Quote of the Week

"Never neglect details. When everyone's mind is dulled or distracted the leader must be doubly vigilant."

~ Colin Powell

20th Anniversary of Shark Week!

Visit discovery.com and take a "virtual dive" to learn about various sharks, mix your own shark video or play some cool games. Also, check out the shark blog...I didn't know sharks could type!

Photo: Discovery

Where's the puppy?

If you want better fundraising results, ask yourself "Where's the puppy?"

And, interestingly, one puppy is better than two or more!

Source: Merkle DonorPowerBlog

Hollywood Pigeons go on birth control

This is sort of weird — According to the BBC, steps are being put into place to curtail the pigeon population in Hollywood, California. Small amounts of the drug OvoControl P, which is a drug used to interfere with egg reproduction, will be included in bird food that will be placed on rooftop birdfeeders around the city. According to the report, this approach has won the support of animal rights' activists although not much has been said about the environmental implications of actively putting this drug into the food chain. The company that produces the drug says that there are no harmful environmental repercussions.

From: Margot Krieger

Source: Treehugger

Photo: Treehugger

Fishing for fuel

A commercial fish farm in El Borboton, Honduras is using fish guts to produce biodiesel, which then in turn is used to run the 10 trucks and eight buses that bring employees to work. Instead of discarding the fish heads, skins and internal organs, they cook the parts down to produce 300,00 gallons of fish oil fuel annually. They then add methanol, glycerin and other chemicals to make the biodiesel.

From: Margot Krieger

Source: Treehugger

Photo: Treehugger

Lose the doom and gloom

This op-ed implores greens to talk about the future without depressing everyone. It relates to the article Martina posted that our target demographic wants to believe the glass is half full.

Source and photo: Grist

NWF's Walk Score is 51

Walk Score helps people find walkable places to live. Walk Score calculates the walkability of an address by locating nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc.

To calculate your home's walk score, go here.

10 Tips for Meatless Meals

The article also provides descriptions for the various types of vegetarians.

Source: WebMD

Photo: Corbis

Movie Review

I went to see "The Simpsons Movie" on Saturday and I can confirm that the movie does indeed have a green theme. Lisa implores the town to clean up Lake Springfield. But, not suprisingly, Homer becomes the biggest polluter when he dumps a large amount of pig poop into the lake which, for some reason, causes animals to mutate. The EPA steps in and takes drastic measures to contain the catastrophe.

I'm not a huge Simpsons fan and haven't watched an entire episode in years. But, the plethora of witty one-liners kept the movie moving at a decent pace. I would have to disagree with the overall Rotten Tomatoes rating of 89%, though. I think that's a little generous (especially since Harry Potter only got a 77%!) It is worth renting.

Checking email in the bathroom?

We're e-ddicted!

A survey, conducted by AOL and Opinion Research, found that the average e-mail user checks his or her inbox about five times a day. Of the users with portable e-mail devices, 59% said they check every time a new message arrives. Forty-three percent of that group said they sleep with the portable device nearby so they can hear the signal for incoming mail. A majority of mobile e-mailers said they have checked or written e-mail in bed (59%) and in the bathroom (53%). Thirty-seven percent reported handling e-mail chores while driving a car, and 12% said they had done so in church. For shame!

Source: Direct

Jack Bauer to Strangle Climate Change

I readily admit that I have watched every single episode of "24" over the last six seasons. So, I was thrilled to see that the show (which airs on FOX) will strive to become the first television production ever to save enough energy over the course of a season to render its entire season finale "carbon neutral." Pretty cool!

Source: Treehugger

News from The Washington Post

Japan Hybrid Train Fights Global Warming

March of the Cuddly-Wuddly Documentaries

U.S. Airlines Under Pressure To Fly Greener

What would Earth be like if all the humans died out? (book review)

Tourists trinkets made from panda poop?

A panda breeding center in China is developing a dung-for-profit scheme that turns droppings from the endangered species into odor-free souvenirs ranging from bookmarks to Olympic-themed statues of the animals.

From: Georgina Price

Source: MSNBC

Photo: Elizabeth Dalziel- AP/MSNBC

Climate Change Linked to Doubling of Atlantic Hurricanes

Twice as many Atlantic hurricanes formed each year from 1995 to 2005, on average, than formed during parallel years a century ago.

Hurricane hunters flew into and around the eye of Hurricane Katrina. August 28, 2005. (Photo courtesy NOAA)

Source: ENS

Dick Gregory Takes on Global Warming as Civil Rights Issue of the Century

Comedian and activist Dick Gregory "hailed climate justice as the civil rights issue of the 21st century." Gregory appeared at a rally in MacArthur Park in LA to talk about how global warming affects everyone and especially low-income Americans. Before the rally a fair was held to show people what they can do to help combat global warming. Dick Gregory is also planning a walk across the country for climate justice.




Source: NWF
Photo: Wikipedia (Dick Gregory in 1964)

Jog your brain

Exercise can stimulate creativity that lasts for hours. Swimming in the Thames worked wonders for Ben Franklin and jogging gets the creative juices flowing for Stephen King.

Source: WebMD

Does a Darkened Google Really Save Electricity?

A new Web site, Blackle, reverses the color schemes of search-result pages so users see light-colored text on a black background. It’s a trick that, allegedly, cuts the energy consumption of computer monitors.

Source: WSJ

Texas Leads List of Dirtiest U.S. Power Plants

Texas has the most entries on a list of the dirtiest U.S. power plants. Of the 50 "dirtiest" power plants with the highest carbon dioxide emissions in the country, all are coal-fired. Texas accounts for five on the list, and Indiana and Pennsylvania each have four.

The full EIP report can be found at http://www.dirtykilowatts.org/.

Source: ENN (Reuters)

Photo: Corbis

Monkeys getting the short end of the deal

Costa Rica has lost up to half of its monkeys over the last 12 years as developers expanding into their jungle habitat isolate them in small communities, scientists said Thursday. Populations of monkeys including howler, white face, spider and squirrel monkeys have declined by the thousands.

Or, did Katie scare them away when she was in Manuel Antonio?

Source :ENN

Photo: Corbis

Ditch the Suit and Ties for T-Shirts and Shorts!

A Shanghai Business District is urging office workers to wear T-shirts and Shorts on July 27th (today) in order to promote awareness of environmental protection. That day weather in Shanghai is supposed to reach 40 degrees Celsius (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit).

From: Jessie Lapierre

Source: Reuters

Photo: StockXchng.com

Cute cubs! Siberian tigers born in Romania

Twin Siberian tigers, Lenuta and Costel, who were born in May are making their first public appearances this month!

Source: MSNBC

Photo: Bogdan Cristel- Reuters/ MSNBC

Global Warming in Greenland, DAY 4

Larry's trip to Greenland, part 4


Source: NWF (Larry's Blog)

Smoking Monkeys

Bad chimps!

Five secrets to fundraising happiness

SECRET #1 - If you're embarrassed to ask for money ... if you think direct mail is tacky and awful ... if you think fundraising is a necessary evil that besmirches your reputation and annoys donors ... well, you aren't going to be happy. Get right with the profession. Love it. That's the only way to do great work, and it's the only path to personal fulfillment in the job.

For the other four secrets, click here.

Source: DonorPowerBlog

The Rock Goes Green

No, not the wrestler...the world’s most infamous island. For Alcatraz’s 100th birthday, the National Park Service will be greening the island by making sure power, water, and even the transportation (i.e. solar powered boats!) to and from the island are completely sustainable.

From: Anne Senft

Source: Ecorazzi

Photo: Ecorazzi

Green Geek vs. Green Geek

Bill Nye "The Science Guy" openly challenges neighbor, Ed Begley Jr., for lowest carbon footprint. Place your bets...

From: Anne Senft

Source:Ecorazzi

Photo: Ecorazzi

U.S. Forest Service Hopping on the Carbon Offset Bandwagon

And why shouldn't they? The first program of its kinds for the federal government, the U.S.Forest Service is partnering with the National Forest Foundation to create the Carbon Capital Fund. The money received from Americans buying carbon offsets will be used to plant trees, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat and help restore public lands damaged by natural disasters.

"The beauty of the system is that everyone can go onto http://www.carboncapitalfund.org and, in a matter of minutes, offset your own carbon emissions by purchasing carbon credits, while also augmenting the Forest Service's capacity for restoring areas previously converted to agriculture or impacted by wildfires," said Bill Possiel, president of the National Forest Foundation.

From: Martina White

Source: Washington Post

Photo: Corbis

Smog and Mirrors: China's Plan for a Green Olympics

China won its bid for the 2008 games in part by vowing to put on a "Green Olympics". In the six years since, officials have been battling to make at least some of that happen. They've shuttered the worst of Chairman Mao's beloved old blast furnaces, torn up streets to build subway lines, upgraded sewage treatment plants. They've planted tens of millions of trees, pulverizing a nearby mountain for fresh soil.

Lovely stuff, long overdue...

Source: Wired

Photo: The Bird's Nest stadium will boast a rainwater-capture system to irrigate the infield (Tony Law)

Cast your vote!

Blogger has a new poll feature (top right of this page). Feel free to vote for your favorite season!

Image: Corbis

A Green Living

Graduates of the class of 2007 are finding that being environmentally friendly is a growth industry.

Source: Newsweek

Lollapalooza Adopts Live Earth Ethos

Next week's festival promises to be a bolder, brighter shade of green.

Source: Ecorazzi

Four endangered gorillas found shot dead

The gorillas, 3 female mountain gorillas and 1 male silver back gorilla, were found dead inside Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There were 3 other killings of gorillas in the same park this year. The loss of these 7 gorillas in 7 months is huge with only about 700 mountain gorillas surviving in the wild and none in captivity.

Source: MSNBC

Photo: MSNBC

Why to buy organic tomatoes

According to a study comparing organic tomatoes with standard produce, organic tomatoes have almost double the quantity of antioxidants called flavinoids, which are said to help prevent high blood pressure, and reduce the likelihood of heart disease and stroke. The food chemist that lead the research also believes that this antioxidant can help stave off types of cancer and dementia.

From: Margot Krieger

Source: Treehugger

Photo: StockXchng.com

Did you know?

One in five online Americans view video over the Internet on any given day.

Source: NYTimes

An Important Day in Direct Mail History

From: Karen Denzler

On this day in 1775, the U.S. postal system is established by theSecond Continental Congress, with Benjamin Franklin as its firstpostmaster general. Franklin (1706-1790) put in place the foundation for many aspects of today's mail system. During early colonial times in the 1600s, few American colonists needed to send mail to each other; it was more likely that their correspondence was with letter writers in Britain. There were no post offices in the colonies, so mail was typically left at inns and taverns.



In 1753, Franklin made numerous improvements to the mail system, including setting up new, more efficient colonial routes and cutting delivery time in half between Philadelphia and New York by having the weekly mail wagon travel both day and night via relay teams. Franklin also debuted the first rate chart, which standardized delivery costs based on distance and weight. In 1774, the British fired Franklin from his postmaster job because of his revolutionary activities. However, the following year, he was appointed postmaster general of the United Colonies by the Continental Congress. Franklin held the job until late in 1776, when he was sent to France as a diplomat. He left a vastly improved mail system, with routes from Florida to Maine and regular service between the colonies and Britain.



President George Washington appointed Samuel Osgood, a formerMassachusetts congressman, as the first postmaster general of the American nation under the new U.S. constitution in 1789. At the time,there were approximately 75 post offices in the country.

Today, the United States has over 40,000 post offices and the postal service delivers 212 billion pieces of mail each year to over 144 million homes and businesses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the American Virgin Islands and American Samoa. The postal service is the nation's largest civilian employer, with over 700,000 career workers, who handle more than 44 percent of the world's cards and letters. The postal service is a not-for-profit, self-supporting agency that covers its expenses through postage (stamp use in theUnited States started in 1847) and related products. The postal service gets the mail delivered, rain or shine, using everything from planes to mules. However, it's not cheap: The U.S. Postal Service saysthat when fuel costs go up by just one penny, its own costs rise by $8million.

Source: History.com

Photo: Courtesy of Roy Tennant and FreeLargePhotos.com. Statue of Ben Franklin in front of the Old Post Office in Washington DC.

Shop NWF's Summer Catalog

Check out some new items as well as bargains in the Outlet Store.

EPA Warns Human Beings No Longer Biodegradable

The EPA issued a bulletin warning the bodies of American citizens, with their large concentrations of artificial, synthetic, and often toxic substances, have been reclassified as industrial waste.

Source: The Onion

Photo: EPI

Cat predicts death at nursing home

Oscar the Cat is better at predicting imminent death than staff. Spooky!

Source: CNN Photo: AP

NWF Interviewed at RAGBRAI

Click here and scroll to "The Politics of RAGBRAI".

Source: KGAN (CBS)

Caught red handed!

Look who's been eating our tomatoes!

Photo: Anne Senft

My Earth Rewards

For more information on the new GE credit cards you can also visit their website
http://www.myearthrewards.com/

From: Susan Busada

G.E. Unveils Credit Card Aimed at Relieving Carbon Footprints

Feel guilty about fueling up that gas guzzler or buying that box of incandescent bulbs? Would you feel better if, instead of frequent flier miles or cash, your credit card’s rewards program allowed you to offset your role in global warming? General Electric is betting you will. Today, GE will introduce the GE Money Earth Rewards Platinum MasterCard, which allows cardholders to forgo a 1% cash rebate on purchases and earmark that amount for projects that reduce greenhouse gases.

From: Anne Senft

Source: NY Times

Photo: NY Times

Seniors Like to Hear the Glass is Half Full

Didn't your grandma used to say: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all? Well, it seems this principle applies to her entire generation.

From: Martina White

Source: Target Marketing

Photo: Corbis

A good candidate for symbolic adoption???

Scientists are concerned about the dwindling populations of two small fury creatures on New Mexico's list of endangered mammals. The number of New Mexican meadow jumping mice has dropped by at least two-thirds -- and possibly as much as 90 percent -- throughout the state. In addition, the Arizona montane vole is found only in a very small region of Catron County and in east-central Arizona.

The main contributor is loss of their original riparian ecosystems over the last century since the mouse and the vole depend on moist meadows along streams and rivers to make their homes, find food and reproduce.

Source: ENN

Photo: Corbis

American couch potatos

According to the Economist, American households watch television for an average of 8 hours and 11 minutes every day — more than any other country! So make sure you go outside and get that green hour in today!

From: Margot Krieger

Source: Treehugger

Photo: StockXchng.com

Voracious jumbo squid invade California

The Humbolt squid, which can grow up to 7 feet, has been invading the waters off the coast of central California. These jumbo squids used to only be found in the Pacific waters close to the equator but have recently been found off the coast of Alaska.

Source: MSNBC

Photo: Dana Rene Bowler, AP/MSNBC

Quote of the Week

"If we don't change the direction we are headed, we will end up where we are going." -Chinese Proverb

From: Anne's bottle cap

RAGBRAI Update

Visit NWF's Wildlife Promise for the latest. In short, Lance Armstrong rode passed "Team NWF" and Ranger Rick is a big hit with parents and kids alike!

New Report Details Threat to Puget Sound and Pacific Coastal Habitats

Rising sea-levels, caused by global warming, may be causing more harm to the Puget Sound and the animals who live there. This rising of the sea-level causes a chain reaction which impacts the salmon up to the orcas.

Source: NWF

Photo: StockXchng.com

Invasion of the jellyfish

Europeans beware! An onslaught of jelly-fish are invading your beaches thanks to global warming. Last week alone, on Spain's Costa Blanca beach, 62 beach-goers were stung by them!

The over population is credited to warming oceans and over-fishing, which removes predators and competitors. The worst example is the Black Sea, where 90% of the biomass is jellyfish.

From: Margot Krieger

Source: Treehugger

Photo: Treehugger

Global Warming in Greenland, DAY 3

Larry's trip to Greenland, part 3



Source: NWF (Larry's Blog)

Global Warming in Greenland, DAY 2

Larry's trip to Greenland, part 2



Source: NWF (Larry's Blog)

How Loud is too Loud?

This is an article about all the most annoying things people do in an office and I thought it would go very well with Anne's Cubical Etiquette stuff. Apparently the most annoying thing is a loud talker.....I'll try to keep it down over here.

From: Gillian Caruso

Source: Yahoo

Photo: StockXchng.com

Global Warming and the Pacific Northwest Coast

The Pacific Northwest is blessed with an amazing diversity of coastal habitats. These habitats support thousands of species of fish and wildlife, and they are crucial for the regional economy, culture and quality of life.

However, the region’s coastal habitats and wildlife are under pressure from human activities such as development and pollution. Now, sea-level rise due to global warming will create even greater challenges for our coasts.

Source: NWF

England under water: scientists confirm global warming link to increased rain

It's official: the heavier rainfall in Britain is being caused by climate change, a major new scientific study will reveal this week, as the country reels from summer downpours of unprecedented ferocity.

More intense rainstorms across parts of the northern hemisphere are being generated by man-made global warming, the study has established for the first time ­an effect which has long been predicted but never before proved. The study's findings will be all the more dramatic for being disclosed as Britain struggles to recover from the phenomenal drenching of the past few days, during which more than a month's worth of rain fell in a few hours in some places, and floods forced thousands from their homes.

Source: The Independent via NWF's Wildlife Promise

Photo: Tewkesbury, a medieval market town, was among the areas hardest hit [EPA]

Walk Across America

Legendary comedian and social activist Dick Gregory—hailed as “a drum major for justice and equality”—is helping to lead the way in the fight against global warming. Mr. Gregory embarks on a 3000 mile cross country walk from Los Angeles, CA to Washington, D.C., on July 27th to put the spotlight on how global warming affects everyone, especially low-income Americans in all communities.

National Wildlife Federation and many partners are supporting this effort by hosting community-wide events in cities along Mr. Gregory’s route and challenging individuals and communities to take steps to confront global warming!

Mmmmm....environmental cleanup

In the first ever Simpsons Movie to be released this week in the U.S., Homer has to save the world from an environmental catastrophe he has created. Somehow, pigs are involved...

New Eco-Friendly Packaging Triggers Boom In Guilt-Free Littering

"These 'eco' products are amazing—they've totally changed my life...now, I just toss my used Seventh Generation–brand paper plates out the car window, knowing they'll soon be absorbed into the earth."

Source: The Onion

Download a Seafood Watch Pocket Guide

Compliments of the Monterey Bay Aquarium (which, btw, is awesome to visit!) Download now...

Solar panels too pricey? Try printing them out

Need solar energy? All you need is an ink jet printer!

Source: MSNBC

Photo: StockXchng.com

Maryland Wind Turbines Get the Go Ahead

A powerful democratic businessman has lobbied and won the opportunity to build a wind farm in western Maryland despite arguments that it will kill birds. As we saw in an article last week about the demand for ethanol causing harm to the Chesapeake, global warming solutions don't always come easy.

From: Martina White

Source: Washington Post

Photo: Corbis

Road to a Remote Alaskan Village Creates Controversy

The road would allow better emergency access to isolated villagers but would threaten the breeding grounds of a number of rare waterfowl.




From: Martina White
Source: Washington Post
Photo: Washington Post

A Green Life Tip

When traveling, look for a hotel that is working to save water and energy and reduce waste. Get listings at greenhotels.com or greenseal.org/programs/lodging_properties.cfm.

From: Anne Senft
Source: Sierre Club

Are you a Karma Queen or a Geek God?

Consumer Eyes recently released a book entitled “Karma Queens, Geek Gods, and Innerpreneurs,” in which founder Ron Rentel and his team have selected nine C-Types of true-to-life consumers who they believe should be on every marketer’s radar. They are Denim Dads, E-Litists, Ms. Independents, Karma Queens, Culture Crossers, Innerpreneurs, Middlemen, Geek Gods, and Partentocrats.

Here's a handy guide to the new consumer types.

Source: Advertising Age

Wildlife reserve to be named after ‘Croc Hunter’

A new wildlife reserve in Queensland, Australia, will be named after the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin. The 333,585 acre reserve is home to the endangered northern quoll and the speartooth shark.

Source: MSNBC

Photo: AustraliaZoo.com

Environmentally Friendly AND Fashionable?! - Brilliant!!

Fifteen Whole Foods in New York use branding to entice customers to buy trendy, reusable bags over plastic. "To create awareness you have to create scarcity by producing a limited edition," according to London designer Anya Hindmarch.

From: Jessie Lapierre

Source: New York Times

Photo: Lars Klove, NY Times

Fjieldbanken: Mirrored Beauty of the Night

The beautiful Fjieldbanken, the most active iceberg bank in the Northern Hemisphere, is producing icebergs at an incredible rate... all because of global warming.

Source: NWF (Larry's Blog)

Photo: NWF

Florida roads not panther safe

Florida panthers are paying a deadly toll on the Sunshine State's highways. So far in 2007, a record number 14 panthers have died from vehicle collisions. The Florida Department of Transportation could keep this gruesome statistic from rising by making the state's roads more "panther safe."

Source: NWF's EnviroAction

Where in Iowa is "Team NWF"?

Keep abreast of Team NWF's progress on NWF's Wildlife Promise blog.

It's supposed to be in the 90's this week in IOWA! Probably won't help the drought they've been experiencing.

And, there's a rumor that former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) will be riding with Lance Armstrong tomorrow and Wednesday.

Fired Official's Endangered Species Decisions Revisited

Eight decisions made under the Endangered Species Act could be reversed after questions were raised about the integrity of the science used and whether the decisions were made illegally.

Source: ENS

Photo: The Canada lynx is one of the species under review

Book Review: Our Iceberg is Melting

From: Karen Denzler

In 1996 Harvard Business School professor wrote the book, "Leading Change". Last year he re-wrote the book for a new wider audience. Basically, he brought the book down to my level...and brought in the penguins. I mean, who doesn't like penguins? I like penguins!

"Our Iceberg is Melting. Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions" is in the same genre as "Who Moved My Cheese?" and can be read in a few hours. The point of the book is how to create and sustain a culture of change by telling the story about a colony of penguins who suddenly discover that their longtime home is melting. All the phases of change are tackled including convincing leadership that change need to happen, dealing with obstacles and keeping the momentum going.

I've got the book at my desk if anyone is interested in borrowing it.

Alcohol Goes on a Health Kick

Save the Earth, and get Healthy by drinking your dinner - you can't beat that!!!

From: Sue Busada

Source: Grist

Photo: Jonathan Alcom, NY Times

Global Warming in Greenland, Travelogue Part 1

Larry's trip to Greenland, part 1


Source: NWF (Larry's Blog)

New Report Details Sea-Level Rise Impact on Pacific Northwest

Visit NWF to see more details of the release of its new report on the impact of Sea-Level Rise...

Naked photo shoot to draw attention to glacial shrinkage

Hilarious!

From: Anne Senft

Source: CNN

Photo: CNN

Pinky

Found this guy on a coneflower in my backyard.
I never saw a pink caterpillar before!

Photo: QM

VIDEO: Are our children learning enough about whales?

Panelists discuss a new report that found only 84% of education funding goes to teaching children about whales.

Source: The Onion

Did you know?

Did you know...
Weeds may not be good for your garden, but they can be good for you: A cup of chopped dandelion leaves has almost 40 percent as much calcium as a cup of milk, plus plenty of other nutrients.



From: Anne Senft
Source: Sierra Club
Photo: StockXchng.com

Walmart makes strides in fuel efficiency

Walmart is reporting that they have achieved a 15% improvement in fuel efficiency — achieved mainly from three changes: A fuel additive mix, fuel-efficient tires and small diesel generators which are called Alternate Power Units. These units are added to trucks and provide power for heating and air conditioning. This allows the big truck engine to be turned off rather than idling when parked.
Walmart's next goal is to reach a 25% improvement goal by late next year. If this goal is reached, the annual savings in carbon dioxide would be equal to taking 67,744 cars off the road.

From: Margot Krieger

Source: Tree Hugger

Photo: Tree Hugger

PB&J to the Rescue!

Find out how eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches can save the world!

Submitted by Sara Isacson

Source: PBJ Campaign

Photo: Life is Good

Fun Day!

Horseback Ridin'

Back at the Ranch

It's ok to wine

Membership Marketing enjoyed a well-deserved FUN DAY at the Marriott Ranch in Hume, VA today. Team members chose a lovely horse ride, a lively jeep tour or just chilling out on the farm house porch. These activities were followed by a yummy picnic lunch and a "heated" volleyball game for some, and pleasant conversation for others. To end the day with style, we headed over to Rappahannock Cellars for a wine tasting and tour. Fortunately, the weather cooperated beautifully as you'll see from the photos.

What a great day!

Quote of the Week

"The time to relax is when you don't have time for it."

~Sydney J. Harris




Photo: Culture Holidays

Who Wouldof Thunk: U.S. Nuclear Bomb Site Becomes Nature Refuge

A Colorado nuclear weapons facility closed to the public for decades, will soon open as a national wildlife refuge where people can watch hawks and elk. The Energy Department this week said it transferred 4,000 acres - cleaned of contamination and chemicals - of the former Rocky Flats nuclear weapons production site, 16 miles northwest of Denver, Colorado, to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for use as a nature refuge.

Source: ENN

Photo: Corbis

Alternative Fuel May Damage Chesapeake Bay

Growing corn to meet increased demand for ethanol will cause more agricultural run-off into the Bay, according to a study.

From: Martina White

Source: Washington Post

Photo: Corbis

Just in time for RAGBRAI

As summarized by Grist...
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there was no air pollution to cause respiratory problems for bike riders. But back to the future: this decidedly Storm-Trooperish helmet/gas mask will help keep your air filtered and your look fashionable.

From: Anne Senft

Source: Times Online

Photo: Times Online

Did you know?

Seventy-nine percent of donors and prospects that open direct mail appeals will read the postscript first.

Only the running headline and Johnson Box at the top of the letter fetch more attention.

A good P.S. can help you reach your direct mail objective by restating the benefits or offer, or by urging action. The primary thing not to do with your P.S. is to state a new fact, introduce a new idea, or start fresh with a different thought.

The P.S. is a place to repeat the call to action, remind the reader of key benefits, and ask for a gift. It’s also a good place to remind your reader of the premium they will get when they respond –a re-statement of the ‘extra’ awaiting them, the extras you bring to the table.

What’s more, the P.S. can be used to repeat your telephone and fax numbers, physical address, e-mail, and Web site.

Source: DMA's The Integrator

Cows that burp less seen helping in climate fight

Believe it or not...this story is NOT from The Onion.

The average dairy cow may burp up 50 gallons of ice-cap-melting methane a day, so scientists are working hard to test bovine digestive aids -- like garlic.


Source: Yahoo!News
Reuters Photo

She was green before green was cool

Lady Bird Johnson, who passed away last week, is being celebrated as the first ‘green’ First Lady. A champion for the beautification of the earth, Lady Bird was directly responsible for over 200 legislative initiatives to clean up highways, preserve and create new parks, protect wildlife, and basically plant flowers wherever there was room.

From: Anne Senft

Source: MSNBC

Photo: MSNBC

Climate Classroom, Be an Informed Parent

Your children have probably heard about Global Warming, but what do they understand about it? NWF's Climate Classroom is a great resource for parents to help educate their children about the effects of Global Warming and gives you tips on how to explain such a complex topic to your child.

Source: NWF
Photo: Climate Classroom

Haiku by Kelvonii

Photo: Mrs. Bundy, The Global Friendship Garden

Lincoln Elementary, Long Beach, CA

Redefining Grandparents

As summarized by the DMA...

Estimates for the number of grandparents in the US range from around 39 million to 80 million, depending on which survey you look at. The typical grandparent is a baby boomer between the ages of 45 and 65 (though 65 is a bit beyond the baby boomer generation); the average age of a first-time grandparent is 47; and the average grandparent has six grandkids. And they’re affluent...

Speak to their joy of being grandparents and their interest in healthy, fun living, and your product or service will be a hit.

Source: Target Marketing

Go Now, Before it's Too Late

"Endangered Planet": The Washington Post's take on global warming's effect on the travel business. Check out the interactive map.

From: Martina White

Source: Washington Post

Photo: Jon Tigar, Washington Post

Predicting Sea Level Rise is Tricky

The implications of sea level rise are enormous (major loss of coastal areas, tens of millions of refugees), making it all the more difficult for scientists to agree on a prediction.

From: Martina White

Source: Washington Post

Photo: Corbis

It's not an igloo, just an icy building!

Some office towers and buildings have found a way to stay cool while keeping the AC to a minimum -- by using an energy-saving system that relies on blocks of ice to pump chilly air through buildings. This system is as good for the environment as taking 223 cars off the streets or planting 1.9 million acres of trees to absorb the carbon dioxide caused by electrical usage for one year.

How It Works: The water is frozen in large silver tanks at night when electricty power demands are low. The cool air emanating from the ice blocks is then piped throughout the building more or less like traditional air conditioning.

Source: ENN (AP)

Photo: Corbis

Dead Ocelot Bad News for Falling U.S. Population

The unexplained death of a breeding-age ocelot in southeast Texas has brought the endangered cat a step closer to extinction in the United States, a wildlife biologist said Thursday. The U.S. population of the northern subspecies of the cat, known as the Texas ocelot, is down to around 100 or fewer. In the United States the cat once ranged into Louisiana and Arkansas but is now restricted to this corner of Texas.

Source: ENN

Photo: Corbis

Houston the next windy city...

Unsettled by a $150 million annual electric bill, Houston has negotiated a contract to ensure that a third of the city's power is generated by wind. Houston Mayor Bill White, a former chief operating officer at the US Department of Energy under Clinton said that it "puts [Houston] in a definite leadership position" in regards to renewable energy usage among cities.

The mayor sought change after damage done by hurricanes Katrina and Rita prompted electricity prices to soar.

From: Margot Krieger

Source: Tree Hugger

Photo: StockXchng.com

Feeling fishy?

Opt for Wild Alaskan or Pacific salmon over the farmed
kind. It's better for you, and the ocean.

To download a handy reference guide to potentially dangerous or overfished seafood, go to
sierraclub.org/mercury/fishguide.pdf.

From: Anne Senft

Source: Sierra Club

Photo: StockXchng.com

India starts work on climate action plan

From: Karen Denzler

Although no required to cut emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, India has started working on a plan that addresses climate change. While still avoiding targets, India will instead focus on increasing energy efficiency and boost the use of renewable energy resources.

Despite being one of the world's top 5 emitters by volume, India ranks just 147th out of 186 countries in terms of emissions per person. On average, each Indian emits 1.9 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, compared with 24.3 tonnes for the average US citizen.

Source: New Scientist

Are you a green penny pincher?

This year, The Washington Post's "Penny Pincher of the Year Contest" has a conservation theme. So, if your quest to save money also saves the planet, submit your best energy, water or waste-saving penny-pinching story by August 20th.

Source: Washington Post

Photo: Corbis

Climate Change: 10 Endangered Sites

Short slideshow that focuses on 10 danger zones threatened by global warming. Includes the Outer Banks and Montana's Glacier National Park.

Source: Washington Post

Photo: Anne Senft

Congratulations Sue!

Sue Busada just certified her backyard.

Her site is #85646.

Photo: Corbis

How to Mow Down Pollution and Reduce Impact of Global Warming in Your Yard

Fifty-four million Americans use gas powered lawn mowers to cut the grass. These gas powered lawn mowers are, among other things, contributing to ground-level ozone which causes smog.

Read what NWF recommends for getting rid of those gas powered lawn mowers.

Source: NWF

Photo: Target.com

China is sinner and saint of paper industry

From: Karen Denzler

China has apparently become the world's wastepaper basket. Since 2002, it has recycled 65 million tons of the world's waste paper. In 2006 alone it saved 54.3 million trees from being pulped.

Yet, the most recent Forest Trends report gave China a "needs improvement" grade. In addition to recycling, China also imports wood pulp to make high quality paper. While two-thirds of the pulp imported comes from sustainable forests in the Americas and Europe, the remainder comes from unsustainable forests in Russia and Indonesia.

Source: NewScientist.com

Paramount Classics Establishes ‘ARCTIC FUND’

Paramount Classics has established an "Arctic Fund" for the opening of their Movie Arctic Tale. This fund will give an equal share of a percentage of Arctic Tale's lifetime domestic box office revenue to The National Geographic Polar Fund, World Wildlife Fund, National Wildlife Federation and Wildlife Conservation Society. John Lesher, President of Paramount Classics, said they chose these 4 organizations because "[They] are at the forefront of this cause and we are proud to support them.”

Source: Paramount Vantage

Photo: ParamountVantage.com

New Global Partnership Tracks Plant and Animal Survival

"This effort helps move biodiversity to the front burner to help ignite policy makers to take informed action," said Monique Barbut, CEO of the funding organization the Global Environment Facility.

Source: ENS

Triskaidekaphobia

triskaidekaphobia \tris-ky-dek-uh-FOH-bee-uh\, noun:

A morbid fear of the number 13 or the date Friday the 13th.

Source: Dictionary.com Word of the Day

NWF President Applauds Gov. Crist’s Ambitious Global Warming Agenda

Gov. Charlie Crist set an executive order to have the state of Florida reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. The order is helping to set the stage for Floria's Summit for Climate Change this week. NWF's President and CEO, Larry Schweiger, will meet with Gov. Crist as well as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at this week's summit.

Source: NWF

Photo: CharlieCrist.com

Endangered Species Act Protection May Be Warranted for 10 Penguin Species

Ten species of penguins found in Antarctica and the southern hemisphere are being considered for inclusion on the Endangered Species list.

From: Anne Senft

Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Photo: StockXchng.com

A great animal-oriented photo essay from the Washington Post

Karen will especially like #10!


From: Martina White
Source: Washington Post

One more reason to love baseball!

This year, at the baseball all-star game (which the AL won --woohoo!!) MVP Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners received a 2008 hybrid Chevy Tahoe instead of the Chevy Avalanche that was awarded to last year's MVP. Along with San Francisco and Denver setting up solar panels at their parks, and the Reds making their opening day carbon neutral, America's favorite pastime is well on its way to a greener future.

From: Margot Krieger

Source: TreeHugger

Photo: TreeHugger

Do You Know What Happens Every 2 Seconds?????

Every two seconds, one person joins the planet's expanding urban population, and in 2008, for the first time in human history, a majority of people will live in cities. Last week, the UN Population Fund released its State of World Population 2007 report, which calls for a "revolution in thinking" to help cities unleash their potential to spur economic growth and solve social problems. In this video of the launch event in Washington, D.C., Worldwatch President Christopher Flavin discusses the imperative of developing our urbanizing world sustainably in order to meet the needs of the 1.1 billion people projected to join the world's population between now and 2030. Over half of these people may live in under-serviced slums, according to Worldwatch's recent report State of the World 2007: Our Urban Future.

Source/Photo: Worldwatch

Expeditions Website now live

PDFs for all the 2008 NWF expedition trips can now be accessed on the website
www.nwf.org/expeditions. There you can learn about the trips NWF is organizing for the rest of 2007 and 2008. These trips go all over the world, from U.S. National Parks, to China and Namibia. Check out the website to learn more about all available trips!

Source: NWF

Photo: Martina White (from her expedition to the Galapagos)

Warming causing gray whales to lose weight

From: Karen Denzler

Scientists fear that Pacific Coast gray whales, which came off the endangered species list in the mid 1990s, maybe facing a new crisis. The whales have been returning significantly underweight from their summer feeding grounds in the Bearing Sea. Warming temperatures are being blamed for a reduction in the algae and plankton on which the whales feed.

Sourse: Breitbart.com

Photo: Courtesy of Breitbart.com

Whose Job Is It to Save the Planet, Anyway?

A very cute story about the important role bees play. I think you'll really enjoy it! I did.

Source: Washington Post

Photo: Anne Senft (from my certified habitat!)

In Memoriam: Lady Bird Johnson

Lady Bird Johnson died today at the age of 94. Cofounder of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, TX, NWF’s 1965 and 2004 "Conservationist of the Year" has spent more than 4 decades helping to educate people about the environmental necessity, economic value and natural beauty of native plants.

Source: NWF
Photo: CNN

Harry Potter Goes Green!

Attention Muggles!

As you may know, the 5th Harry Potter movie hits theaters today. I'm happy that it's getting decent reviews. I'm equally pleased that the 7th and final Harry Potter book is being printed on recycled paper!

To learn more and to thank Scholastic for going green, click here.

Source: NWF

It's Humans, Stupid!

The sun's changing energy levels are not to blame for recent global warming and, if anything, solar variations over the past 20 years should have had a cooling effect, scientists said on Wednesday. Their findings add to a growing body of evidence that human activity, not natural causes, lies behind rising average world temperatures, which are expected to reach their second highest level this year since records began in the 1860s. The 10 warmest years in the past 150 years have all been since 1990 and a United Nations climate panel, drawing on the work of 2,500 scientists, said this year it was "very likely" human activities were the main cause.

Source: ENN

Photo: Corbis

New Rules to Protect Whales from Fishing Gear Entanglement

New rules to protect endangered whales from fatal fishing-gear entanglements will be in place this fall after environmentalists sued to end the delay. A key part of the proposed rules was a

switch by lobstermen to rope that sinks to the ocean floor so whales don't get caught in it. Some lobstermen have objected, saying the heavier rope is costly and sometimes unnecessary. Marine gear entanglements and ship strikes are the top human causes of right whale deaths.

Source: ENN

Photo: Corbis

Rare butterfly makes comeback on L.A.-area beaches

The El Segundo blue, a tiny, rare butterfly, has returned to the L.A. area. These butterflies have been seen around two area beaches where they have not been seen in decades. Scientists are surprised by this resurgence, but hope that other species will rebound like the El Segundo blue and the American bald eagle.

Source:ElSegundo.net

Photo: ElSegundo.net

Quote of the Week

John Mayer commenting on LiveEarth...

“First of all, this is a very young movement...I also think it’s very difficult to gauge the success of awareness....I think awareness works kind of like a vitamin. You take a vitamin, you go to the bathroom, and 99% of it is gone. But you hope that 1% does something for you."

For the full quote, please visit ecorazzi.

Balmy Weather May Bench a Baseball Staple

From: Karen Denzler

They are sometimes shunned and frequently worshipped. Such is the complex relationship between a baseball player and his bat. But there may be no joy in Mudville if the Ash Tree is wiped out. Ash is the favorite wood of most major league bats and an Asian beetle and a warmer climate is spelling trouble for the tree.

Source: NY Times

Photo: Google Image of David Wright, All-Star 3rd baseman for the New York Mets

Today is World Population Day

6.6 billion people and counting...

To find out what you can do to promote solutions to climate change that advance sustainable development and family-planning initiatives worldwide, click here.

Source: Sierra Club

Are you spending money like water, on water?

A cheaper way to keep yourself hydrated during these dog days of summer is to buy a water filter for your home. I have a Brita which attaches to my kitchen faucet. You have to replace the filter every few months but that's easy-peasy.


The Benefits

More cash in your pocket. On average, tap water costs $0.0015 per gallon; just a 16-oz bottle can cost $2 at the convenience store.

Fewer contaminants. Baddies like chlorine, cryptosporidium, giardia, lead, and pesticide can get into unfiltered tap water, and up to 40% of bottled water comes from regular old city water systems.

Less plastic waste. Americans consume more than 2.5 million bottles of water every hour, and only around 10% are recycled.

Source: Idea Bite

Dog Parks USA

Resource for finding local dog parks and information on dog park etiquette.

Bonus: Official website of "Underdog" which opens in theaters August 3rd.

Source: Animal Planet
Photo: Howie courtesy of George Senft

World's Sexiest Vegetarians Named

Also includes a list of other celebrities who have taken the Veg Pledge. Some surprises for me:

Weird Al Yankovic
Little Richard
Leonard Nimoy.

Source: Peta

Photo Gallery: 7 New Wonders and 7 Ancient Wonders

A couple of days ago, Karen posted a story about the New 7 Wonders of the World. I noticed that National Geographic has a nice slide show of these new wonders as well as pictures of the ancient wonders.

Image: The Hanging Gardens of Babylon (modern day Iraq) (Color lithograph by Ferdinand Knab/The Bridgeman Art Library/Getty Images)

Retailers Offer Mixed Bag of Sustainable Wooden Garden Furniture

NWF scored retailers based on the sustainable wooden garden furniture their store offers. Pier 1 Imports and Crate and Barrel scored highest while Wal-Mart scored as one of the lowest.

Source: NWF

Photo: Crateandbarrel.com

UNESCO Case Study: Chan Chan Archaeological Zone

From: Karen Denzler

The Chan Chan Archaeological Zone is located in Northern Peru. It was the capital of the ancient Chimu Kingdom (between the 9th and 15th centuries) and is one of the largest and most important prehispanic earthen architecture cities in the Americas.

Threats: El Nino events have been particularly damaging to Chan Chan. The intense precipitation is damaging the base of the earthen structures.

Possible Responses: In September 1997 an emergency assistance fund was allocated to implement immediate measures to protect the most significant and vulnerable parts of Chan Chan based on El Nino projections for 1998. As a result, the impacts on the site were relatively modest. Long-term protection projects are also underway. These include the stabilization of the foundations and structures of the main building. These projects are carried out combining the use of traditional materials and skills as well as modern engineering techniques.

Source: UNESCO

Photos: Courtesy of Google Earth and InkaNatura Travel

California Aims to Replace Germany as the Solar Hub of the World by Building Largest Solar Farm

Just outside of Fresno, CA, San Francisco based Cleantech America LLC is making plans for the world's largest solar power farm. 7 times larger than the world's current largest farm and twice the size of the largest planned farm, Cleantech is confident a farm of this size has the opportunity to have an "industry changing impact" -- similiar to that of the computer chip.

From: Katie Lefebure

Source: CNN
Photo: CNN/AP

Wachovia banks on green future

Wachovia bank has announced that it will be constructing 300 green branches nationwide by 2010. These branches will use 20 percent less energy and 25 percent less water. They will have employee recycling programs and provide bike racks and preferred parking for low-emission vehicles.

From: Margot Krieger

Source: Treehugger

Photo: Treehugger

Too Large A Meal?

Bullfrogs will eat anything they can get their mouth around. Apparently this snack never made it through the frog; lunch was found floating on the pond surface the next morning. The frog is fine and likely still hungry.

From: Craig Tufts to Anne Senft

Photo: Butterfly gardener extraordinaire and Habitat Steward Jim Galleon sent Craig the attached photo of a frog in their Backyard pond.

Tussock Moth caterpillar

Here's a picture of the Tussock Moth caterpillar- the type of caterpillar that Dave's daughter found while camping!

U.S. Agency Moves on Plan to Kill Wolves

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to make it easier to kill wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains to protect other wildlife (elk and deer) and domesticated animals. Wyoming and Idaho have expressed concern in recent years that the growing wolf population is harming other wildlife. But the existing federal rule, established in 2005, required states to show that wolves were the primary cause of wildlife herds not meeting state or tribal management goals before any of the predators could be killed.

http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=13070

Source: ENN/AP

Photo: Corbis

Impact Your World

Besides Anderson Cooper, this new website gives me one more reason to like CNN...

CNN has taken a proactive approach to fundraising with its "Impact Your World" initiative directing viewers to charity and relief efforts connected to some of its stories.

Source: DMA'S Integrator

Photo: CNN

Hawaii becomes leader in fight against global warming

I better take a field trip there to make sure they're doing it right. :)

Source: Honolulu Adverstiser

15 Green Movies

As ranked by Grist. Guess which movie is #1 on the list...

Bonus: 15 Green Politicians


Photo: Photo: Universal Pictures

Global warming may be behind increase in insects and disease-carrying animals

Rising temperatures may be the cause of a population boom in insects and disease-caring animals. Experts warn that with the arrival of summer, extra care needs to be taken to ward against insects such as mosquitoes and ticks.

Source: NWF's Global Warming Blog

Photo: CDC.gov

VIDEO: 8 Candidates Lay Out Their Global Warming Plans

Read all eight Democratic Presidential Candidates' responses to questions about their plans to address global warming.

Source: National Wildlife Action Blog

Do you want fries with that truck?

McDonald's will power it's U.K. delivery fleet with its own fry grease!

Source: BBC via Grist

NEW! NWF's Climate Classroom

NWF's new http://www.climateclassroom.org/ website is designed to help parents and teachers talk to students of differing ages about global warming. We designed the site via direct communication with over 200 Ranger Rick readers to determine their questions and how they felt about what they were hearing in the media. The site is designed to address two main educational challenges:

a) presenting global warming in a way that doesn't upset children (particularly very young children) and

b) educating them in accordance with their developmental capacity to absorb complex information.

Its features include: guidelines for parents, proposed new national global warming educator guidelines, age-adapted sources of useful curricula, a downloadable slide presentation for kids, presenter's guide, and more.

See http://www.climateclassroom.org/

Courtesy of Kevin Coyle

Love our members!

From Merkle's blog...

"Fundraising is about donors. When you help them care enough to give, you help them connect with who they are -- or who they aspire to be. You ennoble and empower them. You make their hearts sing."

Source: DonorPowerBlog

Photo: Corbis

Did you know?

If each U.S. household replaces one 40-count package of conventional paper plates with 100% recycled ones, we'll save 487,000 trees.

Source: Idea Bite

Have we reached the energy tipping point?

A recent poll shows energy as Americans' 4th most top priority, and that gas prices are considered extremely important to 43% of Americans.

Source: CNN

Photo: CNN

Monkey News for Anne

http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=13096

Malaysia Seizes 900 Monkeys from Wildlife Poachers

Malaysia has smashed a ring of wildlife smugglers and seized more than 900 poached monkeys destined for China or the Netherlands. Wildlife officials arrested four men after finding the long-tailed macaques confined in cages and sacks during a raid on a plantation in the southern state of Johor, the state news agency Bernama said on Monday.

"We believe the monkeys would end up as food in China, where they are said to be an aphrodisiac, and for laboratory studies in Holland," wildlife official Celescoriano Razond, who led the raid, told reporters.

Source: ENN

Photo: Corbis

Live Earth Lights Up Seven Continents

From: Anne Senft

Source: ENS

Photo: ENS

If all else fails...

Attention all you cat and dog lovers! In the future, a camel may be a more practical pet! For more "tips" on dealing with a global meltdown, click here.

Source: liveearth.msn

Unprecedented drought withers Florida

An 18-month dry spell has lit a fire under Florida's water managers to find alternative sources of clean water, such as desalinization.

Source: USAToday

John Mayer on Live Earth

From John's blog:

"I hope that for all the cynicism that’s existed around this subject, we can all uncross our arms long enough to give this event a chance to impact the world in the way that I’m beginning to feel that it could. Now isn’t the time to dissect the rights and wrongs. (If you’re hoping Live Earth doesn’t work, you have a lot of soul-searching to do.)

With this kind of lineup, there’s no cause or crisis that wouldn’t be positively affected by an event of this scope. Live Earth isn’t a show - it’s a showing, a presentation of an idea. Artists like us don’t just get together to each play 20 minute sets every weekend, you know. We’re also usually pretty sensitive about the order in which we take the stage, and I’ve got no problems with my 5:12 PM set time. The Police, Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, and yes, myself and my dumb face are all openers for the true headliner - the power to literally change the world’s mind.

To the journalists who will lay in wait for the perfectly maligned moment of hypocrisy, you will probably find one if that’s how you want to spend your time. Just use this as a measuring stick; give Live Earth’s initiative at least as much benefit of the doubt as you’ve given to the iPhone, or a new Radiohead album.”

Source: ecorazzi (which has lots of coverage of Live Earth)

Photo: Wireimage

The New 7 Wonders of the World

From: Karen Denzler

I have set eyes on the wall of lofty Babylon on which is a road for chariots, and the statue of Zeus by the Alpheus, and the hanging gardens, and the Colossus of the Sun, and the huge labour of the high pyramids, and the vast tomb of Mausolus; but when I saw the house of Artemis that mounted to the clouds, those other marvels lost their brilliancy, and I said, 'Lo, apart from Olympus, the Sun never looked on aught so grand.' - Antipater 140 BCE

I always remember it as 2 tombs (the Pyramids and tomb of Mausolus), 2 statues (Zeus at Olympia and the Colossus at Rhodes) , a garden (Hanging Garden of Babylon), a temple (Temple of Artemis) and a lighthouse (the Pharos of Alexandria -which replaced Antipater's Ishtar Gate in the final list).

Now, over 2000 years since the last of these wonders was built, a new list has emerged. 90 million votes were cast and the winners are: 3 cities, 1 tomb, 1 stadium, 1 statue and 1 wall.

The Colosseum in Rome

The Taj Majal in India

Machu Picchu in Peru

Christ the Redeemer Statue in Brazil

The Great Wall of China

Chichen Itza in Mexico

Petra in Jordan

Honorary Member: The Pyramids of Giza

My personal opinion as a fan of history and travel is that I'm mostly pleased with the results. The only swap I would have made is the Acropolis for the Christ the Redeemer Statue. For me, a temple built in the 5th century BCE that is both a visual and mathematical work of art, trumps a statue built in 1931 (although I have to admit that from the pictures, it really is an amazing sight). But, that's just me! Plus, the Acropolis got left off the original list, so I thought it would make it this time.

I've been fortunate enough to have seen at least the locations of 4 of the original wonders and after October I will have seen 4 of the new wonders. Guess I have 6 more trips to plan now!

Next up: The 7 wonders of Nature. Cast your Vote Here:

http://www.new7wonders.com/

Images: Google Earth

The Rise of the 'Light Greens'

The New York Times takes a swipe at folks who fight global warming and other environmental threats by buying biodegradable Armani shirts and a hybrid Lexus.

Source: Reason

Image: Post Typography

Somebody Pinch Me

For the first time, both the Senate and the House have not only called for a mandatory limits on U.S. global warming pollution, but committee leaders in both chambers have announced plans to bring such legislation before their committee’s in the next few months. The race has officially begun to see which chamber will bring a bill to the floor first that limits global warming pollution.

From: Dave Jorgensen

Source: Larry's Blog on NWF

Photo: NWF

Live Earth to Political Leaders: The Time is Now to Address Global Warming

The Live Earth concerts will help to send a powerful message to world leaders about Global Warming. However, these concerts are not enough.

Source: NWF

Photo: LiveEarth.org

Quote of the Week

"It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can."

~Sydney Smith


10 "little" things you can do starting today:

1) Unplug your cell-phone charger

2) Print double-sided

3) Use reusable shopping bags

4) Pump up your tires

5) Recycle and freecycle

6) Air dry your dishes

7) Adjust your thermostat down 2-3 degrees

8) Turn off the water when you brush your teeth

9) Buy items with minimal packaging

10) Take shorter showers

West sizzles as temperatures top 100 degrees

Source: MSNBC

Solved: Mystery of the Disappearing Lake

This is a follow up to an article Gillian posted earlier...

Last month, scientists were baffled when a lake in Southern Chile disappeared almost over night. Scientists now claim the lake drained into a large crack in an ice wall. Some are claiming this is indisputable evidence of global warming.

From: Katie Lefebure

Source: CNN

Photos: CNN (before and after)

Did you know?

Americans spent more money last year on bottled water than on ipods or movie tickets: $15 Billion.

We pitch into landfills 38 billion water bottles a year--in excess of $1 billion worth of plastic.

Fiji Water produces more than a million bottles a day, while more than half the people in Fiji do not have reliable drinking water.

Source and full story: Fast Company

Photo: Nigel Cox

Global Warming May Hike U.S. Deaths

Source: WebMD

Humanity gobbles a quarter of nature's resources

From: Karen Denzler

Humans are currently using 24% of the earth's production capacity. Things could get worse if more plants like palm oil and rapeseed are planted in order to increase biofuel production.

Source: New Scientist

Hurricanes may be unlikely saviours of coral reefs

From: Karen Denzler

New reasearch shows that hurricanes could help bleached coral to recover by cooling the temperature of the water. Of course, that's only if the storm doesn't destroy the reef first.

Source: New Scientist

Photo: PNAS. A) Pre-bleaching B) Bleached C) Nearly recoverd D) Recovered

Mexico plants millions of trees

Mexico has just declared that they will plant 250 million trees — living up to the agreement they signed with the United Nations, pledging to incorporate the principles of sustainable development into national policies and programs, reducing the loss of natural resources. This "Pro Tree" Campaign will be used to recover deforested areas of the country.

From: Margot Krieger

Source: Treehugger

Photo:Treehugger

Smoking Could Kill One Billion this Century

So stop already all you smokers out there!





One billion people will die of tobacco-related diseases this century unless governments in rich and poor countries alike get serious about preventing smoking, top World Health Organization (WHO) experts said on Monday. Tobacco is kills half of its customers, translating to 5.4 million people annually and half of those deaths are in developing countries. With smoking rates in many developing countries on the rise, particularly among teenagers, that annual death toll would rise to 8.3 million within the next 20 years, experts say.

Source: ENN

Photo: Corbis

Source: Scott Adams and United Media

Shark pregnancy baffles aquarium

A Blacktip Reef Shark in the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach was pregnant. The issue... sharks only breed with their own species, and there were no male Blacktip Reef Sharks housed in the aquarium.

Source: CNN

Photo: CNN