USA Joins IRENA

Reuters:

U.S. joins International Renewable Energy Agency
Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:23am EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States joined the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) on Monday as part of the Obama administration's commitment to developing a new energy policy, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.

Seattle creek sees daylight again

A new smart growth development next to Seattle's Northgate Mall has replaced a parking lot -- and exposed the headwaters of Thornton Creek to the light of day for the first time decades.

Before

Clean Water Restoration Act goes to full Senate

On a 12-7 vote, the Environment and Public Works Committee on Thursday approved a version of the Clean Water Restoration Act, S. 787. If it becomes law, one of the more useful changes is the clarification of the federal government's regulatory jurisdiction, by replacing the term "navigable waters" with "waters of the United States." So-called 'property rights' activists have questioned the old language in order to attack protections for wetlands and small bodies of water.

In news relating to the non-wet part of the biosphere, the House Appropriations Committee approved an EPA funding bill that bars spending, from any legislation, that would make factory farms report greenhouse gas emissions as part of the Clean Air Act. Even though the rule would only apply to the biggest livestock operations, agri groups fear it could lead to EPA regulations or fees on methane from animals. Even though EPA says it has no plans to go that far.

Bike accident, hazard & theft report database using G-Maps

Ever had a bike accident, hit a pothole or -- the worst -- had your ride stolen? Now there's a new place to report and map these incidents: Bikewise, from the people at Seattle's Cascade Bicycle Club.

Is there a particular pothole that has annoyed you for months, but it doesn't get fixed? Channel your frustration! Go into Bikewise's Hazard section (after setting up an account, naturally) and click on Report A Hazard. The simple 4-step process allows you to describe the problem, then locate it in the familiar Google Maps interface.

Tonight - "Whale Wars" Season 2 premiere

Whether you find them inspiring or annoying (or both), the Sea Shepherds are back chasing the Japanese whalers for another season on Animal Planet. Tonight at 9 ET/PT:


 
Also: Seattle-area man saves the ship

Tell the White House to join IRENA

What individuals do in their daily lives is important to the goal of creating a sustainable world.  We're all consumers, and our choices can signal companies that we want organic food, green products and green manufacturing.  But national policies create such signals that have the force of law.

There is a need for the entire planet to adopt renewable energy, not only the major industrialized nations.  It makes little sense to go to sustainable energy in the G20 countries, only to replace it with fossil fuels used by the developing world.  Yet renewables are expensive and new technology which developing countries can't always afford -- or find uneconomical due to cheap nonrenewables.