Friday, July 31, 2009

Michael Vick Article

Just published my next article. It was an assignment from the Assignment Editor at B/R requested. He wanted me to focus on some freshman performances throughout CFB history and feature one or 50 of them in my writing.

I chose to do a piece on Michael Vick and the Virginia Tech 1999 Perfect season run to the National Championship. I thought it was a relevant topic since he is conditionally reinstated in the NFL and it has been two years since we've seen him run the field.

Personally, I think what Michael Vick did was one of the more horrific things a human can do to animals. A dog lover and owner myself, those pictures make me cry and want to throw up everytime I see them. However, I believe he served his time and punishment. He has hopefully learned a lot from the experience. He remains a big part of the Virginia Tech family tradition.


I remember sitting in my basement room listening to CBS announcers Ron Franklin and Mike Gottfried trying to describe what was happening in front of them, on the radio. They were dazzled by the developing athletic performances from both teams and struggled to depict the plays with due justice.

As a Seminole fan—at the time—I remember yelling, “This guy is killing us!”

Well, “that guy” was a young, redshirt freshman that helped lead a Virginia Tech football team to their first undefeated regular season since 1954 and third overall.

In that National Championship game on Jan. 4, 2000, VA Tech found themselves pitted against a college football giant: Florida State.

Bobby Bowden’s program was notorious for gifted athletes and hard hitters. Besides that, they owned the decade: FSU had the most National Championship appearances and top five finishes in the 1990’s.

But, before this game, there was a season...



Read the full article here on Bleacher Report


Friday, July 24, 2009

Change Your FUEL, Change the World

“Change your fuel, change the world” has been Josh Tickell’s message for decades now.

A special screening of the multi-award winning documentary
FUEL was hosted by Green Earth Media in downtown Honolulu at the Neal S Blaisdell Concert Hall.

I was one of hundreds who came to the event to witness this powerful portrait on America’s overwhelming addition to oil.

In his work, Tickell presents a “virtual tour guide through the drama of fuel: the history; the politics; the mess that the world is in and the fascinating alternatives for a way out.” He travels the country interviewing politicians, professors, historians and celebrities alike offering a wide ranging and comprehensive look at energy in America.

FUEL is a phenomenal depiction of the social movement that is currently taking place across the planet.

It is a shocking and eye-opening look at the American mindset toward alternative energy and is starkly contrasted to the advanced European commitment to ending its oil dependence altogether.

Fundamental in the film is the notion that even as individuals, we can make a difference. Hope also plays a pivotal role in the film, as renewable solutions are indeed within reach.


Watch the FUEL trailer here
!


FUEL Director and star Tickell and producer/fiancée Rebecca Harrell attended the event and following the presentation of the film the audience participated in a discussion/Q&A.

Tickell and Harrell began by first asking the audience what they got out of the film.

“Hope! Truth! Accountability! Need to make a change! Stoked!” were all answers shouted out by different individuals.

The most promising thing that I took away from the discussion was that
FUEL’s team will condense the movie down to a 35 minute short and offer it as an educational cut for schools around the country.

More importantly, their mission as a non-profit would be to offer this video for free.

They also hope to accompany the film with a green curriculum to explain the details of what you can do now. Find out more at: The Veggie Van Organization.



1,2,3,4 Action!

1) Request a screening at a theater by you!
2) Go and see the film
3) Vote for “Non-Fossil” politicians
4) Change Your Fuel, Change the world- Go Carbon Neutral!
- change your transportation, buy solar, wind and invest in algae!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Grad School

So I just applied to an amazing grad school program at The Monterey Institute for International Studies.

More specifically, I am hoping to be a part of their MA program in International Environmental Policy that pairs your curriculum with a peace core commitment. I feel like this program is exactly what I have been searching for so I will be keeping my fingers crossed.

At any rate, I thought I would share my Statement of Purpose that I submitted with my application...



Just doing my part to save the world,” was my response when friends inquired about the work I was doing at a solar consulting company.

I had stumbled into the solar energy sector with no prior experience or knowledge. In a “mouth to fire-hose” method of learning I was working 13 or more hours a day trying to learn about the renewable energy area. Not only was I working in the marketing department looking to target our desired audiences, initiating outbound marketing campaigns and doing media outreach, but I also served as a research assistant for various projects.

When my employment status changed, I found myself searching through my past to find where my future would be. I realized that I could contribute, significantly, as an individual to what has become my generation’s challenge and also fill a void in my life that began in 2005.

I was recruited to play soccer and earned an athletic scholarship to VT but my career was cut short due to injury. I had planned to use my college career to further develop and move on after graduation to play soccer professionally. Once that was taken away, I struggled to find a purpose as I wandered through my undergraduate courses still unsure if the curriculum was really of interested to me.

I have always had a relentless pursuit of excellence and boasted an impeccable drive to try and get there. Although that drive didn’t earn me a grade point average to brag about it did earn me the right to be proud that I graduated a semester early when it is more common for students to take five years to complete their degree.

I have been learning through working: first in the solar energy sector and now as an intern writing and researching green energy initiatives.

Currently, my degree in Mass Communication has afforded me the opportunity to continue my green “self” education by writing for a sustainable project’s website. By writing for this initiative, I have continued in my attempts to inspire a creative and conscious change in my social network and the websites’ audience. Between pulling information off the shelves, the Internet or by visiting with various projects and organizations across the country, my thirst for green knowledge has only grown by the day. I feel that my desire would be enhanced through the MAIEP program.

The PCMI program particularly intrigues me, as I was not even considering graduate school until I came across this unique opportunity. Early on, I discovered my desire to serve and contribute to a greater good and looked into the Peace Corps as a way to fulfill this need. Incorporating the Peace Corps as a part of this Masters Degree program is a real world educational opportunity that cannot be replicated any other way.

As a native of nowhere and everywhere, I have been blessed to have grown up in the home of a career Naval Officer which afforded me the rare opportunity to experience other cultures at an early age. I attended an international elementary school while living in Europe. It was there that I developed my basic language skills and continued building them throughout high school and college.

Time teaches many lessons and I have had my share to learn. I want to show I can succeed in and contribute to furthering my formal education while making a profound global impact as an agent of change. I hope to use this program as an opportunity to continue to empower others with knowledge and inspire social change in order to save our world.


Join Me in Becoming a MoveOn Member


I hope you'll join me and millions of others in the most exciting grassroots movement on the Internet: MoveOn.org Political Action.

http://pol.moveon.org/keepmeposted/

MoveOn.org Political Action gives people a voice in shaping the laws & policies that affect our lives. You can sign online petitions on timely issues like responding to terrorism, energy policy, and campaign finance reform, or you can just sign up to receive email alerts, all for free.

One of the best things about MoveOn is that each of us can help decide what issues the organization stands for, using a unique, online discussion forum. Everyone can post suggestions, and everyone can rate all the other suggestions. Those that receive the highest ratings can become the focus of MoveOn's action campaigns.

It's a promising idea: choose our priorities collectively, then act on them collectively. MoveOn's founder, Wes Boyd, calls it "network democracy."

I hope you'll join us today at:

http://www.moveon.org/keepmeposted/

We can all take part in choosing and creating our future.

Thank you!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Virginia Tech Football: Hokies' Hopes Are High in 2009

As per my assignment editors request at Bleacher Report, I have written an article previewing the upcoming season for the Virginia Tech Hokies. The article just went live and can be found here: Virginia Tech Hokies Football

Here is a portion of the article...


Pla­­­­ying in the ACC championship three out of the four years and winning it twice has set the bar high for the Virginia Tech Football program.


This year, the expectations in Blacksburg are higher than ever.


After what was expected to be a rebuilding year in 2008, the Hokies backed their way into another ACC Championship and won their first ever BCS Bowl defeating Cincinnati 20-7 in the Orange Bowl.


Now the team exclusively belongs to Tyrod Taylor.


If he can establish himself as a legit passer then Tech fans could be doing the Hokey Pokey all the way to Pasadena.


This year, a national championship is what it’s all about for the Hokie Nation.


Here are the defining games and the matchup battles within those games that will determine if the fighting Gobblers will be playing for a National Championship.



Alabama—Sept. 5, Atlanta, Ga.

The Chick-Fil-A College Kickoff showcases two top 10 teams and starts the season off with a bang.


This game features superstars and athletes galore, two big name coaches and defenses both predicted to finish in the Top 10 by the end of the year.


VT’s performance in this game will set the tempo for the remainder of the season...




Go read the whole article by clicking on the link above or here's another 1 all you lazy scrollers!
Virginia Tech Football: Hokies' Hopes Are High in 2009

Thursday, July 9, 2009

UH Green Roof: Next EarthFromAbove Article

When most people hear the term “Green Roof” they most likely associate it with solar panels or some sort of new “green” technology to increase energy efficiency.


At the University of Hawai’i at Manoa Leyla Cabugos has been working on a “Green Roof Experiment.”


Well, this kind of green roof has a more literal shade of green. Probably considered to be more of a biological or botanical breakthrough, it still has some profound energy benefits without the high costs of new technologies.


As described in the executive summary of her work, “Green roofs are permanent layers of vegetation on built structures; used to moderate building temperature, decrease storm water runoff, increase available green space in urban areas throughout the world.”


In an attempt to “green” urban areas around the island Cabugos has put together her own green roof experiment that doesn’t require as much attention as some of the others.


I spoke with Ms. Cabugos about her project and even got a chance to visit the site during my time in Hawai’i.


She stressed that, two of the most important factors in this experiment were to find and use stress tolerant, local vegetation.


Cabugos has put together this living roof by spotlighting five native Hawaiian plant species in an attempt to offer more efficient rooftop solutions.


Her specific experiment is “meant to use native plants in a simple design that is widely applicable as well as low maintenance.”


There are many sustainable benefits to these green roofs. In addition to the pure aesthetics of adding more green scenes to the concrete jungles, the living roof will offer sustainable benefits such as reduced head load and cooling needs for the building resulting in energy conservation, as well as reducing water runoff.


Green roofs also offer a unique opportunity for a creative use of the space. Some have been developed for recreational purposes such as a mini golf course. Others have been used for community building and other social benefits.


One of the most prominent and sustainable examples is located on top Vancouver's Fairmount Waterfront Hotel. Growing herbs and vegetables on the rooftop garden saves the kitchen over $30,000 annually in food costs!


We should expect to see some tax incentives emerge from government legislation at the state and municipal level in the near future.


The experiment in Hawai’i has drawn much attention from local businesses looking to implement a similar living roof project on top of their facilities. However their progress has faced some challenges.

“Despite extensive implementation and research on the positive impact of green roofs throughout the world, the practice has yet to become popular in Hawai`i, where the benefits are likely to be amplified by year-round sunshine and frequent rains.”


Cabugos firmly believes that, “it is a very compelling tool offering a vast array of benefits- particularly here on the islands.”


She hopes that her work and research will push several state and national initiatives to start the widespread adoption of green roof practices in Hawai’i and other urban locations nationwide.

Leyla Cabugos is a recent UH Gradaute (MS Botany). Leyla currently works for the STEM Workforce Development Program Office at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa, consults on green roof and urban agriculture projects and is currently working on aquaponic rooftop garden (http://www.ihshawaii.org/rooftopgarden.html).

She can be contacted by writing to cabugos@gmail.com.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Global Warming and Climate Change: Politcal, Economic or Environmental?

Published!

http://www.earthfromaboveusa.com/blog/?p=470

Global Weirding

Political, economic or environmental: these three areas are different ways to look at the occurrence of climate change

From a political standpoint we can see it as a sticking point for different parties and concerned organizations. Some will say that socialism and communism harbor themselves in the environmental movement or is a threat to political freedoms and diversity.

Economists claim that the environmental movement will curtail our economic progress and freedoms such as the pursuit of wealth. Are we willing to slow down growth in the physical area as well as business space in order to sustain our land?

The environmentalists may say that it is just another part of the global cycle or that it is a phenomenon that has just started in the past centuries due to the industrial revolution, massive expansion and modern “progress” of the human race.

But what is actually going on with our planet? Have we changed it as much as some scientists and Al Gore profess? Is this just another threat to capitalism, democracy and America in general or is it America’s greatest opportunity to once again lead the world in the direction we need to be going?

Lets take a look at some of the facts from each perspective…

According to the study done by Yale and George Mason, climate change global warming ranks 10th out of 11 national issues in the minds of Americans. Ranking behind the economy as the number one concern followed by (in order) the federal deficit, the war, health care, terrorism, social security, education, tax cuts, illegal immigration. The only issue that trails global warming is abortion.

Even though almost 70 percent of Americans say the US should sign an international treaty requiring the US to cut CO2 emissions by 90 percent by 2050, it seems there will be a delay in getting the proper legislation through in Washington. But that is the cumbersome American political process that all of the issues face.

From an economic standpoint we know that the planet can no longer sustain capitalism as we know it. Resources are becoming scarce – natural as well as those stemming from our economy – and are being depleted at an astonishing rate.

Could this be America’s new avenue of growth and development? With proper legislation for responsible resource management and green initiatives we could once again lead the world in innovation. Almost half of the country said that they’re willing to reward or punish companies for their climate change related activities. So buying green is certainly on the mind of consumers.

As for the environmental perspective, there is some undeniable evidence that our planet is changing. Since the mid 1970s, the average surface temperature has warmed about 1°F.
The Earth’s surface is currently warming at a rate of about 0.32ºF/decade.

Observations compiled by NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center show that over the contiguous U.S., total annual precipitation increased at an average rate of 6.1 percent per century since 1900.

Sea level has been rising 0.08-0.12 inches per year (2.0-3.0 mm per year) along most of the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

Extremists and extreme data such as this have our attention, but many believe it is made up. Are the numbers enough to scare us into change? Perhaps, but the summary of the study concludes that “the success or failure of climate change action in the US will depend, in no small part, on the ability of leaders, organizers and institutions at all levels of society to educate, organize and mobilize the American people.”

Will economic and political factors impede or advance environmental change? Will these global environmental changes push the economists and governments into action for research and development or can the free market move us to create the necessary actions and products to positively impact the changes that are happening now?

1,2,3,4 Action!


1) Reduce your carbon footprint– Here are a few ideas of how you can do that.
2) Investigate arguments on both sides and decide for yourself if it’s real or not.
3) Reward those companies that are “going green” by buying their products.
4) Engage and contact your local political representative or environmental lobbyists

Native Hawaiian Perspectives on Renewable Energy

http://www.earthfromaboveusa.com/blog/?p=435

Published!

Hawai'i Article

“Aloha” is not just a greeting in Hawaii, it’s a core value instilled in the Hawaiian people and culture. It speaks to a rich tradition of caring for the people and the land that makes up the islands.

Caring was the broader context of the discussion at University of Hawaii called “Native Hawaiian Perspectives on Renewable Energy Development.”

The event brought together policy makers, leaders in the renewable energy field and scholars of island culture to discuss a sustainable future for Hawaii.

As a part of the “Sustain Your Brain” series by the Outreach College at University of Hawaii at Manoa, Moderator Ramsay Taum helped navigate the panel through the tough issues facing the islands such as policy construction, community outreach and resource management.

The panel was comprised of native Hawaiians: Michael Kaleikini from Puna Geothermal Ventures, D. Noelani Kalipi from First Wind, Davianna McGregor representing the UHM Ethnic Studies and Myron Thompson from 21st Century Technologies.

Discussants included Representative Hermina Morita, Pono Shim from Enterprise Honolulu (O’ahu’s economic development board), and Senator Mike Gabbard - the lone non-native Hawaiian.

Early in the evening Taum grabbed a chair from the audience and brought it on stage. He explained the “Empty Chair” cultural tradition to the audience, “this empty chair represents the ancestors that preceded us and those descendents and generations that follow.” This symbolizes a need to remember our duty to honor both tradition and the future as we look to develop policy and grow business.

The future and past generations were both very well represented that night.

Topics ranged from the obstacles renewable and sustainable projects face on the islands, the future of the Hawaiian identity, and the need for local people to be intricately involved in the planning process.

aloha

In Hawaiian folklore, the tribes treated the energy we now hope to harness, as deities. As Senator Gabbard pointed out, “times do change,” and now those deities are offering a service to us – a potentially sustainable future for the people and planet.

When the floor opened for participation from the audience the tough “what’s next” question was posed.

Education was at the forefront of everyone’s answer.

From policy makers to universities all the way down to the elementary schools, people need to be more educated on this topic.

“Renewable energy is a pathway to peace- it is the decentralization of power, energy and politics,” Representative Morita eloquently stated.

Innovating for the right reasons, in the right ways, firm policy changes, lucrative incentives and devastating taxes were also highlighted during the discussion concerning moving these ideas forward.

As the night drew to a close in the open air venue on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus a simple truth held it’s place throughout the dialogue – We are Hawaiian, the culture provides that we will always care for our people yet, we have to be open to change within the scope of our values.

Those values that are summed up in a phrase that means so much more to Hawaii than just hello and goodbye.

The Aloha way can save these islands in the middle of the sea, maybe it can also go a long way toward saving the world too.

100-Mile Diet: Published

http://www.earthfromaboveusa.com/blog/?p=426

up and live last month!