Now That's Putting Your Mind To It!

Nuclear Energy. Those are two words that bring up a lot of different feelings for me and many, many others. It is clean yes, with very little carbon getting released into the atmosphere. In that sense, it has the potential for great good. However, the uranium supply is limited, and much worse, the toxic waste that is left over from the fission process sticks around for hundreds of thousands, if not millions of years. The waste is harmful to human health and is lethal to the environment. Our best attempt, thus far, to contain this waste, has been to stick it inside a mountain.  Needless to say, the consequences far outweigh the benefits, environmentally and socially, to warrant continued use of this form of energy production.

This past weekend, at "The Bottom Line on Climate Change" conference I attended, I learned of something extraordinary. Tom Blees, head of the Science Council for Global Initiatives, spoke of a remarkable discovery that could not only provide us with clean energy for tens of thousands of years, but at the same time could get rid of all that unwanted nuclear waste from the decades of nuclear munitions and nuclear reactor production. Together with Russian nuclear fusion scientist, Dr. Evgeny Velikhov, and others, Mr. Blees has been privy to the discovery of a fission system that uses depleted uranium without harming the environment.

Known as a Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR), this system has been in the testing stages for many years, and a facility to test this method has been in Idaho for quite a while. This system was touted by Mr. Blees to be "meltdown resistant", since the reaction is based on neutrons, and once the system reaches a certain high temperature if cooling is ceased, the reaction automatically shuts down. If that is true, this is definitely getting more points in my book. It is a completely self-contained system and can provide energy to homes and businesses across the globe if we are willing to invest in it.

So far, the American government has only had the test site built. No plans for actual operative plants are scheduled in America yet. Many critics have said that is technology is not affordable or profitable yet. Several other countries, including Russia, however, are exporting this technology and are gearing up to build many of these type of reactor plants. If America is not careful, it could fall behind, again.

While this technology may have a tinge of "too good to be true" to it, I believe that the present research shows us that this is a pliable alternative to nuclear energy, with the added benefit of using up and destroying nuclear waste. There is much more to research on this technology, of course. Will there be any harmful side effects or waste produced? Is it truly "meltdown resistant"? But, this shows us there are scientists and innovators across the globe willing to ask the hard questions and help develop technologies to get us out of this terrible fossil fuel glut and environment unfriendly policies we have become accustomed to. We can move forward into a cleaner, waste free, and better future.

Tom Blees has published a book entitled Prescription for the Planet which discusses this technology in more detail. It promises to be a very informative, thought-provoking, and interesting read.

Humans Don't Only Destroy

Here is a video to help remind us of how beautiful nature is, and to remind us that man can do many great things to enhance the environment. Many of the pictures depicted in the video show the touch of man, not just of buildings and persons, but of plants that humans helped develop overtime. Plants and animals that were artificially selected by humans, to become what we see today, have helped to increase the biodiversity this planet contains. We have the great capacity to create or to destroy. Those two forces lie in our hands as we remain stewards of this Earth. Let's create a greener, healthier, cleaner planet which gives us images (and memories) of hope and joy.

"We Look Like a Joke"

Former President Bill Clinton last week aptly summed up what the debate surrounding global warming is doing to our nation and its credibility. "The Bottom Line on Climate Change" conference that I attended this past weekend echoed that thought as several of the speakers on a variety of topics told of how our country was falling behind the search for real sustainable and clean alternative energy sources. The world is leaving America behind and an Associated Press report that I read on msnbc.com on Saturday night only furthers the argument that we are becoming the nation that everyone laughs at.

The story dealt with how a growing number of self-identified Republicans are returning to the ranks of denialists. Even more shocking, not only is the number growing, but those holding the point of view that climate change isn't real or caused by man is hardening. Now, it is not only a point of view to them, but it is a deep held conviction. And even scarier, they want their representatives to eschew the notion that climate change is real and that human actions are responsible for it. As Bill Clinton said in the previously referenced speech, "You can't win the nomination of one of our major parties if you admit the scientists are right."

It is, indeed, a very scary thought. In the light of massive evidence that climate change is already moving into  the next gear, and the facts telling us we are in the midst of Earth's 6th major extinction event, a great deal in this country continue to say that they don't believe it, or in fact, they know it is a lie. They claim the science is flawed, or biased, or run by the uber-liberal corporation haters. They are pulling at straws and one day they will have to reckon with reality. The question is, will they be able to delay necessary changes enough to forever prevent our ability to undo the majority of the damage we have done? Those who believe, and accept, the science of climate change need to make their voices heard and not let the denialists turn back the clock, and perhaps run out the clock, on our ability to help the environment overcome our interference. Write your representative, senator, governor, and the President. Don't let us stay the butt of the joke.

Are You "Green" Collared?

During today's portion of The Bottom Line on Climate Change conference, there were some very important lectures on the topic of green jobs. The speakers ranged from economists to the labor union representative. The economists shared a view on the difficulty of predicting the exact nature of how many jobs can be created to cater to the "green" economy. The math is complicated and the variables are innumerable. One economist mentioned that employment might be hurt in the short term by a moving away from a "fossil fuel" economy, but that in the long run, many more green jobs would be created.

While there is a study circulating that tries to show us what could be considered a green job, there have been many who have used this study to muddy up the facts as to where green jobs are and and whether or not these jobs are good ones.  Bob Baugh was the representative from the AFL-CIO (the national labor union organization) and he touched on some very important points. Like in this post, Mr. Baugh pointed out the fact that any job could become a "green" job and that not enough is being done to raise awareness of the need for green jobs and the type of green jobs that are available. It doesn't matter where we work, we can encourage green practices in the workplace. That in itself creates green jobs.

Mr. Baugh presented evidence that showed that over the last decade, America has lost a third of its manufacturing jobs to overseas operations. In that same decade, America's trade deficit has significantly increased. Employment suffers, our economy suffers, and our environment suffers. America continues to be behind the rest of the developed (and even in some cases, the developing) world by not taking up practices that will encourage "green" job growth and will significantly help the environment. It was mentioned by another speaker in the conference today, that when it comes to global warming, it ended up dead last on the list of Top 20 priorities the American government needed to address.

Mr. Baugh mentioned that there are a few things that America's businesses and government can do to change climate-altering practices and bring growth to the world's largest economy. He said that we need to modernize our systems and infrastructure across the board. There are so many things that are dependent on fossil fuels it is mind boggling. We need to train America's workforce to employ more environment friendly practices in their day to day workings. The American government must also unfailingly recognize the effects of global warming in economic and social policy and that a plan must be developed to mitigate global warming. Finally, Mr. Baugh emphasized that many "green" jobs in America are actually being created overseas when parts to things like wind turbines are manufactured overseas instead of here at home. He urged that American businesses bring these type of jobs back to the homeland and likewise, that the government would create policy helpful to this line of thinking.

All in all, this portion of the conference was very informative. Green jobs are the future and with the unemployment and underemployment rate so high, we should be paving the way to the creation of a 21st century green infrastructure and green entrepreneurship, not hindering it. To help in this cause, please visit the Blue Green Alliance to learn more.

A Shocking Forecast of Human Legacy

Treehugger.com posted a study today about how humans are over-consuming the Earth's natural resources faster than it can renew them. The evidence used to create a forecast that says by the year 2050 we will need two planets to support human activities is very real. It is based on fact, on what we have done to the Earth, thus far.

We can become better stewards of this planet and the resources it contains. We should pressure our governments to develop actionable plans to conserve, preserve, and protect what we have left. We, of course, can practice this in our own personal lives, but we must make this a local, national, and global effort. Instead of rewarding those that take from the Earth and only give pollution in return, let's reward and invest in those that look for renewable, clean, and conservation-friendly energy and other human practices. I really doubt we will be able to find another planet soon enough with the kind of resources we require and want. We really shouldn't have to get another planet anyway.

Change Can Happen

This is a great week in New York for those who want to start to see some movement in the quest to address climate change and global warming. Former President Bill Clinton's annual weekly symposium on global initiatives is focusing on climate change this year, and some great conversations are happening. Visions of very low emissions in public transit friendly cities of the future are being shared as well as President Obama declaring that climate change is a "solvable" problem. He could have spent more time talking about how to solve the problem, but at least we now have a President who believes in climate change.

It is also officially climate week in New York City.  For the whole week, many different seminars are being held on topics ranging from how to deal and prepare for the changes global warming to becoming a "greener" consumer. This fairly new annual conference has become a globally used resource to disseminate new ideas and correct knowledge to the movers and shakers of public policy, as well as helping the general public learn about what is going on with the climate and what can be done about it. New York City is so fortunate to have a mayor who realizes the dangers of climate change and what we as humans can do to minimize the impact and try and reverse the damage we've done thus far.

Part of climate week, a two day seminar, involving international experts, will be held at The New School Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis. It is entitled The Bottom Line on Climate Change: Transitioning to Renewable Energy. It is free and anyone in the NYC area who is interested should register and attend. These are the sort of things that should be happening all the time. My only hope is that these conferences and summits will actually bring about positive change. It is one thing to talk and come up with ideas, it is another to actually implement them and start effecting change. This is a step in the right direction.

Who is the clown?

I saw this commercial on Sunday as I was preparing dinner and about cut myself. The blatant partisanship (read: Republican) behind this ad is too much for me to take. A lot of what has gotten me fired up enough to actually do something, instead of just complaining, has been the recent onslaught of Republican war on the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The whole premise of the video, a wild bucking bull that is out of control and destroying everything and everyone in its path, is one that the Republicans have been screaming about since they gained control of Congress.

The Republicans in the House, since gaining control at the beginning of the year, have repeatedly voted to defund the EPA and strip the agency of its power to regulate what businesses can do with and to the environment. For 40 years, the EPA has helped reduce the number of pollutants in the air, water, and soil. They have forced these companies to start cleaning up their acts and stop using nature as a dumping ground or as a vast cornfield that must be stripped of every resource no matter the method. Without the creation of the EPA, done by a Republican president by the way (Nixon), the country and, indeed, the world would be a much different place.

This PSA says the agency is out of control and is hurting the average citizen by forcing energy costs up. This is misleading. The agency is actually telling coal-powered electric plants to get up to speed with the regulations that have existed for many years about the kind and strength of emissions that these power plants let loose into the air. Power plants have been given time to get their factory up to par, but many have put it off. Now that the EPA is after them and they want to say it is unfair and hurts the economy. They are trying to use you and I and the bad economy as a shield from regulatory discipline, and they are even using this as a time to try and trim back the regulations the EPA enforces. I wonder how many Republicans get donations from these coal-powered industries.

It's time to tell the executives of these businesses to stop clowning around and accept the blame, instead of trying to pawn it off on the EPA. These businesses are making money, why is it so hard for them to get into compliance for the betterment of the environment? Also, let's tell our government reps to stop taking orders from the fossil fuel industries and leave the EPA alone. I don't know about you, but I don't want to time travel back to the 70s. I like a cleaner, healthier Mother Nature much better.

Man's Lust for Oil Continues to Hurt Many

I was watching the show "energyNOW!" on Bloomberg TV this morning and the show devoted it's entire 30 minute run-time to the subject of Canadian oil sands, more commonly known as tar sands. The major segment of the show dealt with the controversy that surrounds the proposed building of an oil pipeline from Fort McMurray in Alberta, Canada to the Gulf Coast refineries in Texas. Many people that farm and live along the proposed corridor have recognized the danger of building a pipeline above and below their water aquifers and parcels of land. Thankfully, they have stood up and protested the building of the pipeline and have asked the Obama administration to deny the permit for building the pipeline (the Obama administration would have to approve this project since it crosses an international border).

Many of those opposed to the building of the pipeline do so by recognizing the fact that if a leak develops it could poison the water that is used for drinking, bathing, and watering crops. These tar sands contain many different chemicals, some of which are known to be carcinogenic, such as benzene. Leaks that contain such harmful materials would wreak havoc to the local ecosystem, especially if it entered the water supply.

TransCanada, which is proposing the building of the pipeline, says that oil pipelines are the safest form of transport for crude oil, and the worst leak they've seen was the equivalent of 500 barrels of oil, the average leak being limited to 10 barrels of oil. This is where I grew angry. Again the facts are being skewed and ignored by those with an interest in making more money at the cost of the environment.

This year alone, there have been at least a dozen leaks, ranging from the North Sea to the Gulf of Mexico and right in Alberta, Canada. Two leaks in Alberta, Canada earlier this year leaked 1,300 barrels of oil and an astonishing 28,000 barrels of oil!! These leaks occurred near wetlands and wild areas and the effects to plant and animal life in those regions will be felt for years to come. TransCanada needs to get in line with the facts and state things as they really are. How can you do an interview for a show and forget to mention the largest oil pipeline spill that has occurred since the the 70s in your country and have a clean conscience?

Another link to the tar sands environmental issue is a story/study that has come to light in recent days concerning the wolf. Canada has seen a sharp reduction in Caribou populations and the blame has fallen on the wolf. Government and business leaders, and even some scientists, are pushing for the wolf population to be culled. A study done by a group of scientists (hired by an oil company ironically to complete the study) has actually linked and documented the reduction of Caribou populations to human activities encompassing the tar sand mining operations, not to wolves. Caribou are actually very skittish creatures and eat in areas that contain clear and uninterrupted views, so they can see any potential threats. The tar sand mining operations have built roads and buildings in such clear areas and have brought an unneeded level of stress to the Caribou, ultimately resulting in population decline. It's not the wolves, it's the humans! When faced with the documented evidence, however, government leaders and businessmen still think that a cull of the wolf population is the only solution to the Caribou crisis (for recent information on this story, click here).

It's time for Canada's government and business leaders (particularly the oily kind) to wake up to reality and stop creating an alternative one. Stop pointing the finger of blame at other kinds of life when it is your practices which are hurting the environment. You can still have a successful business and be good to the environment. Instead of funding ways to come up with more money by taking more from the land, how about funding ways to find cleaner and safer fossil fuel transport methods, or better yet, work on developing renewable and sustainable clean energy. Do you realize that refining tar sands is actually more costly to the environment that regular crude oil? I have no idea why these businesses with the money, which can pay for the brains, need for us, who aren't involved in their businesses, to tell them this kind of s**t. It's ridiculous!

For those that care, let's continue to petition the Obama administration to stop the building of another pipeline and to put political and business pressure on those leaders in Canada so they can start facing reality.

Labor of Love in its Infancy

Hello everybody! You are visiting a blog that I have just begun to increase awareness about the global environment we live in. My name is Richard and my goals for this blog are as follows:

1.  To inform the public, more obviously you the reader, of the threats that face the environment and also to inform of the progress that is being made by different groups to mitigate the damage that has already been done.
2.  To expose and debunk lies and misinformation that is being given to the public from corporations, politicians, and other groups.
3.  To promote ideas and brainstorming on what it is you and I can do to minimize the harmful impact the human race has on the global environment.
4.  Look at things from a realistic point of view. In other words, I don't want to become overly romantic about days gone by or look forward to the destruction of the human race in order to save the planet.

 I hope that this blog will foster in me and in you, a desire to become a better steward of this planet and its vast resources. My wish is for this blog to be a refuge for the scientific evidence that so often gets distorted by media and differing groups opposed to making the Earth a more habitable place for all of its life, not just the humans. In time, I believe this endeavor I'm starting on will be a true labor of love for all involved.

Now why should another blog about the environment exist? I mean, there are a whole bunch out there already.  Well, the environment and nature are things I have cared about for as far back as I can remember (and I'm not that old), and I believe that it will take every person with a conviction in their heart about preserving and conserving what we have here on planet Earth to convince people, businesses, and governments to change their habits. So, in my view, there cannot be enough blogs and non-profits out there to get the message out there.

The environment has taken a bunch of hits from American society the last couple of years, especially from those who control Congress and are trying to roll back protections that have helped make the environment better and, in the long run, kept our health and families safe. These sort of actions and the lies and the misinformation given to us by the politicians have made me very angry and I want to channel that anger into a productive manner. I want to inform those who will listen about the facts and the evidence concerning climate change, pollution, loss of habitat, and how even the economy plays into all of this. This way, I can actually feel I'm accomplishing something instead of yelling and cursing at the talking heads on TV and wondering why they haven't heard me yet.

This planet is amazing and so diverse. I'm regularly left blown away by its majesty, controlled chaos, and its ability to continue to sustain life. I hope you will come back very soon and read more so that we can all be informed environmentalists! I leave with a link to a video that aptly portrays the awesomeness of the Earth and I hope that you will feel what I feel every time I watch it: Let's keep this Earth around.