Welcome to the eKos Earthship, your one-stop-shop for green diaries and series.
Beneath the fold you will find news and notes, community announcements, and our eco-diary roundup.
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Tonight's editor: Ellinorianne
All views expressed by today's editor do not necessarily represent those of eKos or eKos listed diarists.
Here's some hope for Gulf: Spill-eating microbes spike
WASHINGTON — The number of naturally occurring microbes that eat methane grew surprisingly fast inside a plume spreading from BP's ruptured oil well, an oceanographer who was one of the first to detect the plumes said Tuesday.
Samantha Joye, a marine sciences professor at the University of Georgia at Athens, said it's good news that the microbes are eating the methane. However, the microbes also use oxygen in the water, and Joye said the repercussions of the resulting oxygen depletion aren't yet known.
Joye said she hadn't completed her analysis yet, but that the data so far show that the microbes are much more abundant in the plume than they are in the water layers above and below it.
...
The natural gas component of BP's blowout is mainly methane. Joye said the microbes her team collected in water samples appear to be methane-eating bacteria. They took the samples from a deep-water plume of dispersed oil and gas about two miles from the wellhead.
More experiments will also be needed to determine whether other microbes are also responding in similar ways. The presence of oil stimulates the growth of oil-eating microbes as well, Joye said. Scientists also want to know how long the microbe populations can grow before they run out of nutrients.
It's a slight glimmer of hope, not much though because there is so much oil out there and there can be so many other arguments against this being an important finding but it is good, and I will take anything I can get right now.
From Seedlings to Servings: 11-Year-Old Grows Tons of Veggies for the Homeless
When Katie Stagliano was in third grade, she planted a cabbage in her family's small garden. When it grew to an astounding 40 pounds, she donated it to a soup kitchen, where it was made into meals for 275 people (with the help of ham and rice). "I thought, 'Wow, with that one cabbage I helped feed that many people?'" says Katie, now entering sixth grade. "I could do much more than that."
So Katie started planting vegetable gardens as part of her nonprofit Katie's Krops — she has six right now — including one the length of a football field at her school in her hometown of Summerville, S.C. Classmates, her family and other people in the community help plant and water, and Bonnie Plants donates seedlings. This past year, Katie took her commitment to a new level: she has given soup kitchens over 2,000 pounds of lettuce, tomatoes and other vegetables. Katie and her helpers are now harvesting the spring planting, and another 1,200 pounds will be donated by October.
Kids know growing food is fun and empowering, but not just for themselves, this amazing young woman fed hundreds of other people along her journey. Imagine what we could all do if we just had our own gardens and grew just enough extra for those who need fresh fruits and vegetables?
That's a garden of giving and love.
Chevy Volt Battery to Have 8 Years/100,000 Miles Warranty
GM engineers have completed more than 1 million miles and 4 million hours of validation testing of Volt battery packs since 2007, as well as each pack's [161 battery components,] nine modules and 288 cells.
The development, validation and test teams have met thousands of specifications and validated each of the Volt battery's components.
Tests include short circuit, corrosion, dust, impact, water submersion, crush and penetration, and extreme temperature swings combined with aggressive drive cycles, also known as "Shake, Bake and Roll."
Good news for those who might be wary of a new generation car, it means more people may venture into this new category of car, and get a Volt. It's exciting to me, I can't wait to get one myself. Is it perfect, no, but hell, it's certainly a step in the right direction.
How Otters Are Fighting Climate Change
Even with a declining population, otters play a significant role in cutting of greenhouse gases, according to Chris Wilmers and his team, of the University of California, Santa Cruz. Sea otters feast on sea urchins and keep vast forests of kelp healthy. These kelp forests, in turn, sequester about 0.18kg (0.40lb) of carbon for every square meter of habitat the otters occupy. The numbers may not seem like much at first, but when multiplied across the coastal waters that support kelp forest systems, it actually makes a pretty hefty impact. This makes sea otters cute and very helpful.
But how much is this kind of sequestration of greenhouse gases actually worth? After all, money talks. The New Science article reports that if otters were restored to healthy populations along the coast of North America, they would add up to about $700m in carbon credits.
SO, we've got cute carbon sequesters, not literally but they help tremendously as being very important keystone species in the ocean and they can be victims impacted by things like oil spills.
They are adorable, I love watching them eat, interact and play. It was my second favorite part of my families trip to Monterey Bay Aquarium.
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(All times Eastern!)
Diary | Author | Time (Eastern) | Tags |
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NOAA is NOT withholding data or methodology | Darryl House | 7/14/2010 21:10:11 | eKos, BP, NOAA, EPA, dispersants |
EcoAdvocates: Obama May Reverse Bush on Indigenous Rights | Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse | 7/14/2010 20:01:48 | EcoAdvocates, climate change, environment, teaching, UNDRIP |
10/10/10/10/10 | A Siegel | 7/14/2010 17:40:23 | Recommended, 350.org, sustainable energy action, energy, climate |
Momentum on BP Respirators! | Forrest Brown | 7/14/2010 17:33:11 | Recommended, BP, oil spill, environment, PCCC |
Moms Turned Mountaineers in Climb Against Coal | greendem | 7/14/2010 15:52:45 | eKos, enviroment, mercury, coal, families |
What Press Freedom? | WashingtonPeaceCenter | 7/14/2010 15:13:13 | press freedom, eKos, Gulf, Oil spill |
The Third World now includes The Gulf of Mexico. | sfzendog | 7/14/2010 14:23:08 | Oil, Third World, exploitation, environment, politics |
The Smart Grid: Google Arrives | Richard Lyon | 7/14/2010 13:35:47 | eKos, smart grid, Google, smart meters |
Muzzling corporate critics: Filmmakers must turn over all outtakes? | worldforallpeopleorg | 7/14/2010 11:57:03 | chevron, documentary film, free speech, eKos |
Lessons from the "Enlightened Eight": Republicans Can Vote Pro-Environment and Not Get "Tea Partied" | Heather TaylorMiesle NRDC Action Fund | 7/14/2010 11:37:11 | cap and trade, clean energy, Climate Bill, Climate change, congress |
Why the free market rejects green energy and manufacturing | citizen k | 7/14/2010 10:43:28 | capitalism, pensions, finance, eKos, environment |
BP Oil Disaster v8.0: Mindless Mitigation Activity | vets74 | 7/14/2010 09:40:43 | BP oil disaster, Greenpeace, British Petroleum, Halliburton, Coast Guard |
Reid has "rough draft" of energy bill | Joan McCarter | 7/14/2010 09:30:03 | energy, climate, eKos |
BP Catastrophe Liveblog Mothership: 50 | Gulf Watchers | 7/14/2010 06:00:01 | Recommended, Oilpocalypse, BP, Deepwater Horizon, Gulf of Mexico |
NOAA & BP Keep Key Oil Data from Scientists & Public | FishOutofWater | 7/13/2010 23:38:46 | eKos, oilpocalypse, environment, BP oil spill, NOAA |
Weatherization Barnraising Results | gmoke | 7/13/2010 23:32:34 | energy, ecology, environment, weatherization, MA |
Animal NUZ: A Daily Kos Exclusive Comic Strip #2 | ericlewis0 | 7/13/2010 19:00:42 | Recommended, Animal Nuz, eKos, Richard Cheney |
Bobby's berms already washing away | Jed Lewison | 7/13/2010 15:42:04 | BP, oil, eKos, Bobby Jindal, Gulf Coast |
BP Oil Spill: Ongoing Disaster for Birds & Wildlife | chesterdog | 7/13/2010 13:03:14 | BP, eKos, environmental, wildlife, Gulf Coast |
Sustainability and the oceans. | Cenobyte | 7/13/2010 11:44:34 | Sustainability, fish populations, fish stocks, cetaceans, cetaceans' rights |
A Discussion with Cary Fowler about Crop Diversity | BorderJumpers | 7/13/2010 09:46:59 | Rescued, Africa, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Cary Fowler |
Stop Big Oil Bailouts | thinkingblue | 7/13/2010 06:41:18 | petition, politics, big oil, BP, bailouts |
BP Oil Disaster v7.0: "Offshore Drilling Halted" | vets74 | 7/13/2010 07:20:19 | BP oil disaster, Greenpeace, British Petroleum, Halliburton, Coast Guard |
BP Catastrophe Liveblog Mothership: 49 | Gulf Watchers | 7/13/2010 06:00:39 | Oilpocalypse, BP, Deepwater Horizon, Gulf of Mexico, LMRP |
Senator Jeff Bingaman, Closet Climate Peacock? | RLMiller | 7/12/2010 22:15:17 | eKos, climate change, global warming, Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), S.1462 |
EcoJustice: Education, Empowerment and The Environment - Women Matter | Ellinorianne | 7/12/2010 22:08:23 | Gender equality, education, women, environment, ecojustice |
BREAKING: BP Replaces Cap, Oil Spill Stopped? | mille147 | 7/12/2010 21:06:16 | Recommended, BP, Oil Spill, Deepwater Horizon, eKos |
BP withholding Payments, to Prevent Fraud | jamess | 7/12/2010 21:39:11 | BP, Oil Spill, Compensation, Fisheries, Fishermen |
Climate/energy legislation up in the (dirty) air | Joan McCarter | 7/12/2010 21:16:04 | climate change, energy bill, eKos |
Way down (below the ocean): Sunday morning in the Gulf of Mexico | matching mole | 7/12/2010 19:26:54 | eKos, Gulf of Mexico, oil, marine life, loop current |
New Offshore Drilling Rules Issued | Senor Unoball | 7/12/2010 18:15:45 | Offshore drilling, eKos, oil drilling, Gulf of Mexico, BP |
UPDATE: Lake Superior 20°F WARMER than normal for this time of year | Eclectablog | 7/12/2010 17:56:23 | Recommended, Lake Superior, Michigan, global climate change, global warming |
Final Update #10: The Week in Editorial Cartoons - The Real Costs of Fossil Fuels | JekyllnHyde | 7/12/2010 17:30:38 | Recommended, The Week in Editorial Cartoons, eKos, Gulf of Mexico, Republican Party |
Green Economy and the Problem of Class | Vikingkingq | 7/12/2010 15:54:22 | Climate Change, Economic Planning, Economics, Environment, Full Employment |
Science Tidbits | possum | 7/12/2010 15:51:04 | Science, Teaching, Learning, eKos |
Intro to Basic Science of Global Warming | docmidwest | 7/12/2010 13:55:08 | global warming, science, eKos, Recommended |
Making Your Own Wholesome Foods? You Can Sell Me Some! | Detroit Mark | 7/12/2010 10:49:19 | recommended, sustainable food, home made, pastries, pies |
Let's Coal the Whole Thing Off: Dirty Industry Receiving Billions in Taxpayer Support | J e d | 7/12/2010 10:27:40 | Mountaintop Removal, Coal, Mining, Subsidies, Clean Coal |
Reconstituting the Standard Oil Company | bobdevo | 7/12/2010 09:57:18 | bp, exxonmobil, gulf oil spill, anti-trust, monopoly |
Ashley Judd Fights Back After Big Coal Attack | rperks | 7/12/2010 09:32:11 | ekos, appalachia, ashley judd, dirty coal, kentucky |
Utah: The Madness of King Coal | Ask 4 Questions | 7/12/2010 09:29:02 | Utah, king coal, Synapse, Harvard, Herbert |
BP Oil Disaster v6.0: Response and Race | vets74 | 7/12/2010 08:47:56 | BP oil disaster, Greenpeace, British Petroleum, Halliburton, Coast Guard |
BP Catastrophe Liveblog Mothership: 48 | Gulf Watchers | 7/12/2010 06:03:45 | Recommended, Oilpocalypse, BP, Deepwater Horizon, Gulf of Mexico |
Just watched "Collapse" it was a Horror Movie (The Peak Oil Story) | olmanwillow | 7/11/2010 22:43:32 | oil, collapse, danger, politics, peak oil |
Obama, yes you CAN do climate bill now | Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse | 7/11/2010 21:17:12 | Recommended, climate change news roundup, climate change, environment, BP |
News from the Arctic: 11 July 2010 | billlaurelMD | 7/11/2010 19:08:04 | eKos, global warming, DKos GreenRoots, climate change, Arctic sea ice |
It may be possible to Recycle CO2 -- back into Fuel | jamess | 7/11/2010 17:29:00 | CO2, Carbon Dioxide, Chemistry, Catalyst, Carbene |
The Smart Grid: An Introduction | Richard Lyon | 7/11/2010 16:24:23 | eKos, smart grid, electrical power, energy, Rescued |
Arctic ice acts to sequester carbon dioxide. | shpilk | 7/11/2010 13:32:14 | eKos, arctic, environment, arctic ice, climate change |
The Dirty F@#*ing Hippies Were Right! | One Pissed Off Liberal | 7/11/2010 12:02:49 | hippies, universal brotherhood, peace, love, tolerance |
Dawn Chorus: Egrets, I've Had A Few | Kestrel | 7/11/2010 09:01:05 | Recommended, Dawn Chorus, birds, egrets, birding |
Photoblog: Another offshore wind farm under construction | Jerome a Paris | 7/11/2010 08:55:05 | Recommended, energy, wind, offshore wind, photos |
We Are Screwed | Jill Richardson | 7/10/2010 06:42:42 | Rant, Recommended, environment, mms, budget |
BP Catastrophe Liveblog Mothership: 47 | Gulf Watchers | 7/11/2010 06:00:15 | Oilpocalypse, BP, Deepwater Horizon, Gulf of Mexico, LMRP |
Tell Discovery Channel to Stop Airing BP's Self-Congratulatory Commercial | Black Max | 7/10/2010 22:51:38 | BP, oil spill, Discovery Channel, corporate propaganda, eKos |
Population and the Economy | penguinsong | 7/10/2010 22:46:58 | Population, eKos |
Overnight News Digest: Science Saturday (Solar Eclipse/World Cup Final edition) | Neon Vincent | 7/11/2010 00:07:21 | Overnight News Digest, OND, science, space, environment |
"Dolphin desperate to escape captivity leaps out of its own tank during marine show"? | Ellinorianne | 7/10/2010 23:35:12 | Recommended, Whale watching, Humpback, Common Dolphins, Captivity |
Mojo' Hikin' / A California Photo Journal | delmardougster | 7/10/2010 17:38:23 | California, photo journal, wilderness, nature, photos |
Gulf Coast | Knucklehead | 7/10/2010 03:09:15 | Marine life, Photos, Rescued, eKos |
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