H ALIBUT HERALD

December 3, 2009
Bambi & Thumper in real life (IRL!)

No other words needed.

http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/01/real-life-bambi-thumper.html

The GOOD Guide to COP15: All You Need to 5 Climate Desires: A Holiday Wish
Know About the Copenhagen Conference List for Copenhagen
We’ve almost made it to Copenhagen for COP15, and
the news in the month or so leading up to it has
been… mixed.
The following is a wish list from EcoPolitology: The
Politics of Energy & The Environment.

1. Countries that lack hard, binding targets — like

the U.S., China and recent failure Australia —
make firm commitments to remedy that situation.
2. Right-leaning “news” outlets like Fox News keep
If you're late arriving to the COP15 party, and need to get caught up on their mouths generally shut.
what the political fuss is about, there's still time to get your head 3. That we stop talking about “climategate.”
straight: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/11/good-has-the- 4. A climate adaptation fund for poor, at-risk
goods-on-cop15.php countries, is formally approved.
Or try out this “non-wonky crib sheet”: 5. The news coverage of the conference raises the
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/11/mostly-non-wonky- overall journalistic discourse on climate change.
cop15-crib-sheet.php Interesting ideas like this could help an often
Or the always reliable, Grist.org guide to COP15: unqualified media in writing about actual science
http://www.grist.org/topic/copenhagen-climate-talks without screwing it up too terribly.
READ ON: http://ecopolitology.org/2009/12/02/5-
climate-desires-a-holiday-wish-list-for-copenhagen
Public Attitudes Toward Climate Change: Findings from a World Bank Multi-Country Poll
A new poll of 15 nations, most of them in the developing world, finds that majorities of the people canvassed want their governments to
take steps to fight climate change, even if that entails costs.
READ ON: http://bit.ly/5NwrDs

Copenhagen Climate Change Talks MUST FAIL, Says Top Scientist James Hansen
‘We don’t have a leader who is able to grasp [the issue] and say what is really needed. Instead we are trying to continue business as
usual,’ say James Hansen.
READ ON: http://greenhouseneutralfoundation.org/articles/2009/12/03/copenhagen-climate-change-talks-must-fail-says-top-
scientist-james-hansen/

Flexible, Thin Batteries Made from Algae

Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Have a Slow
Holiday

Nanotechnologists at Uppsala University in Sweden have discovered

that algae cellulose has 100 times the surface area of paper
cellulose making it suitable for battery production. The paper-thin
algae battery is made by layering extraordinarily minute layers of
conducting polymer and algae cellulose fibers. The results are a
battery that charges faster than traditional batteries (eight seconds)
and holds more energy. Researchers state the batteries are “very
easy to make”.
READ ON:
http://greenlivingideas.com/topics/technology/flexible-thin-
batteries-algae
Let's face it: With all that rushing, consuming, and bargain-
hunting, the holidays can be darn stressful. So this year,
following the best of the methodology pioneered by the
revolutionary Slow Food Movement, TreeHugger is taking them
back. True luxury is taking the time to enjoy, the time to savor
the moment. Each of these gifts--selected for thoughtfulness,
longevity, and quality over quantity--have this goal in mind.
READ ON: http://www.treehugger.com/giftguide/
First Living Building Successfully CO2 Accountability @ Worlds Fingertip’s with
'Grown' Commute Greener App by Volvo

Commute Greener! turns your mobile phone into a CO2 calculator.

Introducing the 'living building'--where trees are actually
grown into the structure of a building and melded with cables
and metal supports, giving a whole new meaning to the term
'green building'. The prototype for this new design has just
been built in Germany.
READ ON: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/09/first-
living-building-grown.php
Sustainability Planning Toolkit
Helping you to reduce personal and global CO2 footprints!
DOWNLOAD NOW: http://www.commutegreener.com/#Login-1948
LEARN MORE: http://www.volvo.com/group/global/en-
gb/productsandservices/industrialitsolutions/commutegreener.ht
m
DIY Christmas Tree
Ornaments

ICLEI's Sustainability Planning Toolkit, based on the model pioneered by City of New
York's PlaNYC, contains comprehensive, step-by-step guidance to develop a
sustainability plan for cities, towns, and counties of all sizes. It follows a proven, READ ON:
straightforward, and flexible process to create a successful, long-term plan that brings http://www.mnn.com/family/holiday/ph
together environmental, economic, and social initiatives under one holistic vision to otos/diy-christmas-tree-
improve the livability of communities and create lasting benefits. ornaments/crafting-for-christmas
READ ON: http://www.icleiusa.org/action-center/planning/sustainability-planning-
toolkit

The End of Deforestation in the Brazilian Nanotechnology in 24 seconds/7 words,

Amazon? courtesy of Wade Adams and the Ig Nobels

Market forces and Brazil's political will are converging in an READ ON:
unprecedented opportunity to end deforestation in the Brazilian http://2020science.org/2009/11/30/nanotechnology-in-24-
Amazon with 80 percent of the forest still standing. seconds7-words-courtesy-of-wade-adams-and-the-ig-
READ ON: http://www.physorg.com/news179088334.html nobels/#ixzz0YfyRytqO
A Change in Tune: Blue
Whales are Singing More Deeply
than They Used To
The tonal frequency of blue whale
songs is decreasing around the world,
according to a study in Endangered
Species Research. The most
extensively monitored type of song,
recorded in the eastern North Pacific,
dropped in tonal frequency by 31%
between 1963 and 2008. The other six
song types also have steadily moved to
lower frequencies, the researchers
found.
READ ON:
http://journalwatch.conservationmag
azine.org/2009/12/01/a-change-in-
tune/
First Comprehensive Review A Decade of Discovery
World Ocean Census Book:
of the State of Antarctica's
Climate A Global Survey of Marine
Presents the latest research from the icy Life
continent, identifies areas for future
scientific research, and addresses the
urgent questions that policy makers have
about Antarctic melting, sea-level rise and
biodiversity.
Since 1980 there has been a 10% increase
in Antarctic sea ice extent, particularly in
the Ross Sea region, as a result of the
stronger winds around the continent (due to
the ozone hole)
VanAqua’s Pacific Ocean Shelf Tracking
READ ON:
(POST) Project have played a part in
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20
making this census possible. Check out
09/11/091130192921.htm
the book review here:
http://www.coml.org/results-
publications/worldoceancensus
Abstaining Blue Footed Boobies Get Sexier (Video) Prepare for a Lobster-Full Future:
Acidic Oceans Could Help Some
Critters

Scientists now think that acidifying oceans may allow

these select crustaceans to build stronger shells and
exoskeletons, instead of making them more brittle.
Carbon dioxide (CO2)—the notorious byproduct of fossil
fuel burning—dissolves in the ocean. That makes the
ocean more acidic. It also reduces the number of so-
Now this is a new angle on abstinence, at least, in the kingdom. Male blue- called carbonate ions in seawater, and these ions are
footed boobies who abstain from sex for a year develop a brighter, more among the primary materials that sea creatures use to
attractive shade of blue in their feet. build their calcium carbonate shells and skeletons.
READ ON & WATCH: READ ON:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/02/abstaining-blue-footed- http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/12/0
bo_n_377630.html 2/prepare-for-a-lobster-full-future-acidic-oceans-
could-help-some-critters/
King Crab Family Bigger Than Ever
Timelapse of Swarming Monster Worms and
Sea Stars - BBC One

Four new species of king crab, all from the deep sea.
READ ON:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/09120210
1747.htm Three-foot nemertean worms and carnivorous sea stars prowl the
Antarctic in search of flesh. Finding a dead seal, the sea stars inject it
650 Million Years In 1:20 Min. with digestive juices ... then suck it up like soup.
WATCH VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG17TsgV_qI

Wail for Whales: Stealth Boat to Blast Japanese (Whalers)

JAPANESE whalers have seen a
lot from opponents in the
Antarctic: rotten butter in bottles,
smoke bombs, propeller
entanglements, even the odd bare
bottom.But they haven't seen
anything like the Ady Gil. Nor
heard anything like a hair-raising
Maori haka this outrageous black
speedboat plans to blow in their
direction when it finds them.
How earth became what it is today, and how it will be in the READ ON:
future http://www.brisbanetimes.com.a
WATCH VIDEO: u/national/wail-for-whales-
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8266a_650-million- stealth-boat-to-blast-japanese-
years-in-120-min_tech 20091201-k1j4.html
Archival Photo

Construction of BC Tel Pool seen from inside Open Ocean Foyer, 1965.

Library News
For more library news, book reviews, access to our online catalogue and much more, visit us on the
aquanet: http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/default.aspx

Get your up-to-the minutes news via RSS feed from the library’s What’s new pages. Currently, there are
two What’s new pages running a variety of interesting news feeds

What’s New – Animals and Nature – for news about birds, reptiles, marine mammals, and places such as
the Arctic http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/WhatsNewAnimalsandNature.aspx

What’s New – Business and General – for news about business, finance, tourism, visitor experience and
marketing http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/What%27sNewBGN.aspx

News on Environmental conservation and education will soon be available via the Conservation Current
http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/ConservationCurrent/Pages/Default.aspx

Did you know that the Library has access to over 100 journals and magazines??
At least 80 of these are available full text online.
For a complete hyperlinked list, visit the library journals page on Aquanet:
http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/Journals.aspx

As well, you can find new books and movies listed on this page of Aquanet:
http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/LibraryCatalogue.aspx
Events
From Earth to Ocean: Stories from Gwaii Haanas
Parks Canada has identified the waters around Gwaii Haanas National
Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site (Queen Charlotte Islands) as a
potential national marine conservation area reserve.

To present the stories of Gwaii Haanas, Parks Canada has partnered

with The Vancouver Aquarium to offer a unique speaker series open to
the public. Participation is free, though seats are limited. Each
engaging event allows audience members to explore a different aspect
of the region and understand the benefits of its protection. Starting in
September, join us to find out more about:

Session 4: Healthy oceans, healthy people

Monday December 7
Whether it’s dining out or reporting a whale sighting, your actions can make a difference to our
oceans. Join us for this special conclusion to find out what you can do to help
Each session takes place at The Vancouver Aquarium from 7 – 9 pm.
Please enter at the AquaQuest Administrative Entrance.
To confirm your seat, email: lectureseries@vanaqua.org or call 604-659-3432.
Please identify which session you would like to attend. Seating is limited.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UVy7uUceXw
The VAHC meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. in the
Aquatic Planet classroom on the first Wednesday
of each month. Meet at the Aquaquest reception
entrance. Talks generally get going around 8 p.m.
after a hobby club Q & A session. The
talks/meetings are free to attend, but if you find
yourself coming to quite a few, a membership to
the club is always a great idea (a mere $20/year!)