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Showing posts with the label global warming

Walmart Uses Solar Panels to Cut Expenses

Energy conservation is still a hot topic and an important part of developing stronger, more efficient, and a more innovative economy that reduces potential solutions. Walmart has become more innovative by using solar panels on top parking spaces to provide better use of surfaces. Their goal is to have 100% renewable energy sources that cut back on other bills and problems.  At the end of 2013 the company had 335 renewable energy projects. They save the environment 2.2 kWh of energy globally that doesn’t need to come from oil, gas, coal, or other non-renewable sources. The projects are completed on a large enough scale that it is more cost effective than others. You may read more about their efforts at their site .  Walmart is at the forefront of encouraging sustainable energy development. Something likely reaching way back into the family’s farmer and conservation past. You will notice this as you drive or walk into the parking lot and see the carports that protect your

Google Map Allows You to Watch Worldwide Deforestation in Real Time

High resolutions Google map offers an opportunity to monitor forest growth and decline worldwide.  The University of Maryland offers this interactive map to help people understand how their environment is changing. There was a total of 2.3 million square kilometers lost and .8 million kilometers gained. Brazil was one of the best countries on ending deforestation while Indonesia experienced the most loss. Such interactive and constantly updating maps offer an opportunity to understand global climate change and pollution reduction effects in history. Each time the satellites pass the earth, they collect pictures of the forest changes. Scientists believe that this information will help policy makers understand the benefits and detractors of certain policies. The benefit of technology and Google computing power helps solves problems. Even though deforestation can come from many different causes some of the most notable are deforestation and climate change. Sometimes these de

Trees Adapting to Climate Change

Forests are changing in their battle against climate change. In some parts of the world such tree networks are beginning to change so that they remove more carbon dioxide and use less water. The report was shocking in the sense that it throws conventional wisdom a little on its head. Ecosystem-level photosynthesis and net carbon uptake is increasing while evapotranspiration is decreasing. Trees are becoming more efficient.  The process works by closing the pores on leaves in order to maintain consistent carbon levels within the leaf and therefore allowing less evaporation loss of water from within the tree. This is done while not stopping the growing mechanisms of the tree. Some tree networks that are still in temperate climates of the northern hemisphere have found a way to survive changes in their atmosphere.  The downside to such findings is that the trees will pull less water out of the soil and release less water into the air. This will then impact the amount of rain

Can NASA's Vegetation Map Encourage Efficient Legislation?

The world’s vegetation is beneficial for sustaining life, growing food, and encouraging diversity of animal species. With 75% of the world covered in water and 25% in vegetation a total of 25% of the earth is relatively barren of sustainable plant life. You can see in the video how vegetation changes throughout a particular year to have a better perspective of the cycles of the seasons. The possibilities for proper analysis of the benefits and detractors of certain legislative actions is enhanced.   The data was collected using Visible-Infrared Imager/Radiometer Suite (VIRS) on a NASA satellite that uses reflections of light to determine overall vegetation. The results will allow for monitoring as part of the Herbal Earth project and will be used to index vegetation overtime. The use of satellites will allow a more global perspective on what areas are suffering and what areas are doing well.  There are obvious advantages to the use of such technology that include forest