On Friday the US Senate failed to pass an important bill which would have pushed the nation to make deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. This was a very unfortunate situation because a reduction in these greenhouse gas emissions is very needed in the struggle to combat global warming. The bill was not passed because it did not receive enough votes to become official legislation. This was because the atmosphere was marked more by partisan disagreements, than actual dedication to the environment and the issue of global warming.
The vote was merely a dozen votes short, of the required number of votes to pass the legislation. This may seem discouraging, but the supporters of a more aggressive approach to battle global warming are optimistic saying that ‘the tide may turn in their favor’. In all reality, most of the opposition came from Republicans. In fact, only 7 Republicans signed for passing the bill, compared to 39 Democrats.
However, there are reasons to be hopeful. Those who support the bill are convinced that the bill will pass, once another president takes over. This is because both presidential candidates, Barak Obama and John McCain, have stated that global warming is an issue they will fight to improve once they become president.
According to Senator Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat, “We will have a Senate next year that I believe will be much more hospitable to this bill and they’ll like this bill,” she said “and we will have a president, either one, who will be hospitable to this subject and we believe will send down a bill to us and work with us.”
In any case, it is hoped that in November things will be more hopeful. By next year, many supporters hope that they will have the appropriate support base to have the bill passed and to create an energy clean economy and protect our environment from the negative consequence of global warming.
Why is it that city dwellers look up into the night sky and have a hard time seeing the stars? The answer is actually very simple- light pollution. Light pollution can be described as the brightening of the night sky, caused by large amounts of artificial outdoor lighting. In the case of light pollution, artificial light is frequently directed aimlessly into the night sky. Light pollution also includes light intrusion, which is the process by which light enters our homes from sources like a bright street light or such.
Light pollution comes from various sources, all of which involve poor lighting fixtures or unnecessary lighting. These sources include: street lamps and lighting, advertising and display lighting, commercial lighting, lighting for sports events and so forth. In any case, many forms of these various of lighting fixtures are typically bad because they allow light to shine upwards, rather than downwards.
How does light pollution affect us?
Light pollution has many effects on both mankind and wildlife, these effects include:
- unnecessary waste in money and energy
- death of migrating birds, who frequently collide with lighted buildings
- negative effects on bird’s behavior
- disrupt the habitats of plants which are dependent on light in their natural cycles
- death of insects who are drawn to the light
- choose outdoor lighting fixtures that shine downwards
- refrain from excessively lighting an area
- use motion sensors, so that lighting is only used when its needed
- buy energy efficient outdoor lighting products
- only light what needs to be lit
As people fight to improve the environment they often speak of finding and using renewable energy sources, lessening pollutants and so forth. However there is a very significant step that we can all take to reduce global warming. It is a step that is both easy and very accessible… planting trees!
Deforestation results in about 25% of carbon emissions, globally. This has been accelerated by the destruction of precious rainforests. Rainforests serve as a ‘cooling band’ along the Earth’s equator, making them play a significant role in climate change. As a result their destruction has had a significant influence on growing global warming. In reality, the effect that deforestation has on carbon emissions actually outweighs the damage caused by factories, cars and so forth.
According the Oxford based Global Canopy Programme, the destruction of rainforests and trees, is only second to the energy sector as a source for carbon emissions. According to the statistics of the Global Canopy Programme:
- Deforestation results in 25% of carbon emissions
- Transportation and Industry result in 14% each, of carbon emissions
- Aviation accounts for 3% of the total carbon emissions
“Tropical forests are the elephant in the living room of climate change,” said Andrew Mitchell, the head of the GCP. As a result the influence that trees have on the health of our environment cannot be overlooked.
Using trees to fight against carbon emissions and global warming, does not require any sort of new technology. It merely requires the will and ability needed to slow the destruction of precious rainforests and to instead encourage the planting of new trees and forests. Governments and individuals need to take the initiative and plant trees in order to protect our environment and ourselves.
Planting trees is not the only way to protect our environment, but it is very significant, effective and relatively easy. Join with Starry Night Lights to protect the environment by saving energy and protecting the night sky. Become a tree hugger- save Mother Nature!
The issues of global warming and climate change have affected us on many levels, even politically. It has become important for our world leaders to show us how they plan on dealing with the many issues that plague our environment. Our world leaders took the first big stance against global warming with the Kyoto Protocol. This protocol has served as an exemplary example of a failing system for dealing with global warming, but it has also served as an ideal form of a global response to this international dilemma.
As the future presidential election continues, all the future candidates have made it clear that they will take measures to ‘improve the environment’. But environmentalists have asked, what are these measures? Are they going to produce the same results that the Kyoto Protocol has produced?
The US has been one of the most difficult nations to find and implement new energy sources. This is because Americans are extremely attached to both their cars and the currently available energy sources. This fact became extremely evident, with the US response to the Kyoto Protocol.
Kyoto Protocol took place after a United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. This summit was called in order to stabilize greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The agreement made during this summit, was ratified by more than 186 countries though in all reality it did little to actually solve greenhouse gas emissions. This treaty was followed by the Kyoto Protocol, which has not been ratified by any nation that is a major emitter of greenhouse gases, including the US. In addition, the targets of the protocol have been greatly weakened by following negotiations, thus is could take up to ten years for the protocol to actually make effective climate changes.
In any case, it is clear that the US and other major nations need to stand up and come together to find an international solution to this problem. We as Americans and people of this Earth need to seriously consider the problem of global warming during the up coming election. Join Starry Night Lights and take part in the fight against global warming.
I recently read a “do it yourself” landscape lighting article. It listed all kinds of things that homeowners could do to light up their yards at night. My first thought was, “OMG. You guys are providing some amazingly outdated and wasteful ideas here”. One piece of advice… often seen on any landscape lighting website mentions “pointing outdoor lights up at the foliage” or “placing lights in trees”. Can you say “energy waste” or, how about “light pollution“? Haven’t these guys heard of global warming…. climate change… etc? We simply cannot continue with business as usual, and we can’t have supposed “thought leaders” continuing the myth that this kind of behavior is somehow OK. Get a clue. It is NOT OK to point lights up into trees and the night sky. It is NOT OK to light ones backyard like a federal penitentiary… however “tasteful” you may think it looks. I understand the desire to spruce up the exterior of ones home, but doing so in a way that degrades the environment is simply not acceptable. Because of all this tired old information on landscape lighting ideas, I’ve decided to put down a few of my own.
First up… and most importantly… Do Not Put Your Landscape Lights On Timers Or Photo Cells. This will only ensure that your lights are on way to much. Photo cells by their very nature will guarantee that your landscape lights are on about 12 hours per day. This is crazy… and incredibly wasteful. If you’ve installed landscape lighting so that you can make use of your backyard after dark… then just use a simple light switch and turn the lights on when you’re planning to go out side. This way, you will actually see the fruits of your labor. You’ll be able to entertain in a comfortable, attractive environment, and you’ll only be consuming energy while you’re actually outside enjoying the area. Think about this. For all the snide comments that Hummers get for their poor fuel efficiency, they’re at least turned off when they’re not in use. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an SUV owner leave their vehicles running all day/night long. I can think of a number of neighbors who leave their out door lights on all night long… and even all day long in some cases. Use your outdoor and landscape lighting only when necessary.
Secondly, light only the areas that you’ll actually be using. Light your patio. Light your deck. Light your walkways. Wonderful. This will enable you to enjoy these areas and to move about safely after dark. Please, please, please don’t light your entire yard. Don’t up-light your trees. I know you have trees. Your neighbors know you have trees. There is no good reason on Earth to shine lights on them. People can see them perfectly well by day… and have absolutely no need or desire to see them after dark. Checkout the accompanying image (provided by www.TheLightingPolice.com). Here’s what happens when you put your landscape lights on timers. You simply forget about them. You may enjoy them the few times you’re actually outside at night, but… you forget about them. This guy has a number of trees uplit by flood lights. There was over 3′ of snow in his yard when this picture was taken. His landscape lights were buried deep under the snow, but… because his landscape designer thoughtfully put the entire system on a timer, they’re on from 5pm until 5am 365 days a year… even when the lights are buried under 3 feet of snow. Can you say “wasteful”? How about “global warmer”? If you want landscape lighting so that you can enjoy your yard after dark… make sure that you’re actually outside to enjoy them. If you’re not… then the lights should not be on. Period.
Thirdly, don’t light any areas that don’t need to be lit. This sounds simple enough, but you’d be amazed at how often people shine their landscape lights in places they don’t belong. Don’t light up your entire yard. Especially don’t light up your neighbor’s yard. I can assure you… they don’t want your lights shining into their windows or into their yard. Don’t light up the night sky. Don’t light up any area that you won’t be sitting in our walking through. See, I told you it was pretty simple. Look around your neighborhood after dark and I’m sure that you’ll see a number of homes that really missed this one.
Lighting consumes over 1/4 of all the electricity produced in the US. Outdoor lighting is a very sizable portion of this. In a time of increasing energy costs and concerns over global warming, lighting everything up from dusk to dawn is simply not an acceptable option. Perhaps it was ok at some time in the past (this is debatable), but that time is certainly long gone. Anyway, as you can see… much of what passes for landscape lighting has been overdone or simply done wrong. With just a little thought and consideration, however, you can have the best of both worlds. A beautiful and functional night time backyard AND an responsible energy use scenario. Checkout our Outdoor Lighting Guidelines for more information on the topic.
International scares about climate change have risen to dramatic heights, this is because of ‘freak’ weather occurrences and severe food shortages, which have been occurring all over the globe. The cyclone in Mynammar, the earthquake in China, the twisters in the midwest, have all been recent occurrences that have been linked by certain experts with climate change. Also, the food shortages which are occurring all over the globe, have been equally threatening, causing many individuals to over buy while others are helplessly in the need.
According to the president of the World Bank, the food shortages could push more than 100 million individuals below the poverty line. The food shortages have made accessible food too expensive for many individuals around the world, weakening global efforts to improve poverty globally.
There are many factors that have affected and brought on the food shortages. These factors are: a high global population, a massive increase in the production of corn-based ethanol in the United States, which has had a very negative impact on more commodities than just corn. Also, the depreciation of the dollar and the increased appreciation of the euro and other currencies, has made commodities which are priced in the dollar much higher. In addition, hoarding by certain countries and individuals has greatly increased food prices and created shortages. However, in spite of all these factors the underlying reason and most significant factor behind these occurrences is the high price of gas and other fossil fuels.
One cannot ignore the way that climate changes have affected food shortages and prices as well. Many areas of the globe have been severly affected by the changing climate. In India and Africa drought and disease have greatly decreased the amount of crops produced making prices soar. This is especially severe with regard to wheat, which has increased as the result of failing crops. It is clear that climate change has made some areas too dry for a successful crop season, while on the other hand it has made other areas more prone to diseases on crops.
In any case, it has become very clear that by ignoring global warming and its effects, like climate change, we are setting ourselves up for all kinds of disasters. One may think that Americans are not going to have to deal with these consequences but that is clearly not the case. In order to best protect ourselves and our world, we must take steps to lessen global warming. Join with Starry Night Lights and fight to improve our world and our environment!
When we hear about global warming and its consequences, we often hear people speaking of: climate changes, the depletion of the ozone, the melting of artic ice and so forth. But what does this really mean? How do climate changes, for example, truly effect us? In many cases, it has been easy for us to ignore global warming and its effects, but things are changing. Even President Bush who is certainly not renown for his environmental consciousness, has been forced to deal with the consequences of global warming.
Recently, the Bush administration has added the polar bear to the threatened species list, finally acknowledging the fact that the melting of artic ice has greatly threatened the survival of polar bears. This decision was praised by environmentalists, though it was opposed by conservatives who felt that the new restrictions on drilling for oil and gas in the artic, which were mostly likely to accompany this decision, were going to have ill effects on the economy of the U.S. Considering the global situation, with regard to access of oil and gas, their fears are not unfounded. Though the more important decision would be to find alternative sources for energy, instead of gas and oil, which would both free the U.S. from a lot of obligations and more importantly, protect the environment.
In addition to this announcement, the Bush administration has also taken steps to lessen the decisions impact on drilling activities in Alaska. This outraged many environmentalists who felt that this would compromise the protection of these precious animals. The Bush administration responded by saying that any activity which is not restricted by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and other federal laws involving the bears and oil companies, will also not be restricted in the Endangered Species Act. Though officials have also agreed to list a few new additional restrictions on oil and gas drilling in Alaska.
There have been debates on both sides of the agrument. The envrionmental side, feels that this decision will effect more than just the bears, because of the restrictions it should bring. They feel that many other states will have to change their activities in accordance with the decision, and that this in turn will decrease factors which increase global warming. The other side, on the other hand, has argued that this decision should not have the power to ‘make or abuse global warming policies’.
It is still hard to tell what the true impacts of this decision will be, but it is clear that it has brought an interesting debate, which involves a great deal more than just the bears.
Light it is a good thing. It makes us feel safe at night. It helps us travel at night by increasing our visibility and extends our day by allowing activities and work to stretch late into the evening. But true to human nature, many people believe that more is better. They are not satisfied with a reasonable amount of light and they want more and brighter light. What was once a good thing is now becoming a problem both for humans and wildlife.
Problems associated with an excess of artificial outdoor lighting include light pollution, sky glow, detrimental sleep and health issues of humans and disruption of wildlife. Excess light wastes electricity and fossil fuels. It increases greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming.
Observatories around the world are in particular danger as their ability to perform research is being severely limited by too much light. Ten billion dollars ($10,000,000,000) is wasted each year in the United States by lighting the sky. This wasted light serves no purpose for safety, security or utility. It is simply wasted energy!
Where is all of this excess light coming from? Motels, hotels, all night service station, sports facilities, building décor, shopping malls, poorly designed street lights, car dealerships……you get the idea.
Recent scientific discoveries have revealed the true fragile state of our world and its environment. Unfortunately this knowledge did not have much effect on the human populace until very recently, when famous individuals like Al Gore brought brutal facts to the public’s attention. His facts and the facts of many others revealed that the mistakes made by the earth’s population were taking a devastating toll on the earth and our environment.
As a result, many companies have pledged to become more environmentally friendly, an action which has come to be known as ‘going green’. One such company is Energy Star, which is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy designed to help “us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices”. Energy Star has proven to be very effective in its endeavor. In 2007, it was able to reduce a great percentage of greenhouse gas emissions, an amount which would have resulted from 27 million cars, just by the amount of energy it saved. In addition this ’save’ also resulted in a financial save of about 16 billion on utilities.
Energy Star products can save a family a great deal of money on their energy bill, while also saving the environment from increasing levels of greenhouse gas emissions. This does not mean that families will have to sacrifice on style or features, but they are able to save a lot of energy with these newer Energy Star approved models. By buying products with the Energy Star label, one will be guaranteed energy effecient products as well as a ‘fatter’ wallet.
In mid March, EnergySolutions pushed to import about 20,000 tons of low-level nuclear waste from Italy, to be buried in Utah on a site owned by the company. This move was met by great resistance by Utah Radiation Control Board and other members of the Utah community. On Thursday May 8, 2008, eight Western states moved to stop EnergySolutions’ decision to import nuclear waste from Italy and bury at their Utah landfill. Members of the Northwest Compact on Low-level Radioactive voted to change the company’s contract with the Salt Lake City nuclear waste company so that foreign waste will no longer be permitted. In addition they moved to close a loophole which had allowed the company bury processed waste from Tennessee, in Utah as well.
Even Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. has said that he will use his power to block Italian waste import until a national policy can be set.
All this is happening while the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is considering the company’s desire to import 20,000 tons of waste to processing plant near Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The company would then sell the recovered metal it produced after processing, for shielding, while also disposing of 1,600 tons of waste at the company’s landfill in Utah.
However, a problem arose when EnergySolution declared that the decision made on Thrusday was irrelevant, saying that the decision does not apply to their private facility. Of all the sites, the one in Utah is one of three which is not owned by the government. Thus, because the site in Utah is privately owned, EnergySolutions feels that the decision will not affect them. The general counsel for EnergySolutions has promised to continue to limit importing of foreign waste to 5%, even though the site can handle far more.
It seems that a fight is still ahead, though it is clear that Utahans are not excited about the idea of foreign waste being buried in their ‘back yard’. John Urgo of the Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah thanked all those who have fought against burying foreign waste in Utah, saying that their resistance has confirmed “that it was never the intent of state or federal law to open up Utah and the U.S. to the world’s nuclear waste,” thus, he said “we can all breathe a sigh of relief that someone was finally willing to reign in their global nuclear ambitions.”
Secondly, light only the areas that you’ll actually be using. Light your patio. Light your deck. Light your walkways. Wonderful. This will enable you to enjoy these areas and to move about safely after dark. Please, please, please don’t light your entire yard. Don’t up-light your trees. I know you have trees. Your neighbors know you have trees. There is no good reason on Earth to shine lights on them. People can see them perfectly well by day… and have absolutely no need or desire to see them after dark. Checkout the accompanying image (provided by 
