Driveway sealant toxic

Not only does the black coal tar sealant used for driveways produce carcinogenic dust, but there is no proof that it increases the longevity of the asphalt underneath.  Vacuuming habits seem to make no difference in the concentration of toxic dust inside the house.  Already banned in some US cities.

From nature.com news, 11 January 2010:

Driveways could spread toxins into the home

Carcinogens in coal tar–sealed pavements cause worry.

Easter Island’s End

One of my favorite essays by Jared Diamond on societal collapse on Easter Island.  From Discover magazine, August 1, 1995:

Easter’s End

In just a few centuries, the people of Easter Island wiped out their forest, drove their plants and animals to extinction, and saw their complex society spiral into chaos and cannibalism. Are we about to follow their lead?

by Jared Diamond

Jared Diamond on the environment

An essay by Jared Diamond, from Time magazine, August 26, 2oo2:

Lessons from Lost Worlds

By Jared Diamond

Drillusion

New word!

Drillusion:  “The thought that allocating more real estate for oil exploration is wrong on every conceivable level.” — jgl

Insulate

This is a no-brainer — insulating your home will save you money AND help reduce carbon emissions. Nansulate is a new insulating paint that can make this an easy and relatively inexpensive project. This is their home page:

http://www.nansulate.com/

Article from a home improvement magazine:

http://www.nansulate.com/pdf/midstate_HomeImprovement_winter07.pdf

They have a new “one-room-at-a-time” campaign to save you even more:

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080527/20080527005620.html?.v=1

The beauty of the paint is that it also resists mold and covers lead paint in older homes. I’ve checked out their safety, and it looks good too. I am also thinking of using their metal-paint-product to insulate the exposed plumbing in my basement.