Celebrate Earth Day

Happy Earth Day

2011-04-22T07:33:00.002-04:00

Yuri Gagarin ~ Preserve and Increase this beauty...

2011-04-12T07:15:00.000-04:00

April 12, 1961

Yuri Gagarin ~

Orbiting Earth in the spaceship, I saw how beautiful our planet is. People, let us preserve and increase this beauty, not destroy it!

5oth Anniversary of the first man in space.

A Billion Acts of Green

2011-03-31T09:18:00.001-04:00

Earth Day 2011 | e-Forwards.com -

How the Polar Bear Feels About Our Environmental Initiatives

2011-01-23T14:15:00.000-05:00

I feel sick!

December 2010 United Nations Climate Change Agreement

2010-12-11T15:02:00.000-05:00

Delegates at the United Nations climate change conference in Cancun, Mexico, approved an agreement early Saturday morning, despite objections from Bolivia.

The agreement includes plans to create a $100-billion fund to help developing nations deal with global warming.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon hailed the deal.

"It begins a new era of cooperation in climate change. They are the first steps in this long and renewed campaign," he said.

Bolivia objected to the agreement, saying it did not go far enough.

"For us, this is not a step forward. It is a step back, because what is being done here is postponing without limit the discussion on the Kyoto Protocol," Bolivian Ambassador Pablo Solon told delegates early Saturday.

That agreement, which expires in 2012, sets targets for 37 industrialized countries, plus the European Union, to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

The agreement reached Saturday does not specify what will happen once the agreement expires.

"It is less than what is needed, but it represents a significant step in the right direction," Calderon told delegates.

UN Cancun Summit -December 2010

2010-12-10T15:54:00.001-05:00

"Business as usual cannot be tolerated, for it would condemn millions - no, billions - of children, women and men around the world to shrinking horizons and smaller futures."

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned delegates they must be prepared to compromise rather than searching for the deal that they ideally wanted.

"We cannot have the perfect be the enemy of the good," he said.

But greed, selfishness and special interests will result in nothing being done. The Earth may need Alien Intervention to solve this one!

Canada one of the Worst

2010-12-06T16:59:00.000-05:00

Canada is the fourth worst out of 57 countries evaluated for their performances in helping halt climate change, according to a report released Monday.
Saudia Arabia, followed by Kazakhstan and Australia, respectively, are the worst performers in the sixth annual index released by the research organization Germanwatch at the United Nations' climate change conference in Cancun, Mexico.
The index is based on an analysis of national priorities by experts in their respective countries, including how well they control greenhouse gas emissions and the strength of their climate policies.
Germanwatch and project partner Climate Action Network Europe (CAN Europe) leave the first three spots open — reserved for countries that are doing enough to stay below a 2 C average global warming limit — arguing that no country has achieved that goal.
However, it gives Brazil, Sweden and Norway fourth to sixth spots, respectively, followed by Germany, in terms of their positive performances.
Matthew Bramley, director of the climate change program at the Pembina Institute, which helped evaluate Canada for the performance index, said its ranking looks especially poor compared to Norway, another colder country that also exports oil and gas.
Half of each country's mark is based on its emissions trend over time, 30 per cent is based on current emissions levels, while 20 per cent is based on government policies.

Canada moves up

Last year, Canada ranked 56th out of 57 countries evaluated. Its improved showing this year is not due to improved performance, but rather to the slipping performance of Australia and Kazakhstan, Bramley said in a blog posted Monday.
He said Canada's poor showing is the result of its high emissions in relation to its population and economy. He also blames domestic policies.
"The federal government recently finalized its first greenhouse gas emission regulations, which apply to cars and light trucks," Bramley writes. "But it's not clear that the regulations are stringent enough to make a difference relative to what would have happened without them. Another critical example is Canada's continued lack of an emissions tax or cap-and-trade system that would put a price on emissions broadly in the economy."
The world's two biggest emitters, China and the United States, have dropped a few ranks compared to last year, with China now ranking 53rd and the U.S. 51st.
"China has recently started improving its national climate policies, including legislation on renewable energy, which has already made it the world leader in wind energy investments," Matthias Duwe, director at CAN Europe, said in a release. "This represents a trend toward strong national climate policy that we have seen throughout the CCPI this year."
But since the index gives more weight to emissions than policy, China's ranking was lowered from last year. The index's authors expressed hope that improvement of China's national climate policy would lower its emissions trend in the future and raise its ranking accordingly.
Germanwatch said the United States' lower ranking is the result of the Senate's blockage of climate legislation, and a poor performance on per-capita emissions and climate policy.

World Temperatures Could Soar

2010-12-01T05:37:00.000-05:00

November 29, 2010
CANCUN, Mexico (Reuters) - World temperatures could soar by 4 degrees Celsius (7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) by the 2060s in the worst case of global climate change and require an annual investment of $270 billion just to contain rising sea levels, studies suggested on Sunday.

In Climate Denial, Again

2010-10-18T07:23:00.001-04:00

New York Times, October 17, 2010
*******
Former Vice President Dick Cheney has to be smiling. With one exception, none of the Republicans running for the Senate — including the 20 or so with a serious chance of winning — accept the scientific consensus that humans are largely responsible for global warming.
More at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/opinion/18mon1.html?hp

GE’s Ecomagination Challenge is a $200 million call to action.

2010-08-09T10:28:00.000-04:00

GE’s Ecomagination Challenge is a $200 million call to action.

Climate Change Cowards Selfish and Greedy

2010-07-27T13:52:00.001-04:00

CLIMATE CHANGE FAIL

CLICK HERE

Larry Hagman goes Solar -Shine baby shine!

2010-07-18T07:44:00.001-04:00

Larry Hagman goes Solar -Shine baby shine!

Green America Announces Green Grants Contest

2010-05-17T06:06:00.000-04:00

Do you have a favorite local-community project? If so, now is your chance to give the project a little financial love. The national non-profit Green America is giving away four grants to inspiring local-community projects that bring together both the people and planet aspects of being green. And Green America is turning to folks like you and me for help.

How do you know if the project you have in mind fits the Green Grants Contest?

Personally, what I love about this contest is that the winners are not just focused on environmental responsibility but on social justice as well. It’s a new and complete way to define the word “green”… social justice + environmental responsibility = green.

Also, the projects you nominate do not have to be run by a non-profit. That’s right. Local schools, civic associations, religious groups, business owners, and even individuals are eligible as long as their project addresses both the people and planet aspects of being green.

Green America will provide one Grand Prize of $2,500 and three First Prizes of $1,000. Nominations will be accepted through June 7 and then Green America’s members will be invited to vote on the top ten nominees. The winners will be announced in late July.

If you believe your favorite local-community project qualifies then visit Green America to learn more. Good luck!

Who Is Mother Earth?

2010-05-08T11:05:00.003-04:00

Who is Mother Earth?

The ancient Greeks first embraced the concept of Mother Earth. Mother Earth (or Gaia as she was known) was the mother of all of the gods. She gave birth to both the sea and the sky and was the source of all life. While the other more violent gods ultimately supplanted Gaia, she remained the mother of all in Greek mythology.

In more recent years, Dr. James Lovelock resurrected Gaia when he gave her name to the Gaia Hypothesis - a scientific theory that states that all of the living elements of the planet are actually part of one living ecosystem. What we do to the planet, we do to ourselves.

Rather than being a doom and gloom theory, Lovelock maintains that Gaia will prevail, regardless of what we do to her. Instead of being afraid for Mother Earth, Lovelock’s theory states that it is we who should be afraid. According to Lovelock, if we threaten her enough, Gaia will eliminate us to ensure that her ecosystem will survive - confirming once and for all that it isn’t a really good idea to mess with Mother Nature!

Mother’s Day gifts that don’t cost the Earth!

2010-05-08T11:04:00.002-04:00

Mother’s Day gifts that don’t cost the Earth!

Good bet: Organic and/or locally-grown flowers

Better yet: A potted plant that comes with an offer to help plant it in her garden

Good bet: Organic and/or fair trade chocolates

Better yet: Hand-made goodies from your own kitchen

Good bet: Cards that are made from recycled paper, “tree-free” materials such as hemp or botanical paper embedded with seeds for planting

Better yet: Handmade cards made from recycled materials that send the message, “I care enough about you to make a one-of-a-kind greeting that is as unique as you are.”

Good bet: Natural personal care products and perfumes that are made from essential oils and natural ingredients

Better yet: A gift certificate for a spa treatment or a natural therapy such as a massage, aromatherapy or reflexology

Good bet: Brunch at her favourite restaurant

Better yet: A picnic lovingly prepared and served in her own backyard

Good bet: Gift wrap made from recycled materials

Better yet: Use tea towels or hand towels for gift wrap that can be reused over and over.

OIL SPILL -Not so funny joke!

2010-04-30T13:34:00.000-04:00

OIL SPILL -Not so funny joke!

Please email me your favourites. *Rate the commercials (below) from 1-10

China Earth Day Initiative – Ride to work, Enjoy the fresh air!

2010-04-23T07:12:00.000-04:00

China Earth Day Initiative – Ride to work, Enjoy the fresh air!

Way to go Brazil, I hope England (or Spain) kicks your ASH in the 2010 FIFA World Cup!

2010-04-22T21:14:00.000-04:00

Way to go Brazil, I hope England (or Spain) kicks your ASH in the 2010 FIFA World Cup!

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA - A main avenue is empty of private cars on A Day Without Cars

2010-04-22T17:16:00.001-04:00

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA - A main avenue is empty of private cars on A Day Without Cars seen from a bridge decorated with a statue of a pedestrian in Medellin, Colombia. The Day Without Cars marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. AP Photo/Luis Benavides.

Día sin coches, Colombia, Feliz Día de la Tierra

Beautiful Sunset Egyptian Pyramid Sunset – Happy Earth Day

2010-04-22T17:13:00.001-04:00

Earth Day 2010 Song

2010-04-22T16:26:00.000-04:00

Earth Day 2010 Song

Earth Day in New York- EarthFair

2010-04-22T15:46:00.001-04:00

Earth Day in New York- EarthFair

LA’s Green, Compassionate Living, Music Festival for Earth Day

2010-04-22T15:46:00.000-04:00

LA’s Green, Compassionate Living, Music Festival for Earth Day

EDAY Presents - Talkin' E (Short Version) Earth Day in Times Square New York

2010-04-22T15:37:00.002-04:00

Earth Day Joke

2010-04-22T09:23:00.002-04:00

God, Earth Day and a Scientist Dare

2010-04-22T09:20:00.002-04:00

God, Earth Day and a scientist dare

April 22, 2010

Surgeon/Scientist Issues New “Find Where He Signed” Challenge
InPlainSightTheBook.com
Dallas—April 20, 2010—God underwrites and sponsors Earth Day every day and signs his work. On Earth Day’s 40th anniversary, Dr. Charley Gordon, brain surgeon, scientist, and author of the new book In Plain Sight issues the nation’s first annual Earth Day challenge to “Find Where He Signed.” In Plain Sight is a 40-day return to wonder as Dr. Gordon—using photos and essays—helps readers develop eyes to recognize scientific miracles of creation. Winners will be announced May 19 at InPlainSightTheBook.com. Entries may be individual or group/class and are judged for originality, ingenuity, presentation, and explanation. More details on the website. All ages (particularly in teams) are urged to compete.
A signature is defined as evidence in nature of clear intelligence, humor, beauty, natural laws, or unlikely but obvious match-ups. In Plain Sight’s 40 examples include:
1. Match-up: Galaxies and hurricanes, seen from above, show the same coil.
2. Humor: 1) The cerebellum, the fist-sized structure at the brain’s base, in a salad bar, would be mistaken for cauliflower. 2) Chickens.
3. Beauty: A magnificent sunset or a full-circle rainbow has been known to stop traffic. Why is that? Why do humans brake for beauty?
4. Natural principles: The Golden Ratio, the swirl in shells and roses, shows up also in galaxies and grains of sand. Coincidence?
5. Clear intelligence: Unlike every other substance, water’s solid form (ice) is lighter than its coldest liquid form. Except for this, oceans would be frozen solid, killing all life.
“You have to listen for a cricket before you can pick out a cricket’s voice in the night chorus. You have to look in order to find,” Dr. Gordon said. “Since I began to notice creation’s astounding ‘rules’ and evidence of a Great Artist, examples jump out.” And the “Find Where He Signs” challenge is on.
Dr. Gordon’s In Plain Sight gives 40 examples—with photos—from personal exploration: evidence of intelligence, humor, and artistry throughout the universe. Groups, skeptics, science classes, and churches praise In Plain Sight for opening them to God through nature and science.
Deadline for entries is May 10—winners announced May 19. In Plain Sight is available on Amazon.com.

Earth Day Michael Jackson and Eddie Murphy "What's Up WIth You ?"

2010-04-22T08:59:00.002-04:00

Earth Day 2010: a history of four decades of environmental campaigning

2010-04-22T07:11:00.001-04:00

Feliz Día de la Tierra

This year is the 40th anniversary of the annual Earth Day, which raises awareness about environmental issues. Here is a brief history.

Stone Canyon. Petrified sand dunes and reflection, Paria Canyon - Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Arizona Photo: Jack Dykinga

The pictures have been taken over the last 60 years all over the world and include the 1968 image of Earthrise taken from the spaceship Apollo and a portrait of the naturalist Jane Goodall being greeted by a chimpanzee.

The images will be auctioned at Christie's to raise money for the 40th annual Earth Day, to raise awareness of the fragility and beauty of the natural environment. The money raised will go towards environmental groups.

The International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP) asked more than 100 experts and editors to submit nominations for images they considered to be “the best,” in the last 100 years of photography.

Images chosen include a black-and-white American landscape taken by the father of nature photography Ansel Adams in 1942 and underwater images of a southern right whale and a thresher shark caught in a fishing net by acclaimed sea life photographer Brian Skerry.

The 'dancing' polar bears are actually play fighting during one of the largest gatherings of the species on Earth in Hudson Bay, Canada before dispersing for the winter. The tortoises in the Galapagos Islands are one of the rarest sites in modern times, after the species was almost wiped out elsewhere. While the photographer had to wait for days by a water hole in Botswana to capture bull elephants at dusk.

Justin Black, ILCP Executive Director, said it was difficult to choose the 40 final images.

“It was no easy task, selecting just forty images from the incredible nominations submitted to us by some of the world’s greatest nature photographers, but it was a tremendous honour for the ILCP to be asked to take the lead on this challenging project," he said.

Split Rock and Cloud, Eastern Sierra, California, 1976 Photo: Galen Rowell/Mountain Light

Dancing Polar Bears Best Nature Pictures of All Time

2010-04-22T07:07:00.000-04:00

It's these Initiatives that make a difference!

2010-04-21T09:00:00.000-04:00

Toronto, Ontario, April 2010– Parkers Custom Clothing Care is offering yet another opportunity for customers to be eco-friendly, with their new reusable shirt bag program. Parkers is proud to announce that they have just replaced their plastic folded shirt bags with a reusable fabric version as part of their multi-phase plan to become increasingly environmentally friendly and raise consumer awareness in Toronto.

Clean Air Travel for Europe Just in time for Earth Day -Joke

2010-04-21T08:28:00.000-04:00

James Cameron (Avatar) Celebrates Earth Day

2010-04-20T15:25:00.000-04:00

The Earth Day (April 22) Blu-ray release of their Oscar-winning digital space western is just the first holler. The commitment to plant a million trees around the world with the help of the Earth Day Network is the second. But the two intrepid filmmakers, who also brought the monolithic Titanic to the big screen, say the success of Avatar has brought with it a huge responsibility to keep the environmental message afloat in a sea of political bile.

Good news about the Icelandic Volcano!

2010-04-18T11:34:00.000-04:00

Happy Earth Day from Iceland! Great Pictures!

2010-04-17T15:28:00.002-04:00

The Beauty of Wind Power

2010-04-16T17:11:00.000-04:00

Clouds form in the wake of Denmark's Horns Rev windfarm – one of the world's largest at sea

A maintenance boat works on the new Burbo Bank off-shore windfarm in the mouth of the River Mersey, Liverpool. The farm comprises 25 turbines and is capable of generating up to 90MW of electricity – enough for approximately 80,000 homes

Wind turbines and sheep mingle atop the hills of Manawatu, Tararua in New Zealand. This windfarm provides enough electricity to meet the needs of 145,000 households

Fehmarn Island in north Germany, where wind turbines accompany a traditional, agricultural landscape

A new concept for wind turbines – the Offshore Aerogenerator NOVA (Novel Offshore Vertical Axis). Nova intends to have 1GW of these off-shore vertical axis turbines installed off the UK by 2020

Mangrove possible Extinction!

2010-04-16T17:01:00.001-04:00

Mangroves at Baie D'Ambodi-Vahibe, Madagascar. More than one in six mangrove species worldwide are in danger of extinction due to coastal development and other factors, according to the first-ever global assessment on the conservation status of mangroves carried out by the Global Marine Species Assessment

EARTH DAY IMAGES -BEAUTIFUL POSTERS!

2010-04-14T17:17:00.000-04:00

A single Tree

2010-04-14T16:52:00.000-04:00

International Show Of Peace Concert -Oct. 2010 Beijing

2010-04-14T16:51:00.000-04:00

What is the International Show of Peace Concert?

The International Show of Peace Concert will be the first ever global peace concert featuring celebrities, musicians and world leaders in an effort to reach out and communicate to the rest of the world how we can all join together on the road toward peace and a more sustainable and cleaner environment. “The Show of Peace” in Oct, 2010, live from Beijing, China, will be broadcast worldwide through both television and new media to a potential audience of over two billion people. The concert will honor Peace and Harmony as well as the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day with support for green initiatives.

PEACE = GREEN + NO WAR + WATER + FOOD + HEALTH + EDUCATION

http://showofpeace.com/

Clinton Foundation’s “Take Initiative” Earth Day campaign by visiting

2010-04-14T14:04:00.000-04:00

About the Clinton Foundation’s
“Take Initiative”

Earth Day campaign

The William J. Clinton Foundation addresses global problems, including climate change and sustainable growth and development, through the Foundation’s Clinton Climate Initiative, the Clinton-Hunter Development Initiative, and through the Clinton Global Initiative. They focus on increasing efficiency in cities, catalyzing the large-scale supply of clean energy, and working to stop deforestation. You can learn more about the Clinton Foundation’s “Take Initiative” Earth Day campaign by visitingclintonfoundation.org/earthday.

Interesting Beauty Pageant for Miss Earth 2009

2010-04-13T15:59:00.000-04:00

Winning answer
For the 9th edition of Miss Earth, no single final question was asked. Instead, images were flashed on screen and each of the eight finalists were tasked to tell something about it.^[9]
Statement of Miss Earth 2009: "I come from a country that has the largest rainforest in the world, and it is also known as the 'lungs of the world.' But we cannot just say that we are the 'lungs of the world' because my country produces a lot of air pollution as well." - Larissa Ramos, represented Brazil^[9]

Miss Earth 2009, the 9th edition of Miss Earth beauty pageant, was held at the Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center, in theIsland of Boracay, Philippines last November 22, 2009.^[1]^[2]^[3]

The pageant had a total of 80 delegates from various countries and territories that vied for the Miss Earth crown.^[4]^[5] The pageant's top 16 semifinalists competed on both swimsuit and evening gown competitions to determine the top eight semifinalists, the first time since 2003. In the last round of the contest, the question-and-answer portion, the eight remaining delegates were shown images which depicted destructions of Mother Nature and asked about their impressions. At the conclusion of the competition, outgoing titleholder Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry of the Philippines crowned Larissa Ramos of Brazil as her successor

5 EASY WAYS TO SAVE THE PLANET

2010-04-13T07:01:00.002-04:00

An Earth Day Message 2008

2010-04-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

Earth Day - An Inconvenient Truth

2010-04-13T06:58:00.002-04:00

CARBON FOOTPRINT SITES

2010-04-13T06:56:00.000-04:00

Carbon footprint
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A carbon footprint is "the total set of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event or product" ^[1]. For simplicity of reporting, it is often expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent of other GHGs, emitted.
The concept name of the carbon footprint originates from ecological footprint discussion.^[2] The carbon footprint is a subset of the ecological footprint and of the more comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
An individual, nation, or organization's carbon footprint can be measured by undertaking a GHG emissions assessment. Once the size of a carbon footprint is known, a strategy can be devised to reduce it, e.g. by technological developments, better process and product management, changed Green Public or Private Procurement (GPP), Carbon capture, consumption strategies, and others.
The mitigation of carbon footprints through the development of alternative projects, such as solar or wind energy or reforestation, represents one way of reducing a carbon footprint and is often known as Carbon offsetting.

At A Glance

Humans are the most successful species on the planet. But we are using more resources than the Earth can provide. We are in global ecological overshoot.

In 2003, Global Footprint Network was established to enable a sustainable future where all people have the opportunity to livesatisfying lives within the means of one planet.

An essential step in creating a one-planet future is measuring human impact on the Earth so we can make more informed choices.

That is why our work aims to accelerate the use of the Ecological Footprint — a resource accounting tool that measures how much nature we have, how much we use, and who uses what.

http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/personal_footprint/

Welcome to The Nature Conservancy — the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.

We're proud of what we've accomplished since our founding in 1951:

We've protected more than 119 million acres of landand 5,000 miles of rivers worldwide — and we operatemore than 100 marine conservation projects globally.
We have more than 1 million members.
We work in all 50 states and more than 30 countries — protecting habitats from grasslands to coral reefs, fromAustralia to Alaska to Zambia.
We address threats to conservation involving climate change, fire, fresh water, forests, invasive species, andmarine ecosystems.

http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/calculator/

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the UK today, and ACT ON CO₂ is a key part of the Government’s plan to help tackle the issue.

The campaign communicates the seriousness of climate change to the public through TV, press, radio and online advertising, explaining the link between CO₂ emissions and global warming.

In addition, this website includes dozens of tips – from using energy saving light bulbs to driving five miles less a week – to help people reduce their carbon footprint.

http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/actonco2/home.html

EARTH DAY 911- VERY GOOD SITE!

2010-04-13T06:45:00.000-04:00

http://earth911.com/

Earth911.com is your one-stop shop for all you need to know about reducing your impact, reusing what you’ve got and recycling your trash. Get involved in our world by checking in for daily news, reading weekly feature stories, surfing product channels and opting into our weekly emails.

Climate Change Deal More Urgent Than Ever!

2010-04-09T15:22:00.000-04:00

The need for a new global climate deal is "greater than ever", according to developing country delegates speaking at the opening of UN climate talks.

Blocs representing the poorest nations called for intensive talks during the year, leading to agreement on a legally binding treaty in December.

The EU backed the call, re-stating that the conclusion of December's Copenhagen summit had not met its ambitions.

But other industrialised countries do not appear so keen for a new treaty.

For full story see:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8611811.stm

Pick5 Actions for Earth Day

2010-04-09T12:25:00.000-04:00

http://www.epa.gov/pick5/

From the EPA site

Step 1: Commit to Action

Do more to protect the environment by choosing at least five actions (below) you'll commit to. Pick 5 also helps you identify more actions you can take in the future. en español: Seleccione 5

You've picked 0 so far.

	1. Use less water! Take showers instead of baths, fix leaks, and turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. And buy efficient fixtures by looking for the WaterSense label. Learn more about water conservation.
	2. Commute without polluting! Use public transportation, carpool, walk, or bike whenever possible to reduce air pollution and save on fuel costs. Learn more about commuting wisely.
	3. Save electricity! Do a home energy audit, get programmable thermostats, buy Energy Star products, turn stuff off when you’re done, and change your bulbs to compact fluorescents.Learn more about Energy Star products.
	4. Reduce, reuse, recycle! Try to find products with less packaging, take reusable bags on shopping trips, creatively reuse other products, and recycle what's left. Learn more about recycling.
	5. Test your home for radon! Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless gas that can seep into your home and cause lung cancer. Learn more about radon.
	6. Check your local air quality! When you exercise outdoors, use your local air quality forecast to help plan the best time for a workout or run. Learn more about air quality.
	7. Use chemicals safely! Read pesticide labels carefully. Lock up pesticides, paints, and cleaners where kids can't reach them. Learn more about pesticides.
	8. eCycle! Take your old computer, DVD player, or other electronics to a recycling center. This helps keep hazardous substances out of the landfill. Learn more about eCycling.
	9. Enjoy the outdoors safely! Find out the quality of beach water from your state office and get the UV Index to protect yourself from the sun. Learn more about beach water and the UV Index.
	10. Spread the word! Teach others where you work or go to school. Encourage people to Pick 5 for the Environment! Share online by commenting on our blog, or by sharing your photos and videos.

Great Site on Biodiversity

2010-04-09T07:36:00.000-04:00

http://www.greenfacts.org/en/biodiversity/index.htm

Context - Biodiversity contributes to many aspects of human well-being, for instance by providing raw materials and contributing to health.

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment shows that human actions often lead to irreversible losses in terms of diversity of life on Earth and these losses have been more rapid in the past 50 years than ever before in human history.

What factors are responsible for this rapid loss? What would need to be done to significantly slow this trend?

1. Biodiversity: What is it, where is it, and why is it important?

See also our summaries: 1.1 Biodiversity reflects the number, variety and variability of living organisms. It includes diversity within species, between species, and among ecosystems. The concept also covers how this diversity changes from one location to another and over time. Indicators such as the number of species in a given area can help in monitoring certain aspects of biodiversity. More...

1.3 Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems.Biodiversity plays an important role in the way ecosystems function and in the many services they provide. Services include nutrients and water cycling, soil formation and retention, resistance against invasive species, pollination of plants, regulation of climate, as well as pest and pollution control by ecosystems. For ecosystem services it matters which species are abundant as well as how many species are present. More...1.2 Biodiversity is everywhere, both on land and in water. It includes all organisms, from microscopic bacteria to more complex plants and animals. Current inventories of species, though useful, remain incomplete and insufficient for providing an accurate picture of the extent and distribution of all components of biodiversity. Based on present knowledge of how biodiversity changes over time, rough estimates can be made of the rates at which species become extinct. More...

Climate Change in Australia - Great Government Site!

2010-04-09T07:10:00.000-04:00

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/change/

Australia's climate is changing
It is the Bureau's responsibility to provide decision makers and the general public with accurate observations and information about our changing climate.
Australia and the globe are experiencing rapid climate change. Since the middle of the 20th century, Australian temperatures have, on average, risen by about 1°C with an increase in the frequency of heatwaves and a decrease in the numbers of frosts and cold days. Rainfall patterns have also changed - the northwest has seen an increase in rainfall over the last 50 years while much of eastern Australia and the far southwest have experienced a decline.

Bad Meteorology - Fun

2010-04-09T07:03:00.002-04:00

Be very, very careful what you put into that head, because you will never, ever get it out. Thomas Cardinal Wolsey (1471-1530)
Bad Meteorology

This material is dedicated to teachers who wish to get it right.

By bad meteorology, we do not mean bad weather.

This page is about intellectual disasters, not weather disasters.

Examples of Bad Meteorology:

The reason clouds form when air cools is that cold air cannot hold as much water vapor as warm air.

Wash your hands of this  emetic explanation .
Raindrops are shaped like teardrops.

Weep over this  artistic licentiousness .
The greenhouse effect is caused when gasses in the atmosphere behave as a blanket and trap radiation which is then reradiated to the earth.

Reject this explanation as nothing but  hot air .
The water in a sink (or toilet) rotates one way as it drains in the northern hemisphere and the other way in the southern hemisphere. Called the Coriolis Effect, it is caused by the rotation of the earth.

This nonsense deserves to be  flushed .

  The Bad Meteorology FAQ

Proffering Garbage as Gems

The results of a  Badness Survey .

This page is prepared by Alistair B. Fraser who retains copyright to the material (unless otherwise acknowledged). However, as the object of the material is educational --- to replace bad science with good science --- the material can be freely used for non-commercial purposes, with the proviso that any use of Fraser's images must be credited with © Alistair B. Fraser, and any quotations must bear attribution.

Suggestions of ideas which might be beneficial to include on this page can be sent to me at alistair@fraser.cc . Also, please send me critical comments on any stupidities that I inadvertently introduce.

The Bad Science and Bad Meteorology pages have been cited by over 3000 other web pages, and in books, magazines, and on TV.

Global Climate Animation - Great Site

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Global Climate Animation
http://geography.uoregon.edu/envchange/clim_animations/

THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT

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3. The Earth has a natural temperature control system. Certain atmospheric gases are critical to this system and are known as greenhouse gases. On average, about one third of the solar radiation that hits the earth is reflected back to space. Of the remainder, some is absorbed by the atmosphere but most is absorbed by the land and oceans. The Earth's surface becomes warm and as a result emits infrared radiation. The greenhouse gases trap the infrared radiation, thus warming the atmosphere. Naturally occurring greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon dioxide, ozone, methane and nitrous oxide, and together create a natural greenhouse effect. However, human activities are causing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere to increase. Note: Greenhouse gases are mixed throughout in the atmosphere. For pedagogical reasons they are depicted here as a layer.

http://www.grida.no/publications/vg/climate/page/3058.aspx

TIDES

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http://www.mmscrusaders.com/newscirocks/tides/tideanim.htm

Earth's day and night Earth's day and night animation

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http://www.cs.sbcc.cc.ca.us/~physics/flash/LengthofDay.swf

Earth Day Anthem

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There are many songs that are performed on Earth Day, that generally fall into two categories. Popular songs by contemporary artists not specific to Earth Day that are under copyright, or new lyrics adapted to children's songs. Creating new lyrics that are easily translated into multiple languages, and set to a universally recognized melody in the public domain, does not appear to have been attempted.

The "Earth Day Anthem" below satisfies these requirements for a universal song associated with Earth Day. Ludwig van Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" melody is already the official anthem of the European Union (in that case purely instrumental without lyrics), the melody is widely recognized and easily performed, in the public domain, and originally composed for voice. Lyrics for the Earth Day Anthem set to "Ode to Joy" are provided below:

Joyful joyful we adore our Earth in all its wonderment

Simple gifts of nature that all join into a paradise

Now we must absolve to protect her

Show her our love through out all time

With our gentle hand and touch

We make our home a newborn world

Now we must absolve to protect her

Show her our love through out all time

With our gentle hand and touch

We make our home a newborn world

Earthday -Everybody needs to be involved! It's our World!

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Make Earthday Everyday!

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Earthday Every Day

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Earth Day Network April 22, 2010

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April 22, 2010

Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future.
Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day Network is galvanizing millions who make personal commitments to sustainability. Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. Join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day.

Start planning your Earth Day 2010 event and take action today.

Tools to Get Started

Organizers Guide
Earth Day In A Box

Earth Day Network’s Campaign for Earth Day 2010

Global Days of Service – April 17-18 - Join millions around the globe to make your community and the world cleaner and more sustainable.
Help Generate a Billion Acts of Green™ - Register individual, community or business service acts and take action for Earth Day.
Events on The National Mall in Washington, DC

Earth Day 40th Anniversary Events – April 22
Change the Climate Rally – April 25
Exhibitions and Performances on The National Mall – April 17-25

Arts for the Earth™ - Get involved in art that promotes environmental themes.
Song for the Earth Contest - Youths 18 or under who are passionate about music and the environment are invited to compose and submit a song. Winners will perform on The National Mall.
Athletes for the Earth™ - Athletes are signing up to change the climate!
40th Anniversary Global Advisory Committee - See who is part of the team!

The reason clouds form when air cools is that cold air cannot hold as much water vapor as warm air. Wash your hands of this emetic explanation .
Raindrops are shaped like teardrops. Weep over this artistic licentiousness .
The greenhouse effect is caused when gasses in the atmosphere behave as a blanket and trap radiation which is then reradiated to the earth. Reject this explanation as nothing but hot air .
The water in a sink (or toilet) rotates one way as it drains in the northern hemisphere and the other way in the southern hemisphere. Called the Coriolis Effect, it is caused by the rotation of the earth. This nonsense deserves to be flushed .
The Bad Meteorology FAQ
Proffering Garbage as Gems The results of a Badness Survey .