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Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards < Back https://new.nsf.gov/.../coral-reefs-tropical-pacific... ←Previous Next→

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards < Back The findings challenge the narrative of a grim future for coral reefs worldwide, offering a glimpse into the potential for survival and adaptation. Despite the broader challenges posed by climate change and human activities, the study indicates that some coral reefs may possess the capacity to endure and even thrive in the face of adversity. ←Previous Next→

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards < Back However, researchers caution against assuming these hopeful findings for all coral reefs. While this particular adaptation strategy holds promise for certain ecosystems, the majority of coral reefs may still confront formidable challenges, potentially resulting in a reduction of species. ←Previous Next→

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards < Back Sources: ←Previous Next→

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards < Back https://climate.nasa.gov/.../vanishing-corals-part-two.../ ←Previous Next→

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards LAND < Back Urban Growers Collective

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards LAND < Back Tumbler Composting Tumbler Composting Tumbler composting is a method of composting that uses a rotating bin (compost tumbler) to speed up decomposition by improving aeration and mixing. Unlike traditional compost piles, a tumbler keeps the compost contained, making it a cleaner and more efficient process. How It Works: Fill the Tumbler – Add a balanced mix of greens (fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds) and browns (dry leaves, cardboard, wood chips). Rotate Regularly – Turn the tumbler a few times every few days to mix materials and introduce oxygen, which speeds up decomposition. Monitor Moisture & Temperature – Keep the compost damp (not too wet or dry), and ensure warmth for faster breakdown. Harvest the Compost – In a few weeks to a few months, rich, dark compost will be ready to use in your garden. Benefits of Tumbler Composting: ✔ Fast Decomposition – Frequent mixing and aeration speed up the process.✔ Pest & Odor Control – A sealed container keeps out rodents and minimizes smells.✔ Compact & Space-Saving – Great for urban areas, patios, and small gardens.✔ Easy to Use – Less effort required compared to turning a traditional compost pile with a fork. Challenges: Limited Capacity – Can’t handle large amounts of organic waste at once. Moisture Control Needed – Too much or too little water can slow decomposition. Requires Regular Turning – Needs to be rotated to work effectively. Tumbler composting is an excellent choice for those looking for a neat, efficient, and beginner-friendly way to compost at home! Let me know if you need help choosing a compost tumbler. 😊

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards LAND < Back The grim history of buffalo hunting These horrifying photos show mounds of buffalo bones. European settlers in the New World saw the survival of buffalo as incompatible with their vision of transforming the Great Plains into a landscape suited for cattle ranching and agriculture. They perceived buffalo as competitors for resources and viewed their vast herds as a hindrance to their economic and cultural goals. This perception not only clashed with the Native American reliance on buffalo but also aligned with the settlers' broader agenda of westward expansion and reshaping the land to fit European-American ideals. As a result, the destruction of buffalo herds served both as a means of perpetuating settlers' aspirations and as a strategy for controlling Native American ways of life. The US Fish & Wildlife Service approximates that a staggering 30 to 60 million bison thrived in North America as European arrival on the continent commenced. Yet, owing to extensive and debatably indiscriminate slaughter initiated by European settlers, the bison population dwindled to fewer than 1,000 individuals in North America by the year 1890. This is a quote from Annual Report of the Department of the Interior in 1873. "The civilization of the Indian is impossible while the buffalo remains upon the plains. I would not seriously regret the total disappearance of the buffalo from our western prairies, in its effect upon the Indians, regarding it as a means of hastening their sense of dependence upon the products of the soil and their own labors" ~ Secretary of Interior Columbus Delano Today, the American bison population has rebounded to some extent. Fortunately, conservation efforts, such as Yellowstone National Park's establishment and captive breeding, helped their recovery. Native American involvement, government support, and protected habitats significantly contributed to the recovery of the bison's population. According to the National Wildlife Federation, there are roughly 31,000 wild bison in North America (20,000 plains bison and 11,000 wood bison) with an added 420,000 in commercial herds currently. Although bison are no longer at risk of extinction, they now encounter different obstacles. The decline in genetic diversity and the absence of natural selection pressures jeopardize bison's ecological restoration as a wildlife species. A notable presence of cattle gene influence is evident in the majority if not all. Sources: https://www.theatlantic.com/.../the-buffalo-killers/482349/ https://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/yellowstone-buffalo ... https://www.nwf.org/.../Wildlif.../Mammals/American-Bison ... ).

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards LAND < Back Recycle your bike with Working Bikes Riding a bicycle is one of the most ecological transportation methods which would not require any energy sources such as fossil fuels. There are so many biking advocacy groups and organizations around the world. Some would provide bicycles to people in order for them to get access resources and opportunities by securing method of transportations. While other companies have been redistributing donated bicycles to underserved communities as a tool of empowerment. However the practice of each organization may differ, their extraordinary efforts have contributed for reducing waste, cutting down the fossil fuel consumptions, and diminishing wastes. There are a large number of organizations and groups which have been striving to share the power of bicycles. We will start with Chicago's very own, Working Bikes. But please also check out other projects in below. Working Bikes, Chicago (featured in the video) Working Bikes is a Chicago-based non-profit organization, 501(c)(3) organization.. gives donated bicycles new life by redistributing them as tools of empowerment in local and global communities. Since its inception in 1999, the amazing community of Working Bikes volunteers, staff, partners, and supporters have enabled new life for 100,000 bicycles across the globe and tens of thousands here in Chicago. Over one hundred thousand people have been empowered to access resources and opportunities that otherwise could have been out of reach - reducing waste, lessening pollution, and improving health in the process. Web address: www.workingbikes.org Address: 2434 S. Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60608 Phone: 773-847-5440 Business Hours: Wednesday 11 – 7pmThursday 11 – 7pmFriday 11 – 7pmSaturday 10 – 6pm Other cycling charities PeopleForBikes PeopleForBikes is one of the biggest cycling advocacy groups in the world. The organization’s mission is to improve the bicycling experience for everyone. The company has invested more than $30 million since its foundation in 1999 to make bicycling better. PeopleForBikes contributes to other national cycling charities to make the world a safer place to ride. One of the programs that PeopleForBikes offers is the Better Bike Share Partnership, which is a collaboration with The JPB Foundation that helps establish streamlined bike share programs. It’s not just an organization; it’s a movement. PeopleForBikes has connected the bicycle industry with individual riders to create one powerful voice. It represents all kinds of riders, including professional athletes and children who simply enjoy riding a bike. The organization has created political influence that has quadrupled federal investment in cycling. You can take action by letting political leaders know that bicycling is important to you, sharing your story or donating to the organization. Trips For Kids Trips For Kids helps introduce at-risk youth to cycling. It’s the largest youth development cycling association in the U.S. The organization’s mission is to provide transformational cycling experiences to young people in every community. The idea is that kids should be able to explore their environment and know the freedom of riding a bike. Bicycling in nature can help them expand their horizons, practice teamwork, empower themselves and establish independence. The first chapter was established in 1988. Social activist Marilyn Price delivered bicycle trail riding lessons to help kids learn about responsibility, achievement and environmental responsibility. The organization still runs a Trail Rides Program, which offers group trail riding in local parks, forests and other natural areas. It encourages children to develop relationships with peers, improve their self-confidence, connect with nature and learn the value of physical activity. Local Trips for Kids chapters create relationships with community organizations that work with children, like Boys and Girls Clubs and the YMCA, and invite them on excursions led by CPR/First Aid certified ride leaders. Leaders incorporate lessons about history, ecology and geology in their trail rides. Trips For Kids also offers Earn-a-Bike Workshops. These after-school programs teach children about bike maintenance and safety. While participating in projects, the children get credits that they can use to get their own bicycle. Mobile Bike Clinics provide access to bicycles and safety equipment for kids in need. This program brings the bikes to the children to teach them bicycling skills and safety. World Bicycle Relief After the devastation of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, F.K. and Leah Day created World Bicycle Relief to bring bicycles to people in need. They collaborated with aid organizations in Sri Lanka to supply bicycles to people who were displaced to help them regain access to careers, education and healthcare. The organization has distributed more than 24,000 bikes and reconnected entire communities through that project alone. After that, they partnered with RAPIDS, a health initiative in Zambia that trained and outfitted healthcare workers to help fight the AIDS epidemic. More than 23,000 bicycles have been distributed with this program. The organization has since developed multiple programs to enable access to bicycles in South America, Africa and Southeast Asia. It builds and allocates specially designed bikes that are rugged enough to handle the rural terrain in many developing countries. In 2015, it deployed almost 65,000 bicycles to people who needed them. Qhubeka Qhubeka allows people to earn bicycles to help them get to jobs, doctors and schools. The word “qhubeka” means “to progress” or “to move forward,” which is exactly what bicycles help people do in more ways than one. Bicycles can help individuals access the resources that they need in their communities, but they also allow entire societies to progress. This non-profit company has delivered more than 75,000 bicycles to people in need. Schoolchildren can earn bicycles by making a commitment to school attendance. Adults can volunteer in many areas, from planting trees to performing bike maintenance, to earn their own bicycles. Health workers are given bicycles to help them access their patients more easily. The organization also offers sports programs, which promote a healthy cycling culture and give people transportation to other sports activities. Finally, Qhubeka gives first responders bikes so that they can help as many people as possible during disaster recovery efforts. You can help by donating, fundraising, volunteering or shopping at Qhubeka’s online store. Wheels 4 Life Wheels 4 Life was founded by Hans Rey, a former Mountain Bike World Champion. It aims to help people in developing countries have access to the bicycles that they need for transportation to work and school. This program has helped people find and retain jobs, receive an education and even access health care. Working with local volunteers and leaders, Wheels 4 Life identifies the people who are most in need of this type of transportation. This may include people who live in remote areas who don’t have access to or can’t afford public transportation. A bike allows people to travel four times faster, four times farther and with four times the load as traveling on foot. Something as simple as access to a bicycle can significantly benefit someone’s life. The organization carefully selects candidates based on a comprehensive application process. A local Voluntary Project Leader helps to bestow the bicycles to the recipients and guarantees to provide safety and maintenance education. For every $150 that is donated, the organization can purchase one regular bike. A donation of $300 funds an ambulance bike. However, a donation of any amount is appreciated. Holding a fundraiser or simply spreading the word about the organization’s mission can also help. Wheels 4 Life has provided more than 11,029 bicycles in over 30 countries, but it says that there is a need for millions more bicycles. International Mountain Biking Association IMBA’s mission is to give everyone a place to ride a mountain bike. This non-profit organization works to create and protect mountain biking trails and areas. Established in 1988, the organization provides education about low-impact riding, sustainable trail design and creative land management strategies. IMBA provides professional resources and services for landowners and groups that want to develop trails for the sport. Trail-training seminars help people learn about building trails and managing crews to help with the projects. It has participated in more than 400 trail projects around the world. The organization has also helped develop the current guidelines for bike trail implementation that are used as a standard for developing mountain biking trails across the globe. The IMBA Trail Lab program teaches leaders and people who work in the park and tourism services about how to integrate trail access into the community. Donating to the charity helps support IMBA’s programs and initiatives that make mountain biking possible. Transportation Alternatives In a busy city where driving and parking can be difficult, many people use bikes as their main form of transportation. Transportation Alternatives says that the sidewalks of New York City make up 80 percent of the public space there. People need space to be able to maneuver through the maze of traffic. Since 1970, TransAlt has constructed more than 1,000 miles of cycling paths in the city and introduced protected bike lanes. The organization also established the first public bike share system in New York City. The mission is to achieve Vision Zero, which means no serious injuries or deaths resulting from the city’s busy traffic. The group works to improve infrastructure and change traffic regulations to make the streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists. TransAlt arranges bike tours that serve as fundraisers for their projects. You can also support its campaigns by creating a petition, signing a petition or gathering people to organize your own campaign. TransAlt provides workshops that teach the public how to use their voices for activism and plan and run awareness and fundraising events. Article Source: Workingbikes.org Categories Blog Post navigation Everything You Need to Know About Bike Tours Cycling for Seniors: Complete Guide to Cycling and Aging Search for: Exclusive offers & discounts in your inbox!

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards LAND < Back Plants Under Stress Cry Plants Under Stress Cry (and some animals may be able to detect the sound)!! Plants can emit ultrasonic sounds, similar to the popping of bubble wrap, when they are stressed or lack water. These sounds, are inaudible to humans but detectable by certain animals. Researchers recorded these sounds from tomato and tobacco plants by developing a machine-learning model capable of identifying the sounds that stressed plants produced, with a 70% accuracy rate. They observed that the stressed plants could produce up to 35 sounds per hour, while well-hydrated and uncut plants typically generated only about one sound per hour. These sounds fall within the ultrasonic range, ranging from 20 to 100 kilohertz, rendering them imperceptible to most humans. Nonetheless, the study also suggests that other animals might theoretically perceive these sounds from a distance of approximately 10 to 15 feet. The researchers hypothesize that these sounds result from the formation and rupture of air bubbles within the xylem, the plant's water and nutrient transport system. When water is scarce, bubbles are more likely to form, creating a popping noise. Therefore, this discovery holds the potential to enhance irrigation efficiency through the use of microphones to detect when plants require water. The implications of this research may hold significant promise for agriculture and horticulture. Audio monitoring of plants could offer an efficient means of identifying water-stressed plants, facilitating targeted watering practices and potentially reducing water consumption. Preliminary investigations suggest that other crops, such as wheat, corn, and wine grapes, also produce sounds when experiencing thirst. Beyond its practical applications, the study raises intriguing questions about the role of plant sounds in ecosystems. Although it remains unclear if these sounds constitute a form of communication, they could prove valuable for nearby creatures, potentially influencing their behavior. Interestingly, Hadany’s team has previously found that plants can respond to sounds produced by animals, like the buzzing of bees, by releasing sweeter nectar. Could plant sounds serve as a means for plants to communicate with each other and with the animals in their vicinity? Can animals use these sounds to locate water sources or food? The evidence remains inconclusive, necessitating further research to explore these questions. Sources: https://www.sciencenews.org/.../plant-stress-ultrasonic ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kG6wRUZeYE #environment #eco #connecingthedotsproject #connectingthedots #ctdp #kanahutchens #environmentfriendly #plants #succulants #cactus #sound #science #audio #sounds #bees #horticulture #agriculture #cry #stress #eco #sustainability

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards LAND < Back Saying goodbye to Ndakasi In 2007, Ndakasi, a 2-month-old gorilla, was rescued in the Congolese bush by rangers from Virunga National Park after her mother was killed by poachers. Despite her traumatic start, Ndakasi's story was one of kindness and love. She met Andre Bauma, a keeper at the park's gorilla nursery, who cared for her from the moment she was rescued. Through a night of severe rain, Bauma hugged her closely to keep her warm and offer comfort. Ndakasi's life was a gift, given her challenging beginning, and she grew up to be happy and healthy. Tragically, she passed away at the age of 14 due to illness in 2012, but her final moments were filled with love in the arms of her keeper, Andre Bauma. While Ndakasi is no longer with us, her memory lives on, and the caregivers at Virunga National Park continue their work to provide hope to orphaned gorillas like her, highlighting the strong bond between park workers and the gorillas they care for. Sources: Photo credit: Virunga National Park https://hasanjasim.online/gorilla-hugs-the-man-who-saved-her-as-a-baby-in-her-final-moments/?fbclid=IwAR3MazrOjYZOccUdV-kvdzCl2AIgxNe6un2XYKNOm6FsSpG5vU0jkosZzTs https://www.gorilladoctors.org/saving-lives/orphan-gorillas/ndakasi/#:~:text=Gorilla%20Doctors%20is%20deeply%20saddened,of%20not%20eating%2C%20and%20diarrhea .

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards LAND < Back Denying Climate Change: Acreage Data Tells a Different Story Denying Climate Change: Acreage Data Tells a Different Story I’ve encountered many claims suggesting that the Los Angeles wildfires are unrelated to climate change, with some attributing them to causes like arson or electrical failures, amplified by Santa Ana winds—natural phenomena long familiar to the region. However, regardless of their origin, data shows that containing wildfires is becoming increasingly difficult, likely due to the impacts of climate change. Since 1983, the National Interagency Fire Center has documented an average of approximately 70,000 wildfires annually. While the number of fires fluctuates from year to year without a clear pattern, the acreage burned has increased dramatically since the 1980s. Despite advancements in firefighting technology, the amount of land consumed by wildfires continues to grow steadily. This trend suggests that wildfires are intensifying in strength and/or lasting longer. What factors contribute to the expansion of burned acreage in non-human-caused wildfires? Climate change plays a significant role by altering weather patterns, raising temperatures, and affecting vegetation—conditions that increase the likelihood of ignition, spread, and intensity. Specific contributing factors include rising temperatures, extended fire seasons, prolonged droughts, reduced snowpack, increased lightning strikes, and stronger winds. Sources: https://www.epa.gov/.../climate-change-indicators-wildfires https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/statistics/wildfires