The San Joaquin Valley, that great swath of land in California's interior, is often referred to as the ‘agricultural center of the world'. One of the most productive agricultural areas, it produces everything from fruit, vegetables, cotton, nuts, beans, dairy products, and wine. Go into the grocery store and ... keep reading
Written by Gina-Marie Cheeseman last month, about Agriculture & Food, Energy Saving, Green energy
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) announced the launch of its list, called Carbon Offset List, of approved carbon offsets on September 10. EDF says it created the list to fill the need for unified standards in the rapidly growing market for offsets. It touts the list as the "first of its ... keep reading
Written by Gina-Marie Cheeseman in October, about Carbon Trading, Pollution (1 comment)
As I read the first paragraph of climate scientist Chris Turney's new book Ice, Mud and Blood: Lessons from Climates Past, I thought, "This is going to be an interesting book!" From the first paragraph, Turney captures your attention. He walks through the history of climate science in a ... keep reading
Written by Gina-Marie Cheeseman in September, about Climate Change, Environmental Disasters, Weather (1 comment)
Buildings in the U.S. are a major contributor to climate change. The operation of buildings, heating, cooling, lighting, and hot water account for 43% of all U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, and 76% of all U.S. electricity consumption, according to Architecture 2030, a non-profit organization created by architect ... keep reading
Written by Gina-Marie Cheeseman in September, about Architecture, Clean Technologies, Climate Change, Design
What if it were possible to bury carbon dioxide over a mile below a power plant in the second worst air basin in the United States? In 2011 the greenhouse gas will be pumped below a power plant in the southern San Joaquin Valley of California. Located in Kern County ... keep reading
Written by Gina-Marie Cheeseman in August, about Carbon Sequestration, Coal & Oil
Under the Clean Air Act, California can set stricter vehicle emissions standards. In December 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a waiver in order to enact the toughest vehicle emissions standards in the country. The EPA denied the petition. Last November the state of California filed ... keep reading
Written by Gina-Marie Cheeseman in July, about Agriculture & Food, Environment & Wildlife, Health, Industry, Population
In 1993, the first emissions trading program, Los Angeles' Regional Clean Air Incentives Market (RECLAIM), began to reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions in the worst air basin in the U.S. Designed by California's South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), RECLAIM, according to the Environmental Protection ... keep reading
Written by Gina-Marie Cheeseman in July, about Carbon Sequestration, Carbon Trading, Climate Change, Coal & Oil, Economics, Finance, Industry, Politics
Converting corn into ethanol biofuel, sounded like a good idea to some people, including Congress. However, record high food prices, which many experts link to ethanol production, have led to riots in Haiti, Mexico, and other countries around the globe. This comes as no surprise. As early as 2004, a ... keep reading
Written by Gina-Marie Cheeseman in June, about Biofuels
California's Bay Area Quality Management District Board of Directors voted 15 to 1 to implement a tax on companies that emit 4.4 cents per ton of carbon dioxide. The tax is the first of its kind in the U.S. The tax affects nine Bay Area counties, including ... keep reading
Written by Gina-Marie Cheeseman in June, about Carbon Trading, Finance, Industry, Politics, Weather
The Bush administration has a shoddy environmental record, and last week's announcement of the polar bear's listing as an endangered species is another one for the record. In 2005 the Center for Biological Diversity, Greenpeace, and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) petitioned the Bush administration to list ... keep reading
Written by Gina-Marie Cheeseman in May, about Environment & Wildlife, Politics, Weather
Living a 'green' life does not have to be costly and difficult. There are simple steps you can take to help the environment: from using reusable shopping bags to buying local produce. Use cloth bags when shopping Carry cloth bags with you whenever you shop, and help reduce the more ... keep reading
Written by Gina-Marie Cheeseman in May, about Climate Change
Growing up in the San Joaquin Valley of California, considered to be the ‘agricultural center of the world,’ I am familiar with farmers' markets. My grandfather sold oranges at a roadside market once a year. I appreciate the fact that farmers' markets provide local, quality produce, however, I must confess ... keep reading
Written by Gina-Marie Cheeseman in May, about Agriculture & Food, Consumerism, Health
