Doing Our Small Part in Sacramento to Fight Climate Change

I attended the "Global Climate Change Forum: Adapting to the Uncertain Future" at the SMUD Auditorium in Sacramento last night.

It was hosted by the Sacramento Chapter of the League of Women Voters. I missed the film, but caught all the speakers. Roger Dickinson spoke about Sac County's programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency. John Andrews from DWR shared DWRs challenge of reducing energy use by water end-users. Genevieve Shiroma made a strong case for why SMUD is a great public utility. She noted SMUD's high scores in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and boasted about SMUD reaching its 20% emission reduction goal by 2010, a full 10 years ahead of the mandated 2020 deadline.

It was a great panel, but could have been much better marketed. I ran into the president of the League of Women Voters afterwards and she let me know they didn't do much outreach at all. I found the event in the Sac Bee. The average age of the audience was 70.
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http://www.lwvsacramento.org/

From 6:15-6:45 you will have the opportunity to view the video: “California Water and the Climate Change Strategies” which will be introduced by Elissa Lynn, Department of Water Resources Senior Meterologist.

The panel will include Professor Deb Niemeier, Ph.D., P.E., UC Davis (factors causing climate change, status and adaptations in U.S. and the world); Roger Dickinson, Supervisor, District 1, Sacramento County Board of Supervisors (local communities response to climate change); John Andrews, CA. Department of Water Resources (climate change impact on water resources), Director Genevieve Shiroma, SMUD (renewables and new energy sources); Christopher J. Flores, Office of Doris O. Matsui, (status of national climate change legislation).

The Inauguration of Barack Obama

Watching the inauguration from home this morning. I've been offline for too long. I was in Beijing for much of 2008, but now it's a new year, with a new president, so I hope to be inspired post this year. The presidential limos are just now leaving the White House, on their way to the mall. Folks have been out in the cold since before sunrise. One woman had a heart attack, many more are freezing and in need of medical attention. I have ABC on the TV and NPR on the radio. Heard commentary this morning about the state of the nation when Barack Obama was born in 1961. It was still illegal for a white to marry a black at that time, schools around the country were resisting moves to desegregate, it was a different time. This is a moment we've all prepared for, but the reality of the moment is still overwhelming. The images are overpowering. We're all hopeful about what's to come. He'll inherit a world of trouble. Two wars and an economic crisis. It's not an envious position, but we hope he's the best man for the job. (One aside question, why is Dick Cheney in a wheelchair? Is he hoping to look feeble to tug at our heart strings?) Welcome to 2009, and an new administration. Let's hope Obama ushers in a new era of leadership that serves the good of the country, more than it serves a tight circle of money and influence.

China Olympic Diving Preview

Pour your Home Equity Down the Drain!

Check out this very literal depiction of what too many Americans have been doing over the past few years. They're "tapping" their home equity and pouring it right down the drain! What brilliant mortgage company thought to paint this on their window? This is a real window, snapped on Thanksgiving weekend, in downtown Sacramento.

Do you trust your dentist?

David Leonhardt of the New York Times wrote an interesting article in yesterday's paper: When Trust in an Expert Is Unwise. He reported on a study by economics grad student Henry Schneider. Schneider came to some disturbing findings about the trustworthiness of auto mechanics. He made some simple tweaks to his car, ones that if left unchecked could do major damage, and found that many of the mechanics either didn't catch the problems and/or prescribed costly repairs that were unnecessary. This is evidence that a healthy dose of skepticism is very good when faced with auto repairs. But what's most alarming, and this is addressed in the article, is when you're talking to a doctor or dentist instead of a mechanic. It's a classic case of the selling party having more information and more expertise than the buyer. That's why independent third party analysis (think Consumer Reports) is so important in a market economy. And today, with the rise of online vendor reviews (eBay, Amazon, Yelp) it appears there's hope that the playing field will be evened out. But even so, there will still be the problem of those peer-review sites being polluted by false positive reviews or false negative reviews (coming from an ex-husband with an axe to grind). Last year the economist declared the “Rise of the Consumer.” Maybe the internet is getting us closer to that ideal of leveling the playing field between the seller and the buyer. But the real key will be finding ways to prevent people from gaming the online review system.

A side note. I, for one, find it difficult to trust dentists. I was once told I needed a root canal. When I changed dentists for other reasons, my new dentist told me I needed a new filling. Now, I have trouble trusting experts (like dentists) who are also trying to sell me something.

Award-Winning Skystream 3.7 Backyard Wind Turbine Now Eligible for State of California's Renewable Energy Rebate

Award-Winning Skystream 3.7 Backyard Wind Turbine Now Eligible for State of California's Renewable Energy Rebate

The First Wind Power SIMBY - Mike Mercurio and his Skystream 3.7

Mike Mercurio, of Long Beach Township NJ, is the first SIMBY "start in my backyard" wind advocate. He wants to use the Skytream wind turbine to power his home, but his neighbors don't agree.