Can White Roofs Battle Global Warming?

A forthcoming study in Geophysical Research Letters reinforces the idea that painting urban rooftops white — a tactic that would reflect sunlight — could have a cooling effect on the planet.
White roofs have been thought to be particularly effective in cities, which tend to be warmer than rural areas because of the presence of asphalt roads, tar roofs and other surfaces that absorb heat.
Although earlier studies have also pointed this out, in this case, the team used a computer model to simulate the amount of solar radiation absorbed and reflected by urban surfaces. The models indicated that if every roof in every city were painted white, it would reduce demand for air conditioning and ultimately cool every city by an average of about 0.7 degrees Fahrenheit.
“We think it’s really important to model the temperatures within the cities, because that’s where most of world’s population lives,” said Gordon Bonan , an author of the study and a senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
“This will be a very important tool to model cities and form a strategy to mitigate warm temperatures,” he said.
Other studies have found that while roofs do reduce air-conditioning costs by 20 percent in hot, sunny weather, this may be countered by the additional energy required to heat buildings during the winter months in cold climates.
Mr. Bonan said that while the study’s main findings supported the idea that painting roofs would effectively reduce global temperatures, “we also need to consider the costs of heating of buildings because of that.”
White roofs may be best suited for cities with a year-round warm climate, he said.
Last year, The Times reported on a burgeoning white-rooftop movement — which has gained the support of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, who told a “Daily Show” audience last year to, “Make it white.”

Time Warner Reverses Loss and Raises Dividend

NEW YORK (AP) -- Media conglomerate Time Warner Inc. said Wednesday that improving results at its movie studio and cable networks boosted fourth-quarter revenue, and smaller one-time expenses helped it post a profit after reporting a loss a year ago.
The company is also raising its dividend 13 percent to an annual rate of 85 cents per share and increasing its stock repurchase plan.
Time Warner has been slimming down, shedding both AOL and Time Warner Cable in the past year to focus on creative content rather than the businesses that deliver it to customers.
While that strategy has yet to prove itself, the focus appears to have paid off in the fourth quarter, as Time Warner's HBO and Turner cable networks pulled in more money from fees it charges cable and satellite providers and its Warner Bros. movie studio had success with ''The Blind Side'' and ''Sherlock Holmes ''
Time Warner, which also owns Time Inc. magazines, said it earned $627 million, or 53 cents per share, in the last three months of 2009. It lost $16 billion, or $13.41 per share, a year ago when the company was hurt by heavy write-downs on its cable, publishing and AOL assets.
Excluding one-time items from the most recent results, the company said it earned 55 cents per share. Analysts polled by who typically exclude such items, were looking for 52 cents.
Revenue rose 2 percent to $7.32 billion, beating analysts' average forecast of $7.14 billion.
The publishing industry's advertising slump has been particularly painful for Time Warner magazines, which include Time, People and Sports Illustrated among others. The company's publishing revenue fell 13 percent in the fourth quarter, while film and cable revenue grew 7 percent and 4 percent respectively.
Full-year earnings came to $2.47 billion, or $2.07 per share, as cost cutting and smaller accounting charges reversed a loss of $13.4 billion, or $11.23 per share. Revenue slipped to $25.79 billion from $26.52 billion.
The company said it expects its earnings per share this year to grow percentage-wise in the mid-teens from an adjusted figure of $1.83. That's roughly in line with the average forecast from analysts, which calls for a full-year profit of $2.12 per share.
The company's stock fell 41 cents, or 1.4 percent, to $28.10 in morning trading.
Meanwhile AOL Inc. , newly released from its fizzled marriage with Time Warner, reported a profit for the fourth quarter on Wednesday, reversing a year-ago loss brought on by huge accounting charges.

Stop Driving Recalled Toyotas, Says Agency Chief

the Transportation secretary, said Wednesday morning during a House Appropriations panel hearing that owners of recalled Toyotas should stop driving them and take them to their dealers to be repaired.of recalled Toyotas was to “stop driving it, take it to a Toyota dealer because they believe they have a fix for it.”
“We need to fix the problem so people don’t have to worry about disengaging the engine or slamming the brakes on or put it in neutral," Mr. LaHood said in response to questions.
His comments at the hearing, which appeared to be off the cuff, came shortly after he told reporters that he planned to call the president of Toyota, Akio Toyoda, about the recalls and after the Japanese government told the carmaker to examine the brakes on its hybrid Prius. Drivers in Japan and the United States have complained that the brakes momentarily stopped working when driving at low speeds.
“I’m going to take the initiative to have a conversation with Mr. Toyoda very soon, to talk to him about how serious this is, and to make sure that he understands,” Mr. LaHood said. “I think he understands, but I’ve never talked to him. I just feel like I need to have a conversation with him.”
Mr. LaHood’s comments Wednesday were the latest in an aggressive campaign by his department over the Toyota situation. Last week, Mr. LaHood took credit for the company’s decision to stop building and selling eight models involved in a recall over accelerator pedals that could potentially stick, saying Toyota did not take the step until urged to do so by the department.
Some safety advocates said however that Mr. LaHood might be trying to protect federal safety regulators from potential liability issues over their role in investigating defects.
Mr. LaHood told reporters that regulators have the resources and expertise to conduct a thorough review of consumer complaints regarding unintended acceleration in Toyota focusing on electronic throttles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration “is not finished with this safety issue involving Toyota,” he said, explaining that the department would look into the possibility of electromagnetic interference with the accelerator system.
“I think at the department, we will continue to look at the electronics, continue to study that, continue to work with Toyota on that, and then make a judgment about that,” Mr. LaHood said.
He confirmed Wednesday that the Transportation Department was considering a civil penalty against Toyota over the handling of the recalls.
Toyota had no immediate response to Mr. LaHood’s comments. The company’s shares on Wall Street were down 7.2 percent.
Lawmakers and the Transportation Department have stepped up pressure on Toyota, seeking proof that problems that could cause its cars to speed up unexpectedly were limited to floor mats and sticking pedals.

History of St Valentines Day

Valentine's Day - the popular festival of love and romances traces its origin to ancient Roman festival and has not been created by card companies as some people believe it to be. There are various legends associated with the festival along with the belief that birds began to mate from this day. Popularity of the Valentine's Day festival stems from the combined effects of all these legends, beliefs and of course the wish to glorify the unparalleled feeling of love.

Feast of Lupercalia

Historians trace the origin of Valentine's Day to ancient Roman Empire. It is said that in the Rome of ancient times people observed a holiday on February 14th to honor Juno - the Queen of Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also regarded Juno as the Goddess of Women and Marriage. On the following day, February 15th began the fertility festival called 'Feast of Lupercalia'. The festival of Lupercalia was celebrated to honor the Gods Lupercus and Faunus - the Roman God of Agriculture besides the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. An interesting custom was followed in the Feast of Lupercalia to bring together young boys and girls who otherwise were strictly separated. On the eve of the festival names of young Roman girls were written on a slip of paper and placed into jars. Each young man drew out a girl's name from the jar and was paired with the girl for the duration of Lupercalia. Sometime pairing lasted for a year until next year's celebration. Quite often, the couple would fall in love with each other and later marry. The custom lasted for a long time until people felt that the custom was un-Christian and that mates should be chosen by sight, not luck.

Defiance by Saint Valentine

The pairing of young boys and girls did set the mood of the Valentine's Day Festival as we know today. But it was actually due to the efforts and daring of a priest St Valentine that the festival got its name and clearer meaning. The story goes that during the reign of Emperor Claudius II Rome was involved in several bloody and unpopular campaigns. Claudius found it tough to get soldiers and felt the reason was men did not join army because they did not wish to leave their wives and families. As a result Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. A romantic at heart priest of Rome Saint Valentine defied Claudius's unjustified order. Along with Saint Marius, St Valentine secretly married couples. When his defiance was discovered, Valentine was brutally beaten and put to death on February 14, about 270 AD. After his death Valentine was named a Saint. According to another version of legend Valentine was killed because he attempted to help Christians escape from the Roman prison as they were being tortured and beaten there. Yet another popular version of the legend states that while in prison Valentine or Valentinus fell in love with jailer's daughter who visited him during confinement. Before his death Valentine wrote a farewell letter to his sweetheart from the jail and signed ‘From your Valentine'. The expression became quite popular amongst love struck and is still very much in vogue. By the Middle Ages, Valentine assumed the image of heroic and romantic figure amongst the masses in England and France. Later, when Christianity spread through Rome, the priests moved Lupercalia from February 15 to February 14. Around 498 AD, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as St. Valentine's Day to honor the martyr Valentinus and to end the pagan celebration.

Beginning of Birds Mating Season

During the Middle Ages, people in England and France held a belief that birds started to look for their mate from February 14. This popular notion further helped to link Valentine's Day - celebrated in the middle of the February, with love and romance. Over the period of time, St Valentine became the patron saint of lovers and they began to celebrate Valentine's Day as a day of romance by exchanging love notes and simple gifts such as flower.

Popularity of St Valentines Day

Valentine's Day festival gradually grew in popularity amongst the masses due to the combined effect of all the above said reasons. To mark the day lovers began to exchange love notes called ‘Valentines' with their sweethearts. In the beginning the trend was to send handmade cards but this was changed in the beginning of 19th century and mass-produced greeting cards caught the fancy of the people. In the course of time, Valentine's day came to be regarded as the festival that celebrates love and not just romantic love. Today, Valentine's Day cards are gifted to teachers, parents, friends, siblings and sweethearts. Popularity of Valentine's Day has spread in countries across the seven continents and is still increasing by the year.

Valentine's Day Poem Enjoy this

beautiful and romantic collection of Valentine's Day Poems! To touch your beloved's heart memorize a cute Valentine Day Poetry and say it while holding hands and looking deep into his/her eyes. If that sounds a little tough quote a touchy verse in the card that you may have got for your Valentine. In case you have composed a special Poem for Valentine's Day and wish to share it with the world, do send your poem to us and we will carry it along with your name.

Be my Valentine..

I think of you often...I do,From morning 'til evening I do,When memories bring laughterOr moments bring pain,There is faithfulness, too, once again.And time always shows meAnd God always shows meBoth sunshine and rain,How, we gain yearlyFrom the love we're share dearly.So, my dear, my sweet bubbaloo,Remember our love, dulce bubbaloo,For we've come so far and there's so much to comeAnd I have love to yet giveFor the life we will live...together.Make little of what makes you cry,Be sure that what makes you cryHas greater desire and a more certain willTo pray for His help from aboveand restore the feelings of love.

My Valentine..

Valentines is nearJust wishing you were hereYou will always be nearMy heart will never be the sameBeneath my skin, my soul lies waiting for youEveryday I think of you I feel blueNever give up hopeRemembering the first kissAll I ask is to be with youAnd for you to be my ValentineFor I will always cherish your heart in mine.

Love's Philosophy

The fountains mingle with the riverAnd the rivers with the oceanThe winds of heaven mix for everWith a sweet emotion;Nothing in the world is single,All things by a law divineIn one another's being mingle­Why not I with thine?See the mountains kiss high heavenAnd the waves clasp one anotherNo sister-flower would be forgivenIf it disdain'd its brother;And the sunlight clasps the earth,And the moonbeams kiss the sea­What are all these kisses worthIf thou kiss not me?

TheGrio's 100: Charles F. Bolden, Administrator of NASA, astronaut

Charles Bolden is the first African-American head of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Bolden's appointment from President Barack Obama and confirmation by the Senate went rather smoothly compared to his post-high school aspirations to join the Naval Academy. Back then, Congress refused to appoint African-Americans to the prestigious military school in Annapolis.
He eventually won an appointment from Rep. William Dawson, a black Congress member from Illinois. Bolden is not shy about this racial history. In a July 8 testimony before the Senate's Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, he informed those who held his confirmation in their balance about his parents, "public school teachers who, despite very long hours and lower wages than their white counterparts, loved every day of their work ... [inspiring] thousands of black students to take their places in national, state and local leadership."
Today, the former NASA astronaut who's made four space shuttle voyages, is tasked with pushing space exploration beyond lower Earth orbit, leading NASA into greater involvement in critical environmental issues, and helping the U.S. establish itself as a world leader in science and technology.
There will be many challenges for Bolden's administration. He has said that he would like to enhance NASA's capabilities for climate change monitoring, but right now there is staunch opposition from Republican members of Congress for any financial support for any climate change initiatives. NASA has also suffered budget constraints that have kept them from reaching their goals.
It will be up to Bolden to convince Congress that science, technology and space exploration are worthy investments for the nation. Sending humans to moons and planets is still the concentration of NASA activities, but under Bolden, it could also help unlock solutions to climate change problems that will keep humans safe on Earth.

Factbox: NASA's 2010 Budget

The mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is to drive advances in science, technology, and exploration to enhance knowledge, education, innovation, economic vitality, stewardship of the Earth, and solutions to national and global challenges. The President's Budget will allow NASA to improve our knowledge of the Earth, explore space with humans and robots, foster strong partnerships with other nations, and educate and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. * Adds $6 billion to NASA's budget over five years and draws upon American ingenuity to enable us to embark on an ambitious 21st Century program of human space exploration. * Initiates flagship exploration technology development and demonstration programs of "gamechanging" technologies that will increase the reach and reduce the costs of future human space exploration as well as other NASA, government, and commercial space activities. * Embraces the commercial space industry and the thousands of new jobs that it can create by contracting with American companies to provide astronaut transportation to the Space Station — thus reducing the risk of relying exclusively on foreign crew transport capabilities. * Ends NASA's Constellation program, which was planning to use an approach similar to the Apollo program to return astronauts back to the Moon 50 years after that program's triumphs. * Extends the International Space Station and enhances its utilization, bringing nations together in a common pursuit of knowledge and excellence in space. * Enhances the Nation's global climate change research and monitoring system, including reflight of a satellite that will help identify global carbon sources and sinks. * Provides for a robust program of robotic solar system exploration and new astronomical observatories, including a probe that will fly through the Sun's atmosphere and an expanded effort to detect potentially hazardous asteroids.