Pacific Ocean garbage patch worries researchers

LOS ANGELES – A tawny stuffed puppy bobs in cold sea water, his four stiff legs tangled in the green net of some nameless fisherman.

It's one of the bigger pieces of trash in a sprawling mass of garbage-littered water, known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, where most of the plastic looks like snowy confetti against the deep blue of the north Pacific Ocean.

Most of the trash has broken into bite-sized plastic bits, and scientists want to know whether it's sickening or killing the small fish, plankton and birds that ingest it.

During their August fact-finding expedition, a group of University of California scientists found much more debris than they expected. The team announced their observations at a San Diego press conference Thursday.

Read More >>

JUNK-onauts!

Synopsis: Two eco-mariners are sailing a raft built of junk to help call attention to a major oceanic environmental problem – the accumulation of plastic trash in the seas.

Creating the JUNKraft, these two sail from LA to Hawaii promoting awareness of the growing problem of water pollution, especially in the oceans. Follow their fantastic voyage through their blog.

Panda Extinction Looms

BEIJING (AFP) – China's giant panda could be extinct in just two to three generations as rapid economic development is infringing on its way of life, state media said on Monday, citing an expert at conservation group WWF.

The problem is that the pandas' habitat is being split up into ever smaller patches, preventing the animals from roaming freely for mating partners and in turn endangering their gene pool, the Global Times reported.

"If the panda cannot mate with those from other habitats, it may face extinction within two to three generations," said Fan Zhiyong, Beijing-based species programme director for WWF. "We have to act now."

Read More>>

Word of the Lourd on Environment

Invention is the mother of success

Unleashing energy one MicroFueler at a time


“E-Fuel will have a profound impact on the way we obtain and consume fuel, not unlike the paradigm shift that occurred in the 80s from the mainframe computer to the PC. Just as the PC brought desktop computing to the home, E-Fuel will bring the filling station to the home. Making local sugar-based ethanol fuel production possible, E-Fuel can solve the commercial ethanol transportation and pump station problems while providing consumers lower cost fuel due to micro efficiencies.”

-- Tom Quinn, E-Fuel Founder and CEO, press release, EFuel100, May 8, 2009 source (PDF)

The 50,000 pairs challenge

The 50,000 pairs challenge

Between August 1 and September 18, Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and Soles4Souls are teaming up to distribute 50,000 pairs of shoes to people all over the world. But they can’t do it alone. They need your help.

By offering up just a few dollars, you’ll make a big difference – in less than 5 minutes. And, if you’re willing to donate as little as $25 (or more), some very COOL merchandise is headed your way. Check out the site for more details and how you can donate!