Amnestry International and BlogCatalog are sponsoring today as a day to focus on human rights around the world.
I’ll add a few personal thoughts in support of this effort. First, I would like to emphasize the value of people’s lives, no matter what they believe and where they live. When the historical changeover occurred that made civilian casualties of war an everyday reality, and with the concept of collateral damage well entrenched in the soul of the times, I feel it is important to say that there is no acceptable death of innocents, of civilians, of bystanders. Furthermore, what has happened to the art of diplomacy? Brushed aside as outmoded by the Bush administration, there are now few open lines over which ostensible enemies can communicate. Surely this only helps situations escalate into war, which is a tragedy.
The damage done to women, children and men around the world is not, of course, limited to wartime. After the recent Cyclone, the response of the Myanmar Junta to offers of outside aid was and is simply inexcusable. How this Junta could participate in the decimation of its own country is unfathomable. As Daniel Schorr put it so eloquently on NPR yesterday, it is time for the international community to act, together and immediately, to prevent this tragedy from becoming far worse. This can be done through the United Nations “Responsibility to Protect” resolution of 2005. As Mr. Schorr made clear, this international action must be carried out in spite of the bad name given to “intervention” by President Bush.
It is not enough, however, to respect the right of people to live. As an international community, we must also respect and provide for the basic human rights that go beyond life itself. I join Amnesty International in support of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
As further elaborated on Amnesty’s website, and quoted vebatim here, the organization fights for these additional goals:
“Women: 15 Steps to Protect Women’s Human Rights
Torture: 12-point Program for the Prevention of Torture
Disappearances: 14-Point Program for the Prevention of “Disappearances”
Extrajudicial Executions: 14-point Program for the Prevention of Extrajudicial Executions
Peacekeepers: 15-Point Program for Implementing Human Rights in International Peace-keeping Operations
Health Professionals: Amnesty International’s Declaration on the Role of Health Professionals in the Exposure of Torture and Ill-treatment
Medical Investigations: Amnesty International’s Principles for the Medical Investigation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment
Internal Displacement: Amnesty International’s guiding principles for addressing the specific needs of internally displaced persons worldwide.”
I hope that everyone can take the time to personally contribute to the struggle, and it is a struggle, for universal human rights.
James K. Bashkin
Copyright © 2008
Technorati Tags:human rights, amnesty international, myanmar, junta, daniel schorr, npr, blogcatalog, bloggers unite, take action
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In case the first title was too long for the amazing gas mileage to be obvious, I want to call further attention to this recent article on the new VW TurboDiesel Jetta, coming to the US in 2009, and capable of meeting all of the toughest state emissions tests. I’m not a great fan of carbon-based fuels these days, but 60 Miles per Gallon merits mentioning and praise in any context.
Norway is known for producing oil from its many oil rigs in the sea, and for being a source of natural gas, but environmental concerns are changing things, and up to 150 wind power stations awaiting approval or already authorized. From a report by Nina Larson for AFP:
“As Norway prepares for a future after oil, the gale-force potential of harvesting wind power off its long coastline has become an increasingly attractive proposition… “Wind-mapping shows that … Norway is among the (world’s) most ideal locations for wind power, both on the coast and offshore,” said Norwegian Deputy Petroleum and Energy Minister Liv Monica Stubholdt.”
It is certainly noteworthy that a country known for exports of oil and gas is working on a switch to wind power and sustainable energy. This isn’t because of a dependence on foreign oil- Norwegian oil is “home grown.”
Find your own wind power solutions here, at GoGreenSolar.com
Original text © James K. Bashkin, 2008
Technorati Tags:sustainability, oil exports, oil imports, oil prices, norway, wind power, green, eco-friendly, gas prices, foreign oil
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Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy: “Two administrative law judges recommended today that power lines should not be built across west-central Minnesota from the proposed coal-fired plant on the South Dakota side of Big Stone Lake. The decision is a major victory in the fight to combat climate change.
The judges found that the applicant power companies failed to show that demand for electricity could not be better and more cost-effectively met through renewable energy and energy efficiency. The judges also found that the power companies had not adequately considered the costs of global warming pollution. Without the power lines, the proposed Big Stone II power plant could not be built.”
Technorati Tags:coal power, clean energy, environmental impact of coal power plants, coal power plant denied, judges consider environment
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“VW’s ultra-low emission Jetta BlueTDI will be coming to the US mid-summer, according to an announcement made late last month at the Vienna Motor Symposium. This newer version of the Jetta will meet the strictest emissions standards in the world—BIN5/LEV2—which are enforced by 5 US states: California, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, and Vermont. BIN5/LEV2 standards severely cap nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions (0.05 g/mile), one of the two tailpipe pollutants that have given diesels a bad rap (that and particulate matter).”
Technorati Tags:trubodiesel, tdi, jetta, volkswagen, 60 mpg, low emissions, strict emission standards
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Michelle Bennett of Cleantechnica.com with the latest on solar concentrators coupled to solar panels: “We already know that concentrated solar power (CSP) is shaking things up in the solar industry. A subset within the industry is turning up the heat. “Extreme” Concentrated solar magnifies intense sunlight onto a solar cell, at temperatures that could melt it, to boost efficiency for less money.” and “Sunrgi hopes to bring their product to market in about a year, so we’re not talking about pipe dreams. These guys are serious, and they’re out to make some money at 5 cents/kwh. But fortunately for us all, this technology is not new, and Sunrgi is not the first to point a magnifying glass at a solar panel. The Aussies beat us to it.”
Technorati Tags:solar power, solar panels, solar concentrators, cheap solar energy, advances in solar energy, sustainability, cleantechnica.com, greentech, michelle bennett
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The cost of solar and wind power installations keeps dropping, for the most part, with occasional, temporary price rises in the solar area if silicon supplies are an issue. The following links all point to a site that offers information on practical solutions and tax rebates in different regions.
Here are a few ways you can bring solar power to your own home with the help of expert installers:
1.1kW Grid-Tied Solar Electric System
1.9kW Grid-Tied Solar Electric System
Here are a few ways to bring wind power to your home:
Air Breeze Land Wind Turbine
Skystream 3.7 Grid Tie 1.8kW Wind Power System
Here is a battery to store the clean power you generate:
Xantrex XPower 1500 W/60 AH BATTERY
I hope that you find these resources useful.
© James K. Bashkin, 2008
Technorati Tags:alternative energy, solar power, wind power, green, sustainability, clean energy, cleanteach, greentech. practical renewable energy
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Sponsored by Amnesty International and BlogCatalog. Please post about human rights on May 15!
Whether you belong to BlogCatalog (a free social network for bloggers) or not, see here for banners. My earlier statement, “It appears that you need to be a member of BlogCatalog to see the banners and badges,” has been corrected kindly by Tony in the comments. Now, with the corrected link, you should be able to access the badge of your choice and put it on your blog.
See here for Amnesty International. My banner won’t show up on WordPress.com but it shows up here.
Technorati Tags:human rights, bloggers, blogging, amnesty international, may 15 2008
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As reported in AlwaysOn, “eSolar, producer of solar power plants, is getting a huge infusion from Google.org, Oak Investment Partners and Idealab. The funding suggests green investment is undeterred by market turmoil.” The information comes from a press release, which is available as a PDF that the article links to.
This is important news. The use of solar and other clean technologies, like wind power, is lagging behind in the US vs. many European countries. We need investment to bring the latest innovations to the market in a robust way, and we need implementation of clean power on a large scale.
Original text © James K. Bashkin, 2008
Technorati Tags:alternative energy, solar energy, major investment, capital for solar energy plants, google, cleantech, green, sustainability, sustainable, esolar, oak investment partners, idealab, alwayson
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This interesting article from Popular Mechanics examines one possible route the auto industry could take in developing greener transportation options.
Mike Allen’s article says, “With few exceptions, these PHEV engineers and product planners seem to insist on one thing: The prime mover, the onboard engine (or fuel cell, or whatever), has to be powerful enough to move the car whether the batteries are charged or not. That means an engine—gasoline, diesel or E85—of 100 hp or more. That’s not only enough oomph to get to work, but enough power to really drive, chirping the tires at traffic lights, zooming onto freeway entrances and passing lollygaggers on two-lane country roads.
You know what? I think it’s time we re-examined that paradigm.”
Good thought, Mike! I heartily approve of the sentiment.
Original text © James K. Bashkin, 2008
Technorati Tags:plug-in hybris vehicles, electric cars, electric vehicles, phevs, micro-generators, popular mechanics, alternative energy, transportation, news, cars
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