Civic Nerdom

In time for the holiday weekend, a new post about standards for “sustainable” and “bio-based.”

“As we make scientific and commercial advancements in bio-based energy and building materials we are witnessing an emerging market for “sustainable” and “bio-based” products. With these terms being thrown around the question is bound to come up: what does it mean to be sustainable or bio-based?”

Full post can be found at the Policy Catalyst.

I recently attended the University of Minnesota’s Energy, Economic and Environmental conference, and have written a post about my initial reactions.

“A friend of mine joked that we may soon hear that “the environment is a conspiracy by the man,” and E3′s keynote speaker, Dr. Lawrence Kazmerski, noted that the conference’s size vindicated the work and concerns that he has built his career around. The environment is no longer a fringe subject, and I for one am relieved.“

Full post can be found at the Policy Catalyst.

Just put up quick post about Lester Brown, President of the Earth Policy Institute. Mr. Brown recently published a new book, Plan B 4.0, and will be visiting the Humphrey Center on November 16th to give a lecture about the world’s food supply.

“Mr. Brown, founder and President of the Earth Policy Institute, has recently published his latest book, Plan B 4.0, Mobilizing to Save Civilization. Plan B 4.0 is a continuation of Mr. Brown’s work on food supply and climate change, and serves as a reminder of, and purposes solutions to, the challenges that humanity will soon face in feeding itself. As Mr. Brown points out, we are already seeing proof of these impending challenges in the rising cost of basic foods and the recent trend of developed nations buying up large tracts of land in foreign (and often developing) countries in order to grow food for its citizens. There are, however, measures that can be taken to avert these challenges, such as a transition to a clean and sustainable energy economy, as well as careful design and planning of our urban centers.”

The full post can be found here.