Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg is actually a real place in Massachusetts. Also known as Webster Lake, it is the longest place name in the United States and among the longest (6th) in the world. With the name coming from the local Nipmuc Indians, it is believed to mean “Fishing Place at the Boundaries — Neutral Meeting Grounds.”

Formed after the glaciers retreat in spring, Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg (or Lake Chaubunagungamaug) includes three spring-fed lakes joined by narrow channels and is the center of recreational activities that include swimming, fishing and boating.

Also funny, it’s how the popular belief translates the long name “You Fish on Your Side, I Fish on My Side, Nobody Fish in the Middle”.

Sing along with me, “I ain’t ‘fraid of 37-ton spiders and snakes.” But, I might be!

A 37-ton, 12-meter tall giant mechanical spider showed up to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Port of Yokohama. The spider was operated by members of the French company La Machine.

Where’s Godzilla when we need him? How cool would that be? A movie – “Godzilla vs Giant French Spider”

Indeed, there are bigger battles going on in our world. Like how to save golden frogs from extinction. Or wait! Don’t frogs eat spiders? What if …

Source: JapanToday

Just around the corner with final arrangements for green concerts, festivals and informational events, more and more people wonder where to spend their time for Earth Day. And although Earth Day should be everyday, our good friends from TreeHugger have come up with a list with the best US cities to hope to be on.

10. Boston

Although not the greenest city in the US, Boston is proudly making the list with a bunch of green activities going on (courtesy of Boston.com) this year.

9. Asheville

A mountainous city in Western North Carolina, Asheville is a small but cool city perfect for the green-minded. Meant to strengthen the community, promote health and wellness and raise awareness of environmental issues there’s plenty of eco-consciousness for Asheville. And for a quick calendar here are the green vibes you could expect.

8. Chicago

A city that understands what “green” means, Chicago is among those cities in the US where things are being actually done when it comes to bettering the environment. With lots of Earth Day events in Chicago, check them out and go out to celebrate if you’re around.

7. Los Angeles

Although not quite green (considering the high pollution), Los Angeles is catching up when it comes to eco projects. Busy and beautiful, for Earth Day L.A. plans a bunch of events meant to make a difference. Big or small!

6. Austin

Bike-friendly, part of the biodiesel revolution, with solar and wind power projects in full swing, Austin takes pride with their new green path. Lots of organic restaurants and plenty of events for this year, Austin is definitely a green destination for this year’s Earth Day.

5. Seattle

With no more plastic bags and great projects when it comes to biking and the public transport system, Seattle is among those cities with a very strong green vibe. And for this year, authorities will welcome you with green festivals and other sorts of events in the city’s best parks.

4. Portland

Best city for those who like to pedal to work, Portland manages to exude green with clean electricity as one of the main concerns. And for this year’s Earth Day, Portland invites you to celebrate together. That’s why they’ll throw in a bunch of activities for you to take on …

3. San Francisco

There’s no surprise that the sunny San Francisco made the list. With the hype on solar power technologies, electric cars and other green technologies, it’s obvious that SF is among the best cities in the US when it comes to Earth Day. So how about a cruise on hybrid ferries?

2. Washington DC

If you’re taking a day off and you’re close to Washington DC, then a visit to the nation’s capitol sounds great not only because you see the White House, but because there are a lot of green events on show for Earth Day.

1. New York City

Let’s make it clear, New York City made it first to the list not because it’s the biggest city in the United States, but because Big Apple is trying to become green. With a ton of happenings going on for Earth Day.

But in the end, why should Earth Day be only one day? Why not every day???

Images courtesy of beantown, zen, stuckincustoms, kla4067, kaanah, willwm, pleeker, stuckincustoms, jcolman, meironke

A study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical medicine, has concluded that overweight people are bad for the environment.

Fatty fatty two by fours eat more than thin people. Consequently, they are more likely to travel by car. And, don’t you know that cars have to work harder to carry bigger people, too!

“When it comes to food consumption, moving about in a heavy body is like driving around in a gas guzzler,” researchers wrote in their study. The study was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

It is estimated that each fat person is responsible for about one ton of carbon dioxide emissions a year more than the average than a thin person. The calculators have determined that the average European accounts for 11 tons of greenhouse gas emissions a year.

Save the world! Go on a diet!

Image by Malingering

The Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus zeteki) is critically endangered. The toad is endemic to Panama and inhabits tropical forest regions, on mountains and near streams.

At one time, it was thought to have become extinct, but this little fellow can be found at the El Nispero Zoo in Valle de Anton about 70 miles from Panama City.

These frogs are not really frogs. They are toads. They are unusual because they communicate by waving at rivals and prospective mates. Frogs and toads are supposed to communicate by croaking. Some think these fellows learned to wave because of the noise of the fast-moving streams. In other words, croaks couldn’t be heard.

Source

A large, slow-moving mass of ice that forms where snow falls at a greater rate, glaciers are the largest reservoir of fresh water on Earth. Covering vast areas of the polar region and mountain ranges all over the world, we’ve decided to hop on a quest to find the largest glacier on each continent. So here they are:

North America – Hubbard Glacier

Hubbard is the largest tidewater glacier on the North American continent. Hubbard has also been thickening and advancing toward the Gulf of Alaska ever since it was first mapped by the International Boundary Commission in 1895 (Davidson, 1903). And, this is happening despite climate change and the fact that many glaciers are thinning and retreating.

Images by BobTheCorkDwarf (1+2)

South America – Perito Moreno Glacier

90% of the world’s glaciers in Antarctica and Patagonia at the southern tip of South America are melting quickly. Argentina’s mighty Perito Moreno glacier is thriving in defiance of the global climate change. University of Alaska Fairbanks experts say the area’s heavy precipitation seems to have increased. This combined with strong, cold Patagonian winds has reinforced the glacier.

Images bye romeral and eoino

Europe – Vatnajokull Glacier

The Vatnajokull covers about 8% of Iceland with and average thickness of 400meter. Beneath the glacier are active volcanoes. Grimsvoth Volcano is Iceland’s most active – latest eruptions in 1996, 1998, 2004.

Images by nico t and adrivdm

Africa – Glaciers of Kilimanjaro

These glaciers may not be the biggest on the continent but they are definitely on the highest mountain of the continent. They were also the center of much global warming alarmist hype until it was proven that retreat and advance of glaciers is not caused by climate change as much as it is caused by overall changes in precipitation.

Images by pave_m and bencurthoys

Asia – Siachen Glacier

Siachen glacier is the highest battleground on earth. It is a place where India and Pakistan always meet in a frozen standoff. It is the world’s largest non polar glacier, Siachen glacier is sometimes called third pole. This glacier is well known for its scarce population and treacherous climatic conditions.  Siachin boasts more than 2 trillion cubic feet of ice, and within 25 kms has 45 peaks which rise up to a height of 18000 feet.

Image by Imran

Australia – Heard Island Glacier

Australia’s little know glaciers sit in sub-Antarctic Heard Island in the Indian Ocean. The area was discovered by U.S. Captain William Heard in 1853. Scientists call the area an ideal laboratory for studying climate change – at the end of the Polar Zone and isolated from humans.

Image by wikipedia

Antarctica – Lambert Glacier

Lambert along with Mellor and Fisher glaciers, which form the upper extension of the Lambert, the ice mass have been measured at 320 mi. long and over 40 mi. wide. “The Lambert drains into the massive Amery Ice Shelf at longitude 70 deg. E, almost due south of Bombay and approximately 1,400 mi. from the South Pole.”

Image by Wikipedia

Okay we need to say it out loud. We don’t know for sure if Mayor Michael Bloomberg is actually a vegetarian, but if the New York Post has it right, he probably is. Apparently after visiting the Brooklyn Navy Yard last week, Michael Bloomberg went for a feast at Morton’s Steakhouse in downtown Brooklyn. And what a feast! Onion soup, broccoli and grilled asparagus! He did sample the treats, but refrained from eating any meat and was “strictly vegetarian.” Would that make New Yorkers happier … ? [via Ecorazzi]

With pollution levels hitting record highs these days, the Obama administration decided that a nationwide high-speed rail system is a broad and strategic solution that will boost regional economies, and help reduce highway congestion and U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

And, if you think of it, that could generate thousands of construction jobs over several years, as well as permanent jobs for rail employees.

A very good solution to air or car traveling, Obama is trying to push an $8 billion stimulus package through Congress to improve existing rail lines (where trains could “fly” at 100 mph or faster) and to develop at least six high-speed corridors— which have already been identified, with Chicago the main hub.

1. California Corridor (Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego)
2. Pacific Northwest Corridor (Eugene, Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, Vancouver BC)
3. South Central Corridor (Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Little Rock)
4. Gulf Coast Corridor (Houston, New Orleans, Mobile, Birmingham, Atlanta)
5. Chicago Hub Network (Chicago, Milwaukee, Twin Cities, St. Louis, Kansas City, Detroit, Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Louisville)
6. Florida Corridor (Orlando, Tampa, Miami)
7. Southeast Corridor (Washington, Richmond, Raleigh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Macon, Columbia, Savannah, Jacksonville)
8. Keystone Corridor (Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh)
9. Empire Corridor (New York City, Albany, Buffalo)
10. Northern New England Corridor (Boston, Montreal, Portland, Springfield, New Haven, Albany)

Although the $8 billion stimulus is not enough to get everything done, Obama considers it a downpayment on the future if they can just get the program started.

Of course, the biggest problem might not be getting the money. In California, one environmental group wants the rail line to cut back on dependence on fossil fuels, whereas other environmental groups do NOT want the rail line because of the ‘cost’ to the environment to get it installed. Now what do we do ?

Image by Shi Yali

People often wonder what is the deadliest creature on the planet and argue about which animal should take that spot. To be honest though, none deserve that crowning glory better than us humans. But that set aside, let us take a quick look at the supposedly deadliest animals on the planet rated based on their danger to humans as the main criteria.

10. Poison dart frog

The natives just run darts against the skin of this tiny, bright and colorful frog from the rainforests of South America to hunt down prey. Why? Because its poison is enough to kill ten men and will be triggered the moment you touch its skin.

9. Cape buffalo

Here is a simple lesson if and when hunting the cape buffalo- Do not hurt it and leave it wounded as it will actively chase and kill you. This aggressive and massive animal kills more people in Africa than even the mighty predators prowling the continent.

8. Polar bear

The largest predator on the planet is ultra-protective when it comes to its young cubs. And when over-enthusiastic tourists or locals get too close to the cuddly, cute cubs, they are just inviting the wrath of the polar behemoth.

7. The elephant

They are not always the gentle giants and when in rampaging mood, a herd can mow down anything in its path. Reason for over 600 deaths every year, if you manage to keep out of the path then you are safe.

6. African lion

This seems a tab bit strange considering the fact that you would be careful enough to keep your way out of the Jungle king. But in nations like Tanzania where around 70 humans each year fall prey to the lion, that border between civilization and the African Savannah is thin and blurred.

5. Great white shark

With 30 to 100 global deaths each year, the great white is a predator that is all too well known and well documented. It is said that once it gets a taste of human flesh, it will develop a taste for further kills. The ocean’s most well-oiled and evolved killing machine strikes fear at sight.

4. Australian box jellyfish

With 5,567 deaths since 1884, that will definitely speak volumes about how lethal these creatures are. The most venomous marine creature known to man, each tentacle has enough toxins to kill 60 people. Beware if you’re swimming on the Australian coasts.

3. Australian saltwater crocodile

The famous ‘death roll’ will ensure that once you step into the water, it will drown you and then tear you apart. Water is its domain and the largest living reptile on the planet brings with it the ferocity of its Jurassic heritage causing around 2000 causalities each year.

2. Asian Cobra

Snakes like the Resells Viper and the Black Mamba might be deadlier, but the fact that the populous Asian continent is the home to the King Cobra makes its run-ins with humans all too regular and causalities aplenty.

1. Mosquitoes

A small bite that can turn out to be deadly with malaria infecting and killing millions of people across the globe each year. With majority of the victims residing in the developing nations and in the tropical belt, this tiny creature is the biggest killer of them all.

Images courtesy of cliff1066, Arno Meintjes, davipt, Matthieu, jim-sf, doobybrian, shellyblake, wikipedia, enygmatic, trekman.

Some confidential data from maritime industry insiders (based on engine size and the quality of fuel typically used by ships and cars) shows that just 15 of the world’s biggest ships may now emit as much pollution as the entire 760m cars on world’s roads today. And it’s not just an environmental issue, but also a health problem for people exposed to shipping pollution.

Image by akpt

Following the recent decision by the US government to impose a strict 230-mile buffer zone along the entire US coast, pressure is now mounting on the UN’s International Maritime Organization and the EU to tighten laws governing ships emissions.

With low-quality fuel being used to cut on costs, the pollution from the 90,000 ocean-going cargo ships that operate 24 hours a day and 280 days a year is so huge that it puts the combined pollution from both aviation and auto industry to shame. Apparently coastal pollution leads to about 60,000 deaths a year in the US alone and sums up to $330 bn in health costs.

So will the emission standards for marine carriers across the planet be set anytime soon? Looks unlikely for now, isn’t it? [via Guardian]