Between A Rock and A Hard Place: The Planetary Patient

Mike Magee Thirty six years ago, our then President, Jimmy Carter, spoke directly to the American people about governance and energy independence in a speech titled, “Crisis of Confidence” – a speech derisively labeled “The Malaise Speech” by his then Republican Presidential opponent, Ronald Reagan. Putting aside the fact that Carter never used the word […]

The Planetary Patient “Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrDVzbeDzRk source:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrDVzbeDzRk Mike Magee Hugh Jackman in 1998, in the film version of the Broadway classic, Oklahoma, sings “We know we belong to the land, and the land we belong to is grand….you’re doing fine Oklahoma, Oklahoma OK.” But as this week’s The New Yorker article, Weather Underground, suggests, not so much these days. Okie […]

The Planetary Patient: A China Update

Eight years ago, I wrote about a range of ecological issues impacting water policy in China. It seemed as if unintended consequences were coming about at every turn. Two examples I mentioned at that time had to do with the Three Gorges Dam and the diversion of the Shiyang River. Most are still aware of […]

Methane, Fracking and Iran – Mitigating Risk.

Mike Magee Things are shifting in the Middle East. That’s undeniable. And if want to know why, follow the money – or more accurately, the energy. In front of our noses, there’s a wholesale shift going on, away from oil and toward natural gas delivered through technology driven fracking and horizontal drilling. The geopolitical fallout […]

Avoiding PERC (and your Dry Cleaner) – A Win, Win, Win.

Mike Magee Looking for a win, win, win? What about something that will save you money, protect our environment, and protect human health. Let’s talk dry cleaners.(1) First, let me say, I can afford to go to a dry cleaner, although I don’t have as much need for them as I once did. But the […]

The Impact of Global Warming On Health: An Endless Summer Ahead?

Mike Magee In 2009 President Obama joined other global leaders in New York City for the Opening Session of the UN. One of the transboundary issues discussed was Global Warming. All agreed that the Kyoto Protocol had failed. It failed because the target to decrease emissions by some 5% was too low. It failed because […]

What is a “Reasonable Risk”? Human Health and the BP Oil Spill

Mike Magee On Tuesday, June 22, 2010, the IOM will convene a two day conference at the request of HHS Secretary Sebelius titled: Assessing the Human Health Effects of the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill. According to the IOM, “During the first day’s sessions, speakers and panelists will discuss the potential adverse health effects for humans […]

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