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03/31/2005 09:14:12 PM · #76 |
Originally posted by RonB:
Sounds very interesting. I'll have to take a trip to Borders. |
Be sure to pick this book up while your at it.
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03/31/2005 09:14:28 PM · #77 |
It was the March issue of Scientific American.
Robt.
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03/31/2005 09:27:11 PM · #78 |
Originally posted by RonB:
I think that I'm going to go and take my termperature now. :) |
Mine's 101.2 -- but I'm blaming it on a virus and not greenhouse gasses this time. |
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04/01/2005 11:24:45 AM · #79 |
I agree.
I started my action by buying a little hyundai accent 1.6L engine :-)
I took this shot a while back, shot with film (I've edited it with neatimage - didn't have that tool back then) I just find it amazing how offset the message from the refinery is opposed to the scene in the background. I actually think it is one of the best shots I've taken.
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04/01/2005 11:34:21 AM · #80 |
| It is unfortunate that governments don't encourage population control in order to preserve what is left of our biodiversity. But it's almost as though the government has a life of its own and just keeps moving ahead crushing everything in its path. The drilling in Alaska is another example of greed; anything for oil, and to hell with the environment. Instead of funding research to develop alternative, nontoxic fuel, the leadership in this country just sees more oil and will do anything to get at it...The earth is finite and once we have depleted the oceans of life, polluted the air and land, deforested the rain forest and driven animals to extinction at a rate unprecedented, then what? What's left? Just us? |
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04/01/2005 11:49:17 AM · #81 |
I really want to contribute to this thread as there is so much here that strikes a chord with me. I don't think I'll have time now to post everything I feel and want to share, as we're off to visit the Galapagos Islands in a few hours but here's a start:
This problem, this series of problems, brings out so many conflicting emotions in me - sadness (at what we have done and continue to do), fear (of the consequences), anger (at the continued pace of destruction), satisfaction (at playing a very small part in communicating some of the issues, at changing some aspects of my lifestyle to reduce my negative impact), guilt (at the aspects of my lifestyle that continue to have a negative impact), determination (to do more myself about the situation), despair (that so many people refuse to accept or care about the problem) ... that it's hard to really summarise my feelings comprehensively.
I strive to support those who are best placed to actively do something about some of the things most important to me (by raising funds for wildlife conservation, for example) and I try to be more environmentally friendly in life by recycling and making deliberate choices in my purchases.
But I know that I am guilty too - I pollute when I fly around the world to enjoy what is left before it disappears, I pollute when I choose to use our car, I waste when I order/ cook food that goes uneaten, throw clothes away because I don't like them rather than because they are worn out...
I am inspired and renewed by being able to share all the images and some of the thoughts expressed here and thank Jon for starting it, and most of those who have posted for contributing.
Here are a few images:
  
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04/01/2005 12:53:39 PM · #82 |
I'm a grad student, doing a masters degree in urban planning at the faculty of Environmental Design (environment meaning built AND natural) in Calgary, AB. Most of what I do day in and day out in my academic life centers around making (and learning how to make) compromises between what is ideal and what is practical, and trying to find ways to push that edge in design implementations. We always try to find practical, holistic wasys of designing urban spaces where people can make good choices about using as many sustainable practices as possible. I find it interesting that nobody (in my initial glances) has used the word 'sustainable' in their posts. This isn't a bad thing, necessarily. It's an oft-used and sometimes meaningless word which is in vogue in some circles.
Nevertheless, sustainability is really what's meant by a lot of people preaching 'environmentalism'. The fact that the earth is resilient is clear. The dinosaurs are gone and yet it rolls along nicely. However, what we're really concerned about is not whether the earth exists, but preserving what we value about what's here now. I like that the Bow River still flows along outside my apartment, and that Grizzly bears are still around. This might not be true 50 years from now.
What has surprised me is how much 'market' has to do with my personal ability to design for sustainability. A class I'm in has been working on a plan for a community in Calgary's southeast, building a 1000-acre space for about 30,000 or so people. The choices we make in building to plan for open space, for ecological functioning such as integrated stormwater management, high density around an LRT station etc. relies mostly on the ability of the market to bear these new ways of thinking, and the (sometimes) additional costs associated with these implementations. In many cases it's simply a case of educating the consumer about sustainable building practices.
What it's also about is municipal guidelines pertaining to the % of open spaces, recycling facilities, pathways, transit etc. that are mandated as the minimum allowable in communities. Believe it or not, in Calgary an area designated as 'environmental reserve' (area that cannot be developed and gets added to park land above the required areas) is simply land that isn't suitable for development.
My point, after this long post, is that you as consumers and citizens have a lot of pull in deciding what goes on in your community. The biggest single thing you can do to help with the sustainability of your community is to pay attention to municipal (and county) issues. Read the policies (most cities have them on-line now) and go to council meetings and say what you have to say when issues you care about come up. Tell them that you want 20% park space in your municipality's developments. Very, very few people do this, and yet aldermen and councilors really do listen. Vote in local elections. Buy with a mind to how it's affecting people. It really does matter.
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04/01/2005 03:18:12 PM · #83 |
I live 45 miles from the nearest gas station. Raise my own cattle for my table. I walk the local streams and roads with freinds of mine every sunday. I have a well in my yard so that I don't need overchemical enhanced water. I have a two acre garden on my land that me and my freinds have planted. Some of my t-shirts are nine years old. I am an engineer at one of the worlds largest outdoor equipment plant in the US. I have helped the plant reach pollution levels that are the lowest of any factory in the state. And we build gas engines!! Yet I still feel That I am loosing the fight to save this wonderfull planet I call home. I would be willing to donate %100 of my DPC sales profit to a good environmental charity. So if any of you have the time to join one let me know and my sales will join the collectrion. Sorry I'm so long winded..
edited to add a couple photos.
 
 
Message edited by author 2005-04-01 15:26:49.
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04/01/2005 06:54:42 PM · #84 |
Originally posted by Kavey:
This problem, this series of problems, brings out so many conflicting emotions in me - sadness (at what we have done and continue to do), fear (of the consequences), anger (at the continued pace of destruction), satisfaction (at playing a very small part in communicating some of the issues, at changing some aspects of my lifestyle to reduce my negative impact), guilt (at the aspects of my lifestyle that continue to have a negative impact), determination (to do more myself about the situation), despair (that so many people refuse to accept or care about the problem) ... that it's hard to really summarise my feelings comprehensively.
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That̢۪s so right on Kavey. I feel much the same way often times.
I'll add though to my despair is the thought that I know in my heart I should not have kids as the way things are going now. It could be considered cruel and unusual punishment the world we are leaving our children and grandchildren.
I̢۪ve heard it called intergenerational tyranny, a form of taxation without representation levied by us on generations yet to be.
It̢۪s just not right. |
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04/01/2005 07:02:48 PM · #85 |
I agree with you all that polution is damaging our world and I do worry also for my own daughter. It's my hope that I can influence her to love the world around her as much as I do. I often see CHILDREN disrespecting the world, not just adults. If we don't take the time to teach them ourselves, we can't expect them to respect.
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04/01/2005 07:10:09 PM · #86 |
Originally posted by cvhs99:
I often see CHILDREN disrespecting the world, not just adults. If we don't take the time to teach them ourselves, we can't expect them to respect. |
This is very true.
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04/01/2005 08:16:09 PM · #87 |
The disrespect by kids is a growing problem in Britain too, where political correctness has removed authority and left adults powerless to stem the tide - particularly in schoools. This coupled with parental apathy is a real pain. Our kids who can be taught extremely good values and learn to look after their environment, both global and local.
Mostly, parents are to blame for not taking time to pull the little ones up for simple things at an early age and teach by example. |
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04/01/2005 08:33:18 PM · #88 |
| A little move in the right direction Lawmakers push for 'green' buildings |
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