Issue: Loans cut for Chinese polluters
This article highlights China’s new “green credit policy.”
“The purpose of this move is to force enterprises to pay the price for environmental violations,” according to an official from the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA). China’s cities are among the most polluted in the world and cities such as Beijing have made economic growth a priority over environmental protection. In 2007, 30 companies have been identified as flouting environmental laws. Twelve of the companies have been sanctioned either to pay fines or have had loans blocked or withdrawn. I certainly hope the new policies will also establish regulations, that if aren’t followed, can result in temporary closure of the facility. I’m not convinced that fines are the most effective means of holding companies accountable to environmental protection regulations. The companies can choose to pay to pollute; potentially, if the fines aren’t substantial to the company the fine will only serve as an inconvenience, not a punishment.
Discussion based on Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/business/7098754.stmPublished: 2007/11/16 16:01:56 GMT© BBC MMVII
Deed:
I will be carpooling to a friends’ house for the holiday. My friend and I don’t eat meat so as a result her family isn’t even going to make a turkey this year. There’s one for the birds! Unfortunately I have to get new tires but he old ones will be recycled. And by replacing them before they blow out keeps the tire scraps from trashing the interstate.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Japan to commence whaling mission and Applesauce cups
Issue: Japan to commence whaling mission
This mission to kill 1,000 whales confuses me. “The 239-man mission plans to kill more than 900 minke whales as well as fin whales and humpbacks, in a South Pacific whale hunt that will run until mid-April.” The Japanese fisheries officials explain this murder mission is so biologist can do research on the whales’ internal organs. And although the meat collected going to market, gaining a profit is not the primary driver of this excursion. I really think that it is wonderful that the fishery officials can declare that killing 50 humpback whales will be no biggy. "Taking 50 humpbacks from a population of tens of thousands will have no significant impact whatsoever." I want to see the statistical analysis that is supporting the statement “no significant impact.” Um excuse me, where’s the p-value to back that up, pal? The article’s author throws in that a Greenpeace ship will be following the fleet. I just hope that whatever tactics they are planning don’t just result in a pollution of the oceans. Otherwise what are we doing? Contaminating the oceans to save whales…ya, that doesn’t add up. I say this because I had recently heard from a classmate, that an “environmentalists” group was ramming and cannon balling a Japanese fishing boat in the Arctic. Sinking a boat probably isn’t going to help the condition of the oceans.
Discussion based on Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/7099720.stmPublished: 2007/11/17 13:18:35 GMT© BBC MMVII
Deed: I stopped buying the six-pack of small applesauce cups and just got the large glass jar. Then I recycled the jar.
This mission to kill 1,000 whales confuses me. “The 239-man mission plans to kill more than 900 minke whales as well as fin whales and humpbacks, in a South Pacific whale hunt that will run until mid-April.” The Japanese fisheries officials explain this murder mission is so biologist can do research on the whales’ internal organs. And although the meat collected going to market, gaining a profit is not the primary driver of this excursion. I really think that it is wonderful that the fishery officials can declare that killing 50 humpback whales will be no biggy. "Taking 50 humpbacks from a population of tens of thousands will have no significant impact whatsoever." I want to see the statistical analysis that is supporting the statement “no significant impact.” Um excuse me, where’s the p-value to back that up, pal? The article’s author throws in that a Greenpeace ship will be following the fleet. I just hope that whatever tactics they are planning don’t just result in a pollution of the oceans. Otherwise what are we doing? Contaminating the oceans to save whales…ya, that doesn’t add up. I say this because I had recently heard from a classmate, that an “environmentalists” group was ramming and cannon balling a Japanese fishing boat in the Arctic. Sinking a boat probably isn’t going to help the condition of the oceans.
Discussion based on Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/7099720.stmPublished: 2007/11/17 13:18:35 GMT© BBC MMVII
Deed: I stopped buying the six-pack of small applesauce cups and just got the large glass jar. Then I recycled the jar.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Oil Catastrophe
Issue:
Sunday, November 11, in the narrow Kerch Strait between Russia and Ukraine, the Russian tanker Volganeft-139 broke in two after a storm caused 67 mph winds and 16 ft waves. The tanker was caring more than 4,000 tons of fuel and nearly half the load has spilled as of Tuesday. Increasing the devastation to the seas, at least ten other ships sank during this storm and one contained nearly 6,000 tons of sulphur. The number of fish already killed by the oil spill is too great in number to even estimate and as of Tuesday, 30,000 birds have been killed. The photos of the dead, oil soaked birds along the shore with their beaks locked open, after struggling for any available air to penetrate the suffocating oil are horrific. Adding to the tragedy to the environmental catastrophe is the persistent bad weather, hampering rescue and clean up efforts. The heavy oil is sinking to the seabed and is forecasted to take several years to clean up. Investigations have begun if the tanker was sea worthy or if any of the other ships’ captains ignored warnings of the approaching storm.
It is unfortunate that oil spills are even occurring. The seas polluted, marine ecosystems destroyed, and the most prized possession, 4, 000 tons of oil are lost. These animals die in vain. If they were to find their end as a consequence of climate change, that means we at least got to use that oil. In this case nobody wins.
Discussion based on Story from BBC NEWS:Black Sea faces oil 'catastrophe'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/7092071.stmPublished: 2007/11/13 12:13:37 GMT© BBC MMVII
Deed:
Well, I haven’t eaten fish or seafood in three years, since I became a vegetarian. And in conjunction with today’s lecture, I don’t plan on starting. Since we, the U.S. or the rest of the world, really haven’t picked up on safe aquaculture and agriculture I’m going to stay away. But I did give the fish smart guide to my friend who is a big consumer of fish and seafood. Let me clarify, the person isn’t big, they just eat a lot of seafood.
On a totally different subject matter, I told my boss that she can and should recycle her plastic shopping bags, instead of throwing them away in the garbage. She had no idea. I even tried getting her pumped about reusable shopping bags-she’s not there yet. Bummer.
Sunday, November 11, in the narrow Kerch Strait between Russia and Ukraine, the Russian tanker Volganeft-139 broke in two after a storm caused 67 mph winds and 16 ft waves. The tanker was caring more than 4,000 tons of fuel and nearly half the load has spilled as of Tuesday. Increasing the devastation to the seas, at least ten other ships sank during this storm and one contained nearly 6,000 tons of sulphur. The number of fish already killed by the oil spill is too great in number to even estimate and as of Tuesday, 30,000 birds have been killed. The photos of the dead, oil soaked birds along the shore with their beaks locked open, after struggling for any available air to penetrate the suffocating oil are horrific. Adding to the tragedy to the environmental catastrophe is the persistent bad weather, hampering rescue and clean up efforts. The heavy oil is sinking to the seabed and is forecasted to take several years to clean up. Investigations have begun if the tanker was sea worthy or if any of the other ships’ captains ignored warnings of the approaching storm.
It is unfortunate that oil spills are even occurring. The seas polluted, marine ecosystems destroyed, and the most prized possession, 4, 000 tons of oil are lost. These animals die in vain. If they were to find their end as a consequence of climate change, that means we at least got to use that oil. In this case nobody wins.
Discussion based on Story from BBC NEWS:Black Sea faces oil 'catastrophe'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/7092071.stmPublished: 2007/11/13 12:13:37 GMT© BBC MMVII
Deed:
Well, I haven’t eaten fish or seafood in three years, since I became a vegetarian. And in conjunction with today’s lecture, I don’t plan on starting. Since we, the U.S. or the rest of the world, really haven’t picked up on safe aquaculture and agriculture I’m going to stay away. But I did give the fish smart guide to my friend who is a big consumer of fish and seafood. Let me clarify, the person isn’t big, they just eat a lot of seafood.
On a totally different subject matter, I told my boss that she can and should recycle her plastic shopping bags, instead of throwing them away in the garbage. She had no idea. I even tried getting her pumped about reusable shopping bags-she’s not there yet. Bummer.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Lebanon farmers and Applesauce cups
Issue:
In 2006 Lebanon imported nearly five times of what it exported; more than $1 billion in foodstuffs. According to the founder of Ard w’ Nath (“land and people” in Arabic), Rami Zurayk, he is trying to help build a country. Zurayk thinks if farmers know more about their land and soils they can increase their production and thus their profits. With an increased income Zurayk hopes these farmers will be able to send their children to school and pay medical bills. And with healthy, educated citizens Zurayk believes he will see a country being built. Zurayk’s organization is he along with two engineers and three volunteers traveling to landholders throughout Southern Lebanon and providing free soil analysis, technical expertise, and linking growers with sustainable markets.
Source: Ode Magazine, (November 2007), “Food Fight” by Anna Sussman
Deed: I have help with this week’s deed. My elementary school teacher friend helps me recycle by reusing my applesauce cups, fruit cups, butter tubs, paper towel rolls, etc. for projects or containers in her classroom.
In 2006 Lebanon imported nearly five times of what it exported; more than $1 billion in foodstuffs. According to the founder of Ard w’ Nath (“land and people” in Arabic), Rami Zurayk, he is trying to help build a country. Zurayk thinks if farmers know more about their land and soils they can increase their production and thus their profits. With an increased income Zurayk hopes these farmers will be able to send their children to school and pay medical bills. And with healthy, educated citizens Zurayk believes he will see a country being built. Zurayk’s organization is he along with two engineers and three volunteers traveling to landholders throughout Southern Lebanon and providing free soil analysis, technical expertise, and linking growers with sustainable markets.
Source: Ode Magazine, (November 2007), “Food Fight” by Anna Sussman
Deed: I have help with this week’s deed. My elementary school teacher friend helps me recycle by reusing my applesauce cups, fruit cups, butter tubs, paper towel rolls, etc. for projects or containers in her classroom.
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