Thursday, May 13, 2010

Let's buy our way to a greener, cleaner planet Earth

Posted by Chris Haire on Thu, May 13, 2010 at 1:47 PM

When it comes to being green, well, I'm an absolutely failure.

I do not drive a hybrid SUV.

I have yet to install solar panels on my house.

I do not buy organic vegetables even though they are pesticide free.

I do not own a printer that can print on both sides of a piece of paper.

I have yet to put compact fluorescent light bulbs in every lamp in the house.

I never bought a ticket to see An Inconvenient Truth.

I used the last $20 in my pocket to buy a case of beer instead of carbon credits.

But thanks to Columbia, S.C., Fox affiliate I've learned WACH there's still time for me to make amends with Ma Earth.

Just like time is running for the planet, the countdown is almost over for those interested in buying Energy Star appliances to get a state rebate:

If you haven't already taken advantage of the state's appliance rebate program, there's still money available.

Over $220,000 remains in the program that offers discounts on Energy Star appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers and air conditioners.

The concept is simple. To save some green while going green. Along the way, officials hope it sparks the economy.

At the end of March, the South Carolina Energy Office made $3.9 million available for the rebates.

Officials say more than 23,000 rebates have been claimed so far.

According to Appliancerebates.sc.gov:

A total of $3.9 million was available in rebates to South Carolina residents purchasing ENERGY STAR appliances in the state beginning March 31, 2010 and continuing until all funds are exhausted. South Carolina citizens have claimed over $3.67 million in rebates through this program, or more than 94 percent of the money allotted for rebates.

All of the $1.95 million allotted for mail-in rebates for central air conditioning units, heat pumps, gas furnaces and water heaters was exhausted by 1:19 p.m. on April 1, 2010, just one day after the program launched. More than $1.7 million of the $1.95 million allotted for instant rebates on clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators and room air conditioning units has been exhausted.

Hmm. Why is it that in order to "go green" you have to buy a lot of shit?

You know, it'd make sense if we just used up all the stuff we've already bought. Just saying.

Topics: Environment

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Saturday, March 20, 2010

The norovirus wants you to spew, enlists help of oysters

Posted by Chris Haire on Sat, Mar 20, 2010 at 8:24 PM

The folks at Live 5 News want you to know something: the norovirus is not content to prey upon cruise ship passengers. It's after you and yours.

Stomach viruses are running rampant in the Lowcountry. The number of outbreaks this year has already surpassed the number from last year.

"I was like just leave me here on the bathroom floor please. Don't move me don't touch me. It was bad," said Camille Watkins.

Camille Watkins says it was the sickest she had been in her life. The most severe symptoms lasted just one day. After days of vomiting and not eating she went to the doctor, and he confirmed she had the norovirus.

"I went to a friend's oyster roast, and that's how I got it and a bunch of us got it. Not every single person, but about 90% of us got it," said Watkins.

Yikes. But here's the thing: The norovirus is a contagious bugger and can easily spread from person to person; however, norovirus outbreaks related to oysters generally have nothing to do with person to person contact.

According to the CDC:

Some foods can be contaminated with norovirus before being delivered to a restaurant or store. Several outbreaks have been caused by the consumption of oysters harvested from contaminated waters.

Or you can just search Google for "norovirus and oysters." You'll find plenty of examples.

So, we're talking about a case of apples and oranges here. A cruise ship outbreak of norovirus is one thing; a norovirus outbreak as the result of bad oysters is something else entirely.

Topics: Environment

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

UGA prof says treelovers, not developers, are hurting Angel Oak

Posted by Chris Haire on Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 7:16 AM

Today's P&C features an op-ed from Dr. Kim Coder, professor of tree biology and health care at the University of Georgia, and in it, the good doc makes a pretty bold claim: it's not the proposed development that will hurt Angel Oak, but the grand ole tree's treehugging fans.

The article isn't online yet, but here's the choice cut:

The Angel Oak is not threatened by the currently proposed design and could actually be better off over the long run if recommended changes in parking and road access near the tree are implemented.

Unfortunately, the Angel Oak is threatened by its admirers and defenders. There is a serious and long-term threat, including compound stress elevations and physical damage to the tree and the site from human and vehicular traffic.

It is the current access road, parking and foot traffic which represent a clear and present danger. Tree lovers are stressing and will kill their tree unless something is done soon about parking and walking near the tree, which will significantly and permanently damage the Angel Oak.

Evidently, you can kill with kindness.

Topics: Environment

Thursday, December 3, 2009

A brief, and absolutely true, narrative about last night's Storm of the Century

Posted by Chris Haire on Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 7:20 AM

Last night, tornadoes came to my neighborhood, robbing little old ladies of their life savings and young men of their dignity.

But I beat back the winds, with only a trash can and a feather duster. The Storm of the Century was no match.

Afterward, the weather men and I got drunk on the flood waters and feasted on the flotsam floating down the Crosstown.

It was a storm the likes of which we will never see again ... that is if we saw it in the first place.

Topics: Environment
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