Sunday, August 15, 2010
Interesting article from Scientific American
Here's a link to an article I found while browsing magazine stands the other day. It's about how carbon emissions are threatening the pH levels of the ocean, creating a poisonous environment for ocean life.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
10-year-old New Yorker raises thousands of dollars for Gulf oil spill fight
By Casandra Andrews
June 08, 2010
MOBILE, Ala. -- Olivia Bouler, a fifth-grader from Islip, NY, has spent summers feeding dolphins from her family's Orange Beach pier, watching with delight as sea birds squawked overhead.
The 10-year-old burst into tears during dinner a few weeks back as her parents discussed how the Gulf of Mexico oil spill was affecting the wildlife she loves so much.
"When I heard about this I was very devastated and I wanted to do something to help," Olivia said. "I'm no James Audubon, but I can draw."
That night, she climbed the stairs to her room and crafted a letter to the National Audubon Society. She told them she wanted to donate money and asked their permission. The young artist, who will be 11 in a few weeks, included a striking drawing of a red cardinal. She signed the letter: "Olivia, 11 years old and willing to help."
Soon after, someone from the Audubon Society called to inquire about purchasing one of her drawings to hang at their Manhattan headquarters. They also discussed the best way for the Boulers to go about raising money for wildlife preserves in coastal Alabama and beyond.
After talking with her parents -- James, an architect who grew up in Alabama, and her mother, Nadine, an English teacher from New York -- Olivia decided to offer original watercolors of birds to raise money for several groups, including the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program and the Weeks Bay Foundation.
Anyone who makes a donation to those groups or others, can email nadinebouler@hotmail.com to let them know. Olivia will then draw a bird, paint it, and mail it out.
On Mother's Day, Olivia called her grandmother, Monroeville resident Jane Bouler, and asked if she would buy a painting.
"When I found out the scope of what this one child was attempting to do -- I still can barely talk about it without a tremor in my voice," Jane Bouler said. "This child is doing what we all should be doing and she genuinely wants to help the birds."
Olivia said her affection for birds began when she was six, after receiving a book on the feathered creatures. When creating original artwork, Olivia seeks inspiration from Audubon books, she said, then draws pictures with an ebony pencil on thick watercolor paper. She uses paintbrushes to add thin layers of color to each piece.
"I'm going to do it as long as they need help," Olivia said.
The Boulers have mailed off about 25 drawings so far, Olivia said. Her father estimates his daughter's efforts have generated more than $2,500 and possibly as much as $4,000. It's hard to know for sure, he said, because the family isn't asking people to let them know how much they donate.
"We're getting letters from people all over the country," James Bouler said. "It's been really sweet. People are really touched by what she's trying to do."
Her parents created a Facebook fan page called "Save the Gulf: Olivia's Bird Illustrations" for their daughter's work. So far, nearly 400 people have joined the online group.
"I was only expecting people we knew to buy them," Olivia said, "but it really got around."
Olivia, her younger brother, and her father are traveling to Monroeville to visit her grandparents next week.
"I grew up swimming and fishing in the Gulf of Mexico," James Bouler said. "We go down at least twice a year so she's grown up really understanding how beautiful and how wonderful it is there."
When asked about times spent on the Alabama coast, Olivia's tone turned serious. "I was very devastated that it's being ruined right now," she said. "It's really sad. It's really mind boggling."
Donate to The Audubon Society, The Sierra Club, The Weeks Bay Foundation, The Mobile Bay Estuary Program or the National Wildlife Fund to help with Gulf recovery. Let the Boulers know by sending an email to nadinebouler@hotmail.com and they'll send you one of Olivia's drawings.
June 08, 2010
MOBILE, Ala. -- Olivia Bouler, a fifth-grader from Islip, NY, has spent summers feeding dolphins from her family's Orange Beach pier, watching with delight as sea birds squawked overhead.
The 10-year-old burst into tears during dinner a few weeks back as her parents discussed how the Gulf of Mexico oil spill was affecting the wildlife she loves so much.
"When I heard about this I was very devastated and I wanted to do something to help," Olivia said. "I'm no James Audubon, but I can draw."
That night, she climbed the stairs to her room and crafted a letter to the National Audubon Society. She told them she wanted to donate money and asked their permission. The young artist, who will be 11 in a few weeks, included a striking drawing of a red cardinal. She signed the letter: "Olivia, 11 years old and willing to help."
Soon after, someone from the Audubon Society called to inquire about purchasing one of her drawings to hang at their Manhattan headquarters. They also discussed the best way for the Boulers to go about raising money for wildlife preserves in coastal Alabama and beyond.
After talking with her parents -- James, an architect who grew up in Alabama, and her mother, Nadine, an English teacher from New York -- Olivia decided to offer original watercolors of birds to raise money for several groups, including the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program and the Weeks Bay Foundation.
Anyone who makes a donation to those groups or others, can email nadinebouler@hotmail.com to let them know. Olivia will then draw a bird, paint it, and mail it out.
On Mother's Day, Olivia called her grandmother, Monroeville resident Jane Bouler, and asked if she would buy a painting.
"When I found out the scope of what this one child was attempting to do -- I still can barely talk about it without a tremor in my voice," Jane Bouler said. "This child is doing what we all should be doing and she genuinely wants to help the birds."
Olivia said her affection for birds began when she was six, after receiving a book on the feathered creatures. When creating original artwork, Olivia seeks inspiration from Audubon books, she said, then draws pictures with an ebony pencil on thick watercolor paper. She uses paintbrushes to add thin layers of color to each piece.
"I'm going to do it as long as they need help," Olivia said.
The Boulers have mailed off about 25 drawings so far, Olivia said. Her father estimates his daughter's efforts have generated more than $2,500 and possibly as much as $4,000. It's hard to know for sure, he said, because the family isn't asking people to let them know how much they donate.
"We're getting letters from people all over the country," James Bouler said. "It's been really sweet. People are really touched by what she's trying to do."
Her parents created a Facebook fan page called "Save the Gulf: Olivia's Bird Illustrations" for their daughter's work. So far, nearly 400 people have joined the online group.
"I was only expecting people we knew to buy them," Olivia said, "but it really got around."
Olivia, her younger brother, and her father are traveling to Monroeville to visit her grandparents next week.
"I grew up swimming and fishing in the Gulf of Mexico," James Bouler said. "We go down at least twice a year so she's grown up really understanding how beautiful and how wonderful it is there."
When asked about times spent on the Alabama coast, Olivia's tone turned serious. "I was very devastated that it's being ruined right now," she said. "It's really sad. It's really mind boggling."
Donate to The Audubon Society, The Sierra Club, The Weeks Bay Foundation, The Mobile Bay Estuary Program or the National Wildlife Fund to help with Gulf recovery. Let the Boulers know by sending an email to nadinebouler@hotmail.com and they'll send you one of Olivia's drawings.
Lifetime Network to Honor Casi Callaway
By Press-Register staff
June 08, 2010, 10:38am
Lifetime Television Network will honor Casi Callaway, executive director of Mobile Baykeeper, in the "Lifetime Celebrates Remarkable Women" series on Friday. Part of Lifetime's "Every Woman Counts" campaign, the series spotlights women who inspire and empower others to make a difference in their communities and the world, network leaders said.
Callaway was selected based on her leadership on the frontlines of the BP oil crisis, a Lifetime spokesman said in a news release.
"I'm honored that Lifetime chose me for its series on 'Remarkable Women,'" said Callaway. "This honor belongs as much to the inspiring people with whom I work every day as it does to me. The staff at Mobile Baykeeper, and all the folks that stepped forward to help respond to the BP oil disaster, are shining examples to our country of what team work, commitment and good, old-fashioned determination and hope can do for a community in crisis."
Callaway is a board member of the international organization Waterkeeper Alliance. As executive director of Mobile Baykeeper, Callaway is responsible for coordinating public education, community organizing, research and fundraising.
Mobile Baykeeper has more than 4,000 members and deals with issues such as sewage, air toxics, mercury exposure, permit violations, industrial growth and other public health protection issues. Callaway holds four gubernatorial appointments and serves on the boards of local, state and regional environmental organizations.
Since the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill disaster, Callaway has worked tirelessly with staff members, volunteers, elected officials and the public in a united effort to respond to, contain and clean up the ongoing spill, the network said.
Other "Remarkable Women" recognized by the series include Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton to currently unsung heroes like Doctors Without Borders "flying nurse" Rebecca Singer. The segment honoring Callaway will will also be available at this link.
ABOUT MOBILE BAYKEEPER
Mobile Baykeeper was founded in 1997, and became a member of the international organization, Waterkeeper Alliance in 1999. As a well known environmental organization in the Gulf coast region, Mobile Baykeeper works on all environmental issues in the watershed that impact public health. In addition to helping the community deal with individual environmental concerns, Mobile Baykeeper works on local, regional, and national issues. One of its biggest successes to date has been in preventing an onshore or open loop LNG facility from entering the Mobile Bay area. In addition, Mobile Baykeeper has completed a Water Quality Monitoring Database, is a founding member of the Mobile County Air Quality Study, and helped found the Alabama Department of Environmental Management Reform Coalition. Mobile Baykeeper will continue to closely monitor this disaster and its impacts to the area with updates on the spill and any volunteer efforts required at its website at www.mobilebaykeeper.org.
June 08, 2010, 10:38am
Lifetime Television Network will honor Casi Callaway, executive director of Mobile Baykeeper, in the "Lifetime Celebrates Remarkable Women" series on Friday. Part of Lifetime's "Every Woman Counts" campaign, the series spotlights women who inspire and empower others to make a difference in their communities and the world, network leaders said.
Callaway was selected based on her leadership on the frontlines of the BP oil crisis, a Lifetime spokesman said in a news release.
"I'm honored that Lifetime chose me for its series on 'Remarkable Women,'" said Callaway. "This honor belongs as much to the inspiring people with whom I work every day as it does to me. The staff at Mobile Baykeeper, and all the folks that stepped forward to help respond to the BP oil disaster, are shining examples to our country of what team work, commitment and good, old-fashioned determination and hope can do for a community in crisis."
Callaway is a board member of the international organization Waterkeeper Alliance. As executive director of Mobile Baykeeper, Callaway is responsible for coordinating public education, community organizing, research and fundraising.
Mobile Baykeeper has more than 4,000 members and deals with issues such as sewage, air toxics, mercury exposure, permit violations, industrial growth and other public health protection issues. Callaway holds four gubernatorial appointments and serves on the boards of local, state and regional environmental organizations.
Since the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill disaster, Callaway has worked tirelessly with staff members, volunteers, elected officials and the public in a united effort to respond to, contain and clean up the ongoing spill, the network said.
Other "Remarkable Women" recognized by the series include Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton to currently unsung heroes like Doctors Without Borders "flying nurse" Rebecca Singer. The segment honoring Callaway will will also be available at this link.
ABOUT MOBILE BAYKEEPER
Mobile Baykeeper was founded in 1997, and became a member of the international organization, Waterkeeper Alliance in 1999. As a well known environmental organization in the Gulf coast region, Mobile Baykeeper works on all environmental issues in the watershed that impact public health. In addition to helping the community deal with individual environmental concerns, Mobile Baykeeper works on local, regional, and national issues. One of its biggest successes to date has been in preventing an onshore or open loop LNG facility from entering the Mobile Bay area. In addition, Mobile Baykeeper has completed a Water Quality Monitoring Database, is a founding member of the Mobile County Air Quality Study, and helped found the Alabama Department of Environmental Management Reform Coalition. Mobile Baykeeper will continue to closely monitor this disaster and its impacts to the area with updates on the spill and any volunteer efforts required at its website at www.mobilebaykeeper.org.
Allen: Containment cap continuing to show promise
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The man heading the Obama administration's response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico said Tuesday that a newly-installed containment cap on the stricken BP rig is helping to limit the leak.
Speaking at a Washington briefing, Adm. Thad Allen of the Coast Guard said that more than 14,800 barrels of oil have been kept out of Gulf waters in the last 24 hours. Allen told reporters the amount of oil kept from spilling into the Gulf "has climbed steadily" from the first day the containment cap was installed.
He also said officials will be meeting with BP to assess how well it is handling claims for relief from people hurt by the spill. Allen said the aim is "to see if we need to provide any oversight." He had said Monday BP was struggling to handle claims.
"Well, the answer is we're not comfortable with it," Allen said.
"Working claims is not something that's part of BP's organizational competence here - capacity - and they're relying on subcontractors to do this," he added. "It's our responsibility to make sure that's being done effectively in the best interests of the American people."
He also said his office would be dispatching people to each state took take a look at how BP was processing individual claims and business losses.
Allen responded tartly to a question about why more progress has not been made in taming the spill resulting from the April 20 explosion and fire.
"I have never said this is going well. We're throwing everything at it that we've got," he said in response to a question telephoned in to his briefing. "I've said time and time again that nothing good happens when oil is on the water." He called the accident a "catastrophe" for the region.
Speaking at a Washington briefing, Adm. Thad Allen of the Coast Guard said that more than 14,800 barrels of oil have been kept out of Gulf waters in the last 24 hours. Allen told reporters the amount of oil kept from spilling into the Gulf "has climbed steadily" from the first day the containment cap was installed.
He also said officials will be meeting with BP to assess how well it is handling claims for relief from people hurt by the spill. Allen said the aim is "to see if we need to provide any oversight." He had said Monday BP was struggling to handle claims.
"Well, the answer is we're not comfortable with it," Allen said.
"Working claims is not something that's part of BP's organizational competence here - capacity - and they're relying on subcontractors to do this," he added. "It's our responsibility to make sure that's being done effectively in the best interests of the American people."
He also said his office would be dispatching people to each state took take a look at how BP was processing individual claims and business losses.
Allen responded tartly to a question about why more progress has not been made in taming the spill resulting from the April 20 explosion and fire.
"I have never said this is going well. We're throwing everything at it that we've got," he said in response to a question telephoned in to his briefing. "I've said time and time again that nothing good happens when oil is on the water." He called the accident a "catastrophe" for the region.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
EPA: BP MUST USE LESS TOXIC DISPERSANT
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a directive requiring BP to identify and use a less toxic and more effective dispersant from the list of EPA authorized dispersants. Dispersants are a chemical used to break up oil into small droplets so that they are more easily degraded.
The directive requires BP to identify a less toxic alternative – to be used both on the surface and under the water at the source of the oil leak – within 24 hours and to begin using the less toxic dispersant within 72 hours of submitting the alternative.
If BP is unable to identify available alternative dispersant products, BP must provide the Coast Guard and EPA with a detailed description of the alternative dispersants investigated, and the reason they believe those products did not meet the required standards.
EPA’s directive to BP can be found here.
While the dispersant BP has been using is on the agency’s approved list, BP is using this dispersant in unprecedented volumes and, last week, began using it underwater at the source of the leak – a procedure that has never been tried before. Because of its use in unprecedented volumes and because much is unknown about the underwater use of dispersants, EPA wants to ensure BP is using the least toxic product authorized for use. We reserve the right to discontinue the use of this dispersant method if any negative impacts on the environment outweigh the benefits.
On May 15, EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard authorized BP to use dispersants underwater at the source of the Deepwater Horizon leak. As the dispersant is used underwater, BP is required to do constant, scientifically rigorous monitoring so EPA scientists may determine the dispersant’s effectiveness and impact on the environment, water and air quality, and human health. EPA is posting the information BP collects during the monitoring to ensure the public has access to this data.
The directive requires BP to identify a less toxic alternative – to be used both on the surface and under the water at the source of the oil leak – within 24 hours and to begin using the less toxic dispersant within 72 hours of submitting the alternative.
If BP is unable to identify available alternative dispersant products, BP must provide the Coast Guard and EPA with a detailed description of the alternative dispersants investigated, and the reason they believe those products did not meet the required standards.
EPA’s directive to BP can be found here.
While the dispersant BP has been using is on the agency’s approved list, BP is using this dispersant in unprecedented volumes and, last week, began using it underwater at the source of the leak – a procedure that has never been tried before. Because of its use in unprecedented volumes and because much is unknown about the underwater use of dispersants, EPA wants to ensure BP is using the least toxic product authorized for use. We reserve the right to discontinue the use of this dispersant method if any negative impacts on the environment outweigh the benefits.
On May 15, EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard authorized BP to use dispersants underwater at the source of the Deepwater Horizon leak. As the dispersant is used underwater, BP is required to do constant, scientifically rigorous monitoring so EPA scientists may determine the dispersant’s effectiveness and impact on the environment, water and air quality, and human health. EPA is posting the information BP collects during the monitoring to ensure the public has access to this data.
Get involved with the oil clean-up!
From what I understand, there are no more (paying) oil spill cleanup jobs left in Mobile County. As of right now in Baldwin County, however, there is still some call for volunteers. Check out the county's Web site here or contact the Mobile County Career Center at (251) 461-4146.
For those of you still wishing to be involved strictly on a voluntary basis, contact BP's volunteer hotline at 1-866-647-2338.
Green Solutions
A friend of mine has taken on the daunting but honorable task of starting his own recycling pick-up company. Called Green Solutions, it's the brain child of Charles Burton Rabby, a native of Mississippi and Spring Hill College alum. His company picks up, sorts, and recycles various re-usable materials (paper, plastic, aluminum, glass, etc.) for both residential and commercial clients. Standard pricing for each bin is $10 per month. If you want to sign up, let him know at cbrabby@gmail.com!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
'Muddy 98' settlement story
A settlement was reached between Mobile Baykeeper and ALDOT concerning the US 98 roadway. You can read about it on this link. This is a wonderful victory for the group and the state of Alabama at large.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Coming events for October
For those of you in the Mobile/Baldwin county areas, here are some events going on for the month of October that might get you in the green spirit.
Fowl River Shoreline Assessment
October 10, 2009 - 7:30am
Contact Alabama Coastal Foundation if you are interested in volunteering or would like more information. Bring your canoe, kayak, or small motor boat, as well as GPS units and a camera if you have them. The fun starts at 7:30 am at 4470 Windsor Road.
Sunday Paddle
October 11, 2009 - 4:00pm
The Mobile Bay Canoe & Kayak Club will be shoving off from Scott's Landing at the east end of the causeway. Plan on paddling between 1-2 hours and bring plenty of food and fluids. For more information, contact Juli Day at (251) 377-0054.
ANC General Public Weekend
October 17-18
During any ANC General Public Weekend, you can enjoy hiking five miles of scenic ANC trails while learning about the fascinating natural history of central Alabama. From distinguishing between a white oak and a red oak to observing the natural processes of a seasonal pond, you get more than just a walk in the woods when you pause to study the interpretive signs along the trails. From ponds and creeks to forests and fields, you can always find some kind of new life waiting around the next trail bend. You can even add to the outdoor experience with a tasty picnic under or around the ANC pavilion.
In addition to the self-guided trail system, you can also enjoy entertaining and informative conservation education programming during designated weekends. These weekends feature themes that highlight snakes, salamanders, frogs, turtles, birds, hydrangeas and even fishing, just to name a few. During these weekends, you can also enjoy a guided hike by one of ANC’s world class biologists. The ANC staff invites you to step outside, take a breath of fresh air and discover what happy trails await you at the Alabama Nature Center.
For more information, contact Holly Beverly at 800-822-9453 or email her at hollyb@alabamawildlife.org.
CCA Western Shore Bay Blast
October 22, 2009 - 5:30pm-9:00pm
11765 Cedar Point Road in Theodore
Come enjoy food, refreshments and entertainment including a silent auction and prize drawings. Cost is $50/person, $75/couple and includes one CCA membership. For more information, call (251) 478-3474.
Bay Bash
October 29, 2009 - 6:00pm
5 Rivers Delta Resource Center (on the causeway)
Come enjoy Mobile Baykeeper's Bounty of the Bay buffet, an exciting silent auction, & live music. All proceeds to benefit Mobile Baykeeper. Tickets are $50/person. Must be 21 years of age. Advance ticket sales only.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Score one for environmentalists
A new Press-Register article today discussed the effects of damming creeks in order to "create private man-made fishing holes." Environmentalists in the area of course opposed the move, saying it'll destroy the streams themselves.
What a wonderful victory for them. Hopefully the deer, birds and coyotes said to inhabit the area near Aiken Creek will go largely unharmed -- thanks to the diligent work of Mobile Baykeeper and other affiliate environmental watchdog groups.
What a wonderful victory for them. Hopefully the deer, birds and coyotes said to inhabit the area near Aiken Creek will go largely unharmed -- thanks to the diligent work of Mobile Baykeeper and other affiliate environmental watchdog groups.
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