Manic Organic Shop

And Now For Something a Little Off Topic

2009-08-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

Solar in Sacramento

2009-04-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

Living in Sacramento and interested in getting solar for your home or business? The Sacramento Municipal Utility Districty (SMUD) has an easy solar calculator on their website to help you estimate how much you would need and how much it will cost.

If you can't afford the thousands of dollars that it will take to put solar on your roof, you can still be a part of the solar revolution. The SMUD Solar Shares program allows you to "purchase" renewable energy at a fixed rate each month. Basically, you pay a flat monthly fee to buy a "share" or a "square" on a solar farm. The square you purchase can vary in size depending on your home electricity use. On sunny months and in summer, your square produces more and you get a larger credit on your electric bill - usually just a few months. Members must stay in the program for 1 year, but anyone even condo and apartment dwellers can participate. If you move, no problem, as long as you stay in the SMUD area, you can stay in the program.

A Letter to the Obamas From James Hansen

2009-01-05T19:41:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the people on my e-mail list for all the suggestions (more than 100!) about my draft
“Tell Barack Obama the Truth – the Whole Truth”. Most frequent criticism: the need for an
executive summary. Two people suggested: put a summary in the form of a letter to Michelle
and Barack Obama. I like that idea. They are equally smart lawyers, and if we can get either
of them to really focus on the actions that are needed, the planet has a chance.

The letter turned out to be four pages. Sorry. But I wrote a note to John Holdren, which can
serve as an executive summary. John has promised to deliver the letter, but cannot do so
prior to the inauguration. That delay is a problem for one of the three recommendations: tax
and dividend. Thus I am making the letter available at
http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/mailings/20081229_DearMichelleAndBarack.pdf
and the revised “Tell Barack Obama the Truth” at
http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/mailings/20081229_Obama_revised.pdf
in hopes of getting the information to people who continue to push for “goals” and “caps”.

“Goals” for percentage CO2 emission reductions and “cap & trade & dividend” are a threat to
the planet, weak tea, not commensurate with the task of getting CO2 back to 350 ppm and
less. Note:

(1) There must be a tax at the mine or port of entry, the first sale of oil, gas and coal, so every direct and indirect
use of the fuel is affected. Anything less means that the reduction of demand for the fuel will make it cheaper
for some uses; e.g., people will start burning coal in their stoves. Peter Barnes’ idea to push the cap upstream to
the extent possible is not adequate nor is a ‘gas tax’ suggested by NY Times and others. A comprehensive
approach is needed.

(2) “Cap & trade & dividend” creates Wall Street millionaires and complex bureaucracy. The public is fed up
with that – rightly so. A single carbon tax rate can be adjusted upward affecting all activities appropriately.
With 100% dividend the public will allow a carbon price adequate to the job, i.e., helping us move to the post-
fossil-fuel world.

(3) Supply ‘caps’ cannot yield a really big reduction because of the weapon: ‘shortages’. All a utility has to say
is ‘blackout coming’ and politicians and public have to cave in – we are not going to have the lights turned out.
Will the public allow a high enough tax rate? Yes, dividends will exceed tax for most people concerned about
their bills.

(4) A tax is not sufficient. All other measures, such as building codes, are needed. But with millions of
buildings, all construction codes and operations cannot be enforced. A rising carbon price provides effective
enforcement.

(5) Wouldn’t it be cheaper to let people burn the dirtiest fuel? No. The clean future that we aim for, including
more efficient energy use, is not more expensive. For example, you may have read about passively heated
homes that require little energy and increase construction costs only several percent. Such possibilities remain
the oddball (with high price tag), not the standard construction, unless the government adopts policies that make
things happen.

Some of you suggested that I should only explain the urgency of the climate crisis, the need
to get back to 350 ppm CO2 and less. Politicians are happy if scientists provide information
and then go away and shut up. But science and policy cannot be divorced. What I learned in
the past few years is that politicians often adopt convenient policies that can be shown to be
inconsistent with long-term success, given readily available scientific data and empirical
information on policy impacts.

Jim Hansen

Dear John,

A few weeks ago in London, where Anniek was running after me from one meeting to
another, she had a heart attack (fortunately we were near a very good hospital -- the problem
should be permanently fixed via the stent they inserted plus a better diet). As we waited a
week for her to be able to fly I wrote the attached letter to the Obamas. Could you possibly
forward this letter to them?

I realize that it is a long letter (4 pages + a page of footnotes). But global warming likely will
be, eventually, the problem of their lifetime. His presidency may be judged in good part on
whether he was able to turn the tide -- more important, the futures of young people and other
life will depend on that. So four pages may not be intolerably long.

My hope is that he (even better they) will want to understand the matter, not just rely on
advisers. I refer not to the details of climate science, but rather what needs to be done. The
danger is that the compromises and special interests inherent in Kyoto-style targets and cap-
and-trade will be accepted because of bureaucratic momentum. Other intolerable aspects of
current approaches are the escape hatches (plant a tree somewhere, reduce some other gas,
etc.). Carbon dioxide is special because of its strange lifetime (eventually exceedingly long)
and the fact that it acidifies the ocean. Also it needs to be recognized that forestation can not
be traded for more fossil fuels because the forests are needed to help bring down the current
amount of CO2.

The three points that I raise concern: (1) coal, (2) carbon tax, and (3) nuclear power.

(1) The critical need to cut off the coal source soon must be recognized. I was surprised that
in 90 minutes I could not get the German Environmental Minister to understand that their
proposed "carbon cap" would not allow them to build 20 more coal-fired power plants. I kept
saying "if you burn more coal you must convince Russia to leave its oil in the ground" and he
would say "we will tighten the carbon cap". Japan thinks that it did fine in meeting its Kyoto
obligations, even though its coal use and CO2 emissions increased. [Japan used Kyoto-
allowed escape hatches. The Earth has no escape hatch.]

(2) A carbon tax (across all fossil fuels at their source) is essential, I believe, for
effectiveness. Any less comprehensive cap will reduce the price of the fuel for any other
uses.

A rising tax (with all the other needed measures such as building codes, vehicle efficiencies,
renewable energies...) will help constrain demand for the fuel. When gasoline hits $4-
5/gallon again, most of that should be tax staying in the country and returned as dividend,
providing the consumer the means to purchase more efficient products and incentive for
entrepreneurs to develop them. A rising tax will help keep the price paid for the oil itself (or
other fossil fuel) lower, thus making it unprofitable to go to the most extreme places on the
planet to extract the last drop of oil. Instead we can move on sooner to the energies of the
post-fossil-fuel-era.

A carbon cap that makes one more stinking millionaire on the backs of the public is going to
infuriate the public. Me too. There is no need to support lobbyists, traders, and special
interests. The tax should be proportional to the carbon amount and the dividend calculation
will only require long division, which even a civil servant can do.

100% of the tax should go into the dividends. However, if some countries do not apply an
equivalent tax, a duty should be collected on fossil-fuel dependent products imported from
that country. Such import duties might be used, in part, to finance reforestation, climate
adaptation, or other climate or energy related needs.

(3) Nuclear power: it would be great if energy efficiency, renewable energies, and an
improved ("smart") electric grid could satisfy all energy needs. However, the future of our
children should not rest on that gamble. The danger is that the minority of vehement anti-
nuclear "environmentalists" could cause development of advanced safe nuclear power to be
slowed such that utilities are forced to continue coal-burning in order to keep the lights on.
That is a prescription for disaster.

There is no need for a decision to deploy nuclear power on a large scale. What is needed is
rapid development of the potential, including prototypes, so that options are available. We
have to avoid a "FutureGen" sort of drag-out. It seems to me that it is time to get fed-up with
those people who think they can impose their will on everybody, and all the consequences
that might imply for the planet, by putting this R&D on a slow boat to nowhere instead of on
the fast-track that it deserves.

I hope that you will be willing to forward this to the Obamas. Wishing you the best for the
holiday season, and especially success in your new job!

Best regards,

Jim Hansen

29 December 2008

Michelle and Barack Obama
Chicago and Washington, D.C.
United States of America

Dear Michelle and Barack,

We write to you as fellow parents concerned about the Earth that will be inherited by our
children, grandchildren, and those yet to be born.

Barack has spoken of ‘a planet in peril’ and noted that actions needed to stem climate change
have other merits. However, the nature of the chosen actions will be of crucial importance.

We apologize for the length of this letter. But your personal attention to these ‘details’ could
make all the difference in what surely will be the most important matter of our times.

Jim has advised governments previously through regular channels. But urgency now dictates
a personal appeal. Scientists at the forefront of climate research have seen a stream of new
data in the past few years with startling implications for humanity and all life on Earth.

Yet the information that most needs to be communicated to you concerns the failure of policy
approaches employed by nations most sincere and concerned about stabilizing climate.
Policies being discussed in national and international circles now, which focus on ‘goals’ for
emission reduction and ‘cap and trade’, have the same basic approach as the Kyoto Protocol.
This approach is ineffectual and not commensurate with the climate threat. It could waste
another decade, locking in disastrous consequences for our planet and humanity.

The enclosure, “Tell Barack Obama the Truth – the Whole Truth” was sent to colleagues for
comments as we left for a trip to Europe. Their main suggestion was to add a summary of the
specific recommendations, preferably in a cover letter sent to both of you.

There is a profound disconnect between actions that policy circles are considering and what
the science demands for preservation of the planet. A stark scientific conclusion, that we
must reduce greenhouse gases below present amounts to preserve nature and humanity, has
become clear to the relevant experts. The validity of this statement could be verified by the
National Academy of Sciences, which can deliver prompt authoritative reports in response to
a Presidential requesti. NAS was set up by President Lincoln for just such advisory purposes.

Science and policy cannot be divorced. It is still feasible to avert climate disasters, but only if
policies are consistent with what science indicates to be required. Our three recommendations
derive from the science, including logical inferences based on empirical information about
the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of specific past policy approaches.

(1) Moratorium and phase-out of coal plants that do not capture and store CO2.
This is the sine qua non for solving the climate problem. Coal emissions must be phased
out rapidly. Yes, it is a great challenge, but one with enormous side benefits.

Coal is responsible for as much atmospheric carbon dioxide as the other fossil fuels
combined, and its reserves make coal even more important for the long run. Oil, the second
greatest contributor to atmospheric carbon dioxide, is already substantially depleted, and it is
impractical to capture carbon dioxide emitted by vehicles. But if coal emissions are phased
out promptly, a range of actions including improved agricultural and forestry practices could
bring the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide back down, out of the dangerous range.
As an example of coal’s impact consider this: continued construction of coal-fired power
plants will raise atmospheric carbon dioxide to a level at least approaching 500 ppm (parts
per million). At that level, a conservative estimate for the number of species that would be
exterminated (committed to extinction) is one million. The proportionate contribution of a
single power plant operating 50 years and burning ~100 rail cars of coal per day (100 tons of
coal per rail car) would be about 400 species! Coal plants are factories of death. It is no
wonder that young people (and some not so young) are beginning to block new construction.

(2) Rising price on carbon emissions via a “carbon tax and 100% dividend”.
A rising price on carbon emissions is the essential underlying support needed to make all
other climate policies work. For example, improved building codes are essential, but full
enforcement at all construction and operations is impractical. A rising carbon price is the one
practical way to obtain compliance with codes designed to increase energy efficiency.
A rising carbon price is essential to “decarbonize” the economy, i.e., to move the nation
toward the era beyond fossil fuels. The most effective way to achieve this is a carbon tax (on
oil, gas, and coal) at the well-head or port of entry. The tax will then appropriately affect all
products and activities that use fossil fuels. The public’s near-term, mid-term, and long-term
lifestyle choices will be affected by knowledge that the carbon tax rate will be rising.
The public will support the tax if it is returned to them, equal shares on a per capita basis
(half shares for children up to a maximum of two child-shares per family), deposited monthly
in bank accounts. No large bureaucracy is needed. A person reducing his carbon footprint
more than average makes money. A person with large cars and a big house will pay a tax
much higher than the dividend. Not one cent goes to Washington. No lobbyists will be
supported. Unlike cap-and-trade, no millionaires would be made at the expense of the public.
The tax will spur innovation as entrepreneurs compete to develop and market low-carbon
and no-carbon energies and products. The dividend puts money in the pockets of consumers,
stimulating the economy, and providing the public a means to purchase the products.
A carbon tax is honest, clear and effective. It will increase energy prices, but low and
middle income people, especially, will find ways to reduce carbon emissions so as to come
out ahead. The rate of infrastructure replacement, thus economic activity, can be modulated
by how fast the carbon tax rate increases. Effects will permeate society. Food requiring lots
of carbon emissions to produce and transport will become more expensive and vice versa,
encouraging support of nearby farms as opposed to imports from half way around the world.
The carbon tax has social benefits. It is progressive. It is useful to those most in need in
hard times, providing them an opportunity for larger dividend than tax. It will encourage
illegal immigrants to become legal, thus to obtain the dividend, and it will discourage illegal
immigration because everybody pays the tax, but only legal citizens collect the dividend.
“Cap and trade” generates special interests, lobbyists, and trading schemes, yielding non
productive millionaires, all at public expense. The public is fed up with such business. Tax
with 100% dividend, in contrast, would spur our economy, while aiding the disadvantaged,
the climate, and our national security.

(3) Urgent R&D on 4th generation nuclear power with international cooperation.
Energy efficiency, renewable energies, and a “smart grid” deserve first priority in our
effort to reduce carbon emissions. With a rising carbon price, renewable energy can perhaps
handle all of our needs. However, most experts believe that making such presumption
probably would leave us in 25 years with still a large contingent of coal-fired power plants
worldwide. Such a result would be disastrous for the planet, humanity, and nature.
4th generation nuclear power (4th GNP) and coal-fired power plants with carbon capture
and sequestration (CCS) at present are the best candidates to provide large baseload nearly
carbon-free power (in case renewable energies cannot do the entire job). Predictable criticism
of 4th GNP (and CCS) is: “it cannot be ready before 2030.” However, the time needed could
be much abbreviated with a Presidential initiative and Congressional support. Moreover,
improved (3rd generation) light water reactors are available for near-term needs.
In our opinion, 4th GNPii deserves your strong support, because it has the potential to
help solve past problems with nuclear power: nuclear waste, the need to mine for nuclear
fuel, and release of radioactive materialiii. Potential proliferation of nuclear material will
always demand vigilance, but that will be true in any case, and our safety is best secured if
the United States is involved in the technologies and helps define standards.
Existing nuclear reactors use less than 1% of the energy in uranium, leaving more than
99% in long-lived nuclear waste. 4th GNP can “burn” that waste, leaving a small volume of
waste with a half-life of decades rather than thousands of years. Thus 4th GNP could help
solve the nuclear waste problem, which must be dealt with in any case. Because of this, a
portion of the $25B that has been collected from utilities to deal with nuclear waste justifiably
could be used to develop 4th generation reactors.
The principal issue with nuclear power, and other energy sources, is cost. Thus an R&D
objective must be a modularized reactor design that is cost competitive with coal. Without
such capability, it may be difficult to wean China and India from coal. But all developing
countries have great incentives for clean energy and stable climate, and they will welcome
technical cooperation aimed at rapid development of a reproducible safe nuclear reactor.
Potential for cooperation with developing countries is implied by interest South Korea
has expressed in General Electric’s design for a small scale 4th GNP reactor. I do not have
the expertise to advocate any specific project, and there are alternative approaches for 4th
GNP (see enclosure). I am only suggesting that the assertion that 4th GNP technology cannot
be ready until 2030 is not necessarily valid. Indeed, with a Presidential directive for the
Nuclear Regulator Commission to give priority to the review process, it is possible that a
prototype reactor could be constructed rapidly in the United States.
CCS also deserves R&D support. There is no such thing as clean coal at this time, and it
is doubtful that we will ever be able to fully eliminate emissions of mercury, other heavy
metals, and radioactive material in the mining and burning of coal. However, because of the
enormous number of dirty coal-fired power plants in existence, the abundance of the fuel, and
the fact that CCS technology could be used at biofuel-fired power plants to draw down
atmospheric carbon dioxide, the technology deserves strong R&D support.

Summary
An urgentiv geophysical fact has become clear. Burning all the fossil fuels will destroy the
planet we know, Creation, the planet of stable climate in which civilization developed.

Of course it is unfair that everyone is looking to Barack to solve this problem (and other
problems!), but they are. He alone has a fleeting opportunity to instigate fundamental
change, and the ability to explain the need for it to the public.

Geophysical limits dictate the outline for what must be donev. Because of the long lifetime of
carbon dioxide in the air, slowing the emissions cannot solve the problem. Instead a large
part of the total fossil fuels must be left in the ground. In practice, that means coal.

The physics of the matter, together with empirical data, also define the need for a carbon tax.
Alternatives such as emission reduction targets, cap and trade, cap and dividend, do not work,
as proven by honest efforts of the ‘greenest’ countries to comply with the Kyoto Protocol:
(1) Japan: accepted the strongest emission reduction targets, appropriately prides itself on having the most
energy-efficient industry, and yet its use of coal has sharply increased, as have its total CO2 emissions. Japan
offset its increases with purchases of credits through the clean development mechanism in China, intended to
reduce emissions there, but Chinese emissions increased rapidly.
(2) Germany: subsidizes renewable energies heavily and accepts strong emission reduction targets, yet plans to
build a large number of coal-fired power plants. They assert that they will have cap-and-trade, with a cap that
reduces emissions by whatever amount is needed. But the physics tells us that if they continue to burn coal, no
cap can solve the problem, because of the long carbon dioxide lifetime.
(3) Other cases are described on my Columbia University web site, e.g., Switzerland finances construction of
coal plants, Sweden builds them, and Australia exports coal and sets atmospheric carbon dioxide goals so large
as to guarantee destruction of much of the life on the planet.

Indeed, ‘goals’ and ‘caps’ on carbon emissions are practically worthless, if coal emissions
continue, because of the exceedingly long lifetime of carbon dioxide in the air. Nobody
realistically expects that the large readily available pools of oil and gas will be left in the
ground. Caps will not cause that to happen – caps only slow the rate at which the oil and gas
are used. The only solution is to cut off the coal source (and unconventional fossil fuels).

Coal phase-out and transition to the post-fossil fuel era requires an increasing carbon price. A
carbon tax at the wellhead or port of entry reduces all uses of a fuel. In contrast, a less
comprehensive cap has the perverse effect of lowering the price of the fuel for other uses,
undercutting clean energy sources.vi In contrast to the impracticality of all nations agreeing
to caps, and the impossibility of enforcement, a carbon tax can readily be made near-global.vii

A Presidential directive for prompt investigation and proto-typing of advanced safe nuclear
power is needed to cover the possibility that renewable energies cannot satisfy global energy
needs. One of the greatest dangers the world faces is the possibility that a vocal minority of
anti-nuclear activists could prevent phase-out of coal emissions.

The challenges today, including climate change, are great and urgent. Barack’s leadership is
essential to explain to the world what is needed. The public, young and old, recognize the
difficulties and will support the actions needed for a fundamental change of direction.

James and Anniek Hansen

Pennsylvania
United States of America

i
Given the brilliant scientists Barack has appointed to his team, is there need for a National Academy of
Sciences meeting? Yes, his team surely would welcome not only clarification of the urgency of the climate
situation, but also interdisciplinary (economics, engineering, physics, biology…) discussion and evaluation of
policy options. Barack’s first year or two in office is almost surely our last best chance to get the climate and
energy strategy right in time to save the future of our children and grandchildren.

ii
I am not referring to the DOE’s “Generation-4” nuclear program, which is a diffuse program that will not yield
rapid payoff. Instead, as discussed below, there would need to be a Presidential directive to pursue a path(s)
with the potential to contribute to decarbonization of global energy systems as rapidly as practical.

iii
4th generation reactors can include automatic shutdown in case of an earthquake or other interruption. It is
noteworthy that, even with the presence of poorly designed nuclear power plants in the past, and in some cases
demonstrably sloppy operations, the waste from coal-fired power plants has done far more damage, and even
spread more radioactive material around the world than all nuclear power plants combined, including Chernobyl.

iv
Urgency derives from the nearness of climate tipping points, beyond which climate dynamics will cause rapid
changes out of humanity’s control. Concern about such behavior derives not from theory or speculation, but
from improving knowledge of how the Earth responded to past changes of atmospheric composition and from
observations of ongoing changes.
Tipping points occur because of amplifying feedbacks. Feedbacks include loss of Arctic sea ice, melting
glaciers and ice sheets, release of ‘frozen’ methane as tundra melts, and growth of vegetation on previously
frozen land. The surface changes increase the amount of sunlight absorbed by Earth. Added methane reduces
heat radiation to space, amplifying the warming effect of carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels.
Analysis of Earth’s history helps reveal the level of greenhouse gases needed to maintain a climate
resembling the Holocene, Creation, the period of reasonably stable climate in which civilization developed.
That carbon dioxide level, unsurprisingly in retrospect, is less than the current 385 ppm (parts per million). The
safe amount for the long-term is no more than 350 ppm, probably less. Pre-industrial carbon dioxide amount
was 280 ppm. Precise definition of a safe range requires better knowledge of all climate forcing mechanisms.
What is clear is that continuing fossil fuel emissions will put Earth on an inexorable course toward an ice-
free state, a course punctuated by increasingly extreme disasters with hundreds of millions of climate refugees.
A large fraction of species on Earth face certain extinction, if we burn most fossil fuels without capturing and
storing the carbon dioxide. New species may come into being over many thousands of years, but all generations
of our descendants that we can imagine will live on a far more desolate planet than the one we knew.

v
Total carbon in conventional fossil fuels (oil, gas, and coal), if released to the air, is enough to initiate a
dynamic transition to an ice-free climate state, a transition that would be out of humanity’s control. A large
fraction of the carbon dioxide emitted in burning fossil fuels stays in the air many centuries. Thus the climate
problem cannot be solved by only slowing the rate at which we burn the fossil fuels.
Solution requires that a large part of total fossil fuels is left in the ground, or the carbon dioxide captured
and stored. In addition, the unconventional fossil fuels (oil shale, tar sands, methane hydrates) must be left
largely untouched or the carbon dioxide captured and stored.

vi
Now, with oil prices down, is when a hefty carbon tax should be added. In the future, when the price of
gasoline again reaches and passes $4/gallon, most of this cost will be tax, staying in the country, spread among
consumers, and driving our economy to a clean future. The public can understand this, if Barack explains it, and
they will accept it, if there is 100% dividend.

vii
A carbon tax requires agreement of only several major nations. If any given nation does not apply the tax, an
equivalent duty can be applied to their products at ports of entry.

The Climate for Change by Al Gore

2008-11-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

New York Times Op-Ed by Former Vice President Al Gore

THE inspiring and transformative choice by the American people to elect Barack Obama as our 44th president lays the foundation for another fateful choice that he — and we — must make this January to begin an emergency rescue of human civilization from the imminent and rapidly growing threat posed by the climate crisis.

The electrifying redemption of America’s revolutionary declaration that all human beings are born equal sets the stage for the renewal of United States leadership in a world that desperately needs to protect its primary endowment: the integrity and livability of the planet.

The world authority on the climate crisis, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, after 20 years of detailed study and four unanimous reports, now says that the evidence is “unequivocal.” To those who are still tempted to dismiss the increasingly urgent alarms from scientists around the world, ignore the melting of the north polar ice cap and all of the other apocalyptic warnings from the planet itself, and who roll their eyes at the very mention of this existential threat to the future of the human species, please wake up. Our children and grandchildren need you to hear and recognize the truth of our situation, before it is too late.

Here is the good news: the bold steps that are needed to solve the climate crisis are exactly the same steps that ought to be taken in order to solve the economic crisis and the energy security crisis.

Economists across the spectrum — including Martin Feldstein and Lawrence Summers — agree that large and rapid investments in a jobs-intensive infrastructure initiative is the best way to revive our economy in a quick and sustainable way. Many also agree that our economy will fall behind if we continue spending hundreds of billions of dollars on foreign oil every year. Moreover, national security experts in both parties agree that we face a dangerous strategic vulnerability if the world suddenly loses access to Middle Eastern oil.

As Abraham Lincoln said during America’s darkest hour, “The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew.” In our present case, thinking anew requires discarding an outdated and fatally flawed definition of the problem we face.

Thirty-five years ago this past week, President Richard Nixon created Project Independence, which set a national goal that, within seven years, the United States would develop “the potential to meet our own energy needs without depending on any foreign energy sources.” His statement came three weeks after the Arab oil embargo had sent prices skyrocketing and woke America to the dangers of dependence on foreign oil. And — not coincidentally — it came only three years after United States domestic oil production had peaked.

At the time, the United States imported less than a third of its oil from foreign countries. Yet today, after all six of the presidents succeeding Nixon repeated some version of his goal, our dependence has doubled from one-third to nearly two-thirds — and many feel that global oil production is at or near its peak.

Some still see this as a problem of domestic production. If we could only increase oil and coal production at home, they argue, then we wouldn’t have to rely on imports from the Middle East. Some have come up with even dirtier and more expensive new ways to extract the same old fuels, like coal liquids, oil shale, tar sands and “clean coal” technology.

But in every case, the resources in question are much too expensive or polluting, or, in the case of “clean coal,” too imaginary to make a difference in protecting either our national security or the global climate. Indeed, those who spend hundreds of millions promoting “clean coal” technology consistently omit the fact that there is little investment and not a single large-scale demonstration project in the United States for capturing and safely burying all of this pollution. If the coal industry can make good on this promise, then I’m all for it. But until that day comes, we simply cannot any longer base the strategy for human survival on a cynical and self-interested illusion.

Here’s what we can do — now: we can make an immediate and large strategic investment to put people to work replacing 19th-century energy technologies that depend on dangerous and expensive carbon-based fuels with 21st-century technologies that use fuel that is free forever: the sun, the wind and the natural heat of the earth.

What follows is a five-part plan to repower America with a commitment to producing 100 percent of our electricity from carbon-free sources within 10 years. It is a plan that would simultaneously move us toward solutions to the climate crisis and the economic crisis — and create millions of new jobs that cannot be outsourced.

First, the new president and the new Congress should offer large-scale investment in incentives for the construction of concentrated solar thermal plants in the Southwestern deserts, wind farms in the corridor stretching from Texas to the Dakotas and advanced plants in geothermal hot spots that could produce large amounts of electricity.

Second, we should begin the planning and construction of a unified national smart grid for the transport of renewable electricity from the rural places where it is mostly generated to the cities where it is mostly used. New high-voltage, low-loss underground lines can be designed with “smart” features that provide consumers with sophisticated information and easy-to-use tools for conserving electricity, eliminating inefficiency and reducing their energy bills. The cost of this modern grid — $400 billion over 10 years — pales in comparison with the annual loss to American business of $120 billion due to the cascading failures that are endemic to our current balkanized and antiquated electricity lines.

Third, we should help America’s automobile industry (not only the Big Three but the innovative new startup companies as well) to convert quickly to plug-in hybrids that can run on the renewable electricity that will be available as the rest of this plan matures. In combination with the unified grid, a nationwide fleet of plug-in hybrids would also help to solve the problem of electricity storage. Think about it: with this sort of grid, cars could be charged during off-peak energy-use hours; during peak hours, when fewer cars are on the road, they could contribute their electricity back into the national grid.

Fourth, we should embark on a nationwide effort to retrofit buildings with better insulation and energy-efficient windows and lighting. Approximately 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States come from buildings — and stopping that pollution saves money for homeowners and businesses. This initiative should be coupled with the proposal in Congress to help Americans who are burdened by mortgages that exceed the value of their homes.

Fifth, the United States should lead the way by putting a price on carbon here at home, and by leading the world’s efforts to replace the Kyoto treaty next year in Copenhagen with a more effective treaty that caps global carbon dioxide emissions and encourages nations to invest together in efficient ways to reduce global warming pollution quickly, including by sharply reducing deforestation.

Of course, the best way — indeed the only way — to secure a global agreement to safeguard our future is by re-establishing the United States as the country with the moral and political authority to lead the world toward a solution.

Looking ahead, I have great hope that we will have the courage to embrace the changes necessary to save our economy, our planet and ultimately ourselves.

In an earlier transformative era in American history, President John F. Kennedy challenged our nation to land a man on the moon within 10 years. Eight years and two months later, Neil Armstrong set foot on the lunar surface. The average age of the systems engineers cheering on Apollo 11 from the Houston control room that day was 26, which means that their average age when President Kennedy announced the challenge was 18.

This year similarly saw the rise of young Americans, whose enthusiasm electrified Barack Obama’s campaign. There is little doubt that this same group of energized youth will play an essential role in this project to secure our national future, once again turning seemingly impossible goals into inspiring success.

Al Gore, the vice president from 1993 to 2001, was the co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. He founded the Alliance for Climate Protection and, as a businessman, invests in alternative energy companies.

Don't let Al down.

Health Fair in San Diego

2008-09-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Mini-Health Fair in San Diego

"An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure"
October 21, 2008
5:30 - 8:30 pm
at the East County Business Center
270 E. Douglas Avenue, El Cajon, California 92020

Hosted by several businesses that are part of the San Diego Green Business Network

New York Times New Green Blog

2008-09-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

The New York Times unveiled their Green blog this week. They recap some of their green articles (energy and environment) and also cover shorter, pop-culture blog style pieces too.

New York Times Green Blog.

Voting: No on Prop 7 and No on Prop 10

2008-09-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

For California residents: a few green bills will be on the ballot this fall, but unfortunately most environmental groups are advising a NO vote on these two measures (Prop 7 and Prop 10).

Prop 7 is focused on solar energy and Prop 10 focuses on compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles and wind energy. Most groups are advising a NO on these votes because they are too tainted by special interest groups and while they might provide short-term benefits, they won't provide long-term goals that are neede by California Residents.

Resources on Prop 7
California Solar Energy Industries Association - Prop 7 Analysis
California Propositions - Prop 7
California Center for Sustainable Energy Prop 7 & 10 Overview

Resources on Prop 10
California Progress Report
California Progress Report - Prop 10
Mercury News Opinion on Prop 10

World Clocks

2008-09-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

Really cool site that shows time, but also things like # of babies born, # of oil pumped each second, CO2 emissions, nuclear waste, etc.

Earth Clocks

Story of Stuff Video

2008-09-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

We here at Manic Organic encourage conscious consuming. What does that mean? It means not buying stuff you don't need, and it means sometimes paying more in order to purchase a better made product (better conditions for workers, fewer miles traveled in transport, non-toxic dyes and safer "ingredients) that will last longer than the cheap clothing sold in malls and Walmarts.

Interested in where all of the mass-produced stuff we see filing malls comes from? Check out Story of Stuff which breaks it down with graphics and easy to understand stats. This will make you think twice about buying that cheap tshirt.

Home Depot Recycles CFLs

2008-07-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

Changing out a few lightbulbs never sounded so good and those CFLs just got a little sweeter. While Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs are great because they use 75% less energy than a normal lightbulb and last 10 times as long, they also contain mercury (yuck) which means that they are toxic to just throw in a normal trash can when they break.

Never fear, Home Depot now offers a free recycling program where they will take those broken CFLs in for free and recycle them.

Really, Really Green (July 2008)

2008-07-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Reprinted from the July 2008 Edition of Neighbors Newspaper

Summer is finally here, complete with barbecues, beaches, and, ...well…bugs. But, are you worried that you can’t hold a raging party this summer with all of those disposable products, without also harming the planet? Fear not, you can still have an awesome bash on the Fourth and keep it green. Just in time for summer, here are a few tips to lighten your load as you light up the BBQ pits and cool down by the pool.
Greening Up for Summer

- “Healthy” Sunscreen. 89% of the sunscreens out there do not do what they are intended to do and most contain highly toxic materials. Most sunscreens only protect against UVB rays, the ones that burn, and not UVA, the damaging ones that cause cancer. This summer, try sunscreens with zinc (zinc oxide). They may leave your skin a little white, but you’ll avoid some of the unintended ingredients.

- BBQ’s Are The Pits – Well, not really, but those charcoal briquettes can be a downer when they emit more than 105 times the carbon monoxide of a propane bbq, as well as many volatile organic compounds. Make the switch to propane and even consider using a solar oven to do baking rather than your traditional oven. Hey, it can even cook a baked potato.

- Biodegradable Plates – Plastic accounts for over 90% of debris floating in the oceans. This summer, if you don’t have enough washable plates for your party, choose plates, cups and silverware made from soy, or wheat, for example that are easily compostable and biodegradable. You can find these at Whole Foods, Henrys or other markets. These typically break down in 3-6 weeks, keep items out of the landfill and make great soil for your garden.

- Compost Bins For Everyone – Not sure what to do with all of the food scraps from your summer BBQs or all of the produce leftover from the farmers market? Why not make a compost pile to turn that food into useable soil? Even apartments can compost on their balcony or use a countertop composter. There are many options today, making composting easy and virtually work free. Your local gardening supply center can tell you how to make one or have a few for sale.

- Drop the DEET – While bugs are annoying to say the least, it’s not cool to douse your family and pets in cancer-causing poisons just to eliminate a few bugs. Instead try alternatives like planting rosemary, a garlic barrier or even a Mosquito Magnet. Some of those tiki-torches also come with mosquito deterrent materials.

- Get Outdoors – Turning your AC unit up just a few degrees can save you quite a bit of money this summer. Consider planting trees around your house to shade and cool the building, as well as opening windows and using fans to circulate the air. Run your errands during the hottest part of the day, to give your AC unit a break as well.

- Cut That Grass By Hand, sort of – While lawns aren’t a great idea for southern California, for those of who can’t kick the lawn habit, try a push-lawnmower (reel mower) or an electric lawnmower to “cut down” on pollution and noise.

- Support Bees – A recent documentary ‘Silence of the Bees’ reports that we are losing bee populations globally, and this major loss in pollinators could mean serious collapse of our food systems. At this rate, we will lose all bees globally by 2035. That is serious and that is soon. Plant flowers that bloom year-round, and check with your local garden center for specific “bee-friendly” florals.

What Does a Pool Have to Do with the Environment?

2008-06-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

Need fill dirt for your yard or some big project? Why not check with your local pool installer. These guys are always digging up huge piles of dirt and are in need of people to take it off their hands. Oftentimes they will give it to you for free just to get it off their hands. Recycling made easy.

EcoSearch This!

2008-06-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

Ecosearch.org uses the power of the internet to raise money as well as help you find what you're looking for. Its a search engine, just like Google, but all profits generated by ad revenue are donated to charity.

Another similar search is Treehoo, which plants trees for every advertising dollar generated.

Have you "eco-searched" yourself today?

Support Climate Change Legislation in California

2008-06-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

Please sign this!

We've only 10 days left until the governor releases his master plan for
cutting global warming pollution in California.

This week we're making a big push to ensure the governor, and all the
other decision-makers involved, know the best way to fight global
warming is to deter polluters and reward clean energy.

I want to thank the more than 7,000 people who have already taken
action. But with only 10 days left, let's step it up -- I'm hoping for
15,000 e-mails by next week. Can you ask five or more friends to take
action?

Send a note to a friend.

The fight is getting tougher by the minute. There is increasing
pressure on the governor to back off from taking on the polluters.

It's crucial that California enact a strong plan to fight global
warming. Our leadership is key to getting Congress to move ahead with
a
national plan. And, thanks in large part to our delegation, Congress
has
begun to debate how to fight global warming.

If California's plan to fight global warming is laden with handouts to
oil companies and other polluters, you can bet that Congress with
follow suit. As powerful as ExxonMobil, Chevron, and the rest are in
Sacramento, it's nothing compared to how many friends they have in
Washington,
D.C.

We can't back down now.

As the governor makes his final decision, let's make sure his inbox is
flooded with calls on him to invest in clean energy to fight global
warming.

Sign Here.

Thanks for standing up for California's environment.

Sincerely,

Dan Jacobson
Environment California Legislative Director
DanJ@environmentcal ifornia.org
http://www.environm entcaliforni a.org

P.S. Thanks again for your support. Please feel free to share this
e-mail with your family and friends.

Really, Really Green (June 2008)

2008-06-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Reprinted from the June 2008 issue of Neighbors Newspaper.

Green is the new black. Or is it the new blue? It seems like green is everywhere these days. Sustainable. Natural. Environmental. Eco-chic. Whew, it can be exhausting just keeping up with it all. Fear not, this eco-series will help guide you through the ins and outs of how to go green. Each week we’ll tackle a different topic, and as the series progresses we’ll tackle the bigger things you can do to save the planet.

Let’s be honest, its great if you change a few compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs), but it will take more than that to really help the planet. Here’s where I come in; changing your lifestyle does not mean going back to the dark ages. So let’s get started:

Week I. Baby Steps

Ditch the Plastic Bottles. Most bottled water does not go through the same stringent tests as tap water, due to FDA exemptions. Eight out of ten water bottles end up in landfills and are never recycled. Use a Nalgene, a Klean Kanteen, a Sigg or other portable water container instead and fill it with your favorite beverage.

Use Canvas Bags. Plastic takes 1,000 years to photodegrade – that means every piece of plastic ever made is still in the environment. Think about that for a second. Why are we producing more plastic, just to throw it away? Instead, choose a canvas bag that can be used over and over and over. Most grocery stores carry them today for cheap and many come in stylish designs.

Unplug Appliances. You may have heard of the term “phantom power,” where appliances still use electricity even though the appliance might be off. This means you are paying for electricity that you are not even using. Who can afford to do that? Instead, put all of your appliances on power strips or unplug them when not in use so you know you get what you pay for.

Take shorter showers. Most Americans use more than 1,000 gallons of water a day. Living in southern California, it’s an understatement to say that water is scarce, so in this case, every little bit counts. Try turning off the water when you’re sudsing up and make sure you keep your showers to 10 minutes or less. Try switching to low-flow showerheads; This will not only save water and money.

Support Local Farmer Markets. Local food is fresher and healthier as produce from the farmers markets is often organic. You also keep money in the local community. Farmers markets also have a smaller carbon footprint as food isn’t shipped from around the world before it ends up on your dinner table.

Recycle your toxic chemicals. Many of the cleaning products today have not been thoroughly tested to determine the long-term health effects on humans. Who wants to eat food off of a counter covered in poly-highly-toxic chemicals? No thank you. Instead, switch over to less toxic and biodegradable cleaning products. Many natural materials, such as vinegar and lemon juice, can be used to do the same job. Look for waste-recycling days where municipalities collect and recycle any toxic chemicals, paints and electronics that you have around your house.

Choose Drought-Tolerant Landscaping. Not to beat a dead horse, but clearly water is valuable in southern California. This is a pretty easy one as you can slowly change plants out over time and there is no shortage of hearty plants to choose from. Make sure that your sprinklers run at night when you will lose less water due to evaporation.

Resources:
Treehugger.com - particularly the How To Go Green series
Grist
Earth911.org - an extensive resource on recycling.

Light Up Your Life

2008-05-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

New solar-powered flashlights that charge during the day and light up rural villages in Africa are making a huge breakthrough. These simple lights allow children to study at night without exposure to toxic kerosene fumes. They also allow doctors emergency light, by providing 7 hours of light with every charge and lasting over 3 years.

Want to help light up the world? For every purchase of these solar-powered flashlights ($25), the company will donate one to the nonprofits that distribute the lights in Africa.

You can find them online at: SunNight Solar.

Say No to the Phonebook

2008-05-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

For the folks in the UK, 192.com is a new campaign aimed at opting out of getting a new phonebook. Residents currently get three new phonebooks each year, which is 75,000 tons of paper each year.

If you need a phonebook, then go ahead and get your book, but with the ease and universality of the internet many people find they never use a physical phonebook, but would rather use a virtual phonebook. People are also finding that the phonebook is out of date too quickly and its too difficult to recycle phonebooks, so citizens would rather not have the burden.

To get involved, go to www.saynotophonebooks.com

More PHacts on PHonebooks:

Phonebooks typically have less than 100,000 local records: online directory enquiries search over 17.5 million phone records across the UK
Online data can be updated on a daily basis, phonebook data can only be updated on an annual basis
Laid end to end they would stretch over half way around the world (22,500km)
680,000 barrels of oil wasted in phonebook production (not including the wasted petrol used for their delivery to your doorstep)
2 billion litres of water is used in the production process (not to mention the amount of water wasted in the recycling process)
437 million kilowatts of energy used in the production process (again not mentioning that used in the recycling process)this equates to enough energy being produced to power 112,000 3 bedroom houses for a year

Get Paid to Plant a Tree in DC

2008-05-12T09:00:00.001-07:00

For those of you in the District, the District of Columbia that is, there is a shortage of trees. Well not exactly, but there is a big push to plant more trees, particularly shade trees and who can argue with that.

To encourage this planting of trees, Casey Trees and the District of Columbia are offering a $50 rebate for residents that plant and agree to maintain an oak, elm, maple or river birch tree. For more information, see below:

Last call for Casey Trees' spring shade tree rebate. There are just three weeks left to plant a shade tree in DC and claim a
$50 rebate from Casey Trees. May 31st is the deadline to submit rebate requests which can be found online at Casey Trees and are available at many garden centers in the metro area such as: Ginkgo Gardens, American Plant Food, Home Depot off Rhode Island Ave., Campbell & Ferrara, Nature By Design and Shade Tree Farm.

Recipients must plant an eligible shade tree such as an oak, elm, maple or river birch at a residence in DC and agree to water and care for the tree. Smaller flowering and ornamental trees such as dogwoods, cherries and crepe myrtles are not eligible for this rebate program. Spring is a great time to plant trees in DC, but the sooner they get in the ground before the hot summer months, the better. Rebate requests must be mailed by May 31, 2008.

Plant a tree, store some carbon Washington Post home and garden columnist Adrian Higgins has an excellent article, "A New Leaf on Life," on trees and carbon sequestration in the May 8th Washington Post. Great article, excellent graphics. Check it out Washington Post article, 05/08/08. A New Leaf on Life article.

Community Tree Planting application deadline, June 15, 2008.
Apply for a Community Tree Planting in your
neighborhood or community next fall! Applications for our next Community Tree Planting (CTP) grants are due June 15th. Every fall and spring, Casey Trees helps organize community-based tree planting projects in each ward of the city. We work with neighborhood groups and Citizen Foresters to plan these projects, and to then recruit teams of community volunteers to plant the new trees. Read the application for details. Link to the Casey Tree Planting application.

Help new DC street trees survive the summer. More than 4,000 street trees were planted this season by DDOT's Urban Forestry Administration. To help these trees survive, Casey Trees and UFA are recruiting volunteers to adopt and water these trees this
summer. Please join us by volunteering to water one or two trees this summer!

For information on free classes, summer volunteer events and tree care, visit Casey Trees.

Green Grants in the UK

2008-05-05T09:00:00.001-07:00

For those of you in the UK....

Green business grants are increasingly sought out. This website now funnels the money into one site where users can search for sources and apply for funding for new green business ventures. Best of luck.

Green Grants Machine.

Save the Clean Energy Revolution with Music

2008-05-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

Buying indie music will save the planet -

Hello=

Feist, Of Montreal, Bloc Party, The Appletrees, and some of the other
hottest indie bands out there right now LOVE us. And to show their love they
have teamed up with Green Owl records (an awesome new eco record label) to
put together a hot comp CD that will 100% benefit all the amazing work
Energy Action Coalition is doing for a clean and just energy revolution.

Be one of the FIRST people to have exclusive tracks from some great artists.
Go to Green Owl Records or Democracy in Action to
order your copy (or 3 or 5) of the CD today.

Buying the comp CD will not only help you pack your ipod with some great
exclusive tracks but it will also help you take on King Coal,
progress-blocking politicians, and get your school running on 100% wind and
solar. Not a bad deal.

The CDs are also available at Whole Foods and in local record stores around
the country, but why take your chances with it already being sold out? Order
your copy today online.
Go to Green Owl Records or Democracy in Action to
order your copy (or 3 or 5) of the CD today.

We also need help spreading the word about the CD. Tell your friends about
it, blog about it, brag about it, saturate Facebook with it. Let's make them
print MORE copies of this CD. Let's raise a ton of money to support the
youth climate movement. And let's dance.

To a clean energy revolution that's filled with music,
Aleli, Arthur, Brianna, Jessy, Kassie, Madeline, Ragini, Whit, and the rest
of the Energy Action Coalition team

And read the industry blurb here:

A two-disc CD/DVD featuring previously unreleased tracks from an eclectic
group of artists who've shared their music in order to support the good
works of the Energy Action Coalition. The EAC is made up of over 40
organizations from the US and Canada, founded and led by youth to help
support and strengthen the clean energy movement in North America. They're
currently working on the Campus Climate Challenge, which has committed over
450 college campuses to go climate neutral. They're also responsible for
Power Shift, the largest youth gathering and lobby day on climate change in
the history of the US. All profits from this release will support EAC's
efforts. Artists on this comp include The Appletrees, Feist, Muse, Of
Montreal, Pete Yorn, Bloc Party, Deerhoof, Satori, and many more.

Map of Global Carbon Emissions

2008-04-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

This is a really cool (and really pretty) map displaying global carbon emissions for each country. There is a bubble over each country, and its 'size' helps to compare which countries are emitting more than others. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, the US comes out on top, with China quickly nipping at our heels.

Check it out at: Carbon Atlas.

Happy Earth Day!

2008-04-22T08:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day everyone! Hope you have time to get out, enjoy the sunshine and clean up your community.

In celebration of Earth Day, everything in Manic Organic is on sale! Yay! Save 10-25% off of every item in the store, today only.

Communities all across the country are getting involved and you can too, here's how:

The Great Copy Epidemic allows you to vote for the most creative anti-copymachine program that students came up with. The winning school gets a $125,000 tree planting grant.

Earth Day.org lists all of the earth day activities going on around the world. Or just create your own.

Cheers,
Manic Organic

CO2 emissions on the rise

2008-04-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS ACCELERATING RAPIDLY
Frances C. Moore

Global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the burning of fossil fuels stood at a record 8.38 gigatons of carbon (GtC) in 2006, 20 percent above the level in 2000. Emissions grew 3.1 percent a year between 2000 and 2006, more than twice the rate of growth during the 1990s. Carbon dioxide emissions have been growing steadily for 200 years, since fossil fuel burning began on a large scale at the start of the Industrial Revolution. But the growth in emissions is now accelerating despite unambiguous evidence that carbon dioxide is warming the planet and disrupting ecosystems around the globe.

For entire text see Earth Policy Institute.

For data see data.

Change for Climate 2008

2008-04-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

For those of you in the New York Area, Columbia University students are holding a fundraising event for climate change. What, you may ask, is that? Well, the students are involved in a 12-month intensive masters program focusing specfically on climate change and how to prepare the developing and the developed world for possible impacts.

The fundraising event will be held April 12 on campus and will feature a carnival like atmosphere where contestants can play games, learn about climate change, and all proceeds go to the Millennium Villages project.

For more information, check them out online at: Change for Climate 2008

Train to Coachella

2008-04-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

Wanted to get this out as fast as possible...

For those of you lucky enough to go to Coachella this year, and you know who you are, consider taking the Coachella train out there instead of using your own gas. Granted, you have to have the 3 day pass and plan to stay all weekend becuase the train leaves thursday and returns Monday. We can bet there will be some shenanagins going down on that train ride. What happens on the Coachella train, stays on the Coachella train? maybe.

For more information and tickets, find them online at: Coachella Amtrak Ride.

For the rest of you not on the west coast, Coachella is a huge 3-day music festival in the desert. Kind of on the order of SXSW or Bonnaroo or Woodstock. Except this is in the desert where temps easily climb past 100 and theres realy no place to stay. So dehydrated hippies in the desert sleeping in tents and causing chaos and getting down. Really big acts show up each year, including this year's surprise guest: PRINCE!

Coming Soon: Eco-hangers

2008-04-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

Here at Manic Organic, we're trying to do more than just provide fashion for the masses. We're trying to change the way you think and live. We're trying to inspire conscious consumerism. Soo, with that in mind, we will soon be featuring recyclable and biodegradable clothes hangers. We're starting small, we know. Clothes hangers aren't going to change the world. But consider a few facts about those wire/plastic clothes hangers that litter your closet:

- Most hangers are made of steel and petroleum - both of which are nonbiodegradable and are often made in sweatshops in China.

- Most hangers get thrown away, but you can check out a previous post about recycling hangers here: Recycling Plastic Hangers.

So look for these wheat and paper hangers and let us know what you think.

Event: American Solar Energy Society Conference, San Diego

2008-03-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

This is one for the locals. The American Solar Energy Society will be hosting their annual conference this year in San Diego, May 4-8, 2008. Vendors, contractors and solar enthusiasts alike will all be out for the event. If you're in any way curious about how those funky panels work, check them out here at: ASES Solar 2008.

solar panel maintenance

2008-03-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

Solar panels.
Big. Quiet. Effiecient.
Oftentimes they're hidden from view and as long as that green light on the inverter is illuminated, you don't really pay them any mind.

...that is...until you get your electricity bill and its in the black. NOOO! Well, there is something you can do. Obviously take inventory of any usage changes in your electricity consumption. But if there is nothing to report, then its time to get the hose out and clean off those panels. Just a little soap and water (nothing abrasive and nothing scratchy to scrub those panels) is all you really need. Some areas (particularly neighborhoods in the desert or near new construction) might need biweekly cleanings. other areas may never need to clean their panels if they get regular rain.

Either way, just like your car or your teeth, your solar panels need to be cleaned. Those solar panels are pretty self-sufficient and don't need anybody for anything, but there is something you can do for them that they can't do for themselves. Just clean behind the ears every now and then. It'll do you and them a world of good.

Dishwasher vs. Handwash?

2008-03-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Well, lets nip this one in the bud. A dishwasher is actually more efficient, according to a German Study. BUT this is true only if you ensure that the dishwasher is fully and correctly loaded. Handwashing is less efficient, in terms of water use. So go ahead and use that dishwasher, just make sure that its full and that you're using biodegradable dishwashing detergent without phosphates.

Bonus: you dont have to rinse those plates off before you put them in the dishwasher. shocker. but true. Most, if not all, dishwashers today are so efficient and "high-powered" that they dont need pre-rinsing because they are powerful enough to clean the plates. Unless you have some food that is hard-baked onto the plate/pan, then you might want to do some scratching ahead of time.

Recycling Plastic Hangers

2008-03-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

What should you with all of those coathangers in your closet that seem to breed like rabbits when the lights are out? Well, you can always take them back to the drycleaners where you got them in the first place. Most of the time they will take them back, hey it saves them money on hangers, right? Just pile them with your drycleaning and take everything in together when the pile gets big enough. Easy enough, right?

Also, if you need coathangers, why not try a Goodwill or Salvation Army. Oftentimes they have packs of coathangers for just a few bucks, or even a few cents if you can hit them on a sale day. Instead of purchasing new plastic coathangers which will just take more resources to make (oil) and will eventually be more than you need.

Thought of the Day: Be Nice or Leave!

Electronic Recycling in San Diego

2008-03-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

This coming Saturday, March 8, (8am-4pm) is a mega electronics recycling event here in San Diego. So gather all of those items that have long cluttered your house, apartment, job, car backseat, etc and bring 'em down.

Actually, its better to reuse than recycle, so if there is a way to repair the item, try doing that first. Oftentimes electronics places will take donations - if you're happy to part with the item, they'll fix it up and resell it for cheap. Check and see if they will recycle the item if its unfixable and just needs a proper burial.

For more information, check out at NBC San Diego Go Green.

Compost. Everybody's Doing It.

2007-11-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

On my mom's birthday, here is one of her favorite tips:

Make a Compost Bin. Start now, even before you finish reading this – it’s just that important. Compost reuses/eliminates waste and rebuilds soil, and most importantly anyone can do it – even someone in an apartment with a bucket and some worms. Today’s compost bins can even fit on countertops and apartment patios for the space-restricted Treehugger with good intentions. You can add worms to the mix to speed up the process. If the bin is in your apartment or house, make sure to keep a layer (4”) of newspaper over the compost to keep the fruit flies down. Compost gives your garden a much-needed boost, providing soil that is high in a variety of nutrients. Plus, it keeps all of that waste out of area landfills. Buy one or make one yourself.

Cover the Pipes Under Your Sink

2007-11-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

Fast Tip: Want to save a little more on your electric bill? Consider checking the pipes under your sink and cover them with some sort of insulated wrap. Its a fairly cheap way to save a little money. Porcelain is a really poor insulator. In fact, while you're at it, consider insulating all the exposed piping in your basement, attic and under your sinks.

Park Your Car

2007-11-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

If you're not already doing it, consider choosing one day a week where you simply don't drive anywhere. Sad but true, most of us can't walk to work, so we need our car for our commute. If that is the case, then choose saturday or sunday where you leave that car in the garage. Walk, bike, carpool, whatever, just no direct driving. This will help slow down your life too as you learn to use the resources in your neighborhood and take time to just "be."

For the more ambitious out there in the audience, take one day a week where you choose to bike or use public transportation or even walk to work. This will save on gas, parking, tolls, wear/tear on your car and also your sanity. It might take a bit longer to get to work, but you might have less stress as you can just sit back, read a book and leave the worry of driving to someone else.

Turn Down the Heat on Your Water Heater

2007-10-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Many water heaters are set WAY higher than needed. Like say 140 degrees F. Ouch. We all enjoy a nice hot shower, but no one can stand a shower that hot. Plus, hot water like that can also damage fabrics when you wash clothes in it.

Take a minute to see what your water heater is set on and consider lowering it down to 104 degree F. Also, consider putting insulation or some sort of cover around your water heater, and related piping to make sure the heat stays where its supposed to be.

If your water heater is old and you're in the market to replace it, check out tankless water heaters. They are a little more costly up front, but in the long run will save you money on your electric bills since they only heat water right when you are going to use it. You can even pick one up at a local Home Depot or Lowes, its just that easy now.

Is That a Brick in Your Tank?

2007-10-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

Toilets use lots of water. So if you are still using a conventional toilet, not a low flow one, not a grey-water system and not a giant composting hole in the ground, then at least consider using less water.

How can you do this, you might ask, without buying an entirely new toilet? Well, the easiest method is to put a brick or fill up a water bottle and place it in your tank. This will take the place of where the old water used to go, help your tank fill up faster after each flush and therefore use less water.

Keep an eye on this as some bricks may dissolve, thus causing you to need a new brick and that water bottle might float around so just make sure its not interfering with other things while its doing its job.

Inspiring Canvas Bag Music Video

2007-10-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

A funny spin on using canvas instead of plastic bags...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVh15aUt8-c

Another Carbon Calculator

2007-10-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

There are many carbon calculators out there, from basic to complex. The Carbon Account has come up with their own version of the carbon calculator that lets you change your consumption and monitor your patterns over time.

They also have an application on Facebook for those of you technically savvy folks. Or those you who think Facebook is better than Myspace. Yeah, i said. What are you gonna do about it?

Find them online at:The Carbon Account.

For their facebook application, check out: Carbon Account on Facebook.

*Manic Organic is in no way endorsing the carbon calculator. Just passing this tip along, do with it what you will.

Paperless Faxing

2007-10-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Paperless faxing.

This company (certainly not the only one) offers the ability to send and receive "faxes" without the paper print out and ink/carbon waste of a typical fax machine. Particularly for large corporations that send thousands of faxes, this small change can have a big impact.

http://www.easylink.com/our-services/on-demand-messaging/index.html

Care for your Clothing

2007-09-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

Since we are a clothing company, here are a few tips to keep those clothing items looking tip top while not harming the environment.

- Avoid dry cleaners, and avoid purchasing items that need to be dry cleaned.

- Wash your clothing on cold. It takes extra energy to heat that water up.

- Hang your clothes to dry. Hanging your clothes out to dry will save their color. Okay we realize this a tougher item and probably only for the more die-hard of you out there, but dryers are very energy intensive. If you need a dryer, there are dryers that only use $7 worth of electricity annually to dry your clothes b/c they are super efficient.

How to spot Greenwashing

2007-09-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

You've heard of whitewashing, right? The idea that you try to cover over some bad news and make it bland and less obvious. Used mainly in business when a company is trying to cover up a bad image.

Well the same goes for green and environmental companies and products. With the uber-popularity (that shoutout was for your Ms. Vonhof!) of green products today. Companies everywhere from Walmart to Banks are jumping on the bandwagon to improve their corporate "green" image. But how can you tell if someone is actually protecting the planet, and more importantly, your health, or if they are just...well..."greenwashing"???

A fun little website was created to allow you to watch ad campaigns and spot the greenwashing yourself. You can find them online at Green Washing Index.

An Alternative to AAA

2007-09-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

You probably have a AAA (American Automobile Association membership, right? Who wouldn't when its pretty cheap and you get 24 hour car for anything that happens to your car. Especially for those of you here in southern California, where public transportation doesn't exist in our vocabulary, chances are you're going to run into car trouble at some point.

But did you know that AAA lobbies against fuel emission and gas mileage standards? Bummer. But did you also know that there is an alternative to AAA? Yay!

The Better World Auto Club offers all or more of hte same benefits of AAA and also gives money to protect the environment. The prices are pretty cheap and they'll even insure your bike if you just get around with pedal-power and need help in the event of a flat or accident. Check them out online at: Better World Club.

Carpooling Made Easy

2007-09-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Californians love their cars. But that doesnt mean that they can't learn new tricks. Icarpool.com allows area residents to get together and use those car-pool lanes when heading in to the city for business or pleasure. Try adding a link to icarpool.com for your next evite or group event and see if you too can teach an old sea-dog a new trick.

Working For The Green

2007-08-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

For those of you local San Diegans looking for a job that is focused on more than the bottom line, there is a Nonprofit website devoted strictly to San Diego jobs.

Check them out here at San Diego Non-Profit Works.

Treehugger and Grist both now have job boards for green/eco job postings.

Green Volunteering

2007-08-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Seems like green is everywhere these days and plenty of groups are willing to shell out $$ for anyone with the right idea that just might save us all. Echoing Green offers seed money to the right social entrepreneur with the right idea and the drive to get it done. Green Corps - this PeaceCorps or AmeriCorps but with a focus on the environment.

If You Give a Child a Lightbulb...

2007-08-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Mr. Luna's Bright Idea!! One teachers' brilliant idea to save the planet by giving one CFL to each child in America. This will not only reduce emissions but also save at least $2.3 billion in electricity costs in America.

To donate or learn more, see: The Bright Idea.

Save Your Gas

2007-08-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

For each gallon of gas you dont use, you save 20 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Try running your errands at once instead of making multiple car trips, or even take a bike or walk to the store. Every little bit helps.

Freecycle Shm-recycle

2007-07-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Got some junk that you need to get rid of? Try Freecycle. This group allows you get and give items in your area for free. Anything goes, so keep your eyes open for that old Underwood typewriter you've had your eye on for years, it just might show up.

No More Bottled Water

2007-07-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Its the oldest joke in the book: getting people to pay for water when they can get it for free. Dont fall into the trap - skip the bottle. This saves plastic and saves resources from some other community whose water you are stealing. Municipal water is subject to more rigorous inspections and therefore can be better for you than that bottled stuff.

'Sup Up Your Ride

2007-07-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

Switching an average car to a 13 mpg SUV uses as much energy as leaving your refrigerator door open for 6 years. Ouch! Try a hybrid SUV or consider renting or using Zipcar or Flexcar for those rare times when you need to drive a tank.

Make the Change to CFLs

2007-07-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

You've heard it said a million times, and we'd be crazy if we didnt include it here, but change those lightbulbs to compact fluorescents. They last way longer, use way less electricity and don't get hot from wasted heat like normal light bulbs. If you're really feeling inspired, try LED lights, which are even better than CFL's but cost more.

See future posts for where to recycle these lightbulbs.

The Best Thing You Can Do To Help the Planet

2007-07-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

Live more simply. Consume less. Share more. Unplug that tv. This is probably one of the greatest things you can do to help the planet.

Phantom Power - Unplug it All.

2007-06-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Unplug those appliances. Even though that dvd player might be "off", its still using electricity, which costs you money and adds to the climate change problem by putting out more emissions. When you're not using an appliance, make sure its unplugged. You can also use a powerstrip to keep all your appliances plugged in without using electricity.

How to Find a Local Composter

2007-06-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

Interested in finding a place to compost all of those biodegradable scraps? How about a place to recylce all of those biodegradable dryer sheets and other items that won't break down in a landfill.

Try Find a Composter.comto find a facility near you.

How to Recycle Your Tennis Shoes

2007-06-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

Do you have old tennis shoes that you dont want to part with but have outlived their life? Do you feel bad buying new shoes every 6 months because you're constantly throwing them away? Fear not, because Nike will recycle those tennis shoes into park benches and other useful items.

Go to Nike Reuse A Shoe.

Ditch the Plastic

2007-06-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Every day over 1 billion (thats right, we said billion) plastic bags are distributed every day. These bags take over 1,000 years to biodegrade. Next time you're at a store or the grocery, bring a canvas or reusable bag, or just carry those items by hand if you're only getting a few things. Just think, every piece of plastic ever made is still in the environment today - not a single bit has biodegraded down to nothing yet.