Non Toxic Vision

A New Gas Pipeline - Hey, What Could Go Wrong?

 
a recent issuew of the MUG - Manhattan Users Guide www.manhattanusersguide.com published this information:

A new pipeline is being planned to bring natural gas through Jersey City, under the Hudson, and enter Manhattan beneath the West Village. ETA: 2012.

Sound benign? Did you happen to catch the gas explosion in Philadelphia ? That was a 12" gas pipe. A 30" pipe is planned for New Jersey and New York.

Thirty inches is also the size of the pipeline that caused the San Bruno, California explosion last September. Eight people died, 37 homes were destroyed. Photographs of the immediate aftermath are here. Welding mistake, possibly.

And what kind of example, technological and environmental, has the company that wants to build this pipeline set previously?

Houston-based Spectra Energy has been tracked by, among others, Spectra Energy Watch and the company's record includes the gas leak and emergency shutdown of the Steckman Ridge Compressor Station in 2009 and continued PCB contamination of its Texas Eastern pipeline. PCB production was banned in 1979.

What kind of hazards could a new gas pipeline pose? Besides explosions in densely populated areas (that include chemical plants), there are the toxins frequently released from the pipes, and the possibility of the pipeline becoming a terrorist target. That last isn't far-fetched, either. Recall that Abdul Kadir was convicted last month for plotting to blow up JFK fuel tanks.

Read more about the potential dangers of the proposed pipeline at No Gas Pipeline, which has been way out ahead on this issue on behalf of Jersey City.

Will regulators protect us? Don't hold your breath. FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, reviews all pipeline proposals. As No Gas Pipeline shows, there have been deeply troubling conflicts-of-interest between the agency's Commissioners and the industry they regulate. Some of the newer appointments have been an improvement, but of the pipeline projects FERC reviewed in 2009, 100% were approved.

We've been writing fairly regularly on MUG about the dangers of fracking. Mayor Bloomberg has said about fracking: "The consequences are so severe that it is not a risk that I think we should run. I do not think that we should allow fractured drilling anywhere near our water supply."

The Mayor's position on the pipeline, however, is at odds with his view on fracking since gas from the pipeline will allow the Con Ed plant in Manhattan to use more of that fossil fuel in its mix instead of sustainable alternatives. And drilling in the Marcellus Shale will continue to drive development of new pipelines.

As for safety, the usual foolish and/or dishonest assurances: Deputy Mayor Stephen Goldsmith, writing on behalf of the Mayor to FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff, conveys the City's "strong support" of the pipeline. Goldsmith states, "The evidence is clear that this natural gas pipeline will be safe." Yes, Goldsmith. As safe as the Titanic was unsinkable. Is it really necessary at this late date to point out that human beings have a long history of eating their own words?

Since FERC has no elected officials, the public comment periods hold little sway with them. The only way for citizens to become a part of the process is to become an Intervener. The deadline for that is this coming Wednesday, January 26th. When get­ intervener status you have legal standing to challenge FERC rulings in court if that becomes necessary. The process is a bit complicated; if you get stuck, call FERC's hotline 866.208.3676 for help.

New York City has to find new ways to meets its energy needs. This pipeline, however, would be one welding mistake away from a calamity. It must be stopped.

Alaska's Dark Reality: Salmon vs. Gold Mine

Fotocredit: Michael Melford/National Geographic

"We love our fish!" says Ina Bouker, a Yupik native and teacher from Dillingham who opposes the mine. "The salmon always run. But if their habitat is destroyed, they will not come back."

 

 

Anna, who works in the Communications Division of the Natioal Geographic Society contacted me with information on this amazing article, which was published in their December issue:

"...With all eyes on "Sarah Palin's Alaska", people are seeing the beauty of the Last Frontier...without knowledge of the controversy surrounding a potential mine in Alaska's Bristol Bay that has sparked international concern over what might happen if one of the world's largest copper and gold mines is developed in the home of the world's largest sockeye salmon populations.  Would the mine destroy the fishery by contaminating the water or bring economic benefits to the region?  Given your blog's focus on the environment, would you be interested in National Geographic magazine’s December 2010 article on Alaska's Bristol Bay, “Alaska's Choice: Salmon or Gold,” by Edwin Dobb?..."

Read the entire story on National Geographic

The Sustainablitity Institute

The Sustainability Institute is a non-profit trust, founded in 1999. An international living and learning centre focussing on studies and experience in ecology, community and spirit, we work in partnership with the School of Public Leadership, University of Stellenbosch in the following areas of  education (Masters and PhD degrees in Sustainable Development Planning and Sustainable Agriculture), Early Childhood Development, Community Development Practice and Management, project facilitation to establish Sustainable Neighbourhood Developments in various localities,policy research in the sustainable development sector. The Institute is located in the Lynedoch EcoVillage, a place where we have provided development facilitation to create a space for sustainable living and learning.

Learn more or sign up to their programs

Green budget....

This was a great article I found in the Financial Times, written by Jane Bird...

"...For green technology pioneers government funding can make all the difference as they strive to transform a clever idea into a successful product. For governments, the goal is a thriving sector that can cut carbon footprints and create jobs. Many are dedicating substantial funds to the sector. The European Union has earmarked 1,8 billion Euros for environmental research projects under Framework Programme 7. In the US, more then USD 80 bn has been allocated in clean in clean energy investments, under President Obama's pledge to invest USD 150bn over 10 years on cleann energy. China's green technology spending is soaring, according to figures compiled by Bloomberg News Energy Finance. It reached USD 34.6bn last year, compared with USD 2,5bn five years ago. The UK has set aside 22m Pounds for marine energy, part of an 80m Pound budget for green technology announced in October 2009..."

Ask Dr. Gupta About the Environment

Do you have questions about dangers in the environment? In the air? In the water? In your home? Dr. Sanjay Gupta will answer some of those questions live on Tuesday, June 1 at 3 pm on CNNhealth.com. You are also able to watch his two-part investigation "Toxic America"...

Gore Vidal: A Manifesto

Oct. 1968

As published in Esquire Magazine: May 14, 2008:

Ten percent of the human beings ever born are now alive and breeding like bacteria under optimum conditions. As a result, millions live at famine level. Yet even with the fullest exploitation of the planet’s arable land—and a fair system of distribution—it will not be possible to feed the descendants of those now alive. Meanwhile, man-made waste is poisoning rivers and lakes, air and soil; the megalopolis continues to engulf the earth, as unplanned as a melanoma and ultimately as fatal to the host organism. Overcrowding in the cities is producing a collective madness in which irrational violence flourishes because man needs more space in which to be than the modern city allows.

But because the West’s economy depends upon more and more consumers in need of more and more goods and services, nothing will be done to curb population or to restore in man’s favor the ecological balance. Present political and economic institutions are at best incapable of making changes; at worst, they are prime contributors to the spoiling of the planet and the blighting of human life. It could be said that, with almost the best will in the world, we have created a hell and called it The American Way of Life.

To preserve the human race, it is now necessary to reorganize society. To this end, an Authority must be created with the power to control human population, to redistribute food, to purify air, water, soil, to re-pattern the cities.

Continue reading the article, which was published in Esquire Magazine, May 14, 2008

Greenhouse Gas

I found this amazing article at the official site for research*eu - the magazine of the European research area.

...Soils are suffering the consequences of climate change in terms of erosion and dryness. Evolving temperatures and humidity are disrupting soil composition and behavior. Soils themselves are also contributing to these atmospheric mechanisms. By over exploiting the soil, humans are triggering a time bomb with an uncertain detonation schedule.

The article also touches on subject such as: Geological impact, How desertification starts, Worldwide consequences and much more...

Read more on this subject

Green socialnetwork

Thanks to Victor, who posted a comment on my last entry, we now know about a new green socialnetwork: LayZGreenPeople, which was born out of a desire to get more people involved in improving our environment.  Tree-huggers, corporations and the government have started to take action, but they can't save the Planet alone.  Each of us has to do our part.

Most of us are far too busy to make major changes to our lifestyle.  We’re “LayZ Green People”.   We will never have time to research the latest organic hemp clothing or biodegradable detergent to buy.  But we can all take small actions that don't require time or money. Unplug your phone charger at night.  Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.  Ask hotel housekeeping to keep the same linens on your bed.  It doesn't take much.  And imagine if millions of us agreed to do the same action, together?  

Join and make your voice heard and connect with follow green-thinkers.

(the above mentioned entry was taken off the "about us" section of www.layzgreenpeople.com)

Geotourism Challenge 2009

 

The National Geographic Society ans Ashoka's Changemakers opened the entry process for the second annual "Geotourism Challenge" to showcase how tourism done well sustains, enhances and preserves local culture and the environment. The competition will identify individuals worldwide wo have introduced the most innovative practices in tourism and destination stewardship. 

Conducted in partnership with Ashoka's Changemakers, the global Geotourism Challenge will accept online applications at www.changemakers.net geotourismchallenge through May 20, 2009. Applicants must demonstrate an innovation that protects destination quality and furthers geotourism, defined by National Geographic as "tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place - its environments, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents."

During this period, anyone can debate, endorse or provide additional information on the entries. A distinguished panel of judges - including Keith Bellows, editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine, and Erika Harms, United Nations Foundation's executive director for sustainable development - will review the applications and select the finalists. The online community will then vote for the Geotourism Challenge winners, who will be announced this summer. Each winner will receive a cash prize of USD 5,000.

Participate at The Geotourism Challenge 2009: Power of Place - Sustaining the Future of Destinations, which is hosted at www.changemakers.net/geotourismchallenge.

What is green architecture?

 

The Goethe-Institut New York continues its hit series What Is Green Architecture?, a series of conversations, lectures, and events exploring the cutting-edge developments in the field and their impact on contemporary life as well as implications for the future. This season premieres with a talk by noted Berlin-based architect Diébédo Francis Kéré addressing his current award-winning project in his native Gando Village, Burkina Faso, followed by a conversation with Andres Lepik.

February 3rd, 6:30pm, Avery Hall, Room 114, at Columbia. Free.