This Week's Links

Hi Everyone,

The last few weeks of summer have been hella busy. So I'm going to cop out of a post by posting links to people who are actually writing!

How some nations are shooting themselves in the foot by supporting Japan in the IWC.

Seriously people.

Updates on Lucy.

How can people that make chocolate be bad?

Amazing Whale Photos

Sorry, been busy and haven't had time to write a post. In the mean time, feast your eyes on these amazing underwater photos!


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthpicturegalleries/7940987/Photographer-has-close-encounter-with-pilot-whales-in-the-Strait-of-Gibraltar.html

The Future?

And now to mix things up, some positivity!

Here's a cool video of rush hour somewhere in the Netherlands:

Roadside Zoos

There are very few things that anger me more than roadside zoos. The argument of education is laughable when animals are seen in deplorable conditions. It's nothing more than a selfish, ignorant, and archaic form of sadistic entertainment.

And that's putting it nicely.

In fact I think these attractions are detrimental to our morals and values as a society. These types of attractions completely contradict what we say we value as a society (well most of us say we do). We have laws against animal abuse for domesticated animals and push for conservation and animal habitat preservation from our governments but then attractions are legal and popular enough to remain open?



Cherokee's Archaic Conditions for Caged Bears

Peta has a letter that you can send to North Carolina officials regarding that zoo here.

It's not just our American friends who continue to operate roadside zoos, WSPA has had a campaign to end them in Ontario for years. They've also got a link and a letter template for Ontario officials here.





If there's anything you do today to invest in your karma, then send a letter. Or if you feel like visiting one and chaining yourself to cage...that will help too.

Biomass Burning

Burning Biomass to meet energy needs and reduction standards in North America has become quite popular in recent years.

For a quick refresher, burning of biomass is different than biomass. Biomass involves obtaining energy from a living or formerly living thing (plants, gas or fuels) which includes obtaining energy while the living organism is alive.

Burning of biomass is exactly what it sounds like- obtaining energy by burning formerly living things. Most commonly wood.

A quick google will show that burning of biomass has grown in popularity in the last 20 years, with many organizations and governments advocating this 'environmentally friendly' method of energy production.

However my issue with biomass burning is the same with corn ethanol fuel or nuclear energy. I feel that people who advocate it fail to encompass the entire process when labeling it as 'green'.

Treehugger has a great article on the plans for increasing biomass burning in North America and the many effects it will have on us environmentally- 120 new plants are planned in the US which means 46,000 square feet of forest will have to clear cut. The piece also goes into detail as to why the method is being embraced by power plants, small capital investments but enough to meet emissions reductions requirements.

Yes burning of biomass will reduce emissions... but that is one benefit to an entire process.

I do think that biomass burning is an improvement but it's really just a small improvement to an industry that needs drastic changes and soon.

Last Chance to Save the Tigers?

Sorry another youtube link today, but these animals are so freaking majestic and beautiful I couldn't resist;

Countdown to Zero... Thoughts?

New movie coming out called 'Countdown to Zero', looks interesting but hasn't this been an issue since the Cold War?