Googling for Extinction...
In the science of ecology, a network of inter-dependent, predator-prey relationships is known as a “food web”. For ecologists, one of the most crucial problems to solve is identifying the consequences (to the web, or ecosystem) when one species goes extinct. What’s more, certain species seem to be more critical in keeping these webs functioning; when they go extinct, they cause one or more co-extinctions . But due to these complexities, determining which species in...
Monbiot – "I...
Image credit: spratmackerel A long time ago, George Monbiot argued that the “only ethical response” to the sharp rise in meat eating around the world was to go vegan. He clearly changed his mind a while back though, instead making the case that we should reserve meat eating for special occasions . While he’s still an advocate of greatly reduced meat consumption, his latest article seems to be a lot more positive about even a moderate diet of well-raised animal...
TED Talk: Rachel Sussma...
A map of the planet’s oldest living things, via Rachel Sussman What are the oldest living things on the planet? If you’re thinking 200-year-old tortoises, well, those are just whippersnappers compared to the organisms that give Methuselah a run for his money. Rachel Sussman has traveled the planet photographing living creatures that have celebrated at least their 2,000th birthday. She’s found 500,000-year-old actinobacteria in the Siberian permafrost, and a...
Meet ‘Enviropig’ ...
Pigs have trouble fully digesting a phosphorus-based compound known as phytate found in many cereal grains used to feed them. Thus, they must be given phosphorus-enriched food supplements. Both the phytate and the excess phosphorus from supplements end up concentrated in the animal’s manure. This is then used as fertilizer for various crops. This would not be a problem except that the excess phosphorus leaches into the soil and rain washes out much of the energy-rich...South Carolina’s ...
photo: Sara Novak Down here in South Carolina we’re known for our southern fried chicken, but what about our southern fried fuel? In a move that could have a big time impact on the way Carolina views the deep fat fryer, city council officials are calling on local restaurants and residents to donate their cooking oil to be turned into biofuel to run the city’s garbage trucks. Right now it’s just a test run on one of the city’s trucks, but if it’s...
How can I reuse or recy...
Ok, this is a bit of a rant dressed up as a Recycle This style question – it’s a genuine question but I feel the need to rant too! So many people in my (geeky) world are going nuts for these at the moment and it makes me want to cry — all the packaging, all the waste. Graze boxes are designed to lure people away from vending machines and sugary snacks at work and get them eating more natural, healthier alternative instead. For £3.29 a pop, you get a box of snacks...
Commercial Palm Oil Pro...
photo: Forest Peoples Programme Take this one as reinforcement of what plenty of environmental NGOs have been saying for some time: The commercial palm oil industry in Indonesia and Malaysia is trampling the rights of indigenous people and destroying rainforests as it rapidly expands. A new report from the Forest Peoples Programme details the damage…. Read the full story on TreeHugger Continued here: Commercial Palm Oil Production in Southeast Asia Violating Indigenous...Today on Planet 100: To...
See more here: Today on Planet 100: Top 5 Super Healthy Superfoods...
Turning Smelly Food Scr...
This is a guest post by Julie E. Gabrielli, NCARB LEED, a green business advisor, founder of GOforChange.com and author of the greening business action list with a twist! . Keith Lasoya, founder of Waste Neutral , owns an organics waste hauling company that collects source-separated “all food” scraps (pre- and post-consumer) waste in the Baltimore, MD metro area. Simply put, Waste Neutral turns smelly food scraps into rich compost. Founded in January 2008, the company has a...