On Saturday, March 29, citizens around the world turned off their lights for an hour. This green act, Earth Hour, was done in order to demonstrate concern for climate change and energy use. "How did Earth Hour matter?". In retrospect we need to understand the significance of Earth Hour. Although individuals do make a difference, the hour the world turned off their lights did little to eliminate the dangers of carbon emission. However, the political fallout could be much more significant. Politicians respond to pressure, especially if they feel it has popular backing.  read more »

British Sci/Tech site The Register reports that the implications of cocaine use are more dire for the planet than they are for your health or your plans to carry on your life without a criminal record. The method by which cocaine is produced destroys some of the most valuable, biodiverse eco-systems on the planet. To compound matters, the actions of the Colombian government to try to stop cocaine growth are equally damaging.

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Because wolves were once on the verge of extinction they were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park. With the recovery of the wolf population federal protection will end later this month. Therefore, in order to keep track of wolf population a new technology will be introduced. It is called the Howlbox. The Howlbox will emit "wolf howls", that will fool wolves into responding to these calls. With audio software scientists will be able keep track of packs of wolves, as well as individual wolves.  read more »

In a recent study people who gave money away or purchased gifts for others reported more happiness.

Previous research has shown that money does increase happiness. Wealthier people are somewhat happier than poor. Elizabeth Dunn of the University of British Columbia took it one step further and looked at what people did with that money.  read more »

Maybe nice guys don't finish last; at least, according to a study done by the Harvard University. The research showed that after many iterations of a game, players that chose to punish ended up the losers.

The experiment involved a game of Prisoner's Dilemma with an added twist. This Rock, Papers, Scissors style game is based on the premise that two people are caught by the police and in the classic form of the game, each of the two players has a choice to either cooperate, or defect.  read more »

Invasive plants are one of the major dangers facing the American environment. Foreign plants introduced into our environment often destroy the local vegetation and can cause serious problems to an area's ecological habitat. In Yellowstone, the Canada thistle is changing the ecosystem of that area with surprising results. The rapid spread of the Canadian thistle has brought about an increase in the population of the grizzly bear and gophers, which thrive on the plant. Animals that can take advantage of a new food supply would prosper,however the danger is to species that can't adapt.  read more »

As a parent, I know how challenging it is to raise a child with little or no training or knowledge on what it takes to be a successful parent. The insecurities and doubts felt by parents who love their children and want to do their best for them can sometimes be overwhelming. I wrote this letter to my son, Leor, for his 30th birthday. It poured out of me like nothing I have ever written before. Over the course of the past three years, with Leor's permission, I have shared this letter with many of my clients with the intention of alleviating some of these insecurities.  read more »

With demands for energy continually rising and the price for oil and gas ever increasing solar power could be the answer. We are not talking about the kind that use panels on homes to produce power. This type would use mirrors to cover acres of desert to produce steam, by directing sunlight on a fluid, and powering turbines, which would produce electricity. There is still a long way to go, but plans are being made to construct ten new plants. Two prototype thermal plants were opened with the capacity to have the ability to power large hotels in Las Vegas.  read more »

A new initiative to end all wars is beginning on May 17th with a series of concerts in Beijing; Istanbul, Turkey; London; Johannesburg; and Miami, as well as the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Colombia, India and possibly other locations. This initiative developed by World Peace One is planning a 10-year global campaign of concerts, education and government advocacy.  read more »

We know the impact pollution has had on land and our atmosphere. Scientists are now looking at the impact of pollutions on our oceans. Scientist are discovering that agricultural runoffs and sewage, which are just a few of the ways we pollute our oceans, are having disastrous effects on our seas. About 40% of oceans areas are strongly effected. Waters that were once pristine are no longer so. Invasive species endanger indigenous species, causing great concern for their survival.  read more »