Inspired by mushroom lovers and TED speakers Paul Stamets (a mycologist) and Eben Bayer (a product designer) I thought it might be a good idea to investigate the ways mushrooms might save the world. First up – Mushrooms as Fuel. It was news to me, that besides being delicious wrapped in pastry dough with cheese, mushrooms can also be made into fuel. Paul Stamets proposes generating cellulose from mycelium (the vegetative part of fungus) to produce a bio-fuel he calls econol. As any hippie knows... [Read more]
American children are “guinea pigs in an uncontrolled experiment,” according to Senator Frank Lautenberg D-New Jersey who spoke to the Senate Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health on October 26th. Among the many shocking facts shared at the hearing was that only 1 percent of the 84,000 chemicals commonly used in the US today have been studied for safety. Lautenberg sited lax EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] standards, and the ineffective Toxic Substances Control... [Read more]
California’s Global Warming Solutions Act 2006 (aka AB 32), which brought $10 billion in clean energy investment to the state, could be repealed by Proposition 23 in the upcoming November 2 elections. AB 32 requires that by 2020 the state’s greenhouse gas emissions be brought down to 1990 levels – a roughly 25% reduction. Proposition 23 aims to suspend the law until the states unemployment rate falls below 5.5% for four consecutive quarters. California’s unemployment rate current floats... [Read more]
Extreme weather conditions fueled by climate change will increase food insecurity across the globe. Scientists and humanitarian groups point to events like this summer’s record breaking heat in Russia and floods in Pakistan and Canada as examples of how food stocks are likely to be affected in the coming years. “Climate change will lead to different weather patterns, and that is what we are already seeing in many places like Pakistan and Russia. It doesn’t rain the way it used to,”... [Read more]
Map of Mariner and Deepwater Horizon Located 100 miles south of Vermillion Bay, LA the Mariner Energy Inc. platform is in relatively shallow water only 320 feet vs. the mile deep water of the BP’s notorious Deepwater Horizon Rig (which is only 200 miles east of the M.E. Platform). 13 crewmembers miraculously escaped the platform by jumping into the ocean wearing “gumby suits.” All are currently safe on terra firma. One person was reported injured. Mariner Energy, Inc., who owns the platform,... [Read more]
“No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities – always see them for they’re always there.” – Norman Vincent Peale Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans five years ago flooding 80% of the city, destroying homes, stores, schools, churches, and lives. When the levees broke the Lower Nine, one of the poorest areas of the city, found itself under 15 feet of water. The predominately African American community was almost... [Read more]
Meatless Mondays, otherwise known as the one day a week omnivores pat themselves on the back and say, “look how eco-friendly I am,” has always made me jealous. It’s like a special occasion or holiday. Omnivores get to call work and say “I’m sorry I can’t write that report today, it’s Meatless Monday, my parents are coming from out of town to help us make the lentil roast.” I want a weekly holiday too! Vegetarians I propose once a week we have Vegan Day – we can even call it... [Read more]
