Still life with Brioche. Image credit:Wikipedia, Jean-Baptiste Siméon Chardin,

Remember the whole "Freedom Fries" thing following France's refusal to support the US 2003 military incursion into Iraq? My how time flies. US politicians now cite the French energy policy example with excitement; claiming that nation's high reliance on nuclear power is exemplary. (Inference that support for climate and energy legislation is more likely if nuclear power expansion incentives are included.) It doesn't seem to matter to that France is roughly the size of Texas and that the existing US nuclear fleet already is far larger than what France has or will ever have. Nor, that the French government controls the nuclear power industry (socialized electricity).

Credit: oquendo via Flickr.

Nothing against New Jersey, but it's not the first place that comes to mind when you think of clean air in the United States. Maybe that's just not fair to the Garden State.

In a 2009 "Best Places to Live" list of small towns from Money magazine, Jersey has nine cities in the Top Ten when it comes to "cleanest air:"

From the news that scientists have created a bacteria that lights up around landmines to the development of a rot-proof apple--that stays fresh for 4 months--a lot happened this week in green. A new study called The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) shows that putting money into protecting wetlands, coral reefs, and forests is a better investment than gold, Lloyd visited GreenBuild 2009 in Arizona, and readers sent in photos of the one green object they just can't live without for our weekly slideshow. Find out what else happened in the world of green this week in our photo roundup of most popular, most important, and most oddball stories. And if you missed it, view last week's The Week in Pictures: Trawler Sunk by Jellyfish and More.

Image credit: Manuel Saez

From the eZee Quando to the Panasonic Time Off to an electric assist Brompton, electric folding bikes are becoming more common. The folding capacity for transportation, combined with electric assist to avoid a sweaty arrival at work, is an enticing combination for commuters in particular. Now there's a new kid on the block. And it's winning some major awards. I just need to know where I can get one...

"I know the score," said Al Gore with a steely gaze last night on Saturday Night Live, about being called up by NBC once a year during its "Green Week" to talk about the environment, "Thanks, I can't tell you how exciting it is to have the bully pulpit on a 4th-placed network." Then he spoke of feeling like Punxsutawney Phil:

Image Credit: david jonze via Flickr

Capitalist Pig writes:

I have invested in companies, which make crude oil from waste. Recently I have talked to environmentalist type people, I suppose here they might be tree huggers, who tell me that crude oil, even carbon-neutral crude oil, must be forbidden. Is that the way environmentalists feel about hydrocarbon fuels?

What do you think? Join the conversation.

Image: Courtesy of Mike Vecchione

Astonishing

Simply astonishing. The diversity of species that live beyond any hint of sunlight has astounded the team of international scientists as they near the end of a ten year deep sea census of marine life. The team has finally released a treasure trove of new photos and video from the deep sea census that will awe and amaze. Above, scientists appear to be examining -- or maybe cuddling and petting -- one of the largest and cutest of the deep sea species: a dumbo octopod, named for the oversized, dumbo-like ears it uses for swimming (photo overleaf). Our pick of the best of the photos, released today, of some 17,650 species now known to thrive in the watery depths follows.

photo via AP

Some climate activists are losing faith in both President Obama's ability and commitment to clean energy and battling climate change. But what if John McCain were president? Where would we be today? Not in a good place, if his rhetoric on the Senate climate bill is any measurement. McCain, once a leader on climate change, is now a roadblock even through his best buddy in the Senate and constant campaign companion, Lindsey Graham, is out front working on compromises.