The Blue Planet

When one looks at our planet from space, they can't help but notice all that water. Most of that water is in the form of oceans. The world's oceans are a magnificent wonder and a treasure trove of life. We now know more about what lies beyond our planet more than we know about our own oceans. The seas are filled with immense and unique forms of life, with some even surviving in areas previously thought inhospitable. Some of the greatest biodiversity on this planet, occurs within the coral reefs, the jungles of the water.

The world's oceans also act as the canary in the coal mine. The stability of climates and marine life is dependent on a stable ocean.  It has a narrow set of parameters with which life, as humans have been familiar with the last several millenia, depends. If it warms too much, or gets too polluted, many feedback loops could develop causing severe changes in climate, trade winds, currents, and marine life. One cause of global warming, is a warming ocean. The oceans have been warming for some time now, and events such as the migration of Australia's seaweed forests are testaments of the fact that we are leaving the parameters with which we are familiar.

While seaweed forests migrating to cooler waters may not seem like much of deal, just think of losing the great temperate rainforests of British Columbia. There is a lot of life contained within these seaweed forests, and when it is forced to leave, a great deal of life (and livelihood for some) leaves with it as well. Ocean life is very fussy, and marine scientists have already seen alarming drops in biodiversity. The evidence being witnessed by these marine scientists all over the world are just precursors to the inevitable and prolonged instability of the oceans unless we cut back on pollution both to the air and to the water. If we curb global emission of greenhouse gases, we can prevent the oceans from warming further, and if we reel in the vasts amount of pollution we still let into the world's oceans, we will give marine life one less thing it needs to worry about in its struggle to survive. Dead oceans equals dead lands, so it's up to us to make sure our oceans don't die out.

Trash Talk

This week's episode of "energyNOW!" was all about trash. In a very refreshing move from other media sources, the news program followed the innovations certain entrepreneurs have made in making all types of waste a profitable and alternative energy source. Garbage and waste in all its various forms have been a huge source of problems for humans since civilization began. The question has always been "what do we do with this stuff?" and "how can we get this mess as far away from us as possible?".

Until a few decades ago, trash and other human waste (including sewage) was seen as something we could just throw into the environment haphazardly and it had no potential for future use. When it was discovered that the gases produced by degrading refuse could be turned into natural gas, several plants were built decades ago to harness this promising energy source. Until recently, however, the business stagnated due to high upfront costs and lack of interest. Now, a renaissance of sorts is taking place in the waste management industry to make it an energy producer and more environment friendly.

From waste converters to sewage-powered electric fuel cells, innovators who are concerned about how humans affect the environment around them have discovered ways for us to turn our enormous amount of detritus into clean and, in many cases, usable leftovers. Yes, these innovators are looking to make a profit, but they are taking the initiative to find a solution to two huge elephants in the room: the ailing environment and human-produced waste. Instead of waiting for current big energy companies to make the move (I'm looking at the big oil, coal, and gas companies), they are developing these new and intriguing ideas that work. We need to urge our government to get behind these efforts more and provide the kind of tax credits and grants that are handed out plentifully every year to the fossil fuel companies. This sort of thinking helps kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. I'm looking forward to seeing more of these technologies work their way into the norm. Let's make it happen.

A "Dis"-endorsement

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney has proven once again that even he doesn't know where he stands on the issues. Climate change, in the past, has been attributed by Mr. Romney as something that is happening and is "probably" connected with human behavior. Now, treehugger.com reports that while Romney still believes climate change exists, it cannot be attributed to human activity and that we shouldn't waste our time with emission regulations. There you go again Mitt.

It really should come as no surprise to us. In the last few months, as his anemic front-runner status has solidified to become even more anemic, he has rolled out plans and comments that fly in the face of his former pronouncements of the causes of climate change. In September, he released an energy policy that screamed of big fossil fuel influence. It not only funds more coal mining, it pushes for a greater amount of drilling. He claims that this will create more jobs and help our nation become more energy independent. He obviously did not see the graphic associated with this week's New York Times report on energy. It places the U.S. below the top ten nations with a large oil supply. We just don't have the oil Mitt. Even with natural gas being plentiful, his plan does not put much focus on that. He could at least try to make it a viable, productively clean form of energy, but he doesn't.

Romney has also called green jobs "illusory" and fake. Instead of standing out and being different on this issue, he blends in with the background. He could back green jobs and use it as a means to reach out to the moderates out there who want jobs and have enough care for the environment to desire a green job. He could mention how green jobs are the future and that, despite the slow start in green jobs, we must take hold of the future. Mr. Romney, however, would rather pander to the conservatives and the fossil fuel industry, thinking that is the path to win the White House.

Mr. Romney has been called out for flip-flopping on many issues. His current stance on many of these issues, and the way he has changed his mind, has been enough for me to definitely not vote for him. However, his flip-flopping on climate change has brought me to a point to vocally "dis"-endorse him for President of the United States. If a man can willingly deny the facts and pander to big oil just to get elected, what else is he cable of? Mitt Romney is unfit to hold the Executive office of this nation. He does not hear the majority of people, and he does not hear the facts. He only does what he thinks is necessary to win. You actually have to do a job once you win, and it is very difficult, as President Obama has shown us. For my politically right-leaning friends, do yourselves and our nation a favor and not vote for Mitt Romney in 2012.

This Says It All

Please check out this post over on treehugger.com. It emphasizes what is wrong with the energy policy in this nation. It also emphasizes the big fight we face with the fossil fuel corporations due to their money machine. We must stand up against it and we must urge our elected officials to do the same or vote them out with someone who will. We can't keep letting big oil win. Our future and our environment depend on it.

When Facts Are Accepted, There Will Be Defections

I don't know if this blog is related to the study I read about last weekend, but it sure is good to hear. A leading skeptic of global warming and climate change conducted his own research and concluded, factually, that global warming is a real thing and that it is happening right now. He has held out for a long time, but when after (finally) conducting his own study he has seen results that are too similar to the other global warming studies that have been done to discount the facts any longer.

I don't know if he will state that global warming is caused by human activity or not, but to see someone who has so vehemently denied the evidence, despite being a scientist himself, finally come around to see that global warming is a fact is comforting. Yes, he should have carried out this study of his long ago. That's what scientists are supposed to do if they don't buy into a scientific claim. However, the fact that he has finally done this study is proof that the scientist in him won out. I hope that he sees, and admits, that global warming and accompanying climate change is a man-made phenomenon. More importantly, I hope that he sees that we can also correct the path of climate destruction we are on and that we can take steps to mitigate and halt further climate change, because we can.

I'm so glad to hear this news. I hope it helps other denialists to finally accept the facts, hard as it may be for them to do.

The Great Divide

In today's edition of the New York Times, the wide gap between what's being done with fossil fuels as an energy source and what's being done with renewable, clean alternatives was on full display. An entire special section was dedicated to energy with the major, lengthy article of that section being devoted to the oil and gas industries. That article details the new technologies emerging that are allowing these companies to extract even more oil and gas from supplies previously unavailable. The article is huge, and it details the redoubling of efforts of the fossil fuel companies to find new sources and continue the supply, despite the evidence that we have or are very near to reaching peak oil production.

In the main section of the Times, a smallish article appeared, several pages in at the bottom of the page, that described how solar and wind power technologies are under threat of losing tax credits because of the Republican and fossil fuel agendas. Just as these clean and sustainable energy sources are really starting to take off, they face losing fair ground in the competitive market for cheap energy. While the oil, gas, and coal companies are nowhere near to losing their government subsidies and tax breaks, these clean energy businesses may lose the same thing. Don't you think that sounds just a bit fishy?

The fossil fuel barons know only too well that very soon, clean and renewable energy sources will cost the same as their energy package, and that it will grow to become even cheaper. They know that customers will flock to these clean energy sources as they become more affordable. That means lost revenue and business for them. I believe they will stop at nothing, including lobbying both Republicans and Democrats to toss tax credits under the bus for these climate-friendly companies. I sound another rallying cry to those who do not want to see this threatened market inequality go forward. Call, write, or sit in front of your federal representative's office until they get the picture that favoring one energy source over another is bad governing.

One last remark. The New York Times today showed how the mainstream media gives way too much coverage to those who oppose climate change policies. Earlier this month, the Times covered the loss of forests globally to climate change. Now they are devoting not only a huge article, but the majority of a special section to the "renaissance" of the fossil fuel energy machine. Putting it out there at such a large scale only emboldens those who not only disbelieve the facts concerning global warming, but fight any attempt to change human practices which has caused this phenomenon. The media needs to stop seeing this as a debate that is still up for grabs. We need to come up with solutions, not try and figure out if global warming is really happening. I expect better from the Times.

Can I Get Some Ice With That?

Here is more evidence from this year alone, that global climate change is occurring. We need to be paying attention to evidence such as record melt from Greenland's ice sheets. If we don't make enough noise, there are too many people who will be affected by the accompanying rise in oceans levels, and they will be caught by surprise. Yes, yes, the evidence has been gathering and those of us concerned about the threats of global warming and climate change have been sounding the alarm for more than 4 decades. We still need to sound the alarm. We cannot grow weary, because we are the only ones willing to accept reality and come up with the ideas to combat the damage we've done. But, we need to get the majority of citizens to accept the evidence and accept the need to implement the ideas that will be the most productive in softening climate change's blow.

A few days ago, I wrote about a similar situation with rising sea levels and the damage that is already occurring around the globe. According to some recent studies, we are going to see a lot more of the upheavals that will be caused by man-made climate change, and we are going to see it sooner rather than later. Again, we cannot grow weary in our effort to enact change. It is a tough road, but it is our obligation to ourselves and the Earth's future generations.

I hate that a lot of what I write about is harsh, gloomy, and doomsday sounding. I hate that those topics take up more space than the happier tones of seeing progress. The fact of the matter is, however, that nearly half of the people in this country do not believe in global warming. Yes, they don't believe in the evidence that has already been produced. What makes me think they'll accept the emerging evidence? I don't know. I guess I just can't see why people aren't grasping reality. I know our capacity as humans and as Americans and it disturbs me that we are not addressing the issues. Maybe, I bring up all this gloom and doom because I'm trying to rally us as a base to make sure we don't lose sight of what we want to see done. All I know is that this is going to continue to happen. We are going to continue to get more bad news until we stand up and make change happen. I want to see more good news than bad, but we have to be the ones who keep the ball rolling until it can roll on its own.

Duh

I saw this article on the msnbc.com website this morning and had to laugh. The article speaks of a study that confirms that global warming is happening. This is how bad it's gotten with the denialists, despite all the evidence that has been amassed over the years that detail the warming globe and subsequent climate change caused by human activity. Now they have to sponsor a study to see if global warming is real and can be attributed by man. We've done this before, we are constantly getting new information on how our activities are changing the global climate. Why are we wasting time doing a study that confirms what has already been confirmed. Will the skeptics be appeased by this? I doubt it. I could be wrong, but I highly doubt it. The science is there. The proof is in the pudding. When will the denialists own up to the truth?

One nice thing that the article points out is the study showed how one area can seem to be cooling while other areas can be warming. Cooler trends encourage people to deny global warming, but the study showed that the areas of the world that were warming more than made up for the fact that some areas were cooler. The average temperature for the globe has once again been shown to be on the rise from the records dating back several decades. So let's stop wasting our time confirming what we already know and put our funds and efforts into developing solutions to the problem we have created. No more committees to determine if we need a committee. Just do it already!

Requiring Accountability

If you have not heard about the debate swirling the extraction of natural gas for the last two years, you may need to come out from under that rock. It has been the source of much contention here in the east, but the drilling and its associated problems is also very common out west. Natural gas has been deemed a much cleaner fossil fuel, and while that may be true, the methods with which it is produced are shrouded in controversy. The industry claims that the process of hydrofracking (shooting chemically laced water into rock containing natural gas in order to release it) is safe and does negligible damage to the surrounding environment. The truth, however, has come to light in many areas where the drilling has been allowed about the damages that the extraction process and fluid has caused. It has been a growing source of contention here in New York since it became known that drillers are interested in extracting in the area of New York City's watershed, threatening it's source of water for millions of people.

This has been a source of such great controversy because it has the potential of bringing jobs to many people in the beleaguered rural portions of the nation. It's process produces a much cleaner alternative to oil as an energy source, and there is a great abundance of it in this country. The dangers, however, are equally as great in scale. Leaking gas from pipelines distributing the product abound. Explosions at the drilling site are common occurrences which bring the added threat of wildfire. The threat to clean water supplies across the country, especially in heavily populated areas downstream, is enough for us as citizens to demand a closer look, and at least a regulated approach to hydrofracking.

The EPA has been struggling to find a way to deal with this issue. Since 2005, thanks to Dick Cheney and other Republicans, the oil and gas companies have been exempted from the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. What's more, the EPA cannot even determine the danger that hydrofracking fluid poses because the producer of the fluid, Halliburton, claims that it is a company asset and that releasing the makeup of the solution would give competitors who don't use Halliburton's product an unfair advantage. Never mind that they have an unfair advantage in using this product and charge large sums of money to gas companies that want to use it.

The threat has become too real, however, and the evidence of the damage caused by the hydrofracking process has spurred the EPA  to come up with a plan to regulate at least the wastewater disposal portion of the process. This is definitely a step in the right direction. Much more needs to be done, requiring the gas extraction companies to be accountable and responsible for what they do to the environment in order to run their business. The EPA will face an uphill battle on this issue to be sure. Note one elected official in the EPA article that suggests that there isn't even a problem, so why is there a need for a solution? The oil and gas companies will lobby and use their money to persuade elected officials to stop the EPA from carrying out its planned regulation of hydrofracking wastewater. They may even continue to petition the public with PSAs in order to decry the efforts of the EPA.

Here's where we come in. Those who desire a basic accountability and responsibility of the companies who extract fossil fuels need to call and write their elected officials nonstop and demand that they not cave to the oil and gas companies and allow the EPA to regulate that process so that we don't end up with environmental catastrophe. Those of us who want greater accountability need to push our elected representatives to give the EPA more power in regulating and banning those things that are harmful to our environment, and ultimately, to us. We need to stand behind the EPA. It is our responsibility to the environment.

Paradise Lost

I ran across this post yesterday on treehugger.com. It is a sobering truth and a taste of what continues to head our way as we delay action on reigning in greenhouse gases and switching to viable, clean, and renewable energy sources. Climate change is here because we have delayed making a good change for so long, and now, unless we act with even better changes, it will only get worse.

Many will never learn about what is happening on the small island of Tuvalu. With a population of just over 10,000 the 24/7 cable news circuit will deem this as an insignificant story. But what does it take to get the attention of Americans about the realities of global climate change? How high does the ocean have to rise in order for them to get the picture? Maybe when an island actually disappears beneath the waves they will understand. Or maybe when one of the major resorts on Hawaii have to push back farther into the island as the size of the islands decrease. Perhaps it will only be when a major city in the continental U.S. on the coast starts to lose its waterfront properties to the water permanently.

Guess what? A city on the continental U.S. has already started to feel the affects of rising ocean levels due to climate change. While it may not be considered a major city, it is a city nonetheless. Norfolk, VA has begun to experience rising tides that flood the streets and inundate residents' basements and homes. The city has actually had to raise the level of the roads so that they won't be underwater anymore. Again, however, unless you watch PBS during the evening at regular intervals, chances are the average American has not heard of this story because the mainstream media won't cover it. If climate change is evidential and provable, they just can't seem to bring themselves to cover it.

My call on this post is for the mainstream media news channels of this nation to cover the realities of our changing climate. Don't call it into question, because there is none. Don't treat it as if it is still debatable by bringing on and giving equal time to denialists when discussing climate change. It is real. It is happening. The science is sound and the evidence and facts are just too overwhelming to be brushed to the side. Stop seeing this as a ratings game and report the news of what is happening to our environment with a fair and even hand. And America, my call is for the average citizen to wake up and insist our government improve its regulations and policy on climate/environment and insist that companies you patronize make that move too. Every citizen will be impacted negatively in some way by climate change. It's time to realize this and do something about it. 10,000 will become millions if we don't.

Here Comes the Sun

Over on treehugger.com, an interesting post on the current trends of solar power and where it will lead to. Technology has brought us to the point of being able to be free of polluting fossil fuels. Solar power is one of the many solutions to the problem we have. The sun has always been the natural source for energy on this planet, and to be able to harness that naturally produced energy to drive our ever more complicated lives is a move back into our "natural" state. This technology will only continue to become more efficient and more reliable and I hope that it helps drive the wooden stake deeper into the oil, gas, and coal companies hearts.

There will be backlash from them, for sure. So, we must be the bodyguards of solar energy and demand through the ballot that our lawmakers stop favoring the outdated, polluting forms of energy and start favoring the clean, renewable resources this planet and science has to offer. Let us continue to push for reforms in campaign contributions so that these oil and gas companies will stop influencing our energy policy to the point that our country cannot help the world stop global climate change in its tracks. Let us continue to petition our lawmakers to do the right thing, and if they continue to side with the big fossil fuels, let us band together and drive them from office and put someone in there who will not bow to these companies every whim. We can bring light into the world.

Trash Duty

One of the unfortunate, but required, duties that I have at work as a horticulturist is picking up trash. It's one of those things you have to do, no matter how much you dislike it. Some inconsiderate or lazy person is going to throw their trash into the landscape, failing to see the black trash can 25 feet in front of them. Either that, or some trash that did not make it into the bin elsewhere found its way into the landscape by way of the wind or water runoff.

For the most part, however, it is people throwing their garbage where it does not belong. Despite what has been taught in school, and the ads we used to see growing up on TV, so many people just throw their trash into the landscape. What particularly interests me is the trash that gets deliberately stuck between fencing as if the person knew they shouldn't throw it on the ground, but instead of holding it a few extra seconds until they reached the trash can, they took the time and effort to stick it into the fence. Another problem I find is when trash ends up in the recycling bins or vice versa. Recycling is usually in blue cans, trash is put in black cans. What is so difficult about that?

One blog that I follow about gardening and good earth practices, described a book that was written that describes what happens to our trash. It sounds like a very intriguing read, as I have seen in documentaries how far our wayward trash goes. The author of the 66 square feet blog also is concerned with all the trash that needlessly ends up in landscapes, natural or formal. She noticed an abundance of dirty detritus in Brooklyn's Prospect Park, particularly in the woods. Noticing it never went away, she took matters into her own hands and organized a volunteer to crew to help clean up the mess. She documents their efforts here. We can all take a cue from her. Maybe you don't have time or the stomach to help organize a volunteer trash crew, but you can pick up that piece of paper or bottle in front of you on the ground and dispense of it properly.

I know trash is gross. We all find ourselves in situations where we have some disgusting piece of garbage in our hands and we want to get rid of it immediately. I know it's easy to just throw it to the side if we don't see a trash can less than ten feet in front of us. This is not something we should do, however. It detracts from the beauty of the environment, and a lot of types of trash can actually harm the plant and animal life around it. Everyone says they want to help the environment, well the first way you can help is to throw your trash away in the proper receptacle. This kind of pollution can't continue if we actually take the extra effort to throw away our waste properly. It starts with you and I.

And We Don't Need Regulations Because . . .?

The continued attacks on the EPA and other environmental protections by the corporations and the right-wingers are becoming more and more apparent. Over on treehugger.com, there are three articles within the last day that detail the continued struggle we face from those who don't think the environment and our precious natural resources don't need protecting and regulating. Each of these articles prove that we can prevent this from happening, but we must not tire in our fight.

These articles are as follows:

1. Stripping EPA protection for air and water from deadly pollutants. 
2. Opening up a cherished natural treasure to miners. 
3. Not enough regulation, allowing toxic organisms to build in new areas.

There are those who would continue to strip away our ability to protect the environment from ourselves and those who are greedy enough to take but not to give back. They claim today that only by doing this will more jobs become available. This is a lie. Jobs are not destroyed by asking a company to abide by the rules and treat the environment and natural world with respect. Jobs won't be created by freeing up the minimum regulations that are in place. Asking these businesses to be responsible is no harsh or terrible thing. Instead of being greedy, they should try being responsible. It will give them a longer term increase in profits (isn't that what it's all about anyway?) and more loyal customer base.

When customers find out that a company is harming them, they flock away from it. But companies don't usually do this on their own. That is why regulation exists. Those loyal to the environment must continue to fight for continued regulation against harmful environmental practices and for increased regulations in protecting the global climate and environment. Without doing so, we will end up overstaying our welcome on this planet.

I Am a Human

My post on Wednesday really got me thinking about how badly the fight against man-made climate change is going. In a sense, it has depressed me to learn the recent facts about where my fellow citizens stand when it comes to dealing with issues that we have heaped upon the environment. I feel an emptiness that I can't quite explain, but I know it's there nonetheless. For me, it's obvious that we are the cause of the climatic changes in this world and we are the cause of loss of so much biodiversity. It is a documented, provable fact, therefore, I accept it.

Some people have conjectured that the reason why Europe is so quick to accept global warming and developing plans to offset it, as opposed to America, is because Europe is more secularized. Faith and religion, while still there, has seen its influence decline greatly on the general population. Over here in America, on the other hand, religion and faith (mainly Christianity) seem to be at least steady, if not on the rise. America has always been a country where its culture and society have been deeply influenced by its religious background. The conjecturers believe that since Americans are so devoted to the concept of God, and that God placed man at the head, there can't be a logical belief behind global warming because that would mean admitting we are not the penultimate creation and therefore have everything at our disposal.

Whether that conjecture is true or not, I have no idea, though I can see the reasoning and the acceptability behind it. What I do know, is that I am a human, and my choices and actions have consequences. That is what my religion taught me (I grew up in the Mormon faith) and I still believe that. I am a human and I must be responsible for what I do.

I am a human and therefore, I have the ability to hurt or help the environment around me. I am not controlled by it, I am not the controller of it, but I'm connected to it. I am responsible for how I interact with the environment. If I put bad things into it or do bad things to it, I know that in time, there will be something bad in it for me too. To me, that is common sense and a part of life.

Faith says that we must be responsible humans. Humanity says that we must be responsible humans. The future demands that we must be responsible humans. So, why is it so hard for Americans and others to accept responsibility for our past and current actions toward the planet? Why can we not see that we are responsible for all of this mess and that we must be responsible for the solution? We are humans, we cannot deny our responsibility. It will come and find us in the end, but I'm afraid that the more we put off accepting it, the more likely it will demand our existence as repayment.

We are humans and we must do something! My hope is that more and more will recognize and become responsible enough to act. In the meantime, those who accept climate change must bear the burden the best they can alone and try to effect change in this world. I am a human, and I seek for life's continuance.

How Many Americans Does it Take . . .?

When the world is in a state of emergency, Americans seem to think that the issue is not so much what to do about the emergency, but whether there is an emergency at all. Over on greenoptions.com, a report has been posted that claiming that only 12% of Americans are very worried about climate change. Of the 57% that actually believe man-made global warming is a real thing, 38% were only somewhat worried. Compare that with 3 years ago when 71% of people polled thought global warming was real. I think this really shows that the denialists are doing their job and those of us who recognize the threats and accept the facts need to do more about this.

This gets to be very frustrating. Here we are, facing the greatest potential threat of mass upheaval. Here we are, presently experiencing Earth's 6th mass extinction event of biological creatures. The facts tell us we are the cause of these problems, but our population chooses to ignore them and even disbelieve them. The facts also tell us that we can do something about it. We may be causing the problem, but we can correct our behaviors and reverse the problem. But, at present, barely a tenth of our citizenry thinks climate change is something to be very concerned about (these are the ones who want to do what it takes to solve the issues).

Then we get stories reported that denialists are not only controlling the debate, but hijacking the facts. The State of Texas apparently doesn't want the facts to get out about climate change and so, when a scientist files a report that chronicles and lists the evidences that Galveston Bay has been affected by climate change, their environmental agency decides to censor the report and its documentation on global warming. Not only do the denialists want to continue to disbelieve in man-made climate change, but they want to alter/censor any scientific documentation that will be made available to the public and the science community at large. My question is, how do we bring this fight back to reality? For those of us who believe, and for those us who are convinced and "very worried", I believe the answer is to make our message more public and pressure the mainstream media to stop providing equal (or in some cases, more than equal) time to those who deny global warming.

This information is very unsettling and upsetting. Especially when a majority of Europe's citizens view climate change as the world's number two priority. Why is the gap of the Atlantic a microcosm of the gap between Europe's and America's view of global climate change? America is a great country and as I have said before, I believe America can still lead the way in the brainstorming and implementation of solutions to climate change. However, America needs to wake up to reality and those of us "warmists" (as the Republicans like to call us) need to retake the debate. We are being pushed to the sidelines and we need get back into the middle of the court. Let's stand together and fight the lies with mountains of truth.

Is There A Time?

I've wanted to post this video for a while now, but I've held off because I thought that perhaps it might be too gloomy for readers to view. Say what you want to about Michael Jackson, with the song ("Earth Song") and this video he addressed some very harsh realities and brought attention to our endangered Earth. The song is a series of questions and I really hope you will take the time to inwardly reflect and make changes where you can. My hope is that all the world and its governments will ask itself these tough questions and make the needed changes to bring this Earth back from the brink which we have brought it to.

Making a Difference

Today I watched a film released three years ago entitled "The Age of Stupid". It was a documentary that pretended to look back at our current time from the year 2055 after climate change had fully accelerated and the massive upheavals that are predicted had taken place. Though it is 2011, the 2008 flick really hit home about how man-made global warming/climate change is happening and that now is the time for action. Their website is an ongoing production dedicated to that idea - we can, we must, change the course we are on.

There are people, and even businesses, that are not waiting for someone to make the first move when it comes to change. Over on treehugger.com, a post about how one of the production plants of the potato chip giant Frito-Lay is quite near to being off the grid and powered solely by renewable, clean energy methods. This is a heartening report to read. A major company, regardless of whether or not you like or agree with their product, has taken the initiative to start going green in amazing ways. I encourage them to get all of their plants converted in a similar manner. The more we have big production companies doing this, the less impact we have on the environment. The company is showing itself to be a leader instead of a follower of the "don't-rock-the-boat" trend of most corporations.

As great as that news is, and hopefully more is to come, there needs to be a fundamental change made elsewhere. That change, that difference, can only be made in the halls of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. and reflected in the state governments. The change of which I speak is to the current tax code/budget policy and to the nation's energy policy. A few days ago, enviroblog.org posted a request as to what the super committee commissioned to decide how to get our country's deficit woes in control should do. The post pleaded  with the committee to not cut programs and tax breaks to environment related issues. These items have come under the most attack in recent months as the Tea Party and the Republicans look to free themselves of these "inconvenient" regulations and programs.

The article goes one step further and requests that the committee actually do the hardest thing, which is very much the right thing, by ending the tax breaks and handouts to programs and corporations that are not beneficial to the environment. We need to cut the link between the government and the fossil fuel companies of oil, gas, coal, and other mining industries. We need to stop the beast dead in its tracks. Taxing it like the rest of American businesses, or even harsher, will start to reign in this monster industry - and maybe even get it thinking about investing in clean, renewable energy sources.

The fight against man-made climate change and destruction of the environment is moved along by individuals and businesses who get reality and are dedicated to making a difference. It will be slow, and it will be very hard, until our nation's government decides it too wants to make a difference and bring some good tidings to the Earth. We must all decide to make a difference in the best way we can, but we must also get our government to hear our voices and realize that the future generations of the human race are the majority and they are demanding cleaner air, cleaner water, and a much more stable climate than we are currently giving to them. Make a change, make a difference!

An Open Letter to the Democratic Party

My Fellow Citizens,
I recently sent a letter to the Republican Party to voice my concerns over their contributions to the lack of progress being made on a climate change/energy policy and their seeming indifference on a variety of environmental issues. I know the Democratic Party has been a vocal leader in calling for a substantive energy policy that limits emissions of greenhouse gases and that you have also been strong in calling for protections on wildlife and other natural resources within the country, as well as globally. However, I feel it is your turn to receive a letter that encourages you to do better.

It is the last quarter of 2011 and this country still does not have an energy policy that quits favoring the fossil fuel corporations and starts favoring alternative, renewable, clean forms of energy. The Democrats held a majority in the House and in the Senate for the first two years of President Obama's current administration, and you let this important issue slip by. At the very least, you have had the opportunity to limit and have stricter regulations on emission, but - again - this moment was squandered. Cap and Trade legislation was the best you guys could come up with and you couldn't even get that to the table. Granted, cap and trade is not even a good starting point in the fight against climate change and man-made global warming. We've long since past the time where we can just let other countries pollute the air with greenhouse gases and then buy up what ever "allotment" they don't use so we can continue polluting. This party is supposed to be made up of the smartest guys, let's come up with better, effective legislation and get it passed.

A recent New York Times Op-Ed confirmed that there is still too strong of a link between the fossil fuel corporations and the Democratic Party. I have come to expect this of the Republican Party, but I definitely expect better of you. Why do you think there is such a negative view of Washington by citizens on both sides of the aisle? We need to be able to trust those who time and time again promise us that they will fight to limit human damage to the environment and the atmosphere. Stop giving ear to the lobbyists from these corporations and really fight for what matters. Your base will rally behind you.

I understand that things need to be economically sound, especially in this economically unsound time, but I know that it is possible to both be economically sound and friendly to the environment. Both political parties have milked at the teats of these corporations for way too long and it needs to stop. Be the better party and get away from this practice immediately.

Now, I am thoroughly grateful at the fact that the Democrats retain the Senate majority and the White House so that the outrageous bills being passed by the Republican House that strip funding from the EPA and protections from the environment can be stopped dead in their tracks. I want your party to continue to stand strong against this onslaught. In fact, I want your party to show some real leadership and help to put better teeth in the EPA's regulatory mouth. They can't do what is even expected of them with outdated and horribly corrupt laws such as the Toxic Substances Control Act. Show your commitment, and don't give in. I, and many others, are afraid that the trend will continue that important things will be lost just so the Republicans will be appeased and something can get done. Do not let that happen.

I, like just about everyone else in this nation, am tired of the political war going on. I'm tired of the rancor and I'm tired of seeing everything getting held up. I'm tired of getting let down time and time again. We can get out of this mess, but only if your party members in elected position stop shooting themselves in the proverbial foot. Every time you do something foolish, or cave to an outlandish request of the other party, you give them more power. Yes, there needs to be compromise. Yes, we need to work together. No, you don't have to give up your platform or principles in order to get that done.

I am confident your party can get out of this rut. I'm confident it can start being a leader on environmental values and create a policy which puts this country back in the forefront of climate leadership. I'm confident our nation can keep its people happy and healthy as well as treating the environment with a sense of deep respect. Let's think of the future generations, instead of just when you're going to be re-elected. If your party members want my vote in next year's election, they need to show that they deserve it. Get to work.

Sincerely,

Richard Walton
Horticulturist

What Will It Take?

The famous author Jonathan Swift (think Gulliver's Travels) wrote an essay in 1729 entitled A Modest Proposal. In this piece of pure satire, Mr. Swift addressed the issue of the Irish Potato Famine in a way that was brilliant and audacious at the same time. Mr. Swift, being Irish himself, had grown tired of the rich English and Irish dismissing the plight of the poor masses that were starving and dying, and doing absolutely nothing to solve the problem. Jonathan Swift uses satire, in the form of telling the Irish poor to sell the children to the rich so they can be eaten, as a way to draw attention to the fact that nothing was being done to help these fellow humans.

It is in that light and with that influence that I wrote yesterday's letter to the Republican Party. Of course, I want them to do none of the things I wrote in the letter, but rather the exact opposite. I thought that by using satire (or trying to think as they do) I might be able get them to see how ridiculous their continued opposition to a climate change policy and environmental protections really is. I remain baffled that in the face of so much evidence and growing threats, that those Republicans in elected office - and their subsequent private followers - cling to the teats of the major corporations of the country, especially the oil and gas companies. I cannot fathom their lack of interest in common sense when it comes to being stewards of the Earth, and their continued use of the tired and baseless argument that all this hurts jobs.

It infuriates me that Jon Huntsman, Jr. is the only Republican presidential candidate that believes that we need to accept climate change science and do something about global warming. Even more outrageous is the fact that the moderate portion (how small it may be irregardless) has allowed the conservative base of the Republican party push a candidate like Huntsman to the sidelines, so that only the most vehement deniers of man-made global warming are welcome at the front of the race. It is like reality doesn't matter to them at all.

I think we do need to have a debate about the proper way to deal with climate change and human interference with the environment, as I believe that helps generate ideas that work, but instead of joining in that discussion, the Republicans insist that there is no such thing and that the science is dubious and run by the "liberals".  Instead of trying to help our generation and even more future generations, they are only concerned about the immediate impact to the pockets of their donors. Of course, Democrats are not immune from this practice either, but that issue will be addressed in the next post.

I would like to see the Republican Party come to the table with a desire to help, with a desire to think of others (born or yet to be born), and with a desire to actually get something done. I want to see them back off organizations like the EPA and stop using them as political footballs to get more points with their ever growing uber-conservative base. If they want to see this country move forward and remain number one, like they say in all their speeches, they need to stop pandering to these people who view life in some sort of alternate reality. The threat that we pose to the environment and the climate is real and we must legislate our actions to make sure that our children's children's children actually have a habitable, enjoyable, natural Earth to enjoy when their time comes. We can't keep passing the buck to the next generation. We must own our actions now!

If you agree with what I've wrote about here, please contact a Republican that represents your state in the House or Senate and tell them that they need to have a change of heart. Let them know that if they continue on their current course of inaction, they won't have a job at the end of the next election cycle. That might scare them enough to actually consider reality.

An Open Letter to the Republican Party

Dear Fellow Citizens,
I just had to take the time to write and share a few thoughts with you. As you are well aware, things have gotten pretty bad lately with the political strife in this country. There have been many times and instances within the last three years since President Obama took office that I thought it couldn't get any worse, but then it did. I know that we all have a lot on our plates now, but seeing as your party is in charge over in the House, and nearly in charge over on the Senate side, I couldn't pass up this opportunity to bring up a priority issue I feel is being slightly neglected on the party platform.

Climate change isn't happening quickly enough. Just yesterday, it was so chilly outside I actually had to wear a jacket the entire day. I had hoped that by now with your refusal to back any sort of emissions and global warming initiatives that New York City wouldn't be getting cold until December at the very earliest. As a horticulturist, I have to work outside and when it gets cold outside, my plants start to go dormant. The flowers die back and leaves get all over the place. I would like it to stay warmer for much longer so I can enjoy the flowers, not have to rake up all the leaves, and, even better, to be able to plant plants that have formerly only enjoyed growing in the subtropics. Can you please hurry and stop more progress in the fight against man-made climate change?

Also, my air is too clean.  I can still see the New York skyline from 9 blocks deep into Central Park. It really made me upset the other day, when I was 30 blocks north of Midtown Manhattan in Central Park and I could still see the skyline. When I go to the park, I want to get away from the city and seeing the skyline on a nearly constant basis is like a big middle finger reminding me that I'm still in the city. Could you defund the EPA even further so that the Clean Air Act cannot be enforced and that only the blackest smoke will issue forth from the smokestacks of the country?

You're doing a pretty good job when it comes to the Clean Water Act. Allowing the oil and gas companies to be exempt from that legislation since 2005 was an act of pure genius. I know all of those families that have had to switch to bottled water because their groundwater became polluted when exposed to natural gas hydrofracking fluid was for the best. The stimulation to the water bottling economy must be enormous! I only hope that fracking can go forward in the New York Marcellus Shale region so that New York City's unfiltered mountain water will be unsafe. Just think, 8 million plus people having to buy bottled water. The economy won't know what to do with all that extra money in the system.

Please continue to remain indifferent at the loss or threat of loss of hundreds of, if not thousands, of endemic plant and animal species. Biodiversity is overrated. It would be a lot easier for John Q. Public if we didn't have so many living things to keep track of. Monoculture is the wave of the future, and knowing you are the party that is always looking forward, I know that you will want to do all you can to ensure that we, as Americans, will only see two or three of the same species of plants and animals throughout this great country.

Finally, continue to rip away at regulations that protect us from chemical spills, oil spills, and the like. The corporations of this country are a lot more important than the human citizens of this country. I mean without corporations, I wouldn't have money, and you wouldn't be in charge. They need to be freed from any thought of the environment so that they can continue to give someone other than me more money. I don't want to see anymore National Parks. After seeing a couple they all get a bit "samey". I want to be able to dump whatever I want out the car window as I drive down the freeway in my H3 Hummer. So please, just get rid of the EPA and all of those other environment friendly laws. To make sure this never happens again, could you pass a law that makes it illegal to care about the environment? I'm sure the future citizens of this country won't mind.
 
I thank you for the unspeakable amount of things your party does for this country. I'm glad you are all sticking to your principles and not compromising on anything. That kind of devotion surely could not be found with any political party that has ever been on the Earth before. I may be an Independent voter, but I know where to turn when I want to see things get done in this country. I don't know how I'll ever be able to return the favor.

Your fellow American,

Richard Walton
Horticulturist

Now it Makes Sense

Over on treehugger.com there is a flow chart that breaks down how the spread of climate change denial works. It literally calls out all those, including mainstream media, that make it difficult for real change to happen that will benefit the environment and help control climate change as best as we can at this point. It is important that this flow chart is made available to us, and that is it is easily understandable. Now we know where we can start throwing wrenches in the denialists plan.

Also, on ecostreet.com, a visual chart has been posted that shows the state of the world in relation to pollution. It brings to light where the Carbon Dioxide is being emitted in the greatest quantities, what pollution does to our health, the kind of cars that are the most offensive in pollution, and a few other things. I'm really glad to see these kind of flow charts and information illustrations being made and distributed to for public viewing. It helps us grasp it all, and it uses the facts to get the reality of situation across to us. It is common sense and now it is available to everyone.

Honey so Sweet

A honey bee is one of the greatest creatures alive. It does more work for the continuation of life than many other types of biological life, including humans. It is responsible for pollinating more types of plants than any other pollinator known to man. Because of its willingness to pollinate so many different types of plants, humans have latched onto the honeybee as a resource and it is used extensively in pollinating several types of crops. That apple you are eating was formed after being pollinated by a honey bee.

It should be no mystery to anyone at this point in time that honey bee populations have been in decline for several years now. Since 2006, scientists and concerned apiarists (bee keepers) have watched bee populations plummet. For a while, at least the first couple of years, the cause of the rapid decline and die-offs remained unknown. A lone idea that cell phone signals were the dastardly fiends killing our bees came about, and while there was some circumstantial evidence pointing to that, it couldn't be the only or best reason. Then, in 2008, credible hypotheses and evidence began to reveal itself pointing to a number of culprits.

Parasites, pesticides, and overworking have come to be the main three theories as to why the bee populations have gone into a tail spin. While one may be most likely killer (the parasite), the other two reasons have definitely helped to exacerbate the problem. Turning a wild honey bee into a work horse and exposing it to deadly chemicals day in and day out cannot be good for its immune system. While these three reasons are not the exact known cause of bee decline, they seem to be the most likely components and scientists are working feverishly to come up with solutions to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Also, regular folks like you and I are fighting to save bee populations.

I remember when I first learned of the drop in bee populations around 5 years ago. I was still a student studying Plant Biology and several of my professors remarked on this sudden and massive drop. It concerned me then, and it concerns me now. This year, as I've been working in my area of Central Park, I have noticed a lot of honey bees hanging around the flowering annuals. While I know the bees are still struggling for survival, it is encouraging to see larger numbers of bees and it gives me hope that we can help another species avoid extinction due to our indirect involvement. That is what being a steward is all about.

Sshhh! Did You Hear That?

If a tree falls in a forest, and no one is there, does it make a sound? How about if the whole forest falls? Will we hear the noise then? Today's cover article in the New York Times brings light to the fact that several of the world's old forests are falling victim to global climate change. In an excellently written piece, the article gives voice to these forests as they are ravaged by insects, diseases, drought, and wildfire.

What scientists have found during fairly recent research shows us the unseen importance in forests. They help sequester carbon by taking in Carbon Dioxide and prevent it from getting back into the atmosphere. With the help of the forests, the atmosphere has not warmed up as quickly as it should, since the forests can absorb up to 25% of the emitted Carbon Dioxide around the world (absorbing 10% of the national carbon emissions). A loss of the forests, whether through decay, or most likely, fire, immediately releases that carbon back into the atmosphere, continuing the warming of the skies.

Now, some research shows that while some forests are failing, others are being strengthened by the increase of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere. Plants, of course, love that gaseous compound since they breath it in. It stands to reason that plants will do better in a slightly warmer, Carbon Dioxide-filled world. However, the skeptics of climate change damage and the denialists are using this argument to say everything is going to be just fine and we shouldn't need to alter our activities. What they are failing to accept is that with a continued rise in temperatures, even by a few degrees, the growing number of healthy forests will also begin to fall prey to the insects, diseases, and droughts that are already creeping northward and southward from their traditional boundaries of affliction.

Also, with the loss of forests comes a loss of biodiversity to an ecosystem. Not just the trees are affected, but the understory plants and all of the animals that call the forest home. This loss of biodiversity leads to a completely different ecosystem, one that may become a monoculture of invasive plants and animals, or one that at the very minimum is less healthy and less stable. Forests are not just the lungs of the Earth, they are the shelter of the Earth. With the continued attacks on environmental regulations and protections, and haggling over which protection techniques are best, we lose time and traction in the fight to reverse our negative impact on the Earth. Why should every other living thing have to suffer on behalf of our greed and ineptness to get into a cleaner, safer way of living our human lives?

When I read this article this morning, my heart broke. I have very fond memories of being in forests and observing and interacting with those types of ecosystems.  I can't bear the thought of seeing them become a rare and almost unseen commodity. We've got to stop the bickering and the nay-saying in this country and actually think of the future. I don't want the future generations of the human race not knowing what a natural forest is.

Did you hear that sound? How could you not? It's echoing all around us.