Gulf Coast Deja vu!

If there is one thing that we have learned it is that history repeats itself. Over the past thirty some odd years the oil companies have made exactly zero progress. They continue to use the exact same primitive technology which produces no results. We should think that a multi-billion dollar operation would have the best and brightest minds at work, or at least on standby in case of catastrophe. Not even close!

In June of 1979 we had our first major spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil company (now Transocean)  attempted to prevent further disaster with "Operation Sombrero". Sound familiar? After this failed, they proceeded to try several other methods including shooting metal spheres into the damaged pipe, plugging it with mud and cement, etc. They also used the same non-environmentally friendly chemical dispersants to break up the surface oil and move it further down in the water column, producing fatal results for any marine life unlucky enough to reside there.

It's almost comic relief to watch the BP executives come on the television every day and provide more excuses for their failed experiments. Word to the wise, it didn't work then in 200 feet of water, it's definitely not going to work now in 5000 feet of water. The only solution that worked was the relief wells which we are still months away from. It would make sense that oil companies would spend a hefty sum of money on research and development to avoid looking like clowns when disaster strikes. Once again not the case.

I'm not naive enough to think that offshore drilling is somehow going to stop tomorrow. I happen to agree with the current administrations plan of making oil part of our long term solution while spurring progress in renewable energy technology. It is the only long term solution. Period.

Marvin the Martian Correctly Identifies Humans

Gulf Coast Oil-Spill: No Methods To the Madness

If you are anything like me, you couldn't help but laugh when you saw this picture. However, the reality is that we are in the middle of a major environmental crisis. Everyone seems to be playing the blame game, pointing the finger at someone else. At this point it doesn't really matter who's at fault.  The only thing that really matters is getting the oil out of the Gulf of Mexico.

What's not funny, is the lack of technical expertise on the part of everyone involved. Most of the methods I have seen to clean up and contain the spill are primitive at best. From golf balls and rubber tires, to alpaca fur and hay. The latest reports say that they are willing to accept ideas from anyone who has one. My intuition tells me that you probably shouldn't be drilling a mile beneath the surface if you have no clue as what to do if something should go wrong. But then again, if you have billions upon billions of dollars you can probably sidestep a little red tape dealing with safety measures.

On top of an already horrible accident, they are now spraying  dispersants onto the surface to further pollute the environment. I was under the impression that human-kind and technology had come along way over the past 100 years or so. Apparently I was wrong!

6 Degrees Warmer: Nat Geo

Bottled Water or Tap? Are You Pouring Your Money Down The Drain?

 Bottled water is perhaps the biggest hoax of the past century! We've been led to believe that what we are consuming comes from some type of pristine stream high in the Rocky Mountains or some equivalent palatial source. The fact is, that the water is coming from a man-made well deep within a dusty industrial parking lot, in many cases.

Although I am guilty of drinking a bottle of water every now and then, the proposition borders on ridiculous. On average bottled water costs somewhere around $1 for a 20 oz. bottle. That's even more expensive than gasoline which runs about 2 cents per oz. at $3 per gallon. You do the math. On the other hand, tap water costs somewhere in the neighborhood of a penny per gallon.

We tell ourselves all kinds of things to justify buying bottled water. It tastes better, It's healthier, etc. None of which "Hold any Water". The video at the bottom of this post clearly illustrates this point. From a health standpoint there is little if any difference between the water coming from your tap and that empty bottle in your trash can. In fact, 70% of all bottled water is exempt from FDA oversight because it never crosses state lines. Tap water however, is regulated by the EPA and has to adhere to very strict standards. We won't even begin to touch on the heavy carbon footprint of bottled water or the 1.5 million tons of plastic waste generated by it's consumption each year. Let it suffice to say that it's benefits pale in comparison to it's harmfulness.

My advice, next time you reach for a bottle, reach for a glass instead. If you must have bottled water pick up a filter at your local mega-mart and make your own. Cheers!

Sustainable Development...?

So the problem is clear! We are multiplying like rabbits with no apparent plan in place. Do we need to adopt Chinas plan of government mandated population planning? I don't claim to be any type of expert on the subject, but common sense reigns supreme. The larger the population the larger the drain on natural resources. Additionally, all of these new humans will contribute to global warming and energy consumption.

My solution, well, cant say that I have one. Although, I would venture to say that some serious family planning would be in order. We cannot continue to expand forever, the population has to stabilize at some point. I should hope we can come up with a viable solution at some point without any one telling us whether we can or cannot have another child. Just a thought!

10 Cool Ways to "Go Green"

1. Grow your own grub: Food from your own garden not only tastes far better, it also saves you a trip to the grocery store. Get the kids involved. I haven't met a kid yet that doesn't like to get their knees dirty. Also it gives you and them something to look forward to at the end of the day and see what's popping up!

2. Have a BBQ: Buy a charcoal chimney starter. These not only eliminate the need for lighter fluid, they also give you a way to use up all of that unwanted newspaper that you have lying around.

3. Take a kid fishing: This promotes environmental awareness . Educates them on animal habitat, and gives them an appreciation for the great outdoors.

4. Spend some Green: Investing in "Green" companies has a twofold advantage. You are increasing your personal wealth, while at the same time reducing harm to the environment.

5. Green your diet: Improve your health by making your own meal at home. This cuts down on the processed foods your consuming, as well as reduces your carbon footprint.

6. Composting: Black gold! Composting is a great way to feed that brand new vegetable garden of yours, and it reduces the amount of waste that you send to the landfill.

7. Plant a tree: Planting a tree is one of the best and simplest ways to improve the environment. It spruces up the neighborhood, decreases surface temperature, improves air quality, reduces carbon dioxide emissions, and reduces green house gases. Need I say more?

8. Green your home: When you go shopping look for environmentally friendly products. This is also the best time to take advantage of federal tax incentives when renovating your home with energy saving windows and doors, better insulation etc.

9. Bike to work: Most Americans live within 5 miles of their workplace. Biking to work makes you look better, feel better and is far better for our environment.

10. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Lessen the amount your using, extend the life of what you are using, and recycle it when you are done with it!