http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2011/04/wolves-hunting-tourism-montana-idaho-budget-yellowstone-national-park/155666/1?loc=interstitialskip
The wolf issue is at it again. The measure to remove wolves off the federal Endangered Species list, which would open the doors to commercial hunting this fall, is being supported by Idaho Republican Rep. Mike Simpson and Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester. Wolves were near extinction before they were put onto this list. Yes, they might have made a comeback, but taking them off the list can send them back into the same fate because everyone will begin to hunt them like crazy. They would not be allowed though to hunt wolves within Yellostone Park territory. The other side however, is more concerned with livestock attacks. They want to protect the livestock and also receive all the money they would get by issueing hunting lisences. Last week, the Idaho legislature approved a bill declaring the state's estimated 800 wolves a "disaster emergency" - akin to a flood or wildfire - and giving the governor broad powers to eliminate them. Personally, I hope this budget does not remove them off the endangered species list because I would hate to see what the declining population of the wolves would do to the rest of the world.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
City Council bill wants to ban parking violations stickers, says fines are enough
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_localnyc/city-council-bill-wants-to-ban-parking-violations-stickers-says-fines-are-enough
I find this article absolutely hysterical. These people are against neon shame stickers that are slapped on cars parked on the wrong side of the street. People complain they are VERY difficult to remove and they cannot see out their windows with it on. The city started using the stickers in the mid 1980s to motivate New Yorkers to move for street sweepers. Now a Brooklyn city councilman is going after these stickers. Council is considering a bill on Tuesday that force agents to void Muni-Meter tickets if the driver arrives with a paid receipt while the ticket is being written. I don't think these councilmen could be spending their time on anything else right now....really.
I find this article absolutely hysterical. These people are against neon shame stickers that are slapped on cars parked on the wrong side of the street. People complain they are VERY difficult to remove and they cannot see out their windows with it on. The city started using the stickers in the mid 1980s to motivate New Yorkers to move for street sweepers. Now a Brooklyn city councilman is going after these stickers. Council is considering a bill on Tuesday that force agents to void Muni-Meter tickets if the driver arrives with a paid receipt while the ticket is being written. I don't think these councilmen could be spending their time on anything else right now....really.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
US Senate May Vote To Halt EPA Rules On Wednesday
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110329-715098.html
I feel that if this cannot get passed, when will anything be done? When will it be allowed to be passed? Especially now if the Democrats are thinking to vote against it. These rules would control the greenhouse gas emissions, mostly limiting the carbon dioxide emission from factories, power plants and other sources. Even though the first of these rules are already in effect, requiring new and upgraded facilities to hold emissions permits- it just needs to be followed through. If these bills keep getting knocked down, I do not know how this country is going to get itself out of this predicament.
I feel that if this cannot get passed, when will anything be done? When will it be allowed to be passed? Especially now if the Democrats are thinking to vote against it. These rules would control the greenhouse gas emissions, mostly limiting the carbon dioxide emission from factories, power plants and other sources. Even though the first of these rules are already in effect, requiring new and upgraded facilities to hold emissions permits- it just needs to be followed through. If these bills keep getting knocked down, I do not know how this country is going to get itself out of this predicament.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Concern in Tokyo over radiation in tap water
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_japan_earthquake
Radiation from Japan's damanged nuclear plant has now leaked into their drinking water making it unsafe for babies to drink. People have bascially attacked stores to buy the last of the bottled waters even though they were advised not to hoard because people who were majorally effected by the tsunami will have nothing. Also, radiation from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant has seeped into raw milk, seawater and 11 kinds of vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower and turnips, from areas around the plant. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it was halting imports of Japanese dairy and produce from the region near the facility. The radiation levels in the water-210 becquerels of iodine-131 per liter of water-is more than twice the recommended limit of 100 becquerels per liter for infants. They said the levels posed no immediate health risk for older children or adults. There is still some trouble with stabilizing the plant, but the workers have been told to evacuate. However there are places now that have no drinking water and this is a problem. Poor Japan...
Radiation from Japan's damanged nuclear plant has now leaked into their drinking water making it unsafe for babies to drink. People have bascially attacked stores to buy the last of the bottled waters even though they were advised not to hoard because people who were majorally effected by the tsunami will have nothing. Also, radiation from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant has seeped into raw milk, seawater and 11 kinds of vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower and turnips, from areas around the plant. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it was halting imports of Japanese dairy and produce from the region near the facility. The radiation levels in the water-210 becquerels of iodine-131 per liter of water-is more than twice the recommended limit of 100 becquerels per liter for infants. They said the levels posed no immediate health risk for older children or adults. There is still some trouble with stabilizing the plant, but the workers have been told to evacuate. However there are places now that have no drinking water and this is a problem. Poor Japan...
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
E.P.A. Proposes New Emission Standards for Power Plants
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/science/earth/17epa.html?_r=1&hpw
EPA has proposed the first national standard for emissions for mercury and other toxins from coal-burning plants. This rule could lead to the early closing of dozens of generating stations which will obviously be challenged by the industries and the republicans in Congress. Having this standard will prevent thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of cases of disease a year. It was said that households could expect to see their electric bills rise by $3 to $4 a month when the regulation is fully in force after 2015. Also, it was said that installing and maintaining smokestack scrubbers and other control technology would create 31,000 short-term construction jobs and 9,000 permanent utility sector jobs. The cost, 10 billion, is going to be one of the most expensive rules in history. The National Association of Manufacturers said the proposed rule would lead to higher electricity prices and significant job losses. However, others are saying that caring for a child with a birth defect will be more expensive then all of this. We all know money is an issue, but once again no one is looking at the long term benefits.
EPA has proposed the first national standard for emissions for mercury and other toxins from coal-burning plants. This rule could lead to the early closing of dozens of generating stations which will obviously be challenged by the industries and the republicans in Congress. Having this standard will prevent thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of cases of disease a year. It was said that households could expect to see their electric bills rise by $3 to $4 a month when the regulation is fully in force after 2015. Also, it was said that installing and maintaining smokestack scrubbers and other control technology would create 31,000 short-term construction jobs and 9,000 permanent utility sector jobs. The cost, 10 billion, is going to be one of the most expensive rules in history. The National Association of Manufacturers said the proposed rule would lead to higher electricity prices and significant job losses. However, others are saying that caring for a child with a birth defect will be more expensive then all of this. We all know money is an issue, but once again no one is looking at the long term benefits.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
O'Malley's wind energy plan raises cost concerns
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/03/AR2011030305856.html
Maryland's governor O'Malley has a plan to have offshore wind development. However, everyone is against it because of the cost to residents. He isn't really sure how much its going to cost exactly but his estimate is around $9....and everyone is complaining. In the long run, this is going to benefit everyone because it will be cleaner and more efficient energy and will also develop more jobs. There are some Republicans though, who refuse to support this wind plan no matter what the cost is even if the cost decreases. The governor's plan would require Maryland utilities to sign 25-year agreements to buy offshore wind power at a price far above the current market rate. The subsidy would go to developers who say they could not secure financing for the estimated $1.5 billion project otherwise. The cost would be spread among all residential and commercial customers through a monthly fee on electric bills. Yes, there will obviously be charges but wouldn't it be better to start a new energy source now then regret it in the long run when all the oil runs out and they don't have an alternative. They will be sorry that they didn't pay the extra money.
Maryland's governor O'Malley has a plan to have offshore wind development. However, everyone is against it because of the cost to residents. He isn't really sure how much its going to cost exactly but his estimate is around $9....and everyone is complaining. In the long run, this is going to benefit everyone because it will be cleaner and more efficient energy and will also develop more jobs. There are some Republicans though, who refuse to support this wind plan no matter what the cost is even if the cost decreases. The governor's plan would require Maryland utilities to sign 25-year agreements to buy offshore wind power at a price far above the current market rate. The subsidy would go to developers who say they could not secure financing for the estimated $1.5 billion project otherwise. The cost would be spread among all residential and commercial customers through a monthly fee on electric bills. Yes, there will obviously be charges but wouldn't it be better to start a new energy source now then regret it in the long run when all the oil runs out and they don't have an alternative. They will be sorry that they didn't pay the extra money.
Random Blog!
This has absolutely nothing to do with anything BUT I was watching TV, and there was a commercial for this Big Cat Iniative and they said "cause an uproar" to help the endangered big cats. So, I looked it up online and wanted to help as much as I could so every view this trailer gets on youtube, $.10 will be donated to lion conservation by the NGS. Here it is!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ7SvK7w1xA&feature=bf_play&playnext=1&list=QL&index=1
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ7SvK7w1xA&feature=bf_play&playnext=1&list=QL&index=1
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Oil Jumps Above $102 Per Barrel
I was going to do an article about how they threw away the offshore drilling plan, but when I returned to the website the article was nowhere to be found. So, I found this instead!
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/03/02/business/AP-US-Oil-Prices-Glance.html?_r=1&hp
This shows the breakdown of all the costs for oil as of today. Right now, each barrel has settled over $102 which is not going to be good to our gas prices.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/03/02/business/AP-US-Oil-Prices-Glance.html?_r=1&hp
This shows the breakdown of all the costs for oil as of today. Right now, each barrel has settled over $102 which is not going to be good to our gas prices.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Did ‘This American Life’ discover Coke’s secret formula?
After Mr. Gessler said in class today that Coke is so secretive about their secret ingredient, I found this article! The radio show "This American Life" thinks that it has found the exact recipe for Coke. The drinks secret flavoring component is something called "Merchandise 7X." According to company historian Mark Pendergrast, Candler was so paranoid about the recipe leaking out of his proprietary control that he would go through the company mail himself to prevent any employees from seeing invoices that might tip off its ingredients.
Here is what they found in the secret notebook:
The recipe:
Fluid extract of Coca: 3 drams USP
Citric acid: 3 oz
Caffeine: 1 oz
Sugar: 30 (unclear quantity)
Water: 2.5 gal
Lime juice: 2 pints, 1 quart
Vanilla: 1 oz
Caramel: 1.5 oz or more for color
The secret 7X flavor (use 2 oz of flavor to 5 gals syrup):
Alcohol: 8 oz
Orange oil: 20 drops
Lemon oil: 30 drops
Nutmeg oil: 10 drops
Coriander: 5 drops
Neroli: 10 drops
Cinnamon: 10 drops
Pemberton had reportedly hit upon the formula for Coke in an attempt to overcome the addiction to morphine he contracted after the Civil War, so it's perhaps not surprising that, in addition to alcohol, the drink originally contained Coca leaves laced with cocaine. After Atlanta passed a local prohibition ordinance in the 1890s, the company took the booze out of the formula, and the company has used cocaine-free coca leaves since 1904.
I think this is just hysterical.
Here is what they found in the secret notebook:
The recipe:
Fluid extract of Coca: 3 drams USP
Citric acid: 3 oz
Caffeine: 1 oz
Sugar: 30 (unclear quantity)
Water: 2.5 gal
Lime juice: 2 pints, 1 quart
Vanilla: 1 oz
Caramel: 1.5 oz or more for color
The secret 7X flavor (use 2 oz of flavor to 5 gals syrup):
Alcohol: 8 oz
Orange oil: 20 drops
Lemon oil: 30 drops
Nutmeg oil: 10 drops
Coriander: 5 drops
Neroli: 10 drops
Cinnamon: 10 drops
Pemberton had reportedly hit upon the formula for Coke in an attempt to overcome the addiction to morphine he contracted after the Civil War, so it's perhaps not surprising that, in addition to alcohol, the drink originally contained Coca leaves laced with cocaine. After Atlanta passed a local prohibition ordinance in the 1890s, the company took the booze out of the formula, and the company has used cocaine-free coca leaves since 1904.
I think this is just hysterical.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
City Is Looking at Sewage Treatment as a Source of Energy
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/09/science/09sewage.html?_r=1&hpw
NYC has a huge sewer problem. It had a foul odor and contaminates waterways. They are trying to figure out a way to make these beneficial instead of just terrible. Their plan is to use the gas and by products of the waste water as an asset-more specifically as potential sources of renewable energy. But like other cities around the country looking to reduce both the costs of sewage treatment and disposal and the heat-trapping greenhouse gases emitted in the process, New York is beginning to look at its waste as an untapped resource. Sewage treatment plants can sell methane gas to provide energy for homes while heating fuel can be extracted from sludge and butanol, an alternative fuel to gasoline, from the algae generated by wastewater. These plans are more of a long-term solution that can lead to huge profits. New Yorkers currently produce some 1.3 billion gallons of wastewater daily. The agency is seeking vendors to find uses for the resulting daily yield of 1,200 tons of sludge, a residual that is currently sent to landfills in Suffolk County, N.Y., and Virginia. The biggest potential source of energy is the methane gas. They already use 20% but now they want to use half of gas produced which is burned off and wasted. The agency is also studying proposals for solar and wind projects on Staten Island. I believe this is a very good start to converting waste into something useful and benefical...if of course the process is enforced and used.
NYC has a huge sewer problem. It had a foul odor and contaminates waterways. They are trying to figure out a way to make these beneficial instead of just terrible. Their plan is to use the gas and by products of the waste water as an asset-more specifically as potential sources of renewable energy. But like other cities around the country looking to reduce both the costs of sewage treatment and disposal and the heat-trapping greenhouse gases emitted in the process, New York is beginning to look at its waste as an untapped resource. Sewage treatment plants can sell methane gas to provide energy for homes while heating fuel can be extracted from sludge and butanol, an alternative fuel to gasoline, from the algae generated by wastewater. These plans are more of a long-term solution that can lead to huge profits. New Yorkers currently produce some 1.3 billion gallons of wastewater daily. The agency is seeking vendors to find uses for the resulting daily yield of 1,200 tons of sludge, a residual that is currently sent to landfills in Suffolk County, N.Y., and Virginia. The biggest potential source of energy is the methane gas. They already use 20% but now they want to use half of gas produced which is burned off and wasted. The agency is also studying proposals for solar and wind projects on Staten Island. I believe this is a very good start to converting waste into something useful and benefical...if of course the process is enforced and used.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
E.P.A. Plans New Limits on Toxic Chemicals in Drinking Water
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/science/earth/03epa.html?_r=1&hpw
The Obama administration said on Wednesday they would impose limits on permissible levels of a new set toxic chemicals in drinking water. This includes the first standard for the perchlorate which is a dangerous compound found in rocket fuel and fireworks that has contaminated water supplies in 26 states. The move announced by the EPA is said to help update the nation's clean water laws which have been lagging way behind. Studies have shown that hundreds of industrial and agricultural chemicals are present in municipal water systems around the country. Wednesday’s decision to regulate perchlorate reversed a 2008 finding by the Bush administration that a nationwide standard for the chemical was unnecessary and would do little to reduce risks to human health. Perchlorate can occur naturally, but high concentrations have been found near military installations where it was used in rocket testing and around places where fireworks, flares and solid propellants are made. Health researchers have found that the chemical may impair the functioning of the thyroid, potentially stunting the growth of fetuses, infants and children.
I think this is a great start to try and make the water safer. Hopefully this will snowball into other laws that help to get rid of the other chemicals that are lingering in our drinking water.
The Obama administration said on Wednesday they would impose limits on permissible levels of a new set toxic chemicals in drinking water. This includes the first standard for the perchlorate which is a dangerous compound found in rocket fuel and fireworks that has contaminated water supplies in 26 states. The move announced by the EPA is said to help update the nation's clean water laws which have been lagging way behind. Studies have shown that hundreds of industrial and agricultural chemicals are present in municipal water systems around the country. Wednesday’s decision to regulate perchlorate reversed a 2008 finding by the Bush administration that a nationwide standard for the chemical was unnecessary and would do little to reduce risks to human health. Perchlorate can occur naturally, but high concentrations have been found near military installations where it was used in rocket testing and around places where fireworks, flares and solid propellants are made. Health researchers have found that the chemical may impair the functioning of the thyroid, potentially stunting the growth of fetuses, infants and children.
I think this is a great start to try and make the water safer. Hopefully this will snowball into other laws that help to get rid of the other chemicals that are lingering in our drinking water.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Pesticides Threaten Ant-Eating Tradition in Brazil
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/world/americas/05ants.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=pesticides&st=cse
In Brazil, a delicacy is the queen ant. The thunderous spring rains in October and November drive the ants out of the ground, and for a few short weeks Silveiras becomes a frenzy of ant hunting. Residents stock up, cleaning the içás and freezing them in one and two-liter bottles to get through until the next season. However, this year the ant haul was smaller than usual and the number of ants have declined. The main reason for this decline is the pesticide used on eucalyptus trees that are planted to produce cellulose for paper and other products. Generations of indigenous people used these ants as protein instead of fish and monkeys. Everyone loves it and they know they need to find a solution if they want future generations to continue on with this tradition. Alair Duarte, the president of the town council, said he had proposed limiting eucalyptus plantings to certain areas so the ants can continue to reproduce. “If we don’t do it soon, we won’t have any içás left,” he said. If the içás are imperiled here, some residents say they believe there is still a place where the eucalyptus plantings are not killing off the ants. As much as I do not find these ants appetizing, these people do and its their way of life. They do not want it to end because of this pesticide problem so as long as they are trying to limit this to the ants can reproduce, I am hoping for them that it works.
In Brazil, a delicacy is the queen ant. The thunderous spring rains in October and November drive the ants out of the ground, and for a few short weeks Silveiras becomes a frenzy of ant hunting. Residents stock up, cleaning the içás and freezing them in one and two-liter bottles to get through until the next season. However, this year the ant haul was smaller than usual and the number of ants have declined. The main reason for this decline is the pesticide used on eucalyptus trees that are planted to produce cellulose for paper and other products. Generations of indigenous people used these ants as protein instead of fish and monkeys. Everyone loves it and they know they need to find a solution if they want future generations to continue on with this tradition. Alair Duarte, the president of the town council, said he had proposed limiting eucalyptus plantings to certain areas so the ants can continue to reproduce. “If we don’t do it soon, we won’t have any içás left,” he said. If the içás are imperiled here, some residents say they believe there is still a place where the eucalyptus plantings are not killing off the ants. As much as I do not find these ants appetizing, these people do and its their way of life. They do not want it to end because of this pesticide problem so as long as they are trying to limit this to the ants can reproduce, I am hoping for them that it works.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Italy and Others Cited for Illegal Fishing
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/italy-and-others-cited-for-illegal-fishing/?ref=science
In 2009 and 2010, vessels from Italy along with 6 other nations engaged in illegal fishing. The report states the widespread use of illegal driftnets, overfishing of stocks protected by international quotas and the unlawful use of spotting planes to catch increasingly rare bluefin tuna, among other violations. After working on stopping these vessels, 2 countries continue on with the illegal fishing; Panama and Italy. Only a small fine of about $4,000 per violation was issued to Italy and many of the vessels sighted continued to use the unlawful nets. The Pew Environment Group, which studies fisheries issues, estimates that one-fifth of all fish taken from the world’s oceans are fished illegally or without any management of stocks.
I believe this is terrible. This does huge damage to the environment and in the long run, these business's and all they get as punishment is a small, lousy fine.
In 2009 and 2010, vessels from Italy along with 6 other nations engaged in illegal fishing. The report states the widespread use of illegal driftnets, overfishing of stocks protected by international quotas and the unlawful use of spotting planes to catch increasingly rare bluefin tuna, among other violations. After working on stopping these vessels, 2 countries continue on with the illegal fishing; Panama and Italy. Only a small fine of about $4,000 per violation was issued to Italy and many of the vessels sighted continued to use the unlawful nets. The Pew Environment Group, which studies fisheries issues, estimates that one-fifth of all fish taken from the world’s oceans are fished illegally or without any management of stocks.
I believe this is terrible. This does huge damage to the environment and in the long run, these business's and all they get as punishment is a small, lousy fine.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Food Blog!
Tuesday
2 Eggo waffles with syrup
Baby carrots
Bagel with butter
Water
Garlic bread at Ginos
One slice of pizza at Ginos
Wednesday
2 eggo waffles with syrup
Apple
Protein bar
Pasta with marinara sauce at Planet Hollywood
Bag of mini oreos
Starbucks Frapaccino
water
Friday
2 eggo waffles with syrup
milk
Sandwitch-Bread, lettuce, cheese with tortilla chips
Apple
Saturday
Pop-tart(strawberry frosted)
small muffin
pasta salad
krafts mac & cheese with breadcrumbs
brownie
water
Sunday
cinnamon toast crunch
pasta
veggie chicken patty on a bun with cheese and lettuce
water
ice tea
Monday
2 Eggos with syrup
milk
Sandwitch-Bread, lettuce, cheese with tortilla chips
apple
ravioli
water
Tuesday
2 Eggos with syrup
milk
sesame seed bagel
apple
Sandwitch-Bread, lettuce, cheese with tortilla chips
water
Wednesday
Onion and egg bagel with eggs
ice tea
2 Eggo waffles with syrup
Baby carrots
Bagel with butter
Water
Garlic bread at Ginos
One slice of pizza at Ginos
Wednesday
2 eggo waffles with syrup
Apple
Protein bar
Pasta with marinara sauce at Planet Hollywood
Bag of mini oreos
Starbucks Frapaccino
water
Friday
2 eggo waffles with syrup
milk
Sandwitch-Bread, lettuce, cheese with tortilla chips
Apple
Saturday
Pop-tart(strawberry frosted)
small muffin
pasta salad
krafts mac & cheese with breadcrumbs
brownie
water
Sunday
cinnamon toast crunch
pasta
veggie chicken patty on a bun with cheese and lettuce
water
ice tea
Monday
2 Eggos with syrup
milk
Sandwitch-Bread, lettuce, cheese with tortilla chips
apple
ravioli
water
Tuesday
2 Eggos with syrup
milk
sesame seed bagel
apple
Sandwitch-Bread, lettuce, cheese with tortilla chips
water
Wednesday
Onion and egg bagel with eggs
ice tea
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