Saturday, May 24, 2014

Global warming can extinguish male turtles

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A new study on common sea turtles of the Atlantic has been stressing the need to preserve the species, since the long-term global warming will end with one of the sexes of these animals to exist only female turtles.

We have long known that the reproduction of reptiles is rather sensitive to temperatures, leading to a variation in the ratio of males and females to hatch the eggs. For sea turtles are the key temperature 29 degrees Celsius. If the eggs develop at temperatures higher than this, the turtles that hatch will be mostly females. If temperatures exceed constantly the 30.5 degrees, one of the sexes of sea turtles can be convicted.

The short term, this higher ratio of female turtles may be beneficial, since the natural reproduction is enhanced. However, the long term may be harmful and lead to the extinction of the species.

According to Graeme Hays, professor at Deakin University and author of the study, the higher temperatures represent a "serious" threat to populations of turtles. "It will be the end of the story if there is no human intervention" indicates.

The decline in populations of turtles, powered by heating, is already being observed in the green turtles in the Caribbean and the study reveals that the number of specimens decreased by 1%.

Also the increase in the level of sea water caused by melting of ice caps, can have a negative impact on populations of sea turtles. "The increase in the level of the water results in loss of area of the beaches where the turtles lay their eggs, which can also put the species at risk," said Hays.

See a selection of photos of sea turtles.

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Foto: SNORKELINGDIVES.COM/MiguelVieira/mahinui/NathanF/jurvetson/SteFou! /Julie Lynn/Fuzzy Gerdes/todd.vision

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Overcrowding could lead to cannibalism, argues professor from Stanford

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In 1968, professor Paul Ehrlich and his wife, Anne, published the book "the rising pump", a bestseller that warned for a period of great famine, in the world, in the 70 and 80, due to population growth.

The theories of Ehrlich, a professor at the respected Stanford University, eventually becoming true, especially in the poorest countries, despite all the controversy of the topic. Agoa, Ehrlich returned to the predictions, but this time more macabre.

According to the professor, the overcrowding will lead us to cannibalism and even to eat our dead.

"We will soon be asking us if we can eat the bodies of our dead, because we are all hungry," explained the charge at HuffPost. According to Ehrlich, the population growth will lead to a new food crisis, and this cannibalism.

According to Ehrlich, the scarcity of resources will be so critical that the humans will have to drastically change their eating habits and agricultural processes. "[Mankind 's] moving towards [the cannibalism] at a ridiculous speed," continued.

"In other words, between now and the next 45 years, 2.5 billion people will join the Planet. We are moving towards a resource war ", he concluded.

The issue of overcrowding was recently approached by author Dan Brown, in his book Hell, and by the Ehrlich, in his book Hope on Earth.

Photo: Vomitiva Poetry/Creative Commons

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Friday, May 23, 2014

Grândola: garbage collected by the sea will be valued

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The trash collected by 200 Brigade volunteers from the sea, in the municipality of Grândola, Alentejo, is valued. This is the first time that the Association will these residues, despite the gathering takes place annually since 2009.

According to the Association, the schoolchildren, youth and senior of the parishes of Carvalhal and Melides is already proceeding with the separation of waste collected on beaches.

In the first year, the Brigade of the sea-beach cleaning project, held annually during 15 days between Troy and Melides-collected about 30 tonnes of waste. In 2010 about fifty volunteers gathered 15 tons of garbage. In the following years appeared even more volunteers, who joined enterprises, involving a total of about 500 people.

"The amount of garbage removed in the last five editions exceeds 80 tons, being notorious still result in recovery of the dunes and vegetation pioneer," explained Green Savers Cindy Santos, communication Division of the municipality of Grândola.

In recent years, the project has collected several tons of hazardous waste, of pills the corrosive liquids, oil drums, syringes or animal carcasses.

"Year after year, increase the logistical support, visibility, and the willingness to proceed with this project. The decrease in the quantity of waste collected is a sign that after all worth it believe that the difference in attitude is possible, "concluded the responsible.

Sea Brigade represents Portugal in this edition of let's Clean Europe and had already been distinguished, previously, with an honorable mention on Green Project Awards.

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Formula 1 for electric vehicles make great advertising campaign

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The formula and ecological alternative to Formula 1, is looking for an advertising agency to promote the new sport worldwide, proof that the project is investing heavily to reach the masses.

According to Brand Republic, the formula and asked creative proposals to four agencies, which will have in finding an advertising strategy to make the new sport appealing to consumers and media.

Earlier this year, 10 cities will be stage of racing and formula: Beijing (China), Putrajava (Malaysia), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Punta del Este (Uruguay), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Los Angeles and Miami (United States), Monte Carlo (Monaco), Berlin (Germany) and London (United Kingdom).

The competition kicks off on 13 September in Beijing, and ends June 27, 2015, in London. "The formula and is a new brand of entertainment, which has the electric motor in the heart," explained Charles Davies, head of marketing of the project.

The formula and will be part of the FIA (International Automobile Federation) and was announced in 2012. The original version of the project included 10 teams and 20 pilots and was designed through a partnership with Formula and Holdings (FEH), based in London. Some of the drivers have experience of Formula 1, Jarno Trulli, Narain Karthikeyan or Nick Heidfeld.

One of the main objectives of the competition is to support the research and development of electric cars. Now, with the new campaign, the formula and expects to receive spectators and new supporters to the environmentally-friendly cars. Arrive at the formula 1 notoriety, at least in the short to medium term, it will be impossible, but the announcement of this global advertising campaign is confirmation that investors of FEH and FIA are truly betting the new sport.

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Carlos Mourao Parker recognized by architectural work for the blind

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The Portuguese architect Carlos Mourao Pereira was this week awarded the Nossa Senhora da Esperança Foundation Prize of 2014, award that recognizes the "high scientific merit" from the set of his works in the area of innovative architecture for the blind and in recognition of his extensive resume as a researcher and University lecturer.

Second advanced the promoters of the initiative, quoted by the newspaper Building, for this distinction was also considered the doctoral thesis of this investigator, himself blind, about "the multi-sensory dimension of architecture â€" A qualitative approach to sea bathing space centered on invisibility".

It is, according to the jury, an investigation that globally contributes original mode for the deepening of knowledge about the problems of relationship between the sea bathing space and its use, whether for blind or low vision users, either by normovisuais users ".

Instituted in 2013, the FNSE Prize will be awarded every three years and aims to distinguish an individuality (natural or legal person) that for his thinking or action has contributed to the construction of a society that values especially respect for difference and diversity as a fundamental value of the human condition, through works, jobs and careers with cultural or scientific value of recognised merit in society.

The prize will be awarded formally in ceremony scheduled for July 20 in Castelo de Vide, where the institution has its seat and maintains its activity.

The decision was made by an independent jury, which includes such personalities as Rui Vieira Nery, Carlos Ferreira, Augusto Deodato Warrior, Francisco Sepúlveda Teixeira and José Luís Porfírio.





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Thursday, May 22, 2014

Costa da Caparica celebrates 30 years of protected landscape

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30 years ago today that the Costa da Caparica fossil cliff, on the South Bank of the Tejo, was classified as a protected landscape. The aim was to preserve the geomorphologic characteristics and natural communities exist on site, promoting your biological equilibrium and scenic, but not everything went well.

"The Costa da Caparica protected landscape is located near major urban centres and bathing with interest, [for it] has undergone several changes caused by human activities, which manifests itself in high pressure urban motor traffic, illegal construction and dumping of waste," explains the NGO environment Quercus.

The strong tourist pressure is reflected in the construction of second homes, illegal camping and misuse of the dune area to practice sport all-terrain. On the other hand, the intensive farming and grazing practices not contralado contribute to the degradation of the quality of surface and ground waters. "Despite having already been implemented a dune recovery program, the invasive alien species continue to be a concern due to its Adaptive character and strong urban pressure, which favors its spread," continues the Quercus.



It's not all bad news, however. The arriba fossil, which is the result of an ancient arriba that due to marine regression, is no longer in contact with the sea, constitutes the most significant landscape element of the protected area, extending to the Lagoa da Albufeira.

The creation of protected landscape allowed value the existing natural heritage and increase knowledge about the site. Programs have been developed for monitoring of waterfowl in ponds of Albufeira, Small and of the Stockade, with the development of studies on ecological distribution of relevant species such as Otter, cabrera's rat and Vipera latastei.

Were also identified and monitored bats and increased scientific research in the lagoon and maritime domain. There was also an increase of biodiversity of marine fauna in the lagoa de Albufeira, due to the implementation of a plan which included the correct opening of the lagoon to the sea, conducting periodic drainage and imposition of limitations to anthropogenic activities.

Today, there are 169 terrestrial fauna species inventoried, 10 of which have ecological values higher.

The opportunities

The unique features that characterize the landscape protected from Costa da Caparica fossil cliff, explains the Quercus, give it enormous potential in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, fishing or scientific research.

To this end, the Quercus proposes a set of actions, ranging from creating a program of renaturation of coastline that includes the dune vegetation recovery and demolition of infrastructure built on top of the dunes to the total conditioning construction and urban and tourist expansion.

It is also necessary to establish protection zones for priority species, implement conservation measures of the forest area of the National Forest of Fears â€" including sustainable forestry â€" promote ecotourism activities and promote the development of scientific research studies.

Quercus also developed a framework with an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of Costa da Caparica. See more below. Before, remember some of the most breathtaking landscapes of the coast.

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Fotos: iketaka/Gusty/andruby/berther/mimolag/Creative Commons



Forces

Weaknesses

Diagnosis

Prognosis





Opportunities

Threats



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Green House: an eco-hostel that blends with the beauty of Baleal (with video)

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In February, we talked about the Green House, a hostel of Baleal which leads to ecology and sustainability to the next level. It is present everywhere: in decoration, furniture, food, products or services.

Today, our colleagues in the green economy went through the Green House and put some color and movement to our report. Or rather, the concept of green economy this Villa transformed into 100% ecological accommodation by Telmo Vital, a year ago.

"The Green House had part of its decoration made with pallets. It was here that started the idea, in the reuse of materials, both for decoration and for the structure of the House itself, "said Telmo Vital.

When he entered the project, explains the responsible, his idea was to turn any site into a cathedral of sustainability. "If we had six pallets, wanted us to spend for the 300, or pass of 10 boxes of fruit for the two hundred", he stressed.

Part of the decoration is created with the garbage that gives to the coast, which is then worked by local artists, by employees or volunteers, especially foreigners, to travel and work in Exchange for stay. "The typical profile of our guests looking for surfing and the beach, but there is also a concern for the environment".

The Green House has three bedrooms and space for ten guests, who are instilled with concerns the environment, through the bet in habits and products: organic and biodegradable detergents, bulbs of low consumption, the homemade breakfast and products purchased locally, rather than small producers.

To complete the cycle of sustainability, Green House promotes trade fairs and is the collection of books and toys to some institutions of Peniche. Learn more in episode 255 of the green economy.



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