There is a start up company that has researched a new way to produce hydrogen. Producing hydrogen is generally inefficient with (until now I guess) a energy loss of 70% on average when used in a car. So this is promising. Oddly enough the trick was to pour some salt on the wound
Parliament wants the government to stop supporting destructive mining projects overseas
Parliament has called on the Government of Canada to take action to end the devastating social and environmental impacts of Canadian mining operations overseas.
A recent Parliamentary report calls on the Government to: (i) stop using taxpayer money to support destructive Canadian mining projects abroad; (ii) hold Canadian mining companies legally accountable for environmental and human rights violations in other countries, and; (iii) force the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to respect international human rights standards.
The Government has about 60 days left to respond and, not surprisingly, it would like nothing more than to sweep the report under the carpet. So, like most of the good things that happen, the changes demanded will only take place as the result of many people’s efforts. Our participation is needed, as always, to pressure the Government to adopt Parliament’s recommendations and to address ongoing international scandals associated with the Canadian mining industry.
What can we do to help make this happen? The websites of Friends of the Earth Canada and Mining Watch have a lot of info on these issues and ways to take action.
Do You Have a Cancer Phone?
C|net has an article up that lets you know how much radiation your cell phone is emitting. The thing with this research is that it only looks into how much your brain can handle at once, but it by no means looks into the long-term effects of chronic exposure to cell phones.
I plan to use this list when I upgrade my cell phone, which I should do soon since the battery casing is paper thin.
Author wants to stop words
“Death Sentences: How Clichés, Weasel Words and Management-Speak are Strangling Public Language†is a book written by Australian Don Watson that wants to change the way we use words. He wants to get rid of ridiculous corporate speak that is destroying our language. Clearly, he needs to prioritize his mission statement to better implement his concepts so the optics of his position are more market-orientated on a multi-paradigm, multimedia medium of……..
His website has examples of what needs to be changed. Here’s an example
Time budget: ‘As in “Sorry I over extended my time budget this morning, it was my wifes birthday”. No, he was late!’
HIV Halted (almost)
Asahi.com is reporting that a new drug blocks HIV from entering other cells. Unlike other drugs designed to combat HIV/AIDs this one uses human cells to block out the attacking badness. This drug may need more testing, but this approach to the issue is not one I’ve heard of before (but comes as no surprise).