JASON J. CZARNEZKI

“The Xinhua state news agency reported on April 20 that rising sea levels caused by global warming over the past three decades have contributed to a growing number of disasters along China’s coast. According to the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), sea levels have been rising on average 2.6 millimeters per year for the past 30 years, with coastal air temperatures rising 0.4 degrees Celsius, and sea temperatures rising 0.2 degrees Celsius. The SOA stated that the rising sea levels could lead to aggravated storm tides, coastal erosion, seawater invasion, and other disasters. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicted that China could be one of the biggest casualties of global warming in coming decades, with northern regions facing water shortages, decreased crop yields, and increasing sandstorms, whereas melting glaciers could increase flood risks in the south. The Chinese government plans to reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuels per unit of gross domestic product 17 percent in the next five years.”

Hat Tip: Patrick Parenteau

Everyone seems so cynical about Earth Day.  I just received this in my inbox:

Optimists should buy my book for the occassion.  Pessimists should buy this.

See here.

When I visited Sweden last month, citizens spoke of “strong society,” a goal and the platform that the public/society/social compact should provide its citizens with some basic services. When I watched “Waiting for Superman” last night (a very depressing film), the movie noted that while Americans are falling behind in math, reading, and education, we’re number #1 in thinking we’re doing great and better than anyone else (even though we’re not).

We’re We’re destroying our natural environment, the House wants to end Medicare, so many lack health care, our schools are in trouble, yet we have the strongest military in the world and politicians claim we’re the best at everything and the “greatest nation in the history of the Earth.”

I just want us to own the facts that our education and healthcare systems are failing, the rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer, and we’re number #1 in self-confidence and military strength.

Prosser wins by wins by 7,316, but the margin is below the 0.5% limit which will allow Kloppenburg to request a statewide recount. See here.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/04/everyday-environmentalism-book-review.php

Internship Opportunity

American Micro Dairies (AMD), a new non-profit organization that promotes the success of Micro Dairy farmers nationwide is offering a summer internship for 2011. The organization is currently working on a project that will be conducting interviews and researching current regulations that obtain to Micro Dairy farmers in the state of Vermont. The outcome of this project will be preparing a set of model regulations that can be further taken into effect by the state. These model regulations will be written in a manner that satisfies both the state and the farmers requirements. The end goal of this project is to allow Micro Dairy farmers to produce local farm fresh milk for direct sale in a safe and wholesome environment. This internship will involve researching Vermont’s regulations that obtain to farmers producing and selling dairy products on the farm, providing written documents, and field work. AMD is looking for a professional individual that is ambitious and willing to approach the various tasks given. Please send resume and writing sample to Program Director Ryen Leach at:

American Micro Dairies

P.O. Box 924

South Royalton, VT 05068

or via email amdairies@gmail .com

Voir Dire posts measures of state peacefulness.  The New England states fair very well, with Vermont ranked #3.  What is visually striking to me is the north-south divide.