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A giant iceberg has broken off from Greenland:

“A giant ice island has broken off the Petermann Glacier in northern Greenland.”

“A University of Delaware researcher says the floating ice sheet covers 100 square miles – more than four times the size of New York’s Manhattan Island.”

“Andreas Muenchow, who is studying the Nares Strait between Greenland and Canada, said the ice sheet broke off early Thursday. He says the new ice island was discovered by Trudy Wohlleben of the Canadian Ice Service.”

“Not since 1962 has such a large chunk of ice calved in the Arctic, but researchers have noticed cracks in recent months in the floating tongue of the glacier.”

As politicians in Washington continue to delay action, more and more events like this will occur with catastrophic consequences for our planet.

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An award-winning solar research centre has lost its funding as part of Labor’s proposed cuts to finance a “cash-for-clunkers” low-emissions car program, the Greens say.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard plans on giving $2000 to owners of pre-1995 vehicles who upgrade to brand new, cleaner cars.

But the fine print on the announcement has revealed it’s funded by raiding existing environmental programs from solar power to low-emissions technology.

via Federal Election 2010 | Solar research centre to close: Greens | News | Business Spectator.

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As the scientist who helped eradicate smallpox he certainly know a thing or two about extinction.

And now Professor Frank Fenner, emeritus professor of microbiology at the Australian National University, has predicted that the human race will be extinct within the next 100 years.

He has claimed that the human race will be unable to survive a population explosion and ‘unbridled consumption.’

via Human race ‘will be extinct ‘within 100 years due to population explosion’ | Mail Online.

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Biofuel is fuel derived from renewable sources, especially biomass. It consists of materials from flora fauna, and micro-organisms, such as sugar cane, soya, and agricultural waste. It is usually turned into gas (methane) or liquid fuel (ethanol) for use in engines. It is often mixed with petroleum, with details of exactly how much printed on the bottle.

More information …

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I recently returned from a vacation where I visited the African and South American continents. I had a fantastic time during my trip and experienced the amazing hospitality of the South African and Brazilian locals. I was treated like a King with endless kindness afforded to me, which made my trip so special.

However, one thing that became very apparent to me, was the difference between Australia and these two nations in environmental awareness and sustainable practices. I do understand that both South Africa and Brazil are developing countries and do not have the infrastructure that we do; but the disparity was startling. I will recount a few notable episodes:

In Sydney, I often see hybrids on the road – the Prius and hybrid Civic are commonplace. Where as when I noticed a Prius on the streets of Johannesburg and commented to my friend that there aren’t many on the road; he agreed and exclaimed no-one really drives hybrids. Now, I know you are thinking where would people get the money in a developing country to purchase a hybrid – however, there are a myriad of luxury vehicles on the roads there.

Another common theme in Africa was when I asked to not have a bag at supermarkets for my fruit, and was told emphatically that I had to have a plastic bag. When I explained and pleaded that I did not need a bag and that it was better for the environment; I was generally greeted by a dumbfounded assistant who again said they would not serve me without a bag, much to my dismay.

Recycling was another thing that I noticed is very different.  For me recycling, is just an everyday part of life and has become habit (although I will say we are still far behind countries like Germany). Whilst in South Africa and Brazil, I experienced two events that shocked me. In South Africa at a friends house, I finished a drink and politely asked where I should put the bottle for recycling; I was then told “we don’t recycle here – unfortunately we have bigger problems to tackle.” I was left a bit dumbfounded by this comment even though I understand the challenges a developing nation faces.

Similar to this in Brazil, I enquired of a friend if they had recycling in their house, and with a sullen face they replied “we don’t have recycling here, I want to recycle but I have to drive 40 minutes by car across Rio de Janeiro to a private depot just to recycle, and I don’t drive so this is impossible.”

After these experiences, I became much more grateful for the simple ‘luxuries’ we have here in Australia like being able to recycle. But it raised one question for me, what would I do if I lived in a country where it wasn’t so easy?

Let me know your thoughts and leave a comment,

Landon

Todae Eco Store

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It’s not just the water in the gulf being polluted by oil. Everyday, our air is being poisoned as well:

“The largest U.S. oil refinery violated federal air pollution laws thousands of times during the last five years, releasing 10 million pounds of illegal pollution, including cancer-causing toxins, without facing proper fines or being forced to fix equipment, environmental groups claim.”

“Exxon Mobil Corp., which owns the refinery, is the latest target of Sierra Club and Environment Texas, which recently forced Shell into a $5.8 million settlement over its Clean Air Act violations and has filed a lawsuit against Chevron Phillips.”

“The environmental groups have not yet sued Exxon but have notified the Irving-based company, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of plans do so — a requirement under the Clean Air Act.”

“The Associated Press obtained copies of the groups’ two 60-day notices, which outline violations Exxon measured and reported itself. Among other complaints, the notices accuse Exxon of violating emissions limits on sulfur dioxide, one of the components of acid rain; hydrogen sulfide, a toxic, flammable gas characterized by a rotten egg smell; cancer-causing agents such as benzene and butadiene; carbon monoxide; and the smog-causing agent nitrogen oxide.”

While Exxon should face sanctions for these violations, the only way to stop this pollution is to end our dependence on carbon based fuel.

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The robotics engineers at Willow Garage have developed a new program that allows robots to open a fridge door, grab a beer, flip the lid, and serve. It’s part of a larger vision: to build and test a platform for the emerging robotics industry. SmartPlanet goes inside the Willow Garage to take a peek at their world of robotic assistants.

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WWF and the National Toxics Network today released a list of Australia’s most dangerous pesticides, more than 80 of which are prohibited overseas because of the risks they pose to human health and the environment.

The list includes 17 chemicals that are known, likely or probable carcinogens, and 48 chemicals flagged as having the potential to interfere with hormones.

More than 20 have been classified as either extremely or highly hazardous by the World Health Organisation yet remain available for use on Australian farms.

“Australians are at risk of being exposed to a dangerous cocktail of poisonous chemicals, many of which have been prohibited in other countries due to their risks to health and the environment,” said WWF spokesperson Nick Heath.

“Surely Australian farm workers, wildlife and ecosystems deserve the same level of protection as those in Europe or the United States.”

Jo Immig from the National Toxics Network said the list was evidence that Australia’s chemical regulatory system was failing to keep people and the environment safe from dangerous pesticides.

“European pesticides regulation is founded on a precautionary principle designed to give human health and the environment the benefit of the doubt,” Ms Immig said.

“Here in Australia we have the opposite, where chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer and other health problems remain on the market for years.”

Mr Heath said the list was a warning that Australians were not being adequately informed of the risks associated with harmful pesticides.

“The pesticides regulator must recognise that while Australia may have unique wildlife and different farming conditions, the chemistry of these dangerous pesticides is the still the same. If smoking causes cancer in the US, it will also cause cancer in Australia – it’s the carcinogens that matter not the country,” Mr Heath said.

“The list demonstrates just how far we are lagging behind the rest of the world. It’s time for us to catch up and give Australian farmers safer and better choices.”

Read the report here.

More information

Charlie Stevens, WWF Media Office, 0424 649 689;

Juliette King, WWF-Australia Conservation Policy Officer, 0438 864 997;

Jo Immig, National Toxics Network, Coordinator, 02 6687 1900, 0413 683 782

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Ancient hunters who stalked the world’s last woolly mammoths likely helped warm the Earth’s far northern latitudes thousands of years before humans began burning fossil fuels, according to a study of prehistoric climate change.

via World Environment News – Woolly Mammoth Hunters Helped Change Climate – Planet Ark.

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The X Prize Foundation announced a $10 million prize for their oil spill challenge. From Kevin Costner’s machine to oil eating bacteria, many ideas…

Read more

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