California's Energy Future

Once again, California leads the way (among states) in becoming self-reliant with regard to an energy future. Green capitalism will surely thrive in California's environment with many new opportunities presenting themselves as an alternative to the global warming staus quo.

The question remains: will politicians prompted by big, glutonous oil water this legislation down?

everGREEN landscape architects has certainly benefitted from green commerce as more and more people realize the social, environmental, health and economic benefits of going "green". For more, go to our website

everGREEN landscape architects applaudes Earthrace Smashes World Record

Rising from the ashes of it first attempt, Earthrace has smashed the world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by speedboat. The biodiesel-powered trimaran sailed into the Spanish port of Sagunto yesterday, just shy of 61 days since it set off. That took 14 days off the previous world record. Earthrace traveled the 24,000 nautical miles fueled by biodiesel to demonstrate the efficiency of alternative fuel sources.

This was the second try for the record by by skipper Pete Bethune of New Zealand. Stunning setbacks forced him to abandon his first attempt last year, including a fatal collision with a fishing vessel, his imprisonment in Guatemala and taking a bullet to the hull. The National Biodiesel Board’s own Harold Krauss, a soybean farmer from Hayes, Kansas, crewed a leg of the journey.

This time, Bethune was almost forced to abandon ship again when Earthrace crashed into logs in the surf off Borneo - damaging the rudder, propeller and drive shaft. A week-long storm in the Indian Ocean and a six-week wait to pass through the Panama canal also could not stand in the way of the record. A scare as the Columbian Navy opened fire on them.

“This fantastic team of people and our astonishing boat have broken the record by a massive margin,” said Bethune. "I finally feel that all the sacrifices made, especially by my wife and daughters, have been worth it. I don't even know how to begin to thank all the individuals and companies that have supported us along the way.”

Cutting Costs for Renewables

The costs of generating solar power will be on par with the costs of power made from fossil fuels like natural gas and coal within a decade, according to clean-tech research and publishing firm Clean Edge and green-economy nonprofit Co-op America. The two groups collaborated on a new report, the Utility Solar Assessment (USA) Study, to provide a roadmap for utilities, solar companies, and regulators to work together so the nation can derive 10 percent or more of its power from the sun by 2025.

“As capital and fuel costs have doubled or tripled for coal, natural gas, and nuclear power over the past few years, solar power costs are coming down,” report co-author Alisa Gravitz of Co-op America told reporters. “For the first time in history, cost-competitive solar power is now within the planning horizon of every utility in the nation.”

In related news, the Financial Times reported last week that the U.S. is set to overtake Germany as the world’s largest wind market in 2009. American wind energy is riding the wave of an investment boom accounting for a 45 percent jump in capacity last year alone.

“Now is a pivotal moment for renewable energy in the United States,” says Peter Duprey, chief executive of Acciona Energy North America, a subsidiary of the Spanish infrastructure group Acciona. “There is a real opportunity here for companies to stake a major claim in the market because there has been a pent-up demand.”

Wild Earth Emergencies

WildEarth Guardians requested that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invoke an emergency provision in the Endangered Species Act to protect 32 plant and animal species facing imminent extinction. The species in question—including a silkworm disappearing as a result of cotton production, a mayfly not seen since 1934 but rediscovered in 2005, and rarely seen flowering plants—are currently found on one or no known sites and face multiple threats.

“These species deserve immediate, emergency protection under the Endangered Species Act,” said John Horning, the executive director of the New Mexico-based nonprofit. “The Fish and Wildlife Service has the authority to save them from vanishing forever, and we're urging them to use that authority.”

WildEarth Guardians came up with its list of 32 imperiled species by petitioning wildlife watchers across the country last summer. The group pointed out that the Bush administration has a dismal record in terms of adding species to its endangered and threatened lists. George H.W. Bush listed 58 species per year during its four year term, while Bill Clinton upped the ante, listing some 65 species per year during his tenure in the White House. In contrast, George W. Bush has listed nine species per year. WildEarth Guardians is hoping to turn up the heat on the administration to list especially imperiled species before it’s too late.

For its part, the Fish and Wildlife Service has yet to acknowledge the request, although officials point out that the agency has 90 days to respond formally to any such petitions.

“We’re requesting emergency protection for plants and animals that are a hair’s breadth from extinction,” added Horning. “Some haven’t been seen for decades, others are located at only one site on Earth—they all deserve the chance at survival that the Endangered Species Act provides.”

Also read, MSNBC

Millions of U.S. workers spanning a wide range of occupations will benefit from transforming the United States into a green economy

A report offers evidence that millions of Americans are currently employed in green jobs and that millions more could benefit from our country's transition to a clean-energy economy.

For more, read Natural Capitalism by Paul Hawkin.

California Voters Strongly Support Policies to Implement Global Warming Solutions Act

3 of 4 California voters support state energy policies to reduce global warming pollution. And any lawmaker who supports delaying these policies will have strong opposition from their constituents and risk a backlash at the polls in November.

Global Transport And Shipping To Carry On Polluting

Many industries argue that its business is so far superior to others that it should be exempt from reducing its global warming pollution. Shipping is one such industry. Shippers say they have the most efficient method of transporting many goods, but with everyone else paying the cost of global warming, should shipping get a free ride?

Maryland House and Senate Reject Global Warming Measure

Politics as usual. Of course, special interests encourage the Republicans to defeat this proactive legislation citing that it would present too high a price tag.

Try talking to the people of Iowa who have lost everything in this month's flooding. Ask them about the price tag to fight global warming versus the price tag of losing everything to global warming...

Toyota On Top in Fuel Race

Not to be outdone by rival Honda, Toyota last week announced it, too, will begin leasing a new hydrogen-powered, emissions-free fuel cell car. The FCHV-adv will be available later this year in Japan. The new car combines a hydrogen fuel cell engine with an electric motor in a hybrid format similar to its successful gasoline-electric Prius. It can go for 516 miles between hydrogen fill-ups, more than double the range of Toyota’s previous efforts to develop fuel cell cars.

As for rolling out the new vehicle overseas--such as in the eco-minded U.S.--Toyota is remaining mum. Meanwhile, Honda’s new fuel cell vehicle, the highly touted FCX Clarity, will be available for leasing in California, the only U.S. state with a hydrogen refueling infrastructure in place, within weeks.

China BANS plastic bags

China bans plastic bags.
So what are we waiting for?

Green Job Market Boom (click for story)

Another great resource is Natural Capitalism by Paul Hawken.

US Senate Republicans block climate change plan

Neither of the two contenders for the Presidency even cast a vote.

Unbelieveable...
Why do I sense "market forces" at work?
This corporate bottom line has got to stop, before it stops us.