What is Marcellus Shale?

Here is a map I found online that shows the areas of Marcellus Shale.  This shale is a layer of sedimentary rock that spans through most of West Virginia and parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio.  But why is this layer of sedimentary rock important? Because in the Marcellus Shale areas there is what is believed to be the second largest supply of natural gas in the world. Because of this, drilling has begun.

Earth Hour Tomorrow!

Earth Hour is an annual event where people worldwide turn off their lights as a display of commitment to protecting our environment.  This year Earth Hour will occur March 26th (tomorrow!) at 8:30 pm. So if you are interested in showing support in protecting our environment, think about participating in Earth Hour.

To learn more about Earth Hour you can check it out at Earth Hour
To learn more about who has pledged to participate in Earth Hour you can check it out at Pledges to Participate in Earth Hour

Radiation Contamination

In Japan efforts are continuing to be made to stabalize the nuclear reactors that had been damaged by the earthquake and tsunami last week.  While progess is being made, there are still problems with some of the nuclear reactors and the governement is taking precautions for the spread of radiation contamination.  Foods from the affected areas is being barred from shipments, based on findings of higher levels of radiation in foods.  So while there has been progress in stabalizing reactors, there is still concern about the spread of radiation. To read more about this issue, check out this article: Japan Makes Progress at Nuclear Reactors, but Contamination Spreads

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Go Green for St. Patrick's Day!
I hope everyone has a fun and save time tonight!

Nuclear Crisis in Japan

To add to the problems already facing Japan, such as the devastating loss of life and the immense destruction to large amounts of its infrastructure, there are also problems with the nuclear reactors in Japan. Because of the earthquake, tsunami, and aftershocks, there has been damage to the nuclear reactors within Japan, which means that many are now worried about the health risks associated with radiation exposure. This exposure can be very dangerous, and multiple nuclear reactors in Japan have suffered explosions and/or damage. You can read more about it by searching anywhere online, it is major news. Here is an article if you are interested: Last Defense at Troubled Reactors: 50 Japanese Workers

Here is a picture of a damaged reactor from New York Times:

Devastation in Japan

Most of the time when we talk about evironmental devastation we talk about human caused destruction. But the recent events in the Pacific at the end of last week illustrate that some of the most destructive powers are natural.  In a previous post, I argued to expand the definition of the environment to include the areas in which we live. So the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan both caused massive amounts of environmental damage to the environment.

To read more about this situation: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/12/world/asia/12japan.html?ref=asia

picture courtesy of The New York Times

Flower of the Day

So being in Northeast Ohio in March means that I get to deal with snow and dreariness, that fades into flooding and more greyness.  Followed by another cycle of snow and dreariness.  Because of this weather pattern, I am left longing for spring. Today, I am posting a flower, to remind me of the beautiful spring that is hopefully just around the corner!

The Earth Charter

What is the Earth Charter?  The Earth Charter is a global initiative that aims to develop a sustainable way of living for the global society. It is "founded on a shared ethical framework that includes respect and care for the community of life, ecological integrity, universal human rights, respect for diversity, economic justice, democracy, and a culture of peace." Overall, the Earth Charter is a wonderful movement to participate in if you truly care about the environment and desire to emphasize sustainable living.  To read the full Earth Charter, check out the website: The Earth Charter. To read up on the overall initiative, check out: The Earth Charter Initiative. And if you like what you read, follow the initiative on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EarthCharter.

Resistance to Change

In today's New York Times there is an article Green Development? Not in My (Liberal) Backyard which discusses an interesting phenomenon. People claim to care about the environment, but when it actually comes down to making sacrifices or changes in order to protect and preserve the environment, many people resist and oppose the changes. This article focused specifically on how this is common in liberal areas that claim to care the most.  This is an interesting conundrum. Does this mean that people support the environmental cause, as long as this support does not necessitate changes in their own daily lives? And if it does, what does this mean for environmentalism?

Environmental Justice

In my environmental politics class we discussed the idea of environmental justice, which is an interesting concept because it redefines the notion of environment. Typically, when thinking of the environment, people tend to consider nature, undisturbed forests, and open meadows.  But the principles of environmental justice argue that people are not separate from the environment. Where we live is part of the environment as well.  This movement has been resisted by some environmentalists because it brings greater social justice issues into the environmental arena, and they feel that the environment should be the main focus. I think it is wise to consider the areas in which we live as part of the environment as well, no matter what the greater implications.

Endangered Rhino

Apparently there are only 40 Javan rhinos left on the planet and they are susceptible to extinction through the threats of poaching, disease, and natural disasters such as tsunamis or volcanic eruption (they are only found in Indonesia, which makes this a real threat). Because these animals are so rare, it is hard to capture live footage of them, but the World Wildlife Fund set up cameras and actually got footage of a Javan rhino and her calf! If you are interested you should check out the video on their website: Javan Rhino Video

World Wildlife Fund

So what is the World Wildlife Fund, WWF if you will? It is an organization dedicated to the conservation of nature and protection of endangered species. They are a worthy organization to support because of their emphasis on environmental preservation and advocacy for improved treatment of the natural world.  Plus, they use a panda in their logo!

Check them out if you are interested: World Wildlife Fund

National Forest Legal Blog

If you are interested in keeping up with legal information about the National Forests, I found this blog, National Forest Legal Blog, that specifically discusses that topic. It discusses environmental legal issues in multiple states, so check it out if you are interested.

Wind vs. Sage Grouse

In an attempt to utilize sustainable energy sources, there are plans to harness wind energy in Wyoming through the construction of 1,100 wind turbines that have the potential to power 600,000 homes. It sounds like a perfect plan, except for one small detail.  These wind turbines would be constructed in the migratory path of the sage grouse, which is a type of bird that is becoming dangerously close to being an endangered species.  So what is more important, sustainable energy at the cost of disrupting the habitat of the stage grouse, or rejecting these sustainable plans in order to preserve their habitat?

Here is a stage grouse: