In my opinion, a petroleum-based plastic with a few additives that make it break down is simply not a good idea. In fact, the carbon footprint work I have seen on these substrates suggest that it’s actually a negative. I know these biodegradables sound promisingly easy…it makes the waste just go away…but this one is on my “not worth it” list.
Check Out on Biodegradables
20 April 2008
18 April 2008
I heard on NPR this week that demand for ethanol and other biofuels is driving up the price of grains to record high levels, which are subverting humanitarian relief efforts to fight starvation in places like Haiti. Dead zones. Dead humans. Dead catfish industry. Enough with the biofuels already.
Shifting Baselines on Biofuel
31 March 2008
What exactly was the message? That we should turn off our lights for an hour once a year? I know what they were trying to get at, but I don’t think the symbolism was representative of the spirit of conservation. Conservation is a slow, daily process, being mindful of the consequences of your actions. It’s about curbing, not cutting off.
The Voltage Gate on Earth Hour
21 February 2008
I love this planet as much as the next guy.
Sure, I’ve never landed on an Earth-bound meteor with a ragtag group bent on nuking the flaming rock to save the world from Armageddon. But I try to do my part.
Arjewtino on Environmentalism
20 February 2008
An unnamed Environment Agency (they capitalized it so it must be an Important Agency) was quoted as saying “Oh s***”. They’ve been practicing pronouncing several asterisks lined up for years now and finally got a chance to use it.
ArsGeek on Man-Eating Fish
28 January 2008
Like if Mother Nature sat us down for a talk and said, “listen, you’re really shitting on the rest of the planet, its residents, its ecosystems, etc. and, by the way, you’re killing me slowly and painfully” and the only honorable thing to do would be to jump in a rocketship to colonize Mars or commit mass suicide so everything else could live in peace.
Kottke on the Environment