Anthony, you've been busy. Thanks for the readings and links.

Here's one more: a post at No Impact Man that links to the 350 project (350.org):


http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/2008/05/350-the-number.html

It quotes James Hansen: "We must begin to move now toward the era beyond fossil fuels. Continued growth of greenhouse gas emissions, for just another decade, practically eliminates the possibility of near-term return of atmospheric composition beneath the tipping level for catastrophic effects."

I've set a personal goal of using one tank of gas (12 gallons) per month in my Mini Cooper, and using a bike for as many local trips as possible, including biking to work each day, and car-pooling more often for trips that are too far to bike.

Ambivalence sets in, however, once I get to work and continue planning an event for the fall in honor of two colleagues who are retiring. It matters to have lots of people physically present to celebrate decades of work by two inspirational professors by playing music. I can imagine that for others the academic conference serves an equally important purpose. This hasn't been my experience so far.