A Climate Agreement .... for Some
Tom Zeller
12-18-09
Summary: In Copenhagen President Obama announced that a meaningful agreement has been reached at the UN talks on climate change. Many from inside the Bella Center where the confrence is being held on claim that it is only a work in progress.
Response: I guess some progess is better than no progress. Even little things that add together will make some kind of difference. Can't fix or change the world in one day, baby steps.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
12-19-09
3 Companies to Stop Using a Chemical
Leslie Kaufman
Dec 18,2009
Summary: Three manufacturers of a commonly used fire retardant have voluntarily agreed to phase out its production within three years in a pact with the Environmental Protection Agency. Environmentalist have wanted a ban on the retardant decabromodiphenyl ether, which is used in consumer electronics, furniture, because it can be toxic to the nervous system.
Response: This is a good thing that they are looking out for the common good rather than just using this product because it is cheap and gets the job done. Overall this is good because who knows what kind of long term damage it is causing.
Leslie Kaufman
Dec 18,2009
Summary: Three manufacturers of a commonly used fire retardant have voluntarily agreed to phase out its production within three years in a pact with the Environmental Protection Agency. Environmentalist have wanted a ban on the retardant decabromodiphenyl ether, which is used in consumer electronics, furniture, because it can be toxic to the nervous system.
Response: This is a good thing that they are looking out for the common good rather than just using this product because it is cheap and gets the job done. Overall this is good because who knows what kind of long term damage it is causing.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
12-13-09
Protesters Mostly Quiet After Day of Action
By TOM ZELLER Jr.
Published: December 13, 2009
Summary:Scattered protests continued on Sunday, but climate activists in Copenhagen were largely quiet after a day of mass demonstrations resulted in nearly 1,000 arrests.
Per Larsen, coordinator for the Danish police, said that officers arrested about 230 people by midday Sunday, most in an illegal protest in the northern part of the city. The Bella Center, where representatives of nearly 200 countries have been meeting to craft a global strategy to combat climate change, was closed for the day.
Response:While its good that so many people care to donate their time to the cause of helping global warming, when people start riots and start violence they ruin more then they can imagine. They give a bad name to all of the people even the peaceful protesters.
By TOM ZELLER Jr.
Published: December 13, 2009
Summary:Scattered protests continued on Sunday, but climate activists in Copenhagen were largely quiet after a day of mass demonstrations resulted in nearly 1,000 arrests.
Per Larsen, coordinator for the Danish police, said that officers arrested about 230 people by midday Sunday, most in an illegal protest in the northern part of the city. The Bella Center, where representatives of nearly 200 countries have been meeting to craft a global strategy to combat climate change, was closed for the day.
Response:While its good that so many people care to donate their time to the cause of helping global warming, when people start riots and start violence they ruin more then they can imagine. They give a bad name to all of the people even the peaceful protesters.
12-13-09
Thousands March in Copenhagen, Calling for Action
By TOM ZELLER Jr.
Published: December 12, 2009
Summary: Tens of thousands of demonstrators from around the globe took to the streets ine copenhange on Saturday for the largest protest planned in two weeks of talks on a global strategy to fight climate change. Most of the protests we peaceful but some got out of hand and there were violent problems. But most just wanted to get the point across that they are concerned for the environment and want action to be taken.
Response: This was basically the last chance for the world to come together and take action. Its a good sign that so many traveled to show their support for this issue and try to make a difference in the world.
By TOM ZELLER Jr.
Published: December 12, 2009
Summary: Tens of thousands of demonstrators from around the globe took to the streets ine copenhange on Saturday for the largest protest planned in two weeks of talks on a global strategy to fight climate change. Most of the protests we peaceful but some got out of hand and there were violent problems. But most just wanted to get the point across that they are concerned for the environment and want action to be taken.
Response: This was basically the last chance for the world to come together and take action. Its a good sign that so many traveled to show their support for this issue and try to make a difference in the world.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
12-06-09
Tree Harvester Offers to Save Indonesian Forest
Summary: Kampar Peninsula in Indonesia stretches for mile after mile in dense scrub and trees and is one of the world’s largest peat swamp forests, it is also one of its biggest vaults of carbon dioxide. But it is leaking. By slowly draining and drying the peat land, they are releasing carbon dioxide, contributing to making Indonesia the world’s third biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, after China and the United States.
Response: This could be really dangerous for our earth and global warming. This could cause the temperature to sky rocket and cause tons of more problems.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
11-23-09
Paying More for Flights Eases Guilt, Not Emissions
Elisabeth Rothenthal
Nov 17, 2009
Summary: Offsets have played a growing role in the greening of travel because carbon dioxide emissions from airplanes are growing so quickly and there is currently no techonological fix that would drastically lower them. In the United States, dozen of hotels and airlines have embraced such programs in the last year of two. But it has proved difficult to monitor or quantify the emissions-reducing potential of the thousands of green projects.
Response: While this is good idea to help the environment i dont see it really doing anything. I think there are better ways to protect and save the world.
Elisabeth Rothenthal
Nov 17, 2009
Summary: Offsets have played a growing role in the greening of travel because carbon dioxide emissions from airplanes are growing so quickly and there is currently no techonological fix that would drastically lower them. In the United States, dozen of hotels and airlines have embraced such programs in the last year of two. But it has proved difficult to monitor or quantify the emissions-reducing potential of the thousands of green projects.
Response: While this is good idea to help the environment i dont see it really doing anything. I think there are better ways to protect and save the world.
11-23-09
Seas Grow Less Efficient at Absorbing Emmisions
Sindya Bhanoo
November 18, 2009
Summary: The Earths oceans, which have absorbed carbon dioxide from fuel emissions since the dawn of the industrial era, have recently grown less efficient at sopping it up. Emissions from the buring of fossil fules began soaring in the 1950s, and oceans largely kept up, scientists say. But the growth in the intake rate has slowed since the 1980, and since 2000.
Response: This is just another piece of bad news for the globe and global warming. Things just seem to be addin on each other and it is getting pretty bad.
Sindya Bhanoo
November 18, 2009
Summary: The Earths oceans, which have absorbed carbon dioxide from fuel emissions since the dawn of the industrial era, have recently grown less efficient at sopping it up. Emissions from the buring of fossil fules began soaring in the 1950s, and oceans largely kept up, scientists say. But the growth in the intake rate has slowed since the 1980, and since 2000.
Response: This is just another piece of bad news for the globe and global warming. Things just seem to be addin on each other and it is getting pretty bad.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
11-15-07
Pelican Removed From Endangered List
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 12, 2009
Summary:Interior Department officials are taking the brown pelican off the endangered species list, after a nearly four-decade struggle to keep the bird’s population afloat. The bird now prevalent across Florida, the Gulf and Pacific coasts and the Caribbean was declared an endangered species in 1970, after its population, much like those of the bald eagle and peregrine falcon, was decimated by the use of the pesticide D.D.T.
Response:For once a positive article saying that something is going good. It is good to hear that this animal has survived and is now off the Endangered list.
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 12, 2009
Summary:Interior Department officials are taking the brown pelican off the endangered species list, after a nearly four-decade struggle to keep the bird’s population afloat. The bird now prevalent across Florida, the Gulf and Pacific coasts and the Caribbean was declared an endangered species in 1970, after its population, much like those of the bald eagle and peregrine falcon, was decimated by the use of the pesticide D.D.T.
Response:For once a positive article saying that something is going good. It is good to hear that this animal has survived and is now off the Endangered list.
11-15-09
Turtles Are Casualties of Warming in Costa Rica
By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL
Published: November 13, 2009
Summary: Haphazard development, in tandem with warmer temperatures and rising seas that many scientists link to global warming, have vastly diminished the Pacific turtle population.Even before scientists found temperatures creeping upward over the past decade, sea turtles were threatened by beach development, drift net fishing and Costa Ricans’ penchant for eating turtle eggs, considered a delicacy here. But climate change may deal the fatal blow to an animal that has dwelled in the Pacific for 150 million years.
Response: It is sad to see another species die right before our eyes because of our way of life. When will people open their eyes and see that we are destroying the earth rapidly.
By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL
Published: November 13, 2009
Summary: Haphazard development, in tandem with warmer temperatures and rising seas that many scientists link to global warming, have vastly diminished the Pacific turtle population.Even before scientists found temperatures creeping upward over the past decade, sea turtles were threatened by beach development, drift net fishing and Costa Ricans’ penchant for eating turtle eggs, considered a delicacy here. But climate change may deal the fatal blow to an animal that has dwelled in the Pacific for 150 million years.
Response: It is sad to see another species die right before our eyes because of our way of life. When will people open their eyes and see that we are destroying the earth rapidly.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
11-8-09
California Water Overhaul Caps Use
By JENNIFER STEINHAUER
Published: November 4, 2009
Summary:California lawmakers on Wednesday approved a series of bills that would vastly overhaul the state’s troubled water system. The water package is the most comprehensive to emerge from the state since the 1960s, when California last upgraded its system for what was a far smaller population of users. The plan calls for a comprehensive ecosystem restoration in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta — a collection of channels, natural habitats and islands at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers that is a major source of the state’s drinking water.
Response: This article is important because the water supply is a major concern especially since we live in the great lake state. Our lakes are depleating rapidly and we need to protect them.
By JENNIFER STEINHAUER
Published: November 4, 2009
Summary:California lawmakers on Wednesday approved a series of bills that would vastly overhaul the state’s troubled water system. The water package is the most comprehensive to emerge from the state since the 1960s, when California last upgraded its system for what was a far smaller population of users. The plan calls for a comprehensive ecosystem restoration in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta — a collection of channels, natural habitats and islands at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers that is a major source of the state’s drinking water.
Response: This article is important because the water supply is a major concern especially since we live in the great lake state. Our lakes are depleating rapidly and we need to protect them.
11-8-09
Creating a Landfill to Have Cleaner Air
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 7, 2009
Summary: A federal judge has ruled in a lawsuit brought by the State of North Carolina that the authority must significantly reduce pollution from four coal-fired power plants affecting the state’s air quality by December 2013.The T.V.A. has spent about $6 billion since the late 1970s reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide, particulates and smog-forming nitrogen oxide.
Response: There is no good solution to pollution. Its more of finding the lesser of two evils. There are many agruments about the environment and people have different opinions on what should happen.
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 7, 2009
Summary: A federal judge has ruled in a lawsuit brought by the State of North Carolina that the authority must significantly reduce pollution from four coal-fired power plants affecting the state’s air quality by December 2013.The T.V.A. has spent about $6 billion since the late 1970s reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide, particulates and smog-forming nitrogen oxide.
Response: There is no good solution to pollution. Its more of finding the lesser of two evils. There are many agruments about the environment and people have different opinions on what should happen.
Friday, October 30, 2009
10-30-09 #2
Europe Suggests Emissions Limits on Small Trucks
By JAMES KANTER
Published: October 28, 2009
Summary:The European Commision proposed emissions limits for light trucks and vans Wednesday and said that carmakers would not be permitted to use them to increase production of sport utility vehicles. Vans and light trucks make up about 11 percent of road vehicle sales in Europe.The proposal is modeled on recent legislation enacted in Europe that aims to cut car emissions by a fifth on average in 2015, to 130 grams a kilometer.
Response: While this is a good thing for the environment, the article seemed to mock the United States for wasting so much gas and having such big cars. While this may be true, it still was annoying to read an aritcle that made fun of our country.
By JAMES KANTER
Published: October 28, 2009
Summary:The European Commision proposed emissions limits for light trucks and vans Wednesday and said that carmakers would not be permitted to use them to increase production of sport utility vehicles. Vans and light trucks make up about 11 percent of road vehicle sales in Europe.The proposal is modeled on recent legislation enacted in Europe that aims to cut car emissions by a fifth on average in 2015, to 130 grams a kilometer.
Response: While this is a good thing for the environment, the article seemed to mock the United States for wasting so much gas and having such big cars. While this may be true, it still was annoying to read an aritcle that made fun of our country.
10-30-09
China-U.S. Group Plans to Build Texas Wind Farm
By JOHN COLLINS RUDOLF
Published: October 29, 2009
Sumamry: A consortium of Chinese and American companies announced a joint venture on Thursday to build a 600-megawatt wind farm in West Texas, using turbines made in China. The wind farm will be the first instance of a Chinese manufacturer exporting wind turbines to the United States. The farm, to be built on 36,000 acres in West Texas, will use 240 of its 2.5-megawatt turbines.
Response: This is a good thing because we are continuing to use energy that we can capture, as oppossed to making our own. This will save money and save our planet.
By JOHN COLLINS RUDOLF
Published: October 29, 2009
Sumamry: A consortium of Chinese and American companies announced a joint venture on Thursday to build a 600-megawatt wind farm in West Texas, using turbines made in China. The wind farm will be the first instance of a Chinese manufacturer exporting wind turbines to the United States. The farm, to be built on 36,000 acres in West Texas, will use 240 of its 2.5-megawatt turbines.
Response: This is a good thing because we are continuing to use energy that we can capture, as oppossed to making our own. This will save money and save our planet.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Article #11
Carefully Cleaning Up the Garbage at Los Alamos
Summary:A team of workers is using $212 million in federal stimulus money to clean up the 65-year-old, six-acre dump, which was used by the scientists who built the world’s first atomic bomb. Nearly 73,000 people have applied for stimulus jobs cleaning up nuclear sites since the program was announced, the Department of Energy says, and more than 10,800 positions have been saved or created with the money.
Response: The government is trying to help the economy while helping the environment. This is a very smart idea because we are killing two birds with one stone.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Article #10 10-18
Walruses Suffer Substantial Losses as Sea Ice Erodes
By ANDREW C. REVKIN
Published: October 2, 2009
Summary: Half a century after Pacific walruses began recovering from industrial-scale hunting, marine biologists are growing worried that they face a mounting threat from global warming. United States Geological Survey issued a report concluding that 131 walruses found dead near Icy Cape, Alaska, on Sept. 14 died from being crushed or stampeded.Walruses have endured more than 15 million years of climatic ups and downs, so experts do not foresee the species’ becoming extinct, particularly if hunting remains controlled.But there has been growing confirmation that the walrus is suffering substantial losses as the sheath of sea ice in coastal waters erodes in the summer.
Response: If these animals have endured millions of years of climate changes and they cannot survive the planet now we know that there is something seriously wrong. This is our opportunity to fix what we have messed up.
By ANDREW C. REVKIN
Published: October 2, 2009
Summary: Half a century after Pacific walruses began recovering from industrial-scale hunting, marine biologists are growing worried that they face a mounting threat from global warming. United States Geological Survey issued a report concluding that 131 walruses found dead near Icy Cape, Alaska, on Sept. 14 died from being crushed or stampeded.Walruses have endured more than 15 million years of climatic ups and downs, so experts do not foresee the species’ becoming extinct, particularly if hunting remains controlled.But there has been growing confirmation that the walrus is suffering substantial losses as the sheath of sea ice in coastal waters erodes in the summer.
Response: If these animals have endured millions of years of climate changes and they cannot survive the planet now we know that there is something seriously wrong. This is our opportunity to fix what we have messed up.
Article #9 10-18
Debate Follows Bills to Remove Clotheslines Bans
By IAN URBINA
Published: October 10, 2009
Summary: In the last year state lawmakers in Colorado, Hawaii, Maine and Vermont have overridden local laws to ban clotheslines. While some disagree because they think they are an eyesore, many say that they are saving energy and people should be able to save money in these tough economic times.
Response: I think people should have the choice to hang up clothes if they wish. It would save energy and money which are both extremely important.
By IAN URBINA
Published: October 10, 2009
Summary: In the last year state lawmakers in Colorado, Hawaii, Maine and Vermont have overridden local laws to ban clotheslines. While some disagree because they think they are an eyesore, many say that they are saving energy and people should be able to save money in these tough economic times.
Response: I think people should have the choice to hang up clothes if they wish. It would save energy and money which are both extremely important.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Article #8 10-09-09
National Briefing | Northwest
Alaska: Habitat for Sea Otters
Alaska: Habitat for Sea Otters
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: October 7, 2009
Summary: In recent years the sea otter populations have plummeted. Due to this unfortunate issue the Fish and Wildlife Service has designated more than 5,800 square miles as critcal habitat for sea otters. over ninety percent of the worlds sea otters live there.
Response: It is a very good thing that these habitats have been saved because it is important to save sea otters. We need to be proactive and help endangered animal species before it is too late.
Published: October 7, 2009
Summary: In recent years the sea otter populations have plummeted. Due to this unfortunate issue the Fish and Wildlife Service has designated more than 5,800 square miles as critcal habitat for sea otters. over ninety percent of the worlds sea otters live there.
Response: It is a very good thing that these habitats have been saved because it is important to save sea otters. We need to be proactive and help endangered animal species before it is too late.
Article #7 10-09-09
Summary: Recent studies have predicted what will happen with future fish catches. Global warming isn't going to change the amount of fish being caught over all just the areas where they are caught.By 2055, the scientists predicted, countries like China, Chile, Indonesia and the United States (excepting Alaska and Hawaii) will see catches decline, while catches off Alaska, Greenland, Norway and Russia will rise.
Response: Studies like these are very important because this will effect food amounts and population. It will also change the ecology of oceans and to be able to predict things like this is a very useful tool that we are lucky to have.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Article #6....10-4-09
Vietnam Finds Itself Vulnerable if Sea Rises
By SETH MYDANS
Published: September 23, 2009
Summary: In a worse-case projection, a Vietnamese government report released last month says that more than one-third of the delta, where 17 million people live and nearly half the country’s rice is grown, could be submerged if sea levels rise by three feet in the decades to come. While this is the worst case scenario the more modest projection is one fifth. This could possibly devastate Vietnam.
Response: this should wake some people up to see how bad the situation is. And even if you don’t care about Vietnam this is not the only country that will take a hit from the sea level rising.
By SETH MYDANS
Published: September 23, 2009
Summary: In a worse-case projection, a Vietnamese government report released last month says that more than one-third of the delta, where 17 million people live and nearly half the country’s rice is grown, could be submerged if sea levels rise by three feet in the decades to come. While this is the worst case scenario the more modest projection is one fifth. This could possibly devastate Vietnam.
Response: this should wake some people up to see how bad the situation is. And even if you don’t care about Vietnam this is not the only country that will take a hit from the sea level rising.
Article #5....10-4-09
Nanomaterials Under Study by the E.P.A.
By CORNELIA DEAN
Published: September 29, 2009
Summary: Recently the EPA has found nanoparticles in things like sunscreen and industrial adhesives. The impact they may have on humans, animals, and the environment are unsure and that is why they are under investigation. The problems that they could cause are endless and need to be studied very carefully and quickly. We don’t have time to waste when things like sunscreen and tennis rackets could be hurting us and we don’t even know it.
Response: This is very scary because we could be in danger and not be aware. The negative effects are endless. Things you would never consider to be dangerous could be extremely dangerous. But there is no reason to freak out yet because the EPA has not finished their study.
By CORNELIA DEAN
Published: September 29, 2009
Summary: Recently the EPA has found nanoparticles in things like sunscreen and industrial adhesives. The impact they may have on humans, animals, and the environment are unsure and that is why they are under investigation. The problems that they could cause are endless and need to be studied very carefully and quickly. We don’t have time to waste when things like sunscreen and tennis rackets could be hurting us and we don’t even know it.
Response: This is very scary because we could be in danger and not be aware. The negative effects are endless. Things you would never consider to be dangerous could be extremely dangerous. But there is no reason to freak out yet because the EPA has not finished their study.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Article #2.... 9-20-09
Obama Seeks National Oversight of Waters
Summary: Last Thursday the Obama Administration called a meeting concerning the water of the Great Lakes and the marine shore. They are considering protecting whole marine systems as opposed to saving one species at a time. This should greatly help the ecosystems in these areas.
Response: This is a reputable article that should interest all of us because it affects us. These lakes are so important to us as citizens of Michigan and we need to protect them.
Article #1.... 9-20-09
Disputed Solar Energy Project in California Desert Is Dropped
Summary: Donated land in the california desert is caught up in a controversy recently when BrightSource Energy Inc. planned to build a 5,130 acre solar energy farm. The battle is between environmentalist and the renewable energy company, the environmentalist want to conserve it and keep it as a natural habitat.
Response: While the solar energy would be useful why destroy another huge piece of land that is just fine being left alone. The article is reputable, but they did not get both sides of the story.
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