Category: 2009 Society of Environmental Journalists conference

An energy haiku

Ants work in the lab

Cutting leaves, tending fungus

Will they save the world?

During a trip to the Department of Energy's Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, we observed a study being conducted on leaf-cutter ants. Scientists are observing how the insects disassemble leaves and break the pieces down to feed a fungus on which they, in turn, feed. The hope is that the ants' ability to break down cellulose can be harnessed to develop alternative fuels that use biomass instead of petroleum.

What is biomass? Basically, it is leftover plant parts - think corn husks. Biomass is difficult to break down, which has hampered its development as a widespread fuel source. But, the ants may teach us a quicker way to break down this material. The advantage of fuel created from biomass, as opposed to ethanol made from corn, is that it doesn't cut into the food supply. It simply takes leftover products and makes them useful again!

Pretty cool, huh?!

To learn more about lead scientist Cameron Currie's ant research, including another study on the ants and antibiotics, check out this video:

Category: 2009 Society of Environmental Journalists conference

A challenge for urban (and suburban) dwellers

"There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace." -- Aldo Leopold in "A Sand County Almanac"

During a session Sunday we were lucky enough to talk with conservationist Aldo Leopold's biographer, two of his children (respected scientists in their own right), a former chief of the U.S. Forest Service, and famed author and farmer Wendell Berry. During the discussion, a questioner asked how Leopold's philosophy of land ownership fit into the modern world, where the majority of people are city dwellers. How can people form a connection to the land when they have no or little interaction with it?

The answers included by participating in community supported agriculture, shopping at farmers markets and volunteering in natural areas. We have the opportunity to do all of those things here in southeastern Michigan whether by buying a plot in a CSA farm, shopping at Eastern market or donating our time at a Metropark or urban farm.

The day before the Leopold session, I had the opportunity to explore the farmers market in Madison, Wis., which we were told is the largest of its kind in the United States. The market encircled the state Capitol and was packed with people interacting with farmers, who did their best to show people, through photos and words, the land from which their food came. What a powerful statement, I thought, to have this market outside the Capitol. And, then I remembered that Michigan now has its own Capitol market.

So, we city Michiganians have ways to connect with the land, and the state is offering us encouragement. The question being, how can we appreciate something we don't know and if we don't know something, why would we act to conserve it?

But, following the Leopold session, questions about the author's land ethic continued to be the topic of informal discussion. Some wondered aloud whether the question had been correctly interpreted or if the real issue wasn't whether it is time for us to abandon the idea of land ownership as the core of our national character.

What do you think? How can urban and suburban dwellers best connect with the land? Is Leopold's land ethic outdated?

Category: 2009 Society of Environmental Journalists conference

Al Gore and more

Former Vice President Al Gore was cautiously optimistic in a speech Friday about the United Nations climate change summit that will be held this December in Copenhagen. He warned that our dependence on carbon-based fuels can be linked to not only climate change, but also economic turmoil and security threats worldwide. However, he pointed to promising areas of innovation that could help us wean ourselves off our dependence on carbon-based fuel, including greater efficiency, recapture of waste heat, battery advancements and solar, wind, and geothermal power. He noted that China - while often seen as a major polluter - has been making an effort to embrace these non-carbon fuel options and will be watching the U.S. closely in Copenhagen.

The ex-veep's appearance wasn't without controversy. One questioner came to the microphone to ask Gore about alleged inaccuracies in his film "An Inconvenient Truth," but was cut off after pressing his point. He cited a British court ruling and statistics that he said show polar bears, which the movie painted as threatened, are actually increasing in number. Gore denied the inaccuracies and asked, "Are you saying the polar bears are not in danger?" The questioner replied, "Are you denying the polar bear numbers are up?" "Are you saying the polar bears are not in danger?" Gore rattled back. They went on like this until the moderator broke in and moved the conversation along.

The moderator, by the way, was New York Times environment reporter Andrew Revkin, who contributes to the fabulous blog "Dot Earth."

To hear Al Gore's speech, compliments of Wispolitics.com, CLICK HERE.

Category: 2009 Society of Environmental Journalists conference

Something dirty's brewing in Canada

Did you know Canada replaced Saudi Arabia as the No. 1 oil supplier to the U.S. 7 years ago? Neither did I until I met Andrew Nikiforuk on Thursday in Madison, Wis., at the Society of Environmental Journalists conference. Last night, he won the prestigious Rachel Carson Environment Book Award for his work on "Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of a Continent." Today, I just happened to meet him in the stairway when I asked for directions to the registration table! He is very nice! Watch this video to learn more: