Beluga Whales

Known as the white whale, beluga whales or Dephinapterus leucas naturally live in the Arctic & sub-Arctic regions of the ocean, around Alaska, Canada, Russia and Greenland. Adult Belugas grow up to length of 16 feet and live to 50 years in captivity. They are stunningly white. The name Beluga comes from the Russian word ‘belukkha’ which means white.

Scientists refer to the Belugas as canaries for the high pitch sound they make. But the term canary is also accurate in that the whales are sensitive to pollution and serve as indicators of healthful or unhealthful environments, much like the mine canaries.

Beluga whales were the first live ocean mammal to be displayed in a permanent tank to the public in New York City. Since that time Belugas are periodically harvested from the sea to replenish the aquatic centers around the world. Researchers working with the whale have discovered that the whales are able to identify and have distinctive sounds for particular objects, giving the hope that someday humans and whales will be able to communicate.

Belugas swim at a tranquil pace and appear to be smiling most of the time. They are known to be playful with each other and their human handlers. In general, they are social creatures living in pods. However, belugas move from pod to pod increasing their social circles.

Different Shapes

Daily reminders that we share our space with a plethora of creatures encourage the symbiotic nature of life on planet Earth.

Momma Earth provides the habitat for species to thrive or decline based on a variety of influences both naturally occurring and action consequence. Habitats for Earth-dwellers are ever overlapping producing an array of sub-species developed by natural selection and environmental impact.

I eat my lunch at a beautiful location near signage which reminds me: I Am Not Alone.

My virtually unseen companions are the local inhabitants. I recognize my intrusion into their territory and I act accordingly… respectful.

Often snakes are under appreciated. They serve a great purpose in keeping the rodent and small animal populations in check. We need these creatures to help maintain a proper balance.

Respect for the rattlesnake is a healthy position to maintain. They are venomous snakes whose striking distance often surprises their prey. In general, they strike out from a coil to a distance of two-thirds their length. Bites provide the mechanism for venom delivery.

Rattlesnake venom is most often an hemotoxic venom which causes blood clotting and destruction of tissue. Rarer but more deadly are the rattlesnakes that have neurotoxic venom which shuts down the nervous system. Medical attention is required for venomous bites. Treatment with anti-venom reduces death down to 4% of those bitten.

Rattlesnakes rattle when they’re disturbed; angry or fearful, but they need not rattle before they strike. Non-rattling rattlesnakes include the young or pre-button size rattlesnakes and water-logged rattles on rattle snakes. Water-logged rattles occur after a heavy rain. Still the rattle is a warning to back away which is better heeded than not.

When entering a rattlesnake habitat it behooves humans to wear protective clothing: long pants and high boots. Proper boots can stave off what could be a devastating conflict with one of Earth’s necessary creatures.

E-85: A Better Choice

Sustainable eco-friendlier combustible fuel is produced from corn, a rotatable sustainable crop, it's called E-85.

Current dormant acreage can be rotated to a corn crop rather than subsidized through USDA payments to farmer ‘not-to-plant’. This rotation provides soil nutrients as it is worked and turned, prevents top soil erosion and makes a fuel that burns cleaner than fossil fuels. Could this be an easier choice?

Let’s Explore E-85

E-85 is now available at less than 3,000 gas stations across the US. It is a primary fuel in several European countries including Sweden, Ireland and Italy. If US consumption rises not only would the fuel be available at more stations, the price should go down as the production quantity goes up, making E-85 even more attractive to the consumer.

Current E-85 prices on cost per tank are on par with fossil fuel costs, but E-85 creates less carbon emission, less overall air pollution per mile of driving.

E-85 is an alcohol fuel made from non-edible corn plant or whey, the waste, by product in cheese production.

Reports online show the fuel miles per gallon is reduced when compared with fossil fuel. But the important part for consumers is the price per gallon which is less. With zero added cost to the consumer adding in the improved air quality, the decision is a no-brainer, E-85 wins!

Not only is E-85 better for the consumer and the environment but a boost for the economy as well as rising production levels will increase alternative fuel production jobs right here in the US.

Fuel Economy

In trials gas consumption seems to be related to driving habits. If you are a responsible driver, you’ll find nearing similar mpg (miles per gallon) with E-85. If you are heavy on the gas or ‘Ricky Racers’ with excessive speed or stomping on gas to brake and back again, then your over all fuel economy will be reduced. Some of the anti-E-85 articles on the web are skewed to show the fuel economy ratings toward an erratic driver rather than easy-going driver. In other words, the worst-case scenerio is stated as the probable fuel milage.

One Day’s Price

Gas $3.25/gallon
E-85 $2.75/gallon

Emission Toxins

E-85 reduced emission toxins including Benzene, a known carcinogen. E-85 increases acetaldehyde which is found in exhaust and cigarette smoke. Studies are in progress to find the ratios and related risks to the acetaldehyde emissions.

Is E-85 the end to air pollution?

Easily, the answer is NO.

Is E-85 an alternative to fossil fuel?

Yes.

Can E-85 be less costly than fossil fuel?

Yes.

Clearly, E-85 is a step in the right direction for cleaner air at a better price for everyone.

Book Review: Thumbing Through Thoreau

Thumbing Through Thoreau: A Book of Quotations by Henry David Thoreau
Compiled by Kenny Luck / Illustrated by Jay Luke and Ran Adams
2010: Tribute Books: $24.95
ISBN 978-0-9822565-4-1

Henry David Thoreau profoundly moved me, when in high school, I first read Walden. Pleased not only to find a philosopher I could admire, but a writer who made beautiful statements within his argument that outlined a design for a better world. Thoreau believed in the value of humanity, the value of the Earth and that humanity need not injure the Earth to survive. His naturalist principles are as true today as they were in the mid-19th century.

Thumbing through Thoreau is a compilation of the points one might highlight or underline within the writings. The selections are choice, creating items for contemplation. Thoreau’s inspirational writings are reorganized and divided into three sections: Society & Government, Spirituality & Nature and Love. Thumbing Through Thoreau could easily be used as a reference or daily meditation book. Each page has one quote and one nature drawing.

If you enjoy Thoreau, you'll like the following excerpts from Thumbing through Thoreau:

Section I Society & Government

While civilization has been improving our houses, it has not equally improved the men who inhabit them.

To a philosopher all news, as it is called, is gossip, and they who edit and read it are old women over their tea.

I have found thus that I had been a rich man without any damage to my poverty.

There is not one kind of food for all men.

Section II Spirituality & Nature

Our life is frittered away by detail…simplify, simplify!

I have a great deal of company in my house, especially in the morning, when nobody calls.

Nothing so fair, so pure, and at the same time so large, as a lake, perchance, lies on the surface of the earth. Sky water.

Go in search f the springs of life.

Section III Love

Love is the profoundest of secrets.

All romance is grounded in friendship.

Veneration is the measure of Love.

Love is a mutual confidence whose foundations no one knows.

For more: http://www.tribute-books.com/thoreau/index.html

Consequences

In a crazy world of no accountability, no consequences, one could imagine that executives would be shifting responsibility, blaming the government, blaming the silent victims & coastal communities, seeking the cheapest way to stop the flow instead of the fastest and reporting profits in the middle of it all… but that would mean… oh, wait…

Just a thought:

Naughty children need to demonstrate that their lack of responsibility has been replaced by way of amends to behave with a sense of contrition and humility.

Clean-up considerations:

1) Start with a hay barrier for coastal areas: the technology is available, hay is available and experts are available who can direct the retrieval process and recycled the oil soaked hay into blacktop type of products.
2) Retrieve as much oil from the water as possible with a vacuum system, refine it, recycle it. Do not let it float & destroy any more than it already has. Do not hide it under the water.
3) Development of workable solutions should have begun already but… let’s begin immediately. One would think that a sort of rubber tampon or upside-down umbrella or balloon would fill the inside the oil shaft to temporarily stop the flow until the relief well could be drilled tout de suite.
4) Double-double overtime on the relief well.
5) Surely there are engineers and scientists with even more solutions. Pay them well to fix this fast.

Turn a bad situation around and develop solutions that can be made part of regular protocol because it's the long-term profitable thing to do.

Summer

The data was in back in the 1970s, maybe earlier. Change required for survival. Immediate change. Radical change. Red Alert! The Lorax told the children. Walter Cronkite told the World. Things must change.
At the time, the scientists were confident that things hadn’t gone too far, but we needed to start the 1980s with different sources of energy.
Here we stand now, 30 years later and still our power comes from death. Our transportation powered by death. Our lights energy produced from death. Our society based on and fashioned by way of death. Death is the impetus of coal. Death is the essence of oil turned to gasoline. Death brought from the ground where it belongs, where it should stay. Twisting death back to life in our world has put us all in impending peril. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of death brought to the surface of our Mother Earth has polluted the air, the water, polluted all that brings life. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of weight turned from solid to liquid to gas in the matter of a short period of time. The change in the weight distribution has caused serious changes to the planet, we all call home.
Mother Earth who brings forth life is serious ill. Can’t you see the change? Can’t you feel the change? The vibration from our Mother who gives us life is different. The sun on our skin is different. The weather is different. The animals act differently. Everything is different.
How has the planet changed? Has her shape changed? Has the axis changed? Has the orbit changed?
At present it seems that those steering the World destiny are not in touch with the most basic connection. Those that have eyes that see, those that have ears that hear are marginalized, pushed aside instead of allowed to do good things, make good decisions for the Greater Good.
My generation, coming of age, learning to drive at the time of the perilous announcements by the Eco-Movement of the 1970s, we’re okay with returning to walking, or horses, if that be the case. We were also excited about the idea of all energy coming from the Earth’s energy, water, air, gravity. Clean the air, clean the water. Return to Eden was the phrase used regularly by my peers. Now, middle-aged we have yet to be heard, or even considered. The massive generation, the largest ever born, even more than the baby-boom, whose presence was given to smooth the change has been pushed to obscurity, seemingly unheard, but certainly unheeded.

Our Mother weeps for the children that kill her, for they too shall die. Remember the Lorax, he speaks for the trees and the bees and all of these. We say Please and hope that it’s not too late.

Go Green...Air

Essential for life, it’s the air we breathe.

Typically indoor air quality rates two to five times as polluted as outdoor air, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Much of what we use to keep the inside of our homes and buildings clean is the leading component of toxic chemicals in the air. EPA reports that measured VOCs Volatile Organic Compounds) of indoor air can be as high as 1,000 times greater than outdoor air.

Since World War II, over 80,000 chemicals have been developed for use as cleaners, pesticides, personal care products, and plastics. Many of these chemicals contain neurotoxins. Neurotoxins suppress the nervous system and overload kidneys and liver impairing the body’s ability to rid itself of waste.

Symptoms of breathing chemical toxins or Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are headaches, allergies, nose bleeds, fatigue, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, shortness of breath and memory loss. Continued exposure can lead to chronic or acute health problems, immune system disorders or cancer.

Chemical toxins or VOCs are highly present in oven cleaners, dishwasher detergents, toilet cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, air fresheners, carpet cleaners, antibacterial cleaners, perfumes, carpet shampoos. Empty containers should be taken to the hazardous waste site.

Many perfumes and aftershaves have petroleum or gasoline as a scent preservative. These types of products can deaden the sense of smell as well as contribute to allergies and breathing problems.

Solution

To promote good air quality switch to environmentally friendly products such as Earth Friendly or Seventh Generation Cleaning Products. To promote good personal air quality switch to non-toxic natural perfumes, aftershaves, bath & hair care products.

Homemade Glass Cleaner:
1/8 cup vinegar
1 cup water
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake and apply. Wipe Clean.

Recycling Centers & Info: Earth911.com

Go Green Info: Treehugger.com NatureNeutral.com

Non-toxic Cleaning Products: Ecos.com seventhgeneration.com

Learn how to make Non-toxic Household Cleaners, download the free recipe book: www.cvswmd.org/pdf/non-toxic_cleaners.pdf