Free Republic

Weaponry systems in Ukraine, many of which were supplied by European countries, have been rendered unworkable, not due to Russian interference, but because of damage caused by mice and other rodents. Seemingly, these creatures have developed a preference for cable insulation made of corn fiber over synthetic materials. This predilection leads to malfunctioning electrical installations, rendering the expensive equipment essentially worthless, and requiring rapid overhauling. Mice and rats have become a bane on the frontline for both Ukrainian and Russian forces, with these rodents capable of nesting almost anywhere, even in the exhaust systems of armored vehicles. The disadvantage of...

Paper drinking straws touted as eco-friendly alternatives to plastic may contain cancer-linked “forever chemicals,” a new study has found. Scientists detected per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) in the majority of straws they tested — with paper and bamboo-based straws ranking among the worst offenders, according to the study, published on Thursday in Food Additives and Contaminants. Known for their nonstick and waterproof properties, PFAS are common ingredients in a variety of household products, including certain cookware, food packaging, all-weather apparel and cosmetics.

Al Gore has been accused of hypocrisy for talking the talk on climate change despite burning through fossil fuels at a rapid clip, but it turns out he’s not alone. A study by Cornell and the University of Michigan researchers found that those “highly concerned” about climate change were less likely to engage in recycling and other eco-friendly behaviors than global-warming skeptics. Published in the April edition of the Journal of Environmental Psychology, the one-year study broke 600 participants into three groups based on their level of concern about climate change: “highly concerned,” “cautiously worried,” and “skeptical.” The “highly concerned”...

The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System located near the California-Nevada border, burst into flames when some of the thousands of mirrors that focus sunlight on water towers became misalinged and started an electrical cable fire. The plant was built with a $1.6 billion taxpayer guaranteed loan and is run by a consortium of companies that include BrightSource Energy, NRG Energy and Google. Associated Press: Firefighters had to climb some 300 feet up a boiler tower at the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in California after fire was reported on an upper level around 9:30 a.m., fire officials said. The plant...

Dee Williams built her 84-square-foot home to stand just shy of 14 feet tall and 9 feet wide.

It was the first New World Festival of Eco-Friendly Science and Technology and quite possibly the last. The event near the beach in Santa Monica, which had been scheduled to run through Sunday, was shut down abruptly Saturday afternoon. Its website had promised robots, a petting zoo, six stages of live music and more than 150 exhibits. But the gathering on Saturday looked more like a medium-sized, eco-friendly farmers market. Howard Mauskopf, the festival's organizer, said he needed to shut down because so few people had shown up. "We're in a position where we don't have the financial ability to...

Good thing there's a propellor on the helment, because considering they're for protection against head injuries, I'm not quite sure why he'd need it.

If you're in the market for a new car, you may have a new tool at your disposal to help you decide-- depending on where you live. Vermont is the first New England state - and will be one of at least 13 states across the country - to adopt a new regulation-- requiring new cars to be sold with an environmental performance label. At 'Courtesy Toyota' in Berlin, Vermont, owner Dave Birmingham is ready for a change. In part, because he has to be. Dave Birmingham\Courtesy Toyota "I think most dealers probably know it's inevitable." What's inevitable is that...

FARNBOROUGH, England (AFP) - With record oil prices crippling airlines worldwide, Canadian planemaker Bombardier said here Sunday it planned to launch its eco-friendly CSeries single-aisle passenger jet in 2013. German carrier Lufthansa has signed a letter saying it was interested in buying 30 CSeries jets and possibly up to 60, Bombardier said in a statement. Launch customer Lufthansa could be followed by other airlines after Bombardier said it had received "significant interest" worldwide regarding the new plane. "The CSeries family offers the greenest single-aisle aircraft in its class," said Gary Scott, president of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "These game-changing aircraft emit...

LITHONIA, Ga. - Nestled in the lush trees of suburban Atlanta's Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve sits the foundation of a school that is being built with partly recycled materials. When it's finished, Arabia Mountain High School will have naturally lit classrooms and an aggressive recycling program. It's part of a "green school" movement that is growing in popularity nationwide, with schools leaning toward solar panels, living roofs and wetlands. School districts say the environmentally friendly properties save energy costs while educating students about the world around them. "In the past 6 months, it's been overwhelming," said Lindsay Baker, manager of...

The Queen is growing increasingly 'concerned' that the Prince of Wales is embarrassing other members of the royal family in fighting a public eco war. ... Senior royal sources said Her Majesty fears his green revolution is leading to tensions within the family.... A senior source said: ... "Some of the more junior members of the family have been embarrassed by it. Perhaps one should remember that, while Her Majesty remains Head of State of this country, all the royal family must be seen to be working hard under her stewardship and, of course, in harmony." ... Charles took a...

Hotter, colder, wetter, drier. It's all the same to green scaremongers who use any change in the weather to push their dubious agenda. MAN-MADE global warming is a theory believed so religiously that even snow in February can't kill it. Melbourne last week had its coldest February day on record, and its wettest day, which should surprise those still naive enough to believe our green gurus. After all, it was only last August that Environment Victoria warned global warming would make us not cold and damp, but fried and dried. "Victoria – like the rest of the world – should...