Heal Earth Now

ABC news ran a story which documented cases of albino people in the United States and as far as the continent of Africa. People with albinism in America are sometimes made fun of and taunted. People in Africa are suffering even greater harm. In Africa, superstitions and witchcraft has led the killing and mutilation of albino children and adults. Superstition in Tanzania and other countries believe that albinos have specials powers and using their body parts in their witchcraft will cause increase wealth.

As the government works to crackdown on the killing of albinos, albinos are looking for safe havens that will keep them protected. ABC has listed 2 different groups that are working to help albinos in Africa. Under the Same Sun is a Canadian organization that works to help to bring awareness about the killings and support a school in Africa that has become a safehaven for albino children.

New cable, satellite and telecommunications set-top boxes that have earned the Energy Star label are at least 30 percent more energy efficient than conventional models. The new specification became effective Jan. 1.

If all set-top boxes sold in the United States met the new Energy Star specification, the savings in energy costs would grow to about $2 billion each year and greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by the equivalent of those from about 2.5 million vehicles.

EPA has worked with cable, satellite, and telecommunications companies that deliver television and video content to homes via set-top boxes, bringing energy and cost savings to their customers. Most set-top boxes are given to the consumer as part of their contract with a service provider, rather than sold independently at retail stores.

AT&T and DIRECTV are the first to sign on as Energy Star cable, satellite and telecommunications partners. These companies have improved the energy efficiency of a significant number of their set-top boxes and will offer newly-qualified boxes to subscribers or upgrade boxes already in homes. Cisco, Motorola, and Pace plc. are the first manufacturers to offer Energy Star qualified set-top boxes.

Going green is more than just a fad that we see Hollywood embracing. Being more conscious about the natural resources that we use is something that should be a constant component. Energy a product uses should be just as important as how much profit it will provide a company. It is sad that it took oil prices going so high for people to take a look at how much energy they were actually using. Sometimes it has to reach the wallets of the people for them to take notice.

Source: epa.gov

As gas prices were increases all across the United States consumers had no choice but to reduce their gas consumption. More Americans have been trying to drive less and drive smaller vehicles. Now gas prices have been falling since the cost of crude oil has decreased across the country.

The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline fell 2.6 cents to $2.152 from $2.178 Thursday, according to a daily survey for the American Automobile Association.

The price of gas has dropped $1.962, or 48%, since hitting an all-time high of $4.114 in July.

Americans have seen that there are ways that they can live their everyday lives with the use of less gas. With the decrease in gas use the prices of gas should stay low for a period of time.

Source: CNN Money

Going green in not just for smaller cars anymore. Sales of larger vehicles and SUVs have seen a downward turn. More and more people are trading in their gas guzzlers for smaller more fuel efficient vehicles. Not to be outdone auto manufacturers having been working to improve the fuel economy of its SUVS. GM has added flex- fuel to many of its vehicles. GM flex- fuel vehicles can run on gasoline and E85 ethanol. E85 ethanol is fuel mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.

Cadillac Escalades are one of the latest GM cars to have flex fuel. Although the flex- fuel is gives an option for vehicle owners, the amount of filling stations are the country that actual offer E85 to public is currently limited. So, although you may purchase a flex- fuel vehicle you may not be able to purchase E85 fuel close to home.

For a list of E85 fueling stations closing to you visit: http://www.e85refueling.com/locations.php

Source: GM

The movie “Titanic” catapulted Leonardo Dicaprio into one of the biggest stars on the earth and he is now using his stardom to help save the earth in his new documentary,” The 11^th Hour”. “The 11^th Hour” was produced and narrated by Dicaprio. He has been making the talk show circuits promoting this movie. This movie aims to inspire and encourage people to make changes that will help our environment.

11^th hour web page

Happy Feet is one of those funny movies that you do not forget. The movie has a Penguin that tries to find his identity and winds up helping to make the world aware of the dangers of commercial over- fishing around the Antarctic. According to an article from National Geographic News,” Scientists warn that increased harvesting of Antarctic krill and fish could trigger a catastrophic collapse in the entire marine ecosystem.”

As a part of AMC’s free summer movie series you can see Happy Feet for free at participating AMC theaters this Wednesday at 10 a.m.

 

Source:

AMC theaters

National Geographic News