http://yasuni-itt.gob.ec/blog/2010/12/01/ecuadors-amazon-drilling-pledge-still-to-take-shape/ is the link I found about the Yasuni-ITT project proposed by the Ecuadorian government and accepted by the United Nations Development Programme. President Rafael Correa of Ecuador proposed leaving the area of the Yasuni National Park free from oil drilling in exchange for $3.6 billion from national and international donors. This amount is calculated to be half of the total profits the government would be making if it drilled in this area. So far countries such as Chile and Spain had provided the Ecuadorian government with $100,000 and $1.3 million, respectively. Consideration for this plan also came from the indigenous communities that live in this area of which two remain in isolation, the Tagaeri and Taromenane Nations. For these communities, conservation is essential to their welfare, as a native explains, “For us indigenous people who work in conservation, drilling is one of those projects that would destroy nature”. This project has two main objectives; develop ecotourism in this area and to discontinue oil drilling that destroys the biodiversity of the region.
When this project was first proposed in 2008, it was an innovative manner of dealing with oil extraction in this area of the Amazon that has suffered a lot of negative environmental impacts from international companies and the lack of interest from the national government. However the government is now more than ever committed with conservation. The Ministry of Tourism has developed an enormous campaign stressing the importance of visiting natural sites throughout the country, which has also launched a huge campaign of investing in ecotourism.
Personally from my visits to this country, I do see the interest of citizens to visit these sites, they usually opt for eco-friendly cabins in the Amazon, the highlands, or on the beaches. I do see a success in this type of tourism because it is not only bringing back a greater connection of citizens to nature but it is also raising the income for the communities that sell their services and goods in these areas. I do not think that ecotourism is replicable in all areas, there are a lot of factors that should be taken in consideration. For example, are the citizens of the country concerned with the state of nature, and is the marketing of ecotourism emphasizing important benefits that a citizen can gain from visiting these sites, among many other factors. I do see hope by these types of initiatives, especially when I see a countries adhering to these types of commitments of conserving the environment, at a time where the international community has been largely criticized for their lack of response.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Green Roads in Italy
This is a great story from a few months ago about making solar power more efficient in Italy. A highway connecting Catania and Siracusa just got a 30km extension that will be entirely solar powered. The tarmac includes photo voltaic cells that will power any lit signs along the road as well as emergency phones. Excess generated energy can be used to meet local needs. This is the largest project of many that Italy is taking to make its roads more carbon neutral. Italy is also looking at using LED bulbs for traffic lights.
One of the biggest complaints about solar power is the amount of space that the panels take up. It is true that if we attempted to power the world's energy needs through solar power that the area covered in solar panels and the infrastructure necessary to distribute that energy would be inefficient. However, this story is about the success of providing local solar power in a way that does not take up too much space, is not unattractive or harmful to wildlife (big complaints with wind power), and can demonstrate how simple it is to make a small change to make the world a better place.
Although the solar road is only 30 km long, this method could easily be replicated elsewhere in Italy and around the world. In some places (where sunlight is not as abundant year round), it would be less cost effective, but in many places this would be an easy way to begin the shift to solar.
http://www.matternetwork.com/2010/11/italy-goes-solar-first-sun.cfm
One of the biggest complaints about solar power is the amount of space that the panels take up. It is true that if we attempted to power the world's energy needs through solar power that the area covered in solar panels and the infrastructure necessary to distribute that energy would be inefficient. However, this story is about the success of providing local solar power in a way that does not take up too much space, is not unattractive or harmful to wildlife (big complaints with wind power), and can demonstrate how simple it is to make a small change to make the world a better place.
Although the solar road is only 30 km long, this method could easily be replicated elsewhere in Italy and around the world. In some places (where sunlight is not as abundant year round), it would be less cost effective, but in many places this would be an easy way to begin the shift to solar.
http://www.matternetwork.com/2010/11/italy-goes-solar-first-sun.cfm
Attack on the Antarctic
This article talks about increased international concern for Antarctica that was sparked by the sinking of a cruise ship in the region. As tourism in Antarctica grows, the environmental harm is beginning to show and both activists and scientists are concerned about the effects that human contact will have on the natural environment. So now, states are attempting to strengthen regulations to protect the habitat – with new rules such as only allowing 100 passengers to disembark a vessel at a time and forcing ships to use lighter fuels (causing many cruise lines to cancel their routes).
The Antarctica problem is being effectively and quickly addressed by the international community. Because it is a shared international space, with clear benefits for each state to maintain the habitat, countries were willing to take fast action to protect it. Also, the Antarctica region has a very high profile – with its lovable penguins and majestic ice floes – and therefore, it is newsworthy and will grab the attention of the general public. It might be hard for the average person to care about the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (which they can’t see the effects of or understand), but the suffering of a baby penguin is a very real and touching story. The protection of Antarctica is also being supported by many different actors, which is helping it to be more effective. Nations are addressing the issue, as well as scientists, environmental activists, and even the International Maritime Organization.
The quick and effective actions in the Antarctica case are potentially replicable and definitely give hope to the environmental fight. The actions could be replicable if the next problem is presented with the same international and emotional appeal as Antarctica was. Without widespread support from nations and the actual interest of their constituencies, it will be very difficult to replicate this success. However, as more regulations are created to protect the Antarctic region and tourism is being controlled, a sliver of hope should emerge for environmentalists – it certainly did in me.
Top Retailer Trying to Make a Difference
My article is not really about the environment, but is about a company taking an initiative to improve both public’s health. In the article, it was announced that Wal-Mart, out of all companies, has banned polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a chemical that is a flame retardant and used in electronics, furniture, sporting goods, pet supplies, curtains, toys, and etc. The chemical has been found to cause health problems in lab animals. And recently the EPA listed PBDEs as a chemical to be concerned about. Even though it is on this list it is still not banned in the United States.
So Wal-Mart banning it is a huge step forward in lowering the usage of the chemical, and that is why I chose this article. It is also shows Wal-Mart in a different light without all the flank the chain gets from multiple sources, the fact that they came out before the government in banning a substance, instead of being told to do it afterwards, so kudos to Wal-Mart. And since Wal-Mart is a major buyer of almost everything, it is going to change the usage of the PBDEs. Producers that use PBDEs are going to be reluctant to use it if they cannot get it to the major retailer. Wal-Mart is taking the same steps that Whole Foods took when it refused to sale bottles that had BPA’s in it.
This story also brings in a bit of hope. If a major retailer, in the future, is able to say that they do not want a product for fears of it not being environmental. This could cause producers of those certain produce that use unsustainable materials to change their production patterns and supplies, so they do not lose out on the market. It is as the top scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, Richard Dension, states about the new Wal-Mart ban, “The companies producing for Wal-Mart are not going to a special line for them and another line with those chemicals for everyone else. And this is going to make it easier for other retailers to follow suit.” I know it is a bit far fetch, but one can only hope that m in the future more companies would require higher environmental standards for the produces.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2011/02/25/AR2011022502977.html?hpid=moreheadlines
So Wal-Mart banning it is a huge step forward in lowering the usage of the chemical, and that is why I chose this article. It is also shows Wal-Mart in a different light without all the flank the chain gets from multiple sources, the fact that they came out before the government in banning a substance, instead of being told to do it afterwards, so kudos to Wal-Mart. And since Wal-Mart is a major buyer of almost everything, it is going to change the usage of the PBDEs. Producers that use PBDEs are going to be reluctant to use it if they cannot get it to the major retailer. Wal-Mart is taking the same steps that Whole Foods took when it refused to sale bottles that had BPA’s in it.
This story also brings in a bit of hope. If a major retailer, in the future, is able to say that they do not want a product for fears of it not being environmental. This could cause producers of those certain produce that use unsustainable materials to change their production patterns and supplies, so they do not lose out on the market. It is as the top scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, Richard Dension, states about the new Wal-Mart ban, “The companies producing for Wal-Mart are not going to a special line for them and another line with those chemicals for everyone else. And this is going to make it easier for other retailers to follow suit.” I know it is a bit far fetch, but one can only hope that m in the future more companies would require higher environmental standards for the produces.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2011/02/25/AR2011022502977.html?hpid=moreheadlines
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Turning Tough Trash Into Food-Friendly Fuel
http://discovermagazine.com/2010/dec/07-turning-tough-trash-food-friendly-fuel
According to the article, biological engineer, Ratna Sharma-Shivappa, is trying to investigate the way to "break down the problematic woody material in grasses withour harming the energy-containing carbohydrates that the plants also contain." We usually use corn to make biofuels, but this research could lead to make inexpensive biofuels by using inedible crops.
I think this research is an effective form of action because if she founds out the way to break down the woody material in grasses, we do not have to rely too much on corns to produce ethanol. However, this requires a lot of money and time. So this research can be replicable to those countries that are economically developed, but it is difficult to do the same research in developing countries.
According to the article, biological engineer, Ratna Sharma-Shivappa, is trying to investigate the way to "break down the problematic woody material in grasses withour harming the energy-containing carbohydrates that the plants also contain." We usually use corn to make biofuels, but this research could lead to make inexpensive biofuels by using inedible crops.
I think this research is an effective form of action because if she founds out the way to break down the woody material in grasses, we do not have to rely too much on corns to produce ethanol. However, this requires a lot of money and time. So this research can be replicable to those countries that are economically developed, but it is difficult to do the same research in developing countries.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Why I eat What I eat
When I was seven I became a vegetarian. This started because my sister (who was nine at the time) had read an article in version of Smithsonian for kids about slaughterhouses. My mom explained to her that the article was a thing called propaganda (the cover had a picture of a cow on the front with a large cartoon tear coming out of its eye), but since she had been a vegetarian on and off when she was in college, said that we could give it a try. We hardly ever ate meat anyway. About a week later, we were all dying for hamburger. Since then, I have never intentionally eaten meat. I gave up fish a few years later because I couldn't stand the idea of boiling a lobster alive.
When I'm purchasing food, this is what I think about most. It's fairly easy to shop vegetarian. Eating out can be trickier. Traveling can be the worst. But being vegetarian is a good way to reduce excess consumption. Eating from low trophic levels prevents calorie waste. For each calorie of meat you consume, ten calories of plant were consumed.
I've tried to eat locally as well. I grow a garden at home. I frequent farmers' markets, both in New Hampshire and here in D.C. Eastern Market provides great diversity of produce, and I highly recommend the Dupont Market.
When I'm purchasing food, this is what I think about most. It's fairly easy to shop vegetarian. Eating out can be trickier. Traveling can be the worst. But being vegetarian is a good way to reduce excess consumption. Eating from low trophic levels prevents calorie waste. For each calorie of meat you consume, ten calories of plant were consumed.
I've tried to eat locally as well. I grow a garden at home. I frequent farmers' markets, both in New Hampshire and here in D.C. Eastern Market provides great diversity of produce, and I highly recommend the Dupont Market.
Food Choice
Just like Christine said, my food choices are based on my preference. I personally think that food in the US is all greasy and unhealthy. I did not hate it at first, so I kept eating American food for couple months. After a while, I realized how I gained so much weight. Since then, I stop buying food and started to cook for myself. I personally think that food in the US is not eco-friendly because the amount of food that they serve is too much. Also, by eating too much food, people tend to gain weight, and as a result people tend to rely on technology (i.e. cars) because they do not want to move.
I have consumed Japanese food and orange juice in the last few days. I think the tetra packs of orange juice have had the greatest environmental impact because I could have used Brita and could have drank tap water so that I did not have any trash nor waste resources. However, I think I do not waste too much food because I only cook the amount of food that I can eat them all. Also, I usually eat only two times a day, so my trash can does not get full for a week.
I have consumed Japanese food and orange juice in the last few days. I think the tetra packs of orange juice have had the greatest environmental impact because I could have used Brita and could have drank tap water so that I did not have any trash nor waste resources. However, I think I do not waste too much food because I only cook the amount of food that I can eat them all. Also, I usually eat only two times a day, so my trash can does not get full for a week.
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