Hundreds of Coal Ash Dumps Lack Regulation

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/07/us/07sludge.html?_r=1

Author: Shaila  Dewan

Date: Jan. 6th 2009

Source: The New York Times

Summary:

There are around 1,300 coal dump plants in the U.S. that are unregulated in their dumping. The dumps contain lead, arsenic, mercury and selenium. Even though the ash is used to help farmers there is too much and is actually hurting because of the concentrations and amounts of the harmful chemicals.

Response:

This is a bad situation because there are some benefits to the ash. The ash helps but there is too much and is hurting the environment. The problem is that the companies will claim that they help. So there needs to be more regulations on this to prevents breaks in the dumps. If more breaks happen the land in the area will be destroyed. With new regulations the companies will be forced to fix the problem and this will help the environment  

Canada Takes Crap for Flushing Raw Sewage into the Oceanhttp://environment.about.com/od/waterpollution/a/canadasewage.htm

Author: Larry West

Date: Not Given

Source About.com

Summary:

In the British Colombia, cities are dumping their sewage into the ocean, the waste includes human waste, microorganisms , toxic chemical and etc. Many main cities like Montreal dump there sewage because they have no regulations on dumping. The worst is the city of Victoria, the city is actually proud of its dumping and claim it's "right and responsible thing".

Response: 

This is horrible, how has this not been addressed by Canada? Why is the government allowing this to go on? Especially with the Olympics coming soon and the world looking at Canada. They need to pass regulations for sewage like the rest of us. There is no excuse for this how can a city justify dumping sewage into a river and say it's okay? They need to clean up their act soon or it will gain greater attention as the Olympics near.

EPA Warns of Impending Human Threat Due to Global Warming

http://www.naturalnews.com/025555.html

Date: Feb 8th, 2009

Author: David Dutierrez

Summary:

The EPA has said that there will a big health impacts in years to come.  There will be more deaths because of the rising temperature and the worsening air quality in the inner city and among the elderly.  Also there will be a increase in hurricanes that will further the death toll.

Response: 

I'm conflicted about this some stuff in the article I agree with but other stuff I don't agree with. The rising temperatures, I don't agree with because it the statistics seem so dramatic. The EPA is making it seem like it will be 120 degrees every day and it wont be. Though I know the temperature is rising, it won't make people die from the heat.  The air quality is a problem, that should be addressed. The air is important and we need to keep it clean for years to come.

Title: 2 federal agencies settle global warming lawsuit

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090206/ap_on_bi_ge/global_warming_lawsuit_3

Author: Terence Chea

Date: Feb 6th 2009

Source: Associated Press

Summary:

Two agencies promised to finance 32 billion dollars over the next 10 years for fossil fuel projects without looking at the environmental effects. The projects were coal plants, oil lines, natural gas in various countries.  The groups won the case and its a major win for global climate change. 

Response:

This is good that these agencies lost this case. It shows that big companies can't avoid the laws protecting the earth. Now hopefully he group can win more cases and use the money to help the climate. This is so helpful to the countries that get polluted because they have no say in the building. It is good to make a strike against big oil and we need more blows against them.

An Artificial Sun on Earth

Date: Jan 27 2009

Author: NA

Source: Alternative Energy.com

Summary: 

Scientists are trying to create a new sun by replicating the thermo-nuclear fusion. The scientists are using a laser beam focused by mirrors and lenses. This laser collision is similar to the explosions in the sun.

Response:

I'm not sure about this as alternative energy right now. It seems more like a science project rather than a means to replace coal. Scientists have been trying this for a while and nothing has come from it. We should be using the billions for new cars and not atom collisions. This will help in like a 100 years but for now we need a better solution.

Running a Car on Wind Energy

Date: Jan 28

Author: N/A

Source: Alternative Energy.com

Summary:

There is a new car being developed by Rory Handel and Maxx Bricklinas in California. This car will be powered by wind energy, and electric batteries. The car will use the air currents around it as fuel and the electric motor is used to reach the air current speeds.

Response:

I think that this is a cool idea. That you can actually harness the wind to power your car. What I need to know is how fast do you need to go in order to get the wind currents? Is it like 25mph or 60mph? The car looks cool and stylish even though it will be expensive, it's a good idea. If i had the money I'd get it and I hope car companies buy in to this.