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Mixing Oil and Water

6/19/2015

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        Have you seen this demonstration?  If not, imaginative readers will have no trouble picturing it in their minds’ eyes.  Let’s give it a try!  We all know that the earth is about 70% water.  Scale that down to imagine all of Earth’s water in a one-gallon jug.  From that jug separate out 1/2 cup of water; this represents all of the world’s fresh water.  That’s right, 1/2 cup!

        Two thirds of the Earth’s fresh water is locked up in the polar ice caps so pour that out of your meager 1/2 cup.  You should now have about 3 tablespoonsful left.  Most of that represents groundwater; much of it is quite deep and inaccessible.  So pour out 2 more tablespoonsful representing groundwater.  Now get an eyedropper and begin extracting the water representing moisture in the soil and atmospheric vapor.  Stop extracting when surface tension draws together one last drop.  Place that last drop on your tongue and enjoy!  It represents the easily accessible surface water, our lakes and streams.

        We Midwesterners are blessed with abundant fresh water.  We practically qualify as the Earth’s Fort Knox of fresh water. With our “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” the mighty Mississippi, and especially the Great Lakes, we lay claim to over 1/5 of that precious last drop you just swallowed.   About 85% of North America’s entire surface fresh water is in our neighborhood of the continent.   We’re stewards of one of the Earth’s most precious commodities.

        That’s what makes the following situation so confounding.  Tar sands oil, arguably the dirtiest of fossil fuels, are being extracted in Alberta, Canada.  Pipelines full of this fuel, that’s been thinned with carcinogenic chemicals, already crisscross the Midwest.  Several up-grades and expansions are in the works including plans to triple the capacity of line 61 running through the center of Wisconsin.

        As fresh water becomes increasingly precious, our addiction to fossil fuels may leave future generations scratching their heads. “Why did our ancestors risk fouling irreplaceable fresh water to access a polluting fuel when new clean energy sources were at hand?” they may wonder.  Fossil fuels have helped build a prosperous society but just ask any Californian, so has clean water.  In 2015 which is more precious - water or oil?  The choice is simple. Our very lives depend on abundant clean water here on the only planet we’ll ever call home forever…Earthbound.”
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Monty Saves the Day

6/15/2015

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        During our last episode… Archie Acidification, global warming’s evil twin, was bemoaning the public’s increasing awareness of his dastardly plan.  Adding CO2 to the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels not only contributes to global warming but also acidifies the oceans.  The evil Archie was afraid that the public might demand action now that people knew the oceans were also being harmed.  His plans for a “beautiful” acid ocean kingdom seemed to be falling apart.

        “My diabolical plan is crumbling,” fumed Archie.  “I’ve got it!  I’ll call my old pal, Rotten Randy Rumor.  He’ll know what to do.”  The next night the two plotted while slurping steaming troughs full of sewer water stew.  “Gotcha covered Archie. I’ve been spreading the rumor for years that doing anything to slow global warming would cost billions.  Those gullible humans will never take action!”

        Could it be true?  Will humankind never take meaningful steps to slow global warming and ocean acidification? Are we resigned to this fate?  (Cue the distant bugle call.)  But wait!  Who’s that riding over the horizon on a white, non-fossil-fueled stallion?  Yes, it’s Monty Marketplace, armed only with good old American know-how, come to save the day.

        Monty gathered the townspeople together and told them that according to a study by the prestigious Regional Economic Modeling Inc. (REMI) we can both dramatically reduce fossil fuel use AND grow the economy!  This would come about not by government regulation but by the magic of the marketplace.  A modest, steadily rising fee placed on fossil fuels would generate annual dividend payments to every American.  Once it’s clear that fossil fuels will lose their cost advantage entrepreneurs will scramble to find ways to reduce their use and develop alternative energy sources. 

        The study shows that after 20 years CO2 emissions would drop 50 percent below 1990 levels.  Not only that, putting the fees collected into the hands of average Americans, who are likely to spend the money, creates an additional 2.8 million jobs.  The marketplace and good old American ingenuity (not government regulations) cleans the air and water, and generates wealth as well!

        Monty urged the townspeople to write their legislators asking them to learn more about “Carbon Fee and Dividend” legislation.  “There are no longer any excuses.” Monty cried. “Generate the political will.  Act now!  Because without a healthy planet, we’re homeless.  Now and forevermore we’re…Earthbound.”
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The Evil Twin

6/4/2015

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        Archie Acidification, global warming’s evil twin, was perusing the newspapers and smugly congratulating himself on how well he’d kept himself out of the public eye.  “Nhya-ha-ha, look at this headline,” Archie preened. “‘97 percent of climate scientists are convinced, based upon the evidence, that human-caused global warming is happening.’  Those humans are finally wising up to what’s happening to the atmosphere.  Meanwhile I carry out my dastardly deeds in the oceans almost completely unnoticed!

        “And here’s another one - a report from the Dept. of Defense, ‘Among the future trends that will impact our national security is climate change. Rising global temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, climbing sea levels, and more extreme weather events will intensify the challenges of global instability, hunger, poverty, and conflict. We refer to climate change as a threat multiplier.’  Even those military bigwigs aren’t paying any attention to ocean chemistry.  I’m getting away with murder - Nhya-ha-ha!”

        But then Archie’s evil eye fell on still another news report.  “What’s this?!?  I’ve been found out!”  Archie read about an international study led by Matthew Clarkson as reported in LiveScience.com.  Researchers have determined the central cause of the Great Dying, a period of widespread global extinction millions of years ago.  A series of spectacular volcanic eruptions spewed CO2 into the atmosphere, and the earth’s oceans absorbed much of it.  The pH (acid) level of the oceans rose dramatically causing mass extinctions.

        Like those volcanoes, today the burning of fossil fuels since the beginning of the industrial age is loading the atmosphere with CO2.  Modern day oceans are soaking up that CO2 and making them more acidic.  The effects of this can already be seen in the bleaching of coral reefs.  This latest finding highlights yet another reason to rapidly accelerate our transition to fuels with low greenhouse gas emissions.

        “Drat those pesky researchers!”  Archie fumed!  “Now those humans, even if they don’t worry much about global warming, will have another reason to reduce fossil fuel use and destroy my plans for a beautiful acid kingdom!”

        Will Archie succeed in his plan for world domination?  Will humans shake off their addiction to fossil fuels?  How can ordinary folks right here in Iowa Co. help foil Archie’s plans?  Stay tuned and find out next time how Monty Marketplace can help save the day because this beautiful Earth is our only home.  We are forever…Earthbound.  
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    I'm interested in the topics of sustainability and climate change especially in regards to our local area in southwest Wisconsin.

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