I want to start out by wishing every one a Happy New Year and a Happy New Decade. It is hard to believe we have already seen the first decade of the new millennium pass by. Many things have happened in the past decade that will have an impact on how we live our lives in this decade and others to follow. I guess the defining moment was September 11, 2001. Since that day borders have become more guarded, and North America has been caught in a war in Afghanistan. We witnessed many extreme weather and environmental disasters including Hurricane Katrina and the Asian tsunami in December 2004. There is much debate on whether these and other extreme weather patterns are in part being caused by man made environmental damage. Another thing that has shaken up the modern world in a sense, was the sudden spike of the price of fuel two years ago, which was followed by the near collapse of the economy. To start the new decade the price of oil has come down and stabilized and the economy has stabilized as well to some degree. The past ten years has also seen an increase in environmental awareness and the “go green” movement. The “go green” movement is something that will only intensify in the decade ahead as we continue to abuse our planet in an alarming way.
A few weeks ago, on a Saturday morning, I jumped in my car and headed to the coffee shop down the street to get a coffee to go. While waiting in the drive thru line up for ten minutes it dawned on me that this was something that I should not be doing if I really want to practice what I preach. I looked around and there were close to twenty cars idling for an extended period of time all waiting to get that cup of coffee to go. That is a lot of pollution and a lot of fuel being wasted. Not only that, what happens to the disposable cups and plastic that is used? Most of it is not recycled and goes directly in the garbage afterwards. In North America and other parts of the world there are hundreds of thousands of drive thrus all built with convenience in mind. For example, a recent report by CTV news in Canada, states that in Edmonton, Alberta, the drive thrus combined in that city released 750 tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere in one month alone. In a year that is 9000 tonnes from a city of slightly less than a million people. Fast food restaurants and coffee shops have drive thrus for customers that want fast service without having to use too much effort. Some of these people are too lazy to even walk 50 feet to get their double burger, king sized fries and soda pop! This is a heavy burden on the environment.
Many of these restaurants don’t go far enough to encourage people to walk in instead of using the drive thru. They would rather have people use the drive thrus. Drive-thru use has been increasing across North America. There are two main reasons for their growing popularity, convenience and money. Fast food chains are in increasing competition to offer the best service, while eliminating the cost of the larger restaurant. Having smaller restaurants with the drive-thru window saves the company money because the customers don’t even have to come inside your restaurant, which is a cost when you consider seating and washrooms. Also the customer never has to leave their car and gets fast food on the go, which generally makes them happy. Even if they have to wait in line idling their cars for ten or fifteen minutes they can check emails on their cell phones or text their friends while waiting (got to love modern times). These drive-thru window services contribute to smog, emissions, noise pollution, and air pollution. They also contribute to our so-called lazy society adding to health problems, which is an ever-increasing burden on our health care systems.
Restaurant drive thrus are not the only culprits in regards to the waste we create to cater to our convenient fast paced lifestyles. We want meals to go and we want meals ready in 5 minutes, often made in only one portion. Whether we go to our favorite fast food joint or a grocery store, the amount of plastic and cardboard used to package these meals is staggering. Also, in the past few decades the consumption of bottled water has drastically increased causing a lot of plastic to be discarded. Other disposable items in our society built around convenience are disposable diapers, disposable batteries, disposable cameras, disposable razors and so many other things we use everyday. It would be unreasonable to assume we can stop using all disposable items in society, but we need to cut down on the use of them. We need to find alternatives to disposable items when possible, especially when it helps our environment and reduces waste. We all love convenience in our lives but with convenience there is often a price to pay.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Weird Weather and Global Warming …..AKA Climate Change...Saturday, October 24. 2009
I am sure we all have heard the term “Global Warming” hundreds of times by now. Living in Canada when someone says the term global warming during a deep freeze in February, I tend to frown, but actually global warming is a serious matter. However, the term “climate change” is better suited for the weather patterns and eco-systems changes that seem to be occurring with more frequency these days. If global warming meant warmer Canadian winters and no other ramifications, I would be saying, “Bring it on”. However, global warming, which is now often refered to as climate change, means much more.
The Arctic is the measuring stick for climate change. The Arctic is an extremely sensitive region, and it's being greatly affected by the changing climate. Most scientists consider what's happening now in the Arctic as a hint of things to come. Average temperatures in the Arctic region are rising twice as fast as they are elsewhere on the planet. Arctic ice is getting thinner, melting and rupturing. Extreme changes are occurring in the Artic region, affecting the ice both in the open ocean and the ice, which is attached to the coast. With this occurring the ocean levels will rise and currents will become affected. Scientists state that much more rain is anticipated in many areas in coming decades as the ice caps melt. Rising sea levels could mean severe flooding in low-lying coastal areas in the future. Increasing sea temperatures in the Atlantic and Pacific have increased the environmental stress on the coastlines of Canada and the United States as well as other areas. There are even a few scientists that believe that changes in weather and climate can rip the earth’s crust apart, resulting in volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides. Over the past few years there seems to be more frequent earthquakes, however it is not yet certain if climate change is to blame.
An example recently of strange weather patterns saw the second weekend of October 2009 having 40 record lows in the US Midwest, including Denver, Colorado, which saw snow and a record low of 17 Fahrenheit. In the Canadian prairies, snow and record cold arrived for the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, just a few weeks after record high temperatures. In previous months there have been wildfires in California caused by dry weather. In other parts of the US there have been floods and excessive rain. These are a few examples in North America. Other parts of the world have been hit with violent weather with devastating consequences. One example was a deadly typhoon that slammed into China's coastal provinces and Taiwan in August 2009 that killed hundreds and displaced more than a million people at that time. In third world countries these types of storms are especially tragic because poorer countries do not have the means to recover as quickly from devastating storms.
It is not only the weather we need to be concerned about in regards to climate change. The change in our climate will affect plant and animal life. Our eco-system is interconnected in a way that when one species of plant or animal life is affected, it filters down to other ones. Warmer temperatures in one part of the world can bring different species to that section. In addition to that, it can also wipe out certain species in an area that is affected by changing weather patterns. Insects may travel further north and bring certain diseases with them to previously immune areas. The polar bear is one of the most used symbols of climate change and the effect it has on animals, however, climate change can potentially affect thousands of animal species. There is already undeniable evidence that animals, birds and plants are being affected by climate change in their dispersion and behavior. Unless greenhouse gas emissions are drastically reduced, climate change could lead to a quarter of land animals, birdlife and plants to become extinct. Climate change is certainly not the only danger to animals as humans have already destroyed many of the natural migrations of animals by increased urbanization and poaching. When animal and plant species are wiped out of their habitant, it filters down the food chain of other species including humans. We all depend on animals for our survival in one way or the other. With the earth’s population fast approaching seven billion, a shortage in food along with fresh drinking water, which is also a effect from climate change, will have devastating effects around the globe.
There is a lot of debate in the past few years about global warming. Some people think it is overblown and that it is not that serious. That leads people to ignore many environmental issues and continue with their wasteful ways. The fact is that global warming is more than having a warmer climate everywhere. I will say it again, being a Canadian with Canada having one of the harshest winters on the planet, I am all for a warmer climate here. (I don’t like the cold and have often wished in the winter months that I were at a beach in Florida.) But it is much more serious than that. There are more frequent weather extremes, which sometimes can result in colder temperatures. There are animal and plant species that are becoming extinct. There are more frequent storms and floods in some areas and droughts in others. I am not a scientist myself or am I an expert on climate change. I don’t know the extent of climate change but I do believe it is real and it is a serious issue that everyone needs to not only be aware of, but also take action on. While people debate on the extent and causes of global warming and climate change the planet is suffering damage that every day becomes more irreversible. I believe the proper term for global warming is climate change, which gives the true meaning to what is happening around the globe.
The Arctic is the measuring stick for climate change. The Arctic is an extremely sensitive region, and it's being greatly affected by the changing climate. Most scientists consider what's happening now in the Arctic as a hint of things to come. Average temperatures in the Arctic region are rising twice as fast as they are elsewhere on the planet. Arctic ice is getting thinner, melting and rupturing. Extreme changes are occurring in the Artic region, affecting the ice both in the open ocean and the ice, which is attached to the coast. With this occurring the ocean levels will rise and currents will become affected. Scientists state that much more rain is anticipated in many areas in coming decades as the ice caps melt. Rising sea levels could mean severe flooding in low-lying coastal areas in the future. Increasing sea temperatures in the Atlantic and Pacific have increased the environmental stress on the coastlines of Canada and the United States as well as other areas. There are even a few scientists that believe that changes in weather and climate can rip the earth’s crust apart, resulting in volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides. Over the past few years there seems to be more frequent earthquakes, however it is not yet certain if climate change is to blame.
An example recently of strange weather patterns saw the second weekend of October 2009 having 40 record lows in the US Midwest, including Denver, Colorado, which saw snow and a record low of 17 Fahrenheit. In the Canadian prairies, snow and record cold arrived for the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, just a few weeks after record high temperatures. In previous months there have been wildfires in California caused by dry weather. In other parts of the US there have been floods and excessive rain. These are a few examples in North America. Other parts of the world have been hit with violent weather with devastating consequences. One example was a deadly typhoon that slammed into China's coastal provinces and Taiwan in August 2009 that killed hundreds and displaced more than a million people at that time. In third world countries these types of storms are especially tragic because poorer countries do not have the means to recover as quickly from devastating storms.
It is not only the weather we need to be concerned about in regards to climate change. The change in our climate will affect plant and animal life. Our eco-system is interconnected in a way that when one species of plant or animal life is affected, it filters down to other ones. Warmer temperatures in one part of the world can bring different species to that section. In addition to that, it can also wipe out certain species in an area that is affected by changing weather patterns. Insects may travel further north and bring certain diseases with them to previously immune areas. The polar bear is one of the most used symbols of climate change and the effect it has on animals, however, climate change can potentially affect thousands of animal species. There is already undeniable evidence that animals, birds and plants are being affected by climate change in their dispersion and behavior. Unless greenhouse gas emissions are drastically reduced, climate change could lead to a quarter of land animals, birdlife and plants to become extinct. Climate change is certainly not the only danger to animals as humans have already destroyed many of the natural migrations of animals by increased urbanization and poaching. When animal and plant species are wiped out of their habitant, it filters down the food chain of other species including humans. We all depend on animals for our survival in one way or the other. With the earth’s population fast approaching seven billion, a shortage in food along with fresh drinking water, which is also a effect from climate change, will have devastating effects around the globe.
There is a lot of debate in the past few years about global warming. Some people think it is overblown and that it is not that serious. That leads people to ignore many environmental issues and continue with their wasteful ways. The fact is that global warming is more than having a warmer climate everywhere. I will say it again, being a Canadian with Canada having one of the harshest winters on the planet, I am all for a warmer climate here. (I don’t like the cold and have often wished in the winter months that I were at a beach in Florida.) But it is much more serious than that. There are more frequent weather extremes, which sometimes can result in colder temperatures. There are animal and plant species that are becoming extinct. There are more frequent storms and floods in some areas and droughts in others. I am not a scientist myself or am I an expert on climate change. I don’t know the extent of climate change but I do believe it is real and it is a serious issue that everyone needs to not only be aware of, but also take action on. While people debate on the extent and causes of global warming and climate change the planet is suffering damage that every day becomes more irreversible. I believe the proper term for global warming is climate change, which gives the true meaning to what is happening around the globe.
Media Manipulation...Wednesday, September 9. 2009
Today in the age of mass media whether it be television news, internet, or magazines and newspapers, we are bombarded with information on global warming and climate change. Most of these messages are not consistent. One news report may say something different than the next one in regards to the seriousness of the effects of global warming and climate change and the views of the causes of climate change and global warming often differ. The same holds true with pollution. There are different reports on the causes and seriousness of pollution and how it affects human health and our atmosphere.
The Arctic is the measuring stick for global warming. The Artic is an extremely sensitive region, and it's being greatly affected by the changing climate. Most scientists view what's happening now in the Arctic as a hint of things to come. Average temperatures in the Arctic region are rising twice as fast as they are elsewhere in the world. Arctic ice is getting thinner, melting and rupturing. Drastic changes are occurring in the Artic region, affecting the ice both in the open ocean and the ice, which is attached to the coast. Arctic thawing is likely to result in worldwide consequences from an increase in greenhouse gases and global weather pattern changes, according to a World Wildlife Fund report recently released. They have also discovered that Arctic ice is shrinking at a much quicker pace than previously expected. The thawing Arctic is likely to have far-reaching implications that will affect hundreds of millions of people the WWF said. Most of us have never been or will never be at the arctic in person. We can only rely on the media to give us their interpretation of the artic ice melt. No doubt it is real, but many of us feel that what happens up in the arctic will not affect us in more southern climates. That is not true. The planet is interconnected in so many ways, so what happens in the Arctic may not necessarily effect us today, but will certainly effect us in the future. We all hear reports of floods and droughts in different regions of the world when we watch the news. We also hear reports of wild fires, tornadoes and hurricanes. There is no disputing that these things are happening. What is disputed, however is what is causing these weather patterns. Does global warming cause it? If so, how much of these storms and weather patterns are contributed to climate change? What contributes to global warming? One thing is certain. In the business world a corporation's number one goal is their profit margin. If a corporation's main business contributes to something that harms our environment and affects climate change they will not jeopardize their business by reporting anything negative if they are not forced to do so. If they do have to admit to something that is negative in regards to the environment it will be watered down and they will put a positive spin on it to make the public feel better. While the artic ice is melting and maybe on a course of catastrophic consequences for the next generations, no huge company that contributes to climate change will admit to how serious it is if it means a huge loss of profit for them. They sugar coat the facts if they have to.
In some areas of the world in and even in North America, pollution levels in our air, soil and water are unacceptable. In many cases the media is controlled by corporate powers that want to dilute the truth about pollution and global warming. Do you think big oil companies want us to know about the full dangers of the pollution caused from refineries? One example is in southern New Brunswick, where I live. We have one of the largest oil refineries in North America along with two paper mills and an liquefied natural gas facility owned mainly by the company that controls all the major newspapers in the province and has control over the local government to a large extent. I believe the rates of asthma and other repertory illnesses along with other diseases, like some cancers, can in part be contributed to the high level of pollution in this area. In fact, a good friend of mine who lived in Saint John, New Brunswick for close to ten years complained about shortness of breath and decreased energy levels over the past few years (he is a non-smoker). He moved to a rural area of Nova Scotia a month ago and has told me his breathing is better already. I have heard of others that have left the Saint John area and begin breathing better shortly after. It is not a coincidence, and I believe we a not told the entire truth when it comes to the health affects of pollution in this area.
Around the globe many businesses that are doing the wrong thing in regards to harming our environment and polluting our air, soil, rivers, lakes and oceans often get away with a lot of things that they shouldn't. Many times large companies control our media and governments to a large extent. Considering that the media survives on corporate advertising revenues, do you think they are going to bite the hand that feeds them? As well, governments are dependent on the tax revenues that these companies provide and the tax revenues received by the people that are employed with these companies. It stands to reason that the more powerful a company is and the more money they are worth, they can buy positive information provided by the media as well as manipulate governments. We as people living on this planet need to pay attention to the real issues and learn to decipher through some of the information that is constantly thrown at us by the media
The Arctic is the measuring stick for global warming. The Artic is an extremely sensitive region, and it's being greatly affected by the changing climate. Most scientists view what's happening now in the Arctic as a hint of things to come. Average temperatures in the Arctic region are rising twice as fast as they are elsewhere in the world. Arctic ice is getting thinner, melting and rupturing. Drastic changes are occurring in the Artic region, affecting the ice both in the open ocean and the ice, which is attached to the coast. Arctic thawing is likely to result in worldwide consequences from an increase in greenhouse gases and global weather pattern changes, according to a World Wildlife Fund report recently released. They have also discovered that Arctic ice is shrinking at a much quicker pace than previously expected. The thawing Arctic is likely to have far-reaching implications that will affect hundreds of millions of people the WWF said. Most of us have never been or will never be at the arctic in person. We can only rely on the media to give us their interpretation of the artic ice melt. No doubt it is real, but many of us feel that what happens up in the arctic will not affect us in more southern climates. That is not true. The planet is interconnected in so many ways, so what happens in the Arctic may not necessarily effect us today, but will certainly effect us in the future. We all hear reports of floods and droughts in different regions of the world when we watch the news. We also hear reports of wild fires, tornadoes and hurricanes. There is no disputing that these things are happening. What is disputed, however is what is causing these weather patterns. Does global warming cause it? If so, how much of these storms and weather patterns are contributed to climate change? What contributes to global warming? One thing is certain. In the business world a corporation's number one goal is their profit margin. If a corporation's main business contributes to something that harms our environment and affects climate change they will not jeopardize their business by reporting anything negative if they are not forced to do so. If they do have to admit to something that is negative in regards to the environment it will be watered down and they will put a positive spin on it to make the public feel better. While the artic ice is melting and maybe on a course of catastrophic consequences for the next generations, no huge company that contributes to climate change will admit to how serious it is if it means a huge loss of profit for them. They sugar coat the facts if they have to.
In some areas of the world in and even in North America, pollution levels in our air, soil and water are unacceptable. In many cases the media is controlled by corporate powers that want to dilute the truth about pollution and global warming. Do you think big oil companies want us to know about the full dangers of the pollution caused from refineries? One example is in southern New Brunswick, where I live. We have one of the largest oil refineries in North America along with two paper mills and an liquefied natural gas facility owned mainly by the company that controls all the major newspapers in the province and has control over the local government to a large extent. I believe the rates of asthma and other repertory illnesses along with other diseases, like some cancers, can in part be contributed to the high level of pollution in this area. In fact, a good friend of mine who lived in Saint John, New Brunswick for close to ten years complained about shortness of breath and decreased energy levels over the past few years (he is a non-smoker). He moved to a rural area of Nova Scotia a month ago and has told me his breathing is better already. I have heard of others that have left the Saint John area and begin breathing better shortly after. It is not a coincidence, and I believe we a not told the entire truth when it comes to the health affects of pollution in this area.
Around the globe many businesses that are doing the wrong thing in regards to harming our environment and polluting our air, soil, rivers, lakes and oceans often get away with a lot of things that they shouldn't. Many times large companies control our media and governments to a large extent. Considering that the media survives on corporate advertising revenues, do you think they are going to bite the hand that feeds them? As well, governments are dependent on the tax revenues that these companies provide and the tax revenues received by the people that are employed with these companies. It stands to reason that the more powerful a company is and the more money they are worth, they can buy positive information provided by the media as well as manipulate governments. We as people living on this planet need to pay attention to the real issues and learn to decipher through some of the information that is constantly thrown at us by the media
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