NEWS
Sunday, October 14, 2007
- No longer the
sole concept of science fiction, the United States is being encouraged
to pursue space-based
power generation. While initially costly, this is a concept that
can provide limitless energy with no pollution consequences.
- What do you do if
you live in a region where water is generally NOT abundant, everyone
around wants more of it, and the situation is getting worse? Welcome
to L.A.
- It seems that
cities are going where national governments fear to tread. Read how a small
Swedish town is taking the lead with regard to limiting the use of
fossil fuels, and, perhaps, setting an example for others to follow.
Friday, October
12, 2007
- There
is a constant
debate as to whether driving is 'greener' than driving. Of course, with
regard to driving cross country, this may seem to be a moot point to
some. Well, what about closer distances.? The answer to this perplexing
question is here.
- Al
Gore is a Nobel hero. His work has
garnered a most
prestigeous accolade.
- Many
rely on the Old Farmer's Almanac to
prepare for winter. Would you? What about the National Weather Service
or NOAA? We have a prediction
for the first half of winter from one of them. Its track record isn't
bad either. If we were to have a warm winter across the country, what
would this do to the critical snow pack that provides necessary water
in the spring? This is a complicated issue.
- First we hear that
biofuel production could
(and likely will) increase the price of food. Now there is the
possibility of this new form of energy harming
water supplies. This issue is not
as clear cut as previously
believed.
Sunday, October 7,
2007
- The ozone hole over
the Antarctic is reported to be smaller than last year. Does this mean
that efforts to eliminate CFCs and other gasses that degrade
upper-level ozone is finally working, or does it indicate a statistical
burp. More here.
- Here is an
interesting thought that links the exploration of space with saving the
Earth's
environment. This idea is not new to space buffs, but perhaps now,
those who would never have put the two together, will begin to see a
logical connection.
Thursday, October 4,
2007
Today's Star Ledger
has a very nice report of our very own Dave
Moskowitz leading artlcle author and Director of Operations for the
Edison Wetlands Association, David Wheeler on an exciting dusk tour of
the Helmetta Bog. Read
about a fascinating world that few of us ever explore.
Monday,
October 1, 2007
- It isn't new news
that birds use the Earth's magnetic field to help
navigate, even when the celestial cues (sun, moon and
stars) are not visible.
What IS new is that they might actually be able to see these magnetic fields. Here's a
great
article from ScienceDaily.
- It IS considered a
major environmental disaster…the drying up of the Aral Sea (click here
for map) in the former Soviet Union. While the reasons are
numerous, and the results (until recently) have been disastrous,
efforts to revive the Aral Sea are apparently meeting with success and
this body of water is beginning to return to its former levels of water
and importance to the region as a life-sustaining resource. Listen
to this great piece from NPR.
- The ancient Japanese
capital of Kyoto
was a perfect setting for many of the world's industrial nations to
agree to major positive environmental changes. (The United States
refused to join.) Now, Japan itself is finding it harder to meet the
agreed upon conditions of the treaty.
- A very comprehensive
treatment of this issue has been covered by National
Geographic Magazine. This is a detailed report that provides a
great deal of detail and ancillary data. An excellent read!
Friday,
September 28, 2007
- A new poll
released today indicates that few Americans feel positive about how the
President and the Congress have handled environmental issues. This
isn't new to many of us (who frequent this website) but it is
encouraging to see that 'grass roots' efforts are still alive and even
beginning to flourish. Perhaps this will spur some real movement.
Complete results of the poll itself can be found here.
- Quick, how can you
save 5 million tons of carbon dioxide from being deposited into the
atmosphere? The answer is what is proposed in Great
Britain…in effect, saying goodbye to Thomas Edison. We can do that
here and likely save an additional 25 million tons of CO2.
You just need the will to do it.
- There
have been some less than nice things that have been said about France
in recent years. This
article just might change some minds. Apparently France is willing
to take the plunge with regard to joining the green revolution,
something about which we (the U.S.) are still in the toe-dipping stage.
- Global
warming has been blamed for many things including the (projected)
extinction of numerous types of living things on Earth. In order to
better understand such things, it may be important to study previous
extinctions. The Passenger
Pigeon is a good case in point. A good listen from NPR. Can the demise of
this 'unlimited resource' of 5
billion birds tell us anything about what we are doing and how
we are treating our
resources? You be the judge here. I recall being taught in elementary
school (in the 1950's) now the supply of fish in the Newfoundland Banks
(off of Eastern Canada) was an endless resource. Now, we must stop
fishing certain species in order to preserve their existence in these
waters.
- We've
mentioned before how biofuels
create a double-edged sword. The negative side is once again being
reported, this time by renown scientist Jane Goodall.
- President
Bush has emerged from his self-imposed environmental hibernation long
enough to make a highly unusual statement
(for him) about the environment. Perhaps this is the start of a
realization that will lead to some positive actions by the United
States.
|
Tuesday,
September 25, 200
I
have friends who have walked part of all of the Appalachian Trail. It
was an experience they will not ever forget. Now, or at least soon,
there will be a similar trail
for bikes. Yesterday's Star Ledger ran a very nice article
explaining this trail and its completion in New Jersey. Great reading
and it gives us something really good to look forward to.
As we have mentioned numerous times in the past, amphibians are an
excellent measure of the health of an environment. Here
is a disturbing article on the whys of amphibian deformities, which
have become much more common in the past few years. The photo on the
yahoo.com page on which the article appears is particularly
troublesome.
Monday,
September 24, 2007
- Some of the oldest living things are also some of the
least known. These are not Sequoia or Redwood trees, but Bristlecomb
Pine trees. These monuments to longevity pre-date the pyramids. Learn
more about them here.
- Have you any interest in making your home (or new
addition) 'green'?
This is an article that will give you something to consider. I
personally don't go for all
of the ideas, but some are definitely worth considering.
- El Nino is the better known of the 2 weather
phenomena that can alter weather patterns world wide. But its smaller
sister La
Nina may give us a warmer winter this year.
Sunday,
September 23, 2007
HAPPY AUTUMN!
Quite a few stories for you today.
- Washington has finally embraced a positive global
warming initiative that 200 countries have agreed to. Perhaps of
significant (secondary) importance is that China has also agreed to
these measures that will further reduce HCFCs that have helped create
the dangerous ozone hole at the poles.
- While very obvious to some, AP writer Seth Borenstein
is sounding the alarm on how global warming will make our country
25,000 square miles smaller. While it may make perfect sense that parts
of Florida will be affected, so will some of closer areas including
Manhattan and the Jersey shore. More here.
- Many of us are aware how amphibians can be a 'canary'
with regard to environmental issues, the problem is more complex than
that. Read how Bullfrogs
have 'invaded' the west. Is this the beginning of a new
environmental issue?
- Little Iceland is well known for harassing
geothermal energy, an abundant source of energy that is readily
available throughout the country. However, their desire to rid their
environment of the need for petrochemical fuels has led to the
development of a major push toward hydrogen
power. This is a great story that may lead to the obvious
question…"Why aren't we leading in this venture?" Good question!
- It seems that the small nation of Sri Lanka has come
up with the realization that pesticides can kill you. No really! Pesticides
and suicides seem to go hand in hand. This story may have far
broader implications.
Thursday,
September 20, 2007
As
a follow-up to
stories we have reported on numerous times in the
past year, there is now a substantial report that compiles much of the
data about Bald Eagle sightings in Middlesex county. With regard to
NJNaturenotes, this began with Dave Moskowitz's reports of Bald Eagle
sightings along Ryders Lane. Several others reported the same thing and
I even had one probable sighting over Acme on Ryders Lane. Today's
Sentinel has some good reading about this for you to enjoy. The
sighting referencing the Edgeboro Landfill was ours on the last Winter
Bird Count in January.
Monday,
September 17, 2007
Again,
many stories for your reading pleasure.
- Acid
rain does not treat
every geographic location equally. It seems that its
effect is more strongly felt along coastal regions. This results
from the shallower waters along most coastlines. While most think of
acid rains as primarily affecting northern forests negatively, its
impact on the world's oceans is very large and becoming increasingly
better understood. The results are complex and very interesting to read
about.
- It
would seem that global warming is
having even more complex, unanticipated and harmful affects on this
beleaguered planet of ours. Scientists studying the anticipated release
of methane from previously frozen Alaskan lakes found more than
they bargained for.
- What
happens when a greatly anticipated
technology becomes available and unexpected
consequences suddenly are discovered? This is the story with
bio-fuels, but it becomes more complex than this. A German scientists
of note has some strong opinions about this.
- With
skin cancers on the rise, the
condition of the 'ozone hole' in both the arctic and the antarctic is
increasingly critical. So, we banned CFCs from refrigerating systems.
that was good. But, something else is getting in the way of reducing
the size of these infections in the Earth's atmosphere. Read more here.
- We,
from the 'right coast' often have a
somewhat skewed view of those from the 'left coast'. However, when it
comes to environmental initiatives, California often leads the pack.
Now, Vermont wants to follow the lead and develop much stricter auto
emissions standards. Of course, the auto industry challenged this
course of action. Read the outcome here.
What are the long term effects of this action?
- How
can monastery records that are a
millennium old help us with global climate change. This is an interesting
story of some very deep research that is helping us to understand
what has been, and what could be, with reference to our weather.
- For 5 centuries,
sailors have been looking
for a fabled northwest
passage, a
way to navigate ships from Europe to Asia via the
northern route, above Canada. While this could be an economic boon for
shippers, the reasons for such a passage do not bode well for us.
Monday,
September 10, 2007
Lots
of reading on tap today.
- What happens when
you start removing hundreds of mountaintops? Where do you put the
debris? Is this environmentally safe? Read
this and see if this article and
the next one pique your interest, if not makes you outright angry.
- Where
is Appalachia going? Much of it is no longer here to be enjoyed.
Also, how can the federal government re-classify the waste from these
operations as a not polluting source? Boggles the mind, doesn't it?
- Even if you're not a
'birder', do you like looking at birds. Well, you'd better have a good
memory because predictions are that some species
won't make it to mid-century. Take lots of pictures now.
- Good news for a
change. Read how some very clever
innovation may actually reduce energy consumption from pollution
sources (oil, coal, etc.). Excellent reading. Start looking for the
IPO.
Thursday,
September 6, 2007
- We've reported in
the past about the severe reduction in honey bee populations around the
United States. Now, there may be a smoking gun that could lead to
methods to reverse this very significant trend. An Israeli scientist
has identified the possible cause for this crisis. And, Australia is
part of this issue as well. More here.
- Now here's an idea
that we can all use to save natural resources. Listen
to this NPR report that is endorsed by the NRDC. It's one of those
"why didn't I think of that" kind of ideas.
- One industry's
climate crisis is another's boon. Read how northern Canada is adapting
to the changing climate in the northern hemisphere.
- We're
reported on
the plight of Polar Bears many times before. This prediction is the
only chilling thing happening to them. Ready why their numbers
will be significantly reduced by the end of the century. If you
think this is too far ahead for us to be concerned about, think again.
This is the world that your children's children will live in. And, this
is only one such problem.
|
Here are
news, local
and regional events of interest for our region. Our list of topics is
dynamic and will change frequently. 
comprehensive
schedule of how the planets will appear 