How Much Oil is Out There OCS

by Scotland Willis

If one were to capture the accomplishments of the current Administration over the last year and compared them to previous Administrations, here's what your list might look like(accomplishments); And before you decide that you have no more interest in political discourse, the purpose is not to gloat over President Obama's accomplishments, or even to carry on about politics; no, the numbers are much more interesting than any of that.

So a few quick facts based on data produced by government resources which experts count on and defer to for decision making; but not before we look at the flaw of President Obama's latest interest in off shore drilling. This means that executive and congressional restrictions would be removed that prevent offshore drilling in the outer continental shelf (OCS). Whoa, where did that come from? This is likely a more passive response that what most environmentalists feel would be appropriate.

As the Huffington Post put it "He(president Obama) cited the need for this move to meet short-term economic needs and a longer-term, clean energy future." This is highly questionable, so back to the numbers. According to 2008 figures, the United States consumes about 19.5 million barrels of oil every day. These numbers come from a federal agency, not a environmental watch group. Estimates from the U.S. Department of the interior say that is 0.5-1 billion barrels(Bbbl) of oil in the Mid Atlantic area and 0.03-0.15 billion barrels of oil in the South Atlantic. Stick with me.

At best collectively this represents 1.15 billion barrels of oil. We are almost home. Now if you divide that by the rate of consumption you end up with results that look like this... really complex but hang in there. Total amount of usage this oil will yield by removing these restrictions is...58.97 days. One must agree that this not only qualifies as "short term economic needs", it could easily qualify for extremely short term economic needs. If you are shaking your head in disbelief, there is an open invitation to research these numbers for yourself. I love to be proven wrong, it means that someone else is doing their homework; but then you would also have to train the Energy Information Administration.

It is important to keep in mind that they will also explore natural gas in these same areas; but it is critical not to overlook the obvious as well as the counter productive. Natural gas will yield significantly higher numbers about 11.7 trillion cubic feet( tcf ) about half of what we consume in a year in the U.S. Overall in the United States we consumed 22,227,000,000,000 (twenty-two trillion-two hundred-twenty-seven-billion,) cubic feet of natural gas in 2008. It shows up third behind coal and oil in terms of CO2 (carbon dioxide) output at 5,300 metric tons, but is expected to overtake coal CO2 by 2030.

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Imagine

Imagine a place where no student struggles where their dreams last forever and none ever busts their bubble

Imagine if on the Horizon no Deepwater blew, if the ocean was still clean and still looked brand new
Imagine if safety truly existed for all, young women, girls and boys not getting raped but being exalted

Imagine if Darfur was just a land of peace where women, men and children were just our brethren to the East

What if Kosovo were not a reality, no suffering, pain or useless brutality and if Hitler in Germany never killed, millions of people, blood whole and not spilled; in Sudan, South Africa, Watusi and fate how on Earth could we live in a world full of hate.

Imagine if conflict were just a word,
that never found a way into our vocabulary
and were replaced with exponential power even just in a third
of what we feel when we know the meaning of sanctuary.

Imagine if politicians did more than represent, a fiction of what people hope really wanted, might they then make a dent.
Imagine if the land we cherish so much were more than economic and political clutch, more than a place for esoteric foods for people with a fetish or elitist broods.

Can you imagine what it is like to breathe clean air, to live a life of laughter and not despair
Imagine how many lives we could have saved if we to treat people like humans and not like slaves

Imagine banks that worked like a friend, lending helping hands without making you bend

Imagine if energy were something we protected without exploiting resources using the pipes we erected.

Imagine valuing life in a way that there was no dollar value to make you feel like you'll pay. Would we finally live life and knowing freedom comes our way.

Imagine that Katrina had never occurred, where the voice of people could still be heard; egregious acts and lack there of, acts are just a performance, blood requires a glove.

Imagine if Palestinians and Israelis knew no war, imagine what women, infants and children died for.

Imagine if you your gender or race didn't matter, if people cared for people, if there were never homeless on the streets feeling sadder

Imagine if hugs, I love you, and kiss were just pure; and that law suits and malfeasance existed no more.

Imagine Edison's belief in natural resources
where coal, nuclear and oil were not power forces

doubt and despair are inimical traits take time to imagine take time to wait
It is not how soon things can come to an end, sometimes its just how you begin- and how you can continue which takes time and makes friends

Imagine that I never had to think like this, cause the world that we lived had more thoughts with more bliss.

iPhone Factor

Corporate Responsibility

By Scotland Willis

iPhones have become an international icon for communication savvy and pop culture. Unfortunately a connection between the iPhone and the hazardous chemical n Hexane, have become linked; it appear a step in manufacturing of the iPhone is resulting in neurological damage to some workers in China. N Hexane is a toxic chemical and on rare occasions can be deadly.

In February 2010, claims were reported that Wintek Corporation a subsidiary of Suzhou had workers who experienced neurological symptoms due to exposure from Hexane. The significance- Wintex produces the iPhone product and the n Hexane is a chemical used for cleaning the screens on iPhones. Hexane has a flash point of -10F and there for evaporates faster than alcohol as a cleaning agent- speeding up production. It is important to understand a few more facts about n Hexane itself.

Hexane if inhaled enters your body through your lungs. A person's liver helps to break down harmful substances such as the gases from n Hexane. The liver makes proteins that regulate your blood, and attempts to neutralize toxins in the blood like those found in Hexane. These toxins that don't get filtered pass through your blood stream and are carried to all of your organs.

Research from NIOSH (responsible for health and safety standards under the Center for Disease Control,) reveals that n Hexane has severe neuro toxins and can lead to a range of debilitating affects from peripheral neuropathy to pneumonitis. OSHA's permissible exposure limits of hexane in a contained workspace is 500 parts per million (ppm). Though proposed limits of 50 ppm were submitted to the U.S. court system, the court repudiated this proposal and its legal limits remain at 500 ppm today as listed on OSHA and CDC's NIOSH. It should be noted that even at 500 ppm neurological damage can still occur.

To provide some perspective OSHA allows 5000 parts per million(ppm) of CO2 (carbon dioxide), per million parts of air. This indicates that n Hexane at an allowable 500 ppm, present a dangerously higher level of risk to human welfare when compared to the allowable ppm for carbon dioxide(U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services).

Hexane is also found in many soy products from baby formula to soy milk. Manufactures use Hexane to extract proteins in these food products. Traces found in food products are often in the low 20 ppm and even less in soy milk. The objective is to explain how common the presence of Hexane is in our food, and put its risk factor in perspective. Hexane is a very harmful chemical and ideally manufacturers of soy products would not use Hexane in processing food at all. Preventable measures would be most ideal but that would most likely require reducing the production levels- as is the case with the iPhone.

Any of the point made here can be verified and are in no way presented to drastically shift public opinion, but hold companies accountable for counter intuitive practices to sustainability. As an environmental strategist the goal is to encourage businesses to look at more effective ways to approach eco-friendly practices, by making alternative recommendations.

From a public consumer perspective, we can influence what happens in the manufacturing process. By letting the company know that we would like evidence within 60 days that their policy regarding exposure this chemical demonstrates significant change; and that we would consider shifting our loyalty to their brand if reasonable steps were not taken. This give the manufacture reasonable time to make changes and does not threaten the disruption of business immediately. Everyone should have time to respond so that they don't react in a nonproductive or less meaningful way.

Corporate and social responsibility extend beyond our boarders. When we decide to globalize our products and services, that brings with it accountability in those new territories; not only for those products and services but to the quality of life that speak to who we are and our regard for people and the ecosystem. For business, environmental priorities should be a expansive part of a evolving green print for success.

Cycling on Purpose

by Scotland Willis

Sustainability does not always have to be an intense effort to persuade individuals to learn more about their carbon footprint, not drive gas-guzzlers, and buy carbon offsets. With a look at the pleasures of sustainability we just might convert a few more people.

In April 2009, tired of feeling the frustration that goes along with owning a car, I decided to get rid of my car and buy a bicycle. Since that time I have put in over 3,600 miles on my bike. I am an aggressive cyclist but try to be respectful of other vehicles and people around me. The population of cyclists is growing as consciousness of the environment, cycling campaigns, City initiatives, and fuel prices increase. Staying ahead of the curb is important but so is cycling awareness.

Great living

Living in the South End affords many amenities, including proximity to some of Boston’s best activities. Fortunately sustainability can be coupled with these amenities in a very practical way - cycling. With the Southwest Corridor, Charles River, and Greenway virtually at our doorstep, there is no excuse to not pedal to your heart’s content.

Breezing down Dartmouth towards the overpass is a simple route to the Charles River. It places you between the Harvard Bridge (often referred to as the Mass. Ave. Bridge) and the Esplanade. On great spring days, when the air is brisk, it is a perfect time for riding; as your raised metabolism increases your body temperature, the cool air keeps you comfortable. Despite the liberating feeling of cycling, the amenity of stopping whenever you want to enjoy the sites, and not having to worry about parking, safety is paramount above all else.

Experience teaches us

I have found that the skills from decades of motorcycle riding are proving to be very beneficial to being a cyclist. I like to keep the flow of riding as constant as possible; I prefer taking a longer route if it means I don’t have to disrupt my ride - this tends to lead me to quieter streets. Riding my motorcycle has taken me to places few other experiences have, topping out at 206 m.p.h., across the wide open roads of Colorado. What that forced me to do is to always be very alert of my surroundings, constantly looking at least three-quarters of a mile down the road to anticipate sudden changes in the landscape. I always pause and look twice in both directions while cycling; I look in drivers’ eyes, which helps me to gauge their intended action. Lastly if you look through the rear window of a car as you are riding in the bicycle lane, to see if anyone is in it, you might avoid getting "doored," a serious concern for cyclists. My number one rule is raise my alertness when I get comfortable, even if it is just to remind myself for a second that anything could happen. And while it may be obvious, not owning one is just poor judgment - get a helmet. Helmets are lightweight, can be stylish and they reduce your risk of serious injury.

Back on the pathway

Heading south down the Southwest Corridor, a 20- to 30-minute ride will place you at the Arnold Arboretum, near the Forest Hills T stop. Walk or cycle through the 265 acres of lush landscape of birds, plant life and ponds. It is a sanctuary in the middle of Boston, which I ride to once a week. Leaving the Arboretum you can head up the Jamaica Way path to the Riverway bringing you back into the depths of the City; it makes for a peaceful transition with light traffic sounds in the background. Hundred-year-old oaks, maples and other tree life insulate the ride as you pass walkers and families playing in the grass.

Mayor Menino’s Boston Bikes initiative is part of creating "a vibrant healthy city for all." This plan includes adding new bike lanes, increasing bicycle safety and awareness and addressing the concerns of experienced cyclists. A little research and you will never feel alone; there are multiple groups you can join, including meet-up groups and Bike Fridays and Hub on Wheels.

Boston is a great place to ride a bicycle (in many areas), more so than riding a motorcycle. Hilly roads, winding streets and riverside pathways make riding here a real gem; it is important, however, not to overlook the reality of riding in heavily condensed traffic. There is a rhythm to riding bicycles responsibly like that of motorcycles; to that end I am constantly seeing the value of one meeting the needs of the other. Bike season is here! Get out, have fun, save the planet ... and stay healthy and safe.

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Deepwater Horizon Disaster

by Scotland Willis

The ongoing disaster as a result of the fire on oil rig Deepwater Horizon, in the Gulf of Mexico, should be of major concern for consumers of fish, environmentalists, scientists, and President Obama. Public health implications when such events occur, seem to be easily forgotten as a result of distancing ourselves from the event; this event should remain present in our decision making, regarding food consumption and our energy choices for the United States. 2009 data from the Department of Agriculture research shows that in the United States, Americans consume 743,858,000 pounds of fish and another 240,113,000 pounds of lobster, clams and other crustaceans.

On April 20, 2010 the oil rig Deepwater Horizon exploded resulting from an oil leak. The spill occurred between 30 and 50 miles offshore from Louisiana's coast, and is currently under investigation. Estimates indicate that the rig, operated by BP Global(for crude oil production) was spewing 700 thousand gallons of oil a day into the Gulf Region, according to the AP.

Corporate Response

According to a BP press release 32 spill response vessels were deployed to the area including a barge capable of skimming 171,000 barrels per day and an additional 175,000 on standby. This seems adequate to capture the 700 thousand gallons a day if that is in fact accurate. They also announced that 100,000 gallons of dispersants are on site, having received approval from the U.S. Coast Guard. BP's forecasting suggest that the spill will remain offshore. The largest oils spills in history range from the Gulf War at 1,400,000 tons to the Exxon Valdez at 35,000 tons, and Deepwater Horizon appears to be moving in that direction.

Government Action
As a part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Mineral Management Service(MMS) is also working with the U.S. Coast Guard to assess and deploy emergency response to this oil spill. The MMS is responsible for managing everything from renewable energy to gas and oil, and minerals for the United States; part of that management includes emergency responses. Ilene Angelico appears to be overseeing the gulf region as the emergency point person for this particular oil disaster.

Ownership

After attempting to contact BP directly, the calls were redirected to a Houston office to a recording in direct response to the oil spill; the calls were once again redirected to a Transocean spokes person. After speaking briefly with Guy Cantwell responsible for communication, it was discovered that Transocean, the worlds largest drilling contractor, was responsible for drilling the well.

Oil rigs are somewhat like airlines in that rigs are leased by investment groups because of large expense. The rig was built by Hyundai Heavy Industries Shipyard in South Korea; it is owned by Transocean Ltd. and leased to BP Global. BP's annual report shows sales and revenue of $239 billion dollars; producing 5.9 million barrels of refined oil a day in 2009, and an interest in 16 refineries around the world. BP also has investments in renewable energy .

Deepwater Horizon has now collapsed and is approximately 5000 feet below the sea. The platform was 396 feet (121 m) long and 256 feet (78 m) wide and designed to drill in water depths of up to 8,000 feet (2,400 m). Maximum drill depth was 30,000 feet (9,100 m).

Environmentalist Reprisal

On March 31, 2010, President Obama and the Secretary announced the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Strategy as part of President Obama’s comprehensive energy plan for the country. The Department is pursuing a strategy for exploring and developing oil and gas resources on the OCS. This accident will lead to great concerns, and leveraged arguments for environmental and marine scientists. The fallout from this accident regarding the ecological impact and food consumption in the Gulf region, has yet to be determined. It is likely that there has been extensive damage which will impact that area for years to come, with the slick less than 30 miles off shore.

Oil disasters are important to understand and keep on our radar because of the ecological impact and threat to the environment overall. Since the fish we consume is exposed to the waste products we produce and fossil fuels we use, understanding what is happening regarding the impact of products or amenities that provide a lifestyle we enjoy in the U.S, these issues should at bare minimum, be an active concern for everyone.

Dedicated to Jaewon Martin Demand for Change

Never have I felt how compelling my blog name was until this day. In no way would I attempt to compare my title to the suffering of the Martin family right now but a level of frustration continues to mount that supports the grief the family must feel.

We already know much of the details of Jaewon Martin's murder, which is not why I am writing this article; Jaewon's age, school, academic intelligence etc. are all above par for a public school student. No this is a question to the public.

So I was sitting on the Memorial Drive side of river bank on the Charles unable to let go of the apoplectic emotions that stirred inside. I already knew what would follow this event; people would be outraged, the mayor, commissioner, and other public figures would make statements and hold a press conference; for a few weeks Jaewon would be memorialized. In other words nothing would really change. This time, that was not enough, so I began writing feverishly about real solutions to this violent conundrum. I wanted to really understand what was at the heart of the issue- safety! No surprise there.

I found a great sense of safety as I was sitting by the Charles. I had to convince myself that same sense of safety was at least possible- and it is. If you look in certain places in the country even here in Greater Boston, there is a sense of safety. And as I looked around, the remaining Harvard students and other pedestrians appeared to have a similar sense of safety. So if it is possible why are we not making the kind of investment felt in Cambridge for example. Then I went down the Green Belt; again I felt a strong sense of safety, and I went over by the Ritz Carlton, again I felt a strong sense of safety. I ended up in City Hall, to further establish that a sense of safety was possible. Knowing that budget hearings were occurring I felt a compulsion to see what accommodations had been made in the BPS budget to address this critical need. My timing was impeccable.

Sitting in on the fifth of the school budget hearing at City Hall today; deeply disturbed by Jaewon's murder over the weekend, I was looking for what charters had been made on behalf of students for their well being. Answer, none. To the Boston Public Schools; safety meant bus monitors, and truancy officers- neither of which met the concerns of real safety. Not even a sense of food security, did I feel. I had something in mind along the lines of the type of safety people should have when they lay down to sleep at night, or that of a good wholesome meal that awaits- not even that.

How long will we allow these events to dictate the future and aspirations of youth in the City of Boston. My call today is multifaceted. There should not in my opinion, be a single program or service in Boston that does not have a component of elimination of youth violence in it. I am not calling on the usual suspect to do the ground work; this is a call to all residents, business owners, and public officials alike to marshal an effort that provide students with a indisputable sense of safety. Each one teach one is not enough. We don't need better schools we need a better society.

Thomas Edison has one of my favorite quotes; "Nonviolence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages." What I would add to this quote is that, if we stand by inactive, but able to do something, then we are just as culpable.

Here is what I believe might be a good start to a Student Manifesto; money not being an issue, how would go about creating safety for each school age student?

No school age student will experience random shootings, unsafe areas for leisure developmental activities or bullying without exception.

FIRST Each community member is to support 1 youth for the rest of this school year and summer and bring them to or collectively meet with other mature adults in a safe place.

SECONDLY I am asking each person in he city to coordinate getting a youth to school and picking one up from school each day.

THIRD I am asking Google, MIT, Harvard and BU, NU to support the logistics of this effort using students in technology tracks as part of service learning and to earn credit for course work

FOURTH I am asking for $$$ to launch this effort immediately.

FIFTH I am asking all councilors to halt personal campaigns and hearings to cease until it is established that every initiative funded in the City of Boston has a component of school age safety built into it. This includes development of new properties and receipt of federal and state revenue.

SIXTH establish where the least homicides occurring; and everyone identify 5 places you identify as safe, relay them to a central repository.

SEVENTH I am requesting a 1% pay cut for every teacher, public official, administrator until each has a student safety plan built into their budget as part of a wrap around plan plugged into a central goal

EIGHTH It is my REQUEST. That the city do a survey of all BPS students to better understand the relationship between FEAR, and ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IMPEDIMENTS

NINTH The Boston Police Department will establish what settings most of these crimes occur based on historical data initiate change in a concentrated effort for that area.

TENTH Establish when students have the greatest sense of fear and fortify the services by communicating with businesses to support employees that help to escort students to school?

ELEVENTH Provide mentors to help recondition the damage that has already been done and a real support structure to foster healthy psychological development.

We can deduce that the same number of homicides will occur this year that occur last year based on the current trajectory, possibly more if the weather is nicer. Some people believe last year's short Summer season influenced homicide numbers downward.

These events have a devastating effect on youth, their confidence, and self concept. Youth live with a sense of fear from the very environments they are suppose to grow up in with a sense of security and we need a different strategy. I simply believe we can do more.

Young People Rising

Recently I had a brief conversation with a young man and woman in a festive setting. Loud urban hip hop music was playing in the background; while clusters of people in their mid to late twenties, occupied a portion of the yard space where I grew up celebrating similar festive events. From birthday parties to cookouts, this place has always been a gathering space where good friends and family come together to enjoy each others company- and learn from one another.

As things were settling down around 11:00on a Thursday night, I made a brief announcement to the women among the some thirty odd people, about a Young Black Women's Society event on Saturday- recommending that they attend. One young man exclaimed, "Can I go?" I replied, absolutely you can go, and you should go, you might learn something about how to truly treat a woman right. While my response was stated somewhat jokingly, there is a little truth in jest. His lady friend chided him implying that he just might learn something, as well. He conceded in his remarks acknowledging what was likely to be partial reality relative to the conversation.

Nearly all of the young men and women in attendance, at this family and friends style cookout, were career oriented or college graduates. One young woman mentioned that she saw the posting on Facebook, this seemed to be the push she needed to attend, realized only after a brief conversation. I further encouraged her to reconsider mentoring despite her career commitment as well.

It is refreshing to know that some settings never lose their charm. Having a save place where conversations can still happen, where I can ensue counter measures to cultural norms that result in harmful barriers or stereotypes. In fact, the very question this second young lady had for me prior to my appeal to her was, "do you think I am a working professional?" I stated that I had no reason to believe she was not. She continued to say "Because some people believe I could not be(a working professional) just because of the setting;" I told her is not my job to judge. Yet another struggle for budding professionals, balancing work life with professional life.

I am always glad to see young women in any culture rise above the odds and statistics. Since 1 in 4 women have experienced sexual assault; and the numbers in high school settings are even more piercing. Youth violence and bullying are devastating cultures, families, and genders across the nation. Each of us is responsible for making a concerted effort to transform the status quo. If I can encourage young women to both learn and teach on their life's journey, I feel I have done my work. This is part of my daily walk.

A neighbor walking by was a pleasant reminder that the diversity of Highland Park is the very reason why that charm exists; it is made up of males and females of all ethnicities and cultures. It is a part of the City where great things happen because of amenities that within, ranging from walkable streets to lush forestry; from involved residents to friendly neighbors. It makes having otherwise challenging conversations easy for the teacher and the pupil.

Boston Bottleneck

Boston has its share of issues but the bottleneck is virtual and perceived not real. We have congestion between the Mayor and the fire department, an abundance of crime, and deteriorating public school system, youth violence, and illusionary budget issues. People are so stuck on making their point that they are neither doing the research or proposing solutions.

If we really want to do something about these issues we might consider scrapping a few archaic policy systems that were established more than a century ago and revamp a few things. In this past Sunday's issues of the Boston Globes Magazine, they addressed bullying and compared the archaic intervention methods to a modern social problem as incongruent; "That’s like trying to develop strategies to reduce highway deaths based on data from horse-and-buggy accidents." At the federal level we have a constitution that was founded during a time that women and men who were not white, land owners, or educated could not vote. If we really want to think about best practices, doesn't all the data suggest that best practices mean beginning at the right starting point? But that means potentially dismantling a system that is centuries old (albeit dysfunctional). If where we began is wrong, why would we want to grow from there? Deep change is costly; not only in time and energy, but psychologically, and most people as well as governments are not prepared to deal with that.

BPS and the City have their hands full. Perhaps Carol Johnson is on the right path- clean house and give it another shot. The city council and Mayor Menino are experiencing major opposition because of their position that opposes the "racial profiling" issue in Arizona. From what I understand the phone lines are blowing up and the council is experiencing a bit of racism themselves- and no one is exempt. Other than angry racial slurs has anyone heard any rational counter proposals? I mean hey, I am open. Oh right the people who hate immigrants and want to send them back across the border, these are probably the same people who are no more than third generation removed or less. I happen to think we actually have a city council that is prepared to do something and be provocative in a way that gets voters off their ass and well...engage their government.

Recommendation to the opposition; come up with a clear well thought out proposal that demonstrates your alternative makes sense. Shouting and hollering will get you nowhere- business as usual, just lots of noise that will be forgotten in a matter of weeks or days- and still no plan. Our bottleneck occurs because very few people actually invest the time to change the status quo.