More Clean Energy - Solar and Wind, Leave Tar Sands in The Ground and No Tar Sands Pipelines

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber

Anyone who has read much of what I have written publicly has come across my writings about my Love of Nature and my concern about this planet, Earth, which is the foundation of writing this blog post.

I am really, really, really concerned about the development of the Tar Sands Oil in Canada and I have been reading about it on and off for years ... and with recent events I went back to reading about it - including some Science articles, all of which I will link to at the end.

Personally, after reading multiple articles from the NRDC to Scientific American to the National  Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicines - and information concerning the Ogallala Acquifer - I am firmly and irrevocably opposed to such pipelines as the Keystone XL (Tar Sands) and the Dakota Access (Fracked Oil).

I am on the email list for 350.org - and I would like to  quote from an email I got from Duncan Meisel  at 350.org on Jan. 25th, 2017 (along with a lot of other people on their email list), because of the truths in it, which I think everyone should know!

Quote:

Here's what you need to know about Trump's actions on Tuesday:

• He did *not* approve Keystone XL or Dakota Access. He briefly succeeded in confusing a lot of people on this point (including me, I will admit).

• On Dakota Access, he told the Army Corps of Engineers that the pipeline is in our "national interest" and told them to "consider" revoking the environmental review placed on it by the Obama Administration.

• On Keystone XL, he invited TransCanada to re-apply and if they do, mandated a final decision on the pipeline within 60 days and waived input from environmental agencies.

• And when TransCanada does re-apply, they no longer have permits in Nebraska, and their permits in South Dakota are being challenged.

• Trump also placed conditions on approval of the pipelines -- like limiting oil exports, and determining where the steel comes from -- that the oil companies might not accept.

I also think people should speak up, which is why I am writing this blog post.

I also, based on years of experiences, am firmly aware that there will be differences between people.

I am actually opposed not only to the "Tar Sands Pipelines" - you see, based on the facts I have read about the Extraction of Tar Sands and the Risks of doing it including, it looks like to me, huge destruction to an Ecologically Significant Boreal Forest Ecosystem in Canada - as well as disruption of critical carbon reservoirs and release of all kinds of greenhouse emissions in developing oil from the tar sands -- I think, in terms of  both short term and long term evaluation, it would be much better to just leave the Tar Sands in the forest!!!  

( Reference:  Page 5 of  https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/tarsandssafetyrisks.pdf  )

And I read several different references concerning the Risks of Tar Sands Pipeline and their leaking, which is very likely apparently as every one built and put into service to this date seems to have leaks and accidents in excess of what the company running them estimates.

I am familiar with the Kalamazoo River area in Michigan where the 2010 Tar Sands Oil Spill occurred - and was horrified about it.

How many Tar Sands Oil Spills, which are poisonous, can we endure???

Also - both the Keystone XL Pipeline and Dakota Access Pipeline go through areas over the Ogallala Acquifer - a huge source of water for our USA High Plains - and even though there are differing opinions on how Oil Pipeline leaks might get into and pollute the Ogallala Acquifer and how much of it would be affected - I sincerely doubt we should take the risk.  Remember ---

"Once depleted, the aquifer will take over 6,000 years to replenish naturally through rainfall" --- Quote from:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogallala_Aquifer 

So -- lets encourage growth of Solar and Wind as Energy Sources.

Lets leave the Tar Sands in Canada in the ground and stop destruction to Canada's Boreal Forest -- and no more Tar Sands Pipelines - especially like the Keystone XL - or Fracked Oil Pipelines like the Dakota Access - running through the Heartland of the USA.

References:

NoKXL NoDAPL Pipeline Pledge - Join the Pledge of Resistance:

http://act.350.org/sign/nokxl-nodapl-pipeline-pledge

Tar Sands Pipelines Safety Risks:
https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/tarsandssafetyrisks.pdf

NRDC Report:  Keystone XL Pipeline more of an economic liability than benefit:

https://www.nrdc.org/experts/danielle-droitsch/report-keystone-xl-tar-sands-pipeline-more-economic-liability-benefit

Scientific American - How Much Will Tar Sands Oil Add To Global Warming:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/tar-sands-and-keystone-xl-pipeline-impact-on-global-warming/

Scientific American - The Ogallala Acquifer: Saving a Vital U.S. Water Source:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-ogallala-aquifer/

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicines Project Pipeline Transportation of Diluted Bitumen:

http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/projectview.aspx?key=49461

Wikipedia - The Ogallala Acquifer:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogallala_Aquifer

Our Conscience - We ALL Must ACT to Achieve a Safe Level of CO2 on our Earth

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber

GLOBAL WARMING, CLIMATE CHANGE, HUMAN-CAUSED, NATURAL -- these are all words in this major discussion about this Condition we have on our Planet.

The Truth must be based on verifiable Scientific Data -- and I have read some of these facts.  It comes down to the measurable level of CO2 on the Planet -- and the level that we need of that CO2 for the environment that our Human Civilization developed in - and is adapted to -- and that has been determined as stated over 2 decades ago by a USA NASA Scientist, Jim Hansen, as quoted below from:  http://350.org/about/science .

"If humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate evidence and ongoing climate change suggest that CO₂ will need to be reduced from its current 385 ppm to at most 350 ppm."
That will be a hard task, but not impossible. We need to stop taking carbon out of the ground and putting it into the air. Above all, that means we need to stop burning so much coal—and start using solar and wind energy and other such sources of renewable energy –while ensuring the Global South a fair chance to develop. If we do, then the earth’s soils and forests will slowly cycle some of that extra carbon out of the atmosphere, and eventually CO₂ concentrations will return to a safe level. By decreasing use of other fossil fuels, and improving agricultural and forestry practices around the world, scientists believe we could get back below 350 by mid-century. But the longer we remain in the danger zone—above 350—the more likely that we will see disastrous and irreversible climate impacts."

Folks -- that is reality, and he said that over 2 decades ago -- now the current level is stated to be 392 ppm, as is stated on the 350.org website.

Today - Many, many people are marching in Washington, D.C. -- and gathering in other cities across the country -- to show the President (and hopefully Congress) the widespread support from the PEOPLE for actually changing how Life is lived from the Individual level to the highest levels of Government and Manufacturing, so that we can take responsibility for getting back to a level of CO2 on the Planet that is LIVABLE for our Civilization.

But it is a Matter of Ethics - A Matter of our Conscience - in how each one of us Lives our Lives and Works.

Now, it has gotten to the point that we must stand up to the business people who do not seem to realize that business projects they want to do are not healthy for us, the planet -- our "web of life" as we know it on Earth.  (Keystone XL Pipeline - as mentioned in the video above - and the Pebble Mine)

It will take Action - by our President and our Congressional Representatives to set and enforce standards so our life on Earth continues - and by Individuals.  It has become POLITICAL - but it is really HUMANITARIAN!

As stated on 350.org, it means "...transforming our world" (from http://350.org/en/understanding-350#2) :

"How do we actually reduce carbon emissions to get to 350?

     

"Make no mistake—getting back to 350 means transforming our world. It means building solar arrays instead of coal plants, it means planting trees instead of clear-cutting rainforests, it means increasing efficiency and decreasing our waste. Getting to 350 means developing a thousand different solutions—all of which will become much easier if we have a global treaty grounded in the latest science and built around the principles of equity and justice. To get this kind of treaty, we need a movement of people who care enough about our shared global future to get involved and make their voices heard."

So, tho I ask President Obama to take Action - to do what he needs to do as the Leader of the USA - to get the standards set to levels that will result in that transformation - I also ask every single individual to Act on Their Conscience.

We Can - I am sure - and live decent lives.  We need to Understand - Study, Ask Questions, get Educated - see what each of us can do each and every day!!

Note:  I have written about the Issue of "Global Warming" and "Climate Change" here on my blog - click on those links to see the list of my blog posts including about Managing Forests for Climate Change.

Also here are three more links to articles I found written on possibilities from "Climate Change" - including the discussion of what "Climate Change" - not Climate Variability - is.

NASA's HANSEN:  "If We Stay on With Business as Usual, the Southern U.S. Will Become Almost Uninhabitable."

Climate Variability and Climate Change: The New Climate Dice

What Climate Change Will Mean For the California Desert

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Writing Letters to Save the Tongass National [Rain] Forest -- Again!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE
 -- and in the SHOPPING MALL by PAYVMENT on FACEBOOK



It seems like it has been going on forever - the ecological riches of Alaska - those who want to "plunder" them for short-term economic gain -- and those who are forever fighting to Save them because of their Global Ecological significance!



Though I had heard about it before, it was when I acquired the book by Robert Glenn Ketchum, "THE TONGASS ALASKA'S VANISHING RAINFOREST" (copyright 1987) in 1988 that I saw the riches of that forest in his photographs and read about his on-the ground adventures there.  Though I have never been there, this book brought me closer to what is really there.

MY PHOTO OF MY COPY OF ROBERT GLENN KETCHUM'S BOOK ON THE TONGASS

Here are two Quotes From "The Refuge of the Rain Forest" in "THE TONGASS ALASKA'S VANISHING RAINFOREST" by Robert Glenn Ketchum with Carey D. Ketchum:

"As we flew over the monumental landscape in a tiny bush plane, the greenness of the world below commanded all out attention.  Green of a richness unlike any shade of this color you have ever known.  Green of more varieties and nuances than you can imagine.  Green in every crack in every wall. Green covering the floors of the valley.  Green
even in the milky waters flowing out of the glaciers.  And everywhere that it is green, life abounds."

"Old-growth temperate rainforest once dominated the West Coast from Northern California to Kodiak Island in Alaska.  Remnants of old growth, such as the Hohn Rain Forest on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state, are scattered along the Pacific Coast.  But, beautiful as they are, they are only remnants.  The Tongass is a world
unto itself, and for centuries it has remained virtually undisturbed.  Now a forest that has achieved full maturity, it has reached a steady state, encompassing trees of all ages, dominated by old monarchs of large size.  Beneath their canopy, younger trees grow toward the light, ready to replace any of the giants that might succumb to wind, rot, insects, or disease.  In the understory, herbs, shrubs, and vines grow in profusion.  Old trees that die and fall open windows to the sky that are filled by the most vigorous younger trees.  Lichens and moss grow everywhere on the forest floor as well as in the canopy.  The decaying trunks of trees that have fallen become "nurse" logs, simultaneously decomposing into soil and serving as seedbeds for new growth.  Biologists refer to this as a forest of uneven age, and consider it to be the most productive and diverse."

I don't know how to communicate to the readers the vast Ecological Value of this National [Rain] Forest - except by sharing with you photos and what others have written and said about it.

 -- Here is a video from Audobon Alaska -- it says and shows the key points on protecting this Global Treasure!!                                                               

In a recent response to the recent attempts of a corporation, Sealaska Corporation, to acquire 65,000 acres of the Tongass National Forest for them to commercially log - including clear-cutting Old Growth trees - for their corporate short-term gain - apparently with no consideration for the Ecological Values of this land or with any 
attempt at conserving these Globally significant values - 300 scientists (listed in the document) wrote this "An Open Letter from Over 300 Scientists on Protecting the Tongass National Forest", which is embedded at the end of this post!



For me it is all pretty much covered in this statement in this Letter, which has a number of Footnotes referencing research and statements from prominent scientists in Forestry Resources and Research:

"When rainforests are logged, much of their stored carbon is released as a greenhouse gas pollutant during site preparation, manufacture, and transport of wood products, which in the case of the Tongass, involves long distances to the Pacific Rim. These losses are not made up by storing carbon temporarily in wood products or by  planting trees, as the on-site reduction in carbon storage from logging takes at least 200 years to return to about the same amount of stored carbon in the uncut old-growth forest."

The reference (5) for this statement in the letter is:
5Harmon ME, Ferrell WK, Franklin JF. 1990. Effects on carbon storage of conversion of old-growth forests to young forests. Science 247:699–702. -- 



 -- including a Forestry Scientist who I have known of for years - and who I have heard speak -- and even emailed with some:  Dr. Jerry F. Franklin -- so I personally feel I can trust this data!!



200 years at least to attempt to restore the same amount of stored carbon that would be released if this Old Growth in the Tongass National Forest is logged???? 


-- And I am afraid that I am not sure of any guarantees of that restoration happening it in that time - with current conditions and Climate Change, we may never be able to have this same Old Growth that they want to remove - again!!  I heard this being discussed by scientists at a Science Workshop in 1999 put on by the Sierra Nevada Framework of the US Forest Service.



We don't have the 200 years on Earth, anyway, I am afraid -- We simply cannot afford to allow such logging in the Tongass National Forest.


How much more do you want to read to be convinced??



I am writing my Senators and the President in this case -- it is said that even if they already agree with you, they need to receive comments to support and back their positions on these things -- so write I will!!




Do you want to?? -- You can!! -- Comments on public lands are allowed - and even welcomed by some - in the United States of America!!


For further Scientific and Agricultural reading -- you might want to check these papers online:

1. HOW MUCH WILL FEEDING MORE AND WEALTHIER PEOPLE ENCROACH ON FORESTS by Paul E. Waggoner and Jessie H. Ausubel
2. LIGHTENING THE TREAD OF POPULATION ON THE LAND by Paul E. Waggoner, Jessie H. Ausubel and Iddo K. Werrick
3. Higher density means world forests are capturing more carbon
4. Searching for Leverage to Conserve Forests:The Industrial Ecology of Wood Products in the United States

An Open Letter from Over 300 Scientists on Protecting the Tongass National Forest

Giant Sequoia National Monument Management Plan - 2010 Comment Period on Draft Management Plan (and DEIS)

Ruth Sandra Sperling

I have blogged about this before -- but now after years of scientific review and writing and legal court actions -- we have a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and Draft Management Plan for the Giant Sequoia National Monument established by President Bill Clinton's Presidential Proclamation on April 15, 2000!!

Well, it has taken a while (over 10 years), but hopefully we have one will which will really serve the purpose of the Presidential Proclamation.

They are having Public Meetings during the comment period -- to present the DEIS and Draft Management Plan and explain it to the Public, as given on the Sequoia National Forest website for the Giant Sequoia National Mounment Management Plan.

This is all part of the Public Process -- done per "NEPA" (National Environmental Policy Act - defined in Wikipedia here and you can find more information on NEPA here).

These are Public lands -- and the Public have a right to make comments on the management of these lands!!

And, as I look at it, this may be one of the most important Forest Public DEIS's and Comment Periods in the United States!! After all, as stated on the Conservation International website on Biodiversity Hotpsots, the Giant Sequoias are in one Biodiversity Hotspot, the California Floristic Province - and the Giant Sequoias are "the planet's largest living organism" -- and their ecosystem is Globally Significant for Biodiversity -- and certainly one of the most significant for Carbon Storage!!!!

Tonight the first Public Meeting for this comment period was held in Porterville, CA, where the headquarters for the Sequoia National Forest (including the Giant Sequoia National Monument) are.

There are 5 more scheduled - including one in San Francisco and two in the County of Los Angeles:

•Saturday, September 18, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., at the Doubletree Hotel in Bakersfield.
•Tuesday, September 21, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn in Clovis.
•Wednesday, September 22, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco.
•Wednesday, October 6, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency in Valencia.
•Thursday, October 7, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the Hilton in Pasadena

And there is another meeting of the Science Review Panel at the Visalia Convention Center in Visalia, CA on the evening of Tuesday, October 12, 2010, 5 PM until 8 PM. (I plan to attend this one.)

All in plenty of time to get the data -- and make your own comments before the Comment Periods closes on November 3, 2010!!!

I have been going to Public Meetings on the Giant Sequoia National Monument - from the forums for its establishment in March 2000 through all kinds of meetings, including the meetings of the Scientific Advisory Board 2001 through 2003, where they discussed the development of the Management Plan and created their Advisories, which are being used in the development of the Management Plan.

I have learned a phenomenal amount!! Though I have my own ideas of the protection of the Giant Sequoia ecosystem (have the whole ecosystem in the National Park Service, but that is outside this public comment period for the Giant Sequoia National Monument Management Plan, as putting it in the National Park Service is an act of Congress [not a National Forest Service proceeding] - see my earlier posts here on my blog!! I wrote my California Representatives about putting the Giant Sequoia National Monument in the National Park Service and combining it with Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park years ago!), going to these meetings is very educational about what is going on now -- and there is scientific data available on the care and restoration of the Giant Sequoias in the Giant Sequoia National Monument.

I have seen these beautiful Giants many times -- I am a tree-lover, for sure, -- and, whatever happens, this is an important issue for me and I am Reading, Listening -- and then Writing Comments!!!

What do you want to do????

A New Year's Resolution -- to Support Activities That Can Help Slow Global Warming

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items In Fibers



Global Warming -- one of the Hottest subjects around these days!!

To start off and establish my stand on this issue, I would like to quote Louis Blumberg of The Nature Conservancy California Office, who works in Forestry and Climate Change for them, from the article, "The Carbon Equation, Can Forests Save Us From Climate Change?" by Jane Braxton Little in the Winter 2009 edition of Nature Conservancy Magazine:

"Nature is our greatest ally in the fight against climate change."

Why quote him? Because that is totally how I feel and I feel that is the only realistic solution to what I call "un-natural Global Warming".

I am not always sure that people understand it overall. Some do and some don't. Climate Change to some degree happens naturally and geologically all the time on our planet. Geologically there are warming periods and cooling periods. If you read scientific journals and about Geology and about Paleontology, you will see discussions about it and varying opinions. Historically on Earth, there is documented information about warming periods and cooling periods in past centuries and eras -- and what happened as a result of these warming and cooling periods.

To some extent, some scientists are trying to make predictions based on historical occurrences on the planet -- and based on scientific documentation of evidence of Global Warming now -- such as glaciers and ice sheets melting.

The huge question seems to be -- how much of this Global Warming is natural, since the planet is in a geological warming period anyway? And how much of it can we do anything about to slow Global Warming and protect our own human habitat?

As an environmentalist, forests are some of my favorite places to go and get protected and therefore study, so I will focus on this.

Being in a warming period is significant to forestry scientists as it affects the species in the forests -- and the health of certain species in the forests and their growth -- and possibly significant changes in the makeup of a forest ecosystem - whether it is natural warming and/or the result of human-caused warming.

Various human actions on the planet affect Global Warming by increasing carbon emissions into the atmosphere -- various activites directly related to the industrial age for sure increase carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

But one of the human activites that has resulted in a high percentage of carbon emissions is that of Deforestation and Forest Degradation -- and that we can do something about. And this is the main point of this blog article.

Just looking at the fact of how much forest has been cut down over this planet in the last few centuries boggles the mind - at least mine. Looking at facts like part(s) of the Sahara Desert use to be forest that was cut down centuries ago (I don't know exactly what parts geographically) - this deforestation has been going on a long time -- and all the forests that have been and still are being cut down for building cities, towns, agricultural sites -- it looks to me like only a fraction of the original forest on our planet is left. And much did not come down naturally. As trees provide the natural benefits of holding water in the soils/lands, shading and keeping the lands cooler -- as well as storing carbon, it is obvious to me that cutting down huge areas of forest over the planet has contributed to Global Warming and that is human-caused!!

Therefore, we need to look at what we can do about it.

One of the Forestry scientists that I admire and respect for his perspective on forest, forest health and ecological integrity and forest restoration is Dr. Jerry F. Franklin, a Professor in Forest Resources at the University of Washington in the State of Washington.

I first became acquainted with his work in forestry when I became involved with the Sierra Nevada Forest Protection Campaign and their Conservation Strategy for the Management of the Sierra Nevada National Forests; this Conservation Strategy is based on the Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project (SNEP - http://ceres.ca.gov/snep/), which was commissioned by the United States Congress -- and Dr. Jerry F. Franklin is one of the SNEP authors. He also was one of the speakers at the Sierra Nevada Old Forests Public Science Workshop put on by the Sierra Nevada Framework for Conservation and Collaboration, Pacific Southwest Region and Research of the USDA Forest Service on August 24-25, 1999 at UC Davis -- which I attended.

Earlier this year, I emailed Dr. Jerry F. Franklin particularly about his opinion regarding the role of forests in dealing with Global Warming -- and I got his permission to quote him:

"Ruth: Actually we have a much greater percentage of the forest remaining on the
planet than 4% although I cannot tell you the exact percentage. Certainly the
forests do help cool things but, preversely, they may also help warm the planet
as well, due to the fact that they have such a low albedo -- i.e., they retain
most of the energy that they absorb from the sun. It really is very complicated
and I don't think that we have it all figured out yet. Certainly, we should not
be cutting down any of our remaining old-growth forests in the moist temperate
regions and in dry forest regions, like much of the Sierras, we should be
retaining all of the old trees and trying to grow more big old trees, as well,
since they are likely to be more resistent to both wildfire and climate change.

Planting trees is certainly a good thing to be doing and they certainly
can modify the environments in places that we live as well as help modify carbon
balances and climate throughout the globe. Fundamentally a good thing to do. On
the other hand, it is very important to do some active forest restoration in the
Sierra Nevada because many of the forests in your area are simply too dense for
their own good. Any restoration should retain the old trees and, even more,
enhance their potentiall for survival by removing fuels and competing vegetation
around the existing old trees. There is a very good recent PSW Research Station
General Technical Report by Malcolm North and others that has some very good
recommendations for restoring the mixed-conifer forests in the Sierra Nevada.
Jerry"

I noted here in his statement that not only planting trees is important, but proper management of the forests -- to not be too dense and to "enhance their potential for survival by removing fuels and competing vegetation around the existing old trees" -- this is something I learned about when listening to forestry scientists talk about "protecting Old Growth", which also means encouraging "Old Growth characterisitics", which in many cases will require the removal of smaller, undergrowth trees and the competing vegetation (as Dr. Jerry F. Franklin states) to allow the larger trees to grow even larger -- as well as not removing the Old Growth, which is the popular environmental stand! It is faster-growing trees with large canopies that will naturally store carbon through the natural process of Photosynthesis.

There are various projects and studies going on -- and with the advent of the California Climate Action Registry (CCAR) and California Assembly Bill 32, it looks like carbon offset programs by protecting and managing private forests for "forest carbon offset credits" may result in more.

One such forest project being managed is in fact a forest restoration project which The Nature Conservancy got involved with as a partner by paying for a Conservation Easement on a working forest prohibiting future development and managing this forest for restoration and carbon-sequestering potential. It is presently a relaitvely young Northern California Coastal Redwood forest that has been commercially logged again and again in the past by timber companies - but the fast-growing young trees in this Coastal Redwood forest have a huge potential for storing carbon as they grow per scientific analysis -- and this is proving to be a successful source of forest carbon credits. It is the "Garcia River Forest Project" -- my information is from The Nature Conservancy article quoted at the beginning of this blog post, which is online at http://www.nature.org/magazine/winter2009/features/index.html -- and from The Nature Conservancy website: http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/work/art23798.html .

One solution -- support Forestry Projects such as this to slow Global Warming!!

Another Solution from The Nature Conservancy -- Plant A Billion Trees in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil: http://www.plantabillion.org/ (the widget for this is on the left here on my blog!!)

Another solution, this one from Conservation International -- support the Actions being taken by Conservation International to Stabilize Climate through their programs for "Protecting forests and other ecosystems as a solution to climate change" as given at http://www.conservation.org/learn/climate/Pages/overview.aspx :

1. Saving Forests http://www.conservation.org/forests
2. High Forest Cover, Low Deforestation (HFLD) http://www.conservation.org/learn/climate/pages/climate_change_hfld.aspx
3. Reducing Emissions From Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) http://www.conservation.org/learn/climate/pages/climate_redd.aspx

TAKE ACTION BY PROTECTING AN ACRE OF FOREST THROUGH CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL FOR $15 http://www.conservation.org/protectanacre

Also, one of my favorite solutions to suggest to people to help with reducing some carbon emissions in their everyday lives -- is to buy and do Handmade!! There are so many ways to do this!!

Handmade causes much lower, if any, carbon emissions.

My Handmade crocheted and knitted items (for sale at http://rssdesignsinfiber.etsy.com/ ), made by either natural light or various forms of energy-saving flourescent lighting, certainly results in less carbon emissions than the similar items that are mass-produced on machines which generate lots of carbon emissions. There are many places where you can buy Handmade online - I am on http://www.etsy.com/, which is a website for Sellers and Buyers of Handmade, Vintage and Supplies for Handmade.

Also -- I encourage Local Harvest and getting foods locally as much as possible as that is part of a "low carbon" life, also!!

Resolutions can be a good thing -- they are postulates for what you choose to do in your life -- New Year has been a popular time of the year to make them, though I personally believe you should not limit yourself to just then to make Resolutions for living a better life!!

And I can't think of a better New Year's Resolution than to find ways to live your life and support activities that can help SLOW Global Warming!!

Human Adaptation - A Necessity in a World with Climate Changing

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber



Again, one of my favorite environmental groups, The Nature Conservancy, tackles a subject on their blog that is just not the most favorite we like to hear.

But unfortunately, it is a reality we must face -- and we must prepare for.

Climate Change is a reality -- with or without the Human Impacts that are affecting it. Geologically, if you study the history of Earth, you will find information about the different Climate Changes it has gone through -- for instance, a clear case is that the Climate on Earth was quite different during the era of the Dinosaurs - and when they went extinct.

Various scientists and various organizations have gone into what is going on now -- and they are trying to predict what will happen.

For example, just yesterday I read an article online on sustainablog.org about a Climate Report and it had maps showing two different scenarios and the temperatures around the USA in the two scenarios: Lower Emissions Scenario and Higher Emissions Scenario predictions for the years 2080-2099. Take a look here. Very, very interesting analysis. With the Lower Emissions Scenario they predict Lower Temperatures in this article!!

There are studies that have been mentioned in online articles about Climate Change, Global Warming, Mass Extinction -- and what extinctions may happen by 2050 -- as I read in this article from 2004: "Study sees mass extinctions via warmings". Here are a few quotes from this article that you can go to and read yourself.

"The sweeping new analysis, enlisting scientists from 14 laboratories
around the globe, found that more than one-third of 1,103 native species they
studied in six regions around the world could vanish or plunge to near
extinction by 2050 as climate change turns plains into deserts or alters
forests. It did not examine marine species."

"The researchers concede there are many uncertainties in both climate
forecasts and the computer models they used to forecast future extinctions. But
they said their dire conclusions may well come to pass if industrial nations do
not curtail emissions of greenhouse gases that trap heat in the
atmosphere."

"Depending on the temperature increase, the researchers found that 15 to 37
percent of the studied species will either go extinct or be on the road to
extinction by 2050."

It is hard to know exactly what to believe and the scientists themselves are not sure about the forecasts, but scientists who have studied previous mass extinctions on Earth have stated that it looks like Climate Change was part of it, if not the main cause.

Search the Internet yourself: Global Warming, Climate Change, Mass Extinction -- and see what you come up with!!

What I get out of all of this is 2 factual situations that we need to accept:

1. That Global Warming/Climate Change is occurring -- naturally.
2. That the greenhouse emissions from industrial nations may be causing Earth's naturally occurring warming trend to warm up the Earth faster.

And that this is all causing us biodiversity and extinction problems Globally!!

However we look at it -- Human Adaptation to Global Warming is something we must deal with -- and read this blog article from The Nature Conservancy: "Human Adaptation Is the Key to Conservation in a Changing Climate". It is something we must deal with and plan for in our lives.


Ruth

A Video on a Campaign to Protect Forests from Conservation International - done by Harrison Ford

I've been writing here on my blog about forests and biodiversity and climate change.

Here is a short video from Harrison Ford about the very subject and a realistic program where you can help as part of Conservation International's strategy to "...prevent further loss of the species, ecosystems, and ecological processes that comprise the Earth's biological wealth." (from a Conservation International map of Global Biodiversity Hotspots).

Harrison Ford asks the right question.

It is my question, too.

And if you would rather watch the video on YouTube, here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVBw66t8a9Q


Ruth

A Video About Conservation International's Strategy - Biodiversity Hotspots - from Harrison Ford

I've been reading and I've been writing.

I've listened to scientists speak and have read what they wrote -- and written about it here.

It was in the Conservation Strategy of the Sierra Nevada Forest Protection Campaign from 1999 (which I have an original copy of) that I first read about Biodiversity Hotspots. You see, that is because the Sierra Nevada is an identified globally significant Biodiversity Hotspot (inside the California Floristic Province Biodiversity Hostspot).

With a little bit of research, I found out about Conservation International and their books.

But here in this video are pictures from our planet and the voice of the author of the Foreword for the book, "HOTSPOTS: Earth's Biologically Richest and Most Endangered Terrestrial Ecoregions", Harrison Ford.

So, I will let him say it -- his way.

You could always get the book and read it!!

And if you would rather watch the video on YouTube, here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPqMYXBm3mE

You know, if we really do it, we might just literally keep this planet and atmosphere livable longer!!


Ruth

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY SUPPORTS ADAPTATION FUNDING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

Ruth Sandra Sperling
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I just read an article about something that I think is mandatory and responsible for us to support, because Climate change -- both naturally occurring geologic warming and cooling periods, as well as human-caused global warmings, are facts in this world -- at least from the data I have read.

The article is on the blog of The Nature Conservancy, one of my favorite environmental groups, because they work to protect and save all kinds of ecosystems worldwide in may different biotic provinces -- or ecoregions.

It is about adaptation funding for the climate change strategy of adapting natural and human systems to a changing climate.

Here is the link to the article: http://blog.nature.org/2009/05/traditional-conservation-methods-for-a-new-threat/

It is reality we have to face and a responsibility that we need to take in our world.

Climate change happens and we need to adapt the way we live so that we can survive as well as we can.

I have seen pictures and reports of the melting of ice/glaciers in the Arctic and Antarctic --it is happening. Face it and take responsibility.


Ruth

UNTOUCHED OLD GROWTH FORESTS - THEIR BENEFIT TO PLANET HEALTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Ruth Sandra Sperling
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There has been quite a bit of discussion about Climate Change or Global Warming for some years now.

I have always been concerned about the Forests on the Planet - and the Forest Canopy - and the Forest Biodiversity -- and have been very worried for years about the land being hotter and drier because the Forests and their canopies, which keep the land cooler, have been reduced so much by logging.

Here are two articles from Ecological Internet covering the issue of untouched Old Growth Forests storing more carbon dioxide than logged forests.

1. August 4, 2008 http://forests.org/blog/2008/08/untouched-natural-forests-stor.asp

2. March 11, 2009 http://www.rainforestportal.org/issues/2009/03/keeping_old_forests_intact_and.asp

The information in both Internet articles are based on scientific research.

I recommend reading them.

Of course, I remember reading the essay by Aldo Leopold, "The Last Stand" which discusses also that "slashed" (another word for clearcut) forests do not grow trees as healthy as un-slashed forests -- and he is basing this on data from a forested area in Europe, where part of it was slashed several hundred years ago and part of it wasn't -- and comparing the tree growth in both areas.

Aldo Leopold points out that it is the biotic province of the soil, which is a source of nutrients for growing trees, that is negatively impacted by the logging/slashing/clearcutting.

(You can contact the Aldo Leopold Fundation, http://www.aldoleopold.org/, for a copy of this essay.)

The whole situation worries me no end.

You can restore wild forests, but scientists repeatedly say that they never grow the same as the original Old Growth did -- at least not in our lifetimes as we know it -- even with restoration.

And now the research data about how important untouched Old Growth forests are in terms of carbon sequestration.

It all comes down to overall planet health.

We all need to be aware of what is occurring on our planet and do what we can to contribute to changing how things are handled.

As I have covered in previous posts on Forests here on my blog, http://rssdesignsinfiber.blogspot.com/search/label/forests , we need to totally stop the logging of any Old Growth.

Keeping these untouched Old Growth forests around the world in their natural state and unfragmented may be one of the best things we can do overall, planet-wise.

I know there are those concerned with Fire Hazard, especially because of the situation with the increasing Human population which tends to spread to forested areas. But cleaning up the underbrush and understory by hand, and not with mechanical equipment, like native peoples and aborigines have for centuries, is the solution to Fire Hazard in these untouched Old Growth forests -- much Old Growth trees are naturally fire-resistant and can withstand low intensity, natural fires - or the low-intensity prescribed fires done to mimic the natural fires.

No more logging of Old Growth.


Ruth

PLANTING TREES -- GIVING THE GIFT OF LIFE IN A TREE

Ruth Sandra Sperling
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Anyone who has read my blog knows that I love trees!!



So, it is quite logical that I would want to tell you about GIVING A GIFT OF LIFE WITH A GIFT OF A TREE PLANTING!!



I have lived in Southern California for about 28 years now - and there is a group here in Los Angeles that is all about planting trees - TreePeople!



They have various programs in the city of Los Angeles and somewhat beyond in the county of Los Angeles and even further beyond in forests of Southern California.



You can donate money for planting of trees in a variety of programs -- or you can donate your time and volunteer and even help with the planting of trees!!



They are truly a major contributor to the Greening of Los Angeles!!



BEYOND LOS ANGELES --



I was looking for a way for people to have trees planted in other places than Los Angeles and I finally found one - Trees Instead!



You can have trees planted in any US State, Canada, Israel and the Amazon through them!!



Also, for a variety of different events or occasions!!



I can't think of a greater gift of hope or life than planting a tree!!



A tree does so many things that are good for our environment and us:

- clean the air

- clean the water

- holding soil in place


- giving shade which keeps us and the land cooler and moister

- and of course they take in the carbon we so carelessly produce with a myriad of human activities and produce the oxygen we need for breathing!!



What a beautiful balancing act of nature!!



GIVE LIFE -- GIVE A TREE!!

GREEN GIFT GIVING - HOW TO GIVE RENEWABLE ENERGY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
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Just found out about a website where you can get a gift of renewable energy.

Read about it here: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/11/how-to-stuff-a-stocking-with-renewable-energy.php

You can give a "Powered Green Wind Energy Sponsorship" here: http://www.poweredgreen.com/

On their website, see how you can Green Your Laptop! http://www.poweredgreen.com/learn/e-waste-and-recycling/

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THAT MEANINGFUL GIFT FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING - THIS MAY BE IT!


Ruth

e2, The Economies of Being Environmentally Conscious - a Show on PBS -- California Laws Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Ruth Sandra Sperling
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Television is not my favorite thing -- especially the regular networks.

So, last night, avoiding all the typical shows around Halloween, I ended up watching PBS on KCET from Los Angeles.

I just sort of stumbled on this show - it came on after something else I had watched.

I was so glad to hear what was said -- it was one of a series of programs on PBS, "e2 is an ongoing PBS series about the economies of being environmentally conscious with a combination of policy, technology and ingenuity, from energy consumption to building efficiency. It chronicles global efforts to solve pressing ecological challenges." http://www.pbs.org/e2/

This particular show was about California's bills that have passed the legislature and been signed which set standards for greenhouse gas emissions -- both with some vehicles and in industry -- by certain dates.

According to one of the experts on the show, the standards set should put California's level of greenhouse gas emissions down to the levels of 1990 - 18 years ago.

Of course, this means enforcing the standards.

What I also liked hearing was that per the legislation on industry standards, industries cannot import dirty energy -- such as that from burning coal -- from other states.

I felt like jumping for joy!!

Maybe we can do something on a massive level to keep this planet living!!

California is apparently leading the way in the USA in climate change laws -- with some states following our example.

Of course, I would like to see it at the Federal level, but I am glad to be living in a state that is doing something about how human impact causes climate change/global warming!

Something keeps running through my mind -- many of the larger buses in Los Angeles run on Natural Gas because it is considered Clean Energy -- I was in a cab in Los Angeles last Monday that was "Natural Gas Only". The taxi cab driver told me that in many asian/eastern countries, a large percentage of the cars run on Natural Gas.

In the United States, can you buy commercial cars that run on Natural Gas and are there places where you can buy Natural Gas for private vehicles?

I don't drive a car now for medical reasons, but I think this would be something to look into. Many of the Hybrids that you can buy commercially have really good mileage, but still use gas from oil which causes greenhouse emissions.

Car manufacturers who make cars for gas from oil keep pushing on needing oil and are warning that some standards are going to make it difficult to have the popluar SUV's meet the standards. But, logically, I can't help but wonder because if large buses can run on Natural Gas, why can't a SUV??????

We are going to need to change the way we think -- and the manufacturers are going to have to re-think some things. I am aware that changing how you manufacture a vehicle will mean possibly difficult changes in the factories that will cost money, but we need to weigh the "costs" -- the negative impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and a way to have clean energy running our vehicles!!

And, oh, I checked out the sponsor of the PBS show -- http://www.autodesk.com/green -- "Autodesk supports sustainable design awareness and adoption through leadership, design solutions, and sponsorship programs."

Autodesk's Sustainability Initiative:
1. Conduct Our Business Responsibly
2. Optimize the Environmental Impact of Our Operations
3. Make Our Products the Best Available for doing Sustainable Design
4. Amplify Our Impact by Partnering with Leading Innovators

Sustainable Design - including for manufacturers.

At least they are trying to do something!! They are contributing to a green economy!!

It gives me hope!!

Support sustainable living at all levels!!


Ruth

USE WATER FILTERS -- BREAK THE BOTTLED WATER HABIT

Ruth Sandra Sperling
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All of us are concerned about drinking water that is healthy for us.

Drinking water that has toxins and/or chemicals or parasites in it can cause us health problems.

For years, many have thought that the answer was bottled water -- either mountain spring water or distilled water, but this involves the manufacturing and shipment of millions or billions of plastic bottles. This manufacturing and shipping of these bottles, even if they are recycled repeatedly many times, results in carbon emitting activities,which is not good for our environment or us - AND THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES!!

A much better solution, which I find very workable, is to have a water filter on my kitchen sink faucet which filters out much more I believe that the bottled waters have filtered out -- and use a reusable water bottle whenever you go out.

My current reusable water bottle is a metal one with a screw-on top, which I have found works much better than any plastic bottle I have ever had, even the reusable plastic bottles. In the summer, when I had it in my rolling backpack, it kept quite cool and it holds enough of the filtered water so that I always had some when I was thirsty -- and with the screw-on top, it doesn't leak!!!!

And knowing what my own water filter at home filters out, I have the peace of mind knowing that it is quite healthy water.

You see, I have seen the charts published about the bottled waters and I am doubtful that some of them are even healthy -- and may be less healthy than some tap waters, so I always worry about what is really in that bottle of water on the store shelf.

Also, you can find bottles with filters built on them. There is a variety of them on the Internet if you search.

So, I have made the pledge to Break the Bottled Water Habit.

See the badge here on my blog.

Through the website, http://www.newdream.org/marketplace/water.php, you can get a lot of information about reusable water bottles, even some with their own filters -- and they have links to information about water filters for your home.

I would say that drinking healthy water is very important -- don't assume that bottled water is healthy -- get a water filter that you know filters out chemicals and toxins and use your own reusable water bottle -- for your own peace of mind!!!!


Ruth

EARTH DAY IS EVERY DAY #2 - CHANGE YOUR DIET & HELP REDUCE CLIMATE CHANGE

Ruth Sandra Sperling
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Well, this is a new slant on helping to do something about climate change. I had never read much of anything about it until today - and I guess this was a good day to learn something new about how I could help reduce climate change - it is the offical Earth Day, after all!!

Funny thing about it - it coincides with what I do to eat a healthy diet for me (healthy for my body, I mean, not just the planet).

"Low-carb" has an additional meaning these days.

"Low-carb" for years has meant eating a diet with carbohydrate grams of what you eat being below a certain level.

Well, this "low-carb" diet has a new meaning for "carb" - in this meaning "carb" means carbon and a Low Carbon Diet means a diet low or lower in contributing to carbon emissions. When the food production, transportation of the food and disposal of any of the food (and how) is calculated, foods have different carbon levels - there are are low carbon foods, or lower carbon foods and higher carbon foods.

Apparently meat - such as beef - and cheese - and some fish or seafood - are higher carbon foods, while poultry is a lower carbon food than livestock meat - and locally grown vegetables and fruits are really lower carbon foods. Locally grown fruits, vegetable - or locally grown anything - is lower carbon because there will either be no transportation - or very little.

Fruits and vegetable generally are a low carbon food, but those Dutch red peppers from The Netherlands are much higher carbon because of all the transportation from The Netherlands, which causes a lot of carbon emissions. Those Dutch red peppers (the sweet variety that I like so much) and that I have seen in some produce sections look gorgeous and delicious, but both the price and the fact that they came from overseas put me off right away and I wouldn't buy them.

On the other hand, going to the local orchard where you can pick the fruit you want off the tree yourself and put them in your own boxes or bags that you are re-using - and that taste many times better than the same kinds of fruit in the grocery store that came by 18-wheel refrigerator trucks - will really have a lower carbon level, because:

1) locally grown (no carbon emissions from 18-wheel refrigerator trucks!!!!)
2) hand-picked
3) no packaging because you pick it and can put it in your own recyclable, reusable container
4)very little waste because it tastes so delicious and you eat it ALL!!

My home grown fresh herbs are really low carbon - I grow them in my front yard in containers organically and when I want them, I just step outside and cut a few pieces off to put in whatever I am cooking. Locally grown, hand-picked as needed, no packaging and no waste at all!!

Check out this link for a "Low Carbon Diet Pocket Guide" by Bon Appetit Management Company: http://www.circleofresponsibility.com/uploads/documents/low_carbon_diet/8-1740_lcd_pocket_guide-final.pdf.

If you want, use their Low Carbon Diet Calculator at http://www.eatlowcarbon.org/.

Like I said, reading about the Low Carbon Diet - it coincides to some degree with my own personalized diet - lots of fresh vegetables and a moderate amount of fresh fruit - poultry, which is my main animal protein, is definitely preferred over any livestock meat like beef. The only real difference is that a doctor recommended wild alaskan salmon, which I understand is a fairly high carbon emission food because of how it is caught and transported, but I only eat a small amount of that.

So do two things - eat healthier for you and eat more low carbon for the planet.

Every day is really Earth Day!!

To a healthy environment for all of us --

Ruth

Combating Global Warming - Forests/Trees/Plants/Soils

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber

One of my most favorite things in the world is trees and forests of them!!

I guess I was lucky - since I was a little girl growing up, I got to go to forests.

And part of curbing Global Warming - or climate change - is by protecting forests. I want them protected anyway because I love them, but there are many reasons for planet health to protect them. In my own opinion (I am just a public lay-person after all - not a scientist!!), way too much forest has been cut down on this planet over the centuries - and we need to plant them.

One of my favorite environmental groups - Conservation International - has an article about how forests help to curb Global Warming on their website : The Road After Bali (Jan. 2008) - you can click on this link to get to it and read it yourself.

Here is a quote from it:

"Forests are one of the best hopes to curb climate change, and Conservation
International (CI) has been protecting them for decades. The new Bali roadmap
shows the world is catching on.

"At last month’s United Nations convention
in Indonesia, countries agreed to consider a greater role for forests in a
climate treaty that will replace the Kyoto Protocol. Forest mitigation
activities have been sorely underused, and were met with opposition in past
negotiations despite having clear benefits.

"Healthy forests remove massive amounts of CO2 from the air, but when
burnt down or cleared, they spew harmful gases into the air. Tropical
deforestation accounts for 20 percent of global emissions.

" 'The forest component of climate is a great opportunity to
prevent greenhouse gas emissions,' says CI President Russell A. Mittermeier.
'But it’s also a tool for biodiversity conservation at a scale never before
imagined.' "

So -- now we can combine our love of forests just for the love of them with biodiversity conservation (which is of course very logical) and curbing Global Warming - good all around!!

But I just read an article today on the Internet about another project going on in the UK about researching how to manage and design soils which may also help to remove carbon from the atmosphere permanently and cost effectively: "Specially-designed Soils Could Help Combat Climate Change" from the Science Daily dated April 2, 2008 -- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080331110057.htm. (read it!!)

This sounds like a great idea to me - I hope the research projects show that it works!!

And I would like to add one more thing from my favorite philosopher on the environment, Aldo Leopold from the book, "A Sand County Almanac":

"Many forest plantations are producing one-log or two-log trees on soil which
originally grew three-log and four-log trees. Why? Thinking
foresters know that the cause probably lies not in the tree, but in the
micro-flora of the soil and that it may take more years to restore the soil
flora than it took to destroy it."

Yes, folks, if you think our forests look smaller, you are probably observing correctly - partially because of logging and partially because the micro-flora of the soil is not what it used to be, so trees that are growing are growing in smaller -- especially in areas where there has been logging or tree-removal as that negatively impacts the micro-flora of the soil -- so I am a big advocate of soil restoration and planting trees!!!!

And if you would like to know more about Aldo Leopold, who actually did forest restoration in his life, check out his family's foundation website: The Aldo Leopold Foundation - http://www.aldoleopold.org/. There is a lot of information about what Aldo Leopold did, wrote and advocated - and what this family foundation does - I just went there and on the first page is a letter from his daughter, Nina Leopold Bradley, to our presidential candidates. Again - I totally agree with a member of the Leopold family!!

And, oh, by the way - when you visit the Conservation International website, calculate your ecological footprint - I took their test and got a score of 64 - according to them that makes me an "Eco-Ally" which I strive to be every day I live!!

Ruth

GLOBAL WARMING - EVIDENCE OF & SOMETHING YOU CAN DO - EARTH HOUR 2008

One of the things I am worried about in our lives is Global Warming.

I am convinced - and have been for years - that it is going on and that we must take responsibility for our impact on Global Warming.

Today I read an article about an Ice Chunk in Western Antarctica collapsing - apparently scientists say that this is a sign of worsening Global Warming.

There is something going on this coming Saturday, March 29, 2008 that individuals and businesses can participate in - it is called Earth Hour 2008 - it is "...the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming". You can sign up and participate!

I will be doing it this coming Saturday evening between the hours of 8 pm and 9 pm. According to their website at this time, over 200,000 people and over 13,000 business around the world have signed up to participate.

Doing Earth Hour 2008 is a statement and maybe a beginning for some, but there are things you can do every day - I do conservation every day - with water and with electricity - I keep lights turned off in rooms I am not in/using and I have energy saving bulbs in all but a few light fixtures. I keep electric appliances and equipment, such as this computer I am using, turned off totally when it is not being used. Doing this is a part of my daily life. Read about the simple things you can do each day to reduce your impact on climate change on earthhour.org.

The Union of Concerned Scientists, which has a very comprehensive website and sends out newsletters, also has a lot of information about what people can do in their lives based on scientific data. They have a section of their website dedicated to the subject of Global Warming.

This issue of Global Warming is affecting all of us - there are various different ways of keeping informed and reducing your impact on it!

Doing what I can every day makes me feel a little bit better!!

Ruth