Lets start by reminding ourselves that correlation does not necessarily mean something is in fact the cause. Until cause is verified, correlation means we should be suspicious and investigate.

Now, the chart above creates some real suspicion. The correlation of our oil volatility and the destabilizing in the investment environment are very close to in sync. If you really start to break down the timeline of events and economic impact closely, you almost see a simple cause and effect type pattern. More reason for suspicion.

As we work to protect the environment and shift away from non-renewable energy sources, this information is something to consider and remember so that we stay motivated.

Follow the related link for a ton of data and timeline comparison complete with charts and references.

2.4MB Glacier Comparison Images - click here

For some reason, people are still questioning these issues. I think we are past that and the questions should be "how bad has it gotten", "what can we do about it" and maybe "how much of this is directly caused by humans vs natural cycles". The last question of course is futile and does nothing to help toward a solution.

If you know anyone who prefers to believe it is a hoax or simply will not accept it until the evidence hits them personally, these photos may help.

From CNN:

In Double Exposure, images from the archive of pioneering mountain photographer Bradford Washburn have been placed alongside more recent photos taken by journalist David Arnold revealing the regression of glaciers in Alaska and Switzerland.

In 2005, Arnold was admiring Washburn's famous 1960 image of climbers on the Northeast ridge of Doldenhorn in Switzerland and started wondering what the peaks and glaciers Washburn had so expertly documented looked like now.

Soon enough, Arnold was off on the first of five flying expeditions to Alaska and the Swiss Alps.

Side by side Washburn's and Arnold's photos record the true extent of glacial retreat -- six and 14 and miles respectively in the case of the Shoup and Guyot Glaciers in Alaska.

Arnold's painstaking attention has produced images which faithfully reproduce Washburn's angles and perspective. He even made sure he shot his photos on exactly the day of the year, sometimes the same time of day as Washburn.

The pictures speak for themselves.

This still isn't my usual, but it is more re-enforcement for leaving Internet Explorer. If and when MS fixes the problem you can consider going back. I will not be going back, I like one of the alternatives better - Firefox.

"Microsoft still has not released a patch for a major zero-day flaw stemming from IE6 that was used by Chinese hackers to attack Google. After sample code was posted on a website, calls began for Microsoft to release an out-of-cycle patch. Now, France has joined Germany in recommending its citizens abandon IE altogether, rather than waiting for a patch. Microsoft still insists IE8 is the 'most secure browser on the market' and that they believe IE6 is the only browser susceptible to the flaw. However, security researchers warned that could soon change, and recommended considering alternative browsers as well."

Keep in mind too, when Internet Explorer 8 is running in the mode that makes it the safest, you can't view Java Script without interaction, Flash or other rich content. This makes it difficult to click results in search engines, view news articles or generally use the web. My computer is totally secure when turned off and unplugged from the wall, however, I prefer a reasonable level of useability.

Now, just an FYI in case you are wondering what a Zero-Day vulnerability is: Called either Day Zero or Zero-Day, it is an exploit that takes advantage of a security vulnerability on the same day that the vulnerability becomes publicly or generally known. Zero-Day exploits are usually posted by well-known hacker groups. Software companies may issue a security bulletin or advisory when the exploit becomes known, but companies may not be able to offer a patch to fix the vulnerability for some time after.

I am curious why this particular flaw is being labeled a zero-day flaw. The Black Hat society has been pointing it out for years in their regular security bulletins.

If you have seen conflicting articles, the MS executive summary is at the related link below and the second paragraph covers it all: "Our investigation so far has shown that Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 4 on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 is not affected, and that Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, and Internet Explorer 6, Internet Explorer 7 and Internet Explorer 8 on supported editions of Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2 are vulnerable."

In a statement issued today, the German Federal Office for Security in Information Technology (known as BSI) recommends that all Internet Explorer users switch to an alternative browser.

The BSI says they may resume using Explorer after a fix is issued by Microsoft for a critical vulnerability that has been implicated in the Chinese cyberattack against Google. Keep in mind that Google uses Linux for its operation, however IE and all other browsers including, Opera, Firefox, Konqueror and Chrome are able to visit. This means using IE is not only a risk to your own machine, but any you visit. Think of this as going door to door with Swine Flue shaking hands with whoever answers after you were told you were carrying the flue.

If you missed it, yesterday McAffee released a report outlining details of the cyber assault on Google and around 20 other major technology companies. It specifically implicates a critical flaw in all versions of IE that allows hackers to "perform reconnaissance and gain complete control over the compromised system." Microsoft has responded that it is developing an update to the vulnerability.

Note that the flaw is in all versions of IE including the latest - 8. This means the flaw has been around for years but has only recently been used in major attacks. The flaw in question has been pointed out to Microsoft several times in the past. Until now, Microsoft insisted it was too small a flaw to be exploited and too technical. I feel that if an outside entity found it, another one will as well, denying a vulnerability like that is the main reason I switched to Firefox a few years ago. Not long after that I also switched to Linux, but that's another story.

If Microsoft has had knowledge of this for years, it is uncertain how long it will be for a patch. For an easy transition to an alternative browser that looks, feels and generally operates similar to IE, I recommend Firefox (this is my personal opinion, not my employers).

The related link has a translation of the original BSI article.

I just read an article about making use of some seemingly obvious items that many of us already have. However, I started to realize how long it has been since I have seen anyone around me make use of these.

When is the last time someone opened a lunch pail and thermos where you work? How about the last time you were invited to a Fondue dinner? Have you used an electric blanket recently?

Lets start with the easy one. The thermos uses a simple mechanical process to keep food at the same temperature, hot, cold or neutral. By separating all but the very lip of the inner container from the surrounding environment, a thermos makes the transfer of heat very difficult and preserves the state of its contents. Alton Brown, a cooking show host that I really enjoy, recommends a thermos for keeping difficult sauces like hollandaise warm until your ready use it. On a more basic level, a thermos will keep water or other drinks cold. A thermos will keep soup for lunch nice and hot.

If you don't already have a '70s-era slow-cooker (aka "crock pot") collecting dust in your kitchen cupboard, you can buy a new energy-sipping model for about $30. The Fondue pot is also an energy sipper that helps make use of leftover bread and cheese.

Electric blankets and pads cost little more than many non-electric comforters, and only use about a nickel's worth of electricity per night to operate. Yet according to the U.S. Department of Energy, for every degree you turn down the heat during the winter, you'll probably save about one to three percent on your total home heating bill.

If this is an option, drying your clothes outside on an old-fashioned clothes line or indoors on one of those accordion-like laundry racks will not only save you about $200 per year on the cost to own and operate an electric dryer, but it can make some garments last up to twice as long.

I hope this stirs some ideas that can save you some money while reducing your energy demand on the environment.