The Modern Green Movement Explained in Diagrams (VIDEO)

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:49:01 GMT

There's so much going on in the modern green movement that it can be hard to grasp where the whole thing is heading, and how bloggers in Australia, activists in Africa, scientists in the US, and so on, are all stitched together. This segment from Current TV offers a nice, straightforward attempt to lay out the battle plan in simple terms. Check it out in the video after the jump.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

PETA Teams Up With Glenn Beck

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:42:00 GMT

Okay, so you're probably just as tired of seeing Glenn Beck's mug grace TreeHugger as I am--but this is more newsworthy on PETA's end than the never-ending stream of Glenn-Beck-said-something-ridiculous-again. And it's newsworthy because PETA's president voluntarily showed up on Beck's show to join him, uniting for a common cause: making fun of Al Gore. Video of the baffling event after the jump:... Read the full story on TreeHugger

China's New Disneyland Will Force 5,000 Families of Farmers Out of Their Homes

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:26:00 GMT

Disneyland sure is a wondrous place--beloved characters, thrilling rides, an entire fantastic world where a child's imagination can run wild. It's fun for the whole family. Unless, that is, you happen to be one of the 5,000 families of poor farmers that are getting kicked out of their homes by the Chinese government so Disney can build its latest Magical Kingdom.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Stephen Colbert Argues About Global Warming. With Himself. And Al Gore (VIDEO)

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:16:42 GMT

Photo via No Fact Zone We all know who Stephen Colbert considers to be his most worthy foe--himself. He tells us so every time he does a Formidable Opponent bit, in which he argues with different versions of himself over the topics of the day. Last night, the Stephens took on the global warming debate, with a little help with dual Al Gores. Video after the jump.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Could Cap and Trade Cause the Next Subprime Mortgage Scale Financial Crisis?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:23:33 GMT

Photo via First Strung A new report from the Friends of the Earth says that cap and trade systems are dangerous. They allow traders to package emissions permits into complex financial products and sell them in bundles--much like they did with subprime mortgages. And we all know how that went. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

"Should I Trust Al Gore, or My Rock Hard Nipples?" (VIDEO)

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Al Gore Heads to the Daily Show That's just one of the questions Jon Stewart asks Gore when the former vice president sits down to talk about his new book about finding solutions to climate change. Consider this a companion piece to my earlier post defending Al Gore from the New York Times--and watch Gore prove himself to be the knowledgeable climate spokesman he is. Video after the jump.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

New York Times' Hit Job on Al Gore Sparks Controversy

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:07:00 GMT

Photo via Business Week The green blogosphere has been alight with the startling news of the latest hit job on Al Gore. Startling news of a hit job on Al Gore? What is this, 1999? Gore, and the many people who appreciate the good work he's done have gotten used to deflecting baseless attacks from political opponents, the fossil fuel lobbies, and those who'd like to see the nation go right on polluting. The startling news this time was that the hit job came from the New York Times.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

White House Debunks 7 Green Stimulus Bill Myths

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:59:00 GMT

Photo via Washington Post Ever since Obama's stimulus bill was first announced, false rumors an melodramatic criticism (Bobby Jindal and his made-up train to Disneyland, anyone?) have spread like wildfire--and they haven't let up yet. Opponents of the presidents' agenda seem to have made a hobby of finding a project that could potentially sound funny to the public, and declared it as 'wasteful.' You're probably familiar with the drill. Well, the White House has just hit back, cleared up some of the top myths about the stimulus bill . . .... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Foresters Use GPS to Save Ants' Nests from Thousands of Falling Trees

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Photo via Flickr Like a Needle in a . . . Just how good has GPS technology gotten? Good enough that it can be used to pinpoint the exact location of a handful of tiny ants in a massive forest. And British conservationists are taking advantage of this technology to track down 69 ultra rare ant nests--amidst tens of thousands of trees that are about to be cut down. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Is Tackling Climate Change as Important as Fighting Crime?

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:57:00 GMT

Photo via NY Daily News Some 63% of the world thinks so. A survey by HSBC questioned consumers from countries as disparate as the US, Brazil, Malaysia, Germany, and India about the importance of tackling climate change in relation to other pressing social issues--and the results are fascinating. For instance, the majority of people felt that mitigating climate change is as important as fighting crime. Check out the illuminating graphs after the fold. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Proposed 150 MW Solar Plant Would Store 7 Hours of Sun's Energy in Molten Salt

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:57:00 GMT

Design rendering of Rice Solar Energy Project via Solar Reserve The problem with solar power plants is, of course, that they're rendered useless on cloudy days and at night. But news broke a while back that a process of storing solar energy in molten salt was being considered to help make solar power plants more commercially viable. Now, it looks like that technology is about to be put into action: a California company has filed an application to build a 150 megawatt solar plant that will store 7 hours worth of the sun's energy in molten salt--allowing it to provide power nearly around the clock.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Is Warren Buffett's Railway Buy a Billion Dollar Bet on Big Coal?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:43:33 GMT

Photo via DOE The initial reaction to news that the Oracle from Omaha was investing billions of dollars in BNSF railway was positive--Mike noted that it could lead to a number of positive developments: potentially more passenger rail lines, a higher profile for railroad transportation in general, and further investment in other rail lines from other finance big guns. But there's a downside to his purchase as well--the rail Buffett bought transports some 1/5th of America's coal. Is Buffett's investment therefore a bet that coal will need to be shipped into the foreseeable future?... Read the full story on TreeHugger

UnTreeHugger: Paris Hilton's $325,000 Dog Mansion

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:39:00 GMT

Photo via Luxist It's one thing to live in a $325,000 McMansion yourself--but to build one just for your pets demonstrates a brand new level of excess. A brand new level excess that perhaps can only be reached by Paris Hilton. See, Hilton built this two-story, air-conditioned, designer furniture-decorated, heated, and black crystal chandelier-boasting miniature mansion for her dogs. Yes, Paris Hilton's dogs live in a more expensive, decadent, and consumptive house than millions of Americans do. More pics after the jump.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

GOP Senators Boycott the Climate Bill

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:49:49 GMT

Despite the recent bipartisan support garnered from some Republican senators, progress on the Senate climate bill has been stalled by a group of others led by Sen. James Inhofe. Inhofe is the Senate's most vocal climate change denier, and he's convinced other GOP Senators to throw a wrench into the climate proceedings--by simply refusing to show up and cast a vote in committee. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

US Senator Explains Why We Need to Green the Economy in 5 Minutes (VIDEO)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:36:00 GMT

Photo via Scruffy Dan As frustrating as it is to see good environmental policy unfold ever so slowly in the US Congress, it's encouraging to know that there are indeed sitting congressmen who understand the vast potential clean energy reform presents. We've heard from Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), John Kerry (D-MA), and Lindsay Graham (R-SC) on why they support forging a strong climate bill. Now, watch Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as he deftly explains why we need energy reform, and why we need it now--in five minutes flat.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Is the US Government Going to Reward You For Eating Healthy?

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Photo via Bradley Stoke It just might. As part of the health care overhaul, Congress is looking at a system that would provide incentives--via bonuses and lower premiums--for people that pursue healthy lifestyles. Called the Safeway Amendment, as it's based on the California grocery store chain's health insurance system, it could inspire people to eat healthier, quit smoking, and exercise. Or, it could be a colossal failure, discriminating against people with certain body types and penalizing the poor for having fewer food options and less health education.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

'Let's Save Our Environment': The Next Ridiculous Viral Video

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:51:00 GMT

Every once in a while, a song will emerge to invigorate the environmental movement, and help bring an overlooked plight to the attention of the masses. Micheal Jackson's 'Earth Song' and Joni Mitchell's 'Big Yellow Taxi', for example, were huge hits trumpeting environmental awareness. Such songs are powerful--they can win hearts and minds, educate, and inspire. "Let's Save Our Environment" is not one of those songs. Its music video, however, is perhaps the most ridiculous thing you will see all day--and yet, you can't look away . . .... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Congress Gets a Zero Emissions Electric Bus

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:30:34 GMT

Photos via Autoblog Green While Congressmen struggle with climate legislation and clean energy reform, at least they'll be able to get an emissions-free ride to the proceedings. The Proterra electric bus made its debut on Capitol Hill yesterday, and looks set to deliver zero emission, fast-charging public transportation. More pics after the jump.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Is a Green Republican Movement Growing to Support the Climate Bill?

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:08:00 GMT

Photo via Energy Revolution After Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) came out in support of working on bipartisan clean energy reform with John Kerry (D-MA), he faced some pretty harsh attacks from his party. But his many supporters have rallied, and are pushing back in what could be the beginning of a Republican movement to support climate legislation.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Did Clean Coal Exec Lie to Congress? Twice?

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:17:00 GMT

Image via TPM Woops. Looks like the clean coal lobby may have got caught red-handed. Some people are suggesting that American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity president and CEO Steve Miller may have lied under oath in a Senate hearing held to investigate the org's involvement in forging letters sent to Congress that opposed the climate bill. In the video after the jump, a coal executive attempts to explain his organization's operations. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Toxic Shipwreck in Madagascar Kills Whales, Makes Locals Sick

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:51:00 GMT

The Gulser Ana going down. Photo via Australia A ship carrying toxic waste sunk off the coast of Madagascar, and thousands of tons of refuse were emptied into the rich marine ecosystem. The wreck has had devastating effects on the sea life and the health of people who live inland--causing whales to mysteriously beach in greater numbers, and afflicting the locals with grave respiratory and skin diseases. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Jon Stewart Endorses Geoengineering, Scares Audience (VIDEO)

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:33:00 GMT

Photo via Inside Catholic There's been quite a controversy kicked up over Steven Levitt and Steven Dubner's new book, SuperFreakonomics. The authors have battled allegations (which seem to have been proven true) that they misquoted and misrepresented the scientist featured in the book, in order to claim that geoengineering is the best solution to climate change--and that worldwide efforts to reduce carbon would be both infeasible and inadequate. Surprising just about everyone, Jon Stewart agrees. Video of the controversy after the jump.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Toyota Engineers New Flower Species to Absorb Emissions at Prius Factories

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:10:00 GMT

Toyota has long faced the criticism that the process of manufacturing Priuses has a larger environmental impact than most cars. So the giant automaker came up with what's probably the most bizarre solution imaginable--Toyota genetically engineered two brand new species of flowers to absorb greenhouse gases at Prius manufacturing plants. While, you know, still making the place look pretty. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

World's Longest Cave is Still Growing Even Longer (PICS)

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:33:00 GMT

Photo via NM Researchers were recently surprised to find that the world's longest cave formation--the Fort Stanton Cave in New Mexico--is growing even longer. They discovered that calcite is still accumulating in the trough of the cave, which cuts through miles and miles of rock. More photos of the stunning, tunnel-like cave after the jump.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Global Warming Could Create a Legion of 'Climate Terrorists'

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:30:00 GMT

Photo via Pat Dollard Scientists predict that climate change will exacerbate many of the world's continuing troubles--food shortages, poverty, lack of water, spread of infectious diseases, and so on. And many have already suggested that strained resources and migration caused by global warming could eventually lead to wars; maybe even a world war. But few have considered this national security concern: climate change could usher in a brand new generation of terrorists.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The White House (Finally) Begins Major Push for Clean Energy Reform

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:41:00 GMT

Photo via Stand Up for America With climate bill hearings in full swing over in the Senate, the White House has finally begun a push for clean energy reform. Yesterday, key White House officials spoke in favor of climate legislation. Both Obama and Biden toured high-profile clean energy projects--a solar power plant and an electric car company, respectively. And today, the White House hosted an energy forum where top level cabinet members revealed strategies for pushing clean energy reform. Here's the plan. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Global Climate Treaty "Impossible" this December

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:54:00 GMT

Photo via Impact Lab Now, I know this might seem like I'm lending my voice to the media's climate treaty roller coaster ride here--but this is pretty bad (if unsurprising) news indeed. Yvo de Boer, the top UN climate negotiator (ie, the guy running the COP15 global climate talks), has publicly said that there's no way that an agreement on a full-fledged global climate treaty can be reached this December.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Best Climate Change Articles Written by Sitting US Senators

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:10:00 GMT

Photo via Progressive Times As the climate debate heats up in the Senate, we thought it'd be a fine opportunity to round up the best climate writing done on the bill so far--by the Senators themselves. These 3 articles are required reading for anyone interested in the climate legislation saga. Without further ado, here are the 3 must read op-eds on climate change by US Senators.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

60% of Americans Now Support Cap and Trade

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:19:00 GMT

Six in ten Americans support cap and trade, the mechanism at the heart of climate legislation in US Congress that uses the market to put a price on carbon emissions. Only 37% oppose it--these are the findings of a new national poll from CNN. And what's even more interesting is how those votes break down. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Power Socket SWITCH Would Cut 11% Off Electric Bills

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:38:00 GMT

Images via Yanko Design We all know about phantom load--the electricity that continues to run through your electronics and appliances when they're turned off but still plugged in. Also called vampire power, it accounts for as much as a whopping 11% of our electricity usage. And while there have been products designed to fight the phantom loads, we haven't yet seen a truly viable large scale solution. But the Power Socket Switch might be just that--with the flick of a wrist, it lets you turn off the power flow to each socket it your home.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Recent Posts by TreeHugger's Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York