Down to Earth Blog

4:33:37 PM EDT

Today is my last day at AOL.  I have essentially volunteered to be laid off and I'll be pursuing work as a freelance science and environmental writer/reporter.  I'll be blogging and reporting for Earth & Sky; you can read my stuff there at http://blogs.earthsky.org/dankulpinski

And don't forget to frequent Green Daily for the latest enviro commentary!

Thanks for reading,

 

Dan

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5:47:35 PM EDT

Tons of Green Info:  This week AOL launched a new blog, Green Daily, which covers all aspects of green living. I'm part of the editorial team over there and I think we've created a great site. It's got news, tips, product reviews and green solutions for everyday problems. It's like Down to Earth times 100.

So check it out at greendaily.com!

Not sure if I'll keep Down to Earth going or not; I'll let you know.

 

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5:40:25 PM EDT

Last week in Montreal, 191 nations agreed to step up the phase out of ozone-depleting chemicals by 10 years. Since those chemicals are also greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, this agreement also helps in that fight.

Canad's Environment Minister John Baird called it a "pivotal moment" in the fight against climate change. The Bush administration apparently thinks it will be twice as effective as the Kyoto Protocol in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It would be nice to see a comparison of the two.

This is progress -- now we just need all nations, including the United States, to start doing something specifically designed to slow down climate change, not just as a byproduct of protecting the ozone layer.

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2:01:09 PM EDT

World Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Ozone Treaty -- It's an environmental and public health victory in the making:  The stratosphere's ozone layer, which protects us from much of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, is on the road to recovery after a global phase out of ozone-depleting chemicals.

Twenty years ago, Sept. 16, 1987, some 24 nations signed the Montreal Protocol, which called for a gradual phase out of the ozone-killing chemicals (mostly chlorofluorocarbons). Now, a total of 191 nations have signed on and things are looking up for the ozone layer. Those nations are meeting in Montreal from Sept. 14-21 to mark the anniversary and to hold negotiations to possibly hasten the complete chemical phase out, which is scheduled to end in 2030 for developed nations and 2040 for developing nations.

Graphic: This image shows the ozone layer on Sept. 9, 2007. Purple and dark blue indicate low, unsafe levels of ozone indicative of where a hole is forming. Picture Credit: NOAA

The ozone layer itself has not gotten any thinner since 1998 and is expected to get back to its normal levels between 2060 and 2075. (See a video animation below.) It will take this long because the ozone-depleting chemicals linger in the atmosphere for decades – some up to 100 years. These chemicals include former propellants for aerosol sprays, as well as coolants used in refrigerators and air conditioners, and some chemicals in fire extinguishers, among other things.

While the ozone layer is healing, we can expect an ozone hole to continue to form over Antarctica each year.

Health Benefits: A rebuilt ozone layer will reduce some of the effects ultraviolet rays have on human health, including sunburns, skin cancer and cataracts. UV rays also compromise the immune system and can damage sensitive crops such as soybeans.

As the ozone rebuilds, the number of people who get skin cancer will decline. The EPA estimates that by 2165, the ozone effort will have prevented 6.3 millionU.S. deaths from skin cancer. Experts estimate that there would have been an extra 100 million cases of skin cancer worldwide had the Montreal Protocol not been adopted.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. One million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer every year; one dies every hour from it. Skin cancer is the No. 1 killer of young women ages 25-29.

Global Cooperation: The ozone story is also important because it shows how the nations of the world can come together and solve a global environmental problem. All nations worked together on ozone. In the U.S., private industry, the federal government, the military and environmental groups teamed up to solve the problem. Industry created a seamless transition from ozone-depleting chemicals to ozone-friendly ones, according to government officials.

Drusilla Hufford, director of the EPA's Stratospheric Protection Division, said that the health benefits of the Montreal Protocol were "for us a very big accomplishment," and that the industry transition was also a big success story. She says the gradual chemical phase out shows that “it’s possible to solve problems incrementally.”

What You Can Do: As a consumer, there are a few things you can do to help protect the ozone layer and yourself (because the ozone won't be completely restored for at least 50 more years): Stay informed about ozone and high UV Index days where you live; if you buy new appliances, have the old ones taken away (so they can be recycled and their old chemical refrigerants destroyed); protect yourself from the sun; and if you are replacing your air conditioner, ask for one that does not use ozone-depleting chemicals. The new systems use hydrofluorocarbon blends (HFCs); these do not destroy ozone. If you are having your air conditioning serviced, "use a reputable firm that follows the EPA no-venting laws," said Mack McFarland, chief atmospheric scientist at DuPont. Air conditioning service companies must use a recovery machine to pump out the refrigerant gas so it doesn't escape. "It's illegal to knowingly vent these" gases, said McFarland.

A Model for Fighting Climate Change?  International cooperation on ozone would appear to be a good model for the world to follow as it tries to address climate change. McFarland warns, however, that the "climate change issue is orders of magnitude more difficult." While the Montreal Protocol addressed a "confined segment of the global economy," McFarland said that climate change is related to "the very fabric of our society -- the way we use and produce energy."

He said "the science is real" on climate change and he fully supports the International Panel on Climate Change. His company, DuPont, is part of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, a coalition of companies and environmental groups pushing for U.S. reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

"If you look at the U.S. CAP statement, we can do this without significant impacts on the economy, but it won't be free," he said. "The longer you wait, the harder it's going to be."

Let’s get started!  What do you think?  Post your comments here.

Video Caption: The animation above shows the projected recovery of the ozone hole over time. The Montreal Protocol placed caps on ozone-depleting compounds, but the ozone layer takes time to recover as the compounds that had already been emitted are eliminated by natural processes. With no new compounds affecting the ozone layer, it will begin rebuilding. (Source: NOAA)

 

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5:23:54 PM EDT

Learn What Your Area Has to Offer:  I just received an e-mail about this weekend's GreenFest Philly, which takes place Sunday, Sept. 9 from 11AM-6PM at South Street, between 7th and 11th. Check out their Web site here, http://www.greenfestphilly.org/index.php

I recommend going to a green festival at least once to learn more about eco-friendly companies and products in your area. Some festivals offer workshops, speakers, organic foods and more.

Last year I went to the Green Festival in Washington, D.C.  This year I plan to go again. 

Here is a list of other upcoming festivals:

-- Washington, DC Green Festival, Oct. 6-7

-- Green Festival San Francisco, Nov. 9-11

-- Green Festival Seattle, April 12-13, 2008

-- Green Festival Chicago, May 17-18, 2008

Have you been to one of these festivals before? What did you think?

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12:44:36 PM EDT

A Different AOL Blogger Gets It Wrong:  I noticed today that fellow AOL blogger Dinesh D'Souza posted something about global warming, "Boo Hoo for the Global Warming Fairytale."

In it, he discusses how NASA recently revised its annual temperature records for the United States.  He cited this article.  Below is my response to his blog post.

- - - - - - - -

Mr. D'Souza misleads his readers by not stating several key facts from the article he linked to:  NASA's Goddard Institute said the temperature revisions "were so insignificant as to have no impact on the overall global-warming trend." That article also quoted David Parker of Britain's Met Office, which monitors temperatures in Britain. He said, "The figures have slight significance for U.S. temperatures, but the U.S. only covers 2 percent of the world's surface, so there is very little significance globally."

The temperature revision was a mere 0.15 degrees Celsius, or 0.27 degrees Fahrenheit. NASA's Dr. James Hansen said in a memo about the revision that "The 1934 and 1998 temperatures are practically the same, the difference being much smaller than the uncertainty." (http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/distro_LightUpstairs_70810.pdf) To cite NASA's data:  1934 was 1.25 degrees Celsius above the mean for the last 125 years, while 1998 was 1.23 degrees C above. Virtually the same. So we could say that 1998 is tied for the distinction of being the hottest year in the U.S.

A little online digging reveals that Stephen McIntyre, the Canadian blogger who found the data discrepancy, told the Wall Street Journal (http://blogs.wsj.com/numbersguy/global-warming-debate-overheats-with-bad-numbers-170/) that "The reaction in the right-wing blogosphere is overwrought," Mr. McIntyre said. "I certainly haven't said that this is some kind of magic bullet that disproves global warming."

Global warming has been proven. Some more facts for Mr. D'Souza:  In February, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a report on the physical science basis of climate change and said that "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures." They said the total temperature increase from 1850 to 2005 has been 0.76 degrees C (1.3 degrees F). They also said that they have very high confidence -- are 90 percent sure -- that human activities since 1750 have caused this warming. The report was written by hundreds of climate scientists from around the world, citing published, peer-reviewed scientific papers. The report was then edited by representatives from 113 countries, including the United States. The IPCC has issued three reports this year; Mr. D'Souza should check them out at http://www.ipcc.ch/

So, global warming is happening and we are most likely causing it via greenhouse gas emissions. It is irresponsible to ignore these scientific findings and to mislead people about them. We can argue about what to do about global warming and what might happen 10, 100 or 1,000 years from now. But let's start with the basic facts.

Oh, and about the ozone thing Mr. D’Souza mentioned: Scientific observations over the last 20 years show that the ozone layer is recovering – thanks to the phaseout of ozone-depleting chemicals (like those formerly used in aerosol sprays). The ozone recovery is a global success story for both government and industry. President Reagan signed the U.S. on to the international ozone-protection treaty in 1987.

-- Dan Kulpinski, AOL Science and Reference Editor and author of the Down to Earth Blog

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3:41:36 PM EDT

Some Waste Management Centers to Accept Items Starting Sept. 15:  Earlier this month Sony announced it would offer free recycling of all of its products in the United States. This includes stereos, laptop computers, televisions and other items.

The electronics maker is teaming up with Waste Management, a company that handles trash removal and recycling in many municipalities nationwide.

According to a story in USAToday, "Starting Sept. 15, 75 Waste Management centers will accept Sony products free of charge. Within a year, 150 will. Sony eventually hopes to have one center within 20 miles of most U.S. residents. Customers can find a center at www.sony.com/recycle"

To get more info you can also call 877-439-2795.

Electronic waste is a growing problem in America. According to the Worldwatch Institute, only 2.3 percent of Americans recycled their cell phones in 2004. There may be 500 million obsolete cell phones in the United States. ("Internet Use and Cell Phone Use Soar," Vital Signs 2006-2007, Worldwatch Institute.)

According to the EPA, some 20 million computers become obsolete every year, but only about 10% of them get recycled.

So, if you own Sony products and are replacing them, recycle the old ones starting Sept. 15.

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6:09:15 PM EDT

(Photo Credit: Warner Independent )

How Have We Affected the Planet?  That's what this film asks and shows us, according to the previews and reviews. Leonardo DiCaprio produced and narrates the film, which features more than 50 leading scientists and leaders -- including former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, renowned scientist Stephen Hawking and former CIA Director James Woolsey -- discussing the important issues facing our planet, including global warming. The movie opens nationwide today. (Get showtimes and info for 'The 11th Hour')

DiCaprio is a committed environmentalist and even has his own Eco-Site.

The new movie's reviews have been mixed, but the New York Times and L.A. Times both liked it, according to AOL's rating page for 'The 11th Hour' here.

I admire movie stars who make these kinds of films. It shows that they care about something beyond the fame and fortune their careers bring them.

I might go see the film this weekend; if you check it out, post your comments here.

 

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5:01:10 PM EDT

I've seen a bunch of profane comments and some personal attacks on this blog in the last few weeks. Not many, but they can ruin the experience for other readers.

So, from now on when you post a comment, don't use profanity or personal attacks. Keep it civil and clean. I'll delete any comments that include profanity or personal attacks.

Thank  you.

-- Dan Kulpinski, Down to Earth Blogger

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3:13:53 PM EDT

Newsweek Cover Story Details 20-Year Campaign Against Science:  Even though the vast majority of climate scientists worldwide agree that global warming is happening and that human activity is responsible for most of that warming, some folks still don't want to admit this is true. In this week's issue, Newsweek details the deniers' coordinated campaign to discredit climate science in "Global Warming Deniers: A Well-Funded Machine."

Much of the info in the story is not new, but it is nicely strung into a chronological narrative of how energy-industry groups and conservative think tanks have tried to discredit climate science for the past 20 years, in the name of protecting the profits of the energy companies -- Big Oil, Coal, etc.

A reminder:  Last February the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a report, "Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis," which said that "warming of the climate system is unequivocal" and "most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely" due to greenhouse gases produced by human activity (the climate scientists defined "very likely" as having greater than 90 percent certainty).

Still, the article notes that after this report came out, conservative think tanks were paying $10,000 to those few scientists who disagreed so they would write articles opposing the report's conclusions.

I think this is despicable. Climate scientists have studied the issue for more than 20 years. They have the data and have answered most of the questions. Warming is happening and we're causing most of it; the consequences will likely be bad in terms of longer droughts, rising sea levels, more 100-degree days, stronger hurricanes and more.

The prudent thing to do is to take some action to reduce our impact on the climate. As I've said before, think of it as climate insurance. We all insure our houses against calamity; why not insure our country and the world?  We have the technology to make cars that get better gas mileage, to make homes more energy-efficient, to diversify the energy sources that provide our electricity to include more alternative sources that create less pollution. Let's do it -- and just say no to the deniers.

 

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