The Environmental Blog

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3

Bottled Water is Wasteful!
2007-06-04 17:54:00
I think I might have mentioned this before, but I just found this article that my boss at work referred me to about: the wastefulness of bottled water. The article comes out of a research study at Oregon State University Corvallis, which states that every year "Around the world, factories are using more than 18 million barrels of oil and up to 130 billion gallons of fresh water"and that's just to make the bottles, "Another 41 billion gallons of water is then used to fill them." So why are we using more water to make the bottles then the actual amount of water being put into the bottles? This sounds incredibly wasteful.Lets take a double take on this statistic...18 million barrels of oil per year, and 130 billion gallons of water to fill 41 billion's worth in the bottles? Whoa! People, people, lets take chill on the water bottle usage a little...but we won't because every year bottled water consumption goes up about 9-10 percent.Please, please re-use the plastic bottles you alread...
More About: Water , Waste , Bottle , Bottled Water , Wasteful

China Suspends Chemical Plant after thousands protest
2007-06-02 23:03:00
Source:ReutersAn alarming amount of Chinese citizens are finally awakening to the dangers of pollution in their communities. To see a story such as this gleams hope for the Chinese people. Apparently people fear that they will be doused in a cage of toxic chemical clouds. The government has halted construction of a plant to make paraxylene (PX), a petrochemical that goes into polyester and fabrics.Over 20,000 protesters filled the streets of downtown with gas masks on. The way that the word got around about the protest was through millions of text messages that were sent all over the area. Eventually the government tried to block the text messages to deter more people from joining the protest. In my opinion, the people will prevail if they continue to show their strength in numbers. No matter how much Chinese government tries to censor the Internet, people will prevail if they fight.Technorati Tags: China Petrochemical http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom. xml
More About: Protest , Thousand , Plan , Sands

Dutch try to grow environment-friendly meat in lab
2007-06-01 21:44:00
Src: San Diego TimesDutch scientists are trying to grow meat in a laboratory with goal of feeding millions without the need to raise and and slaughter animals."Although it is in its early stages, the idea is to replace harvesting meat from livestock with a process that eliminates the need for animal feed, transport, land use and the methane expelled by animals, which all hurt the environment," said Bernard Roelen, a veterinary science professor at Utrecht University.But it will take years before meat grown in labs and eventually factories reaches supermarket shelves. And so far, Roelen and his team have managed to grow only thin layers of cells that bear no resemblance to pork chops.After perfecting that process, scientists will then need to figure out how to layer tissues to add more bulk, since meat grown in petri dishes lacks the blood vessels needed to deliver nutrients through thick muscle fibres.Technorati Tags: Artificial Meat http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom. xml
More About: Environment , Friendly , Iron

Soda Ingredients Linked to Cirrhosis and Cancer
2007-05-31 20:54:00
Source: Organic Consumer AssociationAs if we don't have enough things to worry about regarding our food and water supply, but here is yet another example of how Corporations seem to neglect public health and safety in the name of $$PROFIT$$. US Food and Drug Administration has reported that it has a found a high level of benzene (a known carcinogen) in 5 out of 100 soft drinks tested. The levels of benzene were higher than the accepted level of 5 ppb (part per billion)limit for drinking water set by the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA). The toxin is formed when a soda manufacturer uses two ingredients that can react to form benzene: ascorbic acid(Vitamin C) and sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate. The FDA has already alerted the soft drink companies and they are already re-formulating their drinks. The Soft Drinks you might want to avoid for a while are:Safeway Select Diet Orange - 79.2 ppb of benzeneAquaCal Strawberry Flavored Water Beverage - 23.4 ppb of benzeneCrystal Ligh...
More About: Cancer , Ingredients , Soda , Ingredient

Scientists Create a Fire Safe, Green Plastic
2007-05-31 20:09:00
Scientists from the University of Massachusetts have created a synthetic polymer(a building block of plastic) that doesn't burn! This makes it an attractive alternative to our traditional plastics of which most are flammable. Also the traditional plastics used in buses, airplanes, etc must have fire retardant chemicals added to them for public safety. This new plastic would eliminate the need for the added chemicals which have been showing up in trace amounts in dust around the home or office, in breast milk, and in fat cells. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says that %40 of people who survive a plane crash die from the fire that follows. So having a fire proof cabin could save lives. The polymer has a naturally high char yield, 70 percent, and only releases water vapour when it is burned instead hazardous chemicals. I myself feel that this is a positive step forward that has benefits on all sides. This new plastic is environmentally safe and has the potential to save li...
More About: Green , Fire , Plastic , Scientists , Safe

Greenland is melting
2007-05-31 02:02:00
Greenland experienced more days of melting snow and at higher altitudes in 2006 than the average over the past 18 years. This could be a sign that might soon begin to severely threaten the globe. The research project was funded by NASA satellite photo imagery and sensors which can detect the electromagnetic signals that naturally radiate off the ice sheet. It actually allows for the daily monitoring of melting snow. Whether or not this is a big issue or not, my message as a blogger is don't panic, but don't be a consumer whore either as drive gas guzzlers unless there is a need for it. Ya know all the usual things...one thing I do when I first come to work is turn off all the lights people aren't using but carelessly leave on everyday. Even though its not my electric bill, the fact is that the energy partially comes from dirty power plants. Its just one thing I always try to do. Anyways...here's the article in case you wanted to reference it. Cheers. :):)Technorati Tags: global...

Manual Lawn Mowers Are Making a Comeback
2007-05-29 17:31:00
When I came across this article it made me realize that I have noticed the change in my own community here in Eugene. As I walk my neighborhood I've noticed people cutting their lawns with the old manual lawn mowers...as I thought to myself "way to go!( to the old lazy using retro lawn mower)." When did we make the switch to gas powered lawn mowers? Do we really need them to cut our small lawns in front of our homes? I can understand the need for gas powered lawn mowers for vast areas of grass...but it seems like a bit of overkill for a small lawn. Plus the cut up grass left on the lawn is actually good for returning nutrients to the soil. So this blog post is all about suggesting that if you see a manual lawn mower at a garage sale or on clearance at the hardware store...consider making the switch. Technorati Tags: global warming http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom. xml
More About: Manu , Maki , Comeback , Manual , Makin

Possible Ban on Wind Energy… Why?
2007-05-28 05:15:00
Special Thanks to www.neutralexistance.com: http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/2007 /05/possible-ban-on-wind-energy/Just got an email about an urgent topic with permission to re-post to spread the word:Hey Friend,I just wanted to write a quick email to let you know about anawful bill that just might get passed unless we do somethingabout it.Basically there is a proposed bill that would stop all windelectricity production until "certain" provisions are madeto stop any bird deaths.Now here is the thing, I do not condone bird deaths, howeverthe fact is wind turbines only account for about .003% ofbird deaths, that's nothing compared to the greater harmdone to our nations wildlife caused by burning coal andother fossil fuels.Please take a minute out of your day and take a look at theprovisions of this bill and then sign the petition to stopthis madness. If you look closely, it is only a ploy to putmore money in the pockets of the oil companies. If it wasn'tthen these provisions would...
More About: Wind , Ossi

Spotlight: Environmental Blogs
2007-05-27 23:04:00
Featured Environmental ly Friendly Blogs :1.) Jolly Green Girl2.) Eco Friendly Info3.) Keetsa's Blog4.) IDT Energy5.) Sea Coast NRGTechnorati Tags: green blogs http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom. xml
More About: Spotlight , Logs , Al B

Energy Dept. to Fund Alternative Vehicles
2007-05-26 23:40:00
In what appears to be a show of consideration to go "green," the US Department of Energy will be providing $19 million in funds to support the development of diesel hybrid plug-ins. The money is going to five research projects with a goal of improving plug-in hybrids and fuel cell technology.The Energy department has a long way to go in order to reduce our dependence on energy from foreign body's. At least these baby steps will get our country going in the right direction.Technorati Tags: Alter native Vehicles http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom. xml
More About: Fund

Long Beach cited as Most Polluted Beach in California
2007-05-25 00:55:00
Long Beach , Calif ornia in L.A. county was reported as one of the states most polluted beaches. Samples have been collected from Northern California down to Mexico in an attempt to assess California's beaches with a report card. Long Beach is mostly polluted with a high bacteria content which is often worse in the winter when heavy rains overflow storm drains which can wash waste right into the sea. Swimming in such pollution can cause gastrointestinal, respiratory, and other illnesses.Venice Beach and Huntington Beach are much better beach cities anyways. Huntington is great for surfing or boogie boarding, and Venice Beach has great shops and local stands right on the beach.Technorati Tags: Long Beach Pollution http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom. xml
More About: Long

European Mammals are in rapid Decline
2007-05-24 23:10:00
A report from the European Species Survival Commission has released a report that suggests that many mammals in Europe that are currently threatened are declining in numbers and are headed for extinction. The Iberian Lynx is one of the most troubled cat predators that are facing extinction in the wild with an estimated 84-143 left (Src:European Mammal Assessment). In fact, according to the study, nearly one in every 6 mammals in Europe are facing extinction.Fact:27% of mammals in Europe are declining in numbers whileFact:8% of mammals in Europe are increasing.Among other mammals that are threatened are the European Bison with only 1800 left in the wild and with no more wild habitat for them to grow in the future.Technorati Tags: Threatened Species lynx http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom. xml
More About: Rapid , Line , Rope

Lethal Fish Virus in the Great Lakes
2007-05-14 02:04:00
Source:Associated PressA devastating fish virus that has caused huge fish kills in the eastern great lakes has likely spread to Lake Michigan and down the Mississippi River. This could lead to a serious depletion of fish which can directly affect fishers and the fish supply.Common symptoms of an infected fish are bulging eyes and bleeding skin. Scientists acknowledged that the virus cannot be stopped but can be slowed down. Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus, or VHS virus, does not harm humans if they choose to eat their catch but does effect more than 25 fish species. However, would you really want to eat a fish that has bleeding skin hemorrhages...I sure wouldn't. Bloody fish anyone? I'll pass. The VHS virus is a microscopic invader that originally came from Europe, so by definition is an invasive species. As the world continues to grow in numbers with a disregard to the environment, then the world starts to fall apart. It wont be long now before Earth reaches her tipping point....
More About: Virus , Fish , Great , Lakes , Thal

Toxic Algae blooms killing SoCal sea lions, dolphins, and sea birds
2007-05-14 01:39:00
Source:Associated PressA bloom of naturally occurring algae bloom which produces a toxic acid called domoic acid is killing many sea birds and sea mammals including sea gulls, sea lions, and dolphins in the Southern California area. Environmentalists are concerned that this years algae bloom may be worse than in 2002-2003 where more than a thousand sea lions and 50 dolphins died. Scientists say that the algae goes through an annual increase of population with warming ocean conditions which leads some scientists blaming global warming for the increasingly worse animal die offs from domoic acid poisoning. Officials have warned local residents that live between Santa Barbera and Orange county not to eat anchovies, lobster, crab, or shellfish. People who eat seafood contaminated with domoic acid can experience symptoms of nausea, seizures, or death due to its neuro toxic effects(wikipedia). Technorati Tags: Domoic Acid Toxic Algae Sea Lions Marine Animals http://www.theenvironmentalbl...
More About: Dolphins , Birds , Kill

Bottled water has high environmental costs: report
2007-05-14 00:43:00
Source:ReutersSo it just so happens that bottled water is the worlds fastest growing consumed beverage. Why? Is it because bottled water tastes so much better than tap water? Personally, I think the tap water out of Nevada and Arizona is absolutely gross. But the taste of water is not the topic at hand, the most likely reasons people drink bottled water are due to its portability, popularity, and better taste. Well the increased consumption of bottled water, i.e. people hauling away 24-packs of bottled water from Costco, are putting increased plastic in our landfills and putting stress on our existing spring water.As a citizen that is concerned about the environment, one must take a look at our current trend of water bottle manufacturing. "In addition to the energy cost of producing, bottling, packaging, storing and shipping bottled water, there is also the environmental cost of the millions of tonnes of oil-derived plastic needed to make the bottles."In fact, the trends of people d...
More About: Environmental , Report , Water , High , Repo

Huge Kites to Harness the Jet Stream for Power
2007-05-09 03:49:00
"Scientists are eyeing the jet stream, an energy source that rages night and day, 365 days a year, just a few miles above our heads".read more | digg storyhttp://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/ atom.xml
More About: Power , Stream , Huge , Harness

The Horrific Legacy of Agent Orange
2007-05-09 03:29:00
During the Vietnam War, millions of gallons of Agent Orange were sprayed across regions of the country to destroy forest cover. This is what happened.read more | digg storyhttp://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/ atom.xml
More About: Legacy , Range , Gent

Army Forbids Troops From Blogging
2007-05-03 03:21:00
The U.S. Army has ordered soldiers to stop posting to blogs or sending personal e-mail messages, without first clearing the content with a superior officer.read more | digg storyTechnorati Tags: blogging army http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom. xml
More About: Blogging , Troops , Blogg

Tainted poultry has entered food supply
2007-05-02 16:45:00
The FDA has announce on Tuesday that as much as 3 million chickens have been fed melamine tainted feed and consumers have already consumed the poultry. The USDA and the FDA learned about the contaminated chicken feed as part of their investigation into the tainted pet food that has sicken and killed countless cats and dogs in the US. Birds that have received the contaminated feed and are still alive will now not be allowed to enter the food supply. Furthermore farmers are being asked to slaughter the birds that have eaten the contaminated feed for a compensation. Both the USDA and the FDA have come to the conclusion that melamine contamination is "low risk" to humans and no food recall is necessary right now. This absurd inaction and ease of contamination proves that our food supply is easily susceptible. There have also been as much as 6000 hogs that have eaten contaminated feed. I am just sure glad that I am a vegetarian and don't have to worry about the meat contamination going ...
More About: Food , Poultry , Enter , Taint

Bush to announce massive new oil drilling plan in Alaska
2007-05-01 19:22:00
The Interior Department will announce a proposal Monday to allow oil and gas drilling in federal waters near Virginia that are currently off-limits and permit new exploration in Alaska ’s Bristol Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.read more | digg storyhttp://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/ atom.xml
More About: Bush , Drilling , Plan , Mass

Dangers of Dioxin
2007-05-01 16:38:00
Circulating the office email list:This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Please circulate to all you know Cancer updateJohn Hopkins -- Cancer News from John HopkinsNo plastic containers in microNo water bottles in freezer.No plastic wrap in microwave...A dioxin chemical causes cancer, especially breast cancer.Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.Recently,... Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us.He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers...This especially applies to foods that contain fat.He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body...Instead, he recommends using glass, s...

Millions of missing bees in Taiwan
2007-05-01 02:52:00
Taiwan is experiencing extraordinary bee losses in the millions. The article I found is four days old, but why are people not more upset about something like this. This is not only a great environmental disaster, but also a looming threat to our food supply worldwide. In three parts of Taiwan most of their bees are gone...around 10 million bees to be exact! A bee farmer in north east Taiwan reported 6 million bees gone for no reason! The Taiwanese government is reporting this mass die off of bees as an isolated incident, when clearly the rest of the world is also experiencing the same problem. All this has happened in the last two months. Someone needs to do something...and fast. I have covered the bee losses from the beginning in this blog and will continue to do so as I feel it is an important issue as the story progresses.Source:ReutersTechnorati Tags: Colony Collapse Disorder Honeybees http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/atom. xml
More About: Taiwan , Missing , Bees , Millions , Million

Miracle-Gro Sues Small N.J. Organic Plant-Food Maker
2007-04-30 23:06:00
Okay now this really pisses me off to hear some corporate giant bullying a small organic company. What is wrong with Corporate America?!? Must they monopolize everything to make more profits?!?So here's the scoop:Scott's Miracle Grow...famous (59% of market share, $7 billion in global sales)TerraCycle...not so famous (annual sales of $1.5 million dollars)TerraCycle is an eco-friendly company that uses worm waste packaged into used plastic bottles as organic plant food. Its a great idea, and the guy that started this (CEO Tom Szaky,)company is only 25 years old. This company should be honored for its service to the environment...honestly!So here comes the evil Corporate Giant that is making all sorts of bogus claims and has filed a law suit."They're claiming that (the colors) yellow and green are theirs,"Tom added, "Miracle-Gro has sued us over advertising. I've never bought an ad."Miracle Grow also sued for falsely claiming that its organic products are better than synthetic one...
More About: Food , Small , Maker , Organic

Disclosure Policy
2007-04-18 00:47:00
This policy is valid from 17 June 2007 This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content. The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be ...
More About: Policy , Closure , Sure , Disclosure , Poli