Energy Smart

Today, Senator John Kerry gave a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, “After Kyoto, Eyes on Bali: Global Climate Change and American Leadership”.  The talked focused on global climate change’s security challenges and provided thoughts as to paths forward at the Bali talks in December.

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No, I’m not talking about California’s wild fires, but there could be a case made for how better forest management could foster a healthier environment, including less combustibles ending up as CO2.  Instead, the imperative to figure out how to fight, to end underground coal fires.

Stacey Feldman discusses this (The Truth About Coal Fires) over at Solve Climate’s blog. “A key point: underground coal fires in China alone” might be contributing more CO2 into the atmosphere than the US auto and light truck fleet!

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The Republic is at a critical crossroads – a point where Americans must understand and take action to ensure a future for ourselves, our children, and the unborn Americans of tomorrow.  

Today, the nation is being driven down a path of fiscal failure, rotting of industrial strength, immoral and unethical governance, selling of our common heritage and future to a cabal of highest bidders, destruction of the environment, isolation of Americans in the international environment, and decaying of American security. Americans must decide whether there is a tomorrow – and act accordingly.

I believe that there will be a tomorrow.

I believe in acting and planning as if tomorrow exists.

Recognition of this demands implementation of new policy to unite America and Americans to strengthen this great nation.

The following five arenas provide a core basis for setting the stage for a healthier, more ethical and moral, richer, well governed, more secure America.  In other words, a stronger America.

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There are many rows to hoe to foster an Energy Smart culture, one that will enable us to create a Prosperous, Climate Friendly Society.  Being Energy Smart begins at Home, but individuals will not, cannot create this path toward a sensible future alone, we work, live, and prosper in communities. And, well, isn’t that what civilization is about?

Now, some communities in the nation are moving forward, are taking steps to create a sustainable energy future.  

This diary will focus on recent announcements by three cities:  Berkeley and Santa Barbara, California; and Richmond, Virginia.

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Vampires are among us. When you aren’t looking (or, when you are looking but not seeing), when you are sleeping, when you aren’t paying attention, Vampires are sucking up vital juices, threatening our very existence.  

Thank you to TreeHugger for a video that we should send viral.

A video to educate about the importance of Slaying Vampires.

About the need to be Energy Smart.

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Like Jessica, I’m “a green geek” and gadgets that help propel me (and, even better, the globe) toward an Energy Smart future excite me.  And, also like Jessica, I’m excited by a recent addition of a fan to my home.

Bit by bit, I’m moving my home from 1950s to 21st century energy systems. That SEER16+ HVAC as part of a fossil fuel heating system. The light tubes into my laundry room. The AirScape Whole House Fan (WHF).

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C02 emissions are growing at ever faster rates, in part, because the oceans are absorbing less CO2 and tropical forests are being devastated.  Ecosystems are shifting.  Fires are spreading. Droughts continue.  And, it is nearly November, the heat has yet to go on.  Have we already pulled the trigger?

And, life is filled with advertisements for SUVs. Christmas (and Halloween) lights are going up all around. The White House tells us Global Warming is good for health.

It is a Mad World …

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The Union of Concerned Scientists has done a series of studies looking at the economic benefits of moving toward a greener economy.  In particular, they have examined the implications of a 15 percent renewable portfolio standard (RPS) by 2020, as included in HR3221, the House Energy Bill.

Their October update, in summary:

Consumer Savings
$13 billion to $18.1 billion in lower electricity and natural gas bills by 2020 (growing to $27.7 billion to $31.8 billion by 2030)

Climate Solutions
Reductions in global warming pollution equal to taking between 13.7 and 20.6 million cars off the road

Pretty impressive opportunity from just one straightforward measure. This is one way people can make good by going good. (Or, alternatively, make green by

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Humanity faces serious challenges today and in the coming years.  Clearly, core to emerging from this century whole will be adequate and appropriate addressing of Peak Oil and Global Warming.  The reality is, however, that these mega-crises are intertwined with numerous other very serious challenges, such as ‘peak’ water and fires like those hitting California as I write.

Over at Calitics, Robert in Monterey has written an excellent piece: Fire, Water, and Global Warming: It’s All One Crisis. 

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Just yesterday, in a speech to the Society of American Foresters

U.S. Forest Service chief Gail Kimbell says the nation can expect more wildfires like the ones raging through Southern California as global climate change heats up the world’s forests.

“Fires are burning hotter and bigger, becoming more damaging and dangerous to people and to property,” Kimbell said Wednesday. “Each year the fire season comes earlier and lasts longer.”

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