caravia/ecology

Interesting discussion about Carbon management.

" If you thought that IT and information security were massive cost centers, you ain't seen nothing yet. Get ready for carbon management--you can start by freeing up a corner office for a new executive, the Carbon Information Manager. This person will have one eye on the constantly evolving state of carbon regulation, and the other eye on the million-and-one new metrics and targets that every corner of the enterprise will have to meet. Or so says a new "Best Practices" report put out by the Carbon Disclosure Project in conjunction with IBM.

Reading through the 20-page document [PDF], it became clear to me that mounting an all-out propaganda assault on the scientific consensus around anthropogenic climate change will cost far less money than the added organizational overhead necessary to really cut carbon emissions. And in an odd turn, it's also clear that more regulation could make carbon management cheaper, insofar as there's just enough regulation at present to create expensive mandates, but not enough to provide the clarity in metrics and terminology that's needed to carry out those mandates. But if you're skeptical about either of these points, just take a look at the CDP report."

A change in the Americans relation to their cars?

"News of wrenching dislocations in the car industry arrive daily: automobile sales are at a 10-year low. Ford is converting factories from making high-profit trucks to subcompacts like the unlovely Fiesta. General Motors is trying to convince investors that it is not at the precipice of bankruptcy.

Beyond the bad economic news may lurk a less remarked shift in Americans' psyches: a change in the role the automobile occupies in people's emotional lives and self-image. For decades, automakers pitched cars as sex symbols, as extensions of drivers' freedom or affluence or eye for beauty. Even if that pitch is inverted -- if hybrids or minicars become the most desirable wheels, bespeaking a driver's thriftiness or environmental sensitivity -- is it really possible to be passionate about a compromise?

Can you love your Prius the way you once gave your heart to a 4Runner or a luxury sedan?

Increasingly, for many, the question is moot.

"I'm willing to not love it," said Justin McCarthy, 43, a public relations executive from Long Beach, Calif., who is considering replacing his 10-year-old Volvo with a hybrid.

Mr. McCarthy said he bought his Volvo for aesthetics and comfort. It was good for impressing and pampering clients and roomy for his growing family.

But as he mulls a possible new purchase, he is keeping his emotions in check. "Before it was, Is it a cool car?" he said. "Now it's, Is it going to be efficient and reliable transportation? Maybe it's also a function of age, but it doesn't have to fulfill anything in me, it just needs to be what it is: a mode of transportation."

Such attitudes are a far cry from the way Americans have approached their car buying in the past, researchers say. Buyers have put a high value on reliability, durability and fuel efficiency, of course, but just as important have been looks and luxury.

"What are the neighbors going to think when they see the car? Is it going to impress them?" said Geoff Wardle, director of advanced mobility research at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif., which is known for its auto design program. "When it comes to buying a car, people take leave of their senses."

For many drivers, their cars are an extension of themselves, displayed as fashion or an accessory."

From the page: "The eco-wise London Food Link londonfoodlink.org [londonfoodlink.org] ) is a small, independent environmentalist charity which is mostly grant funded. It is part of the food charity Sustain which, in its own words, â€â€¦advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, promote equity and enrich society and culture.†Part of London Food Linkâ€s work involves coaching restaurants that express an interest in how to reduce their environmental impact. This work is also part of â€Greener Foodâ€, a joint project with a number of organisations, with London Food Link looking specifically at the food aspect. "

Ecological minded people living in houses in the trees in Costa Rica.

As beautiful as fractals...Poetic and inspiring, nano is hot :)

A book about green activism and social responsability.

Thanks to Bunty, bunty.stumbleupon.com [bunty.stumbleupon.com] , who introduced me to this great site.

Interesting scientific discussions about Germany, the neonazis and the spreading of the genetic adultered food.