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!