Thursday, December 23, 2010

Monday, December 20, 2010

Eclipse Tonight.

I apologize for my hiatus. It's difficult to keep up with posts while I'm traveling around the U.S. for the holidays. This project gives me something to do while I'm down in Louisiana. I'll try to continue to update as I'm in Michigan and can borrow an internet connection.

It's the winter solstice tonight. Word on the street is we can observe a lunar eclipse. The moon will turn red. Be sure to take some time and check it out.

http://news.discovery.com/space/lunar-eclipse-solstice-101220.html

Saturday, December 11, 2010

"What is Nature Worth?"

This link does a good job putting the natural world into a perspective that we often take for granted. The author of the article addresses nature's worth simply and profoundly with this paragraph:
"I'm not saying that money should be the main reason for environmental protection; I value nature for purely aesthetic and scientific reasons, over and above economics (although aesthetics and science both have economic value - realized through tourism and R&D). But profit margins are compelling: if you can show that saving forests and wetlands can actually cost us less in the long run than destroying them, it can help build a consensus to enact more constructive environmental policies."

The video shows how much humanity's negative impact is affecting the planet. What will it take to change what we're doing? Where are our priorities? What will be left if we dont change how we live? Let's start showing the world that the Natural World is worth more than we can imagine, and we will all lose if we continue to destroy it!

Take 5 minutes and read the article and watch the clip.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Zombies

I took zoology in college and was blown away that some organisms could actually control the behavior of some other organisms. Biology is so incredibly amazing; I'm in awe of instincts and survival mechanisms that some organisms utilize.

Check out this link:
http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/25336

Monday, December 6, 2010

How Important is Climategate?

And then there's this (to follow up the last post)...


This blog is also taken from The Telegraph. The Climategate scandal has been occurring for a while now; does this mean the end of discussion on human-induced global climate change? Does it mean that we are not causing the world to change unnaturally because some scientists falsified evidence or withheld some other types of evidence? Despite Climategate, it seems that the majority of scientists are still supporting the idea that global warming is a legitimate issue that faces our planet. 

I am a proponent of transitioning from an economy dependent on fossil fuels to a more sustainable way of life. Let us pretend that global warming wasn't, and hasn't been, an issue. Now, what harm would it be switching to more practical, sustainable methods of living? Fossil fuels are finite; they are running out and cannot be replaced unless we have a few million years to spare! Why not utilize resources that are renewable and transform our economy? Is the country going to wait until the last barrel of oil is up for sale before we decide to change?

And as for change, we made it to the moon in less than 10 years. IN FEWER THAN 10 SHORT YEARS. Why cant we change the way our society operates?
My point is, whether or not global climate change will destroy us all, we have the power to transition to a more sustainable economy. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Think about it.

A Change in Behavior For the Polar Bear?


I just read an article, in The Telegraph, about polar bears. It seems as if they are changing their behavior in response to the declining arctic ice. Instead of having the cubs walk beside them, or behind, the adults are carrying the cubs to help them conserve energy for the long swims ahead.
I have a soft spot for the "largest land predators," and hope they can find a way to survive. If this truly is an adaptation, these creatures are brilliant.

The world would be a sad place without the polar bear.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/8168213/Polar-bears-spotted-swimming-with-cubs-on-back.html

Friday, December 3, 2010

I stumbled upon this....

"28 Must-Read Books That Will Forever Change How You See the World"

I would also like to add Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. 

And, I'm currently reading The Omnivore's Dilemma. I think change can only come through awareness. So, read up and learn about what's going on around you.

Thursday, December 2, 2010