Friends of mine own some property.  They have about five acres of heavily wooded land with a stream running through.  The stream is cold and provides tasty water that is guaranteed to quench your thirst.

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An earthquake of magnitude 5.9 has struck southeastern Peru near Bolivias’s capital of La Paz.

Map of Peru

You can see all the seismic details from the US Geological Survey here. And, click here for a map of the area.

Reuters is reporting that the quake was not felt by witnesses in the area, and there are no reports of damages or casualties.

According to NPR, the depth of this particular earthquake could help explain why it wasn’t felt more on the surface.

On Tuesday, there was an earthquake off the coast of American Samoa in the South Pacific. And earlier today there was one near the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

Are all three of these quakes related?

Researchers are looking into that possibility.

Electronic Gadgets a Rising Threat to the Environment

The world is doomed for sure and as per the International Energy Agency, even your iPod is contributing.

The stark reality is that we people are aware of the ill effects of greenhouses gases but, we still do not want to make a difference.

For those curious as to how we can contribute in saving our planet from this evil, even the judicious usage of electricity consumed by our doodads could help.

if we continue to ignore our role by 2030 the energy consumption coming from our beloved gadgets could triple, hitting a whopping 1,700 terawatt hours. And if that doesn’t scare you …

The world would have to build around 200 new nuclear power plants just to power all the TVs, iPods, PCs and other home electronics expected to be plugged in by 2030, when the global electric bill to power them will rise to $200 billion a year, the IEA said.

Needless to say that the increased need for energy would take the greenhouse gases level to … the next level.

Consumers alone cannot make a difference as the manufacturers also have to contribute by developing gadgets that could run on minimalistic specified standards. We are constantly being made aware of the ill-effects of gas guzzlers, the addition of consumer electronics is another surprise.

Imagine a world without commuters and gadgets! Even the thought is distressing. Don’t you think it’s better to play rational and be the good stewards Earth needs?

[via Timesonline] (Image courtesy of ibrotons)

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.

Fat Women, Harming 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

We are all about shining the spotlight on environmental issues and making them an absolute priority. But the creators of Lightpot seem to have taken it a bit too literally. Here’s their really cute and compact LED-lit table lamp that offers you a lot more than just the normal radiance.

Resembling a lamp with two shades placed one opposite to the other, the Lightpot is both your own personal bed/table lamp and also that tiny pot which allows you to grow some green inside. Ergonomically designed by Studio Shubal, it’s been built to debut at the 2009 IMM Cologne and will soon be available in stores in various shades and colors to please your senses.

For us, the beauty of this ambient lighting device is that the LED light on the inside grows in intensity as your plant grows and thrives. A good dose of symbolism, if the “life” inside perishes then you are forced into complete darkness. And you wouldn’t want this to happen, right? [via EcoFriend]

Technology is an irony in itself as it seems. It delivers the solutions for our problems and then creates more problems for these solutions. It is a constant search for finding the right balance.

But here’s Gota, the water conserving dishwasher – a device that offers another cool technological answer to the question of how one can save precious fresh water resources. This ultra-cool and futuristic looking hub is akin to a space trooper that explores the universe, but in reality is a dishwasher designed by Ibsen Caldas and his team.

The unique design of Gota allows it to save on the amount of water used for doing the dishes. By simply steaming everything in the pre-wash stage and by collecting these same cooled vapors for washing the dishes in the final stage, Gota ends up cutting water consumption in half. The technology seems pretty simple in concept and does away with an excessive use of water. While it is not yet clear on how many plates or cutlery it can take, it seems large enough to serve the conventional family.

Simple, ergonomic and perfect for any modern home,we hope to see a production version of Gota very soon. Mixes “business” with pleasure.

[YankoDesign via EcoFriend]

Japan’s PM Taro Aso is ordering his ministries to draft a “Green New Deal” this week. The “Green New Deal” is expected to counter the twin towers threats of climate change and economic downturn.

Green New Deal

Aso’s stimulus package will focus on slashing greenhouse gases.

Aso is expected to fall in step with new US President Barack Obama vow to lead the world on climate change. High on the agenda – new measures to encourage the development of fuel-efficient cars.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is also asked for a “Green New Deal” at a UN climate conference in Poland in December. (more…)

There is a point beyond which you cannot trample with the mightily patient Mother earth. She has taken everything that has been thrown at her and has tried to balance the planet and keep it up and running by making tiny adjustments and giving us gentle jolts once in a while. But when the planet that you call home is heading towards a chaotic order, then she has to step in at some point to wipe out the infestation and set the record straight.

Image courtesy of Roberto Rizzato

With the way man has been destroying delicate balance of natural ecosystems and causing a steep rise in the global temperatures, global warming seems to be the cause that will one day bring about a catastrophic end to much of human race, much like nature put dinosaurs in their place millions of years ago. And when you have Nobel Laureates and the best minds in the world talking about how bad the situation is, then it is hard to dismiss it away.

This is why GP has compiled a list with what we believe to be the 15 most deadly effects of global warming. (more…)

In October, Alex shared an initiative brought to you by Audubon in alliance with Toyota called TogetherGreen. If you remember, TogetherGreen’s main focus is to secure a bright and healthy future for generations to come … but it takes the inspiration and wisdom from dedicated leaders to accomplish such a goal.

TogetherGreen has been fortunate enough to have some of the most brilliant, community leaders on their side, with creative ideas and visions that will steer us even further in the right direction.

Today, you’re being introduced to the Fellows who are going to shape our tomorrow with their creative visions that will ensure a positive environmental change. Awarded by the new conservation alliance of the National Audubon Society and Toyota, Fellows were selected from scores of applicants across the country by an advisory board of environmental leaders.

Forty of the nation’s most promising conservationists will advance their environmental vision and conservation leadership skills as recipients of the first TogetherGreen Fellowships, receiving a $10,000 stipend and assistance in launching local projects to educate a wide range of communities about the environment. Fellows will engage communities in efforts to conserve land, water and energy.

One of the goals of TogetherGreen is to foster diverse leaders and serve communities who have not previously been engaged in conservation activities.

The first year of TogetherGreen Fellowship projects include mentoring youth in Los Angeles Latino neighborhoods; an urban forestry program for African Americans in Gainesville, Florida; and a conflict management workshop in conservation networks in Appalachia.

Other projects range from helping urban students save energy by installing solar panels in their school to mobilizing rural ranchers to protect water quality. Along the way, the TogetherGreen Fellows will develop new and expanded abilities to forge conservation progress in the future.

The efforts of the Fellows will aid people and wildlife around 39 cities in 24 different states. A list and short bio of each Fellow, including their projects, can be found by visiting: http://www.togethergreen.org/fellows.

It really is up to us to secure our environmental future, and we are so lucky to have these Fellows as our role models. I wholeheartedly encourage each and everyone one of you, learn more about these individuals and find out ways in which you can get involved in your state.

Has anyone already attended a TogetherGreen volunteer day? Let us know how it went.

- Julie Hurvitz

Without any fanfare it’s no longer global warming, well not as often anyway, but climate change. No matter. Real estate assets in California are said to be at risk to extreme weather events, sea level rise, wild fires and such, to the tune of $2.5 trillion.

A group of researchers in UC Berkeley are the first to quantify the costs of the globe’s warming. The final number depends on whether the nation commits to slashing greenhouse gas emissions says the report. How the whole nation will affect California, the report doesn’t say, but mentions that “Our report makes clear the most expensive thing we can do about climate change is nothing.”

The group is now “busy planning a comprehensive ‘Climate Adaptation Strategy’ to commit the state to concrete prevention measures, according to the paper.” Six task forces will be formed, biodiversity and habitat, infrastructure, oceans and coastal resources, public health, water, forestry and agriculture, and each will have an adaptation strategy.

California’s goal is to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 15% from today’s levels. And, they want me to pay for it. My bet is when they find out what doesn’t work, these fellows will leave the state and let those of us who remain foot the bill. Save the Puffins!

Image courtesy of Kevin