Thursday, September 29, 2011
Red Tide, Karenia brevis Sept 27th report
Data provided by Mote Marine Laboratory from samples collected by the Sarasota Health Department showed medium concentrations of Karenia brevis, the Florida Red Tide organism, in one water sample taken from Manasota Beach, and low concentrations in water samples collected near Venice Beach and Englewood. In response to these observations, additional sampling is scheduled for this week. Karenia brevis was not detected in a water sample received offshore of Lee County.
On the northwest coast of Florida, Karenia brevis was not detected in a water sample collected offshore of Okaloosa County.
No samples have been received so far this week from the east coast of Florida.
Sampling will continue this week, and complete results will be available in the next scheduled status report on Friday, September 30.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Red Tide Karenia Brevis update
East Coast
Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, was not detected in water samples collected this week in the Indian River Lagoon System (Brevard County) or offshore of Palm Beach County.
Discolored water that has been reported in the Indian and Banana Rivers (Brevard County) for more than four months (first reported 05/13/2011) is from an ongoing bloom of a non-toxic alga. Fish kills have recently co-occurred with this on-going algal bloom.
Northwest Coast
Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, was not detected in water samples collected this week alongshore of Levy County or offshore of Dixie County.
Southwest Coast
Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, was not detected in water samples collected this week alongshore of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee and Collier counties or alongshore and offshore of the Florida Keys (Monroe County). One sample collected alongshore of Charlotte County contained background concentrations of K. brevis.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Green Certification Programs get FTC crackdown
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article by Shawn Wright | WASTE & RECYCLING NEWS Posted September 21, 2011 ARLINGTON, VA. (Sept. 21, 2:30 p.m. ET) -- Becoming green-certified can be as difficult as meeting stringent criteria or as easy as using a credit card.
There are more than 400 green certification systems and eco-friendly labels in a variety of industries, making it difficult to determine which company is “green” and which company is “greenwashing” -- deceptive promotion of a company as environmentally friendly.
“I think it’s a challenge because there are so many different seals and certifications out there that the greatest fear just might be that there’s a sea of green noise,” said David Mallen, deputy director of the National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “One of the challenges is distinguishing one from the other.”
This year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) cracked down on one company that was doing little more than selling green certification labels. Now it’s updating its guidelines for environmentally friendly criteria.
In January, FTC sued Tested Green, a “completely bogus certifier,” said Laura Koss, senior lawyer in the FTC’s division of enforcement. Tested Green sold environmental certifications for hundreds of dollars and told more than 100 customers that its certifications were endorsed by two independent firms. But those companies were both owned by Tested Green owner Jeremy Ryan Claeys, according to FTC.
“The company claimed to be an environmental certifier,” Koss said, “but they were essentially selling certifications to anyone who was willing to pay money for them.”
FTC said Tested Green never actually tested any of the companies it provided with environmental certifications. It certified anyone willing to pay $189.95 for a “Rapid” certification or $549.95 for a “Pro” certification.
“There are obviously those people where the only qualification for getting the seal or certification is a working credit card number,” Mallen said. “But the more common scenario is where you have seals or certifiers that use the word ‘green’ or the term ‘sustainable’ or ‘eco-friendly’ in the logo or brand, and what’s communicated is a message that is overly broad, too general or not clear to consumers what kind of environmental benefit we’re talking about.”
The number of “greener” products since 2009 has increased by 73 percent, according to TerraChoice, an environmental consultancy firm that is part of Underwriters Laboratories, in its “Sins of Greenwashing” 2010 report. Greenwashing is a significant problem, the report found, with 95 percent of “greener” products committing one or more of TerraChoice’s seven “sins.”
“There’s so much ‘greenwashing’ that’s going on right now,” said Susan Heaton, manager of national accounts for Washington-based Green Seal Inc. “Consumers are confused; companies are confused; and nobody knows what’s credible and what’s not.”
Green Seal, a nonprofit organization founded in 1989, is a science-based standard development and certification body that is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The organization is one of the most trusted green certifiers in North America. Another is Ottawa, Ontario-based EcoLogo, founded in 1988 by the Canadian government.
Green Seal and EcoLogo are both Type I eco-labels, as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This means that the groups compare products or services against others in the same category, develop scientific criteria that reflect the lifecycle of products and award certifications after an independent third-party verifies its findings.
EcoLogo and Green Seal are the only two groups in North America that have been successfully audited by the Global EcoLabelling Network as meeting ISO 14024 standards for eco-labeling.
The FTC is also stepping up. For the first time in 13 years, it is updating its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, also known as its “Green Guides.” The FTC first introduced its guidelines in 1992 to address eight environmental marketing claims: general environmental benefit; degradable, biodegradable or photodegradable; compostable; recyclable; recycled content; source reduction; refillable; ozone safe; and ozone friendly.
The Green Guides were last revised in 1998, and Heaton said an update is “long overdue.” Green Seal, along with more than 300 other companies and individuals, gave its two cents when the FTC asked for input on the revisions. The revised Green Guides should be released within the next year.
In addition to updating the Green Guides’ eight environmental categories, the revisions also will address claims of carbon offset and items made with renewable materials or energy.
“We’re not an environmental agency; we’re a truth-in-advertising agency,” Koss said. “Marketers get confused and ask, ‘What are you doing here? You’re not the EPA.’ And it’s true. The Green Guides don’t set out environmental definitions, environmental standards or environmental specifications. It’s not a glossary; you can’t look up biodegradable and find the scientific or technical term.”
Instead, she said, the Green Guides publication is intended to make sure that consumers get accurate advertising.
“We’re kind of agnostic,” Koss said. “On a personal level, yeah, we want a better environment. But in terms of the guides themselves and the FTC’s purpose, it’s, ‘Are you being truthful and can you back up your claim?’ Not, ‘Will what you’re saying be ultimately good for the environment?’”
As for the future of green certifications, could there be a unified and national certification entity?
“When you all kind of have the same basic idea in mind, I think it certainly would be easier for everyone,” Heaton said. “It would make it less hard for people to differentiate between what’s credible, what’s not credible.”
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Clean Energy Jobs
As soon as we tell friends and neighbors about our monthly energy cost, 9 out of 10 want to know how we achieved that level of August $79 with A/C, approx 2,000 sq ft under air. It's very achievable; easy DiY or room for new Practitioners as long as the costs are reasonable.
The Department of Energy announces a New Energy Milestone...
One day before Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman highlights the clean energy jobs created with support from the Obama Administration, the Energy Department announced that the weatherization program under the Recovery Act has now made more than 500,000 low-income homes nationwide more energy-efficient. The weatherization program is helping families save hundreds of dollars a year on their energy bills, while employing more than 14,000 workers across the country and countless others throughout the supply chain.
Full story
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Facebook doubling Worldwide Ad Revenues this year?
A new eMarketer forecast predicts 104% growth in global advertising revenues for the world's largest social networking site. US ad revenues still make up the bulk of funds, and will total $2.01 billion by the end of this year.
Full Article
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Red Tide, Karenia brevis September 16th update
East Coast
Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, was not detected in water samples collected this week alongshore of Dade County.
Northwest Coast
Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, was not detected in water samples collected this week alongshore of Okaloosa, Walton, Dixie and Levy counties or offshore of Wakulla and Levy counties.
Southwest Coast
Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, was not detected in water samples collected this week alongshore of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Collier counties or offshore of Lee County and the Florida Keys (Monroe County). Five samples collected alongshore of Sarasota County (out of 75 total samples) and one sample collected alongshore of Lee County each contained background concentrations of K. brevis. One sample collected alongshore of Charlotte County contained very low concentrations of K. brevis.
Samples collected alongshore in Tampa Bay showed no presence of the dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense, suggesting a dissipation of the ongoing bloom first reported in mid-July.
Monday, September 19, 2011
More reason to use Reusable, Recyclable Bags
Even more reason to start using recyclable bags. Not really a new concept if you think about it, our grand parents we're doing it of course it wasn't called recyclable, so maybe we should think of it as going "retro" with a new twist. It would be interesting to see what it costs us the consumers in the way of taxes to clean up after us. Anyone?
The article: A lawmaker in Los Angeles has introduced legislation that would prohibit all grocery stores in the city from providing paper and plastic bags, and instead require them to give away or sell only reusable totes. The proposed measure is far more sweeping than current laws in cities like San Francisco, where plastic bags are banned, but paper bags are still permitted. "We're taking the next step," said Los Angeles City Councilor Paul Koretz, who has proposed the ban. "With paper bags, you're still generating litter."
According to a report produced by the Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation, approximately 2.3 billion plastic bags and 400 million paper bags are issued annually in the city. Data shows only 5% of plastic bags and 21% of paper bags are recycled. Environmentalists believe that while plastic bags can be especially harmful in polluting waterways, paper bags can also create problems for an ecosystem. "We're hoping that more of these local policies will be a wake-up call," says Kirsten James, a spokesperson for watchdog group Heal the Bay.
Besides San Francisco, several other cities in California have recently banned the use of plastic bags in grocery and convenience stores. Santa Monica's ban, for example, went into effect on September 1. Officials in San Mateo and Millbrae will formally discuss potential bans at public meetings over the next month. To date, though, only Los Angeles is debating a plastic and paper bag ban.
Under the Los Angeles proposal, stores that ignore the ban would be fined, with an exemption granted for small plastic bags meant to keep raw vegetables and meats separated from other groceries. Before the ban can become law, the measure needs to be approved by the Los Angeles City Council's Energy and Environment Committee.
The article: A lawmaker in Los Angeles has introduced legislation that would prohibit all grocery stores in the city from providing paper and plastic bags, and instead require them to give away or sell only reusable totes. The proposed measure is far more sweeping than current laws in cities like San Francisco, where plastic bags are banned, but paper bags are still permitted. "We're taking the next step," said Los Angeles City Councilor Paul Koretz, who has proposed the ban. "With paper bags, you're still generating litter."
According to a report produced by the Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation, approximately 2.3 billion plastic bags and 400 million paper bags are issued annually in the city. Data shows only 5% of plastic bags and 21% of paper bags are recycled. Environmentalists believe that while plastic bags can be especially harmful in polluting waterways, paper bags can also create problems for an ecosystem. "We're hoping that more of these local policies will be a wake-up call," says Kirsten James, a spokesperson for watchdog group Heal the Bay.
Besides San Francisco, several other cities in California have recently banned the use of plastic bags in grocery and convenience stores. Santa Monica's ban, for example, went into effect on September 1. Officials in San Mateo and Millbrae will formally discuss potential bans at public meetings over the next month. To date, though, only Los Angeles is debating a plastic and paper bag ban.
Under the Los Angeles proposal, stores that ignore the ban would be fined, with an exemption granted for small plastic bags meant to keep raw vegetables and meats separated from other groceries. Before the ban can become law, the measure needs to be approved by the Los Angeles City Council's Energy and Environment Committee.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Plastic from Orange Peel?
I knew orange peel made a great cleansing agent and now it looks as though there are good possibilities of a orange peel biobased plastic. Good news for our sunshine State of Florida should it come to fruition (sorry pun intended). The article from Plastics News By Katie Coyne
Orange peel could be used to make biobased plastics commercially within two years, according to scientists behind a breakthrough discovery at York University.
Scientists say they can break down peel into simple monomers that can be used to make plastics and that there is no reason why the technology could not be in wide use soon.
The research team subjected orange peel to microwaves to extract the hydrocarbon limonene found within it. Limonene is used as a degreasing agent in industry and is commonly found in household products such as washing-up liquid and fabric detergent.
However, the scientists found that the process also caused the limonene to break down into monomers that could be used to make biobased plastics.
James Clark, professor of Chemistry and director of the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence at the University of York said these could be used to make plastic structures and replace, for example, PET.
He added: “Orange is very interesting because there is a huge amount of it and the chemicals in it are quite simple and that is unusual in that it has a large amount of a single molecule – limonene. Every time you do the washing up there’s a good chance you are using limonene."
The University is currently building a biorenewables development centre, which will be taking the discovery forward and proving the theory on a larger scale. It will operate the process at a rate of tens of kilogrammes per hour.
Clark added: “At that scale you can show industry that it is feasible. By the end of the year these will be operating. There are plenty of companies around making the microwave equipment and there is a plentiful supply of oranges around. I am kind of hoping that by next year industry will start picking up on this.
"I would be disappointed if in two or three years time industry wasn’t taking this forward.”
Orange peel could be used to make biobased plastics commercially within two years, according to scientists behind a breakthrough discovery at York University.
Scientists say they can break down peel into simple monomers that can be used to make plastics and that there is no reason why the technology could not be in wide use soon.
The research team subjected orange peel to microwaves to extract the hydrocarbon limonene found within it. Limonene is used as a degreasing agent in industry and is commonly found in household products such as washing-up liquid and fabric detergent.
However, the scientists found that the process also caused the limonene to break down into monomers that could be used to make biobased plastics.
James Clark, professor of Chemistry and director of the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence at the University of York said these could be used to make plastic structures and replace, for example, PET.
He added: “Orange is very interesting because there is a huge amount of it and the chemicals in it are quite simple and that is unusual in that it has a large amount of a single molecule – limonene. Every time you do the washing up there’s a good chance you are using limonene."
The University is currently building a biorenewables development centre, which will be taking the discovery forward and proving the theory on a larger scale. It will operate the process at a rate of tens of kilogrammes per hour.
Clark added: “At that scale you can show industry that it is feasible. By the end of the year these will be operating. There are plenty of companies around making the microwave equipment and there is a plentiful supply of oranges around. I am kind of hoping that by next year industry will start picking up on this.
"I would be disappointed if in two or three years time industry wasn’t taking this forward.”
Saturday, September 17, 2011
How things change. Most Surfers will remember went the iconic Clark Foam went out of business in 2005 and now a new report how Surfboard brands are using leftover PU dust.
URETHANES TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
ALISO VIEJO, CALIF. (Sept. 14, 11:15 a.m. ET) -- Surfboard makers now have a route for using leftover polyurethane dust – the result of shaping a surfboard from a block of foam.
Sales of surfboards generated more than $160.6 million in 2010 according to the 2010 Sima Retail Distribution Study. As part of their commitment to the environment, the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (Sima) Board Builders’ Committee has been involved in a new solution for excess dust that funds a use for this waste.
California-based surfboard brands Lost Surfboards, Dewey Weber Surfboards, Soul Stix Surfboards, Stone Steps Manufacturing, T. Patterson Surfboards and Channel Islands Surfboards, along with foam manufacturers US Blanks and Surf Blanks America and cutting house Pro-Cam, have joined forces with the makers of Spillinex.
Through donating their leftover dust to Spillinex, the shaping dust is now being reused as an environmentally safe sorbent for use during oil spills. Spillinex is a powder compound that is used to contain and absorb a variety of liquids, and has the ability to absorb oil in water, leaving clean water after removal. Surfboard dust accounts for up to 80 percent of the Spillinex composition.
“As a surfboard brand owner and the Chairman of the Sima Board Builder Committee, I know I can speak for most surfboard manufacturers when I say how excited I am about being involved with the team from Spillinex to help re-purpose our excess foam dust,” said Shea Weber, Sima Board Builder Committee chairman and president of Dewey Weber Surfboards.
“Not only have they found a home for our dust, but they’ve also come up with a compound utilizing it so that it actually helps protect the environment. The board builder community is passionate about protecting the environment and I want to thank Spillinex for taking the initiative to reach out to the Sima Board Builder Committee and for allowing us to help them connect with some of our industry’s leaders to make this dream a reality.”
Spillinex has reused a total of about 100,000 pounds of polyurethane shaping dust. Board builders have come together with Spillinex to coordinate a dust pickup program, where Spillinex collects directly from the shapers and foam manufacturers’ facilities between 15,000 and 20,000 pounds a month.
For a complete version of this story, see www.urethanes-technology-international.com.
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| Graphic courtesy of Surfer |
URETHANES TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
ALISO VIEJO, CALIF. (Sept. 14, 11:15 a.m. ET) -- Surfboard makers now have a route for using leftover polyurethane dust – the result of shaping a surfboard from a block of foam.
Sales of surfboards generated more than $160.6 million in 2010 according to the 2010 Sima Retail Distribution Study. As part of their commitment to the environment, the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (Sima) Board Builders’ Committee has been involved in a new solution for excess dust that funds a use for this waste.
California-based surfboard brands Lost Surfboards, Dewey Weber Surfboards, Soul Stix Surfboards, Stone Steps Manufacturing, T. Patterson Surfboards and Channel Islands Surfboards, along with foam manufacturers US Blanks and Surf Blanks America and cutting house Pro-Cam, have joined forces with the makers of Spillinex.
Through donating their leftover dust to Spillinex, the shaping dust is now being reused as an environmentally safe sorbent for use during oil spills. Spillinex is a powder compound that is used to contain and absorb a variety of liquids, and has the ability to absorb oil in water, leaving clean water after removal. Surfboard dust accounts for up to 80 percent of the Spillinex composition.
“As a surfboard brand owner and the Chairman of the Sima Board Builder Committee, I know I can speak for most surfboard manufacturers when I say how excited I am about being involved with the team from Spillinex to help re-purpose our excess foam dust,” said Shea Weber, Sima Board Builder Committee chairman and president of Dewey Weber Surfboards.
“Not only have they found a home for our dust, but they’ve also come up with a compound utilizing it so that it actually helps protect the environment. The board builder community is passionate about protecting the environment and I want to thank Spillinex for taking the initiative to reach out to the Sima Board Builder Committee and for allowing us to help them connect with some of our industry’s leaders to make this dream a reality.”
Spillinex has reused a total of about 100,000 pounds of polyurethane shaping dust. Board builders have come together with Spillinex to coordinate a dust pickup program, where Spillinex collects directly from the shapers and foam manufacturers’ facilities between 15,000 and 20,000 pounds a month.
For a complete version of this story, see www.urethanes-technology-international.com.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Jobs and Dollars in Wetland Conservation
When it comes to hot topics Jobs would certainly be a the top at the list. What better form of self investment than the jobs created by Coastal and Wetland Restoration projects. In a recent report by Restore America's Estuaries (RAE) titled "Jobs & Dollars: Big Returns from Coastal Habitat Restoration," the benefits detailed are numerous. Not to forget the overall impact to tourism and its related jobs. Where would we be if we couldn't even enjoy some fishing or even go to the beach! A taste of that was when... the Red Tide made an extensive appearance on our West Coast Florida shoreline. Its since then I've been actively involved in conservation and preservation of our oceans. I wonder why!!
The article...
WASHINGTON--A landmark report released today by Restore America's Estuaries (RAE) shows that coasts and estuaries are not only essential to the nation's economy, but that investments in coastal habitat restoration produce jobs in a cash-strapped, job-starved economy at a higher rate than many other sectors, including oil and gas, road-infrastructure, and green building projects.
The report by Jeff Benoit, "Jobs & Dollars: Big Returns from Coastal Habitat Restoration," lays out a powerful case for government and private investment in the nation's coasts and estuaries, drawing on national and regional studies of coastal and estuarine restoration projects and setting out its findings in restoration case studies.
Among "Jobs and Dollars" key findings:
Coastal habitat restoration--including wetland reconstruction and improvement; rebuilding depleted oyster beds; removal of obsolete dams, culverts, and other obstacles to fish passage; tree planting and floodplain restoration; and invasive species removal--typically create between 20 and 32 jobs for every $1 million invested. In comparison, road infrastructure projects on average create seven jobs per million, oil and gas return just five jobs, and green building retrofits produce 17 jobs per $1 million invested.
Habitat restoration not only creates local jobs, it brings dollar to local businesses. In one of the report's case studies, a watershed restoration project in Oregon, 80% of monies invested in the project stayed in county; 90% stayed in state.
Restoration not only creates direct jobs, people using their skills and equipment to restore damaged wetlands and other similar projects, but also helps stimulate indirect jobs in industries that supply project materials such as lumber, concrete, and plant materials, and supports induced jobs in businesses that provide local goods and services, such as clothing and food, to restoration workers.
Finally, restoration projects are a sure bet, boasting enviable returns on investment to local and regional economies in the form of new jobs, increased tourism and tourist dollars, hunting and fishing revenues, tax revenues, and property values.
"Investing to restore our nation's bays and estuaries is a win-win-win situation. It's good for the environment, creates jobs, and it boosts sagging local economies," said Jeff Benoit, President and CEO of Restore America's Estuaries.
How valuable are our coasts and estuaries?
While coastal-estuarine counties make up only 13% of the U.S. land area, they generate half the nation's GDP, and provide 40% of all American employment. More than three-quarters of all U.S. trade-some $850 billion total-passes through U.S. ports annually. Further, over 75% of all commercial fishing, 80-90% of recreational fishing, and 85% of waterfowl and migratory birds depend on estuaries. Combined, the hunting and fishing industry alone generates $80 billion a year.
But despite their obvious value, both ecologically and economically, America's coasts and estuaries are in trouble. Historic losses alone are staggering. The report documents that 97% of Columbia River salmon are gone. Likewise, 95% of all San Francisco Bay wetlands have vanished, sacrificed to development and commerce. The once great Chesapeake Bay oyster is down to one percent of historic levels. Half of the Great Lakes wetlands are gone.
Louisiana's wetlands are in a class by themselves. Louisiana's coastal wetlands are receding at an astounding rate of one football field an hour. Loss of the state's wetlands not only threatens lucrative industries like shrimping and crabbing, but also puts 45% of our national oil and gas refining capacity, and 43% of our strategic petroleum reserves at risk, as well.
"It is critical for our nation to invest in coastal habitat restoration," said Benoit. "Not only to address many of these problems, but to provide jobs for out-of-work commercial fishermen, work for marinas and boat captains and barge operators, and commerce for seaside businesses, ranging from bait and tackle shops to hotels and restaurants."
Founded in 1995, Restore America's Estuaries is a national alliance of 11 regional, coastal conservation organizations with more than 250,000 volunteer-members dedicated to preserving our nation's estuaries. RAE members include: American Littoral Society, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Conservation Law Foundation, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, Galveston Bay Foundation, North Carolina Coastal Federation, People For Puget Sound, Save The Bay-Narragansett Bay, Save The Bay-San Francisco, Save the Sound, a program of the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, and Tampa Bay Watch.
The article...
WASHINGTON--A landmark report released today by Restore America's Estuaries (RAE) shows that coasts and estuaries are not only essential to the nation's economy, but that investments in coastal habitat restoration produce jobs in a cash-strapped, job-starved economy at a higher rate than many other sectors, including oil and gas, road-infrastructure, and green building projects.
 |
| Download the report here |
The report by Jeff Benoit, "Jobs & Dollars: Big Returns from Coastal Habitat Restoration," lays out a powerful case for government and private investment in the nation's coasts and estuaries, drawing on national and regional studies of coastal and estuarine restoration projects and setting out its findings in restoration case studies.
Among "Jobs and Dollars" key findings:
Coastal habitat restoration--including wetland reconstruction and improvement; rebuilding depleted oyster beds; removal of obsolete dams, culverts, and other obstacles to fish passage; tree planting and floodplain restoration; and invasive species removal--typically create between 20 and 32 jobs for every $1 million invested. In comparison, road infrastructure projects on average create seven jobs per million, oil and gas return just five jobs, and green building retrofits produce 17 jobs per $1 million invested.
Habitat restoration not only creates local jobs, it brings dollar to local businesses. In one of the report's case studies, a watershed restoration project in Oregon, 80% of monies invested in the project stayed in county; 90% stayed in state.
Restoration not only creates direct jobs, people using their skills and equipment to restore damaged wetlands and other similar projects, but also helps stimulate indirect jobs in industries that supply project materials such as lumber, concrete, and plant materials, and supports induced jobs in businesses that provide local goods and services, such as clothing and food, to restoration workers.
Finally, restoration projects are a sure bet, boasting enviable returns on investment to local and regional economies in the form of new jobs, increased tourism and tourist dollars, hunting and fishing revenues, tax revenues, and property values.
"Investing to restore our nation's bays and estuaries is a win-win-win situation. It's good for the environment, creates jobs, and it boosts sagging local economies," said Jeff Benoit, President and CEO of Restore America's Estuaries.
How valuable are our coasts and estuaries?
While coastal-estuarine counties make up only 13% of the U.S. land area, they generate half the nation's GDP, and provide 40% of all American employment. More than three-quarters of all U.S. trade-some $850 billion total-passes through U.S. ports annually. Further, over 75% of all commercial fishing, 80-90% of recreational fishing, and 85% of waterfowl and migratory birds depend on estuaries. Combined, the hunting and fishing industry alone generates $80 billion a year.
But despite their obvious value, both ecologically and economically, America's coasts and estuaries are in trouble. Historic losses alone are staggering. The report documents that 97% of Columbia River salmon are gone. Likewise, 95% of all San Francisco Bay wetlands have vanished, sacrificed to development and commerce. The once great Chesapeake Bay oyster is down to one percent of historic levels. Half of the Great Lakes wetlands are gone.
Louisiana's wetlands are in a class by themselves. Louisiana's coastal wetlands are receding at an astounding rate of one football field an hour. Loss of the state's wetlands not only threatens lucrative industries like shrimping and crabbing, but also puts 45% of our national oil and gas refining capacity, and 43% of our strategic petroleum reserves at risk, as well.
"It is critical for our nation to invest in coastal habitat restoration," said Benoit. "Not only to address many of these problems, but to provide jobs for out-of-work commercial fishermen, work for marinas and boat captains and barge operators, and commerce for seaside businesses, ranging from bait and tackle shops to hotels and restaurants."
Founded in 1995, Restore America's Estuaries is a national alliance of 11 regional, coastal conservation organizations with more than 250,000 volunteer-members dedicated to preserving our nation's estuaries. RAE members include: American Littoral Society, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Conservation Law Foundation, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, Galveston Bay Foundation, North Carolina Coastal Federation, People For Puget Sound, Save The Bay-Narragansett Bay, Save The Bay-San Francisco, Save the Sound, a program of the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, and Tampa Bay Watch.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Mobile Ads racking up gains
Mobile Ads are becoming a must have as part of the social media marketing mix....
article via emarketer: Examination of telecom online display ads reveals that certain placements and banner sizes deliver higher engagement and conversion rates than others. Mobile ads in particular achieve six times the performance of standard browser-based display ads.Full Article
Made in the USA promotional product review: Artisan quality Hand-Sewn Journals
For the coming Holiday season (I know, I know it feels way to early to talking about this) Rustico has always done a terrific job for us and have been a pleasure to work with even when there's tight deadlines. They also can get creative with Made in the USA custom leather journals and related products. Based out of Utah their about us is worth a review.
If your wondering why this is in our blog? Its one of our "integrated solution companies VRA" (thats a mouthful) we've been doing this type of work for around 16 years now... I'll explain more in future posts along with some case histories and testimonials, but later down the road...
We've used these guy's many times for a variety of ideas including Travel Journals for Journalists given by a Convention and Visitor Bureau, a Window Manufacturer who had some very unique personalized Journals created for Members of State. One of the latest projects still in process is there use as a thank you to participants and volunteers in Coastal and Wetland Restoration projects for Strategic Community Investment Programs, inclusive of Corporate Sponsors and the participating Non-Profit.
We've used these guy's many times for a variety of ideas including Travel Journals for Journalists given by a Convention and Visitor Bureau, a Window Manufacturer who had some very unique personalized Journals created for Members of State. One of the latest projects still in process is there use as a thank you to participants and volunteers in Coastal and Wetland Restoration projects for Strategic Community Investment Programs, inclusive of Corporate Sponsors and the participating Non-Profit.
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Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Yesterdays Karina Brevis, Red Tide update
No samples have been received so far this week from the east coast of Florida.
On the northwest coast of Florida, Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, was not detected in water samples received so far this week alongshore of Okaloosa and Walton counties.
On the southwest coast of Florida, Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, was not detected in water samples received so far this week alongshore of Lee and Collier counties. Two samples (out of 21 total samples) collected alongshore of Sarasota County contained background concentrations of K. brevis
in the news...Mote Marine Aquaculture Park
I took a walkabout around the facilities at Mote Marine Aquaculture Park (time to dig out some pics, me thinks) at a year ago and the closed-loop system they have created is really quite impressive let alone the future potential for emulation.
From a recent article from Mote marine: The aquaculture focus at Mote, with both saltwater and fresh water species, is on sustainably growing fish inland using recirculating technologies that maximize the use of water resources.
In the photo above, Dr. Kevan Main works on a Sarasota Bay Estuary Program wetlands restoration site on Lido Key in July. Some of the plants used in the restoration project were grown at Mote Aquaculture Park in eastern Sarasota County. Working with Aquatic Plants of Florida, Mote grows plants using solid waste from saltwater fish species or effluent water from freshwater species. The plants filter excess nutrients and can then be used to restore wetlands in other locations. Photo provided by Sara Kane, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program.
From a recent article from Mote marine: The aquaculture focus at Mote, with both saltwater and fresh water species, is on sustainably growing fish inland using recirculating technologies that maximize the use of water resources.
In the photo above, Dr. Kevan Main works on a Sarasota Bay Estuary Program wetlands restoration site on Lido Key in July. Some of the plants used in the restoration project were grown at Mote Aquaculture Park in eastern Sarasota County. Working with Aquatic Plants of Florida, Mote grows plants using solid waste from saltwater fish species or effluent water from freshwater species. The plants filter excess nutrients and can then be used to restore wetlands in other locations. Photo provided by Sara Kane, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
USA TODAY: Frankfurt: Wagon version of Fisker Karma electric shown
Frankfurt: Wagon version of Fisker Karma electric shown
http://usat.ly/qxfXV7
http://usat.ly/qxfXV7
Awards up to $38 Million to Advance Technology and Reduce Cost of Geothermal Energy
Monday, September 12, 2011
BMW update, carbon fibre and those laser lights
After the recent announcements of laser lights and carbon by BMW, the BBC article makes for more exciting news from the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Now how about doing the same for the Mini Cooper with 4 hub Motors, Carbon Body and those laser lights would make a perfect replacement for those projector LEDs.
Now how about doing the same for the Mini Cooper with 4 hub Motors, Carbon Body and those laser lights would make a perfect replacement for those projector LEDs.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Article: Facebook Fail: Posting via Other Apps Can Cut Likes & Comments by 70%
Facebook Fail: Posting via Other Apps Can Cut Likes & Comments by 70%
http://mashable.com/2011/09/09/facebook-third-party-apps-study/
(Sent from Flipboard)
Who says Smart Meters don't work?
Despite the Florida heat and humidity we received our latest power bill from FPL (Florida Power and Light) our Energy usage dropped once again, I was hoping it might get to in the $70's range and we did! It was actually $79 not bad for 2,000 sq ft under air and considering we had guests in during August ramping up the usage too. I was continually shutting outside doors left open and they probably thought I was miserly or nuts!Oh I also forgot we work a considerable amount from our Home Office too.
Learning from our eMonitor Smart Meter where our Phantom Power loss was coming from, we kept fine-tuning our energy bleed as I call it, "a lot of crumbs can make a nice size piece of cake" and here's the proof. We weren't being overly frugal either, just using commonsense and its within easy reach of almost anyone with the will to save some money and help the environment at the same time. In these economic times whats not to like? For those who are inclined towards Energy Efficiency, Sustainability or just plain being Green just look at the carbon footprint...
Next on the agenda as we work towards the dry season is more Water Conservation. We've tested out a rain barrel system that we created with a Rain Chain for aesthetics and this season we'll up the ante despite being on a Recycled Water system which magically keeps going up in cost every year... it use to be FREE. Being right beside a lake no water catchment system is needed, but pumps use a fair bit of energy and there will be a fair bit of elbow grease, we'll see...
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Legacy Trail Bridge at Venice Florida, nears completion
To take advantage of those early morning cooler temperatures and put a different muscle set to work after all the recent Paddle-Surfing I made my first stop by the Sarasota County Legacy Trail Bridge which rapidly seems to be coming to completion.
This Bridge is really going to make Biking and Land Paddling on the trail fun with easy detours to DownTown Island of Venice and I would think its going to be a boon to most businesses in the vicinity. Easy bike ride to the Saturday Farmers Market which as of today now had a street cordoned completely off for it.
Here's some good info on the Legacy Trail I found for a bit more insight.
Anyone know off-hand the actual date of the Bridge opening?
Researcher develops nanotube-reinforced PU turbine blades
More on the Wind Turbine front...
Marcio Loos, at Cleveland-based CWRU’s department of macromolecular science and engineering, worked with colleagues at the university and from Bayer MaterialScience LLC in Pittsburgh and Molded Fiber Glass Co. in Ashtabula, Ohio, on the project.
“The idea behind all this is the need to develop stronger and lighter materials which will enable manufacturing of blades for larger rotors,” Loos said in a news release.
Loos built the blade on weekends.
Lighter blades help to maximize energy output from wind turbines. In a comparison of reinforcing materials, the researchers found carbon nanotubes are lighter per unit of volume than carbon fiber and aluminum and had more than 5 times the tensile strength of carbon fiber and more than 60 times that of aluminum.
Fatigue testing showed the reinforced PU lasts about eight times longer than epoxy-reinforced fiberglass. The new material was also about eight times tougher in delamination fracture tests.
Performance was even better compared to vinyl ester-reinforced fiberglass, the researchers said.
“Results of mechanical testing for the carbon nanotube reinforced polyurethane show that this material outperforms the currently used resins for wind blades applications,” said Ica Manas-Zloczower, professor of macromolecular science and engineering and associate dean in the Case School of Engineering.
The research is funded by a U.S. Department of Energy stimulus grant and Bayer MaterialScience.
PLASTICS NEWS REPORT
CLEVELAND (Aug. 30, 2:20 p.m. ET) -- A post-doctoral researcher at Case Western Reserve University has spearheaded an effort to build the world’s first polyurethane wind turbine blade reinforced with carbon nanotubes.
Posted August 30, 2011
Marcio Loos, at Cleveland-based CWRU’s department of macromolecular science and engineering, worked with colleagues at the university and from Bayer MaterialScience LLC in Pittsburgh and Molded Fiber Glass Co. in Ashtabula, Ohio, on the project.
“The idea behind all this is the need to develop stronger and lighter materials which will enable manufacturing of blades for larger rotors,” Loos said in a news release.
Loos built the blade on weekends.
Lighter blades help to maximize energy output from wind turbines. In a comparison of reinforcing materials, the researchers found carbon nanotubes are lighter per unit of volume than carbon fiber and aluminum and had more than 5 times the tensile strength of carbon fiber and more than 60 times that of aluminum.
Fatigue testing showed the reinforced PU lasts about eight times longer than epoxy-reinforced fiberglass. The new material was also about eight times tougher in delamination fracture tests.
Performance was even better compared to vinyl ester-reinforced fiberglass, the researchers said.
“Results of mechanical testing for the carbon nanotube reinforced polyurethane show that this material outperforms the currently used resins for wind blades applications,” said Ica Manas-Zloczower, professor of macromolecular science and engineering and associate dean in the Case School of Engineering.
The research is funded by a U.S. Department of Energy stimulus grant and Bayer MaterialScience.
Friday, September 9, 2011
In our local area I must admit "LivingSocial" is my fav. We've been landing some great deals and a good way to check out just how good some of those Restaurants and Businesses really are...
A new eMarketer report examines the uptake of mobile coupons, including daily deals, among US mobile and smartphone owners. As digital couponing increases overall, mobile coupon usage will nearly double by 2013.
Full Article
A new eMarketer report examines the uptake of mobile coupons, including daily deals, among US mobile and smartphone owners. As digital couponing increases overall, mobile coupon usage will nearly double by 2013.
Full Article
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Asian plastics groups step up battle against ocean litter
By Steve Toloken | PLASTICS NEWS STAFF
BANGKOK, THAILAND (Aug. 30, 2:30 p.m. ET) -- Asia’s plastic industry groups say they want to step up involvement to combat ocean litter and marine debris from plastics, as part of a global effort by launched earlier this year by the industry in North America and Europe.
Posted August 30, 2011
While the Asian groups did not detail any specific new initiatives, industry officials at an annual gathering of business associations in Bangkok on Aug. 30 said they would develop regional strategies and form an Asian cluster, with groups from India, Japan, Malaysia and possibly Australia taking the lead.
The Asian industry is under increasing pressure on litter, including bans on plastic bags like one enacted earlier this year in India, and its needs more information about what has worked elsewhere and could be adapted in Asia, said Callum Chen, secretary-general of the Asia Plastics Forum, which organized the Bangkok meeting.
“Governments and NGOs single out plastic as a punching bag,” Chen told the forum. “If we do not do something drastic and very quickly, it will lead on to other things. If I think plastic bags are not my problem, I am wrong. It will go up the value chain.”
The global effort launched in March with a declaration signed by 47 industry associations, including PlasticsEurope, the Canadian Plastics Industry Association and two chief groups in the United States, the American Chemistry Council and the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc.
Wilfried Haensel, executive director of Brussels-based PlasticsEurope, addressed the Asian groups in a private session August 29.
In an interview on the sidelines of the APF meeting Aug. 30, Haensel said it was too early to discuss specific plans in Asia but he said, as an example, that the Operation Clean Sweep program to control pellet litter and waste at factories in the United States could be brought to Asia.
The Asian groups said they would work on the priorities identified by the global effort, including:
• Developing public-private partnerships aimed at preventing marine debris,
• Working with the scientific community to better understand the problem and possible solutions,
• Enforcing existing litter laws, and strengthening recycling and energy recovery programs.
Haensel said the plastics groups plans to meet next in mid-November in Dubai to discuss further steps.
Chen, who also is CEO of Malaysian molder Lee Huat Plastics Industries Sdn. Bhd., said the declaration has been signed by industry groups in India, Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines, and he said Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia are also likely to join.
He said he hoped the remaining countries in the 12 member APF would participate.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The Surf cleans up
Another Dawn Patrol session...
The following break has met, or is expected to meet, your Surf Alert® requirements:
LOCATION: Venice Jetties (North)
Conditions:
Date: Wednesday Sep 7: 07:00 AM
Surf: 2 - 3ft
Trigger:
Surf Height: Greater Than 1 ft.
Lookahead: 0 hrs
Check the Report
http://www.surfline.com//surf-report/venice-jetties-north-florida-gulf_5455/
The following break has met, or is expected to meet, your Surf Alert® requirements:
LOCATION: Venice Jetties (North)
Conditions:
Date: Wednesday Sep 7: 07:00 AM
Surf: 2 - 3ft
Trigger:
Surf Height: Greater Than 1 ft.
Lookahead: 0 hrs
Check the Report
http://www.surfline.com//surf-report/venice-jetties-north-florida-gulf_5455/
if you love e-commerce, you're going to love real-time Shopping particularly when it includes UPC, QR barcodes, then lets throw AR codes into the mix... article via "TrendWatching"
Way back in 2008, we published a Trend Briefing on OFF=ON, highlighting the new ways in which the offline world was adjusting to, if not mirroring the increasingly dominant online world. We stated: “where OFF=ON gets most interesting [is that] a whole new set of business practices and processes, not to mention client involvement and marketing techniques, have emerged online, with consumers relishing these developments, and thus the offline world has to adapt.”
Since then it’s actually been more about total immersion than adaptation: the online world is now completely accessible even when ‘offline’ (that is, away from any kind of online device that is too clunky to be used on the go). For consumers, this is a cause for celebration: because while they want (if not crave) to be online 24/7 (ONLINE OXYGEN), they still prefer to live in the world of warm bodies rather than cyberspace (please re-read MASS MINGLING).
For retailers, this means a world where not only have consumer expectations been set by a decade of shopping online, but one where consumers can access all the things they love about e-commerce – convenience, the ability to hear other consumers’ experiences, total price transparency, and virtually endless choice – out in the ‘real world’ too.
Just check out this recent anecdote, about a shopper in Sears, who when faced with an in-store price $3 higher than Sears’ online store, simply pulled out his smartphone, bought online, selected in-store pickup and walked over to collect his purchase (via The Consumerist).
Extreme? Perhaps, but consider this selection of stats:
No wonder then that smart retailers are increasingly catering to consumers’ INFOLUST, mimicking if not actually bringing the online experience to their in-store shoppers: everything from in-store price comparisons and customer reviews to suggested pairings (shoppers who bought this also bought…).
Doing this will increase sales and improve customer satisfaction by reassuring shoppers that they are purchasing the best of the best, at the cheapest possible price: obviously required information in today’s EXPECTATION ECONOMY. Add to this everything from e-coupons to buy-online / pick-up offline services, and the real world's enduring advantages will actually receive additional desirability because of online developments.*
*Yes, consumers will continue to be in love with e-commerce too, of course:
This Trend Briefing looks mainly at physical retail. Now, while the distinction between ‘online’ and ‘offline’ is becoming increasingly meaningless, in no way are we suggesting that e-commerce won’t continue to grow rapidly (because it will), or that online retailers won’t continue to come up with innovations that transform the online shopping experience (because they are).
Since then it’s actually been more about total immersion than adaptation: the online world is now completely accessible even when ‘offline’ (that is, away from any kind of online device that is too clunky to be used on the go). For consumers, this is a cause for celebration: because while they want (if not crave) to be online 24/7 (ONLINE OXYGEN), they still prefer to live in the world of warm bodies rather than cyberspace (please re-read MASS MINGLING).
For retailers, this means a world where not only have consumer expectations been set by a decade of shopping online, but one where consumers can access all the things they love about e-commerce – convenience, the ability to hear other consumers’ experiences, total price transparency, and virtually endless choice – out in the ‘real world’ too.
Just check out this recent anecdote, about a shopper in Sears, who when faced with an in-store price $3 higher than Sears’ online store, simply pulled out his smartphone, bought online, selected in-store pickup and walked over to collect his purchase (via The Consumerist).
Extreme? Perhaps, but consider this selection of stats:
- 8 out of 10 consumers research purchases online. While 42% research online and then buy online, 51% research online and then buy in-store (Source: Google & IPSOS OTX, September 2010).
- Multi-channel consumers who receive information from more than one source (store, online, mobile, or catalogue) prior to purchase, spend 82% more per transaction than a customer who only shops in store (Source: Deloitte, December 2010).
- E-commerce conversion rates have been hovering around 2-3.5% while brick-and-mortar conversion rates for fashion retailers have been around 20-25% (Source: Verdict Research, May 2010).
- Of the 40% of US consumers who own smartphones, 70% use their smartphones while shopping in-store (Source: Google & IPSOS OTX, April 2011).
- 74% of smartphone shoppers made a purchase as a result of using their smartphone. Of these 76% have purchased in-store, 59% online while only 35% have made a purchase via their smartphone (Source: Google & IPSOS OTX, April 2011).
- Mobile barcode scanning (including traditional UPC barcodes and QR codes) increased 1,600% globally during 2010 (Source: Scanlife, December 2010).
No wonder then that smart retailers are increasingly catering to consumers’ INFOLUST, mimicking if not actually bringing the online experience to their in-store shoppers: everything from in-store price comparisons and customer reviews to suggested pairings (shoppers who bought this also bought…).
Doing this will increase sales and improve customer satisfaction by reassuring shoppers that they are purchasing the best of the best, at the cheapest possible price: obviously required information in today’s EXPECTATION ECONOMY. Add to this everything from e-coupons to buy-online / pick-up offline services, and the real world's enduring advantages will actually receive additional desirability because of online developments.*
*Yes, consumers will continue to be in love with e-commerce too, of course:This Trend Briefing looks mainly at physical retail. Now, while the distinction between ‘online’ and ‘offline’ is becoming increasingly meaningless, in no way are we suggesting that e-commerce won’t continue to grow rapidly (because it will), or that online retailers won’t continue to come up with innovations that transform the online shopping experience (because they are).
Florida Fish and Wildlife new articles and updates
2011 Noctiluca scintillans Bloom Off Florida's PanhandleSamples of discolored water and "froth" reported in February 2011 along Okaloosa and Walton county coastlines revealed a bloom of the nontoxic dinoflagellate but no adverse effects.
Monitoring Toxic Algae in the Indian River Lagoon
Periodic testing of water samples and clams provides an early warning of bloom occurrences and shellfish toxicity and minimizes the risk of human exposure to saxitoxins.
Prymnesium parvum Blooms in Florida
Effects of the toxin producer known as golden algae have been localized within the state to small ponds and the Intracoastal Waterway.
Takayama Blooms in Collier and Lee Counties
Discolored water and fish kills occurred along the Collier County coast in July 2011. Investigations revealed blooms of the nontoxic dinoflagellate Takayama tuberculata. An isolated bloom appeared in Lee County with no negative effects reported.
Updates
2011 Manatee Mortality
View the preliminary manatee mortality report and monthly manatee mortality data for 2011.
Commercial Fisheries Landings in Florida
Download Florida landings data for all commercially harvested finfish and invertebrate species.
Fish Kill Database Directory
Search the fish kill database for records of fish kills and fish abnormalities reported in Florida as far back as 1972.
Electric Vehicles in 24 States and Train a Workforce for Advanced Vehicle Development
after speaking to our Mechanic who apparently has been taking some courses, there is a distinct need for EV specialists the near future particularly in the third party realm. Otherwise much of the work is going to land back into the dealerships with the inherent costs.
EERE article: U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced 16 projects supporting activities in 24 states and the District of Columbia to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in communities across the nation, and seven additional projects in seven states to help prepare college students for careers designing and building advanced vehicle technologies.
Full story
Full story
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Red Tide update
September 6th update.... On the southwest coast of Florida, one sample (out of two total samples) collected alongshore of Sarasota County contained background concentrations of Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organismMonday, September 5, 2011
"It's Days like these"
Its days like these or should I say the "Back-to-Back" days that make all the Conservation efforts feel more than worthwhile.
Crack of Dawn starts to an ongoing series of terrific Surf Sessions continues without abeyance, in warm relatively unpolluted water and great conditions at least for this coast, courtesy of Tropical Storm "Lee" . What more could could anyone ask for...
Crack of Dawn starts to an ongoing series of terrific Surf Sessions continues without abeyance, in warm relatively unpolluted water and great conditions at least for this coast, courtesy of Tropical Storm "Lee" . What more could could anyone ask for...
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Carbon Footprint 1/3 of the average Florida Home
Let alone the saved energy and cost, our home Carbon Footprint is now almost a 1/3 of the average Florida home.
The recent savings hands-down goes to our "emonitor". It's ability to inform us how to optimize and make adjustments to our energy usage, then with a little tweaking get some pretty darn good results.
Another factor worth consideration is that when we are ready to go to PV (solar panels) or the thin film variety our overall Square Footage requirement will be considerably lower... hence less cost. Bonus!
For some feedback our home is just under 2,000 sq ft of air conditioned space with a Great Room, lots of sliders and a 19.2 SEER dual scroll A/C (which I highly recommend) with a heat exchanger to capture a fair bit of the heat and put it into our Hot Water. We don't have a Solar Hot Water Heater.
The recent savings hands-down goes to our "emonitor". It's ability to inform us how to optimize and make adjustments to our energy usage, then with a little tweaking get some pretty darn good results.
Another factor worth consideration is that when we are ready to go to PV (solar panels) or the thin film variety our overall Square Footage requirement will be considerably lower... hence less cost. Bonus!
For some feedback our home is just under 2,000 sq ft of air conditioned space with a Great Room, lots of sliders and a 19.2 SEER dual scroll A/C (which I highly recommend) with a heat exchanger to capture a fair bit of the heat and put it into our Hot Water. We don't have a Solar Hot Water Heater.
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