"Tapped Out"

My overall reaction to the presentation was that it was very long, but interesting. Atlanta has had a recurring history of droughts, but actually Atlanta is currently in a water crisis. The presentation mainly focused on the factors contributing to the water shortage, and how we can even stop it. Most states receive most of their water from water shed, and rainfall, but lately our demand has progressively exceeded our supply. Atlanta is an exception though because we receive the smallest amount of water shed than any other metropolitan area. Hard manmade structures in Atlanta have prevented the absorption of rain, so our water supply has diminished significantly.  A legal issue with other states has also decreased Atlanta’s water availability. For 20 years Atlanta has been in a dispute with Alabama and Florida over the operation of dams. Fortunately Atlanta has come up with long term sustainable solutions to combat our growing population and diminishing water reserves. We have adopted various strategies to save water. These strategies include fixing leaks, retrofit plumbing, the utilization of water efficient appliances, and even harvesting rain water. The culmination of these efforts will hopefully help restore Atlanta’s water supply. We cannot afford to waste water through our development, but if we work together to live sustainably we can begin to reverse the effects. 

Facing the Freshwater Crisis

The contingency in the world's water supply is very real as detailed in the article "Facing the Freshwater Crisis" by Peter Rogers. The article focused on the availability of freshwater in the world and the factors contributing to its  accessibility as well. The scarcity of water can be atrributed to global warming, faulty waste disposal, and even fertilizer runoff. This lack of freshwater can also lead to starvation, disease and even conflict. Freshwater is one earth's most valuable resources, if not the most valuable. Freshwater's importance is integral to the sustainability of the environment, and it supports both flora and fauna in ecosystems around the world. Unfortunately freshwater allocation is only accessible to those who can afford it, and because of this most underdeveloped countries and societies face dehydration at the rich's expense. Although freshwater is continually becoming more scarce due to periodic droughts of certain river basins there are solutions. Solutions such as virtual water is one of the many factors contributing to the conservation of freshwater that will help our environment.


Volcanic Eruptions-
The Tambora volcano in Indonesia erupted on April 10 1815 and lasted two days. It killed 92,000 people and resulted in tsunami's, disease and starvation.
The Krakatoa volcano in Indonesia erupted on August 26, 1883 and also lasted two days. It killed 36,000 people and resulted in a tsunami as well.
On January 10, 1997 a volcano in Congo erupted and killed hundreds of people who died from sudden lava flow.

TEDtalk "Box by Box"

In this TEDtalk video the speaker, Hans Rosling elaborates on the dangers and solutions of population growth using boxes. This simple utilization of boxes gave me true insight on what can really be done to combat population growth. As he explained in the video, the main factors contributing to dramatic growth is the gap between developing countries and developed countries as well as child mortality rates around the world. If we can combat these two facets of drastic growth then we will be able to stop the world’s detrimental expansion. But we can only do this if members of the world work together. The United States as a developed country needs to help lead the way and foster other countries development. We need to send supplies such as medicine and vaccines that will help young children in developing countries survive. Like Mr. Rosling said, developed countries like America need to serve as a base, and with only a strong foundation can the world begin to bridge the gaps.

Funky six legged Freaks

“The funky bug population of San Francisco”

http://www.whec.com/article/stories/S2825546.shtml?cat=565

November 6, 2012

San Francisco’s bug population is as diverse and colorful as the people that live there. Although the insect population is fairly steady, I believe it does cover the topic of population diversity. Amidst San Francisco’s lawns, bushes, and trees is a myriad of bugs that have a variety of colors and adaptations. The velvet ant is a species that lives in San Francisco. This “ant” which is actually a wasp looks like it is wearing a shag carpet. Other species include the Buckeye Butterfly whose wings have a mixture other colors that culminate to create a psychedelic motif. These bugs may not be breeding rapidly and threatening San Francisco’s environment with drastic growth, but they do attribute to the city’s overall biodiversity.

Cat Trouble in Toronto

“Toronto’s cat population booming”

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/11/02/toronto-cat-population.html

November 3, 2012

A recent warm spring in Toronto has encouraged a drastic increase in the cat population. Toronto has as many as 300,000 wild cats that roam their streets, but the recent warm weather revealed a total influx of new kittens that were admitted into shelters all over the city. Bceuase of that recent increase shelters have reached full capacity and now programs have even been implemented to trap, spay and neuter feral cats. The volunteer run program has a trap and release approach, but upon spaying and neutering the cats they have seen a 32% decrease in the cat population. The city of Toronto knows that they cannot completely rid their streets of the felines but the new programs have proved to be formidable and have dramatically hindered cat population increase. This actually seems very reminiscent of a certain policy in China. The people act as the government and the cats act as the people. Although the program actually takes physically takes away the cat’s ability to reproduce who says that China’s doing something different. They are just doing it mentally.

“Ireland experiences population growth”

http://thedailyshift.com/2012/11/28/ireland-experiences-population-growth/

November 28, 2012

This cartoon is stereotypical, but you get the point

 Since 2009 Ireland’s population has dramatically increased. Three major factors have significantly contributed to Ireland’s growth: more affordable housing, fewer jobs, and cheaper rents. The combination of these factors has fostered exponential growth within the country and now the economy has began to suffer. Due to the recent and dramatic growth there has been a lack of maternity wards for deliveries and hospitals are struggling to make room for soon to be mothers. It is estimated that over the next decade Ireland’s population with grow by ¼! Although this baby boom has hurt Ireland in the short-run, it actually has some long-term benefits. The upcoming generation will be able to support the older class and the Irish state will have an easier time funding its liabilities. The benefits will have to wait though, because the present crisis at hand is more prevalent than the future benefits. Ireland is now trying to find ways to accommodate the future generations. In my opinion it is now a race to see if the exponential growth completely devastates Ireland’s economy and environment before the new generation is able to create beneficial opportunities for Ireland, or will the country have to implement controversial policies such as China’s “One Child Policy” to limit population growth.

Life on a Lizard

China's Time Bomb

A)   I would encourage population growth in Japan with fertility treatments, enforcing healthier foods, and plans for larger infrastructures. I would also change advertising techniques to encourage the familiar “nuclear family”. I would not depict mothers as women confined to the household to do chores; I would portray them more as a role model.

      B)   I would offer financial incentives and open more and less expensive child care centers. I would also encourage scientist to work on fertility drugs and research.

      C)  To delay economy collapse with a baby bust I would encourage more marriages  and try to increase fertility rates, as well as lower healthcare and social security rates, because there will be too few workers to support the elderly. I could also loosen immigration policies so that more young people are allowed into the country to foster economic growth.

      D)   No, the government should not be able to force retirement when the overcrowding situation is dire. Abortion should be up to the mother and only up to a certain point in the pregnancy. If overcrowding becomes a prevalent issue the government should focus on expanding infrastructures and tighten certain policies such as immigration.

      E)  Yes, I believe the government should offer political asylum to Chinese women who wish to keep their babies. I believe this will greatly benefit China’s population problem and maybe in future years help lift China’s one child policy.  I would handle political implications by ensuring the people that the countries in which the pregnant Chinese women are moved to are safe, efficient and more importantly not overcrowded. 

   

Easter Island + New England= Earth

Though the locations of Easter Island and New England are very different their past history’s do have stunning similarities. Both locations’ landscapes changed dramatically overtime. In New England the plant community underwent a drastic cycle that encompassed the death and revival of numerous plants due to predators and even people. For example the goldenrod died and was revived several times because of human intervention and even the intervention of other plants. In Easter Island the plant life has been speculated on because it was decimated because settlers cleared land and trees to plant gardens, build canoes, homes and make fires.  Can we learn from not only the fate of Easter Island, but New England as well? My answer is yes! Earth’s landscape currently changes at a rapid pace. Every day we clear land for homes, parks, infrastructures, and stores. This alone is not completely terrible. As we can learn from the history of New England human intervention will not always destroy an ecosystem. Even though many of New England’s plants habitually died off, its ecosystem proved to be resilient and bounce back. But, an ecosystem will not always return to its prime if we are clearing more than the ecosystem can grow. As proven by the history of Easter Island we can destroy our ecosystem if we continue to ravage and demolish its content. Easter Island should serve as an example of Earth’s ecosystem on a smaller scale. We should learn not to completely leave our environment alone but to limit our intervention with the environment, because a healthy ecosystem has deaths. This does not mean that the ecosystem is dying, but it actually means that it is healthy.

Biological Hotspots

Hotspots Defined
1.Norman Myers first coined the term “hotspots” in 1988.
2.To qualify as a hotspot a region must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants and it has to   have lost at least 70 percent of its original habitat.

Hotspots in Peril
1.Habitat destruction
Predatory invasive species
Introduction of exotic plant species
Direct exploitation of species for food, medicine, and the pet trade
Severe decline of amphibians worldwide
2.The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, which compiles the Red List.
3.Yes, researchers have found that there is a relationship between hotspots and population density and hotspots and violence.

Conservation Response
1.Threatened species
Key biodiversity areas
Landscapes
2.Hunting
Direct exploitation
Disease
Predation by invasive species
3.Three conservation responses to specific-species threats are incentives and legislation to reduce hunting pressure, control of invasive species, and captive breeding, propagation, and re-introduction.
4.The biggest threat to species is the degradation and destruction of their habitats
5.The primary response to the biodiversity crisis should be the establishment and effective management of protected areas.
6.$160 million per hotspot per year

Hotspot	Characteristics	Examples of animals	Examples of plants	Major threats
California Floristic Province	Mediterranean-type climate and has the high levels of plant endemism	giant kangaroo rat , the desert slender salamander, and California condor	Giant sequoia, coastal redwood	Wilderness destruction caused by commercial farming
Caribbean Islands	Diverse ecosystems	Solenodon and Cuban crocodile	Caribbean mahogany, West Indian ebony, and poui	introduction of alien species,
Mesoamerica	Includes montane forests, highlands and mountain chains	Quetzals, howler monkeys	Pacific mahogany, more than 300 cacti species	large-scale industrial developments, and  mineral extraction,
Cerrado	woodland-savanna	giant anteater, giant armadillo, jaguar and maned wolf	Mauritia flexuosa palms	rapid expansion of Brazil's agricultural frontier, which focuses primarily on soy and corn. Ranching is another major threat to the region,
Tropical Andes	snowcapped peaks, steep slopes, deep canyons, and isolated valleys,	yellow-eared parrot, yellow-tailed woolly monkey and spectacled bear	Andean bromeliad	mining, timber extraction, oil exploration, narcotics plantations, and invasive species like the American bullfrog and grasses for cattle grazing
Mediterranean Basins	mountains as peninsulas, and one of the largest archipelagos in the world. The climate of the Mediterranean Basin is dominated by cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers,	monk-seal, the barbary macaque and the Iberian lynx,	Aphyllanthes monspeliensis and Drosophyllum lusitanicum.	Habitat fragmentation
Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa	tiny and fragmented, the forest remnants	Pemba white-eye, Kenyan wattled bat, golden-rumped elephant shrew	African violets	Agricultural expansion
Gulinean Forests of Western Africa	lowland forests	Jentink’s duiker, pygmy hippopotamus	oil palm, African ebony	Logging, mining, hunting and human population growth are placing extreme stress on the forests,
Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands	A series of islands scattered in the western Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of Africa		baobab, or bottle tree
Himalaya	world’s highest mountains, including Mt. Everest.	vultures, tigers, elephants, rhinos and wild water buffalo.	Tetracentraceae, Hamamelidaceae, Circaesteraceae, Butomaceae and Stachyuraceae.	extensive clearing of forests and grasslands for cultivation, and widespread logging
Philippines	includes more than 7,100 islands covering 297,179 km² in the westernmost Pacific Ocean	Cebu flowerpecker, the Philippine cockatoo, the Visayan wrinkled hornbill, and the enormous Philippine eagle.	Pterocarpus indicus	mining and land conversion
Southwest Australia	high endemism among plants and reptiles.	numbat, honey possum, and the red-capped parrot.	eucalyptus	agricultural expansion, and invasive species

Aldo Leopold Reflection

Beneath our feet and even around our heads lies a world which we may never understand. The quote by Aldo Leopold really made me think. It is amazing that we may never learn everything that occurs within our own environment. There may be a secret life of bugs, like the ones portrayed in movies like Bugs Life and Antz or even special friendships between two animals of two totally different species. It may be amazing that we may not notice or completely understand what happens in our environment but according to Leopold this is not unfortunate. I agree with Leopold. Completely understanding all of the salient facts about nature takes the all beauty out of it. The mystery of nature is what makes it so alluring, and like a mysterious and attractive woman we all look twice to take in her beauty.  If man one day completely understands the ambiguity of nature then I imagine the world would be completely changed. Man’s thirst for knowledge and boundless curiosity has changed our world drastically. Like we learned in class, man created the domestic dog through curiosity, so how will we react when all the mysteries of nature are discovered. Will we get bored and completely neglect it or even move on to conquer the natural environment of another planet?

What kind of everyday challenges do ants face?

Do raccoons plan their heist on garbage cans?

When squirrels cross the street is it just a game of chicken?

Why do worms come out when it rains heavily?

What is cutting the lawn like for small bugs and plants?

How do other animals feel when they see road kill?

What are bees buzzing about?

How do trees feel when they are defaced?

Scavenger Hunt

Follow Sergeant Enviro as he treks through the back lawns and woods of suburbia. He crosses the ever dangerous "pine" fields. He encounters squirmy pill bugs and even finds a gigantic bird feather. Try to pick out each item from the hunt as you trail the Sergeant on his perilous journey!

Ted Talk: A Plea For the Bees

No other insect receives such mass marketing and attention than the bee, but now all of that attention needs to be geared towards saving them. In this Tedtalk video the speaker, Dennis vanEngelsdorp elaborates on the recent decline of the bee population. Factors such as varroa mites and disorders such as Colony Collapse Disorder have all contributed to the bee population decline.  Over the past several years 36% of the bee population has disappeared because of these contributing effects. Many beekeepers have just ignored this recent decline by just importing and transporting bees across the country and from other countries. This alone is not the problem. The problem is that we are not doing anything to stop it. As stated in the video bees are major contributors to many of the natural foods we eat daily such as jam, honey, and fruit. They help carry the reproductive pollen that is essential towards the natural bloom of our environment. As we learned in class today, the smallest action can have a large or multiple impacts. If the bee population continues to diminish at its current rate then we may not have much of the natural beauty and sweeteners that we have today.

It's hard out there for a nitrogen

Nario Nitrogen and his brother Naquan Nitrogen were the coolest but worst molecules at Sky High. They had run the school for years but the principle Mr. Lightning became fed up with their terrible antics. One day Mr. Lightning kicked the brothers out of school. They were both shocked by the principle’s decision and fell into a deep depression. They then found themselves on a wild journey. Both Nario and Naquan had hit rock bottom and their faces were literally in the dirt. While in the slums, they encountered a strange microorganism named Father Baron Bacteria, who convinced Nario that his brother was a bad influence and encouraged him to hang out with the hydrogen brothers instead. Nario, now reflecting on his pitiful life took Father Baron Bacteria’s advice and so began his new life under the name of Nario Ammonia. Nario Ammonia still felt something was missing from his new life, so Father Baron Bacteria intervened once again and paired him up with three oxygen members from the program. Nario ditched his old life and friends once again and became Nario Nitrate. As Nario Nitrate his confidence returned once more, so he looked to assimilate into his new life by finally finding a job and began working at the Legume Plant. Things were going great in the plant until one day when the plant was bought by a Dairy farm. Nario thought all was lost. He was just not cut out for the complex operations of the Cow Company. The company tried to keep him and they moved him throughout all four chambers of their business, but he just couldn't find the right fit, so the company fired and dumped him. Stinky and defeated Nario Nitrate reverted to his old self and even started hanging out with the hydrogen brothers from the program again. Nario Ammonia was just about to give up on life when Father Baron Bacteria who was a new microorganism himself had a change of heart and realized that Nario needed his brother to rise to new heights. Nario gladly returned to his brother and faithful Naquan excitedly took him back. Together the brothers got their lives together and returned to Sky High. 

Endangered......

Arctic Fox

The Arctic fox’s habitat, the Arctic Tundra is wavering in the balance because it is being extremely weakened due to climate change. Although various species are threatened by considerable climate change, the arctic fox has been threatened significantly more. Arctic foxes are not endangered in all areas, but this doesn't mean we shouldn't do what we can to save them. They are mainly endangered in Norway despite strict hunting rules. Hunting is not the sole culprit for the arctic fox’s endangerment. Global warming has fostered competition between red foxes and arctic foxes. The melting of ice in the tundra has allowed red foxes to expand their hunting range into arctic fox territory. Climate change has diminished the territory of arctic foxes, and because of global warming they are literally “feeling the heat”, from shrinking snow and ice cover.

The Climate of Denial reflection

Al Gore’s essay, “The Climate of Denial” illustrates how the media and America in general is oblivious to the harmful effects of global warming. As long, and dry as it was, the “article” did bring up some interesting points. The analogy in the beginning almost perfectly demonstrated how blind we are to our environment, and sometimes we are blind on purpose. Al Gore elaborates on how Americans have been purposely blinded to the major environmental issues. I even agree with Gore. I believe that everyday Americans are forced into denial, by the media. Television, radio, movies, and even newspapers are all facets of media which distract us from the real issues, especially those concerning our health and the environment. Although Al Gore even somewhat chastised Obama for not doing anything about climate change, we cannot forget that we the people can do something as well. Americans cannot bestow all of our blames and problems on one person about one issue. Whether you believe in global warming or not, in reading this article, I realized that the facts are all there. As Gore clearly wrote, think about the heat, droughts, and floods. Then, ask yourself and America’s referee the media “is it real?”

Killer Cats

“Cats could be Serial Killers”

http://writingshares.com/abc-news-video-2020-segment-kitty-cam-killers-cats-eating-birds-snakes-and-mice-footage-provided-by-university-of-georgia/

September 8, 2012

Among the wild lawns of suburbia roams a new kind a predator. One who is fast, agile, cunning and deadly. This new predator has been known to even bring their kill to doorsteps, as if they were presenting it as a prize to their owners. I am talking about none other than cute and lovable domestic cats. Yes, cats. A recent study by the University of Georgia has revealed the secret lives of outdoor cats and their daily routines. The study has found that most cats’ routines habitually consist of killing other animals such as birds, snakes, and other various rodents. You may ask what does this have to do with the environment, but in actuality this issue covers a wide range of environmental issues. Birds, which were among the most common animal killed by cats are vital to completing our ecosystem’s food chain. Without birds the insect population would increase significantly, which will ultimately affect plant life and even humans. Rodent deaths might not come as much of a shock but even the smallest victim of killer cats can create a shift in our environment’s natural food webs and food chains. We must remember that conservation is critical to the richness and biodiversity of our planet, so remember to watch you cats a little more closely.

Ted Talk: Pay Attention to the Penguins

Penguins are the last animals I would expect to be good “ocean sentinels.” Penguins carry themselves so carelessly, it seems as though they are oblivious to almost everything around them. In this Ted Talk video, a woman named Dee Boersma explains how penguins are good indicators of what humans are doing to the environment. Although penguins seem unaware of their environment, it is really humans who are oblivious to what we are doing to it. Dee Boersma was a young woman who had never been camping or even lived alone, yet she moved to Galapagos, and actually made a considerable impact. Her ambitious and naive move to the Galapagos Islands should serve as a testament to what we as humans can do to help preserve our environment. Although she uses penguins as an example of what we’ve done to the environment, such as dumping oil, we should still be conscious of other species and their current situations. If a species such as penguins becomes extinct then it will throw of the natural cycle of their ecosystem. It could result in the loss of various other species. All in all we need to save penguins because of the conditions humans have put them in. I feel this video has taught me that we can learn more from paying further attention to the things that suffer from our problems than the things that are causing the problems.

Floods, Droughts, and Famine

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13827625-storms-flood-parts-of-vegas-navajo-land-calif-desert-communities-utah-town?lite

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57512205/drought-stable-in-sd-worsening-in-nd/

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=98545:30000-
families-face-acute-famine-in-mozambican-province-&catid=98:africa&Itemid=557

All over the world various states and countries are confronted by the sometimes difficult circumstances climate has to offer. Between these three stories numerous regions have to face very different but equally detrimental weather conditions. Whether it is in Mozambique where they are facing extreme famine or in parts of Vegas and California where they are facing excessive flooding, their situations are products of severe weather conditions. I believe these conditions are strong indicators of what we may be doing to our environment, and should remind us what our environment can do to us. As we learned in class and from the article on Kenya, the closer you are to the equator the heavier the rains might be. This may explain the torrential flooding in parts of Vegas and California. The harsh droughts in North and South Dakota also might be due to a stalled high-pressure system, which could be brought about by the sister of El Nino, El Nina. El Nino brings low-pressure systems that cause hurricanes and other violent storms to North America, while the cold water current La Nina brings drought.  The differences of these currents offer a variation of disasters, such as the famine in Mozambique. These four stories have helped reinforce what I’ve already learned and taught me the possible dangers of altering our planet’s climate.

Eco Pic Contest #5

Nematodes; Not Just Seen On TV

Nematodes with Pest-Fighting Potential

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120822131216.htm

August 28, 2012        

 

Nematodes aren’t just cartoon creatures that love pineapple; they actually have some significant benefits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified a species of nematode that can invade the brains of Formosan subterranean termites. The Formosan termite, a nonnative species from Asia often feed on the support beams of buildings. It annually causes around $1 billion in U.S. damages, repairs, and control cost. The nematode species does not officially kill the termites, but takes control of their bodies. Lynn Carta a plant pathologist with the Nematology Laboratory says that the nematode’s benefits are not yet completely apparent, but their ability to successfully inhabit the Formosan termite could prove to be a formidable weapon against the termites. The nematodes might prove to be a useful prospect. Lynn Carta raises the question of using the nematodes as vectors of insect pathogens instead of bio-control agents, which is the usual approach. I believe that these nematodes could be helpful in controlling and reducing the detrimental effects termites have on U.S. buildings and infrastructures. Possibly in the future the full potential of these nematodes can be harnessed, so that termites all over the world will never be a problem again! This is just some wishful thinking!

HW Packet

a. Air pollution, Depletion of soil, Water deterioration, Climate changes, Destruction of Natural habitats, Emissions from vehicles, Destruction of the ecosystem, and Extinction of wildlife
Environmental Science- a branch of science that deals with the physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment and their effect on organisms. The field of environmental science is important because it helps us find ways and means to maintain the ecological balance of the world.

b.Humans have altered the environment, and continue to alter the environment by a rapidly growing population, cutting down forest, emitting pollutants, spilling oil, dumping garbage in oceans, and exponential growth of factories.

c.The concentration of the ozone, the number and diversity of organisms in a stream, greenhouse gas emissions, and the global temperature

d.Sustainability- the capacity to endure. It describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time. Sustainability can be measured by keeping track of one’s ecological footprint. That means being conscious of how much water, electricity and fuel we use daily.

e.The exponential growth of the human population in the past 100 years has resulted from a sharp drop in death rates.

f.If a poor family has a large number of children they will have more people to work for food and money.

g.N/A

h.Hunters and gatherers are roles in hierarchal societies. These hunters and gatherers obtain almost all their food from animals and plants. Their impacts are most times negative because they deplete their camp area of its resources.

i.The agricultural revolution was the gradual transformation of the traditional agricultural system that began in Great Britain in the 18th century. New farming tools and methods helped increase harvest yields, but lead to excessive farming, that ultimately created land that could no longer be used for crops or any other plants.

j.Slash and burn cultivation is an agricultural technique which involves cutting and burning forest or woodlands to create fields. Shifting cultivation is an agricultural system in which plots of land are cultivated temporarily, and then abandoned. These agricultural techniques are sustainable because it forces succession, but is only acceptable where there is a very little animal and people population, and a lot of land.

k.The industrial revolution was the rapid development of industry in Britain in the late 18th and 19th centuries, which was brought about by the introduction of machines. The environmental drawbacks were air pollution, water pollution, and depletion of natural resources.

l.The scientific method is a research technique which consists of steps to develop an experiment, and find a conclusion. This method has been applied to various environmental issues to help diminish the effects of pollution, and overall create a more sustainable environment.

m.N/A

n.Systems thinking is the process of understanding how things influence one another within a whole. In nature systems thinking examples include ecosystems in which various elements such as air, water, movement, plants, and animals work together.

o.Matter is anything that has mass or volume. An atom is the basic unit of matter. An Ion is a charged atom. A molecule is an electrically neutral group of two or more atoms held together by a covalent bond. An isotope is an element with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons. A proton is a positive subatomic particle. An electron is a negative subatomic particle. A neutron is a subatomic particle without a charge. Three states of matter are liquids, solids, and gases.

p.A chemical formula is a representation of a substance using symbols for its constituent elements.
q.Inorganic compounds do not have a biological origin and lack carbon atoms. Organic compounds contain hydrogen and carbons atoms. Carbon dioxide and methane are organic compounds. Water and salt are examples of inorganic compounds.

r.N/A

s.First law of thermodynamics-in a physical or chemical change, we can change or convert energy from one form to another and energy input equals energy output. But, the Second law of thermodynamics tells us that when energy changes from one form to another, some of the useful energy is always degraded to lower-quality, more dispersed, less useful energy. It cannot be recycled.

t.Energy is the ability to do work on another object. Kinetic energy is energy in motion while potential energy is stored energy. High quality energies are found in the sun, electricity, coal, gas, and uranium-235. Low quality energies are dispersed into the atmosphere or ocean and have little ability to do useful work

u.N/A
v.N/A
w.N/A

Name Droppers: "A Duck's Best Friend"

Jay N "Ding" Darling

A. Jay Norwood Darling was a Pulitzer Prize winning American cartoonist, who was known for his political and conservation cartoons. He was also a very important figure in the conservation movement.

B.    
•He was appointed by President Roosevelt as the First Head of US Biological Survey which was the forerunner of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
•He founded the National Wildlife Federation in 1936, which is now the largest non-profit conservation organization in the U.S.
•He used satire to promote the issues of conservation which  brought national attention to environmental concerns.
• Conceived the idea for the Federal Duck Stamp Program and drew the first stamp design( these stamps helped raise money for buying wildlife habitats)
•Darling increased the enforcement of game laws that restrict hunting of animals that are becoming extinct. In 1937 he helped pass a law putting a tax on guns and ammunition, and the money from these taxes went to wildlife conservation.

C. Jay Darling fits in the Environmental Science aspect of environment and society. Darling helped pass various laws and regulations that facilitated the conservation of numerous forms of wildlife, especially birds.

Eco Pic Contest Submission

Do the Math: “Rates of Forest Clearing

One acre is equal to 0.40 hectares and there are 31,536,000 seconds in one year.

Estimate 1: 0.40 x 31,536,000= 12,614,400ha

One acre is equal to 0.40 hectares and there are 365 days in one year.

Estimate 2: 0.40 x 365 x 80,000= 11,680,000ha

One acre is equal to 0.40 hectares and there are 365 days in one year.

Estimate 3: 0.40 x 365 x 32,000= 4,672,000ha

Winged Refugees

Landscaping in Urban Areas Can Help Native Birds

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120822184134.htm

August 22, 2012

You would think that urban landscaping has nothing to do with helping birds because they predominately live in trees, but in reality it does. A recent study by the University of Massachusetts of residential areas and the native bird population has shown that yards imitating natural vegetation offer birds “mini refuges”.  These yards provide a mini oasis which help offset the loss of biodiversity in cities. The study showed that birds that lived in the “refuges” had more available resources such as seed, shelter, and lived longer but birds that lived in a more natural habitat had more alternative food resources and had a higher death rate. The researcher’s method of observation and experimentation also allowed them to separate some of the effects of bird community composition and density of competitors, and how these factors affect foraging decisions between two different landscapes. I believe that the researchers from the University of Massachusetts carried out a thorough experiment. Their data has opened my mind to what I can do to help conserve certain species that ultimately make my world a better place by eating insects. If we all just put in a little work by making our yards a little nicer, we will be providing a better habitat for not only birds but other species as well. 

Check out this "bird refugee" I made using Microsoft Paint and a picture.
I know  it looks more like a hobo, but you get the idea.

3,2,1

3: I actually learned a lot during my first week in AP Environmental Science. I learned the difference between environmental science and environmentalism. Environmental science is the unbiased study of the environment, while environmentalism is a movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and preservation. I also learned about an effective method to reduce the amount of paper towels we waste every year. The method created by Joe Smith is called the shake and fold method, which consist of shaking your hands twelve times and only using one paper towel to dry them off. The last thing I learned about was how to convert hectares into square feet. One hectare which is an area that is 100 meters by 100 meters is equal to 107,639ft2.

2: I would like to know more about human intervention on wildlife, and what we can do to prevent the extinction of some endangered species. I would also like to know more about alternative forms of energy, and the forms that are the most beneficial for our environment.

1: One thing I feel confident about teaching to the class is the difference between environmental science and environmentalism.

"Old Spice body wash"

• Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a detergent and surfactant found in many personal care products. It is used for its cleansing and emulsifying properties. They behave similarly to soap.
• Sodium Sulfate is the sodium salt of sulfuric acid which is mainly used for the manufacture of detergents.
• Cocamidopropyl betaine is a synthetic surfactant derived from coconut oil. It is a pale yellow liquid used as a surfactant in bath products such as shampoos and hand soaps, and in cosmetics as an emulsifying agent. It also has antiseptic properties that make it suitable for personal sanitary products.
• Sodium lauroamphoacetate is an amphoacetate used in moisturizers and other various skin care products.
• Citric Acid is a weak organic acid. It can also be used to soften water, which makes it useful in soaps and laundry detergents. It is the active ingredient in some bathroom and kitchen cleaning solutions and can even be used in shampoos.
• Polyquaternium is the international nomenclature for cosmetic ingredients that are used in the personal care industry. They are positively charged, so they neutralize the negative charges of most shampoos and help hair lie flat. Their positive charges also ionically bond them to hair and skin and some even have antimicrobial properties.
• Disodium EDTA is polyamino carboxylic acid and a colorless, water-soluble solid. It is a chelating agent that helps bind impurities, which allows the major ingredients in detergents to work effectively and consistently.
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone is a preservative with antibacterial and antifungal properties. Methylchloroisothiazolinone is found in many water based personal care products and cosmetics.
• Methylisothiazolinone is a biocide that deters harmful organisms. It is commonly used in shampoos and body care products.
• Yellow-10 is a synthetic dye.
• Green-3 is a synthetic dye.
• Water is used as a solvent.
• Fragrance is used to add a pleasant scent.

What is a hectare?

A new renewable energy project was proposed in New England, which will produce electricity by harnessing the power of the sun. There is a 20-hectare solar energy park proposal for a farmland in Lincolnshire. The actual panels will take up just 19.5 hectares and that the land underneath will provide significant sheep grazing.

20 hectares= 2,152,782ft^2

1 hectare= 107,639ft^2

The Infamous Five

Paper Towels- Wasting paper towels seems insignificant but when millions of them are wasted everyday they really make a detrimental impact. If we use the “shake and fold” method we saw in class then we can save millions of trees, and ultimately the environment.

Thermostat-People waste entirely too much electricity using their thermostats. Most people, including me turn their thermostats up too high, or too low. If we keep our thermostats at a moderate temperature of 68 to 72 degrees, then we can save a lot of power.

Air Fresheners- Various air fresheners have been found to contain carcinogens which can cause lung cancer, and even contribute to ozone depletion. Aerosol cans are inefficient and often times over used. We can diminish the amount of carcinogens we emit by using something as simple as scented candles.

Plastic Bags- Only 5% of plastic bags are recycled. They are most times littered or spend time decomposing in landfills or on the side of the road. If we use reusable grocery bags we will be able to save the environment from sea and land pollution.

Soda Pack Rings- Soda rings strangle animals all the time. Most birds and fish get their heads stuck in a ring and are choked to death. We can simply prevent this by cutting the rings before we dispose of them, properly! 

TED Talk Reflection

    Wasting paper towels is on my list of shameful and casual habits that could be improved upon, and today in class I was forced to face the reality of my careless hand drying methods. In this short TED talk video, a man named Joe Smith explains how to dry your hands with only one paper towel. He gives a demo which consists of two crucial steps: shake your hands twelve times and fold the paper towel in half. This method may seem simple but if the staggering numbers he gave are true, then we can all risk looking a little silly shaking our hands twelve times. I believe Mr. Smith’s method of conserving paper towels is thorough and effective. Everyday people waste millions of paper towels, and I’m even a habitual offender. Most people don’t realize that their profligate disposal of paper towels affects the environment in numerous ways. Thousands of trees are sacrificed for the production of paper towels, the plastic they are packed in harms the environment, and the most detrimental pollution comes from the factories that produce the paper towels themselves. Joe Smith’s technique is effortless and efficient, you wash, shake, fold, and your dry! His method is not only working towards preservation for a better environment and future, but it is fun as well. So the next time you wash your hands don’t forget to shake and fold!

Environmental Autobiography

    When I was younger the backyard creek was our everyday play place and a new world in itself. It was in this place where, my brother, friends and I created imaginary and whimsical worlds in which we relished in the creek’s natural beauty and wildlife. The creek epitomized everything that I loved, it had an abundance of animals, the water was pristine, and its solitary location allowed the sounds of nature to resonate through the air. We often journeyed down to the creek to explore its streams and catch craw fish, newts, tadpoles, and minnows, but, this all ended a few years ago. The once intriguing and vibrant creek became murky and polluted. The animals that called this creek home were now scarce and trash was scattered across the water’s banks. As the years progressed the beauty of the creek slowly diminished, and even now it is nothing more than a muddy and shallow stream of water, that no longer flows vigorously, but trickles lazily. I love the creek and, it is and will always be a vital location in my life. Exploring the creek and the nature that it harbors has fostered my great love for animals. The diverse wildlife ignited the passion I have for all creatures, especially reptiles, so the dilapidation of this iconic location has made me realize what we are doing to our planet, and maybe even what I can do to help. I guess it is true what they say, “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.”

Environmental Science Table

Environmental Topic	Date	Source	Content of Story
Climate	7/3/12	CBS News(television)	The report was about how record breaking heat waves during the summer have raised scientist’s awareness about detrimental climate changes.
Evolution	8/6/12	CBS News( television)	The story was about how the evolution new dinosaur species may have dramatically increased due to the rise of Rocky Mountains.
Weather	8/11/12	The New York Times (newspaper)	The article was about how this summer’s weather, especially in July has caused a great deal of concern. The blistering heat of the summer has caused numerous droughts and may be one of the effects of Global Warming.
Food Webs	8/12/12	Shark City (television)	The documentary follows two sharks as they age and move up in the food chain. The documentary also depicts various predator prey relationships that exist in the ocean.
Succession	7/26/12	NY Daily News (news)	The story was about a volcano that erupted in Japan. The story made me realize that the destruction that the volcano caused will lead to primary succession.
Urbanization	5/26/12	Pom Poko(movie idea)	This summer I saw Pom Poko. Pom Poko is a fictional animated tale about shape shifting tanuki combating urbanization in Tokyo by playing mischievous pranks on construction workers.
Toxicity	7/29/12	The State( newspaper)	The article is about how Easy Street, a small community in South Carolina could be polluted with toxic metals such as lead and arsenic.
Air Pollution	6/20/12	The New York Times (newspaper)	The article discussed London’s attempts to purify their air in preparation for the Olympic games.
Plate Tectonics	7/18/12	Ice Age 4: Continental Drift (movie idea)	I saw Ice Age 4 this summer. Ice age 4 follows four arctic animals as they try to survive the splitting of Pangaea.
Natural Selection	6/24/12	The New York Times (newspaper)	The article is about how natural selection may help women live longer due to mitochondrial DNA passed down from most mothers.
Biomes	6/15/12	Nature (television)	This episode of Nature depicts the hardships of bears as they try to thrive in their arctic biome.
Nutrient Cycling	5/28/12	Wife Swap (television)	In this episode a family was very conscious of the environment, and used their compost heap frequently.  Composting is a great example of nutrient cycling.
Population Dynamics	8/11/12	USA Today (newspaper)	The article reviewed a record low of babies born in Japan.
Agriculture	8/7/12	CNBC (television)	The story was about how the world is depleting underground water reserves for agriculture faster than they can be replenished.
Soil Pollution	7/31/12	USA Today( newspaper)	The story was about how the city of Tucson is taking legal action to immediately test the soil for dangerous waste
Water use	8/9/12	NPR(radio)	The broadcast reviewed the effects of the drought which was brought on by the blistering heat of July. They say the drought may force tougher water restrictions throughout the entire country.
Loss of Biodiversity	6/22/12	Whale Wars(television)	I saw an episode of Whale Wars this summer. The episode made me realize that if whale hunting continues then the biodiversity of the species will diminish significantly.
Solid and Hazardous waste	6/5/12	Equities (website)	The post was a notice about how residents are encouraged to discard household hazardous waste at a Clermont collection event.
Interspecific relations	6/4/12	Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom (television)	In this episode a cheetah mother struggles to raise three cubs in Tanzania’s Serengeti. She teaches them how to hunt, hide and overall how to be independent.
Mineral Resources	5/29/12	Stockhouse (blog)	The post was about how the Wildcat Silver Corp. said it has further increased the total mineral resource for its Hermosa project in Arizona
Human Population Growth	7/16/12	The Baltimore Sun (blog)	The post was about how the rapid growth of America; nearly 80 million people born a year, and immigration threatens the United States’ prosperity.
Ozone Depletion	7/5/12	USA Today (newspaper)	The article was about how the ozone layer faced a record loss over the arctic this summer. Scientist speculate it may be due to the various effects of global warming
Renewable Energy Sources	8/10/12	USA Today (newspaper)	The article was about how 100% renewable energy is actually attainable. The report suggested that Scotland’s ambitious attempt to generate all of its electricity from renewable resources could be possible by 2020.
Nonrenewable Energy Sources	5/30/12	National Geographic (television)	The article gave and discussed the pros and cons of numerous non-renewable resources, including petroleum, natural gas, and coal.
History of Earth	8/10/12	Prehistoric Monsters Revealed (television)	The documentary discussed prehistoric animals, and their evolution as the world progressed and its landscape changed.
Geological Process	7/24/12	USA Today (newspaper)	The article speculated what strange geological process may have created Titan’s oddly smoothed surface. Scientist think that Titan’s surface may have been shaped by erosion.
Energy Flow	6/13/12-7/15/12	The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind(book)	The book provided an explanation on how energy can be transferred and exists in numerous mediums, such as water and air.
Deforestation	7/11/12	The Lorax (movie idea)	I saw the Lorax this summer, which is an animated story that alludes to the effects of deforestation. The Onceler is the antagonist of the story who begins to cut down all of the truffula trees; much to the dismay of the Lorax.
Energy	6/13/12-7/15/12	The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind(book)	Throughout the summer I read The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. The book focuses on the achievements of William Kamkwamba who learns how to provide electricity, which is a form of energy for his village.
Pesticides	7/31/12	CBS News (television)	The story focused on how the fear of the West Nile has prompted some cities and companies to step up pesticide attacks on mosquitoes.
Global Warming	6/8/12	The Day After Tomorrow(movie idea)	I watched The Day After Tomorrow on TV this summer. The Day After Tomorrow is a science fiction disaster film that depicts the disastrous results of global warming, whose effects usher in a new ice age.
Water Pollution	6/7/12	Dawn commercial (television)	The commercial reviewed the effects of oil spills on marine life, including animals, and the ocean itself.