Environmental projects have Middle East kingdoms aiming high

Couple of interesting environmental stories originating from the Middle East that I stumbled across in the Financial Times today:

Abu Dhabi is better know for over-the-top extravagance fueled by the fact it controls about 8 percent of the world's oil reserves. It's raising the bar for skyscraper construction and in building attractions that will draw tourists around the world. But the country's leaders -- like those of neighboring Dubai -- recognize that oil will run out sometime, which is why they're trying to become tourist or financial centers. It's also why Abu Dhabi is spending $22 billion on an "eco-city" for 50,000 people called Masdar that is, as FT says, "breathtakingly ambitious." The goal is for the city to have a zero-carbon emission footprint, which means they'll need to produce their own energy and recycle the waste. Some really interesting urban-planning strategies are planned, including limits on wide and long streets, which contribute to wind speed and heat. Based on the impressive speed and scope with which Abu Dhabi has reshaped itself over the last 10 years, I wouldn't dismiss this undertaking as pie-in-the-sky sci-fi stuff.

Qatar Airlines on Monday made the first-ever scheduled airline flight with paying passengers with a jet powered by natural gas. This is cool, and opens up options for new fuel streams and more environmentally friendly travel. The story, however,  includes debate about the degree of environmental benefit natural gas has over oil. I had thought natural gas had a clear edge. Even if it's a push, natural gas opens up new possibilities in R&D that over the long haul should improve air travel. It's always a good thing when an industry can wean itself from a sole source.
NOTE: FT is a paid site, but the story links should be good for a week
 

Water conservation needs to be taken seriously

Good read in today's Wall Street Journal (here's a FREE version of story good for seven days) that highlights the seriousness of water shortages in the West. The story examines a Colorado housing development that is attempting to gain approval by ensuring regulators it will require homeowners to live within pre-determined "water budgets" that are at least half that in surrounding developments.

We as a society continue to build and build and build larger and larger homes, but with droughts magnifying existing water shortages, we simply have to get smarter about what a "dream home" of the future looks like. That will require sacrifices on what's really important in our quality of life

Water- and energy-efficient appliances are great, but we've got to tackle the issue of whether we really need large yards covered with immaculate gree grass and water-intensive landscaping. This story points out that in the West, up to 70 percent of a household's water consumption goes to "outdoor irrigation" vs. the U.S. average of 32 percent.If you go back East, many homes are filled with natural grass and dandilions. Pools remain a luxury in many places.

I can understand why skeptics question whether the developer in this Colorado case is serious about requiring homeowners to live within water budgets (the issue came up recently in our own backyard with the heated discussion over Tejon Mountain Village, which was approved despite concerns about water-supply projections). But at least it's a first step toward recognizing that we have a serious problem on our hands.

We may actually be at a tipping point in California when it comes to the expectation finely manicured lawns without a hint of brown or weeds are a right, not a privilege.  Trust me, it's not going to be too long before we have major restrictions on home water use in California followed by a big push toward xeroscapes (drought-tolerant gardens). It's already starting to take root in cities on the coast, like Santa Barbara, that seem to be mired in ongoing droughtlike conditions.

The Shazam kicks

I've been so busy that I've let slide listening to a bunch of tunes from The Shazam that I bought way back in August.

Back in July, Bruce Brodeen at Not Lame Records (if you love music, follow his Tweets) tossed together a nice $22 deal: the new Shazam CD "Meteor" + a "Best of The Shazam" CD-R + "Here's To All The Misfits ...,"
an EP of unreleased rarities. Even in these days of cut-price music, that's a great deal.

I got right on the new disc, "Meteor," which is something of a comeback after six years off. It's excellent power pop that can stand on its own. But it's the two discs that Bruce threw in to good customers that are primo. Sadly, it's taken me two months to really immerse myself it these songs. The best-of is just that -- top to bottom excellence. The EP gives you a glimpse at the influences behind their sound (stuff like The Move and The Who").

If you're a fan of bands like Cheap Trick, Badfinger and Material Issue, you'll love The Shazam. This is music that sounds great loud, particularly in a car racing down the highway with the windows down.

You can sample the sounds at the band's MySpace page or buy them directly from the band's site or from NotLame (unfortunately the bonus discs were only for those who pre-ordered). The good thing about ordering from NotLame is that you never know when Bruce is going to toss something extra in your order just for the hell of it (he once sent me a CD-R of obscure Swedish power pop that's amazingly good). That serendipity is why NotLame has been able to build a business around power pop, a pretty narrow musical niche.