Archive for the 'Ecology' Category

Lovebugs and Others

Tuesday, May 6th, 2008

I’ve never noticed lovebugs around New Orleans before, though they’re supposed to be common all along the Gulf Coast during certain times of the year. Then again, New Orleans isn’t really on the coast — though the coast is getting closer every day.
Anyway, I’ve been seeing the lovebugs here for the first time over this [...]

The Quake of ‘89

Friday, April 18th, 2008

All my friends and relations up in Indiana are talking about the earthquake last night.
None of them seem to remember the Quake of ‘89 as well as I do. Mom thought it was 87, JB thought it was 86, and Lee doesn’t recall a quake in his lifetime. But I remember it like it was [...]

Favor

Wednesday, March 7th, 2007

This one is for my friends and readers who don’t live here in South Louisiana.
Do me a favor. Please.
First, when you’ve got a few minutes to spare, take a look at this interactive multimedia presentation. It requires Flash and you’ll want to have your speakers turned on.
(For extra credit, you can read the three part [...]

Fattening Anoles

Wednesday, July 12th, 2006

New Orleans has been visited by a truly biblical plague of flies since the flood waters receded. You can’t eat food outside without being blanketed by a swarm.
However…

I’ve noticed the friendly little lizards around our house (mostly anoles and a few geckos) are getting fatter lately, and that makes me happy. Nature has a way [...]

Anti-Interstatism

Thursday, May 18th, 2006

The most radical proposal I heard at last weekend’s AIA conference: Tear down the stretch of I-10 that passes through the center of New Orleans and restore North Claiborne to its former grandeur, routing interstate traffic onto 610 instead. I’m all for it.

Gulf Coast Levees and Arctic Oil

Monday, December 19th, 2005

According to a story in the Biloxi Sun Herald:
Proponents of ANWR drilling are attempting to use Katrina relief to help push through a measure they’ve supported for more than 20 years. The ANWR proposal includes a provision to devote a portion of government revenue from drilling to improve the levee system protecting New Orleans and [...]

Eco-heresy

Monday, April 25th, 2005

Stewart Brand has written an interesting article on how ideas within the environmental movement may change on four key topics. I’m sold on the first two (overpopulation, urbanization) but I’ve still got major reservations about the second two (GMOs, nuclear power).

The End of Oil

Friday, April 22nd, 2005

I’ve been seeing a lot of hype about the “end of oil” lately. This article in the Guardian is the latest and seems pretty balanced.

I-69

Thursday, April 21st, 2005

Hmmmm… Maybe I’ll go to Indiana this summer.

Blame Us

Friday, February 18th, 2005

Just in case anyone was still in doubt, a new study indicates humans are definitely to blame for global warming.

Kyoto

Wednesday, February 16th, 2005

The Kyoto Protocol goes into effect today. It’s the most biggest environmental accord ever, but the biggest polluter isn’t on board.