ecoHVAC

07/25/2013

Think efficiency. Think Smart.

07/25/2013

This photograph illustrates a small component of the upcoming National Climate Assessment, set to come out in 2014, which provides Congress with the most up-to-date information on the state of climate change in the country from more than 240 contributing climate scientists. The last report was published in 2009.

07/18/2013

Ocean acidification Part 2. A collapse in the krill population due to ocean acidification would not only mean serious economic implications — since the crustacean is the region's largest fishery resource — but also dire consequences for whales, seals, penguins and an entire ecosystem of animals that depend on krill as a primary food source.

Antarctic krill is a keystone species in the fragile Southern Ocean ecosystem. Without a stable base of krill to support regional predators, each link in the food chain would deteriorate, eventually causing a whole-ecosystem collapse.

Bring down those CO2 emissions!

07/17/2013

And seen from a lounge chair...

07/17/2013

ABOVE: The Mediterranean Sea from Space
The ocean absorbs approximately one-third of all human-caused carbon dioxide emissions at a rate of 300 tons per second, which helps slow global climate change. But, due to that carbon dioxide absorption, the ocean is now 30 percent more acidic than before the Industrial Revolution, and the rate of change in ocean pH, called ocean acidification, is likely unparalleled in Earth’s history.

With today’s levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide so high, the ocean’s help comes at a cost to marine life and the millions of people who depend on healthy oceans.

07/12/2013

07/12/2013

President Barack Obama is preparing to bypass Congress on climate change and use his executive powers on everything from power plants to energy standards for appliances.The White House plan is expected to rely on a series of executive actions that various federal agencies can take to address greenhouse gas emissions. The president said he would make such a move in his State of the Union address in February if Congress failed to act.

The president will outline the climate plan last Tuesday in a highly anticipated speech, and though official details are still under wraps, a top White House official said last week the president’s agenda will focus broadly on Environmental Protection Agency regulations, energy efficiency and renewable power.

07/05/2013

The Earth, she is alive! 55 miles from Mexico City, rumblings from Mexico's most well known volcano forced several U.S. airlines to cancel flights in the country's capital on Thursday. Popocatepetl volcano has let out nearly 100 bursts of steam, gas and ash in the past 24 hours, the National Center of Disaster Prevention said.

07/02/2013

These cup corals were found in large numbers in the waters near Tristan da Cunha which is about half way between Cape Town, South Africa and Cape Horn, South America in the South Atlantic Ocean at depths between 492 to 984 feet. Beautiful.

06/28/2013

You are looking at "skyglow" also refered to as night pollution. LEED Sustainable Sites credits encourage strategies that minimize the impact on ecosystems and water resources. If your building minimizes light trespass to the atmosphere, you could be eligible for SS Credit 1 for 1 LEED point. We insist on cooling inside spaces within plus or minus 2 degrees during the day and then light up the sky at night. No wonder the utiliiy companies are so good at counting Benjamins.