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Monday, March 17, 2008

Starting A Group For Sealife Preservation

Because humans are losing too much of the natural, it is time to change the way people think about preservation. Stop thinking about what it would benefit the human race if this sea life is protected. To preserve the sea life, you should know the value of nature and all of its aspects without thinking of your own interests.

Since people have been brought up to the belief that every living thing has the birthright to exist in this environment, sea life should be preserved. And this will start as soon as you give a little extra effort for this cause.

Are you ready to participate in achieving a better conservation of the sea environmental life? Are you ready to spread information and educate other people about the dangers and harm humans cause the sea life?

Since majority of the oceans have been devastated by development and industry in the past century, it is never too late to start now. By following these 6 simple steps, you could make a change.

1. Learn to manage skills. Because two minds is better than one, recruit people that would support you in your preservation of sea life. Each person has a unique skill that could be made of use. Learn to use these skills for the common good.

2.Learn to make finances out of nothing. Because non-profitable programs do not have funds to get money from, learn to collect these funds on your own. After receiving the money, be able to manage it and circulate the finances for programs and other events.

3. Learn to plan strategically. Although your group is working for a cause, it wouldn't harm you to plan the preservation of sea life in an organized manner. The vital key in supporting your program is by maintaining the sufficient financial matters and by producing a long-term plan for your group.

4. Learn to inform correctly. For people to be aware on the conditions of the coral reef, the endangered species of the sea life, the laws regarding fishing, and many other issues on the preservation of sea life, be ready to educate the people.

Research and educate the people about the basics of sea life conservation and simple techniques that minimize harm to fish when engaging in catch-and-release angling.

To lessen uninformed people, educate them on the correct disposal of wastes on seas, keeping the seawater pollution-free, and exercise ethical behavior in using aquatic resources. Be a role model and this may even cause people to start aiding for the preservation of sea life.

5. Learn to handle markets. To be able to catch your target attention, learn to deal with great advertising. Produce fliers, banners and posters that would attract people to read and be interested.

Organize and implement a seminar on the dangers the sea life is currently experiencing due to human's waste. Make a fund-raising to support other organizations which specifies on sea life preservation.

6. Learn to weigh impacts. After analyzing which programs about sea life preservation you would include and after education people with fliers, posters and much needed information, you must learn to weigh for impacts. You must be sensitive enough to know whether or not your program is having an effect on the environment or on the people.

Don't hesitate to act for a change. Anyone could help preserve the sea life. You could save the planet.

James Monahan is the owner and Senior Editor of
SealifeSearch.com and writes expert
articles about sealife.

Health Problems Caused By Air Pollution

In a world that is becoming increasingly industrialized, and in a world where more people can afford to drive cars, air pollution is becoming a larger problem. While there are those who would debate whether or not our air pollution is causing global warming, versus the earth's natural warming process since the last Ice Age, that is not the issue. Definitive proof may or may not be found anytime soon. What is certain, however, is that there are confirmed problems caused by air pollution. These problems include respiratory problems and they also include problems regarding what we eat.

As the world moves more into the modern age, more pollutants are spewed into the air. Rising middle classes in large, formerly poor countries like China and India want the same privileges that we have of driving cars. Additionally, countries that entered the latter half of the 20th Century largely free of industry are now establishing it in order to jump into the 21st Century and bring their economies up to date. Many of these countries are understandably resentful of regulations that others try to foist on them because the already industrialized countries had their opportunity for unregulated and explosive industrial growth. And the increasing demands for cars, coupled with lowered restrictions on pollution output, in the U.S. continues to drive the air pollution machine. No matter where it comes from, however, air pollution causes health problems almost everywhere.

Respiratory problems are a very natural and scientifically established result of air pollution. While mild pollution is not awful for a healthy person in the prime of his or her life, polluting particles in the air can cause problems in children and in the elderly or the infirm. Additionally pollutants in the air can aggravate asthma symptoms and increase allergy symptoms. This can be annoying and dangerous to the health of some people.

But these respiratory problems are not all. Heavy air pollution can be damaging even to the most healthy of people. Mexico City, the largest city in the world, has major air pollution problems. It is said that just breathing the air each day is like smoking more than a pack of cigarettes. If the pollution is heavy enough, serious health problems, including cancer, can result from the toxins constantly breathed in through the air.

Another air pollution problem has to do with mercury. Mercury is a by product of many factories, and is present in the particles spewed from the tops of smokestacks. As the mercury gets into the earths atmospheric system, it mingles with rain, which then falls into water and is absorbed by fish. As larger fish (like tuna) prey on the smaller, they receive even higher amounts. Even though fish is generally healthy, there are some varieties that should be avoided. And it is recommended that no one eat more than two servings of fish per week. Pregnant women and children should eat no more than one serving of some fish and should avoid eating any of certain types of fish, as the mercury can cause defects and has been linked to developmental problems.

To Find out more about pollution, and what can be done about it visit Learn more about our planet and how we interact with it at The Ecology Study

Good News for the Environment and Earth Day

As Earth Day 2006 passes, there seems to be good news on the environmental scene, which should come as welcome change to anyone concerned about the state of our Earth. That's in stark contrast to the first Earth Day, back in 1970.

Earth Day 2006 saw lakes in New England beginning to rebound from their sorry condition after being bombarded by acid rain for decades. The acid rain itself has decreased, as well, and the sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that comprise most of our air pollution have diminished by some 50 percent--due in no small part to the fact that the burning of leaded gas is virtually a thing of the past.

Environmentalists have also been encouraged to discover that a number of endangered species, including America's national symbol, the bald eagle, as well as wolves and grizzly bears, have begun making a promising comeback. All of that good news is even more significant when you compare today's environment to the way things were on the first Earth Day.

In Ohio, the Cuyahoga River was so polluted that it actually caught fire. In New York, all of the residents of a neighborhood called Love Canal were forced to move away forever when it was discovered that their homes had been built upon a toxic chemical waste dump. Pollution in cities was so bad that residents were told to stay inside because the air was actually hazardous to breathe during "code red" days.

The interesting thing is that the environmental improvements took place in spite of increased pressure in America. For instance, EPA statistics show that the total emissions of the six major air pollutants dropped by more than 50 percent, even though America's population increased by 40 percent and energy consumption increased by 47 percent. Automobile hydrocarbon emissions also decreased during that time, despite the fact that both the number of vehicles and amount of miles driven more than doubled.

All in all, it appears as if America is headed in the right direction in regard to the environment. It's been a fierce, hand-to-hand battle, but the country is moving forward, thanks to dedicated environmentalists and bureaucrats at all levels of government.

However, even though American rivers don't catch fire anymore and the smog levels have decreased in most major cities, there's still a long way to go. Urban sprawl is still endangering woodlands, prairies, and farmland, and global warming is still on the rise. Even so, the overall trend is positive. But we must all work to continue the momentum set in motion by the first Earth Day in 1970.

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Jeanette Joy Fisher has researched the effects of environment on emotions for over 15 years. She teaches interior design college courses. Free environmental design info: http://environmentpsychology.com

Create And Enjoy A Hummingbird Paradise

The North American continent is known for its hummingbirds. Whether it's the ruby-throated hummingbird found in the eastern portion of the continent or the 10 or so species found in the west, hummingbirds are a treat just about everyone in North America can be assured of seeing at some point in their lifetimes. For those who want to make a serious hobby out of watching these little fliers, hummingbird feeders are key.

While it's true attracting these amazing little creatures isn't very difficult, there are ways to better ensure success. Just like any smart animal, these little flappers are thrilled with a free meal and they don't mind singing for it either. But if a feeder isn't to their liking, they might not return or even land in the first place.

Bird watching, for hummers and others, is a popular pastime in the United States. With more than 800 species of birds available to watch in North America alone it's little surprise. In fact, it's believed that 51 million Americans enjoy the hobby to one extent or another.

Getting started watching birds is a pretty simple proposition, too. Just open your eyes! The critters are everywhere. In backyards, parks, along roadsides, in wild settings, zoos and beyond, witnessing majesty in flight is one of the easiest hobbies to get going.

If creating a backyard humming bird paradise is your desire, this is also a pretty easy proposition. Humming birds are attracted to a number of things and since they are so prevalent in the United States, it shouldn't be difficult to create a mecca for the little fliers in a backyard of any size.

Here are some basics for attracting the birds into your yard:

Paint the town red, or at least the backyard. Hummingbirds are very attracted to anything that's red. Buy a red feeder, a red birdbath or simply paint something in the backyard bright red. When choosing a feeder, go with those that are recommended for hummingbirds and take care to choose one that's red in color.

Go with red flowers in your gardening scheme, tubular ones are the best, especially those that are known for their abundance of nectar.

Group flowers together in the garden. Have large patches of hummingbird attractors in a single location.

Leave old fruits outdoors to attract fruit flies. These other little fliers are favorite foods for the humming bird and where there's food, there will be hummingbirds.

Keep plants misted with water, hummingbirds enjoy wet leaves on plants.

Create a perching area out of a bush or tree.

Concoct your own nectar using sugar water. Don't add anything but sugar and water to the mix, even red food coloring. Or buy specialized hummingbird food, but remember the feeder first must attract the little birds, so think red!

While it's not likely you'll be an instant destination for hummingbirds, some careful planning of a backyard set up to attract them is likely to pay off in North America. These little birds are prevalent and easy to attract if the scheme is solid.

#1 Resource


Hummingbird attracting tips.


http://www.birdfeederguide.com

Understanding an Ecosystem

No one lives in a vacuum, we might say, and the same is true of nature. Just as people need other people to get connected and learn to survive, so do other natural elements in the universe and on planet Earth. While it may be difficult for most of us to comprehend the universe with the naked eye, we can go out and study the world around us without the use of even a microscope as long as we have some idea of what we're looking for. Studying a microcosm, or smaller world of organic activity, can help us to understand larger principles and systems at work on a major scale.


As schoolchildren, we study the basic physical sciences, including biology, physics, chemistry, and geology. College students will learn even more about some of these topics in fulfilling the general education requirements for just about any diploma. Yet, because few of us study all the sciences at length, we often do not understand very much about the way the natural world works. That's why personal study of a nearby ecosystem may help to expand our knowledge base in useful ways.


Start by reading an introductory lesson on the type of system you want to study. It might be about a woodland area, a bog or marsh, a river or pond, or a plain or meadow. You could study a farmer's crop of corn or beans, or a neighbor's trickling stream. Wherever you look in the rural outdoors, you can find a mini-system of natural principles operating to support a variety of life forms. If you have kids or grandchildren, or teach school or children's church, you may even want to arrange a field trip for an hour or so to let them learn about nature the experiential way. Go over the basic guidelines for identifying an ecosystem and how the parts work together to create a system that supports living creatures and plants.


Choose a good-weather day for the expedition. If you plan to investigate a neighbor's property, get permission first. Be sure there are no safety hazards like swampland, ditches, or gas lines that someone could stumble over. Let everyone know the boundaries for the study project, along with an idea of what to look for. Then it might be a good idea to pair everyone in two's to keep anyone from wandering off or getting lost. Another advantage to twosomes is they can check their impressions with each other to clarify findings.


Have everyone describe the terrain, the climactic and environmental conditions, and the dominant weather cycles for the region. They can do this afterward in discussion or take notes while in the field. Then they should look for typical life forms in the area, including species and genus, if they know how to classify organisms. Otherwise, a simple list by common names is fine. They should at least be able to separate insects from mammals, and so on. Animal tracks can be used as evidence in lieu of seeing the actual creature, like deer, for example.


The next step is to find water, air, and food sources that support the living things. Applying known rules or principles to actual observations will provide a rich and personal learning experience. In the notes or via discussion, explain how everything in the area works together to support an environmental life chain.
This type of activity makes a great family excursion or a fun hobby for an individual. Try it sometime to see whether you enjoy reading physical history in the great outdoors.

Study the fascinating aspects of our planet by checking out Ecology Study at http://www.ecologystudy.com

Tips on being energy efficient

If you realize the monthly bills that you are paying for energy mainly are tremendously high, then you probably are seriously thinking about identifying the most efficient ways that might eventually lead to reducing your costs.

It is generally accepted that in order to try to identify solutions for any problems it is mandatory to conduct a correct and efficient assessment of the real situation. In this case, in order to correctly identify the issues that might be solved or corrected, you have to know that there are two options available. First of all, you have to know that you can conduct the house auditing by yourself answering a set of questions or secondly, you can turn to a specialist, who can come and carry out the assessment for you.

In case you elect the first option, here are some of the important things that you need to check on your list and which are going to be able to assist you in determining the existence of any problems:

• Verify the level of insulation in your exterior and basement walls, ceilings, crawl spaces, attic and floors. If you are not precisely sure how to do it correctly, contact your local contractor, in order to get professional advice.
• Make sure that there are no holes or cracks in your ceilings, windows, walls, doors, electrical outlets etc., because they can leak air into and out of your home, which makes your house less energy efficient than you actually would want it to be.
• It is also highly advisable to make sure that there are no open fireplace dampers.
• Furthermore, make sure that both your appliances and your cooling and heating systems are working properly and are properly maintained.
• Keep in mind that a lot of the energy that we consume is actually wasted on the lighting needs of the household members. As a consequence, it is strongly recommended to identify the areas in the house with the most increased energy consumption, such as the living room or the kitchen and to replace the traditional light bulbs with energy efficient ones, as for example with compact fluorescent lamps.

Detailed information about energy saving, including tips on household savings and environmental issues, are available at http://www.energyshack.com/

Design Your Saving Energy Plan

At least once in a while and most likely when the utility bills are delivered people seriously consider finding a good energy plan that might be helpful in assisting them with implementing some techniques that will result efficient in what concerns reducing the amount of energy consumed in their household.

There are some basic things that anybody can check and fix, if necessary, that can contribute to improving the overall energy saving in a home, which include, for example, identifying any possible cavities in the walls. You should know that wall cavities are actually the prime result of 33% of the overall heat lost in your house, which is why an insulation of the walls might constitute one of the most cost efficient manners to save energy at home. It is relevant to mention that a well-performed cavity wall insulation will have as a direct result a cool house during summer and a warm indoor atmosphere during winter.

Moreover, it is also recommended to check your boiler and its functionality and more than that it would be really good to try to carry out this action during summer time, so that in case you find anything wrong with it you have the time to fix it. Studies show that old boilers are one of the main causes of domestic energy lost. As a consequence, a new and energy efficient boiler might actually result into a real method of saving up to a third of the amount that you are currently paying for your heating bills.

In case you decide you need to purchase any sort of new appliances for your home, make sure you buy only the electrical appliances that have the energy saving logo on them. You should be able to find it on most of the appliances, starting even with light bulbs.

All these small and apparently insignificant details are sure to make a difference in the overall energy consumption of your household, so do not hesitate to keep them in mind!

Detailed information about energy saving, including tips on household savings and environmental issues, are available at http://www.energyshack.com/