You've heard of the IPCC, but have you heard of the MEA? The term "global warming" has been with us for 35 years. The idea that CO2 would cause the planet to heat up has been with us significantly longer, discovered in the early 20th century by the Swedish scientist, Svante Arrhenius (previously). However, the concept of global warming is not without its problems (and this has nothing to do with solar flares). [more inside]
posted by outlandishmarxist on Aug 30, 2010 - 25 comments

Rising up from deep within the aquifer, cool clear water flows from hundreds of springs that dot the Florida landscape. Florida springs are natural wonders that are threatened constantly. [more inside]
posted by netbros on Dec 24, 2009 - 14 comments

Self-contained ecosystems on your desk. Eco-spheres strike a perfect balance between members in an environment. Based on NASA studies, they can last past 10 years. Is it feasible to have more complex self-contained systems in the near future? Imagine, a sealed tank with a 'pet' you never have to worry about feeding, watering, or cleaning. That doesn't use batteries. Plus, they look pretty cool.
posted by rich on Mar 7, 2003 - 55 comments

No such thing as ecosystems? That's the hypothesis of the White House's newly chosen wildfire prevention head honcho, Allan Fitzsimmons. Seeing that some members of the MeFi community in a previous discussion stated that fires are a normal part of forest ecosystem, does this negate this view? Mr. Fitzsimmons also has some interesting opinions on why "it would not be a crisis if the nation's threatened and endangered species became extinct." (editorial quote from the article)
posted by tittergrrl on Sep 3, 2002 - 35 comments

The Infinity Project Josh Simpson makes glass planets. Tickle his fancy and you too may have the opportunity to hide one for posterity.
posted by plinth on Jan 8, 2001 - 14 comments