PBrazelton’s Recent Comments

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  Seriously?

  The argument is that we should build new coal plants because they're marginally less filthy than older ones?  That's like preferring a sharp stick in the eye instead of being set on fire.  How about we chose neither?

  John, I'm sure you're really interested in the truth, so read Myth #3: http://www.coal-is-dirty.com/top-5-clean-coal-myths.  Newer, more efficient plants haven't helped curb CO2 emissions at all, nor should they - the Clean Air Act only impacted smog-creating compounds.  Granted, less coal would have to be burned to produce the same amount of electricity, but that's swamped by the tripling of coal use in that period of time.

  A legal moratorium is the only sane solution at this point, for reasons too numerous to detail (read Grist, you might get an idea).  But here's the best reason - say the utilities sink billions of dollars into new coal plants in the next decade.  How much harder will it be to get them to decommission those shiny new facilities when a true moratorium goes into effect?  On EPA board freezes construction of new coal-fired power plants in U.S. posted 11 months, 4 weeks ago 15 Responses

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  Pollan (hearts) Philpott

  Tom - thought you should know, Pollan is sending people here via one of his email blasts.  Hell, you probably know.  Never mind.On Weighing Obama's and McCain's stances on food and farm policyMcCain: Food Maverick? posted 1 year, 1 month ago 5 Responses

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  Ditto

  We had a hawk gliding around our city run yesterday - it was a bit disconcerting seeing such a large raptor so close.  My very first instinct was 'kill it!', which I suppose is the first response any human has towards things threatening their family.  Of course I will do no such thing, but I found it interesting how built-in the instinct is.

  I understand that a decent sized hawk could take a bantam, but what about a standard?  We have bantams and full sized birds, and I'm wondering if a hawk would try to tackle on of my Dominiques.  They're BIG birds.On Urban hawk attacks posted 1 year, 1 month ago 12 Responses

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  Takes one to know one

  Seems like this might be some sort of 'beauty queen' disease: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8DwwOn Asked about oil's fungibility, Palin says ... um, something posted 1 year, 1 month ago 5 Responses

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  What is the solution, then?

  I know there are many GMO backers amongst the Gristmill commenting folk - what benefits do GM crops offer that outweigh sustainable farming practices?  I think knowing that would help frame the debate a bit more precisely.  Right now there's a lot of "is not/is so" talk scattered throughout the threads of this blog.

  As for his lordship, years ago I read a long and engrossing article on the land use practices he promotes in his territory (being a landed noble as well as heir apparent, he owns a LOT of UK turf); it became clear quickly that Charles is very keen on sustainability issues.  He can treat his land and its subjects like a huge laboratory, and I do wonder if he's in a unique position to bring agricultural sustainability solutions to scale.On Prince Charles sparked controversy when he expressed doubt in GM crops posted 1 year, 2 months ago 53 Responses