Showing posts with label global warming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label global warming. Show all posts

Friday, March 26, 2010

It's That Time of the Year Again: Earth Hour 2010



Tomorrow is Earth Hour, the day when all around, everyone turns off their lights for an hour:

JOIN WWF FOR EARTH HOUR

Saturday, March 27, at 8:30 pm local time

Earth Hour is WWF's initiative to unite millions of people worldwide in boldly stating their concern about climate change by doing something quite simple: turning off their lights for one hour.

Earth Hour sends the message that we care about our planet and our future, that we want to “turn the lights off” on pollution and climate change and switch to a cleaner, safer, more secure world. (Earth Hour)

I mean, how simple is that? Especially after most of Northern NJ was without power when that big storm hit 2 weeks ago, this should be a piece of cake, people!

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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Happy Earth Day!

Today is Earth Day!

Sure, the world isn't going to change into an eco-friendly planet within the span of this day, but taking little steps is a start. Make sure to turn on the lights only when necessary, and to always turn off lights when you are the last to leave a room. Also, instead of dumping that water bottle into the trash, take an extra step or so to toss it into the recycling bin. Have your phone charger plugged into the wall? Unplug it when it is not in use - they actually waste energy.

And now, a cute WALL-E video:

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Friday, March 27, 2009

Earth Hour: Vote Earth!

Having lived on Earth for almost 24 years of my life, I'm a big fan of this planet. In fact, I hope that my future kids and grandkids get to enjoy the simple things that many are taking for granted, such as fresh air, green grass, wildlife, etc.

With that being said, here's a little friendly reminder: Earth Hour is tomorrow! So get ready to turn off your light switch to VOTE EARTH:



--

"This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm." (from earthhour.org)

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Thursday, September 18, 2008

I Really Want a Chevy Volt!

Earlier this week, Chevrolet officially unveiled the Volt, and I want one. Bad.

Why, you ask, am I going crazy over an American car? Why does it get my eco- and tech- senses tingling? Oh, let me count the ways:

  1. It runs on a rechargeable battery that lasts 40 miles.
  2. After the battery dies out, it uses gas to charge the battery (not actually run the engine).
  3. You can plug it in any regular electrical outlet to charge the battery.
  4. While in all-electric mode (the first 40 miles), it'll get the equivalent of 100 miles to the gallon!
  5. Even during 100-200 mile trips, you'll still get 35-50 miles to gallon.
  6. On average, it'll cost about two to six cents of electricity per mile.
  7. It looks pretty good, for a Chevy :x
  8. The interior looks especially sexy!
The Volt is going to be released in 2010, which is still some ways off. That's a good thing for me, though, because it'll take 40,000 green ones to pick up this super green car.

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Sunday, September 14, 2008

[Feature] Global Warming: Is It Hot Air?

For years I've been taught at school about the devastating effects Global Warming has on our planet. I've been taught to hate factory smoke stacks. I watched an Inconvenient Truth and was terrified at the idea of a post apocalyptic era in which the Earth is so hot Neutragena SPF 75 isn't enough. But what if everything I had been told was wrong? It wouldn't be the first time the overwhelming majority had taught me untruths, Columbus did not discover America, Alexander Graham Bell did not event the telephone, etc...



The Case Against Global Warming
Despite popular belief, skepticism in human triggered global warming is not strictly reserved for the far right conservatives. There are scientists who don't agree with the most popular views of global warming. The case against global warming begins with the debate of how much influence human beings have on the Earth's climate. It is argued that most of the green house effect, the process that causes global warming, is due to water in the atmosphere in the form of water vapor and water droplets in clouds. In fact, those who oppose global warming claim that up to 95% of the green house effect is due to heat being retained by water vapor. This leaves a mere 5% for other greenhouse gases such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2), and an even smaller percentage, less than 1% is CO2 that is actually emitted by human activity. It's hard to put the blame solely on human activity if human emissions make up less than one percent of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The Earth, after all, has gone through plenty of global climate changes even long before humans were around.

The Case For Global Warming
Humans have been assaulting the atmosphere with CO2, increasing the amount of CO2 in the air by roughly 30 percent since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Human activity has undoubtedly increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This increase in CO2 has coincided with the fastest rise in global temperatures in recorded history. In fact, the 10 hottest years in recorded history have all come after 1990. Further evidence of global warming comes in the way of weather phenomenas, such as hurricanes. While global warming does not create more hurricanes, warmer ocean waters increases the force of these storms. The amount of category 4 and 5 hurricanes has increased significantly over the past five years.

How Inconvenient is the Truth?
I can't tell you with 100 percent certainty what the truth is. I completely understand that global temperatures would fluctuate over time with or without humans on the planet, but if I had to make an educated guess, I would say that we are having an effect on our planet. The correlation between green house emission from human sources and the recent rise in global temperatures seems too strong.
Regardless on what side you stand on the issue, there is no excuse for not being environmentally aware. People have done plenty of damage to the Earth already (eg. deforestation, ozone depletion) and now is not the time to excuse reckless activities. The major causes of CO2 emissions in the US come from coal power plants and automobiles, both of which create large amounts of air pollution. Not only is a push for cleaner energy beneficial to our environment, it is also good for our economy because it creates a new business sector and gives us more choices for our energy consumption.

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Tuesday, October 9, 2007

This Halloween, I'm dressing up as Global Warming!

Halloween is near. I'm too old to go trick-or-treat, of course, but something about this crisp, fall weather makes me feel so nostalgic. It makes me want to make a cup of hot chocolate, wear a pair of pajama pants, lounge around in my old Michigan hoodie, and sit in bed just to read ..

But wait a minute. I'm drinking iced coffee, wearing shorts, a tank top, and sitting in an air-conditioned room, working on a crossword puzzle. And it's October.

Here in the Northeast, we usually get a variety of seasonal weather: it's hot in the summer, it's nice and cool in the fall, snowy in the winter, and sunny with a refreshing breeze in the spring.

So what the hell gives?

Whoever still thinks that global warming is just a silly little gimmick the crazy liberals came up with, better be sweating their balls off. And they better be getting used to it, especially if they still insist on driving their stupid Hummers and other SUVs to the local market down the street.

Can you imagine going out to trick-or-treat in this kind of weather? I imagine a lot less fancy costumes and kids dressed up as "lifeguards" or "kids who really wanted to dress up as a mummy wrapped up in shrouds, wicked witches in their black capes and pointed hats, or an Easter bunny .. but decided to wear their summer clothes instead 'cause it's so freaking hot."

This Halloween I'm going to stay in a nice air-conditioned room and if kids are actually brave enough to venture out in this heat, I'll give them ice pops.

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