Author Archive for Paul

Before you buy that 3G iPhone… think about the children!

Published
by
Paul
on July 24, 2008
in Products, global warming and waste
. 0 Comments

iphone.pngBefore you wait in line for 3 hours at your neighborhood AT&T or Apple Store, more bad news on global warming. The LA Times reported recently that the chemical nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) used widely in the manufacture of LCD screens and chips (like the ones in that iPhone you’ve been eyeing) has 17,000 times the global warming effect as carbon dioxide, and potentially lasts in the atmosphere for 550 years! Oh, and it’s not regulated.

Ironically, NF3 started becoming popular as a replacement for perfluorocarbons, which were phased out because of… global warming!And while the article goes on to explain that the worldwide production of NF3 by 2010 will only be roughly equivalent to 5 or so coal plants, (so it’s not that bad?) what this NF3 problem indicates to me is that the best way to reduce the impact we have on the planet is to not buy so much shit.

Personally, I believe in buying better stuff, and using it longer. What about you?

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Casual carpools are awesome!

Published
by
Paul
on July 18, 2008
in action and transportation
. 0 Comments

I was looking into interesting alternatives to driving for your commute, and re-discovered casual car pools. Here in California, casual car poolers get to use the HOV lane, and don’t pay bridge tolls. What’s a casual car pool? Well, according to RideNow.org:

“Casual car pools” or “ad hoc car pools” are informal car pools that form when drivers and passengers meet — without specific prior arrangement — at designated locations.   

It’s totally fascinating because it’s organic, and the site even lists a set of etiquette (don’t talk to the driver), and a list of drivers to avoid.From what I can tell, casual car pools have only sprung up in the S.F. Bay Area, and it’s really hard to get one going because it requires critical mass, but it’s a really interesting concept, and speaks to the fact that even though we are in a car society, there are many creative ways we can use to break the tyranny of $5 gas.Want to learn about some in your area? Do a Google search for ‘alternatives to driving’, and there are a ton of great resources. And let us know if you have any other interesting ideas. 

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What have you really done about climate change? Huh?

Published
by
Paul
on July 17, 2008
in action, global warming and politics
. 0 Comments

uncle-sam.jpgToday Al Gore gave a powerful speech calling for, as the New York Times put it:

the United States to wean the nation from its entire electricity grid to carbon-free energy within 10 years, warning that drastic steps were needed to avoid a global economic and ecological cataclysm       

Gore said, “I see my role as enlarging the political space in which Senator Obama or Senator McCain can confront this issue as president next year.” As I see it, I see this as an admission that climate change is at heart a political problem, because it’s the only way we solve these problems at scale. And our leaders are conflicted. And weak. And because of that nothing is happening, all the while Rome is burning. So my question to everyone is this: What have you really done about global warming? Did you write or visit your congressperson? Have you organized others to do so? Did you join a environmental lobby like the NRDC Action Fund? Because if you haven’t and you’re just driving a Prius and using a few less shopping bags, you’re probably not doing enough. Let’s get going, everyone! 

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George Bush is the world’s biggest polluter.

Published
by
Paul
on July 15, 2008
in politics
. 2 Comments

bush-chimp.jpgI know JB just posted about George Bush, and not that it’s even any fun anymore to point out his infinite stupidity, but here’s yet another one. Last week, at the G8 summit in Tokyo, Bush ended a meeting with other world leaders with this amazing quote, presumably referring to the fact that he will be leaving office soon: “”Goodbye from the world’s biggest polluter.”

According to this article:

He then punched the air while grinning widely, as the rest of those present including Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy looked on in shock. One official who witnessed the extraordinary scene said afterwards: “Everyone was very surprised that he was making a joke about America’s record on pollution.”

What a disaster. I’m amazed that George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush have not died in shame and remorse yet.

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You deserve “You Deserve”! Green eco-fashions for all!

Published
by
Paul
on July 10, 2008
in Products
. 0 Comments

Congrats to my college buddies Thao and Rashida, glamorous entrepreneurs who recently started “You Deserve” a great online source for eco-fashion. They’re doing great, selling sustainable eco-friendly clothes, at affordable prices, and last week they had some nice press! 

Check them out! 

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