: climate change : Disease Proof

Green-News: Wednesday 7.8.09

Posted on July 8, 2009 by Gerald Pugliese

Coral reefs are amazing! They’re colorful, unique, bustling with unusual marine life and very, very threatened. Scientists believe, given the raising concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the world’s coral reefs will face extinction by 2100; via TreeHugger.

Canada has topped the United States as the worst on tackling global warming. Our neighbors to the north now have the highest per capita emissions in the world. The U.S. ranking improved largely due to President Obama’s pro-climate change policies; the AFP reports.

The WWF—the World Wildlife Fund, not the wrestlers—wants to label red meat and dairy products, encouraging people not to eat more than 3 portions of either each week, in order to help curb the large amount of emissions involved with producing them; from Food Navigator.

Very often coal ash from mining facilities is dumped into giant slurries nearby residential communities—you know, no biggie—but according to the EPA, 26 coal ash sites in 10 states are at risk of flooding, like what happened in Tennessee last year; the Associated Press reports.

When completed in 2010, a Colorado wind farm will boast 34 turbines spread across 6,000 acres, supplying 51-megawatts of green energy to Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. That’s enough juice to power 14,000 households; the Associated Press explains.

More proof that Americans are warming up to climate change prevention. A recent survey found nearly three-quarters of African Americans would back federal policies for global warming, with 54% of those surveyed calling climate change a serious problem; via Red Green and Blue.

Image credit: Sam and Ian

Tags: Green Living, carbon, climate change, coral reefs, dairy, global warming, greenhouse gases, meat

Green-News: Wednesday 7.1.09

Posted on July 1, 2009 by Gerald Pugliese

Besides making a mess after a good pillow fight, chicken feathers are pretty much useless and amazingly the poultry industry generates 2.7 billion kilograms of chicken feathers each year. But now, a new technology promises to turn carbonized chicken feathers into fuel tanks for hydrogen fuel-cell cars, hurricane-resistant roofing and lightweight car parts; via CleanTechnica.

Computers have a come a long way from talking red lights in a science fiction movie. Nowadays, they can even be green. IBM is working on an energy efficient supercomputer that uses water to recycle its excess heat. It’s a revelation because normally cooling large computer systems requires hefty amounts of air-conditioning; Reuters reports.

No doubt, the global recession is a drag. Everyone is tightening their belts, but as far as earth-saving goes, the recession has been good. People are driving less, in order to save money, so less oil was burned up. In 2008, experts say emissions actually dropped 3%; from The Associated Press.

You’d think city dwellers would have a higher carbon footprint than people living in suburban areas. Apparently not, a new study claims urbanites emit 70% less carbon emissions in transit than suburbanites. One reason why is cities are more location efficient, meaning important destinations like work are closer to home; TreeHugger explains.

Another way to make cities greener is to spruce up existing infrastructure. Chicago is preparing a $350 million energy efficient retrofit of the Sears Tower. The makeover will include the installation of wind turbines and solar panels on the roof. The hope is the skyscraper will be able to provide all the power it needs all by itself; The New York Times reports.

Would you pay $175 a year to fight global warming? I think I would. That’s what experts say new climate change legislation will cost the average household each year. The $175 comes from the increased cost of doing business and higher sticker price for consumer products—like cars and refrigerators—but many households can expect rebates; via The Daily Green.

Image credit: davipt

Tags: Green Living, carbon dioxide, climate change, emissions, global warming, hydrogen, recycle

Green-News: Wednesday 6.3.09

Posted on June 3, 2009 by Gerald Pugliese

Climate change is causing glaciers in Yosemite National Park to disappear, which is bad enough, but now experts claim the park’s giant trees are also in trouble, saying the number of trees has dropped by 24% during the past 60 years, putting the forest’s future in doubt; via TreeHugger.

Speaking of forests, Greenpeace is demanding retailers not to buy products from companies involved in deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Major supermarkets in the U.K. buy meat from slaughterhouses and ranches carrying out illegal land-clearing; Food Navigator reports.

By 2100, rising sea levels due to climate change may threaten major U.S. cities, like New York City, scientists believe fresh water from melting ice sheets will interfere with circulation patterns in the Atlantic, swelling ocean levels by 4 to 12 inches; National Geographic News explains.

And some areas of the world are already in trouble. Citizens of the Carteret Islands in Papua New Guinea have started to flee their homes as encroaching saltwater makes farming impossible. Experts are calling them the first official refugees of climate change; from TreeHugger.

Oceans may drown us out, but they’re in danger too. The United Nations has specified any discussions on reversing climate change must include reducing ocean acidification. Carbon emissions pollute the ocean, choking water with CO2 and reducing biodiversity; the AFP investigates.

Cattails, those weeds we used to play with as kids, could be used to combat water pollution. Cattails soak up all sorts of harmful stuff, like arsenic and pharmaceuticals. Planting cattails around marshlands helps prevent excess carbon emissions from wetlands; via CleanTechnia.

Image credit: Grant MacDonald

Tags: Green Living, arsenic, climate change, glaciers, global warming, pollution

Green-News: Wednesday 5.27.09

Posted on May 27, 2009 by Gerald Pugliese

I love penguins! But overfishing and global climate change is threatening African penguin populations. Last year, African Penguins in southern Africa numbered about 26,000 breeding pairs. That marks a drop of 121,000 since 1956. Scientists claim warming temps are hurting sardine and anchovy populations, the penguins major source of food; the AFP reports.

A lot of birds are on hard times. Experts believe 12%, roughly 1,227 species of birds worldwide are facing extinction, with 24 new varieties added just last year. In some cases, like with hummingbirds, clearing land for farming—such as cocoa plantations—is leveling 8% of habitat each year; from the AFP.

One of our closest relatives is in trouble too. Orangutan populations in Borneo National Park have declined 90% over the last five years. The drop is absolutely staggering. In 2004, 600 orangutans were living in the park, but today park officials estimate only about 30 to 60 remain. Deforestation and political corruption are being blamed; via TreeHugger.

Pikas are also in a pickle. A pika is a furry little mammal with big ears, related to rabbits. These little guys live in high, rocky mountain slopes in 10 states, such as Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains. Pikas like cold weather and even brief exposure to temperatures of 78 degrees can kill them, meaning global warming threatens their survival; the Associated Press reports.

Animals aren’t alone. People are in danger too, Tibet is at risk. Hotter weather may cause droughts and flooding, leaving millions in peril. Glacier ice melting is already raising local river levels. Since 1961, temperatures in Tibet have increased 0.32 degrees Celsius every decade, surmounting the global average of 0.2 degrees Celsius; the Daily Times explains.

And populations living on or near coastlines, like natives of the Philippines, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and East Timor, may be starved out of their villages and homes. Ocean pollution is raising acidity levels harming coral reefs and fish living amongst them. A decline in fish means a decline in commercial fishing for local residents; via the Associated Press.

Image credit: Paul Mannix

Tags: Green Living, climate change, global warming, ocean, pollution, temperature

Green-News: Wednesday 5.20.09

Posted on May 20, 2009 by Gerald Pugliese

Despite the confederacy of deniers, a new study in The Lancet suggests climate change poses the greatest challenge to health, claiming warmer temps worsen disease patterns—like malaria and dengue fever—compromise water and sanitation, and cause extreme weather. Experts say the problem has been neglected and now needs immediate attention; Med Page Today reports.

Some groups are already taking action. In New York City, 25 hospitals have pledged to cut their carbon footprint and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% over the next 10 years. Currently, New York’s hospitals contribute 1.5% of the city’s total carbon emissions; via Green Inc.

If big giant hospital buildings emit greenhouse gas, what about big giant people? It’s widely believed that fat people are bad for the environment. They drive around more, run the air-conditioning more and have a higher carbon footprint, but some experts are skeptical of the claim, saying that current data is flawed and oversimplified; Red Green and Blue investigates.

The infamous Kyoto treaty has been largely viewed as soft on greenhouse gas emissions, with countries like the United States and China resistant to making major changes to reduce their carbon output, but now, acknowledging the shift to a low-carbon global economy, China is working to develop a better climate deal; The U.K. Guardian reports.

A smart move, because presented at the International Conference of the American Thoracic Society, researchers found exposure to pollution can alter people’s DNA. Blood taken from workers three days into their workweek showed significant changes to the genes that help suppress cancer tumors, compared to blood samples taken prior to work; National Geographic News explains.

The United States is jumping on the global warming-prevention bandwagon too. President Obama is set to issue new national standards for automobiles. By 2016, cars must be 30% more fuel efficient and will be required to get 42 miles per gallon. Some climate change activists are calling it the biggest step America has ever taken to cut emissions; via TreeHugger.

Image credit: malavoda

Tags: Cancer, Green Living, carbon dioxide, climate change, emissions, global warming, pollution

Green-News: Wednesday 4.29.09

Posted on April 29, 2009 by Gerald Pugliese

Politicians do a lot of talking about greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, but despite the rhetoric , the president of the United States has a hefty carbon footprint, between Air Force 1, military cargo planes, White House electricity and natural gas use, and helicopter and automobile travel, it piles up to 41,000 tons; via Red Green and Blue.

However, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the U.S. should lead the negotiations toward a global treaty on climate change. Meeting with other countries, accounting for 75% of emissions, Clinton insists there is no longer any questions that growing concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide are warming the planet, which can propose economic, health and security challenges; The New York Times reports.

Speaking of public health, greenhouse gases contain harmful compounds like methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride that threaten human health. Additionally, higher temperatures can cause droughts, floods, wildfires, rising sea level and disruptions of agriculture; from Fresh Greens.

Now, believe it or not, pesky email spam hurts the environment too. When people spend time deleting junk and searching for legitimate email they burn more energy. In the United States, 2.4 million homes using electricity equates to the greenhouse gas emissions from 3.1 million passengers cars, sucking down 2 billion gallons of gas; Cnet News explains.

Plastic shopping bags are another scourge. It seems like nowadays everyone shops with those reusable bags, but the plastic bag industry has a plan. Create plastic bags made with 40% recycled materials and do it by 2015. This will require manufacturers to invest $50 million to revamp operations and improve collection of discarded bags; via TreeHugger.

Recycling plastics bags is one thing, but dirty diapers. My goodness! Cities like Oakland, California and Toronto, Canada currently compost garbage like animal poop, kitty litter, dirty diapers and sanitary products. Toronto officials insist the process is completely safe and all this icky stuff will be used on farmland and public parks; from Green Inc.

Image credit: NCinDC

Tags: Green Living, carbon dioxide, climate change, emissions, global warming, plastic bags, recycle

Green-News: Wednesday 4.22.09

Posted on April 22, 2009 by Gerald Pugliese

The only artificial trees I’ve heard of are fake Christmas trees and maybe the stuff you put in aquariums, but experts claim building big towers filled with various materials that absorb carbon dioxide, nicknamed trees, could help reduce climate change, provided they prove profitable. The idea is still in its infancy; ENN reports.

Speaking of global warming, according to a new study by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, researchers recommend nations need to significantly lower emissions, by 70% this century. Stressing this will prevent massive losses of sea ice and permafrost, which contribute to the rise in sea levels; via Environmental Leader.

Now, from fake plants to real plants, scientists believe a tiny aquatic plant, called duckweed, may be used to clean up animal poop at industrial hog farms. Duckweed breaks down waste and produces ten times more starch than corn and can be used to make ethanol cheaper and faster; from EurekAlert!

In Indonesia palm oil is a savior. Apparently, a palm tree can bare fruit for more than 30 years and the global demand for palm oil has created a thriving industry, employing many of the local villagers. The problem is palm tree plantations are uprooting tropical forests, and threatening endangered species; World Watch Institute explains.

Not sure if this is truly green news, but doctors in Russia found a five-centimeter fir tree growing in a patient’s lung. The man complained of intense chest pains and was coughing up blood. Doctors suspected a tumor, but were startled to find a branch with needles and everything; via DiscoBlog.

New findings in the journal Environmental Health reveal various cleaning agents, such as solvents and disinfectants, used in hospitals contain hazardous chemicals which may pose health risks to workers, harming airways and irritating the skin. This is doubly bad in poorly ventilated areas like bathrooms; Reuters investigates.

Image credit: JPhilipson

Tags: Green Living, Research, Toxins, climate change, ethanol, global warming, greenhouse gases

Green-News: Wednesday 3.25.09

Posted on March 25, 2009 by Gerald Pugliese

First, singer Alanis Morissette drops 20 pounds on Eat to Live and now she’s saving the environment! This Saturday, March 28th is Earth Hour. Sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, the event encourages people worldwide to unplug their appliances and turn off the lights for one hour, to give our planet a break. In this toenail-snipping video, Alanis implores you to join the big turn off; via Green Daily.

Or you can join the 40% of Americans who believe global warming is exaggerated, i.e. nut jobs. The results, obtained by Gallup poll which surveyed 1,012 adults over four days, also showed Americans rank global warming last out of the eight environmental issues they were asked about, others included water pollution and animal extinction; the AFP reports.

Rising political star and Republican National Committee Chairman, Michael Steele, doesn’t think the planet is warming. Instead, he claims its cooling. His rational is based on some jibber-jabber about Greenland now being covered with ice and Iceland, which is now green. Mind you, despite being an intelligent and very likable guy, he’s also the originator of the “drill baby drill” slogan; from Green Inc.

Fortunately, in stark contrast to Michael Steele and the recent Gallup poll, new research by Yale and George Mason Universities reveals 90% of Americans feel the United States should act to stop global warming, with two-thirds of Americans saying the U.S. should cut its emissions of greenhouse gases; SustainableBusiness News reports.

Experts blame the release of aerosols, such as soot, dust and sulfur dioxide, from burning fossil fuels and other sources for the decreased visibility on clear days. Using satellite imagery, scientists confirm since the 1970s visibility has declined due to aerosol concentrations in the air resulting in global dimming, especially over Asia, South America, Australia and Africa; ENN explains.

Now, you’d think city-dwellers would be grime-covered, exhaust-breathing environment slayers, but an examination of 12 major cities in Asia, North America, South America and Europe, revealed urbanites actually produce less carbon dioxide than people living in suburban areas, the use of public transportation is one explanation why; via Fresh Greens.

Image credit: WTXFvsWNYW

Tags: Alanis Morissette, Earth Hour, Green Living, World Wildlife Fund, carbon dioxide, climate change, global warming

Green-News: Wednesday 3.18.09

Posted on March 18, 2009 by Gerald Pugliese

New York City might sink. Some parts of lower Manhattan are already only 5 feet above sea level and an increase of just 8 inches would threaten the region. Warmer temperatures and melting sea ice are to blame. Other cities like San Francisco, Boston and Miami will also see sea level rise; via National Geographic News.

So not surprisingly, sea level increases may surpass current estimates. Scientists claim areas like Greenland and Antarctica are losing ice quickly, adding to annual sea level rise. This could lead to more incidences of major flooding in continents like Australia; from NewScientist.

California is already getting slammed with flood conditions pinned to rising tides. Now the problem is flash flooding. In times of drought, parched land doesn’t absorb rainfall quickly and downpours, due to climate change, have increased heavy rains, leading to flash foods that destroy bridges and roadways; Red Green and Blue explains.

Mickey Mouse is going green. Disney has planned to cut to solid waste to landfills by half and reduce electricity usage by 10% by 2013 and goals beyond that include slashing greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing water consumption and going zero waste; SustainableBusiness.com News reports.

Microsoft is also joining the eco party. Microsoft aims to cut emissions by 30% by 2012 and their new data center features environmentally amenities, such as lights that turn on and off when someone walks in and out of a room and under-floor cooling systems, efficiently cooling the building as cold air warms up and rises; via TreeHugger.

Renewable energy sounds good, but it’s not cheap and some experts wonder if ambitious goals, like 40% of global power from green energy by 2050, are really possible. Funding may come from state programs and government subsidies, which could cut the end goal to 15%; from Green Inc.

Image credit: hammernet

Tags: Green Living, climate change, drought, global warming, greenhouse gases, ocean, water

Green-News: Wednesday 3.11.09

Posted on March 11, 2009 by Gerald Pugliese

Cow farts, pig farts and human farts are all sources of greenhouse gas, but snails, yes itty-bitty snails, may be worse. Freshwater snails break down soil, releasing nitrous oxide, i.e. laughing gas, which is 310 times better at trapping heat than carbon dioxide; DiscoBlog explains.

Ocean acidification due to climate change is thinning the shells of tiny sea organisms, jeopardizing their long term survival. Despite their miniature size these animals absorb tremendous amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. They’re shells are made of carbon and when they die the shell sinks to the bottom of the ocean and so does all the carbon; the AFP investigates.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton believes the United States has been negligent in living up to our responsibilities on global warming. We’re lagging behind Europe and the U.S. needs better policies with China, which recently overtook us as the world’s leading emitter of carbon dioxide; Reuters reports.

India, despite its own problems, has offered to help the United States with climate change. Since signing a nuclear energy deal with former U.S. president George Bush, Indian Ambassador Ronen Sen insists the United States and India have shared concerns on climate policy, more than any other two countries; via the AFP.

Climate scientists evaluate the dangers of climate change with very specific criteria, including damage to ecosystems, extreme weather events, and health and economic risks, and after considering all these, experts claim earth may be entering a climate danger zone; NewScientist investigates.

Prince Charles is beating his own eco-drum, during a visit to Chile he’ll be making a speech calling for action against climate change, arguing we only have “100 months left” to save the planet. Then later in the week he’ll visit the world's biggest rainforest and to meet with local tribes; the AFP reports.

Image credit: Augen.Blicke

Tags: Green Living, carbon dioxide, climate change, global warming, methane