The melting of one of the world’s largest ice-sheet would alter earth’s gravity changing the rotation in space and thereby forcing a rise in sea level along the coasts. A big loss of mass from the Southern Hemisphere would effectively make a pull of gravity stronger in the Northern Hemisphere, leading to a change in the pattern of rotation of the Earth.

This redistribution of mass would also affect the Earth’s rotation, which in turn would cause water to build up along the North American continent and in the Indian Ocean, said Professor Jonathan Bamber of Bristol University.

Scientists feel that North America would experience an average sea level increase of 25-percent. That is expected to cause catastrophic floods where cities such as New York and San Francisco could get hit by some sort of tsunamis.

However, the same scientists believe that the rise in sea levels would not be affected by the melting of ice into the oceans. And that’s something that Bill addressed a while ago …

[via Carbon-Based]

If you're new here and you like our articles, how about subscribing free for our updates via RSS feed.

The Coral Triangle needs no introduction as nature lovers admire it as one of God’s finest creations. Famous for coral reefs and mangroves, sooner than expected the entire stretch of water could soon lose everything.

If by now two-thirds of the coral reefs have already been destroyed by overfishing, industrial waste and climate distortion, everything is expected to be lost unless measures are being taken care of. Clearly speaking, it would only take another four decades for these reefs to be history .

Considering the fact that the life of people around this area is heavily dependent on the income generated from related marine life and its mangroves, the diminishing coral reefs could spell disaster for 100 of the 150 million natives.

The report also mentions that by 2050 food supplies would have been halved and that by the end of this century, 80-percent of the food would have be gone and there would hardly be any fresh water available courtesy of the swamping seas.

The only choice people would be left with is to flee to adjoining areas like Australia and New Zealand, thereby breaking down any cultural and traditional values.

With the area already ahead of the worst case scenario, there is very little time left to react, if at all.

[via Guardian] (Image courtesy of thespis377)

Columbia University’s Center for International Earth Science Information Network and Yale University’s Center for Environmental Law and Policy have come up with a list of the World’s Cleanest Countries.

Europe claimed 14 of the top 20 environmental performers largely because the Old Continent has “the infrastructure to provide clean drinking water and treat waste water, lowering the likelihood that Europeans will suffer from waterborne disease.”

Scandinavia performed well in ecosystem vitality – health of fisheries, the amount of greenhouse gases a country pumps into the air and how well it preserves the diversity of its plants and animals. This’ll happen when you have so few people in such wide open spaces.

The United States scored a 63.5 in ecosystem vitality. The average is 74.2. And George W. gets the blame. That poor man will be blamed for everything that is wrong with the world. The U.S. was 39th overall and it was Bush’s fault that we weren’t ranked higher.

Switzerland was ranked number one and Costa Rica was one of a few developing nations to crack the top 10. Columbia also made it. And it’s Bush and his dad’s fault that Columbia and Costa Rica are not part of the United States thus helping us have a higher ranking overall.

So should we move to Europe?

Image by cmicblog

The Nature Conservancy gets a portion of the ad revenue generated by the game, (Lil) Green Patch” on Facebook. The more it is played, the more rainforest gets saved. Who would have thunk?

Social media is one of the new fertile grounds for fundraising. It can work, especially if users don’t know they are giving. In other words, advertisers are just sharing a portion.

Young people, for whatever reason, have an interest in the environment. Especially college students and the very savvy of media socialites. If they are told they can help save rainforests and fight global warming by playing a game, look out. Especially if the game is fun.

The (Lil) Green Patch game has generated $162,150 in little more than a year, says The Nature Conservancy. It is among the most popular applications that some 6 million active users on Facebook can add to their profiles.

(Lil) Green Patch is one of Facebook’s best earners but still accounts for less than 3 percent of The Nature Conservancy’s online fundraising. But how many seeds has been planted for the users of social media to become more aware? That’s an intangible but valuable contribution overall.

Social-networking sites are becoming more and more necessary for nonprofits to explore.

Direct mail, phone solicitations – success is dwindling. Internet fundraising is on the rise. Hmm…

Play a game, save the world. Sounds fun and fruitful, eh?

What could possibly be wrong with cherry blossom viewing? I mean the beauty is fleeting, appears for about a week, is enjoyed for 2-3 days at most. Friends bring something to eat, break out the brew and talk about life and all that has come our way, has passed us by, and is in store for us.

What could possibly be wrong with that?

How about, NOT CLEANING UP YOUR MESS!?

The best place to do the Cherry Blossom thing (hanami - hana = flower, mi = watch and is pronounced hah nah mee) is In Japan. Sadly, however, even some Japanese don’t get the concept of ‘pack it home.’ Here’s an image of what is left over at a park in Yoyogi, Japan after a day’s festivities of enjoying Cherry Blossoms.

I bet if the Cherry Blossoms knew how the environment was going to be abused, they would even come out.

Images courtesy of zachstern, paraflyer, xerones

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”.

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 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

The landscape of Salar De Uyuni is a breathtaking sight to behold for travelers from all around the world who go through plenty to witness the true splendor of these salt-filled plains. But those reflective plains which mirror the sky and stretch endlessly as photographer’s delight, could very soon turn into the next Middle East of the world- brazen, abrasive, dry and exploited land, not just home of a huge environmental struggle but also the next big political conflict.

But why is it that the vast and seemingly never-ending landscape hidden away from the world for many centuries, have now become a potential minefield for conflict? Lithium— the element that powers all the green cars, laptops, mobiles and every other fancy gadget you own, is lying in plenty under this surface.

For every automobile maker in the world, there is absolutely no doubt that those who control the supply and production of Lithium, will dictate the economy of the world in the next few decades, And it’s this immense potential hidden under these salt flats that is attracting the world today.

So what is the problem in digging it up, you ask? After all, this will mean zero-emission vehicles and greener tomorrow. Well, yes and no at the same time. All the Lithium might help us build the greener roads for tomorrow, but it will come at a very heavy price for Bolivia. The slat flats will no doubt be destroyed, mining in the region will suck up the last drop of water and before you know it, this would turn into an over-exploited and useless wasteland. Something no local resident would approve of.

While the local government will no doubt hold off world pressure for a while— as it is unwilling to trade its natural treasure for cash at this point, one is forced to believe this will happen at some point in the future anyway.

Hatred for the West and a respect for the locals means that the Bolivian government is taking an absolute no-nonsense policy from anyone right now and is pretty clear that Salar De Uyuni “belongs to the people of Bolivia and not to the world”. Despite that, it will be interesting to see how long they will sit on the cash pot with growing hunger and unemployment and even if they do.

Some say that using this vast stretch of land and extracting all the speculated 5-9 million tons of Lithium underneath is worth the localized destruction as it will help give cleaner roads and skies to the entire planet. “Small sacrifice for the sake of greater good of environment” the experts say, but we sure hope it’s going to be a choice that will be purely left to Bolivia and the people of Salar De Uyuni.

Source: DailyMail
Images courtesy of tesking (1+2), illuminaut, elisharene, anlopelope and hankoss

Shooting with a camera is probably the best way to help conserve nature. Nothing inspires you more than a magical photograph that conveys the beauty, majesty and sheer brilliance of each of nature’s very special creations.

The annual British Society of Underwater Photographers / DIVER Print competition (for the best British print) has thrown up some of the most astonishing and simply amazing pics of the world that lay hidden in the depths off the British shoreline. The contests saw some of the very best underwater photography come to light and one look at not just the winning snap, but the other one’s that made the top 10 remind you of what we would miss if we don’t preserve and nurture natural ecosystems.

This year’s winning photo is of a male Corkwing wrasse building a nest, by Robert Bailey. The fish is scurrying around the reef to find a place of nesting and then carefully collects the best looking seaweed to decorate it. Yup, that’s the “mate” doing some home decoration to make sure he gets a date.

The other impressive snaps include a fireworks anemone casting a shadow of death on a lobster, painted Goby waiting with its mouth wide open, a fearsome looking Wolfish ruling the dark crevices, a John Dorry in all its spiky majesty and the thriving reef in all its brilliant colors.

Of course, there are a lot more magical moments on offer and the whole competition not only produces images that make you go ‘wow!’, but also force you to sit up and take notice of nature conservation.

This is one shooting spree we highly recommend and love, but there’s a question to ask in the end. Did any of the animals been mistreated? Is it wise to “invade” their space and take pictures of their lives? Don’t do to others what you wouldn’t do to yourself …