Halibut Herald July 30

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ALIBUT HERALD July 30, 2009

Amazing Waterfalls from Around the World

Clockwise from top left: Angel Falls, Venezuela As the world’s tallest waterfall Angel Falls is located in

Canaima National Park in Venezuela. It has a 2,648 foot plunge and a total height of 3,212 feet; Iguaçu Falls, Argentina/Brazil While the majority of Iguacu Falls is on the Argentina side, this waterfall borders Brazil as well. A portion of this enormous waterfall is a single plunge that flows deep into a gorge known as the “Devil's Throat.”; Victoria Falls, Africa The Victoria Falls, located in Victoria National Park in Africa, are some of the most well-known in the world. Although they are only 350 feet high, they are a whopping 5,700 feet wide and have been described as a “falling sheet of water.”; Yosemite Falls, United States Located in Yosemite National Park in California, the Yosemite Falls reach a height of 2,425 feet. It has three separate drops, which contains three different types of waterfalls: a horsetail, a plunge, and a cascade. Tugela Falls, South Africa Located in South Africa, Tugela Falls is the second tallest waterfall in the world with a total height of 3,110 feet. It drops in five different tiers, making it a spectacular view. READ ON & MORE PICS: http://www.treehugger.com/galleries/2009/06/amazing-waterfalls-around-theworld.php?page=1

Catholics, Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs Rally to Fight Global Warming Make a natural, non-DEET Bug Repellent

World religious leaders have come to the realization that God is Green. This month, Muslim, Catholic, LEARN HOW: Hindu and Sikh leaders all pledged to build climate change plans for their adherents. What differentiates each religion’s take on the environment? In truth, not much. They base their actions http://www.granvilleonline.c a/deet-free on words of wisdom from their prophets or leaders of old, and plan to focus on education, and to take action to become examples to the wider world of their followers. READ ON: http://www.twilightearth.com/environment-archive-2/catholics-muslims-hindus-andsikhs-rally-to-fight-global-warming/

New Coral Reefs Discovered in Iceland

Okinawa´s Aquarium

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium located in Okinawa, Japan, is the world’s second largest aquarium behind the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. The main tank called the ‘Kuroshio Sea’ holds 7,500-cubic meters of water and features the world’s second largest acrylic glass panel, measuring 8.2 meters by 22.5 meters with a thickness of 60 centimeters. READ ON: http://momento24.com/en/2009/07/21/theokinawa-aquarium/ KUROSHIO SEA ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcD485hjoWg

Arctic Seabed Mapping Renewed

New coral reefs and hills were discovered in Lónsdjúp, off Iceland’s eastern coast, during a submarine research expedition undertaken by the Icelandic Marine Research Institute at the end of last month. According to Steinunn Hilma Ólafsdóttir, an expert in demersal organisms, these are cold water corals in two different colors, found within a 40-square-kilometer area at a depth of 200 to 500 meters. No sunlight reaches the corals so they filter their nutrition from ocean currents, Morgunbladid reports. READ ON: http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/?cat _id=16567&ew_0_a_id=336591 "We have better maps of the moon than we do of our own ocean floor," Capt. Steve Barnum of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told CBC News. Researchers for Canada and the United States are working together again this summer to map more of the Arctic seabed, gathering scientific data toward bolstering their own sovereignty claims. The two countries are preparing for their second joint mapping expedition to map largely unknown parts of the Canada Basin, north of the Beaufort Sea. READ ON: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2009/07/29/cda-usarctic-mapping.html

Canada Line: City Centre Station

A Few Unfortunate Truths About Neoprene

It now looks like the Canada Line will start running about midAugust, close to the time that Granville Mall should be completed. On Saturday, the Canada Line gave a sneak preview of what will be one of their busiest stations: City Centre. READ ON & MORE PICS: http://pricetags.wordpress.com/2009/07/26/canada-linecity-centre-station/

It's amazing that something so toxic could be used to make such a variety of items that comes in super close contact with our skin. Wetsuits, knee (and other joint) braces, life jackets, and laptop sleeves are just a few examples...

First Nation Takes Lead on Solar Power

T'Sou-ke project models energy autonomy for other BC Aboriginal communities. READ ON: http://thetyee.ca/News/2009/07/24/FirstNationSolarPower/

And what's with that neoprene smell? Well it's actually an off gassing of harmful VOC's, in most cases including formaldehyde, lead, toluene, chlorine and some toxins that can wreak havoc on your reproductive system. Introducing… Neogreene: No toxic solvents. Water based, in fact. No VOCs. (that Neoprene smell, oh I'll miss it!) 25% less energy to make their products. 25% less petroleum, too. I know, petroleum is still in there, and they intend to reduce/eliminate that as well, but it's going to take thorough thinking, finding a replacement that doesn't likewise deplete resources. LEARN MORE: http://www.greensmithconsulting.com/greensmith_consulting_ hel/2009/07/i-hate-to-break-it-to-you-about-neoprene-but.html GREENSMART: http://greensmart.biz/neogreene.html

Shrinking Jug Keeps Milk Fresh an Extra Week

Hemp Vs. Cotton

While both fabrics clearly have advantages, cotton gets docked for its less sustainable chemical- and waterintensive production requirements. Easy to produce organically and effective in fighting climate change,

The refillable jug sits on the table while the user presses down on the top. With each press, the air void in the container is eliminated, keeping the milk fresher longer; up to a week longer, according to its inventor. READ ON: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/07/shrinking-jugkeeps-milk-fresh-an-extra-week.php

Hemp wins it!

Find out why! READ MORE: http://www.granvilleonline.ca/gr/living/2009/04/21/hempversus-cotton#comment-37815#ixzz0MgfIhRUP

Volunteer Photography Spotlight: Mom & Calf about 2 weeks ago; Photos by Walter Coates (Beluga Observer)

Organic Versus Conventional Food: UK Report Flawed

A report issued yesterday by Dr. Alan Dangour of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, commissioned by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK, claims that there is no substantial difference in nutritional content between organic and conventional food. The report was based on the review of fifty years worth of research papers on the subject. But reading it makes one wonder if influence caused a misreading of the findings, and in addition, if the agency has addressed the wrong questions entirely. READ ON: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paulacrossfield/organic-versusconvention_b_247801.html

Jellies Are the Dark Energy of the Oceans

The fluid dynamics of swimming jellyfish have provided a plausible mechanism for a once-wild notion: that marine animals, hidden from sight and ignored by geophysicists, may stir Earth’s oceans with as much force as its wind and tides. Called induced fluid drift, it involves the tendency of liquid to “stick” to a body as it moves through water — and a little bit of drift could add up quickly on a global scale. Using fluorescent dyes and underwater video cameras, bioengineers have made visible the invisible, producing videos of swimming jellyfish trailed by the water they came from. READ ON & VIDEO: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/07/jel lyfish/

Hawaiian Plant, Thought To Be Newcomer, Actually Shaped Ecology Of The Islands From The Beginning

Can Roads and Rain Forests CoExist?

What’s the best route to balancing economic development and biological conservation in a place valued both as a local resource and global asset? READ ON: http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/27/roads-toruin/

Scientists at the Smithsonian Institution have discovered data that suggests one of Hawaii's most dominant plants, Metrosideros, has been a resident of the islands far longer than previously believed. If so, these plants would have played an important role in shaping the ecology of the islands from the beginning. London's New Airport All at Sea READ ON: A report due later this week will make a strong case for a http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080415210623.htm new London airport to be built on man-made islands in the estuary of the River Thames. What is the Gulf of Mexico dead zone? The Mayor who is for the new airport will also have to fight the environmental lobby, which is alarmed at the impact an airport would have on the 200,000 migrating birds that make the estuary their home in winter. Hydrology experts are concerned that an island airport could impede the river’s flow, while air traffic experts are worried about how to fit in all the planes. READ ON: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_ sectors/transport/article6689543.ece OR: http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2009/07/londo ns_new_airport_all_at_sea.cfm?Fsrc=glvrnwl

The gulf dead zone is the largest in the United States and secondlargest of more than 400 worldwide, a total that has grown exponentially since the 1960s, according to a 2008 study. Smaller dead zones have appeared in other American waterways. Some are natural in origin, but many of the most visible and destructive ones are the results of human activity. And the lifeless expanses south of the Mississippi Delta have become their poster child. READ ON: http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/translatinguncle-sam/stories/what-is-the-gulf-of-mexico-dead-zone

New Hope for Fisheries: Scientists Document Prospects for Recovery

Scientists have joined forces in a groundbreaking assessment on the status of marine fisheries and ecosystems. The two-year study shows that steps taken to curb overfishing are beginning to succeed in five of the ten large marine ecosystems that they examined. The paper, which appears in the July 31 issue of the journal Science, provides new hope for rebuilding troubled fisheries. READ ON: http://www.physorg.com/news168183004.html

Archival Photo

Bob Cant with Flap Necked Chameleon, 1977.

Library News

Get your up-to-the minutes news via RSS feed from the library’s What’s new pages. Currently, there are two What’s new pages running a variety of interesting news feeds What’s New – Animals and Nature – for news about birds, reptiles, marine mammals, and places such as the Arctic http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/WhatsNewAnimalsandNature.aspx What’s New – Business and General – for news about business, finance, tourism, visitor experience and marketing http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/What%27sNewBGN.aspx News on Environmental conservation and education will soon be available via the Conservation Current http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/ConservationCurrent/Pages/Default.aspx Did you know that the Library has access to over 100 journals and magazines?? At least 80 of these are available full text online. For a complete hyperlinked list, visit the library journals page on Aquanet: http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/Journals.aspx As well, you can find new books and movies listed on this page of Aquanet: http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/LibraryCatalogue.aspx

Born Yesterday! (Or a few weeks ago)

Hello all, Ethan Marcus Griffin came into our crazy world at 5:03pm on July 12/09. He weighs 8lbs 9ozs. Mom and baby are doing great.. Talk to everyone later. Carey Griffin

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR WHALE RESEARCH

I’m a Masters student and Straitwatch volunteer looking for help with land-based whale/boat traffic observations in the Johnstone Strait area. Tasks include helping to collect and record data on whale activities and vessel traffic from a cliff-top observation point. While out there we will be camping at Kaikash for 3 to 4 days at a time. I’m looking for someone who enjoys spending time outdoors, has camping experience and is interested in learning more about whales. This is a great opportunity to gain field experience. This position is based out of Alert Bay so you will need to arrive the day prior to the volunteer dates listed below. From Alert Bay a small boat will take us to Kaikash where we will camp and the boat will pick us up on the last day. There is minimal cost involved with this opportunity as you only need to be a member of Cetus Research & Conservation Society ($20 membership fee) to participate. However, you will need to provide your own camping gear and food while we are out there. Volunteers are needed for the following dates: July 21-23 July 27-29 July 31- August 3 August 5-8 If interested in any or all of these dates, please contact Robyn Walker at [email protected], or Straitwatch at 250-974-7056

Classified

NEXT BOOT CAMP SESSION STARTS JULY 21 2009 Are you looking to challenge yourself physically? Increase your strength and endurance? Tone up for summer? If so….join us for boot camp! Program Description : This boot camp is a fun, functional, innovative and interactive workout session. The exercises will challenge one’s strength and endurance, improves general well-being while burning lots of calories. The workout moves quickly going from one exercise to the next with little or no rest. Open to anyone who is interested in achieving their desired health and fitness level. Participants will be taught on how to progress the exercises to meet their fitness level. Program Details : Fee : $40 per month Number of sessions : 8 sessions for 4 weeks ( 2 sessions per week) Time : 4.30 – 5.30 pm or 5.30 – 6.30 pm (choose one) Day : Tuesday & Thursday Venue : Stanley Park If you would like to join, contact [email protected], ext. 3558 or [email protected], ext. 3587. Equipment Required : Bring your own mat, dumb bells and resistance tube.

http://www.cov erealty.ca/listin g_detail2995255.html

Events

http://www.naturechallenge.org/dmg09/

http://fishopolis.com

http://eatsnaprepeat.ca/2009/05/31/chinatown-market/

More exciting events here: http://www.vanevo.ca/event s01.html Check out videos of past lectures here: http://www.sfu.ca/cstudies/ science/darwin.htm

ENTER CONTEST HERE: http://www.marineph otobank.com/resour ces/OceaninFocusP hotoContestHome20 09.php

http://www.thebigwi ld.org/summerfriends-contest