If You Don't Know Now You Know

So, there is this non-profit that I actively volunteer for and have for over 3 years. This group is known as People for Puget Sound. This group is largely based on the idea of restoring the health of the Puget Sound and the Straits. People for Puget Sound does a bunch of green space restoration, land and shoreline reclamation, policy activism and the like in effort to produce greater amounts of habitat for birds and fish of the Puget Sound. There are 3 different branches of this organization one being centered in Seattle, on in Snohomish County and one in the South Sound area located in Olympia. People for Puget Sound also promotes and holds different educational events, guest speakers, and the like to promote awareness about the health of the Puget Sound, threats to it, and various components of the ecology of the ecosystem. People for Puget Sound also works with similar non-profit organizations in order to ensure that more work parties are accomplished, to increase awareness of these groups, and ultimately to increase the amount of good done toward the health of Washington States most important water way.

Once a year this group offers a stewardship training class, for free, where they teach the interested individuals about the local ecosystem, native and invasive plants, and then expect new 'sound stewards' to do something like 40 of restoration work in the coming year. Anyways, invasive plant removal and native plant planting is a big part of what this organization is all about. Speaking of that Earth Day is coming up!

In celebration of Earth Day I, a Sound Steward, will be leading a group of eager volunteers at a local park, to do restoration work on Saturday, April 18th. Contact me if interested. However, here is link to many different restoration projects that will be occurring in and around the Seattle area: http://www.pugetsound.org/act/volunteer/volunteer-opportunties. Doing restoration work is a good form of exercise, a good way to meet people, rewarding when you can see what a group can do, and its good for the local environment. I urge anybody, who is even slightly interested to either join me or go to one of the other events going on. Last years Earth Day work party was a lot of fun and I think the handful of my friends that showed up felt like they did there part for the local environment.

March 30th - Garbage and Recycling Changes Sweep Seattle

That's right as of the 30th garbage collection as we know it will be forever changed in Seattle. No longer will Seattleites be forced to separate there recycling at all, everything from paper to bottles will be collected in the same recycling bin. The amount of things deemed recyclable has been expanded! Composting pickups will begin. Waste management will even pick up old appliances and electronics, used motor oil, old furniture. These improvements are far reaching and almost too good to be true. For information on these changes see the link.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2009/03/05/2008816715.pdf

What We Talk About When We Talk About Coal

Coal

So coal. Coal was created through the decomposition of plants that were likely living in swampy areas many many millions of years ago. These plants died and were eventually covered with dirt and rock, thus preserving the energy in the plants, and over millions of years of decomposition, combined with pressure formed coal. Coal is a dark colored usually black or brown, combustible form of rock. Commercially coal is mined and transported to areas where it is processed and used to produce energy. The main types of mines are either surface mines which are basically just large excavations or underground mining which requires digging a tunnel or mine shaft in order to excavate coal stored at depth. There are 4 types of coal and each very in there value based on the amount of carbon the coal contains which in turn effects the amount of energy that can be generated through its combustion. According to the United States Department of Energy, coal is the leading fuel of energy production in the country, accounting for nearly half of all energy produced.

Coal as Energy

Coal is used for many different things from the production of steel, aluminum, paper, and concrete. It is also used to create chemicals such as creosote, fertilizers, aspirins, dyes, soaps, plastics and the list goes on. Another major use of coal is for energy production.

After coal is mined it is then transported to coal fired power plants, where the coal is pulverized, or reduced to a powder for combustion. This helps to increase the speed by which it burns. The coal is then used to heat water turning it to steam. The steam is then pressurized and used to turn turbines which in turn generates electricity. However, in the combustion of coal, many gaseous byproducts and further many non gaseous byproducts are produced and for many years they were done so without any emissions controls. Aside from oil, coal is the most polluting energy source on the planet. These byproducts are what makes coal a problem as far as energy production goes. For the sake of the rest of this blog lets stick to the gaseous byproducts of coal.

The gaseous byproducts of coal combustion include but are not limited to: NOx or nitrogen oxides a precursor to ground level ozone and smog, S02 or sulfur dioxide which has been attributed to the acid rain, mercury which is released in small particles and can stay airborne for up to a year, and CO2 or carbon dioxide which greatly contributes to climate change. There are many other gaseous byproducts all having impacts human health and the environment.

Clean Coal

What is clean coal you might ask. We have all heard it touted about on the news and in the presidential debates but what is it, and does it offer solutions to the problems that coal poses? Well the answer is that clean coal is this fantastic idea that basically applies different technologies to clean or capture emissions that result from the combustion of coal in the energy production process. Clean coal technology is largely centered around the concept of carbon capturing, which is the removal of CO2 from coal emissions and taking that CO2 and storing it underground, permanently. The youtube video below explains how this works and what is required. Basically, captured CO2 is pumped deep below the earths surface in to a permeable rock or soil, where it would be stored. This, in essence, would allow for coal to be utilized as an energy source on into the foreseeable future, without the consequences of contributing to climate change. Here is an article that explain these technologies:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4468076.stm

Even with carbon capture and sequestration technologies in place coal is not a responsible energy source for large scale energy production. Its dirty, its not renewable, production is environmentally devastating, even with emissions controls coal energy production is more polluting than other conventional energy sources, that and the fact that clean coal technologies are not economically viable and not proven to work. In my opinion, it seems as thought the money spent toward the exploration of these ideas and techniques would be better off spent making a transition to renewable energy sources which are proven to work, and are more economically viable.

Earth - The Sequel

I really enjoyed this. I support an environmental group called Environmental Defense Fund. It seems like a pretty good non-profit, and it has a good message. Its more of a yes we can than a doom and gloom group.

Anyways, I want this book and I think everybody should watch this short video and if possible the longer version.

Scientists warn of 'irreversible' climate shifts

The Seattle Times has been, from time to time, reporting on different instances and facets of this problem known to many as climate change. This most recent article is pretty startling, but for those who know me this should not be new news. I have been ranting about these potential problems for years now, largely falling on def ears but as more and more coverage is being made by large news sources I hope that the numbers of disbelievers quickly dwindles.

"We know from scientific evidence that climate change is a reality and that climate change will have damaging effects on the economy all over the world," said Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, one of the politicians attending the scientific conference. "Therefore we need an agreement and we need an agreement this year." Actually we needed an agreement about 10 years ago and likely would have seen one if Al Gore had become president, buts that's a whole additional argument.

The long and the short is that human induced changes to the climate are real, have become largely irreversible, and will have far reaching impacts across the globe and no nation will be spared. Some nations will be better off than others, small island nations will be wiped away and we are likely to see many other massive lifestyle impacts occur globally.

Here is a link to the times article.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008835298_apeudenmarkclimatechange.html

Here is a link to another, very similar article with predictions regarding the fate of the rain forests, also know as the lungs of the world.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7940532.stm

In our lifetimes we will see the greatest amount of change anybody could have ever foretold. Not just technological changes but changes in the very landscapes around us, the processes of the world and the climate. These articles are just the tip of the ice berg. There is a much more startling reality underlying all of these predictions. If these changes do indeed take place we will see CO2 levels sky rocket, this will last for a nearly indefinite period of time, unless it triggers an ice age or other major event, in which case we could be on the verge of the next mass extinction.

EARTH HOUR 2009

8:30PM Saturday 28 March 2009

ON THE OCEANS - The State of the Worlds Sharks

So the oceans. A rather striking element of planet earth which according to NOAA, covers approximately 71% of the earths surface, is home to an estimated 50% of all species on earth, holds 97% of the water on the planet yet is estimated to be 95% unexplored. These water bodies the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and the Indian Ocean are home to a plethora of creatures that have been around for millions of years, are the site for the origins of life, and play many other key roles which in turn affect the entire planet, its species, climate, and on and on. However much we as humans utilize the resources they provide very little can actually be concluded about these vast expanses and as a result there is an abundance of research currently being conducted to help us, land dwelling human, understand this underwater world. One thing that we have figured out is that our current rates of fishing and consumption of the animals namely fish, sharks, whales, cephalopods or octopus, squid, etc and crustaceans which are the shrimp, crab, lobsters, shell fish, etc, are having a profound effect on the population dynamics of these species and in turn can have larger effects on down their food chains.

One such species, which I will admit is the focus of this blog, the shark is a very fascinating animal, largely feared by man due to its predatory lifestyle and its ability to master a planetary domain in ways that man can only dream of. The shark is a vestige of prehistoric times who's evolutionary origins date back over 400 million years, and is coming under extreme pressure from human consumption, more so than ever before in history.

So the shark. Sharks are pretty fascinating creatures and in fact the amount of information regarding these animals is fairly limited and again much research is currently being conducted to determine such things as the relative abundance of these animals, the number of different species in existence, there lifespan, the effects of fishing, the territory these animals cover, what they eat and so forth. What I can gather, thanks to a fantastic environmental group know as Oceana, and NOAA is that these animals are fairly long lived, with a relatively low reproductive potential, they have survived every mass extinction event in earths history, they are social, there are at least 350 different species and they are not as great a threat to human life as is commonly thought. For shark attack statistics visit: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/attacks/relarisk.htm.

So what is happening to these animals, you ask? The long and the short is that they are being harvested for human consumption. Now, we all know about fishing and the fact that overfishing can cause the depletion of a certain target species, and yes sharks are not being managed as far as sustainable fishing yields go. But beyond that, the dark side of shark fishing is that most of the the time its not the meat that sharks bodies produce that's being targeted by fishermen, its mainly just there fins, and tail fins and livers and the rest of the animal is largely considered waste. Ironically the fins are used to make a soup, shark fin soup, considered quite a delicacy by many in east Asia. The other major industry for sharks fishing is simply that for sport, which is even more sad, because often times no part of the animal is utilized and its simply for the thrill of the catch.

However, there is progress being made with regards to shark conservation. For instance , the worlds largest marine sanctuary was created of the coast of the Hawaiian Islands by former president George W. Bush and more recently shark protection legislation is being passed by the US government as we speak. For information on this bill visit: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-81 The EU is also passing legislation based on this issue. Information on this can be found in the Oceana link previously made in this blog. Otherwise a number of non-profits are taking up the cause to try and promote a change in the mindset of would be shark product consumers. There was even a movie made on subject of sharks, debunking popular myths, showing how sharks are being exploited, etc called Sharkwater.

I just hope that man and his consumptive ways will change before irreparable damage is caused to these magnificent creatures of the deep blue.

Seattles Green Festival

That's right. March 28-29 is the second annual green festival in Seattle. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore ways to decrease ones footprint on this little planet we call home. This event offers the public a chance to learn about everything from "green" products, clothing, foods, companies, volunteer opportunities, beers, investment strategies, emerging technologies and beyond. This even features how-to workshops, guest speakers, and films all based on "green" products, practices, lifestyles, and lifestyle changes. The way I see it is that its an opportunity to look at what you currently buy/consume and figure out what the eco-friendly alternatives that are available to replace those things, goods, and services. It also offers a chance to interact with a representative from the groups, companies or agencies that are driving these more environmentally conscious alternatives. See link: http://www.greenfestivals.org/

Pros:

• Personal interaction with the company, group, agency representatives
  
• Wide variety of eco-friendly products, opportunities, services available to peruse
• Great learning opportunity

Cons:

• Cost. It costs $15 bucks a head
• Likely to be crowded
• Generally speaking, many of these alternatives can be very costly to switch to or purchase

All in all I think that its definitely worth going to. I went to the previous event and I did find a few things that really interested me and even an eco-friendly AAA like company that I am now a member of. I learned a great deal and was able to ask questions and discuss aspects of products and services that I found interesting, that I didn't understand or that I considered purchasing.

Seattle Garbage Goes Green!!

That's right. Twice in one month Waste Management, Seattle's municipal garbage collection company, the largest garbage company in North America with over 25 million customers nation wide, has rolled out two new green agendas for the Seattle area. One, we have been waiting for this for some time now, home composting bins, and the later natural gas powered garbage trucks. Here is an article on the new garbage trucks that you, Seattleites, will be seeing cruising the streets: http://gas2.org/2009/02/11/waste-management-builds-fleet-of-natural-gas-garbage-trucks/.

For those of you unfamiliar with Waste Management, here is a link to there website. This company offers a wide range of disposal services for everything from toxic wastes, contaminated soils, compost, recyclables, etc. They have an environmental agenda set up and are in most cases, in the Seattle area, the best most economical way to have waste disposed of. Here is a link to there web page for further information: http://www.wm.com/index.asp.

Garbage is an unfortunately large part of our consumer lifestyle. It is an almost inevitable by-product of modern day life. Its good to know that those who deal with the fat of the land in the Seattle area are making an effort to show stewardship toward the environment.

Polar Bear Soup

This topic will be one to shape or give meaning to the general context of this blog. In my humble opinion, its a sad, sobering reality that will likely take great precedent in my life and in the lives of many people globally. For me its not the direct effects, I will likely survive those, which tend to pique my attention but those which I learn about and feel more or less helpless to prevent. For instance lets use the polar bear as the frame for this line of thought. (For facts relating to polar bears please visit these references:http://www.nps.gov/archive/bela/html/polar.htm, http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/polar-bears-in-depth/introduction/)

The polar bear. The largest bear species, and the largest of all carnivores on earth. A truly iconic, charismatic species, living in the far reaches of the globe in some of the most inhospitable climates on earth. These animals have been around for many thousands of years and likely have little care or need for life as humans have come to know, yet are being impacted in dramatic ways as a result of human actions. I will be honest here, I do subscribe to the idea of climate change, the idea that human action has and will continue to induce shifts in global processes which act to keep the earth in a balance. I feel that the evidence for this belief is undeniable and scientifically proven. ( For facts relating to "climate change" please visit these sites: http://nationalacademies.org/onpi/06072005.pdf, http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/assessments-reports.htm)

Regardless, it is widely believed that this species could likely follow the path of extinction, like so many others, with in my lifetime, due to this climate change scenario. In essence there habitat will cease to exist turning northern oceans into polar bear soup. I believe this to be a very dark reality. One I feel I will have little control over.

But the real problem is not with the polar bears, the real problem lies with the fact that these human induced changes could have been prevented, courses could have been altered, impacts decreased, losses minimized. Yet instead, human civilization has gone down a certain path. One that creates many comforts, separates us from mother nature, and generally takes the burden out of surviving. This path has, in effect, changed the mindset of humanity from survival and subsistence to one directed at the attainment of luxury, property, wealth, materials and ultimately comfort and a further removal from that which sustains us. In essence, humans as a species have, in there pursuit for personal comfort, exploited everything at there finger tips without taking any regard for what the larger impacts could be. Unfortunately for animals like the polar bears, this trend took hold and this has been occurring for such a period that these highly consumptive values, systems, beliefs and ways of life are what shape society. So much so that change from this reality becomes extremely difficult. So much so that human civilization is willing to allow and permit irreversible changes and loses to occur globally.

What I would like to know is how far this will all go? How much are we as humans willing to sacrifice in the pursuit of happiness and comfort, values which have largely been imprinted upon us by the society, and the corporate structure which rules our lives? Humans are on the verge of writing the worlds greatest recipe, polar bear soup. I believe it to be a truly sad reality, especially since this won't be the first global recipe and it definitely won't be the last.