Life After People

After an agricultural drought, human life on Earth disappeared. Some changes were noticed almost immediately. Without people, electrical plants could not run themselves and electricity would go out. The only power that stays running is that from dams, such as the Hoover Dam, as seen in the movie. The water is no longer being pumped out of subways so as the water tables rise, subways flood. Also, household pets would not be fed and they would either die or attempt to escape. Animals roam away from the forests and their human-enforced habitats. Rats and mice go back out into the wild where they become easy prey for predators.

Plants grow unchecked because humans are not there to maintain anything. They ruin foundations, facades, and cars. Succession also takes place on land that was once manicured, such as soccer fields or golf courses. Termites and cockroaches run rampant. Although they once depended on humans and their leftovers, cockroaches have learned to survive on glue and book bindings. Termites feed on the decaying wood of homes and buildings. However, they are not the only exploding population. Pigeons learn to survive without human handouts. Wolf populations boom because their main predator no longer exists – humans. Aquatic populations in the oceans also explode because the oceans are no longer fished or polluted and they recover. Seagulls initially die off without human trash to feed from, but when the ocean population recovers they may now feed from that and the population increases  once again.

Because of the plants’ unchecked growth, streets and sidewalks become cracked and eventually unrecognizable. Weathering of buildings causes the glass and cement to break and crumble. Without power, paper and film that is kept at a constant temperature will crumble and fade or be ruined by the humidity. As buildings become covered in vines, metal structures begin to disintegrate. The cords holding up bridges snap and they fall, the Eiffel Tower crumbles along with the Space Needle, and cars will rust and disintegrate. Homes also fall apart.

Eventually, the dams will stop providing power due to problems such as overheating, as the Hoover Dam would. Structurally, the dams will crumble and fall, allowing the water to flow its natural course once again. As sea levels rise in coastal cities, the soil is saturated causing buildings, such as the Sears Tower and the Empire State Building, to lean and then fall. In the final stages, succession will take over cities, creating “jungles of vegetation”, restoring the Earth to its natural, original state.

Australia’s Animal Emissions

The Australian government has dedicated $17 million for research on how to lower methane and nitrous oxide emissions from the country’s 120 million farm animals. This money will fund 18 areas of research including dietary changes, genetic manipulation, and ways to reduce stomach bacteria to reduce methane production, as well as manure management to reduce nitrous oxide production.

Animals release methane through gases and nitrous oxide is released from the animals’ wastes.

After energy and transportation, livestock is the third largest source of greenhouse gases in the country. Just a single grazing beef cow in northern Australia accounts for the equivalent of 1.65 tons of carbon dioxide a year.

The government has not yet considered the possibility of taxing farmers for the greenhouse gases their animals produce.

Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are the highest, per capita, in the developed world, mostly because they use coal for energy. However, the country has recently signed the Kyoto Protocol.

http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=44217

http://www.garnautreview.org.au/img/chp7/Figure%207.1_fmt.jpeg

U.S. Cap and Trade Policy backed by President Obama

On Thursday, February 27th, President Barack Obama showed his support for a U.S. cap and trade scheme to be agreed upon this year to replace the Kyoto Protocol.

This “cap and trade” approach fights climate change by forcing companies with high emissions to buy an allowance or permit for every ton of carbon emissions. Republican opponents say that the “cap and trade” will compare to a tax that the U.S. economy and households cannot bear.

Obama supports a “market-based cap on carbon” and plans to raise $80 billion annually from selling carbon allowances from 2012.

The international climate treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol after 2012 faces a deadline for agreement in December of this year.

http://www.reuters.com/article/internal_ReutersNewsRoom_BehindTheScenes_MOLT/idUSTRE51Q22L20090227?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=10112

http://keetsa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/arain1.jpg

Invasive Species: The Gambian Giant Pouched Rat

Australia clearly isn’t the only place in the world that has a problem with invasive species. Right here in the United States, the Gambian Giant Pouched Rat has become a problem in the Florida Keys.

This species is native to Africa, and is also called the African Giant Pouch Rat. They can grow to be as large as a racoon and weigh up to nine pounds. They depend on their hearing and smell due to their poor eyesight. The rats reach sexual maturity at 5-7 months, and produce four litters every nine months. Each litter has about six offspring.

In the Grassy Key of the Florida Keys, it is feared that the rats will become an incredible problem. It is unknown how the rats were released into the Keys, but if they reach the Everglades, they could cause serious ecological damage. Biologists have stated that the rats would bring disease, compete for food with native species, and harm the bird population by eating their eggs.

The rat is also believed to be responsible for an outbreak of monkeypox in the United States.

However, these rats may prove to be a very important species outside of the United States. Animal education experts at Exmoor Zoo in the United Kingdom have discovered that these rats are capable of detecting land mines using their strong sense of smell. One specialist stated that these rats could take care of a job in 30 minutes that would take humans 2 days to do.

http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/news/Zoo-s-work-Hero-Rats-wins-national-recognition/article-536541-detail/article.html

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Gambian-giant-pouched-rat

Cane Toads: Where are they now?

As we learned from the video, “Cane Toads: An Unnatural History”, 3,000 Cane Toads were released into Australia, north of Queensland in 1935. Today these frogs number into the millions and cover thousands of miles in northeastern Australia. Australia now officially considers them pests, and asks residents to help collect and dispose of them.

An article posted on ABC News Australia stated that the Frog Watch coordinator Graeme Sawyer and the Lord Mayor of Darwin said that the toad populations may explode again due to the wet conditions that make it easier for the frogs to travel and breed. They have put residents on alert and asked them to “remain vigilant against the pest”.  The main species that is endangered by the frogs currently is the frill neck lizard. The article stated that the most humane way to get rid of the frogs are by putting them in the freezer.

Another article on sciencealert.com stated that these frogs are growing larger, faster and stronger, but are beginning to be affected by arthritis. According to Professor Shrine, this is something that has “never been seen before in other amphibians”.  However, this arthritis is not preventing them from spreading.

Professor Shrine has stated that a chemical has been discovered that is released by the cane toads when they are scared called the “alarm pheromone”. This has proved to be extremely effective in controlling the growth of the cane tadpoles. The tadpoles that do not die grow much smaller. The pheromone does not harm native Australian frogs.

Spreading of the Cane Toads in Northeastern Australia

How one resident has chosen to dispose of the Cane Frogs

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/amphibians/cane-toad.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/03/2458445.htm

http://www.sciencealert.com.au/features/20090601-18626.html

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5625194108828590842&ei=OfVjSdmDFpyyrQL6_ozhDg&q=cane+toads

Apple’s Green Notebooks

Apple has redesigned the new MacBooks with the environment in mind, creating the greenest family of notebooks. Every new MacBook has been produced using highly recyclable materials and materials free of many harmful substances that are present in other computers. The engineers also designed the software and hardware to work together, therefore minimizing the MacBook’s carbon footprint. The packaging was also reduced so the shipping boxes are smaller and there is less material to recycle.

In traditional computers, there is mercury in the CCFL backlights and arsenic in the glass of traditional LCD displays. These were both eliminated in the new MacBooks with mercury-free LED technology and arsenic-free glass. Both brominated flame retardants and PVC were removed from circuit boards, internal cables, connectors, insulators, shock mounts, adhesives and more. These toxins have also been removed from all new iPods and the iPhone 3G.

The body of the MacBook is one single, solid piece of recyclable aluminum. The display is also made of recyclable glass.

Because the hardware and software work together, the product uses less electricity and has earned and Energy Star certification. When the hard drive is inactive, it spins down automatically. The LED backlight also consumes 30% less power than regular LCD displays. The display is also designed to dim when you enter a darkened room. The most popular of the MacBooks can run on just one quarter of the power of a single lightbulb.

The new packaging is 41% smaller than the previous generation of MacBooks. More products will fit on each boat or plane when being transported, resulting in fewer CO2 emissions.

I will definately consider this when I am purchasing a new laptop before college this year. It is important to know the repercussions of what you are purchasing.

Hydrogen Cars and Clean Diesel…and a 1959 Lincoln

BMW Hydrogen 7

BMW has released a new test vehicle, the Hydrogen 7, which runs on liquid hydrogen. It combusts in the engine just like gasoline, so the driver can switch from hydrogen power to gasoline with the push of a button. Yes, hydrogen is VERY flammable, but the engineers at BMW may have taken care of that problem for good! In the event of hydrogen leakage while the car is in operation, white caps on the door locks will glow red. According to a BMW representative, at this point, the windows of the car will automatically go down, and the driver should immediately pull over.

The BMW representative says the car is “not really” explosive, but smoking in the cabin should be avoided. However, BMW took every precaution to keep the hydrogen INSIDE the tank. The hydrogen tank is made of a shiny steel and it is located in the trunk. BMW engineers shot the tank with rifles, and even simulated a train crash. Each time the tank withstood the blows. BMW is so confident of the car’s safety that they gave 20 prototypes to celebrities such as Cameron Diaz and Jay Leno.

However, it will be years before the car will be on the market to the public, because there is currently no infrastructure for filling the hydrogen tank.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Volkswagen has revolutionized diesel, making it “clean and green” for the very first time. Diesel has always been more fuel efficient, but also very dirty. But this fall, thanks to low-sulfur fuel and new self-cleaning exhausts, diesel cars are now truly fuel-efficient and less pollutant. “Clean diesel” is a reality.

The car displays the current MPG on the dashboard at all times, to teach the driver how to drive in the most fuel-efficient manner. In test runs, the car varies greatly, from 17 to 30, even up to 144!

1959 Lincoln

Now, following all of these other newly fuel-efficient cars and seeing the headline “1959 Lincoln” probably makes you wonder. Well, singer Neil Young has transformed his 1959 Lincoln from a 9MPG gas guzzler to an electric vehicle that can get nearly 100MPG. He says that he wants to “eliminate roadside refueling”.

Young’s goal is to create a self-charging vehicle. Under the hood is a tiny ethanol-fueled engine that powers a generator, which charges the batteries, which fuel the car’s electric motor. According to Young’s partner in invention, Jonathan Goodwin, “The goal is having an engine that won’t require refueling, and the ethanol will work like the oil in your engine does now.”

Currently the Lincoln gets about 80MPG, but when it gets to 100MPG, Young plans on racing it against other 100MPG vehicles for a $10 million dollar prize funded by the X PRIZE Foundation.

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As we concluded in class, these days hybrid cars are just not cost efficient enough. These cars will eventually be a good alternative to regular, fuel-efficient but still fossil fuel burning cars as well as costly hybrids.

Rolling Stone – Issue 1065 (November 13, 2008)

Photo from AP Image Archives

Fragmentation in Yellowstone National Park

Fragmentation occurrs everywhere humans intervene. In North America, herbivores have been known to spread lime disease and rabies. The presence of predators can compromise basic safety. However, scientists are unsure if they would be able to survive in today’s modern landscape.

Yellowstone National Park is a symbol of the untouched wild, but it was thrown off by the decline and disappearance of wolves. The hydrologic signature first alerted scientists. The rivers grew wide and eroded the banks, causing the loss of soil that had been there for hundreds of thousands of years. The bank of the river was once completely covered in vegetation, but it was gone.

In the 1800s, mountain lions, wolves, beavers, and bison were much more abundant. However, by the 1930’s, there were no more wolves. Soon after, effects of the missing predators were seen. From 1957 until now, there has been a decline in trees, and little new growth. Scientists knew that this could not have been caused by climate change or forest fires. By the 1990’s beavers were scarce, as well as songbirds and their habitats. Trees were clearly missing.

When scientists studied the few trees left, they found that there were no middle-aged trees, they had stopped regenerating in the 1930’s, the same time when the wolves disappeared. The loss of wolves resulted in the increase of herbivores, which resulted in the decrease of vegetation, and the loss of trees.

To solve the problem, scientists brought Canadian wolves to Yellowstone. These wolves traveled in packs; a powerful hunting tactic. There were 14 packs, about 150 wolves. The impact of the wolves began with killing. By killing elk, wolves reshaped the landscape. Insects would feed off the remains, and the remains would fertilize the ground. Also, the willows were no longer eaten by the elk. Beaver colonies also returned for the first time in ten years, because they could live off of the willows the elk were no longer eating.

We should care about these changes most importantly because Yellowstone is one of the few fragile remains of our wilderness. However, many are concerned because people do live in the area just outside of the National Park, and wolves are a danger to humans. For many people, the presence of predators does affect their backyard. The ecosystem services of the trees and animals may be replaced, but it is expensive and difficult. Yellowstone exists to protect these ecosystem services, so if we just let everything die, we would not be living up to the standards set for us.

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Bison in Yellowstone National Park [Photo from AP Images

The 15 “Greenest” Politicians in the World

1. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Governor Schwarzenegger has made California a global leader on climate change by signing the Global Warming Solutions act of 2006. He has committed his state to cutting their greenhouse gas emissions by 80 below 1990’s levels by 2050. He has also worked on having more fuel efficient trucks and cars sold in California, instituted a program to track chemicals in Californians’ bodies, and pledged to help protect the Pacific Ocean.

It’s great for America that someone has really stepped up and stood out to the rest of the world. Governor Schwarzenegger has set an example for the rest of America’s leaders.

2. Wangari Maathai

Maathai is a member of Kenyan Parliament and the founder of the Green Belt Movement, which promotes peace and good governance through environmental protection. This movement has inspired Kenyans to plant 30 million trees since 1977 when it began. She also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for “her contribution to sustainable development, democracy, and peace.”

Maathai should inspire everyone all over the world to plant trees. If enough people are inspired, this small act could actually make a difference.

3. Ken Livingstone

As the mayor of London, Livingstone has aimed at making London the world’s greenest city. He has created a tax on vehicles entering the city during normal weekday work hours, which is especially hard on SUVs. He has created a Climate Change Action Plan, under which London gets 25% of their power from more efficient, local resources. They also aim to lower their emissions by 60% within 20 years. He has also pledged $90 million of the 2008 budget towards fighting climate change. Livingstone has also announced plans for a housing development in London that will produce no emissions.

The American budget is a huge political issue. So much of our money is going toward defense and war, but if we do not give more attention and money towards fighting climate change, America will not have much left to defend. Housing that produces no emissions would be a huge step forward for American cities as well. This project could revolutionize the way we live.

4. Helen Clark

Clark is the Prime Minister of New Zealand. She has pledged to make her country the first carbon-neutral country. They are working towards reducing emissions by increasing biofuel production and neutralizing the emissions of six government departments.

The production of biofuel (also called green gasoline) is important because they can be used not only for vehicles, but to heat homes as well. This method will produce energy without releasing carbon into the atmosphere. There are some issues with this method, and it may not be available for public use for another ten years, but it is important to fund research to make it happen.

5. Marina Silva

Silva is a member of the senate in Brazil and the Environmental Minister of Brazil, and since 1996 has been reconized for her efforts. In 1996 she won the Goldman Environmental Prize for activism in the rainforest and rubber tappers who make a living off of it. Because of her, the deforestation in Brazil has been reduced by 50% in the past two years.

Silva has portrayed that the efforts of one person can make a huge difference in effects on the environment. Because of her efforts, she has saved a huge portion of the rainforest in Brazil, and continues to do so.

6. David Cameron

Leader of the British Conservative Party, Cameron recommends ambitious legislation such as binding annual targets for cutting emissions, energy decentralization, and “frequet flyer” taxes to restrict avaition. He also personally reduces his carbon footprint by growing his own carrots, and riding his bike to work.

Cameron is a great example for politicians. Many politicians say they want to reduce this and that, but ride in a gas-guzzling SUV wherever they go. Cameron takes it a step further, and displays behavior that everyone should partake in.

7. Peter Garrett

A member of the Austrailian House of Representatives and shadow minister for climate change, environment, heritage, and the arts. He is a member of the Austrailian Conservation Foundation, spent two years on the international board of Greenpeace, and was a founding member of the Surfrider Foundation, an ocean-advocacy group.

Garrett has taken a stand on what really matters to him and his country. Many states don’t do much about climate change or greenhouse gas emissions, even though they may directly affect the economy of their state. Leaders of states and other governments should at least begin with action on what is important to their area, and then branch out and assist others.

8. Greg Nickels

Mayor Nickels of Seattle initiated the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, which means his city will follow the Kyoto Protocol target of a 7% emission reduction from 1990 levels by 2012. On a local level, he has also increased the number of trees in Seattle, and improved bike and public transportation.

Improving bike routes and public transportation is very important in the “greening” of a city. Many are turned off of public transportation because it is either unsafe or unreliable. Often times too, biking may be unsafe or difficult because of all of the cars on the road. Many cities do not have bike paths in the streets, or they are not enforced.

9. Margot Wallström

The environment minister of the European Union for 5 years, Wallström aggresively sought for chemical safety, improved air and water quality, detailed action plans on climate change, biodiversity, and resource preservation. She was a leader in convincing every single European Union member to ratify the Kyoto Protocol in 2002. She was also an outspoken critic of the US when we failed to ratify. She also blogs: http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/wallstrom/

It is important for the US to recieve pressure from other countries to ratify such protocols as Kyoto. The US has long set an example for the rest of the world, but the rest of the world has now set an example for us by ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. Also, Wallstrom keeps in touch with the people by blogging, which is important in a politician.

10. Stephane Dion

A recently elected leader of the Canadian Liberal Party, Dion has pledged to unite the quest for a better environment, social justice, and sustainability. He will be running for Canadian Prime minister in the next election. He has proposed tax credits for energy efficiency and pledged to make a concerted effort to reach Kyoto Protocol goals.

Incentives are important in getting the people involved in energy efficiency. It interests those who would be otherwise uninterested. Tax credits catch the interest of many, and cause many to make the effort to “go green”.

11. Angela Merkel

A German chancellor, environmental minister, and current G8 leader, Merkel is an advocate against climate change. She was a driving force behind an E.U. green-energy pact. This established a union-wide goal of using 20% renewable energy and cutting carbon emissions by 20% by 2020. She also tried her hardest to get George W. Bush to commit the US to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by 50% by 2050. She also does what she can, by using compact fluorescent light bulbs in her home.

Angela Merkel is another example of a politician that does what they can in order to reduce their own carbon footprint, and setting an example for the citizens they are in charge of.

12. Barbara Boxer

Boxer is the chair of the US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and is the sponsor of one of the strongest climate bills in Congress. She also strongly opposed and help prevent drilling in ANWR.

As I have stated in previous blogs, I am against drilling in ANWR, so therefore I agree with Boxer’s stand on no drilling. She is strongly influencing environmental issues in America, and really making a difference in our country.

13. Xie Zhenhua

Zhenhua is the vice minister of state and development reform and the former environment minister, has been a key player in pushing for the “greening” of China. He has promoted environmental protection as a national policy, and sustainable practices for China’s rapidly expanding economy. He won the United Nations’ Sasakawa Environment Prize in 2003.

As has been made prominent in this summer’s Olympics, the environment is a huge issue in China. The athletes Olympics were affected by the smog that hangs over Beijing. China is in need of leaders who are environmentally conscious.

14. Stavros Dimas

Dimas is the European commissioner for the environment. He has created plans to cut airline emissions and clean-air acts. He has presided over REACH, Europe’s groundbreaking chemical regulation system. He also criticizes the US for obstructing the world fight against climate change.

As other leaders should, Dimas is not scared to critizise the US for not uniting with the most of the world in the fight against climate change. Clean-air rules are also important because they don’t only affect the country who dirties the air, but the entire world.

15. Rocky Anderson

The “green” mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah, Anderson outlined plans to lower the carbon dioxide emissions of the government 21% between 2001 and 2012. He met the standards 6 months early. Salt Lake City now has an improved transit system, which includes light rail, and requires that new and renovated city-owned or city-managed buildings be certified under the US Green Building Council’s LEED program.

Anderson has not only made plans to reduce emissions, but he has taken strides and actually reduced emissions, 6 years ahead of schedule. He is a great example of a politician who actually makes thing happen in his city.

http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2007/06/26/politicians/

Hybrids? Not worth it.

Photo Courtesy of AP Images

When I researched the Toyota Prius vs. the Chevorlet Aveo, it seems that the Prius, monetarily, is not worth it. I came up with an equation to map out the difference in cost between the two cars over a period of time.

When I researched the battery of the Prius, there was some conflicting information. According to one website, Toyota claims that the battery should last for the life of the car. However, some people have stated that the battery should be replaced every 2 to 4 years, and is not covered by warranty in some states.

Some people stated that the battery for the Prius cost $3000 and should last 180,000mi. Other people said that the battery cost $2,500 to $4,000 dollars, and was covered by an 8 year, 100,000mi warranty. One alternative to buying a new battery is to buy a used battery from wrecked cars, which would cost about $400-$1000.

In contrast, an regular Aveo car battery costs about $100 dollars and is to be replaced every 3 to 4 years.

So let’s say the average cost of a battery for a Prius is $3,000, and the average battery replacement is every 3 years.

Prius

Cost for Car: $21,500

Gas for 1 Year: $1066.67

12000mi*(1gal/45mi)*(4dollars/1gal) = $1066.67

Cost of a Replacement Battery: $3000

Aveo

Cost for Car: $11,460

Gas for 1 Year: $1411.76

12000mi*(1gal/34mi)*(4dollars/1gal) = $1411.76

Replacement Battery: $100

Equation

x = number of years

Cost for Car * Gas for 1 Year(x) * Replacement Battery(x/3) = Cost

Equation for Prius

21,500 + 1066.67(x) + 3000(x/3) = Cost

Equation for Aveo

11,460 + 1411.76(x) + 100(x/3) = Cost

Realistically,  the average car will probably last about ten years.

The cost of a Prius after ten years would be $42,116.70

The cost of an Aveo would be $25,910.93

Driving a Prius would cost you about $16,000 more than driving a regular, fuel-efficient car for ten years. Definately not worth it.

Sources

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Vehicles/ourprius.htm

http://priuschat.com/forums/care-maintenance-troubleshooting/11399-prius-battery-life-replacement-cost.html

http://www.priusownersgroup.com/?p=3692