There’s a crime in progress. We are witnessing a cruel insidious act against people, profits and the planet - in fact all living things in the Gulf. What could cause a crime of this scale? “Money, money, money, money, money…money. Some people got to have it. Some people really need it! Money makes people go out of their minds…” So says the classic O’Jay’s song…”Money.” How else can you explain the ever growing tragedy BP has caused by drilling a well 23,000 fleet into the ocean that has been gushing millions upon millions of barrels of deadly oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico for close to 70 days as of this writing. John Wathen an environmentalist with WaterKeeper Alliance has released some mind twisting and disturbing video he shot flying over miles and miles of the Gulf. 
His interview with Keith Obermann should turn us all into environmental activists and true stewards of the earth. It’s not just money though. As English historian John Dalberg – Acton was quoted:”Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” The unenlightened pursuit of power and money has created an industrial, military, media and political complex that former President Dwight Eisenhower warned against. This cartel is so strung out it refuses to see the obvious – offshore deep water drilling is too dangerous and not sustainable. By the way there are 3000 other offshore rigs in the Gulf.
When you see the vastness of the oil spread out miles at sea and it’s journey towards the shores of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida it’s got to register that unlike Godzilla and other monsters of the deep there’s little we can do to stop it, despite all cleanup efforts. How fragile, futile… when you see and hear John’s report on the Gulf it’s clear things are bad, really, really bad. In fact some think big media is deliberately down playing the magnitude of what’s happening. But how is that possible when BP is literally setting the ocean on fire in an attemp to burn off some of the oil. Meanwhile the Senate is stalled on creating a comprehensive energy bill that could begin the process of transforming our stone age and deadly energy policies – into ones that use clean wave, wind, solar power and electric vehicles. But what can you do? Maybe you can channel your efforts into organizations such as Waterkeeper Alliance. Waterkeeper Alliance is among the world’s fastest growing environmental organizations, with nearly 200 local Waterkeepers patrolling rivers, lakes and coastal waterways on six continents.
Waterkeepers defend their communities against anyone who threatens their right to clean water. Through Waterkeeper Alliance, Waterkeepers speak with a single, powerful voice as they tackle the world’s most pressing water issues. The Alliance stands behind every Waterkeeper, increasing their ability to function as community defenders in their efforts to protect the world’s waterways.
Waterkeepers connects individuals to each other, and supports them by providing expertise in science, law, strategic planning and communications, making them more effective in their communities’ courtrooms and classrooms, and in the media.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
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Paris looks for power from turbines beneath the Seine - Kim Willsher
Paris is hoping to use underwater turbines to harness power from the river Seine.
The river Seine, the historical “sacred river” running through Paris, inspired Monet, Matisse and even the British painter Turner, who sat on its banks to capture the scenery.
Now the landscape is to undergo a subtle change, with a plan to install eight turbines underneath the city’s celebrated bridges to raise energy from river currents.
Paris city hall is to launch an appeal this week for power companies to come up with suitable projects to install the turbines, or hydroliennes.
“After a study by our urban ecology service and the French waterways, four potential sites have already been identified,” Denis Baupin, the deputy mayor, told Le Parisien newspaper. One is to the west of the city, at the Pont du Garigliano, while the others are in central Paris, at the Pont de la Tournelle, Pont Marie and Pont au Change. Two energy-harnessing machines will be placed at each spot.
“At these places the current speeds up a little,” said Baupin. “The idea is to locate all the natural power sources that we have in Paris and that we might be able to exploit.”
French energy company EDF has already declared the idea “interesting”.
The companies interested in the project have until the autumn to submit proposals. The winner will be chosen next January and the first turbines or propellers installed by next spring.
While the bulk of the machinery to harness the currents of the Seine will be hidden under water, part of the structure of many modern hydro-mill prototypes sits above the water.
Paris authorities — already experimenting with the heating of buildings with water from underground springs, and installing mini-windmills on buildings — say the project is aimed more at raising public awareness of renewable energy than powering the city.
“We’re not expecting the moon and the stars with these techniques,” Baupin said, “but the educational impact of these experiments is just as important. Vélib [Paris's free bicycle scheme] has made Parisians realise they can use cycles in the city, and these renewable energy schemes will make them aware of the need to watch what they consume.”
The reaction of Le Parisien readers was mixed: “Bravo! Let’s hope the local authorities and fishing community understand the importance of this kind of energy,” one wrote.
Another said: “The idea seems good at first glance, but when they say before they’ve even started that the quantity of energy produced will be symbolic, almost ridiculous, why push ahead?”
“We’re going to throw a fortune into useless hydroliennes,” another commented. “Their cost will be considerably higher than the electricity produced. All that to be ‘educational’?” .
An underwater turbine has previously been placed under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
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TESLA…fresh off IPO
Tesla had a coming out party for Tesla stock smacked of a Hollywood premiere. The electric car is the toast of the celebrity set — George Clooney, Leo DiCaprio, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Brad Pitt.
Tesla also opened its’ 13th worldwide showroom, in the heart of Copenhagen, recognized internationally as one of the world’s most environmentally friendly places. Copenhagen, which hosted the most recent UN Conference on Climate Change, generates a growing percentage of its grid’s energy from the famous offshore wind farm at Middelgrunden. The city is working to reduce CO2 emissions by 20 percent by 2015.
“People in Denmark believe in social responsibility, and the Tesla Roadster is the only electric vehicle that combines a world-class sports car with their values of environmental stewardship,” said Cristiano Carlutti, Tesla’s Vice President for European Sales and Operations. “We are thrilled that customers in Denmark and throughout Scandinavia have embraced not only the Roadster but the core business philosophy of Tesla Motors.”
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Antonio Roman-Alcalá of In Search of Good Food
Urban Farming Debate at The Hub SoMa in San Francisco
In Search of Good Food
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MEGAN EPLER WOOD
Ecotourism Icon
Megan Epler Wood Launching
Environmental Management of International Tourism Development at Harvard Extension
Listen Here
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Intersolar North America
Taking place from July 13-15 in San Francisco’s Moscone Center West Hall, promotes the development of business opportunities throughout the U.S. solar industry. More than 550 U.S.-based and international exhibitors and 20,000 trade visitors are expected.
GREEN FOR ALL
Dirty Energy Independence Week July 1 – July 7th, 2010
This July, Green For All IS ASKING YOU TO TAKE ACTION: SIGN UP AT:
Dirty Energy Independence Week of Action:
President Obama gave an address about the BP oil spill in the Gulf of
Mexico — and what it teaches us about America’s economic and ecological future.
President Obama has heard and joined our call for bold, decisive action to clean up
the spill and build a safe, clean-energy future for the Gulf region and for America.
Now, we must help him and Congress turn his words into the change we need.
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