White House Strongarms EPA Into Lying About Climate Change . . . Again

NY Times article here

It seems that once again, the Bush Administration has taken to distorting facts and even outright lying in order to further their agenda. In 2007, the Supreme Court made a ruling requiring the EPA to determine whether greenhouse gases were a danger to human health or the environment. In December of 2007, after gathering data and consensus opinion, the EPA had prepared a report concluding "that greenhouse gases are pollutants that must be controlled" and that it would be cost effective to regulate greenhouse gas emissions as well as tough fleet mileage requirements, producing an estimated 500 billion to 2 trillion dollars in economic benefits over the next 32 years. The report says basically what the entire rest of the world has embraced and started taking action about: climate change is happening, it is due to man's actions on our planet and the burning of fossil fuels, and unless we act quickly to control it, we will see significant global economic, health, and environmental implications. Sounds pretty on target, right?

Interestingly, this report was sent via email to the White House in December as requested by the Supreme Court. The Bush Administration, however, in an act of childish negligence, has buried it's head in the sand and has flatly refused to open the email. Because of this and other pressure from the administration, the EPA has "been forced" to water down the report so that it only "reviews the legal and economic issues presented by declaring greenhouse gases a pollutant, " rather than actually addressing the issue. This whole kerfuffle is being reviewed by Henry Waxman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, as well as by Representative Edward J. Markey of The House Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming, and the Bush Administration has already once again evoked "executive privilege" to avoid handing over incriminating documents on the matter.

All I can say is, WTF? Why can't the EPA simply hand over the original report to the Supreme Court and let the Judicial Branch get involved. Or better yet, release it to the public so that we can all see the true reports that our tax dollars pay for rather than a document full of irrelevant discussion and half-truths? I think that Mr. Johnson of the EPA needs to stand up and do what the American people have hired him to do: protect them from environmental hazards with integrity and honor, not bowing down to criminal political pressure. Send out the Global Warming report to the Supreme Court, every Senator and Representative, and the New York Times. I'll take a copy as well.

What's worse, it that this report doesn't even have any revolutionary information in it, the U.N.'s Panel on Climate Change has pages and pages of documentation on the subject and whether or not global warming is real is no longer up for discussion. What is up for discussion is what we will do about it and if we will be a leader, or act like we're 5 years old and hold our hands over our ears, kicking and screaming, because we don't want to be told to clean up our mess. This type of attitude by our government simply slows down the necessary changes to deal with climate change and further discredits our country in the eyes of the global community.

Here is a link to the EPA director, Stephen Johnson's email address and phone number, let's all drop him a line to let him know that these types of shenanigans will not be tolerated.

via: NYT

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The Story of Stuff: An Excellent Short Movie For Kids And Adults Alike

I had heard about Annie Leonard's "The Story of Stuff" a while ago, and recently finally watched it. Only 20 minutes and 40 seconds long, it delivers a clear, easily followed path of, for lack of a better word, stuff. From the resource use and depletion, to the manufacturing process and toxic chemical use, to the political manipulation by corporate entities, to the disposal (or lack thereof) of "stuff", this story is a must see for everyone. Simplistic enough for a child to understand but sophisticated enough and stylish enough to keep an adult's attention, it is clearly designed to spread it's message to the masses. The Story of Stuff should be standard curriculum in every home and school, reminding us that what we buy had to come from somewhere, has to go somewhere when we're done, and every action carries some sort of consequence. Whether we choose to acknowledge these consequences and how we act on this knowledge is up to us and our own consciences.

Increase Your Public Transit Use With Google Maps!

Google has done it again with a new feature added to Google Maps Mobile - public transit directions and schedules. We have the NYC subway and the Boston T system wireds, but If you're like me and don't live in an area with a lot of public transportation, using transit systems, especially buses, when you're visiting other places can be daunting - unfamiliar stations, unknown schedules, figuring out destinations when you're not sure where you're going in the first place. Unfortunately it ends up being easier sometimes to drive and use a map or a GPS.

Google has now solved that problem with the new release of Google Maps Mobile, where a second tab has been added under "directions", allowing you to choose between "driving" and "transit" options. You can enter your location and your destination and get step by step walking instructions to the bus stop or transit station, schedules for departure, directions to your final destination, and even search ahead for the latest return trip! This should work on iPhones, Windows Mobile, Palm, as well as a good number of regular mobile phones. As a bonus, if you have a "location aware" phone with GPS, you'll be able to use your current location to start and follow your little blue dot as you go towards your destination.

This is really exciting as it opens up the possibility of using public transportation to an incredible number of people that wouldn't otherwise, so whenever you can, leave your car behind and get on the bus/train/bike!

via Lifehacker