Earth Talk | How does geothermal work?

Roddy Scheer

Dear EarthTalk: How are heating, cooling and electricity produced by geothermal energy? I don’t understand how it works. – Delano Stewart, Wyandanch, N.Y. The term “geothermal” is derived from the Greek words for Earth (geo) and heat (therme). In essence geothermal energy is power harnessed from the Earth itself. Heat from the Earth’s core, which…

An open letter to Gov. Kaine

Chris Graham

Dear Gov. Kaine, As your term as governor comes to an end, the focus in Virginia turns to the election to select your successor. As you reminisce on your achievements as governor of Virginia, you will find that you earned a rightful place in the history of Virginia as a overnor who has left a…

Hector Garcia | An American renaissance for the new millennium

Contributors

The financial, economic and environmental crises are alarm signals to the world, and particularly to us in the U.S. Acting on the basis of a fragmented worldview while globalization magnified and quickened that worldview’s effects, we rushed into unsustainable and destructive practices. On the other hand, we now have an opportunity to build the foundation…

Press Briefing | Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

Chris Graham

Monday, Oct. 19 Press Secretary Robert Gibbs is joined in the press briefing by Dr. Jared Bernstei, deputy assistant to the president on economic policy, and Melody Barnes, director of the Domestic Policy Council. MR. GIBBS: Good after – or good morning, I should say. Sorry, I’m used to doing this in the afternoon. Before…

Earth Talk | Facts on rain forests

Roddy Scheer

Dear EarthTalk: Do you have current facts and figures about how much rainforest is being destroyed each day around the world, and for what purpose(s)? – Teri, via e-mail Pinning down exact numbers is nearly impossible, but most experts agree that we are losing upwards of 80,000 acres of tropical rainforest daily, and significantly degrading…

Stimulus to aid school-construction bond pool

Chris Graham

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced the availability of $119 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act bond authorizations for local school divisions to finance energy-efficiency improvements and renovations, as well as renewable-energy projects for public-school buildings. Projects will be financed through the Qualified School Construction Bond program, and will be selected through a competitive…