Carbon Credits - The New Coal?

So, being in an environmental studies program (at least for the next day, then I graduate!) we talk about all sorts of things environmental. Some of it is rather mundane, such as conserving energy (which most of us have learned), to rather interesting ones such as carbon credits.

Carbon credits are a newer system for controlling air pollution. There are only a set amount of credits for every business in the whole world, and every business was originally alloted a certain number of credits which allow them to emit carbon up to the credits that they own (so relate it to a gift certificate, and you can only spend what you have on the card. Same deal). However, if you're an environmentally concious business, such as New Belguim Brewery, then you may not need all those carbon credits and can sell them. Carbon credits are traded much like shares on a stock market, and there will never be any more carbon credits than there are right now. As there are more businesses every year, you can see how their value is going up.

How effective will this be in controllling pollution worldwide? I have no idea, because if I were a large corporate company set out on making money; I simply wouldn't play the game. But. . .it's an interesting gift idea that was on my wish list. Should you have someone on your gift list that you may not particularly love, buy them a carbon credit and stuff it in their stocking. You're helping the environment, and it's a coal by-product. Too clever by half!

The oddness of Brussel Sprouts

Today I write about a strange subject for such a season. Brussel sprouts.

It was my original intention to have a vibrant vegetable container garden spilling forth from the third floor of my apartment, but apartment and gardening is a tricky combo, especially with vegetables. While my flowers thrived, my vegetables were less than thrilled with this strange existence, and one by one they gave up the ghost. All except for three little brussel sprouts, who, like all the other vegetables were raised from seeds, given the same loving care as the cucumbers, the peas, and the tomatoes. I was curious about brussel sprouts, not opposed to eating them, and had heard that they were a strange plant to grow in appearance and habit. I had hoped that by growing them perhaps some of the mystery would be revealed, but alas, I am more enamored and confused by them now than I ever was previously!

Upon first inspection, aside from their unwillingness to die like their other vegetable cousins, these sprouts were like many others I had seen, and I gave them their own pot. Throughout the summer, I watered and fertilized them with my other plants, expecting to see the one stalk that would show me that brussles were on their way for my dining pleasure. All summer long those three little plants thrived, alert and spunky when my petunias were drooping from the heat, crisp and cheerful when the rest of the plants were being nipped by frost in the fall. But once they each reached a certain height, there was no more growth to be seen. New leaves came and went, but the height remained the same and no signs of any brussels. Fall came and went and killed all of my flowers, so I took all the pots in, but the brussel family was still cheerfully alive, so I left that pot out on the balcony, thinking in a few more weeks it would be dead.

A few more weeks came and went and with the impending snows I was sure the brussels would be killed. My assumptions were proved wrong however as after each snowstorm, the little plants bounced back. Last week we had a severe cold snap that sent our temperatures plummeting into the negatives. This, surely would kill my brussels. Any yet though they drooped a bit at that last weapon of nature, this week they are perking up again, the only green thing to be see (Aside from Christmas Trees) for quite a ways!

So I thought I'd take a picture of my three brave stalks to share with you all, for while I still have yet to see any sign of edible vegetables, I've admired their tenacity and will to live!

I'll have to agree with people on brussel sprouts, they are a most strange little plant. :)

Back and Better than Ever

Hi All,

Well it's been nearly a year since my last post. With my senior year of school and such, I backed way off anything that didn't involve homework in my spare time. My apologies to all, but the good news is that I graduate this Saturday (the 17th) and now have the time to get back into doing this. So, I'll be reconnecting with those that used to comment and beginning to get some new stories lined up about what's been happening these past few months. Thanks for being patient, I look forward to reading all your blogs again!

~Christa