Gulf Coast Deja vu!

If there is one thing that we have learned it is that history repeats itself. Over the past thirty some odd years the oil companies have made exactly zero progress. They continue to use the exact same primitive technology which produces no results. We should think that a multi-billion dollar operation would have the best and brightest minds at work, or at least on standby in case of catastrophe. Not even close!

In June of 1979 we had our first major spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil company (now Transocean)  attempted to prevent further disaster with "Operation Sombrero". Sound familiar? After this failed, they proceeded to try several other methods including shooting metal spheres into the damaged pipe, plugging it with mud and cement, etc. They also used the same non-environmentally friendly chemical dispersants to break up the surface oil and move it further down in the water column, producing fatal results for any marine life unlucky enough to reside there.

It's almost comic relief to watch the BP executives come on the television every day and provide more excuses for their failed experiments. Word to the wise, it didn't work then in 200 feet of water, it's definitely not going to work now in 5000 feet of water. The only solution that worked was the relief wells which we are still months away from. It would make sense that oil companies would spend a hefty sum of money on research and development to avoid looking like clowns when disaster strikes. Once again not the case.

I'm not naive enough to think that offshore drilling is somehow going to stop tomorrow. I happen to agree with the current administrations plan of making oil part of our long term solution while spurring progress in renewable energy technology. It is the only long term solution. Period.

Marvin the Martian Correctly Identifies Humans

Gulf Coast Oil-Spill: No Methods To the Madness

If you are anything like me, you couldn't help but laugh when you saw this picture. However, the reality is that we are in the middle of a major environmental crisis. Everyone seems to be playing the blame game, pointing the finger at someone else. At this point it doesn't really matter who's at fault.  The only thing that really matters is getting the oil out of the Gulf of Mexico.

What's not funny, is the lack of technical expertise on the part of everyone involved. Most of the methods I have seen to clean up and contain the spill are primitive at best. From golf balls and rubber tires, to alpaca fur and hay. The latest reports say that they are willing to accept ideas from anyone who has one. My intuition tells me that you probably shouldn't be drilling a mile beneath the surface if you have no clue as what to do if something should go wrong. But then again, if you have billions upon billions of dollars you can probably sidestep a little red tape dealing with safety measures.

On top of an already horrible accident, they are now spraying  dispersants onto the surface to further pollute the environment. I was under the impression that human-kind and technology had come along way over the past 100 years or so. Apparently I was wrong!

6 Degrees Warmer: Nat Geo

Bottled Water or Tap? Are You Pouring Your Money Down The Drain?

 Bottled water is perhaps the biggest hoax of the past century! We've been led to believe that what we are consuming comes from some type of pristine stream high in the Rocky Mountains or some equivalent palatial source. The fact is, that the water is coming from a man-made well deep within a dusty industrial parking lot, in many cases.

Although I am guilty of drinking a bottle of water every now and then, the proposition borders on ridiculous. On average bottled water costs somewhere around $1 for a 20 oz. bottle. That's even more expensive than gasoline which runs about 2 cents per oz. at $3 per gallon. You do the math. On the other hand, tap water costs somewhere in the neighborhood of a penny per gallon.

We tell ourselves all kinds of things to justify buying bottled water. It tastes better, It's healthier, etc. None of which "Hold any Water". The video at the bottom of this post clearly illustrates this point. From a health standpoint there is little if any difference between the water coming from your tap and that empty bottle in your trash can. In fact, 70% of all bottled water is exempt from FDA oversight because it never crosses state lines. Tap water however, is regulated by the EPA and has to adhere to very strict standards. We won't even begin to touch on the heavy carbon footprint of bottled water or the 1.5 million tons of plastic waste generated by it's consumption each year. Let it suffice to say that it's benefits pale in comparison to it's harmfulness.

My advice, next time you reach for a bottle, reach for a glass instead. If you must have bottled water pick up a filter at your local mega-mart and make your own. Cheers!

Sustainable Development...?

So the problem is clear! We are multiplying like rabbits with no apparent plan in place. Do we need to adopt Chinas plan of government mandated population planning? I don't claim to be any type of expert on the subject, but common sense reigns supreme. The larger the population the larger the drain on natural resources. Additionally, all of these new humans will contribute to global warming and energy consumption.

My solution, well, cant say that I have one. Although, I would venture to say that some serious family planning would be in order. We cannot continue to expand forever, the population has to stabilize at some point. I should hope we can come up with a viable solution at some point without any one telling us whether we can or cannot have another child. Just a thought!

10 Cool Ways to "Go Green"

1. Grow your own grub: Food from your own garden not only tastes far better, it also saves you a trip to the grocery store. Get the kids involved. I haven't met a kid yet that doesn't like to get their knees dirty. Also it gives you and them something to look forward to at the end of the day and see what's popping up!

2. Have a BBQ: Buy a charcoal chimney starter. These not only eliminate the need for lighter fluid, they also give you a way to use up all of that unwanted newspaper that you have lying around.

3. Take a kid fishing: This promotes environmental awareness . Educates them on animal habitat, and gives them an appreciation for the great outdoors.

4. Spend some Green: Investing in "Green" companies has a twofold advantage. You are increasing your personal wealth, while at the same time reducing harm to the environment.

5. Green your diet: Improve your health by making your own meal at home. This cuts down on the processed foods your consuming, as well as reduces your carbon footprint.

6. Composting: Black gold! Composting is a great way to feed that brand new vegetable garden of yours, and it reduces the amount of waste that you send to the landfill.

7. Plant a tree: Planting a tree is one of the best and simplest ways to improve the environment. It spruces up the neighborhood, decreases surface temperature, improves air quality, reduces carbon dioxide emissions, and reduces green house gases. Need I say more?

8. Green your home: When you go shopping look for environmentally friendly products. This is also the best time to take advantage of federal tax incentives when renovating your home with energy saving windows and doors, better insulation etc.

9. Bike to work: Most Americans live within 5 miles of their workplace. Biking to work makes you look better, feel better and is far better for our environment.

10. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Lessen the amount your using, extend the life of what you are using, and recycle it when you are done with it!

How Is Our Medicine Cabinet Affecting Marine Life?

By: Jarrett Jones

A recent study at The University of Baylor along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has concluded that Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) are being detected in marine life which live downstream from sewage treatment plants. The study involved a sampling of five different municipalities: Dallas, Phoenix, Chicago, Orlando, and West chester, PA near Philadelphia. The EPA has also called for additional study's which will determine the long-term effects on humans consuming contaminated drinking water?

According to Baylor "Many aquatic systems throughout the United States routinely receive effluent discharges from wastewater treatment plants." Although the study reveals that humans would have to consume mass quantities of infected fish to equal even a single dose, it could be harmful to aquatic life. While testing the fillet and liver tissues for twenty-four pharmaceuticals and twelve chemicals found in personal care products, researchers concluded:

• The residue of seven pharmaceuticals and two personal care products was present in fish at all five effluent-dominated river sites. In many cases, multiple compounds were found in the same fish.

• For the first time, gemfibrozil, used to treat high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, was found in wild fish livers.

• No pharmaceutical compounds or personal care product chemicals were detected in any fish collected at the reference stream in New Mexico.

• Diphenhydramine, an over-the-counter antihistamine also commonly used as a sedative in non-prescription sleep aids and motion sickness; diltiazem, a drug for high blood pressure; carbamazepine, a treatment for epilepsy and bipolar disorder; norfluoxetine, the active metabolite of the antidepressant fluoxetine; and sertraline, an antidepressant, also were detected in this study, confirming results of previous projects by the Baylor researchers.

• Galaxolide and tonalide, both fragrances used in soap and other personal care products, were found in fish fillet tissue from all five effluent-dominated river sites. The concentrations in the fish tissue for these fragrances were the highest of all compounds tested.

If it turns out that these chemicals are harmful to the marine life that could possibly mean less fish and fishing for us. While were not yet sure what this means to us as the average consumer, it has prompted the EPA to expand research to more than 150 locations.

Are We headed for Pandora?

How long will it take us to use up the worlds natural resources? Well I guess that depends on who you ask? According most conservatives (at least most of the ones that I know), we are entitled to all of the worlds resources and we should use them as we see fit. I happen to agree with that concept to a degree, but to what extent happens to be a far different story.

To put it into perspective, let me give you a few examples. We used up all of the whales until that was no longer a viable resource. Same scenario for buffalo's, beavers and a whole host of other animals that are now extinct or endangered. Overfishing is another example. As an avid hunter and fisherman those two kinda tick me off. How about oil...? Now theres a biggie! Believe it or not there is only so much oil on Earth and once its gone, its gone. No Mas! Well perhaps for another few million years anyways. Same for coal, petroleum and Natural Gas. You wont get an argument out of me over natural gas (RNG) As a matter of fact thats one that i feel we should actually be using more of. There is plenty to go around (at least for now). The point is, we need to use our non-renewable resources far more wisely or there will be nothing left for those who follow us.

One case in point is here right here in the glamorous USA. Don't get me wrong I am not now, nor will I ever be anything less than a Patriot. I just have a different view as to how we should be doing some things. As "Number One" I feel that we should be setting the example for the rest of the world to follow. We as Americans are the biggest possible over-users of anything that can possibly be over-used. In the barely over five centuries that we have been on this continent we have exploited it to its fullest. Taking and using everything as we see fit giving no thought to the possible consequences. From deforestation, to Drill-Baby Drill. Literally sucking the life out of it.

So what do we do short of colonizing other planets once we finally realize the consequences of our selfish actions? How about making better use of our renewable resources? Wind, solar, water, geothermal are all outstanding examples of alternative energy sources. The argument seems to be that these are not yet viable/efficient sources. C'mon guys... we can put a man on the moon but can't yet figure out how to run a car off of something more efficiently? The fact is there is just too darn much money in the oil business. But like they say, Earth First, We'll Log The Other Planets Later!