animals...
by Valli
Scienceray
May 17, 2009
The top 12 endangered species are:
Arakan Forest Turtle
Pernambuco Pygmy-owl
Dwarf Olive Ibis
Vaquita
Bactrian Camel
Bushman hare
Brazilian Merganser
Blue-throated Macaw
Sumatran Rhinoceros
Hirola
Pygmy Hippopotamus
Giant Panda
These animals have been the victims of human helped endangered animal situations. These guys have lost parts of their habitat and because they have slow birth rates or limited habitat availability there is a problem with their ability to thrive in nature. I think that there are steps to helping these animals get off the list of endangered species. So if there can be something done why don't we do it?
until next time...
Sunday, May 17, 2009
awareness day!
Endangered!
by Carl Ryan
Toledo Blade
May 17, 2009
Celebrating Blue weekend is an interesting endeavor in the Toledo area. It's a celebration of the diversity of plant and animal life in the Oak Openings region, a historic natural area that has the highest concentration of rare and endangered species in Ohio. The day is named for the fact that many of these endangered species have blue in their name. For example, Karner blue butterflies, wild blue lupine, bluebirds and blue jays, blue-spotted salamanders, and blue racer snakes.
This is a great idea. I think choosing a day to celebrate these animals and to make the public aware of these endangered species is a great thing especially for those who don't know about the endangered species. It's become sort of a social awareness day and it's just nice to know that people are consciously helping others become aware of the special animals that they have in their environment. Most people think of endangered species and in tropical rain forests and Africa not in Ohio. It's just one really good idea. I like it.
until next time...
by Carl Ryan
Toledo Blade
May 17, 2009
Celebrating Blue weekend is an interesting endeavor in the Toledo area. It's a celebration of the diversity of plant and animal life in the Oak Openings region, a historic natural area that has the highest concentration of rare and endangered species in Ohio. The day is named for the fact that many of these endangered species have blue in their name. For example, Karner blue butterflies, wild blue lupine, bluebirds and blue jays, blue-spotted salamanders, and blue racer snakes.
This is a great idea. I think choosing a day to celebrate these animals and to make the public aware of these endangered species is a great thing especially for those who don't know about the endangered species. It's become sort of a social awareness day and it's just nice to know that people are consciously helping others become aware of the special animals that they have in their environment. Most people think of endangered species and in tropical rain forests and Africa not in Ohio. It's just one really good idea. I like it.
until next time...
Sunday, April 5, 2009
meat connects to global warming?
emissions...
By Meredith Niles
Grist dot beta
March 20, 2009
According to this article, 18 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with animal production. This is one reason meat consumption is supposed to be reduced by 75 percent on the upcoming months. Globally, lowering animal production would get rid of a large portion of emissions and greenhouse gases. The ozone layer would thank us for that.
So I'm glad to see that meat production is willing to help the atmosphere of the earth, now all we need to do is convince the people in charge that animals should be treated well. This would result in good unaltered meat, some may go bad because of disease but it is less likely to happen when genes aren't fooled around with. grr.... so if everything went back to the way it was with family farm raising everything and then selling them, I think the food would be healthier and taste better. But who knows?
Until next time...
By Meredith Niles
Grist dot beta
March 20, 2009
According to this article, 18 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with animal production. This is one reason meat consumption is supposed to be reduced by 75 percent on the upcoming months. Globally, lowering animal production would get rid of a large portion of emissions and greenhouse gases. The ozone layer would thank us for that.
So I'm glad to see that meat production is willing to help the atmosphere of the earth, now all we need to do is convince the people in charge that animals should be treated well. This would result in good unaltered meat, some may go bad because of disease but it is less likely to happen when genes aren't fooled around with. grr.... so if everything went back to the way it was with family farm raising everything and then selling them, I think the food would be healthier and taste better. But who knows?
Until next time...
Animals with Occupations?!
Animal Engineering
By Sofía Baliño
Food and Water Watch
February 6, 2009
The FDA has given the okay for the genetically engineered animals requirements. The FDA has tried to convince the consumer of the benefits of genetically engineered animals. They say fish will grow faster, lessening the overfishing problem, pigs will produce manure that pollutes less, and Cows are now resistant to a certain type of utter disease.
Ummm... this sounds great and all, but isn't a good thing to say away from chemically altered foods. I mean I've always been taught that processed foods and foods with many chemicals in them aren't that great for you to eat. They can cause health problems in the long run. I don't think that sounds too good to me. Besides the health hazards, I just don't like the idea of knowing that my food has been tampered with. It's just not a good feeling, you know? Anyway, hopefully they start marking what has been chemically "enhanced" otherwise I'm going to have to start growing my own food.
Until next time...
By Sofía Baliño
Food and Water Watch
February 6, 2009
The FDA has given the okay for the genetically engineered animals requirements. The FDA has tried to convince the consumer of the benefits of genetically engineered animals. They say fish will grow faster, lessening the overfishing problem, pigs will produce manure that pollutes less, and Cows are now resistant to a certain type of utter disease.
Ummm... this sounds great and all, but isn't a good thing to say away from chemically altered foods. I mean I've always been taught that processed foods and foods with many chemicals in them aren't that great for you to eat. They can cause health problems in the long run. I don't think that sounds too good to me. Besides the health hazards, I just don't like the idea of knowing that my food has been tampered with. It's just not a good feeling, you know? Anyway, hopefully they start marking what has been chemically "enhanced" otherwise I'm going to have to start growing my own food.
Until next time...
Friday, March 27, 2009
Disease Prevention
anti-factory.
By Jill Stein and Ted Schettler
The Huffington Post
March 27, 2009
Factory farming has been know to link diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson diseases. The chemicals that surround the factory farming industry seem to have a great impact on the people around the farming. Also, people who eat foods that have been factory farmed have been known to be linked to several different factory related problems.
I really don't get it. Why are we using factory farming if they are causing health problems that have no cure. It's beyond me. I know that it's only linked with the diseases but linked is enough to convince me that there must be something done to prevent the linkage and the disease. If Factory farming and fertilizers are both linked to these diseases I think it would be best to find a different way to provide food the the country, something a little less life threatening would be good.
Until next time...
By Jill Stein and Ted Schettler
The Huffington Post
March 27, 2009
Factory farming has been know to link diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson diseases. The chemicals that surround the factory farming industry seem to have a great impact on the people around the farming. Also, people who eat foods that have been factory farmed have been known to be linked to several different factory related problems.
I really don't get it. Why are we using factory farming if they are causing health problems that have no cure. It's beyond me. I know that it's only linked with the diseases but linked is enough to convince me that there must be something done to prevent the linkage and the disease. If Factory farming and fertilizers are both linked to these diseases I think it would be best to find a different way to provide food the the country, something a little less life threatening would be good.
Until next time...
Farming what???
Bootleggers?!
By Kevin Carson
Center for a Stateless Society
March 27, 2009
The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 is causing a stir in online communities. The bill would outlaw organic farming, criminalize seed banks, and so to community-supported agriculture what the CPSIA does to small apparel and toy manufacturers. It would impose costly inspection and certification of the regimes on even the smallest producers.
By Kevin Carson
Center for a Stateless Society
March 27, 2009
The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 is causing a stir in online communities. The bill would outlaw organic farming, criminalize seed banks, and so to community-supported agriculture what the CPSIA does to small apparel and toy manufacturers. It would impose costly inspection and certification of the regimes on even the smallest producers.
So this newly proposed Act is supposed outlaw anything that sounds organic and good for the environment. It doesn't really make sense to me. We are trying to be friendly to the earth by, yet we outlaw a way of growing food that could potentially help us achieve that goal. This doesn't seem right. It would also cost a whole lot more to make this law a reality than it's worth.
Until next time...
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Coal Debris
Rule!
By Robert Pear and Felicity Barringer
The New York Times
December 2, 2009
The White House approved a rule that will make it easier for coal companies to dump rock and dirt from the mountaintop mining operations into nearby streams and valleys. According to this rule all coal mines must comply with the with water quality standards and
These standards are okay, but the rule seems to hinder more than help the environment. If a coal company can dump rocks into streams it's not really doing anything. That's worse really. A rule saying it's okay to pollute, but only under certain circumstances... This is a really bad way of saying, don't worry about the pollution it's not going to hurt the environment if its controlled. That's a really bad way to think. It's not good, something should be done about it.
Until next time...
By Robert Pear and Felicity Barringer
The New York Times
December 2, 2009
The White House approved a rule that will make it easier for coal companies to dump rock and dirt from the mountaintop mining operations into nearby streams and valleys. According to this rule all coal mines must comply with the with water quality standards and
These standards are okay, but the rule seems to hinder more than help the environment. If a coal company can dump rocks into streams it's not really doing anything. That's worse really. A rule saying it's okay to pollute, but only under certain circumstances... This is a really bad way of saying, don't worry about the pollution it's not going to hurt the environment if its controlled. That's a really bad way to think. It's not good, something should be done about it.
Until next time...
Faster. Cleaner. Better.
mining
By Matthew L. Wald
The New York Times
March 16, 2009
In Indiana there are plans to to build the first environmentally friendly coal fired power plant. Duke Energy has started studying different methods for capturing carbon dioxide. A stimulus bill has been passed that gives 3.4 billion dollars for the collection of carbon.
Okay so, they are researching a clean way to capture and store carbon, presumably from coal mines. I'm not entirely sure how they plan to do it, but they are pouring a lot of money into it so maybe they'll find a good way. When they do please let everyone else know because then there might be a chance to save this world... :) I like the idea of a cleaner power plant, not that we need another power plant in the country. Anyway, this could lead to a cleaner, better environment. And that's something I like.
Until next time...
By Matthew L. Wald
The New York Times
March 16, 2009
In Indiana there are plans to to build the first environmentally friendly coal fired power plant. Duke Energy has started studying different methods for capturing carbon dioxide. A stimulus bill has been passed that gives 3.4 billion dollars for the collection of carbon.
Okay so, they are researching a clean way to capture and store carbon, presumably from coal mines. I'm not entirely sure how they plan to do it, but they are pouring a lot of money into it so maybe they'll find a good way. When they do please let everyone else know because then there might be a chance to save this world... :) I like the idea of a cleaner power plant, not that we need another power plant in the country. Anyway, this could lead to a cleaner, better environment. And that's something I like.
Until next time...
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Solid Stuff`
programs are good
Newspaper Articles
August 28, 2008
Last year Pakistan eagerly anticipated solid waste program was put on hold. The Chinese government has something to do with this delay but no one knows for sure why. The program which was supposed to take place over the next twenty years may be revisited later on, as for right now only time can tell what will happen.
So this is stinky, I mean Pakistan was going to be environmentally friendly and then something bad happened and it's not going to work now. I don't know what to think; I mean, it shouldn't really matter what happens as long as the environment is being protected. The program should be up and running soon, I would delay the project for the least amount of time possible, but only if its necessary.
Until next time...
Newspaper Articles
August 28, 2008
Last year Pakistan eagerly anticipated solid waste program was put on hold. The Chinese government has something to do with this delay but no one knows for sure why. The program which was supposed to take place over the next twenty years may be revisited later on, as for right now only time can tell what will happen.
So this is stinky, I mean Pakistan was going to be environmentally friendly and then something bad happened and it's not going to work now. I don't know what to think; I mean, it shouldn't really matter what happens as long as the environment is being protected. The program should be up and running soon, I would delay the project for the least amount of time possible, but only if its necessary.
Until next time...
Why Are You Slowing Down?
Slackers
By Dan Levin
The New York Times
March 11, 2009
China's economy is just as rocky as American economy or on the way to becoming so. Because of this unfortunate circumstance China has begun to worry less about recycling than they should be. It doesn't help that China is the world's largest garbage importer, recycling plants are beginning to look like garbage dumps piles everywhere and of everything. This isn't good.
China being a very old country has certain traditions that explain why they like recycling, the thriftiness of using something over again and again until it is used completely and as much as possible. I can't believe how much is being imported to China's recycling program that isn't even being recycled, it's just sitting there minding its own business... this is not good. It's the same thing as a garbage dump only difference is, its all paper, plastic and glass. Recyclable.... what to do with this world...what to do?
Until next time...
By Dan Levin
The New York Times
March 11, 2009
China's economy is just as rocky as American economy or on the way to becoming so. Because of this unfortunate circumstance China has begun to worry less about recycling than they should be. It doesn't help that China is the world's largest garbage importer, recycling plants are beginning to look like garbage dumps piles everywhere and of everything. This isn't good.
China being a very old country has certain traditions that explain why they like recycling, the thriftiness of using something over again and again until it is used completely and as much as possible. I can't believe how much is being imported to China's recycling program that isn't even being recycled, it's just sitting there minding its own business... this is not good. It's the same thing as a garbage dump only difference is, its all paper, plastic and glass. Recyclable.... what to do with this world...what to do?
Until next time...
Sunday, March 8, 2009
The Unwelcome Mat
No more niceness
By Jay Romamo
The New York Times
October 22, 2008
Hundreds of little critters have been looking for ways to get into your house, to stay. If they're lucky they'll find a way to get in. Unfortunately for us, that means unwanted guests that plan to stay as long as they can. PestAway Exterminating has offered some tips to keep the pests out of your home and in the environment like it's supposed to be.
Keeping every nook and cranny sealed up will be a good start because any opening is an invitation to these pests. The pest favorite for small spaces are mice and rats...! I need to keep these buggers out of my home thank you very much. Just thinking about it makes me squeamish. ahhh. *shivers* yuck... I can't talk about this anymore
Until next time...
By Jay Romamo
The New York Times
October 22, 2008
Hundreds of little critters have been looking for ways to get into your house, to stay. If they're lucky they'll find a way to get in. Unfortunately for us, that means unwanted guests that plan to stay as long as they can. PestAway Exterminating has offered some tips to keep the pests out of your home and in the environment like it's supposed to be.
Keeping every nook and cranny sealed up will be a good start because any opening is an invitation to these pests. The pest favorite for small spaces are mice and rats...! I need to keep these buggers out of my home thank you very much. Just thinking about it makes me squeamish. ahhh. *shivers* yuck... I can't talk about this anymore
Until next time...
Pesticides and Parkinson's related!!!?
A boost of disease
By David Gutierrez
Natural News
November 28, 2008
A new study reveals a strong connection to pesticides and Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's is a degenerative neurological disease caused by brain cell damage having to do with regulation of muscles. Apparently, people who use pesticides are twice as likely to get Parkinson's Disease than people who do not use pesticides.
This statistic is kind of earth shattering to me. How can something as simple as pesticides cause such harm to the people using it. One would think that the stuff we are using to protect our crops would protect us as well, or at the very least not cause us a great deal of harm. yikes! I don't ever want to consider the effects of pesticides especially if they have to do with Parkinson's. Alternatives are pretty simple to use (i guess) and healthier (i assume) because they're alternatives. correct? please let's do something about this.
Until next time...
By David Gutierrez
Natural News
November 28, 2008
A new study reveals a strong connection to pesticides and Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's is a degenerative neurological disease caused by brain cell damage having to do with regulation of muscles. Apparently, people who use pesticides are twice as likely to get Parkinson's Disease than people who do not use pesticides.
This statistic is kind of earth shattering to me. How can something as simple as pesticides cause such harm to the people using it. One would think that the stuff we are using to protect our crops would protect us as well, or at the very least not cause us a great deal of harm. yikes! I don't ever want to consider the effects of pesticides especially if they have to do with Parkinson's. Alternatives are pretty simple to use (i guess) and healthier (i assume) because they're alternatives. correct? please let's do something about this.
Until next time...
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Christmas, Again...
Are the Trees safe?
By Anne Raver
The New York Times
December 3, 2008
Okay so this article is a bit old but it's fascinating. Have you ever thought about the trees you've bringing into your household? How many pesticides do they have on them, and is it dangerous. Will these trees have a negative effect on you and your kids, leaving residue on you and in your lungs?
I never thought about it until I read this article. Who would have thought that the beloved Christmas tree would be anything but fun and pretty? Apparently, there are several places that sell tree full of pesticides. There are many local tree farms that have chosen not to spray their trees and wreaths. That's good! Unfortunately, there are many places that actually do spray their tree. YIKES! I don't want pesticides in my house, I know that for sure. My advice, next year when your looking for a Christmas tree go local where you know they don't spray pesticides. You know that's exactly what I'm going to do.
Until next time...
By Anne Raver
The New York Times
December 3, 2008
Okay so this article is a bit old but it's fascinating. Have you ever thought about the trees you've bringing into your household? How many pesticides do they have on them, and is it dangerous. Will these trees have a negative effect on you and your kids, leaving residue on you and in your lungs?
I never thought about it until I read this article. Who would have thought that the beloved Christmas tree would be anything but fun and pretty? Apparently, there are several places that sell tree full of pesticides. There are many local tree farms that have chosen not to spray their trees and wreaths. That's good! Unfortunately, there are many places that actually do spray their tree. YIKES! I don't want pesticides in my house, I know that for sure. My advice, next year when your looking for a Christmas tree go local where you know they don't spray pesticides. You know that's exactly what I'm going to do.
Until next time...
50-Year Bill
pests more than just your younger brother
by Wes Jackson & Wendell Berry
The New York Times
January 4, 2009
Since the beginning of time, it seems like farmers have been using pesticides to grow their crops and to keep bugs from devouring them. Most farmers don't think twice about using pesticides but they harm more than just bugs; runoff gets into rivers and soil pesticides get everywhere. However, the farming industry is going downhill; the soil is being abused and eroding. This land will not bare crops. So where will we get our food?
If this keeps continuing our soil will run out. Granted that is a really long way down the road, but it's still plausible. Just think there's enough money for food, but no where to grow it. That would be awful and an unsolvable problem. Pesticides are contributing to the loss of soil, if only there was a way to substitute the pesticides for something else? I'm sure there someone out there know of a good substitute... all we have to is find that one person. Let's look.
Until next time...
by Wes Jackson & Wendell Berry
The New York Times
January 4, 2009
Since the beginning of time, it seems like farmers have been using pesticides to grow their crops and to keep bugs from devouring them. Most farmers don't think twice about using pesticides but they harm more than just bugs; runoff gets into rivers and soil pesticides get everywhere. However, the farming industry is going downhill; the soil is being abused and eroding. This land will not bare crops. So where will we get our food?
If this keeps continuing our soil will run out. Granted that is a really long way down the road, but it's still plausible. Just think there's enough money for food, but no where to grow it. That would be awful and an unsolvable problem. Pesticides are contributing to the loss of soil, if only there was a way to substitute the pesticides for something else? I'm sure there someone out there know of a good substitute... all we have to is find that one person. Let's look.
Until next time...
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Coal...water...not a good mixture
what is this?
By Shaila Dewan
The New York Times
January 6, 2008
There are pools of ash all across the country are going unregulated and unmonitored. One such pool ruptured and sent billions of gallons of toxic sludge across several hundred acres of Tennessee in December. Some of this toxic sludge got into water supply, which obviously contaminated it and sent concentrations of arsenic, lead and mercury in the the water supply.
There is a problem here. How can a coal ash pool overflow? It just seems to wrong to have something that was thought to be contained and controlled rupture and contaminate a large chunk of Tennessee. This just proves that there are certain areas of the country's waste control is definitely going unobserved. If these pools were being monitored, there wouldn't have been a spill because the supervisor would have known to spot filling it. This is really frustrating; I don't understand why people don't pay more attention to things like this. I mean fresh water is limited in the world and we need it to survive. We need to take better care of it. I know that no one knew that the pool would overflow and get into the water, but precautions could be taken, it isn't too much to ask is it?
Until next time...
By Shaila Dewan
The New York Times
January 6, 2008
There are pools of ash all across the country are going unregulated and unmonitored. One such pool ruptured and sent billions of gallons of toxic sludge across several hundred acres of Tennessee in December. Some of this toxic sludge got into water supply, which obviously contaminated it and sent concentrations of arsenic, lead and mercury in the the water supply.
There is a problem here. How can a coal ash pool overflow? It just seems to wrong to have something that was thought to be contained and controlled rupture and contaminate a large chunk of Tennessee. This just proves that there are certain areas of the country's waste control is definitely going unobserved. If these pools were being monitored, there wouldn't have been a spill because the supervisor would have known to spot filling it. This is really frustrating; I don't understand why people don't pay more attention to things like this. I mean fresh water is limited in the world and we need it to survive. We need to take better care of it. I know that no one knew that the pool would overflow and get into the water, but precautions could be taken, it isn't too much to ask is it?
Until next time...
Ohio River... ewww!
Is the water clean?
By Bob Driehaus
The New York Times
January 20, 2008
The Ohio River was found to have unsafe levels of E. coli throughout it's 981 miles; this river puts six bordering states' citizens in danger. The bacteria can cause people that come in contact with the water to get sick, especially swimmers. It will cost billions of dollars to upgrade the sewage release systems in cities bordering the river, but it will help clean and regulate the river.
A river this large, covering this much land, having problems with bacteria is very dangerous. I would want to see this river cleaned up as fast as possible. I know that it's expensive to clean these type of rivers up, but honestly I think that the money would be well spent. I know that with the economy in it's fragile state, it can be a difficult decision, but seriously this problem affects the general public health and I'd rather not get sick because of some water. It's easier said than done, I understand. I'm not ignorant, but please lets do something about the water quality of this country. It's not unrealistic; we need to take care of our water... there's not much fresh water around.
Until next time...
By Bob Driehaus
The New York Times
January 20, 2008
The Ohio River was found to have unsafe levels of E. coli throughout it's 981 miles; this river puts six bordering states' citizens in danger. The bacteria can cause people that come in contact with the water to get sick, especially swimmers. It will cost billions of dollars to upgrade the sewage release systems in cities bordering the river, but it will help clean and regulate the river.
A river this large, covering this much land, having problems with bacteria is very dangerous. I would want to see this river cleaned up as fast as possible. I know that it's expensive to clean these type of rivers up, but honestly I think that the money would be well spent. I know that with the economy in it's fragile state, it can be a difficult decision, but seriously this problem affects the general public health and I'd rather not get sick because of some water. It's easier said than done, I understand. I'm not ignorant, but please lets do something about the water quality of this country. It's not unrealistic; we need to take care of our water... there's not much fresh water around.
Until next time...
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Is Global Warming real?
No Fishing???!!!
By Leslie Kaufman
The New York Times
February 5, 2009
Parts of the Arctic Ocean have been closed to fishers because of an enormous climate change that has the president of Oceana worried about the water temperature. This is the first time the US has restricted fishing for anything other than over fishing. Does this say anything about how we are treating our world?
I think that while it's a bad sign to be closing the fishing, it's good that the US is taking steps to try and help the whole global warming proccess. For all those who aren't sure if global warming exists, this should be some evidence. The water in the Arctic is getting warmer, ice is melting. and not just becasue of this awesome warm weather we experienced yesterday nd today. For all we know this could be part of the world's cycle. Ice age, warm weather, global warming, ice age... all I know is that it is actually happening, whether or not its part of the cycle or if humans are helping it along. And the rant is over.
Until next time...
By Leslie Kaufman
The New York Times
February 5, 2009
Parts of the Arctic Ocean have been closed to fishers because of an enormous climate change that has the president of Oceana worried about the water temperature. This is the first time the US has restricted fishing for anything other than over fishing. Does this say anything about how we are treating our world?
I think that while it's a bad sign to be closing the fishing, it's good that the US is taking steps to try and help the whole global warming proccess. For all those who aren't sure if global warming exists, this should be some evidence. The water in the Arctic is getting warmer, ice is melting. and not just becasue of this awesome warm weather we experienced yesterday nd today. For all we know this could be part of the world's cycle. Ice age, warm weather, global warming, ice age... all I know is that it is actually happening, whether or not its part of the cycle or if humans are helping it along. And the rant is over.
Until next time...
Past, Present and Future
good mornin', good mornin'
by John M. Broder, Andrew C. Revkin, Felicity Barringer, and Cornelia Dean
The New York Times
February 6, 2009
President Obama has been working had in his first month of office to set some environmental issues straight and crack down hard on oil and coal emissions. he has worked hard to reverse many last minute attempts by President Bush to help the environment by revising them to make them safer. However, Mr. Bush may have set the groundwork for some extremely helpful prevention actions against global warming.
First of all, I think that while President Bush may not have been the best president, he did lay some excellent foundations for President Obama concerning the environment. I mean, he would sign an agreement with a company that is now struggling to make ends meet. Granted, Bush didn't know that would happen but none the less it's helped us. I think that the president alone, no matter who it is, can talk all they want about environmental safety and restriction on gases that help cause global warming, but if people aren't willing to take the time to actually do what's being asked to prevent global warming, nothing will change.
Honestly, there has to be some cooperation.
anyway,
Until next time...
by John M. Broder, Andrew C. Revkin, Felicity Barringer, and Cornelia Dean
The New York Times
February 6, 2009
President Obama has been working had in his first month of office to set some environmental issues straight and crack down hard on oil and coal emissions. he has worked hard to reverse many last minute attempts by President Bush to help the environment by revising them to make them safer. However, Mr. Bush may have set the groundwork for some extremely helpful prevention actions against global warming.
First of all, I think that while President Bush may not have been the best president, he did lay some excellent foundations for President Obama concerning the environment. I mean, he would sign an agreement with a company that is now struggling to make ends meet. Granted, Bush didn't know that would happen but none the less it's helped us. I think that the president alone, no matter who it is, can talk all they want about environmental safety and restriction on gases that help cause global warming, but if people aren't willing to take the time to actually do what's being asked to prevent global warming, nothing will change.
Honestly, there has to be some cooperation.
anyway,
Until next time...
Monday, February 2, 2009
Four Smileys!...or Frowny Faces?
Electricity...Utility
by Leslie Kaufman
The New York Times
January 30, 2009
One utility company has started to grade their costumers on the amount of energy they use in a given month in the form of smiley faces or frowny faces. This is a technique that the company is using to make their costumers aware of just how much energy they are using/wasting a month; they are trying to get people to use less energy by using discounts and rebates on energy efficient appliances and other items.
I honestly think that this is a spectacular idea; I'm not sure how well it will work for the company but I know it would get my attention. If I were being graded by my utilities company it would make me more concious of my energy usage. I'm pretty sure I would try to convince my family to use less energy. Even now, reading this it makes me want to go remind my parents about wasting energy and opportunities to prevent it. I'm pretty sure if our utility company graded us right now, we would receive three of four frowny faces. The more conscious people are of energy's wastablity, the less there will be. At least, that is, in theory.
Until next time...
The Politics of Energy...
Oh Energy
By John M. Broder
The New York Times
January 26, 2009
The Democrats have become split in their decisions about President Obama's new plan of action for the economy and the environmental promises he made. Some would like to see Obama's promises fore-filled as soon as possible, even if it means requiring struggling companies to lessen their Carbon Dioxide emissions by switching to more expensive alternate energy options. The other democrats would like to see Obama's plans take action in time but not at the expense of the economy.
I think I agree with the second half of the Democrats on this topic. Sure, it would be nice to use more efficient forms of energy and to make the world a little cleaner to live in. But doing that right away means that there will be another Great Depression then by all means take care of the economy first. Please! I know that stopping global warming is important for our survival and keeping the earth clean is also something that I hold dear to me. Unfortunately, with the economy as bad as it is, the world may have to step aside for a small amount of time so that the US can get back on it's feet. I'm not saying ignore everything "green's" been working toward but just be conscious of its effects.
Until next time...
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Not that kind of farm
Wind Power
By Abby Goodnough
The New York Times
January 16, 2009
The United States first offshore wind farm was proposed to be in the waters of Cape Cod. The farm would be 24 square miles and 5 miles off Cape Cod. Although the proposal holds no serious environmental threat, homeowners all over Cape Cod are furiously protesting the farm. They say it will indeed bring harm the wildlife around it.
While I do see the protester's side of the argument, I feel like the wind farm would, in the long run, lead to more potential to preserve the environment. This farm would allow the Cape Cod area to run on alternative energy resources, which in return would cause less pollution and harm to the natural environment. So while I understand that these citizens are concerned for the wildlife's immediate predicament, there is potential for everyone to be happy in this situation. I don't understand why people are complaining about a project that could help us in the future. (This sentence sounds contradictory to what I said above, but it's complicated. Some aspect of the complaint I understand, most I don't.) This project is still in the workings. There are still many permits needed to begin the construction. Permits are always good things to have...
Until next time...
Nothing Fancy...
Alternate Energy
by Kate Galbraith and Matthew L. Wald
New York Times
December 4, 2008
Congress hopes to impose a law that mandates the nation to get 10 or 15
percent of its electricity from alternate resources. This is in the works
already; more than half the states have already adopted renewable
resources. unfortunately, the deadlines for switching may have some
states struggling to meet them, even miss them altogether.
My first thought about the announcement that there might be mandates
for alternate energy was "this might be the push that everyone needs."
I think that this legislation is going to better the country by moving every
state in the right direction. In fact, some states have already been moving
that way. They'll just have a nice head start on the rest of us. As for those
who think that some states won't be able to make the deadline: I think
that every state has the potential to make switching their energy
resources. If some don't think they can, then they need to try harder.
10% of all the energy isn't very much when you think about the whole
picture. I believe that this isn't unrealistic and that states are capable
of it.
Until next time...
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