Rethos.com - environment's News Feed

Why biofuels are becoming 'bad' for the environment

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 12:35:06 -0400

Biofuels ‘crime against humanity’ By Grant Ferrett BBC News

Food prices have risen as more land is used to produce biofuels A United Nations expert has condemned the growing use of crops to produce biofuels as a replacement for petrol as a crime against humanity.

The UN special rapporteur on the right to food, Jean Ziegler, said he feared biofuels would bring more hunger.

The growth in the production of biofuels has helped to push the price of some crops to record levels.

Mr Ziegler’s remarks, made at...

What are Biofuels all about

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 12:30:17 -0400

Quick guide: Biofuels What are biofuels?

Biofuels are any kind of fuel made from living things, or from the waste they produce.

This is a very long and diverse list, including:

wood, wood chippings and straw pellets or liquids made from wood biogas (methane) from animals’ excrement ethanol, diesel or other liquid fuels made from processing plant material or waste oil In recent years, the term “biofuel” has come to mean the last category – ethanol and diesel, made from crops including corn, sugarcane and rapeseed.

Bio-ethan...

Global Warming: The Video

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 01:12:51 -0400

This video shows the change in global surface temperatures away from the 1951-1980 mean. It is one thing to hear that the world is getting warmer, but quit another to actually see the change happen. There is a lot more information available at http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/topstory/2006/2006_warm.html

Record Artic Ice Melting

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 00:12:00 -0400

Washington September 22, 2007

SEA ice over the Arctic has shrunk to its smallest known area, shattering a record set in 2005 and continuing a trend spurred by human-caused global warming, scientists say.

“It’s really quite astounding,” said Walt Meier, a research scientist at the US National Snow and Ice Data Centre. “It’s the biggest drop from a previous record that we’ve ever had.”

Sea ice freezes and melts seasonally, but never had it ebbed to this small a patch. Compared with 2005, this ...

Parking spaces become temporary parks

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 23:13:34 -0400

Temporary parks dominate parking spaces across the U.S. reporter’s notebookOn the third-annual PARK Day, urban parking spaces across the country were commandeered and turned into small oases. Photos: Put up a PARK lot By Daniel Terdiman Staff Writer, CNET News.com Published: September 21, 2007, 5:22 PM PDT

reporter’s notebook SAN FRANCISCO—It’s a gorgeous Friday morning and Jennifer McLaughlin is blending a smoothie ...

Diamonds

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 09:34:52 -0400

Econ-Atrocity: Ten Reasons Why You Should Never Accept a Diamond Ring from Anyone, Under Any Circumstances, Even If They Really Want to Give You One Thursday, February 14, 2002

By Liz Stanton, CPE Staff Economist

1. Youâ€™ve Been Psychologically Conditioned To Want a Diamond. The diamond engagement ring is a 63-year-old invention of N.W.Ayer advertising agency. The De Beers diamond cartel contracted N.W.Ayer to create a demand for what are, essentially, useless hunks of rock.

2. Diamonds are Priced Well Above ...



A new hope: Judge slams the Patriot Act
Mon, 10 Sep 2007 02:10:21 -0400
NEW YORK -


	A federal judge struck down a key part of the USA Patriot Act on Thursday in a ruling that defended the need for judicial oversight of laws and bashed Congress for passing a law that makes possible “far-reaching invasions of liberty.”


	U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero immediately stayed the effect of his ruling, allowing the government time to appeal. Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd said: “We are reviewing the decision and considering our options at this time.”


	The...


Don't drink the water!
Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:38:02 -0400
Bottled water is healthy water â€“ right?


	That’s what the marketers would have us believe. Just look at the labels or the bottled water ads: deep, pristine pools of spring water; majestic alpine peaks; healthy, active people gulping down icy bottled water between biking in the park and a trip to the yoga studio.


	In reality, bottled water is just water. That fact isn’t stopping people from buying a lot of it. Estimates variously place worldwide bottled water sales at between $50 and $100 billion each year, with the market expanding at the startling annual r...


The 11th Hour
Fri, 07 Sep 2007 02:07:49 -0400
I just went to see The 11th Hour and it was pretty good.  It really addressed the issues at hand and got overwhelming support from leaders  in each field.  There was not a single moment where I thought they were getting too boring/monotonous/preachy/doom and gloom.  It was done very professionally and it was jam-packed with facts.


	It was like reading an entire book in an hour and a half.  I highly recommend it.


	check out this site if you are interested in learning more
http://www.11thhouraction.com/