Capitol Hill Ocean Week to Address the Impacts of Global Warming on Marine Wildlife and Ecosystems

US legislators turn their attention to the ocean and climate change. June 5th concluded a 3-day symposium in Washington, DC, where top US scientists, conservation advocates and policy makers discussed concerns about global warming’s effect on the ocean.

Supreme Master Television covered this event from the US capital.

Dr. Lara Hansen, Chief Scientist, World Wildlife Fund International Climate Change Programme: We’ve been continuing to globally increase our CO2 emissions. We need to decrease them on an order of greater than 90 percent ideally because things like ocean acidification will continue as the oceans continue to absorb the CO2 in the atmosphere.

VOICE: World Wildlife Fund experts say marine life has never been as vulnerable as it is now. They point to recent huge impacts on populations of ocean-dependent animals such as polar bears and walruses. Other topics raised at the symposium ranged from coral reefs to debris and marine adaptation.
 
One of the panel discussions focused on the link between ocean and human health. Dr. Paul Sandifer and Senator John Kerry were two of the members of this discussion. The dialog concluded with practical actions that individuals could take to help protect the Earth’s waters and thus all species’ survival.

Dr. Paul Sandifer, Senior Scientist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USA: We can be very cautious in the use of our own pharmaceuticals and their disposal and the use of common household chemicals, things that run off our lawns, our forest and fields.

Senator John Kerry, Democratic Party – Massachusetts, USA: Regular citizens can do all kinds of things. Just make smart choices about the kind of products that they buy. Educate themselves on the internet about green products and different things they can do. Drive less, drive more efficiently, change the light bulbs, get inefficiency in the house, be more sensitive to the carbon footprint, one way or the other, and respect the environment in the kinds of activities that they engage in.

VOICE: Hats off, science experts and policymakers of this convention for taking a stand together for our oceans. May we all be responsible stewards of both land and sea, to help ensure the survival of the myriad wondrous species that make them their home.
 
Prime Minister applauds eDay for diverting toxic waste from our landfills

A carbon-neutral world the focus of World Environment Day 2008. World Environment Day highlighted solutions for removing carbon emissions from economies and lifestyles. As one of the first countries to pledge a completely carbon-free future, New Zealand was the main host country this year.

Prime Minister Helen Clark presented Green Ribbon Awards to laud leading environmental companies and groups for their creative eco-endeavors.

Supreme Master Television was on location to cover the events.

Catherine Ellery, Environmental education adviser of Green Rig, Horizons City Council: It’s a semi-truck and trailer unit that was built in the Manawatu, to take the sustainability message out to the wider community, to schools, to farming groups, to anyone who’s interested in hearing that message.

Lawrence Zwimpfer, National Co-ordinator of eDay e-waste collection drive: We collected about 50 tonnes, just here, just from one side in Wellington. VOICE: New Zealand’s airport, in welcoming international dignitaries to the day’s events, also participated by going green.

Sarah, Auckland airport spokesperson: Some of the things are: staffs will be receiving a eco bulb, and travelers, 100 travelers are going to be given an Auckland airport eco bag with some messages for World Environment Day.

VOICE: In Christchurch, free plants were given to the public outside the venue where the United Nations’ chairperson of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, personally gave a presentation on ways to meet carbon-neutral goals, mentioning as he always does that a key commitment to sustainability is to reduce meat consumption.

Dr. Rajendra Pachauri: Individual choices are responsible for roughly 50% of the greenhouse gas emissions. And that's why the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change focuses in the report, we've identified changes in lifestyles and behavior as an important part of mitigation methods that have to be implemented.
 
Reducing meat by 50%, and this is an underestimate, 700 kg CO2 equivalent is saved per year.
 
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark: And each of us make a difference; each of us can contribute. VOICE: We salute everyone participating in World Environment Day 2008. May our eco-friendly awareness expand each day as we take more actions to ensure our sustainable future.

Auntie Litter, Inc. in Alabama honored in EPA's Eighth Annual Clean Air Excellence Awards

EPA honors organizations and institutions for their green efforts. In a ceremony held in Washington D.C., the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized exceptional establishments that have contributed to improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Among this year’s 11 winners of the 8th annual Clean Air Excellence Awards were Greenville County in South Carolina and Auntie Litter, Inc. in Alabama for their community involvement and informing the public on the importance of clean air.

Three other facilities were honored with the Energy Star Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Awards for their efficient installation of CHP systems, saving 20 to 30 percent in power requirements. The EPA has also just announced an expanded monitoring program for New York and New Jersey beachfronts and bays, designed to protect the wellbeing of the people who use them. Congratulations and a big thanks to all winners and EPA for your valuable involvement in protecting our environment. May these and many more such green practices help ease the effects of climate change to create a sustainable future.

Centre for Low Carbon Technology in Buildings Set to Fight Climate Change

New center for green building technology finds home in the UK. The Centre for Efficient and Renewable Energy in Buildings, being constructed at the London South Bank University, will provide a venue for teaching and research as well as a demonstration facility for the public. Featuring such technologies as photovoltaics, solar thermal and wind power, the building itself will be cooled and heated using geothermal energy.

London’s Mayor Boris Johnson welcomed the centre, saying, "This exciting new technology centrehttp://suprememastertv.tv. is unique in that it provides both research and teaching facilities but also enables people to see, hands on, how technologies can be used." Bravo, London! What a fantastic contribution to a sustainable building future! May this centre be an important step in achieving environmentally friendly construction and technologies for all buildings
 
Malaysia to help Riau 'clear the air'

Malaysia to assist Indonesia in restoring the environment. Malaysia has donated US$600,000 for training in sustainable practices that include peat land rehabilitation, haze early warning systems, and alternatives to clear and burn practices. Malaysian Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas said, “We see climate change as a challenge which we have to address within the context of sustainable development. The recent incidents in Myanmar and China demonstrated the magnitude of the problem we face today." Allah’s blessings and our thanks Malaysia for your generous assistance in helping your neighbor restore her clean air and curb carbon emissions. May both your countries flourish in verdant health and beauty.
 
Vegetarian group urges a meatless Shabbat

Vegetarian Shabbat addresses climate change. North American Jewish Vegetarians is promoting animal-free fare amongst Jews by establishing the upcoming weekend as the first annual Vegetarian Shabbat. In urging Jewish institutions and synagogues to get involved in vegetarian-related events, organization head Dr. Richard Schwartz said, “A shift to plant-based diets would also best apply fundamental Jewish mandates to take care of our health, treat animals compassionately, protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and help hungry people, thereby helping to revitalize Judaism.” We are grateful for your dedicated and compassionate leadership, Dr. Schwartz! May many in the Jewish faith experience the personal and planetary benefits of the vegetarian Shabbat, and more!
 
Take biofuel crops off the land and grow them at sea

Cultivated seaweed may be a promising bio fuel. Ricardo Radulovich, director of the Sea Gardens Project at the University of Costa Rica, states that mariculture, or sea cultivation, has many advantages compared to land agriculture, especially regarding climate change. Oceans have plenty of sunshine and water, treated wastewater could be put to good use as a fertilizer, and lands could be cultivated to once again more exclusively feed people. Thank you for highlighting the valuable potential of a biofuel harvest from the sea, Mr. Radulovich. May seaweed prove to be a sustainable and viable option in our continued search for ways to help reduce climate change.
 
Toyota develops improved hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle

Advanced hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle developed by Toyota. Enhanced from the previous fuel-cell FCHV that runs 205 miles per tank at 97 mph, the new and improved zero-emission FCHV-advanced uses hydrogen to run for 516 miles on a single tank in temperatures as low as 30 degrees Celsius below freezing. Besides the larger fuel tank is a 25% increase in fuel efficiency, and improved fuel cell unit and brake system, and emissions of only water. The upgraded version of the fuel-cell car will be available later this year for lease to government organizations and others in Japan. Kudos, Toyota for your ingenious alternative fuel transportation development! May your advanced vehicle soon help ease global concerns over rising fuel costs as it cools the planet with zero-emissions travel!