Green-News: Friday 12.12.08
- That tank is far from the battlefield! But scuba divers love exploring old coral-encrusted wrecks. However, experts warn vessels sunk in the Pacific Ocean during World War II may contain hazardous chemicals, gasoline, oil and unexploded ordinance; via National Geographic News.
- Speaking of coral, rising temperatures from global warming threaten one-fifth of the world’s coral reefs. Scientists worry if carbon trends continue many of the remaining reefs will disappear in the next 20 to 40 years, further stressing the need to cut emissions; the Associate Press reports.
- Here’s more oceans news, according to a recent computer model, ozone depletion, i.e. holes in the ozone layer, is causing ocean acidification, resulting in weaker carbon sinks. The ocean is the earth’s largest carbon sink, soaking up 40% of the world’s greenhouse gas; from NatureNews.
- On March 28 at 8:30PM, 74 cities in 62 countries will turn off their lights for 1 hour, in a massive demonstration to drum up support for international action on climate change. Participants hope “Earth Hour” will send a powerful signal to world leaders that people expect action; ENN reports.
- Experts estimate reusing heat released from machinery could cut carbon emissions by 60%. IBM has already developed a prototype that uses recycled-heat to pump water through micro-channels, cooling computers and reducing air-conditioning costs; GreenUpgrader explains.
- Stanford University professor of civil and environmental engineering Mark Z. Jacobson claims wind power and concentrated solar power are our best sources of renewable energy, but nuclear power and coal are the least favorable for reducing global warming and pollution; via TreeHugger.
