• This could get ugly…Obama Administration Pauses on Alaska Drilling – yahoo! news
• Makes too much sense,,,Sustainable Farming May Help Maintain Healthy Planet - sciencedaily
• Chinese Tigers Afraid of Chickens – anan0va
• Natch…Big Oil to Congress:  Expand Offshore Drilling – reuters

The California Energy Commission has decided to regulate the sale of energy hogging big-screen tv’s in the state.  Starting in 2011, the new mandate will prevent the sale of televisions that don’t meet energy requirements.  Stricter controls, that could phase-in in 2013, may include restrictions on the sale of sets larger than 58 inches.

The Consumer Electronics Association has taken issue with the new regulations saying that they’re bad policy, based on faulty data.  Jason Oxman of CEA states the energy regs are, “dangerous for the California economy, dangerous for technology innovation and dangerous for consumer freedom.  Instead of allowing customers to choose the products they want, the Commission has decided to impose arbitrary standards that will hamper innovation and limit consumer choice.  It will result in higher prices for consumers, job losses for Californians, and lost tax revenue for the state” and cites that “the last two years alone energy efficiency of televisions has improved by 41 percent.”

The CEC estimates that its new mandate will save California residents an average of $30.24 per TV unit in the first year and a total of $912.1 million per year in avoided electric expense.  After 10 years, the commission estimates the regulations will save $8.1 billion in energy costs and enough electricity to power 864,000 single-family homes.

Should government agencies mandate product choice and innovation in an effort to save their piece of the planet or should the marketplace and consumer demand dictate change?

graphic: CEPro

• U.S. and China need to be out in front…Obama Hints at Action During Climate Talks – msbc
• The art of compromise…Climate Talks Make Progress, Pressure on U.S. – reuters
• Good to know…Bigger Not Necessarily Better, When it Comes to Brains – sciencedaily
• Ice Retreat Creates New CO2 Store – bbc
• Did you hear a splash? Udder Shock: SC Woman Finds 650-Lb Cow in Pool – myway
• Duh! N0 Surprise Coed Dorms Fuel Sex and Drinking – livescience

Yesterday was America Recycles Day – the latest manifestation of what is not a new idea – in fact at its very core it is an extremely old idea:  take something old and reuse it to make it something new again.  Industrial scale recycling like we have today didn’t begin until the 1970’s.  In 1980 there was only one curbside recycling program in the United States.  Today, there are over 10,000.  And the statistics that followed the recycling craze statistics are really shocking. (photo: americarecyclesday.org)

• There are the good:
  Recycling saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling a single aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours.  Recycling a stack of newspapers three feet high saves one tree.
  Making glass from recycled materials cuts related water pollution by 50%

• And there are the bad:
  Every three months we throw away enough aluminum foil to rebuild the entire US commercial air fleet.
  Americans throw enough office paper away each year to build a 12 foot high wall of paper from NY to Seattle.
  Only about 6.8% of the total plastic used in the US actually can be recycled.

There are also proponents and opponents.  Opponents to recycling you ask?  Yes, in fact they do exist, and their arguments aren’t as crazy as you might think.  Penn and Teller featured recycling on their show “Bullshit.”  Clemson University professor of economics Daniel K. Benjamin published “Eight Great Myths of Recycling” in 2003.  A paper in Environmental Health Perspectives from 1995 also addresses some of the problems with recycling.

So are they right?  Yes and no.  Our current recycling system is flawed; this is true.  And we should focus more on the first and most important R: Reducing.  But push come to shove, most of you already recycle, and you’re probably not going to stop because a fat man and a mute tell you to – which is a good thing.  What you should do is think critically about the products you’re buying and recycling.  Glass can be recycled and indefinite number of times and never wears out.  Recycling one glass jar saves enough electricity to light a conventional 60 watt bulb for 4 hours, and an 11 watt CFL bulb for 20 hours.  Plastics are actually the hardest to recycle.  Aside from clear plastic bottles (which hopefully you’re not buying for a multitude of reasons) almost all other plastics (that yogurt cup, milk jug, plastic packaging that your headphones or scissors or pens came in) can’t actually be recycled.  So if you can buy glass rather than plastic, do! (3r graphic: nrdc)

Another huge recycling sector to really think about today is your e-waste.  Computers, cell phones, batteries, television and other electronic devices are made with harmful materials.  Most of those items that you’re getting rid of can probably be repaired or used by someone else – when you upgrade your phone or computer or television it’s probably not broken beyond repair. If you’re not sure where to take your e-waste, check out E-cycling Central and find a location.

So now that I’ve doom-and-gloomed you into submission, I hope you had a happy and productive America Recycles Day!  Remember that recycling is just one of the three R’s, and many argue it’s the least important.  Reduce and reuse don’t have their own special days, but they should!  So go forth and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

• I didn’t see this one coming…Russia’s President Medvedev Warns of Climate Catastrophe – reuters
• What to do if you run out of land and potable water? The Rise of Vertical Farms – scientific american
• Alaska’s Gov doesn’t like folks using bear’s protected status to, well…actually protect bears…Alaska Fights to Reverse Polar Bear Listing – msnbc
• A long way to go for a drink…Drilling for Explorer’s Frozen Scotch in Antarctica – myway
• Jimmy! Please put away your Barbies. Plastic Chemicals “Feminize Boys” – bbc
• Should You Buy Refurbished Electronics? – cs monitor
• As usual…money talks. Tuna Body Shies from Fishing Ban – bbc
• Added message: Don’t buy stuff from giant food conglomerates…Biodiversity – Insurance Against Hunger – guardian u.k.

• NBC’s Green Week kicks off this Sunday.  Look for both subtle and obvious environmental references, ranging from an Al Gore sighting on 30 Rock to an organic food blitz on Biggest Loser, (not to be confused with The Jay Leno Show).
• Greenpeace the movie…new film will dramatize the excitement of the org’s “ramshackle” beginnings.
• This funky animated video from Chevy illustrates the difference between a plain old electric vehicle and an extended range electric vehicle.
• Tonight, catch the buzz Disappearing Act – A World Without Bees PBS – check your local listings for time, @ chefsafield.com Episode is sponsored by Haagen-Dazs. (I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t find the program on PBS in NYC.  But according to HD’s press release, it should have been scheduled…hmmm, the case of the disappearing program.
• Shopper Alert — Today and Tomorrow (Nov 14, 11a-7p & Nov 15, 11a-6p) New New Day Sales at BIM Brooklyn Indie Market, Carroll Gardens.  Certain vendors offering 10% off, download that coupon available here.  Take the F or G to Carrol Street Station.  Check out BIM for locally handmade threads, home decor, jewelry, paper goods, bath & body products, toys and the all-important, baked goods.
• Eco undie desiger Enamore joins a refined group of other fashion-forward designers in partnering with U.K. charity Fashion in Mind to staging a one-of-a-kind fashion and dance event in Bristol – Friday Nov. 27th, 7:15pm
• Thanksgiving Farmer’s Market Sun. 11/22 South Street Manhattan -  new amsterdam market
• Inhabitat invites New Yorkers to take part in a contest – take a good look at yourself, by winning a skyline mirror made of recycled records.
• Shout out to green gal pal Amanda for launching Andean Collection’s non profit arm, the Andean Project.  Help celebrate by purchasing beautiful, socially responsible, fair trade eco baubles — partial profits aid artists/women in need and their children in Ecuador.  Love the acai wrap racelet and raindrop choker.  more @ theandeancollection.com
• Save the Date:  Saturday, Dec. 5 from 11a-8p.  Over 50 Metro New York artists, designers and crafty folks peddling handmade goods Holiday Handmade Cavalcade:  201 Mulberry St, NYC.  free admission.

• Avoid power blackouts by turning off the power and creating a blackout…interesting.  Cuba Orders Extreme Measures to Cut Energy Use – reuters
• Sunlight propulsion…Dream of Solar Sailing in Space Lives on in New Project – cs monitor
• It’s always tough on the singles scene…(video)  Bees Fight to Death Over Females – bbc
• Didn’t I see Putin hunting tigers with his shirt off recently? Russia to Launch Program to Save Tigers Worldwide – msnbc
• Today’s the day – keeping the eco fashion local – Nau pops up in Soho – mother nature network
• NBC Launches 3rd Annual Green Week Sunday – green is universal
• Brown is beautiful…Brown Pelicans Recover From DDT, No Longer Endangered – enn
• It’s not cousin Duane…close those doors and windows…Origin of Household Dust Pinned Down – livescience

For the past few years, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the case of the shrinking car, being especially fond of the increasing fuel economy that accompanies smaller sized vehicles. And today, we’re taking a closer look at the smallest car we’ve seen yet; one that offers the added bonus of an electric powertrain, too.

The Tango—on display at last week’s SEMA show, an automotive specialty trade show in Las Vegas—mirrors the smart in length, but features a doozie of a difference in width. The svelte two-seater (one seat in each of two rows), is only slightly wider than three feet, making it ideal for the urban commuter. A very successful urban commuter, that is. The tiny trike weighs in at roughly $150,000.

So what’s the lowdown? Tango will travel approximately 120 miles per full charge and go from zero to 60 in four seconds (impressive, no?). Because of its sturdy cage and bottom-packed battery pack, the narrow mobile keeps from toppling sideways when sliding into a tight street side parking space. Priceless. Almost. For full specs, visit www.commutercars.com.

• Can someone tell Congress? Short term pain can lead to longterm gain…Climate Deal to Prevent Doubling of Energy Bills – reuters
• I’m mildly confused…Vatican Looks to Heavens for Signs of Alien Life – yahoo! news
• Nay sayer alert…Is Earth’s Capacity to Absorb CO2 Much Greater Than Expected? – sciencedaily
• Cost of the test is not covered for monkeys with pre-existing conditions…New Device Takes Gorilla’s Blood Pressure – aol news
• Can flavor be preserved? Researchers Creating Ice Cream That’s Good For You – livescience
• The latest crustacean news…The Deep-Sea Crab That Eats Trees – bbc
• A hoax perchance? Photo of Giant 55ft Boa Shocks China – ananova

• Climate Rift Grows Between U.S. + Poor Nations – npr
• Going green the hard way…Japan May Meet CO2 Goals But Only Due to Recession – reuters
• Hopefully it misses New Orleans…Hurricane Ida Approaches U.S. Gulf Coast – enn
• Some good news…West African Giraffes Escape Extinction – msnbc
• A seven-foot wingspan…(video) First Film of Giant Stingray – bbc
• Anyone used a phone booth lately? Worldwide Smartphone Sales Surprisingly Strong – cs monitor
• Why Some People Get Sick From Harmless Smells – sciencedaily
• You talkin’ to me? Babies Already Have Accent at Birth – scientific american