| Wednesday, October 29, 2008 |
| Department of Climate Change, Southern Ocean Reporting |
 The presence of such high concentrations of greenhouse gases is altering the Earth's climate, raising temperatures and impacting on the landscape.
A recent Reuters article shows that rising sea levels are eroding Sydney beaches. By 2050 there is a risk portions of the beach will disappear altogether. The beaches in danger are those which are very low-lying and they are up against higher landforms behind them, they will become narrower.
The coastline will move inward. What is now currently a vegetated dune may become the beach. An expected recession of the coastline of a sandy beach of about one meter for every centimeter rise in sea level.
This article came about after a Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) study, commissioned by the Department of Climate Change. The reports showed an overall impact of global change "will pose some very significant risks to the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture in Australia". The worries are that in 50 years times the Sydney shoreline in Australia will be in so much disarray the city will become unsustainable.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirmed that human activity has increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide - in 2007 at its highest level for 650,000 years.
The collapse of the Wilkins Ice Shelf in the Antarctic has been confirmed as a consequence of warming in the Southern Ocean.Labels: australia, beaches, climate change, shoreline |
posted by Christy @ 10:09 AM 
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| Sunday, October 19, 2008 |
| Beluga whales in Alaska listed as endangered |
 The depleted population of beluga whales that swim off the coast of Alaska's largest city was listed as endangered on Friday by the federal government.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential candidate, called the listing "premature" after she had pressed for more time to make beluga population counts.
Environmentalists hailed the listing decision, but criticized the time it took to materialize.
"Hopefully the State of Alaska will now work toward protecting the beluga rather than, as with the polar bear, denying the science and suing to overturn the listing," Brendan Cummings, oceans program director for the Center for Biological Diversity said in a statement.
The population, which fell to a low of 278 in 2005 from 653 in 1994, has yet to rebound from a period of over-harvesting by the region's Native hunters, officials said.
Reuters Source
Photo Credit: REUTERS/Heino KalisLabels: alaska, beluga whale, endangered species |
posted by Christy @ 6:49 AM
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| Wednesday, October 15, 2008 |
| Separate fact from fear |
 Three years after tackling the divisive issue of evolution in an exhibition on Charles Darwin, the American Museum of Natural History in New York is mounting a show called "Climate Change: The Threat to Life and A New Energy Future."
A U.N. climate panel, comprising hundreds of scientists and policymakers, found last year with 90 percent certainty that climate change is spurred by human activities, specifically the burning of fossil fuels that release climate-warming carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Some people remain skeptical that human activity is responsible. Among them is Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who cast doubt on the cause of global warming during a debate this month.
The fact is, human activity emits 29 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year from the burning of fossil fuels. And scientists estimate that every person in the world burns, on average, the equivalent of three tons of coal every year.
Curator Edmond Mathez said that when he proposed the exhibition a few years ago, he was frustrated that public awareness did not match the alarm felt by scientists.
"The news media was presenting climate change as a controversial issue, which is complete nonsense, it's not (controversial)," Mathez told Reuters on Tuesday at a preview of the exhibition that opens on Saturday and runs in New York through August 2009.
"I'm sure there are some people that will condemn it out of hand," Mathez said of the exhibition. "What's important to me as a scientist is my colleagues will walk through here and say we did it correctly, that we present the issue objectively."
Exhibits include interactive displays for visitors to pledge to make changes in their behavior, such as buying low-energy light bulbs, recycling waste or bicycling to work.
The exhibition is set to travel to Spain, Denmark, Mexico and Abu Dhabi.Labels: climate change, exhibit, museum, new york |
posted by Christy @ 2:49 PM
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| Wednesday, October 8, 2008 |
| Pesticide Poisoning |
 Endosulfan is a dangerous pesticide in the same family of chemicals as DDT, the notorious pesticide that was banned in 1972 because it poisoned people, wildlife, and the environment. Like DDT, endosulfan is a serious threat to people -- especially farmworkers and children. The European Union and many other countries have already recognized this danger and have banned endosulfan's use.
Acute exposure to endosulfan can lead to serious health problems, including nausea, vomiting, brain damage, coma, and even death. Additionally, endosulfan has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and miscarriage as well as developmental problems in young children. A study found that children exposed to endosulfan when they were fetuses had a significantly higher incidence of autism.
Endosulfan has been found in our food and water supplies and due to its high mobility it has even been detected in remote national parks, on Mount Everest, and in the Arctic! Despite these risks, EPA continues to permit endosulfan's use in agriculture.
The EPA is now deciding whether it should adopt stronger protections to keep endosulfan off of our food and out of our environment. Chemical companies are fighting to keep endosulfan on the market. Don't let the voice of industry be the only one that the EPA hears.
They need to hear from you too!
[This cry for help has been taken straight from a recent newsletter sent out by Earth Justice]Labels: endosulfan, epa, pesticides |
posted by Christy @ 8:21 AM
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| Play it Safe |
 Plastic toys that contain bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, suspected hormone disruptors, have already been banned in some places. Eco-parents should consider wooden or organic cotton toys, especially with teething babies, since these potentially toxic chemicals are more likely to leach out when babies chew or suck on the toys. So ditch that "rubber" ducky...oh no!
Perennial Toys has some safer bath toy options if you want to check out their shop. They Perennial Toys creates toys and gifts that enhance a child's understanding of Earth's habitats. We focus on aquatic habitats and the endangered animals that depend on these sensitive environments. EachPerennial product also reflects our mission to manufacture and promote eco-friendly toys and gifts. Plus, a percentage of all purchases goes to wildlife conservation efforts.Labels: Perennial Toys, plastic, toys, wildlife |
posted by Christy @ 7:55 AM
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