Crew News and Activity
Page 50
Climate Shift Coming Within Decades, Not Centuries
“The nations of the world agreed years ago to try to limit global warming to a level they hoped would prove somewhat tolerable. But leading climate scientists warned on Tuesday that permitting a warming of that magnitude would actually be quite dangerous.
The likely consequences would include killer storms stronger than any in modern times, the disintegration of large parts of the polar ice sheets and a rise of the sea sufficient to begin drowning the world’s coastal cities before the end of this century, the scientists declared.”
Pigeons Help with Air Pollution
“Backpack-wearing pigeons playing a big part in tackling London air pollution problem. A team of 10 birds, otherwise known as Pigeon Air Patrol, carries pollution sensors and GPS devices to help study areas of the city with high levels of nitrogen dioxide. Those who want to check out the pollution levels in their area can even tweet @PigeonAir to receive a report.”
Free Gardens in L.A.
“Ron Finley, a resident of South Los Angeles, received an arrest warrant for planting vegetables in front of his house. The city required he manage the property and this is how he chose to take care of it. His gardening group, Green Grounds, took a stand and created a petition and enough community support that
The Los Angeles Times highlighted his story, which went viral. Because of the global attention, the local city council revoked the warrant and changed city policy. Under the new law anyone can create a free gardens next to sidewalks.”
Leonardo DiCaprio and Animal Agriculture
“Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio has advocated for a number of worthy causes, from fighting climate change to the importance of conservation. Now, with a single tweet, the planetary steward shines a light on the colossal environmental impact of animal agriculture.
In his tweet, DiCaprio included a link to a stunning video from Mercy For Animals, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing cruelty to farmed animals, and promoting compassionate food choices and policies.”
This Solar Powered Airport has Eliminated Electricity Bills
“Cochin International Airport, the world’s first 100 percent solar airport, is generating so much power from its massive solar array that the airport no longer pays for electricity.
Cochin started its solar journey three years ago when it installed solar panels on the roof of its arrivals terminal. It eventually blossomed into a 12 megawatt solar project after the airport commissioned German multinational engineering and electronics company Bosch to build the impressive $9.5 million plant that features 46,000 panels laid out across 45 acres of unused land near the airport’s international cargo terminal.”
Lead Taints Schools Throughout the Country
“…the federal government requires only about 10% of the nation’s schools and a tiny fraction of day cares — the 8,225 facilities that run their own water systems — to test for lead at all.
The EPA estimates that about 90,000 public schools and half a million child-care facilities are not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act because they depend on water sources such as municipal utilities expected to test their own water. That means parents have no assurance lead isn’t seeping into children’s water from a school building’s pipes, solder or fixtures.”
New Solar Technology Possibilities are Endless
Its lightweight! Its flexible! It can be applied to any surface! The possibilities are endless.
Bacterium That Eats Our Plastic Waste
“Hundreds of millions of tons of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic are produced each year to package everything from sodas to shampoo. That only a fraction of this is recycled leaves much of it to rest in landfills and the ocean. But efforts to deal with this monumental mess may soon receive a much-needed boost, with scientists in Japan discovering a new bacterium with the ability to completely break down PET plastics in a relatively short space of time.”
21 Kids Take On Big Oil
“Hundreds of students, activists, professors and citizens concerned about climate turned out in Eugene, Oregon to support 21 young plaintiffs, ages 8-19, in what Bill McKibben and Naomi Klein call the ‘most important lawsuit on the planet right now.'”
