commentopia What the World Is Saying A SERVICE BRINGING YOU THE BEST READERS' COMMENTS FROM TOP NEWS SOURCES ON THE WEB ENVIRONMENT WEEKLY ARCHIVE
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DECEMBER 14, 2009 - DECEMBER 27, 2009 ENVIRONMENT MONSTER ICEBERG 12-MILES LONG DRIFTS TOWARDS AUSTRALIA
I just keep envisioning the prospect of this big iceberg sitting in the middle of the outback someplace, with kangaroos getting their tongues stuck to it. Read the article USA TODAY/12-mile-long monster iceberg drifting toward Australia <> The point of the article is that it's a very rare occurrence to have an iceberg of this size drifting away from Antarctica. And as someone pointed out (although jokingly), someone up in a crow's nest of an old clipper ship might have sighted this thing, because in those days they would view everything across the horizon with a telescope. Modern ships use radar and sonar to detect obstacles and wouldn't actually "sight" an iceberg in the distance.
Read the article USA TODAY/12-mile-long monster iceberg drifting toward Australia SOLAR IMPULSE'S 30-SECOND "HOP" TO THE FUTURE
Innovation often advances by little steps... or hops, like in this case.
Read the article TG DAILY/Captain Piccard flies a solar powered plane
Actually, for full size commercial planes, you need energy-dense hydrocarbon fuels. Read the article NEW SCIENTIST/Solar-powered piloted plane makes its first 'flea-hop" DECEMBER 7, 2009 - DECEMBER 13, 2009 ENVIRONMENT THE GREAT CHICAGO FISHKILL — COMBATTING THE INVASIVE ASIAN CARP
Are people against this poisoning of the canal ignoring the big picture? These fish would DESTROY JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT THE GREAT LAKES ARE. Tourism, fishing, both commercial and recreational, pleasure boating of any sort, beaches... water would be infested and no longer safe to swim in, and the list can go on and on and on.... But, hey, we should not do this because a few idiots feel for a FISH? ITS A FISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Grow a back bone and get over it. If fish populations of native species have recovered after all the pollution when pollution wasn't monitored, I think a small amount of poison in the river, in the BIG picture, is a lot less of a big deal then the Henny Penny's of this site would like to make it out to be. This is from a recreational fisherman, someone who has most likely put more money in to preserving the lakes of Michigan then any of the complainers here! Read the article DETROIT FREE PRESS/Massive fish kill keeps Asian carp at bay <> I'm just wondering, or better yet hoping that these scientist tested this chemical on the actual Asian carp to make sure that it did in fact kill them. If they didn't they just make a $3 million dollar mistake and killed a lot of other innocent fish. Read the article CHICAGO SUN-TIMES/Dead fish start floating up -- but so far no Asian carp NOVEMBER 30, 2009 - DECEMBER 6, 2009 ENVIRONMENT THE PEACOCK AND THE TURKEY: NBC SAYS NO TO PETA'S THANKSGIVING DIS-GRACE
I support farming that is as non-cruel and non-chemical as possible. For Thanksgiving I attempted to purchase a "heritage" turkey for this very reason but it required a 3 hour drive to the specific farm so I am planning it for next year instead. On the subject of this ad I would say that PETA harms their chance at the constructive intended effect on a topic by being a bit too close to the issue to make their point in a way that is digestible to the general public. There are countless topics of injustice that need discussing but ruining peoples' appetites on Thanksgiving with an ad makes people more likely to tune out PETA. Remember Debbie Downer from SNL?..... Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/Peta's Thanksgiving Ad NBC won't air <> Our role in almost every ecosystem we occupy is that of an apex predator. We take it further than other apex predators in that we farm our food, but I believe there is no way to understand our place in nature without confronting this fact. We ARE animals too, and we occupy a specific level of the food chain. Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/Peta's Thanksgiving Ad NBC won't air <> When you watch the whole ad, at the end it promotes vegan-ism. OK, I get it, people have different standards, why force one's belief upon the rest of society? I like to eat meat and I won't change that. If the ad is really about animal cruelty, why not make it known to the politicians who can actually do something about it? Yes, awareness is good, but trying to manipulate or force others into feeling a certain way is no better than what some political groups (neo-cons) have done... bottom line is this, if you are going to make an ad about animal cruelty... then do that. Stop being so self-righteous about it with the promotion of one's lifestyle... Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/Peta's Thanksgiving Ad NBC won't air NOVEMBER 16, 2009 - NOVEMBER 29, 2009 ENVIRONMENT
MICHAEL POLLAN MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION Okay, playing devils advocate. Fully aware of reliance on Middle East for oil. But, having said that; fertilizers rely very little for sulfites via oil byproduct. So to say that fertilizers are oil based is a misnomer. Most fertilizers are comprised 3 key ingredients, sulfites(mined/oil derivative occasionally), nitrogen (fowl feathers/urea) and potassium (mined). One could argue that we use oil to mine….okay; but still not “oil based.” Just a point. Pesticides…..yeah oil based in most cases since they are usually made of complex compounds. Now he (Michael Pollan) is completely valid in his point that we have to consider the true cost of our purchases and should be choosing certified organic products from end to end. I wish I could see that happening…..but families generally choose to shop where they get the most for their money. Humanity is very ill equipped to deal with hardships and radical thinking changes until destruction stares us in the face. We are totally going to drag our heels and 50 years from now be asking “What is this snow you keep talking about?” Read the article REUTERS BLOGS/Michael Pollan: "What's in the Beef?" <> Wish hype news would go away and media just report fact. Globally, we are eating more and better than we ever have as a species. Do a little research on how people bought food 100 or 200 years ago and you will understand why they died of old age, malnutrition and disease by the age of 30. It may not be perfect, but the good old days are actually now. Read the article REUTERS BLOGS/Michael Pollan: "What's in the Beef?" SHIFTING GEARS ON PLUG-IN CARS
The tried and true strategy is to sell cars that people want. The Prius sells well. You can also turn it into a plug in hybrid with an aftermarket kit.
I'm very happy to see a draft strategic plan for scaling up this promising technology, and to see it led by such luminaries. I wonder what the policy strategy is moving forward. Climate legislation is in play, which can help move the needle, and there is another bill that should be shaped based on the electrification agenda: The stalled-out transportation bill. This law, which recently expired with barely a whimper in part because it lacks a compelling mission (the last mission was the construction of the 46,000-mile Interstate System, which was completed more than a decade ago) needs an injection of visionary concepts for moving the nation's transportation system forward. This report offers many such concepts, so I urge the coalition to push for an electrifying transportation bill. Read the article AUTOMATIVE NEWS/Ghosn leads coaltion to create U.S. "electricfication roadmap"
NOVEMBER 2, 2009 - NOVEMBER 15, 2009 ENVIRONMENT THE VANISHING SNOWS OF MOUNT KILIMANJARO
To all those who say "Who cares, it's over there" or I was never going to see it or it's the Chinese causing it let them fix it or, or, or. It really is in your own backyard. Not yet? It will be. Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/Mount Kilimanjaro snowcap is disappearing <> For goodness sake, not this again? Read the article U.K.TIMES/Kilimanjaro's snows melt away in dramatic evidence of climate change <> The plains around Kilimanjaro have gone through years of deforestation. Less trees > less evapotranspiration > less snow. Read the article U.K..TIMES/Kilimanjaro's snows melt away in dramatic evidence of climate change
I am sure that many short-sighted commentators, had they been living when Tesla and Edison were pushing for the original electrical grid system, would have had them burned as witches. Infrastructural investment, especially in the area of a key input to all our personal, social and economic endeavors is worth the effort. Younger economies are passing us up due to the inefficient and outmoded state of our aging infrastructure. Read the article NPR/ Obama announces massive power grid upgrade <> $8 billion for 18 million meters... that's $440/meter. That's a lot to pay to help offset some of the worst of the problems with high traffic loads. The question is, how much will it effect? Peak rates correspond to work times and times when people are awake... Will offering a lower price incentivise people to significantly adjust their electricity usage? Maybe some might adjust timers on their water heaters and dishwashers... but no-one is going to overcool the house at night (when it's cool outside) and let it overheat during the day and evening... and no-one is switching family movie time to 2:00 am. CNN MONEY/Millions of homes to get smart meters <> The reason that the big companies get most of the money is because they are the ones in control of our current electrical grid. However, they will NOT spend the money needed to make a quantum leap forward in the handling and distribution of electrical power. Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/Obama smart grid push: Putting $3.4 billion toward the system
OCTOBER 18, 2009 - NOVEMBER 1, 2009 ENVIRONMENT ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY RALLIES HOME GARDENERS TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE
Ignoring global warming specifically for a moment, how many of you are digging your heads in the sand over the accepted challenges facing the environment as a whole? If it reduces pollution isn't this a better thing. This man is entitled to his opinions and entitled to air them without thoughtless ridicule. It is actually a common sense solution to reducing our dependence on expensive energy and we would all benefit from the additional exercise that self cultivation requires and reduced dependence on mass produced, preserved and packaged produce. I'm all for it. No doubt the air freight lobby and the retail lobby will make a 'contribution' to get their protection and nothing will ever happen because it is easier to mock those with sensible ideas and that are brave enough to air them than actually do anything constructive. If we don't change our ways our children and grandchildren will be the ones left to pay the price for our ignorance. U.K. TIMES/Dr. Rowan Williams; "Dig for victory over climate change and grow your own food." <> The UK has not been self-sufficient in food for at least 200 years. We imported a larger percentage of our food in the 1930s, than now, when many people did have an allotment. The carbon footprint of inefficiently growing food in this country is greater than the carbon footprint of growing it efficiently abroad where it requires less energy. The important thing is the total energy required not just looking at in isolation the transport energy. If he wants to tell people a sensible way to reduce their carbon footprint then tell them to walk rather than drive to the supermarket. This would have more of an impact than spouting drivel about transport energy. Although some people would say you would have to calculate the replacement of the calories used walking to the shops for an accurate energy calculation. Read the article U.K. TIMES/Dr. Rowan Williams; "Dig for victory over climate change and grow your own food."
<> Grow our own - where? Read the article U.K. TIMES/Dr. Rowan Williams; "Dig for victory over climate change and grow your own food."
BAGHEERA KIPLINGI: "i'LL HAVE THE VEGETARIAN MENU, PLEASE."
This is a species of arachnid that is an omnivore. Most spiders live by sucking the juices/"blood" of its prey, right? Arachnids normally immobilize a live prey, and then desiccate them. The interesting, and biological advancement is the intelligent leap to a different food source. That Costa Rica has some of these spiders is no surprise. It is one of the last natural laboratories left. Read the article SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN/Unusual spider species passes up live prey for plants <> I love that it's named after Rudyard Kipling and Bagheera of his story The Jungle Book. Read the article USA TODAY/First plant-eating spider discovered <> I do get a kick out of these scientific "news flashes". This spider was observed eating the acacia material several years ago. One of the observers (a Tucsonan) told me about it approximately three years ago. It finally got into scientific press several months ago. But today it's being presented as "breaking news". And while it's definitely interesting (at least to those of us who appreciate spiders), the article implies that this is the only spider that eats plant material. However, there are orb weavers who, as babies, are known to ingest plant pollen that lands in their web as a protein source. And some kinds of crab spiders drink nectar from flowers. There are probably other examples as well. Read the article ARIZONA DAILY STAR/First vegetarian spider found
OCTOBER 5, 2009 - OCTOBER 11, 2009 ENVIRONMENT PRESERVING THE "STABILITY OF THE SPECIES" ON THE GALÁPAGOS
Having lived in La Cascada in Puerto Ayora from October 2008 to April 2009, this is a poignant article to read. The issues of human population and high tourism rates in Galapagos are incredibly complex, and cannot be solved or summed up in a sentence like “Ban the tourists.” As stated, Ecuadorians can and do find a better livelihood on the islands through this very industry, more than any other in the archipelago. What I have wrestled with is the difficulty in reaching a compromise with all the varied stakeholders on the islands. The viewpoints and contexts from which a scientist comes versus a local business owner are strikingly polar. How can a scientist committed to preventing or limiting the fishing of sea cucumbers or wahu reach a compromise or understanding with a fisherman who may rely on these to provide for his family and make a profit? How can you explain to a local Ecuadorian the devastating impact that blackberries (mora) have on local endemic plants when they are trying to prepare and serve la colada morada, a drink deeply rooted in Ecuadorian culture? How do you explain to a cab driver that he cannot have a truck because it runs over finches and lava lizards? Protecting the Galapagos islands and trying to earn a living are frankly often completely at odds with one another. While I feel that Galapagos should never have been inhabited to begin with, it is. Only by creating an open dialogue with residents, environmentalists, scientists, and tourists can the community begin to understand one another and work together to solve issues like invasive species, proper waste management, potable drinking water, and improved environmental education and stewardship. Read the article NEW YORK TIMES/To protect Galápagos, Ecuador limits a two-legged species AMERICAN DIANAS TAKE TO THE HUNT IN DROVES
I expect that your Morning Edition feature about female hunters will generate many anti-hunting comments. I thought that I would weigh in with a slightly different perspective.
Nature is not a peaceful place where all animals live in harmony, but a place where animals are engaged in a life or death struggle for food and survival. Hunting is not for the faint of heart Read the article NPR/More women hunt, seeking food and togetherness.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2009 - OCTOBER 4, 2009 ENVIRONMENT TAKING A SWIPE AT PLUSH TOILET PAPER
I am honestly shocked at all the negative comments and the degree to which people will defend their use of plush, expensive toilet paper as part of the sacred American Way of Life that dare not be touched! I am also shocked that apparently, even in this dreadful economy, so many people insist on wasting money on products that just get flushed down the toilet. Geez people, we are talking about TOILET PAPER! The "environmentalists"/Liberals /Satan/Whatever are actually NOT attempting to create some sort of "Crap Panel" to dictate what you wipe your rear end with. I would prefer more data on how much old growth timer is used for bathroom tissue as well, as I'm also generally hesitant to believe that Greenpeace is not exaggerating. But I don't see a problem with mandating higher environmental standards for such a wasteful (but necessary) product. Not to mention that many of the thicker tissues do not degrade in a septic system very well, a serious problem here in the Chesapeake watershed. Read the article WASHINGTON POST/Environmentalists seek to wipe out plush toilet paper <> The people supporting this need to wipe their minds. First, it takes many more trees to create the flat, hard paper that you see in public restrooms. It actually takes less trees to create the fluffy paper. The reason the fluffy stuff costs more is the processing, which saves trees by layering the fibers to create a soft appeal that looks like it is more in quantity than it actually is. Anybody who has taken a high school physics class knows this. Second, it takes tons, and tons more bleach to create recycled paper of any kind. Recycled paper is horrible for the environment because of the bleach that's dumped into rivers. It's only the recycling of the pulp inside the mill during the processing that qualifies as good recycling in the process of making anything that appears near white, and therefore anything with post consumer that is dark in appearance can be good. It's not rocket science, and clearly the people who are against soft toilet people need a good wipe of whatever is on their minds. Read the article WASHINGTON POST/Environmentalists seek to wipe out plush toilet paper NUCLEAR POWER -- AN ESSENTIAL PART OF FUTURE ENERGY MIX?
Nuclear is an essential part of our future energy mix.
Read the article BOSTON GLOBE/ Nuclear must be part of the energy mix <> Nuclear energy can be part of a greener tomorrow. However, the same people who are calling for cap-and-trade are also the same people who stage sit-ins at Seabrook and made the process so onerous and expensive no plant has been built since the 70's. Kudos for Chu for going against neo-Luddite environmentalist and realizing wind and solar, which some environmentalist also are fighting, aren't going to eliminate our use of foreign oil. Read the article BOSTON GLOBE/ Nuclear must be part of the energy mix
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