TresSugar

The March of the Humans (NSFW)

GiggleSugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 04:00:00 -0800

The March of the Penguins had way too many birds in it. How 'bout we replace a few (or all) of the birds with waddling human extras? For sex appeal, natch.

Moving Endangered Species To Save From Global Warming?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:56:40 -0700

The biological community is facing global climate change with a radical plan to create a sort of Darwin-assisted species-triage program: moving threatened species to safer locations. As we heard in Al Gore's big global warming speech yesterday, warming is huge - and one of the effects is that many species are now facing extinction as the weather shifts, leading some to ask if a big move can lead to the salvation of a species.

Ten years ago, this idea was wildly opposed when it was introduced into the scientific community as data on global warming began mounting. Now, as warming becomes more acute, scientists and conservationists are seriously considering the idea of providing a one-way ticket to disappearing species.

View 10 Photos ›

Radical ideas are tricky, and this is no exception. There are two major sticking points. To see what those problems entail, read more.

The first hitch is, as any biologist will tell you, if you move any species from one environment to another it might not survive - or worse - it may fare entirely too well and destroy its new neighbors with impunity. If one of the newer kids on the endangered block, the Polar Bear, were moved to the only other environment in which it might call home – Antarctica – the penguins would most likely go extinct very quickly having no natural defense against the new predator, Marching, no more.

The second dilemma is what to save and what to let slip away into the oblivion of eternal death. Stanford biologist, Terry Root, says: “Ultimately the decision about whether to actively assist the movement of a species into new territories will rest on ethical and aesthetic grounds as much as on hard science.” And there's a cute factor? Would the more precious like the baby Siberian Tiger pictured above get preferential treatment over the Oahu tree snail?

No matter what scientists decide to save and what to let go extinct, there are those that simply have no alternatives. The native endangered species of the Sky Islands in Arizona and New Mexico have such specific survival environments that can not be found elsewhere. Root is objective about such fates: “Those species are functionally extinct right now. They’re toast.”

Hopefully the new homes won't be on the list of endangered places . . . but is moving species the solution? Should endangered species pack their bags?

Source

Smokestacks Meet Thumper: Disney and the Environment

CitizenSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:56:50 -0700

Chim chiminey, Chim chiminey, Chim chim cher-oo! Disney may have made the life of a chimney sweep seem like dancing on the rooftops, but some decades later we've learned smudgy, sooty coal is a filthy form of energy. Which is why the news that much of Europe may be returning to their old coal ways requires a huge spoonful of sugar.

Italy is poised to increase its reliance on coal to 33 percent from 14 percent over the next five years. Total power generated from coal will billow to 50 percent. Don't just blame the Italians, countries all over Europe are expected to put into operation about 50 coal-fired plants over the next five years - plants and gunk that we will be able to enjoy for the next five decades. Germany in particular has 60 new coal-fired power stations planned. To see how Disney fits into the modern eco-picture, read more.

An animator who worked on Disney's Bambi went the way of Bambi's mom last week and requested in lieu of flowers, donations to the Natural Resources Defense Council. His request underscores a Disney obsession with the pastoral, evidenced in films from Bambi, to Pocohontas, to Finding Nemo. Some say these films inspire tiny environmentalists, like this researcher at Cambridge University.

These films have taught us variously about having a fundamental respect for nature. Some of them, such as Bambi, inspired conservation awareness and laid the emotional groundwork for environmental activism.

In a step to take the eco-activism from figurative to literal, Disney is launching new film production unit called Disneynature. They're gearing up to make feature-length documentaries about animals and the environment, similar to the wildly popular March of the Penguins. The first US movie to be released, is dubbed Earth is set to open April 22, 2009 - Earth Day a year from now.

Are we at a crossroad in terms of environmental decision making, where we need to choose between the black-lunged Dick Van Dyke chimney sweep of coal, and the blissful Disney forests? Are you surprised that countries are returning to coal? Was Disney a true trailblazer in the environmental movement? Does entertainment have a place in driving environmental policy?

Do you love that part in Bambi where the skunk says, "he can call me Flower if he wants to?"

Source

Please Pass The Popcorn

DearSugar — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 10:16:20 -0700

Dear Sugar
My boyfriend and I date long distance. He's coming in next weekend and the forecast is calling for rain. I can't wait to snuggle up to him all weekend. What are a few good date movies we'll both enjoy? Film Aficionado

Dear Film Aficionado
I'll begin my recommendations by genre. 9 1/2 weeks is hot and sexy! Start with this one to get him in the mood for a weekend indoors. Wedding Crashers is a hysterical comedy that both sexes are sure to love. Even if you've already seen it, somehow more and more hidden jokes reveal themselves (call me kitty cat). Usual Suspects is both a great mystery movie. It happens to be one of my all-time favorites. Crash won movie of the year at the Oscars. It's a drama that you will be talking about well after you see it. Walk The Line is both a musical and a dramatic love story. Same as Moulin Rouge. If you are in the mood for something of a lesser blockbuster type, both March of The Penguins and Touching The Void are documentary survival stories. All are available on netflix , so get your order in ASAP. Enjoy.