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Bureaucracy has murdered people in the greater New Orleans area. Take whatever idiot they have at the top of whatever agency and give me a better idiot. Give me a caring idiot. Give me a sensitive idiot. Just don't give me the same idiot.   

  – Aaron Broussard, Jefferson Parish Louisiana President

Japan’s 2005 World Exposition

By Dasha Bulatov, Monte Vista HS, Danville CA        

Currently, an event being held in Aichi, Japan, is exhibiting miraculous technology that has certainly boosted hopes regarding the future of the environment. The 2005 World Exposition, held from the 25th of March until the 25th of September, is expected to draw up to 15 million visitors, who will form a part of “a grand intercultural symphony” that will promote dialogue and harmony between groups in relation to man’s wisdom and capability to develop new modalities of life that will limit harmful effects on our planet.

Japan, famous for its environmentally conscious lifestyle, leads the way in encouraging makers of advanced technology to create and exhibit for the general public. One of the most pressing issues in the world today is that of global warming, and as a response fuel hybrid buses are on display, and a plethora of exhibitions regarding tree planting and greenhouse gas emissions lure participants. Similarly, the focus lies on energy sources that do not require nonrenewable fossil fuels or non-biodegradable wastes. What has resulted are a number of ways to promote “eco-communities,” including wooden plastic, pavement made from recycled tires, and power systems relying on solar and fuel cell energy. Global 100 Eco-Tech awards are dealt to the creators of technologies that facilitate man’s harmonious coexistence with Earth. By introducing the world to such new technologies, the Expo is promoting and encouraging practices that reduce pollution and the rate of resource depletion.

Also prominent are the “eco-cars” of the future, consisting of fuel cell and electric cars that produce little or no waste and are exponentially more efficient than vehicles currently on the roads. The Venturi Fetish, for example, is powered by 100 rechargeable batteries and combines the efficiency of an electric car with the style and power of a sports car – it is sleek and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 5 seconds. Vehicles like the Fetish show that drivers needn’t compromise the looks and clout of regular cars for fuel economy. This has surely raised expectations for the roadways of tomorrow.

The site of the Expo itself provides a model for green urban centers and also exposes visitors to Japanese culture. Trees have been specially planted for the occasion, and buildings and exhibitions have been placed so as to minimize the amount of paving necessary. Guests can tour the premises using the wooded “Satoyama Trail,” which encourages them to appreciate the beauty of nature while simultaneously learning how to live peacefully with it.

Overall, the World Expo is a timely showcase of technological advancements that may very well be commonplace in the future. With oil resources slowly disappearing and pollution and waste rising, the Expo cannot be ignored as a source of solutions to all of these problems, and a reminder to preserve our environment while we still can.         

Source: http://www-1.expo2005.or.jp/en/

Question of the Month

Hurricane Katrina has caused untold damage to both human life and property. We in the Bay Area also live in an urbanized geographical area subject to immense and uncontrollable natural forces. What preparations have you or your family made for “the big one”?

Send your response to editor@ earthteam.net

Poetry (Editor’s note: The poems below by Nia Jenkins, Fidel Aguilera, Cathy Buban, Ashley Boyd, and Max Lester were submitted to Earthteam’s Visuals and Voices Contest last semester. The poem by Rachel McCarthy was written for this issue of The Green.) Puerto Vallarta By Nia Jenkins, Pittsburg HS, Pittsburg CA As I walk on the sandy beach All I hear is the crashing of the waves And the sound of the whales singing to each other. If you stop and just look out into the ocean You can see how they respond to each other And the seals riding on the rhythm of the waves. If you look behind the singing and the dancing You can see the colors red, orange, and pink Paint themselves into the sky, As the big ball of fire slowly tucks itself in, Waiting for another day To watch the whales sing And the seals dance again.   "Deer Lake" Mara Constantine Acalanes HS Lafayette, CA (Click photo to view larger image) Work of Art Thrown to Pieces By Ashley Boyd, Deer Valley HS, Antioch CA As the wind kisses the fruitful trees the ominous vehicles transverse through their stems. As the gentle flowers feed their thirst the oil is poured onto the nourishing soil. As the picturesque trees stand tall and gallant the workers come through and take what is theirs for our selfish needs of these beautiful works of art. When paper is destroyed, when water is not conserved, we lose a part of our home. Our environment is what keeps us alive, but still we consume and waste our most precious beings who are only trying to give us a hand not lend us their entire souls. "SODA SPRINGS" Mara Constantine Acalanes HS Lafayette, CA (Click photo to view larger image)   Fall By Cathy Buban, Pittsburg HS, Pittsburg CA The once summer grass Is filled with crisp orange leaves Fall is coming near The hot summer days are gone Replaced by dark stormy clouds Fall is coming near As nature’s color changes Green into gold Long hot days slowly passed by Cool autumn breezes are fine Fall is coming near Nature’s changed from green into gold Thank you, fall is here   Fireflies By Rebecca McCarthy, Bay Ridge Prep, Brooklyn, NY I remember summers catching fireflies - Their bright neon glow And how they lit up your face Gave light to your cool blue eyes. I remember how we chased after them, Almost blind, The same way we Chased after Our grand hopes and dreams. I remember the fireflies vividly, As if no time had passed. There is but one question that I've been longing to ask: Do you, Remember too?   Today & Tomorrow By Fidel Aguilera, Pittsburg HS, Pittsburg CA I am sitting here outside my house staring out into the mysterious skies. As night is coming so are the dark blue and violet clouds setting down upon the bushy gold mountains. I breathe in a cold and windy breeze, making me forget about all bad in the world today, and I visualize a new tomorrow to come soon.   Artemis Huntress, Goddess of Nature By Max Lester, Lycee Francais La Perouse, San Francisco CA Artemis hunting on a clear night, moonbeams Reflecting her silver light, hunting Till the sun grows bright, racing in Elegance through fields with her hounds, across Mountains bound, Cries intensified by Echo and her sound. Hills Uncounted pass her by, her Never dying eye Twinkles in the sky. Running, hunting, like a dance, Every animal comes in trance, Some from afar, some, close at hand, all follow - She, Maiden of the Silver Bow.