Where on Earth? (Week 6): Zurich, Switzerland

by Justin Glow on

Two of our readers got it right this week, but there can only be one winner. Congratulations go out to David Troyer for being the first to know the location of the photo above as Zurich, Switzerland. A warm thanks to Flickr user, ubiquity_zh, for capturing this stunning image of Switzerland’s largest city.

And no, it’s not a photograph of the first tornado to ever hit Zurich (actually, Switzerland does get the occasional twister). It’s smoke rising from a factory near the shores of Lake Zurich. The photo is titled “Feinstaub III,” which literally translates to “fine dust.” It’s a term that’s concerned with the quality of the air, and seeing the plume of smoke rise over the beautiful lake with the Swiss Alps standing silently in the background, you gain a better understanding of why the photographer chose such a title.

See you next week for another edition of Where on Earth.

Let There Be Darkness

by Iva Skoch on

This evening between 7:55-8pm CET in Europe, some European cities–Paris and Athens among them–went dark for five minutes. Not by accident, either.

Tomorrow, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will unveil a long-awaited report on global warming. And, apparently, nobody (aside from global warming deniers and skeptical environmentalists) expects it to be pretty.

Pressure is building on U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to call an emergency summit of world leaders to break the deadlock over cutting greenhouse gases.

I wonder how much money would be saved by keeping the Eiffel Tower dark indefinitely. The 20,000 flashing lights sure make it look more visible to air traffic though. Oh, but wait, air travel is bad for the environment, too. This is where I might stop being an environmentalist. I guess you have to pick your battles.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of January 21

by Adrienne Wilson on

With so many new bloggers it’s getting harder and harder to keep up with who’s who and whose blogging what piece of scrumptious travel news and oddities from around the planet, but fear not. I’ve read line by line through every post this week here on Gadling and now I give you this brief summary of five from some of the newbies and the old to while away your Friday night.

5. Introducing Gadling’s “Video of the Week”:
Newcomer, Justin Glow does a fab job of bringing a new category to Gadling. Even though we’ve showcased a video or eight in the past we’ve never honored or singled out one for “Video of the Week.” Now is your opportunity to have your travel footage featured on Gadling! Dark Havana alleys, bustling Bangkok markets, or mellowing out on la playa in Ibiza – you’re the driver and the director so you call the shots. Now where are we gonna go?

4.Bad Drivers with Bad Directions:
Speaking of drivers, Dave points us to a great post on man vs. the machine. The machine is the ever-so-popular GPS device man has decided to place all confidence and common sense into while driving on the road. The combination of the two sometimes leads us safely to our final destination or sometimes it simply causes us to ram up against a telephone pole.

3.Travel Theory #124: Travel is Good for the Ego:
Need to boost your spirits and confidence? Why not hit the seas, the road or take a hike? It’s no secret that a good week long vacation away from your home digs does wonders on the mind, body and ego. Take a look at the list at how travel can be just what the doctor ordered and start planning your escape today.

2. Permafrost Disappearing, Siberia Terraforming:
I don’t know if I’m directing you to the post or some of the surprising comments it seems to have generated. Overall, it is this plug on global warming and its effects on Siberia that is most certainly worth a glance. The planet is crying. Can you hear it?

1. New Passport Rules Tomorrow:
Here is a friendly reminder to get your passports my fellow American travelers. Travel by air to Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas or any nation in the Western Hemisphere will require a valid U.S. passport. Afraid to fly or too darn lazy to get a passport? Apparently these rules only apply to air travel, so you can still enter Canada with your driver’s license by car according to the Canadian border patrol officer I spoke to this week. Both land and sea dates keep getting pushed back, but if you travel by air you sure better have one.

The End of Alps Skiing?

by Iva Skoch on

I just got done sobbing uncontrollably. More strange climate news. The NY Times has an article today, noting a recent study that said that the Alps are the warmest they’ve been in 1,250 years (that’s 800 AD, folks), which signals very, very bad things for the skiing industry there.

While I haven’t yet planned any of this year’s skiing, I can tell you that Europe has been really warm so far. Prague’s been experiencing 50 degree F days recently. A number of big skiing events in the Czech Republic were canceled this month for lack of snow and good weather.

My beloved Kitzbuhel is particularly threatened, since it’s only 2,624 feet above sea level. Apparently, the Alps have been so warm this year so far, that even snow making machines aren’t able to run.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Feels Global Warming

by Adrienne Wilson on

If what this piece is saying is true and I’m sure it is very true, then it makes me very sad. Global warming is out there. This is something we all already know, but when you hear it is affecting the places you live or know personally, it stinks to soak in the news. Connected Traveler has a story which describes the way global warming is impacting Monteverde, Costa Rica’s famed Cloud Forest. From the things travelers track in to the area to some very interesting climate changes, who know show the place will look in 10-20 years. For me, Monteverde was the first place my close pal conned me into zipping across the tops of the trees and through them on our 16 cable zip-line adventure. Something I can now say I did once, but needn’t do again.

Next time might be the time for me to start helping to protect this wonderful Costa Rican ecosystem.