Sunday, June 13, 2010

INTERNATIONAL SURFING DAY CELEBRATION

INTERNATIONAL SURFING DAY CELEBRATION: RAISING AWARENESS WITH ART

An Art Auction Celebrating the Sport of Surfing and the Natural World
International, regional, and local artists together with the Rincón chapter of the Surfrider Foundation will be celebrating the 6th annual International Surfing Day celebrating the sport of surfing and the natural world by holding an art auction to raise funds for the chapter’s water quality monitoring program and outreach and education efforts.

The event is scheduled to take place at the Rincon of the Seas Grand Caribbean Hotel in the Grand Caribbean Ballroom on June 20th 2010 beginning at 6 pm. The entrance fee is $10.00 which will include dinner and wine provided by Barefoot Wines. Original and reproduced works from artists such as Kurt Ziegler, Steve Fitzpatrick, Rachel Tanner, Roberto Ortiz, Helen Clymer and a host of amateur’s will be auctioned off. The evening will also include raffles, a slideshow, music, and more.

If you would like more information regarding this event please contact the chapter chairman, Wessley Merten, at salvatrespalmas@surfrider.org, or by calling 787-823-2784.

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s ocean, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 90 chapters worldwide. For more information on the Surfrider Foundation, go to www.surfrider.org


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Monday, May 24, 2010

Trucks of Puerto Rico

Stop producing deadly Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM).
While driving you car or standing on the street in Puerto Rico have you noticed a dark cloud coming from the exhaust pipe of diesels? Most people give this no thought at all, but in reality this is a severe health problem and also just plain ugly.
Puerto Rico has approx 22,000 diesel (2006 figures) trucks. Of these it is estimated that 90 (2006 figures) percent emit deadly DPMs (see images). DPM is the particulate component of diesel exhaust primarily from older diesel trucks. DPM includes diesel soot and aerosols such as ash particulates, metallic abrasion particles, sulfates, and silicates. Because of their small size, inhaled particles may easily penetrate deep into the lungs. The rough surfaces of these particles make it easy for them to bind with other toxins in the environment. You do not want to inhale these hazardous particles which are known to cause acute short-term symptoms such as headache, dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, coughing, difficult or labored breathing, tightness of chest, and irritation of the eyes and nose and throat. Long-term exposures can lead to chronic, more serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease, cardiopulmonary disease, lung cancer and birth defects. The bottom line is that truck DPM cost millions to the economy of Puerto Rico by lost work, health problems and hospitalization.
Trucks are emitting DPM even though the 1997 standard for particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) specifically limits daily concentrations to 65 uglm3 and annual concentrations to 15 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3).
Federal and PR law PM2.5 of the clean air act expressively forbids diesel engines from producing DPM particles over a range of x ppm. Though fewer in number than cars buses and trucks are known to produce about 20 percent of all NOx emissions, most of which are all PM emissions. New standards for heavy-duty diesel engines were due to be phased in between 2007 and 2010, but seem to have no or little effect in Puerto Rico. In the mean time, these health hazard monsters continue to produce DPMs which known to cause severe illness and even death.

We estimate that each diesel truck produces 123,456g/year (2006 figures) of toxic material in the form of SO2, NOx etc. Thus a conservative estimate is that trucks in PR produces a total of 1,234,567 (2006 figures) mega tons of DPMs per year! Not only is this a toxic and deadly combination for the truckers who have to continuously breath the fumes produced by their own trucks, but for the entire population of PR, especially those who are unfortunate to come into contact with these particles as they unwittingly breath these toxins into their lungs. It is also a terrible eye sore. DPMs are also transported to other islands usually west of PR by the trade winds. DPMs should not be a major export of the island.

This dire situation need not be the case and could be easily resolved and has to be resolved NOW. If Puerto Rico really wants to become an environmental role model immediate actions needs to be taken.

1. The practice of taking out filters and tweaking diesel engines may, (see note), squeeze out a few more horse power but does reputable harm to the environment.
2. The Puerto Rico police need to hand out fines and enforce the law. If there is no law there ought to be one. The traffic police are one of the main victims on DPMs as they are on the road for many hours on a day to day basis. For the sake of the islands health and their own health they need to enforce the law. The price they will pay in the long run is much higher than they can imagine.
3. The truck drivers need to be educated. Pamphlets describing the problem need to be handed out to all truck drivers and police officers.
4. A hot line for the population to report offenders should be installed and maintained.

Note : Unofficial interview with local mechanic.
Mientras conduce sus vehículo o estando de pie en las calles de Puerto Rico has notado una nube negra proveniente del escape de motores diesel? La mayoría de la gente no le da mucha importancia a esto, pero en realidad se trata de un problema de salud grave y también simplemente no es muy atractivo.
Puerto Rico tiene unos 22,000 camiones diesel. De ellos se estima que el 90 por ciento emiten DPMs mortales (ver imágenes). DPM es el componente de partículas de emisión de diesel sobre todo de camiones antiguos. DPM incluye hollín de diesel y aerosoles, como partículas de cenizas, partículas metálicas abrasivas, sulfatos y silicatos. Debido a su pequeño tamaño, las partículas inhaladas fácilmente pueden penetrar profundamente en los pulmones. Las superficies rugosas de estas partículas les facilita enlazar con otras toxinas en el ambiente. Usted no quiere a inhalar estas partículas peligrosas que se sabe que causan síntomas agudos a corto plazo tales como dolor de cabeza, mareos, aturdimiento, náuseas, tos, dificultad para respirar, opresión en el pecho, y la irritación de los ojos y la nariz y garganta. La exposición a largo plazo puede conducir a más problemas crónicos, mas serios problemas de salud tal como las enfermedades cardiovasculares, enfermedades cardio pulmonares, cáncer de pulmón y defectos de nacimiento. La conclusión es que DPM le cuesta millones a la economía de Puerto Rico por perdida de días de trabajo, problemas de salud y hospitalización.

Los camiones siguen emitiendo DPM a pesar de que la norma de 1997 para las partículas menores de 2,5 micrómetros (PM2.5) específicamente limita las concentraciones diarias a 65 uglm3 y las concentraciones anuales a 15 microgramos por metro cúbico (ug/m3).
La ley Federal y de Puerto Rico, PM2.5 de la ley del aire limpio, expresamente prohíbe la producción de partículas DPM en un rango de x ppm por camiones diesel. Aunque en menor número que los autobuses de automóviles y camiones se sabe que producen alrededor de 20 por ciento de todas las emisiones de NOx, la mayoría de las cuales son todas las emisiones de PM. Las nuevas normas para los motores diésel de gran potencia se debieron a introducirse gradualmente entre 2007 y 2010, pero parece que no tienen o tienen poco efecto en Puerto Rico. Por el momento, estos monstruos peligro para la salud continúan produciendo DPMs que se sabe que causan enfermedades graves e incluso la muerte.

Se estima que cada camión diesel produce 123.456 g / al año de material tóxico en forma de SO2, NOx, etc Por lo tanto una estimación conservadora es que los camiones en Puerto Rico produce un total de 1.234.567 mega toneladas de DPMs por año! No sólo se trata de una combinación tóxica y mortal para los camioneros que tienen que respirar el humo que continuamente es producidos por sus propios camiones, si no para toda la población de Puerto Rico, especialmente aquellas que tienen la desgracia de entrar en contacto con estas partículas, y se ven obligados a respirar sin darse de cuenta estos aliento de toxinas. Además causa un dolor de ojos terrible. DPMs también se transportan a otras islas por lo general al oeste de Puerto Rico por los vientos alisios. DPMs no debe ser una de nuestra principal exportaciones de la isla.

Esta grave situación no tiene por qué ser el caso y se podría resolver con facilidad y tiene que ser resuelto ya. Si Puerto Rico quiere realmente convertirse en un modelo de conducta medioambiental acción inmediata deban tomarse a hora.

1. La práctica de remover los filtros de los motores diésel podrán ajustar y exprimir unos cuantos caballos más de poder, pero hace mas daño al medio ambiente.
2. La Policía de Puerto Rico necesita repartir mas multas y hacer cumplir la ley. Si no hay una ley entonces debería haber una. La policía de tráfico son unos de las principales víctimas de DPMs por están en la carretera durante muchas horas en el día. Por el bien estar de la islas, y la salud de la propia policía, ellos necesitan hacer cumplir la ley. El precio que pagarán a largo plazo es mucho mayor de lo que pueden imaginar.
3. Los camioneros necesitan ser educados. Folletos describiendo el problema necesita ser entregado a todos los conductores de camiones y agentes de policía.
4. Una línea telefónica de emergencia para la población se debe instalado y ser mantenida para que se denuncie los ofensores.

Monday, March 8, 2010

The future is Garbage:

The number one problem in Puerto Rico and in most developing economies is the production of waste material, garbage as it is commonly referred to. This massive amount of garbage ends up on our beaches, rivers, streets, landfills and recently in third world countries. Yes we pay to have it hauled thousands of miles and in the process waste more energy to deposit our garbage in our neighbors’ back yard making it their problem. Whose brilliant idea was this?

Today we recognized that land filling is not a long-term answer to the solid waste problem. Landfills waste large expanses of valuable land and are associated with both direct and indirect environmental and economic costs. Alternatives to land filling exist today; such as recycling, anaerobic fermentation, composting, curbside recycling programs, and waste-to-energy plants.
A ton of waste emits 5 times less pollution than a diesel truck and produces the equivalent of 700 Kwh of power. With all the fuss over oil shortages and the ever increasing price of gasoline you would think that recycling and WtE would be a logical answer to our problems. Waste to energy (WtE), processing plants are currently used in Israel, a country with many of the same problems we face in Pueto Rico. The government seeks to solve our energy crisis by rehashing old technology. Coal fired power plants are not the answer, neither are improved oil fired plants. The answer is recycling, waste to energy; alternate energy, plasma gasification plants, and wasting less are the answer. Practically everything we use today is from an oil derivate so we better find a method to cut back and cut down on our waste. Today we have the knowledge and technology to make the shift to change the future. More recycling and Waste-to-Energy (WtE) will reduce net Green House Gas emissions and free up much needed land for agricultural purposes.

Additional environmental benefits?
• Utilizes waste which will otherwise be disposed of by conventional means such as land filling.
• Produces renewable fuel that supplements or replacess rapidly depleting and polluting fossil fuel.
• Completely and efficiently destroys wastes and pollutants without leaving behind hazardous residues or harmful emissions.

La Basura es nuestro futuro, para bien o mal?

El problema número uno en Puerto Rico y en la mayoría de las economías en desarrollo es la producción de material de desecho, la basura como normalmente se conoce. Esta enorme cantidad de basura que termina en nuestras playas, ríos, calles, vertederos y recientemente en países del tercer mundo. Sí, pagamos para que se arrastre a miles de kilómetros y en el proceso desperdiciamos más energía para depositar nuestra basura en el patio nuestros vecinos para que sea su problema. ¿De quién fue esta brillante idea?

Hoy en día se reconoce que la creación de vertederos no es la respuesta a largo plazo al problema de los residuos sólidos. Los vertederos desperdician grandes extensiones de tierras valiosas y están asociados con los costos directos e indirectos ambientales y económicos. Alternativas a vertederos existentes en la actualidad, tales como el reciclaje, la fermentación anaerobia, el compostaje, los programas de reciclaje y de plantas WtE de energía entre muchos.

Piensen en esto una tonelada de residuos emite 5 veces menos contaminante que un camión de diesel y produce el equivalente de 700 kWh de energía. Una planta de plasma produce mas de 800kWh por tonelada de basura. Con todo el alboroto sobre la escasez de petróleo y el precio cada vez mayor de la gasolina se podría pensar que el reciclaje y plantas de este tipo sería una respuesta lógica a nuestros problemas. Plantas de residuos a energía (WTE), se utilizan actualmente en Israel, un país con muchos de los mismos problemas que enfrentamos en Pueto Rico. El gobierno trata de resolver la crisis energética usando la misma tecnología vieja. Plantas eléctricas de carbón no son la respuesta ni lo son el mejorar las plantas de petróleo que se usan hoy en día. La respuesta es el reciclaje, plantas WtE, energía alternativa, las plantas de gasificación de plasma, y desperdiciar menos es la respuesta.
Prácticamente todo lo que usamos hoy en día es de un derivado de aceite por lo tanto debemos encontrar un método para recortar y reducir nuestros residuos. Tenemos hoy el conocimiento y la tecnología para hacer el cambio y cambiar el futuro.
Más reciclaje y el uso de plantas de energía (WTE) va a reducir las emisiones de Green House Gas y va a liberar las la tierra que tanto se necesitan para fines agrícolas.

Beneficios ambientales adicionales?
• Utiliza los residuos que de otro modo serán eliminados por medios convencionales, como la tierra de relleno.
• Produce el combustible renovable que los suplementos o replacess agotando rápidamente y contaminantes combustibles fósiles.
• Completamente y eficiente destruye los desechos y contaminantes sin dejar residuos peligrosos o las emisiones nocivas.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

The cost of Recycling

Recycling
• One ton of paper from recycled pulp saves 17 trees, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 7,999 gallons of water, 4.200 kilowatt hours (enough to heat your home for half a year), 390 gallons of oil, and prevents 60 pounds of air pollutants.
• Producing a soda can from aluminum uses 95% less energy than manufacturing a can from ore and produces 95% less air pollution and 97% less water pollution.
• Recycling just one aluminum can save enough energy to power a television for three hours
• By recycling one ton of glass, we save the equivalent of nine gallons of fuel

• Una tonelada de papel reciclado salva 17 árboles,3 yardas cúbicas de espacio en vertederos, 7.999 galones de agua, 4.200 kilovatios hora (suficiente para calentar su casa durante medio año), 390 galones de petróleo, y evita que 60 libras de aire contaminantes.
• La producción de una lata de refresco de aluminio utiliza 95% menos energía que la fabricación de una lata usando minerales y produce el 95% menos de contaminación atmosférica y 97% menos de contaminación de agua.
• Reciclaje de sólo una lata de aluminio puede ahorrar energía suficiente para alimentar un programa de televisión durante tres horas
• Al reciclar una tonelada de vidrio, podemos ahorrar el equivalente de nueve galones de combustible

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

An Inconvenient Truth

An inconvenient truth, taken from Al Gores documentary is a good term to describe ARPE and DRNA in Puerto Rico or should I use the term ARPE gone wild? When an agency that is suppose to protect and look out and enforce zoning laws starts to grant permits in violation of existing law we must wonder whose interest they are really protecting! I really can’t say that they are not doing their job, perhaps they lack the physical head count or perhaps they lack the follow up, but obviously someone is not doing their job. Case in point the Sandy beach apartments in Rincon as well as the planned Marina Los Sueños near the Tres palmas reserve, also in Rincon.
The Sandy beach apartments violate practically all coast line laws, set back laws, DRNA law and the list goes on, but in violation of existing law they were built, constructed and sold. See the Surfrider web site for details.
Rincon, La Parguera, it doesn’t matter we must demand that the government agency such as ARPE, DRNA do the right thing, that is do their job and enforce the law. We ask nothing more in order to protect the planet. This April 18 El club Nautico de la Parguera will be sponsoring La Parguera Recicla. Starting at 7:00AM in front of the club house; please cooperate and for more information call 899-5590. Also on the 18th Rincon will host the annual Earth day festival at El Poly Deportivo off of Carr. 115. So after you finish cleaning up in LaParguera drop by Rincon and celebrate El Dia del planeta.


An Inconvenient Truth, tomado del documental de Al Gore es un buen término para describir a ARPE y al DRNA en Puerto Rico o debo utilizar el término ARPE Gone wild? Cuando un organismo que se supone que debe proteger y observar y hacer cumplir las leyes de zonificación comienza a otorgar permisos, en violación de la legislación vigente, debemos preguntarnos cuyos intereses están realmente protegiendo? Realmente no puedo decir que no están haciendo su trabajo, tal vez les falta el personal o tal vez les falta el seguimiento, pero, evidentemente, alguien no está haciendo su trabajo. Caso en el punto es el proyecto de la Playa Sandy beach apartments en Rincon, así como el proyecto de Marina Los Sueños, cerca de la reserva Tres Palmas, también en Rincón. El proyecto de Sandy beach violar prácticamente todos los leyes costeras, leyes de DRNA y la lista sigue, pero a pesar de estas violación se sigue construyeron y se venden. Para mas información ver el web site de Surfrider. Rincón, La Parguera, no importa, hay que exigir que la agencia de gobierno como ARPE, DRNA debe hacer lo correcto, que es hacer su trabajo y hacer cumplir la ley. Le pedimos nada más a fin de proteger el planeta. Este 18 de abril El Club Náutico de La Parguera patrocinaré La Parguera Recicla. Comenzando a las 7:00 AM frente de la casa club, por favor cooperen para obtener más información, llame al 899-5590. También el 18 de, abril Rincón será el anfitrión de la fiesta anual del Día de la Tierra en El Poli Deportivo frente al la Carr. 115. Así que después de terminar de limpiar en LaParguera a Rincón y a gozar y celebrar El Día del planeta.

http://www.surfrider.org/rincon/marina_los_suenos.asp
http://www.surfrider.org/rincon/jun08_2008.asp

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

The Gas crunch?

We are faced with ever increasing oil prices and as a consequence higher gas prices at the pump. Can we save the future of our children? The greatest problem we face today is transportation, you see nearly 75% of every barrel of oil is used for transportation fuel, cars, trucks and ship and not energy production as one may have been lead to believe. The improvement and re-engineering of our transport medium should be the number one priority of every community and government on the planet if indeed we are to make a difference in this generation.

U.S. oil production peaked during the last oil crises in 1970 and has been falling ever since but consumption has increased. What was done back in the 70’s? For a while, the major US auto makers after a major upset by a small Japanese auto maker, Toyota, decided to introduce the compact automobile. For a brief period during the 70’s and the early 80’s small was in. What caused the major turn around which lead to a reversal in policy and the production of today’s gas hungry SUVs, cars and trucks?
For the last 30 years oil companies and government have know that the oil reserves would eventually run out. Thirty plus years to develop controls, energy efficiency policies and develop alternate means of fuel and transport. Today it is a know fact that world production has been drastically down since 2005 yet we still seek to discover new oil reserves; this is not the answer. Today we use a billion barrels every 11.5 days. So even if a company finds a field with five billion barrels (a major discovery) it would only fuel the world for less than 2 months! What this means is that oil prices will continue to rise and there is nothing anyone can do. Soon we will have 1 BILLION petroleum-consuming cars on the road in just three years... and that number is expected to increase 20% by 2015, mostly fueled by growth in China.

Somehow, I don't think you'll be fueling your car with solar, wind or hydro energy anytime soon. Many years will pass before these vehicles make a global impact and by then it may have been too little too late. The technology has been with us for some time, and yet we drive cars today that consume more gas than the cars we drove in the late 70's and early 80's. What has happened, will we live to see scenes from Mad Max become a reality?
I propose small changes, simple, cheap and we can start right now. Drive free zones in every town. Most gas is consumed while sitting idle in a traffic jam or circling around looking for a parking spot or just cruising around. Create free parking lots to accommodate all vehicles within half a mile or a quarter of a mile from the center of a city or town that is known to have a heavy traffic inflow. From this point on no vehicle will be allowed in. Free electric buses will be provided for senior citizen and the handicapped all others must walk. This may not sound like a great plan but it’s a start. Here in my home town of Lajas Puerto Rico we could start with the village of La Parguera. In Cabo Rojo, Boqueron would be ideals and in the town of San German the entire historical district should be off limits to cars as well as Old San Juan. I know this can be done but who will be the first or shall we just wait until gasoline eats away at a larger part of your disposable income? For those who think that the parking lots will cost too much then think again, design lot that will function as solar or thermal collectors. Think out side of the box, do the unthinkable re-make the world we live in.
Proposal number two; no drive Sunday. No vehicular traffic at all within the town limits from 8:00 AM. To 8:00 PM. In very large cities perhaps all major avenues can be closed and only allow traffic to bypass the city. These are just two proposals perhaps someone can suggest additional ideas? I know many more ideas exist are implemented across Europe today so what are we doing here in the greatest nation on Earth?

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Did you know/ Sabias tu?

During the early 70s and into 1981 the average MPG of all cars in the USA was 26mpg the same as in Europe. Today twenty eight years later the average USA fleet of cars averages just 23mpg where as the Europeans have increased their average to 30mpg an increase of 14% where as the USA dropped 3.8% . Today the European market offers 129 models that average over 36mpg and 59 models that average over 50mpg but only five models are sold in the USA.
These are not exotic or experimental cars as is the VW L1 which currently averages 285mpg; these are normal cars available to anyone in the European common wealth. The truth has been buried by the oil companies, ad agencies and the government in order to promote larger gas guzzling cars and SUVs.
The current MPG record is held by a 1959 Opel T1 establish in 1973 with an amazing 376mpg, record which still stands. Again an average car with a high tuned engine; shocking isn’t it?

Another fact is that a car engine is only 17% to 23% efficient which means 20% of the gas you buy usually goes right out your tail-pipe as carbon waste, green house gas. What engine experts and oil companies have known for years is that only about 30-50% of the gas you put in your car gets properly vaporized for ignition, which means another source of wasted fuel and energy. Re-engineering a much more efficient engine is no secret or rocket science it just hasn’t been done in the U.S.A. Want proof, take a trip to France and pick up a Citron C1, 61.5mpg, well sorry you can not imported into the USA much less Puerto Rico. Also see what cars are used by the local police departments in Europe.

How did we get here and who is really responsible for the so called gas shortage and high prices? I shall touch upon that in my next write up.

Durante los años 70 y hasta el 1981 el promedio de MPG en todos los coches en los E.U. era unas 26mpg el mismo que en Europa. Hoy, veintiocho años más tarde el promedio de la flota de coches promedio en E.U. es sólo unas 23mpg encuanto los europeos han aumentado su promedio a 30mpg un aumento del 14% mientras que los EE.UU. se redujo un 3.8%. Hoy el mercado europeo ofrece 129 modelos con un promedio de más de 36mpg y 59 modelos con un promedio de más de 50mpg, pero sólo cinco modelos se venden en los EE.UU.. No se trata de coches exóticos o experimental tal como es el VW L1 que en la actualidad rinde un promedio de 285mpg; estos son coches normales a la disposición de cualquier persona en el mercado europeo. La verdad ha sido enterrada por las compañías petroleras, agencias de publicidad y el gobierno con el fin de promover la mayor venta de automóviles y SUVs de alto consumo. El actual récord de MPG está en manos de un Opel T1 del 1959 establecido en 1973 con un sorprendente 376mpg, récord que sigue en pie. Una vez más un automóviles promedio con un motor de alta sintonía; chocante ¿no? Otro hecho es que el motor de un coche es sólo un 17% al 23% eficiente, lo que significa que el 20% del gas que usted compra normalmente va derecho al ambiente como residuos de carbono, o gas de invernadero. ¿Lo qué los expertos en motores y las compañías petroleras han conocido por años es que sólo alrededor del 30-50% del gas que consume su coche se vaporiza adecuadamente para la ignición, lo que significa otra fuente de derroche de combustible y energía. La re-ingeniería de una forma mucho más eficiente del motor es ningún secreto o ciencia oculta si no que no se ha hecho en los Estados Unidos. ¿Querés prueba, tome un viaje a Francia y compre un Citron C1,(61.5mpg), perdon, no intente importarse a los EE.UU. y mucho menos a Puerto Rico. ¿Cómo llegamos aquí y quiene es realmente responsable del llamado escasez de petro y altos precios? En mi próximo intervención les hacemos referencia a estos mitos.