Chasing Clean Air

National Geographic Channel Series Breakthrough Tackles Solutions To Pollution and Climate Change

Do you think that by tapping into the new alternative energy sources we can reverse most of the damage we have done to our environment?

National Geographic Channel premieres a new series to explore this important topic and more:

"Breakthrough."

"Breakthrough: Energy on the Edge" is the premiere episode and part of a  series of breakthrough ideas to begin December 6th at 9 pm EST on the National Geographic Channel. 

Dive into the energy debate and share your thoughts on solutions to pollution and climate change, as well as what you're doing to make a positive difference. We've got to stop our dependence on fossil fuels. Just yesterday, Beijing had it's worse smog alert ever, as leaders throughout the free world meet in Paris to discuss ideas on curbing greenhouse gases. My friend Chip Jacobs co-authored an informative book, The People's Republic of Chemicals that explores China's toxic smog contributing to a warming planet.

We all must get involved to make the world inhabitable now and in the future. National Geographic is a wonderful resource of information and you can be part of the energy and pollution solution, and conversation. 

 

Riding the bus alone during Los Angeles rush hour

Personally, I advocate for clean energy, tougher regulations, and walk and take public transportation often. I let the popular Los Angeles criticism for riding buses over driving cars roll off my back, as I step aboard the bus and read a book as the driver transports me effortlessly.  Often I'm alone, while cars all around me clog Los Angeles roadways with texting drivers. Why does everyone talk about climate change, and not get on the bus. This photo I took during rush hour. Alone on the bus. Honestly, if everyone doesn't act on the conversation what good is it?

Join me walking the talk. Take public transportation. Advocate for clean energy solutions. Watch National Geographic Channel's new series, Breakthrough.

To learn more about National Geographic's Breakthrough series, click here. "Breakthrough:  Energy on the Edge premieres Sunday, December 6, at 9 pm on National Geographic Channel.

To stay connected with my search for clean air, LIKE Chasing Clean Air on Facebook and subscribe to the Chasing Clean Air blog feed.

Until next time, breathe easy and make life an adventure.

Best Black Friday Deal: Free National Parks and California State Parks #optoutside

Hiking Mt. Tam

The BEST Black Friday deal: National Parks in nine states will be free to the public, only Arizona requires a physical free pass, which you can pick up at an REI location in the state.

REI is closing its 143 stores and paying all employees to get outside and enjoy national parks. I am a card-carrying REI member, and encourage you to be inspired by this wonderful company, too. Read more about REI's opt-out of shopping on Black Friday here. 

Inspired by REI, California's 49 state parks will offer free admission but require that you get limited passes online beforehand. Oops, just checked that limited passes link, and many parks are "sold out" overcapacity but you can see through above link what parks are still available for free entrance. 

Join nearly one million people, opting out of shopping to enjoy state and national parks instead. #optoutside See you on the trails...

To stay connected with my search for clean air, LIKE Chasing Clean Air on Facebook or subscribe to my blog feed.

Until next time, breathe easy and make life an adventure.

Photo taken hiking Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County, California where 80% of land is preserved as park land. 

 

Become Ocean: Musical Meditation Won 2015 Grammy for Best Classical Contemporary Composition

Spencer Glacier, a receding icy mountain and glacial lake dotted with luminescent blue ice chunks. Photo taken during my 2014 Alaska trip en route Kenai Peninsula

Imagine melting polar ice-caps, and gigantic glaciers giving way to the ocean. Melting. Water lapping. Joining waves. More glaciers receding, joining waves in unison: Become the ocean. 

This is my "environmental" music review of Become Ocean. In three simple words, I loved it. I enjoy soft meditative sounds, especially in nature. And this took the symphony form to a new level. I was immersed in the meditative rhythmic classical masterpiece at its Los Angeles Disney Hall premiere. 

Commissioned by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, environmentalist and composer, John Luther Adams won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Music and the 2015 Grammy for Best Classical Contemporary Composition for Become Ocean. Apparently, Mr. Adams was inspired by melting ice caps and sea level rise to capture feelings around our expanding ocean. I couldn't help but think that Mr. Adams is a great example of what can happen when one marries two passions into one meaningful endeavor!

Gentle waves, Pacific ocean, north of Santa Barbara, California

This was a meditative musical orchestration that gave the feeling of immersion in the ocean. I went with it. At times, I imagined a large wave washing over me, (safely in my seat, mind you).  And then I visualized stars twinkling above a gentle tide rippling to shore. 

The composition used a large string section, including harps; 2 vibraphones, bells, bass drums, flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, piano, percussion and more. Sections of musicians were creatively off-set from each other to emphasize one sound approaching another. Like waves. Instruments were added. Dropped. Now together. 

Like whitecap waves joining whitecap waves. Moving forward. Becoming one. In time. A gentle precise beat. Kissing the shore. Now picking up steam, perhaps the composer envisioned methane gases released from global warming, and waves getting bigger, sounds louder, reaching a climax, now a methodical ebb and flow.

Gentle Ripples Tofino, Vancouver Island, B.C I took this photo apparently during a brief period I added copyright symbols. It was also a brief time of calm. Tofino is known for big waves, wind, surfers, and ferocious rain.  

The rhythm of ocean waves was emphasized with string instruments and highlighted with methodic ringing of vibraphones. I found the meditative sounds enchanting. A comfort in an uneasy world. So I bought the Become Ocean CD in the Disney Hall gift shop to relive the feeling at home. What a pleasant musical surprise. Thank you, Mr. John Luther Adams.

"Life on this earth first emerged from the sea. Today, as the polar ice melts and sea level rises, we humans face the prospect that we may once again, quite literally, become ocean." John Luther Adams

Become Ocean was paired with Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D major and a talented young violinist from Armenia named Sergey Khachatryan. After a standing ovation, he returned with an encore solo I believe from his native land. Sublime. Audience loved him.

Waiting for the Big Blue Rapid 10 bus to effortless transport me and other concert-goers back to the west side, there was animated talk about the concert. What do you think? To hear Become Ocean, click here.

To stay connected with my search for clean air, LIKE Chasing Clean Air on Facebook or subscribe to my blog feed.

Until next time, breathe easy and make life an adventure.

 

 

2016 Winter Wings Festival, Oregon

Waterfowl Take Flight

Considering a winter vacation? I have an idea, especially if you enjoy bird watching.

The annual Winter Wings Festival takes place during  Presidents Day Weekend.

Earlier this year, I journeyed on the train to Klamath Falls to glimpse  tens of thousands of migrating birds that winter in the area. Actually, seasonally, billions of birds migrate up and down the Pacific Flyaway. A large portion winter in Klamath Falls, Oregon with it's substantial water (despite drought 4-years in a row) and food sources.

 

A Pair Of Wintering Bald Eagles in Old Willow Tree

It's also the location of the largest number of wintering Bald eagles in the lower 48 states.

In addition to writing Chasing Clean Air, I contribute travel articles to Creators Syndicate, emphasizing sustainable travel, wildlife and habitat conservation. I wrote about my train adventure to Oregon's Winter Wings Festival (Feb. 2015) for Creators, which you can read here.

To stay connected with my search for clean air, LIKE Chasing Clean Air on Facebook or subscribe to blog feed.

Until next time, breathe easy and make life an adventure.

Obama Rejects Keystone Pipeline. Now Consider Bikes Over Cars.

BIKES vs CARS TRAILER from WG Film on Vimeo.

When Obama rejected Keystone Pipeline today, he said yes! to positive action addressing climate change. Now it's our turn to drive less, take a bus, bike, walk, turn out the lights. And get inspired, by checking out a new excellent documentary, Bikes vs Cars. Coming to theaters December 2015.

Bikes vs Cars advocates a new bike-friendly approach to urban planning. The film highlights challenges bicyclists encounter in cities around the world, including Los Angeles. This is a well-done look at the realities and hopes of what it takes to reduce our carbon footprint, safely. You learn interesting bicycle facts and history watching this documentary.

Did you know in the year 1897, Los Angeles was the location of a bicycle highway construction project to link Pasadena to downtown L.A.? Yes, the power of an individual was at work prior to the car industry taking hold. A private business man named Horace Dobbins and California's legislature worked out a plan for the California Cycleway, which began construction until bigger forces intervened. Now that's an idea for today...

How about turning the empty Los Angeles River bed into a bike lane, for starters. Just popped in my head after looking out of an airplane's window and seeing the drought-empty river bed, snaking through large areas with no job to do.