Articles written by Erik Markusson - Page 2

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About me - Erik Markusson

I'm 41 and live in Evergreen, CO. I've been blogging since 2005. The primary issues I like to write about are global warming, alternative energy, over fishing, and the stem cell ban.

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Politics, News & Issues > Conservation The environmental consequences of increasing US traffic delays: How a change in driving behavior and technology can achieve change: 1 of 1
Traffic congestion in the US is continuing to worsen. According to a Texas Traffic Institute study in 2005 people in the US lost 4.2 billion hours to traffic delays which is up 200 million from 2004. In other words an individual spent an average of 38 hours or roughly a week every year stuck in traffic. Of the 85 metro areas ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Elections Archives US election 2008: Comparing Clinton and Obama's support base: 1 of 1
Within the Democratic Party, Barack Obama does very well with voters 45 and younger, both men and women. Many of these voters are new voters. Hillary Clinton is favored by the working class, the traditional base of the Democratic Party. She's also strong with older white women voters. Along racial lines Obama does better with... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Energy Issues US Senate's new energy bill: Is it the answer?: 1 of 1
The 2007 Senate energy bill is the answer in the sense that it's better than what we have now. It's most beneficial aspect is the raising of CAFE standards for the first time since 1975, which was long overdue. The current 27.5MPG for cars 22.2 for SUVs and trucks isn't any better than it was in mid 1980's. Leaving it up to D... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Energy Issues Is DMF a green alternative to ethanol: 1 of 1
Researchers led by James Dumesic at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have produced 2,5 dimethylfuran (DMF), a potential new transportation fuel. Currently it hasn't been produced commercially and the environmental impacts of DMF are largely unknown. Since this process begins with fructose the same materials that are used t... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Energy Issues How green architecture can impact energy consumption: 4 of 7
A "zero energy home" technically isn't green architecture because this home doesn't necessarily use green materials. These type of homes produce more energy than it uses. But, they can be considered "green" in the sense that they use alternative energy sources and significant conservation measures.One of the most comprehensiv... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics in Africa Reflections: Kenya's post-election week of violence: 3 of 5
The violence which occurred after the December 27th presidential elections between Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga resulted in the death 1000 people and an estimated 300,000 people displaced according to the Norwegian Refuge Council. It was initiated by irregularities in the election. The violence had a ethnic and tribal aspect.... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Conservation The dire consequences of wetland destruction: 2 of 3
Wetlands are crucial for wildlife habitat and the protection of people and their property. Thus we need to stop draining the wetlands before they're gone. There will be dire consequences if we don't.When wetlands are drained a habitat for wildlife is lost. Many animals need them to survive and can't live anywhere else. Thus s... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Energy Issues Should Americans be forced to use public transportation?: 22 of 30
It's a good idea to encourage and offer incentives to Americans to use public transportation. But we shouldn't be forced to use it. For one thing not all Americans have access to public transportation especially in rural areas. I know that in Evergreen, which is 30 miles west of Denver there are only a limited number of bus r... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Trash & Recycling Nuclear and radioactive waste disposal: 8 of 9
Nuclear energy is environmentally friendly except for the massive amounts of radioactive waste. The fast-neutron-reactor addresses this issue. A fast-neutron reactor produces only one percent of the waste as does a thermal reactor. Therefore, we wouldn't have to dispose of as much waste. On top of that the waste produced is l... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Environmental Awareness Which is a more cost-effective and equitable way to bring down carbon emissions: A "cap and trade" program or a carbon tax?: 2 of 2
A crucial part in the effort to reduce carbon emissions is putting a price on those emissions. This is the only way to provide economic incentives for this reduction. Economic incentives are more effective than any other kind of incentives. Putting a price on carbon emissions could be done through either a cap-and-trade sy... More..