tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16990387169582503632008-07-25T15:56:57.908-07:00JTnoreply@blogger.comBlogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-49101293171209521672008-07-14T13:12:00.000-07:002008-07-14T13:55:45.776-07:00<img style="width: 298px; height: 223px;" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/2081925093_22314cf336.jpg" align="right" />High fuel prices putting a hamper on your vacation plans this summer? Try out a "staycation". It's the new buzz word which encourages people to take a vacation at home and be a tourist of your own city. Chances are, you haven't experienced everything there is to your local region. Now this idea and concept all depend on where you live although even if you live in a rural location, try taking hikes on unknown trails or visiting a nearby museum.<br /><br />If you live on the west coast or the east coast, try visiting the ocean. The beach is always fun weather it is off the hot southern California coastline or the rocky tide pools off of Oregon's coast, there is always some great summer adventures.<br /><br />Staycations are a great way to save money with the rising costs of fuel. Personally, as I have stated in the past, don't drive unless absolutely necessary. Something I did this summer so far which I have never done before is ride my bike to the local farms right outside of town and picked berries from them in the sun. It supports the local farmers, it's therapeutic to be out in the sun, and it's fun.<br /><br />In this unruly economy, people are just now beginning to think more creatively when trying to save money. I am personally all for the localization of the economy. What are your thoughts about staycations? What are you doing to save money?<br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-91263681431291234402008-07-11T12:53:00.000-07:002008-07-11T13:06:54.574-07:00By Bretton Ahrens<br /><br /><img style="width: 285px; height: 380px;" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/1042571786_f144f4c8fd.jpg" align="right" />What happened to the good times? What ever happened to the mantras of peace and good will towards man kind? It seems like in today’s world, the worth of a person based is on the tangible items that consumers value and not on the impact that someone makes on this planet as a whole. Why are the teachers and the fire fighters and even the garbage men not considered the “important” roles in society? Without them, communities could not safely exist. It seems like every where I look, society has got it all wrong.<br /><br />I, as a young man growing up in this global society, am very confused to say the least. I was brought up to have a mutual respect for the planet and to enjoy the simple pleasures it affords to us. I was taught about the beauty and science of nature and the possibilities it brings. “The planet gives us everything that we will ever need,” my grandfather told me. “Learn to appreciate nature, use it to your advantage, and protect it for we are the only thing that can destroy it.” My grandfather taught me many amazing things as a child. He taught me about ecological design and the importance of renewable resources. He taught me how to look at the world through the eyes of a Green Thumb and to take advantage of the gifts that we were given. He knew about craftsmanship and the reward of self creations. He spent all of his time, until the end of his life, trying to fix the problems that others have created both for the planet and for the generations to come.<br /><br />My curiosities about my grandfather’s lessons went dormant through my teenage years and have only now reawaken because I am starting to see the world in the context of which he was trying to show me. As you get older, I have realized, one places him or herself in the context of the world to try and place a worth on their life. I have started doing this and found that it can be quite depressing. Now I realize that he had the right idea from the start and I lament the time I wasted with him because I could have been learning so much from him and about him.<br /><br />One of the things that my grandfather was really interested in was the ecological design of communities. Once, while I was visiting him, I stumbled upon a booklet of architectural blueprints for building a “sustainable” city. I was blown away! There were ideas for everything and they seemed quite realistic and accommodating. It was this discovery, of something that he probably made himself nonetheless, that has stuck in my mind for years now. I think back on it from time to time and wonder about the realistic utilization of such designs. At the time I found them, they seemed to be a fanciful idea about a town completely off of the grid. But now, when I think about it, it seems that ideas like this one, are the only chances that we have left of changing the path of the cultural destruction of the planet which have endured now for more than a century. I will now recap the high lights of “the plans” which I believe are to be some of the best ideas I have ever heard.<br /><br />Imagine a town that you would live in. It is probably a basic infrastructure of roads and houses and businesses and schools. This will work with any town really so pick the one you are most fond of and let your imagination make it better! The first thing that we will want to do is remove the residential roads. Not in the literal sense, but by removing a section in the middle and replacing it with trees. I think that apple trees would work the best but this is your town so you can pick any thing you would like. So where your residential road used to be there is now essentially two sidewalks with grass and trees in the middle. This will serve as a bike path/ side walk where people in the neighborhood can congregate to talk, kids can play without having to worry about cars coming and people can bike and exercise. This will serve as the basis for the “moral foundation of the community”. A close community is also a very important part of this dream so imagine some friendly neighbors and lets keep building!<br /><br />Now with the cars gone, and the bike racks full, we now live in a place with better air quality and healthier people. So what to do with the cars? Well the cars of the neighborhood will be placed in a garage that is built into the side of a hill or mound. What this does is keeps the cars warmer in the winter, protects them from the elements and will cut down on energy costs and the need for individual garages.<br /><br />Next, we place the schools in the Parks that are no doubt located in each neighborhood in your real town. The school houses will serve multiple roles in the community. They will teach kids, all year round in my world, during the week but will also be very valuable community centers on the weekends, where the playgrounds and the educational materials will be utilized for families to enjoy. This also will be where the community will meet twice a year and discuss how things are going and any changes that need to be made.<br /><br />So far these are pretty basic ideas, but no major changes have been made yet. So here is where we really get cracking! The kids in school will be made to create one solar panel and one wind mill generator every year as part of there grade and the school will fund the basic materials. These will be placed in the optimum areas for energy production. If there is a river near, a water wheel would be a great idea too. This is the basis for the supplementary power production program. It will also give great education to the children of the community.<br /><br />Next, the community will need land for farming, and some of the municipal building that will be required. The waste treatment plant will filter and treat the waste and mix it with important nutrients and then be used as fertilizer for the farm. The farm will produce supplementary food for families to enjoy and also for festivals and gatherings in the community center. Corn will be used to make bio-diesel, and also to feed the livestock. An artificial pond will use algae and bacteria to treat the liquid and unusable waste and will also be used to house fish. Chickens and other poultry which will be housed near by and all of the animals waste will be used as fertilizer for the crops.<br /><br />So we have extra food and extra energy production for the whole community to enjoy. All we did was borrow a little extra land from the community and use it to our advantage. I think that with an alternating weekend labor system, these new additions can be well taken care of. As for the residents, they can keep their jobs and still enjoy modern life. It would be just a short bike ride to their car and then off we go!<br /><br />I know that this seems idealistic and there are major problems with my plan, but I think that it has a few good ideas and the point is to get all of the rough drafts out there so humanity can evaluate them for efficiency and then pick and choose the best ideas to start our Utopian communities. I think that progressive ideas, processes, and anything else that might be used to help better the world that we live in should be explored and not criticized, because all to often a good idea is thrown away for a bad reason. It takes vision, strength, and determination to see our best ideas come to fruition.<br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-54462309427600749912008-07-09T17:35:00.000-07:002008-07-14T15:46:43.658-07:00<img style="width: 296px; height: 353px;" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/toxic.jpg" align="right" />In our modern world, we are exposed to small amounts of toxics through various methods. It's in the food we eat, it's in our household products, it's in our air, and it's in our water. As much as we would rather not think about it, taking a blood test might reveal a chemical build up of up to 39 different pesticides and harmful chemicals that will never go away. Environmental health organizations around the country are working to expose the truth about the dangers we all face to prevent diseases that will eventually catch up with us. [- see this <a href="http://www.pollutioninpeople.org/results/whatwefound">Washington Study</a> for details]<br /><br />If you live in the Pacific Northwest, exposures to benzene, fine particulate matter from wildfires and agricultural <a href="http://www.toxicsblog.org/oregon-field-burning">field burning</a>, and chemical exposures through aerial sprays in rural areas are almost inescapable. If you live in a home that was built before 1978, which consists of 80% of the homes in America today, lead exposure from old paint can be built up your body. <a href="http://www.toxicsblog.org/california-teflon-carcinogenic">Teflon</a> from clothing and non-stick cooking ware are prevalent in most humans. [ see the <a href="http://www.oregontoxics.org/">Oregon Toxics Alliance</a> for more info]<br /><br />Living a healthy life seems to be quite a daunting task. I became a vegetarian due to the concerns of mercury in fish, the <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070409115746.htm">arsenic</a> that's fed to chicken, the genetically engineered corn being used in high fructose corn syrup (which is in your soda and store bought juices), and not to mention all the antibiotics. Synthetic hormones, cloned meat, and excessive pesticides and fertilizers all are a part of the diet of the everyday American. The safety of certain ingredients manufactured by Monsanto, Bayer, and other bio tech companies are questionable with MSG, aspartame, and chemical coatings that could be attributing to <a href="http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/2007/03/clothianidin-neonicotinoid-pesticide.html">colony collapse disorder</a>. Pollution is continuing to accumulate in conjunction with respiratory and cardiovascular ailments.<br /><br />Our world is struggling to cope with energy resources, food supplies, and an unstable economic future. In my eyes, the world will need nothing short of a savior to correct itself and provide stability for all. Some recent articles and comments on talk radio suggest that American is headed for a great depression. What can we all do at this point? I suppose we can change our lifestyles, but I doubt it will be enough. I suggest prayer or meditation. Peace.<br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-57629961340422519182008-07-03T09:46:00.001-07:002008-07-03T10:35:49.907-07:00<img style="width: 300px; height: 258px;" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/curitiba2.jpg" align="right" />In my own personal beliefs, I feel that the rising cost of oil and gasoline are driving the future of green technology. Many technologies such as the battery and solar and wind energy technologies have seen very few drastic improvements. Our best performing battery, the lithium ion, is expensive and not good enough for us to develop competitive electric vehicles (EV's) to our current gas powered automobiles. Wind energy only makes up 1% of all the energy produced in the United States and solar energy produces far less. What are the reason's? Expensive initial costs, and perhaps a resistance to change. Well the vision's that Barack Obama have for our future really inspire me and many like-minded young adults. But besides hope and besides vision, the market has created the perfect catalyst for green energy to boom. The future is green, as it is being forced down our throats at every aspect of our lives now. <br /><br />Some positive things that I see happening because of rising fuel prices are:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1.</span> Niche automakers are capitalizing on falling sales figures from low fuel economy vehicles like SUV's and trucks by making viable EV's like the <a href="http://www.bugev.net/">Bug EV</a> and <a href="http://www.aptera.com/">Aptera</a> which could eventually obliterate the current auto industry, in my opinion. Hybrids sales are still in high gear as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2.</span> Rising fuel prices have caused an interest in the <a href="http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jw8yCcGn5HrRbSNm7t3eW-tUawVQ">four-day work week</a> to conserve gas, reduce congestion on the roads, and save the environment. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.</span> A re-kindling <a href="http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/34406">bicycle industry</a> has spurred some people to ditch four wheels in favor of two. It is much cheaper to ride your bicycle to work, if possible, and it is great for your health.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4.</span> Local food has seen an increasing interest because of the many miles most food has to travel to get to your grocery store. Farmers Market's are ever more popular and even <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ghQqDXMxs1hrKN5FHcgclPZy5msQD91LHT980">Wal-Mart</a> is trying to capitalize on people's interest in buying local to save the environment and to support localization.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5.</span> Mass transit systems and public transportation projects are getting new funding to help alleviate fuel costs. A cool rent-a-bike program in <a href="http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=121488402749298700">Portland</a>, Oregon is quite innovative. <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-transit27-2008jun27,0,5938674.story">Los Angeles</a> is looking at building a subway, as many American's are flocking to public transportation at rates not seen in decades.<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.peta.org/archives/2008/07/five_great_thin.php?c=pfrf08">PETA</a> has come up with a list of 5 things they feel are positive in spite of the continuing rise of high fuel prices. They are:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1.</span> Squid fishers suspended fishing for two days to protest rising fuel costs. Don't let any dopey people shrug their shoulders and think, "So what?" When you can, show them this mind-blowing video about squids' satin-smooth seduction moves.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2.</span> Later this month, 230,000 Japanese fisherman will strike over fuel prices. Sushi lovers fear shortages of tuna sushi and sashimi, but vegan sushi is delicious and doesn't require that the seas be fished until they're devoid of all life. Win-win.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.</span> A rash of gas thefts across the nation might inspire reward money for nabbing criminals caught siphoning gas. Crime is bad. Reward money for catching criminals is good.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4.</span> With airlines now charging for checked bags and soda, there's speculation that they might start charging by weight, which could inspire more people to go vegetarian.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5.</span> And leave it to our friends in Boulder, Colorado, to strip down to the basics and wheel out the fun with a caravan of naked bicyclists. The cyclists' message? Depending too much on oil is nuts.<br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-49793270783570182922008-07-03T09:35:00.000-07:002008-07-03T09:44:08.718-07:00<img style="width: 300px; height: 412px;" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/fruit.jpg" align="right" />Solar energy products these days as many know are quite costly. Imagine everything you use in your home from the radio on your desk, your refrigerator or even your toilet were powered by blackberries, blueberries, oranges and grapes. Sounds kinda far fetched but thats exactly what's being done according to research being done at the University of Rowen. Scientists say "to develop efficient -and most importantly inexpensive- solar cells scientists are following the design of photosynthetic systems". Research on so called "third generation" solar cells is being carried out by a team at Rowen university in New Jersey.<br /><br />So whats the difference between first, second, and third generation solar cells? "First generation" solar cells such as the solar panels people put on their roofs are based on crystalline silicon which is the same material used to make computer chips and as you can imagine are very expensive. "Second generation" solar cells are based also from that same expensive material but use only thin film strips of it. And so that leaves the "third generation" solar cell which are still in research stage and are some ways away from wide commercial use. There are several different designs under this field including Rowan's "dye sensitized solar cells" which is where the fruit comes in.<br /><br />The team of Rowan researchers are working on a refined process in which they extract dye from a range of fruit and blend it into a kind of scientific "smoothie". You can make the components from store-bought items," a student at Rowen University said. "Construction of the cells is so simple and inexpensive that anyone can build his or her own given fruit, white paint, iodine and glass." Antonelli added, "There's less output from these organic solar cells than a traditional silicon cell," admitted Green, but the production from fruit is "dirt cheap." While similar work has been done, the extraction process is new, to the best of the team's knowledge. "This project was completed as a part of a chemistry laboratory course," Kuciauskas said. "Students who continue this work will attempt to develop better light-harvesting dyes by assembling larger aggregates of photosynthetic pigments. Such a biomimetric approach is based on green plants and photosynthetic bacteria."<br /><br />In the past few years solar energy has expanded dramatically and is known as the fastest growing energy technology in the world. In this new research it is clear to me that the future of inexpensive solar energy could potentially help to increase this rapidly improving industry and make an even bigger beneficial impact on the environment. I have great hope for the future that a cleaner more energy efficient future is ahead of us.<br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><br />Written by Angie<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-67561279161965726172008-07-03T09:14:00.000-07:002008-07-03T09:33:03.274-07:00<img style="width: 300px; height: 450px;" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bushmeatcopy.jpg" align="right" />Mass killings, people being burned to death in a church, riots and other horrible mayhem in Kenya will keep tourists away from exploring the rich wildlife of the Maasai Mara.<br /><br />Tourism is Kenya's main source of income giving locals many jobs such as working at hotels, restaurants, and as tour guides and other tourist trade occupations. With the recent month-long political unrest, riots, and mass murders in Kenya, many are without jobs and are hungry.<br /><br />Meat from wild animals also known as "bush meat" is significantly cheaper than beef or livestock meat. With poverty at its peak in this country and tourism almost completely non existent, many endangered animals and all in between will be killed rapidly and in higher numbers.<br /><br />Increased snaring is posing a big threat on many wild animals - big and small such as giraffes, zebras, buffalo, gazelle, rabbit and even monkey. These animals rarely have a chance of escaping the metal noose that tightens every time they struggle to get free. As many as one million animals are suffereing and dying in these snares each year. They are cheap and effective killing trap that are scattered all over thousands of acres of land where many wild animals roam.<br /><br />Environmental NGO wildlifedirect.org warned that the world-renowned Maasai Mara Game Reserve <blockquote>"is under severe threat from widespread poaching following the collapse of tourism in Kenya's post-election crisis."<br /><br />"Wildlife is going to be hit hard," Brian Heath, head of the Mara Conservancy Trust, was quoted as saying in a statement.</blockquote><br />Thankfully despite all thats going on there is anti-poaching teams in Kenya that fight hard to protect wild animals from poachers. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) depends almost solely on tourism revenue to fund its conservation and wildlife protection activities. But with KWS coffers empty, patrols have all but come to a halt, leaving wildlife exposed and an easy target.<br /><br />The Mara is home to the worlds most famous wildlife spectacle, losing it because of political unrest in Kenya would be a global tragedy.<br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><br />Written by Angie<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-38733138840621331122008-06-28T11:48:00.001-07:002008-06-28T11:52:12.041-07:00<object width="500" height="333" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><br /><param value="pre_roll_url=&post_roll_url=&pre_roll=&post_roll=&auto_play=false&token=9e103aedf803657101812b10b341a5d4&debug=&ref=" name="FlashVars"/><br /><param value="http://media.vmixcore.com/player/9e103aedf803657101812b10b341a5d4/player.swf" name="movie"/><br /><embed width="500" height="333" flashvars="pre_roll_url=&post_roll_url=&pre_roll=&post_roll=&auto_play=false&token=9e103aedf803657101812b10b341a5d4&debug=&ref=" src="http://media.vmixcore.com/player/9e103aedf803657101812b10b341a5d4/player.swf" /></embed><br /></object> <br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-2736307561300822522008-06-25T20:06:00.000-07:002008-06-25T20:08:34.340-07:00Recently I posted an article about <a href="http://www.shaverdesign.com/">Shaver Design</a> and how they now offer environmentally friendly printing. Since then, I have been receiving comments asking what the difference is between traditional printing methods and “green” methods. In this article I will explain some of the major advantages to “green” printing.<br /><br />Eco-friendly printing uses soy and other vegetable inks instead of petroleum based inks. Soy ink is created using soybean oil that is slightly refined and combined with pigment, resins, and waxes. Soybean oil is naturally clearer than their petroleum based counterparts and in turn requires less pigment to create more brightly colored inks. This reduces the amount of chemicals put into the ink.<br /><br />Soy ink can also be more easily removed from paper which reduces the amount of damage done to paper fibers during recycling and increases the yield of reusable product. Furthermore, the waste produced by recycling soy and vegetable inks is not hazardous and can be treated much more easily.<br /><br />The paper used is 100% recycled and is processed chlorine-free which has obvious effects on the environment. The recycling process will always require some amount of virgin pulp, which is pulp that has never been used in the production of products before. Eco-friendly printers use sustainable tree farms to collect virgin pulp unlike other printers who rely on old-growth forests.<br /><br />There are even more benefits regarding how “green” printing facilities are operated including being run on 100% wind power and investments in renewable energy credits. This dramatically reduces their impact on the environment.<br /><br />By combining the advantages of soy inks, recycled paper, and environmentally friendly facilities you can make a big difference on how you’re impacting the Earth. “Green” printing is also very affordable when compared to traditional printing and the products produced have a very ethereal and professional look and feel. There is really no downside to involving yourself in eco-friendly printing practices.<br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-84929490832959861882008-06-19T11:20:00.000-07:002008-06-19T11:38:03.143-07:00<img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/green-jobs-225x188.jpg" align="right"><p>Congress is now deciding which federal programs will be funded in 2009. Among those programs are the <strong>Green Jobs Act</strong>, which would invest $125 million in green-collar job training programs, and the <strong>Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant</strong>, which would authorize grants to local communities to help improve their energy efficiency and increase renewable energy. Now we must make sure that Members of Congress keep their promise and fully fund these programs.</p> <p><strong>Please ask your Senators and Representative to support full funding for the Green Jobs Act and the </strong><strong>Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant</strong><strong> in this year’s Appropriations Bill. </strong>Take a moment to personalize your letter: Using your own words will deliver the most powerful message!</p><br />Go to <a href="http://action.1sky.org/t/1981/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=338">this link</a> for a sample letter to send to your congressmen. Personalize the letter and tell them why it is so important to have legislation that will move our country forward. <br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-21525890787504421822008-06-17T07:10:00.000-07:002008-06-17T10:28:08.860-07:00<img style="width: 303px; height: 227px;" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/soyink.jpg" align="right" />People are always looking for more inventive and unique ways to reduce their carbon footprint from hybrid cars to <a href="http://www.scootersnbikes.com/">electric bikes</a>. It's always a treat when you find a way to help the environment in a way that costs no more than traditional methods would which is why I was pleased to find out about another company that can help you make a positive impact in the way the world works.<br /><br />I've recently been introduced to the Director of Design at www.ShaverDesign.com, which utilizes eco-friendly printing methods that use 100% recycled paper and only water based coatings and soy and vegetable inks. The printing factory itself is run on 100% wind power so you are not only saving the environment in the products you buy, but the companies you choose to do business with are supporting the environment as well.<br /><br />It may not seem like much but the statistics show how real the impact can be. By ordering, for example, just 500 "green" business cards instead of ones printed using traditional techniques; you will save 0.02 fully grown trees, 4.4 gallons of water, 1 pound of solid waste, and 1.6 pounds of greenhouse gases. Numbers don't lie. The fact of the matter is that they add up to make a very real impact in the environment.<br /><br />If you are ever in need for business cards, brochures, flyers, or any other printed material make sure to check out a company that offers eco-friendly printing along with their custom design services such as <a href="http://www.shaverdesign.com/">Shaver Design</a>.<br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-26120682147641313312008-06-16T19:25:00.000-07:002008-06-17T18:16:38.674-07:00<img style="width: 300px; height: 255px;" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/tiger.jpg" align="right" />The Sumatran Tiger is found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. If some conservation doesn't go into effect quickly these majestic creatures will be extinct along with three other sub species of tigers; the Javan Tiger, Caspian Tiger and Bali Tiger. Each of these of tigers became extinct due to habitat loss and poaching.<br /><br />Laws to protect the Sumatran tiger are failing to prevent body parts of the critically endangered animal from being sold openly in Indonesia, according to a report released February 14th 2008. Tiger body parts, including canine teeth, claws, skin pieces, whiskers, and bones, were on sale in 10 percent of the 326 retail outlets surveyed during 2006 in 28 cities and towns across Sumatra. Outlets included goldsmiths, souvenir shops, traditional Chinese medicine shops, and shops selling antique and precious stones.<br /><blockquote>Because of poor enforcement the Sumatran tiger is slipping through our fingers," said Leigh Henry, program officer for TRAFFIC North America. There are only about 400 Sumatran tigers left and such a small population can't sustain this level of poaching. If enforcement and political will are not bolstered the Sumatran tiger will be wiped out just as the Javan and Bali tigers were.</blockquote> Sumatra's few remaining tigers are also under threat from rampant deforestation by the pulp, paper, and palm oil industries. The combined threats of habitat loss and illegal trade (unless tackled immediately) will be the death for Indonesian tigers.<br /><blockquote>The Sumatran tiger is already listed as Critically Endangered on IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species, the highest category of threat before extinction in the wild," said Jane Smart, head of IUCN's Species Program. "We cannot afford to lose any more of these magnificent creatures.</blockquote>All in all, tigers are a beautiful and rare species and we should do everything we can to stop them from becoming extinct. I think it would be a tragedy if these animals were wiped off the earth. The more people that are aware of these useless killings the more we can come together and help to take action to stop it.<br /><br />Why the species is important?<br />The tiger is a powerful symbol of admiration among the variety of cultures that live across its range. They command respect, awe or fear from their human neighbors. Even in places where tigers have become extinct or never existed in the wild, they live in myth and legend.As top predators, they keep populations of wild ungulates in check, thereby maintaining the balance between prey herbivores and the vegetation upon which they feed. A whole myriad of other life-forms are essential to support a healthy tiger population.<br /><br />link to donate<br />https://secure.worldwildlife.org/ogc/index.cfm?sc=AWY0807WCG00<br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-74994027600883221402008-06-15T17:00:00.000-07:002008-06-15T17:43:59.812-07:00<img style="width: 300px; height: 239px;" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/algae.jpg" align="right" />A reader of this blog was wondering why algae hasn't been a topic of discussion on this blog. I have heard about the super efficacy of algae for biofuels before but never seriously looked at it due to its infancy at the time. To my amazement, reading about algae as a scrubber and fuel source makes perfect sense.<br /><br />Now people are beginning to actively promote algae as a carbon dioxide scrubber and biofuel producer. An article from New Scientist has proved that CO2 can act as a feedstock rather than a waste byproduct. In what some call an algae bioreactor, algae is fed carbon dioxide as a fuel to flourish the algae in conjunction with sunlight which can then produce an algae that can be used for biodiesel or even hydrogen for local and domestic transportation. This project has already been successfully piloted and should be getting more attention than those that would like to promote carbon sequestration (the storage of carbon dioxide in the Earth).<br /><br />My friend who is promoting this concept through his <a href="http://www.algaepetro.com/">blog</a> has a great take on the future of bio algae. There is also a link to a do-it-yourself algae reactor which gives the amateur a chance to build a mini reactor and begin transforming carbon dioxide into a potential fuel source.<br /><br />The reasons to go algae as stated from oilgae.com:<br /><br />1. The yields of oil from algae are significantly higher than those from traditional oilseeds<br /><br />2. Algae can grow in places far from farmlands &amp; forests, minimizing damages caused to the environment and food chain.<br /><br />3. Algae can be grown in sewages and next to power-plant smokestacks where they convert the pollutants and give us oil!<br /><br />The innovation can be realized after watching the following youtube video.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EnOSnJJSP5c&amp;hl=en"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EnOSnJJSP5c&amp;hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-42669133461685442652008-06-14T01:50:00.000-07:002008-06-14T01:57:24.494-07:00<img style="width: 301px; height: 188px;" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/huno.jpg" align="right" />A new <a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-05/nnmf-nsf052108.php">study</a> released May 22, 2008 has shown that the population of Humpback whales in the pacific ocean are dramatically improving. There are now nearly 20,000 swimming in the Pacific Ocean compared to the 1,400 counted in 1966. <br /><br />Thankfully to prevent extinction the International Whaling Commission introduced a ban on commercial humpback whaling in 1966. Conservation programs are much to thank for these dramatically improved numbers. Although humpback whales on the coast of Asia are still fairly endangered, conservationists are very optimistic they can bounce back. The world needs to see more examples like this to prove that it is possible to make a difference.<br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-74969151527713944092008-06-09T18:39:00.000-07:002008-06-09T18:55:51.935-07:00<img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/Untitled-3copy.jpg" align="right">Chelsea Green Publishing is a green publishing company that is a sponsor for some of the books on this site that The Environmental Blog team has reviewed. They are currently hosting a contest to get more authors with a focus on the politics and practice of sustainable living. <br /><br />For complete contest rules, check out their <a href="http://www.chelseagreen.com/content/index.php?p=956">blog</a>. If I can ever get a full proposal done I would love to submit one myself. For those of you who are English teachers or freelance writers out there, this could be your chance. <br /><br />I believe the winner of the contest will get a $1000 royalty advance and a publishing contract with Chelsea Green Publishing. Who wouldn't want to be published? Check it out and good luck. =)<br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&amp;url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&amp;title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" border="0" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="vertical-align:middle;border:0"/></a>&nbsp;<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-51076645353719856702008-06-09T14:42:00.000-07:002008-06-09T15:04:37.848-07:00<img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/pandacopy.jpg" align="right">One of the most adored and rare animals of the whole world is the Giant Panda. Their population is pretty alarming at a low 3,000. It is one of the most critically endangered species in the world because there are only about 1,000 left in the wild. They are threatened by [poaching], human encroachment, habitat loss and trouble breeding in captivity. This is why it is important for people to learn about them so that they do not disappear forever. Many of them are in captivity and very few are displayed at zoos in the US. The sustainability of these animals is very difficult due to the fact that Pandas have no desire to mate once in captivity. Chinese pandas have even been given Viagra in hopes of boosting their desire to mate. Many other strategies have been attempted including cloning panda embryos, also what has been dubbed as "panda-porn"- explicit video of pandas mating, traditional herbs and insemination. So far researchers haven't made much progress with any of those methods. <br /><br />I found it interesting that these animals are so popular that US zoos pay the Chinese government $2 million a year basically to rent a pair of giant pandas. These pandas are on a 10 year contract and any babies born results in an increase pay up yo 600,000 more. Giant Pandas are on loan to zoos in Atlanta, Washington D.C., San Diego, and Memphis. Theres an impression in China that US zoos are very rich because when they come over the zoos are beautiful and so we pay much more than the 300,000 annual rate that Australia and Thailand pay. Now that doesn't seem fair does it? US zoos are barely breaking even with such high costs and maintenance. Not only is the annual payment pocket breaking , the upkeep for their 100% vegetarian diet is very high. Pandas eat 84 pounds of bamboo daily which costs five times more than that of the next most expensive animal, an elephant. Luckily, in Atlanta 400 volunteers grow bamboo in their backyards to help out. These animals are on the "red list", which means they are critically endangered. Many people in the world love Giant Pandas and there are even such a thing as "pandaholics". Not only that but there is live web cams people watch on zoo websites just to keep an eye on their favorite animals. With so much love going around for these docile animals there has got to be a way to help keep them around for good. <br /><br />To help keep Giant Pandas around, you can <a href="https://secure.worldwildlife.org/ogc/ogcAC_speciesDetail.cfm?gid=25">Adopt A Panda</a> through the World Wildlife Foundation.<br /><br />Written by: Angie<br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&amp;url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&amp;title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" border="0" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="vertical-align:middle;border:0"/></a>&nbsp;<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-32902469478885577512008-06-09T13:45:00.000-07:002008-06-09T14:29:03.245-07:00<img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bike_elec.jpg" align="right">I wanted people to know that I am on a mission to boycott driving my nice Honda Civc Hybrid. Even though I am driving a hybrid, the price of oil on the market and the rising cost of gasoline has forced me to boycott the oil companies. I have been experimenting the best way to get to my work in an eco friendly way, which is 7 miles away. It is not that far, so I tried an old electric scooter I had which only got me about half way to work. I had to call my co-worker to come pick me up. Then I thought about riding my bike, but I need to buy a city cruiser bike because my mountain bike which is not suitable for city bicycling. <br /><br />But a recent eco-tip from <a href="http://www.scootersnbikes.com">Scooters N' Bikes</a> had opened my eyes to an electric bicycle. I guess in the back of my head I always knew they existed, but I have never really seen anyone or heard about anyone ever using one. So, I challenge all my readers to think long and hard about how close you live to work, and the viability of using one of these electric bicycles instead of driving. These are the stats for this innovative mode of transportation:<br /><br /><li>In California, PG&E’s baseline Rate per kilowatt is $.1156. At baseline, CA PG&E prices they can charge fully for only $0.18. <br /><li>That's like paying less than a penny a mile!<br /><li>Compare them to a car getting 20mpg, with gas costing $4.50 in CA, which costs ~$0.22 a mile.<br /><li>Comparing the electric bikes to that they get the equivalent of <span style="font-weight:bold;">440MPG</span>!<br /><li> Max Speed: 18.8 mph<br /><li>Range: 17.6 Miles w/ light pedaling<br /><br />Obviously you would have to compare the prices of your own local energy provider to find out how much money you would actually be saving. But no matter how much your energy costs are, this mode of eco transportation would be cheaper than driving a car for sure. <br /><br />I am placing my order after the completion of this blog. I seriously don't understand why more people aren't using this as a primary mode of transportation, especially if you live in a downtown area like I do.<br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&amp;url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&amp;title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" border="0" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="vertical-align:middle;border:0"/></a>&nbsp;<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-4082187643906020822008-06-07T00:00:00.000-07:002008-06-07T00:34:16.329-07:00<img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/sealcopy.jpg" align="right">Seal hunting is the personal or commercial hunting of seals for their pelts and blubber. Hunting also ensures the population does not reach levels that would threaten other species. But is it really necessary to put these animals through extreme pain and suffering just for a measly waterproof jacket? I recently learned that high end designers such as Gucci, Prada, Dolce & Gabana and Versace sell fur coats, accessories and trinkets made from seal pelts. The main targets for these inhumane killings are baby seals that have just grown out of their white coats. The age of these hunted baby deals are usually 12 days to 4 months old. I say inhumane because it TRULY is a brutal killing. The most common weapon used is called a Hakapik which is a heavy wooden club with a hammer head and a metal hook at the end. Some people may argue that the weapon is designed for a quick painless death but that is far from the truth. <br /><br />Reports in 2001 have shown that 79% of the clubbers did not check to see if the animal was dead before skinning it. It has also shown that 40% of the kills from a seal hunter had to strike the seal a second time presumably because it was still conscience after the first blow; 42% of killed seals examined were found to have minimal or no fractures suggesting a high probability that these seals were conscious when skinned. There are regulations for these killings and a lot of them are not being followed. They state that: "Every person who strikes a seal with a club or hakapik shall strike the seal on the forehead until its skull has been crushed," and that "No person shall commence to skin or bleed a seal until the seal is dead," which occurs when it "has a glassy-eyed, staring appearance and exhibits no blinking reflex when its eye is touched while it is in a relaxed condition. <br /><br />It seems to be a losing battle to save these animals from this painful death, especially now that the world demand for seal pelts is now growing. Pelt prices are at their highest in years and fashion industries are even thinking of new ways to market these products to change what was once a struggling industry. If you want to make sure seal killings don't continue you can do so by not taking part in purchasing such brands. So if you ever find yourself shopping at one of these designer stores for a new wallet you might think twice about where it came from. It's up to us to make sure these industries aren't profitable! <br /><br />Written by: Angie<br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-77172683082354822462008-06-05T19:03:00.000-07:002008-06-05T22:54:31.807-07:00<img style="width: 300px; height: 310px;" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/dem_repcopy.jpg" align="right" />Now that Barack Obama has secured the Democrat's party nomination, the list of presidential front runners becomes increasingly shorter; this also means the list of possible policies that effect the environment becomes that more definitive. But where does each candidate stand exactly? In order to help you be more informed come November, very helpful website, <a href="http://www.ontheissues.org/">OnTheIssues.org</a>, attempts to list "Every Political Leader on Every Issue," including the issue of the environment. The site displays a verbose list of stances, quotes and even past voting records on legislation all pertaining to environmental issues. So let's see how your favorite candidate stacks up: <b>Sen. Barack Obama (Democrat, IL):</b> <ul> <li>Regulate animal feeding operations for pollution. (Feb 2008) </li><li>Will end the notion of Yucca Mountain nuclear storage. (Jan 2008) </li><li>Promote green technologies and fuel efficiency standards. (Dec 2007) </li><li>Protect the Great Lakes &amp; our National Parks and Forests. (Aug 2007) </li><li>Voted YES on including oil &amp; gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. (Sep 2005) </li></ul> <b>Sen. John McCain (Republican, AZ)</b> <ul> <li>Support much tougher regulations on emission requirements. (Jan 2008) </li><li>Economic &amp; environmental interests not mutually exclusive. (Sep 2007) </li><li>1996: Put 3.5B acres of land into wilderness protection. (Jan 2004) </li><li>Voted NO on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests. (Sep 1997) </li><li>End commercial whaling and illegal trade in whale meat. (Jun 2001) </li></ul> For the list in its entirety along with context compared to other presidential candidates, you can visit the site's <a href="http://www.ontheissues.org/environment.htm">environment section</a>. But why stop at presidential candidates? Check out where your local Senator or Congressmen in your district stands on the environment.<br /><br /><a href="http://current.com/items/88809119_higher_turnout_for_democrats_a_sign_for_08_election_results">[Photo Credits]</a><br /><br />Written by: <a href="http://www.ajpapa.net/">AJ Papa</a><br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-39890077273482859132008-06-05T16:03:00.000-07:002008-06-05T18:58:38.332-07:00<img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/BigCarrotImagecopy.jpg" align="right"><h5>BIGCARROT GIVES BLOGGERS WAYS TO CROWDSOURCE ADVOCACY USING INDUCEMENT PRIZES</h5><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">WHO:</span> BigCarrot (www.bigcarrot.com), the Web’s premier resource for creating, funding and claiming inducement prizes, is leading the way for consumers and organizations alike to take advantage of them to facilitate innovation and change. BigCarrot was founded to allow those with common interests to collaborate and pool their resources to create an inducement prize—a method for innovation previously only available to those with substantial fiscal capital.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">WHAT:</span> BigCarrot is offering bloggers an opportunity to advocate for their causes through the creation of inducement prize on the BigCarrot Web site. Bloggers who are looking to spur innovation or promote change are invited to submit their inducement prize concept(s). Once concepts are received, BigCarrot will choose ten prizes, from among the submissions, for inclusion on the BigCarrot site. As part of the promotion, BigCarrot will waive the initial inducement prize fee of $100. In addition, BigCarrot will help launch the prizes with a minimum initial contribution of $250. The value of the prizes will increase once interest and demand for the prize grows among the site’s visitors. <br /><br />BigCarrot welcomes inducement prize concepts in the areas of: computers, electronics, environment, mathematics, household, medicine, science, society and sports.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">WHEN:</span> Inducement prizes proposals are being accepted until June 15, 2008.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">HOW TO SUBMIT:</span> BigCarrot is now accepting submissions via e-mail. Please send a brief description of your proposed inducement prize to: myprize@bigcarrot.com. Submissions must be received by June 15, 2008. The prizes that are chosen will be notified via e-mail.<br /><br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&amp;url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&amp;title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" border="0" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="vertical-align:middle;border:0"/></a>&nbsp;<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-81168125419922851542008-05-30T19:41:00.000-07:002008-05-30T21:13:07.378-07:00<img style="width: 300px; height: 271px;" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bugcopy.jpg" align="right" />Don’t let the title of Will Allen’s book, <a href="http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/the_war_on_bugs/">The War on Bugs</a>, fool you. Before I picked it up, I thought it would be a book specifically about bugs and what types of horrible pesticides have been sold to farmers to destroy them. My assumptions were partially true, but thankfully instead of merely repeating what we all know about the dangers of noxious chemicals, Allen puts pesticide use into a 160 year historical context, showing how early chemical fertilizers gave rise to pesticides, and pesticides gave rise to genetically modified foods and animal hormone treatment. He discusses how the anti-personnel chemicals, developed during war-time research, have become the chemicals that are still on the food we eat, and how pharmaceutical and even oil companies have a huge stake in the continuation of pesticide use (as if we environmentalists needed another reason to hate the oil industry).<br /><br />Rather than re-telling this story from the consumer standpoint with which I’m sure all of the readers of this blog are familiar, Allen tells this story from a farmer’s perspective. He makes it clear that the real tragedy in the story is that no one has the economic interests of small and medium sized farmers in mind. The government, advertisers, and large-scale farms have all sided with the chemical companies, and have been driving a nurturing and natural ethic out of the agricultural industry. Sure, advertisers used war rhetoric to advocate pest extermination, but the subtext of this book is that the real war going on is between organic and chemical factions, and unless consumers and farmers realize that chemicals and nature don’t mix, our society will have some serious, fatal consequences to deal with.<br /><br />One of the great things about Allen’s book is his extensive documentation of over a century and a half of advertising graphics that have been printed in farm journals and elsewhere, in order to lull American farmers into feeling comfortable with spraying enormous amounts of toxins on the land. I can imagine this combination of Americana-type prints and narrative style being very popular with those who are both American History buffs and environmentalists. <br /><br /> There is only one qualification I might make about this book, however:<br /> My Father’s family comes from Missouri, which he (among others) endearingly refers to as “the show me state”. If you plan on giving this book to a sibling, friend, or parent who is unconvinced that chemicals are bad for you (hah. You have a “unique” person on your hands.), or if you come from Missouri yourself, this book may not be what you’re looking for. It’s heavier on the narrative and a little skimpy on the citations.<br /><br />However, if you want to hear the story of a man who has had the unique position of having grown up on a pesticide-using farm, who then served in the Marine Corps studying war chemicals and treatment, and then who became a successful organic farmer, surprise! I found a book for you. <br /><br />~Megan Geuss<br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-64133573251035085032008-05-29T21:44:00.000-07:002008-05-29T22:17:21.218-07:00<img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/speedcopy.jpg" align="right">Wired's <a href="http://blog.wired.com/cars/">Autotopia</a> blog ask its readers an interesting question; the question being "Is It Time To Drive 55 Again?" It's an intriguing question indeed as gasoline prices continue to soar past $4.00 a gallon, air pollution continues to rise, and our little ol' blue planet slowly starts to warm up. Taking all these factors into consideration, is it time to bring back the national 55 mph speed limit?<br /><br />As a response to the oil crisis of the '70s, Congress and President Nixon imposed a nationwide 55 mph speed limit in order to conserve energy. However, since 1993, the law has been repealed allowing states, once again, to set legal speed limits. Though the today's oil "crisis" is not as bad as the '70s rationing system -- at least not yet -- it is interesting to see a national speed limit debate resurface.<br /><br />Regardless of whether or not a national speed limit law is passed, it is still good practice to drive at a speed that is still safe yet not excessively fast. Start using the slower right lanes in traffic and plan accordingly -- whether it be waking up earlier -- in anticipation for a longer commute. Doing so will not only help out your wallet at the pump, but it will also reduce the impact on the environment by lowering emissions. <br /><br /><a href="http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/05/with-gas-prices.html">[source]</a> <br /><br />Photo credit by Consumer Guide Automotive <br /><br />Written by <a href="http://www.ajpapa.net/">AJ Papa</a><br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-433914015161812552008-05-28T22:21:00.000-07:002008-05-30T02:19:46.608-07:00<img style="width: 316px; height: 226px;" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/sharkcopy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" align="right" border="0" />I have recently read that there was a second shark attack that ended in a fatality in Mexico on a beach that hasn't had a shark attack in years. There hasn't been any large sharks at this beach due to irresponsible fishing and specifically targeting larger sharks to relieve the fears of tourists that are vital to the community's economy. The resort mentioned is ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO which if it really cared about tourism would promote healthy ecological practices because once the biodiversity has disappeared so goes the attraction of the ocean.<br /><br />Every year more people are surfing and using the ocean for recreation and every year we kill more and more sharks and their food sources. It's simple math, the more people in the ocean, the less the sharks have to eat, the more attacks there will be on people. Now the dynamics of ecology is more complicated than that but some common sense can be applied whether your a biologist or not. As the top predators of the ocean become extinct an ecological collapse will be inevitable, this type of devastation to the earth's oceans can not be completely predicted but some inferences can be made. Please educate yourself when you buy any products that come from the ocean and please don't fall for the media's scare tactics. I know its trite and everyone has heard this but you really are more likely to die from driving to the beach than you are to die in the beach from a shark attack. More specifically if you are in Mexico you are more likely to die from food poisoning than you are to die from a shark.<br /><br />Ty Spaulding<br />Associate degree in Biology.<br />Biology student with an emphasis in ecology.<br />Current research assistant for climate change in the Arctic at the University of Alaska.<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-55317349592839925822008-05-26T16:36:00.000-07:002008-05-27T08:48:48.941-07:00With all the hype about being green, a new emerging industry has finally arrived and is growing every year. The alternative energy industry is hiring solar panel workers, wind power installers, maintenance workers, engineers, researchers, scientists, and all the white collar jobs associated with every industry like financing and logistics. The green industry is standing out to be a growing industry year over year while other industries like in manufacturing are retracting in the slowing economy.<br /><br />Personally as a young engineer in the semiconductor field, I am extremely worried that the economy could force my company to cut back spending and possibly lay off workers. I would be the first to go since I only have two years experience versus other co-workers with 10 years or more.<br /><br />States like California have the majority of these so called "green collared" workers, but other parts of the country like Oregon, Washington, and Texas have green niches as well. You really just have to be lucky enough to already live near an existing green hub in order to transition into this new field.<br /><br /><br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><p></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-80822351828210328562008-05-22T00:00:00.000-07:002008-05-22T00:09:17.329-07:00<img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/gascopy.jpg" align="right"> A new record high for the price of oil occurred today. It achieved an all time high of over $130 a barrel! <br /><br />What this sadly means for all of us is that gas prices will continue to go up, but also everything else will go up in price as well. If transportation costs keep going up, everything will have to go up in price in order to maintain a profit for most businesses. These are issues we should all be really worried about. At what point does the trucking industry and cab industries start to go on strike because of how much money they are losing to the high prices of gasoline and diesel?<style type="text/css">.nobr br { display: none }; </style><br /><div class="nobr"><br /><table style="border: 2px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 20px; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0pt; float: right; width: 200px;"><br /><tr><td><b>Related Articles:</b></td></tr><br /><tr><td><li><a href="http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/2007/06/ride-your-bicycle-instead-of-driving.html">Ride Your Bicycle Instead of Driving</a></td></tr><br /><tr><td><li><a href="http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/2008/05/4-gas-and-still-no-more-bicyclists.html">$4 Gas and Still no more Bicyclists</a></td></tr><br /><tr><td><li><a href="http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/2008/05/new-hybrid-aptera.html">New Hybrid: Aptera</a></td></tr><br /><tr><td><li><a href="http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/2007/08/peak-oil-and-war.html">Peak Oil and War</a></td></tr><br /></table><br /></div><br />U.S. crude hit a peak of $130.47 before easing to $129.71, up 73 cents. Billionaire T. Boone Pickens, that I've mentioned in a previous post said on Tuesday he expected oil to hit $150 a barrel this year. Some of the reasons the price of oil is so high is due to a weak U.S. dollar and due to long-term production worries and a near-term focus on tight fuel stocks.<br /><br />I have resorted to drastic measures including refusing to drive my car on my days off from work even though I own a hybrid. I am voluntarily boycotting gas on my days off. I am walking, biking, and riding my electric scooter around town a lot more. In fact, I feel liberated and free from the hassles of driving. I think other people would feel the same if they just tried it. I refuse to buy gas for leisure if the prices of gas are going to remain this high. So far studies have suggested that Americans have not changed their driving habits even though prices have gone up. But studies have shown an increased demand for hybrids once again. <br /><br />If you have changed your driving habits, I would love to hear about it. What are you doing about these insane gas prices?<br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&amp;url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&amp;title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" border="0" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="vertical-align:middle;border:0"/></a>&nbsp;<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699038716958250363.post-89305317142234477882008-05-21T14:20:00.000-07:002008-05-21T14:59:07.547-07:00<img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/barrelcopy.jpg" align="right"> A $2 billion proposal to conserve water for the City of Los Angeles California has reached city officials who will take a serious look at the future of water. The plan proposes a massive water conservation plan to conserve about 32 billion gallons of water each year! <br /><br />Part of the plan includes reclaiming or recycling water from sewage back into the drinking water supply. It also includes building systems to capture and treat rainwater and runoff. The proposal also requires restrictions for homes watering their lawns and people washing their cars to certain days of the week.<br /><br />According to the LA Times:<style type="text/css">.nobr br { display: none }; </style><br /><div class="nobr"><br /><table style="border: 2px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 20px; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0pt; float: right; width: 200px;"><br /><tr><td><b>Related Articles:</b></td></tr><br /><tr><td><li><a href="http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/2007/08/desalination-plants-on-rise.html">Desalination Plants on the Rise</a></td></tr><br /><tr><td><li><a href="http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/2007/09/bottled-water-future-sales.html">Future Sales of Bottled Water</a></td></tr><br /><tr><td><li><a href="http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/2007/06/watair-turning-air-into-water.html">WatAir: Turning Air into Water</a></td></tr><br /><tr><td><li><a href="http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/2007/04/capturing-rainwater.html">Capturing Rainwater</a></td></tr><br /></table><br /></div><br /><blockquote>Financial incentives and building code changes would be used to incorporate high-tech conservation equipment in homes and businesses. Builders would be pushed to install waterless urinals, weather-sensitive sprinkler systems and porous parking lot paving that allows rain to percolate into groundwater supplies.</blockquote><br />So I guess it's time for everyone in the LA area to start doing their part. LA needs to to do this in order to support an increase of 15% in demand for water by 2030. If nothing is done, water restrictions could end up as serious as it is in Georgia where extreme drought has caused the state to take drastic measures. <br /><br /><b>Easy things can be done to conserve water:</b><br /><li>Don't leave the water running when you brush your teeth<br /><li>Put a brick in the toilet so less water is needed to flush<br /><li>Take shorter showers or bath once every other day (it's not going to kill you)<br /><li>Purchase a water barrel and capture rain runoff from your roof for your summer gardens<br /><li>Re-use a dish or cup to prevent overuse of dishwasher<br /><br />Believe it or not, doing these things helps you conserve water which is great for the environment, but it also can save you money on your water bill. We really need to be aware of issues like water conservation so there is plenty for everyone and for the generations to come. <br /><br />Thoughts, Comments, Questions...<br /><style type="text/css">.happy img{ border: 0px;}</style><br /><div class="happy"><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=tecknopuppy&amp;url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&amp;title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" title="Bookmark using any bookmark manager!" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/tecknopuppy/bookmark.gif" border="0" alt="Add This Social Bookmark Button" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" alt="" style="vertical-align:middle;border:0"/></a>&nbsp;<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/pGwO" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a></p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom.xml</div>JTnoreply@blogger.com