Frank Spencer: March 2008 Archives

In a story reminiscent of the honeybee crisis, biologists say that bat populations may be disappearing, hinting at climate change impacts and damage to ecosystems. In an article for The Online Newshour, Jenny Marder reported on the alarming number of deaths among these insect predators:

"Bats are dying at an alarming rate in the Northeast, and wildlife biologists fear the outbreak could lead to the extinction of the already endangered Indiana bat... Of the roughly 500,000 bats hibernating in the caves affected by the syndrome, Scott Darling, a bat biologist with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, estimates that the fatality rate has exceeded 90 percent. And he fears the toll is rising."

Many of the dead or dying bats have a white fungus on their noses and bodies, giving rise to speculation that a bacteria or virus may be the culprit. However, not all of these bats have signs of the fungus, and most are extremely emaciated. Many have left their hibernation early, flying around in winter conditions in search of food to avoid starvation.

Though scientists in 10 labs across the United States are attempting to pinpoint the source of this widespread scourge in the bat population, a simple answer has escaped them thus far. While some have suggested that pesticides and toxins may be causing the bat deaths, others have noted that ecological change resulting in warmer weather could be making the bats hibernate much later than usual, long after their supply of insects has vanished for the year. And since the main source of their diet is insects such as mosquitoes, many biologists believe that this year's insect population may swell to record numbers, meaning that the possibility of West Nile Virus will be even greater. Bats also eat caterpillars and beetles, and any outbreak of these insects could spell trouble for farm crops and fruit orchards.

Once again, we are forced to face the fact that our actions and decisions never have singular outcomes, and often result in  consequences far worse than the original problem we were attempting to fix.

Image: Rob and Stephanie (Flickr)

In the not-too-distant-future, Hawaii's world-famous waves may be known for something more than being a prime spot for professional surfers to practice their amazing feats of athletic skill and daring. As it turns out, the same source that generates the "Jaws" of Maui" also has the potential to supply Hawaii -- as well as the rest of the world -- with an excellent platform for renewable energy.

Oceanlinx, an international leader in the emerging technology of wave energy conversion, has recently announced plans to install a 2.7 megawatt wave energy project off the northeast coast of the Hawaiian island of Maui. According to the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy weekly newsletter:

"The $20 million project will include three wave platforms and could be operating by the end of 2009. Each platform will employ oscillating water column technology, in which a cylinder is suspended in the ocean with its open end facing down, trapping air in the top. As waves pass the cylinder, the trapped air is compressed and forced out through a turbine, and in the trough of the wave, air is sucked back through the turbine and into the cylinder. Oceanlinx takes a unique approach to this technology by using a turbine with variable-pitch blades, a variable-speed generator, and a complex control system."

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