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Earth Day Network - My Blog
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Dry, Dry, Dry: Lake Balaton, Hungary
Related to country: Hungary

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Legend has it that a young girl sits at the center of Lake Balaton in a church - perhaps kneeling in front of the altar with her face pressed gently in her hands - and she cries. Legend has it that as she sobs, her tears fill central Europe’s largest freshwater lake to the brim.

But recently something has changed. Lake Balaton is shrinking. Has the girl been reunited with the lover she lost long, long ago? Has the local fire department pulled her cat safely out of the tree it’s been stuck in for so long? Fairytale fans and global warming skeptics alike might celebrate the girl’s newfound happiness. Scientists, however, see it a little differently.

With its incredibly shallow waters averaging barely over 3 meters, Lake Balaton can be seen as a climate change barometer. Normally, water from the lake has to be drained through a canal on the lake’s northern coast. But over the past 4 years the water has been evaporating far more rapidly than it’s been collecting, disturbing the lake’s steady cycle of depletion and replenishment in just four years of intense planetary warming. As the water level drops, the climate change meter rises in step.

Not only is the lake disappearing, but so is your chance to vacation around it: as the lake dries, the region’s formerly-booming tourism industry alongside it suffers. The quaint, paprika scented inns and resorts that surround the lake are rapidly closing, so get to Lake Balaton before the region’s unique charm and beauty disappear forever. Now that’s something to cry about.

For more:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2003/09/01/936355.htm?site=catalyst&topic=latest

September 30, 2008 | 12:53 PM Comments  0 comments



Power Vote!
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

All across the nation, young people are standing up for a greener America. The Energy Action Coalition, the non-partisan organization that brought you Powershift, has launched another fantastic campaign to show politicians what matters to the millennial generation. Powervote aims for one million youth to pledge that they will vote with the environment as their top priority this November. These “climate voters” stand for green jobs, a clean energy economy, and a moratorium on coal.

Numbers of active voters under 30 have skyrocketed in the last few years, and now comprise 25% of the electorate. With numbers like these, youth have a strong political bargaining chip in obtaining a sustainable planet. With the combined strength of the 48 organizations within the coalition, including Earth Day Network, this campaign crosses all political, economic, and social divides to put the climate on the top of political talking points.

Tapping into the energy of youth is more important than ever. From asking teachers for 5 minutes of class time, to holding rallies and marches in local communities, youth leaders across the country are demanding a clean energy future. Now’s the time to join this campaign for your home, school, and greater community. Sign the pledge and demand clean energy for America’s future!!!

Go to:
www.earthday.net/powervote or
www.powervote.org

September 26, 2008 | 1:24 PM Comments  0 comments



Burning down the House? Global warming not hot enough yet…
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

The always-entertaining Charles Rangel chaired a hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee last week to begin discussion of climate change policy options. The hearing was a sign that both sides of the aisle are beginning to come together on the importance of curbing global climate change. Even the one global warming non-believer in the group argued that since “science is not a democracy,” the virtual consensus within the scientific community about this issue is irrelevant. However, even he acknowledged that virtual consensus exists.

The Committee certainly had ulterior motives. Many members wanted to mark their territory and establish the Ways and Means Committee’s jurisdiction over climate legislation. Others worried about the loss of blue collar jobs in their districts as energy intensive manufacturing, like forging steel or making solar panels, will become more expensive under any legislation.

It seems like Congress is slowly getting the message and realizing that everyone can and should participate in a new, green economy – one that affords opportunities for those of us who need them most.

To find a transcript of the hearing, a list of witnesses, and witness testimonies, visit:
http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=detail&hearing=647

September 26, 2008 | 1:22 PM Comments  0 comments



Drowning Isles: The Maldives
Related to country: Maldives

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Scratching your head trying to find this one on the map? Here’s a hint: look for the tiny specs just to the southwest of India’s southern tip. The small islands that make up the nation of the Maldives are one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world.

But thousands of miles away problems are arising for the Maldives - literally. The accumulation of greenhouse gasses has, in recent years, resulted in dramatic warming at the Earth’s poles. The ice has started melting, putting countless gallons of water back into the world’s oceans every year – where they threaten to wreak havoc on a plethora of natural wonders.

Sadly, the emerald green ocean surrounding the Maldives – its greatest draw for tourists – now poses the greatest hazard facing the islands. The highest point on any of the islands stands only 7.8 feet above sea level, and the gorgeous waters now threaten to swallow them whole. Most depressing of all, countries like the United States, producing ¼ of the world’s greenhouse gasses, refuse to sign on to treaties like the Kyoto agreement. This pact would help curtail global greenhouse emissions and save countries like the Maldives - who produce virtually no harmful emissions - from the watery grave of Davy Jones’ Locker.

For more info, go to:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,341669,00.html

September 23, 2008 | 11:15 AM Comments  0 comments



Berry Nutritious Lunches
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

A recent Parade Magazine article is touting a lunch full of fruits, vegetables, and protein for a serious boost to kid’s cranium power resulting in better retention and test scores. The best way to keep kids alert and ready to learn is to provide them high-quality carbohydrates found in fruits and vegetables – especially fruits like berries, which are a source of anthocyanins and flavanols that boost memory retention and learning ability. Unfortunately, the percentage of schools who meet the minimum USDA serving of fruits and vegetables is close to 25%. And that’s not all: only 20% of school lunches meet the USDA fat standard, and practically none meet the sodium standard. This has resulted in a variety of problems, from shorter attention spans and naps during math class to a childhood obesity epidemic.

One thing the article failed to mention was the benefits of eating locally grown, organic food; they can be a tremendous opportunity to teach kids about their connection to the earth and to support local farmers. As an added bonus, by eating local the food is fresher and often better quality; similarly, when you eat organic you don’t need to worry about the possible toxic effects of pesticides on your produce.

Though gaining knowledge on ways to make our kids smarter is always good news, knowledge alone won’t help the 30.1 million students out there, especially those receiving reduced-cost meals, who consume up to 50% of their daily calories in a school lunchroom - and don't have access to most of the foods that Parade suggests.

Fortunately, however, we have a chance soon for our schools to smarten up their cafeterias. Congress will soon be reviewing the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act, legislation that covers federal child nutrition programs, including school breakfasts and lunches. Hopefully our politicians have had enough blueberries lately to remember our nation’s youth - and then vote for a more sustainable lunchroom.