Volvo and Honda are entering the electric automobile market in China.  This is really not a surprise with both companies now having significant roots in China.  Many companies entering the Chinese Green markets are doing so in anticipation of significant government subsidies and tax credits.  Sadly Spain is considering retroactively eliminating many of the green subsidies they were providing Companies which ultimately most likely will not be the factor that saves their economy.  More likely it will ensure they fall well beyond the rest of the EU in Green Technology ensuring ultimate economic deterioration.  There is a growing move for regulation or transparency of the derivatives market especially for the developing Carbon Credit futures market.  As the Kyoto Protocol has lost some momentum and the Copenhagen Summit failed to produce any measureable results, a new face in Green international politics has emerged.  Brazil hosted a recent Green Summit with a measureable level of success.  It seems that some of the developing nations with the most to lose and a younger average demographic may actually emerge as leaders in the reduction of Carbon emissions.   The politicians in these companies have to actually enact legislation that seeks to improve conditions or they certainly will be forced out of office.  We seem to punish political ambition and change to the status quo in the US.  Clearly the lobbyists firmly control Washington so we certainly are never surprised.  Obama actually is attempting to institute reform which has unfortunately not always been the healthiest course of action for US Presidents Historically.

In unrelated news, Australian Marine Biologists concluded a study on Whales.  Specifically, they determined that whale poop decreases CO2 levels in the atmosphere and helps balance the Oceans ecology.  It would seem you would need a great deal of whale excrement to make any substantial impact and we were under the impression that whales are on the endangered species list.  The Oceans are rather scary in reality as pollution levels sky rocket and fishing stocks are decimated.  This troubles us greatly as we love to surf and blue water fish.  In fact there is a good swell currently and we will be paddling out soon in the midst of bacteria warnings as the recent rain washes all kinds of lovely refuse out of storm drains into the ocean.  The only upside of this is not having to go for yearly flu shots as you tend to be exposed to most of the germs out there while in the water. 

Sustainability is an amazing concept.  We have seen the most amazing projects in Central America and Hawaii two of our favorite destinations.  Many additional islands are following suit as it is often less expensive to “Go Green” than to continue importing materials to use for energy and fuel.  Wind, solar and even wave generated power are leading the way though biodiesel is gaining some traction as an alternative to importing diesel.  We noticed that the communities already existing in more cooperative relationship with nature seem more adaptable to adopting a “Green Lifestyle.”