Go Green

Loss of Biodiversity Infographic

Thanks to MNN for creating this infographic. It is three years old, but the good thing about this teaching tool is how it points out which countries are most at fault for loss of species and species most in danger of being lost. It is staggering. We need to make sure that we stop this precipitous loss in biodiversity.

Sometimes It Really Feels Like This

While I try and keep the videos I find and post here purely educational, I just find this one too entertaining and the content all too common to pass up. Neil deGrasse Tyson is on the Bill Maher show, and he has to educate a obstinate skeptic - a former GM executive  - on the realities of global warming and climate change. The executive spouts the same old rhetoric used by denialists, and, despite being told the facts, insists that it is all made up, scientists are wrong, or that the green movement is going to fade away because it is all based on lies. Dr. Tyson, a highly respected astrophysicist, works hard to identify with this car exec to get him to understand that global warming is real, but in the end, the man refuses to change his mind - or to even admit that he just spoke a falsehood. Bill Maher is visually beside himself as the denialist rattles off falsehood after falsehood and refuses to budge.

Many times our conversations with denialists, skeptics, and even fence-sitters can seem like this. While I advocate educating people by focusing on the facts, producing evidence, and the like, some people will be like the car executive and will refuse to listen, budge, or reconsider even a small facet of their take on the issue. Why do they do this? I have no idea, but in these instances, it is just best to agree to disagree, encourage them to look at the real facts, and go on your merry way. We will never convince everyone. The droughts will get worse, the oceans will rise, biodiversity will falter,  and food and habitat will become scarce, but there will still be those who will deny it has anything to do with climate change and global warming. Our job is not to convince those people, but to convince enough people of the truth so that we can make the needed changes to reduce our impact and prepare for climatic shifts.

Strong Goals Make For Strong Possibilities

It's no secret that America has fallen behind in the movement to lower human impacts on the environment - particularly global warming. Well, we aren't going to be catching up anytime soon unless we implement bold plans such as Denmark is doing. Treehugger.com reports that the Danes have set some lofty goals for themselves over the next 8 years. By 2020, 35% of energy production will come from renewables, carbon emissions will be brought down to 34% below 1990 levels, more money will be allocated to clean energy development, and all buildings will be free of oil and gas heaters.

As part of the "green-thinking" Scandinavian region, the Danish government continues to keep the bar high.They recognize the threat, they believe the science and understand the facts, and they are making the necessary adjustments to how they power their daily lives. When I was in Copenhagen last year, I marveled at the amount of wind energy and green architecture among the new developments. While I know - and we should all recognize no government is - that they are not perfect in their goals, or implementation of goals, the Scandinavians are doing their overall best to become better stewards of the environment and lessen human impact. America and the rest of the world should take note of such bold steps and follow suit.

The Oil Spill That Keeps On Giving

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I just had to share this video from  msnbc.com about how sea life is still being affected by the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico nearly two years ago. Animal life is still suffering from the toxic sludge that permeated such a large portion of the Gulf. As we have seen with the Exxon-Valdez oil spill, animal life will be affected decades into the future. BP doesn't seem to be too concerned with that, however. They're more focused on advertising on TV that it is okay to come back and visit the Gulf region. Oil spills are a real danger, and they are much more frequent than we are led to believe. It is a testament to the power of PR and a disinterested media over smaller spills that the public knows little about the frequency or the environmental magnitude of spilled oil. We need to stop embracing this substance and turn to more friendly energy sources.

All Of The Above

President Obama has been out West looking at various energy production facilities. Early this morning, The New York Times reported that Mr. Obama was touring and promoting energy production of all sorts. He was seen at the nation's largest solar power plant, and he was also seen at a location in Oklahoma where a portion of the Keystone XL pipeline is to be built (more on that later). Obama has adopted an "all of the above" energy policy, as he puts it in his own words. Knowing that Republicans would slam his "policy" and the energy tour, the President decided to refer to them and others against clean technology as the "flat earth society". (Now that is a clever phrase. So clever I might just use it myself.)0

However, Mr. Obama may be alienating both sides of the spectrum with his "all of the above" energy policy. This afternoon, msnbc.com reports that both Republicans and environmentalists are stirred up about the plan. With the Republicans it is the same old story of "Why are we wasting our time with alternative energy? We have plenty of oil and gas locked up beneath our feet. Let's just drill some more. Ease up those regulations." It's easy to see why President George W. Bush loved saying "stay the course" in reference to the war in Iraq. These Republicans just can't seem to think of different ideas.

The environmentalists are upset because we were all led to believe that Obama put a kibosh on the Keystone XL pipeline that would run from Canada to Texas. Well, it turns out he only put an end to the northern leg - Canada to Oklahoma - but his administration is allowing the pipeline to be built from Oklahoma to Texas to carry regular crude oil instead of tar sands. Instead of putting a foot down against further dependence on fossil fuels, they see Obama continuing to expand its dominance.

To Obama's credit, I believe, for the time being, in his "all of the above" strategy. Until we get solar, wind, geothermal, fast liquid metal nuclear reactors, etc. up to the point of being the dominant and clean energy consumed, fossil fuels are going to be a part of our reality. Also, as oil supplies dwindle, there is going to need to be some expansion in order to cover us until that bridge is made. Notice I said "some expansion". We do not need huge drilling and pipeline building projects.

I do not believe that the Keystone pipeline is a move in the right direction and it was wrong of the President to mislead the public in this manner. Continuing to treat oil as the "dominant" energy force in our society only serves to keep it there. If we were to make a goal to actually phase it out, we could make the switch to cleaner, more sustainable energy much quicker. I know the President wants to be re-elected, but he needs to stand on firmer ground when it comes to his position of fossil fuels. He needs to stop flailing around and actually create a policy that doesn't put oil on equal or higher ground than solar, wind, and other clean sources of energy.

To Speak And To Be Heard

Dr. James Hansen is the man! To listen to him speak, and speak plainly, about global warming and climate change is to hear a voice of reason.  He knows the facts, but is not a man of such ambition as to be pretentious and off-putting when he relates what he knows. He does an excellent job in this TED lecture. Let us speak with our minds from the heart, for we cannot be heard unless we speak in such a way.

All Things Under The Big Blue Sky

Treehugger.com has a very unique post about how climate change is affecting other animal species. While I believe the argument needed to convince other humans about the need to do something to mitigate human impact and prepare for the coming changes lies in showing them the impacts to humans, it is important to remember that there are other living things on this planet. This planet has been home to millions of different species over a span of 2 billion years, and the modern human species has only been around for about 300,000 of those years.

Plants and animals have been dealing with slow and small, large and sudden changes for hundreds of millions - even billions - of years. To not recognize the plight that we are putting them under now, and to not understand the effects it will have on future life on the planet, is to deny biological life its place in the universe. Biological life has survived some of the toughest conditions this planet and space could throw at it, but can it survive one of its own members? I invite you to follow the link to the Treehugger site and read the short list with examples of how climate change is impacting other forms of life.

Beach Front Property

On Wednesday, The New York Times had a front page article on the threat of rising sea levels on Americans. The article was in response to a new study that has predicted that 3.7 million Americans living along the coastline will be greatly impacted or displaced by the rising water. Those of us who understand climate change know that sea level rise is an inevitability, as it has already been occurring. 99% of our politicians are unwilling to prepare now for such changes.

The article points out that flooding in coastal areas that commonly occurred with many decades in between episodes will see an increase of flooding episodes to every few years. What this means, in reality, is that these areas will become uninhabitable. Taxpayers and insurance companies will not pay for homes and other buildings to be continually replaced every three or four years. Cities will run out of funds to constantly repair roads and utilities damaged by flood waters. Unless your city, of course, is willing to through a lot of money at building a "wall" to keep out the ocean.

Skeptics continue to say there is no danger, and if sea levels are rising, it's because of natural climate processes, and we will be more than able to handle the problem. If the situation we are in wasn't so dire, those kind of words would be comedic. However, these skeptics continue to have influence over policy implementation, which continues to hold back even the most believing of politicians from developing a plan to help the 3.7 million of our own citizens who will be affected by this symptom of global warming and climate change.

Sure, some of us wouldn't mind the beach front coming to us, instead of the other way around. But we would all feel the impacts of 3.7 million refugees, even residents in tightly land-locked states such as Iowa. We would all see the impact on our taxes and national budget. With this information - based on facts - fresh in our brains, it's time we tell the skeptics to be quiet so we can now present the truth to those who create policy and urge them with all the passion one can muster, to develop and implement a plan to deal with this problem. Let's tell them it's time to do something well before the eleventh hour and the fifty-ninth minute. Maybe then they can have our trust back.

The Black Rock is Burning Out

I did a "double-take" when I saw this report. It stated that coal-generated power dropped below the 40% mark in more than 30 years. While this is most welcome news, it comes with a qualifier. Coal, gas, and other "fossil-fuel" driven energy is still the dominant force in America and around the world. Until we see many of these type of energy sources brought below 30, 20, and even down to 10%, we still face the consequences of a warming world and a changing climate.

Sustainable and green technology is getting better with every month. New energy innovations abound, but they must be implemented at a much quicker pace. Also, it is not just technology and switching to a different type of energy production that will save us from an incapacitated planet. It is a shift in thinking by the public consumer. We must learn to temper our diets from more, more, more to enough, enough, enough. Instead of believing marketers that we need another big car, or another form of bottled drink, we need to consume less and realize when we have enough. As we consume less, not only will the demand for energy be lower, but the demand on the Earth's resources will be much lower as well.

Fossil fuels are on their way out. That much is a given. However, it is us who decide whether we will continue the path of unsustainable growth and consumption, or whether we will embrace a more evenly balanced future of sustainability in energy production and consumption.

A Liter of Light

Here is another video, a great TED lecture about creative ideas that lead to a more sustainable and environment-friendly future. I am supporting A Liter of Light as it is one of those innovative and helpful ideas that will help us now and tomorrow in battling our environmental issues. I encourage you to jump on board and become part of this fascinating endeavor.

Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Human Health

Linktv.org has many great videos on environmental issues. This video shares the threats that may arise to human health via medicine development because of loss of biodiversity. We get many of our medicines from the natural world. As we lose the species that produce these chemicals, we not only lose current medicine, we lose the chance to develop further medicines to help cure diseases. This is another page in the document we call "Why Climate Change, Global Warming, and Habitat Loss are Bad".

On Tides

I walked out to the Christopher Street Pier in Manhattan yesterday. You can see the Freedom Tower (1 WTC) being built on the far left and Jersey City, NJ on the far right. You may also be able to make out the Statue of Liberty and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge in the far distance. It's doubtful that you can make it out from the picture, but as I arrived at the pier, the tide was coming in.

I became entranced as I watched water coming from two different directions and meet. The Hudson River flows to the south and empties into New York Harbor. The tide pushes sea water north up the river, sometimes well past the island of Manhattan. Eventually, the clashing water flow gave way to the stronger tidal advance and the river looked as if it was now flowing northward. Closest to the pier, however, you could still see fresh water from the Hudson trying its hardest to flow south.

Maybe it was the warmer-than-usual March air, or maybe it was my recent faith (belief system not religion) change, but the experience became a little of what you could call spiritual to me. I was left starry-eyed as I thought about how this happens everyday, multiple times a day, and has done so for thousands, if not millions of years. The species of the earth go by, but the planet tries its hardest to keep up with its rhythms. Nature is truly a spectacular, if not spiritual, experience.

I know it all sounds so cliché or trite, but for me it was another reminder of why I love this planet, of why I consider it so precious. I wish everyone could have at least one moment in their life where they connect with nature in such a primeval way. And then I wish they could have more of these moments. Honestly, we need many of these moments to realize how connected we are to this planet and to other species. It may sound like I'm spewing New Age love words about nature, and maybe I am, but the reality is this is our only home. This is the only planet we have, so shouldn't we treat it as if it is expendable.

For me, this is why global warming, climate change, loss of biodiversity, deforestation, ocean acidfication, etc. are such important issues that need to addressed. This is why solutions need to be implemented and new solutions need to be continually devised. Yes, I can find the romance in nature, but when it boils down to it, this planet has been around a lot longer than we have, so we shouldn't be the ones to bring it to its knees. It's our home too, so we are only doing our species a huge disservice by continuing to disregard and correct our impacts on it. Tides come and go, but a home never should.

The Past Is Not the Present

Skepticalscience.com has a link for the top ten arguments against climate change and global warming. Each argument is linked to an article that specifically addresses and dismantles that argument. I clicked the link to the argument "Climate has changed before" and was brought to a brilliant analysis of the argument. Even better, the article allows you to choose the level of "science-speak" you are comfortable with. The basic level provides a general outline of what is wrong with that argument in the case of our current situation. The intermediate level involves a lengthier discussion as well as some graphs.

I find it quite refreshing that this website has dedicated the time, energy, and science to truly informing those who would come across their site about these urgent environmental crises we face. To see them deconstruct each of the main arguments used against believing in (or doing anything about) climate change in a responsible manner, and then go on to provide the real interpretation of the data and evidence, is laudable. This is how peoples' minds can be changed regarding this matter. I know it doesn't make for easy soundbites, but for those that take the time to read, review, and research, they will find that to not believe in and not do anything about our warming world and changing climate would be the zenith of irresponsibility.

Yes, the earth has had changing climates before. However, it has never been so rapid, and it has never been brought on by human activities. The fact is the evidence proves beyond a reasonable doubt that human activities are causing the major jump in CO2 levels, which is in turn raising the global average temperature, which in turn is altering global and regional climates. It is happening faster than any other time in geologic history, and it is happening at a rate faster than even scientists have projected it to. By knowing the facts, we learn that this current episode of climate change is attributable to our impacts on the planet, that it poses great threats to how we live our lives, and we also learn that we can do something about it. Information is a great and wonderful thing. Please share it as much as you can.

Renewable Energy Solutions

I just found a cool playlist on Climate Denial's Crock of the Week YouTube channel. It's called the Renewable Solution of the Month. It has great videos showcasing the innovations and technological developments that are helping us move from the fossil fuels to cleaner, greener energy. This is their latest video. Enjoy!

What The Stats Say

Climate change infographic

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Take a look for yourself at the stats. Do you think the "debate" is balanced? Or is there even a need for an ongoing debate?

Moving Towards a Greener Suburbia

In the New York Times today is an article about what is and what has happened in Copenhagen, Denmark regarding the development of new areas close to the city. It is a well-done article, though I feel it could have focused on the greener elements of these urban planning projects. Denmark, and Copenhagen especially, is part of the leading trend in uniting green living and efficient design.

My partner and I actually stayed in the Orestad region of Copenhagen when we visited last summer. We were both amazed at the quality of the place. Yes, everything is new, and those "starchitects" know how to dazzle, especially in architecture friendly Scandinavia. However, the quality was more than that. There were abundant wind turbines around; green spaces other than undeveloped lots were graciously and plentifully weaved into general planning of the area. The metro line was convenient and easy to use, and took us quickly into the city center.

As the article points out, there is still some work to be done, but this newish development of Orestad could and should be used as a blueprint for other communities looking to expand, renovate, or appear. I do wish the article would have mentioned the redevelopment of the Malmö, Sweden waterfront in detail. We also visited that city and saw the amazing transformation that took place on its waterfront, with green designs and energy efficiency through and through. Scandinavia, definitely has a lot to be proud of while it continues to work toward a greater environmentally-friendly future. My hope is that our nation and others can look upon these grand projects and implement them in a way that increases local flavor and prosperity, while reducing human impacts on our beloved planet.

This is Global Climate Change

It's important to be reminded of the immediate threats that other nations face within the scope of climate change. While we are not immune for immediate threats, there are certain nations, such as Bangladesh that face a clear and present danger. This video is an important component of understanding the global impact of climate change.

Breaking the Bonds

I was provided an article from the new issue (Mar/April 2012) of Foreign Affairs Journal that was very intriguing. This essay laid out in one fell swoop what can be done to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and how we can transition over to cleaner energy technologies. The essay's author, Amory B. Lovins, draws upon innovative brainstorming and newly available technology to make the case that we can successfully - and pretty painlessly - switch from an economy dependent on fossil fuels to an economy that is buoyed up by clean, efficient, and renewable energy production.

This essay resonates well with reason and it shows us that this is doable. The beginning of the essay points out this was done before in American history when we switched from whale oil for fuel to the fossil fuels. Innovation and brainstorming breed solutions to the tough problems we face. As the essay points out, we have the technology and the know how today to make these changes, and it doesn't have to be an economic apocalypse that follows.

As we combat those companies who are protecting their own interests, we must take heart knowing that we have solutions that are just waiting to be used. We have the solutions, we just need to be heard and allowed to proceed. Sweden is doing it. Germany is doing it. The UK is doing it, as well as several other nations. Success is around the corner, and soon we will no longer be slaves to the fossil fuels.

Oil Subsidies

Treehugger.com has an interesting post on President Obama becoming ever more vocal in his calls for oil companies to lose their tax breaks and governmental subsidies. While it can be certain that the President's recent increase in intensity and frequency in the call to eliminate these subsidies can be traced to this being an election year, it is a really good time to end this absurdly long "free-ride" that oil has received from the government.

Oil subsidies for the companies that drill and refine our fuel source made sense when the companies were beginning. However, oil and gas companies (and coal) have done so well for the last many decades that it is an insult to regular citizens such as you or I, to watch them make record profits every single year and pay significantly less in taxes, plus get additional money from the government on an annual basis. It is a slap in the face.

Meanwhile, oil and gas companies are working hard to convince the Legislature and the President to eliminate tax breaks and subsidies for the emerging clean alternative fuel companies. They, however, insist on keeping their tax breaks, by throwing around the scare tactic that gas prices will jump sky high at the pumps. The hypocrisy and the lies are unbelievable. If this wasn't such a normal routine, I would think this was out of some fictional story.

The President may be ramping up his rhetoric for his own benefit, but I'm one who agrees that oil subsidies and tax breaks have got to stop. The fossil fuel companies have long made profits at our expense. They don't need the government's help. We need a government that encourages responsible use of our natural resources and promotes companies that serve our needs and treat all environments with a bit of respect. If the President's rhetoric actually leads somewhere productive, I would say it's a campaign promise kept.

Tipping Points

Dr. James Hansen shares in this video various tipping points we need to be aware of concerning climate change and the ever-warming world. Dr. Hansen is a notable expert in global warming and climatology. He knows what he is talking about and he speaks to the public in terms that we can all understand.

It's important to know the tipping points, where climate change becomes irreversible, or severe and out of control, or when ecosystems face failure. If we know the generalities of these tipping points, we can work to avoid them. Tipping points are the guidelines to let us know how we are doing. If we pass too many of them, we face living (or dying) in a radically different world, one that is not pretty, nor fun to live in.