hydrogen is the fuel of the future

This week is the Shanghai Auto Show, which will feature several alternative vehicles. One of the most exciting will be a hydrogen-fueled version of the Chevrolet Volt. The Volt uses lithium-ion batteries and a fuel cell, extending its range to 300 miles with vitually no emissions-only water vapor. How cool is that?? The Volt won't be available for sale for a few years, but can certainly be something to look forward to.
Sounds too good to be true? It probably is because these concept cars are bound to be expensive. This is a great move in the right direction, but it won't really be effective until we make a car that's affordable for average working people.

Earth Week is upon us

How cool is it that Earth Day has evolved into Earth Week? If you live in the Bergen County Area, Ramapo College will be holding a host of events in conjunction with the Meadowlands Environment Center. The Earth Week celebration will include a film series, lectures, performances and speakers, wrapping up with Earth Fest from 12-6 in the Grove. The festival will include vendors, live music, crafts, activities and various performances.
This week is a great opprotunity for Ramapo students and members of the community alike to get involved and educate themselves. DO IT!!

U.N. warns of global warming's effects

The U.N.'s report on global warming has issued serious warnings for years to come, when the tempeature of the earth increases. Shifts in rainfall and rising temperatures could seriously increase the demand for water, taking its on agriculture and industry. Cities like NYC and Boston could be at risk from damaging floods and storm surges, which would seriously effect the industry and transportation among other things. Global warming could cause heat waves, fires, flooding, and changes in diseases. Repairing beaches would cost billions, and lack of snow in some areas could seriously hurt resorts and other industry.
I said in my last post that I wonder if we'll even have seasons in years to come. As it is we barely have a spring, it goes right from cold to hot. The storm that's been effecting the country this week is just a taste of what scientists predict is in store for us. I hadn't even really considered just how hard certain industries would be hit from the climate change, which could really hurt our economy. This was certainly an eye opener for me, and hopefully it will be for others.

Mother Nature rears its ugly head

In the past few days our country has been pounded with a serious spring storm. Areas of the midwest have been pounded with snow and the Gulf states have been hit with serious thunderstorms. Beginning tomorroow the northeast is expecting a nor'easter, which will make for torrential rains, flooding, and gusting winds. "This is very odd for this time of year," National Weather Service meteorologist John Koch said Saturday in New York. "This is something that you would expect to see more in the middle of winter."
As it is temperatures in NJ haven't been even close to record norms. We should be feeling some beautiful 60 degree weather by now, but the past few weeks we've been lucky if it makes it into the 50's. I'm starting to wonder if we'll even have seasons anymore in the next few years. It was in the 60's and 70's in mid March, and then winter came back to slap us in the face. Thanks alot global warming.

Who will Save Our Selves?

Oh, how different our country would be if Al Gore had been elected in 2000. Gore has come up big yet again, organizing Live Earth concerts to be held July 7 in cities around the world. The show, aimed at raising climate control awareness, will feature greats like Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer at Continental Airlines Arena in the Great Garden State. Other shows will take place in London, Sydney, Shanghai, and Tokyo among others. This marks the start of the Save Our Selves campaign, led by The Alliance for Climate Protection. (chaired by my man Al Gore)
The show will be broadcast live in the US on NBC, as well as live from several other stations around the world. All proceeds will go toward the battle against global warming, which is really great. It's nice to see that people are really recognizing how serious the problem is and are mobilizing an effort to make things happen. Come on Al, you're making things happen, and you could do even more as el presidente. So do us all a favor and PLEEEASE RUN FOR THE 2008 ELECTION!! Thanks =)

one fish, two fish...

I found this article after writing my previous post. Scientists have determined that global warming is already beginning to wreak havoc on our ocean life. Rising ocean temperatures are killing phytoplankton, which not only serve as a food source, but also process and create carbon dioxide and oxygen. Warmer waters already contain less oxygen than colder waters, which could make spell serious problems for certain types of fish. Warmer waters will also help jellyfish to thrive, which means several species of fish may start disappearing. Just another way global warming will come to bite us in the ass.

could the end be near??

A global warming conference held in Belgium on Friday warned of the serious effects of climate change if we don't do something now. They reported that the poorest countries will suffer most, predicting that Africa will be hit hardest. The report predicted:
-increased hunger is Asia and Africa
-extinction of 30% of our species is temperatures rise
-dry areas will be at higher risks of disease and hunger
-all areas will be at greater risk of floods, storms and erosion
Experts say the problems can be solved, but it will cost trillions to fix on a global level. Will it be done? Will our government and others around the world really work together to fix this? We have done serious damage to our planet and now it's our job to fix it, by actually doing something instead of just talking about it. The end could indeed be nearer than we think. Maybe not in our generation, but maybe in our childrens' or grandchildrens' generations. We've worked so hard to progress as a society, but all of that has come at a serious cost. Could we have brought upon our very demise? I certainly hope not. A serious change would do us good, otherwise the future looks pretty grim.