What's Happening in the Local Environmental Scene and Beyond
For the first time in recorded history, the Arctic sea ice cap is an island. Recent satellite images indicate that both the northwest and northeast polar passages are now open, making it possible to circumnavigate the globe above Europe, Asia and North America. Last year's Arctic sea ice reached a record low; this year's melt is on pace to surpass that record.
On Tuesday, September 2, oil fell to below $110 per barrel. Virtually all oil and natural gas production was shut down in the Gulf of Mexico pending an assessment of the damage caused by Hurricane Gustav.
Also on Tuesday, National Marine Fisheries Service and US Fish & Wildlife Service announced their proposal to expand the definition of endangered Gulf of Maine Atlantic salmon to include fish found in the Kennebec, Androscoggin and Penobscot Rivers. The proposal will be listed immediately in the Federal Register and a public comment period will be available for 90 days. According to Ed Friedman of Friends of Merrymeeting Bay (FOMB), this decision comes in large part from pressure brought to bear by Doug Watts, Tim Watts, FOMB and the Maine Toxics Action Coalition. Between 2002 and 2007, Atlantic salmon covered under the existing endangered listing averaged fewer than 100 spawning fish annually.
Sunday, September 7 - Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust Race for Space, 9 am, The Pennellville Meadows on Pennell Way (please note: new location this year), Brunswick. Fourth Annual 4-mile Run in Rural Coastal Brunswick. Proceeds benefit the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust. Walking Tour of Historic Pennellville Road. Fun Run for Children. Professional timing. Great refreshments and prizes. Special family pricing. For more information, call 725-0998 or visit www.btlt.org.
Thursday, September 11 - Insulate Your Home: Tips from a Pro, 7 pm, F.W. Horch, 56 Maine Street, Brunswick. Join us to learn from Ace Insulation owner Gerard Gagnon how to insulate your home for maximum energy and planetary savings. Space is limited! To reserve a spot, please call us at 729-4050.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, September 19-21 - Common Ground Country Fair, Unity, 9 am to 6 pm (5 pm Sunday). Come to the Fair and see why Downeast Magazine calls Common Ground "Maine's most authentic country fair, uniting, as it does, old-time folkways with progressive ideas about living the good life on a fragile planet." While you're there, stop by our booth in the Energy & Shelter tent to see our new line of solar, wind and energy saving products. Our own Brett Thompson will be giving a talk about composting with worms on Friday at 1 pm in the Agricultural Demonstrations Tent #2. For more information about the fair, please visit www.mofga.org »
Please note: our store will close early at 5 pm on Thursday, September 18 and re-open on Tuesday, September 23 at 10 am. See you at Common Ground!
2 comments:
I am interested in your opinion of propane fired tankless water heaters vs electric tank water heaters. This fall I plan to replace a large old inefficient electric water heater.
Thank you, Corey Hammond
Tankless on-demand water heaters are generally more energy efficient than tank water heaters, because there are no standby losses.
However, I think the best combination is a solar hot water system that has an electric element as a backup. For most of the year, sunshine will keep the tank warm, eliminating the standby losses in electric-only tank water heaters.
Hope this is helpful,
Fred
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