Baron’s solution is called NetClient. A web-based accounting and financial information service, that is available anytime, from anywhere. NetClient lets clients access Baron’s financial services via a private, highly secure Internet portal, designed especially for them. It’s easy and convenient.

“I thought paperless bookkeeping, tax preparation and financial planning was the environmentally responsible way to go,” says Baron, who also utilizes other assorted “green” and digital technologies to benefit his clients in an earth-friendly way. “The efficiencies also boost profitability for companies who apply cutting-edge solutions like this — another real plus in today’s uncertain economy. Of course, there are the time and fuel savings attained by utilizing virtual business operations. Come to think about it, the high gas prices may be a blessing in disguise. If people stop driving as much and find other more efficient ways to get things done, they’ll establish good conservation habits and will be helping the environment — perhaps without even knowing it or having green motivations.”

For more information, please visit their website: http://www.baroncompanies.net

(Ed.: Isn’t it amazing that even a financial services firm can see the advantages of thinking about our environment, yet many in the world of high finance refuse to accept the concept. Perhaps The Baron Company’s ideas will take hold, as it comes from one of their own kind.

Not only the time is past for becoming aware of our planet’s environmental struggle, but time is quickly slipping away for us to act.

Actively work to inspire others, organizations, and your politicians to demand control of the amount of GreenHouse Gas emissions, to strongly urge recycling efforts, to conserve your use of natural resources, etc. As many have said, there is no single solution to this environmental challenge. Regardless what various money interests will tell you and as T. Boone Pickens, a well known oilman, has said, “We cannot drill our way out of this problem.”)

About Baron

The Baron Companies are a local accounting, tax, and investment management organization, comprised of: Baron & Company P.C. (CPA firm), Baron Financial Services Inc. (investment management and financial planning), and Baron Payroll Services Inc. Together they form a full-service financial services entity with a focus on providing independent advice and premium service to clients in the areas of taxes, investment, financial planning, accounting, payroll, and legal services. Based in Kennesaw, Georgia and with satellite offices in Atlanta and Roswell, Baron Companies serves businesses, successful professionals and high-net worth clientele.

Source: The Baron Companies

Website: http://www.baroncompanies.net/

First Pellet Boilers (FPB), New York-based, and Gerkros Boilers, Ireland-based, today joined forces to present a competitive new choice to U.S. consumers of carbon-neutral, ultra-high-efficiency, low-cost home heating solutions. The three-year licensing deal, which is worth up to USD $40 million, was awarded by Gerkros to the Irish-owned FPB, which as its exclusive U.S. distributor will market the company’s award-winning “Woodpecker” renewable-energy heating solutions. Having demonstrated remarkable efficiencies in Ireland, the “Woodpecker” represents a new-generation heating solution. This product is completely fueled by recycled compressed sawdust and is expected to reduce home heating costs by up to 70 percent.

The deal was signed following an evaluation of the “Woodpecker” at OMNI-Test Laboratories, Inc. in Oregon, where the boiler underwent rigorous testing to ensure compliance with stringent U.S. performance criteria and safety regulations.

The Gerkros/FPB partnership occurs at a time of unprecedented home heating challenges for U.S. consumers. With the winter season approaching and oil prices remaining unchecked, home heating bills are predicted to skyrocket. The situation will be particularly acute in the northeast part of the country, which is the first regional target on FPB’s market roadmap. The “Woodpecker” offers an ultra-cost-efficient alternative to conventional oil and natural gas-driven boilers. It is fueled by inexpensive, recycled wood chips which, up to recently, were consigned to the country’s landfills. Now, this valuable raw material is encountering a second life in products like the “Woodpecker” and greatly reducing the cost burden associated with home heating. For instance, heating a 3,600 square foot home with a “Woodpecker” stove requires approximately three tons of pellets for an average winter season. At approximately $325 per ton, the total cost of heating the home and providing hot water comes to under $1,000.

For more than three decades, Gerkros has manufactured a range of boilers for the domestic Irish market and more recently for customers in Europe. Throughout that time, they have progressively refined the technology to offer greener alternatives to environmentally conscious customers. The “Woodpecker” represents one of the greenest products in their portfolio. With a 94 percent energy conversation rate, it rivals the performance of leading-edge fossil fuel-driven boilers, but at a fraction of the overall cost. Teaming up with FPB gives Gerkros access to a dedicated U.S. sales force and a comprehensive network of support staff throughout the U.S.

According to one of First Pellet Boilers’ principal partners, Brian Rutledge, “We spent considerable time evaluating boiler vendors from Europe who shared our green vision and our determination to offer U.S. consumers a technology that could dramatically reduce the cost of heating while leaving a minimal carbon footprint. In Gerkros, we found a combination of both, along with a home heating solution that is simply superior to boilers from all other vendors we looked at. Our partnership enables us to bring this highly innovative product to U.S. consumers.”

Citing the FPB partnership as a key component of his company’s growth strategy, Gerkros CEO, Ger Crosse noted, “Given the energy challenges facing today’s consumer, we couldn’t have chosen a more opportune time to enter the U.S. market with our renewable energy boilers. We’re especially pleased to have found a professional partner that is dedicated to successfully seeding our products. We have invested substantial resources in refining the technology and expanding our manufacturing infrastructure to meet anticipated demand from the U.S. market. We’re looking forward to working with FPB and growing our presence in the region.”

Assisting with the deal was Enterprise Ireland, the Government Agency responsible for driving leadership and growth for innovative Irish companies in international markets. Enterprise Ireland’s Director for the Americas, Tom Cusack noted, “This is a very significant deal for Gerkros Boilers. I wish the company and their U.S. channel partners, First Pellet Boilers, every success as they work to achieve their goals in the fast-growing U.S. market.”

The “Woodpecker” home heating solution is on display for the first time in the U.S. at FPB’s New York headquarters, 1 Odell Plaza, Yonkers, New York. It will also be exhibited at the Fall Westchester Home Tradeshow, November 1 & 2 2008. It can be ordered directly from FPB.

About Gerkros Boilers

With headquarters in Tipperary, Ireland, Gerkros Boilers has developed and delivered innovative home heating solutions for more than 30 years.

For more information, please visit their website: http://www.gerkros.ie/

Sources: First Pellet Boilers and Gerkros Boilers

Website: http://www.gerkros.ie/

With environmental problems increasingly threatening global development, China placed the environment at the top of its agenda alongside economic and social developments. As the world’s biggest developing county, China is committed to addressing these impending issues amid its efforts to develop a fast-growing economy and the construction of a harmonious society. China sees the environment as a critical factor to achieving sustainable development.

The General Work Plan for Energy Conservation and Pollutant Discharge Reduction, issued by the State Council, points out that, by 2010, China’s per ten-thousand GDP energy consumption should be reduced to less than 1 ton standard coal from 1.22 tons standard coal in 2005, which is a reduction of about 20%; water consumption per unit added value of industry should be reduced by 30%. By the end of the ”11th Five-Year Plan”, the total discharge of main pollutants should be reduced by 10%. To achieve these goals, both the government and market mechanisms should play an essential role.

Efforts to control the discharge of SO2 pollutants in the US began during the 1990s and the control of GreenHouse Gas discharge in Europe was launched at the beginning of the century. These efforts prove that, under the premise of ‘total discharge control,’ appropriate distribution, strict supervision, and unrestricted flow, the market mechanism is the most economical way to deal with environmental problems. The US and European actions were examples of resolving environmental problems using market-based methods.

There is a huge potential in the environment exchange market of China. However, the lack of information and expertise of Chinese enterprises results in a serious undervaluation of environmental exchange products. Therefore, an open platform for exchange is urgently needed. It should be used to explore the value of the environmental exchange projects and to encourage using the market to drive the Chinese environmental exchange which what the China Beijing Environment Exchange is to accomplish.

Xiong Yan, chairman of China Beijing Environment Exchange, explained that the exchange would work under the direction of the National Leading Group to Address Climate Change, Energy Conservation, and Pollutant Discharge Reduction under the direct leadership of the NDRC (National Development and Reform Commission), Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China, and Beijing Municipal People’s Government. The exchange would be primarily focused on the exchange of technologies for environmental protection, energy conservation, pollution emission reduction, tracking the amount of energy savings, the trade of SO2 and COD discharge rights, and to be an information service for GreenHouse Gas emission reductions. It would integrate the efforts of national and international enterprises, intermediary agents, banks, and investment banks to improve the pricing power of Chinese enterprises in carbon trading. The exchange would lay a foundation for China to use market-based methods to solve the problems related to environmental protection, energy savings, and pollutant emission reduction.

Source: China Beijing Environment Exchange

All South Dakota landowners that reside within the project’s footprint may receive ownership units in Dakota Wind Energy. Landowners who grant wind-related rights to Dakota Wind Energy can receive either a traditional cash payment, or units in Dakota Wind Energy through this offering.

The number of units offered to each resident landowner is dependent on the amount of acres subject to the wind easement granted by the landowner. The wind easements secured through this offering will help Dakota Wind Energy develop up to 750 megawatts of wind projects.

All units will be sold directly to local South Dakota investors without use of a broker-dealer or agent. Sales of securities will only be made after interested investors have received and reviewed a prospectus. Want more information? Go to the website here.

A nearly unanmous number of Americans, from all political parties, overwhelmingly support development and funding of solar energy. Ninety-one percent of Republicans, 97 percent of Democrats, and 98 percent of Independents agree that developing solar power is vital to the United States.

These and other findings were reported in the SCHOTT Solar Barometer(TM), a nationally representative survey conducted by the independent polling firm, Kelton Research.

The survey revealed that 77 percent of Americans feel that the development of solar power, and other renewable energy sources, should be a major priority of the federal government. Independent voters felt strongest about this, compared to voters in other political parties, with 86 percent of Independents supporting the statement.

When asked which one energy source they would support if they were President, 41 percent of Americans picked solar. Solar and wind together were favored nearly 20 times more than coal (3 percent).

“These results are an undeniable signal to our elected leaders that Americans want job-creating solar power, now,” said Rhone Resch, President of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

According to the survey, nearly three-quarters of Republicans (72 percent), Democrats (72 percent), and Independents (74 percent) favor an extension of the federal investment tax credits (ITC) as a way to encourage development of solar power and fund continued development of the technology. In contrast, only 8 percent of Americans believe the ITC should not be extended.

Current federal legislation, which provides incentives to spur the growth of renewable energy, is set to expire at the end of the year. Experts predict that without long-term renewal of the legislation, the solar energy industry will struggle to maintain its momentum. According to independent analysis by Navigant Consulting, this would translate into the loss of 39,000 jobs, as well as the loss of nearly $8 billion in investments. When wind is included, 116,000 jobs and $19 billion in investment are at risk, according to the report.

“Solar development means job growth for Americans, by Americans, in an industry that will benefit America,” said Dr. Gerald Fine, President & CEO of SCHOTT North America. “Rather than rely on foreign sources for fuel, the U.S. can aspire to become the world’s leader in clean energy.”

Extension of the tax credits continues to be in doubt as the House, Senate and Administration debate differing plans. In May, the House Ways and Means Committee cleared H.R. 6049, which would extend the solar investment tax credit for six years. According to SEIA, this legislation would secure America’s clean-energy future by closing an income tax loophole enjoyed by hedge-fund managers on their off-shore accounts.

“The U.S. Senate has an opportunity to act decisively by passing the Renewable Energy & Job Creation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6049) this month. This is smart policy that will help solar become a powerful economic engine for the country, stabilize energy prices for consumers and businesses and improve America’s national energy security. A vote against this bill is a vote against what the vast majority of Americans are demanding,” said Mr. Resch.

“When you consider that, according to the American Solar Energy Society, nearly 7,000 gigawatts (GW) of solar generation capacity exists in the American Southwest, America is truly a sleeping giant,” said Dr. Fine. “Americans want to wake this giant up.”

About the Survey’s Methodology

The SCHOTT Solar Barometer Survey was conducted by Kelton Research between May 29th and June 2nd, 2008 using an email invitation and an online survey. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and SCHOTT Solar, one of the trend-setting manufacturers of solar energy technologies, commissioned the survey. Quotas are set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population ages 18 and over. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

For more information, please visit their websites: http://www.seia.org or http://www.us.schott.com

Source: Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA); SCHOTT Solar

Websites: http://www.seia.org/
http://www.us.schott.com/

A portion of the June 5th World Environment Day Event, Save the Plants, Save the Planet Week

Governmental, Corporate, and Non-profit organization leaders will gather at the Chicago Botanic Garden on June 5th, as part of the Garden’s first International Climate Change Forum, which is a day-long long examination of issues relating to climate change and global warming. This event will be part of the United Nations Environment Programme’s World Environment Day celebration.

Highlights of the day include presentations by Dr. Ashok Khosla, the former chairman of the United Nations Environment Programme and recipient of the 2002 Sasakawa Environment Prize; and Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, and author of Earth: the Sequel. Others speaking at the event include:

*** Amy Fraenkel, Deputy Director of the United Nations World Environment Programme, who will present, for the first time, key findings from “Kick the Habit- The UN Guide to Climate Neutrality,” an international report on achieving world-wide carbon neutrality;

*** Suzanne-Malec McKenna, Commissioner for the Department of the Environment for the City of Chicago;

*** Mary Gade, Region 5 Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;

*** Demetria Giannisis, President & CEO of the Chicago Manufacturing Center, the Green Plants Initiative and Great Lakes Partnership;

*** John W.Rowe, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Exelon Corporation;

*** Arthur J. Gibson, Vice President of Environment, Health & Safety for Baxter International; and

*** Andrew Armishaw, Chief Technology and Services Officer for HSBC- North America.

Dr. Ashok Khosla was a leading member of the team at Harvard University that designed and taught the first undergraduate course on the environment. He was the founding director of the government of India’s Office of Environmental Planning and Coordination, the first national environmental agency in a developing country and pioneered the design and implementation of the basic systems and structures needed to integrate environmental considerations into the process of a developing nation’s economy. Today, Dr. Khosla heads up Development Alternatives Group, a leading environmental agency in India. He is recognized worldwide as a leader in sustainable development of emerging economies.

Fred Krupp helped develop market-based solutions such as the acid rain reduction plan included in the 1990 Clean Air Act. The Environmental Defense Fund is a national non-profit organization that links science, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create solutions to the most serious environmental programs. Krupp was a founding member of the United States Climate Action Partnership, a coalition of leading corporations and environment organizations supporting mandatory limits in the United States of global warming pollution.

World Environment Day was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 to mark the June 5 opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Another resolution, adopted by the General Assembly the same day, led to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme.

Other activities at the Chicago Botanic Garden on June 5th will include the Action and Knowledge Marketplace, featuring over thirty non-profit, academic, cultural and environmental organizations, held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the Esplanade at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Visitors will find helpful displays and knowledgeable representatives discussing products for green homes, resources to locate carpools, volunteer and community conservation programs, classes on green gardening, sources for energy efficient appliances, vehicles that run on used vegetable oil and a solar powered popcorn maker.

Entries from the North American International Children’s Painting Competition, sponsored by Bayer Corporation, will be on exhibit throughout June at the greenhouse galleries, located in the Regenstein Center at the Chicago Botanic Garden. More than 700 entries were received from which the first and second place North American winners were selected. Chicago-area and North American winners will be featured.

The International Children’s Painting Competition, the Knowledge and Action Marketplace, the International Climate Change Forum, a Farmer’s Market of organically grown produce, and more are all part of the Save the Plants/Save the Planet Week at the Garden, June 1 through 8.

World Environment Day is sponsored by PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP, Baxter International, HSBC-North American and Exelon Corporation.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year, except Dec. 25. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $15; free for members. On Tuesdays, senior citizens age 62 and older pay just $7 for parking. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit http://www.chicagobotanic.org/, or call (847) 835- 5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information. The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden’s Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. The Garden is also breaking new ground in urban horticulture and jobs training through a 15-acre project in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago called Windy City Harvest. The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.

Source for this post: Chicago Botanic Garden

Website: http://www.chicagobotanic.org/

City-wide Water Savings Initiative Launched by Healdsburg, Newport Beach and Petaluma

Becoming green heroes in the state’s struggle to preserve dwindling water supplies and stop the destructive effects of water mismanagement, Healdsburg, Newport Beach, and Petaluma have implemented the WeatherTRAK(R) smart water management solution to conserve water at parks and other landscaped sites.

Landscapes, which consume the majority of non-agricultural water and are typically over-watered by 30-300 percent, are, especially, targeted by city leaders.

Last year, the City of Healdsburg reduced water use and costs by 28 percent over the previous year after replacing ordinary irrigation controllers installed at parks and a high school with WeatherTRAK smart controllers. Park Superintendent Matthew Thompson explained, “We’re proud of how much water we’ve saved. It’s one thing for a city to talk about going green and another to report real results.”

The city is now rolling out smart water management to nine additional sites to increase water savings.

Like Healdsburg, the City of Petaluma launched its smart water management initiative at nine city-maintained sites. After seeing water use reduced by 24 percent, the city council moved quickly to install WeatherTRAK smart water management systems at 27 additional locations including the grounds of a police station and museum.

Petaluma also installed the systems at 73 residences. Water use at these homes dropped 35 percent compared to the historical five-year average, saving 3.2 million gallons. Mayor Pamela Torliatt said, “We’re very excited about the water savings we’re achieving with the WeatherTRAK controllers. The WeatherTRAK team has partnered with us at every step to keep our program smooth-running while we meet sustainability objectives.”

Water waste contributes to energy waste and in turn to global warming. For every one million gallons of water four million watt hours of power are expended and 5,360 pounds of C02 are emitted into the atmosphere.

Overwatering has other harmful effects. Each day millions of gallons of landscape water runoff laden with fertilizers, pesticides and other pollutants threaten oceans, wildlife breeding grounds and public health. This urban runoff also causes property damage, resulting in liability and repair costs for local governments and private property owners.

In late 2006, the City of Newport Beach initiated an innovative smart water management program to help protect marine life at Crystal Cove State Beach from urban runoff. More than 600 WeatherTRAK smart controllers installed in watershed areas of the city are reducing runoff by nearly 20,000 gallons per month. A citywide water conservation education campaign is helping to raise public awareness of the direct link between watering landscapes appropriately and protecting local ecosystems.

The WeatherTRAK solution is proven to save four times more water than any other technology. The system eliminates waste by dynamically adjusting water output based on plant needs and changing local weather. Automation also boosts the productivity of landscape maintenance teams since workers no longer need to adjust irrigation systems manually when the weather changes. Cities can redirect maintenance efforts and costs to more critical infrastructure projects.

Chris Spain, president and CEO of HydroPoint Data Systems, said, “Healdsburg, Newport Beach and Petaluma are taking decisive action to address our water crisis and global warming. Their savings are impressive — millions of gallons of water and watt hours of power as well as significant decreases in carbon footprint and runoff.” Spain added, “Other cities looking for a way to lighten the financial and environmental burdens of water mismanagement should follow their lead.”

About WeatherTRAK

WeatherTRAK smart water management from HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc. is the proven green initiative that enables 15,000 subscribers to improve property valuation by continuously optimizing irrigation and eliminating water-related property destruction and liabilities. Twenty-three independent studies prove that the WeatherTRAK network maximizes water conservation and improves landscape health. A California EPA-funded study demonstrates the ability of the WeatherTRAK solution to reduce runoff pollution by 71 percent. Additionally, the WeatherTRAK product line received perfect scores across the board on the Smart Water Application Technology(TM) protocol, developed by a consortium of public agencies to objectively measure smart controller performance. WeatherTRAK solutions are eligible for all public agency rebate programs and meet the highest U.S. standards for irrigation equipment, the State of California’s. Headquartered in Petaluma, California, HydroPoint Data Systems is privately owned and operated.

For more information, please visit their website: http://www.weathertrak.com/

Source for this post: WeatherTRAK

Website: http://www.weathertrak.com/

WorldPublicOpinion.org took a recent international poll of attitudes toward oil reserves in several nations around the world. Closer to home, the organization found that a majority of Americans think that their government is failing to prepare for the ultimate depletion of oil reserves.

The government should assume, as indicated by more than three out of four Americans (76%), that “oil is running out and it is necessary to make a major effort to replace oil as a primary source of energy.”

However 57 percent believe that the American government is acting as if “enough new oil will be found so that it can remain a primary source of energy for the foreseeable future.” The United States is the world’s largest consumer of oil.

“Americans think their government is not facing the reality that oil is running out and needs to be replaced,” comments Steven Kull, director of WorldPublicOpinion.org. He added, “The enormous support for replacing oil may also be prompted by concern about climate change.”

An overwhelming 88 percent say that the price of oil will continue to go higher, with 63 percent saying that 10 years from now it will be much higher.

Democrats are somewhat more likely to believe that oil is running out and that prices will go much higher, but Republicans are just as likely to believe that the government is acting as if oil is not running out. Those with less education are more likely to assume that the government is adapting.

The poll of 1,309 Americans was fielded Jan 18-27, 2008 by Knowledge Networks using its nationwide panel, which was randomly selected from the entire adult population.

This poll of Americans is part of a larger international poll conducted in 16 countries around the world. The poll of 14,896 respondents was conducted by WorldPublicOpinion.org, a collaborative research project involving research centers from around the world and managed by the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of Maryland.

Interestingly, the United States is the only country out of 16 polled where majorities perceive that both oil is running out and that their government fails to recognize this. In all other countries polled most think that their government should assume that oil is running out. On average 70 percent take this position.

Today, a statement on their website says, “Only in Nigeria does a majority (53%) endorse the view that governments can rely on oil in the long term.”

For more detailed and international results from the entire report and graphs of how people from each polled nation indicated, please visit their website: http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/

(Ed.: The concept of oil reserves being depleted is not a recent conclusion. About 30 years ago, a college textbook of mine contained a graph that forecasted peak oil production for the year 2000. Well, it was a forecast and with the rise in the price of oil, methods for oil exploration that were uneconomical years ago have extended the world’s oil reserves. In any event, there is not a limitless amount of oil, as oil is not a renewable/sustainable energy source.

Speaking specifically of the American scene, since we have been the largest consumer of oil and, probably, the largest producer of the GreenHouse Gas (GHG) carbon dioxide, the will of our political leaders should…no…must be united to combat Global Climate Change (GCC). It is this generation throughout the world that must aggressively and comprehensively take a stand for life on our planet. We have already lost many species due to GCC and will lose more, even if we stop producing GHG today.

As indicated in many places, we need to adopt an energy saving attitude and implement it at home and away, recycle, use our resources wisely, speak out for renewable/sustainable energy sources, and not fall victim to believing the propaganda spoken by a handful of non-believers, especially the handful of “experts,” whose testimony was outlined and paid for by Big Oil, Big Money, etc. interests. Please join the We Campaign to get our leaders to combat GCC by going to their website: http://www.wecansolveit.org

Yes, it is a free country, but when the media’s objectivity has been distorted to confuse the masses about the truth and for the sake of those that will come after us, all of us need to strongly refute the non-believers comments or we will have condemned our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren to extreme hardships and possible extinction.

There are several things that can destroy life on our planet for which we have little or no control. Wouldn’t it be tragic if mankind’s lack of action caused the abrupt and unstoppable escalation toward a global catastrophe, when we could have removed mankind’s hand from the accelerating race toward making earth an inhabitable planet.

Even though most of our readers are aware of the following examples, they have been presented as a small indication of our grave situation for those that are either undecided or unaware. Recently, I learned, that with the warming planet, methane when released into the atmosphere tends to cause our planet to retain about 26 times more heat than carbon dioxide. The increase in ocean temperature is causing the methane that is locked on the ocean floor to melt and be released into the atmosphere. On land, the Alaskan tundra’s perma-frost is melting causing the methane, from decaying plant material, to be released into the atmosphere. In addition, the reduction of ice masses, due to melting, in Greenland and the polar regions can no longer reflect as much heat back into space. With these few examples, our possible peril must be obvious.

Remember: if the earth is allowed to go past the earth’s environmental tipping point, there won’t be any do-overs.)

Source for this post: Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of Maryland

Website: http://www.worldpublicopinion.org
http://www.wecansolveit.org/

Second ‘Unlikely Alliances’ Ad Launched by the We Campaign

The We campaign announced today that the “Unlikely Alliances” ads launched the second in its series. This ad contained House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) discussing their shared interest in seeing the American public and our elected officials work together to address Climate Change.

These advertisements are a key component of the We campaign, which is a multi-year, multi-faceted effort designed to ignite a public movement to solve the climate crisis. The ad will run nationally on network and cable channels.

In this installment, Speakers Pelosi and Gingrich argue that people with different political affiliations must join together in order to make addressing climate change a top priority. As Speaker Gingrich says in the ad, he and Speaker Pelosi do not always see eye to eye, but they do “agree our country must take action to address climate change.”

“We need cleaner forms of energy, and we need them fast,” Pelosi responds.

“If enough of us demand action from our leaders,” Gingrich concludes, “we can spark the innovation we need.”

Alliance for Climate Protection CEO Cathy Zoi noted, “By bringing together top Republicans and Democrats, we are demonstrating both to the American public and to lawmakers that we can and must overcome partisan differences to solve the climate crisis. We have the technological solutions in hand, but right now we lack the political will. Addressing the urgent challenge of climate change requires more of the spirit shown by Speakers Pelosi and Gingrich.”

The first “Unlikely Alliances” ad, released on April 10, featured the Revs. Pat Robertson and Al Sharpton sitting on a couch on a Virginia beach. Despite being polar opposites on many issues, the faith community leaders say, they “agree on one thing”: taking care of our planet.

The We campaign kicked off April 2 with the launch of the “Anthem” ad and the announcement that several major national organizations, including the Girl Scouts of America, the United Steelworkers union, the National Audubon Society as well as other conservation, social justice and religious groups, would be joining the campaign to help engage their members across the country. The We campaign is aiming to sign up 10 million climate activists over the next three years.

Commenting on the breadth of the We campaign effort, Zoi said, “We will only solve the climate crisis when Americans of all stripes come together and demand our leaders make it a priority. We must take action now and by standing together, we can make it happen.”

For more information and to view the ad, please visit: http://www.wecansolveit.org/

About the We campaign & the Alliance for Climate Protection

The We campaign is a project of the Alliance for Climate Protection. Unprecedented in scale for a public policy issue, the Alliance’s We campaign draws from the best practices of successful commercial, social marketing, and political campaigns. The campaign combines advertising, online organizing, and partnerships with a diverse and growing group of grassroots organizations, to educate the American public on the urgent need to solve the climate crisis and activate them to demand real solutions from elected officials. The Alliance for Climate Protection is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2006 by former Vice President Al Gore, who currently serves as the chairman of the bipartisan board of directors. Building on the momentum of the Academy Award winning film, “An Inconvenient Truth,” the Alliance engages individuals, communities, corporations, and governments across the world to take action to quickly reduce their own greenhouse pollution and to demand action from their political, business, and community leaders to enact policies that will sharply reduce emissions.

Source for this post: The Alliance for Climate Protection

Website: http://www.wecansolveit.org/

In view of current gas prices, it’s no surprise that more than 58 percent of car consumers polled by Kelly Blue Book in March indicated that fuel prices affected their purchase decision. Along with other automakers, Ford, (NYSE:F) , is studying major changes and long-term solutions, while developing affordable, near-term methods for improving fuel efficiency.

Ford’s chief engineer for Research and Advanced Engineering, Andreas R. Schamel, explained to SAE delegates yesterday how volume-based, near-term actions — such as Ford’s upcoming EcoBoost engine technology — can deliver real-world fuel economy improvements for millions of customers within the next five years.

EcoBoost, which mates advanced direct injection technology and turbocharging with a gasoline engine, can deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy, 15 percent lower CO2 emissions and superior driving performance versus larger displacement engines. The technology will be spread across Ford’s lineup from small cars to large pickups.

“The challenges of CO2 and fuel economy are complex, global issues,” Schamel says. “There is no single, universal answer around the world. That’s why we’re pursuing technology such as EcoBoost that’s scale-able to large-volume production now in the short term.”

The EcoBoost family of 4- and 6-cylinder engines builds on today’s affordable gasoline engines allowing the technology to be applied across a wide range of engines and vehicles types. In the next five years, EcoBoost will be available on a half a million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles annually in North America, far exceeding current hybrid vehicle production capacity.

That means a significant impact on fuel consumption, Schamel says.

“EcoBoost will provide real-world fuel efficiency benefits in the near term with a shorter payback time than other advanced technologies. We believe hybrids, diesels, and technologies such as plug-ins and fuel cells have a role, but we believe that having the right mix of fuel-saving technologies over time is the best approach.”

In 2009, Ford will first introduce EcoBoost on the Lincoln MKS featuring a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 that will produce the power and torque of a V-8 engine with the fuel efficiency of a V-6. With an estimated 340 horsepower and more than 340 lb.-ft. of torque, the Lincoln MKS will be the most powerful and fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive luxury sedan in the market — while saving customers about $340 a year in fuel costs compared with a standard V-8 model luxury sedan.

Direct injection coupled with turbocharging allows for the downsizing of engines that deliver improved torque and performance. A 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine has the capability of producing more torque than a larger 6-cylinder engine — nearly an entire liter larger in displacement — with up to 20 percent better fuel efficiency.

EcoBoost — combined with six-speed transmissions, advanced electric power steering, weight reductions, and aerodynamic improvements — is a key part of Ford Motor Company’s near term strategy to deliver affordable, sustainable, quality vehicles that customers want and value.

Source for this post: Ford Motor Company

Website: http://www.ford.com/