Gratitude Month - Natural Resources

Did you know that in about 40 years we will have used up all of the Earth's supply of helium?  

 

 

I first heard about a helium 'shortage' several months ago, but brushed it off as some conspiracy theorists new way of panicking the public.   However, I found out first hand that this conspiracy theory might have some truth to it, when trying to find helium to finish Delaney's birthday present.   I went to three locations, and all three of them were completely out of helium and they didn't know when they were getting more.   Hmmm....

 

One might say that the depletion of helium reserves isn't that important, who really NEEDS that Hello Kitty balloon anyway, right?   Well helium obviously isn't just used for balloons.

 

A recent article on Slate.com has this to say...

 

"While its best-known use may be filling balloons and making people who inhale it squeak like Mickey Mouse, the element’s scientific uses are arguably more valuable. No other gas is as light without being combustible. Those properties, as well as its very low boiling point and high thermal conductivity, make it indispensable for aerospace engineering, deep-sea diving, and cryogenics. So, while a world with no more balloons is a sad specter, without liquefied helium we wouldn’t be able to make superconducting magnets like those in MRIs"

 

So, say what you will about those nutty environmentalists who are always harping on the public to be more conscious of how we use our natural resources, I think they have a point....and it isn't about whether you swing red or blue in your political persuasions, the environment obviously affects us all and is affected by us all.

 

Enjoy the parade tomorrow, and when you see that new Hello Kitty balloon go by, take a moment to be thankful for helium.

 



Utah Wildflowers

I went for a hike up by Brighton Ski Resort today to see if there were any late blooming wild flowers. Usually wildflower season peaks around the first part of August, but because we had such a wet spring and had snow so late in the season the wildflowers were still abundant. Now I just need to identify them with my handy dandy googling skills.

I am grateful today to live in such a beautiful area.

Happy Earth Day!

In honor of Earth Day 2011, I am posting some pictures of the prettiest places I have ever seen, and I have seen alot of places. These are all in the United States and all on the western side of the United States. We are very lucky people to get to live in such a gorgeous place.

Mostly because I should be working instead of blogging, but also because it might be fun to guess, I am not titling these pictures. At least 3 of them are of places in Utah.

Now go out there and enjoy the earth!!

Happy Earth Day!

I know that there are many people that think "going green" is fruity and that Global Warming is just something that conspiracy theorists and bleeding heart liberals made up to create green consumerism.

And maybe all of that is true....

But...

Is it really that bad to try and create a cleaner, healthier environment for ourselves and our children? Is it really that bad to want to reduce waste, to breathe clean air, to drink clean water, to eat fresh food, to preserve beautiful landscapes, and to protect animals...?

I don't think so, but then that's me.

Recently I have seen two movies that have inspired me to be more conscious about my choices.

The Cove

If you are an animal lover, this will break your heart.

And...

Oceans

Kate and I were fortunate to be able to see a special preview of this movie on Monday before it came out in theaters...and it was beautiful.

Also...

Did you know that there is a garbage patch that is twice the size of Texas that stretches from the coast of California to the coast of Japan and that in some areas it reaches up to 90 feet deep? And that there are at least 5 such (although not as large) garbage patches in different oceans all over the world?

Did you know that thousands and thousands of marine mammals die each year due to the ingestion of toxic plastic particles? And that those same plastic particles are also ingested by the fish that we so happily eat and therefore are ingested back into our system. I guess some would say that is Poetic Justice.

Most important of all though is what we as individual citizens can do to make a difference.
Here are a few ideas that I have been working on in my daily life, what are some of your ideas?
1. Take re-usable bags to the grocery store
2. Refill a re-usable water bottle rather than single use bottles
3. If your city offers it, take advantage of recycling programs
4. Conserve energy by turning off lights, reducing the use of air conditioning (I am horrible at this), etc.
5. Pay attention to how you use water
6. Walk or take mass transit when possible

Anyway, Happy Earth Day everyone!