Wind Power Clouds by Hans Klamm
Here is a “fun” article by BILL MCKIBBEN about climate change. It is a little edgy, humorous comparing the “attack on climate science” to the “O.J. moment” and leads me to think about the lack of dialog between the two camps – the believers (as if it were a religion) and the deniers of climate change. I have some friends who are skeptics of climate change science (skepticism is a healthy thing) and we get along just fine. In fact, some of them are advocates of my work to the point of giving me advice on how to engage others in adopting sustainable practices. Like sustainability, science is a journey. A journey about understanding and enhancing life. We have enough science to make the decisions that will benefit us all in a short period of time and it involves changing what we do. It’s hard though…to change life style… or is it?
My life has altered for the better by making more and more complex steps to reduce my total impacts personally and professionally. It has evolved into decision making that seeks to enhance my contributions to the planet (micro to macro – kids, family, community, globally) in positive ways within every activity I do daily. It’s fun and I love it! I help others to do it too!
As you read Bill’s essay, think about what you do daily and what impacts you are making both positive and negative? Whether you agree or disagree, I would enjoy your comments. I find the dialog is the most important place to start… and continue.
Reference: The Grist via The Tom Dispatch Feb 25, 2010
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This is a post sent to me by one of my favorite resources Environmental Working Group. It is a subject that I have followed for some time and showcases where a good idea to protect company trade secretes went bad. In order for sustainable practices to really work, there must be transparency and laws such as the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act must not allow companies to hide from consumers chemicals and compounds that may pose a threat to people and/or the environment. Enjoy the read and if you have any questions or comments please don’t hesitate to contact me or comment!
Washington Post, Lyndsey Layton
Published January 4, 2010
Of the 84,000 chemicals in commercial use in the United States — from flame retardants in furniture to household cleaners — nearly 20 percent are secret, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, their names and physical properties guarded from consumers and virtually all public officials under a little-known federal provision.
The policy was designed 33 years ago to protect trade secrets in a highly competitive industry. But critics — including the Obama administration — say the secrecy has grown out of control, making it impossible for regulators to control potential dangers or for consumers to know which toxic substances they might be exposed to.
At a time of increasing public demand for more information about chemical exposure, pressure is building on lawmakers to make it more difficult for manufacturers to cloak their products in secrecy. Congress is set to rewrite chemical regulations this year for the first time in a generation.
Take me to the full article at the Washington Post please.
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“350 parts per million is what many scientists, climate experts, and progressive national governments are now saying is the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere.”
I would just like to add that after discussions with several friends in Alaska issues such as ocean acidification threaten Alaska’s sustainabilily managed SeaFood industry as well as many other parts of the world! It’s not just about climate change alone.
Reference:
http://ioc3.unesco.org/oanet/index.html
http://oceanacidification.wordpress.com/2010/02/01/anthropogenic-carbon-dioxide-emissions-and-ocean-acidification-the-potential-impacts-on-ocean-biodiversity/
Image shows predicted ocean acidification accelerating due to increasing carbon emissions:
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