What could possibly go wrong? From Kate Galbraith at the Texas Tribune:
The oil would come from Canada's tar sands, the dirtiest and most controversial source of oil extraction in North America ... that is typically extracted from the ground by strip mining. The process produces three times more greenhouse gases per barrel ... [and] leaves behind toxic tailing ponds and destroyed forests.
Here's short list of promising alternative energy technology that would provide tons of US jobs: solar panels, collectors, and nanotech; wind turbines; space-based solar and electrodynamic tethers; synthetic fuels and biotech in space even. And I've barely scratched the surface. So ... what has to happen? A deadly attack on American soil sponsored in part by our own fuel dollars? The Arctic ice cap melting? Unending Middle East conflict? Massive poisonous spills devastating US coasts? You tell me, Congress, what does it take before it's politically safe to enact sweeping alternative energy programs?
- Lots of chatter in the science and astronomy communities about a report that the sun is emerging from its eleven-year minimum and could play havoc with global power & communication infrastructure. But don't get too worried, the odds are in our favor. Starts With a Bang has some interesting background on just how reliable and steady our sun really is, and I have some more info on the sun and solar storms posted here.
- Ever heard of a solar sail? They've long been a staple of science-fiction, and the Japanese are testing a real one right now. Speaking of Japan, their asteroid mission lands tomorrow and may have a dust sample aboard.
- From 1960 courtesy of the American Petroleum Institute: not only did test oysters show no ill effects from being covered in oil, they were sooo happy and realized they never had it sooo good ...
- I'll follow anyone on Twitter who follows DailyKos and who provides a tweet handle in comments below. I'm at @SAndrewDKos, DK is @DailyKos.