More Hip Than Hippie #255 - Geoengineering

As the rate of global warming accelerates, more politicians and pundits propose geoengineering as a possible remedy.

Fighting pollution with pollution? That's the idea behind Solar Radiation Management, which is a form of geoengineering. At the request of a listener, the Hipsters shine a light on this somewhat controversial concept and its consequences. Also, Val prepares to entertain a houseful of stinky 12-year-olds, while Dori gets her Beatlemajesty on!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: To say that our beer and chocolate didn't pair well this week would be an understatement. Kirin Ichiban Special Premium Reserve's light flavor might taste great with an Asian meal, but it's not one we'd grab out of the cooler.

Chocolate: On the other end of the spectrum is Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Lover's 85% cacao chocolate bar. Highly edible and much smoother than you'd think. Thanks to Charter Hipster Alison in NC, who sent this along with some lovely handcrafted goodies. Mwah!

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Colored bowtie. That's one of the things to watch for when you play Oscar Bingo during the Academy Awards show. We got that square, thanks to Robert Downey Jr.
• Frozen assets. What do candles, batteries, panty hose and cheap booze have in common? Among other things, you can freeze them to save money!

Hip News

• Hot air. Our hard-working reps in Congress are trying to gut the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gases. We can't let the poor coal industry suffer, right?
• Orange crush. Officials in the city of Orange, CA get a big raspberry! They're suing a couple for replacing their water-guzzling lawn with drought-tolerant landscaping.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Sow there! Spring is coming, so take the time to plant something. Whether it's a starter for your garden or some herbs in your windowsill, it's a valuable opportunity to begin sourcing your own food.

 

Geoengineering - The Sky is Falling

Christy in Bend, OR writes:

I have a potential show idea for you. I have recently been learning about cloud seeding or "geoengineering" and all of the aluminum it is introducing into our water tables. There is a movement afoot in the government to fast track legislation that would encourage more of this short-sighted solution to global warming. I am really surprised so few conscious and conscientious people know about this issue.

• Definition. "Geoengineering is the intentional large scale manipulation of the global environment..."
• Method. Solar Radiation Management (SRM) is a controversial cloud-seeding technique used to mimic volcanic eruptions.
• Effects. Any attempt to artificially mitigate climate change will have ramifications.
• Politics. The Obama administration and other governments haven't ruled out using it as an emergency measure.
• Statement. The American Meteorological Society calls for more research and urges caution.
• Alarm. Some people feel strongly that the government is already using SRM, as evidenced by chemtrails in the sky.
• Support. Proponents of geoengineering research include billionaire Bill Gates.
• Solutions. Other ideas for climate mitigation include carbon scrubbers and biochar.

Listener E-mails

• Rachel in Virginia wants to start a CSA with a grant from Pepsi Refresh. Vote for her project!
• Jenn in NC discovered she's a "yellow D" when it comes to energy efficiency. Find your score by taking the quiz at A Simple Switch.
• Tom in the UK think aspiring vegetarians will love DeliciousTV. He also shares info about town dollars and plugs his buddies at the Broken Spoke in Courtenay, BC, Canada (eh!).
• Lisa in New Jersey loves cloth napkins and shows you how to make them on her blog.
• Sara in Virginia found a cool way to reuse old fur coats: donate them to the HSUS for wildlife in need.
• George in Colorado wonders if Greenfeet will start selling chocolate soon. Sweet idea!
• Sue wants an update on biofuels. Our last stab at the topic was an interview with Springboard Biodiesel. (Vote for their Pepsi Refresh idea too!)

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More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.