CO2 EMISSIONS STABLE ... A key finding in a report conducted by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency shows that there was no growth in global CO2 emissions in 2009 from fossil fuel use, cement production and chemicals production for the first time since 1992. Serious? And to top it off, CO2 emissions emitted by the U.S. oil and natural gas industry dropped by more than 48 million metric tons from 2007 to 2008 thanks in part to investments in low-carbon technologies, according to a report from the American Petroleum Institute. Are you surprised? If you've been reading Greening of Oil you shouldn't be...shameless self-promotion! Check out the report, let me know what you think.

TURBINE HEALTH RISKS ...  First, it's very cool to hear that young people are getting involved in energy development issues. They may be kids now, but they'll be making decisions for us in the future. Scary perhaps, but true. One hot new topic? Wind energy. And what about it? Health risks. Intrigued? Seems “Wind Turbine Noise Syndrome” may become a bigger problem as wind farms pop up across the country. Students are developing solutions to eliminate health issues associated with wind farms erected in residential or communal areas. I think we should be prepared to be 'blown away’. Seriously, kids come up with some of the simplest, most reasonable ideas. Stay tuned. 

GREEN LEGISLATION NOT WALLET FRIENDLY? ... Kerry-Lieberman climate legislation is rustling some feathers. Shocked? Seems they're negotiating with different versions of cap-and-trade. From what I can tell the cap would be that major pollution sources (i.e. power plants, factories) would have to limit the amount of harmful gases emitted. If pollution is taxed, companies would be more likely to look for an environmentally-friendly alternative. The trade? Free but limited permits would be issued to some of these large companies. If a company has more pollution than their allotted permits allow, they can either buy or trade permits, or find a way to create clean energy. Some Republicans fear that once companies are forced to buy pollution permits, they will pass this cost to consumers and it will in effect create a national energy tax. According to a study on the bill’s effects, the American Council for Capital Formation and the National Association of Manufacturers speculate the bill will cause a $739 to $2,927 income loss to households by 2020. The study also approximates this loss would rise to $4,022 to $6,752 by 2030. How are you handling this kind of news? Any readers following this more closely, can you offer additional insight?

EARTH-FRIENDLY SWIMSUIT CALENDAR ... The greenest cheerleaders are at it again! The squad for the Philadelphia Eagles is releasing their annual "Saving the Oceans" calendar. The girls will donate 10 percent of sales to the Gulf Restoration Network, to help with the Gulf spill cleanup. Like previous years, all of the bikinis and accessories featured have some kind of sustainable element to them; like Eco Panda bikinis made from recycled nylon fishing nets as well as jewelry made completely of recycled glass bottles by designer Kathleen Plate of Smart Glass. Photos here!

DONT GET DUPED ... Going green is the hottest marketing trend on the planet right now. Unfortunately for consumers there's only a few labels that are regulated by any sort of reliable agency or organization. GreenerChoices.org, a website published by Consumers Union, evaluates green labels based on whether the labels are meaningful and verifiable; consistent from product to product; and the certifier is forthright about its motives. Some 'safe' labels worth looking for have been identified and explained by the Kansas City Star. Check them out, it's definitely worth it. We can all do our part, but that doesn't have to include throwing money at companies touting meaningless qualifications. Don’t let ‘going green’ become overly cliché!

Contact me! I am Greening of Oil’s social networker. My weekly column is posted on Greening of Oil’s Buzz and Latest news pages.

My email is mac@greeningofoil.com.