Ethanol in Car Fuel - Not a Clear Cut Improvement

The US EPA is expected to approve an increase in the ethanol content of blended fuel from 10 to 15%. However, an odd group of bedfellows  - oil companies, environmentalists, and food manufacturers - are lobbying to delay the decision because of fears on safety, environmental impact and food price rises.

As this ethanol is derived from corn, the potential for displacement of food production is obvious.

Full story here:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43504.html

Pearl Jam carbon portfolio - activism?

Pearl Jam announced that having exhausted forest carbon storage opportunities in Madagascar, they have pledged to offset emissions from touring by not cutting their hair for the next 20 years, storing an estimated 30kg CO2-e.

Questions of whether this was just a meaningless publicity tactic by the band were met with a response from their PR manager of "P*** off. You're just jealous because they're rock stars, and you're not".

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Makira community managed forests in Madagascar was pleased that Pearl Jam will not be playing another benefit concert in the region, as they "scare the lemurs".

http://a.abcnews.com/images/Entertainment/nm_spinal_tap_090609_ssv.jpg *

*Actual image is not of Pearl Jam, but their hair is a similar length.

http://pearljam.com/activism/carbonportfolio