This Is The Year To Get Serious!

Here is an interesting and provocative video about what is, or rather what is not, being done about climate change. This video really starts to penetrate the question as to why more is not being done about global warming and subsequent climate change. It's time to make this the year of real action on every level possible.

Back to Black

After traveling for a week, I'm back and able to get blogging again. I have just come across an article on Treehugger.com that expounds how much the oil giant BP knew about the amount of spillage into the Gulf of Mexico. They knew that nearly 3.4 million gallons of oil a day could potentially spill in the ocean and the evidence coming forth is that they did all they could to cover up that knowledge. Two years after America's worst oil spill, we are still dealing with the damage that was inflicted on the environment and the Gulf's economy. BP, Halliburton, and the other involved companies were reckless in their attempts to obtain oil and after the spill, it was very apparent that they weren't doing all they could to stop the oil from spilling and spreading, and it was also apparent that they weren't giving us the whole story.

BP and the other companies involved with this spill need to really be held accountable. Fines have been issued yes, but no one has gone to jail. No executives have been made to personally clean the animals and beaches harmed by the black goo. Instead of pumping money into the actual revitalization of the environment and economic area, I've only seen the advertisements paid for by BP telling people to go visit the Gulf. This is what is wrong with the system. Those who have done wrong, regardless of whether they are a corporation or an individual or a group of individuals within a corporation, need to held accountable for their misdeeds. It's time to further boycott BP. I know some people may still be boycotting their product, but those who have returned to buying their gas need to return to the boycott. We must also encourage others, friends, family, and coworkers to boycott this corporation and it's products. We cannot allow businesses that flagrantly disobey and disregard rules and morals to continue in existence.

Science is Still Science

After being out of the loop for a couple of days due to travel and sickness, I found an article on Treehugger.com about science and personal bias. I thought it was a really well written piece which accurately describes how many people, both educated and not, feel that if they don't believe in a scientific claim then it's just not true. They then go forward screaming loudly about their disbelief in the hopes that it will make others believe that it is not true. This goes against everything science is about.

Regardless of our different biases, science is destined to rise above the fray as it relies on empirical evidence to make its claims. We know that animals and plants can be grouped into different "similar" categories based upon the evidence science has found using anatomical and genetic markers. We know that the planets orbit the sun because of the overwhelming evidence we have obtained from telescopes and satellites. We know that global warming and climate change are real events taking place right now due to human activities because of the vast evidence scientists have found over time. Science is not a consensus. Science is what the evidence says is really happening. It is the explanation of causality in the universe and world around us. Yes there are incongruities, as there are in all things. Even those incongruities are eventually explained as more evidence is gathered on the phenomenon.

For those who want to continue to believe that climate science is "made up" and that it is some sort of vast conspiracy, fine. However, it does not make your belief correct. Scientists have drawn these conclusions after analyzing the data and the evidence. Records show the average temperature of the globe is rising and the evidence is also there showing the growing rise in greenhouse gases. Scientists have been able to make the correlation between greenhouse gas emissions and the rise in global temperature and subsequent climate changes. The only reason they are very vocal about this is because they realize the danger we are in and they know we are the only effective solution to the problem. Science will always be science. There will always be people who disagree with what conclusion is drawn. However, we cannot let those who disagree with science be the ones who get to dictate to the rest of the world what science is and what science is actually right about.

The Unseen Fight

Until late last year, I was under the assumption that carbon offsetting credits you or I purchase would go toward helping develop clean technologies or help out nature protection funds. However, as I learned a while ago, these funds are often used in developing nations to help energy companies there. These energy companies in turn displace residents and harm the local environment. They also aren't very "atmosphere" friendly in their emissions. Many of these carbon credits are overseen and awarded by reputable and governing international organizations, such as the U.N. I bring this issue up to raise awareness to the fact that one of our ideas has been hijacked and may be doing more harm than good. We need to make sure there is oversight and accountability with carbon offsetting. When I purchase these credits, I should be able to track the money exactly to where it goes. World organizations should review where and for what purpose this money should go toward. We shouldn't be shooting ourselves in the foot with this type of program. Let's demand a reform of the carbon offset credit system so that we ensure healthy, stable, and clean lives for all human beings. Please watch this video for more information.

Is That Your Final Answer?

If you haven't heard the good news, Obama has rejected granting the Keystone XL pipeline a permit to build from Alberta, Canada down to Texas. There was some debate as to what the President would decide, and while environmentalists can breath easy for the time being, it is unclear how the labor unions will react. We are sure to hear from the Republicans, calling President Obama a job-killer and the like. We've heard it all before. I am glad the President has decided against the project, and I hope this sets a precedent for him. He needs to show us that he really wants to help the environment and move us to clean, renewable energy.

As Treehugger.com has pointed out on their website, there were many different factors that led to the President's decision. Environmentalists shouldn't take this as meaning that the war is over. As the blog correctly argues, the company(ies) involved in the pipeline project can still come back to the President in the future with better safety features in place and a changed pipeline route. This pipeline can still be built. We should remember that our fight is never over, because there are those who are always willing to harm the environment on a large scale in order to make a profit or for other personal gain. We laud those who are doing things everyday to keep these individuals and corporations at bay, but we encourage you to keep fighting. We need you always.

More About Fracking

Over the last few months I have posted three full blogs on hydraulic fracturing, or hydrofracking (See here, here, and here). Enviroblog has a very good post on more accidents related to hydrofracking. This is a very dangerous practice and as the natural gas and oil companies pursue this method more and more, we will continue to see an increase in harmful and disastrous effects. Natural gas is a clean fossil fuel, but our attempts to retrieve it from the Earth should not trade clean fuel for poisoned water, well fires, and earthquakes. We need to send the message to legislators to give the EPA more power and teeth in regulating this industry. As it stands now, these companies are almost free to do anything once they receive the permit to drill. Fracking takes us one step forward and then five backwards. We deserve better and so does the environment.

The Joy of Life

I don't usually like to do two posts in a row where I include videos, but I just found a video that shares something so cool that I can't resist. This video is of dolphins and humpback whales "playing" in the waters of Hawaii. It isn't aggressive and both species seem to enjoy it. In a world full of "eat or be eaten" and "run or get caught" animal instincts, it is so nice to see other species have fun with each other. It is definitely rare, but for me, it shows how amazing life is. Biological life is the grandest thing I know of because of its complexities, hardships, and triumphs. This is why all forms of life should be preserved from extinction at the hands of humans. I hope you enjoy the video. You may want to enlarge it to read the captions. Visit Treehugger.com for an accompanying story with the video.

Which Mitt Do You Want?

Mitt Debates Mitt on Climate from Sierra Club National on Vimeo.
It's no secret that I really dislike Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and two-time Presidential hopeful. I don't think he is good for this country, and he doesn't even know where he stands on several issues. That's what I love about this video. Mitt has flip-flopped many times on global warming and climate change. One day he says we should cut back our emissions, the next day he says we shouldn't. One day global warming is real, the next day well it may be real but we don't really know. Mitt is a danger to himself and to the climate and nature as a whole. He represents big business and big profits. That means more oil drilling, more reliance on fossil fuels, and less regulations and protections for the environment. Enjoy the video and remember, you may not know which Mitt you will get if you vote for him.

What's In A Name?

Remember when we had all that snow last year across the nation? When we did have snow, Republicans were scoffing at the whole global warming idea, especially after D.C. got buried in the white stuff. Now this year, as most of the country has yet to see any snow, many are starting to wonder again. Even I am quick to think, "This proves that there is global warming." I usually prevent myself from actually saying this to others. Because local weather is not indicative of global warming. The strange and unpredictable weather we experience in different locales is only indicative of an unstable climate. An unstable climate and climate change bring with them changing weather patterns over time, while in the short term they bring extreme and abnormal weather. Since climate change is being observed on a global scale, scientists have been able to connect climate change with the overall increase in the Earth's temperature - this is global warming.

All of this can be a bit confusing and we all tend to run the words' meanings together and use them as synonyms. However, we should all be informed on the correct meanings belonging to each of these unique and individual words. Fortunately, the Climate Access blog has done this for us. A couple of days ago, they posted a full article on the different meanings of these terminologies. Please visit the link and read up on what these words mean. It is important that we use them correctly so that we can try and pass on our message to the public more effectively. Once we know these words' true meaning, we need to share them with others so they can begin to understand as well. Our message all hangs on a few words.

Have A Look At This

Please enjoy this video. It shows the innovation and hard work that even developing countries are putting into solving the climate change issue. If they can do it, so can we. Thanks to linktv.org for the great informative videos they provide.

The Tortoise and the Hare

I read over on the BBC that a species of tortoise once thought to have gone extinct may actually still be around. Now while there are some questions that need answering in order for scientists to indeed say this tortoise species is, in fact, not extinct, I just get giddy inside when I hear news like this. Extinction is a terrible thing and there should be no question to any reader of this blog as to why that is. Life is the greatest gift and biodiversity is the crucial link to all of life on this planet.

Realistically, if this species is still around, it also means it is still endangered and the threat of extinction is high. This is because the population will not be that large and the threats to biological life are even greater today than when they were first thought to have gone extinct. Scientists are doing what they can to learn how we can best protect threatened and endangered species across the globe. It would be wise for us to listen to their findings and advice. We still have a long way to go before humans are repairing the damages they have done to biodiversity, but Mother Nature shows us sometimes that we can't take everything from her.

A Bold Move

I don't read The Economist as often as I would like. They have informative, balanced articles that I just enjoy reading. I was referred to an article today that deals with the European Union's new airline carbon tax. I encourage you to read the full article via the link. Not many people know about the EU's decision to begin taxing airlines for flying into and through European airspace.

It is a bold move, and an initiative I support. Air travel is the single most polluting form of transportation a human can take. With airlines barely making a move to develop and fly on cleaner biofuels, the Europeans decided it was time that airplanes pay for the amount of carbon they release into the air. The tax goes toward offsetting the effects of global warming by investing in cleaner energies and researching new technologies that will bring us clean energy. As the article points out, many foreign nations are ticked off, including the U.S.

They see this as an unfair imposition placed on them by other world governments. I'm sure those in the U.S. are arguing that this stifles the tourism industry to Europe using American-based airlines, thus hurting our economy. The airlines have already passed the tax to consumers. However, the increase is not that much. As a person who loves to travel, and has a tight budget when visiting places such as Europe, I understand private and individual concerns over an increase in cost for air travel. The good that is being done far outweighs the small increase, however.

Far from seeing this as an annoyance or viewing the EU as a bully forcing its way on us, airlines and entrepreneurs should view this as an opportunity. Why not develop cleaner, more efficient jet fuel? Instead of complaining, use this as a push off toward a new jet industry that focuses on "greener" fuel supplies. Also, perhaps the U.S. can stop whining and reward airlines that make such a forward thinking move. Maybe the U.S. could learn something from the EU about taking bold steps. It seems we have forgotten how to do it. I applaud the EU and encourage them to stick with it despite the complaints.

An Unknown Stalwart

There is a another great article on the BBC website (trust me folks, this news organization gives its due to environmental issues, which is quite refreshing). This article deals with the African rainforests, and it provides a great deal of hope for the planet undergoing massive climatic changes. Studies that have been conducted are beginning to paint a picture that perhaps the African jungles will be able to withstand climate change, at least on some level. Of course, we can't be really sure, because unless we really do something, we are being threatened with really dangerous climate change. However, this is a bright glimmer of hope. Up until now, we didn't know if any rainforests would survive human hands, let alone climate change.

The article notes that evidence points to these jungles already having dealt with climatic changes which have reduced biodiversity, but have left the forests stronger and healthier as a whole. They contrast what they know about the other rainforests of the world, including the Amazon, with what they are finding in Africa. Scientists have come to realize that though the African jungles may have less biodiversity, they have more biomass than the Amazon or other rainforests. The trees are taller and living longer, suggesting a healthy forest.

Rainforests are essential components of our global biosphere. They are aptly named the world's lungs. They are also a treasure trove of life and a key to biology's survival. The more biodiversity that exists, the better chance biological life can continue on this planet when a great challenge to life arises. If it is true that African rainforests are resilient against climate change, then the various African governments, along with the U.N., need to provide even more vigorous protection against human destruction. No more logging permits, no more drilling, no more humans burning it down so they can farm. We are struggling as it is to preserve the world's lungs, and climate change elevates the threat they face. Getting a shred of hope that some of these jungles could survive should empower us with the motivation to defend and protect these vast sources of life and breath. Most of us will never venture into a rainforest, but all humans have a link to the rainforest.

Remember When?

Remember like 20+ years ago when there was a commercial that talked about your brain on drugs? If you don't here is a reminder:

I thought of that video today when I read on the BBC that smog in South Asia is the worst it has ever been, and the outlook doesn't get much better. I wondered, 'Wouldn't it be interesting if they did a video like the brain on drugs commercial that showed what air pollution does to your lungs?' That sort of commercial would definitely resonate with many people and perhaps give them the will to demand for tougher emission standards. It would also be nice if they did a video about the Earth on global warming. It might look a lot like the above video.

This is where the U.N. Climate Convention last month could be playing a vital role. Instead, while getting something done, they did not address the immediate concerns as well as the long term ones when it comes to dealing with emissions. South Asia, especially India, is experiencing the Industrial Revolution for the first time, really. As its economy burgeons, so too does its emission of greenhouse gases. India has every right to be able to bring its people out of dire poverty using a good economy that is becoming more modernized. However, as emerging top economies such as China, Brazil, and India are showing us, there is a great threat to an even higher jump in greenhouse gases finding their way into the atmosphere.

As the BBC report reminds us, this exponential increase is not just disastrous to the global climate, it is even more potent in personal lives. It brings with it health issues of many sorts, some of which are deadly, and it can bring a disruption to the daily routine if it is unsafe to go outside or even travel. That, in the long run, can be a huge setback for businesses looking to grow and make a profit. If nothing else than for human lives to be spared, this is why there should be stricter emission standards in developing nations. We must give these governments incentives and the technologies to clean up their air and really begin making the move toward clean, sustainable energy. These countries outpace even the U.S. in some aspects of becoming "greener", we should help them with the crucial issue of bringing down emissions while holding energy steady.

In the end, what we are putting out into the atmosphere and doing to the environment and the resulting warming of the planet isn't just about the planet. Though that is hugely and crucially important, this should be about providing better health and lives to all. Life isn't worth living if you can't breath, or if your home is constantly in danger of natural disasters due to a changing climate, or if you can't drink the water. If we get sick because of our production activities, shouldn't that be an alarm telling us to come up with better ideas. If nothing else, I want the denialists to look at this in terms of human lives. Stop focusing on corporate profits, and look at what the impact global warming due to human causes is having on individual and groups of people. How can you not want change after thinking about that?

Don't Let "Them" Win

Over on treehugger.com is news that the oil industry is threatening President Obama with "huge political consequences" if he fails to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, which he is now required to decide on in the next 48 days. I knew President Obama was backing himself into a corner by signing a bill that required him to make a decision much sooner than he originally wanted to. However, no matter how I feel about President Obama and his tepid record on the environment and tackling global warming, I despise the oil companies even more.

We cannot let them win. We cannot let them dictate decisions to the President. It is one thing to lobby for support. It is quite another to make billions of dollars in profits, get government subsidies and tax breaks, control at least one political party, and demand that all politicians approve your every request. We must send a message to President Obama that he must not submit to Big Oil demands, and we must show him that we will stand behind him if he stands up to them. The oil companies are unconscionable, looking only to make billions more. They lack respect for the political process, for the environment, and the global human interest. Let Big Oil hear the news: they do not control us, we control them.

Put it Into Focus

You and I are humans. We both breath air and drink water. We relish the sunlight and the blue sky. We sit under a tree and enjoy the shade while we pick at the lush grass beneath it. We gasp in awe at the stark beauty of a desert landscape, and of the vastness of the Earth's oceans. We may cower at a violent storm, but we are also captivated by its awesome intensity. Our jaws drop when we observe some incredible deed done by an animal that we never knew about before, or when we see a tree reaching to unstoppable heights.

It is in these moments that we start to realize what we are a part of.  Whether one is scared of nature, or delights in it, we still belong to nature. We can still be reduced to the fact that we live on this planet, we come from this planet, and without our planet we lose our identity. We need Earth to take care of us, and that is why we must take care of it. It is all we have, and everyone and everything on it, deserves to be given the chance to live.

Whether you believe in global warming or not, the above paragraphs describe why we have a need to do better. If you don't believe in human-caused global warming, that's fine, but why wouldn't you want to help make the Earth a cleaner, more habitable place for yourself and for the future? It is in everyone's best interest, down to the self and all the way up to the global level. Step back and look at the big picture. Look at it with focus. Then ask yourself if you really want to lose the best thing we've ever had. For those of us who do believe, let us double our efforts, expand our cause, and remember where our focus comes from.

Of Wolves and Guns

One of the local news websites in my home state of Utah posted an AP article about a recent study that was done involving wolves and vegetation in Yellowstone Park. The study alleges that because the wolf pack has helped to reduce the different grazing herds, particularly elk, vegetation such as grass and tree stands are becoming healthier. Ungulates (deer, elk, moose, and bison) tend to eat the fresh shoots of saplings because they are high in nutrients. With high populations of grazing animals in its midst, woodland areas struggle to provide a new generation of trees which helps to keep the forest healthy. Also, large populations tend to cause overgrazing of the grasslands - continual foraging of grasses in an area, so that the grass has no opportunity to regenerate with new shoots - which can lead to erosion, a change in the micro-ecosystem, as well as threatening the very same ungulates with starvation.

Wolves used to be a part of the food web in the West and throughout the nation. They were seen as a threat  by ranchers and settlers and were subsequently exterminated. The result was yet another lost predator to help naturally maintain the grazing mammals. The wolves were gone from the ecosystem for nearly 80 years, leaving humans as the sole maintainers of burgeoning elk and deer populations. In 1995, the gray wolf was reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park and it has been largely successful. Their numbers have exploded, and while ungulate populations have declined, the overall health of the population is considered to have improved. This latest study shows the link that predators even have to vegetative health within the ecosystem, which helps to make the case that an ecosystem is made up of many different parts, which have evolved together over time. When you remove any portion, it causes an upset within the ecosystem, but returning something helps bring the ecosystem back into a healthy "balance".

The reintroduction of the wolf is not without controversy, however. Ranchers feel the threat on a day to day basis of lost livestock as wolves occasionally kill domestic farm animals. Hunters seem to resent the smaller populations of grazing animals, namely deer and elk, since that means less for them to hunt. Just take a look at the comments section of the news article and you will see that more than 3/4 of the commenters are opposed to wolves, many of them would like to see the wolf gone altogether. These groups of people feel alienated by the wolf and they see only competition and death in its creature.

Because of this, there is much discord between conservationists and ranchers/hunters over the future of the wolf. While education has been ongoing since the reintroduction, many of the wolf's human opponents remain vehemently unconvinced as to its purpose and place in the ecosystem. These groups have succeeded in getting the wolf removed from the Endangered Species list, and putting management back into state hands, instead of the federal government. One such state, Idaho, has called for a wolf hunt that would eliminate 80% of the population. Other states, such as Utah, have sought to make it "illegal" for wolves to be within state lines. This is surely going to cause more outrage from the pro-wolf groups.

I have a bias for the wolf. I think they are amazing creatures. They are terrible. They are beautiful. They are intelligent, and they are ravishing. It is true, wolves are both majestic and murderous. They kill, because that is how they eat. They play a part in the ecosystem and within the food web and have done so for thousands of years. This fight between wolves and men is the result of humans massively interfering with an ecosystem, without regard to its effects. This fight between two viewpoints would be much less intense if wolves had not been brought to near extinction in the lower 48. We need to see the lesson in this. Our actions have many consequences which can manifest themselves immediately as well as decades, or centuries, later. There is no easy answer to this puzzle. This struggle will continue indefinitely as we pay for the choices our great grandfathers made.