Dangling Conversations

Posted 12 Sep, 2005 at 06:20 by blue in /Enviroment | Permanent link

Long a fan of the WWF (the real WWF)... I was highly intreguied by this latest online project.

You too can track a small herd of leatherback turtles which they have fitted with satelite receivers. The turtles, tagged in late June in 4 different locations, have scattered to the currents. Thus far, at least one has died, thanks to manmade interference. Another is setting records for amazingly deep dives and has traveled across half the Atlantic ocean.

Check it all out for yourself at the WWF sub site set up with maps and regular updates.

Comments (0 comments so far)

Posted 22 Jul, 2005 at 06:49 by blue in /Enviroment | Permanent link

These are neat to look at.

Comments (0 comments so far)

Posted 21 Apr, 2005 at 12:14 by blue in /Enviroment | Permanent link

I don't have a TV, so I missed all the ads surrounding this in December... but it is still ongoing.

Well known TV actor/comedian Rick Mercer has been promoting a One-Tonne Challenge. The goal is to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by One-Tonne.

There is a calculator where you can calculate your current emissions as well as see what impact various choices you have would make on your total.

You can check out the site here. It really is interesting.

My own total came out below my regional average, and even below the national average. In some ways not overly surprising for someone who lives in a refurbished apartment, doesn't own a car or a TV, and once was environmentally active. That said, I found it vaguely amusing since when I think about the things I do or don't do, they are such second nature, that I don't view it as 'doing my part'. I simply don't generate tons of garbage... am not interested in TV... find it cheaper and easier to do without the car... etc.

It's nice when one's lifestyle is positive without any effort.

That said... I think I'm going to take on the challenge. In some ways harder for me since I can't just dump my car or something... but after using their calculator, I managed to find ways to lower my environmental debt by 0.7 tonnes. If I can find a way to get that last 0.3 I'll be set.

You should try it too.

What how many tonnes do you produce? Are you going to take the challenge? Let me know.

Comments (1 comment so far)

Posted 21 Feb, 2005 at 11:05 by blue in /Enviroment | Permanent link

Sometimes it's easy to forget how small we really are.

Then we see a major force of nature like a volcano, or an earthquake or a tsunami and we think "Wow!".

Then someone tells us about the distance between planets or that the storm on Jupiter is the size of a small planet... or that the sun will one day expand to cover Earth's orbit and our mind can barely grasp the true magnitude of that and we think.. "Holy shoot!".

Then there is this... a magnetar some 50,000 light years away caused an explosion big enough to alter our ionsphere. So what you say? Your mind balks at even thinking of this as cool. The scope of it is just to big to even be impressed by.

So let me put it into perspective. It's not a magnetar... it's the Death Star and the rebels just won.

"Cooool!"

Ya... I thought so too.

Comments (0 comments so far)

Posted 10 Feb, 2005 at 15:04 by blue in /Enviroment | Permanent link

Okay... well, it might be debatable that performing a series of tricks makes one smart, the bird featured here is one of, what are generally considered, the smartest species of birds on the planet. African Grey Parrots. There is actually one in my basement for sale at the moment. I've thought about buying it, but simply don't have the time or dedication to look after her for the next 60 years... (mostly cause at this point, she's likely to outlive me).

Still... they are impressive birds, don't you agree?

Comments (2 comments so far)