Chemistry In the Atmosphere Discussion

Climate Change March at COP15

2009-12-16T10:43:00.000-08:00

This video shows a huge amount of people coming together from many different countries representing climate and environmental organizations. These people have the goal of working towards a strong, binding climate agreement that is fair ad effective.

Find the video here.

Africa shows a willingness to negotiate

2009-12-16T10:36:00.000-08:00

The African climate negotiator has lowered his demands for climate finances from the richer countries. He says that he is scaling back the amount of funding, for a more reliable funding.

Meles Zenawi has announced that he supports 100 billion US dollars annual funds by 2020 from rich countries to help the poor world fight and adapt to climate changes. The EU has estimated that the developing countries will need 150 billion dollars.

"I know my proposal today will disappoint some Africans. My proposal scales back our expectation with respect to the level of funding in return for more reliable funding," the African Union climate negotiator said.

See the full article here.

Global Warming

2009-12-15T20:20:00.000-08:00

In Andrew Revkin's article, Global Warming, in the New York Times, he reiterates the dangers global warming poses to the world and our daily lives that will be affected by this important issue. He then discusses the Copenhagen talks in Denmark. Barack Obama, along with other international leaders, said there could not be a formal treaty reached within the time period designated to the climate talks. As a partial dilemma solver, the international group would create a "placeholder" that requires carbon emission reductions, as well as focusing attention on earth-friendly energy sources. Read more about this topic here!

China and U.S. Hit Strident Impasse at Climate Talks

2009-12-15T18:43:00.000-08:00

The United States and China disagreed upon an aspect of climate talk negotiations on Monday. China was one of the countries who promised carbon emission output reduction, but they refused to be held responsible and monitored by other countries and internationally. The United States did not like China's position on that subject because without China being verified about their emission reduction promises, the United States cannot be supportive of a deal in Copenhagen. If China does not agree to be monitored and held legally / internationally responsible to live up to the standards they have promised, the United States have talked about tariffing the Chinese goods that are imported to America. To read more, click here!

Nations Play Hardball as Hillary Clinton Heads to Climate Summit

2009-12-15T18:33:00.000-08:00

At the Copenhagen Negotiations, delegates from different countries are trying to come to an agreement about how much carbon emission cuts they will make before many of the world leaders come to the conference. This Copenhagen conference is important because it sets limits on nations' carbon emission outputs. So far, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa have promised drastic emission cuts. But while they promised to take action, they have refused to legally bind themselves with the agreement. They said they would do it voluntarily, which causes problems because it is a problem for countries like the United States and other industrialized countries. Hilary Clinton, who is at the Copenhagen Agreements, representing the United States, says that transparency is needed to come to agreements. And agreements need to be developed soon, because many world leaders will be and have been arriving recently for their countries to join the delegates already in Denmark. Read more here.

'A Day Without a Bag'

2009-12-14T22:12:00.000-08:00

'A day without a bag' is a new event that is seeking to reduce the amount of plastic bags that are used in Los Angeles county. The average number of plastic bags used in LA county each year is an astonishing 6 billion. And only 5% of these 6 billion bags are ever recycled. The event is incorporating 50 locations though out the county that will have the chance to reduce the number of plastic bags used as well as give out reusable bags.

The article on this event can be read here.

Some Nations at Copenhagen are Pushing to Curb the 'Forgotten' Green House Gas Pollutants

2009-12-14T22:06:00.000-08:00

Some countries are pushing to curb the emissions of green house gases other than CO2, such as the 'stealth' gases. These include methane, HFCs, and black carbon. Their reduction is wanted now because it is believed that these are substances that are easier and cheaper to reduce. And the results of their reduction would be observed quickly.

The full article can be read here.

Poorer Countries Threaten to Walk Out on Climate Talks

2009-12-14T21:54:00.000-08:00

The leaders of poor and developing countries are threatening to walk out of the Copenhagen conference because rich nations are not doing enough to cut their emissions and are not giving enough money to these countries to help them cope with climate change.

A short, news video on this can be watched here.

poor nations threaten climate deal showdown

2009-12-14T15:55:00.000-08:00

Poor nations are upset with how the Copenhagen summit is going and are threatening that their leaders would refuse to take part in the final summit, unless significant progress was made in the next fe days. Negotiators have failed to come to an agreement about emission cuts and long term finance which is causing huge issues among the countries.

The Copenhagen climate talks hit trouble tonight as a number of African countries indicated their leaders would refuse to take part in the final summit unless significant progress was made in the next three days.

The showdown between rich and poor countries came as ministers began arriving in
Copenhagen to take over negotiations. However, negotiators failed to reach agreement in key areas such as emission cuts, long-term finance and when poor countries should start to reduce emissions.

Find the article here.

UAE's Green City

2009-12-14T13:38:00.000-08:00

Within the the United Arab Emirates' capital, Abu Dhabi, the world's first green, carbon neutral city is being built. The name of this city is Masdar City.

2009-12-13T21:25:00.000-08:00

This cite describes the 7 most ridiculous things celebrities have done to be able to claim that they are "going green". Follow the link below to laugh at these crazy ideas.

http://www.cracked.com/article_16579_7-most-retarded-ways-celebrities-have-tried-go-green.html

Saving Energy

2009-12-13T19:59:00.000-08:00

Digital Tools Help Users Save Energy, Study Finds

Photo by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Jerry Brous of Sequim, Wash., participated in a study to determine whether giving people more information about their electricity use and costs will prompt them to save energy.

By STEVE LOHR

Published: January 10, 2008

Giving people the means to closely monitor and adjust their electricity use lowers their monthly bills and could significantly reduce the need to build new power plants, according to a yearlong government study.

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Blogrunner: Reactions From Around the Web

The results of the research project by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory of the Energy Department, released Wednesday, suggest that if households have digital tools to set temperature and price preferences, the peak loads on utility grids could be trimmed by up to 15 percent a year.

Over a 20-year period, this could save $70 billion on spending for power plants and infrastructure, and avoid the need to build the equivalent of 30 large coal-fired plants, say scientists at the federal laboratory.

The demonstration project was as much a test of consumer behavior as it was of new technology. Scientists wanted to find out if the ability to monitor consumption constantly would cause people to save energy — just as studies have shown that people walk more if they wear pedometers to count their steps.

In the Olympic Peninsula, west of Seattle, 112 homes were equipped with digital thermostats, and computer controllers were attached to water heaters and clothes dryers. These controls were connected to the Internet.

The homeowners could go to a Web site to set their ideal home temperature and how many degrees they were willing to have that temperature move above or below the target. They also indicated their level of tolerance for fluctuating electricity prices. In effect, the homeowners were asked to decide the trade-off they wanted to make between cost savings and comfort.

The households, it turned out, soon became active participants in managing the load on the utility grid and their own bills.

“I was astounded at times at the response we got from customers,” said Robert Pratt, a staff scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the program director for the demonstration project. “It shows that if you give people simple tools and an incentive, they will do this.”

“And each household,” Mr. Pratt added, “doesn’t have to do a lot, but if something like this can be scaled up, the savings in investments you don’t have to make will be huge, and consumers and the environment will benefit.”

After some testing with households, the scientists decided not to put a lot of numbers and constant pricing information in front of consumers. On the Web site, the consumers were presented with graphic icons to set and adjust.

“We gave them a knob,” Mr. Pratt said. “If you don’t like it, change the knob.”

Behind the fairly simple consumer settings was a sophisticated live marketplace, whose software and analytics were designed by I.B.M. Research. Every five minutes, the households and local utilities were buying and selling electricity, with prices constantly fluctuating by tiny amounts as supply and demand on the grid changed.

“Your thermostat and your water heater are day-trading for you,” said Ron Ambrosio, a senior researcher at the Watson Research Center of I.B.M.

The households in the demonstration project on average saved 10 percent on their monthly utility bills. Jerry Brous, a retiree who owns a three-bedroom house in Sequim, Wash., did a bit better, saving about 15 percent, which added up to $135 over a year.

Mr. Brous, 67, said that at first he was a real price hawk, allowing the household temperature to go 10 degrees above or below the target as the outside temperature changed. In the winter, he and his wife, Pat, decided the house was too cold at times, so they changed the range to five degrees.

The monetary savings were nice, but Mr. Brous said his main motivation for joining the project was to participate in research that might accelerate the spread of energy efficiency programs.

Shortly after the demonstration project ended last March, the digital thermostat and other equipment supplied by Invensys Controls were removed from Mr. Brous’s home. “I miss it a lot,” he said. “It was cool.”

The research project was done with an eye toward guiding policy on energy-saving programs. Efficiency programs promise to curb the nation’s fuel bill and reduce damage to the environment, if consumers can be persuaded to use energy more intelligently. Still, a big question among economists and energy experts is how to tailor incentives to prompt changes in energy consumption.

The market signals from household utility bills are not clear to people, some experts say. Conservation steps, they note, may bring savings of only a few percentage points, and even those may be obscured by seasonal swings in electricity use and pricing. Thus, they say, the only way to make real progress in household energy efficiency is with sizable subsidies and mandated product standards.

The federal laboratory’s project was instead a test of market incentives and up-to-the-minute information. But how quickly the kind of technology used in the project might be deployed across the country is uncertain. Many utilities are experimenting with this so-called smart-grid technology, but most are using it to upgrade their own networks, not to let households manage consumption.

One big hurdle is that in most states, utilities are still granted rates of return that depend mainly on the power plants and equipment they own and operate instead of how much energy they save.

“What they did in Washington is a great proof of concept, but you’re not likely to see this kind of technology widely used anytime soon,” said Rick Nicholson, an energy technology analyst at IDC, a research firm.

To see the full article click here

Solar Panels

2009-12-13T19:56:00.000-08:00

Solar Energy

Updated: Feb. 19, 2009

By KATE GALBRAITH

From magnifying glasses to steam engines, scientists through the centuries have found innovative ways to harness the power of the sun. Converting more solar power into electricity is high on the political agenda in many countries, amid the push to find domestic energy sources that are less polluting than fossil fuels.

Distribution

Despite rapid growth in recent years, solar power accounts for less than 1 percent of United States electricity use. Solar power is more entrenched in European countries such as Spain and Germany, which have promoted its development with strong incentives called feed-in tariffs,which require electric utilities to buy solar power at a high, fixed price. In the United States, California is by far the leading solar state.

How it Works

There are several ways to use the sun’s power to generate electricity. One of the most promising is called concentrating solar power. This involves using mirrors to reflect and focus the sun’s rays, providing heat, which in turn helps power a generator. Another is photovoltaic panels, such as the displays on the rooftops of homes and office buildings (some of these displays, especially in California, have recently experienced problems with theft).

Drawbacks and Incentives

The drawback to solar power is that it is expensive to produce: generating power from photovoltaic panels costs more than four times as much as coal, and more than twice what wind power costs. In the United States, the federal government and states have offered a variety of incentives to encourage homeowners and businesses to put panels on their roofs, and for utilities to buy power from large displays. Solar panels produce no energy at night, but that is not a significant problem because the electricity is often most needed in the daytime, when consumers turn on lights and televisions and air-conditioning.

Solar energy is also used to heat water and pools — and of course a properly designed house will optimize the light and heat qualities of as it floods through the windows.

to read the article in full click here

Copenhagen Proposals are not Looking Promising

2009-12-13T16:53:00.000-08:00

Andrew Revkin's article today has a figure that shows the projected temperature rise for 3 scenarios which are 'business as usual,' 'December 13 proposals,' and 'goals.' The December 13th proposals are definitely not enough, the projected temperature rise by 2100 is 3.9 degrees C (or 7 degrees Fahrenheit).

The full article can be read here.

Real Christmas Trees ARE More Environmentally Friendly Than Fake Ones

2009-12-13T16:43:00.000-08:00

Oddly enough, real Christmas trees are greener than fake ones. This is because as the saplings grow, they absorb carbon dioxide. And once trees are taken down after Christmas, they are often used as mulch, which when it decomposes, gradually releases the carbon dioxide they absorbed when the tree was still living. This makes Christmas trees carbon neutral, where artificial ones are made out of plastics that are produced using petroleum.

The full article can be read here.

Spray-On Solar-Power Cells Are True Breakthrough

2009-12-13T15:28:00.000-08:00

A new technology has been developed that is essentially a spray-on solar panel. This new breakthrough can be strayed onto almost anything so that then the energy that the solar panel can harness is portable. For example, in the future they are hoping to roll out huge sheets of the plasticized material onto large uninhabited areas such as deserts. The energy from these large areas could then generate enough energy to power large portions of the planet. In fact, if only 0.1% of the surface of the Earth could be covered with this material, then "we could in principle replace all of our energy habits with a source of power which is clean and renewable."

Another use for this spray-on solar panel is one that is applied to cars. In the future they hope to cover cars with this material and then the cars would continually recharge themselves, thus eliminating the need for oil.

This new material can actually generate energy from the infrared power that is emitted instead of only the visible light. The current solar panels that we use today actually only make use of 6% of the sun's energy, whereas this new technology has the potential to harness 30% of the sun's energy.

Another idea is to create 'electrical sweaters' which would absorb the sun's energy and then we could recharge such small things as ipods from our sweater.

Currently, many have not converted to powering their homes from solar power because although it is environmentally friendly, it is still quite a bit more expensive. However, with this new material that may no longer be true.

To read the full article, click HERE.

2010 hottest year

2009-12-12T22:01:00.001-08:00

Scientists are predicting 2010 to be the hottest year on record. It is predicted to be 1 degree Fahrenheit above the average 57 degrees. Scientists aren't saying that it will happen, but it is more likely to happen, than not happen.

NEXT year will be the hottest on record, the Met Office said yesterday, as
scientists released the latest figures supporting evidence for climate change.

A new forecast for 2010 said it would be almost 1F (0.6C) warmer than
the long-term global average of 57F (14C) as a result of natural weather
patterns and global warming.

Find the article here.

Bark Beetles

2009-12-12T20:39:00.000-08:00

Bark Beetles have been destroying forests, causing huge amounts of damage. Meetings are being held to think of ways to handle the situation. But as the climate continues to increase, so does the bark beetle's destruction.

The problem will likely worsen, unless steps are taken to the reduce
greenhouse gas emissions that lead to a warmer climate, according to a recently
released government report, Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States.

How global warming is affecting the delicate biological cycles of a
single family of insects offers a stark warning on unforeseen ecosystem
disruptions that climate change will usher in if left unchecked.

See the full article here.

peak oil

2009-12-12T20:29:00.000-08:00

The IEA says that we have already reached the peak oil zone. A whistleblower has claimed that current figures are inflated due to pressure of the United States and fear that it could cause panic to markets to know that the oil industry is falling.

"We have [already] entered the 'peak oil' zone," an unnamed former IEA official
told British newspaper The Guardian. "I think that the situation is really bad."

A second whistleblower reportedly claimed that the IEA's current figures
are inflated due to pressure from the United States and a pervasive fear that
the announcement of falling oil output in the future could cause markets to
respond with panic.

Find the full article here.

EPA finds Greenhouse Gases Pose Threat to Public Health

2009-12-12T17:42:00.000-08:00

The EPA has stated that greenhouse gases are unhealthy and contribute to air pollution and therefore must be regulated. They have listed six different gases that they hope to regulate. As Lisa P. Jackson who is the administrator stated:

“This finding confirms that greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem now and for future generations. Fortunately, it follows President Obama’s call for a low carbon economy and strong leadership in Congress on clean energy and climate legislation. This pollution problem has a solution – one that will create millions of green jobs and end our country’s dependence on foreign oil.”

The EPA has stated that the six gases that are being emitted by humans are having a negative impact on the atmosphere and are contributing to global climate change. They agree that this climate change will have a direct impact on future generations and will include such devastating effects as droughts, rise in sea levels, and disruption of ecosystems - just to list a few. The effects of these among other disasters will be felt most acutely among the old, poor, disabled, and those living in underdeveloped countries.

They have also found that global climate change is a matter of national security. I thought this aspect of it was really interesting. Apparently they have decided this because when the climate heats up, people will be forced to move to more stable areas with more resources. Water is expected to be one of the main resources that is in short supply. This will cause 'massive migrations' to nations like the United States.

I think it's great that the EPA has finally stepped in! To read this article, click HERE.

Copenhagen: Chinese Official States US Chief negotiator "Irresponsible?"

2009-12-11T12:26:00.000-08:00

At Copenhagen, a large topic has been the conversations between China and the United States; the two largest produces of greenhouse gases in the world.

Associated Press writer, Marianne Bom posts on article Friday about comments between the two countries. China’s Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei stated that the US. Chief negotiator, Todd Stern's "comments earlier this week that China shouldn't expect any American public climate aid money, and that the US was not in any debt to the world for its historically high carbon emissions" surprised him.

He continued by stating this:

"I don't want to say the gentleman is ignorant," He Yafei told reporters at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen. "I think he lacks common sense where he made such a comment vis-a-vis funds for China. Either lack of common sense or extremely irresponsible."

China, listed among the developing countries at the 2009 conference does not appear high on the list of places the United States could possibly extend help to because of China's vast economy. He Yafei closed his statement on a neutral note. "The Chinese official said that China wasn't asking for money, rather that the US and China had different responsibilities in dealing with global warming."

To read the full article, click here.

Recycyling Bottle Arcade

2009-12-11T12:02:00.000-08:00

We recycle plastic bottles and cans and in return there is normally money as a reward. However, as many people have discovered, recycling glass bottles do not have any reward. This is the statement made by the people at thefuntheory.com. So they tested the theory that if a dull task, such as recycling glass bottles, was more fun it would provoke more participation from individuals...hence the Bottle Bank Arcade.

Australia Shipping Alert Over Iceberg

2009-12-11T11:22:00.000-08:00

AFP recently released an article that stated a massive iceberg, "... 140 square kilometres in area -- 19 kilometres long by eight kilometres wide" is heading towards Australia. This iceberg had been originally located around the Antartic ice shelf, but recently it has drifted towards Australia. Experts believe that the iceberg will be reduced in size, and eventually displaced into several smaller icebergs, however this is still hazardeous for mariners. So what's the cause of this iceberg trajectory? Glaciologist Neal Young stated in the article that "the icebergs as uncommon, but ... they could become more frequent if sea temperatures rise through global warming."

To read the full article click here.

To visit the AFP websited, click here.

U.S. Youth Crash Climate Denier Live Webcast in Copenhagen

2009-12-10T23:40:00.000-08:00

I just thought this was an interesting article and video.

There was a conference in Copenhagen recently where a group of people came together to hear Lord Christopher Monckton basically talk about how he thought the Copenhagen conference that he had attended thus far was a waste of time. He says in the video, "Copenhagen has been an eyeopener for me. I have to tell you , having never attended a United Nations sponsored conference, I kinda hope this is my last one..." In the middle of his speech, a group of students from several environmental and sustainability groups from the U.S. stood up and interrupted his lecture and held up two banners, all the while chanting things like "Americans for clean energy!" and "Green jobs now!"

There are numerous comments on the viral video that cheer on the student protesters and also a large number - mainly from climate change deniers - who denounce their actions and call them "Hitler youth" and "Nazis." This seems really extreme to me...

To see the article and video, click HERE.

No Impact Man

2009-12-10T15:29:00.000-08:00

This week I attended Duncan and David's environmental/sustainability movie series that they show each second Tuesday of every month, and this month they showed the movie No Impact Man.

Essentially, a man named Colin Beavin decided to try to live sustainably and create no impact on the earth in doing so. He was concerned with the current global warming situation and thus wondered if it was possible - or practical - to lead a life with an almost zero-waste lifestyle. Not only does Colin do this himself, but he also engaged his family in the experiment and filmed segments throughout the entire year that he lived this low-impact lifestle.

You should definitely watch the movie, but to sum it up, Colin and his family learn to love their new sustainable lifestyle. The documentary is both interesting and thought provoking, and because in this class we are all concerned about what we can individually do to help the environment, this gives an example - although extreme - of what can be done if you have the initiative. But more than that, it also gave me encouragement that there are people out there who care about the environment, and our the negative effects we are causing in the atmosphere.

To reach Colin's web page where you can browse through his site, click HERE.
Or...Go check the movie out from the library!

Greenland's Shrinking Ice Hurts Native Tribe

2009-12-10T14:08:00.000-08:00

2,800 Inuits live in a small town called Uummannaq in northwestern Greenland. It is a community that is based around Greenland's ice, and lately the ice is becoming very unstable. The ice sheet is melting, and is causing many disturbances in this community's culture and way of life. The wildlife - in particular seals and polar bears - are having their natural habitat slowly vanish, and these animals are what the Inuits have relied on for thousands of years. The hunters that sought these animals are having a much harder time finding them which is causing many difficulties within their settlement. The root of the problem is global climate change that is causing the temperatures to rise, thus melting the sea ice that the Inuits so desperately depend on.

This article is actually a picture story with many different images depicting the community of Uummannaq, the Inuits who live there, and the melting sea ice.

To see the pictures and the dialogue, click HERE.

EU Sets Up Climate Change Funds for Developing Nations

2009-12-10T14:01:00.000-08:00

Leaders of the European Union have promised to produce 6 billion euros in aid to poorer nations. However, while many countries have donated a lot of money, for example Britain offered 885 million euros, others do not want to pay for Copenhagen.

The full article can be read here.

Abu Dhabi Aims to Build First Carbon Neutral City

2009-12-09T20:29:00.000-08:00

In Abu Dhabi there are plans to build a community called Masdar City which is hoping to become the world's first carbon neutral city. Through new integrated technologies, the city is planning not to burn any gas or oil. They plan to have streets that are shaded and narrow - not even cars will be allowed on the streets. They will also take advantage of the sun by placing solar panels on the roofs of all houses and buildings in an attempt to power almost everything through solar power.

I thought the most interesting part of the article was the city's plan to design a personal rapid transit system in which small vehicles that are propelled through solar energy would move underneath the city itself. The 'cars' would move between about 1,500 stations and you would simply program or tell the car where to go, and it would take you there.

Water is also a problem in the Abu Dhabi, and thus, a water recycling system would be necessary - they would like to recycle 80% of the water in the city. Waste could also potentially be a problem, but they are planning on converting all possible waste to energy.

Construction of the city is to start right away, as many of the research on the technicalities and logistics of the building process have already been worked out. Although some people are skeptical, hopefully Masdar City will indeed become the first city with no carbon footprint.

To view this article, click HERE.

NOAA Reports Climate Change Largely Irreversible For Next 1,000 Years

2009-12-09T15:19:00.000-08:00

A new scientific study led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reaches a powerful conclusion about the climate change caused by future increases of carbon dioxide: to a large extent, there's no going back.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090127163403.htm#

Video about climate change with Tom Zeller

2009-12-09T15:13:00.000-08:00

This video is an interview from New York Time, where Tom Zeller tells us about his experience when he went to a skeptics conference. He shares about their views and all of the ideas that were thrown out during the conference. To see the video click here

Designed artifical tree that absorbs CO2

2009-12-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

CO2 isa public danger?

2009-12-09T14:50:00.000-08:00

US climate agency declares CO2 public danger

Environmental Protection Agency declaration allows it to impose emissions cuts without agreement of reluctant Senate

Lisa Jackson announcing the new US government position that greenhouse gases are a threat to public health. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

The Obama administration adopted its climate change plan B today, formally declaring carbon dioxide a public danger so that it can cut greenhouse gas emissions even without the agreement of a reluctant Senate.

The timing of the announcement – in the opening hours of the UN's Copenhagen climate change summit – prevents Barack Obama from arriving at the talks without concrete evidence that America will do its bit to cut the emissions that cause global warming.

"Climate change has now become a household issue," said Lisa Jackson, head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), adding that the evidence of climate change was real and increasingly alarming. "This administration will not ignore science or the law any longer, nor will we ignore the responsibility we owe to our children and our grandchildren."

The announcement gives the EPA a legal basis for capping emissions from major sources such as coal power plants, as well as cars. Jackson said she hoped it would help to spur a deal in Copenhagen.

The EPA action had been seen as a backstop should Congress fail to pass climate change law. Obama and other officials had repeatedly said they would prefer to pass legislation, but that prospect has grown increasingly remote. The House of Representatives narrowly passed a climate change bill in June, but the proposals have stalled in the Senate.

Jackson said the EPA's regulations, which would come into effect from next spring, would not be too onerous, applying only to facilities emitting more than 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

The oil and manufacturing industries, which have opposed climate change action, said the move was overly politicised, and warned that the new regulations would be tied up in lawsuits.

The US Chamber of Commerce, also sceptical on global warming, said the move would hurt the economy. "An endangerment finding from the EPA could result in a top-down, command-and-control regime that will choke off growth by adding new mandates to virtually every major construction and renovation project," said Thomas Donohue, the chamber's president.

Jackson is to address the Copenhagen meeting on Wednesday, while Obama will join more than 100 other world leaders in the Danish capital on the final day of the conference, on 18 December.

The endangerment declaration dates from a supreme court decision in 2007 ordering the EPA to make a ruling on whether carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions were a pollutant subject to the Clean Air Act of the 1970s.

To see the article in its original form click here

Interesting Environmental Technologies

2009-12-08T17:40:00.000-08:00

The writers at LiveScience have compiled a list of 10 emerging environmental technologies. Some of them are a bit odd-such as injected CO2 into the ground before it reaches the atmosphere. And some sound more realistic, such as making paper obsolete with reusable, synthetic electronic paper.

The list can be read here.

LiveScience's list of strange ways that have been proposed to curb global warming can be read here.

World Climate Talks Open with Pressure on U.S.

2009-12-08T17:33:00.000-08:00

192 countries from around the world came together this week in Copenhagen to discuss plans to save the world from the devastating effects of global warming, and this could be the 'last, best chance' to come to agree on a comprehensive plan. The Environmental Protection Agency has even interjected that global climate changes are starting to be bad for the population's health.

There are high hopes for the final day of the discussion because 100 leaders from countries around the world - including Obama - will be there to finalize the plan. There are, however, a lot of pressures on the big emitters to pledge to emit less carbon over the coming years and set tougher limits. Over the next few days we'll see how the call for immediate action resonates among the lawmakers

To read the article, click HERE.

No More Glaciers in Glacier National Park?

2009-12-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

This is an article from National Geographic about how global climate change is affecting the glaciers in Glacier National Park. I picked this article because it strikes close to home as I live near Glacier National Park in northwest Montana. Every year I spend quite a bit of time kayaking, hiking, canoeing, and fishing there. Slowly I have watched the park's glaciers disappear. It doesn't seem possible that I would be able to notice a difference in the glaciers over my young lifetime, but I can. Every year the glaciers shrink, and this is the topic that the article addresses.

The article projects that the glaciers in the park may be gone by the year 2020, however, this article was written in March, 2009 and when I visited the park last summer, that projection had changed to the year 2015. This is only five years in the future, and to think that there won't be any glaciers in Glacier National Park in five years is honestly pretty scary.

To read the entire article, click HERE.

Rating Companies and Products Based on Environmental and Social Considerations

2009-12-08T16:35:00.000-08:00

My friend showed me this website, and although it does not directly pertain to global warming or the atmosphere, it does indirectly relate because of the incredible cooling effects that would result from everyone choosing to live green, and this website gives advice as to which companies we should support in this process.
The website shows a study that has been carried on for years by rating companies and products based on: the environment, human rights, animal protection, community involvement and social justice. There are more than 75 categories of everything from various types of toilet paper brands to different fast food chains.
The goal of the study is to educate the public so that we are able to make educated and smart decisions when we buy products. The average family in America spends $18,000 on products every year, and if we choose to channel our money to socially and environmentally good companies, then we will have less of an impact on the earth. We essentially cast votes with our money, and therefore we must cast these 'votes' wisely.

Just click on the link entitled 'The Ratings' near the top left of the screen and then you will be presented with a lengthy list of categories down the left-hand side of the page.

Click HERE for the link. It's really interesting! Seriously, check it out!!!

Scientists Study the Biological Affects of Global Warming at Yellowstone

2009-12-08T16:06:00.000-08:00

The affects of climate change can even be seen at Yellowstone National Park, a place that is one of the few ecosystems to remain intact. There has been a few differences seen in the park, and these changes can finally said to be linked to climate change previously. But the Obama administration has made climate change science a high priority. Yellowstone is one of the 20 U.S. sites to be part of the National Ecological Observatory Network. The observatory in Yellowstone will gather extensive ecological and climate data, which will be used to detail and forecast ecological and climatic shifts.

The full article can be read here.

EPA Announces that Greenhouse Gases are Hazardous to Human Health

2009-12-08T15:58:00.000-08:00

Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that the greenhouse gases that result from climate changing pollution are a threat to human health and the environment. They are calling for it to be regulated and especially want carbon dioxide to be regulated under the Clean Air Act.

The full article can be read here.

Met Office to Release Records...

2009-12-07T23:01:00.000-08:00

The UK Met Office will release more than 2,000 records that show global temperature rise. This corresponds to the November leak of the private emails and documents between global climate scientists.

The information being released will be:

"the raw data for around 1,900 monitoring stations spread roughly evenly around the world in an effort to silence critics who say that the lack of transparency was an act of subterfuge on the part of the scientists. "

Information tracing back 100 years will be seen by the public. This move made by the Met Office will hopefully settle the criticism made by climate skeptics since the release of the documents. To read the full article, view the link here.

Leaked Emails and Documents of World Leading Climate Scientists

2009-12-07T21:53:00.000-08:00

"Hundreds of private emails and documents allegedly exchanged between some of the world's leading climate scientists during the past 13 years have been stolen by hackers and leaked online".

The above stated line is found in the opening of an article written by Leo Hickman and James Randerson of The Guardian. This explosion of information have lead to large discussions from climate skeptics based on the opinion that knowledge was withheld from the public and a conspiracy was developed among scientists.

The computer files were apparently accessed earlier [in November] from servers at the University of East Anglia's Climate Research Unit, a world-renowned centre focused on the study of natural and anthropogenic climate change.

Also adds the authors of the article:

The files, which in total amount to 160MB of data, were first uploaded on to a Russian server, before being widely mirrored across the internet. The emails were accompanied by the anonymous statement: "We feel that climate science is, in the current situation, too important to be kept under wraps. We hereby release a random selection of correspondence, code and documents. Hopefully it will give some insight into the science and the people behind it."

To view the full article click here.

Timeline of Science and Politics of Climate Change

2009-12-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

Published on the New York Times, this timeline takes a look starting in 1820 with Joseph Fourier (a scientist with an early theory of global warming) to James Hansen, NOAA to I.P.C.C., and Kyoto to the 2009 Copenhagen meeting.

This time-line is interactive, allow you to see illustrations and facts of certain items on science and/or politics of climate change.

It's very interesting, so check out the link to the main article here.

Can We Alter Our Behavior To Prevent Climate Change

2009-12-07T20:02:00.000-08:00

The title of this post comes from the name of a recently published clip by Professor Dale Jamieson from the New York University. He mentions key points that have been discussed in the INQS class. It's a quick video, but also interesting. Take note on Jamieson's discussion on dangerous anthropogenic interference in the climate system.

Study: Reducing Greenhouse Gases By 28%

2009-12-07T19:50:00.000-08:00

The United States have had all the right resources to reduce greenhouse gases by 28% using simple methods. Matthew L. Wald of the New York Times writes an article based on a study made by McKinsey & Company in 2007. This study looked at different cost and methods to reduce greenhouse emissions in the United States over a 25 year period. The authors of this study are energy experts.

The study discusses both the negative cost effects, such as rewiring and remodeling the electricity and pipes of buildings, along with the positive cost effects such as conservation of energy.

To read Wald's article from the New York Times click here.

To read the McKinsey & Company's study Reducing U.S Greenhouse Gas Emissions: How Much At What Cost? in a pdf form click here.

Global Warming data about to be published

2009-12-06T23:04:00.000-08:00

Due to the claims of skeptics, the Met Office has decided to publish on its website climate data collected by more than 1,000 weather stations from all over the globe in order to prove that the planet has been encountering rises in temperatures over the last 150 years.

Click here for further information

U.N. Holds Out Hope for Climate Deal

2009-12-06T22:59:00.000-08:00

The article talks about the Copenhagen agreement that is rapidly taking shape between 192 nations from around the globe. In the next two weeks, there will be many negotiations where nations agree on how much carbon emissions they will cut. South Africa has actually come forth as one of the highest pledges of the agreement, saying they will cut emissions by 34%. This agreement is going to be more efficient than Kyoto because it hopes to include high carbon producers including the United States, China and India.
One of the main goals for the Copenhagen agreement is to bring emissions down to 44 billion tons of carbon emitted per year by 2020. With all the agreements that have thus far been worked out, total emissions have been cut down to 46 billion tons of carbon emitted. Currently, we emit 47 billion tons of carbon. The next two weeks will be full of cross-country negotiations that will hopefully result in a comprehensive and effective set of carbon restrictions.

The article can be found HERE.

Pre-Copenhagen : Newspapers' mobilisation

2009-12-06T21:07:00.000-08:00

56 newspapers from 45 different countries join their voices in order to inform the population about the threat of global warming and the limited time left to reduce the risks.

The same article will appear in the front-page of about 56 newspapers around the globe on Monday December the 7th in 20 different languages.

Click here to view the article.

Is climate change making trees grow?

2009-12-06T16:41:00.000-08:00

Yes, the rising level of atmospheric carbon dioxide could be helping trees grow. One new study of natural stands of quaking aspen, one of North America's most widespread deciduous trees. Studies show that elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide during the past 50 years have boosted aspen growth rates by 50%.

"Trees are already responding to a relatively nominal increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 50 years,"

To learn more about this article click here.

Energy efficient plan

2009-12-06T16:30:00.000-08:00

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg wants to create a new building plan that requires buildings of 50,000 square feet or more to undergo an energy audit, but the key is the owners have to pay for any changes the audit requires. The people are not happy,

“It’s another unfunded mandate, and this is just not the time for it,” said Stuart Saft, chairman of the Council of New York Cooperatives and Condominiums, an opponent of the plan. “Come back in five years when we’re past this recession. At this point it’s just a slap in the face.”

To learn more about this article click here.

Young leaders

2009-12-06T16:15:00.000-08:00

Young leaders are being roped into the spotlight of working for a greener economy. Jenn Engstrom a senior at the University of California had this to say,

“I’m really happy with what the administration has done when it comes to clean energy and global warming, and I really want Congress to follow,” she said. “So I’m getting what they think are the next steps to make sure we do get a climate bill out of Congress.”

To learn more about this article click here.

Kelp Farming

2009-12-06T16:03:00.000-08:00

This article is about some kelp farmers in Maine who own the only commercial kelp farm in the United States. This is a surprisingly large industry outside of the U.S. where the global market grosses about $7 billion annually. Sea weed also has a lot of potential in trying to be more earth friendly.
First of all it can be eaten, used as fertilizer, and as animal feed. It grows very rapidly and does not require land or fertilizer to grow. Also, it cleanses the water of excess nutrients and absorbs carbon dioxide. Kelp can be used to create fuel by being fermented to generate methane, or be processed to produce ethanol, as is done with corn and sugar cane.

The full article can be read here.

Paul McCartney's 'Meat-Free Mondays' Campaign

2009-12-03T17:33:00.000-08:00

Paul McCartney recently took his 'Meat-Free Mondays' campaign to the European Parliament stating that individuals have just as much power as their governments to stop the effects of global warming. And that by not eating meat just once a week could significantly help lower the amount of green house gases that are released into the atmosphere.

More about McCartney's campaign and meeting can be read here.

Water Footprints

2009-12-03T17:22:00.000-08:00

Water footprints, which are similar to carbon footprints, except they calculate the amount of water it takes for a company to manufacture and transport a product, or for a city, country, or business to operate, are becoming a more popular method to calculate humans' impact on the planet. If this information makes it to product labels, consumers will be able to better understand water scarcity and be able choose products based on their water footprint.

Many products use much more water than you would think, for example it takes 4,227 gallons of water to raise and produce 2 pounds of beef. And the United States has the biggest water footprint per capita, per year at 766,098 gallons.

The full article can be read here.

Mount Everest Glaciers are in Peril

2009-12-03T11:14:00.000-08:00

Many glaciers in Mount Everest are now melting, with many still pools forming on top of them. Many are also stationary now and rotting away from the inside out. These glaciers feed water to many of Asia's rivers. The residents of India and China worry about where their freshwater will come from in the future.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

More CO2 in Oceans Helps Some Sea Creatures Build Shells

2009-12-03T11:03:00.000-08:00

Oddly enough, in a recent study it was found that an oceanic environment with more CO2, resulting in a more acidic environment helped some sea creatures build stronger shells. It was thought that their shells would be come thin and brittle if exposed to a more acidic environment, but organisms such as crabs, lobsters, and shrimp actually produce a stronger shell.

The full article can be read here.

Green Math: Measuring Environmental Impact

2009-12-02T21:52:00.000-08:00

Soon there may be a rating included on most items - especially food - that lists the environmental impact of the item. Many manufacturers and retailers are working to instill this new rating policy. It will factor in a variety of variables in order to calculate the rating including where the food/item was grown/produced, the gas it took to deliver, and the environmental impact of the resources used to produce the material. These variables along with numerous others may be used in this rating, although it will not be a precise number because it is very difficult to calculate the carbon footprint of such items.
It is hoped that this rating system will encourage consumers to buy locally and purchase items with lower carbon footprints. This new rating system is still being developed, however, and may not be available for a few years.

To see the article, click HERE.

Obama: Rally the World for Climate Deal Next Month

2009-12-02T21:03:00.000-08:00

President Obama is getting together with the leader of China, Hu Jintao, to work to come up with a comprehensive plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions for the upcoming Copenhagen Conference. The conference will take place next month and will include 192 nations from around the world. Although each country must do its part to limit greenhouse gas emissions, China and the United States are the two nations who emit the most harmful gases and therefore, it is imperitive that the agreements that are drawn up at the agreement include these two powerful countries.

Click HERE to see the article.

Streetcars and buses in our budget?

2009-12-01T21:55:00.000-08:00

Does the US have $280 million to spend on buses and streetcars to decrease pollution? The Obama administrations announced that this is what they plan to do. To read more click here

Antarctica

2009-12-01T21:50:00.000-08:00

Below is a article about the damages occuring, for the original article click here

Antarctica may heat up dramatically as ozone hole repairs, warn scientists

As blanket of ozone over southern pole seals up, temperatures on continent could soar by 3C, increasing sea level rise by 1.4m

Nasa graphic showing the extent of the ozone hole over Antarctica

The hole in the Earth's ozone layer has shielded Antarctica from the worst effects of global warming until now, according to the most comprehensive review to date of the state of the Antarctic climate. But scientists warned that as the hole closes up in the next few decades, temperatures on the continent could rise by around 3C on average, with melting ice contributing to a global sea-level increases of up to 1.4m.

The western Antarctic peninsula has seen rapid ice loss as the world has warmed, but other parts of the continent have paradoxically been cooling, with a 10% increase in ice in the seas around the region in recent decades. Many climate change sceptics have used the Antarctic cooling as evidence against global warming.

But John Turner of the British Antarctic Survey said scientists are now "very confident" that the anomaly had caused by the ozone hole above Antarctica. "We knew that, when we took away this blanket of ozone, we would have more ultra-violet radiation. But we didn't realise the extent to which it would change the atmospheric circulation of the Antarctic."

These changes in weather have increased winds in the Southern Ocean region and meant that a large part of the continent has remained relatively cool compared with the western peninsula. But because the the CFC gasses that caused the ozone hole now been banned, scientists expect the damage to repair itself within the next 50-60 years. By then the cooling effect will have faded out and Turner said the Antarctic would face the full effects of global warming. This means an increase in average air temperatures of around 3C and a reduction in sea ice by around a third.

The biggest threat to the continent comes from warming seas. Robert Binschadler, a glaciologist at Nasa who monitors Antarctic ice sheets, said: "The heat in the ocean is getting underneath the floating ice shelves, these floating fringes of the ice sheet that are hundreds of metres thick. That warm water is melting the underside of the ice shelf, reducing the buttressing effect." Thinning of the ice shelf at the fringes leads to glaciers moving more quickly.

The retreat of ice from Antarctica has contributed around 10% to global sea-level rise in recent decades. "The danger is that this warmer water will get under these ice shelves and cause the ice streams to get faster and feed ice out into the ocean," said Turner.

Published by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), a coalition of international experts that coordinates international research in the region, the report has been published to give negotiators in Copenhagen the most up-to-date science available. "Everything is connected — Antarctica may be a long way away but it is an important part of the Earth's system," said Colin Summerhayes, executive director of SCAR. "It contains 90% of the world's ice, 70% of the world's fresh water and that is enough, if it melts, to raise sea levels by 63m."

SCAR's review also corroborated recent work by Stefan Rahmstorf, a climate scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impacts Research in Germany, that average sea-level rise will be closer to 1.4m by the end of the century. This is higher than the rise predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2007, said Turner, because the IPCC's forecasts did not include the impact of melting ice sheets on sea level rises. Many of the climate models used by the IPCC have also not taken the ozone hole into account in their simulations.

"Carbon budget" being exceeded

2009-12-01T21:47:00.000-08:00

"The world is rapidly depleting its 'carbon budget' for the first half of this century and must slash the carbon intensity of the global economy" states the author of this article which appeared in the Guardian. Click to see full article and find out all the specifics

Solar panels causing storms?

2009-12-01T21:43:00.000-08:00

Click here to read about the article in the Los Angeles Times about what solar panels are doing to the weather patterns. Fact or fiction, you decide for yourself

Massachusetts Homeowners Can Sell Their Electricity Back

2009-11-30T20:09:00.000-08:00

Property owners in Massachusetts are now able to install wind generators or solar panels and sell the excess electricity produced by them back to the state's utilities. This is called "net metering" and those who produce excess energy will be paid at a retail-not wholesale-price by utility companies. Even businesses and whole towns can sell their extra energy back to the utility companies. However, people will still need to be connected to a utilities owned power grid for dark and cloudy weather. This process is part of the start of the state's efforts towards becoming more energy efficient.

The full article can be read here.

Climate awareness

2009-11-19T13:52:00.000-08:00

A former Time magazine journalist spent three weeks in India talking and informing about climate change. He told that people in the villages understood and observed the changes but most immediate and crushing was the poverty and their consciousness of it.

"The group I met with understood how poor they are and how rich the Western world is. Funds dispatched to alleviate their poverty “are siphoned off in the middle somewhere,” said a 50-year-old woman named Sukanti Mohapatra."

For more on this article click here.

An agreement about climate issues

2009-11-19T13:44:00.000-08:00

President Obama told reporters that the United States was determined to work with China and other countries to help produce a agreement about climate issues.

"He and Mr. Hu also discussed a series of partnerships on energy unveiled by the two countries. "

For more information about this article click here.

2009-11-19T13:33:00.000-08:00

Are seas becoming less effective at absorbing emissions? The slowing down of the absorption rate was a result of a gradual change in the oceans chemistry.

“The more carbon dioxide the ocean absorbs, the more acidic it becomes and the less carbon dioxide it can absorb,”

The rate of absorption has dropped 10 precent from 2000 to 2007.

For more information about this article click here.

Wind turbines head to sea

2009-11-19T13:14:00.000-08:00

A 213-foot-tall wind turbine headed out to see to create "Hywind." This newly started project is the worlds first full-scale floating wind turbine. This wind turbine is suppying electricity to the Norwegian power grid as of Sept. 21st.

"Rather, Mr. Bratland said, over the next two years Hywind will test the feasibility of what some people think may be the next big idea in alternative energy: generating power from the winds over the open ocean, far from land."

I believe that this idea is a good start for future development in the industries.

For more information on this article click here.

Engineering For A Cooler Planet

2009-11-18T11:11:00.000-08:00

Ever heard of the Geritol effect, a process in which iron ore dust is dispensed into the ocean to promote algae growth and reduce carbon dioxide?

This is just one of many ideas that scientists have thought of to reduce global warming.
Other examples include artificial trees that would filter carbon dioxide from the wind. Although this method and the Geritol effect look promising, both methods have a negative side. MSNBC.com lists the pros and cons for each method, while also providing an illustration of how each process works.

Follow the link and check out four climate engineering ideas, including the methods mentioned above.

Warmer Oceans Send Jellyfish Northward

2009-11-16T10:47:00.000-08:00

In Kokonogi, Japan, the worst swarm of giant jellyfish ever seen along the Japanese coast in the past 40 years has struck. Fishermen are greatly affected due the the crowds of Nomura jellyfish. These poisonous creatures are the largest species of jellyfish, which can reach 6 feet in diameter and weigh in as heavy as 450 lbs.

As stated by author Michael Casey, an AP Environmentalist writer:

Scientists believe climate change — the warming of oceans — has allowed some of the almost 2,000 jellyfish species to expand their ranges, appear earlier in the year and increase overall numbers, much as warming has helped ticks, bark beetles and other pests to spread to new latitudes.

Jellyfish have also been blamed for declining fishing industries in the Bering and Black Seas, as stated by the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Adds writer Casey:

A U.S. marine scientist, Jennifer Purcell of Western Washington University, has found a correlation between warming and jellyfish on a much larger scale, in at least 11 locations, including the Mediterranean and North seas, and Chesapeake and Narragansett bays.

To read the full article click here.
Also check out a slideshow with images of jellyfish harming Japanese fishing boats.

Clean fuel

2009-11-15T21:57:00.000-08:00

Scientists have discovered a way to get clean fuels from coal, grass and wasted by the gasification process.

For more information about this discovery, click here.

Climate-vulnerable countries running against time

2009-11-15T21:31:00.000-08:00

Climate-vulnerable, also called the v-11, are the most threatened countries by climate change. Although most of, if not all of, those countries do not emit a considerable amount of greenhouse gases in the stratosphere, they are the most vulnerable to climate change. Among those countries are Rwanda, Nepal, Ghana, Vietnam, Kiribati, etc.

For them, time is really critical, they are urging to find solutions ahead the Copenhagen Summit...

Click here to view the full article

No Formal Climate Deal in Copenhagen, Leaders Say

2009-11-15T19:01:00.000-08:00

Approximately in 20 days, there will be a global "meeting" on the subject of global climate change and concensus between nations. Leadears say that there will not be another formal climate made this time. Since there is not enough time and that concensus will be hard to make due to different polical powers and systems of each countries. To read more of the article, click here.

Voices on Copenhagen and Beyond

2009-11-15T18:54:00.001-08:00

As known, many countries of carbon emission have been trying to make a global accord on the issue of global climage change. Since people are seeing more difference nowadays compare to the past, countries are making plans to bring a concensus between each other. But at the same time, some global climate groups agree that the countries should focus more on the topic that is clearly a working solution. Such as the methan spewing from oil and gas fields. To read more of this article from the blog of Dot Earth, click here.

Environmentalism

2009-11-13T16:26:00.000-08:00

Im sure we are all familiar of Ian Plimer and Michael Crichton now. But another writer by the name of John Ostrowski. He also wrote a column on Environmentalism as a new Religion, and he also is not as credible as Plimer, but here is hs article on the issue.

http://ultramontane.blogtownhall.com/default.aspx

Freakonomics

2009-11-13T16:11:00.000-08:00

Freakonomics has been a book of great debate already, even with its release date being only a few weeks ago. It talks about global warming and cures for the problem as well as other topics. So far this book has stirred up great debate. While there have been many reviews, I personally liked this one the best.

http://www.reviewsofbooks.com/freakonomics/review/

Would Poor Countries Adapt?

2009-11-12T16:09:00.000-08:00

Climate change is affect everyone, but predictions are that it will affect developing countries worse than already developed countries. Countries within the tropic and sub-tropic regions are expected to get affected by climate change the most, and the majority of developing countries are within these regions. There are plans to help developing countries adapt to the climate change and develop with technology and programs that are eco-friendly.

Climate Change - Would Poor Countries Adapt?

Climate change, experts say, pose a serious threat to development in the poorest and most vulnerable regions of the world. And minimising the impacts require adaptation. In the 2005 G8 Plan of Action, there was an agreement to assist developing countries to adapt to climate change. Oisahoin Ifijeh writes on the progress made so far.

Today, the impacts of climate change are already being felt across the globe and human activities have been largely responsible. While climate change will affect everyone, it is expected to have disproportionate effect on those living in poverty in developing countries. This is because the majority of developing countries are in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Areas predicted to be seriously affected by the impacts of climate change include Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Small Island States.

Find the article here.

Child-friendly Global Warming Website

2009-11-11T20:48:00.000-08:00

If you have young children in your lives who want to know more about global warming, seek resources such as the following website:

http://www.pewclimate.org/global-warming-basics/kidspage.cfm

Where children can explore, and read in simplistic terms. This website offers key questions, overviews, and pictures that will contribute to a kid's learning.

Pass on the Message

2009-11-11T20:42:00.000-08:00

This animated short film clip also is geared towards a younger age group. Showing a message in a bottle saying to stop global warming, animals affected pass it on. This message does need to be passed on, so watch the video, and share it with someone you know as well.

To view this video, click here.

Don't Cut Down Trees, Plant a Tree!

2009-11-11T20:27:00.000-08:00

This motivational video is geared toward young children. Very short and sweet, but straight to the point. Alternative methods are displayed for kids to see and retain. Instead of driving to school, take the bus, walk, or bike! Simple videos like this in mainstream media, and in classrooms truly would make a difference.
To watch this video, entitled "Climate change and children," click here.

"Seafloor Fossils Provide Clues To Climate Change"

2009-11-10T23:44:00.000-08:00

There has been interesting research conducted on tiny ocean fossils called foraminifera, found deep in the ocean, that are able to provide scientists with vital information about the climate, sea level, and ocean conditions of how the earth was "millions of years ago." Miriam Katz, Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has dedicated the past twenty years to studying these organisms in order to gain knowledge of how the earth's climate was millions of years ago. These organisms showed how the earth's climate changed drastically over time. These foraminifera also possibly have an important role in allowing scientists to predict potential effects of human behavior on future climate change. Since she can derive the past climate conditions from these tiny fossils, she can also predict how the future could possibly be, climate-wise, by past trends. For more information on this topic, click here.

"Controversial New Climate Change Data: Is Earth's Capacity To Absorb CO2 Much Greater Than Expected?"

2009-11-10T23:24:00.000-08:00

There has been some discussion about controversial evidence possibly found that could suggest that the earth has a larger capacity to absorb co2 then previously thought. This information is considered controversial because it contradicts previous research that stated the capabilities of the earth to absorb co2 would lessen as the amount of emissions released into the atmosphere increase. These facts are important, because in the near future in Copenhagen, Denmark, policy makers will be developing carbon emission restrictions for nations. This could hinder climate positive policies that may or may not be made in December at the United Nations Climate Change Conference. For more information, click here.

Agency Reduces Forecast for Oil Consumption

2009-11-10T17:00:00.000-08:00

The International Energy Agency has reduced its long-term forecast for global oil consumption as countries increase the use of alternative energy sources and as the economic crisis slows demand.

The revised forecast, released Tuesday, comes as the energy agency, which acts as an adviser to industrial countries, warned that governments must soon tackle the challenge of climate change by curbing energy demand or risk a catastrophic rise in global temperatures over the next decades.

For the full article click here.

To Cut Global Warming, Swedes Study Their Plates

2009-11-10T16:48:00.000-08:00

STOCKHOLM — Shopping for oatmeal, Helena Bergstrom, 37, admitted that she was flummoxed by the label on the blue box reading, “Climate declared: .87 kg CO2 per kg of product.”

“Right now, I don’t know what this means,” said Ms. Bergstrom, a pharmaceutical company employee.

But if a new experiment here succeeds, she and millions of other Swedes will soon find out. New labels listing the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the production of foods, from whole wheat pasta to fast food burgers, are appearing on some grocery items and restaurant menus around the country.

To read the full article click here.

Global Warming Suspect Uncovered in Alaska

2009-11-10T14:12:00.000-08:00

Frozen methane gases are melting, then thawing glaciers.

To watch a short video on this subject click here.

UNEP

2009-11-09T16:04:00.000-08:00

This website has everything from a Countdown to Copenhagen to a list of campaigns and climate change programs! Check it out HERE

Shell Gas Station Reducing Emmisons

2009-11-09T16:01:00.000-08:00

Irony? Maybe, but to read about how Shell stations all over the world are reacting to global warming and reducing their carbon footprints, click here .

Do Environmentalists Want YOU to Die?

2009-11-09T15:45:00.000-08:00

In this article, the headline is "The bottom line: The most consistent, dedicated environmentalists want you, and everyone else, to die. It's as simple as that."

While the article does put forth a particular bias, the link at the bottom of the page is quite interesting. I have included it here:

http://www.abc.net.au/science/planetslayer/greenhouse_calc.htm

"When should you die" according to greenhouse gasses.

The FUNNY Side to Global Warming

2009-11-09T15:37:00.000-08:00

Think Global Warming is funny? Well Sidney Harris and his colleagues do! Harris is the author of the first comic book on Global Warming.

Read some of the comics and more about the book at this website:

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/11/the-funny-side-of-global-warming-no-kidding/

Blue Man Group on Global Warming

2009-11-09T15:34:00.000-08:00

A funny, yet TRUE production on global warming. Enjoy!

Religion and Climate change

2009-11-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

Religion is playing a major role in climate change.

"religions run more then half of the world's schools, so tweaking a curriculum to include more on the environment can have a big impact."

To read more click here.

A Landfill is the key to cleaner air

2009-11-08T23:46:00.000-08:00

To have cleaner air the coal-fired Kingston Fossil Plant is creating a landfill.

“It is a tradeoff,” Ron Nash of the Tennessee Valley Authority said during a recent tour of Kingston’s new $500 million scrubber complex. “In order to clean the air up, you create a landfill.”

To read more click here.

India's New Prime Minister Brings a New Personality Toward Climate Change

2009-11-08T21:01:00.000-08:00

Manmohan Singh, India's new prime minister is changing India's policy and attitude toward many global issues, especially environmental change. Unlike India's previous prime minister, Singh is willing to take on a new strategy and get the country to lower its carbon emissions despite theirs being less than 7% of what the United States' is. Singh's progress on this issue, and many others will make India a much more important country in global discussions.

The full article can be read here.

Mt Kilimandjaro Ice melting

2009-11-08T18:04:00.000-08:00

Since 2000, the Ice atop Mt Kilimandjaro (Tanzania) is encountering a rapid melting. "Eighty-five percent of the ice cover that was present in 1912 has vanished". Researchers are not sure whether this phenomenon is mainly caused by human activity or climate changes...

The full article can be found here.

Japan's Space Agency Wants to Collect Solar Power from Space

2009-11-08T14:47:00.000-08:00

By 2030, Japan hopes to collect solar power in space by having arrays of photovoltaic dishes that are several square kilometres, and would orbit outside the Earth's atmosphere. They would have the solar energy harnessed back to Earth by using laser beams or microwaves.

The full article can be read here.

Interesting article from news hounds

2009-11-07T22:36:00.000-08:00

In this article they talk about how misleading a Fox News article was and they use information to refute the claims they made. You can read it here.

Scotland in for a big change?

2009-11-07T22:15:00.000-08:00

Scotland is in for a big change if global warming continues on the pace that it is now. The same could be said about the whole world though. With the temperature rising the plants and animals that live in certain areas wont be there any more. You can read more about Scotland here.

Scrubbers

2009-11-07T20:32:00.000-08:00

In Tennessee, where the Kingston Fossil Plant is located, smokestack scrubbers are being used to eliminate sulfur dioxide emissions. For this plan to work however, there is the consequence of landfills, but it is determined that the air we breathe is of higher concern. Sulfur dioxide is a cause for acid rain, haze, devastation of natural landscape as well as respiratory problems. With the newly engaged scrubbers 95% of Kingston's sulfur emissions will be eliminated. To read more click here.

Religion's Role in Climate Change

2009-11-07T16:40:00.000-08:00

Major religions have gathered together to discourse on the subject og global climate change. The main religion and organizations related to them were to talk about the effect and the change people can make after the influence of all the religions. Andrew Revkin has posted an article based on this issue and to read more of it, click here.

Al Gore's hew book

2009-11-07T16:33:00.000-08:00

Al Gore has published his third book, "Our Choice:A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis". His book has strong points on climate change just like his other two books. The book consists mainly of illustrated guide to the technologies and policies that could help limit climate dangers. In the end of the book, he concluded with two scenarios; one that future generation would look back in horror at the debate of today and two, 2009 will be the year to begin the sustainability global push to build new energy options. From the dot earth, you can check the interview of Al Gore and also read more Andrew revkin's summary on the book. To read more of Andrew Revkin's article, click here.

Jim Carrey plays a over dramatic environmentalist guy in a tv sh

2009-11-07T15:13:00.000-08:00

New Climate Change Treaty

2009-11-07T12:54:00.000-08:00

A new treaty that will replace the Kyoto Protocol won't be ready for when the 40 world leaders meet in Copenhagen, but it could be ready by next year. This treaty will help reduce carbon dioxide gases and help developing countries to develop ways to fight climate changes as they progress. They are also hoping that this treaty will also bring the U.S. into taking action against climate change.

New climate change treaty could be ready in 2010, U.N. official says
By Al Goodman, CNN Madrid Bureau Chief
November 6, 2009 9:39 a.m. EST

Madrid, Spain (CNN) -- A new international treaty to combat climate change will not be ready when 40 world leaders meet next month in Copenhagen but may be finished next year, a top United Nations official said Friday in Barcelona.

"What we will need after Copenhagen is a little time," said Yvo de Boer, head of the United Nations climate change secretariat. "I don't know how much time to turn that operational language into a treaty, if that is what governments decide."

Find the article here.

New Climate Change Treaty Could Be Ready in 2010

2009-11-07T10:59:00.000-08:00

New climate change treaty could be ready in 2010, U.N. official
says
By Al Goodman, CNN Madrid Bureau Chief

November 6, 2009 9:39 a.m. EST
Madrid, Spain (CNN) -- A new international treaty to combat climate change will not be ready when 40 world leaders meet next month in Copenhagen but may be finished next year, a top United Nations official said Friday in Barcelona.
"What we will need after Copenhagen is a little time," said Yvo de Boer, head of the United Nations climate change secretariat. "I don't know how much time to turn that operational language into a treaty, if that is what governments decide."

Find the article here.

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New climate change treaty could be ready in 2010, U.N. official
says