The politics of pollution

(ABC News Photos Illustration)

It's that time again - the time every four years as the smell of falling leaves enters our nostrils - when pundits froth at the mouth and actors try to prove they watch the news, too. It's presidential election time! I don't think it's a secret that Democrat Barack Obama, though not flawless on the environment for sure, is much more supportive of environmental issues than Republican rival John McCain.

The Sierra Club has released its list of Good Guys and Bad Guys for the 2008 election. Their criteria was based on who was bringing new solutions to the table and who was happy to keep things the way they are now in the hands of Bush.

Good Guys:

• Barack Obama: Transforming Energy
• Former Governor Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire)
• Representative Mark Udall (Colorado)
• Congressman Tom Udall (New Mexico)

Bad Guys:

• The Straight Talk About John McCain, Energy and the Environment
• Senator John Sununu (New Hampshire)
• Bob Schaffer (Colorado)
• Congressman Steve Pearce (New Mexico)

Obama vs. McCain Major Points:

Obama's environmental strengths:
-Provides relief for families struggling to pay their energy bills.
-Increases the efficiency of our cars.
-Invests $150 billion over the next ten years in alternative sources of energy.
-Requires 25% of U.S. electricity to come from renewable sources by 2025.
-Sets National Building Efficiency Goals. -Attacks global warming.
-Rejects drilling as the answer to our energy woes.

However, for the record, I'm not into nuclear energy in any way, shape, or form until we have a safe way to dispose to nuclear waste. That doesn't seem to bother Obama, which bothers me quite a bit, and was one of the reasons I supported Edwards in the primary. However, I'm glad Edwards didn't win because look where he is now.

McCain's environmental weaknesses:
-He Has Voted to Give Billions in Taxdollars to Big Oil - and Wants to Give them Billions More -He Has Voted Against Clean, Alternative Energy -His Energy Plan: Gimmicks, Not Solutions
-Gas Tax Holiday. -Offshore Oil Drilling. -He repeats the lie that offshore drilling is environmentally safe. -His Global Warming Plan is Outdated and Favors Special Interests.
-He Has At Least 23 Big Oil Lobbyists in Important Positions in His Campaign.

Farnsworth House Floods

This one is a heart breaker. The Farnsworth House, Mies van der Rohe's Modern masterpiece, flooded recently when the Fox River in Plano, Ill., rose 18 inches above the house floor. The waters have now receded, but the house needs a lot of restoration. The double whammy of hurricanes of Ike and Lowell pummeled the Midwest and caused major flooding. The house will be closed to visitors for the rest of 2008, according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation Web site. This is not the first flood to hurt this house, and it won't be the last if climate change has its way.



If you would like to help restore the house to its true glory, donate as little as $25 for the cause.

For photos and video from the cleanup effort, check out the National Trust for Historic Preservation

To donate, visit Landmarks Illinois

What your clothes say ...

So, there are a lot of very sustainable clothing companies out there, and I will for sure cover one from time to time. However, this one stands out in my mind more than many of the others because they seem to hit every aspect of being a green clothing company. Mission Playground is consistent from material, to manufacturing, to distribution, to message. I love the T-shirts because they're smart, artful, and completely on point, just like the one pictured above that depicts trees and buildings intertwining in a yin yang with the label "intelligent design." There's nothing sexier than a hip, smart T-shirt - and I'm not referring to the one that says "Welcome to the gun show." Now, the prices aren't dirt cheap, but I think $27 isn't bad for an organic cotton T-shirt that you know didn't use abusive labor practices for its creation.

Here's a little write-up from the company describing what they're all about:

"Mission Playground is a conscious, eco-friendly lifestyle clothing company for men, women and children with an objective to raise awareness for the environment. The earth is our playground; our mission is to preserve it. This philosophy underlies our operations, from design to production to distribution. Through progressive design, globally mindful art and production practices, we are constantly mindful of the impact we have and want to share that with you. This means using sustainable materials whenever and wherever possible.

Since our beginning in 2003, we have taken a different approach, using art and apparel as the messenger and starting a revolution that many have followed.

At Mission Playground, we are constantly looking to improve our sustainability. By using the most sustainable and organic fibers, certified manufacturing and being mindful of distribution, we are able to bring a message of authenticity and integrity to the market."

Check out the Web site and pick up a T-shirt or two.

www.missionplayground.com

David Letterman's moment of clarity

I have to admit that I haven't really watched Letterman since I was in middle school and he was still doing ear piece bits with Rupert Jee from the Hello Deli. "Do some deep knee bends, Rupert." Ha. Anyway, Dave had some good things to say about the environment and the predicament we're all in. Check out the link from Huffingtonpost to watch the clip.

Here's a snippet:
"Until we get the carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, we're screwed. We are walking dead people. We are he lost civilization. You're looking at us right here. It's time to go. The cab is coming."

Dave Letterman's Global Warming Rant

On becoming bike friendly

In celebration of the big Bike Philly success, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter announced that the city will install 1,400 new bike rack across the city. Now it will be more convenient for people to bike to work and school instead of locking bikes up to traffic signs and any other piece of metal that's sticking out of the ground. He also said he's supporting a study for Philly to adopt a "bike share" program like the one in Washington.

Hey, how 'bout some more bike lanes, Mr. Nutter! Well, I guess progress takes time in an old, disgruntled city like Philly. Well, we are making progress, and all 4,000 people who rode through the city this weekend can attest to that. It was a great time and a beautiful ride. I loved seeing all the kids out and keeping up with their parents on their itty bitty bikes. I hope we break 5,000 next year. Congrats to everyone who participated.

Philadelphia Inquirer story