http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/energy-fuels/dn11010-us-urged-to-boost-its-geothermal-power-capacity.html
A study conducted at MIT found that the mining of geothermal energy could vey well be one way the US could meet the electricity demand. Nuclear and coal plants could be replaced by Mining the heat stored in rocks in the Earth's crust. This reminds me of how Solar energy could very well become the number one source of power too, and its such a good renewable resource. It makes sense, and its good for the future and for the environment.\
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Red Sea mega-dam would be 'irresponsible'
http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/energy-fuels/dn13015-red-sea-megadam-would-be-irresponsible.html
This article is crazy. Apparently, plans to build a gigantic dam across the Red Sea that could generate huge amounts of renewable energy has been condemned by experts who say it would make a huge mess. The scheme would literally part the Red Sea with a massive wall more than 150 metres high.
This article is crazy. Apparently, plans to build a gigantic dam across the Red Sea that could generate huge amounts of renewable energy has been condemned by experts who say it would make a huge mess. The scheme would literally part the Red Sea with a massive wall more than 150 metres high.
Electric cars could act as batteries for the energy grid
http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/energy-fuels/dn100-electric-cars-could-act-as-batteries-for-the-energy-grid-.html
Electric and hybrid cars could act as energy stores for the power grid while not being driven.
Scientists at the University of Delaware have been studing a new prototype made by AC Propulsion to store grid electricity when required. Combustion-powered cars are useless while off the road, but all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles could act as backups to the grid while idle, using a system developed by Kempton and colleagues called V2G (vehicle-to-grid).
Electric and hybrid cars could act as energy stores for the power grid while not being driven.
Scientists at the University of Delaware have been studing a new prototype made by AC Propulsion to store grid electricity when required. Combustion-powered cars are useless while off the road, but all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles could act as backups to the grid while idle, using a system developed by Kempton and colleagues called V2G (vehicle-to-grid).
Electric cars could act as batteries for the energy grid
http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/energy-fuels/dn13000-electric-cars-could-act-as-batteries-for-the-energy-grid-.html
Electric and hybrid cars could act as energy stores for the power grid while not being driven.
Scientists from the University of Delaware are using a new prototype made by US company AC Propulsion to store or supply grid electricity when required.
Combustion-powered cars are useless while off the road, but all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles could act as backups to the grid while idle, using a system developed by Kempton and colleagues called V2G (vehicle-to-grid).
Electric and hybrid cars could act as energy stores for the power grid while not being driven.
Scientists from the University of Delaware are using a new prototype made by US company AC Propulsion to store or supply grid electricity when required.
Combustion-powered cars are useless while off the road, but all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles could act as backups to the grid while idle, using a system developed by Kempton and colleagues called V2G (vehicle-to-grid).
For the environment's sake, don't get divorce
http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/climate-change/dn12990-for-the-environments-sake-dont-get-divorced.html
This article is pretty neat because I never would have taken this situation into consideration. As the percentage of divorces rise, a groundbreaking analysis of the environmental impact of divorce was taken and it provided the some interesting results.
The environmental cost of a marriage splitting occurs because couples and their families move into separate properties after divorce – meaning they collectively occupy more space, burn more energy, and consume more water than they did as a family unit.
This article is pretty neat because I never would have taken this situation into consideration. As the percentage of divorces rise, a groundbreaking analysis of the environmental impact of divorce was taken and it provided the some interesting results.
The environmental cost of a marriage splitting occurs because couples and their families move into separate properties after divorce – meaning they collectively occupy more space, burn more energy, and consume more water than they did as a family unit.
Plants do emit methane after all
http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/climate-change/mg19626322.900-plants-do-emit-methane-after-all.html
Whether plants do or do not emit the greenhouse gas has been a widely debated topic in the last year. It has flipped back and forth from a deffinite yes to a deffinite no. But reaserchers now determine that yes, some plants do produce methane - but only particular species, and not much of it.
Whether plants do or do not emit the greenhouse gas has been a widely debated topic in the last year. It has flipped back and forth from a deffinite yes to a deffinite no. But reaserchers now determine that yes, some plants do produce methane - but only particular species, and not much of it.
Monitoring And Controlling Deforestation And Forest Degradation
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203090126.htm
This article talks about UNFCCC negotiations to move towards a nation-wide reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD).
It seems like things are moving forward but there are a few extremely important questions that have yet to be answered.
How much will REDD cost?
Will it benefit forest people?
Is it possible to monitor forests when so many countries are chronically covered with clouds?
This article talks about UNFCCC negotiations to move towards a nation-wide reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD).
It seems like things are moving forward but there are a few extremely important questions that have yet to be answered.
How much will REDD cost?
Will it benefit forest people?
Is it possible to monitor forests when so many countries are chronically covered with clouds?
Ancient flood
http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn113-ancient-flood-brought-gulf-stream-to-a-halt.html
About 8000 years ago, a huge glacial lake in Canada burst, and the fresh water rushed into the North Atlantic. Researchers now say they know for sure that this catastrophic event shut down the Gulf Stream and cooled parts of the northern hemisphere by several degrees for more than a hundred years.
About 8000 years ago, a huge glacial lake in Canada burst, and the fresh water rushed into the North Atlantic. Researchers now say they know for sure that this catastrophic event shut down the Gulf Stream and cooled parts of the northern hemisphere by several degrees for more than a hundred years.
Giant pandas under threat from parasitic worm
http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn13016-giant-pandas-under-threat-from-parasitic-worm.html
The already close to extinction species of Giant Pandas are being whiped out by a parasitic worm called Baylisascaris schroederi. The parasites cause visceral larval migrans, causes haemorrhaging of the liver, intestine, and lungs.
Peter Daszak, executive director of the Consortium for Conservation Medicine in New York, US, is researching an answer by going through the records of wild panda post-mortems between 1971 and 2006.
They found that from 1990 onwards, the proportion of deaths that were linked to a parasitic disease rose from less than 10% to 50%
The already close to extinction species of Giant Pandas are being whiped out by a parasitic worm called Baylisascaris schroederi. The parasites cause visceral larval migrans, causes haemorrhaging of the liver, intestine, and lungs.
Peter Daszak, executive director of the Consortium for Conservation Medicine in New York, US, is researching an answer by going through the records of wild panda post-mortems between 1971 and 2006.
They found that from 1990 onwards, the proportion of deaths that were linked to a parasitic disease rose from less than 10% to 50%
Stormy weather ahead for US
http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/climate-change
This was a followup article to the previous one. It just had a little more detail about the team doing the research on Global Warming effective future thunderstorms. Robert Trapp and colleagues at Purdue University have used climate models to show that the risk of severe thunderstorms in the eastern and southern US could double by 2100.
This was a followup article to the previous one. It just had a little more detail about the team doing the research on Global Warming effective future thunderstorms. Robert Trapp and colleagues at Purdue University have used climate models to show that the risk of severe thunderstorms in the eastern and southern US could double by 2100.
Global Warming Likely To Increase Stormy Weather, Especially In Certain US locations
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071204121949.htm
This article is about a group of researchers from Purdue University who studied the effects of global warming on the number of severe storms in the future. They discovered a significant increase in potential storm conditions for some parts of the United States. The study showed that by the end of this century, the number of days that produce severe storms could more than double in locations like Atlanta and New York.
This article is about a group of researchers from Purdue University who studied the effects of global warming on the number of severe storms in the future. They discovered a significant increase in potential storm conditions for some parts of the United States. The study showed that by the end of this century, the number of days that produce severe storms could more than double in locations like Atlanta and New York.
Solar power: The future's bright
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19626336.000-solar-power-the-futures-bright.html
It seems so EASY to replace the world's enitre energy needs through using the cleanest, most renewable resource there is... SUNLIGHT!! Solar powered technology's only drawback seems to be how expensive it is. But if it was to become the norm, it would be the ideal source of energy.
It seems so EASY to replace the world's enitre energy needs through using the cleanest, most renewable resource there is... SUNLIGHT!! Solar powered technology's only drawback seems to be how expensive it is. But if it was to become the norm, it would be the ideal source of energy.
Toxic dumping law gets legal challenge
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19626332.300-toxic-dumping-law-gets-legal-challenge.html
Until recently, US companies had to declare emissions of 230 kilograms or more per year. Last December the nvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) increased this threshold tenfold. Twelve US states are now suing the agency to contest the hike.
Bills that could reverse this decision are being considered by Congress. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) also noted that the relaxed limit only saves industrial facilities an average of $900 each per year. The EPA looks likely to back down.
Until recently, US companies had to declare emissions of 230 kilograms or more per year. Last December the nvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) increased this threshold tenfold. Twelve US states are now suing the agency to contest the hike.
Bills that could reverse this decision are being considered by Congress. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) also noted that the relaxed limit only saves industrial facilities an average of $900 each per year. The EPA looks likely to back down.
Greenhouse gas reduction as an additional benefit of optimal pump scheduling for water utilities
http://www.environmental-expert.com/resultEachArticle.aspx?cid=5306&codi=22607&idproducttype=6&level=0
This artical is about a water scheduling system that saves energy by the way it targets load movement from peak to off-peak periods to achieve energy cost savings. Energy efficiency gains of 6% to 11% have been consistent after this system is installed.
This artical is about a water scheduling system that saves energy by the way it targets load movement from peak to off-peak periods to achieve energy cost savings. Energy efficiency gains of 6% to 11% have been consistent after this system is installed.
Engineers without borders: sustainable engineering for developing communities
http://www.environmental-expert.com/resultEachArticle.aspx?cid=5306&codi=22547&idproducttype=6&level=0
Cholera and other diarrheal diseases kill 1.8 million people annually (World Health Organization). 85% of incidents of these diarrheal disease cases are the result of contaminated water supply and inadequate sanitation and hygiene. Students from Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland collaborated on potable water, sanitation, and irrigation projects in developing communities worldwide.
Cholera and other diarrheal diseases kill 1.8 million people annually (World Health Organization). 85% of incidents of these diarrheal disease cases are the result of contaminated water supply and inadequate sanitation and hygiene. Students from Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland collaborated on potable water, sanitation, and irrigation projects in developing communities worldwide.
Compost Dried Primary Sludge – A Renewable Energy Source?
http://www.environmental-expert.com/resultEachArticle.aspx?cid=5306&codi=22608&idproducttype=6&level=0
Napier City (New Zealand in planning to upgrade its wastewater plant to advanced primary treatment (APT) which will cut down on the amount of waste that is discharged into the ocean. To be honest, I think it sounds strange that any waste is being pumped into the ocean at all, but of course less is better.
The process included biosolids compost made of undigested sludge and also primary sludge produced by the addition of alum is paired with wood chips from a large timber processing serves as a carbon source and a bulking agent.
Napier City (New Zealand in planning to upgrade its wastewater plant to advanced primary treatment (APT) which will cut down on the amount of waste that is discharged into the ocean. To be honest, I think it sounds strange that any waste is being pumped into the ocean at all, but of course less is better.
The process included biosolids compost made of undigested sludge and also primary sludge produced by the addition of alum is paired with wood chips from a large timber processing serves as a carbon source and a bulking agent.
Anaerobic sewage treatment technology in Latin America
http://www.environmental-expert.com/resultEachArticle.aspx?cid=5306&codi=22624&idproducttype=6&level=0
This article takes a look at the advancements made over the last 20 to anaerobic sewage treatment in Latin America. It seems like there have been many improvements but along with the good come the risks of odor emissions, material corrosion, scum removal and low treatment performance. Also, new technoligies are pretty cost effective.
This article takes a look at the advancements made over the last 20 to anaerobic sewage treatment in Latin America. It seems like there have been many improvements but along with the good come the risks of odor emissions, material corrosion, scum removal and low treatment performance. Also, new technoligies are pretty cost effective.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Googles Goin Green!
http://www.theconscientioushome.net/articles.phpcon_id=181
Ive been reading articles about some of the biggest corporations in the world (including Wal-Mart, Ford, General Electric and BP) have made efforts to go green. They are starting to take a cue from environmentalism in their marketing and core business operations. This article was about Google, in particular making the effort. The reasons for this are: manufacturing requires a lot of energy. Computing requires a lot of energy. Air conditioning for all of the computers requires a lot of energy. If you combines groups of these: you just plain need a lot of energy.
On September 26, Google announced their progress towards more environmentally friendy and efficent means. The fundamental idea is to first rebuild their network by using infrastructures that optimize use of multiple computers to process mas data. The second aspect is incorporating "chip multiprocessing" to make individual computers more efficient by using multiple simple processors rather than very large, fast processors.
Ive been reading articles about some of the biggest corporations in the world (including Wal-Mart, Ford, General Electric and BP) have made efforts to go green. They are starting to take a cue from environmentalism in their marketing and core business operations. This article was about Google, in particular making the effort. The reasons for this are: manufacturing requires a lot of energy. Computing requires a lot of energy. Air conditioning for all of the computers requires a lot of energy. If you combines groups of these: you just plain need a lot of energy.
On September 26, Google announced their progress towards more environmentally friendy and efficent means. The fundamental idea is to first rebuild their network by using infrastructures that optimize use of multiple computers to process mas data. The second aspect is incorporating "chip multiprocessing" to make individual computers more efficient by using multiple simple processors rather than very large, fast processors.
Monday, October 1, 2007
A Chemical Home
http://teenink.com/Environment/article.php?link=Past/2007/January/20862.xml
This article explains why chemicals are pretty much the worst things ever.
The average human body contains over 700 man-made chemicals which is just so crazy!
Chemical damage spans all over the world, from the sea to the land to you and I. There are hundreds and hundreds of man mande chemicals in the human body from living the way we do. The impact on the sea inlcludes everything from a change in water pressure to poisoned fish. Companies a l lot of the time have chemical byproducts and do not even bother to test or predict their impact on the environment. And as I mentioned, once one area is affected, it also effects other parts of the environment. When the ocean is affected, the land is too. Chemicals that are not dispossed of propderly are often dumped into the ocean and then travel into our food and the air we breathe. It is no wonder there are more and more health risks and problems are forming!
The good news is that almost all forms of pollution can be prevented. Scientists have discovered many ways to use substitute solutions, and are in the process of developing more. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Response and Restoration runs a program to assess risk to ecological resources and find solutions for these problems.
This article explains why chemicals are pretty much the worst things ever.
The average human body contains over 700 man-made chemicals which is just so crazy!
Chemical damage spans all over the world, from the sea to the land to you and I. There are hundreds and hundreds of man mande chemicals in the human body from living the way we do. The impact on the sea inlcludes everything from a change in water pressure to poisoned fish. Companies a l lot of the time have chemical byproducts and do not even bother to test or predict their impact on the environment. And as I mentioned, once one area is affected, it also effects other parts of the environment. When the ocean is affected, the land is too. Chemicals that are not dispossed of propderly are often dumped into the ocean and then travel into our food and the air we breathe. It is no wonder there are more and more health risks and problems are forming!
The good news is that almost all forms of pollution can be prevented. Scientists have discovered many ways to use substitute solutions, and are in the process of developing more. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Response and Restoration runs a program to assess risk to ecological resources and find solutions for these problems.
Global Warming
http://teenink.com/Environment/article.php?link=Past/2007/January/20863.xml
The truth is, global warming has become a serious very present problem. We have been hitting record breaking highs in temperates throughout this decade and it doesnt show signs of stopping.
Some scientists believe that by the end of this century, the earth’s climate will have increases by between three and ten degrees. I think its strange that politicians seem to argue the facts. They say it is a natural occurance and I'm thinking they are leaving a lot out. It may be a natural process but studies are proving that the release of greenhouse gases has spedup the process. But enough arguing, there is for certain a problem and we are who can change it. I feel like it is easy to ignore the way things are headed but we are the generation who is going to see the effects of this.
Here are some things the article reccomened. They are so easy and obvious, it just needs to be done.
Turn off lights.
Take shorter showers to save water.
Unplug applianceswhen not using them. Even when they’re not on, they use energywhen plugged into the wall.
Use compact fluorescent bulbs. (I already learned about this one from another article!!) They produce the same amount of light as regular ones but use lessenergy and last ten times longer.
Plant a tree.
Recycle.
Raise awareness
The truth is, global warming has become a serious very present problem. We have been hitting record breaking highs in temperates throughout this decade and it doesnt show signs of stopping.
Some scientists believe that by the end of this century, the earth’s climate will have increases by between three and ten degrees. I think its strange that politicians seem to argue the facts. They say it is a natural occurance and I'm thinking they are leaving a lot out. It may be a natural process but studies are proving that the release of greenhouse gases has spedup the process. But enough arguing, there is for certain a problem and we are who can change it. I feel like it is easy to ignore the way things are headed but we are the generation who is going to see the effects of this.
Here are some things the article reccomened. They are so easy and obvious, it just needs to be done.
Turn off lights.
Take shorter showers to save water.
Unplug applianceswhen not using them. Even when they’re not on, they use energywhen plugged into the wall.
Use compact fluorescent bulbs. (I already learned about this one from another article!!) They produce the same amount of light as regular ones but use lessenergy and last ten times longer.
Plant a tree.
Recycle.
Raise awareness
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Solar Energy
http://teenink.com/Environment/article.php?link=Past/2007/May/21315.xml
This is a very very informative article. I am intrigued by learning about the blantant statistics that show how wasteful we as humans are! For instance, from just 40 minutes of exposure to the sun, the United States receives more energy than all the fossil fuels we use in a year, and those fuels are being depleted 100,000 times faster than they can be created. I also have come to understand that if we start to utilize solar energy it would be a big help! One thing that is super helpful is for people to connect to a solar plant with many cells in a central location. "The Leipziger Land solar power plant in Germany meets the electricity demands of 1,800 homes, and saves about 3,700 tons annually in carbon dioxide emissions" states Annett Fruehling, a project engineer for the firm. Sounds like the way to go!
This is a very very informative article. I am intrigued by learning about the blantant statistics that show how wasteful we as humans are! For instance, from just 40 minutes of exposure to the sun, the United States receives more energy than all the fossil fuels we use in a year, and those fuels are being depleted 100,000 times faster than they can be created. I also have come to understand that if we start to utilize solar energy it would be a big help! One thing that is super helpful is for people to connect to a solar plant with many cells in a central location. "The Leipziger Land solar power plant in Germany meets the electricity demands of 1,800 homes, and saves about 3,700 tons annually in carbon dioxide emissions" states Annett Fruehling, a project engineer for the firm. Sounds like the way to go!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Fish Farms
http://teenink.com/Environment/article.php?link=Past/2007/May/21316.xml
Most of the fish that people are eating is not actually from the wild. Farming fish has become quite popular but studies have been showing negative effects for the environment. Its looking like farmed fish may actually harm both wild fish and the people who consume the farmed fish. Farmed fish usually test higher for levels of toxins as compared to those of wild fish.
Conditions at fish farms are not ideal either. Often enough, thousands of fish are packed into a small area and have to swim around with dirt and fecal matter. That makes me lose my appitite! I definitely question what is being pumped into these fish and the water they live in. I have serious doubts about a lot of the foods I eat now a days. From fish to vegetables to meat, I feel like it is so pumped up with chemicals that it is harmful for me! The more I read on this issue, the more I am willing to pay the higher prices for organic foods.
Most of the fish that people are eating is not actually from the wild. Farming fish has become quite popular but studies have been showing negative effects for the environment. Its looking like farmed fish may actually harm both wild fish and the people who consume the farmed fish. Farmed fish usually test higher for levels of toxins as compared to those of wild fish.
Conditions at fish farms are not ideal either. Often enough, thousands of fish are packed into a small area and have to swim around with dirt and fecal matter. That makes me lose my appitite! I definitely question what is being pumped into these fish and the water they live in. I have serious doubts about a lot of the foods I eat now a days. From fish to vegetables to meat, I feel like it is so pumped up with chemicals that it is harmful for me! The more I read on this issue, the more I am willing to pay the higher prices for organic foods.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Health after Hurricane Katrina
http://www.annals.org/cgi/reprint/144/2/153.pdf
I wanted to explore some information on the effects of Hurrican Katina. This article has a lot of in deapth, descriptive accounts of how things went on and of the days that followed.
Running water became contaminated in many parts of the area after Katrina struck. Shelters had inadequate means of testing the water. Some shelters knew their water was contaminated, and were stuck contimplating weather or not to just shut off the water comletely! But this is risky because it brings up the issue of forgoing showering and washing. It is just a bad situation from every aspect. I feel like why wouldnt we be better prepaid for something like this. It's very scary for me being a Florida resident during hurricane season and all. I think it would be a very worthy issue to really look into and prepare for.
I wanted to explore some information on the effects of Hurrican Katina. This article has a lot of in deapth, descriptive accounts of how things went on and of the days that followed.
Running water became contaminated in many parts of the area after Katrina struck. Shelters had inadequate means of testing the water. Some shelters knew their water was contaminated, and were stuck contimplating weather or not to just shut off the water comletely! But this is risky because it brings up the issue of forgoing showering and washing. It is just a bad situation from every aspect. I feel like why wouldnt we be better prepaid for something like this. It's very scary for me being a Florida resident during hurricane season and all. I think it would be a very worthy issue to really look into and prepare for.
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: Change a Light Bulb and Change the World
http://environment.about.com/o/greenlivingdesign/a/light_bulbs.htm
I'm very interested in learning about what things I can do in my every day activities to be better on the earth. I liked this article because its got a neat trick for saving money and being good for the environment.
This article says that according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, if every household in the united States were to replace even just one regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb, 90 billion pounds of green house gasses that are from the pollutants made by power plants. Whats mind blowing is that those 90 billion pounds of gasses are the equivalent of taking 7.5 million cars off the road. And the cost of the floresent light bulbs is cheaper!
I'm very interested in learning about what things I can do in my every day activities to be better on the earth. I liked this article because its got a neat trick for saving money and being good for the environment.
This article says that according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, if every household in the united States were to replace even just one regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb, 90 billion pounds of green house gasses that are from the pollutants made by power plants. Whats mind blowing is that those 90 billion pounds of gasses are the equivalent of taking 7.5 million cars off the road. And the cost of the floresent light bulbs is cheaper!
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