March 2005 Archives

There is little hope the world will ever achieve ecological sustainability unless China pursues policies to limit oil demand. For China and indeed the world the best way of doing so is through fuel taxes. Please see the ClimateArk's Lincoln Plan for an important proposal in this regard.

Planet Ark : China Fuel Tax its Best Weapon to Check Oil Demand

China's energy planners are ready to take the bitter pill of an unpopular nationwide fuel tax to put the brakes on runaway fuel demand in the world's second-biggest oil consumer. Analysts say Beijing is likely to consider a 20-50 percent tax on retail gasoline and diesel prices, which are among the world's lowest, emulating western Europe's policy of using high taxes to promote energy conservation and protect the environment.

Tomas Friedman has been doing some of the best writing around on what he calls the "geo-green" strategy - marrying geopolitics, energy policy and environmentalism. This is some of the best policy prescriptions being made on how to deal with climate change, energy policy, peak oil, terrorism, good governance and making America great again.

Thomas L. Friedman: Geo-greening by example

Look at the opportunities America is missing - and the risks we are assuming - by having a president who refuses to lift a finger to put together a "geo-green" strategy that would marry geopolitics, energy policy and environmentalism.

If most American's believe it is patriotic to drive a fuel-efficient vehicle to help wean their country off Middle Eastern oil, as suggested in a new poll, it begs the question why so many SUVs and trucks are being bought by those that do not need them. This would appear to be a case of saying one thing while doing the other.

Critical to any lasting progress in achieving environmental sustainability including halting climate change will be efforts to assist the public to engage with science, and what is known about the Earth, her inhabitants and their needs. Ecology must become pervasive throughout society. Much more emphasis must be made to support mutually reinforcing communication strategies to different sorts of people. Ecological Internet is dedicated to just such a mission.

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Public 'must engage with science'

Golly, I guess there are some reasons to reduce air pollution other than climate change and national security - namely, ensuring our children can breathe.

Planet Ark : Asthma Returns In Children Who 'Outgrew' It - Study

A third of children who supposedly outgrew their asthma saw it come back by the time they reached their mid-20s, researchers reported on Monday.