This 12-13 year old girl addressed a UN meeting on issues of the environment. This was 16 years ago, at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Rio Summit, Earth Summit (or, in Portuguese, Eco ‘92), a major conference held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
but did the world really listen?
January 1, 2010
November 12, 2009
New World Map
This short animation was displayed at the Millennium Galleries in Sheffield, in an exhibition entitled On the Map, from 19th January 2008. It uses a series of data, such as world population, water supply and AIDS cases to remould a map of the world according to these figures.
Keep watching to see the many changes!
click on the map, or goto worldmapper.com to view this animation.
courtesy of The Worldmapper Project.
Keep watching to see the many changes!
click on the map, or goto worldmapper.com to view this animation.
courtesy of The Worldmapper Project.
October 20, 2009
send-a-whale
We are all aware of the plight of the whale. With Japanese whaling ships once again hunting these already endangered species, the future looks grim. Claims of "scientific research" are no longer feasible and thousands of tons of whale meat becomes stockpiled for Japanese markets.
Newly elected Prime Minister Hatoyama has claimed that it is time for change, a new and brighter era for Japan. We can do more than just hope this bright future is still a world with whales in our oceans. Greenpeace have launched a fun interactive petition of origami whales to demonstrate the strong international support to end Japan's whaling in the Southern Ocean.
build you whale today! and join the pod.
send-a-whale
Newly elected Prime Minister Hatoyama has claimed that it is time for change, a new and brighter era for Japan. We can do more than just hope this bright future is still a world with whales in our oceans. Greenpeace have launched a fun interactive petition of origami whales to demonstrate the strong international support to end Japan's whaling in the Southern Ocean.
build you whale today! and join the pod.
send-a-whale
September 19, 2009
Efforts of charity are occuring all over the world, and it is such a positive thing to get involved and be a part of something that gives so much to someone less fortunate than yourself. Recently, my brother was involved in his own volunteer work in Gulmarg, India. This is his story.
In 2009 the New Zealand Ski Club of Kashmir put the call out for ski and snowboard instructors to volunteer for a once in a lifetime opportunity; to travel to Gulmarg, India in the disputed region of Kashmir and teach local kids how to ski.
Gulmarg, the location of the world’s highest Gondola, attracts adventure skiers from around the world to sample backcountry skiing on a Himalayan scale. It's also a community ravaged by recent conflict and violence and struggling with rebuilding itself.
8 instructors from Australia, New Zealand, UK, Argentina and France answered the call of the ski club and came to Gulmarg for 2 months of teaching and skiing.
Go to adventureproject.org for more information and videos.
In 2009 the New Zealand Ski Club of Kashmir put the call out for ski and snowboard instructors to volunteer for a once in a lifetime opportunity; to travel to Gulmarg, India in the disputed region of Kashmir and teach local kids how to ski.
Gulmarg, the location of the world’s highest Gondola, attracts adventure skiers from around the world to sample backcountry skiing on a Himalayan scale. It's also a community ravaged by recent conflict and violence and struggling with rebuilding itself.
8 instructors from Australia, New Zealand, UK, Argentina and France answered the call of the ski club and came to Gulmarg for 2 months of teaching and skiing.
Go to adventureproject.org for more information and videos.
THIS IS KASHMIR from Jack McCowan on Vimeo.
video courtesy of Jack McCowan.September 7, 2009
I recently had a debate disscussion with a concerned user about climate change. Though i have already covered this topic, i did mention its significance to our lives. This post illustrates the problems that most of us face, we know about what we read in the papers, but what does it really mean? what can we really do? well, together, we can change the world...
Face facts the climate is changing it's has always been changing and it's going to keep changing no matter what we do. Ridding the world of incandescent bulbs won't do a damn thing.
Until someone gives me some conclusive evidence to show we can help change the climate and/or we are the problem then i won't be losing any sleep.
Anthropogenic links to climate change is now considered by the overwhelming scientific and political community to be unequivocal. A less than 5% probability that global warming is caused by natural forcing. As far as scientific research is concerned, a figure like this suggests a near impossibility. Infact, data suggests that natural forcing factors would have produced a global cooling affect in the recent time of warming, very likely attributed to greenhouse gases.
These conclusions have been drawn from quantified data from various sources, such as radiosonde and satellite instruments and paleoclimate research. There is an overall consistency of evidence, with increased improvements in modelling and observational studies.
As far as science is concerned, nothing is without doubt, nothing is 100% certain, not just in environmental science, but across all boards and facets and theories. For people to argue they need 100% conclusive certainty, they really don't have an understanding of science.
That being said, conclusive evidence is available, if you choose to read it. The links are now unequivocal. If you do want to learn about it, goto the IPCC (intergovernmental panel on climate change) websites and read through their reports, specifically the fourth assessment report. IPCC is the leading body for the climate change assessment, established by the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization and won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
My main beef with the climate change army is that none of them seem to mind the obscene amounts of money it is going to cost to make a very modest target reduction.
This money could be funneled into other causes, such as funding cures for AIDS and malaria or fighting world hunger, things like that would make a much bigger difference to the world now rather than buying us a few more years.
Unless China, India and the US get involved, there is nothing Australia can do...
Thats the problem, the government and big business really don’t seem to do anything about anything to REALLY help the world become a better place. Their modest climate targets really aren’t even close to where they need to be, and problems with the developing world and the rest of the world’s lack of effort is really a joke.
But Australia can and does have an impact; we are huge producers of CO2 emissions, which alongside methane (mostly from cattle...an even better reason to eat roo!) is the biggest contributor to global warming. Cars are one of the most significant influences of this, and do pose the biggest threat. One of the scariest things is that India is on the verge of producing a very cheap and ascertainable small car which means a MASSIVE increase in CO2 production.
We need to spend money to fix things. The amount that is being spent is completely insignificant to money spent elsewhere, such as the military, and 'defense'. By battling climate change, we're providing a future for tomorrow, and sea level rise is one of the more insignificant of the problems we face. There are major problems in the world, like hunger. How about WATER? Over 2 billion people in the world are suffering from lack of clean water. This is only going to get worse... Food demands will increase along with prices, impacts on the hydrological cycle will result in increased major storm events, spread of life threatening diseases will spread with increased global temperatures, and the Western World will see a major increase in refugee numbers, a major impact of our defense policies.
The thing is, if the whole world doesn’t jump on board, its going to be very difficult to achieve much. But thats no reason to sit back and say "screw it" and should be even more of an incentive to be proactive about it and get involved. If no one cares, why would the Governments do anything about it, why would businesses “go green” if it wasn’t hot on everyone’s lips. sure they are only doing it to score brownie points with the public, but its still a step in the right direction.
And in the meantime the Victorian government constructs a desalination plant, sucking more power creating more CO2 instead of spending the money on recycling water because Australia would rather have desalination than recycled water. How about the government spending the same money and placing tanks in peoples yards, connecting them to toilets and laundries and saving more water that way....the changing of light globes will not do much, but it is a little we can do.
There are many problems we are facing, and many more we will face in the future if we don't start acting appropriately. The government will do whatever they can get away with. One of the most effective things that NEEDS to happen first is the public's attitude needs to change. Until then, the government will not "lead by example", but hopefully "follow the masses"...even if it is to just win the next election…
Face facts the climate is changing it's has always been changing and it's going to keep changing no matter what we do. Ridding the world of incandescent bulbs won't do a damn thing.
Until someone gives me some conclusive evidence to show we can help change the climate and/or we are the problem then i won't be losing any sleep.
Anthropogenic links to climate change is now considered by the overwhelming scientific and political community to be unequivocal. A less than 5% probability that global warming is caused by natural forcing. As far as scientific research is concerned, a figure like this suggests a near impossibility. Infact, data suggests that natural forcing factors would have produced a global cooling affect in the recent time of warming, very likely attributed to greenhouse gases.
These conclusions have been drawn from quantified data from various sources, such as radiosonde and satellite instruments and paleoclimate research. There is an overall consistency of evidence, with increased improvements in modelling and observational studies.
As far as science is concerned, nothing is without doubt, nothing is 100% certain, not just in environmental science, but across all boards and facets and theories. For people to argue they need 100% conclusive certainty, they really don't have an understanding of science.
That being said, conclusive evidence is available, if you choose to read it. The links are now unequivocal. If you do want to learn about it, goto the IPCC (intergovernmental panel on climate change) websites and read through their reports, specifically the fourth assessment report. IPCC is the leading body for the climate change assessment, established by the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization and won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
My main beef with the climate change army is that none of them seem to mind the obscene amounts of money it is going to cost to make a very modest target reduction.
This money could be funneled into other causes, such as funding cures for AIDS and malaria or fighting world hunger, things like that would make a much bigger difference to the world now rather than buying us a few more years.
Unless China, India and the US get involved, there is nothing Australia can do...
Thats the problem, the government and big business really don’t seem to do anything about anything to REALLY help the world become a better place. Their modest climate targets really aren’t even close to where they need to be, and problems with the developing world and the rest of the world’s lack of effort is really a joke.
But Australia can and does have an impact; we are huge producers of CO2 emissions, which alongside methane (mostly from cattle...an even better reason to eat roo!) is the biggest contributor to global warming. Cars are one of the most significant influences of this, and do pose the biggest threat. One of the scariest things is that India is on the verge of producing a very cheap and ascertainable small car which means a MASSIVE increase in CO2 production.
We need to spend money to fix things. The amount that is being spent is completely insignificant to money spent elsewhere, such as the military, and 'defense'. By battling climate change, we're providing a future for tomorrow, and sea level rise is one of the more insignificant of the problems we face. There are major problems in the world, like hunger. How about WATER? Over 2 billion people in the world are suffering from lack of clean water. This is only going to get worse... Food demands will increase along with prices, impacts on the hydrological cycle will result in increased major storm events, spread of life threatening diseases will spread with increased global temperatures, and the Western World will see a major increase in refugee numbers, a major impact of our defense policies.
The thing is, if the whole world doesn’t jump on board, its going to be very difficult to achieve much. But thats no reason to sit back and say "screw it" and should be even more of an incentive to be proactive about it and get involved. If no one cares, why would the Governments do anything about it, why would businesses “go green” if it wasn’t hot on everyone’s lips. sure they are only doing it to score brownie points with the public, but its still a step in the right direction.
And in the meantime the Victorian government constructs a desalination plant, sucking more power creating more CO2 instead of spending the money on recycling water because Australia would rather have desalination than recycled water. How about the government spending the same money and placing tanks in peoples yards, connecting them to toilets and laundries and saving more water that way....the changing of light globes will not do much, but it is a little we can do.
There are many problems we are facing, and many more we will face in the future if we don't start acting appropriately. The government will do whatever they can get away with. One of the most effective things that NEEDS to happen first is the public's attitude needs to change. Until then, the government will not "lead by example", but hopefully "follow the masses"...even if it is to just win the next election…
July 17, 2009
modern climate change - the big issue!
This issue has become far too complex and spans far too many problems to effectively cover. my aim is to only briefly touch on this issue, and hopefully stir interest for you to further persist. If you are interested please see links at the bottom of this post.
There are many arguments for and against global warming, making it very difficult to really know where you, or we, stand. Global warming and cooling is a natural phenomenon and has occured throughout history. However, modern warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global mean sea level.
Although there is a current media panic towards global warming, political spin doctors will use various pieces of data in arguments against how serious this threat really is. Despite a handful of industry-backed reports, the vastly overwhelming majority of the scientific community believes without doubt that anthropogenic influences are directly related to and responsible for modern climate change. The fact is that overall observed changes to the global climate are inconsistent with alternative explanations.
So, what are we, the people of the world doing about it:
Our governments and big business seem to have good intentions towards climate change, but beyond this little to nothing is really being done. As population and demand are increasing, our waste products and resource usage are on the rise. Significant curbing and cutting back needs to happen on all fronts.
What can we expect?
We are aware of some of the ramifications of climate change, such as increased global temperatures and sea levels. We can also expect significant intensity of hydrological cycle. This means an increase in severe drought and violent storm activity. Much of the South-Eastern region of Australia is already experiencing these effects, along with US' West Coast. Australia's recent "Big Dry" has been labeled the most damaging droughts in recorded history, coupled with the worst bush fires recorded in the same period.
There are many other significant implications that many people do not really consider. Australia's tourist industry can anticipate devastating effects as global warming melts our already small snow fields, along with the destruction of one of our proudest natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef. Expected warming and increase of CO2 levels in our oceans exceeds conditions by which these delicate coral lifeforms can survive. Coral is the essential building block of these valuable ecosystems, supporting almost 25% of all marine life. Again, devastating effects are already being witnessed, with the last major bleaching episode occurring in the 1997/'98 El Nino event, the strongest in history.
The Australian Tourism Industry contributed nearly 40 billion dollars and provides almost half a million jobs throughout the country. Much of this industry thrives on the natural wonders Australia has to offer the world and the casualties to this industry could be devestating.
Other implications include overwhelming increases to refugee numbers, as low-lying developing nations can no longer support their populations. The population of Bangladesh is currently at approx. 153 million people. Where will these people flee to when there homes become decimated by storms, drought, floods and sea level rise? When their already over-consumed resources are finally depleted?
Around the world, many nations power their thriving megatropolis cities through hydroelectric dams. Examples of this include the Hoover Dam, USA and the newly completed Three Gorges Dam, China. As rivers begin drying up, much of the world will be thrown into periodic blackouts.
Don't be misled. The world is in a state of delicate equilibrium and we are severely upsetting this balance. We need to take serious action before it is too late. The world has experienced five major extinction events in the past, the last occurring about 65 million years ago. Up to 70-80% of life has been wiped out during each event. We are currently in the middle of the sixth, the Holocene extinction event. Today, we are experiencing a mass extinction equivalent to that of the dinosaurs, and can boast to have the fastest rate of extinction observed throughout all of these mass extinctions.
What can we do?
To begin with, education is the key! If we really want to change our current direction, we the people need to become aware of what is happening and where we stand. We also need to get government policy and big business onto our side of the battle. At the same time, do not underestimate your own small part in making a difference. When alot of people contribute a small amount, it totals to a significant difference. It may mean a little extra work and a little sacrifice, but the alternative is inconceivable. We cannot afford to wait any longer. Good intention is a helpful start, but what we all need now is action. The benefits to you also mean reductions to electricity & water bills and general costs. Here are a few ways you can start:
Education is the first key to the future. Information for this blog has been gathered from the IPCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Awarded with the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, this is the leading body for climate change assessment and review.
There are many arguments for and against global warming, making it very difficult to really know where you, or we, stand. Global warming and cooling is a natural phenomenon and has occured throughout history. However, modern warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global mean sea level.
Although there is a current media panic towards global warming, political spin doctors will use various pieces of data in arguments against how serious this threat really is. Despite a handful of industry-backed reports, the vastly overwhelming majority of the scientific community believes without doubt that anthropogenic influences are directly related to and responsible for modern climate change. The fact is that overall observed changes to the global climate are inconsistent with alternative explanations.
So, what are we, the people of the world doing about it:
- annual fossil CO2 emissions increased from an average of 6.4GtCper year in the 1990s, to 7.2GtC per year in 2000-2005
- CO2 radiative forcing increased by 20% from 1995 to 2005, the largest in any decade in at least the last 200 years
Our governments and big business seem to have good intentions towards climate change, but beyond this little to nothing is really being done. As population and demand are increasing, our waste products and resource usage are on the rise. Significant curbing and cutting back needs to happen on all fronts.
What can we expect?
We are aware of some of the ramifications of climate change, such as increased global temperatures and sea levels. We can also expect significant intensity of hydrological cycle. This means an increase in severe drought and violent storm activity. Much of the South-Eastern region of Australia is already experiencing these effects, along with US' West Coast. Australia's recent "Big Dry" has been labeled the most damaging droughts in recorded history, coupled with the worst bush fires recorded in the same period.
There are many other significant implications that many people do not really consider. Australia's tourist industry can anticipate devastating effects as global warming melts our already small snow fields, along with the destruction of one of our proudest natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef. Expected warming and increase of CO2 levels in our oceans exceeds conditions by which these delicate coral lifeforms can survive. Coral is the essential building block of these valuable ecosystems, supporting almost 25% of all marine life. Again, devastating effects are already being witnessed, with the last major bleaching episode occurring in the 1997/'98 El Nino event, the strongest in history.
The Australian Tourism Industry contributed nearly 40 billion dollars and provides almost half a million jobs throughout the country. Much of this industry thrives on the natural wonders Australia has to offer the world and the casualties to this industry could be devestating.
Other implications include overwhelming increases to refugee numbers, as low-lying developing nations can no longer support their populations. The population of Bangladesh is currently at approx. 153 million people. Where will these people flee to when there homes become decimated by storms, drought, floods and sea level rise? When their already over-consumed resources are finally depleted?
Around the world, many nations power their thriving megatropolis cities through hydroelectric dams. Examples of this include the Hoover Dam, USA and the newly completed Three Gorges Dam, China. As rivers begin drying up, much of the world will be thrown into periodic blackouts.
Don't be misled. The world is in a state of delicate equilibrium and we are severely upsetting this balance. We need to take serious action before it is too late. The world has experienced five major extinction events in the past, the last occurring about 65 million years ago. Up to 70-80% of life has been wiped out during each event. We are currently in the middle of the sixth, the Holocene extinction event. Today, we are experiencing a mass extinction equivalent to that of the dinosaurs, and can boast to have the fastest rate of extinction observed throughout all of these mass extinctions.
What can we do?
To begin with, education is the key! If we really want to change our current direction, we the people need to become aware of what is happening and where we stand. We also need to get government policy and big business onto our side of the battle. At the same time, do not underestimate your own small part in making a difference. When alot of people contribute a small amount, it totals to a significant difference. It may mean a little extra work and a little sacrifice, but the alternative is inconceivable. We cannot afford to wait any longer. Good intention is a helpful start, but what we all need now is action. The benefits to you also mean reductions to electricity & water bills and general costs. Here are a few ways you can start:
- Walk the small distances to the shops or around town rather than drive. Alternatively, catch the bus or car pool
- If you use a dishwasher, open it before the drying cycle and allow the dishes to air dry while you sleep.
- Shower for two minutes less. this can save up to 50L of water. Another technique is to turn off the tap while you soap up, rather than stand outside the jet.
- The old "brick in the toilet tank" technique is one we've all heard before, but instead use a plastic bottle filled with water. Your toilet will still flush properly, and also save several litres per use.
- Switch off appliances at the wall when not in use. Small amounts of electricity still travel to your appliance when it is in standby mode. Also, switch off lights when you leave the room, they are easily switched back on!
- Switch to energy efficient lightbulbs. Less energy, longer lasting!
- Don't eat beef. This may seem silly, but recent research suggests that a vegetarian in a 4WD is more eco-friendly that a beef eater on a bicycle. Try alternative meats, such as kangaroo. A leaner, greener and healthier meat! For more info on the benefits of this, visit macromeats, Australia's leading producer of game meats
- Green cleaners, good for the environment and good for you. Reduce exposure to the harsh chemicals of many cleaners and look for biodegradable and environmentally safe cleaning products.
- Contact your energy supplier and choose renewable energy. This may cost more now, but much less in the long run.
- Stay informed. Keep up with what is happening globally and in your local area. It is so easy to fall into the path of apathy.
- For more tips and ways you can make a difference, visit truegreen.
Education is the first key to the future. Information for this blog has been gathered from the IPCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Awarded with the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, this is the leading body for climate change assessment and review.
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