Archive for the ‘General’ Category
Word on the street is that the Hybrid Technologies has moved into production with the BMW AG Mini Cooper all lithium model. This can only mean one thing. Time for the James Bond JetPack Rating™.
Popular Mechanics sez:
(T)he
Mini we tested sports a 78kW electric motor, can get up to 200 miles on a charge and recharges in six to eight hours. Inside, the only real changes to the Mini interior are that the back seats are gone (your batteries are now your “+2”) and the gas gauge now reads permanently empty because as far as your vehicle’s instrument cluster is concerned, you have no gas. But that doesn’t mean that you have no power. The lithium-powered Mini takes off with gusto—not surprising, since electric motors have full torque available at takeoff. Handling and feedback through the steering wheel are identical to the standard gasoline Mini, but the throttle has a feeling of abruptness to it—the motor is either on or it’s off. Speaking of which, turning this car on is one of the most unusual sensations I’ve ever had in an automobile. Aside from the dashboard lights, there is zero feedback to confirm that you’ve correctly started the vehicle—no engine hum or vibration—nothing. In fact, I had to cycle the ignition key on and off several times before I could drive off.
Team JetPack sez:
A Mini-Cooper always catches agent 007’s eye. Sporty and handsome, it’s Kit the Knight Rider car with a British accent. Question for the makers – is there an eject button for the passenger seat? Equally important, do the seats recline?
The specification sheet claims a top speed of up to 128+ Km/H (that’s 80 MPH for you yanks) and 0-60 MPH in 6.0 seconds. The gent who test drives one of these little beauties in the first video below says that the top speed is 120 MPH. Perhaps the martini he drank prior to the test drive was stirred, not shaken, depriving him of the razor sharp judgment that James Bond enjoys. Even if the 120 MPH speed is correct, it may be acceptable for some, but not James. That’s really the only complaint though.
Paint a Union Jack on it and give it 4 JetPacks.
Here’s a recent 2-part video borrowed from DeSmogBlog which is somewhat painful to watch. Martin Durkin, who is the director of “The Great Global Warming Swindle” as well as a future Della Reese co-star, was recently interviewed by ABC Australia’s Tony Jones. Durkin doesn’t fare well at all and is clearly embarrassed during what could be titled, “The Great Career Ending Interview”.
Watch and cringe.
At Chews Wise, Lisa M. Hamilton writes that the numbers show “the ethanol boom has been a boon for genetically engineered corn.”
Craig MacIntosh makes the case for organic farming at Celsias Blog: “The agribusiness justifications for their war on the earth is beginning to be seen for what it really is – pure propaganda.” Read the rest of this entry »
I’ll be watching this weekend’s Live Earth festivities with a vigilant eye. I would like to use the following video to remind Al Gore to exercise some self-control once the music begins (re: the dancing).
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Here’s one of the short films being shown in conjunction with the event. It’s titled “Bob and Harry, the Last Two Polar Bears”. Bonus high-fives if you can recognize either of the actors in the polar bear costumes.
Video embedding not permitted. Click here to view video in new window.
Here’s where you can watch/listen to tomorrow’s Live Earth doings:
LiveEarth.msn.com will stream full-coverage, 4am-2am
Sundance Channel and Universal HD will air full-coverage, 4am-2 am EST
Bravo, 8am-2am EST
Mun2, 5pm-7pm EST
Telemundo, 7pm-8pm EST
CNBC, 7pm-2am EST
NBC, 8pm-11 pm EST/PST
MSNBC will broadcast special coverage throughout the day
And the list of scheduled musical performers, not including those who were added this morning to the D.C. event… Read the rest of this entry »
The Live Earth mega-concert will be happening this coming Saturday, and former VP Al Gore, Live Earth founder Kevin Wall and Alliance for Climate Protection CEO Cathy Zoi have announced a “7 Point Pledge” which will be available at the seven-continent event and online. Read the rest of this entry »
Ecorazzi and Lazy Environmentalist are giving away some free tickets to the American leg of Live Earth concert (Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, Tony Soprano’s stomping grounds).
Here’s how you win: we want an original eco-tip from you! Do you have an cool water saving trick or and inspired recycling technique? We want to know what you’ve got in your personal sustainability arsenal. If your tip is both badass and green, you could win tickets to see The Police, Alicia Keys, Dave Mathews Band, and Kanye West, just to name a few.
You have until July 2 to submit your entry, further details can be found here.
Speaking of the Live Earth concerts, more than 60 new short films will be shown during the mega-event. Here’s one that’s been made available online about a boy and his biodiesel.
And finally, Joe Romm, who was acting assistant secretary of energy for energy efficiency and renewable energy during the Clinton Administration, gets to the point at Climate Progress:
Since 1990, Great Britain’s carbon dioxide emissions have dropped 15%, while its GDP has risen 45%.
–Cited by Barbara Boxer in Thursday’s Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on “Examining Global Warming Issues in the Power Plant Sector” (at 1:51:00).
So you can have both climate protection and economic growth. It has been done. The time to act is now!
A new Suffolk University poll shows Hillary Clinton with a comfortable lead in New Hampshire among the declared contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination, nearly double that of Barack Obama (Clinton 37%; Obama 19%). Not a huge stunner considering the sizable machine behind Hillary, but when the poll is expanded to include former Vice President Al Gore, the results change dramatically.
The only obstacle for Clinton in the Democratic primary is Al Gore. Twenty-nine percent of Clinton voters would switch to Gore if he announced for president, and when all of the switches from other Democratic candidates were recalculated, Gore would defeat Clinton. In total, 32 percent of Democratic voters would support Gore over the candidate they are currently leaning toward.
Keep in mind that this is with no advertising, no campaigning and no fundraising efforts. What a difference seven years can make according to FastCompany.com’s Eleen McGirt. Read the rest of this entry »
Are you doing something about climate change? Perhaps the scope of your project is Live Earth-massive, or there’s a chance that the scale may be somewhat smaller. Either way, here’s something that you should know about. Celsias Blog is launching a program that aims to encourage individuals and groups to “register past, current or proposed climate change projects”. From the press release:
Projects might include cleaning up a waterway, organizing an eco-conference on campus, providing low-emission stoves, writing a petition to stop the use of plastic grocery bags, bringing photovoltaic solar energy to villagers, or creating a website for young environmental professionals. “We are looking for projects that will inspire others to do the same in their communities, and the possibilities are endless. By registering your project on Celsias, you will soon be able to share your knowledge, learn from others, and avoid pitfalls,” explains (Celsias’ CEO Nick) Lewis.
Project leaders will also be able to raise the visibility of their projects, recruit volunteers, attract resources and solicit funding.
Currently, the program is in the project registration phase, with the full-on unveiling expected sometime in July. Registration is free.
In Corporate Organic and the Beast That Devoured Itself, I had detailed the story of last month’s organic decertification of Case Vander Eyk, an industrial-scale dairy producer of both organics and conventionals who had been shipping 50 loads of organic milk per week.
Vander Eyk is claiming that it will re-apply for organic certification, but instead of re-applying to their previous certifier, Quality Assurance International (QAI), Vander Eyk hopes that a change in referees will bring the desired result. This from the Capital Press:
“We’re working with another certifier now and expect to be back in a couple of weeks,” said Vander Eyk. “This is not uncommon, and it is very disruptive to our operation.”
Organic, Inc. author Samuel Fromartz, who originally broke the decertification story at Chews Wise Blog is dubious. Read the rest of this entry »