Are you hot? Then you probably believe in global warming

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Are you hot, as in, feeling warm? Then according to research out of the University of Chicago and University of California Berkley you may be more likely to believe in global warming. The study, published last month in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, found that if people feel warmer, like sitting in a hot room, they’re more likely to believe in the climactic change. They found this out by placing people answering the questionnaires in cubicles, some of which were overheated. The researchers say that people placed in the hot cubicles may have had “a sharper mental image of what a hot world would be like.”

Hmm… if that’s a solution to get a consensus on climate change — I suggest that everyone go to a sauna immediately.

Echo

MONDAY MASHUP: EPA Enviromapper

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You may find out more than you want to about environmental activities in your area in the EPA Enviromapper.

This EPA map shows almost anything you want (or may not want) to know: from hazardous waste sites to the locations chemicals in use like ammonia.

Save a lake, eat an invasive

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The next time you’re complaining about Great Lakes invasive species, do something about it. Go home, cook one up and eat it. Spoil your taste buds with some savory, smoked Asian carp or let your kitchen fill with the eel-like fish aroma of sea lamprey pie or lamprey stew. Yum. Not into smoked things or pie?

Taste of Change

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This coming Saturday, February 12 the Youth Karate-Ka Association, a Michigan organization dedicated to teaching youth about farming and karate as self-defense, will host YKA Taste of Change — an event that will promote the association and show the documentary, “Kings of Flint.”

Produced by Michigan State University professor and students, “Kings of Flint” follows Flint, Mich. residents as they attempt to build a greener future for the city. Last summer Great Lakes Echo ran a series documenting the progression of the film called “The Greening of Flint.”

The event will also include a silent auction that will benefit the association. It starts at 6 p.m. at this address:

Beecher Village Hall, G-5226 N. Saginaw St. Flint, Michigan

Also check out the documentary’s soundtrack written by four Flint high school students.

2011 Lake Superior Environmental Stewardship Award

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Do you know someone ordinary (yourself included) that is doing something extraordinary for the Lake Superior basin? Well, then you can nominate them for the eighth annual environmental stewardship award which honors “extraordinary achievement by ordinary people.”

It recognizes citizens who have worked to restore or defend the natural resources of the Lake Super basin. The award is given out by the Lake Superior Binational Program that consists of both American and Canadian federal, state, provincial and First Nations and tribal governments. Nominees can be entered into several categories including:  Youth or youth-related group, individual adult, business, industry or a community group like a municipality or a tribe. Past winners include: lakesuperiorstreams.org and the St.

Photo Friday: Winter cycling commute part II

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Thanks to all who commented and listened to the podcast aired on Echo a couple of weeks ago: Winter two-wheeled commutes. Good news, I have some extra winter-cycling goodies for you. I ran across this photo of a valiant cyclist braving the weather in Milwaukee. I was impressed. (Catch some more cycling photos in Milwaukee from Reuters here.)

This rider could have found one these useful…

A bike plow!

The secret to de-icing roads: Beets and brine

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Salt is the usual go-to agent for melting ice off of slippery roadways. But not at Michigan State University — They use veggies instead. For the first time last year, the school used GEOMELT a product made up of agricultural waste –  specifically sugar beet leftovers. It’s considered by the university to be more environmentally friendly, longer lasting and less corrosive to equipment. The beet stuff is used with brine — a salt water solution that’s sometimes used for pickling.

VIDEO: Tuk-tuks for transport

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How do you get to work, school or your other daily activities? Possible answers (just to help you out): bus, car, bike or by foot. Wait, I missed one: electric pedicabs. Yes. A new company in Lansing, Mich.

University of Michigan goes smoke free

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The University of Michigan announced recently that it plans to go smoke free by July 1st of this year. Smoke free areas will include university buildings, grounds, and sidewalks next to public thoroughfares. But don’t worry smokers, even though smoking in parking lots will be prohibited, you can still smoke inside your car! Many universities and colleges around the country have implemented 100% tobacco free campuses, including more than 50 in Great Lakes states. I’m not sure how University of Michigan frequenters are going to take it.