31 May 2010
27 March 2010
Earth Hour 2010
15 March 2010
09 March 2010
Unplugged Live Events!!

23 February 2010
08 February 2010
10 Most Amazing Extinct Animals
Tyrannosaurus Rex (extinct 65 million years ago) [Wiki]
Fossils of T. rex have been found in North American rock formations dating to the last three million years of the Cretaceous Period at the end of the Maastrichtian stage, approximately 68.5 to 65.5 million years ago; it was among the last dinosaurs to exist prior to the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event. More than 30 specimens of T. rex have been identified, some of which are nearly complete skeletons. Some researchers have discovered soft tissue as well. The abundance of fossil material has allowed significant research into many aspects of its biology, including life history and biomechanics.
Quagga: half zebra, half horse (extinct since 1883) [Wiki]
The quagga was originally classified as an individual species, Equus quagga, in 1788. Over the next fifty years or so, many other zebras were described by naturalists and explorers. Because of the great variation in coat patterns (no two zebras are alike), taxonomists were left with a great number of described "species", and no easy way to tell which of these were true species, which were subspecies, and which were simply natural variants. Long before this confusion was sorted out, thequagga had been hunted to extinction for meat, hides, and to preserve feed for domesticated stock. The last wild quagga was probably shot in the late 1870s, and the last specimen in captivity died on August 12, 1883 at the Artis Magistra zoo in Amsterdam.
Because of the great confusion between different zebra species, particularly among the general public, the quagga had become extinct before it was realized that it appeared to be a separate species. The quagga was the first extinct creature to have its DNA studied. Recent genetic research at the Smithsonian Institution has demonstrated that the quagga was in fact not a separate species at all, but diverged from the extremely variable plains zebra.
Thylacine: the Tasmanian Tiger (extinct since 1936) [Wiki]
The Thylacine became extinct on the Australian mainland thousands of years before European settlement of the continent, but survived on the island of Tasmania along with a number of other endemic species such as the Tasmanian Devil. Intensive hunting encouraged by bounties is generally blamed for itsextinction , but other contributory factors may have been disease, the introduction of dogs, and human encroachment into its habitat. Despite being officially classified as extinct, sightings are still reported.
Steller's Sea Cow: the defenseless beast (extinct since 1768) [Wiki]
Irish Deer: the largest deer that ever lived (extinct about 7,700 years ago) [Wiki - Photo: (c) The Field Museum, CK1T]
Discussion of the cause of their extinction has still focused on the antlers (rather than on their overall body size), which may be due more to their impact on the observer than any actual property. Some have suggested hunting by man was a contributing factor in the demise ofthe Irish Elk as it was with many prehistoric megafauna, even assuming that the large antler size restricted the movement of males through forested regions or that it was by some other means a "maladaptation". But evidence for overhunting is equivocal, and as a continental species, it would have co-evolved with humans throughout its existence and presumably have adapted to their presence.
Caspian Tiger: the third largest (extinct since 1970) [Wiki]
The body of this subspecies was quite stocky and elongated with strong legs, big wide paws and unusually large claws. The ears were short and small, and gave the appearance of being without hair on the tips. Around the cheeks the Caspian tiger was generously furred and the rest of its fur was long and thick. The colouration resembled that of the Bengal tiger. Male Caspian tigers were very large and weighed 169-240 kg. Females were not as large, weighing 85-135 kg. There are still occasional claims of the Caspian tiger being sighted.
Aurochs: a very large type of cattle (extinct since 1627) [Wiki]
By the 13th century A.D., the aurochs' range was restricted to Poland, Lithuania, Moldavia, Transylvania and East Prussia. The right to hunt large animals on any land was restricted to nobles and gradually to the royal household. As the population of aurochs declined, hunting ceased but the royal court still required gamekeepers to provide open fields for the aurochs to graze in. The gamekeepers were exempted from local taxes in exchange for their service and a decree made poaching an aurochs punishable by death. In 1564, the gamekeepers knew of only 38 animals, according to the royal survey. The last recorded live aurochs, a female, died in 1627 in the Jaktorów Forest, Poland. The skull was later taken by the Swedish Army and is now the property of Livrustkammaren in Stockholm.
In the 1920s two German zookeepers, the brothers Heinz and Lutz Heck, attempted to breed the aurochs back into existence (see breeding back) from the domestic cattle that were their descendants. Their plan was based on the conception that a species is not extinct as long as all its genes are still present in a living population. The result is the breed called Heck Cattle, 'Recreated Aurochs', or 'Heck Aurochs', which bears an incomplete resemblance to what is known about the physiology of the wild aurochs
Great Auk: largest of all auks (extinct since 1844) [Wiki]
Standing about 75 centimetres or 30-34 inches high and weighing around 5 kg, the flightless Great Auk was the largest of the auks. It had white and glossy black feathers. In the past, the Great Auk was found in great numbers on islands off eastern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Ireland and Great Britain, but it was eventually hunted to extinction. Remains found in Floridan middens suggest that at least occasionally, birds ventured that far south in winter as recently as in the 14th century.
Cave Lion: one of the largest lions ever (extinct 2,000 years ago) [Wiki]
Dodo: the archetype of extinct species (extinct since late 17th century) [Wiki]
08 January 2010
07 January 2010
Guide to Greener Electronics ranking interactive graphic
7.3Nokia -- Remains in first place with good scores on toxics use reduction, but loses points on energy. More...
6.9
Sony Ericsson -- Moves up with top marks on toxics elimination but weak on recycling. More...
5.3
Toshiba -- Good score on toxics elimination but needs to meet upcoming phase out commitment by March 2010. More...
5.3
Philips -- Loses points for failing to lobby for phase out of hazardous substance in legislation. More...
5.1
Apple -- Continues to improve, scoring best on eliminating toxic chemicals and e-waste criteria. More...
5.1
LG Electronics -- LG score improves, but is still penalized for postponing date for toxics phase out. More...
5.1
Sony -- Maintains overall score with better energy total, but needs to lobby for stronger chemicals legislation. More...
5.1
Motorola -- Slightly reduced score, due to lack of lobbying for stronger chemicals legislation. More...
5.1
Samsung -- Big drop due to penalty point for failing to meet commitment to phase out hazardous substances. More...
4.9
Panasonic -- Score unchanged, strongest on energy but poor on e-waste and recycling. More...
4.7
HP -- Improved position thanks to clear support for global emissions reductions, but needs to lobby for improved chemical legislation.More...
4.5
Acer -- Score unchanged but Acer is lobbying for stronger chemicals legislation.More...
4.5
Sharp -- Loses points due to poor information on toxics elimination and fails to support stronger chemicals legislation. More...
3.9
Dell -- Reduced score on energy criteria and penalty point for delaying toxics phase out till 2011.More...
3.5
Fujitsu -- Improved score due to support for global carbon emission reductions and cutting its own emissions.More...
2.5
Lenovo -- Score unchanged, with penalty point for indefinite delay on toxics phase out. More...
2.4
Microsoft -- Reduced score, fails to support strong chemicals legislation. More...
1.4
Nintendo -- Nintendo remains in last place with the same score. More...
Previous versions of the ranking in full:
Ranking criteria explained
The ranking criteria reflect the demands of the Toxic Tech campaign to the electronics companies. Our three demands are that companies should:
* Clean up their products by eliminating hazardous substances.
* Takeback and recycle their products responsibly once they become obsolete.
* Reduce the climate impacts of their operations and products.
The use of harmful chemicals in electronics prevents their safe recycling when the products are discarded. Companies scored marks out of 51 this has then been calculated to a mark out of 10 for simplicity.
Follow the more link beside each company for the full details of their score. The full criteria for scoring the companies is available. Download the full pdf of the scorecard.
Each score is based solely on public information on the companies website. Companies found not to be following their published policies will be deducted penalty point in future versions of the guide.
The guide is updated every few months. The current edition was published on January 7, 2010.
For more detailed explanation check our Q&A about the Guide to Greener Electronics.
Disclaimer: Our 'Guide to Greener Electronics' aims to clean up the electronics sector and get manufacturers to take responsibility for the full life cycle of their products, including the electronic waste that their products generate. The guide does not rank companies on labour standards, mining, or any other issues, but recognises that these are important in the production and use of electronics products. For more on the social impacts of the electronics industry visit Good Electronics and Make IT Fair.
Sursa: Greenpeace International
05 January 2010
Alege sa fii fericit acum, nu maine!
11 December 2009
Cele mai toxice 10 locuri de pe Pamant

Pe masura ce populatia lumii creste – in curand vom fi 7 miliarde – devine tot mai greu sa gasesti pe planeta Terra vreun loc neafectat de prezenta si activitatea oamenilor. Si, din pacate, in covarsitoarea majoritate a cazurilor, oamenii afecteaza negativ locurile in care traiesc. Nu pentru a mari sentimentul tragic al distrugerii planetei, ci pentru a incuraja eforturile celor ce se straduiesc pentru un Pamant mai curat, iata o lista cu 10 dintre cele mai poluate locuri de pe Terra. Ca sa ne aduca aminte ca suntem cu totii raspunzatori.
10. Raul Citarum - Indonezia
A fost numit cel mai murdar rau al lumii - un titlu pe care nimeni nu l-ar dori pentru cursul de apa in apropierea caruia traieste. In jur de 5 milioane de oameni traiesc in bazinul raului Citarum, si multi dintre ei il folosesc ca sursa de apa. La sfarsitul anului trecut, o mare banca Asian Development Bank - a acordat un imprumut de 500 de milioane USD pentru curatarea infectului curs de apa. Sa nadajduim ca, peste cativa ani, Citarum nu se va mai afla pe lista ca acesta.
9. Raul Yamuna, India
La fel de murdar si primejdios ca si Citarum, fluviul Yamuna, cel mai mare afluent al Gangelui, trece prin orasul Delhi - si asta spune aproape tot despre halul incare se afla. S-a estimat ca 58% din gunoiul produs de oras ajunge direct in Yamuna, ale carui ape sunt folosite de milioane de indieni atat pentru aruncarea gunoiului, cat si pentru spalat, gatit si baut.
8. Linfen, China
Orasul detine un trist record: e orasul cu cel mai poluat aer din intrega lume, fiind desemnat astfel in anul 2007, intr-un raport realizat de Blacksmith Institute, o organizatie americana specializata in proiecte legate de combaterea poluarii. Inconjurat de mine de carbune si termocentrale care folosesc ca sursa de energie tot carbunele, Linfen - oras cu peste 4 milioane de locuitori - e asfixiat cronic de un fum negru care intuneca vazduhul. Se spune ca, daca usuci rufele afara, n-ai nici o sansa sa le iei curate de pe franghie.
7. Girul nord-pacific
Ce e acolo? Pai e faimoasa - tragica faima - groapa de gunoi a Pacificului. Datorita unor curenti oceanici care converg in aceasta zona si cara cu ei gunoaiele ce plutesc in apele oceanice, aici s-a format o insula plutitoare de mizerii, de dimensiuni enorme. Suprafata ei a fost estimata ca fiind aproximativ dubla fata de cea a statutului american Texas (al doilea ca marime din SUA); asta inseamna cca. 1.400.000 km patrati, o cifra inspaimantatoare. Pe acesta intindere imensa - si coborand pana la 10 metri sub suprafata apei - pluteste o ingramadeala hidoasa de gunoaie, cele mai multe fiind deseuri din plastic, de genul PET-urilor pe care, cu atata nonsalanta, le arunca unii in apa. Existenta acestei monstruozitati afecteaza grav viata animalelor marine. Multe dintre acestea mor intoxicate de plasticul pe care il inghit nestiind, bietele, ca aceea nu e hrana, ci otrava.
6. Lacul Karaciai, Rusia
Un raport asupra desurilor nucleare, eleborat de Worldwatch Institute, desemna acest lac drept cel mai poluat loc de pe planeta. Timp de ani in sir, a fost folosit de Uniunea Sovietica drept groapa de gunoi pentru depozitarea deseurilor radioactive, iar acum nivelul de radiatii e atat de ridicat, incat un om neprotejat ar incasa o doza letala dupa numai o ora de expunere.
5. Kabwe, Zambia
Dupa decenii de extragere si prelucrare a minereurilor, Kabwe s-a transformat intr-un loc atat de toxic, incat nici nu intelegi cum de pot trai oamenii aici. Siroaie de apa incarcate cu plumb si cadmiu se scurg de pe dealurile golase, otravind totul. In sangele copiilor, nivelul de plumb este de 10 ori mai mare decat prevad normele occidentale, iar solul este atat de rau contaminat, incat oamenii nu pot cultiva nimic.
4. Appalachia, West Virginia, SUA
Exploatarile miniere de suprafata in zonele montane reprezinta una dintre cele mai devastatoare activitati umane, in ceea ce priveste impactul asupra mediului. Iar efectul e cum nu se poate mai vizibil in locuri ca acesta: in Muntii Appalachi din statul americam West Virginia, munti intregi sunt rasi, strat cu strat, in cautarea carbunelui. Lantul consecintelor este dezastruos: cresterea eroziunii, antrenarea de catre apa a poluantilor, care otravesc astfel raurile si paraiele din intreaga regiune.
3. Dzerzhinsk, Russia
Acesta detine nefericitul record - inscris in Guinness Book - de "orasul cu cea mai puternica poluare chimica". In 2003, rata mortalitatii a fost aici de doua ori si jumatate mai mare decat rata natalitatii. Intre 1930 si 1998, peste 300.000 tone de reziduuri chimice au fost depozitate aici fara respectarea normelor de siguranta, iar efectele oribile ale acestei otraviri in masa se resimt si azi si vor mai fi evidente inca multa vreme.
2. Bazinul raului Riachuelo, Argentina
Spui Riachuelo, spui poluare. De-a lungul acestui curs de apa, care trece si de-a lungul marginii sudice a capitalei argentiniene, Buenos Aires, se insiruie peste 3500 de fabrici de toate felurile, nenumarate conducte de canalizare, ilegal amplasate, care-si deverseaza continutul de-a dreptul in rau, 13 asezari tip bidonville si peste 40 de gropi de gunoi deschise, fara nici un fel de protectie.
1. Orbita Pamantului
Da, orbita terestra e, oricat ar parea de ciudat, plina de mizerii. E mult mai poluata decat ne putem imagina. Se estimeaza ca aproximativ 2 milioane de kg de gunoi cosmic - suruburi, nituri, piulite, tot felul de alte bucati de metal si de ce-o mai fi, chiar si vehicule spatiale intregi - se invart prin spatiu, in jurul planetei, amenintand sa izbeasca si sa deterioreze satelitii, sa deranjeze comunicatiile si chiar sa puna in pericol vietile astronautilor.
Acesta e Pamantul pe care traim.
SURSA: http://www.descopera.ro/natura/5137813-cele-mai-toxice-10-locuri-de-pe-pamant
08 December 2009
27 November 2009
I believe in Miracles
cantata tribut de Pearl Jam..
Versurile sunt bestiale si chiar se potrivesc cu ceea ce cred eu.. Miracolele exista, si daca nu, ar trebui create. Oricum, miracolele se intampla numai daca credem cu adevarat ca ele exista!
"I used to be on an endless run
Believed in miracles 'cuz I'm one
I've been blessed with the power to survive
After all these years I'm still alive
I'm out here kickin with the band
I am no longer a solitary man
Everyday my time runs out
Live like a fool, that's what i was about
Oh I belive in miracles
I believe in a better world for me and you
Oh Oh I believe in miracles
I believe in a better world for me and you
Tattooed your name on my arm
I always said my girl's a good luck charm
If she can find a reason to forgive
Then i can find a reason to live
I used to be on an endless run
Believed in miracles 'cuz I'm one
I've been blessed with the power to survive
After all these years I'm still alive
Oh I belive in miracles
I believe in a better world for me and you
Oh Oh I believe in miracles
I believe in a better world for me and you
I close my eyes and think how it might be
the future's here today
it's not too late, it's not too late oh
I belive in miracles
I believe in a better world for me and you
Oh I believe in miracles
I believe in a better world for me and you"
25 November 2009
18 October 2009
18 September 2009
07 September 2009
Cand inconstienta doare atunci cand e constientizata!
Mai mult, orbiti de egoism si indiferenta mai au si tupeul de a ironiza, critica si chiar de a se simti superiori celorlalti! Nimic mai fals decat aceasta atitudine!
Rezultatul?? O masa maaare de oameni inconstienti de raul pe care il fac, complet iresponsabili, si axati numai pe consum. Da! Pentru ca asta am devenit, o populatie de consum. Nu se mai face nimic pentru calitate, de inventat mai rarutz ca-i mai dragutz, si lista poate continua la infinit.
Daca incerci sa faci ceva bun, esti acuzat de egoism, ca esti manat de interese politice, antisemism, comunism , si mai gasesc ei ceva. Pur si simplu nu pot accepta sau concepe ca tu vrei de fapt sa ajuti lumea intreaga. Altruismul nu mai exista in viziunea lor cu ochelari de cal!
Concluzia? daca exista sau daca reusim sa ne-o formam, oricum din punctul lor de vedere este gresita, asa ca de ce sa ne mai complicam?! Oricum am da-o tot nu e suficient de bine, desi ei nu se implica nici cat negru sub unghie.
Totusi nu trece zi sa nu ma gandesc la acesti oameni, pentru ca din cauza lor planeta moare. Nu le place sa isi asume responsabilitatea pentru greselile facute, nu se gandesc decat la prezent indiferent cat de tare se bat ei cu pumnul in piept ca tin la copii lor, nu se gandesc cat de gri este acesta numai pentru lor le este prea comod, ca sa nu zic altfel, sa isi separe gunoiul, sa nu arunce pe strada, sa nu mai foloseasca atat masina, numai pentru ca da bine.
Daca am realiza cu totii ca nu suntem chiar asa de diferiti, ca banii care ne fac pe noi reprezinta doar un concept, ca toate lucurile pe care detinem nu ne fac mai fericiti si nici nu ne definesc, atunci am reusi sa schimbam ceva in lumea asta, si poate chiar sa o salvam.
.....
.. neterminat...
ca si viataza de altfel..
20 August 2008
On the extinction Path!
Nu stiu cine se gandeste la asta, dar eu ma gandesc destul de des ca o sa ajungem si noi pe cale de disparitie , ca aproape toate animalele de pe planeta: elefanti, gheparzi, tigri, specii intregi de pesti, balene, specii de pasari, si cate ar mai fi.. Ele ajung pe care de disparitie din cauza omului
La fel ca dupa era dinozaurilor.
Si asa cum noi incercam sa dam viata dinozaurilor si sa ne imaginam ce s-a intamplat cu ei, poate ca si noi o sa fim descoperiti ca o civilizatie pierduta in propriul consum.
13 August 2008
Destinatie: acum!
Va intrebati de ce mereu avem un ideal? un scop, un tzel...?
Va intrebati de ce e necesar acest scop? Ca sa ne dea speranta, sau ca sa ne dea vointa de a continua, de a ajunge undeva?
Pana la urma, scopul este pentru a ne da linistea sufleteasca ca trebuie sa facem ceva cu viata noastra pentru a ne atinge tzelul. Dar mai important decat scopul este drumul in sine pe care il parcurgem.
Imaginati-va cum ar fi sa ne atingem toate scopurile din prima, fara sa ne oprim si sa vedem pe unde mergem, fara sa ne uitam in stanga sau in dreapta, fara sa admiram privelistea sau sa ne bucuram de o adiere de vant (cati dintre noi mai fac asta sau mai realizeaza cat de placut este sa uiti de tine ascultand zgomotele normale?), fara sa ne uitam la cer intr-o noapte senina la mare sau la munte sau sa admiram luna, fara sa ne bucuram de felul in care orasul prinde viata. Ca sa fim sinceri acum, trebuie sa recunoastem ca s-au uitat de mult aceste lucruri. Nici cand facem o pauza de munca nu mai facem nimic pentru noi. Nu ne lasam dreptul la esec, la o mica pauza. Sunt mult prea multi care gandesc ca aceste lucruri nu mai conteaza, incat ceea ce scriu pare banal si poate chiar prostesc. Dar cea mai mare greseala este ca uitam sa fim copii indiferent de varsta; uitam sa visam si ne afundam din ce in ce mai mult in agitatia unei zile pline de munca, in linistea pe care ne-o da acea monotonie construita in jurul nostru.
Frica de a trai, frica de a fi liberi, frica de a nu mai depinde de nimeni, aceste lucruri ne tin departe de fericirea care ne este atat de la-ndemana.
Singurul lucru pe care nu il vedem si pe care nu il realizam este acela ca pana la urma, mai important decat scopul in sine este drumul parcurs pana acolo. Nu destinatia, ci drumul ne face oameni. Si cum noi vrem totul cat mai repede si daca se poate Acum!, ne pierdem pe noi insisi.
Avem o viata intreaga pentru a ne gasi drumul catre scopul ales. De ce sa nu fie unul placut?
