I found this website on extinction rates which totally supports Edward O. Wilson's estimation of the present rate of extinction of species:
http://www.bio.miami.edu/tom/bil160/bil160goods/10_extinct.html
Again, I say, "Is anybody out there?" What are we doing to reverse the trend? Does blogging help? Or am I spitting into the wind? Hello? YOU-HOOO!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
More on the Future of Life: extinction rates
I'm going to quote from "The Future of Life", by Edward O. Wilson:
"Although it is possible to predict species extinction for the near future ---say, over the next decade or two---such a projection is impossible for the more distant future. The obvious reason is that the trajectory depends on human choice. If the decision were taken today to freeze all conservation efforts at their current level while allowing the same rates of deforestation and other forms of environmental destruction to continue, it is safe to say that at least a fifth of the species of plants and animals would be gone or committed to early extinction by 2030, and half by the end of the century. If, on the other hand, an all-out effort is made to save the biologically richest parts of the natural world, the amount of loss can be cut by at least half.
The sombre archaeology of vanished species has taught us the following lessons:
If Emi the Sumatran rhino could speak, she might tell us that the twenty-first century is thus far no exception. And I would respond with another reassuring touch of my hand. We know more about the problem now, Emi; it is not too late. We know what to do. Perhaps we will act in time."
This book is now five years old. I wonder what has become of the 300 or so Sumatran rhinos. What will become of the planet???
I Googled Sumatran Rhinos, and found video clips of Emi giving birth to a baby. It's fabulous! the baby looks like a stuffed leather toy, with big googly eyes!
http://www.cincinnatizoo.org/Conservation/GlobalConservation
/SumatranRhino/BirthAnnouncement/Video/video.html
The main reason for the near extinction of the Sumatran Rhino? Poaching for the medicinal powers of the horn..... Of course, the loss of habitat is a big problem as well, but, according to Wilson, poaching is the main problem.
I have a small hope in the back of my mind. Apparently, there has been a huge change in Chinese society, due to the magic of the internet. People have gone, in 20-30 years, from wearing Mao suits to having all the gewgaws of modern western society. Perhaps a side effect of this phenomenon will be education on the topic of killing large numbers of animals and endangering species in order to get things like penises, horns, etc.
"Although it is possible to predict species extinction for the near future ---say, over the next decade or two---such a projection is impossible for the more distant future. The obvious reason is that the trajectory depends on human choice. If the decision were taken today to freeze all conservation efforts at their current level while allowing the same rates of deforestation and other forms of environmental destruction to continue, it is safe to say that at least a fifth of the species of plants and animals would be gone or committed to early extinction by 2030, and half by the end of the century. If, on the other hand, an all-out effort is made to save the biologically richest parts of the natural world, the amount of loss can be cut by at least half.
The sombre archaeology of vanished species has taught us the following lessons:
- The noble savage never existed.
- Eden occupied was a slaughterhouse.
- Paradise found is paradise lost.
If Emi the Sumatran rhino could speak, she might tell us that the twenty-first century is thus far no exception. And I would respond with another reassuring touch of my hand. We know more about the problem now, Emi; it is not too late. We know what to do. Perhaps we will act in time."
This book is now five years old. I wonder what has become of the 300 or so Sumatran rhinos. What will become of the planet???
I Googled Sumatran Rhinos, and found video clips of Emi giving birth to a baby. It's fabulous! the baby looks like a stuffed leather toy, with big googly eyes!
http://www.cincinnatizoo.org/Conservation/GlobalConservation
/SumatranRhino/BirthAnnouncement/Video/video.html
The main reason for the near extinction of the Sumatran Rhino? Poaching for the medicinal powers of the horn..... Of course, the loss of habitat is a big problem as well, but, according to Wilson, poaching is the main problem.
I have a small hope in the back of my mind. Apparently, there has been a huge change in Chinese society, due to the magic of the internet. People have gone, in 20-30 years, from wearing Mao suits to having all the gewgaws of modern western society. Perhaps a side effect of this phenomenon will be education on the topic of killing large numbers of animals and endangering species in order to get things like penises, horns, etc.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Water Transportation
Do you have experience with kayaking? I want to buy a boat, but I don't want a motor. Ultimately, I would like a rowboat like my friend's, pointed at both ends, cedar strip...really nice....there's probably a name for the style....It requires work to keep it up, though, and it's not cheap.
For the moment, I'd like a cheapish kayak which I could manage in slightly windy weather. I wouldn't go out in choppy water, at least, not unless I got to be very proficient. I'm not proficient right now. I've only been in a kayak a few times.
I'd love a line or two of advice on the subject, re makes, styles, etc., of kayaks that would be appropriate for me.
For the moment, I'd like a cheapish kayak which I could manage in slightly windy weather. I wouldn't go out in choppy water, at least, not unless I got to be very proficient. I'm not proficient right now. I've only been in a kayak a few times.
I'd love a line or two of advice on the subject, re makes, styles, etc., of kayaks that would be appropriate for me.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Another book
I'm reading a different book, "The Future of Life", by Edward O. Wilson. It is very interesting. His first chapter deals with the diversity of life forms, and the variety of places they are found. I've heard of things that live near undersea volcanic vents, but apparently there are many more examples of "extremophile" bacteria, microbes and such.
Another fun bit of info he provides is that there are more cells in and on our bodies that DON'T belong to us than DO. The number of bacteria in our gastrointestinal tract, as well as on our skin, etc., outnumbers our body cells. However, there is more mass in our body cells......thank goodness! Wouldn't we look cute if you could see all these creepy-crawlies on us.... It doesn't bear thinking about.
A third interesting piece of information is that most of the flora and fauna in Hawaii are foreign, and most of the native species are extinct. One picturesque species which was imported as a form of control is the rosy wolf snail. That brings up quite an image.
I want to go read some more.
Another fun bit of info he provides is that there are more cells in and on our bodies that DON'T belong to us than DO. The number of bacteria in our gastrointestinal tract, as well as on our skin, etc., outnumbers our body cells. However, there is more mass in our body cells......thank goodness! Wouldn't we look cute if you could see all these creepy-crawlies on us.... It doesn't bear thinking about.
A third interesting piece of information is that most of the flora and fauna in Hawaii are foreign, and most of the native species are extinct. One picturesque species which was imported as a form of control is the rosy wolf snail. That brings up quite an image.
I want to go read some more.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Shopping Green
I went to the Gardening Show today. I was looking for a rain barrel. I found jacuzzis, pool equipment, etc., but no rain barrels.
To be fair, I did see a few companies selling solar heating systems, and one selling heat exchangers. Green stuff is creeping onto the market.
I guess my best bet is the internet. I like being able to see and touch things, and ask my questions on the spot.
I was going to spend my break reading books about climate change, to educate myself, but I got busy with a business deal. Instead,I've just managed to finish Roughing It in the Bush by Susannah Moodie. One interesting thing in it is how to make "coffee" from dandelion roots. Just dig up, wash thoroughly, cut into coffee bean size, and bake in the oven till brown and crunchy. Grind and brew just as with regular coffee. She also recommended putting a board over the plants, and harvesting the white leaves for salad. I'm going to try it.
To be fair, I did see a few companies selling solar heating systems, and one selling heat exchangers. Green stuff is creeping onto the market.
I guess my best bet is the internet. I like being able to see and touch things, and ask my questions on the spot.
I was going to spend my break reading books about climate change, to educate myself, but I got busy with a business deal. Instead,I've just managed to finish Roughing It in the Bush by Susannah Moodie. One interesting thing in it is how to make "coffee" from dandelion roots. Just dig up, wash thoroughly, cut into coffee bean size, and bake in the oven till brown and crunchy. Grind and brew just as with regular coffee. She also recommended putting a board over the plants, and harvesting the white leaves for salad. I'm going to try it.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Political Pressure
There was a rally on Sunday, which I attended. It would have been nice to see 10,000 people there, instead of 1-2000 at best. I got there a bit late, I admit. Maybe some had left when the food ran out. By the time I got there, it was gone.
Anyway, it's important, in my opinion, to be visible in supporting causes. Otherwise, how does anyone know that the cause is important? Elections let people know, but they don't happen often enough. Getting up and out, listening to speeches, et cetera, seems embarrassing, useless and silly to some, but I feel that it gets issues that are important to people into the media. It also allows some networking and sharing to take place. I talked with someone who saw my Bullfrogpower bag, and let him know a bit about it. I'm sure he went home and checked out the website. If he did, who knows? Maybe a whole series of new people will sign up, just because of that chance encounter. Word of mouth is good.
Stephen Harper needs to know that the Kyoto Accord must be honoured:
1-for our survival as a planet, not that compliance with the accord is enough, but it's definitely a start
2-for our word and reputation as a nation to be taken seriously
3-for leverage with such countries as China and India... if they don't see us cutting back our emissions, they may well not be convinced to work on theirs
I was inspired by the young men who organized the rally to begin to organize one of my own.
It will coincide with a host of rallies across USA, on April 14, to try to get the message to Congress to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050. Congress needs a fire lit under it...one that doesn't produce CO2....hm. The project is called Stepping It Up! and is organized by NRDC in the US.
My next change is to drive more slowly on highways, so that I don't burn 20% more fuel than necessary. I can get there a bit later. I'm also making an effort not to drive more than necessary. I haven't given up my car altogether. I feel that it's only possible in the city, where transit is better established.
Anyway, it's important, in my opinion, to be visible in supporting causes. Otherwise, how does anyone know that the cause is important? Elections let people know, but they don't happen often enough. Getting up and out, listening to speeches, et cetera, seems embarrassing, useless and silly to some, but I feel that it gets issues that are important to people into the media. It also allows some networking and sharing to take place. I talked with someone who saw my Bullfrogpower bag, and let him know a bit about it. I'm sure he went home and checked out the website. If he did, who knows? Maybe a whole series of new people will sign up, just because of that chance encounter. Word of mouth is good.
Stephen Harper needs to know that the Kyoto Accord must be honoured:
1-for our survival as a planet, not that compliance with the accord is enough, but it's definitely a start
2-for our word and reputation as a nation to be taken seriously
3-for leverage with such countries as China and India... if they don't see us cutting back our emissions, they may well not be convinced to work on theirs
I was inspired by the young men who organized the rally to begin to organize one of my own.
It will coincide with a host of rallies across USA, on April 14, to try to get the message to Congress to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050. Congress needs a fire lit under it...one that doesn't produce CO2....hm. The project is called Stepping It Up! and is organized by NRDC in the US.
My next change is to drive more slowly on highways, so that I don't burn 20% more fuel than necessary. I can get there a bit later. I'm also making an effort not to drive more than necessary. I haven't given up my car altogether. I feel that it's only possible in the city, where transit is better established.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Energy use and living space
Our house started to use Bullfrogpower yesterday. It's electricity provided by wind power and certified low impact hydro power. We are still connected to the grid. If you're interested, Google Bullfrogpower and get the details from the website.
I'm walking to work now, most of the time. I take the bus sometimes, partly to get there on time, or in inclement weather, but also to support public transit. It's expensive, and the schedule is variable. Also, the buses only run every half hour. I'm not really complaining, because the bus usually has only about 8-10 riders, so more frequency is not warranted.
I really feel that suburbia is a bad idea. Where I live, there are large subdivisions with long, rambling crescents and very few through streets. Thus, the traffic all pours out onto 3 or 4 main streets to get anywhere. The prospect of having to walk anywhere is quite daunting. Nothing is in a straight line, except the 3 or 4 main streets, where the traffic is awful. I'm fortunate in that the line from my job to my house cuts across the major traffic paths, so I only need to cross at a couple of main intersections, and the rest of the time, I pretty well have the sidewalk to myself, on quiet streets.
Do you have any ideas about how to get people walking or biking more? What about redesigning suburbia? Or rethinking where you should live?
I heard that Oprah had a show about people starting to live in small spaces. I wish I'd seen it. It sounds intriguing. A YOUNG woman with whom I work just told me that her next door neighbour's house is 3600 square feet. She didn't say what hers was, but I was left to assume that it is similar. She's a professional, and so I suppose she wants her portion of the good life.
I don't want to judge, but it scares me that young people are still thinking that they need huge living spaces. If this trend continues, according to all that I'm reading, we're all doomed. Literally. I would like to think that there are others who are paying attention, and actually adjusting their habits.
I'm walking to work now, most of the time. I take the bus sometimes, partly to get there on time, or in inclement weather, but also to support public transit. It's expensive, and the schedule is variable. Also, the buses only run every half hour. I'm not really complaining, because the bus usually has only about 8-10 riders, so more frequency is not warranted.
I really feel that suburbia is a bad idea. Where I live, there are large subdivisions with long, rambling crescents and very few through streets. Thus, the traffic all pours out onto 3 or 4 main streets to get anywhere. The prospect of having to walk anywhere is quite daunting. Nothing is in a straight line, except the 3 or 4 main streets, where the traffic is awful. I'm fortunate in that the line from my job to my house cuts across the major traffic paths, so I only need to cross at a couple of main intersections, and the rest of the time, I pretty well have the sidewalk to myself, on quiet streets.
Do you have any ideas about how to get people walking or biking more? What about redesigning suburbia? Or rethinking where you should live?
I heard that Oprah had a show about people starting to live in small spaces. I wish I'd seen it. It sounds intriguing. A YOUNG woman with whom I work just told me that her next door neighbour's house is 3600 square feet. She didn't say what hers was, but I was left to assume that it is similar. She's a professional, and so I suppose she wants her portion of the good life.
I don't want to judge, but it scares me that young people are still thinking that they need huge living spaces. If this trend continues, according to all that I'm reading, we're all doomed. Literally. I would like to think that there are others who are paying attention, and actually adjusting their habits.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Is anybody out there?
Have you been reading articles or books about climate change?
Do you feel that they aren't being taken seriously by the masses?
I've been interested in environmental issues for years, reading articles and some books on energy consumption and conservation.
I recently started reading two books, "Gaia's Revenge", by Sir James Lovelock, and "We Are the Weathermakers", by Tim Flannery. I laid them both down, so that I could sleep at night, and continue to go to work. I plan to read them during March Break, when I can lie awake without having to get up early.
I've also recently read about mass demonstrations, major swings in public opinion concerning the environment and such, but seem to be surrounded by people who stare blankly at me whenever I bring up anything related to climate change. It makes me feel lonely and somewhat frustrated.
I have been making changes to my lifestyle, in spite of the feeling that I'm being regarded as "eccentric", at least, if not bonkers.
I am writing this blog to try to connect with like-minded people.
Have you considered moving close to work, downsizing your accommodations, walking/biking/busing, refusing to fly...etc? I'd love to hear from you.
Do you feel that they aren't being taken seriously by the masses?
I've been interested in environmental issues for years, reading articles and some books on energy consumption and conservation.
I recently started reading two books, "Gaia's Revenge", by Sir James Lovelock, and "We Are the Weathermakers", by Tim Flannery. I laid them both down, so that I could sleep at night, and continue to go to work. I plan to read them during March Break, when I can lie awake without having to get up early.
I've also recently read about mass demonstrations, major swings in public opinion concerning the environment and such, but seem to be surrounded by people who stare blankly at me whenever I bring up anything related to climate change. It makes me feel lonely and somewhat frustrated.
I have been making changes to my lifestyle, in spite of the feeling that I'm being regarded as "eccentric", at least, if not bonkers.
I am writing this blog to try to connect with like-minded people.
Have you considered moving close to work, downsizing your accommodations, walking/biking/busing, refusing to fly...etc? I'd love to hear from you.
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