Reef Ball Foundation Featured in Wall Street Journal by Stephan Whelan on DeeperBlue.net - Fanatical About FreeDiving, Scuba Diving, Spearfishing & Te

Reef Ball Foundation Featured in Wall Street Journal

by Stephan Whelan on DeeperBlue.net

"Todd Barber, Chairman of the Reef Ball Foundation, a charity dedicated to the rehabilitation of Coral Reefs around the world, has told us that the foundation is being featured in the Wall Street Journal on Friday 26th October 2007. This follows on from a major redesign of the Reef Ball website to include more details on how volunteers can setup their own rehabilitation projects. For more information head to the Reef Ball website.

Site Photos Are Linked To Related Points of Interest

EarthTalk Reader's Q&A: Coral Reefs And Hybrid Cars

Love it that someone is actually talking about this in real terms!

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EarthTalk Reader's Q&A: Coral Reefs And Hybrid Cars

Q: I’ve heard about the die-off of coral reefs due to global warming. I’ve also read that coral reefs themselves store carbon dioxide (CO2), one of the main global warming gases. So if coral reefs are dying out, isn’t that a double whammy that increases the CO2 in the atmosphere? -- Tom Ozzello, Maplewood, MN

According to marine scientists, the world’s coral reefs—those underwater repositories for biodiversity that play host to some 25 percent of all marine life—are in big trouble as a result of global warming. Data collected by the international environmental group WWF (formerly World Wildlife Fund) show that 20 percent of the world’s coral reefs have been effectively destroyed and show no immediate sign of recovery, while about 50 percent of remaining reefs are under imminent or long-term threat of collapse.

Most scientists now agree that global warming is not a natural phenomenon but a direct result of the continual release of excessive amounts of CO2 and other “greenhouse” gases into the atmosphere by human industrial and transportation activity. And the small but prolonged rises in ocean temperature that result cause coral colonies to expel the symbiotic food-producing algae that sustain them. This process is called “bleaching,” because it turns the reefs white as they die.

But researchers working with the Coral Reef Alliance have found that while coral reefs do store CO2 as part of photosynthesis, they tend to release most of it back into the ocean (so they are not what are known as “carbon sinks”). As such, the release of CO2 from dying coral reefs is not a major concern.

Of course, the ocean itself is a large carbon sink, storing about a quarter of what would otherwise end up in the atmosphere. Landmasses (and their plants) soak up another quarter of all the CO2 emanating from the Earth’s surface, while the rest rises up into the atmosphere where it can wreak havoc with our climate.

Recent findings indicate that the Antarctic Ocean is getting less efficient at storing CO2, and this raises serious questions about the ability of our oceans to handle everything we throw at them. The study’s authors fear that “such weakening of one of the Earth’s major carbon dioxide sinks will lead to higher levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide in the long-term.”

Not everyone is forecasting gloom and doom. Some Australian researchers believe that coral reefs around the world could expand in size by up to a third due to increased ocean warming. “Our finding stands in stark contrast to previous predictions that coral reef growth will suffer large, potentially catastrophic, decreases in the future,” says University of New South Wales oceanographer Ben McNeil, who led the controversial 2004 study that was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal, Geophysical Research Letters. “Our analysis suggests that ocean warming will foster considerably faster future rates of coral reef growth that will eventually exceed pre-industrial rates by as much as 35 per cent by 2100,” he adds.

In spite of such theories, the majority of marine scientists remain pessimistic about the future of coral reefs in a warmer world. One can only hope that the optimists are right.

Short of buying a new hybrid or other “green” car, are there ways I can make my existing vehicle more eco-friendly? I bought my car recently and am not quite ready to give it up. -- Bettie Hilliker, Lansing, MI

Choice of vehicle may well be the biggest factor in determining the environmental impact of your automobile-based travels. But a considerable amount of energy is used—and pollutants emitted—in the production of any new vehicle, including hybrids and other more fuel-efficient options. As a result, many environmentalists believe that practicing good driving habits and performing adequate maintenance on an older car are probably better options for the environment than causing the production of a new vehicle.

According to the website GreenerCars.org, there are many ways to green up one’s driving habits. Obeying speed limits, utilizing cruise control and avoiding jackrabbit starts will maximize fuel economy and minimize tailpipe emissions while also preventing unnecessary wear-and-tear. Staying off roads during rush hours is also advisable, as stop-and-go driving burns excess gasoline and promotes smog. Opening vents and windows to cool off instead of using the air conditioner, an inherently inefficient appliance that consumes more fuel and leads to more emissions, is also good advice.

Drivers can also help minimize their environmental impact by keeping their cars well maintained. According to GreenerCars.org, getting regular tune-ups—where a qualified mechanic changes fluids and checks for and corrects problems such as worn spark plugs, under inflated tires, dragging brakes, misaligned wheels and clogged filters—can significantly improve fuel economy and minimize harmful emissions. GreenerCars.org also recommends seeking out low-rolling-resistance (LRR) replacement tires, which are specifically designed to improve a vehicle’s fuel economy, when the original ones wear out.

Beyond regular maintenance, a handful of small companies now sell green-friendly fuel additives that purport to increase fuel efficiency while reducing emissions. Such products—including Bluestar Environmental’s Omstar D-1280X gas additive and Suntec Bio-Energy’s diesel additive—are normally targeted at fleets of vehicles, but individuals are free to use them as well. Owners beware, though: Use of such products could invalidate automakers’ warranties, so read the fine print in your owner’s manual before pouring anything out-of-the-ordinary into your fuel tank.

Of course, getting out of your car altogether—or most of the time—is a far greener choice than driving even a well-maintained new or old car conscientiously. Some employers now offer federally-subsidized “commuter choice” incentives whereby workers can derive financial benefits by telecommuting (working from home), or by walking, biking, using public transit or carpooling to and from the office.

Another option is to join a car sharing service like Zipcar or Flexcar, whereby you pay a modest monthly membership fee and can then rent cars parked nearby by the hour only when needed. The companies operate on both U.S. coasts, as well as in major Midwestern and Canadian cities.

CONTACTS:

GreenerCars.org “Green Driving Tips,” www.greenercars.org/drivingtips.htm

Bluestar Environmental, www.ablustar.com

Suntec Bio-Energy, www.suntecbioenergy.com

Zipcar, www.zipcar.com

Flexcar, www.flexcar.com

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION?
Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881;
submit it at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/ , or e-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com

Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php

Sport Diver Magazine - Dive the Best of Fiji with Scuba Travel Ventures

Sport Diver Magazine - Dive the Best of Fiji with Scuba Travel Ventures:

Mention this ad and receive a free day room from Fiji's leading dive travel experts, Scuba Travel Ventures. Our experts will personalize your entire vacation, offering the best values to fit your style & budget no matter if you ideal trip includes a luxurious hotel, an intimate barefoot resort or a live aboard.

We offer complete packages starting from $1990 – including airfare from LAX, Seven nights accommodations, five days of two-tank boat dives, transfers and hotel tax.

Here are a handful of the operations we recommend: Wananavu Resort /Kai Viti Divers, Matana Beach Resort/ Dive Kadavu, Garden Island Resort, Lagoon Resort, Beqa Lagoon Resort, Tui Tai & Aggressor Live Aboards

Fiji & STV offer much more than great diving, including cultural tours, rafting, caving, sailing, cooking schools and much more.

Inquire at 800-298-9009 or info@scubatravelventures.com

Activities You Can Take Part In on a Fiji Honeymoon

Activities You Can Take Part In on a Fiji Honeymoon:

By Henry Cobb

Are you and your soon to be spouse interested in honeymooning in Fiji? If you are, you are definitely not alone. Fiji is known as a top honeymoon destination. Two of the many reasons for that is due to the beauty of Fuji and the romance that beauty creates. Although beauty and romance is enough to draw many honeymooners in, you may be looking for more. If you are, you may be pleased to know that there are, literally, an unlimited number of activities for you and spouse to participate in.

One of the many activities that you may be interested in participating in, while on a Fuji honeymoon, is surfing. Fiji is known as one of the best places to surf in the entire world. What is nice about surfing is that you do not have to be an expert to do so. In fact, you may even want to use your Fuji honeymoon to learn how to surf. Surfing can be a unique way to add fun and excitement to your honeymoon.

Scuba diving is another Fuji honeymoon activity that many participate in. What is nice about scuba diving is that it is an activity that both you and your spouse can do together. There a relatively large number of scuba diving tour companies in Fuji. These tour companies provide guided tours along the coasts of Fiji, including breathtaking coral reefs. Scuba diving is perfect for your Fuji honeymoon, should you decide to take one, because it is exciting and romantic all at the same time."

Activities You Can Take Part In on a Fiji Honeymoon:

Ten Delicious Ways to Dip into Diving

Diveaway Fiji - Scuba diving on the Coral Coast:

"Ten Delicious Ways to Dip into Diving

On Away.com By Paul McMenamin


'The conditions that make for great diving—warm, translucent water, good weather, and tropical locales—also make for a terrific getaway vacation. You'll find great bargains at the big Carribean resorts, while exotic destinations such as Borneo and Micronesia promise true underwater adventure.

Fiji: South Pacific Paradise
Ask divers who have sampled most of the world's leading dive spots where they would go for a perfect dive vacation, and more often than not, Fiji is the answer. Topside, Fiji is Polynesia at its best—unspoiled and uncrowded. The water is warm and clear, and there is every imaginable shape and variety of coral in all colors of the rainbow. The variety of dive sites is staggering—from the air, Fiji appears as a vast patchwork of coral, covering hundreds of square miles."

Businesses Halt Fish Feeding hawaii fish feeding Help Stop Fish Feeding in Hawaii

Fish feeding can have disastrous effects on reef and fish health. Find out more about CORAL's "Take a Bite out of Fish Feeding Campaign" and our ever-growing list of businesses across Hawaii that are banding together to put a stop to this practice.

Send a LETTER OF SUPPORT to participating businesses and encourage other businesses to help ban harmful fish feeding.

PST Scuba to Exhibit at DEMA 2007 Show in Orlando

PST Scuba to Exhibit at DEMA 2007 Show in Orlando E-Series Steel Scuba Diving Cylinders Return to Dive Market

PST Scuba is pleased to announce that we will be exhibiting at this year’s DEMA Show. Please plan to visit us at Booth #601.

On display will be our E-Series diving cylinders, featuring PST’s unique hot dipped galvanized finish.

In addition to unveiling our 2008 product line, we look forward to sharing news about our manufacturing improvements, and customer service initiatives.

Recognized for innovative cylinder design, quality and safety, PST Scuba is excited to bring our original E-Series steel diving cylinders back to the DEMA Show. We look forward to seeing you in Orlando!

For more information on PST Scuba steel diving cylinders, please visit our web site at www.pstscuba.com

Second Edition of Diving Adventure Magazine Available NOW!

SDI, TDI & ERDI released the second issue of the highly awaited Diving Adventure Magazine.

Issue one of Diving Adventure was off-press just in time to be previewed during DEMA last November, and has now been distributed to all active SDI, TDI and ERDI members in North America as part of their membership perks while mailing has gone out to more than 15,000 recently certified SDI, TDI and ERDI divers.

Issue two will exceed those numbers as subscriptions have increased as well as SDI/TDI/ERDI members. This second edition which is 75 pages and includes articles written by Stan Waterman, Bret Gilliam, Brian Carney and Flemming Elleboe on fish feeding and its effect on wild marine life, diving the B-17 Jack Black, resting in the south pacific at 150 ft and exploring Cocos Island – by submarine!! Along with these interesting and greatly educative articles are fantastic photo shoots by world’s renowned underwater photographers Mauricio Handler with a wonderful portfolio of underwater pictures and Rod Klein, who shares his amazing shots of the Dwarf Minke Whales off of The Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

“We feel the second issue raised the bar for a quality diving magazine,” commented Steve Lewis, director of product development for International Training and Editor of Diving Adventure Magazine. “This isn’t a magazine that you get in the mail, flip through once or twice and never pick up again like so many publications out there. You can actually sit down and read the articles, learn a little on the way from the scientific or historic side and be blown away with the photography within.”

Issue three of Dive Adventure Magazine will hit the stands just in time for the DEMA show this year. “It will be our ‘DEMA Issue’,” stated Cris Merz, Advertising Manager for Diving Adventure Magazine. “We are already working hard on it and want to unveil it during the show.”

Diving Adventure is available by subscription for $15 for two issues or $25 for four issues. Subscription inquiries can be directed to info@divingadventuremag.com.

For information about advertising in Diving Adventure Magazine, contact David Burroughs or Cris Merz at sales@divingadventuremag.com or 1-207-729-4201.

Please visit us at www.divingadventuremag.com.

For more information about SDI, TDI or ERDI visit: www.tdisdi.com