Halibut Herald October 1

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ALIBUT HERALD October 1, 2009

We're Cute Too! The Most Underrated Adorable Animals

Certain animals have a stigma about them and just don't get enough credit. This week, HuffPost Green thought they'd give a little bit of love to the cute underdog. Vote on your favorite underrated but adorable animal. VIEW: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/27/were-cute-too-the-most-un_n_300326.html?slidenumber=0#slide_image

South Atlantic Council Approves Plan to Save More Than 23,000 Square Miles of Rare Corals http://oceana.org/northamerica/mediacenter/press-releases/allpressreleases/press_release/0/1 097/

Thank Palau for Establishing a 270,000+ Mile Shark Sanctuary!!! Sign the Thank You Card. On September 25, 2009 Palau declared itself the world's first National Shark Sanctuary and called for an international ban on shark-finning. Please thank Palau for this historic and important shark-saving action. SIGN THE THANK YOU CARD TO PALAU: http://www.sharksavers.org/en/getinvolved/sign-these-petitions/608-thank-youpalau.html

Electric Fish Turn Down Charge for Energy Efficiency

Fish that use electric fields to sense their environments dim their signals to save energy during the day when they are resting. Sternopygus macrurus, a South American river fish, is a natural practitioner of energy efficiency. It can reshape the charged-molecule channels in its electricity-producing cells to tone down its electrical signature within a matter of minutes. “This is a really expensive signal to produce. The fish is using up a lot of its energy budget,” READ ON: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/09/e lectric-fish/

Goma the Gorilla Turns 50!

Fish Poison makes Hot Things Feel Icy and Cold Things Feel Burning Hot

Recuperated Rare Fish Released in China

Wildlife officials in China released a rare paddlefish into Yangtze River Sunday after nursing it back to health from injuries inflicted by fishermen. READ ON: http://www.physorg.com/news10140830 3.html

Four-Winged Fossil Bridges Bird-Dinosaur Gap

Eating some bad fish might not seem like the most spectacular way to ruin a tropical vacation, but for a 45-year-old man from England, a bit of tainted seafood was the beginning of a wild ride. READ ON: http://www.wired.com/wiredscien ce/2007/10/the-bizarre-eff/

Professor’s Research on Salmon Published in National Geographic

A newly described, profusely feathered dinosaur may give lift to scientists’ understanding of bird and flight evolution, researchers report. READ ON: READ ON: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/ http://www.montanakaimin.com/index. php/news/news_article/professors_re 09/dinosaur/ search_on_salmon_published_in_nati onal_geographic/4005

Cool Cousins: Southern Elephant Seals

READ ON: http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2009/09/gorillaturns-50-at-zoo-basel.html

“They’re way cooler because they can survive in colder environments, and have deeper, longer dives. Southern elephant seals dive to over 2,100 meters, the deepest dive our lab has on record...so far.” “[Southerns] are foraging on the ice edge, and could be using it to find prey. They forage on shelf waters on the Peninsula. That’s interesting because traditionally they’ve been thought of as active in the deep ocean food web, but they may also have a impact on an entirely different, coastal food web.” READ ON: http://www.topp.org/features/cool_cousins

Can Palm Oil Be Sustainable? Seventh Generation Thinks So http://savethef rogs.com/arti sts/2009winners.html

http://www.thegp2project.org/ Take action: Stand Up for Your Rice!

Rice is daily food for half of the world's population. Genetically modified (GM) rice, on the other hand, is a threat to our agriculture, our biodiversity and a possible risk to our health. At present, GM rice is not grown commercially anywhere in the world. But Bayer, the German chemical giant, has genetically manipulated rice to withstand higher doses of a toxic pesticide called glufosinate, which is considered to be so dangerous to humans and the environment that it will soon be banned from Europe. In just a few weeks, the European Union will decide whether or not this GM rice can enter EU countries, appear on supermarket shelves and end up on our dinner plates. If the EU approves the import of Bayer GM rice, farmers in the US and elsewhere may soon start planting it. READ ON & SIGN PETITION: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/ genetic-engineering/hands-off-our-rice/hands-offour-rice

According to one estimate, as many as half of the products in a U.S. grocery store contains palm oil. Because it is found in such a wide array of products — from foods and drugs to personal care items and detergents — U.S. consumption of palm oil has tripled from 324,000 tons in 2005 to 1 million tons today. But Palm oil production has come under increasing scrutiny in the last few years because of the widespread practice of clear-cutting rainforests to plant oil palm crops. The large monocrop plantations in Southeast Asia and South America fouling watersheds and driving people and animals from their land. READ ON: http://earthandindustry.com/2009/09/can-palmoil-be-sustainable-seventh-generation-thinksso/

Elephant Tusk Surgery If you think about it, an elephant’s tusk is a big tooth. And like any tooth, a tusk can break or otherwise get damaged and the elephant would then need to see a dentist (shudder!). That’s exactly what happened in the North Carolina Zoo.

WATCH VIDEO: http://www.neatorama.com/2009/09/29/elephanttusk-surgery/

Mayor outlines ‘Green Capital’ economic strategy for Vancouver READ ON: http://www.vancouvereconomic.com/vedcnews/mayoroutlines-%E2%80%98green-capital%E2%80%99-economic-strategyfor-vancouver

More information on the city’s economic development strategies can be viewed @ www.vancouvereconomic.com

http://www.petropolis-film.com/

Rare Earths are Vital, and China Owns Them All

Cruise Ship Report Card

Millions of Americans take cruise vacations every year. However, most don't realize that cruising is more harmful to the environment and human health "We are addicted to rare earths as much as we are than many other forms of travel. With ships that can carry up to 7,000 addicted to oil," passengers and crew, these floating cities pollute the air we breathe and the water we use and enjoy.

Rare earths may not be on most investors' radars, but they are certainly in almost any high-tech item they use -- and in the world of rare earths, China is king. The U.S. Geological Survey recognizes 17 different rare earths, materials with science-fictionesque names like lanthanum and gadolinium. They are used in everything: glass polishing and ceramics, automotive catalytic converters, computer monitors, lighting, televisions and pharmaceuticals. READ ON: http://www.foe.org/cruisereportcard READ ON: Grading Methodology: http://www.foe.org/cruise-line-grade-methodology http://www.physorg.com/news173379084.html

CALLING ANYONE WITH A BLOG? BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION AND REGISTER YOUR BLOG TODAY!

http://www.blogactionday.org/ THIRST

This is an educational presentation exploring humanity's water use and the emerging worldwide water shortage. It is designed to act as a stand-alone presentation. Enjoy! VIEW SLIDESHOW: http://www.slideshare.net/jbrenman/t hirst?src=embed

America’s First Zero Carbon Mass Transit Shuttle.

Before 'Lucy,' there was 'Ardi': Oldest Hominid Skeleton Provides New Evidence for Human Evolution

A series of high performance electric buses and minibuses using a patented ultracapacitor technology. Compared to diesel or CNG buses, their buses have low maintenance costs, low operation costs, zero tailpipe emissions, and can reach a zero carbon footprint if powered by renewable energy sources. READ ON: http://ecotechdaily.com/2009/10/01/presentatioREAD ON: n-americas-first-zero-carbon-mass-transithttp://www.physorg.com/news1736152 shuttle/ 21.html OR:

Google Earth Launches Climate Change Modeling Tools

Google Earth launches a new set of online tools this week, enabling anyone to learn about how climate change may impact them or their business and research options for managing its effects. Google is working with the Danish government on the project, and the new Google Earth layers are part of the lead up to the 15th Conference of the Parties under the United Nations’ Climate Change Convention (COP15) READ ON: http://greenlivingideas.com/topics/technolog y/google-earth-launches-climate-changemodeling-tools

Today is World Vegetarian Day!

http://www.worldvege tarianday.org/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10 /01/ardi-oldest-humanskeleto_n_306033.html

Underwater Museum to Protect Coral Reefs in Mexico

Mexico has announced plans to build the largest underwater museum in the world, with around 400 figures made of concrete submerged in the Caribbean sea, near Cancun. The goal? Protecting the regions coral reefs. READ ON: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/09/und erwater-museum-to-protect-coral-reefs-inmexico.php

Sound Machines Could Help Monitor Health of Coral Reefs

HuffPost Game Changers: Who Is The Ultimate Game Changer In Green?

Putting EARs in the water among the bustling life of coral reefs could help us monitor the health of coral reefs around the worlds. EAR is an Ecological Acoustic Recorder, a device developed by NOAA and the University of Hawaii, listens in on the sounds of coral reefs and helps determine the overall health and changing status of reefs. It looks to be a promising technology, and the first one to be deployed in the Coral Triangle has just been installed. READ ON: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/09/soundmachines-could-help-monitor-health-of-coralreefs.php

HuffPost's Game Changers celebrates 100 innovators, visionaries, and leaders in 10 categories who are harnessing the power of new media to reshape their fields and change the world. With your help, we've picked 10 people who are changing the game in Green. We honor and salute them. READ ON: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/01/huffpost-gamechangers-wh_n_302959.html

David Griffin on How Photography Connects Us

The photo director for National Geographic, David Griffin knows the power of photography to connect us to our world. In a talk filled with glorious images, he talks about how we all use photos to tell our stories. WATCH: http://www.ted.com/talks/david_griffin_on_how_photography_conn ects.html

Reusable Coffee Cup Looks Like A Disposable

READ ON: http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2009/10/01/reusablecoffee-cup-looks-like-a-disposable/

Vancouver’s Mandatory Electric Car Chargers While detractors argue against the current usefulness of plugins, many claim that the only way electric cars will catch on is if the infrastructure is already in place. Put another way, electric cars are the chicken and charging outlets are the egg. Or is it the other way around? READ ON: http://www.centreflow.ca/2009/10/01/vancouver%E2%80%99 s-mandatory-electric-car-chargers/

Archival Photo

Murray Newman examines water dragon lizard, 1971.

Library News For more library news, book reviews, access to our online catalogue and much more, visit us on the aquanet: http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/default.aspx 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

Staff News

www.cammacdonald.ca

Events

http://ripeforthereading.wordpress.com/what-is-ripe/

Harnessing the Power of Local: Positioning Your Business to Thrive in a Shaky Economy Tuesday, October 06, 2009 from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (PT) @ Chambar Belgian Restaurant 562 Beatty Street

EVENT INFO: http://thepoweroflocal.eventbrite.com/

http://community.wwf.ca/localicious/WhatsLocalicious.cfm

From Earth to Ocean: Stories from Gwaii Haanas

Parks Canada has identified the waters around Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site (Queen Charlotte Islands) as a potential national marine conservation area reserve. To present the stories of Gwaii Haanas, Parks Canada has partnered with The Vancouver Aquarium to offer a unique speaker series open to the public. Participation is free, though seats are limited. Each engaging event allows audience members to explore a different aspect of the region and understand the benefits of its protection. Starting in September, join us to find out more about: Session 2: Icons of the Pacific Monday October 26 A look into the history and journey of whales throughout Gwaii Haanas and why protecting these habitats benefits us all. Moderator: Don Enright, National Parks Interpretation Specialist, Parks Canada Investigate the diverse marine life within Gwaii Haanas and delve into the history of whaling in the Queen Charlotte Islands and the journey of the iconic killer whale and graceful humpback that can be seen off the coast of Gwaii Haanas. Learn how national marine conservation areas are of value to the diverse marine life and their habitats. Speakers include: • • •

Kathy Heise: “Historical Whaling in Gwaii Haanas” Lance Barrett-Lennard: “Orcas and Humpbacks” Caitlin Birdsall, Cetacean Sightings Network

Reservations close on Monday, October 19th Admission is free. Please RSVP to: [email protected] or phone 604-659-3432

Session 3: Changing Seascape Monday November 16 Learn about ancient Haida villages, changing sea levels and how historical trade practices have all played a role in shaping today’s Gwaii Haanas. Session 4: Healthy oceans, healthy people Monday December 7 Whether it’s dining out or reporting a whale sighting, your actions can make a difference to our oceans. Join us for this special conclusion to find out what you can do to help Each session takes place at The Vancouver Aquarium from 7 – 9 pm. Please enter at the AquaQuest Administrative Entrance. To confirm your seat, email: [email protected] or call 604-659-3432. Please identify which session you would like to attend. Seating is limited.

http://vimeo.com/channels/22348 http://vorg.ca/2971-Interesting-Vancouver-2008-Recap http://industrialbrand.com/blog/unconferences_very_interesting_indeed

http://interestingvancouver.com/

Local 350.org Events!

See below for some of the events happening October 24, 2009 in Vancouver. Check the website for events happening worldwide on this critical day for OUR PLANET.

EVENT WEBSITE: http://www.b ridgecoolpla net.ca/en/

EVENT WEBSITE: http://www.3 50.org/node/ 5833

ALL REGISTERED

EVENTS APPEAR IN ORANGE http://www.3 50.org/map

http://fishopolis.com

http://www.roundhouse.ca/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=133

SUSTENANCE will feature artwork by VanAqua’s own Cam MacDonald (C&E). http://www.cammacdonald.ca/home.htm

http://oneofakindvancouver.com/

FREE BREAKFAST! OCT. 3 9AM-NOON @ VPL: 350 W. GEORGIA. BRING DONATIONS!

http://www.naturespath.com/company/media/news/2009/09/28/food-bank-food-drive

http://www.gaininggroundsummit.com

Classified

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