Tag Archives: CO2

Trump’s controversial environment pick is out.

Which, by the way, is melting.

“This discovery is a game-changer,” said Paul Schuster, lead author of a new study that quantified the total mercury in the Arctic’s frozen permafrost.

And it’s a lot of mercury! To be precise, 793 gigagrams — more than 15 million gallons — of the stuff is currently locked up in frozen northern soils. That’s by far the biggest reservoir of mercury on the planet — almost twice the amount held by the rest of the world’s earth, oceans, and atmosphere combined.

This wouldn’t be a problem if the permafrost stayed, well, permanently frosty. But, as previous research has outlined, it’s not.

Mercury is a toxin that can cause birth effects and neurological damage in animals, including humans. And mercury levels accumulate as you go up the food chain, which is why king-of-the-jungle species like tuna and whale can be unsafe to eat in large quantities.

As thawing permafrost releases more mercury into the atmosphere and oceans, the implications for human health are troubling. Locally, many northern communities rely on subsistence hunting and fishing, two sources of possible mercury contamination. Globally, the toxin could travel great distances and collect in distant ecosystems.

As if we didn’t already have enough reasons to want permafrost to stay frozen.

See original article here:

Trump’s controversial environment pick is out.

Posted in alo, Anchor, Citizen, FF, G & F, GE, LG, ONA, PUR, solar, solar panels, Uncategorized, Wiley | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Trump’s controversial environment pick is out.

5 Foods with Huge Carbon Footprints

When you bite into a hamburger or enjoy a pile of roast asparagus, do you think about the impact it has on the environment? Well, maybe you should.

See, the food that we eat has an incredible impact on climate change. In fact, agriculture is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. What foods we choose to buy, howwe choose to purchase them and how often we consume them matter to global warming.

And not all foods have an equal impact.

Livestock and their byproductsaccount forat least 32,000 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, or51percentof all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. And agriculture is responsible for80-90percentof all United States water consumption. That’s crazy!

Here are the top five offenders.

5 Foods with Huge Carbon Footprints

In 2011, CleanMetrics Corp., a Portland, Oregon-based environmental firm, published a report called “The Meat Eater’s Guide to Climate Change & Health.” Based on that report, these foods are the most ‘environmentally impactful’ based on their greenhouse gas emissions. (Be sure to check out their methodology in the report itself.)

Each of these foods was studied from a variety of angles: emissions produced before a product leaves the farm (i.e. use of fertilizer and pesticides, irrigation, impact of animal feed) and emissions produced after the product leaves the farm (i.e. food processing, transport, retail, cooking and ultimately waste disposal).

Here are the results, in kilograms of CO2:

1. Lamb – Produces 39.2 kg CO2 during its lifetime.

2. Beef – Produces 27 kg CO2 during its lifetime.

3. Cheese – Produces 13.5 kg CO2 during its lifetime.

4. Pork – Produces 12.1 kg CO2 during its lifetime.

5. Farmed Salmon – Produces 11.9 kg CO2 during its lifetime.

And it’s not just animal products that are the problem.Potatoes produce the most emissions of all protein-rich plants,followed by asparagus, avocados, bananas and eggplant. Most of these require air freight to different parts of the world, because they only grow in warm climates.

What can you do about it?

Every single day, a person who eats a vegan diet saves 1,100 gallons of water, 45 pounds of grain, 30 square feet of forested land, 20 pounds CO2 equivalent and one animals life. That’s seriously convincing!

Here’s what I want you to hear most:food is power.You have an incredible amount of influence in the palm of your hand. What will you do with it?

Reducing (or eliminating) your meat intake hasinnumerable benefits. Youll contribute significantly to the causes of conservation and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and youll look and feel better in the process.

Here are some tips to get you started:

  1. Learn about the impacts of the agriculture industry. Get to know the facts and equip yourself with knowledge.
  2. Don’t feel pressure to change your entire diet in one day. Take it bit by bit. Start by eliminating red meat, then chicken.
  3. Slowly integrate plant-based meals into your weekly routine. Once you have some recipes you know you can count on, phase out the rest.

Alreadyeating a plant-based diet? Make it a point to shop in season and shop local whenever possible, if not always!

Think you can do it? I know you can!

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Link:  

5 Foods with Huge Carbon Footprints

Posted in FF, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, PUR, Ultima, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 5 Foods with Huge Carbon Footprints

This amazing gadget is the best technology we have for trapping CO2

This amazing gadget is the best technology we have for trapping CO2

By on 4 Feb 2015commentsShare

Here’s a shocker. It looks like one of the best weapons we have right now in the fight-to-the-death cage match that is combatting climate change is — drumroll please — planting trees!

This news comes from a report out of the University of Oxford comparing different ways of removing CO2 from the atmosphere — which is a great thing to do, because it buys us more time to get our shit together and figure out how to stop pumping out so much of the stuff in the first place.

It turns out that one hectare of forest can sequester around 3.7 tons of CO2 per year at a cost of less than 100 dollars per ton, according to the report. Plus, trees can do other cool things like improve soil quality. Aren’t trees great? If only we’d known this before!

Other carbon capturing contenders include grabbing CO2 emissions from biomass-burning plants, sucking CO2 directly out of the air, and putting lime in seawater to make it absorb more CO2. On a larger scale, all of these options would destroy trees in a contest of who can capture the most CO2, but these more techie methods come with political hurdles and high costs. Realistically, the researchers say, these options might not make a significant impact until 2050.

But fear not, treehuggers. Your beloved forests won’t have to bear this burden alone until then. Dirt also has a role to play in the more immediate carbon capture game. With better agricultural land management, we can increase the amount of organic carbon in soil. We can also burn biomass into a carbon-dense biochar and store it in soil.

So trees and dirt are where it’s at for the next few decades, the researchers say, and perhaps by mid-century, we’ll be ready to pull out the big guns.

But lest we forget, the researchers at Oxford remind us:

 “It is clear that attaining negative emissions is in no sense an easier option than reducing current emissions. To remove CO2 T on a comparable scale to the rate it is being emitted inevitably requires effort and infrastructure on a comparable scale to global energy or agricultural systems. Combined with the potentially high costs and energy requirements of several technologies, and the global effort needed to approach the technical potentials discussed previously, it is clear that very large-scale negative emissions deployment, if it were possible, is not in any sense preferable to timely decarbonisation of the energy and agricultural systems.”

Guess it’s time to plant some trees and start the revolution!

Source:
Stranded Carbon Assets and Negative Emissions Technologies Working Paper

, University of Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment.

Scientists Seeking to Save World Find Best Technology is Trees

, Bloomberg Business.

Share

Please

enable JavaScript

to view the comments.

Find this article interesting?

Donate now to support our work.

Get stories like this in your inbox

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Link: 

This amazing gadget is the best technology we have for trapping CO2

Posted in alo, Anchor, FF, GE, LG, ONA, organic, Smith's, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on This amazing gadget is the best technology we have for trapping CO2

U.N. says the ozone layer will be a little less screwed — a long time from now

HAZY FORECAST

U.N. says the ozone layer will be a little less screwed — a long time from now

11 Sep 2014 7:56 PM

Share

Share

U.N. says the ozone layer will be a little less screwed — a long time from now

×

Remember those holes we poked in the ozone with refrigerants and chlorofluorocarbons during the 1980s? Well, a new United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) assessment reports that the ozone layer is well on its way to a full recovery.

The study has been framed as a victory for international action, but hold the toasts. UNEP scientists say we won’t get back to 1980 ozone levels — back when there was already an ozone hole over Antarctica bigger than 1 million square miles — until 2050. And this supposed good news about the ozone comeback comes just two weeks after NASA delivered another dose of reality: Researchers found out the atmosphere still holds a shit-ton of carbon tetrachloride, an ozone-depleting compound that was banned worldwide decades ago. Nobody knows where it came from.

More mixed news from the report: Phasing out the chlorofluorocarbons that eat up the ozone layer has meant switching to hydrofluorocarbons, which are extremely effective at heating the atmosphere. And, in a screwed-whatever-we-do twist, the release of CO2 and methane — the two greenhouse gases that are most responsible for climate change — can actually help correct ozone levels.

Folks who are susceptible to skin cancer (everyone?) aren’t yet rejoicing, either. Melanoma, the most common form of cancer in the U.S., is caused by too much exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays that the ozone layer blocks. And the incidence of malignant skin cancer is still rising, unlike that of most cancers. I doubt we can blame that completely on tanning beds.

Of course, the U.N. report said nothing about the effects of Snooki’s Ultra Dark Tan Maximizer as a tanning agent. GTL at your own peril.

Source:
Ozone Layer on Track to Recovery: Success Story Should Encourage Action on Climate

, UNEP.

Find this article interesting?

Donate now to support our work.Share

Please

enable JavaScript

to view the comments.

Get stories like this in your inbox

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Link: 

U.N. says the ozone layer will be a little less screwed — a long time from now

Posted in alo, Anchor, Everyone, FF, G & F, GE, LG, ONA, organic, Safer, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on U.N. says the ozone layer will be a little less screwed — a long time from now

More Whale Poop, Please!

View this article: 

More Whale Poop, Please!

Posted in FF, GE, LG, ONA, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on More Whale Poop, Please!

Why should I use Green Energy Sources?

The term “green energy” is used a lot these days in the news and in business. However, you may not know exactly what is meant by the term. Green energy is any type of energy from a sustainable resource, such as the sun or wind. Read on to find out more about green energy and how it can work for you.

When looking for ways to use energy in a green way, think about car pools or using public transportation for your commute to work daily. This helps reduce your use of fossil fuels and your impact on the environment. It might be a little more inconvenient, but you will be doing the right thing and saving the planet.

Use the weight of your car to save gas while you are driving. You can increase the miles per gallon of your car by reducing the use of your gas pedal and also your brake. Stop accelerating at least one eighth of a mile before each stop and cut down on fuel usage.

Replace your appliances with energy-efficient appliances. Not only will you save energy and cut down on your electricity bills, but you can get a tax break for using these appliances. Look for Vitality Star or Energy Star appliances when replacing stoves, air conditioners, refrigerators and other major electrical appliances.

Seal any air leaks in your home. Air leakage, or infiltration typically occurs when the outside air enters your house uncontrollably via openings and cracks. You can properly seal these openings and cracks via sealant or weatherstripping. This greatly reduces cooling and heating costs, betters your building’s durability, and helps you mainatain a healthier home environment.

Buying products from companies that utilize green energy is the best way to promote environmental consciousness in manufacturing. It is important for people to take green steps in their own life. However, it is equally important to demand that manufacturers also take steps to be greener. Buy products from companies that utilize green energy sources in lieu of products that are made by irresponsible manufacturers.

Take the time to dry your clothes naturally. The dryer in your home takes up a lot of energy and it is quite simple to just hang your clothes and allow them to air dry. If you do need to use the dryer, then be sure to clean out the lint to help it work more efficiently.

Choosing to switch to green energies is a decision you should make after considering how much money you will really save. You should have a good idea of how much energy you are currently using and what it is costing you. Take into consideration the cost of the green energy system and the amount of energy it is expected to produce.

Going green means many things, including saving energy in your home. One of the easiest and best money-saving ideas is to insulate your attic. The recommended insulation level for most attics is approximately 12 to 15 inches, depending on the type of insulation you are using. Attic insulation can save you a bundle on your energy bill!

Think small. If you are unable to use alternative energy for your entire house, start with just one room. You can use alternative energy sources in one room and when you are ready, install it in another room. This way you are not overwhelmed with the expense of making over your house to use alternative energy.

Clean the filters in your air conditioner and dryer. Clean filters mean that your appliances use less energy, and less traditional energy means greener energy. Schedule a time to clean the filters so you don’t forget. You might, for example, clean the filter for the dryer and air conditioner once every week.

Try using cold water in the washing machine whenever it is possible. 90% of the energy used by washing machines is for heating up water. Because of this, using warm water will just increase your monthly utility bill and decrease the amount of money you have at the end of the month.

Do not turn down the thermometer when you are trying to cool off your house faster. The air conditioner works at the same speed either way. Set the thermometer for a comfortable level and wait patiently. You will save money in the long run because you will not be spending extra money on excessive cooling.

A great old fashioned way to heat your home and to save on energy is to use a wood burner. There are newer, more modern versions of wood burners called pellet stoves. These stoves burn pellets that are made of compressed sawdust. Both of these methods of heat burn with few emissions and do not require an EPA certification.

If you are struggling to maintain low energy costs in your home, you should try putting in a water-efficient flow control washer or shower rose that is Triple A-rated. Triple-A appliances are designed to decrease the amount of energy used in your home, which will ultimately lead to large savings.

Turn off the kitchen, bathroom, and any other exhaust fans as soon as you no longer need them. Some people leave the fans on for 20 minutes or so, but it is better to leave them on for no longer than five minutes after showering, bathing, or cooking is finished.

Many people who own homes with air-conditioning fail to realize how much energy is used by these units. If you have an air-conditioned home, consider a greener way of cooling off by saving the energy used to cool the air. Try to save air-conditioning for the hottest days. Keep blinds and drapes drawn during the hottest hours and open windows and doors after the sun goes down. Ceiling fans can also help a great deal!

This article is a gold mine for anyone who wishes to change their lives to take advantage of the benefits of green energy. Everything that you’ve read here will help you to make simple adjustments, within your own home, leading to rewards you couldn’t have imagined. Take the time to start today!

If you’re searching to get more information about world co2 emissions, the author invites you to read his website which covers a wide variety of similar subjects.

Posted in green energy | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Why should I use Green Energy Sources?

Atmosphere CO2 Day-Night Temperature Controller

[amzn_product_post]

Posted in C.A.P. | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Atmosphere CO2 Day-Night Temperature Controller