According to news reports, the firm behind the “Octocopter” is readying a future demonstration of their technology for U.S. representatives of the anti-whaling organization. From the article: “Developed over two years, the machine features state-of-the art electronic GPS wizardry and video and still cameras. The ‘octocopter’ – so called because of its eight propellers – is ‘flown’ like a helicopter and can be kept in the air for up to 30 minutes before batteries have to be recharged.”

Excessive whaling is as illegal for Japanese ships as for anyone else in the world, but ships like the Nisshin Maru have been able to skirt the rules under the guise of “research sampling.” An extra pair (or eight) of eyes in the sky courtesy of Sea Shepherd, however, could seriously aid in monitoring illegal on-deck activities–and, perhaps, prove a crushing blow to the whaling industry.

U.S. Vice-President turned eco-activist Al Gore has been a major player in the fight against global warming in the past few years, and according to him the tides are about to turn in our favor. At a speech last Monday at San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House, Gore indicated that this year will be monumental for environmentalists asserting the importance of their cause, and compared the year’s importance to the battle of Gettysburg in terms of turning the tides of battle.

“We are radically changing the relationship between the human species and the rest of the Earth,” he said. “This year, 2009, is the Gettysburg for the environment. It is the time we have the opportunity to change.”

“The one thing that is going to allow us to win this is that thing that is inside these award winners,” Gore said. “Remember what we have to do, this year.”

Gore is no newcomer to environmentalism — it is an issue he has explored many times on the lecture circuit and in his documentary An Inconvenient Truth, and his efforts with the matter helped earn him the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. This time, Gore addressed this issue as part of his keynote presentation of this year’s Goldman Environmental Prize.

Photo via Flickr!

LANCUP: Celebrate Earth Day #EarthDay in Los Angeles by helping clean up Echo Park!!! http://www.usaservice.org/page/event/detail/environment/4rxyg

Or how about WhiteFence blog‘s tips about eating healthier and greener?

WhiteFence: Tip Number 8 in our Countdown to Earth Day: Green Eating! http://tinyurl.com/d7u5ht #green #earthday #food

Plenty of personal blogs and eco-activism blogs alike have been posting about a number of conservation-related topics.

EcoInteractive: Important Project: The Prince of Wales introduces his rainforests project http://replantingtherainforests.org/site/index.php/urgency/rainfore… #rtr09 #earthday #eco #green

Interested in getting in on the micro-discussion? Simply check out the Earth Day channel for Twitter and see what pops up! It seems like there’s something new every minute.

As we are in the middle of the spring months, it is time to think about the outdoors and how we can better care for the environment. When you think about helping our environment, you think of Earth Day, April 22.

But why limit yourself to one day? What some people don’t know is that there are several easy ways to improve the quality of our lives on Earth that may not even affect your daily routine.

As unassuming as it might seem, to mention one’s efforts not affecting their daily routine, but for most it is vital, when making small lifestyle changes, to not outright change one’s lifestyle. So, what can you do to start making some easy changes in your life? It’s as simple as keeping your trash where you can see it.

While on a bike ride in the warm weather, the last thing you want to see is trash on the roadside. Products we use every day, such as plastic bags and aluminum cans, take years to decompose. A simple way to limit the roadside trash is to keep a convenient garbage container in your vehicle until you reach a garbage can where you can throw it away. How easy is that?

I like the added insinuation that you’ll be riding your bike a lot in the summer weather — it’s a good connection to make. I know I just pumped up my bike tires, and am looking forward to getting the most out of the ever-improving weather.

Read on for more on junk mail, the trouble with plastic bottles, the benefits of reusable bags, and how to make everyday your own personal Earth Day.

Even though Earth Day is a couple of weeks away, EPA is teaming up with several telecom conglomerates to promote Earth Week from today through the 12th, an event designed to raise awareness of e-waste encourage proper recycling of cell phones, PDAs, and other electronic devices.

Wireless customers of any carrier can drop off used cellphones and accessories at any of the 2,000-plus AT&T stores across the U.S. Another option is to download free shipping labels from att.com/wireless and mail the phones to Cell Phones for Soldiers (CPFS), a charity that recycles used cellphones and uses the proceeds to buy free phone cards for troops overseas.

The EPA reports that over 100 million cell phones are discarded every year, but with the help of such awareness events, perhaps we can reign that number in. For more information, podcasts, and schedules of partner events, check out the EPA’s official Earth Week page!

Last Friday we posted about Earth Hour — a global event, taking place this past Saturday night, in which everyone was encouraged to turn off their lights for one hour in a bid to make an impact on the environment. It was the subject of much controversy as some rallied behind it while others ranted against it. To the latter: sure, one hour of reduced electricity usage may or may not make a wild life-changing difference, but the true point of this was to get people thinking on a larger scale about what can be done — as an ongoing measure — to help improve our environment.

Despite the naysayers, Earth Hour went as planned, and the result was a heightened awareness of needless electricity waste — and some stunning photographs. Boston.com has images from seventeen landmarks around the globe, both before and after the lights went out. The visual impact of seeing places like Big Ben or the Eiffel Tower powered down is effective, thought-provoking, and a testament to the project’s success. Check it out! You will not be disappointed.

Hat tip to Ecorazzi!

Dianna Smiley, SOLV’s Executive Director, said, “Once again, our citizens have demonstrated their pride in this great state by turning out to preserve and enhance Oregon’s beaches. We extend our special thanks to our partners, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and the local garbage haulers all along the coast who help make this event possible.”

Volunteers unearthed some unusual finds, both big and small, throughout the day.

Many interesting items turned up in the volunteers’ SOLV bags, including a pair of binoculars, a fishing permit from Alaska, an empty piggy bank, a mannequin foot, a work boot and a construction hard hat. Hard-working volunteers also pulled in some larger items, such as a TV, four boat refrigerators, a 300-pound chest freezer, 25 feet of cattle fencing, crab traps and a couple of large fishing nets

That said, some of the most prevalent pick-up items were also the most predictable: plastics were to be expected in this day and age, and they lived up to their reputation by being everywhere.

Beach Cleanup Coordinator Diana Bartlett said there was lots of plastic packing tape, among other strange and common day finds. “Pipes, flip flops, light bulbs, plastic bottles, a propane tank; a large fish sorting tub from a fishing boat, lawn chairs, tires and a rims, some scrap metal, and a plastic truck liner,” she said.

[...] Charlie Plybon, who oversaw the Newport area as well as served as the main coordinator for the Surfrider Foundation, said plastic was the big problem. That was something the Surfrider Foundation was trying to raise awareness about, partially by providing reusable bags to all the participants.

Also making a bid for most prevalent contaminant was the much-less-expected contender “sheet metal.” Strange though the day may have been, much was accomplished. Before the day was over, some 60,000 lbs of garbage were hauled away, leaving the coast of Oregon a much more pleasant and enjoyable place to be.

World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions.

It’s a great idea, but for some reason a lot of people seem to be railing against it — some complain that it overhypes the “lie” that is global warming, while others simply don’t want the “guilt” of having to think about the earth for one hour of the day.

I don’t want to seem insensitive, but with Earth Day and Arbor Day, aren’t enough hours covered? Can’t I have a few hours to myself to crank up the heat and watch a hockey game? I recycle, I drive a car that gets 30 miles per gallon. Haven’t we treated the Earth better over the last 20 years? Don’t we deserve at least a few shame-free watts of electricity for our efforts?

Seriously? You have plenty of those — they’re called the other twenty-three hours of the day, plus every other day of the year that isn’t Earth Day or Arbor Day. (That brings us to a whopping 49 hours to think about conservation, is that really too much?)

Check out the Earth Hour website for more information on things you can do to make a difference, from reading about the issues to writing to the president and sharing some ideas of your own. Take a few minutes out of your busy day to get informed and make some impacting choices. Contrary to some opinions, those minutes are truly the least one can do.