Articles by JMG
Let's live on the planet as if we intend to stay.
All Articles
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Who knew the stoic people of Minnesota were so advanced?
Wow, we hear about California this and California that, occasionally some Vermont or Oregon thrown in, once in awhile someone will know that Texas is a wind capitol.
But I can't remember anyone ever mentioning that, when it comes to a serious program to address global heating, Minnesota rocks!
Just for comparison, note how weak and pallid Oregon's renewable energy standard (which only applies to electricity, not energy) is compared to Minnesota's comprehensive greenhouse gas law.
From the Union of Concerned Scientists:
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Interesting juxtaposition of stories
Interesting juxtaposition of stories:
First, an essay on what has become of organics, as it turns into what Fromartz calls "Organic, Inc."
Then, Energy Bulletin links to a story suggesting that some Brits might deny the organic label to food flown in from abroad.
And, of course, there's the post right here on Gristmill about labeling as an attempt to help consumers understand the effect of their purchases.
The issue boils down to the fact that our prices don't help consumers understand anything about food; in our perverse system, the food that has traveled the furthest at the greatest energy expense may often be the cheapest. As a smart man put it:
"Socialism collapsed because it did not allow prices to tell the economic truth. Capitalism may collapse because it does not allow prices to tell the ecological truth."
-- Oystein Dahle, former vice president of Esso for Norway and the North Sea
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Imagine a politician leveling with citizens about something
This is a great column from a former Winnipeg mayor: "Higher oil prices or carbon tax: Take your pick." Imagine if all politicians were as frank. Why, we might even have the kind of discourse Al Gore mourns losing in The Assault on Reason.
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There’s a connection between energy waste and our military adventurousness, so let’s stop the draft
This is what every utility in America should be required to provide in return for that monthly service charge that makes people who conserve energy pay more per unit of juice than people who waste it.