Recently in Environment Category
I really enjoyed reading the following story so much, that it's all I'm going to post today.
Hummer owner gets angry message - MSNBC/Washington Post
It's earth day tomorrow, so I thought I would simply post some of my favourite images of the earth, as seen from space. Enjoy and click on the images for the full size, if available.
Here are a few environmental links to keep you busy thinking, but first, an interesting article on Beijing and it's attempts to clean up it's image:
-No Spitting on the Road to Olympic Glory, Beijing Says - The New York Times
-A Renewed Push for Ethanol, Without the Corn - The New York Times
-Voices from the ice tell of warming signals - Associated Press
-Ethanol may cause more smog, more deaths - Associated Press
-First climate debate divides UN - BBC News
-No-Fishing Zones in Tropics Yield Fast Payoffs for Reefs - The New York Times
-Climate change around the world - BBC News
While watching Frontline World last night, I saw a story on individuals providing interest free loans to the third world. What made this story different, was the way in which they've gone about it. The not-for-profit site run by Kiva (Swahili for agreement/unity), connects people in the western world to those in under developed nations, who are looking to start or expand their own business.
If you head over to Kiva's website, you'll see that the Grey Lady has already been through (is there anywhere that whore hasn't been?) and done a video about the whole enterprise.
Anyway, I hope to join and put my money where my mouth is, by giving to two different projects. When I do jump in, I'll be posting updates and keeping everyone informed about how things are going with the projects that I've chosen. I encourage you to join up as well, since the money that you give, will mean more to it's recipient, than it ever would to you or me.
Once the loan is repaid, it can be put back into another project, over and over again, meaning your gift really does keep on giving.
So were you aware that 90% of Americans believe in God? The real kicker? 48% don't believe in the theory of evolution and 34% of college grads accept the biblical account of creation, as fact. For even more interesting/concerning numbers, check out this link.
Here are some very interesting numbers about the worlds' energy, courtesy of Forbes. I found it especially interesting that 99% of Norway's power needs are supplied by hydroelectric power! Talk about a stroke of luck, that they have the geography to pull that off.
Do you remember the movie I Heart Huckabees? You may not have seen it, but here is a disturbing link of the director, David O. Russell, unleashing on Lily Tomlin. This is the same director that George Clooney punched in the face on the set of Three Kings and swore never to work with again.
Did you know that of all the worst road accidents in recorded history, the top two took place in Ontario? Not something to brag about, but the crack team at Forbes once again compiled a list of the worst transportation disasters, to educate us all.
Finally, if you like freakishly large animals as much as I do, be sure to check out this Newsweek slide show, by clicking on the picture at the top of the article.
The Year Without Toilet Paper - The New York Times
I read that and asked myself, how far would I go to have no impact? Sure I don't drive a car and I've used nazi-like tactics to reduce house trash to almost nothing, as well as nagging about light and water use, but on the other hand, I own three computers - one of which is on 365 days a year!
If I ever do go the no impact route, I'll need to find homes for some gently loved CE equipment...
Have you all been keeping up with the music scene? I know I haven't, but what little I've gotten my hands on, I've been pleased with. From older recent albums like Ray LaMontagne's Trouble, to recent recent albums like Some Loud Thunder and Neon Bible, there have been some lovely releases this year. I've mostly been relocating older songs that I'd forgotten about, or not yet discovered. Anyway, let me know what you're listening to these days.
That means you have to comment.
Seriously.
So yeah, links.
-A Conversation on Global Issues - Newsweek/Washington Post
-Idea of Making Reef From Tires Backfires - Associated Press
-The Dawn of the Next Cold War - Newsweek
-Europe's Plan to Track Phone and Net Use - The New York Times
-Exclusive Sneak Peek at the New Harry Potter - Newsweek
-Poll Sees Hope in West-Islam Ties - BBC News
-A Holy but Puzzling Alliance - The Economist
Snow!
It's a Christmas miracle, in February. We actually got a substantial load of snow and all of a sudden, life seems a bit better. Unfortunately, it's been so many years since we've had this much snow, that all my play-in-the-snow-stuff is at my parents' house. I'm just going to have to be a big boy and play in the snow anyway. It's also been awhile since I took any pictures, so today will be a picture day.
In other news, if you're a geek like I am, then you'll enjoy this Engadget tour of a Virgin America Airbus 320 and if you're lazy like I am, then you'll appreciate About.com, taking the time to tell you what the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report means, using concise language.
Last --but definitely not least-- The Arcade Fire is doing a proper North American tour and the following info is for those of us in the Northeast:
THU 5/10/2007 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre (On sale 2/23/2007)
SAT 5/12/2007 Montreal, QC Arena Maurice Richard (On sale 3/2/2007)
SUN 5/13/2007 Montreal, QC Arena Maurice Richard (On sale 3/2/2007)
TUE 5/15/2007 Toronto, ON Massey Hall (On sale 2/23/2007)
WED 5/16/2007 Toronto, ON Massey Hall (On sale 2/23/2007)
-France Tells U.S. to Sign Climate Pacts or Face Tax - The New York Times
-Exxon Linked to Climate Change Pay Out - CNN Money
-Glimpsing the Bottom of the Barrel - The Economist
-Science Panel Calls Global Warming 'Unequivocal' - The New York Times
-Climate Paper Prompts Call to Act - BBC News
-Woman With Bionic Arm Regains Sense of Touch - The Telegraph
-These Scions Are Pros - Newsweek
-The Basement Apple Shrine - Flickr
