Orange Goes GREEN

Two teams of Syracuse University students submitted videos they had created promoting sustainability as part of NBC Universal's Green Week (Nov. 16-23, 2008). The video was below, produced by Kelsey Higgs and Ryan Kelly, was chosen to run on the NBC Sports web site.


More Details >>

Free E-Book on Global Warming Solutions

Retired Syracuse University professor Oliver Clubb has posted his most recent book online. "Global Warming Solutions: A Concerned Citizen's Guide to Climate Protection," is not only paperless, but it can be downloaded free!

If you are in the Central New York area, and are interested, a book release reception will be held at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry on Thursday, Feb. 5, from 1-2 p.m in Room 110 of Moon Library; refreshments will be served. The Department of Environmental Studies is sponsoring the event. Details >>

Thank you very much, Dr. Clubb!

Wrong, Wrong, Wrong

While I try to avoid using my blog for political purposes, because I'm interested in environmental issues, I just can't let this one go. John McCain's choice of Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is wrong on so many levels, but he's actually found a running-mate whose record on backing big oil over the environment is WORSE than President Bush's!!! The Governor actually argues that polar bears don't need protection!

Sierra Club Executive Director, Carl Pope says, "With the pick of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for his running mate, John McCain's race towards the Bush administration's failed energy policy is now complete." Furthermore Palin over stepped her authority as governor to advocate against a clean water initiative.

I just don't understand how someone like Palin, who identifies so strongly with being a "mom" can justify selling out her homeland's future to big oil and mining interests.

What Can I Do Without?

This is the question that Juneau residents were forced to answer when their electricity supply was severly curtailed due to an avalanche last spring. The story recently broadcast on NPR sproves that people can react positively in the face of adversity. Unfortunately now with power restored, usage has begun to increase again. Perhaps rising energy costs may motivate the citizens of Juneau back to conserving again.

Take the Energy Quiz

How savvy are you when it comes to understanding America's energy usage? Take the quiz.

Solving Big Problems with Small Actions

I'm a bit upset over John McCain's belittling of Barack Obama's suggestion of keeping your automobile tires inflated to the proper air pressure as a means to save energy. This is not directly related to global warming, either. It speaks volumes about the two men running for President and their concepts concerning efforts to change our nation.

OK, keeping your automobile tires inflated won't do much to save energy, if you're the only one with properly inflated tires. But what happens when you keep your tires properly inflated, and so does everyone in your neighborhood, and everyone in your city, and everyone in your state? Can you start to see the big picture? I believe, and I think that Barack Obama does as well, that we can solve big problems with small actions-- IF WE ALL WORK TOGETHER. A quote from Barack Obama's web site reads,"I'm asking you to believe not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington...I'm asking you to believe in yours." McCain on the other hand, doesn't seem to see the value in small sacrifices. No, he'd rather maindate a solution from a large oil company.

I continue to see the United States as a nation of individual citizens not mega-corporations, and if we're going to solve the massive problems ahead of us, then we'll need to take the responsibilty to solve these problems. We'll also require a leader who gets this idea, and has the force of personality to encourage each and everyone of us to get involved. It's still our country let's work together, and take it back!

Carbon-free in 10 years!

Former Vice-President Al Gore announced yesterday his challenge to the U.S. "to produce all of its electricity from renewable and carbon-free sources in 10 years." According to Gore, "The survival of the United States of America as we know it is at risk."

An ambitious goal, maybe, but aren't we suposed to be the greatest country on earth? If so shouldn't we be the leading the effort to reducing greenhouse gases and control global warming? Ten years from now, my niece, Gabriella, will be a junior in college. It wouldn't it be great if she and her friends could start out their lives in a healthier environment and not have dependency on foreign energy sources hanging over their heads?

Fortunately both Presidential candidates seem to take the issue of global warming more seriously than Mr. Bush does. If we truly desire to unite our country, perhaps with strong and couragous leadership this could be the issue that brings us all together.