I’m going on Fox Business tonight to talk about global warming, and it will be an interesting chance to talk about current events. We’re entering a critical period of climate negotiations, and the chances for serious discussions at the global COP15 forum next month in Copenhagen were probably set back this week by a skeptical computer hacker.

The politically minded raider penetrated the server security at the well-connected Climate Research Unit (CRU) of the University of East Anglia in England and dragged out a treasure trove of 160 megabytes of email and documents. Was there a smoking gun? Probably not, but I’m sure the hacker yelled “Eureka!” when he came across a piece of 1999 correspondence from Phil Jones, director of the unit.

In what some took as evidence that a scientist was jumping into the politics of global warming with both feet, Jones wrote that he used a “trick” to “hide the decline” in world temperatures. When that made headlines, Jones declared that any idea that he would manipulate data is “complete rubbish.”

The university was drawn in, and declared on its website, “There is nothing in the stolen material which indicates that peer-reviewed publications by CRU, and others, on the nature of global warming and related climate change are not of the highest-quality of scientific investigation and interpretation. CRU’s peer-reviewed publications are consistent with, and have contributed to, the overwhelming scientific consensus that the climate is being strongly influenced by human activity.”

Jones declared himself to be “a very apolitical person,” who is “happier doing the science and producing the papers.” Jones said he used the phrase “hiding the decline” in “an email written in haste.” He charged that the email disclosure “may be a concerted attempt to put a question mark over the science of climate change in the run-up to the Copenhagen talks.” But Jones didn’t say why he used the word “trick,” and his explanation didn’t quiet the calls for his resignation.

Guardian columnist Mark Lynas, author of Six Degrees, dismisses as “absurd” and “laughable” the idea of scientists colluding with government to foist an unworkable global warming theory on a gullible public. “None of this would matter if the public weren’t fooled,” he wrote. “But they are: Polls show climate ‘skepticism’ is rising, perhaps even to a majority position, on both sides of the Atlantic.”

I’m going on Fox Business tonight to talk about global warming, and it will be an interesting chance to talk about current events. We’re entering a critical period of climate negotiations, and the chances for serious discussions at the global COP15 forum next month in Copenhagen were probably set back this week by a skeptical computer hacker.

The politically minded raider penetrated the server security at the well-connected Climate Research Unit (CRU) of the University of East Anglia in England and dragged out a treasure trove of 160 megabytes of email and documents. Was there a smoking gun? Probably not, but I’m sure the hacker yelled “Eureka!” when he came across a piece of 1999 correspondence from Phil Jones, director of the unit.

In what some took as evidence that a scientist was jumping into the politics of global warming with both feet, Jones wrote that he used a “trick” to “hide the decline” in world temperatures. When that made headlines, Jones declared that any idea that he would manipulate data is “complete rubbish.”

The university was drawn in, and declared on its website, “There is nothing in the stolen material which indicates that peer-reviewed publications by CRU, and others, on the nature of global warming and related climate change are not of the highest-quality of scientific investigation and interpretation. CRU’s peer-reviewed publications are consistent with, and have contributed to, the overwhelming scientific consensus that the climate is being strongly influenced by human activity.”

Jones declared himself to be “a very apolitical person,” who is “happier doing the science and producing the papers.” Jones said he used the phrase “hiding the decline” in “an email written in haste.” He charged that the email disclosure “may be a concerted attempt to put a question mark over the science of climate change in the run-up to the Copenhagen talks.” But Jones didn’t say why he used the word “trick,” and his explanation didn’t quiet the calls for his resignation.

Guardian columnist Mark Lynas, author of Six Degrees, dismisses as “absurd” and “laughable” the idea of scientists colluding with government to foist an unworkable global warming theory on a gullible public. “None of this would matter if the public weren’t fooled,” he wrote. “But they are: Polls show climate ‘skepticism’ is rising, perhaps even to a majority position, on both sides of the Atlantic.”

While many people think of bras primarily as functional clothing, apparently they can also be vehicles for high fashion. Or at least fashion that would make even Jacob the Jeweler blush. Black Book did some clever accounting of just how much good will some of the hottest celebrity bras could do, and the results are shocking.

That $5 million black diamond fantasy miracle bra, for instance, could feed 100,000 starving African children for a year, pay for 1,333,333 efficient light bulbs, plant 714,285 apple trees through the Arbor Day Foundation or buy 263 hybrid cars. One note: while the colorful charts list the efficient light bulbs as “LEDs,” they look like CFLs, and at $3.75 each are more likely the cheaper technology. Still, we get the idea!

It’s not easy to think of more outlandish symbols of consumption ran rampant than jewel-encrused under garments!

While many people think of bras primarily as functional clothing, apparently they can also be vehicles for high fashion. Or at least fashion that would make even Jacob the Jeweler blush. Black Book did some clever accounting of just how much good will some of the hottest celebrity bras could do, and the results are shocking.

That $5 million black diamond fantasy miracle bra, for instance, could feed 100,000 starving African children for a year, pay for 1,333,333 efficient light bulbs, plant 714,285 apple trees through the Arbor Day Foundation or buy 263 hybrid cars. One note: while the colorful charts list the efficient light bulbs as “LEDs,” they look like CFLs, and at $3.75 each are more likely the cheaper technology. Still, we get the idea!

It’s not easy to think of more outlandish symbols of consumption ran rampant than jewel-encrused under garments!

Normally this organic mom steers clear of the vaccine debate. We skirted it in The Complete Organic Pregnancy on purpose – parents need to discuss the issues (real and less real) with their doctors and trusted advisers, and to make educated decisions that are right for their families. That’s what I do. But what’s right for me might not be right for you.

I cannot tell you how many emails I’ve gotten in the past few weeks asking me what to do about the H1N1 vaccine, and I don’t feel like I can ignore them all. These are from pregnant moms, parents, and even concerned grandparents from all walks of life. These are people who have never given their kids shots, people who have delayed vaccinations and never done flu shots, people who do give shots for deadly diseases but tend to think of flu shots as unnecessary. It’s a real conundrum. And it’s made that much worse by the media hype and misinformation. There’s even a pediatrician in my neighborhood telling parents there’s something in the H1N1 shot that has been linked to Gulf War Syndrome, and that we therefore don’t know what might show up years down the line. The parent spreading that story didn’t bother to ask what it was, or to see the studies her doctor was referring to, but was busily repeating it others, scaring/horrifying them. After a little independent research, I gather the doctor was referring to squalene, which isn’t, as of this moment, allowed in vaccines in the United States and so isn’t even an issue here….

Normally this organic mom steers clear of the vaccine debate. We skirted it in The Complete Organic Pregnancy on purpose – parents need to discuss the issues (real and less real) with their doctors and trusted advisers, and to make educated decisions that are right for their families. That’s what I do. But what’s right for me might not be right for you.

I cannot tell you how many emails I’ve gotten in the past few weeks asking me what to do about the H1N1 vaccine, and I don’t feel like I can ignore them all. These are from pregnant moms, parents, and even concerned grandparents from all walks of life. These are people who have never given their kids shots, people who have delayed vaccinations and never done flu shots, people who do give shots for deadly diseases but tend to think of flu shots as unnecessary. It’s a real conundrum. And it’s made that much worse by the media hype and misinformation. There’s even a pediatrician in my neighborhood telling parents there’s something in the H1N1 shot that has been linked to Gulf War Syndrome, and that we therefore don’t know what might show up years down the line. The parent spreading that story didn’t bother to ask what it was, or to see the studies her doctor was referring to, but was busily repeating it others, scaring/horrifying them. After a little independent research, I gather the doctor was referring to squalene, which isn’t, as of this moment, allowed in vaccines in the United States and so isn’t even an issue here….

I was invited to speak at the Green Is: Digital networking and conference event in NYC this December 5th at 1 pm. I’ll be talking about “Socializing Green Media”: Learn how to more effectively use social media to start conversations in the environmental space. I’ll be sharing some of my experiences here with URTH Guy and The Daily Green, as well as in the larger environmental and digital space.

The laid back, salon-style event will take place at the lovely, comfortable Meet at the Apartment space in downtown New York City, at 101 Crosby Street. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door (ticketing info). Event founder Virginia Chu describes it:

“Green Is: started with the simple idea that sustainability can be accessible to all. But it has to be economically feasible to provide a win-win situation for both consumers and businesses alike. Green Is: Digital hopes to facilitate that concept by showcasing experts in the green digital space who will share strategies, tactics and case studies to address the challenges of staying green and profitable. Whether it is business or personal, you will walk away with a better understanding on how certain business best practices can affect your sustainable bottom line.

“We love for you to join us for the whole day or even part of the day. The idea is to get people to learn, network and perhaps even collaborate after. Our salon style event is an informal but professional opportunity to hear speakers who will speak on topics such as building social media communities, trends and successful digital marketing strategies for your business, greening your technology, and the benefits of going paperless.”

I hope to see you there! Also let me know in the comments below what I should talk about!

I was invited to speak at the Green Is: Digital networking and conference event in NYC this December 5th at 1 pm. I’ll be talking about “Socializing Green Media”: Learn how to more effectively use social media to start conversations in the environmental space. I’ll be sharing some of my experiences here with URTH Guy and The Daily Green, as well as in the larger environmental and digital space.

The laid back, salon-style event will take place at the lovely, comfortable Meet at the Apartment space in downtown New York City, at 101 Crosby Street. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door (ticketing info). Event founder Virginia Chu describes it:

“Green Is: started with the simple idea that sustainability can be accessible to all. But it has to be economically feasible to provide a win-win situation for both consumers and businesses alike. Green Is: Digital hopes to facilitate that concept by showcasing experts in the green digital space who will share strategies, tactics and case studies to address the challenges of staying green and profitable. Whether it is business or personal, you will walk away with a better understanding on how certain business best practices can affect your sustainable bottom line.

“We love for you to join us for the whole day or even part of the day. The idea is to get people to learn, network and perhaps even collaborate after. Our salon style event is an informal but professional opportunity to hear speakers who will speak on topics such as building social media communities, trends and successful digital marketing strategies for your business, greening your technology, and the benefits of going paperless.”

I hope to see you there! Also let me know in the comments below what I should talk about!