Washington State University researchers recently completed a study concluding that consumption patterns, and human population growth, are the principal factors underlying our species' impact on the planet's ecology. Driving the Human Ecological Footprint, by Thomas Dietz, Eugene A. Rosa, and Richard York, puts the spotlight on population growth and affluence as the principle factors driving the growth in human-caused environmental stressors.

This comparative analysis shows that population size and affluence are the principal drivers of anthropogenic environmental stressors, while other widely postulated drivers (e.g. urbanization, economic structure, age distribution) have little effect. Similarly, increased education and life expectancy do not increase environmental stressors, suggesting that some aspects of human well-being can be improved with minimal environmental impact. Projecting to 2015, we suggest that increases in population and affluence will likely expand human impact on the environment by over one-third. Countering these driving forces would require increases in the efficiency of resource use of about 2% per year. More >

Hat tip: EnergyBulletin.net

Eleven of the warmest years of the past one hundred and fifty seven years have occurred in the past thirteen years, reports the BBC from the Bali climate change conference. 2007 placed among the top ten years despite the an overall cooling influence this year resulting from La Nina conditions.

Warmest 10 Years
1998     0.52C
2005     0.48C
2003     0.46C
2002     0.46C
2004     0.43C
2006     0.42C
2007     0.41C*
2001     0.40C
1997     0.36C
1995     0.28C

* provisional

In related news, at the Bali international climate change conference wrapping up today our country was awarded a record number of Fossil of the Day awards, an unwanted distinction doled out to those countries most seen as obstructing progress in climate change negotiations.

What a performance for Conservative Environment Minister John Baird, the all-blather no action minister and Stephen "Hot Air" Harper.

As of Tuesday, we'll bring to an end our decades-old relationship with Telus. There'll no longer be a POTS (Plain old telephone system) line (with its defacto negative option billing) hooked up to our home and office.

Why? Simply put, there is better value, and service, elsewhere.