Rustle the Leaf - Global warming animated short.

First off, don't actually click the image to watch, you have to click HERE.

Secondly I thought that after stooping to the level of putting up a Futurama clip (which some might have recognized from "An Inconvenient Truth") then I figured I could also use November's Rustle the Leaf animated short about global warming.

Not only am I pointing this out so that the fine folks over at Rustle the Leaf get some good credit but also to try and spread the word about environmental teaching aids.

COUGH COUGH (Rustle the Leaf has tons of information about this.)

Right, well I think I beat that drum rather successfully.

Non-Kyoto compliance and enforcement

This is pretty much an older news item but one that I have been watching with some interest. I made a conscious effort not to comment on it until I could study it more and figure out exactly what it meant. The November 13th proposal during the UN Climate Change Conference in Nairobi by France's Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin to place taxes on imports from nations not complying with the Kyoto Protocol (mentioned here a billion times so far) by 2012 seemed rather interesting.

I suppose the wording and intent of the proposal was what really caught my eye. Early reports stated that the actual proposal would affect nations that refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol. That in itself is a problem as nations such as the United States actually did sign but have yet to ratify the pact and make it part of our national agenda. Or what about Canada, who has signed the Protocol but does not expect to meet it's 2012 goals? Will it also be penalized?

Perhaps supposition of this is moot anyway. De Villepin's plan to have created a more solidified plan of action by spring 2007 relies on WTO trade treaty provisions and obligations as neither the Kyoto Protocol nor the Climate Change Convention currently have the authority to create and enforce trade restrictions. Unilateral trade restrictions will no doubt be challenged by the United States as the current administration has already voiced intent to remove itself from the Protocol and while the US has never really ratified the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties the "State Department has stated in the past that it considers the Vienna Convention to be a codification of customary international law and hence also binding on the US". This allows the US to use Article 18 which states that even though the US was a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol if it (US) “shall have made its intention clear not to become a party to the treaty" it will no longer be bound to adhere to Kyoto restrictions.

So what does this really mean? That even were the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention no Climate Change) to impose tariffs upon countries not following the Kyoto Protocol to reduce GHG (Green House Gases) that there already exists a rather gaping hole in the ability to enforce such tariffs.

Even inserting trade language into the current Kyoto Protocol to allow for the ability of an international body to impose and collect tariffs would possibly open the entire protocol up to re-examination and could eventually undermine the entire intent of such an important international convention. Some thoughts have been to actually adjust the duties of the UNFCCC and grant them the power to impose and enforce more stringent standards.

While currently a "hot button" issue, due to the widespread acceptance by the scientific community backing human based global warming as well as most industrialized societies actually wanting to accept the responsibility that planning for change brings I cannot imagine why any nation would want the mantle of not supporting stricter international regulations on GHG or other pollutions as an attempt to protect humanity as a whole. It seems to fly in the face of any political parties inherent interest to protect it's citizens.

Resources:
Comments on the Proposed Use of Trade Sanctions Against Non-Kyoto States

Kyoto Protocol Primer

Interactive: What is the Greenhouse Effect?

Cute Polar Bear Cubs in Trouble care of Ms. Marjie

Matt Groening's "NONE LIKE IT HOT" Care of "Futurama"

National Buy Local Day - Nov. 18th

If anyone were to take the time to read any of my past posts you might wonder if I was all ahead of the curve with my lament upon finding a starting place to research for an attempt at beginning a 150mi. diet.

Recently I have decided that in order to become fiscally solvent (in any sort) I should stop wasting money on prepared foods when I can make stuff just as tasty (and I enjoy cooking) cheaper by myself. The major problem with this is that I do not currently live by myself and there are annoyances whenever I begin attempting to cook. Anyway, I am still contemplating my attempt at starting my 150mi diet and hopefully will use National Buy Local Day as a springboard.

I really don't know how in depth I can go into this topic. I suppose I could start listing all the reasons one would want to buy local goods. How about that?

1. Supports the local economy. That one is easy. You actually put money directly into the pockets of your neighbors every time you purchase a local product. That allows your neighbors to purchase goods for themselves, each time putting money into the local economy which pays for things such police and fire protection, health, infrastructure, possibly education (depending on how your local tax system is set up).

2. Purchasing local goods protects human rights. Strange but true. Many of the goods that are purchased from "Big Box" stores are manufactured in countries that do not demand wages or working conditions equivalent to what we would expect here. What does that mean? It means that there are children working in factories to make your shoes or designer jeans. Think for a second about what that means about you as a person. By purchasing local goods you can trace the path of your good back to the raw materials. You know not only who worked on it but who can be held responsible if it doesn't live up to expectations.

3. Purchasing local does wonders for the environment. Now I know that the United States currently doesn't hold the most stellar record for halting pollution during manufacturing but by purchasing local you are saving energy that would be used to transport those goods. Imagine your shoes coming over from Asia. Are you the type of person who walks to the corner store instead of driving? Then why do you think it is reasonable for your shoes to come over on a giant boat from some far off country you have only seen on TV?

4. Purchasing local makes you part of the community. It makes you an independent investor in where you live. You are making a conscious choice to put money into your local economy and are creating opportunity for more smaller businesses to thrive. These smaller businesses will bring diversity and competition. They will create a dialogue of various styles and choices and provide an increasing array of new things to try and discover.

So please, take one day (I know asking for a Saturday is a big deal) but try and visit some local shops, visit some smaller boutiques, maybe even a local farmer's market. Say hello to the proprietor and maybe make a new friend. Then just imagine, if you find a shop you like, how you can share that knowledge with your other friends. Imagine the difference you can make.

Winter Cycling in Ohio

As Cleveland begins to enter the typical season of wacky winter wonderousness usually attributed to bitter winds, driving snow, sleet and ice, short days (I already miss the sunshine) and the arduous act of preparing oneself to go outside and face the weather many of us are packing up our more mild weather goods. From kayaks to lawnmowers, wind surf boards to kites, many of our "toys" are prepared for the long winter hiatus. Being a Clevelander I won't go into how even our grills never really get put away, instead I am going to concentrate on another "summer sport", cycling.

For many cycling is more then just a leisure activity, it is a means of responsible and healthy conveyance and many Clevelanders actively enjoy it. Personally I love my new bike and actually taking the time and effort to do a little bit of research and investing in a bike that was by far more comfortable (and a touch more expensive) then my Big Box Brand generic ride keeps me interested. While I will actively bemoan the fact that my new job does not currently provide facilities for those that would like to commute into work via bicycle I like to think that someday (with enough prodding) that amenities will be created.

I am sure that many would argue that expecting to ride a bicycle into work is fine for the summer, but, as the previous paragraphs suggest, what about the winter? Well my friends, there are quite a few people that enjoy their bikes in the winter too. Enough that the Ohio City Bike Co-op held a seminar on that very topic. The Winter Riding Seminar included tips regarding proper attire (quite a big portion of staying warm in the winter), cycle maintenance, and proper equipment. If anything it is an easy read and should at least make you realize that winter cycling isn't really that difficult or intimidating.

Of course there are many such places to find good tips about winter riding. Just Google search will bring up a plethora of tips and ideas. I suppose though, the most difficult portion of bike riding, bridges the seasons. By that I mean the legalities and laws of riding a cycle on a public way.

Recently Ohio updated it's bicycle safety laws with the passage of HB 389 which actually became effective in September of this year. While not perfect there are some noted improvements and anyone who is going to be out on a bike on a public road should do their best to educate themselves on the proper way to operate their vehicle. I suppose I could go into an entire rant on how bikes ARE considered vehicles and SHOULD be allowed safe operating space and should be respected but I don't think I could go down that line of thought without also pointing out that a lot of cyclists don't follow the laws themselves and actually could be aggravating the aggressive behavior of many drivers out there. Some of you jerks know who I am talking about.

Regardless, it would behoove you to check out some of the nice resources I went through all the trouble to collect for you. Besides, a lot of the people involved in said resources are pretty nice and fun to talk to anyway.

Ohio Bicycle Federation
Cleveland Bikes
Ohio Revised Code
Chapter 45 XLV (Traffic Laws)
Chapter 45.11 (Rules of the Road)
Chapter 45.13 (Equipment Rules)

-Image taken from Crash Course another site offering winter riding tips.

Timely: Viktor Schreckengost and Cleveland's Chinatown

Alright, today is a trifecta. That should make up for my slacking on posting anything new and exciting yesterday.

Well, in a somewhat scary coincidence the Cleveland Plain Dealer ran an article with a somewhat dubious tagline that combined two of my recent posts. Perhaps I have a fan? Naw. Anyway Mr. Viktor Shreckengost is has what is quickly becoming my favorite last name to type designed a wonderful fiberglass pig which will be decorated by local artists and placed throughout Cleveland's Chinatown in front of the various businesses that sponsor them.

You probably remember the Year of the Dog, dogs and the plan is the same for these friendly pigs. So far the St. Clair Superior Development Corporations has contacted about 300 local artists asking them to submit proposals and plan to whittle the selection down to about 25 in the upcoming couple of weeks.

For details you can call Katharyne Starinsky, commercial development manager at 216.881.0644.

Chinese Zodiac Page for fun

City Fresh Forum: Local Foods, Mental Health and Nutrition

City Fresh Forums: Local Foods, Mental Health and Nutrition
Thursday, November 16, 2006
6.00pm - 8.00pm

Urban Community School 4909 West Lorain

Just a Reminder that The New Agrarian Society and City Fresh are hosting a special forum on poor nutrition and it's correlation to high incidences of physical and mental health problems.

Presenters:
Punam Ohri-Vachaspati, PhD with Ohio State University Extension
Jennifer Scofield with the Cleveland Department of Public Health
Dr. Farah Munir, DO with University Hospitals

More info here that I already mentioned and made links and even embedded a pretty little image.

E4S - Celebrate the 2006 Champions of Sustainability

Entrepreneurs for Sustainability (E4s)
Celebrate the 2006 Champions of Sustainability
Thursday, November 16th, 2006
Great Lakes Brewing Company, Tasting Room
2701 Carroll Ave, Cleveland, OH
5.30 pm - 8.30pm

Entrepreneurs for Sustainability is a local grass roots group that works in conjunction with other small local organizations to create a meeting space and dialogue between those that are marketing green products, those that use green products and those that are interested in how green products work.

Throughout the year E4S holds a "Third Tuesday Network Event" which are typically held the third Tuesday of every month (Turkey Day is throwing everything off this year) and are free 3 hour long networking events that have key speakers regarding that night's specific topic from environmentally friendly landscaping to solar power. They are pretty informational and I try to catch as many as I can.

This specific event is to celebrate Champions of Sustainability that have been nominated and chosen by their peers and whom represent local business owners who are educating the public and strengthening the "green design" stance in Cleveland through their business or volunteer activities.

It should be a fun event to cap off a good year for E4S. This event is FREE and held in a wonderful brewery's tasting room but you should at least register. Which you can do when you Click Here for more information.