Now that this question has gotten your attention, you may be curious as to what in the world it means?
The original headline for this question was from the Environmental News Network. “Zebra stripes as bug repellant.” It’s kind of comical but neat at the same time as why and how zebras fight of horseflies. Apparently, their stripes keep these nasty flies away. Zebras, as pretty as they are, are actually unattractive to horseflies. Pretty cool. I guess they don’t have to worry about fighting the battles that all the other wildlife deal with.
Unfortunately, for animals who are attacked by these brutal flies, they can lose large amounts of blood a day. They are nothing more than ruthless blood suckers wreaking havoc on defenseless animals that can’t even swat them away.
The study has also found that the “narrowest stripes attracted the least amount of horseflies.” So basically, they are attracted to darker hides more so than white hides. At least one specie of animal is protected from those annoying horseflies. Before reading this, did you know about zebra stripes and horseflies? This was definitely news to me and makes for a great conversation piece, don’t you think?
Source: Environmental News Network
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Scientists are no longer puzzled as to why the Yellow-Cedar trees in Alaska are dying. The trees are dying to a freezing root condition. It occurs during cold weather in late winter and early spring. But get this, the problem doesn’t occur when there is snow on the ground. Apparently the snow protects the roots.
Shallow rooting this leaves the trees more susceptible to root freezing and injury. About 60% to 70% of the trees are effected and declining according to sciencedaily.com.
Scientists are currently working on saving the yellow-cedar trees from danger while reduced snow is the problem at this time. Hopefully Alaska will see more snow days to help protect and preserve the yellow-cedar roots from harm, injury, and eventually extinction.
Source: Science Daily
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Tags: Alaska, environment, save 1 million trees, snow, trees
If you are a lover of the great outdoors and hiking and just can’t get enough of national parks, you are in luck. There are apparently a long list of lost national parks in America according to National Geographic. I was shocked to discover that one of the lost national parks is right here in my state. (Mackinac national park of Michigan)
- Arch Rock; located in Northern Michigan (Mackinac Island State Park), was established in 1875.
- National Visitor Center at Union Station used to be a National Park Service.
- Oklahoma City National Memorial opened as a National Park in 1997.
- Mar-a-lago National Historic Site is a National Historic Landmark. It became a park system in 1972.
- Lewis and Clark Cavern National Monument was established in 1808.
- Kennedy Center was a poor fit for a National Park Service in 1972.
- Castle Pinckney National Monument fell into the hands of the National Park Service in 1865.
- Old Kasaan National Monument is now a totem park.
- Mount Shasta National Park was a national park for a few years after WWII.
For a complete listing of these lost National Parks along with pictures and the history behind it, you can visit nationalgeographic.com
Source: National Geographic
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Does your list of New Year resolutions include living a greener and more Eco-friendly lifestyle? If it doesn’t you may want to consider adding just a couple to start. To help you decide where to start here is a list of the top 8 ”green” New Year resolutions of 2012 according to Huff Post Green:
- Buy less bottled water- Throwing away plastic is just a waste and a hazard.
- Driving less-Cutting down on the use of Carbon Dioxide Emissions is beneficial not only to our health but to the environment as well.
- Use reusable shopping bags-A top choice when heading to the grocery store.
- Shorter shower times-Save water by knocking out those half hour long showers.
- Cut down on the meat products-Cutting down on meat can help save more animals from abuse and harm.
- Recycle paper-This is a recycling favorite as it saves paper waste.
- Earth friendly cleaning products-Using these types of cleaner prevents harsh chemicals from entering the home and protects your health as well.
- Compost-Turn your scraps into compost. It can act as healthy fertilizers for your garden, etc.
So what do you think? Do you think you can at least adopt one of these resolutions to start living a greener lifestyle? Starting with one is better than not starting at all. You can really make a difference in making Eco-Friendly choices.
Source: Huff Post Green
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Tags: clean energy, eco friendly chioces, save 1 million trees, weather and environment, wildlife
The new year should bring new changes in our environment but will it be positive or negative changes? In the 2012 race what is going to be the main focus the environment or the economy? While both are very important topics what is going to be the hot topic this year?
I guess it makes sense for money making counties A.K.A. the Burbs as stated on pbs.org, who would like to shift their focus to the environment as jobs are not an issue for these particular voters. According to Dante Chinne of the PBS Newshour, ”More than 39 percent say the economy is more important in the Burbs, while 33 percent say it is the environment.” Wow, so this is really only a difference of 6 points. That is most definitely not a lot. This should tell you what state the economy is in at this time.
I guess in all reality for this new year of 2012 the race will be the environment vs the economy. Will the economy be getting better or worse in 2012? Should our focus be on creating more jobs or should we focus on a cleaner environment for healthier living? Can both be applied equally all the while pleasing everyone? This is a hard nut to crack so to speak as we will see and hear the debates rise in favor of one over the other.
What do you think? Should the focus be entirely on the Environment during the 2012 race or the Economy? Maybe you are on the fence as to what should be the most important at this time. Please share your thoughts and or opinions on the topics at hand.
Source: PBS Newshour
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Tags: clean energy, eco friendly choices, save 1 million trees, weather and environment, wildlife
According to Science Daily, “the Global food demand could double by 2050.” Apparently if we continue to produce food in large amounts, carbon dioxide levels will increase along with nitrogen. This is a problem as we could see a gradual decline in animal species. Extinction? Yes. Fortunately, all of this can be avoided if fertilizers such as nitrogen fertilizers are used properly and efficiently. Land clearing is a definite issue if we continue to head down this path. This specifically reigns true for poor nations.
If the United States can help these poor countries then we can see an improvement in these levels. Research shows this: “the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that adopting nitrogen-efficient “intensive” farming can meet future global food demand with much lower environmental impacts than the “extensive” farming practiced by many poor nations, which clear land to produce more food. The potential benefits are great. In 2005, crop yields for the wealthiest nations were more than 300 percent higher than yields for the poorest nations.” This is great news if our country is open to continue educating poor countries on this type of farming. Can it be done? I believe it can but will it be carried out? It’s probably a long shot and most likely there will be a decline with species which we most certainly do not want.
The key here is to just help poor countries and nations so that a positive change can take place.
Source: Science Daily
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Tags: clean energy, eco friendly choices, save 1 million trees, weather and environment, wildlife
Yes, you read that right. Apparently, a dead fin whale in Point Loma, washed onto shore and then was towed back out to sea. According to KPBS, the CEO of Virgin, “donated resources to sink the fin whale.”
The poor whale died while being struck by a ship. They want to offer submarine tours with the dead carcass. How crazy is that? Yes, get the whale off the beach but is it really necessary to expose a carcass for tours? What is the point in that anyways? What do you think?
You can view the dead fin whale being towed back out to see from afar here: Whale towed out to sea
Source: KPBS
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Tags: weather and environment, wildlife
A volcano in the Eastern Democratic Republic has erupted spewing lava inside a National Park, home of endangered Gorillas. How scary right? Fortunately, according to Earthweek, the lava is flowing slowly enough to not raise cause for concern. It doesn’t seem to be posing any threats for humans or wildlife. Thank goodness. Can you imagine the damage that this lava could potentially cause?
There is concern for the threat of volcanic ash, they will have to keep their eyes out on that for sure. Apparently, this volcano also known as Nyamulagira erupts once every two years or so. The problem with this is it can just keep spewing for days or even weeks or months. Earth week has stated that this particular volcano is the most active volcano in Africa and it’s last eruption took place in 2010.
If the ash can be contained from this eruption, most likely wildlife and humans will be free from any issues and thankfully it hasn’t been a major problem like previously expected.
Source: Earth Week
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Tags: environment, weather, wildlife
If I told you that seaweed is another killer of the coral reefs would you believe me? I was quite shocked myself as we know that other culprits of this problems is usually related to the warming oceans and pollution etc. I just recently found out that some seaweed causes “coral bleaching and suppresses photosynthesis by emitting anti-coral chemicals” according to National Geographic News. Crazy, right?
An author in a recent study said that “such seaweed could be helping to curb coral growth on reefs worldwide.” This seaweed sounds like it’s on steroids doesn’t it? Wow, what kind of seaweed could actually kill the coral reefs like that? Apparently it is mainly taking place around the Fiji Islands.
In years past, scientists have discovered that more and more coral reefs are being overcome by seaweed. “It is unclear if algae is to blame or if it actually benefited from this.” What exactly could slow this process if it can be helped? You can read the full article; National Geographic News on nationalgeographic.com.
Source: National Geographic
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Tags: clean energy, eco friendly choices, save 1 million trees, weather and environment, wildlife
“During the 112th Congress, the Republican House majority has taken aim at issues ranging from labor protections to women’s right to choose. But it may be the environment that’s hardest hit by Republican efforts to reshape the federal government.” (Huffington Post) And according to Henry Waxman, it is the most anti-environment house in history.
What makes this the most anti-environment house in history? According to the Huffington Post, the House of Representatives apparently passed 125 bills that undermines environmental protection. Does this make you wonder why? Why have a house so against the environment anyways? For those who love to pollute the environment etc., or just don’t seem to care about the environment, I guess they are supporters of this bill then, wouldn’t you say?
Read the full article on the 112th Congress record on Huffingtonpost.com.
Source: Huffington Post
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Tags: clean energy, eco friendly choices, save 1 million trees, weather and environment, wildlife
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