No Gas Buying? How Stupid...
Category: Automotive

This thing is going all around the net saying not to buy gas on May 15, and I ask what good that's going to do. A person decides they're not going to buy gas on that day so they fill up on on the 14th and wait to buy again until the 16th... so they're still buying gas.

Why not work on actually changing things? Why not actually do something that means something? Why not decide not to buy gas at all? There's an idea.

Commit to:
  * Ride your bike
  * Walk
  * Use vegetable based cleaning products instead of petrol based
  * Change your light bulbs to florescent
  * Turn off lights
  * Shift your vehicle to alternative energy
  * Buy an alternative energy vehicle
... and so on...

If you make these changes then the need for petrol is reduced and then you've actually done something. Boycotting for a day is worthless though.

Here's info off the back of a Seventh Generation laundry detergent bottle...
    "If every household in the U.S. replaced just one bottle of 100 oz. ultra petroleum based liquid laundry detergent with our 100 oz. ultra vegetable based product, we could save 225,000 barrels of oil, enough to heat and cool 13,000 U.S. homes for a year."
... that's from just one bottle used by each person. What could be done with complete change in purchase?

photo hosting - GENERATE YOUR OWN WORLDMAP NOW!

Currently listening : Diesel and Dust By Midnight Oil Release date: 25 October, 1990

3:42 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Global Warming's impact on a biome
Current mood: nauseated
Category: News and Politics

The Arctic Biome

            The Arctic is the worlds least studied region.  Yet, it holds some of the most important indications of changes that are occurring throughout the world (Iken, Konar, 2003), and is considered to be an early warning system for things that are to come (The Arctic, 2006).

            It is a region of the world that covers the northern most portion of the globe, with an area that is approximately 30 million km².  Its land portions are 14 million km² and include Russia, Canada, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the United States.  The Arctic Ocean and other aquatic regions are included in the remaining 16 million km² (Global Environmental Outlook, 2001).

            The Arctic is witness to extreme changes in climate as the seasons change.  It can be covered in complete darkness for half of the year; which can lead to very chilling conditions that lack any form of vegetation.  Then the other half of the year can experience constant light; which can provide for long growth periods and warmer temperatures (Muir, Van Pelt, Wohl, 2003).

            Serious problems that are greatly affecting this region are water pollution and global warming.  Yet, their impacts are caused mostly by non-direct human activity in other parts of the world.

            Pollution of Artic waters occurs through complicated forms of circulation throughout the world.  The waters in the Arctic are much colder than waters in more temperate regions.  This means that the waters are constantly circulating and moving amongst each other.  It follows the same concept of cold dense air becoming heavy and pushing warm air upward (Lippsett, 1997). 

            Waters of the north seas are cold, dense, and very salty.  This causes them to be heavy and sink to the bottom of the oceans.  They push warmer waters out of their path; which is northward.  As the colder waters reach the southern warmer areas of the earth they begin to warm.  They then rise and move back north.  This constant movement of the waters is called a conveyor (Lippsett, 1997).

            The warm waters that move northward bring with them supplies of salt and other particles, much of it being pollutants.  As the waters cool the particles are deposited into the local environments.   Some of the most harmful portions of these substances are persistent organic pollutants, otherwise known as POPs.  They include chemicals from stable pesticides, industrial chemicals, and byproducts (Northlands Fragile Ecosystem, 2006).

            Such chemicals are also moved throughout the northern environment through temperature changes, precipitation, winds, snow, and ice cover (ePaedia, 2004).  This means that POPs can be transported virtually anywhere in the Arctic biome and the world.

            Persistent organic pollutants are very dangerous to the local ecosystem because they cause cancer, perturb development, and reduce fertility.  These things can affect the local animal and plant life, including humans (Northlands Fragile Ecosystem, 2006).  Such things can interfere with biodiversity in the region by reducing the numbers of certain species or completely making them extinct.

            Polar bears have quite an efficient system of ridding their bodies of pollutants ingested from their environment through efficient metabolic processes.  Yet, it has been found that polar bears can only completely rid themselves of one of the five classes of industrial contaminants that they were exposed to.  If they can not cleanse themselves, then other animals and humans will not be able to either (Physorg.com, 2006).

            The world economy should take the example of improvements made with pentachlorophenol, otherwise known as PCP, and do the same with POPs.  According to studies concerning PCPs, their traces are being reduced in the human body of Germans.  This is due to legal bans that have been put into effect since 1989.  That which continues to show up in the human body is caused from uncontrolled private use of old products that contain PCP such as imported leather goods, textiles, carpets, old military tarpaulins, and rucksacks (ePaedia, 2004).

The Great Lakes were suffering from many of the same pollutants as the Arctic.  Yet, the United States and Canada made agreements and have been able to reduce contaminants in the lakes since the 1970's.  Some do still exist though.  This just shows how much they persist, and how important it is to make corrections now (Environmental Protection Agency, 2006).

            Reducing the overall production and use of POPs should be one of the world's main goals, as it can have one of the largest impacts on world health.  The body can absorb the substances more and more as they are deposited on larger scales throughout environments of the world.  Reducing their use is the only way to prevent this from happening. 

            In April 2001 a fifty-nation treaty was signed to stop the production of twelve chemicals that all fall under the classification of POPs (Chipley, 2001).  The agreement is the beginning of a great movement toward the removal of POPs from the environment; but more nations need to be included in the agreement to ensure its success.  Taking on such a task involves the entire world.  It takes time and dedication to make it happen.  Yet, it can be cleaned up and pollutions can be reduced.

            Another factor that is greatly harming the Arctic is that of global warming.  There are many key elements that contribute to global warming, but increases in greenhouse gases and deforestation are two of the main aspects that detract from the Arctic's health.  Signs of global warming can be found throughout the world, but they are most readily witnessed in the Arctic.  Temperatures of the Arctic are increasing twice as fast as the world average and can affect world climate conditions (BBC, 2001).

One main component adding to changes in the Arctic is that of greenhouse gases.  These are produced naturally by the earth through water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and others.  These are held in the earth's atmosphere and allow sunlight to freely pass through them.  When they hit the planet's surface they are reflected back into the atmosphere.  The gases then trap the sunlight to help warm the earth (Greenhouse Gas, 2006).

Human activity has been adding to these substances in the atmosphere.  The levels of numerous important greenhouse gases have increased by about 25 percent in the past 150 years.  This is around the same time that large-scale industrialization began (Energy Information Administration, 2004).

A major component that has recently increased has been that of carbon dioxide.  This is due to the burning of fossil-fuels.  Three-quarters of human-made carbon dioxide emissions were produced in the past 20 years by burning such fuels (Energy Information Administration, 2004).

            Carbon dioxide is naturally regulated through different processes known as the 'carbon cycle'.  Yet, the amount of carbon dioxide that is being produced is adding more each year than can be removed through these natural processes.  This is causing the earth's temperature to increase more rapidly than normal (Energy Information Administration, 2004).  These increases in temperature are causing changes in the Arctic that are affecting northern biodiversity in drastic ways, which will be discussed later in this essay.

            Twenty-five percent of the global carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels are produced by the United States.  This is because we meet eighty-five percent of our energy needs through fossil fuel consumption.  A reduction in carbon intensity of twenty-five percent is the projected decrease of consumption for the United States between 2001 and 2025 (Energy Information Administration, 2004).  Other nations have plans to reduce their consumption as well.  Yet, actions need to be moved upon more rapidly.

            Bioenergy, solar, wind, hydrogen, geothermal, and human energy are directions that the world economy needs to focus on to make changes.  Such changes can reduce our dependence on non-renewable, pollutant, fossil fuels.  It will also move us in a direction of cleaning up the environment and sustaining a healthy biosphere (Department of Energy, 2006).

            Another way of ensuring that greenhouse gases do not continue accumulating as much as they are, is to establish international organizations and agreements that protect forested regions throughout the world.  The UN states that deforestation accounts for twenty-five percent, or two billion tons, of the emissions of carbon dioxide each year.  That is the same amount produced by the United States (Butler, 2005).

The amount of 283 gigatons of carbon is stored in the world's forest biomass.  While forest biomass, deadwood, litter, and soil together store about 1 trillion tons.  That is fifty percent more carbon than is found in the atmosphere (Butler, 2005).  Protecting the forests, adding renewed vegetation to them, and growing vegetation in other areas of the world can aid in reducing greenhouse gases while maintaining and improving a healthy atmosphere.

            With temperatures increasing in the earth's atmosphere, Arctic sea ice is melting very rapidly.  These changes are having a major impact on most life in the Arctic (Deming, Krembs, 2006).

            Sea ice is host to microscopic algae, diatoms, bacteria, worms, and crustaceans that cling to the ice.  Arctic algae that grows in the sea ice, contributes to 57 percent of the total Arctic primary production.  This means that the interface between ice and seawater is a critical component of the polar marine ecosystem.  Organisms that eat zooplankton seek food in the ice, and use the ice as protection from predators (Deming, Krembs, 2006).

            Early spring is the peak of algae production within the ice.  This is also the period of time when the ice transforms from sea ice to pack ice.  It is when the ice transports organisms, sediment, and man-made pollutants thousands of miles before they melt and discharge their contents into the water (Deming, Krembs, 2006).

            Arctic cod use the ice for their supply of food and their nursery grounds.  These fish are also used as a food source for larger warm-blooded animals that use the ice for migration routes, hunting grounds, rookeries, and protection in raising their own young.  Such animals include: birds, seals, whales, and polar bears (Deming, Krembs, 2006). 

The BBC reported that perennial ice in the Arctic has been reduced by 14 percent between December 21, 2004 and December 21, 2005.  A comparison of measure is an area of ice the size of Turkey or Pakistan that has been lost (BBC, 2006).

            It has been discovered that the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the global average.  Each year this is causing rapid reductions in the area covered by ice and the thickness of ice.  The lowest recorded area of ice was discovered in September 2005 (BBC, 2006).

            Ice reflects energy from the sun back into space; while open water absorbs that energy.  If the earth has less ice, then the planet will warm faster.  According to studies by NASA, global warming could become a reality sooner than anticipated (BBC, 2006).

            Remember the circulation of waters that were described earlier in this research paper and how pollutants are transmitted to the Arctic region?  That same circulation of waters is threatened by increasing temperatures.  If the temperatures were to increase too much in the Arctic, it could completely shut down the circulation of waters (Lippsett, 1997).

            The loss of these circulated waters could adversely affect temperatures around the world.  Reason for this is that the cooler waters from the north bring cooler temperatures to southern regions, while warmer waters of the south bring warmer temperatures to northern regions.  If the circulation is lost, then temperatures will not be balanced in each region of the world; causing them to be more drastic and harsh (Lippsett, 1997).

            In studies of occurrences from the last Ice Age, NASA and university researchers found that as glacial waters melted, fresh waters were added to the oceans.  When the freshwater mixed with the ocean water, it made the cold water less dense and slowed the overturn of waters southward.  When too much freshwater was added to the equation, it stopped the circulation all together (NASA, 2001).

            That same scenario can occur with the environment today.  If it does happen, it can cause the entire northern hemisphere to cool, threatening ecosystems and biodiversity in the Arctic and the rest of the world.  The process took hundreds of years in the last Ice Age.  Yet, evidence is indicating that things will not take that long this time around (NASA, 2001).

            The impact of environmental changes in the Arctic is not a local issue that can be cared for by small groups or organizations.  The Arctic is being impacted from human actions throughout other parts of the world.  This means that actions are going to have to be taken on large, internationally organized levels. 

            A wide realm of events, human inflicted activities, and natural occurrences are sharing in the loss of biodiversity in the Arctic.  Not all things can be controlled, but humans should concentrate on the things that we can impact, and make whatever changes are needed to maintain a healthy world environment (Biodiversity Basics, 2006).

 References

BBC. (2006, September 14). Drastic shrinkage in Arctic ice. Retrieved October 12, 2006

from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5344208.stm

Biodiversity Basics. (2006). World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved October

3, 2006, from http://www.biodiversity911.org/biodiversity_basics/why_important/WhyImportant.html

Butler, R. A. (2005, December 9). Mongabay.com. Deforestation causes 25% of

greenhouse gas emissions. Retrieved October 12, 2006 from http://news.mongabay.com/2005/1210-fao.html

Chipley, A. (2001, April). Vegetarian Times. Kicking the toxic habit – international

agreement on reduction of persistent organic pollutants POPs – brief article. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0820/is_2001_April/ai_73621892

Deming, J.; Krembs, C. (2006). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,

University of Washington. Is there life in a desert of ice. Retrieved October 8, 2006, from http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/essay_krembsdeming.html

Department of Energy. (2006). Bioenergy / renewables. Retrieved October 13, 2006,

from http://www.energy.gov/

Energy Information Administration. (2004, April 2). Department of Environment.

Greenhouse gas, climate change, and energy. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/ggccebro/chapter1.html

Environmental Protection Agency. (2006, July 26). Persistent organic pollutants: a global

issue; a global response. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://www.epa.gov/international/toxics/pop.htm

ePaedia. (2004). ePaedia Environment Explained. Chemicals in our bodies. Retrieved

October 12, 2006, from http://epaedia.eea.europa.eu/page.php?pid=399

Global Environmental Outlook. (2001). United Nations Environmental Outlook. The

Arctic. Retrieved October 4, 2006 from

http://www.unep.org/Geo/geo3/english/173.htm

Greenhouse Gas. (2006, October 11). Wikipedia.org. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas

Iken, K.; Konar, B. (2003). Proceedings of the Arctic biodiversity workshop: new census

of marine life initiative. Retrieved October 3, 2006, from http://seagrant.uaf.edu/bookstore/pubs/M-26.html

Lippsett, L. (1997, December 5). Columbia University Record. Lamont's Broecker warns

gases could alter climate. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://www.columbia.edu/cu/record/23/11/13.html

Muir, M. A. K.; Van Pelt, T.; Wohl, K. (2003, October). Ecosystem-based approaches for

conserving Arctic biodiversity. http://www.coe.int/t/e/cultural_co-operation/environment/nature_and_biological_diversity/ecological_networks/peen/CAFF%20paper.PDF?L=E

NASA. (2001, November 19). Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Ocean circulation shut down

by melting glaciers after last ice age. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/news/20011119/

Northlands Fragile Ecosystem. (2006). U.S. Department of State's Bureau of

International Information Programs. Retrieved October 4, 2006, from http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/biodiv/north.htm

Physorg.com. (2006). University of Florida. Polar bears hold key to understanding health

risks of environmental pollutants. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://www.physorg.com/news6895.html#

The Arctic. (2006, 11 October). Wikipedia.org. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic

4:00 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

New Climate Film Release Nationwide on Nov. 3rd. THE GREAT WARMING

Hi "Biodiesel"

How are you? I love your MySpace profile and the ways in which you're trying to raise awareness of such important issues.

My name's Cheryl Tyler, and I'm writing to you from Stonehaven Productions. We have an exciting new film about climate change we thought you'd like to hear about.

Narrated by Keanu Reeves and Alanis Morissette, it's called The Great Warming and is being released nationwide by Regal Cinemas, North America's largest theater chain, on Nov. 3rd - It will be showing at Chicago's Lincolnshire 20 Regal Theater.

Check our website at http://www.thegreatwarming.com/comingsoonustheatres.html to see where its opening in the rest of the nation.

We want this film to be a real catalyst for change, so we've joined with over 35 organizations across the USA to develop what we're calling the Great Warming Call to Action. If people across the country get involved, we can really make a difference.

Take a look at our website, www.thegreatwarming.com and click on "Join the Call to Action" to learn all the ways that we're encouraging people to take action on the global warming issue. Take a look at the "Call to Action Statement" and its list of signatories, the "Questions for Candidates" link, the "Convert two Skeptics" challenge, and the "Take Action Today" link that leads you to information on how to participate in the Nov. 4th International Day of Climate Action. I've also attached a poster publicizing this day that can be printed by those wanting to get others involved, or to hold a climate demonstration in their school.

Also check out the following articles to see what other people have said about The Great Warming and the movement surrounding it:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/09/15/warm15.xml

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N10399671.htm

Post a comment or send a message on The Great Warming's MySpace profile if you want to know more about the film!

Thanks so much,

Cheryl

Stonehaven Productions
www.thegreatwarming.com
www.myspace.com/thegreatwarming

11:41 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

solar power

Hey check out my site and tell your friends! http://www.citizenre.com/renu/allen

11:36 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

a worthwhile challenge...

...that might also make you a few bucks.
I heard about this on NPR this morning I have no idea how to pull it together but it's worth a try.
All of us regular working jerks punch a time clock or in some way account for our time on the job why should our representatives be exempt??
If they're lunching with lobbyists on our dime we have a right to know.
Maybe if one or more of our congress people sign on it may shame others to follow suit and that could only change things for the better.
Please take a minute, check it out and pass it on!


http://www.sunlightnetwork.com/punchclock_agreement

xo
ff

"we can all make a difference, one by one"
www.newtrick.us

11:34 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Global Warmings Impact

The Arctic Biome

            The Arctic is the worlds least studied region.  Yet, it holds some of the most important indications of changes that are occurring throughout the world (Iken, Konar, 2003),  and is considered to be an early warning system for things that are to come (The Arctic, 2006).

            It is a region of the world that covers the northern most portion of the globe, with an area that is approximately 30 million km².  Its land portions are 14 million km² and include Russia, Canada, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the United States.  The Arctic Ocean and other aquatic regions are included in the remaining 16 million km² (Global Environmental Outlook, 2001).

            The Arctic is witness to extreme changes in climate as the seasons change.  It can be covered in complete darkness for half of the year; which can lead to very chilling conditions that lack any form of vegetation.  Then the other half of the year can experience constant light; which can provide for long growth periods and warmer temperatures (Muir, Van Pelt, Wohl, 2003).

            Serious problems that are greatly affecting this region are water pollution and global warming.  Yet, their impacts are caused mostly by non-direct human activity in other parts of the world.

            Pollution of Artic waters occurs through complicated forms of circulation throughout the world.  The waters in the Arctic are much colder than waters in more temperate regions.  This means that the waters are constantly circulating and moving amongst each other.  It follows the same concept of cold dense air becoming heavy and pushing warm air upward (Lippsett, 1997). 

            Waters of the north seas are cold, dense, and very salty.  This causes them to be heavy and sink to the bottom of the oceans.  They push warmer waters out of their path; which is northward.  As the colder waters reach the southern warmer areas of the earth they begin to warm.  They then rise and move back north.  This constant movement of the waters is called a conveyor (Lippsett, 1997).

            The warm waters that move northward bring with them supplies of salt and other particles, much of it being pollutants.  As the waters cool the particles are deposited into the local environments.   Some of the most harmful portions of these substances are persistent organic pollutants, otherwise known as POPs.  They include chemicals from stable pesticides, industrial chemicals, and byproducts (Northlands Fragile Ecosystem, 2006).

            Such chemicals are also moved throughout the northern environment through temperature changes, precipitation, winds, snow, and ice cover (ePaedia, 2004).  This means that POPs can be transported virtually anywhere in the Arctic biome and the world.

            Persistent organic pollutants are very dangerous to the local ecosystem because they cause cancer, perturb development, and reduce fertility.  These things can affect the local animal and plant life, including humans (Northlands Fragile Ecosystem, 2006).  Such things can interfere with biodiversity in the region by reducing the numbers of certain species or completely making them extinct.

            Polar bears have quite an efficient system of ridding their bodies of pollutants ingested from their environment through efficient metabolic processes.  Yet, it has been found that polar bears can only completely rid themselves of one of the five classes of industrial contaminants that they were exposed to.  If they can not cleanse themselves, then other animals and humans will not be able to either (Physorg.com, 2006).

            The world economy should take the example of improvements made with pentachlorophenol, otherwise known as PCP, and do the same with POPs.  According to studies concerning PCPs, their traces are being reduced in the human body of Germans.  This is due to legal bans that have been put into effect since 1989.  That which continues to show up in the human body is caused from uncontrolled private use of old products that contain PCP such as imported leather goods, textiles, carpets, old military tarpaulins, and rucksacks (ePaedia, 2004).

The Great Lakes were suffering from many of the same pollutants as the Arctic.  Yet, the United States and Canada made agreements and have been able to reduce contaminants in the lakes since the 1970's.  Some do still exist though.  This just shows how much they persist, and how important it is to make corrections now (Environmental Protection Agency, 2006).

            Reducing the overall production and use of POPs should be one of the world's main goals, as it can have one of the largest impacts on world health.  The body can absorb the substances more and more as they are deposited on larger scales throughout environments of the world.  Reducing their use is the only way to prevent this from happening. 

            In April 2001 a fifty-nation treaty was signed to stop the production of twelve chemicals that all fall under the classification of POPs (Chipley, 2001).  The agreement is the beginning of a great movement toward the removal of POPs from the environment; but more nations need to be included in the agreement to ensure its success.  Taking on such a task involves the entire world.  It takes time and dedication to make it happen.  Yet, it can be cleaned up and pollutions can be reduced.

            Another factor that is greatly harming the Arctic is that of global warming.  There are many key elements that contribute to global warming, but increases in greenhouse gases and deforestation are two of the main aspects that detract from the Arctic's health.  Signs of global warming can be found throughout the world, but they are most readily witnessed in the Arctic.  Temperatures of the Arctic are increasing twice as fast as the world average and can affect world climate conditions (BBC, 2001).

One main component adding to changes in the Arctic is that of greenhouse gases.  These are produced naturally by the earth through water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and others.  These are held in the earth's atmosphere and allow sunlight to freely pass through them.  When they hit the planet's surface they are reflected back into the atmosphere.  The gases then trap the sunlight to help warm the earth (Greenhouse Gas, 2006).

Human activity has been adding to these substances in the atmosphere.  The levels of numerous important greenhouse gases have increased by about 25 percent in the past 150 years.  This is around the same time that large-scale industrialization began (Energy Information Administration, 2004).

A major component that has recently increased has been that of carbon dioxide.  This is due to the burning of fossil-fuels.  Three-quarters of human-made carbon dioxide emissions were produced in the past 20 years by burning such fuels (Energy Information Administration, 2004).

            Carbon dioxide is naturally regulated through different processes known as the 'carbon cycle'.  Yet, the amount of carbon dioxide that is being produced is adding more each year than can be removed through these natural processes.  This is causing the earth's temperature to increase more rapidly than normal (Energy Information Administration, 2004).  These increases in temperature are causing changes in the Arctic that are affecting northern biodiversity in drastic ways, which will be discussed later in this essay.

            Twenty-five percent of the global carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels are produced by the United States.  This is because we meet eighty-five percent of our energy needs through fossil fuel consumption.  A reduction in carbon intensity of twenty-five percent is the projected decrease of consumption for the United States between 2001 and 2025 (Energy Information Administration, 2004).  Other nations have plans to reduce their consumption as well.  Yet, actions need to be moved upon more rapidly.

            Bioenergy, solar, wind, hydrogen, geothermal, and human energy are directions that the world economy needs to focus on to make changes.  Such changes can reduce our dependence on non-renewable, pollutant, fossil fuels.  It will also move us in a direction of cleaning up the environment and sustaining a healthy biosphere (Department of Energy, 2006).

            Another way of ensuring that greenhouse gases do not continue accumulating as much as they are, is to establish international organizations and agreements that protect forested regions throughout the world.  The UN states that deforestation accounts for twenty-five percent, or two billion tons, of the emissions of carbon dioxide each year.  That is the same amount produced by the United States (Butler, 2005).

The amount of 283 gigatons of carbon is stored in the world's forest biomass.  While forest biomass, deadwood, litter, and soil together store about 1 trillion tons.  That is fifty percent more carbon than is found in the atmosphere (Butler, 2005).  Protecting the forests, adding renewed vegetation to them, and growing vegetation in other areas of the world can aid in reducing greenhouse gases while maintaining and improving a healthy atmosphere.

            With temperatures increasing in the earth's atmosphere, Arctic sea ice is melting very rapidly.  These changes are having a major impact on most life in the Arctic (Deming, Krembs, 2006).

            Sea ice is host to microscopic algae, diatoms, bacteria, worms, and crustaceans that cling to the ice.  Arctic algae that grows in the sea ice, contributes to 57 percent of the total Arctic primary production.  This means that the interface between ice and seawater is a critical component of the polar marine ecosystem.  Organisms that eat zooplankton seek food in the ice, and use the ice as protection from predators (Deming, Krembs, 2006).

            Early spring is the peak of algae production within the ice.  This is also the period of time when the ice transforms from sea ice to pack ice.  It is when the ice transports organisms, sediment, and man-made pollutants thousands of miles before they melt and discharge their contents into the water (Deming, Krembs, 2006).

            Arctic cod use the ice for their supply of food and their nursery grounds.  These fish are also used as a food source for larger warm-blooded animals that use the ice for migration routes, hunting grounds, rookeries, and protection in raising their own young.  Such animals include: birds, seals, whales, and polar bears (Deming, Krembs, 2006). 

The BBC reported that perennial ice in the Arctic has been reduced by 14 percent between December 21, 2004 and December 21, 2005.  A comparison of measure is an area of ice the size of Turkey or Pakistan that has been lost (BBC, 2006).

            It has been discovered that the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the global average.  Each year this is causing rapid reductions in the area covered by ice and the thickness of ice.  The lowest recorded area of ice was discovered in September 2005 (BBC, 2006).

            Ice reflects energy from the sun back into space; while open water absorbs that energy.  If the earth has less ice, then the planet will warm faster.  According to studies by NASA, global warming could become a reality sooner than anticipated (BBC, 2006).

            Remember the circulation of waters that were described earlier in this research paper and how pollutants are transmitted to the Arctic region?  That same circulation of waters is threatened by increasing temperatures.  If the temperatures were to increase too much in the Arctic, it could completely shut down the circulation of waters (Lippsett, 1997).

            The loss of these circulated waters could adversely affect temperatures around the world.  Reason for this is that the cooler waters from the north bring cooler temperatures to southern regions, while warmer waters of the south bring warmer temperatures to northern regions.  If the circulation is lost, then temperatures will not be balanced in each region of the world; causing them to be more drastic and harsh (Lippsett, 1997).

            In studies of occurrences from the last Ice Age, NASA and university researchers found that as glacial waters melted, fresh waters were added to the oceans.  When the freshwater mixed with the ocean water, it made the cold water less dense and slowed the overturn of waters southward.  When too much freshwater was added to the equation, it stopped the circulation all together (NASA, 2001).

            That same scenario can occur with the environment today.  If it does happen, it can cause the entire northern hemisphere to cool, threatening ecosystems and biodiversity in the Arctic and the rest of the world.  The process took hundreds of years in the last Ice Age.  Yet, evidence is indicating that things will not take that long this time around (NASA, 2001).

            The impact of environmental changes in the Arctic is not a local issue that can be cared for by small groups or organizations.  The Arctic is being impacted from human actions throughout other parts of the world.  This means that actions are going to have to be taken on large, internationally organized levels. 

            A wide realm of events, human inflicted activities, and natural occurrences are sharing in the loss of biodiversity in the Arctic.  Not all things can be controlled, but humans should concentrate on the things that we can impact, and make whatever changes are needed to maintain a healthy world environment (Biodiversity Basics, 2006).

References

BBC. (2006, September 14). Drastic shrinkage in Arctic ice. Retrieved October 12, 2006

from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5344208.stm

Biodiversity Basics. (2006). World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved October

3, 2006, from http://www.biodiversity911.org/biodiversity_basics/why_important/WhyImportant.html

Butler, R. A. (2005, December 9). Mongabay.com. Deforestation causes 25% of

greenhouse gas emissions. Retrieved October 12, 2006 from http://news.mongabay.com/2005/1210-fao.html

Chipley, A. (2001, April). Vegetarian Times. Kicking the toxic habit – international

agreement on reduction of persistent organic pollutants POPs – brief article. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0820/is_2001_April/ai_73621892

University of Washington. Is there life in a desert of ice. Retrieved October 8, 2006, from http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/essay_krembsdeming.html

Department of Energy. (2006). Bioenergy / renewables. Retrieved October 13, 2006,

from http://www.energy.gov/

Energy Information Administration. (2004, April 2). Department of Environment.

Greenhouse gas, climate change, and energy. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/ggccebro/chapter1.html

Environmental Protection Agency. (2006, July 26). Persistent organic pollutants: a global

issue; a global response. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://www.epa.gov/international/toxics/pop.htm

ePaedia. (2004). ePaedia Environment Explained. Chemicals in our bodies. Retrieved

October 12, 2006, from http://epaedia.eea.europa.eu/page.php?pid=399

Global Environmental Outlook. (2001). United Nations Environmental Outlook. The

Arctic. Retrieved October 4, 2006 from

http://www.unep.org/Geo/geo3/english/173.htm

Greenhouse Gas. (2006, October 11). Wikipedia.org. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas

Iken, K.; Konar, B. (2003). Proceedings of the Arctic biodiversity workshop: new census

of marine life initiative. Retrieved October 3, 2006, from http://seagrant.uaf.edu/bookstore/pubs/M-26.html

Lippsett, L. (1997, December 5). Columbia University Record. Lamont's Broecker warns

gases could alter climate. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://www.columbia.edu/cu/record/23/11/13.html

Muir, M. A. K.; Van Pelt, T.; Wohl, K. (2003, October). Ecosystem-based approaches for

conserving Arctic biodiversity. http://www.coe.int/t/e/cultural_co-operation/environment/nature_and_biological_diversity/ecological_networks/peen/CAFF%20paper.PDF?L=E

NASA. (2001, November 19). Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Ocean circulation shut down

by melting glaciers after last ice age. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/news/20011119/

Northlands Fragile Ecosystem. (2006). U.S. Department of State's Bureau of

International Information Programs. Retrieved October 4, 2006, from http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/biodiv/north.htm

Physorg.com. (2006). University of Florida. Polar bears hold key to understanding health

risks of environmental pollutants. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://www.physorg.com/news6895.html#

The Arctic. (2006, 11 October). Wikipedia.org. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic

11:20 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Book Description (Service Without Guns) Democracy’s Rebirth

Book Description (Service Without Guns) Democracy's Rebirth
Hello, Please Consider This Solution for many Issues…..
_______________________________
Perspectives on SERVICE WITHOUT GUNS –
Courtesy of www.myspace.com/Peterview
_____________________________________
From Prof. Charles Moskos, Military Sociologist:

Civilian national service seems to be an idea whose time will never come. SERVICE WITHOUT GUNS will change that.

By drawing parallels between military and civilian service, this book abounds in fresh insights. The great strength of Don Eberly and Reuven Gal is placing youth service whether international, national, or local -- in a cross-national perspective.

SERVICE WITHOUT GUNS shows how service by young people can, to name a few, reduce tensions between hostile cultures, meet the needs of the aged and handicapped, reduce crime, improve education, and better the natural environment. In the manner that military conscription became a dominant reality in the 20th century, civilian youth service can become the model of the 21st century.
_______________________________________
From Bryant Wieneke, Peace Corps Writers group:

This thoughtful and well-researched book.... Describe[s] the 20th century phenomena of declines in conscription-based armies, humanitarian missions performed by military organizations, and other linkages between military and non-military service. Their view is that the time has come for national youth service to gain prominence independent of military organizations.

Ascribing the conception framework to William James in 1906, a long list of successful national youth service initiatives is presented, including American versions (Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933, Peace Corps in 1960, AmeriCorps in 1993) and comprehensive efforts in Germany, Israel, and Nigeria...

The authors provide additional insights into service-learning and the impact of national youth service, providing ideas on practical measures to advance non-military service.

Another chapter with relevance deals with the role of national youth service in community reconstruction and intercultural understanding.

SERVICE WITHOUT GUNS is a book with a purpose. It provides information on successful non-military service initiatives and demonstrates the positive effects of these initiatives.

Most importantly, the book provides a how-to guide for anyone who wants to make the world a better place through peaceful means, enhancing understanding among peoples while providing valuable services to societies around the world. It is a dream worth pursuing.
_________________________________________
From Ali Raza Khan, Youth Employment Services representative in Pakistan and founder and director of the Pakistan National Youth Service:

With heaps of experience, knowledge and conviction, the writers have presented to us in great detail about the concept of youth service, its impact and future of national youth service.

I always felt that the most important thing missing in our current developmental agendas is a comprehension of the significance of the concept of youth service.

In recent years it is very evident that we have been able to increase education and knowledge at all levels of the society but what scares me is that despite of all these accomplishments we have not been able to develop feelings and learn care for others.

Education or knowledge without feelings is nothing.

This book is filled with examples from the field how this powerful concept of youth service has developed feelings and care for others in the society.

Being the founder of Service program in Pakistan, I can tell you from my experience that this idea of service has brought sea change in the lives of many hard-to-reach and at-risk children and young people.

I have seen them transforming from passive citizens to waiting to citizens in action. I have seen how service has changed their way of thinking and behaviors.

I think it is a high time for us to stop treating young people as empty vessels into which we pour our wisdom but we should treat them as the most promising resources available to us in promoting self-development, family development and community development.

I congratulate the entire team involved in writing this book SERVICE WITHOUT GUNS because I think they have claim on this title more than anyone else because they have over so many years pioneered and demonstrated the vitality and strength of youth service in practice.
__________________________________________
From John Braithwaite, Australian National University:

"William James was a truly great scholar. And SERVICE WITHOUT GUNS is a great contribution as well. National service is such an important policy debate, so well argued. I hope it has the effect on the national youth service policy debate that it deserves, and on international youth service too."
________________________________
SERVICE WITHOUT GUNS
By Donald J. Eberly and Reuven Gal
With a guest chapter by Michael Sherraden

--Buy a Copy, Look it Over, Donate to
Local Library, High School, Fav-Politican--

Published in 2006 on the Internet at
www.LuLu.com
Available from Amazon.com
Prices: $5.00 for download
Order soft cover book at $13.70 plus postage,
ISBN: 1-4116-7283-6
Order hardcover book at $25.00 plus postage,
ISBN 978-1-4116-8080-7
________________________________
Hi! From Peterview.
After looking this over if you think this is a topic worth sharing please-please post as bulletin or blog it so your myspace friends might think it over also. www.myspace.com/Peterview

Mr. Eberly's first proposal was a National Service for Peace in 1957, this book covers both some of the history, what works, the fifteen nations, especially Canada, Germany, Israel, Nigeria, United States, that have various examples of Youth Service Systems, and the need to make it universal but voluntary, all in 200 pages of both easy reading and detailed descriptions.

Back in 1982 I had a passionate and thoughtful dialogue with Mr. Eberly on the future of this national policy. I find it sad that we both look today at keeping this dream alive, with only thousands not millions of thoughtful supporters.

Maybe myspace can provide a new means of sharing this dream for participatory democracy, participatory citizenship here in the U.S. and every other nation that claims to be a democracy.

After 26 years interest in this subject, a Nation-wide Community Based Youth Service System, including a Youth Energy Efficiency Corps as an alternative to a future U.S.
war in the Persian Gulf
sent to every member of Congress in 1980 and
Carter White House Staff, & Reagan White House-
-
--I have learned that Politicians will only see this as a real bill for debate in the Congress if-if you give them lots of money, and fact-finding vacations to Hawaii.
OR
If the public is aware of this idea, the media is talking about this idea, and the voters might care about this idea. --

If the VOTERS make it KNOWN that they care, then it will move up the priorities list in the Congressional debate over what new LAWS will keep America great, and make it better for every U.S. citizen.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Please take a few minutes to look this over,
think about it,
and post as a bulletin, blog, short comment
for others to learn about this idea, policy, history.
___________________________________________
Reuven Gal is the founder and chairman of the Carmel Institute for Social Studies in Israel and the former Deputy Head of the Israeli National Security Council;

Donald Eberly is the Honorary President of the International Association for National Youth Service and the founding director (1966) of the National Service Secretariat in the USA; and

Michael Sherraden is George Warren Brown Professor of Social Work and head of the Global Service Institute at Washington University in St. Louis, USA.
_________________________________
www.myspace.com/Peterview -Take Care-
Thank you for making it this far,
To A Better-Safer-Healthier Tomorrow.
_____________________________
Best Bush Administration Response,
January 21, 2003, To my
Participatory Citizenship System outline
Contacted over 400 officials, but
Got less than 20 replies.
_________________________________________
Asa Hutchinson Administrator, U.S. Dept. of Justice,
Next 1st Undersecretary for
Border and Transportation Security,
Currently candidate for Governor in Arkansas.

----- Thank you for your thoughtful letter regarding national community service. Like you, I believe the future of a free, democratic society depends on the willingness of people to devote some part of their time to serving the interests of the community as a whole.

During a long career in politics and government, I have been impressed by the number of Americans I have met who, without any thought of reward, have contributed their time and talents to community service. It is important to do everything we can to maintain that spirit

As you requested, I am forwarding your letter and accompanying documentation to our policy staff for their review. I commend you for devoting so much of your time to the cause of participatory citizenship and wish you well in your continuing efforts. -----
___________________________________________
2nd Best Reply, President Bush's White House Staff
December 16, 2002
H. Christopher Bartolomucci,
Associate Counsel to the President

On behalf of Counsel to the President Alberto R. Gonzales, thank you for your letter dated November 28, 2002, regarding the Selective Service System and a Participatory Citizenship System. We appreciate receiving your thoughts on this matter and will give your views appropriate consideration.

Thanks again for your letter.
_________________________________________
For info on the International Association for
National Youth Service,
either google IANYS
or copy this link into your address window,
http://www.ianys.utas.edu.au/index.html
__________________________________________
Additional info on current events in the U.S. government programs see;
http://www.americorps.org/
http://www.nationalservice.gov/

For info service/learning check out
http://www.learnandserve.gov/
http://www.learnandserve.gov/about/role_impact/state_profiles.asp

Also there is nation wide Senior Corps program, to find out what is happening in your state, check out this website, http://www.seniorcorps.gov/about/role_impact/state_profiles.asp

For info on Senior Corps check out pdf file, http://www.seniorcorps.gov/about/media_kit/factsheet_seniorcorps.pdf
__________________________________________
That all folks, and probably way to much for most people, more info in my blog, at
http://blog.myspace.com/peterview .

11:17 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment