As we continue through an era of unprecedented growth in population, resource consumption, and pollution, it is nice to know that we will have available to us a device that tells us when not to breathe.
Air Quality Egg collects and maps real-time air pollution data
"The Air Quality Egg project does more than just give localized data though. Users can register their egg at airqualityegg.com and their data is automatically mapped, creating a real-time source for local, regional and even global air quality."
All kidding aside, devices like that will be critical if companies can make record profits off natural resources by skirting the laws in place that require companies to compensate the people for access to resources that by law belong to everyone...all the while putting lives at risk through the process of harvesting and the eventual burning of the product.
Interior Department to investigate coal exports
"The Interior Department will investigate whether mining companies are gaming the federal government by skirting royalty payments, a pair of senior senators announced Friday.
The agency is looking into whether mining firms lowball the value of coal excavated from federal lands to minimize the fees they pay the government."
As purchasers in this country attempt to force coal out of the marketplace, it will only find markets elsewhere if we do not collect the royalties legally placed on it. Meanwhile, those who find comfort in switching from coal to nuclear walk a very dangerous line.
Japan and the Ukraine will now remind you why nuclear power makes you nervous
"What’s remarkable is that this third reason to be wary of nuclear — the remote risk of meltdown — is far less important than the other two. It’s akin to worrying about the plane crashing instead of worrying about a car wreck during your long drive to the airport. But images of crumpled nuclear plants and crashed planes tend to stick with you."
At least, finally, people are starting to understand and document the economic risks of avoiding the issue of climate change. Pushing it down the road for our children to handle creates greater hardship than deficit spending, and yet we still cannot get agreement on action.
GAO High-Risk Series: An Update
"This year GAO is removing the high-risk designation from two areas-...and designating two new high-risk areas - Limiting the Federal Government's Fiscal Exposure by Better Managing Climate Change Risks and Mitigating Gaps in Weather Satellite Data. Thses changes bring GAO's 2013 High Risk List to a total of 30 areas."
Meanwhile, the mainstream media spends its time in the never-ending battle to fight over who can make the biggest hay off the apparent "failings of another green technology". I expect most news outlets tire of talking about the damage energy systems cause the environment, but it would help if they paid equal attention to Exxon and Haliburton as they do to Solyndra and Tesla.
CNN shoots down ‘New York Times’ by taking Tesla road trip: ‘It wasn’t that hard’
"Electric car manufacturer Tesla and The New York Times‘ John M. Broder have been at war for the last week after the paper’s review devastated the company’s reputation and affected its share price. Broder asserted that the car’s battery couldn’t meet the demands of a trip from D.C. to Boston, claiming he had to drive well below the posted speed limit and eventually have the car towed...
CNNMoney’s Peter Valdes-Dapena attempted to put the matter to rest by taking a road trip with the Model S on the same route from D.C. to Boston."
Happy Friday!
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