Whale poop helps solve climate change problems

How the world responds to man-made climate change involves a very complex, expensive, and politically divisive array of potential solutions and lifestyle adjustments. However, one natural process of which you may have been unaware involves the largest mammals in the world: whales.

As explained in the excellent video below, whales play a primary role in the ecology of the oceans, and, as a result, the world as well. Just like the rest of us, they need to eat to survive, and, well, they need to relieve themselves afterward too.



So why is this important one may ask?

When their waste products are released into the ocean, they provide vital nutrients for algae and plankton growth in the upper reaches of the ocean.  In addition to providing a source of food for ocean fish and animal life, plant plankton also adsorbs CO2 from the atmosphere, thus providing a sink (or removal process) for CO2 emissions as well.

Scientists have estimated that before whaling populations were decimated by decades of hunting, whales were indirectly responsible for removing tens of millions of tons of CO2 from the atmosphere. Therefore, efforts by environmental groups and governments to stop whaling activities will not only lead to a resurgence of whale populations, but also result in more CO2 being removed from the atmosphere.

NAS scientists blast Trump's climate change ignorance

"Human-caused climate change is not a belief, a hoax, or a conspiracy. It is a physical reality. Fossil fuels powered the Industrial Revolution. But the burning of oil, coal, and gas also caused most of the historical increase in atmospheric levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases. This increase in greenhouse gases is changing Earth’s climate."

The above is the first paragraph from an open letter signed by 375 National Academy of Sciences scientists, including 60 Nobel Prize winners. The letter is meant to emphasize the urgency of taking measures now to address the consequences of man-made climate change.

The letter also calls out the ignorance of the Republican nominee for President of the United States, Donald Trump, for his stated plans to remove the USA from previous international agreements to address this worldwide issue.

The letter states, "Thus it is of great concern that the Republican nominee for President has advocated U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Accord. A “Parexit” would send a clear signal to the rest of the world: "The United States does not care about the global problem of human-caused climate change. You are on your own." Such a decision would make it far more difficult to develop effective global strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change. The consequences of opting out of the global community would be severe and long-lasting – for our planet’s climate and for the international credibility of the United States."

Trump has previously expressed his opinions on climate change, including a much ridiculed tweet from several years ago that it is a Chinese conspiracy. In fairness, he later claimed that this tweet was a joke, however, he has on numerous other occasions publicly stated that he does not believe in man-made climate change.

You can view the entire letter at this link: Open Letter on Climate Change

Are you a climate change skeptic and a Catholic? The Pope says you better get with the program!

Continuing what he started a year ago with his noteworthy encyclical, Laudato Si’, Pope Francis yesterday added a new work of mercy for all Catholics to perform - caring for the planet, including the environment and all of its inhabitants.

Marking the September 1st day of prayer for creation, the Pope further strengthened his bona fides as an environmentalist, calling upon all Catholics to lower their carbon footprints and become advocates for long-term economic and political systems that are just and sustainable instead of being focused on short-term profits and politics.

Pope Francis

Photo Credit: Casa Rosada (Argentina Presidency of the Nation) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The head of the Vatican Office for Promoting Integral Human Development, Cardinal  Peter Turkson, summarized the process as one that begins by recognizing the harm humans have already done by being selfish, greedy, and irresponsible. 

He said, “The first step in this process is to humbly acknowledge the harm we are doing to the earth through pollution, the scandalous destruction of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity, and the spectre of climate change—which seems nearer and more dangerous with each passing year. And to realize that when we hurt the earth, we also hurt the poor, whom God loves without limit.”

Will So Cal have enough natural gas (and electricity) this winter because of Aliso Canyon restrictions?

We all remember the uproar caused last year when a natural gas leak developed at the Southern California Gas Company's Aliso Canyon gas storage facility. The uncapped leak spewed about 100,000 tons of natural gas into the atmosphere (almost 1 million pounds per day of methane).

Site of Aliso Canyon well leak

Photo Credit: Earthworks, Creative Commons license, Fair use 

After several months, the leak was stopped and severe restrictions were placed on the facility's ability to store (inject) additional gas until certain safety requirements were met. In the meantime, questions have arisen as to whether there will be sufficient gas available this coming winter for the company's customers, including power companies that utilize natural gas to generate electricity.

To address this, the California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission, California Independent System Operator, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power yesterday announced that a new winter draft action plan has been prepared that analyzes certain demand scenarios businesses and residents may face. The plan requires, among other things, that gas be brought in from other sources if necessary, and that certain curtailments may be required.

A public workshop to discuss the plan will be held this Friday, August 26, in Diamond Bar, CA.

For more information:

Draft Action Plan

Public Workshop

EPA and DOT adopt new heavy duty engine program of standards that will pay for itself in two years through fuel savings

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced new and more stringent requirements for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The new rules will reduce CO2 emissions by over 1 billion metric tons and result in fuel savings for vehicle owners significant enough to recoup their investment in the new technology in less than 2 years.

Video: USEPA, Standard YouTube License, Fair Use

The fuel savings amount to over 2 billion barrels of oil, equivalent to about $170 billion. In addition, the net benefit to society is estimated to be $230 billion, a benefit-to-cost ratio of nearly 8:1.

“The actions we take today on climate change will help lessen the impacts on future generations,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “This next phase of standards for heavy- and medium-duty vehicles will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while driving innovation, and will ensure that the United States continues to lead the world in developing fuel-efficient technologies through the next decade and beyond.” 

“Today’s ambitious but achievable announcement is a huge win for the American people, giving us cleaner air, more money saved at the pump, and real benefits for consumers across the supply chain,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Today’s action preserves flexibility for manufacturers to deliver on these objectives through a range of innovations and technology pathways.”

For more information, click on the video above or the following link: EPA & DOT medium- and Heavy-Duty vehicle Standards

Climate change film competition accepting entries from the public now

Are you interested in climate change? Do you want to do something about it? Do you have an idea that you think can shake up the world? Are you creative, good with a video camera, maybe have some editing skills?

Well, there's a new event that may be just right for you. It's called the Film4Climate Global Video Competition 2016.

If you are between the ages of 14 and 35 and can put together either a Public Service Announcement (PSA) or a short film dealing with your ideas for climate change solutions, then here is your chance to help change the world.

Participants will be competing for up to $8,000 in prize money and other special awards.The films will be judged by a stellar panel of filmmakers and political leaders, with the jury led by none other than acclaimed director Bernardo Bertolucci.

The winners will be announced at COP 22 in Morocco.

Click on the following link and video for more information on how you can enter this unique competition. Entries should be submitted to film4climate.net by September 15, 2016.

Film4Climate Competition Teaser from Connect4Climate on Vimeo.

Safeguard your health from California wildfires

http://www.examiner.com/article/safeguard-your-health-from-california-wildfires

Bakersfield Environmental News Month in Review

http://www.examiner.com/article/bakersfield-environmental-news-month-review

Photo © Frank Maccioli

Local Catholic Churches give little response to the Pope and climate change

http://www.examiner.com/article/local-catholic-churches-give-little-response-to-the-pope-and-climate-change

California's AB 32 explained: The Global Warming Solutions Act Primer

http://www.examiner.com/article/california-s-ab-32-explained-the-global-warming-solutions-act-primer?cid=db_articles

Obama, climate change, and sustainability

Obama addresses climate change and sustainability in his inauguration speech. 

Showtime to air climate change documentary series, James Cameron to produce

Showtime to air climate change documentary series, James Cameron to produce

Parlez-vous Francais? California joins Quebec in new climate change initiative

Time to break out those French/English dictionaries!

Parlez-vous Francais? California joins Quebec in new climate change initiative

APCD to hold GHG permitting workshops in April

Several existing facilities may find themselves in the Title V air permit program as the result of new EPA GHG rules. The SJVAPCD will hold workshops next month to provide guidance for affected parties.

APCD to hold GHG permitting workshops in April

Michael Mann's Counterstrike in the Climate Wars

No, he's not Michael Mann the movie director (Thief, Heat, The Last of the Mohicans, Collateral,etc.) This is the Penn State climate change researcher who has been embroiled in controversy over his "hockey stick" graph of global temperature change and controversial e-mails.

Interesting article. Take some time and read it. Let me know what you think.

http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2012/02/mann-climate.html

Why the Global Warming Skeptics Are Wrong by William D. Nordhaus | The New York Review of Books

 This is a very well written article in response to some folks who had a different opinion.


http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2012/mar/22/why-global-warming-skeptics-are-wrong/?pagination=false

Still time to apply for CoolCalifornia Small Business Awards

Want some recognition for your efforts to improve the environment? Read on:

Still time to apply for CoolCalifornia Small Business Awards

APCD adopts GHG banking rule

 This was pretty much expected, but, does it really do anything from a practical standpoint?

http://www.examiner.com/environmental-news-in-bakersfield/apcd-adopts-ghg-banking-rule

When is an increase of half a million tons per year of CO2 insignificant?

A project that adds the equivalent of 17 new sources under ARB's Cap and Trade rules isn't significant, according to the SJVAPCD. Read why here:


http://www.examiner.com/environmental-news-in-bakersfield/when-is-an-increase-of-half-a-million-tons-per-year-of-co2-insignificant

Photo by Matt Cardy / Getty Images

GHG banking rule scheduled for APCD approval on Jan. 19, 2012

The SJVAPCD is planning to adopt a greenhouse gas banking rule, but, can the credits ever be used for anything? Read more here:

GHG banking rule scheduled for APCD approval on Jan. 19, 2012