Trials by companies including Panasonic and Toyota are underway at 3,000 homes throughout Japan, to bring mini hydrogen power plants into backyards that will provide heat and power while emitting a fraction of the carbon dioxide of normal energy sources by using a hydrogen fuel cell to convert natural gas into electricity. It’s called a fuel cell cogeneration system.
Hydrogen in Every Home: Japanese Slash Energy Use and CO2 Emissions
From Behind a Desk to Behind a Turntable (Video)
With the economy declining and unemployment lines growing, some residents in New York are hoping to make an unusual career switch: trading in their blackberries for turntables. One deejay school has seen enrollment double in the past year.
(Watch the video below (it may take a moment to load), or at Clip Syndicate)
The New Internet Start-Up Boom: Get Rich Slow
At no other time in recent history has it been easier or cheaper to start a new kind of company. Possibly a very profitable company. Let’s call these start-ups LILOs, for “a little in, a lot out.” These are Web-based businesses that cost almost nothing to get off the ground yet can turn into great moneymakers (if you work hard and are patient, but we’ll get to that part of the story).
How do you get started? All that’s required is a great idea for a product that will fill a need in the 21st century. These days you’d do best if your idea either makes people money or saves them money.
New Orangutan Population Found in Indonesia
Conservationists have discovered a new population of orangutans in a remote, mountainous corner of Indonesia – perhaps as many as 2,000 – giving a rare boost to one of the world’s most critically endangered great apes.
Thanks to the team from The Nature Conservancy.
Encouraging Signs for Osprey
After the population of osprey in Massachusetts plummeted to 12 pairs in the 1960s, the majestic bird began a slow recovery starting after the banning on DDT in 1972. The state removed the osprey from its listing as a species of special concern when the nesting population hit 300 pairs. Today, there are between 1,000 to 1,500 osprey pairs that nest in southern New England.
(Read the full story at Cape Cod online)
(Photo by Mike Baird, CC license 2.0)
When is Forgiveness Appropriate?
On Easter Sunday the CBS Sunday Morning show explored the concept of forgiveness. One woman has forgiven the man who killed her son in a drunken driving crash, and now embraces him during public events where the two talk to high school students about drinking and driving.
Yet a parent of another boy killed in the same crash says his son will have died for nothing if he, the father, was to to offer any forgiveness whatsoever.
What is your view? Watch the video in the link below to hear from religious leaders and others on the case for forgiveness.
(You can also read the full story at CBS)
Thanks to Malcolm W. Henley for submitting the story link!
Obama Eases Restrictions on US Travel to Cuba
Yesterday, President Obama took initial steps to reach out to the Cuban people, fulfilling a campaign promise to lift travel restrictions and limits on money sent by Americans to Cuban family members.
The Secretaries of State, Treasury and Commerce will carry out the actions necessary to lift all restrictions on the ability of individuals to visit family members in that country, and to send them remittances.
He’s further directed that steps be taken to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian items directly to the Cuban people.
Highway Deaths Drop to Lowest Level Since 1961
The number of Americans killed on U.S. highways last year was the lowest since 1961, the Department of Transportation announced Monday.
The rate of deaths on U.S. highways also hit a record low last year — 1.28 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, down from 1.36 in 2007, the department said in a news release.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood credited more widespread seat belt use for the drop. High gas prices may have also played a roll, taking more drivers off the road.
Passenger Lands Plane After Pilot Dies
Saving four lives, a passenger landed a twin-engine plane at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers after the pilot died in flight.
(Read full story at New York Times)
Photo courtesy of Sun Star.
‘Super Sherpa’ Climbs to Clean Up Everest
Apa Sherpa has stood on top of the world more times than anyone in history, and now he is heading back up Mount Everest, not for the fame or glory, but in the name of environmental protection.
This spring season, Apa, 49, hopes to conquer Everest for the 19th time, bring down as much rubbish as he can carry. and also use the trip to focus attention on how climate change is affecting the Himalayas.
Kidnapped US Captain Rescued, Pirate Taken into Custody by Navy Seals
Navy Seals rescued an American sea captain in a surprise nighttime assault in choppy seas Easter Sunday, ending a five-day standoff and freeing the captain, who is in good health. The surviving pirate was taken into custody and is being treated humanely.
Video may take a moment to load…
Obama Hosts His First WH Easter Egg Roll (Video)
President Barack Obama and his family hosted hundreds of children on the South Lawn today for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.
Watch the video below showing the president helping a tiny girl who was having trouble moving her egg.
The Wait is Over: Obamas Choose First Dog
It’s decided: the Obamas have chosen a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog to be the first pet. It was a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy and fulfills the president’s election night promise to his daughters.
They named it Bo, after Bo Diddley, and Michelle’s father, whose nickname was Diddley.
(White House photos of Bo- arriving at the White House, and greeting the first family)
(Video below may take a moment to load.)
Church Building Destroyed but Congregation is Resurrected With New Purpose
Today, the Peace Baptist Church will hear the familiar story of Easter resurrection and rebirth.
And, rising again is something the 150-member congregation knows a thing or two about. Last spring, the church’s longtime home, a massive Classic Revival building, was consumed by fire, but soon members will break ground on a new building and begin with earnest to live the Easter message.
“God has shaken us,” said the Prince of Peace’s pastor for the past 18 years. “We have a greater awareness of our purpose.” He envisions more neighborhood outreach – more work with struggling families, more direct assistance in neighborhood schools.
Sears to Sell Suits Made from Recycled Water Bottles
Sears will roll out in May a Spring line of men’s suits made of the first high-tech fabric that blends wool with polyester spun from recycled plastic soda bottles.
And get this: This suit is machine washable and can be tossed in the dryer, eliminating the need for dry cleaning and upping the eco-friendly ante, Danser said.
Wind Officially Employs More than Coal Industry
In some promising “green jobs” news, the wind industry in the U.S. has now officially surpassed the coal mining industry in the number of people it employs. Wind industry jobs increased to 85,000 in 2008 while the coal industry remained the same at about 81,000 jobs.
The country made huge gains in wind energy in the past couple of years and that increase obviously created huge gains in employment as well. Last year, there was a 50 percent increase in installed wind capacity and a 70 percent increase in wind industry jobs over the year before. Off those jobs, 13,000 were in regions of the country that had seen a loss of manufacturing jobs in recent years. (Read more in Yahoo/EcoGeek)
2-Legged Dog Inspires Others (Video)
A tiny dog that was born without front legs is wowing and inspiring others. Her simple desire to get from one place to the next led her to learn to walk on her two hind legs.
Watch the video below, or with the CNN video player …
Finned Wetsuit Made for Sea Turtle With Only One Flipper (Video)
Allison, a green sea turtle with only one flipper, was outfitted in a black neoprene suit with a carbon-fiber dorsal fin on the back that allows her to glide gracefully with other turtles.
Watch the video below (it may take a moment to load)…
Artists Create Pastoral Scenes on Giant Easter Eggs for World Tour
In Croatia, self-taught artists are painting giant Easter eggs displaying their native art form, creating fanciful scenes on eggs that will travel the world.
Video may take a moment to load – click the “X” to close overlayed advertisement…
Sacred Balancing Stones
How complex and stressful the modern day lifestyle can be. With so much to “Do” there is hardly time to just “Be”. There is a balance that we try to achieve within our life of action and non-action: How much to push, how much to let go… Do I make more money, or spend less? When is enough, enough? Personally, through simplifying my life I have found more time to “Be” in a place of peace and balance.
The choice I made to prioritize simplicity in my life has led to letting go of many material things, including a fixed dwelling for a residence. I moved into a mobile home in the form of an RV, so I can move freely with the seasons. As a photographer this created many opportunities to spend extended periods of time in the natural world. With 100% solar generated electricity to power my computer work station, recharge camera batteries, etc. I am able to create my art in a multi-media way while traveling.
During this quest for peace and creativity, I discovered the art of ‘balanced stone sculptures’.