the intersection of emergency preparedness, public health and environmental policy
Between last year’s decisions by the Supreme Court, and this year’s decision by the EPA, it has become clear that coal is coal going the way of nuclear power, the way of the dodo, and the dinosaurs from which are derived fossil fuels.
(Via Inhabitat
) Which may, in fact, exceed FEMA’s exertions - despite the fact that, as Paul Villinski, a 
New York-based artist has demonstrated, it’s entirely possible to construct livable/usable emergency structures which rely on solar and wind power. From Bridget Steffen at Inhabitat, Solar Powered Mobile Emergency Response Studio: Better yet, make sure you read the whole piece and see the images - the one above the jump, taken alone, doesn’t do it justice.NB: as of this writing - October 30th - Villinski’s bandwidth limit had been exceeded. Waiting and checking back later will, we think, be worth it.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=9c47403b-7f98-4869-9913-eef22436d4a1)
Via Ron Fournier of the Associated Press, Gore sets ‘moon shot’ goal on climate change, dated today (16 July 2008). An excerpt:
Just as John F. Kennedy set his sights on the moon, Al Gore is challenging the nation to produce every kilowatt of electricity through wind, sun and other Earth-friendly energy sources within 10 years, an audacious goal he hopes the next president will embrace.
The Nobel Prize-winning former vice president said fellow Democrat Barack Obama and Republican rival John McCain are “way ahead” of most politicians in the fight against global climate change.
[We haven't examined either candidates' positions on these issues carefully - but we take Senator Gore's implicit point - that the necessity will be present whoever wins the election - Eds.]
- snip -
The Alliance for Climate Protection, a bipartisan group that he chairs, estimates the cost of transforming the nation to so-called clean electricity sources at $1.5 trillion to $3 trillion over 30 years in public and private money. But he says it would cost about as much to build ozone-killing coal plants to satisfy current demand.
“This is an investment that will pay itself back many times over,” Gore said. “It’s an expensive investment but not compared to the rising cost of continuing to invest in fossil fuels.”
Excerpted from Gore sets ‘moon shot’ goal on climate change. By Ron Fournier of The Associated Press.
We understand - or believe - that the AP has been concerned about excessive use of their reports. We believe the above excerpt complies with the “fair use” doctrine. Also - Fournier’s lead - the comparison to the space program - is particulary apt, and should be useful in public discussion.
FORD HAS A BETTER IDEA: HYBRIDS
Following General Motors announcement of the Volt, Ford Motor Company has just announced two new hybrids for 2010: The Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Mercury Milan Hybird. They will get 39 to 47 mpg, better than the Toyota Camry Hybrid and can operate in battery only mode. The world is changing. (0)
ENERGY POLICY & PUBLIC HEALTH
There really is no such thing as “Clean Coal.” Mining coal destroys mountains, and often kills the miners. Burning coal releases tons of carbon into the atmosphere and the oceans, and even if you could sequester the carbon, burning coal releases other pollutants, including mercury into the biosphere. The mercury makes its way into fish. This is why people, especially children and pregnant women, should not eat a lot of tuna or swordfish. Wind, solar, geothermal, ocean current, and “negawatts,” on the other hand, really are clean energy. Offshore wind turbines don’t release pollution. On the contrary, they create artificial reefs, which enhance fish habitat. This is also good for fishermen, the economy, etc. (0)
TALK MAY BE CHEAP, BUT
when the markets are falling, prices are rising, and credit is tightening, it’s a uniquely affordable indulgence. - Walter Kirn, What’s a Depression, Daddy? New York Times Magazine, Nov 9, 2008 (0)
SIERRA CLUB KILLS KING COAL (mini)
The EPA has ruled ( full text PDF ) that new and proposed coal plants must address their carbon dioxide emissions - essentially killing off the construction of new coal-fired power plants in the foreseeable future. The EPA says “You may burn coal, but you must do it cleanly.” ( Sierra Club Press Release / Full Post ) (0)
FOCUSED SOLAR MELTING STEEL?
Coolstuff and MetaCafe have videos which show the power of a focused solar array melting steel. (Click here for CoolStuff - Here for MetaCafe) It’s basic college mechanics - and also pretty amazing. (0)
CONGRATULATIONS, BARACK OBAMA AND AMERICA!
President-Elect Obama’s campaign was focused, disciplined, and effective. He has shown himself to be bright, calm, and decisive. He listens, and he has good judgment. We at Popular Logistics wish him and the country well. And we know this: If President Obama governs the way President-Elect Obama campaigned, the country will do well. Very well. (0)
SMASHING APPS: PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS
Smashings Apps has collected a number of project management tools - most if not all free. For community groups - disaster response-related or other - there’s probably something useful for all but the most tech-savvy (or best-funded) groups.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=3c89f027-cb54-4171-a3cf-84b5d28fd18a)
ELECTRICITY: 100% CLEAN AND GREEN BY 2018
The Gore Energy Challenge - 100% clean, renewable, sustainable electricity in 10 years, can be described in 3 words. Reasonable, Achievable, Visionary. Here’s how:
40% Land Based Wind = 100 GW: $200 Billion.
40% Offshore Wind = 100 GW: $286 Billion.
20% Solar = 50 GW: $325 Billion.
100% Clean Energy = 250 GW: $811Billion.
Save the Earth, and the Economy - Priceless.
The Stone Age didn’t end because we ran out of stones. And the age of fossil fuels is ending not because we have run out of fossil fuel, but because we have figured out how better technologies. Biofuels, Geothermal, Marine Kinetic, Solar, Wind, and of course, Conservation. (0)
