Blog Posts Across The Bee Hive

The Final Countdown...

Benjamin Hart, my friendly correspondent in Beijing, is keeping some of us across the Pacific visually apprised of Beijing's air quality via his fantastic photos. I had mentioned in a blog I posted about a week ago (July 31) that China's government has been trying to bring down the pollutants in the city's air through a variety of measures including reducing traffic and shutting down factories. Have these measures worked? Well, let's compare two of Ben's pictures of the Beijing skyline. This… Continue

Posted by Elizabeth VanderVen on August 6, 2008 at 4:30pm — 2 Comments

LA Metro Profiles

I've been riding the LA Metro a lot in the past couple years. The more I ride, the more I'm convinced that some of the most interesting, hip and cool people in LA are taking it too. They do interesting things, they look good, and they save money and gas! What's not to like?

…

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Posted by Elizabeth VanderVen on August 4, 2008 at 5:00pm — No Comments

A Gold Medal for Beijing's Air? I Don't Think So!

When I was in Beijing this past June, I was stunned at how dirty and hazy the air was. I choked on the smog. I felt wheezy. I left those running shoes that I ambitiously took along with me in my suitcase. And I’m not even asthmatic! Admittedly, sometimes overly dramatic, I worried to myself whether the Beijing air would sustain my life for the two-week duration of my trip, let alone support the intense world-class sports competition that I knew would descend upon it this August 8. And dr… Continue

Posted by Elizabeth VanderVen on July 31, 2008 at 4:00pm — No Comments

Environmental Olympics: China versus the US!

Which country wins when it comes to daily practices? The American media enjoys pointing the finger at China and its government on a variety of issues – how it handled the Sichuan earthquake in May, its human rights record (including its controversial role in Tibet), how it controls its currency, whether or not it is ready for the Olympics, and of course its lack of environmental accountability. Last December, for instance, at a summit in Bali, Indonesia, US reports focused on… Continue

Posted by Elizabeth VanderVen on July 17, 2008 at 8:00pm — No Comments

Mandatory Recycling

Beginning July 1, 2007, California will become the first state to initiate a mandatory plastic bag recycling program. The effort is being hailed by plastic-bag manufacturers, who say the recycling effort is reducing a glut of bags and providing a reservoir of plastic to remanufacture into other products. For example, recycled bags ar… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on June 12, 2008 at 11:00pm — No Comments

$70 Oil Seems Like Yesterday

Maybe it was last week....last month? Oh yes, it was May 21 last year. In one year exactly, the price of oil has increased by $66/barrel. Oil closed yesterday at $133/barrel. Analysts believe the increase isn't over eithe… Continue

Posted by Joel on May 22, 2008 at 7:19am — No Comments

Questions, Answers and Interesting Facts

Hi! Today I'm including some suggestions that have been sent to me, and answered subscriber questions. Many of your suggestions and emails are fantastic, so please keep them coming! Let's get to it. Q&A Question: “Is it better to use a gas or a charcoal grill?” -- Michelle, New York Answer: Go with the gas. Natural gas is a much cleaner fuel than charcoal. While it is true that natural gas is a non-renewable resource and charcoal is made… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on May 15, 2008 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Another Non-Solution Gets Bi-Partisan Support

You can probably tell that I'm feeling a bit grumpy this week about the world of politics and the complete vacuum of leadership when it comes to energy policy. My ire today is directed towards Congress and the Senate's 97-1 support of redirecting 70,000 barrels of oil a day to refineries rather than to reserves. This particular tidbit explains it:

Currently, about 70,000 barrels a day are…

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Posted by Joel on May 13, 2008 at 12:39pm — No Comments

I'm in the Money!

Oil just went over $125 per barrel. Sing it with me - I'm in the money! I'm in the Money! Can I get $130? Anyone for $130? Continue

Posted by Oil Blob on May 9, 2008 at 9:22am — No Comments

A Few Handy Tools for Finding the Best Price on Gas and Alternatives

Surfing around the internet today, I came across the breakdown of useful sites for finding the lowest cost gas stations around. One of the sites, AltFuelPrices.org, also maps out the alternative gas stations for those of you thinking about making the leap to a non-gasoline powered car or truck. Of course, you could always use the opportunity to save a few bucks and red… Continue

Posted by Joel on May 5, 2008 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Soros on Oil Prices

In the latest issue of Fortune magazine, uber-finance expert and philanthropist George Soros explains why he believes US consumers, angry about gas prices, are less important that what's happening in developing countries:

A lot depends on whether the recession hits the developing world as well as the developed world. The impact [of pinched consumers in the U.S. using less gas] is much less than…

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Posted by Joel on April 20, 2008 at 11:13am — No Comments

Recycling - The Distance We've Traveled, the Distance We Still Need to Go

This is a little bit late, but if you missed the January issue of National Geographic, it's worth picking up. In particular, the charts that accompany the article "Recycle: The Big Picture" are particularly enlightening. One quickly gets a sense not only of how far we've come, but how far we need to go...not to mention further validation of the US as a consumer culture. The charts, unfortunately are n… Continue

Posted by Joel on April 14, 2008 at 10:16am — No Comments

I'm Not Sayin', But I'm Just Sayin'

According to the March 31st issue of Fortune:

325% - The rise in West Texas intermediate crude prices from George Bush's inauguration in January 2001 through March 7, 2008. Futures prices topped $108 a barrel in March.

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Posted by Joel on April 9, 2008 at 1:38pm — No Comments

USCAP Members: "Easy on the Greening"

A lot of this won't come as a giant shock, but it turns out that many of the companies who have joined the US Climate Action Partnership (USCAP) may not be quite as "green" as they say they are. Here are some interesting pieces from a recent article in BusinessWeek:

Three high-profile USCAP members—General Electric, Caterpill…

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Posted by Joel on March 28, 2008 at 3:38pm — No Comments

Next President to Fight Global Warming

Super Tuesday States

Where do our Presidential candidates stand on global warming, climate change, and emission reductions? Along with the s… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on February 5, 2008 at 10:00am — No Comments

The Apocolapse? Or Canada?

The Apocalypse or Mt. Doom?

Tell me the Canadian Oil Sands video below doesn't look like the apocalypse (see right)? The video has clips that appea… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on February 4, 2008 at 10:00am — No Comments

You Can Sit In Traffic Or You Can Beat Your Meat

From Mark Bittman's article in the New York Times, "A sea change in the consumption… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on January 28, 2008 at 10:00pm — No Comments

In LA, Ride Eco-Chic

We've all heard the jokes about how TERRIBLE! Los Angeles traffic can be (is, can be... whatever - IT'S PRETTY BAD!). So, if you are visiting LA, or live here and need a ride, don't contribute to our smog -- help promote a solution. Try out EcoNation, "Southern California's first choi… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on January 28, 2008 at 10:00am — No Comments

Regarding California Emissions EPAs Johnson Takes It On the Chin

While Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen L. Johnson may have thought he was prepared to face a congressional committee (see right), the truth is... He took it on the chin! Last month, Mr. Johnson denied California's waiver request to allow California to establish its own limits on greenhou… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on January 24, 2008 at 10:00pm — No Comments

Regarding California Emissions EPAs Johnson Takes It On the Chin

While Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen L. Johnson may have thought he was prepared to face a congressional committee (see right), the truth is... He took it on the chin! Last month, Mr. Johnson denied California's waiver request to allow California to establish its own limits on greenhou… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on January 24, 2008 at 10:00am — No Comments

Israel to be Off Oil in 10 years

Shai Agassi is on a mission. The founder and CEO of Project Better Place is determined to make electric cars a reality in our lifetime. Actually, not only in our lifetime, but in the next 20 years. The idea being that electric cars should sell as well as… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on January 23, 2008 at 10:00pm — No Comments

Piloting A Container Ship - Child's Play

Skysails has introduced a toy - a kite - in the big business world of shipping. As sta… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on January 23, 2008 at 10:00pm — No Comments

Israel to be Off Oil in 10 years

Shai Agassi is on a mission. The founder and CEO of Project Better Place is determined to make electric cars a reality in our lifetime. Actually, not only in our lifetime, but in the next 20 years. The idea being that electric cars should sell as well as… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on January 23, 2008 at 10:00am — No Comments

Piloting A Container Ship - Child's Play

Skysails has introduced a toy - a kite - in the big business world of shipping. As sta… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on January 23, 2008 at 10:00am — No Comments

PH(at) EV Wars

By 2010, the Patriots still may not have lost, Tom Brady may be dating Gisele Bundchen and her sister,… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on January 14, 2008 at 10:00pm — No Comments

Tata's New Nano

A new Nano is on the market! No, it's not new version of Apple's popular iPod music player... But it is the CHEAPEST car in the world. …

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Posted by Mighty Green Bee on January 10, 2008 at 7:30am — No Comments

In LA, Ride Eco-Chic

We've all heard the jokes about how TERRIBLE! Los Angeles traffic can be (is, can be... whatever - IT'S PRETTY BAD!). So, if you are visiting LA, or live here and need a ride, don't contribute to our smog -- help promote a solution. Try out EcoNation, "Southern California's first choi… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on January 8, 2008 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Air Power Pushes New Tata Car

The "air car" or Mini-CAT

A French company has developed has developed a potentially revolutionary technology - a pollution-free car which runs on compressed air. An Indian company, Tata Motors, has the… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on January 7, 2008 at 7:30am — No Comments

Pollution Deaths Bollster California vs EPA Case

By now, we all know that California's waiver request of the federal Environmental Protection Agency to curb vehicle emissions was denied. And, California (and 15 other states) is suing the EPA because of that decision. California's case will… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on January 4, 2008 at 7:30am — No Comments

Oil Begins Century Streak

For 2 straight days, oil barrel prices have hit $100. While this continues a six-year, five-fold spike driven by surging demand and limited supply... it may only be the beginning. Limited supply? Haven't "experts" been saying we don't need to worry about oil… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on January 3, 2008 at 7:30am — No Comments

Uh Oh - Oil Busts $100

Starting 2008 off with a bang, oil hops across $100 before closing just under. Wow! Wow! Wow!

Full story is here.

Are the presidential candidates talking about this? Continue

Posted by Joel on January 2, 2008 at 9:30am — No Comments

Like Sly Stallone, California Keeps Coming Back

Sly Stallone keeps coming back. Rocky hit the canvas more times than I can count (although I'm sure there's a website out there somewhere with the stats). He should have s… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on January 2, 2008 at 7:30am — No Comments

Freakin' EPA

So yesterday the EPA announced that California (and 16 other states) can't regulate green house gases from cars. From the San Francisco Chronicle...

"It was the first time the EPA has flat-out denied a waiver request by California under the Clean Air Act. The law gives California special authority to set stronger standards because the state has a long history of smog and other air-quality p…

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Posted by Joel on December 20, 2007 at 9:10am — No Comments

A lot is Changing

We're adding features left and right here in the Beehive. You'll notice that the beehive's address is now www.MightyGreenBee.com. Please spread the word and get people to join the movement.
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Posted by Mighty Green Bee on December 18, 2007 at 1:18pm — No Comments

Cellulosic Ethanol Powered Race Car Places Second

Check it out -

"A LeMans prototype vehicle powered by cellulosic E85 (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline) has finished second overall at the longest race in the world: the United States Air Force-sponsored 25 Hours of Thunderhill at Willows, California."

…

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Posted by Mighty Green Bee on December 7, 2007 at 2:46pm — No Comments

Welcome to the Beehive

Let me tell you why I'm here. I'm here because global warming is a BIG problem. Most of you know this. Actually millions and millions of people know this, yet things aren't moving fast enough to correct the problem. So here's what this site is all about because lord knows there are enough "green" websites out there spewing tips on how to green your daily life. The beehive is a place for people to talk and get others to take action in a way that will truly make a difference.

This sounds… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on December 6, 2007 at 2:44pm — 1 Comment

Google Looking to Expand Into Renewables

Google is trying to save the world from global warming... and hedging it's bets at the same. Google's plan? Making 1 gigawatt of renewable energy capacity at or below the cost of coal-generated electricity. While… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on November 30, 2007 at 8:00am — No Comments

Oil Experts Meet Chicken Little

Chicken Little famously claimed, "The sky is falling!" But, as Wikipedia notes, the phrase "has passed into the English language as a common idiom indicating a hysterical or mistake… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on November 19, 2007 at 8:00am — No Comments

Federal Court Instructs Bush Administration on Vehicle Emissions

Borrowing a phrase from ESPN's Stuart Scott, a federal court just went "BOO-YAAH!!" on the Bush Administration. Marc Lifsher of the LA Times reports,

"The Bush…

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Posted by Mighty Green Bee on November 16, 2007 at 8:00am — No Comments

New IPCC Report

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is releasing a new report.

"A panel of the United Nations' leading scientists is to warn that climate change could have "abrupt and irreversible" consequences, in a landmark document designed to force action from member states on the issue."

…

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Posted by Mighty Green Bee on November 16, 2007 at 8:00am — No Comments

Hybrids Rule LA Auto Show

Hydrogen! Honda FCX

Accord… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on November 16, 2007 at 8:00am — No Comments

Toyota Exec Must See Video

Toyota is one of the auto manufacturer's fighting California's waiver to raise auto emission levels. When questioned about the suit at the LA Auto Show, Toyota’s general manager for U.S. sales, Bob Carter, decided to try and show the true "power" he wields. Watch the video:

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Posted by Mighty Green Bee on November 15, 2007 at 8:00am — No Comments

Freedom From Oil At the Auto Show

The Rainforest Action Network (RAN), through their Freedom From Oil campaign, is broadcasting live - telling the truth - from the LA Auto Show. From RAN's email blast today:

In case you missed it yesterday's live broadcast included Toyota executive Bob Carter attacking and knocking the video camera o…

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Posted by Mighty Green Bee on November 15, 2007 at 8:00am — No Comments

Auto Show Hits LA

Hybrid Mazda Tribute

The Auto Show is hitting LA! Beginning tomorrow, November 16, through November 25th, car makers from all over the world are showing off the latest and greatest designs and concepts… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on November 15, 2007 at 8:00am — No Comments

Environment Takes Back Seat In Bush Administration

Statistics are backing up what many in the environmental community already knew. From the San Jose Mercury News:

"The tepid use of criminal laws for environmental violations [in San Francisco] mirrors national trends - from 2001 to 2006, the Bush administration's p…

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Posted by Mighty Green Bee on November 15, 2007 at 8:00am — No Comments

Go Vancouver Taxis!

I was just in Vancouver on my honeymoon and couldn't help but notice the large fleet of yellow hybrid taxis running around the city. Through a conversation with one of the drivers, I learned that the city mandated that all cabs switch to hybrid or alternative fuel. It definitely gave the city a cool, modern vibe. I found this article when I got back on their efforts as well as those of other cities. Continue

Posted by Joel on November 13, 2007 at 9:30am — No Comments

Fall Out From the Bay Bridge Oil Spill

DiFi, as Senator Dianne Feinstein is affectionately known, is mad. Really mad! After last week's oil spill, the attempted clean up has taken the effort to a whole new level of DISASTER! And now, feeling the pain of her home turf, DiFi plans to bring, "The full weight of the federal government will now be brought into a rigorous investigation to find out what went wrong." A full-scale investigation, being led by National Transportation… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on November 13, 2007 at 8:00am — No Comments

Ooooooh... Bacteria... COOOOOL

Photo: Shaoan Cheng

This is an idea that should not get the Purell treatment. Researchers at Penn State… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on November 13, 2007 at 8:00am — No Comments

California Auto Emissions Suit

From today's Sacramento Bee,

"California officials plan to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today for allegedly stalling the review of a 2002 state law that requires automakers to slash tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases from new cars starting next year."

U.S. EPA chief, Stephen Johnson promised to make a ruling on California's ruling by the end of the year (finall… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on November 8, 2007 at 8:00am — No Comments

Record Oil Price

Shocker! Oil hit a new high again. The Price of Oil hit $98.62, before dropping back down. I don't know about you... but I'm starting to look at oil's march towards $100/barrel the same way I followed the stock market when it kept trying to push through 14,000. Like the stock market, it's only a matter of time. Start getting used to paying $3.50-$4.00/gallon. Looks like gas cards may be popul… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on November 7, 2007 at 8:00am — No Comments

California Suing US EPA

Nearly two years ago, California submitted a waiver request to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding greenhouse gas emission levels - a necessary step when a state wishes to pass regulations that are more stringent than federal levels. To date, California is still waiting for an answer. In response, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on November 5, 2007 at 8:30am — No Comments

Compost a Heap of Something

THE OIL BAG - WEEK 7 Thought I disappeared did ya? No, no-no, no, no, no... Haven't you noticed? I've been busy. Oil is trading at its highest price ever! topping $90 a barrel. Believe me, it's not easy getting the whole world to fear an oil shortage in order to drive the price up. While I was working I received the following question:

Dear Oil Blob, While e…

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Posted by Oil Blob on October 30, 2007 at 3:00pm — No Comments

Americans for Energy Independence Video Contest

Americans for Energy Independence is sponsoring a video contest… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on October 25, 2007 at 8:30am — No Comments

California to Sue U.S. EPA Over Emissions

Next week, California will make good on the Governator's promise to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: If you don't grant us our waiver, we will take you to court (paraphrasing here). From the Los Angeles Times,

"'The governor h…

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Posted by Mighty Green Bee on October 24, 2007 at 8:30am — No Comments

Demand for Oil in Asia Going Up and Up

I couldn't help but notice this little nugget from Today's Wall Street Journal:

Asian demand for oil is on track to hit 25 million barrels a day this year, an increase of 2.5% from last year, according to the International Energy Agency in Paris. World demand is set to rise a more modest 1.5% and may even decline in Europe. (The U.S. -- which is on pace to consume 20.9 millio…

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Posted by Joel on October 23, 2007 at 9:30am — No Comments

Greening Your Home and Saving Money

Many people are reluctant to try to make energy efficient changes at home (beyond changing light bulbs). People fear the up front cost of installing solar panels, upgrading to newer appliances, or installing better windows. I have had some of the same concerns, but I do realize that upfront costs can be recuperated in savin… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on October 23, 2007 at 8:30am — No Comments

Greenest States in America

Forbes has put out it's first ever list of the Greenest States. Normally, when we think green, we look West. People think of big blue skies, fewer people, forests, and trees. And, it's true. People do tend to enjoy the outdoors a little more on the West coast (from my experience). BUT! There ar… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on October 22, 2007 at 8:30am — No Comments

Oil Past Its Peak

According to The Guardian, oil production peaked in 2006, and will decrease 7% a year from hear on out. The German-based Energy Watch Group will http://www.energywatchgroup.org/fileadmin/global/pdf/EWG_Oilreport_10-2007.pdf"">release its study in London today saying that global oil production has already… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on October 22, 2007 at 8:30am — No Comments

Water Bottles O'Plenty

I'm not the only one who seems to believe that bottled water thing is largely connected to individual laziness. As I mentioned before, the bottled water craze/market is truly a triumph in marketing. Anyway, I thought this particular stat was interesting:

According to water-f…

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Posted by Joel on October 19, 2007 at 9:30am — No Comments

New Oil Price

This week, oil prices set new records. First, the trading of oil barrels topped $86 a barrel. In case the world wasn't paying attention, the trading price went up another $2, to over $88/barrel, and today is hovering close to $90. With the sudden spike in the price of oil, could we see $100 a barrel by the end of the year? Some experts think so...… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on October 19, 2007 at 8:30am — No Comments

Clean Vehicle Technology Exposition 2007

From Bee-hive member, Mike K: Over the past two days, I was fortunate enough to attend the 2007 Clean Vehicle Technology Exposition - on opportunity to check out the new up and coming clean technologies for the average consumer, and big industry fleets. …

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Posted by Mighty Green Bee on October 18, 2007 at 8:30am — No Comments

Planet in Peril

CNN is putting together a 2 part special called Planet in Peril - an in-depth look at the earth's environmental issues, including global warming and climate change. The special documentary will feature Anderson Cooper, Jeff Corwin (who I hope does… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on October 16, 2007 at 8:30am — No Comments

Tis the Season to Purchase Green

A lot of times, I feel like the purchasing of carbon off-sets is really a way to assuage one's "consumer's guilt". Well, Americans aren't going to stop consuming any time soon. Our economy depends on it, and it will probably take a generation for real behavior changes to be noticed. Well, the holidays are just around the corner. Within three weeks, stores will begin stringing lights up and hanging advertisements for holiday shopping.... the new… Continue

Posted by Mighty Green Bee on October 10, 2007 at 1:30pm — No Comments