What a year for the environment!
As 2007 winds down here’s a look at some of the stories that made their way to Daily Tomorrow this past year…
We Have a Global Consensus, And You Can Help Make a Difference: The United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change in Bali ended on a surprising note as the US stepped up and agreed to the global consensus today. 187 countries meeting in Bali agreed to launch negotiations towards an international climate change deal and finish negotiations by 2009. This will allow a new deal to be enforced by 2013, the end of the first phase of the Kyoto protocol. Four UNFCCC meetings, starting in March or April, are anticipated for next year to implement the “Bali roadmap”. What part will you play?
Genetic Barcodes: A Key to Conservation?: There is a fascinating initiative on genetic testing that may prove a valuable tool in conservation efforts worldwide. The Consortium for the Barcode of Life is identifying DNA barcodes - “a very short genetic sequence from a standard part of the genome the way a supermarket scanner distinguishes products using the black stripes of the Universal Product Code.”
Five Things You Can Do Today to Help the Environment: Each of us can make a difference everyday. Here’s five super easy ways to help the environment.
The Return of the California Condor: Today, thanks to the tireless efforts of those involved with a captive-breeding program, the condor has once again become a free soaring bird over the canyons of the Southwestern US.
The Info You Need on Endocrine Disruptors: Different sources tell different stories on the safety of certain chemicals that are linked to reproductive or endocrine disorders. Some say they’re safe in small doses while others say no way in any amount. Where can you as a consumer turn for information on endocrine disruptors to help you make the right decisions?
The Tallest, Fattest, Largest and Oldest Trees on the Planet: The forests, particularly the Amazon, are the lungs of the planet. They are ever changing with storms, fires, gaps and succession - some caused by humans and others a part of natural processes. Within the world’s diverse flora there are a few members of the tree family that stand out.
Green Building 101: What is LEED?: You might have seen the acronym LEED used in reference to some of the world’s greenest buildings. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a program of guidelines and standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The program is widely accepted as a benchmark for high-performance buildings, buildings that excel in energy-efficiency, resource conservation, sustainable materials and healthy indoor environmental quality.
Healthy People, Healthy Planet: At Work: Taking a look at the connection between healthy people and a healthy planet in your work environment - the place we spend most of our waking hours because a greener workplace is better for both you and the planet.
At Large in an Ocean of Plastic: In 1997, a veteran sailor named Charles Moore was making his way home from the Los Angeles-to-Hawaii Transpacific Yacht Race. Curiosity drew him to a new route across the Pacific and into what is now known as the “Eastern Garbage Patch” - a swirling mass of plastic and debris that is the result of consumption and pollution.
Six Reason Why I Love Surfrider Foundation: From ripping it up in the surf to protecting turtles to a long list of successful initiatives to protect the oceans, Surfrider rocks… and I’m still in love.