Hummer Drivers Believe They’re Defending America’s Frontier Against Anti-American Critics (Links)
Krugman: ‘most widely respected climate models’ show ‘hurtle toward catastrophe’ These days, dire warnings aren’t the delusional raving of cranks. Our relationship to the natural world is a Ponzi scheme Beyond the illegality of Madoff’s scam, why didn’t he consider his responsibility to his clients, to their future, and even to his own? Give birds a break. Lock up the cat Free-ranging felines do a lot of damage to the baby bird populations in neighborhoods. Gila National Forest threatened by off-road vehicles The well-funded off-road vehicle lobby is pressuring forest managers to add unnecessary roads and permit other destructive practices in the forest. Hummer drivers believe they’re defending America’s frontier against anti-American critics Hummer drivers believe they are defending America’s frontier lifestyle against anti-American critics, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research, which researched attitudes toward owning and driving Hummers, which have become symbols to many of American greed and wastefulness. Children who are spanked have lower IQs Children who are spanked have lower IQs worldwide, including in the United States, according to groundbreaking new research. Pennsylvania gun nuts shoot, kill each other A car parked in the driveway bore a badge-shaped sticker that read “NRA law enforcement.” Boing Boing offers ‘nourishing soup and sandwiches’ to Ralph Lauren’s deathly ill models “Dude, her head’s bigger than her pelvis.” Ted Williams’ frozen head abused in cryogenics lab Workers at an Arizona cryogenics facility mutilated the frozen head of baseball legend Ted Williams—even using it for a bizarre batting practice, a new book claims.
Candles Smell Good, But They Could Be Toxic (Links)
When it Comes to Los Angeles Lawns, Brown is Golden You know it’s the silly season when a member of the Los Angeles City Council weighs in on the importance of green lawns during a drought, as the 12th District’s Greig Smith did several weeks ago. How Much Weed Killer Is Safe in Your Water Glass? New research suggests that atrazine may be dangerous at lower concentrations than previously thought, particularly for fetuses. California Moves Toward Stringent Chromium 6 Standard for Drinking Water California took the first step Thursday toward setting a drinking water standard for chromium 6 that could force cities and water districts to undertake costly treatment. E.P.A. to Set Limits for Water Pollution in Florida After a 2008 lawsuit by the Sierra Club, Florida Wildlife Federation and others, the settlement is the first time the agency has forced numeric limits on nutrient runoff on a state. California to Mandate Recycling for Businesses, Apartments California residents not living in permanent housing may no longer have to deal with the frustration of searching for recycling options. China Closes Factories Amid Growing Protests Over Lead Poisoning Chinese officials have temporarily closed at least five heavy metal smelters as concerns rise over high levels of lead found in children in nearby villages and towns. Environmental Racism? Brazil Sends Toxic Ship Back to Britain A ship supposedly carrying recyclable materials was in fact full of toxic waste, including condoms, syringes, and human waste. Sugar vs. Corn Syrup High-fructose corn syrup was invented in 1957. Calls to Tax Junk Food Gain Ground Cigarette ’sin taxes’ have turned out to be the most effective ways to reduce smoking; will the same tactic work to fight obesity? Candles Smell Good, But They Could Be Toxic Burning certain kinds of candles may generate indoor air pollutants.
Milton the Blind Kitten is Probably Dead By Now
What do you do when you walk out and this rain-wet kitten covered with flies drags itself out of the empty lot onto your property?
You think it won’t make it a few more steps and it mewls when you get close and when you get close it’s covered not only by flies but maggots and one of its eyes is bulging and glaring soap-scum white. One of the eyes is bulging but the other isn’t, yet it’s blank as a nickel and it’s clear the kitten is blind and there’s no mother but the rain and it’s covered with maggots and the flies keep coming. What do you do? (more…)
Non-Profit Group Unveils Winner of Scientific Integrity Contest (Cartoons)
The Union of Concerned Scientists, a non-profit group that advocates for scientific integrity, recently released the winners of its 2009 Science Idol contest. According to the organization,
The UCS asked 12 artists to draw humorous attention to the not-so-funny issue of political interference in federal government science. After more than 10,000 votes were cast, Jesse Springer of Eugene, OR came out on top with a cartoon about science and the Endangered Species Act (above).
The UCS famously blew the whistle on Bush Adminstration interference at the U.S. Interior Department, which led to a federal investigation and the resignation of Julie A. MacDonald, a high ranking administration official. The investigation found that MacDonald had repeatedly violated the Code of Federal Regulations “basic obligation of public service” by giving confidential information to oil and land developers and tampering with two-thirds of the Endangered Species Act decisions under her charge. Investigators also found that MacDonald’s “abrupt and abrasive, if not abusive” management style “demoralized…her staff as well as her subordinate managers.” U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said that “this report makes it crystal clear how one person’s contempt for the public trust can infect an entire agency. MacDonald caused significant harm to the integrity of the Endangered Species Act and untold waste of hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars.”
All 12 entrants in the Science Idol contest will be featured in the Union of Concerned Scientists’ annual calendar, which can be purchased on their website for $10. The calendar is meant to serve as “a constant reminder of how vigilant we must be in defending science from politics.”
They’re certainly doing their part. Check out all 12 of the cartoons below. (more…)
Climate Change Causing Birds to Shrink (Links)
Navy To Conduct Warfare Training Near Right Whale Calving Grounds The training range will be constructed near the only known calving grounds for the North Atlantic right whale, a species whose total population is thought to be around 300 individuals. On the Prowl For Water-Use Scofflaws Since June, nearly 700 citations have been issued to L.A. residents caught violating the city’s tightened water laws. San Diego Company Fined $600,000 for Groundwater Contamination Regional water pollution cops fined an industrial company $600,000 and threatened to nearly double the penalty if it doesn’t meet deadlines leading up to treatment of a contaminated groundwater plume in El Cajon. Alaska’s Kensington Gold Mine Gets Go-Ahead The Army Corps of Engineers has green-lighted a controversial plan to dump millions of tons of waste into Lower Slate Lake. U.S. Military Says to Act Now or ‘Pay Later’ For Climate Change U.S. military intelligence studies have concluded that over the next 20 to 30 years, the world’s vulnerable regions will food and water shortages, and catastrophic flooding, which could demand costly American humanitarian relief or military response. Climate Change Causing Birds to Shrink Global warming is making birds smaller. Exxon Mobil vs. New York City New York City claims that Exxon Mobil knew that a certain additive used in their gasoline would contaminate groundwater, but used it anyway. ExxonMobil Pleads Guilty to Killing Protected Birds The company will pay $600,000 in fines and fees, and most of the 85 birds that died were exposed to industrial pollution. Russian Oil Rigs Just 45 Miles From Florida? Cuba will allow Russia to look for oil and gas in its territorial waters. Biologists Demystify Elusive War Zone Bacterium The bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii causes mortality rates as high as 75 percent in the Middle East. Houshold Spices Provide Eco-friendly Pesticides for Organics Well-known spices such as rosemary, thyme, clove, and mint are becoming organic agriculture’s key weapons against insect pests as the industry tries to satisfy increased demands for organic produce. How Does College Major Affect Religious Faith? College students who major in the social sciences and humanities are likely to become less religious, while those who in education are likely to become more religious. I Say Spend. You Say No. We’re in Love. When it comes to money, opposites do attract: “spendthrifts” and “tightwads” tend to marry.
An Overrun Florida Looks to Python Bounty Hunters (Links)
Tyranny for the Commons Man Six billion people are now sharing one planet, one water supply, and limited energy resources with a grab-first-ask-questions-later mentality. 10 People Guiding Science for Humanity Ten researchers, politicians, executives, and philanthropists who are working to assure that the benefits of new technologies and knowledge will accrue to humanity. Competitive Altruism: Being Green in Public What if environmentalism didn’t really involve sacrifice? California Beaches Face a Rising Ride of Pollution Ten percent of water samples at California beaches last year contained more human fecal bacteria than the state allows. Joshua Trees Vanishing The Joshua Tree is expected to vanish entirely from the southern half of California within a century. An Inconvenient Talk A guide to the end of the fossil fuel age. Exxon Owes $500 Million Interest for Valdez Spill Exxon Mobil Corp. must pay victims of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill $480 million more in interest on their delayed punitive damages awards, a U.S. appeals court has ruled. Arctic Tundra Undergoing Major Changes As it Warms, Studies Show Several recent studies show that the rapid warming of Arctic tundra is leading to a host of sweeping changes, including more extensive fires, the growth of larger vegetation, more absorption of solar energy, melting permafrost, and substantially larger releases of greenhouse gases. Hunters Depleting Lion and Cougar Populations Sport hunters are depleting lion and cougar populations as managers respond to demands to control predators that threaten livestock and humans. An Overrun Florida Looks to Python Bounty Hunters Of all the ideas floated to get a grip on pythons and other exotic imports creeping and crawling through America’s undergrowth, only one stands out to Florida snake experts as having a real impact: bounty hunters. Sustainability: Solution to Fermi’s Paradox? If civilizations can’t grow exponentially, that might explain why we don’t see any signs of ET. Environmentalism and Religion Jonathan Zasloff, an environmental law professor at UCLA, is skeptical of the idea that religion can add much to environmental policy debates. Couples Who Cohabit Before Engagement are More Likely to Struggle Couples who live together before they are engaged have a higher chance of getting divorced than those who wait until they are married to live together, or at least wait until they are engaged.
Duncan D. Hunter: If Only ‘We Could Override The Endangered Species Act’ (CA & San Diego Links)
CA’s State Parks Generate $4.3 Billion Annually Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to close 80% of California’s state parks to address the state’s $24 billion budget deficit—even though park visitors pump $4.32 billion into the economy each year. In Grave Danger, Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard Gets a Reprieve The rare reptile may have one last chance, thanks to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. CA to Cut Water Usage to Save Fish Californians’ thirst for water has pushed salmon and other fish to the brink of extinction, a federal agency has ruled. CA Rep. Duncan D. Hunter Weighs in on the Water Ruling In a recent interview, Hunter dropped this gem: “If there’s some way that we could override the Endangered Species Act for things like the smelt fish and allow water to flow again down to Southern California that would be huge.” CA’s Climate Change Plan Will Boost Economy The floundering state’s plan is a watershed moment in history—but there’s still room to improve. Hatchery Fish May Hurt Efforts To Sustain Wild Salmon Runs Steelhead trout that are originally bred in hatcheries are too genetically impaired to expand populations in the wild. 40 Environmental Groups Back Frye for Coastal Panel More than 40 environmental groups in California lobbied Thursday for San Diego City Councilwoman Donna Frye to take over a position representing the region on the state Coastal Commission. Chaparral Institute Sues San Diego County Over Tree Removal Plan The wildlands advocacy group announced a lawsuit yesterday, alleging that the county failed to adequately analyze the environmental damage of removing trees and shrubs in the backcountry to reduce wildfire risks. EPA to Begin Unprecedented Coastal DDT Cleanup in 2011 The proposal includes placing a cap of silt and sand over one of the most hazardous places in the country—and mark the first time a Superfund site has used this method. California’s Thorny History of Cactus Theft In the early 1900s, gardeners took a shine to the prickly plants, and ‘cactus rustling’ was born.
Darwin Killed Off The Werewolf (Links)
The Amazon: The Future of the Forest Brazil’s government hopes that land reform in the Amazon will slow deforestation. Sierra Club’s Carl Pope Debates Chevron CEO Dave O’Reilly When O’Reilly said, “If you can get the government to move faster, then good luck,” Pope replied, “It would help if you’d get out of the way.” Coal Ash Coming to a Town Near You? Tennessee’s toxic coal sludge is headed out of state. 24 Charged in Crackdown on Native American Artifact Looting Many charged with theft of ancient artifacts in the Four Corners region. Anna’s Hummingbird Declared Fastest Animal on Earth When the bird swoops, it experiences forces 10 times the pull of gravity—more than experienced jet pilots can endure without passing out. What Limits The Size Of Birds? Maximum body size in birds is constrained by the amount of time it takes to replace flight feathers during molt. Charles Darwin Killed Off The Werewolf After the publication of Darwin’s Origin of Species, werewolves were relegated to a fictional footnote. Gay Marriage Bans Linked to Rise In HIV Rate Bans on same-sex marriage can be tied to a rise in the rate of HIV infection. Homosexual Behavior Widespread in Animal Kingdom The phenomenon may be part of a necessary biological adaptation for the survival of species. Stress Makes Your Hair Go Gray Those pesky graying hairs that tend to crop up with age really are signs of stress. Teenager Hit by 30,000 MPH Meteorite The only other known example of a human being surviving a meteor strike happened in Alabama, in November 1954 when a grapefruit-sized fragment crashed through the roof of a house, bounced off furniture and landed on a sleeping woman. Marijuana Damages DNA And May Cause Cancer Scientists report “convincing evidence” that marijuana smoke damages the DNA in ways that could increase the risk of cancer. Alcohol Really Does Go Right To Your Head It only takes six minutes.
Biodiversity and the True Significance of the Human Species (Links)
Lessons From the Reverse Engineering of Nature The importance of biodiversity and the true significance of the human species. Most Damaged Ecosystems Recover in Decades Nearly 75 percent of damaged ecosystems fully or partially recover within decades. Obama team calls a timeout on logging in roadless areas Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says no new activity can begin in roadless areas of national forests without his permission. What Are Zoos For? Behind the rusting gates of Wroclaw Zoo, ivy is claiming the walls of the ramshackle gothic administration building. Recipe for a Resurrection Bringing extinct species back to life is no longer considered science fiction. Why Coral Reefs Around The World Are Collapsing An explosion of knowledge in the last few is helping to explain why coral reefs around the world are collapsing and what it will take for them to survive mounting threats. Toxin Is Accelerating Demise of Prehistoric Chinese Sturgeon A chemical applied to ship hulls is robbing Chinese sturgeon of their eyes and causing other deformities. How to clean up a lake? Man-made floating islands may be the answer. The Luxury City vs. the Middle Class The sustainable city of the future will rest on the revival of traditional institutions that have faded in many of today’s cities. Deer Heaven Humans invented suburbia, but it is deer who may be its most enthusiastic residents. Where’s the Environment Section on Google News? Visit Google News’s home page and you’ll see lots of important stories: elections in India, armed conflict in Pakistan, and the US debate over torture, to name just a few. Is Unesco Damaging the World’s Treasures? Is the “gold standard” project harming the very places it seeks to protect? You Are Here The world’s eco-disasters up close. Why Health Warnings Can Be Bad Researchers warned potential participants that electrodes would be strapped to their temples, and could cause serious headaches. Despite this, 34 students came forward. Recycling Mysteries: #5 Plastics If you’re trying to be more eco-conscious, you might wonder about what to do with yogurt cups, hummus tubs or cottage cheese containers. The Human Influence Index A measure of direct human influence on terrestrial ecosystems using the best available data sets on human settlement (population density, built-up areas), access (roads, railroads, navigable rivers, coastline), landscape transformation (land use/land cover) and electric power infrastructure (nighttime lights). The Human Footprint Index The percentage of relative human influence in each terrestrial biome. percentage the relative human influence in each terrestrial biome.
Mockingbirds Can Remember Faces of People to Attack (Links)
Cost of Cigarette Litter May Fall on San Fran’s Smokers A proposed fee would add 33 cents to the cost of a pack of cigarettes, helping offset the estimated $10.7 million a year spent cleaning up discarded butts. Styrofoam Ban Grows in CA Palo Alto joins 21 other California towns in prohibition of polystyrene takeout containers. Yosemite’s Giant Trees Disappearing Data collected over 60 years by forest ecologists show that the oldest and largest trees in Yosemite National Park are disappearing. Climate change appears to be a major cause of the loss. Summer Haze Cooling SE United States Some local cooling is one effect of climate change. Marine Pleads Guilty in Wildfire A Marine was sentenced to a year in prison for horseplay that started a wildfire that burned a section of California’s Camp Pendleton, prompted widespread evacuations, and caused $2 million in damage. Cactus Wren Gets Another Chance in Culver City In an effort to bring the cactus wren back to a Culver City state park, Dorsey High students are restoring the coastal sage scrub preferred by the bird. Hollywood and the Flush Factor “If it’s yellow leave it mellow; if it’s brown flush it down,” said actor Cameron Diaz. EPA Approves Most Outstanding Mountaintop Removal Permits Environmental leaders criticized the EPA for not taking a stronger stand agains the highly destructive and polluting form of mining. Where Are All the Fish? Fisheries can’t keep up with the rate of seafood consumption by humans. New Study Provides Insight into Evolution of First Flowers Charles Darwin described the origin of flowering plants about 130 million years ago as an abominable mystery, one that scientists have yet to solve. Taking Back the Catalytic Converter A new bill would allow independent repair shops to compete for the business now guaranteed only to dealer-controlled establishments. Monkeys Found To Wonder What Might Have Been Monkeys register missed opportunities and learn from their mistakes. Intoxication May Not Always Be Visible It is difficult for even trained observers to fully identify “intoxication,” given that so many factors contribute to it. Some People Really Never Forget A Face “Super-recognizers” have an extraordinary ability to recognize faces, and can easily recognize someone they met in passing, even many years later. Mockingbirds Can Remember Faces of People to Attack Scientists find that the grey and white birds common in cities can distinguish between different people and will swoop to attack those they perceive as a danger.
Caffeine Withdrawal Headache Explained: Your Brain On—And Off—Caffeine (Links)
California Fires Sparked by Power Tool In an ironic twist, the wildfire that scorched 13 square miles and destroyed dozens of homes was apparently sparked by a power tool used to clear flammable vegetation. Yosemite National Park to Revisit Tribal Ties The park will review visitor information and archives to make sure that its American Indian history is accurately reflected. Did Hoagie Start the Fight With Mountain Lion? The dog’s owner says it defended him from a cougar’s attack and got mauled for his heroism, but wildlife specialists say it’s more likely that Hoagie attacked the lion first. Florida Bay Proposals Would Restrict Boating Everglades National Park officials say powerboats have damaged seagrass that supports animal life. (more…)
‘Angel’ and ‘Devil’ Parts of the Brain Battle for Supremacy (Links)
Obama Returns of Science to Endangered Species Act Interior Secretary Ken Salazar rescinded eleventh-hour Bush administration changes to Endangered Species Act regulations that allowed federal agencies to decide for themselves if their own projects—such as roads and dams—would threaten imperiled species. Fish and Wildlife Salamander Study Could Limit L.A. Sprawl If the Tehachapi slender salamander, which lives north of L.A., becomes a protected species, urban growth could be limited. Southern California Beetle Destroying Oaks A beetle that was first detected in California in 2004 has now attacked 67 percent of the oak trees in an area 30 miles east of San Diego. Why Invasive Plants Take Over New research shows that two key causes of plant invasion—escape from natural enemies, and increases in plant resources—act in concert. Stimulus Reinvigorates Underfinanced Superfund Program The Superfund program, established nearly 30 years ago to clean up the nation’s most contaminated industrial sites, has been underfinanced since a tax expired in 1995. Turtle Deformed After Being Trapped in a Six-Pack Plastic Ring A snapping turtle affectionately named Mae West suffered deformities from being trapped within a plastic ring. Fire an Overlooked Contributor to Climate Change Intentional deforestation fires alone contribute up to one-fifth of the human-caused increase in emissions of carbon dioxide, a heat-trapping gas that increases global temperature. ‘Angel’ and ‘Devil’ Parts of the Brain Battle for Supremacy People have “angel” and “devil” parts of the brain that are in constant battle over their self control a study has shown. Nuclear Tests Help to ID Fake Whisky Radioactive material is helping scientists to fight the multimillion pound trade in counterfeit antique malt whisky. Palm Oil Not a Healthy Substitute for Trans Fats Both trans fatty acids and saturated fatty acids are associated with elevated heart disease risk factors. No Natives Allowed Over the last century, the conservation movement has created some beautiful parks–and millions of refugees.
Are Human Beings Organisms Or Living Ecosystems? (Links)
Are Human Beings Organisms Or Living Ecosystems? Human beings are not really individuals; they’re communities of organisms. Amphibians May Develop Immunity To Fatal Fungus A fungus threatens amphibians all over the globe and has contributed to extinctions. $40k Reward Offered in Deaths of California Condors The feds are investigating the shotgun shooting of two California condors—and so is a private investigator hired by an environmental group. Climate Change Effects In California Assessments include the impacts of sea level rise, higher temperatures, increased wildfires, decreased water supplies, increased energy demand, among others, on the state’s environment, industries and economic prosperity.
Endangered Rivers, Roadkill, Oil Sands, American Prairie (Links)
California’s 2 Longest Rivers Called Nation’s Most Endangered: The Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers have been named the country’s most endangered waterways because of outdated water management and poor flood planning. ‘Bucket Brigades’ Carry Migrating Amphibians Across Busy Roads: The black salamander with yellow spots sat on the roadside in the dark, ready to make a go of it. To Save Animals, Put a Price on Them: Rather than relying on warm, fuzzy feelings to protect animals, conservationists suggest appealing to something more reliable: greed. Investment in Oil Sands Could Threaten Millions of Migratory Birds: An anonymous tip last April alerted Canadian officials to the fact that 500 ducks had mistaken an oil extraction company’s pollutant-filled reservoir as a safe place to land. Only three birds survived. Pennsylvania Has Its First Test Over Access to Records: The PA Department of Environmental Protection was ordered to copy and mail out documents to people who request them, rather than force people to come to its offices in Harrisburg. Prairie in the City: The prairie once covered a million square miles of North America, but one of the least known scraps survives, in all places, within the city limits of St Louis, Missouri. Traffic Pollution Can Harm Babies in the Womb: Researchers believe restricted fetal growth may be linked to traffic pollution or living close to a major road.
Is It Possible to Be a Conscientious Meat Eater? (Links)
To Meet Asian Food Demand, U.S. Turtles are Harvested to Extinction: Surging demand for turtle meat in southeast Asia has prompted a huge jump in American turtle harvesting, leading to concerns that populations of the reptiles could suffer permanent damage. Is It Possible to Be a Conscientious Meat Eater? You may have noticed an onslaught of articles recently on what is being coined as the ‘new meat movement.’ Will Europe Unite To Fight Alien Invaders? Europe’s borders have been breached by thousands of plants and animal species from other parts of the world: from the American mink to the New Zealand flatworm. How Carbon Trading Hurts the Poor: Note to the Obama administration: Nearly every environmental justice group in the United States and abroad opposes carbon trading.
EPA Halts New Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining Permits, Plans ‘Aggressive’ Review
Awesome news:
The Obama Administration just made a major announcement – they have directed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to not issue any new mining permits until the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a chance to take a hard look at well over 100 pending permits to bury streams with mining waste, an essential part of the mountaintop removal coal mining process.
Exxon Valdez, 20 years later
From SFGate.com: After two decades, the memory of the spill persists for the commercial fishermen and Alaska natives whose livelihoods were destroyed by Exxon’s recklessness. Sadly, the oil persists, too: A 2007 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration study showed that 26,600 gallons of crude oil from the spill are still lingering below the surface of Alaska’s beaches.
What has the oil industry learned since the spill? Not much. Oil spills are still a regular occurrence. Just weeks ago, a tanker off the coast of Australia crashed, spilling more than 50,000 gallons of oil and shutting local fisheries…Since 1993, U.S. offshore drilling has sent an average of 47,800 barrels of oil a year into the sea, according to data from the Minerals Management Service. Offshore drilling platforms are particularly vulnerable to storms: The Coast Guard estimates that roughly 9 million gallons of oil were spilled during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita alone…Contrary to what the oil industry would like us to believe, there is no effective method for cleaning up an oil spill. And where there are tankers and offshore drilling, there always will be spills.
Slavery: The Price of Florida’s Tomatoes
Involuntary servitude—slavery—is alive and well in Florida. Since 1997, law-enforcement officials have freed more than 1,000 men and women in seven different cases. And those are only the instances that resulted in convictions. Frightened, undocumented, mistrustful of the police, and speaking little or no English, most slaves refuse to testify, which means their captors cannot be tried. “Unlike victims of other crimes, slaves don’t report themselves,” said Douglas Molloy, the chief assistant U.S. attorney based in Fort Myers, who was one of the prosecutors on a recent case. “They hide from us in plain sight.”
And for what? To make supermarket produce sections overflow with perfect red-orange tomatoes.
‘Thrillcraft Users Are Turning Our National Pride Into A National Tragedy’
This web site outlines the major problems with the use of thrillcraft (off road vehicles) on our state and national parks, forests, refuges, and reserves. The site provides the latest information on impacts, successful strategies used to limit thrillcraft destruction, as well as inspiration to carry on the effort to control and limit these machines and the culture that spawns this use.
Thrillcraft use has risen dramatically since the 1960s. A Forest Service report estimates that 42 million off-road vehicle users between 2003 and 2004. Since that time, the number of users has increased to the point where former Chief of the Forest Service Dale Bosworth called ORVs one of the four major threats to national forest lands. Worse yet, machines are increasing in power and mechanical ability enabling them to reach ever more remote lands.
Galápagos Islands: No Vacancy for Humans
In an effort to conserve the islands, officials are tightening migration laws. They have put residency requirements on Ecuadoreans that are, in some ways, as tough as those on foreigners trying to gain citizenship in the United States. Even children born to parents on the islands are not automatically granted permanent residency unless their parents also are permanent residents.
[CSM]
What are the Environmental Benefits of Economic Decline?
The environmental benefits of economic decline, though real, are fragile, because they are vulnerable to intervention by governments, which, understandably, want to put people back to work and get them buying non-necessities again—through programs intended to revive ordinary consumer spending (which has a big carbon footprint), and through public-investment projects to build new roads and airports (ditto).
Our best intentions regarding conservation and carbon reduction inevitably run up against the realities of foreclosure and bankruptcy and unemployment. How do we persuade people to drive less—an environmental necessity—while also encouraging them to revive our staggering economy by buying new cars?
At California’s Salton Sea, San Andreas Warning Signs
Photo: Flickr user Crotaphytus
After a series of earthquakes in the California desert, scientists are monitoring the Salton Sea for small faults that could transfer energy to the larger, more dangerous San Andreas fault.
A moderate earthquake struck Monday, March 24 near the San Andreas fault in Imperial County, seismologists said, and over the weekend, the Salton Sea was struck by 42 smaller quakes during a 48-hour period, beginning Saturday morning and tapering off early Monday. Scientist have been keeping a close watch on the region because they believe an earthquake there could set off a fault movements leading to a major earthquake that would devastate Los Angeles.
“The interesting thing about this one is that it occurred at the end of the San Andreas fault,” said Kate Hutton, a seismologist at Caltech. “Bombay Beach is considered the southern end of the San Andreas fault. The last swarm of earthquakes similar to this was in 2001. We’re watching it closely. We’ll be analyzing everything.”
Buy Local: Locavore iPhone App Lists In-Season Food Near You
Locavore is a $3 iPhone app offering government and non-profit data arranged in easy-to-read, timer-style pie charts on what produce is in-season in your state.
According to the app’s page, Locavore automatically detects what U.S. state you’re in and lists food that’s in season near you, food that’s coming in season near you, and farmers’ markets near you. It also includes a database of 234 fruits and vegetables, links to Wikipedia, and recipes on Epicurious. The data is culled from the Natural Resources Defense Council and Local Harvest.
Carl Sagan’s ‘Cosmos’ Now Streaming Free on Hulu
Carl Sagan’s landmark series Cosmos is now streaming for free on Hulu.
In 1980, Cosmos premiered on public television. Since then, it is estimated that more than a billion people around the planet have seen it. Cosmos chronicles the evolution of the planet and efforts to find our place in the universe.
[Hulu]
