[Coral-List] Climate Change perceptions

Kelley Anderson liberationnow at gmail.com
Sat Nov 7 01:15:26 EST 2009


Hi all,

I was sent this report on the impact of animal agriculture to climate change
from a friend who saw my post and was encouraged to send it out here, so
here it is -
http://www.worldwatch.org/files/pdf/Livestock%20and%20Climate%20Change.pdf

Thanks to all who emailed me with great feedback from my last post, I
sincerely appreciate it.  I'll leave the topic at that.

Thanks,
Kelley

Kelley L. Anderson, M.Sc.
Marine Scientist
The Climate Foundation
Tafuna, American Samoa
"If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like but do
not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts?
To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent
tinkering."  Aldo Leopold


On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 6:00 AM, <coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>wrote:

> Send Coral-List mailing list submissions to
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> Today's Topics:
>
>   1. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Launches new web     site
>      (Jon Corsiglia)
>   2. Job Posting:  American Samoa (Peter_Craig at nps.gov)
>   3. Re: Climate Change Perceptions (Shelby Boyer)
>   4. Re: Public perceptions about climate change (Sherri Hitz)
>   5. Re: Climate Change perceptions (Kelley Anderson)
>   6. Re: Climate Change perceptions AND the importance of personal
>      choices (Szmant, Alina)
>   7. BEM 2010 at UNCW - REGISTER NOW!! (Pawlik, Joseph)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:47:49 -0500
> From: Jon Corsiglia <Jon.Corsiglia at noaa.gov>
> Subject: [Coral-List] NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Launches
>        new web site
> To: coralreef at noaa.gov
> Message-ID: <4AF34805.9070503 at noaa.gov>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"
>
> I'm pleased to announce the newly redesigned web site for the NOAA Coral
> Reef Conservation Program is now live.
> http://coralreef.noaa.gov/
>
> The redesigned site is focused first and foremost on coral ecosystems..
> You'll find greatly expanded content areas dedicated to bringing to life
> the value of coral ecosystems?and conserving them?to humans and the
> global environment. New resources and products?such as expanded
> information on coral biology, values, threats, and conservation
> techniques; a deep-sea coral section; more current news about coral
> conservation; and new resources for students and teachers?have been
> added to the site.
>
> By spreading the word about this new site you'll be helping us in our
> effort to inform, inspire and engage individuals in communities
> throughout reef regions and across the globe
>
> As with all new web sites, there are still a few bugs we're resolving..
> We would greatly appreciate hearing your feedback about the site.
> Coral.Webmaster at noaa.gov
>
> The site will be updated often with fresh, multimedia-rich content and
> expanded information on existing topics. We also have plans in the
> short-term to add even more videos, additional photos and graphics, and
> social media.
>
> Please take your new CRCP web site out for a spin:
> http://coralreef.noaa.gov
>
> thanks again. please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
>
> Best, Jon
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 13:15:22 -1100
> From: Peter_Craig at nps.gov
> Subject: [Coral-List] Job Posting:  American Samoa
> To: Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Message-ID:
>        <OF27D95E66.F369AF6B-ON0B257665.00817DFD-0B257666.00016839 at nps.gov>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
>
>
> The National Park of American Samoa seeks a GS-11 coral reef biologist to
> serve as program manager, develop management plans, monitor reefs, write
> scientific reports.  Must have a Rescue Diver Certification and obtain
> additional diving and boat driving training, and must become competent in
> identifying local coral reef fish.  Closes Nov. 18, 2009.  Open to US
> Citizens and US Nationals.  You can find this posting at: USAJobs <
> http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/>, or go directly to:
>
>
> http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=84375091&JobTitle=Ecologist+(Marine)%2c+GS-0408-11&FedEmp=Y&FedPub=Y&sort=rv%2c-dtex&vw=d&re=134&caller=basic.aspx&jbf574=IN10&jbf571=5&AVSDM=2009-11-04+05%3a25%3a00<http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=84375091&JobTitle=Ecologist+%28Marine%29%2c+GS-0408-11&FedEmp=Y&FedPub=Y&sort=rv%2c-dtex&vw=d&re=134&caller=basic.aspx&jbf574=IN10&jbf571=5&AVSDM=2009-11-04+05%3a25%3a00>
>
> &
>
>
> http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=84375129&JobTitle=Ecologist+(Marine)%2c+GS-0408-11&FedEmp=Y&FedPub=Y&sort=rv%2c-dtex&vw=d&re=134&caller=basic.aspx&jbf574=IN10&jbf571=5&AVSDM=2009-11-04+05%3a26%3a00<http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=84375129&JobTitle=Ecologist+%28Marine%29%2c+GS-0408-11&FedEmp=Y&FedPub=Y&sort=rv%2c-dtex&vw=d&re=134&caller=basic.aspx&jbf574=IN10&jbf571=5&AVSDM=2009-11-04+05%3a26%3a00>
>
>
> *Check our website for information about the park and American Samoa
> <www.nps.gov/npsa>.
>
> Peter Craig
> Natural Resources Manager
> National Park of American Samoa
> Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799
> phones:  684-252-1935,  684-731-8572,  684-252-6417
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 13:56:20 -0800
> From: Shelby Boyer <sboyer at mlml.calstate.edu>
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Climate Change Perceptions
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Message-ID:
>        <e17ff6610911051356t64e7d742r18c4ea3b71e2d640 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Listers,
>
> Since this thread has been quite popular, I thought I would send this link
> with an interview of Al Gore on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. I thought
> Jon did a good job of articulating the confusion and perhaps frustration
> that the public feels about the topic of climate change. It's also good for
> a few laughs.
>
> http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-november-4-2009/al-gore
>
> Shelby
>
> --
> Shelby E. Boyer
> sboyer at mlml.calstate.edu
> Invertebrate Zoology and Molecular Ecology
> Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 14:10:46 -0500 (EST)
> From: Sherri Hitz <sherri at alum.mit.edu>
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Public perceptions about climate change
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Message-ID: <31376177.1852.1257448246661.JavaMail.jeff at brunch.mit.edu>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> I would like to add another $0.02 to the conversation about the lack of
> public understanding of global climate change (and thank John Bruno,
> especially, for his impressive efforts in disseminating accurate information
> about AGW to the public).
>
> I currently teach marine biology and biology at Florida Keys Community
> College (have been teaching for over 15 years, if you count my graduate
> teaching assistantships), and I think there is an underlying issue that no
> amount of "hitting them over the head with data" is going to surmount:
>
> *****The general public is AWFUL at even the simplest critical/analytical
> thinking, math and interpretation of graphical information.*****
>
> OK, so admittedly, my conclusion is based on anecdotal evidence, but when I
> put images or videos up in a powerpoint presentation in lecture, I see
> appreciation on my students' faces for what they are seeing.  But when I
> show them a simple graph, or explain how they can calculate their current
> course grades, or ask them to deduce something from a set of observations....
> I see confusion and consternation, almost universally.  (The students
> actually admit this of themselves, as well.  Our education system has really
> failed them...)
>
> So, forget all the (Mauna Loa, etc.) graphs, (atmospheric [CO2], etc.)
> numbers and logical arguments based on the evidence.  The public just does
> not GET this stuff... so it is wasted on them.  I really think this is the
> crux of the problem: telling them AGAIN, showing them MORE evidence... it's
> just not going to get through, because the information is still in the same
> form, which they do NOT understand.
>
> What they need is visual information that requires very little analysis or
> interpretation (or that is narrated for them, so they understand what they
> are seeing).  Perhaps the reason for the sharp jump in AGW "naysayers" is
> that Hollywood hasn't cranked out another "Day After Tomorrow" (2004) and Al
> Gore hasn't produced another "An Inconvenient Truth" (2006) in the past few
> years.  I think the public needs compelling visual imagery to keep them
> focused (convinced) on the issue of global climate change and all the risks
> it poses... and it needs to be delivered in a format that is at least mildly
> entertaining, so they will pay to go and see it!
>
> Does anyone have a friend in Hollywood?  ;)
> [Actually, I have an acquaintance there-- Randy Olson--, whom I just
> contacted and it turns out he has just produced a docu-comedy called
> "Sizzle" about the AGW debate!  Not in theaters quite yet, but soon...]
> Cheers to all the coral-listers!
> Sherri Hitz
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 16:54:27 -1100
> From: Kelley Anderson <liberationnow at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Climate Change perceptions
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Message-ID:
>        <976989e40911051954l6ebe706fw2a632ada1d52f61a at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> On the topic of  climate change perceptions, I would just like to point out
> the need for an increased understanding of the huge contribution of
> greenhouse gases emitted from factory farms, which recently won an
> exemption<
> http://hslf.typepad.com/political_animal/2009/10/free-pass-for-factory-farms.html
> >from
> accountability of these gases.  Factory farming contributes a huge
> chunk of the worlds greenhouse gas emissions, ~18-25% depending upon who
> you
> believe (18% according to the FAO -
> http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000448/index.html ).  Many of us
> are aware of the environmental destruction associated with modern fishing,
> but the link between factory farming and climate change has only recently
> become more well known.  This comes as a great relief to myself, as I have
> to deal with much less heckling for my food choices - some climate change
> conferences even have a veg option now.
>
> Unfortunately a last minute amendment was added to exempt livestock
> production's greenhouse gas emissions from being regulated by the the EPA
> so
> now we won't know for sure how much livestock really contributes.  The
> livestock farming industries have essentially won a free
> pass<
> http://hslf.typepad.com/political_animal/2009/10/free-pass-for-factory-farms.html
> >on
> greenhouse gas emissions.  The actual text and link to H.R. 2996:
> Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
> Appropriations
> Act, 2010 are provided below.
>
> I am primarily posting this to point out the seriousness of this exemption
> and the need for accountability.  I hope it also helps explain the
> perspective of many environmentally driven vegetarians and vegans, and even
> offer one way to reduce your own carbon footprint, if you are so inclined..
>
> http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-2996
>
> prohibition on use of funds
>
> Sec. 424. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds
> made
> available in this Act or any other Act may be used to promulgate or
> implement any regulation requiring the issuance of permits under title V of
> the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.
> 7661<
> http://www.law.cornell.edu/usc-cgi/newurl?type=titlesect&title=42&section=7661
> >et
> seq.) for carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, water vapor, or methane
> emissions resulting from biological processes associated with livestock
> production.
> Cheers,
> Kelley
>
> --
> Kelley L. Anderson, M.Sc.
> Marine Scientist
> The Climate Foundation
> Tafuna, American Samoa
> "If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like but do
> not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts?
> To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent
> tinkering."  Aldo Leopold
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:41:38 -0500
> From: "Szmant, Alina" <szmanta at uncw.edu>
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Climate Change perceptions AND the
>        importance of personal choices
> To: Kelley Anderson <liberationnow at gmail.com>,
>        "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov" <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> Message-ID:
>        <68ECDB295FC42D4C98B223E75A8540258F8D858629 at uncwexmb2.dcs.uncw.edu>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> I am very glad that Kelley posted this message, because one irksome pattern
> I see in this string of Coral-List posts is that many keep expecting the
> governments and big organizations to "do something about it" but it is the
> sum total of each individual person on Earth, with his or her personal
> decisions about lifestyle and consumption, that add up to the climate change
> we are experiencing. We vote for change with our wallet, what we buy drives
> the economic sector. You can't expect others to change how they live if you
> are not willing to do it. Government is made up of people we elect and who
> feel the pressure to get re-elected.
>
> If we didn't have a tripling of people on Earth over the past few decades
> (now 6.8 BILLION but only 2 Billion when I was in my 20's), and if each
> person didn't need to eat, cook their food (i.e. wood, charcoal, oil,
> electricity), find a way to make a living (from artisanal farming and
> fishing to high rollers in big banks and oil companies), then we wouldn't be
> facing the changes in Earth ecology that are happening so quickly today.
>  Our governments, in many cases (developed world) respond to the pressures
> of the majority.  In the US, 'we' want economic growth, more jobs, better
> standards of living AND LESS GOVERNMENT REGULATION, and most of our
> undereducated citizens can't see past their daily needs  (so yes, we need to
> scare them with graphic videos and doomsday scenarios to drive the message
> home, as suggested by Sherry).
>
> But here is my issue today:  How many people reading these Coral-List
> messages are making the fundamental changes in their own lives that are
> needed for anything to change?  Becoming a vegetarian is a simple change,
> and one that as Kelley has explained, will save a lot of carbon units.  Beef
> production, from start to finish, is one of the most environmentally
> destructive and energy consuming of our modern food industries. It is one of
> the major contributors to deforestation in the tropics: clearing of land for
> growing fodder for cattle, and grazing itself. In his book, "Shadows of
> Consumption, Consequences for the Global Environment", Peter Dauvergne has
> summarized in gory detail the escalating global impact of the beef industry
> (other interesting chapters in this book are about automobiles, leaded gas,
> Freon).  Deforestation is right up there with SUVs as a sources of CO2, thus
> eating beef (and pigs, and other land animals) DIRECTLY contributes to
> climate change just as much
>  as being an energy hog at work or home. Then there is the methane cattle
> produce... with 20 times per molecule the green house effect of CO2. I read
> that every pound of beef is equivalent in C units to driving an SUV 40 miles
> (but not sure if that is based on the C content of the beef or the sum total
> of C units produced in producing the beef and getting it to your plate).
>
> I've made this transition gradually over the past 5 years, for two reasons:
> disgust at the agribusiness abuse of animals, and environmental concerns.
>  First I only bought humanely raised and slaughtered mammals, and free range
> chickens and turkeys; then I gave up all land animals this year, and only
> sustainably harvested fishes and no tuna.  Next year, probably no more fish
> except for mollusks which Daniel Pauly tells us can be sustainably raised
> and harvested. It does take discipline, and changes in my life, but that is
> what we will need on ALL fronts, not just food choices, to turn our global
> ecology and climate around. My family is dreading this coming Thanksgiving
> with no turkey...
>
> Food for thought as we approach the holidays!
>
>
> *******************************************************************
> Dr. Alina M. Szmant
> Coral Reef Research Group
> UNCW-Center for Marine Science
> 5600 Marvin K. Moss Ln
> Wilmington NC 28409
> Tel: (910)962-2362 & Fax:  (910)962-2410
> Cell:  (910)200-3913
> email:  szmanta at uncw.edu
> Web Page:  http://people.uncw.edu/szmanta
> ******************************************************************
> -----Original Message-----
> From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov [mailto:
> coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of Kelley Anderson
> Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 10:54 PM
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Climate Change perceptions
>
> On the topic of  climate change perceptions, I would just like to point out
> the need for an increased understanding of the huge contribution of
> greenhouse gases emitted from factory farms, which recently won an
> exemption<
> http://hslf.typepad.com/political_animal/2009/10/free-pass-for-factory-farms.html
> >from
> accountability of these gases.  Factory farming contributes a huge
> chunk of the worlds greenhouse gas emissions, ~18-25% depending upon who
> you
> believe (18% according to the FAO -
> http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000448/index.html ).  Many of us
> are aware of the environmental destruction associated with modern fishing,
> but the link between factory farming and climate change has only recently
> become more well known.  This comes as a great relief to myself, as I have
> to deal with much less heckling for my food choices - some climate change
> conferences even have a veg option now.
>
> Unfortunately a last minute amendment was added to exempt livestock
> production's greenhouse gas emissions from being regulated by the the EPA
> so
> now we won't know for sure how much livestock really contributes.  The
> livestock farming industries have essentially won a free
> pass<
> http://hslf.typepad.com/political_animal/2009/10/free-pass-for-factory-farms.html
> >on
> greenhouse gas emissions.  The actual text and link to H.R. 2996:
> Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
> Appropriations
> Act, 2010 are provided below.
>
> I am primarily posting this to point out the seriousness of this exemption
> and the need for accountability.  I hope it also helps explain the
> perspective of many environmentally driven vegetarians and vegans, and even
> offer one way to reduce your own carbon footprint, if you are so inclined..
>
> http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-2996
>
> prohibition on use of funds
>
> Sec. 424. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds
> made
> available in this Act or any other Act may be used to promulgate or
> implement any regulation requiring the issuance of permits under title V of
> the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.
> 7661<
> http://www.law.cornell.edu/usc-cgi/newurl?type=titlesect&title=42&section=7661
> >et
> seq.) for carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, water vapor, or methane
> emissions resulting from biological processes associated with livestock
> production.
> Cheers,
> Kelley
>
> --
> Kelley L. Anderson, M.Sc.
> Marine Scientist
> The Climate Foundation
> Tafuna, American Samoa
> "If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like but do
> not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts?
> To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent
> tinkering."  Aldo Leopold
> _______________________________________________
> Coral-List mailing list
> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 11:08:24 -0500
> From: "Pawlik, Joseph" <pawlikj at uncw.edu>
> Subject: [Coral-List] BEM 2010 at UNCW - REGISTER NOW!!
> To: "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov" <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>,
>        "PORIFERA at JISCMAIL.AC.UK" <PORIFERA at JISCMAIL.AC.UK>
> Message-ID:
>        <E30E1E2D99AF8045ABC01A57EB60749F45D19286DA at uncwexmb2.dcs.uncw.edu>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Apologies for cross postings.....
>
> REGISTRATION HAS BEGUN for the 39th Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting  -- BEM
> 2010 -- 10-13 March 2010 - to be held on the beautiful campus of UNC
> Wilmington!
>
> Here's the website: http://www.benthicecologymeeting2010.org/
>
> Abstract submission and early registration ends 15 January 2010.  There
> will be an extra $25 fee for late registration.
>
> Please register early - after you register, you can make modifications to
> your abstract on-line as late as 15 Feb!
>
> BEM is one of the premier meetings for marine ecologists in the US, with
> sessions ranging from the ecology of salt marshes to coral reefs, from
> benthic-pelagic processes to marine population genetics.  It has
> historically provided an excellent venue for graduate and undergraduate
> students to present their work and interact with established researchers in
> all areas of marine biology and ecology.
>
> As promised, this year will be the least expensive BEM in many years:
>  -  Central location for travel, hotel rates starting at $63/night quad
> occupancy
>  -  Very low registration fee: $75 FOR STUDENTS, $150 REGULAR!!!!
>  -  Co-sponsorship by the Southeastern Estuarine Research Society (SEERS)
>  -  Awards for the best student presentations and posters
>  -  Inaugural "Beneath the Waves Film Festival"
>  -  Beautiful venue in the new Burney and Fisher Centers in the heart of
> UNCW's campus
>  -  Excellent food services, with lunches at the Hawk's Nest food court
>  -  10 minute drive to charming and historic downtown Wilmington or
> beautiful Wrightsville Beach
>  -  Closing banquet cruise on the "Henrietta III" with dancing and karaoke
>
> See you there!!
>
> **************************************************************
> Joseph R. Pawlik, Professor
> UNCW Center for Marine Science
> 5600 Marvin Moss Lane
> Wilmington, NC  28409   USA
> pawlikj at uncw.edu<mailto:pawlikj at uncw.edu>; Office:(910)962-2377;
> Cell:(910)232-3579
> Website: http://people.uncw.edu/pawlikj/index.html<BLOCKED::
> http://people.uncw.edu/pawlikj/index.html>
> PDFs: http://people.uncw.edu/pawlikj/pubs2.html<BLOCKED::
> http://people.uncw..edu/pawlikj/pubs2.html>
> **************************************************************
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Coral-List mailing list
> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>
> End of Coral-List Digest, Vol 15, Issue 6
> *****************************************
>



-- 
Kelley L. Anderson, M.Sc.
Marine Scientist
The Climate Foundation
Tafuna, American Samoa
"If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like but do
not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts?
To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent
tinkering."  Aldo Leopold



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