Total lunar eclipse visible Monday night

A total eclipse of the moon will be visible throughout North and Central America from 11:41 p.m. PST Monday until 12:53 a.m. Tuesday, the first such eclipse in almost three years.

Weather permitting, observers will see the moon enter the Earth's inner shadow, or umbra, at 10:33 p.m., with a red-brown shadow creeping across the bright moon. This shadow has a curved edge, a fact that was taken as proof to at least some ancients that the Earth is round. The sky will get darker as the shadow progresses across the moon, and more stars will be visible as sunlight reflected from the moon fades.

The total phase of the eclipse will last 72 minutes, then the moon will begin to emerge from the umbra, coming totally out of the inner shadow at 2:01 a.m.

Article courtesy of the Los Angeles Times by Thomas H. Haugh II

Cold-Weather Comforts: Give a Coat

Rather than throwing out an old winter coat, or even just dropping it off at the local thrift store, try giving it to someone who really needs it. The national project One Warm Coat is a good place to start if you're interested in simultaneously sparing a landfill and clothing a neighbor.

Article courtesy of The Green Life (green.life@sierraclub.org)

 

The oceans' SOS

The planet's great communal resource provides protein sources and oxygen and is used for transportation, recreation and inspiration. It's time to put it at the center of the climate change discussion.

The ocean is our global heat reservoir and one of two major carbon dioxide sinks. If you agree that humans are trapping heat and carbon dioxide in the planet's atmosphere — and 53 years of rigorous observations at Scripps and other research institutions show that we are — then the ocean must be at the very center of the climate discussion. But it rarely is.
Read more:  
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-haymetdickson-oceans-20101213,0,956649.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fmostviewed+%28L.A.+Times+-+Most+Viewed+Stories%29

Article courtesy of Los Angeles Times by Tony Haymet and Andrew Dickson

 

Folic acid levels are high enough in most people -- except the right people

Folic acid has been added to grain products for more than a decade in order to boost intake among women of reproductive age. The supplementation was endorsed after studies showed adequate levels of folic acid are necessary to prevent spinal cord defects and other birth defects. But a new study suggests everyone except reproductive age women are getting plenty of the nutrient.   Read more :
http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-folate-20101213,0,7281493.story

 

Article courtesy of Los Angeles Times By Shari Roan

New England turbine project may dwarf Cape Wind

A larger and more expensive wind farm than the controversial Cape Wind project is proposed for an area off the coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Deepwater Wind, which has previously proposed building up to eight turbines, yesterday unveiled ambitious plans to build as many as 200 turbines in deep federal waters south of the two states.

The $4 billion to $5 billion project, which needs both federal and state approvals, would be located about 15 miles southwest of Martha’s Vineyard and 15 miles southeast of Block Island. Read more  http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view/20101209new_england_turbine_project_may_dwarf_cape_wind/srvc=business&position=also

Article courtesy of the Boston Herald by Jay Fitzgerald

At Patriots' stadium, home team looks out for the environment

From the time visitors park at Gillette Stadium until they leave, the signs of environmental awareness are everywhere.Recycling bags are handed out at the parking lot.In and around the stadium, solar-powered compactors collect plastic bottles and cans.The toilets are flushed with water that has been recycled at the stadium’s own waste-water treatment plant.Some of the electricity for New England Patriots and New England Revolution games is generated by wind turbines in the Midwest

Read more  http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/articles/2010/12/05/patriots_stadium_in_foxborough_leads_ecofriendly_efforts/

Article courtesy of The Boston Globe by Michele Morgan Bolton

Proposed wind farm between RI and Mass. doubles in size

A proposed wind farm almost 14 miles off Martha’s Vineyard has doubled in size to 200 turbines, making it the largest proposed offshore wind farm in the U.S., according to its developers.

Deepwater Wind announced its plans this morning to build 50 turbines in federal waters between Rhode Island and Massachusetts and another 150 turbines about 25 miles from both states. The turbines would be barely visible from land, the developers say.

To read more    http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/greenblog/2010/12/proposed_wind_farm_between_ri.html

Article courtesy of The Boston Globe –Green Blog posted by Beth Daley

 

 

Don't Get Burned by Petroleum-Green Your Holidays: Candles

Whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or all of them, this week's tips will help you lessen your impact while you increase your joy.

If you're preparing to light a menorah tomorrow or stocking up on candles for Kwanzaa later this month, look for eco-friendly candles made from soy or beeswax instead of petroleum-derived paraffin. For better air quality, opt for unscented varieties. Keep wicks short to get more life out of your candles.

Article courtesy of The Green Life (green.life@sierraclub.org)