(Send in links for your favorite Environmental Organization, articles involving Rhode Island, or other related information.)
-Do NOT use ScienceDaily.com unless you are cautious. Its articles tend to be superficial and misleading.
-NEVER use the Yahoo science page. It is too frequently low quality.
One should always be careful on what the popular media reports, especially in the technical field of science and the environment. Here is an example (Expand comments to see details.) from recent news on ethanol fuel production from switchgrass vs corn. (Alternate example , without links, if other does not work.)
The Landsat Image Mosaic of Antarctica is the first-ever true-color high-resolution satellite view of the Antarctic continent enabling everyone to see Antarctica as it appears in real life. View article.. For educational information about the map link to NASA. View the interactive map at USGS.
Kill-A-Watt (tm) A “must have” portable meter for all households to determine electric usage from your appliances and other electric devices. Read all about it from the-gadgeteer. The older unit (a simple button menu) is the P4400 for $20+, a newer unit (menu system interface) is the P4460 EZ for about twice the cost. Find out where you can buy one from Google search
Earth Observatory(NASA) provides some interesting observations from space on the environmental consequences of human activities on the Earth. The consequences of coal strip mining in the Appalachian Mountains is shown in an interactive article. The effect of population growth can be studied by nighttime photographs from the International Space Station. Studies of old growth forest and how they have changed through the history of the United States is an ongoing project of scientists.
Sustainable Energy - without the hot air (A popular science book by David JC MacKay, Professor of Natural Philosophy, department of Physics, University of Cambridge) A book (a freebee online) that looks at sustainable energy and its role in society using the scientific method to prove or disprove all the rhetoric in the highly political debate on energy use, conservation, and production. Highly endorsed A lot of numbers and graphs, but then without the math it just a political debate or propaganda from one side or the other. Highly readable, very English, and easy to read a section without taking in the whole book at one time. He has an interesting blog.. Example, what does it cost to have daylight driving lights
on your car? Answer is in British Pounds, so use this to convert.
2007 update of probabilistic world population projections It is hard to believe, but since your webmaster graduated from Grad' School (1971), the World population has DOUBLED, and Earth's population is increasing at a net rate of about 1.5 million people per week. With that introduction, this article is one from the World Population Program that is studying population and its effects toward a sustainable development. While this article is directed toward policy planning, in areas as diverse as pension reforms, school reforms, regional planning, macroeconomic models and the global assessments of Climate Change, it applies directly to the environment as affected by population. Not a particularly quick read, but informative. It is a complicated subject. Another quicker read is this Lightbucket blog entry.
2010 Update of World Population Prospects "U.N. Forecasts 10.1 Billion People by Century’s End" in article by WSJ. "The population of the world, long expected to stabilize just above 9 billion in the middle of the century, will instead keep growing and may hit 10.1 billion by the year 2100, the United Nations projected in a report released Tuesday." A press release was issued on May 3, 2011 that gives an overview of the situation and the trends and conclusions.
In a related report issued by the Earth Policy Institute, headed by Lester R. Brown, he writes about "Water Shortages Threaten Food Future in the Arab Middle East". Stating "Long after the political uprisings in the Middle East have subsided, many underlying challenges that are not now in the news will remain. Prominent among these are rapid population growth, spreading water shortages, and ever growing food insecurity." This piece originally appeared in The Guardian on Friday, April 22, 2011.
His new book "World on the Edge How to Prevent Environmental and Economic Collapse:" touches on this and other important issues. The book is available in pdf format for free.
Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization Lester Brown of the Earth Policy Institute, has published his fourth edition (416 pages) of his “Plan B”. He calls Plan A business as usual, and if continued, the current trends are quite chilling to read. Whereas collapsed civilizations in the past only effected their local area of influence, while other areas on the planet were not affected, today the Earth is so intermeshed that any collapse of civilization would effect the whole world. You can either purchase the book (or multiple copies for a discount) in hard of soft cover from the Institute,
or from Amazon.com, or you can read it in part or in full on the web. If you care to see what is in store for the Earth unless “Business as usual” changes, you must read this. If you don't have time, at least read the Introduction on the web.
The Mannahatta Project
In New England we are fascinated with early Colonial times, but what about the environment
before Colonial times? “Ever wondered what New York [was] like before it was a city? Welcome to Mannahatta, 1609...It turns out that
the concrete jungle of New York City was once a vast deciduous forest, home to bears, wolves, songbirds, and salamanders, with clear, clean waters jumping with fish.” The Mannahatta Project has been featured in the latest issue of the National Geographic Society magazine. (Sept.2009) In case you don't get the NGS Magazine (shame on you) here is a link to the project on the Web. (Dial up users beware, Google Earth is used for the maps , so it will be tedious to view map pages, if even possible.)
The interactive maps show what any location on the Island of Manhattan probably looked like 400 years ago. As a side note, the book “1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus” is also a recommended read of precolonial people and the environment.
Physics for Future Presidents
While this book is not totally about conservation and the environment, it does have some interesting and rational chapters on energy and global warming. Richard A. Muller is a professor of physics at University of California, Berkeley and writes in a clear manner that is understandable for lay persons. The other chapters on terrorism, nuclear problems, and space exploration are also good reading and illuminate what the real issues are.
Energy for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines
(new) Richard A. Muller's latest book (Aug. 2012) has rational information and comments on current energy related issues. "The near-meltdown of Fukushima, the upheavals in the Middle East, the BP oil rig explosion, and the looming reality of global warming have reminded the president and all U.S. citizens that nothing has more impact on our lives than the supply of and demand for energy." See a review of the book here.
Windows to the Wild
(new) Outdoor adventurer Willem Lange hosts NHPTV's popular, award-winning WINDOWS TO THE WILD outdoor series. As he hikes, floats, flies and fishes around New England, Willem offers insight into the history, ecology and special character of these wild places. View a listing of 60+ full episodes.
Narragansett Bay Estuary Program - The Narragansett Bay Estuary Program is part of the National Estuary Program (NEP), a national network of 28 programs working for collaborative solutions for estuaries designated by Congress as of critical importance.
ecoRI - ecoRI Inc. is a nonprofit journalistic initiative devoted to educating readers about the causes, consequences and solutions to local environmental issues and problems. It is a professionally staffed, nonprofit Web-based news agency focused on environmental/social justice news and issues that impact Rhode Island. It includes job listings, event listings and eco-friendly Rhode Island businesses. You can subscribe to their weekly newsletter.
New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) - The New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) is a volunteer group founded in 1993 to educate the public on the benefits of using efficient, glare-free outdoor night lighting — and understanding what to light, when (and when not) to light it, and how much light is needed.
Natural News Network - NNN is Rhode Island's own on line magazine about your environment -- the news and info you need to explore it, have fun outside, keep up with local issues, live greener, and get involved.
Who Fish – Funny name but a large site that list local events and activities (including outdoor activities) in all the New England States.
"Green" Events and Activities Listing Calendar - 'What Grows On in Rhode Island' is a comprehensive calendar listing of "green" and environment-related events events in Rhode Island. The Providential Gardener is finding ways to streamline timely access to meeting notices and is building calendar and agenda views that makes it easy to see what fits in your personal schedule.
Sierra
Club - Rhode Island Chapter - The Rhode Island Chapter of the Sierra Club represents one of 63 chapters across the U.S. and Canada.
Audubon Society of
Rhode Island - Audubon Society of Rhode Island is an independent, nonprofit, state organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife habitat, the education of young and old about natural ecosystems and the need to preserve them, and advocacy in order to promote continued efforts at preserving our natural heritage.
The
Norman Bird Sanctuary - The Norman Bird Sanctuary is a non-profit wildlife refuge and environmental education center located
in Middletown, Rhode Island.
Save The Bay - Save The Bay is committed to fostering a personal connection between people and Narragansett Bay and encouraging investment in the Bay’s future.
Wood-Pawcatuck
Watershed Association – Formed to promote and protect the integrity of the lands and waters of the Pawcatuck Watershed.
Metro Bay Special Area Management Plan - SAMPs refine the state coastal program by taking a regional integrated approach in setting coastal management goals and policies.
Rhode Island Environmental Monitoring Collaborative - The Mission of the Coastal Institute is to Advance Knowledge and Develop Solutions to Environmental Problems in Coastal Ecosystems.
RI Department of Environmental Management, Bureau of Natural Resources – With links to other departments including coastal and forestry.
Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living - The Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living works to create ecologically healthy communities by bringing sustainable living practices from around the world to Southeastern New England.
Environmental
Data Center (EDC) - The Environmental Data Center (EDC) is a geographic information system (GIS) laboratory in the URI Department
of Natural Resources Science, College of Environmental and Life Sciences. It also contains the Rhode Island Environmental Sensitivity Index - (Which consists entirely of very large pdf files.)
Environment Council of Rhode Island - The Environment Council of Rhode Island is a coalition of organizations and individuals whose mission is to serve as an effective voice for developing and advocating policies and laws that protect and enhance the environment.
Eco-USA.net- A Source for Environmental Information. (RI
organizations)
Narragansett Bay
Estuary Program – An organization devoted to protect and preserve Narragansett Bay and its watershed through partnerships
that conserve and restore natural resources, enhance water quality and promote community involvement.
Rhode Island
Blueways and Greenways - The Rhode Island Rivers Council, with support from the National Park Service Rivers & Trails
Program, is working on developing a network of water trails or "Blueways" in the state of Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Land and Water Partnership - Was formed in 2003 to improve networking among the leaders of Rhode Island's land trusts, watershed organizations and numerous conservation commissions and to enhance the capacity of these organizations.
Tick Encounter Resource Center - at the University of Rhode Island. Providing information regarding ticks and tick-transmitted diseases, also giving effective actions that you can take to prevent ticks from biting you, your family and your pets.
Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful- The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is an official Keep America Beautiful affiliate. We are implementing its goals and principles into the Blackstone Valley by working with cities and towns to understand their specific needs and to create programs that will enhance their landscapes. They also sponsor recycling days for computers
and other
items.
Rhode Island
Resource Recovery Facilities - The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation is the state environmental agency dedicated to
providing the public with environmentally sound programs and facilities to manage solid waste. The agency funds and manages the state's recycling program, and owns and operates the Central Landfill and Materials Recycling Facility in Johnston, Rhode Island.
Salt Ponds Coalition - SPC in involved in educating the residents of the salt ponds region about the salt ponds' value to the economy, and how residents can contribute to the well-being of the resource. SPC works to implement programs which enhance the environment of the salt ponds and contribute to their protection, preservation, and economic well-being. The organization also networks with other organizations to make our ecological experience available to residents of other New England coastal areas with similar needs.
*(Derived from http://muller.lbl.gov/teaching/Physics10/PffP.html)