Day: 23 November 2006

Americans Want 40mpg

A new study by the Opinion Research Corporation has found that 78% of Americans want a 40mpg fuel legislation. LeftLaneNews has the story on the survey results.

“A bipartisan 78 percent of Americans want the U.S. government to impose a 40 mile per gallon fuel-efficiency standard for vehicles sold in the United States, according to a new Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) national opinion survey. The report indicates nine out of 10 Americans expect gas prices to go up “in the near future,” with nearly half (46 percent) “definitely” expecting a resumption of higher fuel prices.”

The comments at LeftLaneNews break down into some sort of flame war proclaiming that lower mpg seems to be better. I just skimmed the comments so maybe there are some gems in their. One person made a comment mentioning that he doesn’t want the government telling him what mpg is acceptable.

GO DAVID!

suzpic.jpegCanadian Environmentalist, David Suzuki, has a foundation that researches and follows most pressing issues on climate change and anything environment related. I thought it was only fair to give this guy some props for his consistantly amazing work at bringing these kinds of important issues to the public in a way that is understandable and inspires involvement from the community. On the foundation site, you can sign up for a newsletter which sends you frequent (but not too frequent) information on issues involving the Canadian Government and programs that are in effect by David’s crew working toward solutions.

Sound vague? Check it out for yourself! The last newsletter that showed up in my e-mail was addressing The Government of Canada, who failed to deliver a credible and effective climate change action plan at the United Nations climate change conference held in Nairobi, Kenya.

This part really sparked my interest…….

Contact Prime Minister Stephen Harper

By mail (postage-free): House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6;
fax: 613-941-6900; or e-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca

Better Tsunami Detection

Detecting tsunamis early can save millions of lives, and the earlier the detection the better. Researchers are wanting to put a new kind of detector that is placed on the ocean floor that will help provide better coverage in the Indian and Pacific oceans.

“They would offer greater coverage of the oceans by filling in large gaps between buoys, allowing scientists to promptly alert officials of undersea earthquakes that could trigger tsunamis and endanger coastal areas, she said.”