Mid-Week Thoughts

Comparing High and Low Residential Density: Life-Cycle Analysis of Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

J. Urban Plng. and Devel. 132, 10 (2006)

http://link.aip.org/link/?JUPDDM/132/10/1

Recently, I ran across an article titled: "Comparing High and Low Residential Density: Life-Cycle Analysis of Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions" What I love best about it is that it’s not written by environmentalists or urban planners. It’s published by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Much of the criticism we "progressives" get seems to come from retired engineers. I'm not sure why. Most of my family members are all engineers, yet they seem to all put up with my ideas and political views quite well. Maybe they are just being polite...

Anyway, it’s nice to finally have a paper that says what planners and environmentalist alike have been saying for years - that city living can actually be a more energy efficient and sustainable lifestyle than a sprawling suburban one. By concentrating most of our infrastructure in one area - we not only keep down on the costs of building said infrastructure - but we also are able to keep more land outside of the urban area open and undeveloped.

This leads me to another topic… the Ascension Parish Comprehensive Plan and the front page of The Advocate (“Growing Pains in Ascension, July 25th). Do me a favor, and read this article closely. I’ll be commenting on that whopper soon.

Off to tame the wild rug rats upstairs and make them go to bed. Before I go, here is your parting thought for the day: “Minds are like parachutes. They only work when they are open.”

Goodnight!
Ann

4 Things You Didn't Know You Could Recycle

1. Computer and Electronics: The closest electronic recycling locating to Ascension Parish is the Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council or CACRC.
2. Ink/toner cartridges: http://www.recycleplace.com/
3. Oil: Find used motor oil hot line for each state: http://www.recycleoil.org/
4. Phones: Collective Good will refurbish your phone and sell it to someone in a developing country: http://www.collectivegood.com/ Also, try "Call to Protect". They reprogram cell phones to dial 911 and give them to domestic violence victims: http://www.donatephone.com/

Source: http://www.greenamericatoday.org/

Insight into the minds of "nay-sayers"

Ever gone to a public meeting armed with iron-clad facts that you believed no logical human could dispute only to find your opposition digging their feet into the ground even deeper and refusing to listen to reason? If so, check out this article.

How Facts Backfire

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/07/11/how_facts_backfire/