Learning canoe paddling techniques
Topic: wildlife

If Doing a First Time Wilderness Canoe Trip, Take a Course And Do It Right!   by Garth Pottruff

Many visitors outside of Canada wish to experience a Canadian canoe trip. Canada is the land of moose, bear, timber wolves and beaver. It has miles of lakes and forest. To the visitor this is the place to be... but the challenge is getting the experience to do it.

Novice canoeist planning a week canoe trip would be wise to take a one day canoe trip training. The purpose of these courses is to equip the beginning canoeist with the skills to enjoy a multi-day canoe trip. The second purpose is to develop a level of competence so that the novice can do a canoe trip without a personal guide.

These instructional courses give the novice access to an experienced canoeist/instructor to answer questions and teach bush smarts. The mentor takes the beginner through instructional situations with hands-on practice periods. Often the teaching sites are modeled after wilderness sites to assist the novice in experiencing what to expect.

The instructors will help with canoe trip planning to match the needs and expectations of the beginner. The course teaches how to interpret park maps and set achievable daily paddle distances. Discussions cover how to locate overland crossings (portages) to adjoining lakes and select wilderness campsites.

The canoe course teaches safety techniques and common sense for inclement weather. Beginners learn how to paddle and steer a canoe. Instructors demonstrate different techniques for carrying a canoe overland and how to properly pack a canoe for stability. Camping techniques are taught on firewood and cooking fires, putting up a tent & campsite selection, as well as animal proofing for the unexpected.

The course includes hands-on packing techniques, food & clothing, first aid needs, cooking equipment, sleeping bag and tent selection. Some instruction courses will even assist the novice in getting rental of packs, canoes and tents from local reputable outfitters.

Most canoe courses are about 6 hours in length. They are often offered on weekends from April until October. The teaching sessions are group sessions, but individuals, couples and families can be accommodated.

For the experienced wilderness canoeist, the courses are of little relevance. But for the novice, these courses are worth the investment. They develop the needed skills and knowledge to do a safe and enjoyable wilderness canoe trip.

People need to remember that they are often paddling in a wilderness that is remote... and that remoteness is unfamiliar territory to most. Take some training and enjoy a great trip!

 

 

 

About the Author

Garth Pottruff has done a lot of guiding... taking beginner canoeist on one week trips through Quetico and canoe trips in Algonquin Park. His forestry background combined with years of canoeing and teaching has made him a valuable instructor to beginners. He believes a one day prep courses on canoe tripping is the best way to prepare

For more information on preparing for canoe trips visit learning adventures at: http://www.grandriverrafting.ca/

[outdoors] [canoe] [camping] [hiking]

I Want My Hydrogen Car - Now!
Topic: Environment
by Suzann Kale

Can you imagine a car that uses no gas, has water as its only waste product, and runs on the most abundant element in the universe?

The hydrogen car is almost within our grasp. With a little more research and a lot more public interest, you could soon ditch your hybrid and drive your hydrogen right off the lot.

Ditch your hybrid? Hey, hybrids, are great. Leonardo DiCaprio bought one. So did Cameron Diaz. With an electric motor, hybrids are a perfect start.

The good news: Hybrids, like the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight, have computers that switch the fuel use from gas to electricity depending on which is more efficient at the moment. The bad news: Hybrids still need some gas, which keeps us dependent on oil.

But hybrids do help our environment, and they also serve as a "bridge" between gas cars and hydrogen cars. They wean us off our mind-set of what a car should be. Besides, the media has dubbed them "sexy."

The sexiest car of all, though, is the hydrogen. Under the hood, you will find a hydrogen fuel cell. Unlike a battery, which eventually dies, the fuel cell creates an efficient, continual flow of electricity by converting hydrogen and oxygen into water, producing electricity in the process. It is this electricity that will run your car.

What is hydrogen? It's a colorless, odorless element. It's lightweight, and -- what makes it a good fuel -- highly flammable. We know hydrogen very well - combined with oxygen (H20), it makes water.

Where does the external power come from? Canadian SHEC Labs (Solar Hydrogen Energy Corporation) is working on using solar energy to create hydrogen from methane - which is easily available from landfills.

A bonus here is that the methane not only helps create fuel, but using it in this way, according to SHEC, also helps lessen greenhouse gas emissions from these landfill sites. Greenhouse gas is a leading cause of global warming.

BMW, Honda, Suzuki, GM, and other big companies are also on the H-Car cutting edge. Hydrogen will be dispensed to consumers from automated filling stations. Converters will be made available for existing cars.

So why is your H-car not on the showroom floor right now? First, those filling stations aren't there yet - and neither are the other infrastructures, such as storage and transfer facilities.

And although gas is combustible, hydrogen is even more so, meaning that safeguards must be put in place so we can transport and pump in relative safety.

Experts are saying our H-cars won't be available for another ten years. That's an awfully long time to wait for such a critical source of fuel.

Our current habits are ravaging the earth, causing wars, and accelerating global warming. People, we have no place else to live. Pillaging the planet and making it uninhabitable is not an option. If we don't care for ourselves, we must care for our children and grandchildren.

The truth is, there's simply no alternative to the hydrogen car.

What can each of us do, to get these cars into our driveways before the planet is raked and devastated?

Get the T-shirt! Get the word out. Educate your congress people. Talk about it at dinner. Bring it up at town council meetings. Write letters to editors. Get the bumper sticker. Start a blog. Call your car dealerships, so they can get the word back to the manufacturers.

It isn't true that we are powerless. But it will take more than just a few people to get anything moving. We all have to care about the earth and the legacy we will leave for our children.

(c)2006

 

About the Author

Suzann Kale is a freelance author and technical writer specializing in science, lifestyles, and the arts.

[environment]

[hybrid]

Our Oceans and Waterways Are in Trouble
Topic: Environment

by Tracey Wilson

"Our oceans are in trouble, the coasts are in trouble; our marine resources are in trouble. These are not challenges we can sweep aside."

-Commission Chairman James Watkins

In all of our world's bodies of water, we are seeing trouble develop at a fanatical rate. Wetlands, coral reefs, shellfish beds, etc . . . are dying. We only have ourselves to blame.

40,000 acres of coastal wetlands providing essential spawning, filtering out pollutants, feeding and nursery areas for ¾ of U.S commercial fish catches are disappearing each year, says the new U.S. Commission of Ocean Policy, now halfway through an eighteen month study.

Our coastal development, dumping of waste, careless fishing habits, and especially global warming, (Which is mainly caused by human actions), are all reasons our marine life and ecosystem is in critical condition.

Coral reefs are being found in bleached white states, more and more. A sure sign that the 'rain forests of the oceans' are in serious trouble. Not only are thousands upon thousands of marine life dependent on coral reefs for their survival, coral reefs also buffer coasts against beach erosion from storm damage.

Pollutants that end up dumped into our oceans; like the twelve billion tons of ballast water from ships, that are spreading invasive alien species to new locales around the world. It also chokes off oxygen and fosters algae blooms, causing important habitats, like kelp beds and seagrass meadows to die off.

"The oceans are an interconnected web of animals, plants, and people living across a complex geography." Muller-Karger explains. "A change in one area sends a ripple effect that affects everything else in the system. One serious problem, says Muller-Karger, is that we have upwards of fourteen Federal agencies charged with ocean issues. These agencies are, in turn, overseen by more than sixty congressional committees and subcommittees There is too much duplication, too little coordination and too little funding," he charges.

Only a tiny fraction of our oceans vastness has been explored and studied. We know more about the surface of the moon. Our oceans contains potential advances in health care and medicines. Two antiviral drugs and a cancer drug has already been found in seasponges. Imagine the other possible cures that are waiting to be found.

Many of our conservation laws to protect our water systems are not properly enforced. Likewise, policies regulating pollution in coastal waters are not always carried out, as well. It is imperative that we get serious in protecting our marine life and water ways. In doing so, we will be saving ourselves, as well as the life of our planet.

About the Author

Tracey Criswell Wilson is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Poetry. Most of Tracey's writings can be found at http://www.writing.com/authors/intuey

[environment]

[ecosystem]

Camping Tips
Topic: Hiking

Camping Equipment
Author: John Morris

One of the best trips you can go on is within your own country
- camping. It does not matter if you have done it a million
times before or if this is your first time. Having the right
camping equipment is crucial to having a great trip in the
wilderness. When you are preparing to go camping, it would be a
smart idea to make a checklist of the necessary items you will
need for your camp out. Being prepared is an important aspect
of being far away from a major town or city.

1. Plan your packing

Packing is the first step to a great camping trip (well,
besides planning). Once you are ready to start packing for your
camping trip, make a list of the items that you want and need to
bring with you. As you pack them, check them off to ensure that
you are not forgetting anything. This is the best system for
remembering everything before you leave your home.

2. Shelter and bedding

Shelter for camping and the bedding you will need for sleeping
is very important to any camper. Make sure that you pack all
your blankets and tents if you are planning an overnight trip.
It is best to have some sort of shelter for sleeping to protect
you from not only the weather, buy to also make you feel more
secure. You need the blankets to keep you cozy and warm at
night.

3. Personal effects

Make sure that you pack all of your personal hygiene items for
you trip. Chances are you will not need makeup or hairspray.
You will however need toilet paper, soap, shampoo, a hair brush
and toothbrush. Bring along a few washcloths and towels to
freshen up in the mornings.

4. Clothing

Make sure that you pack enough clothes for your camping trip.
You will not be able to wash clothes so pack at least one
outfit for everyday. You will need pants, warm shirts, warm
socks, and underwear. Have some rain gear on hand too in case
Mother Nature throws a shower or two at you.

5. Cooking gear for camping

You will need to be able to eat while you are in the woods.
Make sure that you have your grill packed as well as a few
other things. Bring along your cooking utensils, cutting board,
paper plates, cups, silverware, aluminum foil, dish soap and
wash clothes and towels. These are some of the important items
that you will need in the woods. Do not forget the garbage bags
to put your trash in while camping.

6. Survival Gear

Of the most important things to remember, be sure to bring
along your cellular phone if you have one. This can save your
life in the case of an emergency. Always remember to bring
along a first aid kit, sharp outdoor knife, sunscreen and
insect repellent. These are things that you use on a day-to-day
basis and you will defiantly need in the woods. With the right
gear, it is quite possible for you to survive for weeks or more
without any supplies.


About The Author: For more great camping related articles and
resources check out http://mountaineeringhq.info/

[outdoors]

[camping]

The Biggest Mistake American Homeowners Make
Topic: Environment
by Dale B. Adams

The biggest mistake that 90% of American homeowners make is putting a dark colored shingle on their roof. Scientific studies reveal that different color shingles absorb and reflect different amounts of heat. White shingles will conduct less and reflect more heat, whereas black shingles will contain and absorb the most heat.

Almost every consumer knows that black socks or dark shirts will absorb more heat versus lighter colors. Since most people realize this basic concept I have trouble comprehending why 90% of the buildings in our nation have dark colored roofs. Putting a black roof on your home or building is not the smartest thing you could do.

It is common knowledge that colors affect us differently. White colors elevate us while dark colors depress us. Every morning when I get up I pull the curtains and let the light shine in. I want to be happy and feel good. When I poke my head outside to see what's going on in the world I like to see white color roofs versus their depressing counterparts. Are these dark colored roofs contributing to the epidemic of depression in our nation?

Roof heat transfer is the process of transferring the almost 200-degree roof temperatures into your attic. Attics can reach temperatures over 140 degrees. This heat creates moisture that falls to your attic floor on your insulation. This moisture causes your insulation to become less effective and this heat then sinks into your home. Insulation slows and prevents some of the heat transfer into your home but I can assure you it never stops this heat transfer. This heat then causes you're A/C unit to work. The hotter your roof gets, the harder and longer your air conditioning unit needs to run. The more your air-conditioning unit runs, the shorter it's lifespan becomes. Roof heat transfer is a term every American should become aware of.

A white roof will reflect 30% of solar heat gain versus a black roof. Some people claim that a dark roof is better in colder climates. Although I am still doing research in this area, I believe they could be wrong. I haven't found any studies yet that prove this theory.

Something every American should realize is that yes we have a shortage of oil, but we have even less natural gas. Years ago when oil wells were drilled it was common for oil producers to find gushers. Gushers were caused by the pressure from natural gas that pushed the oil to the surface. There is normally more oil than natural gas in every case. If no natural gas exists, oil producers have to install pumps to suck the oil out. You rarely hear of any large deposits of oil and almost never hear about gushers. When you hear about the shortage of oil, this should alarm you when you consider natural gas and your electric bill.

Most of our electric plants run on natural gas. It will take decades to build alternative power plants. Environmentalist don't want pollution causing coal plants built and most Americans are resistant to having a Chernobyl nuclear plant in their back yard. Since no other solutions are rapidly approaching, conservation is a necessity. We need to do everything we can to lower our consumption of electric power and natural gas.

Many people get very upset when the price of gasoline rises. Buildings use far more natural resources than our automobiles. If you conserve energy in your home it will have a direct effect on demand and prices for other petroleum products.

If you are the manager of a business that has buildings you are doing a great disservice to our nation and your company by installing a dark colored roof. Your job is to save your business money. The more money you make for your business, the more money you will make. Dark colored tar roofs are petroleum- based so you are contributing to our demand for foreign oil. It is not only unwise it is un-American.

If you are the Grand Pu Ba of a homeowner association that insists every home in the neighborhood has a dark colored roof to match, you need to alter your antiquated by-laws.

I like to think that environmentalist are leading the nation by example and informing others as well as themselves how to conserve our natural resources. They would gain a lot more credibility by doing so.

Anti-war protestors should realize the war revolves around oil. If you sincerely want this war to subside you should do your part to prevent our dependence on other nations. Chances are very high that WW III will arise over natural resources and the need of.

The lower gasoline prices are just temporary and will surely rise after the elections. People who believe they can complain and the government will force oil companies to lower prices are deluding themselves. The only way that could happen is if we threw out our present form of government and converted to a socialist country. We live in a capitalist society and supply and demand will dictate prices. Since there is an ever-increasing shortage of natural resources prices will continue to reach higher. Our only choice is to consume less and constantly search for alternative energy.

Conserving our natural resources is truly a matter of national security.

 

 

About the Author

Dale Adams of Majestic Publishers is the author and self publisher of the new book, "Care Giving Made Easy - How to be an Awesome Caregiver" and the soon to be released, "How to Make Your Home Sell - Even In A Slow Market" His many experiences include being a Security Consultant, General Contractor and Energy Conservation Specialist.For More Valuable Information Visit maj

[environment]

[politics]

Hiking for the Heart
Topic: Hiking
by Taylor Eisenman

Hiking for the Heart Pack the Walking Boots on Your Next Family Vacation By: Taylor Eisenman

I always seem to lose my breath hiking. It could be high altitude, or maybe the vigorous walking. Probably it's both. But, I like to think it's the scenery that takes my breath away more than either of those things. Growing up, my family would go to Winter Park, Colorado, nearly every summer. We would hike in and around Rocky Mountain National Park, experiencing the thrill of reaching stunning elevations with amazing vistas, and everywhere you looked, 360 degrees, there would be mountains. We would hike in fields of wildflowers, searching for Indian Paintbrush and Elephant Head. My sister and I would rock hop in ice-cold mountain streams trying to see how far we could get. In the mornings, my parents made sandwiches to take along, so we could stop to have lunch next to an alpine lake or waterfall.

We could have traveled to other places. My family loves the beach, too. But, something brought us back to Colorado year after year to hike old favorites and find new trails to accomplish together. I'm sure we argued about stuff -- what family vacation is complete without some fighting -- but I don't remember any of that. All I remember is being immersed in a beauty that I can't describe, and experiencing all of it -- good, bad, and otherwise -- with my family.

"Walking or hiking together is the perfect chance to talk to each other and interact with the environment -- whether it be your neighborhood, a park, or on a trail," says Wendy Bumgardner, a certified marathon coach and eight-year board member of the American Volkssport Association, the largest walking club in the U.S. Hiking is one of America's fastest growing recreational activities. According to a study done in 2002 by the Outdoor Industry Association, nearly one-third of all Americans went hiking, and the USDA Forest Service is predicting a steep increase in backpacking and hiking, especially in the Southern and Pacific Coast where they are forecasting an 80 percent increase over the next 50 years. If hiking becomes as popular as predicted, it could be mean great things for the health of Americans, as well as the state of our natural areas.

Hiking for Awareness A resounding theory exists among most nature lovers, including myself, that when people experience the wonders of Mother Nature firsthand they will be more likely to want to preserve and protect it -- making it available for future generations, like their grandchildren, to enjoy. "I think we will lose our natural parks and trails if families don't unplug and get out and enjoy them," Bumgardner says. "Unless children experience nature on their own two feet, they won't value it, and when they are adults, they will be less likely to protect it."

Now, I know what some of you are thinking: How am I going to take my little one hiking when we can barely make it through a trip to the grocery store? Hiking with children is not as hard as it may appear. Whether you're hiking in a park close to home or along the ridge of an 11,000-foot peak, you and your family can be free of worries if you are prepared and have planned ahead.

Anticipate, Arrange, and Advise Anticipate. The hike you choose should not be a mystery to you or your children when you arrive at the trailhead. Researching everything from the expected weather conditions and insects in the area, to knowing the elevation gain, mileage, and difficulty of a hike are all going to play important roles on whether your hike is fun and safe. If the weather forecast says sunny and 75 degrees, that's doesn't mean you shouldn't expect rain and 50 degrees. In the mountains especially, weather can change in an instant, and if you're not prepared, you'll be in for one cold and miserable hike with kids who have every right to complain. In Colorado, we hiked in layers with raingear. It seemed that almost every afternoon around one o'clock it would rain for about an hour and then go straight back to being sunny again. And then there were those days when we looked out from the top of a peak as dark clouds and a blanket of rain came toward us in the distance. You just never know what the day will bring, so you have to be ready for anything.

Arrange. What are you going to bring? Food and water are the two most important items you can have along. Remember a hike that was suppose to take two hours could take four or more, and having enough food and water along can be the difference between happy, healthy hikers and dehydrated, overheated hikers prone to fatigue and crankiness. Besides snacks and drinks, Bumgardner suggests being sure to bring along a small first aid kit with bandages, insect repellent, bee sting treatment, and sunscreen.

Finding the perfect location for a hike, whether it's your family's first hike or just one of many you've accomplished, is pertinent to having a good experience. For a family on their first hike, Bumgardner recommends "a mostly-level trail that goes through woods or along a stream," and, in case you are worried about keeping the little ones entertained, she says to look for a hike with informational signs about the plants and animals of the area. Breaking up the hike by stopping to read the signs and looking for various plants and animals are great ways to keep everyone happy and learning at the same time. The American Hiking Society advocates the use of games, like I Spy, to play on the trail. My personal favorites in Colorado were the 20 questions game and the alphabet game... "I am going to a party and I am bringing a, for apples," and so on until you get to z, for my pet zebra.

Advise. So now you know where you're going, what you're bringing, and how to keep the kids entertained. But, what about keeping them safe? "Parents need to teach their children basic trail courtesy," Bumgardner says. She recommends talking to them about no running, staying on the trail, and not taking shortcuts off the trail. No rock or pinecone throwing or disturbing their surrounding environment. "Teach them to leave only footprints and take only memories," she says.

Involving your children in planning the hike will help them feel like a part of the process, and teach them about where they are and what dangers are possible. Hopefully this will influence them to make good choices, such as listening to directions. Letting them carry items like trail maps and snacks in their own mini backpacks is a great way to show them how important they are to the hike, making it even more necessary for them to be on their best behavior.

One way to help you keep track of your little ones is by dressing them in brightly colored clothing so that they are extremely visible. On one Colorado trip, my family and I hiked a trail where a mountain lion had just killed a child a few weeks previously. The child had run ahead of the family and crouched down in the grass off the trail to surprise them as they came around the corner. The mountain lion thought the child was prey and attacked. That tragedy could have been easily prevented had the parents made sure everyone stayed together and stuck to the trail.

Benefits of the Heart A good walk not only does wonders for your emotional heart (strengthening your family's bond), but it also bolsters your heart's physical health.

Only 15 percent of the U.S. adult population practices sufficient moderate physical activity, reports The National Center for Health Statistics. And while the fact that more than 60 percent of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese is alarming enough, child obesity is on the rise affecting more than 13 percent, starting as young as two years old. Bumgardner sees walking/hiking as a way to combat this epidemic. "With both childhood and adult obesity skyrocketing, every family needs to find an activity they enjoy that can set a healthy pattern for lifelong fitness," she says. "Even slow walking is excellent exercise, especially compared to other common forms of entertainment such as video games or watching movies."

A study conducted by the National Park Service found that people who exercised compared to people that lived a sedentary lifestyle had 14 percent fewer healthcare claims, 30 percent fewer days in the hospital, and 41 percent fewer claims greater than $5,000. "Walking 30 to 60 minutes a day significantly reduces risks of Type II diabetes, heart disease, stoke, and cancer," Bumgardner says.

Not only does hiking increase emotional ties, help prevent disease, and promote physical fitness, but it also puts you in a better mood. Nutricise.com finds that mood elevation is one of the most noticeable benefits of walking. The releasing of endorphins that occurs when walking helps to boost your self esteem and lift your spirits -- who wouldn't want that for themselves and their children?

Taking your family on a hiking vacation could be one of the best decisions you ever make. It will benefit the health of your family physically as well as emotionally. And, it will help your children understand the importance of nature, so that as adults they will make conscious decisions to support and save our earth. They'll remember how wonderful it was hiking with mom and dad, and they will want that for their children. I'll never forget Colorado, and I want to give my children the chance to hike to the top of a peak, seeing nothing but mountains and sky.

About the Author

As a child growing up in the exciting suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I was fortunate that my family liked to travel. Every year we made plans to go someplace new, but wherever we ended up, nature was almost always some part of the journey. From the hiking in the Canadian Rockies to snorkeling in the azure waters of Cancun, Mexico, my family and I have an affinity for the beauty and adventure of nature-based vacations. One vacation we took over [hiking]  [backpacking]

Turning Power Plant Challenges into Clean Technology Opportunities
Topic: Environment
by Anne-Marie Fleming

 

In today's world, our rising energy demands have led to an undeniable reliance on fossil fuels and a dependence on a power infrastructure that has had serious negative environmental impacts. Key issues associated with our continued utilization of fossil fuel-fired power plants surround environmental risk from greenhouse gas emissions, water contamination as well as problems of water scarcity. Working to restore balance and turn power generation challenges into opportunities are clean energy companies such as Beacon Power Corp (NASDAQ: BCON), XsunX, Inc. (OTCBB: XSNX) and NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG), with ITT Corporation (NYSE: ITT) and Hendrx Corp (OTCBB: HDRX) providing solutions to protect our water quality and supply.

Over the past few years protecting our environment has become a major priority within the United States and abroad. Concern over the impact that our dependence on harmful fossil fuels has had on our surroundings is far from being a new theme; however it had found renewed life by the fact that it has become economically viable, reflecting money making opportunities for both investors and businesses alike.

From a stock market perspective, while the demand for alternative sources of power and energy remains very strong as fuel prices and geopolitical tensions remain volatile, many companies within the renewable energy arena have seen their stock price decline significantly over the past several months. Short term, despite current market complacency, we may see an immediate spike as a result of a rise in oil prices or a power grid failure. Long term the potential for growth is supported by the constant flow of investments into the clean tech space and the continued presence of market drivers.

Evidence of the downward pressure felt by many alternative energy companies is seen through the movement in stock value of the portfolio that comprises the Distributed Energy Stock Index (DESI), which is made up of 41 stocks whose primary focus is distributed energy and technology solutions. Despite the declines, the existing market drivers and solid demand is believed to bode well for early 2007 performance.

Overall, it is apparent that we are in the midst of a shift to a more environmentally conscious approach to energy production. This movement is sparked in large part by the increasing level consumer awareness, government and legislative support as well as by the fact that thinking environmentally has become good for business. Working to protect our resources and our surroundings has become a viable growth strategy for those implementing 'green' strategies, and for the technology providers that create solutions to the problems associated with a fossil fuel economy.

Full article: http://www.renewableenergystocks.com/Articles/100506a.asp InvestorIdeas.com Disclaimer: www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp,

©Copyright InvestorIdeas 2006

About the Author

Ann-Marie Fleming completed her MBA in the United States, where she attended Webster University. She also holds an Honors B.A from the University of Toronto. She has over sixteen years of experience within the financial industry to include retail banking and brokerage, investment banking, and mortgage brokerage within the United States and Canada, with a firm

[environment]

[energy]

Environmental Battle in Chile
Topic: Environment

Environmental Battle for Southern Chile Part I: Dams, Roads, and Pumalin Park   by Charles Spencer

Let's start with who is involved in this Southern Chile drama. On the one side there is Douglas Tompkins and his private nature reserve Pumalin Park. On the other side is the Spanish power company Endesa. Caught Somewhere between the two are the good people of the local townships such as Futaleufú and Chaitén Southern Chile. We also can not forget the fourth actor in this drama, the Chilean government; however much they have tried to pretend not to be involved, they are very much at the center of this environmental disaster in the making.

First some background. The most important economic issue being for the people in this part of southern Chile is the road. There is no direct road connecting Chile South of Hornopiren to the rest of Chile. Across the region, you see cars and houses with signs that say "Carretera a Chile Ahora!" (Road to Chile Now!). This seems a reasonable demand, being as the gap to connect the highways involves about a hundred kilometers of missing road.

Well, the road happens to be missing where the largest private park and nature reserves in the World is located. Pumalin Park with many endangered species of plants and animals is owned by an association started by the retired U.S. Businessman turned environmentalist Douglas Tompkins. Well, that too seems it would be reasonable to want to protect this natural resources of Southern Chile. Much of the local population supports the park and what it has done for the local economy and understand the importance of preserving such a World treasure.

Well, if that was the end of the story it would seem that their needs to be some balance struck allowing a road through the park, while carefully attempting to protect the parks fragile ecosystem. Besides, as bad as a roads are, they do exist in national parks all over the world. Nature reserves and highways can coexist on some level. In fact, Douglas Tompkins has plenty of people building and maintaining roads and airstrips all over his park. He is not against building a road or two of his own.

This is where things get complicated. It turns out that Endesa supports the road so that it can put in transmission lines along the side. Also not great for the park, but power lines can also get along with nature reserves when done right. More importantly, do to the rugged terrain in the Pumalin Park they will for the most part be restricted to where the road goes.

The terrain will obviously help control some of the damage that the transmission lines would do to the park. However, because transmission lines are expensive and every kilometer counts, Endesa wants a road that goes straight across the park. Tompkins has wanted the road to follow the coast line. The coast line would effectively more than double the length of the road as it winds back and forth. So, Endesa and Tompkins obviously have some issues to sort out.

The Hydroelectric Dam on the Futaleufú River

 What gets left out of this controversy is the reason that Endesa wants the power lines. Endesa is not bringing power to the local area, but instead taking power out to growing cities like Puerto Montt, Temuco, and ultimately Santiago. Endesa has the rights and plans to build a Hydroelectric Dam on the upper Futaleufú river and another further south. So, not only is Endesa advocating laying waist to a big chunk of land across the middle of a nature reserve, but doing it so it can flood a pristine valley with some of the best trout fly fishing and white water rafting in the World. But that is what big power companies do. Right? Well, at least that is what a European power company do because it would never be allowed back home in the EU with the stringent environmental rules (bad Endesa! bad Endesa!). Obviously, with such deep pocket controversies, a lot of lawyers are going to make a lot of money and a few will make a career out of it. Where does that leave the good people of Futaleufú, Chaitén, and the area? Well they have no direct road access to the north of Chile; along with a huge part of their land that is going to be flooded. Strangely, it also seems very hard to find out exactly what is going to be flooded and when. Where is the Chilean government?

In part II of this article we will take a look at the potential future impact to all parties concerned, and what the local people have to say about the issue. It is after all their future at stake. We will also take a look at the political position everyone is currently taking, and how this involved the new presidential election in Chile of Michel Bachelet.

Charles Spencer is the editor of The Southern Chile and Patagonia Portal www.allsouthernchile.com The Fragile Environment of Southern Chile is a top concern of the Environmental section of All Southern Chile.

About the Author

Charles Spencer is the editor of The Southern Chile and Patagonia Portal www.allsouthernchile.com

[environment]

[nature]

Steve Irwin Tribute video
Topic: wildlife
You can check out the conservationist Steve Irwin tribute video that i just posted on the Forest Wonderer Site.

[wildlife]

Santa wants to save his homeland.
Topic: Global Warming

Santa Needs You To Save The North Pole   by Santa Claus

Santa here - I need your help! The North Pole is starting to melt. Before long I may have to relocate which will be hard because a rise in the sea level of 4 inches or so will put most of the planet underwater!

Lucky for me I have good people on my nice list like Richard Branson who has pledged to donate $3bn to help fight global warming. But that won't be enough!

We all have something called a carbon footprint. It's a way of measuring how much damage you cause to the environment through the car you drive, the type of paper you use, even the food you eat! If we all work together to make our carbon footprints smaller then we can help save our planet.

Some selfish people don't consider Global Warming an important issue. English TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson for instance, openly boasts about leaving the water running whilst cleaning his teeth. (It's a good thing he knows where the tap is because chances are, he'll be needing it to wash the coal off his hands on Christmas morning) but here in the North Pole, I have an up close and personal perspective on our planet's rising temperatures.

I'm taking off the red and white suit for the day and donning a green one. Almost everything we do has an impact on the environment but some choices are better than others.

My scientist boffin elves have come up with a list of things we can all do. Following even just a few of these suggestions could help you get a place on Santa's Nice list.

1. Ride a bike. There are lots of reason to do so. Car emissions = a big carbon footprint, bike emissions = no carbon footprint and if you're not old enough to drive yet, then spending time on your bike rather than watching TV or playing on that Playstation will still save electricity. Then, there are benefits in terms of happiness - exercise not only gets you fit, it makes you happier too. Bikes are cool.

2. Use organic toiletries, brands like Dr Hauschka, Lavera and Spiezia have organic make-up and soaps.Check out SoOrganic.com for a thorough listing.

3. Buy your clothes from companies like new English designer http://www.queenofsuburbia.com/ who has a range of cool slogan t-shirts, that use organic cotton and still keep you looking cool. The chemicals and pesticides used to grow non-organically grown cotton account pollute waterways, kill wildlife and damage human health. Cotton is also a really thirsty crop and takes up valuable water supplies in developing nations. Also try gossypium and americanapparel for more fashionable, affordable and environmentally aware clothing. For shoes, try Beyond Skin or Fair Deal Trading

4. Take a good look at your bank. If you don't want your money funding a dam-building project or buying missiles for a small African nation then pick an ethical bank. Switch to the Nationwide Building Society or the Co-Operative bank.

5. Turn things off - not put them on Stand-by. In the UK alone 8% of energy supplied to UK households is wasted by TVs, DVD Players etc being left on stand-by. Thats the equivalet of 4million tonnes of Carbon Dioxide every year. What's more, if we all switch off, our electrical bills will come down.

6. Shower rather than take a bath. A shower uses 35 litres of water, a deep bath uses 80 litres.

7. If it's yellow, let it mellow. Your toilet uses about 20-25% of the water you consume every day, cutting out the odd flush would make a significant difference to that.

8. Grow some tomatos or other vegetables. It's a fun thing to do with small children, they get the enjoyment of seeing something grow, you save money on groceries and Wal-Mart don't need to spend a fortune transporting fruit and veg thousands of miles over air land and sea in refrigerated units that are definetely not envirnmentally friendly! At the very least buy as much as you can from local producers especially your christmas dinner!

9. Recycle. Print on both sides of the paper, use the bottle bank, repair clothes, learn how to sew a button onto a shirt. Schools are always looking for paper for drawing - let them have some of yours from work rather than throwing it away.

10. Turn the heating down. Just one degree will make a difference and if you find that it doesn't make your life unbearable, try another degree. I live in the North Pole, I wear thick clothes and my thermost never goes past 20 degrees.

The best possible baby oil for your little one? Olive Oil. Take a tour of an eco-house, adopt an animal, there are a million things you can do. I've suggested ten, do five of them, heck just do one. You'll be saving the planet without having to wear your underpants outside of your trousers and you'll be closer to getting what you want for Christmas.

Remember to keep your moral compasses pointing at the North Pole!

Santa.

 

About the Author

Santa writes a blog at http://whoisnaughtyornice.blogspot.com/ in it he tells us who is on his naughty list and who makes the nice list.

[global warming]

[environment]