My Pura Vida

Where US 2008 Presidential Candidates stand on Climate Change

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV), a non-partisan organization that describes itself as "the independent political voice for the environment," has compiled a reference chart to show voters where candidates stand on climate change.

2007 Nobel Peace Award Recognizes the Importance of Climate Change

By now the news that Al Gore and the IPCC won the 2007 Nobel Peace prize is slightly more than a week old, but I would feel remiss in not mentioning it on this site.  The recipients are recognized "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change " In an October 12, 2007 email to recipients registered on Al Gore's website, he reminds us once again that, "The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity. It is also our greatest opportunity to lift global consciousness to a higher level." See the IPCC response to the award. 

The IPCC predicts that there will be an averagetemperature increase of 2 degrees (C) or 3.6 degrees (F) over the next century.  However, it is important to understand that during a 30 year span from 1976-2006 the Northern Polar regions already increased temperature by this amount (see map).  Thus, the change in these regions could very likely be higher than those numbers.  At a 4 degree Celsius increase (7.2 F), more than 40% of species face extinction. 

See the NobelPrize channel on YouTube.

The Sound of Lightning on the South Pole

This afternoon while driving home from work, NPR played an audio clip from Jim Hetrick of Stockton, CA of low frequency sound waves of lightning.  The lightning took place in the Northern hemisphere. By the time the waves made it to the South Pole, the sound had an interesting distortion because the lower frequency sound waves and higher frequency sound waves travel at different speeds.  It is an interesting sound - not something you would recognize if you heard it. 

Live Earth Activities

The Live Earth event is Saturday 7/7/07.  If you aren't attending one of the concerts live, there are a number of additional ways to participate:

Broadcast Options

In the US, Bravo is broadcasting events beginning at 9 am EST.  See the list of additional broadcast options. 

Attend a Local Party

As of today there are thousands of Live Earth parties taking place in 129 countries. Sign up to attend a Live Earth party near you.

Sign the Live Earth Pledge

Most importantly you can still sign the Live Earth pledge.  EVERYONE can do this. 

Al Gore's Next Step

Al's headed to Washington D.C. on March 21 to testify at the Congressional hearings on the climate crisis.  He wants to fill the room with signatures from people who demand action.  Help make it happen by inviting 10 friends to add their name to the list. 

Add your name to the list.

Read more about Al's next steps. 

Join Activists in Washington, DC for Climate Action Day on March 20, 2007

Until we succeed in passing wilderness legislation that protects the Arctic Refuge in Alaska, proponents of drilling will continue their efforts to turn our nation's last great wilderness into an industrial complex. Fortunately, with the recent introduction of the Arctic Wilderness Act, we have an incredible opportunity to permanently protect the Arctic Refuge from drilling once and for all.  Help send the message to Congress that it is time to stop global warming and permanently protect the Coastal Plain of the Arctic Refuge in Alaska.  Ensure that Congress hears your concerns about the climate, your quality of life, and America's fragile Arctic wilderness by participating in Climate Crisis Action Day.  Sign up to join thousands of dedicated activists in Washington, DC on March 20, 2007. 

An Inconvenient Truth Wins the Academy Award

It was so worth being one of the billion people watching the Academy Awards this evening to see the recognition of this work for the environment before such a large audience.  Congratulations to Al Gore and the makers of the film.  Additional congratulations to Melissa Etheridge for reminding the world that we are all green in her acceptance speech for the song she wrote for the film.  It is not about politics.  We are in this together, all of us around the globe.  The facts about the causes of climate change need to be understood.  If you still have not seen the film yet, perhaps the fact that it is now an award winner for best documentary will be a reason to check it out. 

For more information on the science related to climate change, please see the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change website. 

28 Days Left to Present a Climate Change Solution Video

An Inconvenient Truth presented a problem.  Seventh Generation and Treehugger are asking for solutions on how to solve the problem. They are accepting video submissions for an actionable, inspiring follow-up to the movie.  Be a part of the solution! 

Be a Climate Change Presenter or Get Funding for a Climate Change Project

If you have seen An Inconvenient Truth, you have probably seen the images of vanishing glaciers, not unlike this image I took while in Montana's Glacier National Park a few years ago.  Around 1900 there were 150 glaciers located in the region.  Now the number is 26 and those that remain are expected to be gone within the next 25 years.  If you are interested in helping to spread the message of climate change, you can submit an application for training to be a presenter of the Inconvenient Truth message on The Climate Project website. 

For those who have expertise in climate change, Artists Project Earth is accepting early applications for grants from the proceeds of their first hit album, Rhythms del Mundo: Cuba to organizations working to prevent the causes of climate change and to defend communities against its impacts.  Rhythms del Mundo became the number one latin album on iTunes within two weeks of its international release in 57 countries in late 2006.  Pre-selection applications for funding are due by February 15, 2007. 

Reducing Personal Greenhouse Gas Emissions

I am moving and will be reducing my daily commute from 74 miles per weekday to 10 miles per work day.  I calculated my reduction of annual carbon emissions on the EPA's Personal Greenhouse Gas Calculator.  My annual pounds of carbon emissions went from 17,313 to 5,410 by making this move.  According to the site, the 13,500 pounds per year is the average per vehicle.  Try the calculator to learn more about your personal emissions.