350 Updates

350 – In a Starbucks Near You

Anonymous
Posted by Anonymous - 09/15/08, 2:42pm

No, we haven’t gone corporate. But GOOD magazine has recently begun distributing “GOOD Sheets”—a provocative single page infographic—in Starbucks locations everywhere.

The first in their line-up is “CO2 World”—a beautifully designed poster that is chock full of data. In a column labeled “The Bad News” is this tasty tidbit: “The safe level of CO2 is no more than 350 parts per million.“ Looks like folks are starting to catching on.

A couple downsides: this fact (about the most important number on earth) was given underneath an icon depicting skull and crossbones. It’s true, an unstable climate has caused misery and death—which is why 350 is actually a beacon of hope and life. The skull should be a wind turbine, the crossbones a healthy, thriving community.

And in the “Now What” column, the infographic tells us to ”Take Public Transportation” and “Recycle. “ Good steps, surely, but where’s “Organize,” “Vote,” or “Build a Global Movement.” Or even: “Signup on 350.org and tell all your friends.” But I suppose that’s too much to ask…ah well, it’s a start. Bravo GOOD!

 
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The Drill, Baby, Drill Scandal

May Boeve
Posted by May Boeve - 09/11/08, 6:45pm

This is cross-posted from our friends at Think Progress.

During the Republican National Convention, delegates repeatedly demonstrated their obsession with offshore oil drilling by chanting “drill, baby, drill!” It turns out they were literally describing the relationship between Department of Interior royalty collectors and the oil industry.

Multiple reports released on September 10 by the Department of Interior Inspector General found that the Mineral Management Service officials responsible for collecting royalties from oil and gas producers are accused of accepting gifts, trips, and special favors from producers. The report described “A culture of ethical failure… [and] a culture of substance abuse and promiscuity.” These government overseers also abused alcohol and cocaine with officials from energy companies that they were supposed to collect royalties from, and “had sexual relationships with oil and gas company representatives.”

The MMS employees are responsible for collecting royalties from producers for oil and gas produced on public lands, which can be paid in cash or “royalty in kind.” The latter allows the producer to pay its royalties by delivering oil and gas to the federal government, which is either stored in government reserves or sold on the open market. The total royalty tab is about $10 billion annually, and is one of the largest sources of federal revenue aside from taxes.

 

 
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Hooray for the Kingsnorth Six

Bill McKibben
Posted by Bill McKibben - 09/11/08, 10:12am

Our good friends at Greenpeace UK tried to shut down the Kingsnorth coal-fired power plant not long ago. The bobbies didn't much care for that, and six of them were arrested as they tried to paint a message on the giant smokestack. But you know what happened today? A jury of their peers acquitted them. Our hero Jim Hansen weighed in, testifying that they were protecting property of greater value--that would be this sphere we call the Earth--with their actions. In fact, he reminded the court that until we get back down below 350 there can be no rest--we need many such inspired protests! Our congrats to the good people on the stack--and on the jury.

 
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