Hawii's Hydrogen Fuel Experiment

The Hawaiian Island of Oahu is beggining a new era of climate-friendly transportation and energy infrastructure. The state's gas company is trying to set up an island-wide hydrogen fuel system by 2015. With hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars and fueling stations. Hydrogen only produces water as a waste and is alot better than oil. Hawaii is a good location to test this out at a low cost. Oahu is small and isolated, therefore the cars don't go far. The island already has a steady supply of hydrogen. Hydrogen gas is produced as a byproduct of the state's natural gas production industry. The supply of hydrogen drops the production cost of each hydrogen fuel pumps from a couple million dollars down to $300,000-500,000. GM already has 119 Chevy Equinox fuel cell cars driving around the U.S. mostly going to hawaii and hoping to get more out on the market by 2015.

"In Arabian Desert, a Sustainable City Rises"

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/26/arts/design/26masdar.html?_r=1&ref=earth

Norman Foster, the principle partner of Foster & Partners, has created a vision for a city that produces little to no carbon emissions. He plans to combine ancient Arab architecture with new ways to keep the town cooler, without using energy for air conditioning, including narrower streets in the shade, electronically powered cars located underground, and higher buildings to catch the wind. Masdar, the town name, plans to have 90% of the power used be solar, and the remaining 10% to be made by incinerating waste. However, many are concerned that Masdar will become a mini-utopia for the rich and exclude the poor. Mr. Foster stated that "it is not about social exclusion" and intends for the city to be enjoyed by all social classes. I think this town is a wonderful idea and should be an inspiration for others. By lowering the amount of electricity and carbon emissions, Masdar is beginning what other towns need to start in order to help the environment.

How Heating Our Homes Could Help Reduce Climate Change

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100924095819.htm

There is a new heating system that is more less a community center. This would be very environmental friendly. This heating unit is like a building where you put natural things in, such as your trash and wood. Buring wood reduces greenhouse gas because when you burn wood it re-releases carbon dioxide into the air. This community heating system would be costly at first but in the long run you would save so much more money. Plus it's not even about the money when you think about how you're helping the environment. I think many people would be in favor of this idea in the US. They have already started working on this in the UK, so if they can do it i know we can as well. By burning wood the UK saved greenhouse gas reductions over 84% and think they can keep saving with this new heating scheme. They also want to start using sustainable fuels rather than fossil fuels. You could really help save how much carbon dioxide was used if we did this. So i think the US should really look into it.

Coal ash is a global problem!

Coal ash is an international problem. It's highly hazardous and it effects the environment and even us! This problem with coal ash ponds can only be avoided by switching to a renewable resource. These ash ponds leak dangerous chemicals into our groundwater and there is no known way to clean it up. :( The U.S. and China are 2 countries that have to deal with it because both have failed to regulate it well enough. If the link works, you can go to the page and look at pictures taken in China!

'Tragedy of the Commons'

Marine scientists fight for a new governance everyday to protect the ocean from overfishing, pollution and plenty of other human impacts. In Chile, Marine Biologists have found a solution to reverse the ocean's 'Tragedy of the Commons.' Keep in mind that the 'Tragedy of the Commons' is a huge dilemma arising from the situation in which multiple individuals, independently depleting a resource.
The Marine Biologists have experimented in Chile and have found that fisheries can be our solution. However, this requires the complete understanding of local fishermen that the fish populations are disappearing fast. This cannot be a single person effort but a effort world wide. I believe that if this is the only way then everyone should try and support this new way of saving the Ocean.

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Increase In Carbon Dioxide :(

Ever wondered what might of happened 55 million years ago? Well, 55 million years ago a massive carbon release and rapid warming happened in our oceans, causing much extinction within our Marine life. When carbon dioxide levels increase, it acidifies the ocean; which caused Marine life with carbon based shells to die off. Stages of what happened previously are showing up again today. Scientists are studying this in the Mediterranean Sea where carbon levels are increasing. Scientists predict that if the carbon dioxide levels continue to increase at the pace in which it is, calcified organisms will go extinct while non calcifying organisms will take over. This will result in mass extinction, degrading coastal waters, and an outbreak of toxic jelly fish and algae. If we do not study our oceans or try to find a solution, one day we may no longer have calcified organisms in the oceans. I agree with many others that this situation would be disappointing if we at least didn't try to reduce the carbon dioxide levels. http://www.sciencedaily.com

Great Lakes Water Quality is Focus Of New Research Grant

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100917183033.htm

A group of researchers were given 5 million dollars to study what the water quality of the great lakes is going to be like after the effects of climate change. They believe that the climate change is going to have a negative effect on the lakes which hold 84% of North Americas fresh water. While there is a lot known about how global warming will effect the amount and availability of water there is little known about the actual effects it will have on it as this is a source of drinking water, agricultural irrigation and recreation. This is a very unique experiment and in my opinion a very good one. If the water quality is going to be horrible in years to come, we need to know that now in order to attempt to discover a solution in time.