ENN: Environmental News Network -- Know Your Environment

Recently, 28 finalists were announced in the search for the “SevenWonders of the Natural World” initiative, being sponsored by the New 7 Foundation. Of the 28, the public has been given the task of voting to choose 7, and the foundation hopes to get over 1 billion votes. This program was launched to foster conservancy, both of the specific wonders and of the world’s ecosystems in general, and the nonprofit hopes to inspire the citizens of the world through ecotourism and increased publicity and public sympathy for conservancy. Listed below are the 28 finalists, and you can vote online by visiting www.new7wonders.com.

• The Amazon Rainforest
• Angel Falls
• The Bay of Fundy
• The Black Forest
• Bu Tihah Shoals
• Cliffs of Moher
• Dead Sea
• El Yunque
• The Galapagos Islands
• The Grand Canyon
• The Great Barrier Reef
• Halong Bay
• Jeita Grotto
• Jeju Island
• Mt. Kilimanjaro
• Komodo Nat’l Park
• The Maldives
• The Masurian Lake District
• The Matterhorn/Cervino
• Milford Sound
• Mud Volcanoes
• The Puerto Princesa Underground River
• The Sundarbans Delta
• Table Mountain
• Uluru
• Vesuvius
• Yushan

Yesterday, Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin spoke out about the upcoming formation of a US climate bill, saying that the bill needs an “off ramp” built into the bill itself in case other nations fail to meet their climate legislation’s goals. This “off ramp” should, according to an article by Reuters’ Charles Abbott, “allow the United States to relax its greenhouse gas rules if other nations fail to control theirs.” The price of farm upkeep is expected to climb with the instatement of a formal climate law, and Harkin casually explained his thinking with “If other countries don’t join us… hey, we’re off the ramp.” Farm groups are the biggest proponent of the ramp idea because “US farmers would be at a disadvantage on the export market if other nations kept their prices low by not curbing carbon emissions,” according to Abbott.

But is this a good idea? In yet another move that pits the environment against the economy, would it be responsible for an “off ramp” to be written into the Senate bill, allowing us to renege on our climate promises? It seems as though thinking like this is yet another symptom of a nation addicted to waste and oil. And although it is fair that the Senate Agriculture Committee chairman would be concerned about the seemingly adverse impact a meaningful climate bill would have on US farmers, it seems counterintuitive that Harkin would contribute to meaningless climate legislation as farms across the country become increasingly more vulnerable to the effects of global warming.

For Abbott’s full article, click here

What do you think? Comment.

Doesn’t it seem ironic that those of us who snorkel and scuba dive do so to enjoy the beauty of tropical underwater life, yet by invading reefs with sunscreen chemicals slathered all over our bodies we are actually contributing to reef death? If you agree with me that this seems a little counterproductive and silly, you might want to check out Tropical Sea’s new line of Beach Buff Reef Safe sunscreens. In a study Tropical Seas conducted to test the efficacy of their product, they took water from the Pacific Ocean Surf Zone and Yaniqua Bay area (both off of California) and, in laboratory studies, found that their tested product was particularly adhesive to the skin, allowing for less lotion to come off when in contact with water, and the small amount that comes away from the skin will biodegrade in 60-80 days. It doesn’t run more expensive than your average drug-store variety sunscreen, so why not use it even if you aren’t snorkeling? It comes in a wide range of SPF choices, with the highest at 45+, and the bottles are a great compact size for travel.

In a statement, the company said “Certain chemicals used in sunscreen manufacturing can cause the algae in corals to become infected and explode causing the coral to die. It is estimated that 4,000-6,000 metric tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers annually in our oceans worldwide and that up to 10% of coral reefs are threatened by sunscreen- induced bleaching [caused by Zooxanthellae death].”

For the complete study of the product, click HERE, and to buy the lotion online, click HERE

Note: It is extremely important to be a informed consumer. We at ENN cannot stress enough that reading labels and knowing what you are buying (and putting on your body!) is extremely important, whether you are looking to purchase sunscreen or any other product. When it comes to sunscreen, if you truly wish to help conserve reef life, your sunscreen should not contain titanium dioxide or zinc dioxide, neither of which biodegrade at all. Also, be sure that your sunscreens comply with FDA guidelines. If you have any questions about a product you are going to purchase to use on or in your body, you call either an FDA or company representative, who should be able to answer your query (if they cannot, probably steer clear of the product). As a consumer, it is also smart to look for lab tests and results, like the ones conducted by the aforementioned company.

A new study published in the August 2009 edition of Pediatrics shows a possible disturbing correlation between increased urban air pollution and decreased IQ points in children. The study sites polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), or “chemicals released into the air from the burning of coal, diesel, oil, and gas, or other organic substances such as tobacco” as the major perpetrators of inner- city air pollution, with a particular focus on motor vehicle use.

The study followed hundreds of expectant mothers of every race who lived in Washington Heights, Harlem, or the South Bronx in New York, and “the children were followed from in utero to 5 years of age,” their mothers wearing personal air monitors during their pregnancy “to measure exposure to PAHs.” When the children reached 5 years old, they were given an intelligence test, with outside factors such as quality of childcare, second-hand smoke exposure, lead, and mother’s education were taken into account. 140 of the 249 children tested were found to have had “high PAH exposure”, and were found to have 4.31-4.67 fewer IQ points than their lesser- exposed peers, a figure that a doctor working on the project likened to “low level lead exposure.”

The research was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the EPA, and several private foundations and was conducted at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.

To read the original news release, click here

How will these findings effect inner- city schools and the policies that surround them? Is it ironic, knowing what we know now,  that such schools are often punished for low test scores? Comment.

On July 20, 2009, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced his decision to segregate approximately 1 million acres of federal lands near the Grand Canyon for an evaluation to determine if the future of the land is in mining or land conservation. In what he called a “two- year time out,” Salazar seeks to halt all new uranium mining claims on the vast tract of land in question to study the effects of mining and similar activities in the area. The halt, however, will not prevent “ongoing or future mining exploration or extraction operations on valid pre-existing claims,” all of which might proceed when the time- out takes place, according to a Department of the Interior news release published earlier today. In the report Salazar stated, “We have a responsibility to ensure we are developing our nation’s resources in a way that protects local communities, treasured landscapes, and our watersheds”, and noted that the land study will include the measured opinions of the “public, members of congress, tribes, and stakeholders.” The assessment will be led by the Bureau of Land Management and will be supplemented by the expertise of the US Forest Service, US Geological Survey, and the National Park Service. The report noted that the Grand Canyon and the surrounding area are “home to rare, endemic, specially protected plant and animal species,” as well as citizens, and serves too as a valued part of the American landscape– All things vital to our nation that are to be considered in the ongoing study. The Colorado River flows through the Canyon, and has emerged as a source of concern because the river has historically been subject to much pollution and mismanagement. This evaluation will determine whether the government should withdraw the lands from new uranium mining claims for an additional 20 years, although only the US Congress can initiate a permanent withdrawal.

Comment below!

Above is the newly released video that documents how the iconic NYC landmark, the Empire State Building, is going green! It features how designers are retrofitting the existing structure with technology to reduce the building’s energy consumption by an estimated 38%. Building owners are replacing windows, integrating smart light systems, upgrading heating and cooling systems, and doing a number of other things to ensure that the building receives a Gold LEED certification. We at ENN loved this video, and we think you will too!

Comment!

It is one of the biggest fears known to man: The thought of a gigantic fearsome beast ascending from deep, dark waters to munch on its latest victim—You. The shark has been the epitome of human fear of the water for years, and has indeed emerged as a sort of pop culture phenomenon. From the “Jaws” movies, to the annually anticipated “Shark Week” on the Discovery Channel, to multiple appearances in animated film, television shows, comic books, and novels about the dangers of the open ocean, the shark as a species is perhaps as much embraced by our society as it is feared. And who could forget Dr. Evil’s ongoing want of “sharks with laser beams attached to their heads” for his evil birthday gift in the Austin Powers series?

Though most of us rank a shark attack as among our most unimaginable fears, however, many people have lived through encounters with the huge fish and have come to respect the species. Yesterday, nine victims testified before congress to help bolster the popularity of the Shark Conservation Act of 2009, which would “strengthen the ban on shark finning in US waters and encourage shark conservation programs around the world,” said the full press release. Finning is the process by which sharks are hunted, captured, and basically tortured for their fin meat, a famous delicacy in Asia (the process usually begets fishermen slicing off a shark’s fin and throwing the badly damaged animal back into the ocean for other ocean predators to prey on). Shark meat fetches a good price at market, and the species has for years been hunted at an alarming rate.

To read the full press release, visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/15/9-shark-attack-victims-to_n_233130.html.

What do you think? Comment.

The newly released “Earth From the Air” DVD is a compilation of the fascinating photographs taken by photographer Yann Arthus- Bertrand on his extensive world travels. Creating an aerial portrait of the globe, Bertrand has flown over hundreds of countries, snapping beautiful and thought- compelling pictures along the way. The subject matter of the photographs ranges from industrial architecture to exotic animals to natural wonders to the human struggle, and each image is as compelling as the next. The photographer’s goal is to inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation of Planet Earth in the face of the climate and population boom crisis, and he effectively reaches his audience through this DVD, supplementing his message with frequent written passages that elegantly fade into the screen in between scenes. Most feature statistics meant to, at best, elicit shock in the viewer, at worst, interest her. With blurbs like “20% of the world population consumes 80% of the world energy”, “1.6 billion people are overweight (of which 400 million are obese), 820 million are chronically undernourished”, and “1 in 4 species of mammal, 2 in 5 species of amphibian, 1 in 8 species of bird are endangered”, Bertrand captures his audiences’ attention in more ways than one. And with 8 hours of beautiful imagery on one disk, you can transform your TV or computer into an art form, and hopefully your mind into one more understanding of the Earth’s plight.

To view some of the photographs featured in “Earth From the Air” or to purchase a copy of the DVD, click here. Receive a 50% discount when you enter the coupon code “ENN1” at checkout!

Write your own review of Yann Arthus- Bertrand’s “Earth From the Air” in our comments section!

Colgate University is a small liberal arts school in central New York State that features big time academics in a small town setting. With a student population of about 2,800, the school is abounded on all sides by farmland, and with the Great Lakes just a few hundred miles to the northwest, lake-effect weather causes the quiet campus to be under a blanket of snow from October to April. As part of what Newsweek deemed the “New Ivy League,” the prestigious school has decided to involve itself in a huge new undertaking: Going green. Although the university has always been environmentally conscious (its location in the middle of vast tracts of farmland and forest make it difficult not to be), in the last few years, professors, administrators, and staff have converged to form the Colgate Environmental Council to facilitate the University’s widespread environmental initiatives.

Professor Ian Helfant, Chairman of the Environmental Council, has enumerated the long list of Colgate’s green achievements and goals in his newly published article “Getting Going: Colgate University’s Sustainability Path.” Helfant, a Russian professor who has been known to host dinners for students with locally grazed and grown meat and produce, is just one of the diverse body of Colgate professors who takes the University’s green policies home with them. Said Helfant, “historically, many individuals across our campus have had a personal or professional stake in sustainability” adding, “these range from faculty whose academic expertise and teaching relate to this area, to buildings and grounds and dining services personnel who have been greening campus operations, to student activists.” In his article, Professor Helfant stressed the importance of publicizing Colgate’s green efforts both to encourage other institutions to follow in the school’s footsteps, and to inspire students and alumni to join in the fight for sustainability.

Helfant also emphasized the need for large institutions to get serious about their environmental efforts by hiring outside professionals to take charge. Hence, John Pumilio, Colgate’s freshly hired Sustainability Coordinator arrived on campus in April. Pumilio, who sports a master’s degree in environmental studies and has worked as a field biologist for the National Park Service, feels that “it is critical for institutions like Colgate to focus on sustainability.” From a marketing standpoint, Colgate must “embrace sustainable thinking and planning and implement sustainable practices”, because potential students “will scrutinize how we measure up on the sustainability side of the equation.” Pumilio is adamant that, above and beyond factors that will make Colgate more attractive, “it is a moral obligation for Colgate to embrace sustainability,” pointing out that “at Colgate, we understand this challenge and are trying to do our part… We are striving to be a model for sustainability”

When asked about Colgate’s future plans, Pumilio identified four key areas that frame the University’s approach to sustainability: Creating A Culture of Sustainability in which “all Colgate employees and students accept responsibility for advancing sustainability”; Sustainability In Practice, which literally will translate sustainability rhetoric and ideas into procedure on campus; Sustainability In The Curriculum And Co-Curricular Opportunities, which will bring the science and practice of sustainability into the classroom and campus activities; and Fostering Community Partnerships, which describes the campus- wide goal to build local and regional relationships that will help Colgate become part of a larger environmental community, allow increased field experience for students, and support local business that practice green policies.

So what has Colgate actually done to be more sustainable? They have:

· Contracted a professional forester to plan a 10-year stewardship of Colgate’s 1100 acres of undeveloped open and forest lands

· Created a “campus sustainability fund”, to which the class gift of the Class of 2008 donated and was matched by trustee contributions

· Designed and currently hold an environmental studies senior seminar

· Planted 60,000 Willow tree shoots in a 10- acre “pilot plot” that will yield 900 dry tons of biomass to help fuel Colgate as part of an initiative to reduce oil use on campus

· For years, Colgate has sported a steam-generating wood-burning facility that generates 70% of the university’s heat and hot water

· Bought a fleet of “Greek Bikes” for students to utilize instead of driving cars to campus and town

· Designed a “local buying” plan for dining services

· Signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment in 2008

· Held a Green Summit, an annual event for students and locals to discuss and implement ideas for increased sustainability. (At last year’s summit, students planted 200 trees and held a vegan, locally- bought BBQ.)

· Planned and will this year start the Eco- Rep program, where students are trained to help others go green in residence halls, office areas, and in planning events.

· Signed on to participate in RecycleMania, an inter-college competition to increase recycling on campuses across the country and Canada

· Worked with the Outdoor Education program (OED) on campus to bring green speakers to campus and offer a library of outdoor- related books

· Colgate OED has held the Banff Film Festival featuring movies about environmental issues

· Students involved in OED represent a large portion of students living in the school’s environmentally friendly housing

In all, Colgate has emerged as a leader in the fight against climate change because of its growing commitment to sustainability in every aspect of campus life, from the classroom to the local community of Hamilton, where the school is located.

ENN spoke to Teddi Hofmann, a rising senior, member of Colgate’s prestigious Konosioni Honor Society, and Outdoor Education member, who spoke to her school’s environmental consciousness, saying “[Colgate] students do not only work diligently to succeed in academics, but are motivated to be leaders. The involvement of Colgate students in green initiatives shows how young men and women on campus effectively use their scholarship and social skills to organize environmental related events and programs, and then successfully execute them. Colgate students are not only concerned about local community members and issues, but look to influence populations outside of Hamilton, NY.”

To view the full interview with Colgate Sustainability Coordinator John Pumilio, check out our comments section below!

ENN Wants to hear about your school! Share below and tell us about your alma mater’s green initiatives, or comment on Colgate’s environmentalism!

Kathleen Sebelius, the US Secretary of Health and Human Services announced today that an H1N1 virus vaccine may be available for distribution as early as October. Her announcement came at the opening of a “Flu Summit” called by the Obama administration.

Your Thoughts?