“As prices peaked, oil consumption fell by 6 percent in July to its lowest level in five years, while the number of miles driven dropped the most since 1979, according the latest statistics from the Federal Highway Administration. For industrialized countries, which account for about 60 percent of global oil demand, consumption could fall by 1.3 million barrels a day this year, the steepest decline since 1982, according to analysts at Bernstein Research. That would more than offset the growth in consumption from developing nations like China, the analysts said.

“A study of the 1980s reaffirms our pessimism about oil demand in 2008 and 2009,” the Bernstein analysts said in a recent research note. “Recent data suggests we may finally be reaching the point of negative demand.”

Falling oil prices are “equivalent to a new stimulus package for consumers”…

Does anyone really believe that oil will stay down long term? If higher prices mean a real change in how much oil we use, then long term they will help. Right now, economically, I’m glad they’re down a bit.

Despite an unusually cool summer in southern California there has been a drastic upturn in the average number of very hot days during the past few years with more to come.

Microwaves can be used to turn bio waste like wood chips into charcoal, effectively sequestering their carbon. The charcoal can be used as fertilizer and for filtering. Burning it would just release all the carbon- yes, those of us who prefer charcoal grilling are dumping carbon straight into the atmosphere!

Sarah Palin apparently believes dinosaurs and men co-existed on earth at the same time: She has seen pictures of man’s footprints in dinosaur fossils. Sarah, there’s this thing called Photoshop…

Vinod Khosla has found a company that harvests excess heat from solar collectors and improves their total energy output by 50-100%, a huge gain that makes even regular panels financially viable.

Going to try Kottke style…

Simple device increases diesel engine efficiency by 19% for less than $200.

We’re trading carbon credits in NY now. Going for $3.07 per ton….