Scientists estimate that the Universe is 14-billion years-old, the Solar System is 4.5 billion years-old, and dinosaurs walked on Earth for 200 million years many hundred of millions ago in the Jurassic era.
The age of human beings, on the other hand, is but a fleeting moment in the grand geological scale, lasting just a mere hundred-thousand of years. The modern industrial age is even more fleeting at a century-old, amounts to a single blink in the eyes of the dinosaurs.
In this short time of one-century, 20 billionth of the age of the Earth, we have already managed a blazing trail of mess. Dinosaurs were able to roam for 200 million years - maybe our greatest enemy is our own sense of superiority and arrogance.
One thing we are certainly superior of, is that, we are capable of destroying this world with greater efficiency and speed that no other specie has ever come close in matching.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
The Unusually Cold May
Mr. Weather turns unexpectedly cold in the middle of May.
Ants invaded offices this morning. Perhaps it was just too cold outside.
Again I started to wonder.... it is still not so bad?
Ants invaded offices this morning. Perhaps it was just too cold outside.
Again I started to wonder.... it is still not so bad?
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Oil....... Is Not Expensive Enough
Are we the US motorists being fair about the supposedly high gas prices?
Per gallon, it costs $6.50 in Hong Kong, $7 in Europe, $5.50 in Japan, and $5 in Canada.
What about that little $1.59 cup of coffee we love so much at Starbucks, or the $1.50 16-oz water bottle that we snatch up without much thoughts? They are all more expensive than gas. When I look at beer, wine, sodas, juices and the equivalent of Doritos chips in weight, I see that they are all more costly than gas, and yet I see no shortage of shoppers loading up a cart-full of them.
I am also willing to wager that no less than 90% of us consumers spend far more on trinkets, snacks and so many other utterly useless and wasteful accessories.
My dear consumer friends should understand the "special privilege," not God-send as limitless and free, of being able to buy gas and roam in "freedom" - and it is just too much to want all cakes and eat it too.
Per gallon, it costs $6.50 in Hong Kong, $7 in Europe, $5.50 in Japan, and $5 in Canada.
What about that little $1.59 cup of coffee we love so much at Starbucks, or the $1.50 16-oz water bottle that we snatch up without much thoughts? They are all more expensive than gas. When I look at beer, wine, sodas, juices and the equivalent of Doritos chips in weight, I see that they are all more costly than gas, and yet I see no shortage of shoppers loading up a cart-full of them.
I am also willing to wager that no less than 90% of us consumers spend far more on trinkets, snacks and so many other utterly useless and wasteful accessories.
My dear consumer friends should understand the "special privilege," not God-send as limitless and free, of being able to buy gas and roam in "freedom" - and it is just too much to want all cakes and eat it too.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Don't bother lying later that "we didn't know"
Polar bears the poster child of global warming may be working its magic in influencing the public. Over her concerns for their habitat and survival, my wife became interested in the environmental issues and asked me many questions about the climate change and the Arctic.
I was inspired to write this "prophecy of doom" post, dated Saturday, May 10th, 2008.
Basically I said I doubt that enough will be done until disasters strike us human kind in a rude awakening. The shock is most likely to come when least expected, as we continue to remain complacent with great false sense of security. Yet, Nature has already shot off many surprising early warning signs and rendered many scientific projections to be about as useful as coin-flips.
The politicians, the oil coalition, and the SUV-loving nay-sayers will love nothing more to simply maintain status-quo, and will certainly resort to the the expected denial and should-shrugging later on. Yet it is also that some of the most vocal green activists, Al Gore included, remain still as a part of the total contribution to the continuing environmental damage. After all, we continue to drive, shop and own a houseful of appliances and electronics, and still hop on that plane to take self-proclaimed needed getaway vacation, charged to the courtesy of American Express.
I feel that, deep inside, we all know what we are doing and what the consequence may be. But I expect most to say the same "it wasn't our fault" later.
That is how we are.
My slimmest hope relies on us having adequate technology to salvage the situation when world disasters strike in full force.
I was inspired to write this "prophecy of doom" post, dated Saturday, May 10th, 2008.
Basically I said I doubt that enough will be done until disasters strike us human kind in a rude awakening. The shock is most likely to come when least expected, as we continue to remain complacent with great false sense of security. Yet, Nature has already shot off many surprising early warning signs and rendered many scientific projections to be about as useful as coin-flips.
The politicians, the oil coalition, and the SUV-loving nay-sayers will love nothing more to simply maintain status-quo, and will certainly resort to the the expected denial and should-shrugging later on. Yet it is also that some of the most vocal green activists, Al Gore included, remain still as a part of the total contribution to the continuing environmental damage. After all, we continue to drive, shop and own a houseful of appliances and electronics, and still hop on that plane to take self-proclaimed needed getaway vacation, charged to the courtesy of American Express.
I feel that, deep inside, we all know what we are doing and what the consequence may be. But I expect most to say the same "it wasn't our fault" later.
That is how we are.
My slimmest hope relies on us having adequate technology to salvage the situation when world disasters strike in full force.
Friday, May 9, 2008
I Expect Further Wild Life Decimation To Come
While the world fusses over economy, recession, inflation, food criss, aftermath of Nargis in Burma, continuing Iraq conflicts, US presidency, and just about all issues relating only to us human beings....
.... the WILD LIFE CONTINUES TO SLIP AWAY a little more right underneath our nose relatively unnoticed....
As it is typical for every specie to operate its own selfish genes to perfect its own song and dance of self-preservation, the human specie are seemingly unconcerned with the endangerment of all other species until it the comfort level is challenged.
I am beginning to wonder how close we are to that point of no return.
There seems to be a flaw in the Grand Design.
.... the WILD LIFE CONTINUES TO SLIP AWAY a little more right underneath our nose relatively unnoticed....
As it is typical for every specie to operate its own selfish genes to perfect its own song and dance of self-preservation, the human specie are seemingly unconcerned with the endangerment of all other species until it the comfort level is challenged.
I am beginning to wonder how close we are to that point of no return.
There seems to be a flaw in the Grand Design.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
California Chinook Salmon also face Catastrophic Decline
In 2007, another mystery in the decline of wild life population unfolded in Central Valley - Chinook salmon essentially went missing from spawning upstream. In a dramatic move on April 10th, 2008, the Pacific Fisheries Management Council voted to ban all fishing of Chinook salmon for the year's season.
The "Silence of the Salmon" in addition to the bees confirms easily what I thought as obvious - the entire eco-system is under great assault, and we human beings are still in darkness over the degree of damage already caused.
Ecologists have been warning us for years.
I am certain more "Silencing" is to come.
Source: California Dept of Fish and Game
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Arctic Ice Thawing in Record-Retreat
Climate scientists are seeing strong evidence of the Big Thaw coming this summer, most likely to break the record low of 2007.
This photo shows two coast guards leading two researchers hauling a buoy, to be deployed in the open ocean. Scientists has estimated a realistic chance that the North Pole melts out this year. The thawing of the Arctic can further re-enforce the Earth warming trend as dark water are exposed and less ice are available as reflector.
See NSIDC (National Snow and Ice Data Center) for updates.
Burma (Myanmar) devastated by Hurrican Nargis
Nature displays its awesome destructive power once again, this time sweeping through Burma. The death toll is currently estimated at 100,000 and likely to rise. The higher occurrence of powerful hurricanes in recent years is making it more difficult to attribute to just normal weather statistical alone. 
This picture is taken by NASA's Terra Satellite.
I wonder if we will see more killer hurricanes this summer.
Chevy Tahoo Green My Foot!
Still a big ol' clunk guzzling gas. The next thing I know they are going to tell me some Green Hummer of the Year, improving gas guzzling from 12 mpg to 16 mpg.
Puhleeze......
FOR AS LONG AS WE CONTINUE TO WITNESS THIS BEHAVIOR, WE HAVE NO CHANCE.
.
Puhleeze......
FOR AS LONG AS WE CONTINUE TO WITNESS THIS BEHAVIOR, WE HAVE NO CHANCE.
.
Look No Further Than The Man In The Mirror
As I was walking to work today, I noticed that, as I have been noticing for a while now, that there are lot less cars on the road. The regular unleaded at Shell gas station I walked pass by has inched up another 15 cents from previous week to $3.81 a gallon.
We the consumers bare no less than one-third of overall responsibility in effectuating the needed green change, but so far the most effective mean has been the high price hurting the wallet.
It is not just the Businesses and the Government. It is just all of us.
We the consumers bare no less than one-third of overall responsibility in effectuating the needed green change, but so far the most effective mean has been the high price hurting the wallet.
It is not just the Businesses and the Government. It is just all of us.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Reduce - Remove "Discretionary" and "Accessories" from Your Life
This seemingly obvious point is probably the most difficult to achieve in this materialistic age.
- Do you really need that Blackberry or iPhone? And a cool casing, belt-pack, bluetooth and all the add ons to go with that too?
- Do you really need all these souvenirs, mugs, magnets, postcards, hats and t-shirts?
- Do you really need new gloves, or that more fashionable pair of pants?
- Do you really need cable TV, or premium internet service?
- Do you really need to buy more chocolate or OREO cookies and pack on one extra pound to carry around?
- And yes... do you (actually I) need one more cup of coffee and one more book?
Why talk green if we cannot even moderate these things that got us into to this environmental mess in the first place?
- Do you really need that Blackberry or iPhone? And a cool casing, belt-pack, bluetooth and all the add ons to go with that too?
- Do you really need all these souvenirs, mugs, magnets, postcards, hats and t-shirts?
- Do you really need new gloves, or that more fashionable pair of pants?
- Do you really need cable TV, or premium internet service?
- Do you really need to buy more chocolate or OREO cookies and pack on one extra pound to carry around?
- And yes... do you (actually I) need one more cup of coffee and one more book?
Why talk green if we cannot even moderate these things that got us into to this environmental mess in the first place?
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Toyota Prius is still not the answer for gas whiners
We consumers are whining about surging gas prices again. I find it both comical and yet a bit sad that many consumers are flocking to smaller, slightly more fuel-efficient cars thinking 40 mpg can save the day. Surely I expected nothing less than the typical "buy your way out" behavior plus the blatant refusal to make a change in lifestyle.
The fact is that current alternatives are neither greener nor more economical. Trading in an SUV presents a great loss in value and a poor use of "money" in the first place, and the act of a quick swap creates one more car being manufactured, more materials used up, and more emissions from the production process.
My decision is to simply minimize using my car and to extend its life for as long as possible while letting the technology develop into something more mature and greenable. Maybe Toyota Prius will achieve 100 mpg soon, or maybe a conversion technology will become available to improve the mileage of current models. Either way, my "change in lifestyle" is the surest way to go greener and to deal with the inflating cost of living.
The fact is that current alternatives are neither greener nor more economical. Trading in an SUV presents a great loss in value and a poor use of "money" in the first place, and the act of a quick swap creates one more car being manufactured, more materials used up, and more emissions from the production process.
My decision is to simply minimize using my car and to extend its life for as long as possible while letting the technology develop into something more mature and greenable. Maybe Toyota Prius will achieve 100 mpg soon, or maybe a conversion technology will become available to improve the mileage of current models. Either way, my "change in lifestyle" is the surest way to go greener and to deal with the inflating cost of living.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
THE 3 VALUES OF GOING GREEN
The personal green transformation has barely just begun, yet my thoughts have already raced far ahead of my actions. But that is a good thing. I have re-examined some of my personal values in greater depth and came to a better appreciation of those basic ones that should have been more obvious before.
These values are listed in the order of increasing importance.
1. Learn the value of MONEY
I often watch in amazement how some spend and waste money as if it is no object; I also read in total bewilderment if they are the same cash-strapped consumers who are the subjects of endless media reports.
Without lashing out on the "house of cards" economic that optimally fattens the wallets and bodies of this consumer generation, I will simply state that I belong to the school of thought that the true sustainable economy is a GREEN ECONOMY. I hold a strong yet perfectly sensible belief that one day the INFLATION GENIE will come out in a vengeance to punish us all for having abused the resources and the environment.
We have never been more prosperous, but that is achieved literally by our increasing digging into the Earth; when one day we can no longer sustain this model of economic growth we will also realize "money" is a limited resource.
We should not waste it away, and it will become very valuable one day as a possible way for us to salvage the Earth.
2. Learn the value of LIFE and OURSELF
Going green necessarily requires a very honest and thorough assessment of our values and vanity, and the process forces us to realign ourself to the central principles.
As modern consumers we have been influenced to associate our happiness and success by the things we own. Yet there is a whole lot to be rediscovered by staying home, taking a nice walk to work and staying closer to the very simple things in life that our great great parents have enjoyed. Granted our materialistic quality of life is undoubtedly superior, but I believe our minds and spirits actually have regressed.
Recently, I have found myself to be calmer and my mind to be more clear. I have far less clutter in my life to distract me nor do I think much of any cool discretionary items. I have become more focused, more productive, and ... yes.... happier.
3. Learn the value of the PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Most importantly, Going Green is about caring beyond ourself for all that are and will be a part of the same world, whether. I find it unnecessary to engage in endless philosophical debates or to pursue abstract thesis in understanding the very obvious truth that THIS PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT GIVES ALL OF US A PLACE FOR OUR PHYSICAL EXISTENCE regardless of our tendency to engage in the relentless pursuit spirituality or happiness.
These values are listed in the order of increasing importance.
1. Learn the value of MONEY
I often watch in amazement how some spend and waste money as if it is no object; I also read in total bewilderment if they are the same cash-strapped consumers who are the subjects of endless media reports.
Without lashing out on the "house of cards" economic that optimally fattens the wallets and bodies of this consumer generation, I will simply state that I belong to the school of thought that the true sustainable economy is a GREEN ECONOMY. I hold a strong yet perfectly sensible belief that one day the INFLATION GENIE will come out in a vengeance to punish us all for having abused the resources and the environment.
We have never been more prosperous, but that is achieved literally by our increasing digging into the Earth; when one day we can no longer sustain this model of economic growth we will also realize "money" is a limited resource.
We should not waste it away, and it will become very valuable one day as a possible way for us to salvage the Earth.
2. Learn the value of LIFE and OURSELF
Going green necessarily requires a very honest and thorough assessment of our values and vanity, and the process forces us to realign ourself to the central principles.
As modern consumers we have been influenced to associate our happiness and success by the things we own. Yet there is a whole lot to be rediscovered by staying home, taking a nice walk to work and staying closer to the very simple things in life that our great great parents have enjoyed. Granted our materialistic quality of life is undoubtedly superior, but I believe our minds and spirits actually have regressed.
Recently, I have found myself to be calmer and my mind to be more clear. I have far less clutter in my life to distract me nor do I think much of any cool discretionary items. I have become more focused, more productive, and ... yes.... happier.
3. Learn the value of the PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Most importantly, Going Green is about caring beyond ourself for all that are and will be a part of the same world, whether. I find it unnecessary to engage in endless philosophical debates or to pursue abstract thesis in understanding the very obvious truth that THIS PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT GIVES ALL OF US A PLACE FOR OUR PHYSICAL EXISTENCE regardless of our tendency to engage in the relentless pursuit spirituality or happiness.
Friday, May 2, 2008
McCain and Clinton's dumb gas tax idea misses the point - Cheap oil is a thing of the past
John McCain and Hillary Clinton continue to pander the voters on the pretense that gas tax suspension will alleviate surging price at the gas pump. However, economists are in general consensus of this being a "bad idea out of failed learning in Economic 101." Barrack Obama just scored some points in my book for being the sole holdout of this "dumb idea."
Politics or economics aside, I would much prefer the candidates to address it for the ENERGY CRISIS ISSUE that it really is or will be. I see the supply-demand of oil as an escalating problem that not even the complete conversion to Toyota Prius by the entire world can resolve. No amount of money and more money can change the certainty of oil running to its eventual end for as long as we still live our life to guzzle gas.
The only way I see, is for us the consumers to unlearn our dependence, and get a little help along the way from governments and businesses in starting a global green infrastructure.
Politics or economics aside, I would much prefer the candidates to address it for the ENERGY CRISIS ISSUE that it really is or will be. I see the supply-demand of oil as an escalating problem that not even the complete conversion to Toyota Prius by the entire world can resolve. No amount of money and more money can change the certainty of oil running to its eventual end for as long as we still live our life to guzzle gas.
The only way I see, is for us the consumers to unlearn our dependence, and get a little help along the way from governments and businesses in starting a global green infrastructure.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Reduce - Check out "No Impact Man"
I came across a very interesting "No Impact Man" , whose site was featured by Time Magazine as one of the 15 best green websites.
His opinions and voice resonate with my own, and in addition he has been doing the serious green a bit longer. His life is the perfect example of how anyone can go green for real, even in the middle of a hustling and bustling New York City, with the right attitude and enough determination.
Admittingly all of us are still quite a distance away from achieving the No-Impact Utopia; but what I especially like, is that "REDUCE" is very clearly understood by many as the most important first step.
His opinions and voice resonate with my own, and in addition he has been doing the serious green a bit longer. His life is the perfect example of how anyone can go green for real, even in the middle of a hustling and bustling New York City, with the right attitude and enough determination.
Admittingly all of us are still quite a distance away from achieving the No-Impact Utopia; but what I especially like, is that "REDUCE" is very clearly understood by many as the most important first step.
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