HOUSEPLANTS: WEAPON AGAINST SMOG

Photo by Wendy Koch and from national geographic 

Can Houseplants Really Clean the World's Smoggiest City?

Well its almost time for New Years and its been almost an hour since I have written by last blog. Its about tropical rain forest, you should check it out. Save the world, one step at a time: plant by plant, leaf by leaf. 

This week's blog is focused in on the streets of India. Kamal Meattle, CEO of Paharpur Business Centre uses plants to help clean indoor air. Meattle has 800 plants in total in his building and their job is to "remove soot and other chemicals from the often charcoal-colored outdoor air" (Koch). Effective and cheap, especially when he can use rainwater to water the plants. Kudos to you, Meattle. (if you want to know more about Meattle, there is a TED talk in which he address different plants for cleaning air) The air in India is not good for people, believe me I used to live there. 

But can houseplants really clean the air? Sounds like a job for the myth busters. No we don't need the myth busters because its true that without plants, we humans cannot exist. NASA even published several studies. But in order to clean the air, we need to use hundreds of plants in a concentrated area. New Delhi is the far the worst city to live in, health wise. What makes it difficult to live there? (Picture to the left)           

My favorite quote from this article is, "We are Indians. We have iron lungs" (Aggarwai). I think nature would disagree. The only way houseplants can be effective is if everyone did the same thing Meattle did, but that would be improbable. (Too many plants, not enough space). We can change some aspects such as smoking limitations and law to prevent deforestation. A lot has to be done before we can actually see changes in the world.  

I'm Joel and I'm signing off.... Night 

A Glimmer of Hope for the Entire Human Race

Lush Rain Forest 

Tropical Forests May Reduce Global Warming Rate

Happy Holidays everyone! Lets keep the good news rolling in. What a perfect way to end the year. News like this is the reason why I write these blogs. 

NOT LUSH RAIN FOREST 

The major news is that tropical forests absorb 1.4 billion out of the 2.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emitted by humans. This was all figured out by the scientists at NASA and the National Center for Atmospheric Research. What does this mean in the long run? The rate of global warming can decrease, with the absorption of carbon dioxide. If the absorption were to slow down, then the global warming would speed up. 

What might cause global warming to speed up? Deforestation comes to my mind. Even though we know about the helpful information, we are not going to stop cutting down trees and clearing forests. In the minds of wealthy business people, its all about the money.

How could we change and make an impact to secure the rain forest?

• Education: Educate people and show them how rain forest reduce rate of global warming
• Show how deforestation affects the surrounding environment. 

The list could go on, but why waste my time writing about it when we could do something about it. 

Joel Signing off...   

Banning Fracking

Fracking has been banned in New York, but will it continue to spread?

Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo

 (Right)

Governor Cuomo of New York has banned Fracking in New York. This ban has made environmental groups happy, but landowners and energy companies are disappointed. Landowners wanted to sell land to the companies and obtain royalties due to fracking.

Men with Cabot Oil and Gas work on Fracking.

Fracking is done by having special chemical water blasted into rocks that may contain oil/gas. This has given lots of money towards energy companies, money to landowners, lowered demand for energy imports, and lowered energy costs to the American people. New York holds a lot of gas underground, which is why energy companies want to frack in New York. Department of Environmental Conservation will decide next year whether fracking will be legal or not. Fracking has been proven scientifically that it pollutes the world, by air, water, ground, and groundwater through the chemicals released. However energy companies have argued that fracking has been done for a long time already, and the environmental damages are minor. Governor Cuomo said that he chose the health of New York over the jobs of New York.

Fracking has been banned in New York, which will cause the banning of fracking in other states to be an issue. The Department of Environmental Conservation next year will decide to prohibit fracking, if prohibited then America will need more foreign energy exports and the price of gas/oil will rise, which might balance out the cheaper gas prices, but we might start to research more renewable energy sources. If fracking is not prohibited, America will be able to continue to generate money from it and create more job, but renewable energy research might not be looked as a profitable choice. It is up to the state and the federal government to decide upon this.

Coal in America

EPA's environment policy is changing and so is coal.

EPA has upset Environmental groups by proclaiming that coal ash is not a hazardous material, but just waste. The Obama administration has made it so that coal ash is not hazardous, satisfying the American Coal Ash Association (ACAA). ACAA said that science was finally used in front of politics and that coal plants can now reuse coal ash for fuel, instead of dumping it into landfills and ponds. However, the standards do not condemn dumping coal into ponds. The rules have made standards for closing down coal plants and for more monitoring. Results obtained from monitoring will have to be made public, pits for storing coal ash will have to be lined, to prevent the coal ash from contaminating other sources. This was in response to the major ash coal spilling in the past few years.

According to cbsnews, the ACAA will be willing to work with Congress to help take care of the flaws, according to Environmental groups, that EPA has made. So the Republicans might not try to shut down EPA anymore because Senate Majority Mitch McConnell is from a coal state, but he still wants to stop the coal regulations since the coal states economy's are falling. Which is a big problem as the Senate meets up in January, making Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. to Majority leader. EPA's compromise satisfied the coal companies. but not the Republicans.

Dry Coal Ash

Wet Coal Ash

Idiots- Fracking- Air Pollution- Health Problems

Today’s news is about air pollution caused by Fracking and risks to your health. People at any length from the oil and gas drilling can cause many types of health risks which includes birth defects, blood disorders, respiratory problems, nervous system impacts and cancer. This raises a lot questions, as to why people still do it? That’s a big question that I would like to get answered. Don’t these fracking mutton heads know that they are hurting themselves? A quote from the great NDRC senior scientist Miriam Rotkin-Ellman, “The health risks from fracking are not limited to what’s in our drinking water—oil and gas operations are also poisoning the air we breathe” (cnn). Well, isn't that just beautiful fracking is also poisoning the air. What else can these great accomplished men do? Well, nothing, they are not only hurting the planet but the people. People need to be more aware of the problems that fracking causes and do something about it. We can’t just sit around watching tv and wait for the sicknesses to hit us like we are targets or something. However, the federal and state governments don't find it a problem, and so they are just shooing away the problem like a fly. “Unfortunately, air pollution impacts have gone largely ignored by federal and state agencies to date. The Environmental Protection Agency, as well as state governments, must address air pollution from oil and gas development in order to protect the health of neighboring residents” (cnn). People should take this information seriously and do something about it. I mean I would if I wasn’t busy writing blogs for you guys. But someone has to keep you posted on the environmental issues.

J-Ice out!

enn

Road Salt: Big Problem

Today we’re going to talk about Road Salt and how it increases Urban Stream Contamination. Not the funnest of all topics, but is considerably important. The regular amount of chloride concentrations exceed the toxic levels in many streams that are located in the northern United States. Not only that but that amount has increased a lot in 20 years. “Chloride levels increased substantially in 84 percent of urban streams analyzed,
according to a U.S. Geological Survey study that began as early as 1960 at some sites and ended as late as 2011” (enn).The scientists got the water quality data from 30 sites and more than half of it has enough salt, that the contamination is enough to cause another great depression. What causes the problem? Well, it’s road deicing by cities, “Road deicing by cities, counties and state agencies accounts for a significant portion of salt applications, but salt is also used by many public and private organizations and individuals to deice parking lots, walkways and driveways. All of these sources are likely to contribute to these increasing chloride trends” (enn). Not only that but there are other sources such as wastewater treatments, septic systems, geological deposits, farming etc. 

enn

J-Ice Out!

Turning Point: Climate Change

THE CHOICE IS YOURS 

Climate Change: All Talk No Action 

Back to climate change once again. This topic never gets old. Climate is changing and something has to be done about it, but instead nations are arguing like little kids. The question comes down to what can be done to reduce greenhouse gases and expand the life span of people, not blame each other. Well, if we were to blame, then lets start with the United States, or European Union, or even China and India. 

Lets start with the negotiation that took place in Lima, Peru. Just saying words are not going to cut it, we have show results. This isn't the presidential elections!

China is planning to act because of the increase of air pollution and protection of human health. Lets look at the facts: pollution shorten life span which effects economic growth. China does not want to lower their economic power. Less air pollution means reducing health care cost and increase production. Its one way of thinking about how to move forward.

What about India?

India has room for improvements, especially in the "well-being of its citizens"(Greenstone). I have lived in India for a couple of years and I know the living conditions. Nations don't have to think about the climate benefits for the planet, instead think about the economic growth. Just like China, India could reduce air pollution as part of their economic strategy. 

Logically speaking, we won't see changes happening right away. Global issues take time and climate change is just the beginning.    

Joel Signing off...           

We don't want this to happen

Fuel Lobbyists fuel the GOP

Fuel is good, but we must try to conserve it.

It is a well known fact that fuel lobbyists helped pay for a considerable amount for the GOP's rise in power, but now the GOP have to help out the same fuel lobbyists.

Two weeks ago industrial lobbyists met at the summit of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), bills were proposed which were about how states could delay Obama's plan on limiting environmental standards and limiting power plant emissions, both of which are to decrease America''s emissions. The GOP is holds the majority in the Senate and House of Representatives, so what will stop them? Why Obama's executive orders will. Democrats will try to stop the GOP, but as they do not hold the majority, the GOP may win. The GOP is still debating on whether or not to stop all of EPA's funding, but the GOP will try to ease off on the environmental issues proposed by the Obama administration.

However, if the GOP wins in their fight, then coal miners who were laid off due to the environmental restrictions might be able to get their jobs back and start mining, generating power and money for America. If the democrats win, then our future generations might be less susceptible to asthma and America might try to create more renewable energy. The GOP can argue that the fuel prices are decreasing, but fuel will not last forever. Environment has always been an issue, but it is just going to get bigger, especially with all the Republicans controlling both the House and Senate.

Conservative Media’s backslashes on Michelle Obama’s Anti-Obesity Efforts supposedly Leads To A Government Shutdown

Sup, howdy doo. So, to keep you guys posted with the latest news. Today we’re gonna talk about the conservative media. You better keep your hands off the the exit button! if you know whats good for you. Yeah there is CBS and NBC but who can talk about conservative media better than me. Let’s start off with the title of the post, Conservative Media’s Backslashes on Michelle Obama’s Anti-Obesity Efforts supposedly Leads To A Government Shutdown. What? What does that even mean? Well lets go deeper into it. Today’s Republican lawmakers have a strong desire in suspending Michelle Obama’s school lunch program, which could lead to a government shutdown. Now Folks. This is just as surprising to me as it is for you. Apparently, people believe that healthy lunches might lead to “unhealthy consequences” (get it? unhealthy consequences.) For example, the Fox host Sean Hannity “predicted that the healthy school lunch program will lead to a nanny state, asking if "every American family need[ed] a dietitian appointed by the government." Not only that but Fox’s John Stossel says, “ Fox's John Stossel argued that nutrition standards will allow the government to "dictate" who citizens are allowed to marry.” This is preposterous. How is a healthy diet going to make problems for the country? Fox's Steve Doocy “described new nutrition standards as "the food police" to claim that "kids are ending up hungry.” Michelle Obama is getting blamed for healthy diets and a supposedly possible government shutdown.

What is the world coming to people?

mediamatters 

 J-Ice Out!  

The SAFE Act : FOX News

Recently, Governor Cuomo supported the pass of the SAFE Act after the Sandy Hook tragedy. This act, designed to flag potentially psychiatrically at-risk individuals possessing guns. It recently went into effect - cross-examining the database of at-risk individuals with handgun owners - and it has ended up with 278 matches. This is less than 1% of all handgun permit holders in the state.

Police have confiscated weapons from at least one of those on the list. Another has apparently gave it in willingly.

For a FOX News article, it's not biased at all. I found this very surprising. I thought that a FOX article regarding guns would show some conservative viewpoint. I'm leaning towards thinking it's only the television interviews and show hosts that are so insanely devoted to their side. In fact, it included several examples of credible people supporting this act.

According to Harvey Rosenthal, executive director of NY Association of Psychiatric Rehabilition Services in Albany, said: “It sends a message to those who might need care that there are a lot of people who are going to be in a database.”

Leah Barrett of the group New Yorkers Against Gun Violence said, “These are individuals who, under no circumstances, should have guns.”

Oil Prices Down, Wallet bigger

Oil Prices have been going down for the past few months, about 50 cents less and three dollars on average.

Background pretty, drilling is not.

However, with oil prices down, the demand for renewable energy is also down. Cheaper oil prices have driven oil companies to drill more, hoping that people will not go back to other sources of energy. Although we have more money to spend on other things, Mother Earth is not going to be getting better. The conservative news sites were smart to not touch the fact that if people rely on oil, then global warming will happen faster. Which affects our military and global economy.


Cheaper oil helps not only our pockets, but our military. Cheaper oil means less spending on oil, which calls for more spending on defense or/and offense. This will help us deal with trouble brewing in Ukraine, ISIS land, and China, pretty much every where. Good for our government, bad for the oil companies since they need money to fix their oil spills and there will not be much profit in drilling, which is actually good for us, go EARTH. However, oil companies shares have fallen in the past months, hurting our economy, but balanced by more spending, just in time for Christmas too. The main problem is that we might rely on oil if prices stay low, therefore ceasing any reason in finding alternative, green, clean energy sources.

If we are able to use our extra money on buying green energy sources we might be able to convince stock people that green energy is still a profitable venture. The government will have to offer more incentives to use green energy compensate the dropping oil price. It might even become an issue for the next presidential elections. Oil is not forever, so let us help mother nature..

To Right OR Not To Right?

Research Shows Left-Handed 

People Make Less Money 

Wow, now I feel offended. Why should which hand a person is dominant in make any difference in income? New study from the University of Harvard says, "left-handed people are more likely to work in manual labor and make less money then right-handed peers" (Vaughn). This is research was conducted by Josh Goodman. I encourage you to watch the video instead of reading the article, but its your choice.

Is there difference in left and right handed people? There could be differences, but that should not lead to right-handed people making more money. The brain is wired differently for everyone. While left-handed people fall under the emotional, creative, and imaginative mode, right-handed people are interested in mathematics, logic, and language. But how does this lead to the issue in money? Well I not find the answer in this article.

Let me list couple of left-handed people for you.

• Barack Obama, James Garfield, Henry Truman, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton 
• Bill Gates 
• Oprah Winfrey
• Aristotle 

Goodman did his study and research, but never explained his study, He kept saying, "My data" this and "My data" that. How did he go with his research? What kind of test and experiments did he implement? Where did he get his information from? But don't luck out yet lefties. Data will only go so far and with enough hard work you can get anywhere. Same for right-handed people.

Joel signing off...    

THE BIG TURKEY DIFFERENCE!

16.6 pounds of difference in 84 years

Big Bird

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!!! I had my Thanksgiving dinner yesterday, so the topic for today's blog will not make me question myself. For those who did not have dinner, you might not want to read this just yet.

So what is Thanksgiving day? Well, its an annual national holiday with religious significance and includes the traditional eating of turkey. Some people look at Thanksgiving as the day before Black Friday. And I want to say that it is really sad. But, lets go on with the topic of interest. 

THE EVOLUTION OF THE TURKEY

Back in the 1930 turkey was the important item on the dinner plate. Back then turkeys did not weight 30 pounds; they weighted about 13 pounds. Where did the increase come from? Apparently,(as we all know) turkey farmers selectively breed birds to have the best speed of growth. How does this effect the turkey? Well, Turkeys are so fat that they can't even stand by themselves and cannot transfer semen to hens. Now reproduction happens by artificial means. This is disgraceful, but sadly its the truth. There are way to change it, and one important way is to change our eating habits.

Thanksgiving is not the only time to eat Turkeys; people eat turkeys all the time. I expected that the physical growth in turkeys would also be directly proportional to the price, but I was wrong. Turkey became cheaper and what happens to items that are also in excess? They get thrown out/wasted. 

http://wastingarrows.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/WastingArrows__Turkey.png

Well that is the end of my talk about turkeys. I hope everyone will have a wonderful Thanksgiving and also remember to eat that turkey (all of it... don't waste food... seriously...).
Joel Signing out...

Trouble in the Mid-West

The American Mid-West, usually seen as a place full of adventure, is now in a heck of an adventure. Drought is the problem, which burdens the farmers with their crops and the use of water rationing to ensure that not all the water is used. Prices for American crops and livestock go up due to limited rainfall and tourism is affected.

Droughts cause this

The reasons for the widespread droughts in the mid-west is due to global warming. The planet gets too hot and evaporates water, but since it is too hot, the gas molecules do not cool down enough to become water molecules. A little bit of science I learned, and something that Republicans do not believe in. Since there is not enough water, crops can not grow properly, like how we humans need water to grow, so do crops. The price of crops and livestock, they eat crops, go up since there will not be much crops for the general public. The decrease in rain fall has caused tourism to fall too. Ski resorts can not

Good seasons cause this

produce enough fake snow to make the Ski resort fully snowy. There are still some bare places. Even though the American people are affected by rising crop prices, which leads to inflation. American families are affected by having to ration water. Water is needed for the necessities of life, some mid-Western families have wells, which are out of water and need to dig deeper.

If the drought issue is not addressed, which means that global warming must be addressed, then American families will need to deal with rising prices of crops, livestock, and deflated value of money. There will be widespread hunger in America and our economy will suffer, both globally from our exports and nationally. Let us be grateful for the water we have and remember that others are struggling during these hard times.

Happy Holidays :)

-Stephen

EcoCriminals

Poster: Valentin Sigalov // Prokhor Zakharov

Recently, I've read about Interpol* posting a list of top-wanted environmental criminals. Listing 9 fugitives, these men have committed all kinds of illegal acts, all with the same thing in mind - earning money from harming the environment.

So what exactly is an environmental crime anyway? It's basically any crime that harms the environment directly. When I first heard of the term, I thought it a sort of ‘side effect’ of regular crime, but no. This is straight up comic-villain stuff. Ahmed Kamran, one of these fugitives, is charged with smuggling dozens of live animals from Tanzania to Qatar on a military plane. Sergey Darminov, for another, has been accused of illegally crab fishing in Russia netting 450 million dollars for his organization. Most interesting, though, is Mr. Giacobone, who illegally (obviously) transported and dumped toxic waste - poisoning water beds, carrying guns and assaulting a cop in the process. Other crimes included poaching of ivory and illegal logging.

Honestly, I've found this to be both surprising... and not. I never really thought of organized crime syndicates and structures revolving around earning tons of money from shitting on the Earth they live on. Yet it doesn't surprise me. Humans do anything for money.

Obviously I'm in full support of the criminals being caught and persecuted. Unfortunately, though, these men are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to ecocriminals.

*International Criminal Police Organization. Similar to the UN in principle, it is an internationally funded, politically neutral organization aimed towards fighting crime.

Guardian Source
NBC Source

The EPA uses its funds to reduce water pollution and recycle e-waste

Ok Guys what's new in the news. Well, one of the new things that's circling the world right now is about the EPA. The EPA funds now reduce the pollution of water, and increase the E-Waste recycling. "The EPA  has awarded more than $8.6 million in grants to fund environmental improvement projects to reduce water pollution and increase e-waste recycling along the US–Mexico border" (environmental leader). And just where did they get the funds. Well, it just happens to be that the federal funds were awarded in "with the North American Development Bank and the Border Environment Cooperation Commission" and for what "to advance commitments in the US–Mexico environmental collaboration known as the Border 2020 Program"(environmental leader). They will also use sixty five thousand dollars in the EPA border 2020 funds to clean and completely bring back a once beautiful river in Mexicali, Baja California. You people are probably wondering if that place is real. Well, I looked it up and it is real. Real dirty! It's a good thing they're using the funds to restore the river. I mean comon, let's try to keep the world a little more cleaner people! or at least livable! The EPA also wants to use part of the money to start a community environmental education. Not only that but they try to prevent illegal dumping and degradation in the river that flows north into the wide area of California. Then there is Fundación Hélice, a nonprofit environmental organization, which will try to use at least $52,500 recycle e-waste," using internationally recognized best management practices, and divert these materials from landfills and dumps in Mexicali, Baja California, potentially affecting the New River watershed" (environmental leader).


J-Ice out!


environmentalleader

GOP and EPA

Administer Gina McCarthy

 GOP vs EPA which will last?
The GOP which has obtained power in the Senate and the House of Representatives now want to try to end EPA. The Republicans want to bleed EPA dry of green, which includes their funding and environment quota's. The leader of EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, vowed to not give up against the GOP, Good old Party, Republican Party.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed to resist any of Obama's environment policy, since Obama apparently waged war on coal.. Congressmen from both parties will join in with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell since the Congressmen are representing coal states. Some Republicans that do not represent coal states choose to join in those that do, on the claims that science has not proven that Global warming is not happening.

But, there are Democrats and Republicans that support EPA. EPA was made to regulate pollution levels for the whole nation, which is a necessity as the U.S. is the second largest contributor to carbon emissions.
Administer Gina McCarthy stated that EPA must still be kept to keep down pollution levels for the future of America. Representatives from coal states stated that by keeping America's pollution level low. Perhaps we could invest in Green energy and make America a leader in producing green energy or the GOP could use its budget authority to block any funds from going to EPA. Whatever happens the future generations of America must be able to breath easy.

The Keystone XL Pipeline

Valentin Sigalov // Prokhor Zakharov

The Keystone XL Pipeline is the subject of a rather heated debate in the USA. It is, essentially, a proposed pipeline which would stretch from Canadian Alberta all the way to the oil refineries on the Texan Gulf Coasts. It would run a huge amount of crude through it. Of course, this is a Republican-backed built with Democratic opposition.

The bill to approve this project did not pass through the Senate during the vote today. It was extremely close though: 59-41 in favor, but 60 required to pass. President Obama would likely have vetoed the bill if it did pass however.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said, “I think that what we’re going to see is that the president’s got to come to the table, and both parties are going to have to work together to get things done… It’s going to take the president saying ‘I want to work with you, I want to pass some of these jobs bills, I want to pass the Keystone Pipeline and get things done.” This makes it sound like a perfect solution that both parties could get behind. A job creation machine which would improve the economy of all of the states it's being built in.

However, it's not just potentially disastrous, but is also not as much of a job-maker as it is put out to be. While it will create anywhere from 2,500 to 20,000 jobs during it's construction, the number drops to about 20 after it is complete, according to Bloomberg. On top of that, from the $7 billion dollars appointed to the project from federal spending, $3-4 billion will likely be going towards wherever the steel comes from. Is it truly worth it?

Not only will this pipeline contribute to our reliance on fossil fuels, there are massive environmental concerns arising. Along the path of the pipeline, more forests will be cut down. This isn't it: Woodland caribou populations are shrinking and are now listed as threatened by the Canadian government, in part because the animal will not cross logged forest.

Wanted List: Environmental Fugitives?

People who destroy the environment for money 

Nine Dangerous Fugitives Suspected of Crime

This blog is about the importance of the environment and to inform the people around the world about the little changes that could affect the entire human race. I was thinking about naming the people to my left, but that would be too much trouble. The only message that you should receive is that these people...fugitives are dangerous. Well, you already know that so lets continue. 

These criminals are wanted for "poaching rhino, trafficking ivory," and illegal tree chopping Brussels), which increased the crime wave to billions of dollars annually. These nine people are not the only people who should be in trouble, there are more, don't worry. How is one person going to affect the entire ecosystem? They might not, but imagine hundreds of people doing the same thing, then the problem comes into play. The serious changes that could happened is loss of biodiversity and increase in CO2 because there are less trees. But why destroy the environment? They do it for the money. Money has a huge influence on people.  

But why the recent attack on environmental criminals? The answer is simple; danger to society. Damaging environment could be through the use of guns, drugs, and natural elements like fire. This can change the lives of innocent people. 

Personally, I am quite angry about this sort of event done by people. The environment should be kept safe from danger. The environment is our home, it is the place where we live. Little changes go along way, for better or for worse. 

Joel, Signing off...

Chemical Plant Kills Four People

Chemical Plant Had Some Environmental Violations

"Some" might not be the best choice of words for the incident which occurred in La Porte, Texas. The DuPont Facility had dozens of violations since the start of 2009. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the chemical plant only received satisfactory ratings since 1956. What does this show about the safety business owners try to implement? Profit is the only word these people know. They don't care about the people, or even their own employees.

Spokesman Aaron Woods during a news conference 

about a hazardous chemical leak

My biggest concern right now would be protecting the people living near the power plant. What would happened if the plant exploded?

The chemical smell, "which is described as smelling like rotten eggs or rotten cabbage... respiratory system" (Lozano and Graczyk). Imagine working in conditions like that for eight hours a day! Well, now the question comes down to, what caused the gas leak? Apparently, we don't know, but some guesses could be made such as; old equipment, pressure, or someone opening a valve, but who knows. Who is to blame for the death of the four people? Well, it should be the owner of the chemical plant, but we won't know for sure. I know that it would be higher than $91,000 because that was the highest fine for a emission violation in 2012. What should come after this incident? Maybe better safety provisions, or higher pay. Whatever the change maybe, it should be done soon.

Joel, Signing out...  

      

North Dakota's Crude Oil Production produces more Rails as Well

Guess what guys! North Dakota has plans to make the rail transport of Oil safer! There have been many rail accidents in the past year and its about time that someone goes on and fixes it. The new incredible plans relate to the new methods of using energy regulators to make the rails move safer, which carry tons of crude oil. "Proposed standards announced Thursday by the state Department of Mineral Resources follow a series of fiery rail accidents over the last 18 months that have made ballooning number "crude by rail" shipments highly controversial across the country" (NBC News).  The new rules however, insists on using oil producers to remove volatile gasses. The new proposal also involves new methods for separation of the fluids into gas and liquid. There has been much increase in the amount of oil transported as well. "The US Energy Information Administration said in a daily briefing on Nov. 13 that the volume of oil and petroleum products shipped on the US rail system increased more than 10% through October compared with same period during 2013" (ogj). What contributes to this is the rising US crude production which helps in an increase in the increase of transportation of oil. This is amazing as North Dakota's increase in crude oil production will benefit all of America. The more oil we bring the more Americans we make happy

ogj

nbcnews

J-Ice out!

Obama's "Secret Deal"

Obama's "Secret Deal" is not a secret any more.

President Obama (left) and
Chinese President Xi Jinping (right)
at the G20 summit

Barack Obama, has tried to cover up a very secret deal with China, at least according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Obama's not so secret deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping is to curb carbon emissions for both countries.The deal that Obama had done has been criticized as giving China nothing to do to curb carbon emissions, while the U.S. has to work even harder to curb emissions. The New York Times stated that studies predict that if the world does not curb carbon emissions, the temperature of the world will go up by 3.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Obama's deal proposal is to emit 28 percent less carbon by 2025, while China has to agree to using 20% more renewable energy sources, such as nuclear power and hydroelectric power, and would have its maximum emissions at 2030, according to cbn. A pretty bad deal according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

During the elections, Mitch McConnell used the coal of Kentucky to win support. Now, Senator Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell is upset at Obama's "secret dealing". Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said it is unachievable, would hurt the American economy and job economy, and China has to do nothing for the next decade, while Obama said it is achievable. McConnell also said how Obama is just putting more work on to the next person in office. This makes complete sense, as Obama's term ends soon, thanks Obama. However, Obama has gained approval from Senators that support lowering emissions. Obama may have gained approval with other environmental friendly supporters, but the Republicans may be more defiant whenever Obama decides to pass a bill or law, good luck Obama.The deal will be discussed later this year in Paris.

Obama stated to reduce carbon emissions, as stated in my last post, but he can not keep his word, as he wants to reduce emissions sooner. Hopefully, China and America will lower their emissions without any problems. India is interested too, but wants it to be cheap. This deal may impact other nations to lower their emission levels too, but by then the world may be too polluted and it will take many more years to fix our Earth.

-Stephen

Use the nytimes link to see their nice graph on how America is not the leading cause for pollution.
Source:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/world/asia/deal-on-carbon-emissions-by-obama-and-xi-jinping-raises-hopes-for-upcoming-paris-climate-talks.html
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/November/Obama-Wraps-Up-China-Talks-with-Greenhouse-Deal/
image:
http://s1.ibtimes.com/sites/www.ibtimes.com/files/styles/v2_article_large/public/2014/11/10/obama-xi.jpg?itok=eA4YElwv

The Democratic Guy (Senate Majority Leader) on the Environment

                                                                        

Harry Reid Folks! This guy knows what's up. He is a fellow supporter of the democratic party. He is the now senate majority leader, who assumed office on January 3 2007. He joined the congress in 1982 and since has been in the government. Now enough of his boring who cares background. Let's talk about his plan for the environment. Wow isn't this a biggie! He said YES to protecting ocean, coastal, and Great lakes ecosystem! This was part of the RESTORE act, which stands for The Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act, "which dedicates 80% of all Clean Water Act penalties paid by those responsible for the 2010 gulf oil disaster to Gulf Coast restoration"(on the issues). He was in charge to clean up Lake Tahoe as it is of national importance to Nevada, for its tourism and environment.

He also created the bipartisan compromise by working to pass public lands legislation, which creates an equal partnership in having fantastic lands for its beautiful naturalistic glory and some public lands for its contribution towards the economy. Not only that but Mr. Reid also voted yes to $2 billion more for the cash for clunkers program, which recycles and saves cars. This guy's pro for the sustainability of the environment. He is also strictly against grazing land by the government for parks, or open spaces. He believes we should keep the environment safe.  After all the environment is a place where people live, and misusing it is not an option. In Nevada, Reid is also known for what he has done in renewable energy, and his battle against climate change.

He is an activist against all things wrong for the environment. One of his famous instances in protecting the environment includes the rebuttal of the Republican efforts to "hamstring the Environment Protection Agency's power to control greenhouse-gas emissions" (national journal). In the end, he is a protector of all things environment. Harry Reid is a guy, no, a hero who sacrifices every day of his valuable life for the good of the people. Now, you are someone who is dedicated to the safety of the people or you are someone who has nothing else better to do with your life. Now this guy is obviously someone who cares for the people and I vouch for that. See Ya later.




J-Ice out!

nationaljournal

motherjones

ontheissues

Tom Wolf: Fracking

Poster: Prokhor Zakharov // Valentin Sigalov

Now that we know for a fact that Democrat Tom Wolf will be Governor of Pennsylvania, what sort of changes can we hear about in terms of environment and energy? Of course, you know what I’m talking about - fracking.

Republican Governor Corbett, recently ousted by winner Tom Wolf, was conservative when it came to taxing fracking companies. He claimed that taxing fracking companies would lead to these companies laying off workers, leave Pennsylvania for greener pastures, and drive our costs up - generally worsening the Pennsylvania economy. While some of this might have been true, it was under his watch that the Pennsylvanian budget had a disastrous deficit of $1 billion while other states enjoyed a surplus in money.

Pennsylvania is the only state with no extraction tax, despite it’s booming natural gas reserves - but probably not for long. Wolf's plan for fracking involves placing a 5% tax on extraction. He claims that this tax will generate at least $1 billion for the state. We need the tax to fund the education system “to make sure that [the industry] has the employees who have relevant skills.” He also mentioned that fracking should be done with proper oversight to prevent damage to the environment - the money generated from the tax will be pumped to the Department of Environmental Protection for this purpose.

According to Wolf, "Guess what? The money we need to fund our schools lies right underneath your feet."

As a liberal myself, I'm hoping Wolf won't fall back on his promises.

Tom Wolf Interview

Tom Wolf Energy and Environment