Up and Coming Businessess: The Many Shades of Green

The Next 10, an independent organization that "educates, engages and empowers Californians to improve the state’s future", recently reported the growth of green jobs over the last 14 years. In a wide number of areas, green employment, with an annual increase of 2.4% annually has far outpaced rates in other industries. Some of the highlights of the report..

• Between 1995-2008, green businesses increased 45 percent, green jobs grew 36 percent while total jobs in the state grew only 13 percent.
• Even in rural areas with a smaller economic base, green jobs are growing faster than the overall economy.
• Between 2007-2008, green jobs grew 5 percent while total jobs dropped one percent.
• Manufacturing represents 21 percent of all green jobs, and grew 19 percent, while manufacturing represents only 11 percent of all jobs in California (January 2008.)
• Half of all manufacturing jobs are split between Energy Efficiency and Energy Generation.
• Services accounted for 45 percent of all California green jobs, the largest portion in Environmental Consulting.
• With nearly 43,000 jobs in 2008, Air & Environment is the largest of California's green segments. While this segment's jobs remained steady, hovering around 35,000 from 1995-2005, since 2005 the number of green jobs in this segment has increased 24 percent.
• From 1995-2008, Energy Generation employment expanded 61 percent by nearly 10,000 jobs. Solar makes up the largest portion, and strongest growth (63 percent).
• Employment in Energy Efficiency increased 63 percent from 1995-2008.
• Employment in Green Transportation has increased 152 percent since 1995. Green Transportation Jobs are primarily in Motor Vehicles & Equipment and Alternative Fuels, with the latter growing faster at 201 percent, and representing 48 percent of all jobs in this segment.
• Green Logistics is an emerging field, only in the Bay Area at present, with employment growing by 1144 percent since 1995.

Although the research found that some regions fared better than others, each region found a place for itself for different green jobs. Sacramento, however, was the clear leader, with 87% improvement since 1995, with San Diego and the SF Bay Area coming in second and third, respectively, with 57% and 51% growth in green jobs in that time frame.

Global Warming Warning

The World Meteorological Organization has recently uncovered new evidence showing that, despite fluctuations in global temperature year to year that fueled claims of global cooling, a sustained global warming trend is showing no signs of ending. Dating back 150 years, the decade of the 2000's is likely the warmest decade on record. The secretary general of the international weather agency, Michel Jarraud, commented how the period of 2000 to 2009 has been "warmer than the 1990s, which were warmer than the 1980s and so on".
Global warming is one of the most complicated issues that world leaders are facing. Despite an increase in warnings from the scientific community about the increasing dangers of rising buildup from human-related greenhouse gases, coming mostly from the burning of fossil fuels and forests, technological issues concerning the resolution of these problems have become no less complicated themselves, especially in the face of the current economic slowdown.

Obama's Bailout

President Obama recently drafted a new proposal, that will hopefully not only stimulate job growth, but also give more help to Main Street consumers and businesses. In a speech he gave Tuesday at the Brookings Institution, he explained how he would like to give small businesses a tax break for both new hires, and for equipment purchases. In addition, he stated wanting to expand American Recovery and Investment Acts, and spend some $50 billion on roads, bridges, water and aviation projects. Although this in theory could be a solid plan, because of the already immense deficit that we are facing this might just create more problems than it would fix. However, assuming that the $50 billion worth of projects does in fact spur new job growth, I think this could possibly have potential, although we will see if it has the desired effect.

Couple Crash White House Dinner: A New Record

It seems like there has been a new record made, though perhaps not one that should become too popular. A couple from northern Virginia apparently managed to crash the White House's state dinner on Tuesday night. Tareq and Michaele Salahi were seen arriving at the White House, and later posted pictures of themselves with guests on Facebook, though an official stated that they were never invited, not on the guest list, and were never seated. Although the White House offered no explanation, it seems this is the first time in history that anyone has managed to crash a dinner at the White House. Ed Donovan, a spokesman for the Secret Service claimed

Everyone who enters the White House grounds goes through magnetometers and several other levels of screenings. That was the case with the state dinner... No one was under any risk or threat.

Regardless, one must question the responsibility of security personnel present.

Its a Bird! Its a Plane!

A strange sight on any day, but apparently this massive group of 300,000 starling birds, seen over Denmark, is a natural tendency. European starlings are known to roost together, and a massive gathering like this is something like a pre-roost ritual.

Green Fuels: Not So Green Anymore...

With a world that is becoming increasingly dependent on oil, it is no wonder that we are now being forced to think of new, alternative fuel options. In the US alone in 2008, we produced nine billion gallons of corn ethanol. But a pair of new studies published by Science are challenging that infact, the way we produce and use biofuels could potentially have the opposite effect of the one we meant. Steve Hamburg, the chief scientist for the Environmental Defense Fund commented that

Biofuels can be an important part of the portfolio of climate-change activities...But we have to make sure we incentivize the right way, or we could end up with perverse outcomes.

With the ever-increasing threat of global warming, we need to make changes. Making the wrong changes, however, could potentially be worse than our current situation. I'm sure if we put our heads together, we'll think of something...

What Will We Think of Next?

New studies in the UK are reportedly using human DNA in animal experiments. This obviously brings up major controversial issues about the boundaries of such experiments. Although human and animal DNA have been interchanged for years, like replacing animal genes with human genes or even growing human organs in animals, scientists are now opting to make sure that the public understands the reasoning behind such experiments. Robin Lovell-Badge, who is a stem cell expert at Britain's National Institute for Medical Research, says

It sounds yucky, but it may be well worth doing if it's going to lead to a cure for something horrible.

Whether this is true or not is questionable. Yes, finding cure's for any number of the diseases that are roaming the earth would be amazing, but at what point does the cost of success become too high?

Countdown to the final Nazi Convictions

Almost 65 years after the end of WWII, old Nazi suspects are still being caught and put on trial. Heinrich Boere is one of these. His capture and subsequent trial, which opened last month, is a huge victory to those who are still adamantly looking to take action against suspected Nazi criminals before they die. Having confessed to the murders of three Dutch civilians in 1944, Boere faces life in jail if he is convicted. Efraim Zuroff, the chief Nazi hunter at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, in Jerusalem, commented that the trial

sends a very powerful message that the passage of time in no way diminishes the guilt of murderers, and that old age should not protect the killers of civilians.

Though a final decision has not yet been made, to the families of Boere's victims, judgement cannot come soon enough.

Road To Recovery

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Reportedly, the US economy is now experiencing noticeable rebound, after more than a year of setbacks. Hopefully, this rise will last, and continue.

Genetic Driving

According to a recent article by cbsnews, a new study published recently on Lives Science's web site, explains how difficulty driving may have genetic background. Although the study was only done on a relatively small number of people, the estimation is that about 30% of Americans have a 'bad driving gene'.

New Health Care Legislation: Friend or Foe?

The House Democrats recently unveiled extreme new health care legislation, which will require practically universal sign-ups and will establish a new government-run insurance option. House speaker Nanci Pelosi commented on the changes, stating

Today we are about to deliver on the promise of making quality, affordable health care available for all Americans," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said from the steps of the Capitol building. "We have listened to the American people. We are putting forth a bill that reflrects our best values and greatest challenges.

We shall see what becomes of this new legislation. Hopefully, we will be able to come up with a health care plan that will benefit the most number of people possible.

Passports Uncovered - A Link to 9/11?

For the eight years following 9/11, we have been searching for evidence about who was involved, and how we could convict who was responsible. Pakistani soldiers that recently managed to battle their way into a Taliban stronghold, have uncovered a number of passports that may be linked to the suspects of 9/11. They weren't able to determine whether the passports were legitimate, and German and Swiss officials (two of the countries from which the passports were labeled) declined to comment. I think this could be a major breakthrough, although they could possible prove to simply be a number of fake passports that were abandoned.

Definition of Politics

At a townhall meeting in New Orleans, President Obama was questioned by a 4th grade boy about facing the enormous amounts of criticism. Obama then proceeded to amusingly descibe politics as "where one party wins, and then the other party kinda feels like it need to poke you a little bit...". A good description, I think.


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Healthcare: The Final Phase?

President Obama comments about the passing of the healthcare reform of the Senate Finance Committee.


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Stories from the Front Lines

I thought this was very interesting. CBS News teams recount their experiences in Afghanistan.


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RIP Arctic Ice Caps

The arctic ice cap appears to be melting. At least, so says Professor Peter Wadhams, head of the polar ocean physics group at Cambridge University. According to Wadhams,

In about 10 years, the Arctic ice will be considered as open sea.

As a large part of the region is now covered in what is known as 'first year ice', which tends to be much less secure and a lot thinner, the area is likely going to become open water during the summer, within the next 20 to 30 years.

New Domestic Issues for D.C.

Obama seems to have his work cut out for him.

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Obama's Failure to 'Bring Home the Gold' Not the End of the World

I find this very amusing. Bob Schieffer comments about President Obama's decision to fly overnight to Copenhagen, just on the off chance that Chicago would be chosen for the upcoming Olympic site.


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Afghanistan: Just Beginning?

Brigadier General John Nicholson talks briefly to Scott Pelley, of 60 Minutes. Apparently, we may just be entering a new phase in Afghanistan...a 14 year long phase.


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The Nuclear Option for Healthcare Reform

It seems as if the healthcare legislation is turning into a game of Cheat. The Ways and Means Committe, a key committee of the House, recently changed its legislation for healthcare to a new option, nicknamed the "nuclear option". This plan could potentially allow the Senate to bypass any opposition to this legislation, as it works rather simply: Also known as reconciliation, under which the normal filibusters that senators can often use would not be permitted, the normal vote of 60 that is usually required to pass any reform would be replaced with a simple majority vote.
The Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangal, D-N.Y., stated that

the action was necessary because there is a possibility that a handful of
Senate Republicans could choose to engage in partisan tactics to stall this important health reform bill.

He also noted

Why create the option if you don't intend to use it...And the fact that you created it enhances the chances that you will use it.

Whether this option will be enough to bump the reform through to the President's desk, however, is yet to be determined.

Rising Retirement Costs...Anyone See The Irony?

Most people probably associate retirement with relaxation and leisure. Unfortunately, they're in for a shock. On average, the typical couple retiring today would need about $338,000 in savings to be sure that they could cover medical costs. Does something not seem right about that picture? In America, healthcare is the primary reason that a person's plans for retirement fail, and they are forced to return to work. ..This is in America. The land of opportunity. In many other countries, the healthcare system is run completely by the government, and although their ideas may not be full-proof, their citizens can be comforted by the knowledge that they will always be able to recieve medical help, whenever they need it. Perhaps the United States should take a step towards these countries, and figure out where a) they have gone right and b) we have fallen short of expectations.

The Little Country That Could

There is no doubt that the problems in the Middle East are in the forefront of priorities for the Obama administration. However, the President may have to turn his head in a new direction, soon. Latin America's problems have spread beyond its borders, and have started to intersect with other issues around the world that are more important for the Unites States right now. Two issues especially have recently been demanding US attention as they are a broader issue that includes Latin America. It will be interesting to see where Obama next places his pawns.

US Facing Challenges in the Pullout From Iraq

The largest movement of soldiers and materials in more than four decades has been undertaken in Iraq, recently. 20,000 soldiers, at least a sixth of the force in Iraq, have been assigned to dismantling 300 military bases, and shipping out 1.5 million pieces of equipment. During this process, the army must also sustain its force of some 124,000 troops. Although a major reduction of troops is not scheduled until after the January national elections, the preparations are already being seen throughout the country.

Bernanke's Rise

Bernanke seems to be doing a good job. Since President Bush nominated him in Oct 2005, this is what gold has done. According to the former Federal Reserve Governor Wayne Angell, "a Fed chairman's performance can be measured by whether the price of gold is higher or lower than when he took office." Bernanke's performance seems to have been exemplary, so far. We will see if he is able to keep up this positive standard.

Berlin's Reunion

A huge celebration in Berlin was held in honor of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. 1.5 million people took to the streets to watch a several-day performance by France's Royal de Luxe street theatre company, which featured two massive marionettes traipsing through Berlin.

Political Science May Be Barred from NSF Research

Senator Tom Coburn(R-OH) has introduced a new amendment that, if passed, could bar the NSF (National Science Foundation) from using federal research money on political science issues. He argues that

Theories on political behavior are best left to CNN, pollsters, pundits, historians, candidates, political parties, and the voters, rather than being funded out of taxpayers’ wallets.

New York City: Setting the Stage for Change

Michael Bloomburg, the New York City mayor, seems to have an interesting way of making people safer and healthier. Recently, he has not only stated plans for lowering the portion of sugar-sweetened beverages that people intake daily, he has now banned smoking in many public spaces, and banned many restaurants from using margarine (known for being high in trans-fats). President Obama has even recently taken notice of New Yorks activity, having recently appointed the one and only Tomas Friedman to head the Centers for Disease Control.

China's 60th Communist Anniversary

China celebrated its 60th anniversary of communism rule on Oct.1, staging its largest-ever parade of military vehicles and over a hundred thousand marching, spurring patriotism, and unease. Although China has come a long way since 1949, today being the third-largest world economy. However, the jubilant mood of the parade glossed over its past misfortunes, as well as its current challenges.

Earthqake in Indonesia

Indonesia may be facing a trial of survival in the aftermath of the earthquake that killed at least 75 people, and caused extreme amounts of damage.

Iran: Walking the Line of the Law

Despite the fact that Iran has been accused, apparently there is no credible evidence that there is an operational nuclear weapons program in Iran.

Health Care: The Case For Killing Grandma

Compared with other countries, although America may have more health care, it does not necessarily have better health care. In the past decade alone, costs have risen by nearly 50%. Prices are not generic, however, even within the United States. Different medicare patients in different states may cost more than others, for chronically ill patients. Is Medicare really the answer to our problems? Or is it just a budget-eating mess of nonsense?

Robotics For The Future

Medicine and technology are frequently mixed, to form ideas that are beyond what people might normally associate with. However, despite the factitious reproductions of many medical techniques on popular tv shows, robotic technology is a real possibility. A possibility, at least, if we had infinite funds to support these new technologies. According to a recent article from CNN, robotics have "revolutionized surgery" over the past 20 years. Although 'micro machines' and 'pill cameras' may not be accessible items yet, these ideas may yet be visions for the future.

The Green List

Newsweek recently published the 2009 list of the Top 500 Greenest Companies, essentially an envioronmental ranking of America's 500 largest corporations. Some of the names listed were familiar to me, but others, even in the top of the list, were very suprising to me.

Is There Still Hope For Retirement?

Many people have been hit hard by recent economic trends. For some, this could mean questioning their goals about retirement. Despite the economy, these goals may still be possible, however, depending on two factors: how old you are, and how much money you started with. Younger people may have a better chance at recovering faster and more easily, because they generally have saved less in the time they've been working than some others. According to this article from Newsweek, the best way to regain purchase with your old standards is to save more, and spend less. Is this really the answer to our problems, though? What the economy really needs is a boost to get it rolling again. If, as people being to regain a little of their profit, they hoard it mercilessly, then the economy will become even more stagnate, because nobody will be spending at all. What people need to do, is be smart about their money. Save a little, spend a little. As long as there is a balance, then as your nest egg begins to grow again, so will the economy.

Sum Total

"Green" may not be a new concept for the world, but the facts still show an overwhelming amount of waste being produced. Keeping the environment safe is everyone's responsability. Despite possibly limited resources, new ideas and inventions are continuing to sprout up. Make it your job to do something good for the environment.

Energy Conservation, or lack of it

It seems like the United States is trying to find ways around its own laws, rather than finding alternative routes to make more energy-efficient cars. According to Tom Friedman in his book Hot, Flat, and Crowded, the introduction of sport-utility vehicles, or SUV's are just a small example of this. In 1979 when these were introduced, they were successfully lobbied as 'light trucks', so that they would not have to meet the 27.5 miles per gallon gas standard that was set for cars in teh 1975 Energy Policy and Conservation Act. I think this is an example of how the United States is shying away from its responsibility of being a leader in the world's energy conservation.

New Fool-Proof Health Care Options?

It seems that Obama has a new option for persuading non-believers to accept his health care plan. The "trigger" option, which would give insurance companies a defined period of time to make changes that would allow them to cover more people, is being received with mixed reviews. If those changes failed to occur, a "trigger" would allow for public option to force change on the insurance companies. The public option would be government-run and government-funded, like medicare, and with this plan, people would pay 10-20% less than private insurance. However, the question still remains whether President Obama will side with the public option or not. I think that this "trigger" option could be a good idea, as not only is it new and different, but it gives the companies a chance to make changes themselves, without being forced to through the public consensus. However, this would also give the government a backup plan, in case the insurance companies proved to be in bigger trouble than originally realized.

The Survival of the Republic

We live in times of animated games, personal gain, and a supposedly exponential amount of credit. As we live now, however, the economy is unsustainable. If we think we are in a serious crisis now, then wait 30 years, until our children and grandchildren will be paying for the mistakes we are making now.

Is Free too Expensive?

Hedge funds have been always been seen as bad, but are they actually a good thing?

New Energy Star label possibilities: A holy crusade?

In addition to new enhancements on specifications of green power generation, the EPA has a new goal: Energy efficient houses of worship.

The Least Greatest Journey

The "Tea Party Movement"-a war on health care! Another health care group going out of their way to make sure they're noticed. Well they've been noticed, all right. This group, making their way from San Fransisco, California to Washington, D.C. seems to be only the newest of many groups that have gone over the top in their efforts to explain the "evils" of health care reform.

Truth or Lies?

Deception is a part of most all culture, in one way or another. Here in America, we grow up in a world where being popular and successful is the name of the game...no matter the sacrifices. I don't mean to imply that every single American citizen lives their life based on this model, however, I would guess that even the most anti-political, misanthropic person has a weak point for lying. It is part of our heritage, part of our society, and a part of us that always seems to find its way to the surface, no matter how honest we claim to be. In truth, we are all masters of deception, gifted in anything that requires little work and large reward.