Thursday, 21 Apr 2005

Advice guru Umbra Fisk and her soon-to-be-ex-editor are having a dispute over the climate-change literacy of Umbra's faithful readers. To settle it, they decided to mud wrestle. That didn't work out so well, so now, just in time for Earth Day, Umbra's springing a pop quiz on matters climate changey. Grab your No. 2 pencil and get ready to strut your smarts ... or lack thereof. (Remember: Carry the one!)

Is That a Fat Lady We Hear Singing?

The era of cheap oil is coming to an end soon; duck!

Cheap oil is running out. A report from the U.S. Energy Department's Office of Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves puts the problem in stark terms: "The disparity between increasing production and declining discoveries can only have one outcome: a practical supply limit will be reached and future supply to meet conventional oil demand will not be available." The exact moment when world oil production maxes out and begins its inexorable decline -- known as "peak oil" -- is the subject of wide disagreement. However, an emerging consensus places it some time between, um, last year and 2020. Problem is, most of the world's big governments aren't doing much of any prep to cushion the blow. Couple a production peak with rapidly rising demand from developing powerhouses like China and you've got a recipe for what analyst Colin Campbell calls "the decline of oil and all that depends on it." Take a look around -- that's your lifestyle.


As environmental defeats cascade down from Capitol Hill -- the pork-laden energy bill making its way through the House being just the latest -- Earth Day 2005 would seem like the perfect occasion for a revolt, not a celebration. But despite dogged digging, Muckraker uncovered no news of big, feisty protests. Most Earth Day activities this year seem to be light and local -- and a weak counterbalance to the planet-destroying forces running amok.

Go, Go, Gadgets

Green gadgets and a hydrogen-powered rock band are getting noticed

In the past 35 years, there's been no shortage of inventive inventions aimed at reducing eco-footprints; we've come a long way from the old brick-in-the-toilet trick. Today's new refrigerators use about a third of the power as ones sold 30 years ago, and the U.S. government has plans to boost fridge efficiency an additional 30 percent by 2011. Tank-less water heaters offer steamy scrubs while consuming less energy. But being green isn't always about saving green. Organic furniture store owner Fred Shapiro says some 70 percent of his customer base consists of "cultural creatives" -- style-savvy consumers who are willing to spend more for eco-friendly options that also look good. Green options also sound good, say members of Rhode Island-based band Protium, who are claiming the mantle of the first hydrogen-powered rock band. The six-member group will be rocking three fuel-cell generators to power their guitars and amps during an Earth Day concert.


Stephanie Roth hadn't intended to make the leap from journalist to activist, but in witnessing widespread environmental problems she was inspired to help communities fight the forces of irresponsible development and degradation. She's made her biggest mark in Rosia Montana, Romania, where she now lives. In this ancient town, she has helped to organize large public protests against plans for a major gold-mining project that threatens homes, centuries-old churches, and the region's best water source. She shares her story with Grist this Earth Week as part of a series on Goldman Environmental Prize winners.