Wow - Pushing Back the Desert

"The Man Who Stopped the Desert"

So [Yacouba Sawadogo] began planting trees. It not only saved the land from degradation but also restored ground water to unprecedented levels.

"People thought I was mad when I started planting these trees," he said. "It is only now that they realise how beneficial the forest is."

People are coming back to his region after fleeing years before. See! One person can make a difference. Sometimes I need to be reminded of this.

What desert do *you* live near?

Sea Level Rise and Cow Power

IPCC predictions of less than half a meter sea rise is 3 times too low.

The results are that the sea level will rise between 0.7 and 1.2 meters during the next 100 years. The difference depends on what mankind does to stop the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. If we seriously reduce the emissions of CO2 globally, the sea will only rise 0.7 meters, while there will be a dramatic rise of 1.2 meter if we continue to increase CO2 emissions with the current use of energy based on fossil fuels.

In the calculations the researchers assume that we continue to emit CO2, but that we move more towards other energy supplies and reduce our use of fossil fuels and with that reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. This scenario would give a rise in sea levels of around 1 meter.

In other news, Vermont Experiments in Cow Power

I can't help it, I just love the title. Cow Power! The Moo Rules!

"A recent case study in the State of Vermont suggests that deriving electricity from cow manure may be economically feasible."

So, yes, seriously: interesting. Good to see regional solutions, because there is no one right answer for a vast nation such as the U.S.A. Wind is a great idea for certain states, hydro, geothermal, or cow is great for others.