Category Archives: stewardship

New Species of Elephant?

Posted on January 27, 2016 | Comments Off on New Species of Elephant?

indian-elephant-clip-art-elephant-clipart2

Two species of elephant, right? Asian and African. Wrong! This is what I love about science. There’s always room for improvement. Theories, new discoveries, new theories. Until recently, biologists believed there were just two elephants. A recent study by Fauna and Flora International and the South Sudan Wildlife Service included DNA tests and led to the classification of a distinct species, smaller, with straighter tusks and rounder head and ears.

The new species was initially thought to be a subspecies of the savannah elephant but DNA eventually showed that approximately 2.5 million years ago, two genetically different strains of elephants evolved in Africa. The forest elephant lives in the forests of central and western Africa. Genetically and smaller in size than the savanna elephant, it has lived hidden and virtually forgotten. But even in remote central African forests, it faces the same threats as it’s bigger cousins: poaching, illegal logging and war. In fact, between 2002 and 2013 populations declined 62%. New species or not, conservationists believe it may be only five years before elephants are completely extinct. Better take the kids to the zoo!

Eleaid.com
New York Post Nypost.com/2015/12/11/the-greta-garbo-of-elephant-species-photographed-for-the-first-time
Qz.com/570581/scientists-have-found-an-endangered-species-of-elephant-in-South-Sudan
JournalPlosOne

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Posted in elephants, evolution, extinct animals, stewardship

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Can Landfill Gas Power Cars?

Posted on September 7, 2015 | Comments Off on Can Landfill Gas Power Cars?

Greenzerowasteamerica.org

While I’m on the subject, kudos to the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky. While waiting for my Toyota to be serviced, I picked up Toyota Today, a magazine distributed solely in Toyota dealerships. The article I read was surely biased, but deserves praise nonetheless.

Have you ever driven past a mountainous landfill peppered with myriad pipes and thought, “What a waste!” (no pun intended) Toyota reports their partnership with Waste Services of the Bluegrass, generating power from landfill gas. The processed methane will provide enough annual power to produce 10,000 vehicles. Wells collect the gas, which is used to fuel generators and carry the electricity to Toyota’s manufacturing plant, a few miles from the landfill. The Toyota plant, which produces Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid, has upped the ante for other green manufacturers.

Upon further research, I learned that virtually all landfill owners contract out gas extraction. This was encouraging, since venting and burning were the only methods of dealing with landfill methane this novice was aware of. Of the three typical ways of removing methane from landfills—venting, burning, and extraction—only later properly disposes of the potentially hazardous gas and offers the option of selling it as fuel. According to Jerry Soto, project manager for Houston-based Griffin Dewatering Corporation, over the last two decades, 594 U. S gas-to-energy sites have taken advantage of this benefit, generating 1,813 megawatts of electricity and lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 30%.

Methane extraction wells require expertise, as the process is dangerous. The gas is a naturally occurring byproduct of decomposing organic waste, posing two hazards. Although it’s in the air we breathe, high concentrations displace oxygen and pose a health hazard. It is highly flammable and potentially explosive.

Read how this precarious process takes place in Soto’s article for Public Works Magazine. The article is well written in terms easily understood by the layperson. It includes an optional slide show.

 Photo credit: zero waste america.org

 

 

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Posted in alternative power, automobiles, Energy, Landfills, stewardship

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ADOPT AN ELEPHANT World Elephant Day Aug.12

Posted on August 11, 2015 | Comments Off on ADOPT AN ELEPHANT World Elephant Day Aug.12

elephant-challenge

Seen any mammoths lately? Like modern elephants, they were contemporaries of Homo sapiens, and therein lies the problem. Threats to the largest land mammal on earth include the loss and degradation of habitat, and poaching for ivory. In 1989 international trade in ivory was banned, but underground markets still thrive in some countries, with a growing demand from Asians, particularly Chinese, who consider car ownership and ivory decorations the ultimate signs of affluence.

Surprisingly, the greatest threat to the beasts is conflict with human farmers. Voracious elephant appetites conflict with humans trying to feed their own families. The World Wildlife Federation is attempting to eliminate conflict between people and elephants, mobilizing and educating communities. Protecting crops requires proper land use, allowing for seasonal movement of herds. WWF is attempting to educate populations in proper land management and techniques for protecting crops. Additionally, they are instilling an appreciation for wildlife tourism as an economic resource. Efforts include training park guards, monitoring elephant movement and developing techniques to protect crops.

You and I can participate in the effort to preserve these magnificent creatures through World Wildlife Federation’s Adopt an Elephant Program. Eighty-four percent of the program’s spending goes directly to conservation efforts. Charity Navigator gives a high rating to the 501C3 charity. Gift options range from $25 to $250. An adoption certificate is included with each gift package. Next time you’re shopping for a birthday present, why not adopt an elephant?

A second, fun way to help elephants is through The Nature Conservancy’s #elegram Project. Doodle, draw, sculpt, paint, or sew an elephant and post it on social media, matching your #elegram with a donation. Learn more about the plight of elephants at The Nature Conservancy .  CLick for written elegram instructions

Now sit back and celebrate World Elephant Day, August 12, 2015, by watching a 30-minute documentary, Return to the Forest , and take pride in knowing you’ve helped conserve an amazing species.

Picture Credit: EarthKids.com/ek-elephants.aspx

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Posted in animal vs man, elephants, endangered species, stewardship

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On the Care of Our Common Home

Posted on June 23, 2015 | Comments Off on On the Care of Our Common Home

Significant change is occurring in our atmosphere, the security blanket that is a protective wrap around our earthly home, keeping this a comfortable place to Security Blanketlive. But species, both plants and animals moving further north, and other changes cannot be denied, whether or not you believe climate change is caused by man. On June 18, Pope Francis published his second encyclical, Laudato Si, On the Care of our Common Home. It is critical of consumerism and irresponsible development and addresses environmental degradation and global warming, relentless exploitation and destruction of the environment, apathy, and the pursuit of profit, and political short sightedness.

It is a joy to hear our church leaders speak to the challenge of climate change and urge us to embrace stewardship of God’s creation and our responsibility to future generations. Pope Francis cast humanity’s relationship with the natural world in ethical terms and challenged the world to stop pollution, recycle and carpool, to live without air conditioning and live a less materialistic and wasteful life. He urged all to hear “both the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor.”

Live without air conditioning. Hmmm….What could you do without?

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Posted in climate change, stewardship

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Welcome, Earth Dwellers

Posted on May 7, 2015 | Comments Off on Welcome, Earth Dwellers

The firmament is blue forever and the Earth

Will long stand firm and bloom in spring

But, Man, how long will you live?

-Li-Tai-Po

earthOur planet is far enough away from the sun that we do not perish in flames, yet close enough that we do not freeze. An atmosphere wraps us protectively, like a blanket, and gives us breath. Food proliferates, verdant, or on padded paws. Planet Earth feeds us, clothes us, sustains us. We consume copious amounts of her bounteous offerings, too often with little thought to sustainability. Our planet is changing. It is our responsibility to see that change does not harm our home in ways that make it uninhabitable to us.

This blog will highlight intriguing natural phenomena and explore the degradation occurring in our natural world. I intend to report without placing blame. Draw your own conclusions. I Invite your comments and ask that differing opinions be offered politely. If you are contributing to our planet’s sustainability, or know of someone who is, feel free to share ideas. Welcome, Earth Dwellers, Earth Lovers, Earth Guardians!

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Posted in stewardship

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