Is the Chevy Volt really an electric car? | Grist

Will the Volt get the 230 miles per gallon that GM once predicted? Ah, no.

John Stossel on parenting, liberals, cap-and-trade and more

I just say that, contrary to what you read in the press, man may not have any influence on global warming. I'm not even convinced that global warming is necessarily a bad thing. But I do believe that things like driving a Prius and changing your light bulbs are tiny, essentially pointless gestures.

Siberian swans indicate a freezing winter ahead | News & Politics | News & Comment | The First Post

Fears that Britain is in for a long and bitter winter have gained credence after the early arrival of migratory birds fleeing the freezing plains of Siberia.

From Crude Awakening to Climate Camp, direct action needs a new story | Paul Morozzo | Environment | guardian.co.uk

Then came the darkness of the Copenhagen climate summit and the tragically successful intervention of the climate sceptics, starting with "climategate" and followed by the IPCC's mistake over melting Himalayan glaciers. The damage has been profound. Many in the media now feel they've "done" climate change and much coverage is skewed as credible, serous scientists are placed on an equal footing with climate sceptics in the interests of "objectivity". There is no doubt this has had a negative impact on climate activism.

Debate on meat-eating does not cut the mustard | Andy Atkins | Environment | guardian.co.uk

The health imperatives are as compelling as the environmental concerns.

High Battery Cost Curbs Electric Cars - WSJ.com

The push to get electric cars on the road is backed by governments and auto makers around the world, but they face a big hurdle: the stubbornly high cost of the giant battery packs, which can account for more than half the cost of an electric vehicle.

Both the industry and government are betting that a quick takeoff in electric-car sales will drive down the battery prices. But a number of scientists and automotive engineers believe cost reductions will be hard to come by.

Unlike with tires or toasters, battery packs aren't likely to enjoy traditional economies of scale as their makers ramp up production, the scientists and engineers say.