Comments Liara Covert has made

  • Great stuff!

    Increasing media attention would certainly be a good thing to help raise awareness about the state of these national parks. African animals are highly-valued creatures by people who don't even live in countries like Zambia, but would still like to contribute to grass roots conservation.  Eco-tourism has been popular too and helps to pay for park support and upkeep.On Hammer Simwinga provides alternatives to African poaching posted 2 years, 7 months ago 2 Responses

  • Thought-provoking

    The 100-mile diet concept is intriguing. If it provokes thought about pros and cons of following similar practice, then it manages to raise awareness, which is a kind of success. I like the points that DTW makes. Its not always necessarily better for the environment to buy everything local. It makes sense to look closer at details an make informed more choices.On Alisa Smith and James MacKinnon chew the fat on their 100-mile diet posted 2 years, 7 months ago 13 Responses

  • Positive developments

    Catch and release is a great concept. I like the way that this fishing sport has evolved. I have friends in Canada who go on annual fishing trips and their 'cath & release' philosophy has been passed on very successfully through generations. Its a great way to enjoy and save the natural resource.On Working with the fishing industry, Orri Vigfússon protects North Atlantic salmon posted 2 years, 7 months ago 2 Responses

  • Kudos!

    Even being myself from New Brunswick, Canada, I hadn't heard of Popular River, Manitoba. It's a reminder that Canada is a huge place.  I'm thrilled this group of native people have negotiated protection for their land. New Brunswick has had issues regarding negotiations with native people and protected areas.  The Miramichi River area in particular has protected fishing.  I also think it would be great if Sophia Rabliauskas is able to organize a documentary of their process to protect the area. This would not only raise awareness about the benefits of protecting the environment, it could teach us more about what appear to be a very unique people.On Canadian Sophia Rabliauskas fights to protect her First Nation territory posted 2 years, 7 months ago 1 Response

  • Preserve and protect

    This is a fabulous article. Manchu Pichu is a dream destination for me because it symbolizes peace, tranquility and spiritual mystery. I'm also fascinated by the history of Peruvian Indigenous cultures. I think its important to raise awareness of causes of environmental issues because that's the first step for people to make real change in consumer choices. How to change the minds of loggers is another story. On Indigenous leader Julio Cusurichi Palacios battles for an intact Amazon posted 2 years, 7 months ago 1 Response

  • I meant "Bahrain's World Trade Center"

    On From Ferrell to Fuzz posted 2 years, 7 months ago 4 Responses

  • Wind turbines in Bahrain

    That architecture of the World Trade Centre is quite impressive. Perhaps someday humans will build a building with enough wind turbines to lift off? What is it with an image that tries to say, "bigger" or "taller" is better though? That seems to undermine the environmental mentality, as well as using such a large quantity of glass and building materials.On From Ferrell to Fuzz posted 2 years, 7 months ago 4 Responses

  • Join the club

    The U.S. economy and its policies on climate change are not the only threats to security. Consider films like Blood Diamond, Hotel Rawanda, and Lord of War, which all reveal a rather disconcerting picture. You could always add the transborder drug trade, human smuggling, already airborn diseases and forced migrants from existing conflicts as other results of current U.S. protectionist policy, that all threaten security.  Once all the cards are laid on the table, what do you do about it?  On Calling All Hawks posted 2 years, 7 months ago 4 Responses

  • Expand options

    Studies reveal that ethanol's potential as a future fuel would vary widely based on whether it would be used alone or in combo with other substances, and in which kinds of vehicles. I agree with GreyFlcn. Why not focus on other, genuinely cleaner options and stop wasting time and energy on "debatables"? Time is, after all, of the essence.On Now This Is Corn-fusing posted 2 years, 7 months ago 8 Responses

  • Hope on the horizon

    That people are becoming increasingly aware of what's going on around them is a positive step. That statistics show more people are recycling and taking other initiatives to make the world better is great. We will all benefit from what we learn to do as individuals over and above what we do already to help preserve and restore our environments. Let's build on what we think we know.  There's always more to learn!On And 92 Percent Think Heather Mills Is a Real Trouper posted 2 years, 7 months ago 2 Responses

  • Nostalgia

    Your story reminded me of the experience close friends had with an unexpected leak.  My advice is check your attic as well as your basement. Unforeseen surprises may await you in unexpected places.On Umbra on home heating posted 2 years, 7 months ago 14 Responses

  • Face reality or turn a blind eye?

    I like David Alexander's comment. Its humbling for people to be forced to look in the mirror and be confronted with a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable. One problem is that when it comes to a mirror, people have the option to look away and deny what they have seen. What is it with selective memories?On Bipartisan bill calls for intelligence assessment of climate impacts posted 2 years, 7 months ago 10 Responses

  • Unconfirmed rumours

    Media will periodically reiterate how much has been done to clean up Chesapeake Bay. As it happens, I'm very familiar with the Washington, DC and Virginia areas. Why is it that the public rarely gets a birds-eye view into what is really happening and insight into the measurable progress made? Media says more about how problems are escalating to play into fear factor syndrome. How can a clean up project which has apparently been ongoing for 22 years be continually funded and seen as effective when destruction and deterioration are described as undermining the clean up? It would appear a complete overhaul of Chesapeake Bay "clean up projects" is overdue. On Well ... A for Effort? posted 2 years, 7 months ago 2 Responses

  • Will we ever know?

    All this discussion and apparent controversy about the female legs and possible male references in the card message remind us all appearances can be deceiving. After all, with modern technology, androids, transvestites and lab or other creations, how do you know the legs of the image presented are even human? Our individual assumptions themselves offer much food for thought about the limits of perception. Happy Earth Day!On A batch of Grist Earth Day cards for your sending pleasure posted 2 years, 7 months ago 8 Responses

  • Chocolate sabotage campaign?

    If the goal of the described policy campaign is to enable more, cheaper chocolate to flood the market, then increased compeition may evolve to compete with existing low quality chocolate. Theoretically, true connaisseurs will still choose higher quality chocolate, with cocoa butter, if they can afford it, and if new regulations don't ban it.  The big question is, what kinds of implications might the change in U.S. policy have for for foreign chocolate imports? What woiuld it take for policy to evolve to favor free-trade chocolate over junk? So much for a society where elected leaders seek to increase awareness of health conscious choices. The curious are still prompted to ask, "what's in this policy for them and us?"

    Positive change begins with each of us

    On ADM gets its filthy paws on an immaculate confection posted 2 years, 7 months ago 23 Responses

  • A lesson for everyone

    Whether or not you believe governments are too slow to regulate environmental issues, whether or not you support the preliminary initiatives of some industries to develop "greener" practices, its useful to recognize government and industrial motivations are not always putting public interests first. This helps us all realize it makes sense to become as informed as we can from different sources. Government bureaucrats often seek re-election and companies will adapt to stay afloat. Their decisions can support their self-interest. What do you believe would be in your interest and global interests? On Business is already acting on the climate threat -- and waiting for Washington to catch up posted 2 years, 7 months ago 6 Responses

  • Pay attention to the bigger picture

    The article and postings focus on consumer awareness and impact of our choices. If stores evolve to meet consumer demands, what does this say about our awareness of what we buy, where it comes from, and how disconnected we may be to realities at home and at the source? Since environments, economies, humans and climates are fundamentally linked, issues abroad will evolve to affect us all in unexpected ways.

    When fuel is cheap enough, people don't notice the added economic expense of travelling to a particular store. However, if people had to ride a horse or a bike because of lack of fuel or overly expensive fuel, they may change their mind. The idea of creating public transport to Wal*mart stores may temporarily reduce financial cost for an individual, but it wouldn't mask the other environmental costs of the large-scale store system forever. Promoting the purchase of newer, expendible products and bringing all these goods under one roof has consequences. It's a bit ironic people may shop there for what they believe are the absolute 'cheapest' prices. People rarely think of the additional time and money spent on fuel to travel which should be added to their bottom line prices. What is purchased really stresses ecosystems when goods are moved great distances. This could be more expensive long-term than we think. Lower prices mean people who make what we buy in other places aren't being paid well to look after their families, sanitation and other environments.  Who cuts corners and who reaps benefits? When people get sick, and environmental disasters occur, borders don't hold back disease, forced migrants or other crises. Worry of local economic impact of cutting huge numbers of jobs of Wal*mart employees might be replaced with enthusiasm about getting innovative to create jobs with more global, eco-friendly practices in mind.On The impossibility of a green Wal-Mart posted 2 years, 7 months ago 27 Responses

  • U.S. versus Australia: a case study

    Previous posts reveal the general public is more aware we all benefit from reviewing and rethinking our water use. The food, agricultural and also energy industries use far more water than individual home use, and our choices for food and also energy consumption will influence what is grown and what policy changes will define our future.

    In 2000, the U.S. Geological Survey revealed the U.S. used 408 billion gallons of water per day. http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/2004/circ1268/

    About 195 Bgal/d, or 48% of all freshwater and saline-water withdrawals for 2000, were used for thermoelectric power. Most of this water came from surface water and used for once-through cooling at power plants. About 52% of fresh surface-water withdrawals and about 96 percent of saline-water withdrawals were for thermoelectric-power use. That's more than 1/2!

    In contrast, consider Australia.  In 2004, the Australian Bureau of Statistics published Australia's Water Account for 2000-01. It showed that irrigated agriculture is the main user of water, or 67% of water used in 2000-01. Urban and industrial consumption accounted for only 9% of water use.  As of 2007, most populated Australian areas are on highly restricted water.  Agriculture is suffering yet the energy industry which uses millions of litres of water isn't penalized. (Power plants have been asked to come up with a water saving strategies by end of the year).

    It's great for each person to evolve to desire to conserve water at home.  Energy-saving ideas can include using less water and energy wherever you can.  Becoming a minimalist could have its advantages in saving money and reducing negative impacts on the environment. At the same time, what does the usage gap between individuals, the food and energy industry tell us about the state of awareness of the water problem and usefulness of government regulations?
    On Umbra on water conservation posted 2 years, 7 months ago 15 Responses

  • Sustainable in-sourcing

    This article is full of thought-provoking stuff. I was especially taken by the message that jobs of the sustainable future need to be the kinds that have to be what I'll call "in-sourced," or done locally by local people and can't be out-sourced to other states or countries. Installing environmentally-friendly building improvements or energy-conserving technology isn't going to be done over the Internet. Other examples of environmental practices will evolve into local responsibilities and help us to better care for the planet.  Giving people roles or the freedom to create them is empowering and helps everyone.On An interview with Van Jones, advocate for social justice and shared green prosperity posted 2 years, 8 months ago 9 Responses

  • Future collaboration?

    Its great to hear the Macquarie, Australia's largest investment bank, is investing in a wind energy project in Texas, USA. I look forward to hearing more about the background and progress of the project. I wonder when financial partners involved will decide on phase II, which will no doubt be located in flat country "Down Under!?" After all, Australia has 7,686,850 sq km & Texas 268,601 sq miles. Oz has a lot of unused open space.On Goldman Sachs and other financial powerhouses get into the Texas wind biz posted 2 years, 8 months ago 8 Responses

  • Consider the alternatives

    It's true most household cleaning products contain chlorine. As chlorine is in some way connected with many products we consume, its almost impossible to avoid.  Why not read labels and minimize usage?  Desirable actions would stick to simple cleansers like natural soap, bicarb soda and vinegar, and avoid using products made from PVC and PVDC. They aren't easily disposed of when their usefulness has ended. Polyethelene is a safer substitute.

    As for chlorine  as a disinfectant in swimming pools, its useful to reflect on how much is going too far? The whole safety thing can be overdone. Cleaning and sterilising things for children can lead to serious allergies and other issues later in life. We swim at the beach. If kids build no immunity, they become more susceptible to other diseases or reactions. What is it with the trend of treating minor sniffles with strong medicines and anti-biotics? Why not minimize chlorine in pools and consider alternatives? Think of eco-friendly fish tanks. Chlorine would kill the fish.
    On Umbra on chlorine posted 2 years, 8 months ago 13 Responses

  • International issues

    The earlier comments to this threat offer some marvelous ideas.  Yet, nobody has yet mentioned issues that come with organizing international weddings with fiancees and their families living in different countries. The costs of transport alone could be enormous. I know friends who eloped to the Carribean, another couple to Jamaica and another couple to Mexico.  They invited anyone who wished to attend an intimate wedding and then held small receptions back home for relatives and close friends. Anyone ever consider a teleconference wedding? You could pick your location of choice and send an Internet video back via u-tube or another electronic system. Why not? Would your parents really care? After all, the ceremony is a formality for whom?On Umbra on greening your wedding posted 2 years, 8 months ago 11 Responses

  • Life is full of choices

    I appreciate the previous comments. I also think its useful to recognize that each time you watch something, you choose to focus on a particular aspect that annoys you only if you choose to do so. If you have issues about sterotypes, specific cultures or belief systems, you will naturally seek out examples wherever you can to reinforce these feelings.  Just as we choose throughout our lives what is and isn't our responsibility, so we are also free to choose to appreciate others for what we think they are or not. The environmental message of Happy Feet comes out loud and clear, but only if you choose to get it. Kids think its funny, that's great too.

    I have friends who watched Shrek II and became so focused on Pinocchio's hot pink g-string that the rest of the film went right past them. Forget broader messages of things like "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and or "a friend in need is a friend indeed." This kind of change of focus reminds us we all have choices. Why is it that you focus on what you do? What do your emotions and preoccupations tell you? Food for thought.On A review of Happy Feet, the wildly successful musical-penguin eco-flick posted 2 years, 8 months ago 6 Responses

  • Deliberate choices stretch us

    The themes of these books appeal to me greatly in part because of my interest in large-scale disaster mitigation and especially asteroid and space debris matters. The Kim Stanley Robinson books appear to define threads of stories like the 2004 film "The Day After Tomorrow." Many people like to think we will experience positive outcomes and learn meaningful lessons from real disasters. Appealing books send uplifting messages to the general public that increasingly finds reason to feel confusion and fear. Popular culture can effectively raising awareness of major issues and entertain as well. Kudos!On A review of Kim Stanley Robinson's Sixty Days and Counting posted 2 years, 8 months ago 3 Responses

  • Food for thought

    I do hope that this coming environmental Bill has a greater impact than Al Gore's fantastic film "An Inconvenient Truth." Greater public awareness of global warming was raised by his film than by any recent government Bill. Even high standards can be surpassed. After all,  politicians are supposedly positioned to influence regulation. The process seems painfully slow to outsiders who crave action. A problem with government Bills that deal with politics and security is the people involved in the drafting and voting spend more time and energy debating the validity of issues than actually taking action to make positive changes. We can all learn from this. We don't have to follow suit.  On Bipartisan bill calls for intelligence assessment of climate impacts posted 2 years, 8 months ago 10 Responses

  • A glimpse of positive progress

    Taking a glimpse of recent cover stories and environmental priorities of mainstream business magazines certainly seems encouraging. It will be even more encouraging when this becomes a long-standing trend, not a periodic occurrence. I look forward when magazines like Fortune don't praise and rate business mainly on accumulating traditional wealth as they do for pioneering and inspiring sustainable eco-practices. To compare developments in India and China will continue to offer a tell-tale sign of the Earth's future. Each appears to be bent on economic development with its own unique twist. I concur with Gandhi, hoping neither chooses to continue down the road of traditional economic exploitation exemplified by the West.On Biz magazines spotlight the sustainability revolution posted 2 years, 8 months ago 3 Responses

  • Moving forward

    I think its admirable that major stakeholders are working toward positive change in energy use. This article highlights how when executives grasp the implications of being proactive, their companies and the environment can reap positive results. This article also recognizes that huge reductions in CO2 emissions and other environmental issues won't happen overnight because of industries which have been built up around the problem. This is a step in the right direction, but more companies need to become as proactive and even moreso to have more far-reaching, positive results. British Petroleum (BP) is another company which is also making strides to treat the environment better. We all benefit from raising energy awareness and making choices that reflect our own environmental conservation principles.On An interview with Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers posted 2 years, 8 months ago 8 Responses