Hybrid Car Batteries in Short Supply

Earle Eldridge writer for USA Today reports on the shortage of hybrid-car batteries.

Currently there are three major suppliers of the batteries - Japan's Panasonic and Sanyo and U.S. based Cobasys. According to Eldridge these manufacturers may have enough production capacity to meet automakers' current plans over the next few years. However, automakers are already complaining that suppliers are unable to add production and hope that will the growing popularity of hybrids companies will be enticed to build the battery packs.

According to J.D. Power and Associates by 2007, over 410,000 hybrid vehicles will be sold in the United States, up from an estimated 70,000 in 2004. Will the projected increase in sales be enough to lure battery companies to venture to hybrid batteries?

Green Chemistry

USA today has a good write-up on Green Chemistry--using safer chemicals and processes to protect the environment and improve the bottom line. The article reports on a sea change in the way chemistry is taught and thought about. Now it's not just "does the chemical do what I want" but also "does it do anything I don't want." The article includes some good examples of Green Chemistry transitions at American corporations. Now we just need some more!

Zero Waste at Xerox

A two-part interview with Xerox VP for Environment, Health, and Safety Jack Azar provides a good overview of the company's efforts to design products and processes to minimize waste and maximize reuse. You can read the two parts here and here.

Not just in India

Almost ten years ago I spent 8 months in India. In India using cow dung to fuel your stove or a small motor is common practice. Today Environmental News Network reported on an ethanol plant that would run on methane, methane derived from cattle manure. Nebraska BioClean plans to build the facility approximately two miles south of Mead Nebraska. This plant would produce approximately 20 million gallons of ethanol a year.

To keep the inputs local for Nebraska BioClean, Mead Cattle Co. will supply the manure for this project. Approximately 7 million bushels of corn will need to be distilled to produce ethanol. The leftover distilled grain will then be feed to the cattle to produce more manure.

Day of Intervention

Ecopledge members will join activists around the world today to engage with Ford dealerships. The mass action is a direct response to Ford's broken promises to improve fuel efficiency. Actions will take place in more than 40 North American cities including Boston, Des Moines, Edmonton, New Oreans, Oakland and Vancouver.

For more information on please visit the Ecopledge's Ford Campaign website.

Debunking the myth of biotech crop safety

Friends of the Earth International posted a press release stating that a peer-reviewed scientific paper published in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Reviews reveals the fundamental flaws in how biotech companies test and the United States regulates GM crops; questioning if GM foods are in fact safe.

This paper includes a comprehensive case study examining two types of insecticide producing GM corn (mainly the MON810 variety of biotech giant Monsanto Co.), demonstrating how flawed testing and lax regulations permit these varieties onto the world market despite strong evidence that they could cause food allergies.

William Freese, research analyst with Friends of the Earth U.S., further exposed the mis-doings of the EPA by citing one example in which the U.S. EPA ignored a published study by a FDA scientist that suggested that GM corn could cause food allergies, and instead asked Monsanto and Syngenta to re-do FDA's analysis.

Taxing Efficiency

People in California are driving more fuel efficient cars, and this has apparently led to a problem: the state isn't getting enough revenue from its gas tax. Of course, because it's California, they come up with a uniquely imaginative solution: Repeal the gas tax and replace it with a mileage tax. The driver of a Hummer and a Prius both pay the same tax, and as a bonus everyone gets a tracking device to help the government can keep track of their location.

(Via Political Animal)

Oil Supplies Won't Keep Up With Demand

ODAC has just released a new study of world oil reserves, which compares new oil fields coming online to old oil fields that will be tapped out. The conclusion? There is very little room to increase production over the next ten years. Meanwhile China is increasing its oil consumption by leaps and bounds and Ford motor company has plans to produce close to a million F-150 pickup trucks (at about 18 mpg each) in the coming year.

Let's hope that Ford, the other automakers, and the US government see the writing on the wall before we crash into it at 60 miles an hour.

Unbelievable: Global Warming Exposes Artic to Drilling

In an article published by Planet Ark's daily Reuters World Environment News and according to a report prepared by the United States and seven other nations, rising global temperatures will melt areas of the Artic, making them more accessible for oil and gas drilling.

According to this report global warming is heating the Artic almost twice as fast as the rest of the planet. Therefore, Artic oil exploration will benefit from less extensive and thinner sea ice, while oil companies will find it easier to transport oil and gas because the warmer temperatures will open sea routes.

Simply Unbelievable....

Organize or Participate in a Ford Intervention

With only 5% of the world's population, the US consumes a quarter of the world's oil, more than any other country. Most of America's oil is used for transportation. For over five straight years the automaker with the most inefficient cars and trucks has been Ford Motor Company. Ford's gas guzzling vehicles are driving America's oil dependency and destroying the world's climate.

We need your help to intervene with Ford and tell Ford dealers to stop pushing gas guzzlers! Please visit our website and see how you can help November 18, for an International Day of Intervention against Ford Motor Company!

State Pension Funds Press Investment Firms to Risks of Global Warming

Recently, Matthew Dalon of the Wall Street Journal (not available online) reported that some of the major investment firms' largest clients have recently demanded that fund managers describe what actions they are taking to address the potential risks posed by climate change.

In a letter sent last month to the 50 largest investment funds, the Investor Network on Climate Risk noted that, "The potential for long term climate risk raises the possibility that certain economic sectors may become more or less profitable as the environment changes..." Furthermore, requesting that they, “Please tell us whether investment managers at your firm are monitoring the impact of this risk on companies in portfolios they manage.�

This is an exciting next step for more information and to request a copy of this article please feel free to contact Beth at Ecopledge.com.

Deconstructing Ford's Green Strategy

This morning I found a great article entitled, Ford's Evolving Green Strategy Needs More Action.. This article provides a full picture of what Ford needs to do to be truly competitive in today's green market. Furthermore it deconstructs Ford's strategy by revealing the pace, volume and internal strategies used by Toyota and Honda. Simultaneously, pointing out the holes and the all too often "too little too late" of the Ford Motor Company.