A detailed analysis of black carbon — the residue of burned organic matter — in computer climate models suggests that those models may be overestimating global warming predictions.
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Daily Archives: November 24, 2008
Forests May Play Overlooked Role In Regulating Climate
Scientists show that forests may influence the Earth’s climate in important ways that have not previously been recognized.
Can An Ant Be Employee Of The Month?
Ants specializing on one job such as snatching food from a picnic are no more efficient than “Jane-of-all-trade” ants, according to new research from the University of Arizona in Tucson. The finding casts doubt on the idea that the worldwide success of ants stems from job specialization within the colony.
Deep Heat Solution To 500-million Year Fossil Mystery
Scientists have shed new light on a 500-million year old mystery. Some 500 million year-old fossils of the Burgess Shale in Canada, discovered over a century ago, still provide one of the most remarkable insights into the dawn of animal life. The beautiful silvery fossils show the true nature of the life of that time, just after the “Cambrian explosion” of animal life. Yet, their existence is a paradox: the fossils have been buried deep in the Earth’s crust and heated to over 300°C (~600 °F), before being thrust up by tectonic forces to form a mountainous ridge in the Rockies.
Sea Level Rise Alters Chesapeake Bay’s Salinity
While global-warming-induced coastal flooding moves populations inland, the changes in sea level will affect the salinity of estuaries, which influences aquatic life, fishing and recreation.
Value Of Satellites Recognized For Conserving Wetlands
Wetlands contribute to our lives in remarkable ways by providing food and water, controlling floods, protecting against storms and supporting biodiversity, yet they are experiencing loss and degradation on a massive scale.
‘Rhino Rendezvous’ an Amazing Safari Auction
Filed under: Plants and Wildlife
Last year the International Rhino Foundation’s (IRF) made the news with a kooky rhino poop auction. Yes, they sold rhino droppings. On eBay.
This year they’re going a little more conventional, but auctioning off something much bigger: an amazing four-day safari that would be the perfect gift for the conservationist or animal lover who really has everything.
They’re calling it the “Rhino Rendezvous” - a trip for six to spend four days at the IRF headquarters at White Oak Conservation Center, just north of Jacksonville, Florida. The winner will receive ground transportation (i.e. not airfare), meals, accommodations, and a chance to go behind the scenes at the world class White Oak Conservation Center.
Some of the endangered species you’ll get to see at the center include rhinos (of course), tigers, zebras and Komodo monitors. You’ll get to take pictures, see feeding sessions and make some priceless memories.
The auction started on November 15th, and goes through December 15th. To give you an idea of what a great opportunity this is, the whole thing is valued at $25,000, but at the time of this post, bidding has only reached $3,100! That’s what I call a bargain!
It’s also a great cause. If you are thinking of taking a big family trip, and want to do something really unique that will help the conservation efforts of IRF, go place your bid. Some lucky winner is going to have an amazing story to tell.
‘Rhino Rendezvous’ an Amazing Safari Auction originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:05:00 EST 0. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
DimDim - The Art of the Webinar
Last week I participated in a Webinar with users from across Canada. For my readers who don’t know what a webinar is, it’s like a seminar, but presented over the web. I’ve tried a few of these services, and the current leader by a long way is DimDim. With this service it is possible to host meetings of up to 20 people for free - for more people there is a $ubscription fee, but interestingly, there is also an opensource community version that can be installed on your own server if you are into the techy things!
As the price of fuel increases, web conferencing is likely to increase in popularity and services such as this that incorporate video and screen sharing as well as recording of the session will be commonplace in business environments.
I’ve no experienced a technical session such as client - consultant detailing a design project’s progress, but the methods that I’ve used with screen shots and discussing these with clients over the phone would be totoally suited to a web-conferencing format with a bit of preparation.
Technorati Tags: dimdim conference seminar webinar communications
Harvard’s Green Graduate Student Residence
Students are not always known for their green-mindedness. Facing habitual late nights and juggling multiple deadlines, it can be hard balance an eco lifestyle with a studious one. Fortunately, Harvard is joining the ranks of colleges that are trying to incorporate green design right into the campus. The famed Ivy League university commissioned Kyu Sung Woo Architects to design a new graduate student residence that aims to achieve a high level of LEED Certification. The 115,000-square-foot project is aimed to provide housing for 50 percent of the school’s graduate, professional, and doctoral students.
Rent a Living Xmas Tree to Replant in San Francisco
San Francisco residents looking to deck their halls with green holiday decor will be excited to hear that for a limited time the SF Environment Department is teaming up with Friends of the Urban Forest to offer living Christmas trees that will be replanted in neighborhoods after the holidays! Although they’re not your classic x-mas evergreens, these adopted saplings offer an excellent alternative to clear-cut trees, and will live on as a gift to the community long after the holiday season.