Wind power. There’s an obvious reason, okay, maybe not so obvious reason to some why it is such a good thing. Wind power was attributed to helping Tyson Gay run the fastest ever 100 meters in history - 9.68 at the U. S. Olympic trials in Eugene, OR. The record, however, was aided with the help of a tailwind that was deemed too strong.

In competition, winds over 2.0 meters/second cause a runner’s time to be disqualified. Gay had a tailwind of 4.1 meters/sec.  The world record is 9.72 seconds, set by Jamaica’s Usain Bolt. GP wants to point out that when the wind is at our backs, wind power, too, there is potential to set even more important records than dash. How about a record for the least amount of fossil fuels used for example.

Wind power…there’s something to it.

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Britney Spears is looking for something greener, quieter, something with a big backyard where she can hang out or is it let things hang out. When I saw this news I thought Britney was looking to help out with the green movement; she’s not. She’s looking for a new house. She also wants something that is ‘less trafficked’, something where she and the kids can find some normalcy, whatever that might be.

I think Britney would do well to get her head screwed on straight. Though GP would like to see her activism, she needs to get herself straightened out, get her family back together, control her behavior. The green movement will be fine without her. After all, what’s more important than family?

Those guys on the airplane tell you to put your O2 mask on first, then help your kids. We want to see Britney take care of herself, then come out. GP does hope she finds life greener in another backyard.

A U.S. scientist will blame global warming if ships are able to sail over the normally frozen over North Pole at the top of our globe. Frankly, I’d like to make the trip in a ship. I mean, how often do you get to do that sort of thing? The scientist from the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center in CO says, “Symbolically it is hugely important. There is supposed to be ice at the North Pole, not open water.” Yeah, a guy working at the snow and ice data center would say that, wouldn’t he? I want to know why he thinks so.

The scientist says that “for the first time that I am aware of, the North Pole is covered with extensive first-year ice.” And I ask, “And…?”

Scientists worry that a rapid meltoff in the Arctic could threaten permafrost in continental soil elsewhere above the Arctic circle. And, I ask again, “And….?” I may be wrong but there are always a lot of coulds, mays and believes in such statements. No? Don’t get me wrong, I am for loving our home, Earth, and being a good steward, but I don’t get the impression that the Earth is as vulnerable as many scientists are trying to make it out to be.

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Japan’s PM Yasuo Fukuda says “countries like China and India ”are part of the international deal,” but that they have the ”right to grow in the way that we grew.’” Some might argue that considering the size of those two countries, but nevertheless, Japan will be hosting the G-8 leaders from July 7-9th and Brazil, China and India have been invited to join in the discussion on climate change. (I wish they would invite me.)

Japan’s Fukuda said,  ‘In the …I would like to deepen common recognition (with participants) over the (climate change) issue and send a powerful message that we will work together.”

Japan’s former PM, Shinzo Abe echoed, ”I strongly hope this will be agreed on and shared at the summit as a common goal of humankind.” This= halving global emissions by 2050.

And Tony Blair chimed in, ”I think and hope we will this year get agreement on an essential shared vision around 2050….It wasn’t entirely clear at Heiligendamm that everyone was signed up for it. I think it’s got to be clear this year that they are.”

A climate change meeting is scheduled for 2009 in Copenhagen and a climate change framework is expected to be agreed upon to succeed the Kyoto Protocol which will expire in 2012.

I wish they would invite me to come.

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Trendshealth is a new magazine in China promoting green living concepts. Zhou Xun is a tiny (yet, BIG) Chinese movie star. (Can you say Zhang Ziyi?) Zhou Xun was also appointed as a National Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program.

But Green-haired Zhou Xun? We don’t mind. And if she get help get one-fourth of the world’s population to be more earth friendly. She can be on my team for sure.

More pix (more…)

We’ve all been fooled. The glaciers really aren’t melting. They’ve been stolen. Some sneaky Japanese people wanting to raise awareness about global warming traveled north or east, I am not sure, and stole huge hunks of a glacier and brought them to Hokkaido. It reminds me of the mentality of bringing in animals to zoos so we can study them in their fake, artificial habitat, or something like that.

What do you think about causing harm in order to create an overall good result? What about this end justifies the means mentality?

And, I wonder, the violin player, does that make the glaciers feel less homesick? Make them feel warm and fuzzy inside? Ah, now that would cause them to melt.

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I’m a Tony Blair Fan. The man has scruples, faith. He is no dummy for sure. If former PM Blair thinks highly of someone, that person is likely to get my vote as well. Tony Blair gave another former PM, Shinzo Abe of Japan the “Globe Award” for showing international leadership in global environmental issues.

The award was presented at a global warming forum attended by some 100+ legislators from the Group of Eight nations and emerging economies. The ceremony was held in Tokyo.

Who do you think is an international leader in global environmental issues? And, please don’t way Al Gore.

Tokyo Tells Large Buildings to Cut CO2 Emissions. Now, Beijing is banning high-emission vehicles. For whatever reason these kinds of things remind me of a ceasefire in a war. If they can stop now, or for a while, why can’t they stop for good? Yellow vehicles are those with, surprise, a yellow sticker on them for not being able to meet Euro I emission standards.

“All yellow-labeled vehicles, most of which are freight trucks, will be banned from roads in Beijing from July 1 to Sept 20,” says Beijing’s environmental protection bureau.

Yesterday Beijing announced that government vehicle usage must be halved…all of this in the run up to the Olympics. So, are the Olympics more important than the planet’s long term livelihood? Seriously, if these kinds of measures can be taken temporarily, why not permanently? Beijing was able to meet its goal of 246 blue-sky days last year. I think we had about 365 such days here in the Valley. (Eating your heart out Beijing?) Seriously, Beijing is to be credited for taking action.

Most yellow-tagged vehicles run through Beijing at night. Think freight trucks. Not surprisingly, Beijing measures 20% more pollutants in the air at night than in the daytime. From 9pm to 4am to be precise. In order to catch the perpetrators, Beijing will patrol 22 laser remote sensing cars to check emissions. How cool is that? It takes about 0.7 seconds to determine emission levels of vehicles. Go Beijing!

Now, where can I get me one of those laser thingees?

I was pretty sure that shop-till-you-droppers couldn’t hurt the environment or themselves as long as the hoofed it everywhere they went. Of course, retailers have to keep the lights on, heat and cool facilities at all ungodly hours so that shoppers could get the ‘unique shopping experience.’ Until now. Shoppers don’t even have to do the walk, get exercise, kick off their high heels anymore.

In Shanghai there is a mini-metro train that runs INSIDE the mall. Exhausted ladies can hop a ride and be dropped off at Coldstone Ice Cream. Not only that, the train can go anywhere inside the 6-story home furnishing mall.

Yeah, I want to see how this train goes up and down the stairs, too. Feeling guilty? (I doubt this) But, the mall has designed the interior of the building to include many trees and water landscapes. Isn’t that nice? Shoppers can feel like they are being kind to the environment while they use up even more energy to get around.

Something tells me that malls like this are going backwards when it comes to being ‘green.’ I think malls ought to be open only during the daytime when it’s cool out and only at night when it’s hot. But, don’t tell my wife I said that.

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I get the message when I visit third-world countries. But the U.K.? The message is “Don’t drink the water.” Apparently some 170,000 Brits who get their water provided by Anglian Water were warned to boil the water before drinking it. Traces of a stomach bug have been found. The bug has a name - cryptosporidium. With a name like that you would think Superman wouldn’t drink it either. The tap water is still safe for washing, bathing and toilet flushing. Yeah, a clean bug is a healthy bug, right?

So, how did a first-world country like Britain come down with a problem like this? And if it’s in the water, what kinds of pollution might be found in other places in the country? Is anybody worried?

Everything you wanted to know about cryptosporidium.

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