Category Archives: Science

Sharks Eat Land Birds?!

By Yoko Lu , Published: 01/25/12

Photo by Alkok via flickr

It is difficult to imagine sharks eating birds that do not associate with water, but they do. Not all sharks do; tiger sharks are one example.

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Also posted in Biodiversity, Ecology | Tagged | 0

How Empathically the Animal Kingdom Works

By Yoko Lu , Published: 01/02/12

Photo by Noa Brandt via flickr

Scientists recently conducted research on rats to see whether animals other than apes can perform selflessly. It is long observed that we inherit our empathy from our closely related apes and ape-like ancestors. Non-ape animals were not tested at first because the scientists did not want to be mocked as anthropomorphic according to the psychologist Jeffery Mogil of the McGill University. However, the recent research shows that rats inherit the empathy personality and other mammals will likely have the same character.

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Also posted in Culture, Ecology, Nature | Tagged , | 0

The Newest Oil Spill: Small Leaks in Russia Lead to Ecological Failure

By Kyle Empringham , Published: 12/20/11

Photo by AntarticBoy via flickr

We’ve all been reminded of the disastrous effects that the oil industry can have on our planet. Not only does it massively contribute to climate change, but spills and leaks can also cause ecological failures, further leading to the demise of our planet. The BP/Exxon-Valdez spill has been counted as one of the worst oil spills to date – but an investigation into Russia’s tundra might make you think otherwise.

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Also posted in Community, Conservation, Ecology, Energy, Politics | Tagged , , , | 0

Papua New Guinea Shows Us Why Small Can Be Beautiful

By Kyle Empringham , Published: 12/09/11

Photo by Heal the Bay via flickr

Balancing the employment needs of fishing communities with conservation concerns is a tricky task for many reasons—but the experience of a provincial initiative in Papua New Guinea offers valuable clues for success.

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Also posted in Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecology | 0

Study May End 30-Year Moratorium on Uranium Development

By Beatrice DeCleyre , Published: 12/06/11

Photo via flickr by Alberto OG

Nuclear energy is touted as a green alternative to coal-fired power plants, as nuclear power plants release considerably lower emissions. The argument does not usually go much further than this. Soon, however, the state of Virginia will dig much deeper into this issue, and the health of its waterways depends on it.

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Also posted in Climate, Community, Conservation, Ecology, Politics | Tagged , | 0

Manta Ray: The New Red List of Threatened Species

By Yoko Lu , Published: 11/30/11

Photo by Biplab Narendra via flickr

Seeing the manta rays have always been a popular tourist attraction. People have described a feeling of marvel and wonder when diving with the rays, and awe at the majesty of the enormity of their size. Yet, as time comes and goes by, this may not be possible. Soon, the manta rays will only be viewed through pictures and videos.

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Also posted in Animal Welfare, Biodiversity, Community, Conservation, Ecology, Nature | Tagged , | 0

Flagship Species: Thinking Past the Cute and Cuddly

By Kyle Empringham , Published: 11/29/11

Photo by f.shelva via flickr

When you think of species that are suffering due to human-caused environmental harm, what first comes to mind? It’s likely that you think of a polar bear, or maybe a panda. Maybe even a sea turtle or clownfish (Finding Nemo, anyone?). These are called flagship species – the environmental “spokes-species” for the rest of the fauna at risk. But rest assured, there’s advantages and disadvantages to pushing certain animals into the media spotlight.

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Also posted in Animal Welfare, Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecology, Nature | Tagged , , , | 0

Koch Industries Makes Global Warming Go Away

By Joe Mohr , Published: 11/03/11

More on Those Crazy Kochs

From ClimateProgress: The 1% Have a Stranglehold on Politics: New Al Jazeera Documentary Sheds Light on the Koch Brothers (watch the video)
From ALECexposed: ALEC Exposed: The Koch Connection
And this one’s just funny–From ClimateProgress: Irony Can Be So Ironic: Anti-Science, Anti-EPA (“Koch darling”) Jim DeMint Says Inhaler Ban Will “Hurt Quality of Life”

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Also posted in Climate, Green Cartoons, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 0

Interview with Non-GMO Pioneer, Jeffrey Smith

By Tuesday Phillips , Published: 10/26/11

This Saturday and Sunday the Green Festival is coming to Los Angeles for the first time ever. As the largest sustainability event in the world, there will be no shortage of informative booths, how-to-workshops, cutting-edge film screenings, green shopping opportunities, and exciting speakers. Speakers in the past have included major change makers in the eco-world and this event will be no different, with guests such as Amy Goodman from Democracy Now!, John Perkins (author of Confessions of an Economic Hitman), Mark Hertsgaard (author of Hot: Living Through the Next Fifty Years on Earth), and a full lineup of other inspirational speakers making an appearance.

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Also posted in Community, Culture, Ecology, Food, Health, Lifestyle, Politics, Social Justice | Tagged , , , , , , , | 0

Monsanto or Organic? Who to trust with your food

By Joe Mohr , Published: 09/21/11


(Sources and much more info, linked below this text)
In putting together this infographic (I have a larger version of the image if anyone wants it) it struck me that nearly all of the Monsanto endeavors I chose to highlight here, rode the same wave of public opinion. In regards to nuclear weapons, DDT, PCBs, Agent Orange and aspartame the talking point was that each was beneficial to America/Americans. It wasn’t until time (life’s best teacher) taught us that these were all highly toxic and deadly endeavors with the same two outcomes. People got sick/died and Monsanto got rich.
I am confident that GMOs will (eventually) follow suit.

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Also posted in Food, Green Cartoons | Tagged , , , , , , | 0