOOOOO, you'd rather plaster signs (which are probably not made of recyclable cardboard and will probably end up in a landfill) all over your gas stations, filling consumers with misinformed hate.

Do you think they've read the bill? Have you?

When you break something as badly as you've broken the atmosphere, it ain't cheap to fix, honey.

Do your part, Valero instead of just complaining.

With all love and respect,

Mother Nature