I don't want to be a zit but, after your review of Heat, I have to ask whether this is a recommendation based on reading the book or skimming the book and looking at the TOC and index.

Save the world: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 5% annually.

That's good to note.  Because I can't find anyone that gets plugin hybrids, until I explain it to them.  Then they quickly forget about them.

It's not a topic on mass delusional media.  And only a passing topic on mixcro media like this and other green blogs.

I'm wondering if this environmental movement is really just micro media delusion?  We think other people understand these issues.  But a quick poll proves they don't.

We are talking to the converted and in the case of this blog, many who are inconvertible.  How many participants here understand the possible positive impact of plugin hybrids?  A handfull at best.  

A pretty sad result for all the effort.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog

Regarding the comment about most people not knowing what a plug-in hybrid is.  I think that's understandable considering how new the technology is--and considering the ever-increasing number of 'green' technology stories that one sees even in the mainstream media these days, it's just a matter of time before this type of technology becomes as well-known as your standard hybrid Prius.  And honestly, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand the general concept of the plug-in hybrid--the American public just needs more exposure to what it is.

Samara

Isn't algae (for fuel production) also in danger of becoming a fad?

It's another technology that would be nice to have (in proven and cost-effective from) but one that we don't have currently.

History will write whether it is another 'hydrogen' or not.

Joseph, I have to agree with JMG: after your absurd mis-review of Heat, I'm afraid you've shaken my confidence in your reviewing abilities. Two of your 'strikes' there were unfounded, and the third irrelevant. This was pointed out to you, and still you're unrepentant. So far, it's Monbiot 1, Romm 0.

This is important because we all have limited time to be spending on climate-related reading. I'd much rather a book like Heat, that evaluates real-world scenarios in which various technologies would be applied, than yet another admiring roll-call of aspirational always-on-the-point technologies with no critical analysis of how they can be usefully incorporated into real solutions.

I'll read this book on your recommendation, but consider yourself on strike one...

Cradle to Cradle is still the best book out there on green tech

Both are being mandated in H.R. 3221, the Democrats nearly 800-page rewrite of 2005 EPAct. PHEV's are the latest wet dream of the electric utility industry. Too bad they got the lobbying clout and operatives to push their agenda as the soloution instead of the problem.

As for cap & trade; get this:
TITLE VI--CARBON-NEUTRAL GOVERNMENT, SEC. 6102. MANAGEMENT OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, states the following objective (page 265):

to reduce such greenhouse gas emissions as rapidly as possible, but at a minimum by a quantity equal to 2 percent of projected FY2010 emissions each fiscal year, so as to achieve zero net annual greenhouse gas emissions from the agencies by FY2050.

Zero huh?  Yup; here's how.  The Federal government can buy compliance form emmisions credit brokers.  That means WE are paying; through taxes.  Read on:

SEC. 6103. PILOT PROJECT FOR PURCHASE OF OFFSETS AND CERTIFICATES states these goals can be met through purchasing credits (page 272):

Executive agencies and legislative branch offices may purchase qualified greenhouse gas offsets and qualified renewable energy certificates in any open market transaction that complies with all applicable procurement rules and regulations.

PS:  someone please tell me how I can post this as a new thread and not just a comment