Climate Change Jumpers

It was fitting that New York hosted the recent UN climate change summit for several reasons. Let’s start with the old joke about the guy who jumps off the Empire State Building and, as he passes the 50th floor on this way down, is heard to say “so far so good.” But the pavement, that is looming larger by the minute to our clueless friend, is about to smack all of us in the face.

Divest or Double Down

Thank goodness the graduation season is finally over. I witnessed pomp and circumstance at prep schools from Orlando to the Napa Valley and at colleges from Los Angeles to the Ivy League. The surprising topic at all of these cap-and-gown fests? Endowments divesting their holdings in fossil fuel companies.

Climate Change Cowards

Overheard at the water cooler this week:

Tom: Sally, did you know we can solve climate change for as little as $35 per person?

Sally: I’m afraid that’s a waste of my money, Tom.

Snakebit Supply Chains

Ever hear of a reality show called “Snake Salvation?” 

Me neither, until one of the serpent-handling co-stars was bit last month by a snake during a church service and later died. 

How to Have a Very Happy New Year

As the confetti is swept away and the world gets back to work, will 2014 be a banner year or will we be singing that “old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind” a year from now? 

The Digital Life

Inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil predicts that before mid-century the exponential acceleration of information technologies, robotics, medical science, and artificial intelligence will result in a “singularity”, a point at which humans will essentially merge with their technology. 
 

Hug a Government Worker Day

Ten years ago this week, Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor of California and he appointed me to be the Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency.