We're taking a look at some of the stories affecting our planet. Here's some news you shouldn't miss.
China reports it saved drinking water for tens of millions from contamination
Chinese officials report containing a potential catastrophe by halting the spread of poisonous cadmium
flowing through the Longjiang River. The word from local media is that
officials were able to dilute the toxic metal which threatened drinking
water for tens of millions of people. Can the reports be trusted that
the disaster, stemming from a leak from a mining company in Guangxi, is
under control? Hard to say, but in another report from The New York Times
this week, Chinese officials are said to be struggling now that the
“edifice of environmental propaganda is collapsing.” That story dealt
with denials about urban air pollution.
Efforts to clean up the Gulf Coast continueMeanwhile,
back in the United States, officials are still dealing with
environmental destruction to the Gulf Coast, and in particular, the
Deepwater Horizon spill. After a year of meetings, studies, and lots of
talking but little action, money is now being spent to improve the
ecosystem as farmers and fishermen keep close watch. The AP takes a look
at the progress on the farm front, from small projects like fences built and cattle-averring troughs to money going to expensive soil-turning solutions.Chinese officials report containing a potential catastrophe by halting the spread of poisonous cadmium
flowing through the Longjiang River. The word from local media is that
officials were able to dilute the toxic metal which threatened drinking
water for tens of millions of people. Can the reports be trusted that
the disaster, stemming from a leak from a mining company in Guangxi, is
under control? Hard to say, but in another report from The New York Times
this week, Chinese officials are said to be struggling now that the
“edifice of environmental propaganda is collapsing.” That story dealt
with denials about urban air pollution.
The state of environmental education is concerningWhat
do American school kids learn these days about climate science? At the
Huffington Post, one dean at Duke University’s environmental school takes a look,
finding two states – Texas and Louisiana – where climate science denial
is taught as a valid scientific position, and two more states –
Tennessee and Oklahoma – where legislation is being considered that
would do the same. The author also points to a study of K-12 science
teachers throughout the U.S. where 47 percent admit to teaching “both
sides” of climate change.
'We must develop the Arctic!' says one Russian tanker captainClimate change is gathering excitement
among Russian mariners, who are overjoyed by the prospect of an Arctic
Ocean without the arctic freeze. Less snow and ice means an easier and
quicker time shipping fuel supplies along the Northern Sea Route. One
Danish company has estimated it has saved a third of the cost and nearly
half the time by shipping to China via the northern route instead of
the old, southern Suez Canal option. Longer warm seasons also mean that
this shipping route stays open for more months. The Russian tanker
captain is happy. “We've learned in the most extreme weather, so that
when it gets easier there won't be anything to be scared of," says one
Russian tanker captain.
GPS-technology fosters one art project in BaltimoreRiding
a bike is not only environmentally-friendly, but with the advent of GPS
technology, it also happens to be a neat way to create art. One
Baltimore man has been using “pedal power”
to create pictures including a jellyfish invasion, a professional
football player kicking a field goal, and one of those gigantic carriers
from The Empire Strikes Back.
- LivingPong
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That picture looks like BAD WOLF! I tried to make a giant
hook with my phone on my skateboard, though now that I think about it, I
probably had GPS turned off.
It's sad that climate science denial is taught in schools. The Vatican has recently held talks about the increased threat to the glazier in the Himalayas that is the source of fresh water to much of India and the worrying trend of prolonged drought facing 40% of the world by the end of this century. Like it or not, the rapid expansion of the human population puts many pressures on the world we live in.
The challenge for us is to find ways in which we can more intelligently use our resources without threatening the environment we share with all other living things. In order to plan for the future we must understand our limitations and the problems we face. No one is doing any favours to students by not arming them with the facts about the changing climate they must work and live in. Great innovations and solutions can be achieved with a clear understanding of any given problem. Confusing this issue only helps to fail students in understanding the changing environment they face, when instead they could be discussing solutions to these problems and thinking of new innovations that will benefit not only themselves but the entire world as well.
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That picture looks like BAD WOLF! I tried to make a giant
hook with my phone on my skateboard, though now that I think about it, I
probably had GPS turned off.
