Monday, December 12, 2011
Video chapter 15
interesting video! i learned about the energy sources,which are very important for us.Also the environmental,political and other impact of fossil fuels.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
December 3rd
For me, what we learned was just a review from my Metheorology class. I love that course!
Class December 3rd
I read up on the chapters and found it extremely interesting when I came across chapter 14. I liked learning the factors of climate change. Some of the factors such as something as consistent as ocean circulation can exchange heat within the atmosphere affecting the climate/weather. I also liked reading up on North American Deep Water (NADW). I believe I have understood why it has become vulnerable with something so little as a disturbance within the thermohaline circulation. Reviewing the projected precipitation changes was fascinating because we are the cause of these changes and if something does not change soon then we will have to face the inevitable consequences. The ways to stabilize or slow down these rapid climate changes that we have been experiencing are ways that seem so simplistic. For example, buying a hybrid, drive less, use public transportation, etc.
Dec 3, lectures 15,16,17
Natasha Lebby
On the 3rd of December I was not in class; however, I read the chapters and did not realize that London “created a congestion- charging” program. I believe that it is slightly unfair to people with lower income that need to work in the central city. As a whole; it is more intelligent to have people pay to enter the CBD because nobody wants to pay more than they have to. I was also interested in learning about the terms normal conditions, and thermal inversion. When looking at the thermal inversion diagram, I was able to understand what temperature profile Beijing and Hong Kong goes through. They have a humid climate and when the heat rises; the area receives an inversion layer where the pollution is trapped around the city.
What I learned from chapter 15
I learned that there are three major types of fossil fuels in the world; which consist of coal, natural gas, and crude oil/ petrol. The United States contains much of the world’s coal as Russia does with natural gas and the Middle East with crude oil. Coal used to be the main source for heating homes and fueling machines such as ships and trains. Today, coal is used to generate electricity. In the state of Pennsylvania, a tire was on fire and happened to go underneath a town in a mining shaft. The town, Centralia caught on fire and till this day is still burning. I never knew that before and found that quite interesting. The second type of fossil fuel is natural gas. This fossil fuel is located inside the pores of the bedrock and can only escape outward by a pump. Salt water is used to pump out the natural gas. This practice is known as hydraulic fracking. A third type of fossil fuel is a liquid and is known as crude oil. Saudi Arabia is the largest producer of petrol in the world. The largest consumer in the world is the United States. I was surprised to find out that the US uses almost a quarter of the world’s petrol. I was also surprised to find out that we have already consumed half of the world’s reserves.
I agree that Americans are not used to taking mass transit. We like to have the ability to do things on are own time; however, I believe that the mass transportation that we do have can be unreliable. Many different types of people travel by mass transit in Europe because it is an easier and cheaper form of traveling. In the US, mass transit is not an easier form of transportation.
Much of the rail lines that we did have were abandoned to creating roads for the military/our automobiles.
What I learned from chapter 16
It seems that scientists are taking the time to research cleaner and more efficient ways for people to use power. I learned that there are various sources of renewable energy that can replace the use of fossil fuels. The use of hydropower, biomass, and bio-power are ways to avoid the usage of fossil fuels that can harm the environment in a negative way. However, renewable resources still have negative impacts. For instance, hydropower can reduce fish populations by the stirring up of sediment. Solar energy and wind power is also a cleaner for people to gain power. I believe that use of solar and wind power is a great way to receive energy.
What I learned from chapter 17
People create an extraordinary amount of waste. Some how, I was not surprised that the US throws away almost 5 pounds of rubbish a day. I think the only way to deal with our waste problem, is to produce less! I don’t believe that the use of incinerators is smart because the ash still has to be sent to a landfill. It also creates pollution in the atmosphere when it burns. The use of plastic is extremely high and we should reduce the amount created. For instance, shopping bags are not necessary needed. I believe many people today are aware of the problems we are creating with landfills. In some cases people are trying to be less wasteful; however, it needs to be done faster and more efficiently.
On the 3rd of December I was not in class; however, I read the chapters and did not realize that London “created a congestion- charging” program. I believe that it is slightly unfair to people with lower income that need to work in the central city. As a whole; it is more intelligent to have people pay to enter the CBD because nobody wants to pay more than they have to. I was also interested in learning about the terms normal conditions, and thermal inversion. When looking at the thermal inversion diagram, I was able to understand what temperature profile Beijing and Hong Kong goes through. They have a humid climate and when the heat rises; the area receives an inversion layer where the pollution is trapped around the city.
What I learned from chapter 15
I learned that there are three major types of fossil fuels in the world; which consist of coal, natural gas, and crude oil/ petrol. The United States contains much of the world’s coal as Russia does with natural gas and the Middle East with crude oil. Coal used to be the main source for heating homes and fueling machines such as ships and trains. Today, coal is used to generate electricity. In the state of Pennsylvania, a tire was on fire and happened to go underneath a town in a mining shaft. The town, Centralia caught on fire and till this day is still burning. I never knew that before and found that quite interesting. The second type of fossil fuel is natural gas. This fossil fuel is located inside the pores of the bedrock and can only escape outward by a pump. Salt water is used to pump out the natural gas. This practice is known as hydraulic fracking. A third type of fossil fuel is a liquid and is known as crude oil. Saudi Arabia is the largest producer of petrol in the world. The largest consumer in the world is the United States. I was surprised to find out that the US uses almost a quarter of the world’s petrol. I was also surprised to find out that we have already consumed half of the world’s reserves.
I agree that Americans are not used to taking mass transit. We like to have the ability to do things on are own time; however, I believe that the mass transportation that we do have can be unreliable. Many different types of people travel by mass transit in Europe because it is an easier and cheaper form of traveling. In the US, mass transit is not an easier form of transportation.
Much of the rail lines that we did have were abandoned to creating roads for the military/our automobiles.
What I learned from chapter 16
It seems that scientists are taking the time to research cleaner and more efficient ways for people to use power. I learned that there are various sources of renewable energy that can replace the use of fossil fuels. The use of hydropower, biomass, and bio-power are ways to avoid the usage of fossil fuels that can harm the environment in a negative way. However, renewable resources still have negative impacts. For instance, hydropower can reduce fish populations by the stirring up of sediment. Solar energy and wind power is also a cleaner for people to gain power. I believe that use of solar and wind power is a great way to receive energy.
What I learned from chapter 17
People create an extraordinary amount of waste. Some how, I was not surprised that the US throws away almost 5 pounds of rubbish a day. I think the only way to deal with our waste problem, is to produce less! I don’t believe that the use of incinerators is smart because the ash still has to be sent to a landfill. It also creates pollution in the atmosphere when it burns. The use of plastic is extremely high and we should reduce the amount created. For instance, shopping bags are not necessary needed. I believe many people today are aware of the problems we are creating with landfills. In some cases people are trying to be less wasteful; however, it needs to be done faster and more efficiently.
Waste and new tech
The waste industry is a problem you never really think about.Where all of the trash goes and what is done with it,but science is providing some viable options for its future.
The renewable energy video was very informative,all the diffrent technologies coming down the line.The one converting thermal water from the sea to energy looked really interesting.Solutions are starting to come some I would never have dreamed of.
The renewable energy video was very informative,all the diffrent technologies coming down the line.The one converting thermal water from the sea to energy looked really interesting.Solutions are starting to come some I would never have dreamed of.
Friday, December 9, 2011
last video comment
Interesting video, i learned that waste can be reduced by manufacturer's its so interesting because in my country they use plastics a lot and it cost less to manufacture the plastic.
December 3 class
Intersting calss it teach me a lot about atmosphere its amazing how our wheater is affected by each action and also learned a lot about the mining processes . wich i think we should be careful how we use our resources.
Chapter 16 and 17 Videos
Good information. Was pleased to hear that renewable energy is growing ... some may think, not fast enough ... and even more pleased after hearing fromthe previous lectures that our fossile fuels are fast depleting. I have a neighbor who runs his ATV on used french fry oil, kind of reminds you of the "Back to the Future" movie. But it works and it reduces waste for the restaurants he gets the oil from. Did not realize hydro power was so clean and thought the idea of using the ocean to create alternative energy sources was very interesting. Noticed there was nothing said about how this technology affects the life forms in the ocean would think it would have some effect mainly to the smallest plant and animal forms. Thinking if hydrogen fuel does become popular the defunct gas stations could be converted to hydrogen stations - just thinking. Chapter 17 touched on one of my pet peeves - over packaging. Mainly those products that use formed plastics - actually one time when I wish they would pass a law to outlaw formed plastic packaging. We do need to do more to eliminate waste and reducing the packaging of our goods is a way to start. Also, think more people would recycle if they had access to information giving them sites to take certain items to for recycling. Another pet peeve - ignorant people who bring items to local recycling centers and don't put the items in the bin they leave them in front in a plastic bag - pure laziness. Then there are those who show up and the bins are full and do the same thing. Townships need to monitor these activities closer, empty bins more often and put measures in place to catch those littering, impose fines so that their bad behavior is changed or least pay for the labor to clean up their mess. Did learn one thing ... what the number stands for in the stamped triangle on plastic containers and did not know you can't mix plastics when melting down for re-use. Obviously, as we are today, many generations to come will continue to be challenged with figuring out what to do with the waste of the past. Hopefully the future holds less waste and less hazardous waste.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Never Ending Quest
The lessons on mining and how we get our oil and natural gas was very interesting.The lenghts we as a people go to just so we can sustain our way of life.We use the most advanced technology known to mankind to exrtact trace amounts of fossil fuels from deep with in the earth.All this research could be put to better use,but not to sound like an idealist,some day the fossil fuel will run out.Money drives the machine and oil greases the wheels
Sunday, December 4, 2011
December 3 Class
Interesting topics this class period ... the atmosphere ... loved the Mark Twain quote, "Climate is what we expect; weather is what we get," It has always amazed me that our weather is affected by actions (eruption of a volcano thousands of miles away) on the other side of our continent or even another continent. As climates change which I believe they are doing now and will continue to do so, we need to mitigate and adapt, which if you think about it that is what we have been learning all along ... tools necessary to better understand our environment - yesterday, today and possibly tomorrow - so that we can make informed decisions on how to mitigate so that we are better ready when we have to adapt to eminent environmental changes. I was in support of the US not supporting the Kyoto Protocol because all nations (including developing) should be held to the same standards and now that they are devloping they have the dollars to pay for the costs to be better stewards of the environment. Besides, we share the same atmosphere.
Chapter 15 Video
The ANWR debates have been going on since I was in high school and that was a long time ago. I was very surprised to learn that the oil reserves causing so much controversy will not sustain our needs and that they estimate we only have about 40 years of oil left - wow. Obviously we need to continue to evaluate needs, and find ways to conserve but they need to also inform consumers of the cost to do so ... the slide on making consumer products more efficient you showed a home - and noted that improved home design will reduce energy needs, note however, that the movement of reducing energy needs in homes has been ongoing for over 10 years, and in doing so they have found making homes more energy efficient causes other problems most notably, indoor air quaility - which we talked about in class this week. It seems we are always trading one for another. People need to understand that energy efficient products are not less costly and many times the return on the investment is way down the road if even then. The information on the nuclear process and how the noteable accidents happened was very interseting. Did not realize there were 439 plants operating today ... and in 31 countries, another surprise. I think the future is nuclear power and as other resources deplete it will get greater acceptance dispite the safety concerns ... until something new comes along we have no choice since no one wants to give up their conveniences. We are who we are.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Chapter 15 Videos
First of all, let me apologize for the sound quality and background noise. I didn't have time to make a perfect recording. There will be no questions on the exam from this chapter, but I would like everyone to still watch the video and comment on it.
November 19 class
i did learn about the environmental health hazards and how governments are trying to protect people by implementing Internationale agreements and that safe and happy future depends on knowing the risks that some hazards pose and on replacing those substances with safer ones.
November 12 class
i did enjoy this class because it really help me thinking twice before even think of buying house in the future that real estates agent would not explain it to home buyers.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
November 19th
I learned about the environmental health hazards which are: Physical, Chemical, Biological and Cultural, with their effect associated. I also learned from chapter 10, the mining methods and their different impacts and the sustainable use of mineral. Interesting!
Test / presentation
Does anyone have their syllabus handy? Can you tell me when the final test and presentations are scheduled?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
On the 5th of November, I learned that our waste water goes through various cycles to purify. Although, when it is released into natural bodies of water; there is an increase of fresh water within the sea water. The salt water goes through a desalination process.
In class, I found learning about underwater creatures to be the most interesting. I was very fascinated with the deep water creatures. I did not realize that the light hanging off their head was to lure their dinner. I also never realized that they were holes within the ocean floor that contain heat/air.
On the 12th of November, I learned about the population of people. I was interested in the demographic transition model with the four stages. I learned that the majority of people in the world are in the second and third stage of the model. I know that there are no countries within the world that belong to the first stage of the transition model. In class, I also found learning about the population pyramids quite interesting.
Hans Rosling on global population growth
This video was very interesting. It held my attention the whole way through. The information was very well presented. I am not really surprised that the gaps are that big. By using the colored boxes; it makes it more helpful for the average person in the western world to understand that not everyone uses cars and planes for transportation. Many countries still ride on donkeys and have carts to transport their materials from one place to another. I believe that people within the world should strive to make it better. Everyone should be able to buy their own shoes and have their own food to eat.
On the 19th of November, I learned that people today use the Precautionary Principle Approach. This is where the government does not say anything until a product is proven dangerous. I think this is extremely irresponsible. I understand that scientists may need time to understand the productive fully, but the public should not have to worry about if something is dangerous or not. In class, I also learned that quarries contain toxic water. Maybe I should not dive in them anymore…
Endocrine Disruption Expert
This woman sounds very knowledgeable. She and her friend seem to have done a lot of site checking. I think citation checking is not done enough in the world today. People are fine with limited information and are not too bothered about its source. That or they don’t know that not all magazines are reliable. It makes me really nervous that people still create pesticides and toxic chemicals for various reasons when they know deep down that they are not healthy. Something needs to be done before we completely destroy the earth and us along with it.
In class, I found learning about underwater creatures to be the most interesting. I was very fascinated with the deep water creatures. I did not realize that the light hanging off their head was to lure their dinner. I also never realized that they were holes within the ocean floor that contain heat/air.
On the 12th of November, I learned about the population of people. I was interested in the demographic transition model with the four stages. I learned that the majority of people in the world are in the second and third stage of the model. I know that there are no countries within the world that belong to the first stage of the transition model. In class, I also found learning about the population pyramids quite interesting.
Hans Rosling on global population growth
This video was very interesting. It held my attention the whole way through. The information was very well presented. I am not really surprised that the gaps are that big. By using the colored boxes; it makes it more helpful for the average person in the western world to understand that not everyone uses cars and planes for transportation. Many countries still ride on donkeys and have carts to transport their materials from one place to another. I believe that people within the world should strive to make it better. Everyone should be able to buy their own shoes and have their own food to eat.
On the 19th of November, I learned that people today use the Precautionary Principle Approach. This is where the government does not say anything until a product is proven dangerous. I think this is extremely irresponsible. I understand that scientists may need time to understand the productive fully, but the public should not have to worry about if something is dangerous or not. In class, I also learned that quarries contain toxic water. Maybe I should not dive in them anymore…
Endocrine Disruption Expert
This woman sounds very knowledgeable. She and her friend seem to have done a lot of site checking. I think citation checking is not done enough in the world today. People are fine with limited information and are not too bothered about its source. That or they don’t know that not all magazines are reliable. It makes me really nervous that people still create pesticides and toxic chemicals for various reasons when they know deep down that they are not healthy. Something needs to be done before we completely destroy the earth and us along with it.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Endocrine Disrupters Video
Oh my God! the humanity is really in danger, but to just sum up, how long is it going to take for incomplete tested pesticides and others gazes not to be put on the market? Scary!!!Now i want to read Dr. Theo Coburn book 'A Stolen Future'.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
November 12
Everyone should understand how water and wastewater systems
work. That understanding may help support conservation measures. I have never been a fan of longline fishing
and support laws that minimize its use.
I think they should only allow the fishing industry to use techniques
that minimizes the impact to the environment and other species.
Endocrine video
Im just overwhelmed with information. Hell I think I should just stay inside. So many different issues to address. The thing is we can not have our cake and eat it to. There is always going to be waste of some sort left and we will feel the affects of it.
November 12th class
I realy enjoy realestate and I think all this information will be useful to me. I never understood about the different water systemts like well, secptic , and public. I also found myself looking at homes and thinking I wouldnt want to buy there because of the way water flows. I have some talapia in my freezer. I am not sure if we are going to eat!
Global Population
I thought his presentation was very good. I think the gap should be closed not just for the children but for the good of all. Poverty and underdeveloped nations breed all types of people and groups! Its seems that we are just getting fat now. We have accomplished much. I hope this isnt the part where we start to talk about how every great empire falls!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Water Videos
I think technology is cool. I dont think our city takes that good care of our water. I mean they are bankrupt now. I think it is amazing how we are able to turn our waste water into drinking water. I wonder just how pure it is? It didnt say if we should still boil our water or not. I also think what California is doing is great. Im a big fan of that type of recyling.
Four Videos Chaptr7
I think the techniques that we have come up with to protect against soil corrosion are great. I realy liked the demonstration in video two . I found it very interesting and the next time I hear someone talking about this subject I will at least know what they are talking about. In the third video I would find it annoying to look for bugs and thats probably why I never had a garden but the information was very valuable. As for the last video I dont know how I feel about GE foods. I do feel that we would have more land to farm if people would not feel the need to develop everything. On one end we say we cant produce enough food for all the people but then we develop everything. It appears no land is safe. I try to buy organic whenever I can afford it.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Endocrine Disruptors Video
scary studies, but it good to know it. It was really interesting to hear about Dr. Coburn's studies that benzene and chlorine are instrumental in causing defects in animals and humans. it will be good if we could see all the pictures and hear the whole video one part couldn't hear it clearly.
november 5th class
i learned about erosion and the principles of soil conservation.i also learned about genectic modification which is still a controversial issue. it was interesting class to see how erosion can destroy soil and how to preserve it.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Endocrine Disruptors Video
Complex and scary stuff ... sounds like we need more scientific study on chemicals in the environment and a re-evaluation of the "old" chemicals since they have had time to make their impact known. It was really interesting to hear about Dr. Coburn's studies that benzene and chlorine are instrumental in causing defects in animals and humans. Keep in mind EPA/DEP requires all water systems to add chlorine (regardless if there are confirmed contaminates) to all public drinking water systems. Would of been interesting to see her charts on the critical windows of development, the screen was too small. Interesting closing about the benzene being emitted from the natural gas developments - something we should be concerned about with Marcellus Shale so close.
Global Population
Very intriguing presentation with an interesting illustration that caught my attention. Never thought of the "new green" as to being population reduction but if you think about it, it makes sense. Reduce population and you reduce the need for all resources. I get some of his theory on reduce child survival and thus reduce population growth, but we are a long way off from those successes in the developing countries since you will need the eduation happening from all levels - I am just not confident that it can happen in the next 50 years with all the unrest that they have in those countries right now.
Endocrine Disrupters
This week's video is a lecture from Dr. Theo Coburn, one of the original scientists to explore the theory of endocrine disruptors.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Population
That video really put it in perspective for me.To be able to see where the world is headed and finally able to see the number.It was very clever how he did his presentation.it caught my attention.
Bio103: Water Videos
Bio103: Water Videos: This week, we have three videos. The first is a tour of wastewater treatment plant in OK. The second is an information video about land appl...
I never really thought of where our water comes and goes to ,but thankfully there are people who do.The science behind water treatment is amazing.The desalinization process will be a major factor in all of our futures
I never really thought of where our water comes and goes to ,but thankfully there are people who do.The science behind water treatment is amazing.The desalinization process will be a major factor in all of our futures
Monday, November 14, 2011
November 12
i learned about water distrubution on earth, the water supply and its quality,and also what i found interesting and at the same time very unpleasant was how wastewater is treated. i can tell by taking a biology course you will be able to learn more about your Enviroment and how things are going on.
November 5 class
i learned about erosion and the principles of soil conservation.i also learned about genectic modification which is still a controversial issue.
Water Videos
OMG, the question is it safe to drink the wastewater from the video # 1? As they said it is good for the environment, but how about us?i believe disalination is good, in a way we get clean water and also salt that can be use for lot of thing.
The global population
I really love his presentation! Oh yeah I agree with him when he said the new world goes from walking, biking ,driving and then flying. Population growth is being helped by Unicef (United Nations Children's Fund)in specially many Africans countries which may be more helpful in some up coming years.
Friday, November 11, 2011
4 videos for october
4 video comments
In the first video, it seems that the decrease of plowing and the use herbicides has helped lower erosion. My first thought, was that the use of herbicides was more harmful to the environment then the use of plows. However, after listening to this video, it seems that the use of the tractors and plows are more helpful to the environment . According to Graham Brookes, in 2004 there was ten billion kilograms less co2 within the atmosphere. He said it is the equivalent of taking twenty percent of the cars in the United Kingdom off the road for a year. That is a very large portion of co2 that has not been released into the air.
In the second video, I did liked how there was a demonstration used to describe how rain water filters through grass, corn residue and soil. It makes sense to me to stop soil erosion by the use of grass and the left over crop residue on the surface of the soil because it helps produces better filtered water.
In the third video, when the man states what gardeners should look for in their plants; it seems quite self explanatory. Although, his steps seemed be very useful.
In the fourth video, I would need to research more about the situation to really decide what I think is best. I believe that it is fine that researchers are trying to find ways to make more crops for people in developing countries. I personally think, in the years to come we will find out that the genetically engineered crops are more harmful then useful.
In the first video, it seems that the decrease of plowing and the use herbicides has helped lower erosion. My first thought, was that the use of herbicides was more harmful to the environment then the use of plows. However, after listening to this video, it seems that the use of the tractors and plows are more helpful to the environment . According to Graham Brookes, in 2004 there was ten billion kilograms less co2 within the atmosphere. He said it is the equivalent of taking twenty percent of the cars in the United Kingdom off the road for a year. That is a very large portion of co2 that has not been released into the air.
In the second video, I did liked how there was a demonstration used to describe how rain water filters through grass, corn residue and soil. It makes sense to me to stop soil erosion by the use of grass and the left over crop residue on the surface of the soil because it helps produces better filtered water.
In the third video, when the man states what gardeners should look for in their plants; it seems quite self explanatory. Although, his steps seemed be very useful.
In the fourth video, I would need to research more about the situation to really decide what I think is best. I believe that it is fine that researchers are trying to find ways to make more crops for people in developing countries. I personally think, in the years to come we will find out that the genetically engineered crops are more harmful then useful.
Natahsa Lebby
3 Video Blogs from the 5th
Video one was quite interesting because it went through the process of cleaning waste treatment water. When I was watching the men describe each process of cleaning the water; it seems that the water cleaned up well. My only thought though was; does the clean water really help the creek? Or, is it so clean that the water kills off anything that was living there before?
I know that California itself is very conscious of making sure that there are plenty of organic foods for the consumers to buy. California also has bins for composts, recycles, and wastes. This act is not widely spread across the United States. So, I am not surprised that SFO has all their waste water treated. I never heard of water waste treatment making bio-solids. I think it is a good use our brains for a change. We don’t seem to be hurting the environment and we are putting our waste and rubbish into good use.
I am surprised to hear the water is treated within a day and ready for safe drinking.
3 Video Blogs from the 5th
Video one was quite interesting because it went through the process of cleaning waste treatment water. When I was watching the men describe each process of cleaning the water; it seems that the water cleaned up well. My only thought though was; does the clean water really help the creek? Or, is it so clean that the water kills off anything that was living there before?
I know that California itself is very conscious of making sure that there are plenty of organic foods for the consumers to buy. California also has bins for composts, recycles, and wastes. This act is not widely spread across the United States. So, I am not surprised that SFO has all their waste water treated. I never heard of water waste treatment making bio-solids. I think it is a good use our brains for a change. We don’t seem to be hurting the environment and we are putting our waste and rubbish into good use.
I am surprised to hear the water is treated within a day and ready for safe drinking.
November 5th Class
In this class period, I took away from the lecture the grueling information about our clean water slowly but surely becoming nonexistent and that only 2.5% of water on Earth is actually fresh. I did like going over the key terms because it helps me better understand what all of these concerns for fresh water in lakes, marshlands, oceans, and rivers means.
Video-Global Population
Wow! That is a huge gap between the West and the developing world! While one society aspires to build a plane, another one dreams to have a bicycle!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Global Population
This week's video talks about the global population and uses a clever way to illustrate the varying levels of economic development.
November 5 Class
Wow did not realize that we depleted so much of our water resources and that water is so slow to recharge itself. We need to do better at educating all generations about the need to conserve and reserve our water resources since they are core to our survival. We do try to conserve as much as we can but I am sure we could do better.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Water Videos
This week, we have three videos. The first is a tour of wastewater treatment plant in OK. The second is an information video about land application of biosolids from San Francisco. And the third is about a desalination plant.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The 4 videos
Alot of infromation in those videos,the great thing about them is they make you think.The soil erosion problem seems simple to solve,but hard to resolve.Getting all of the agriculture community to follow a program would be the solution and the farmers above all others want to resolve this problem.
The GMO foods has some interesting points to ponder.Either feed the world or let opinion starve nations.While there is no concrete studies showing the harsh effects of GMO food it raises many concerns.In my humble opinion I think someone starving in a devolping nation might not care if their food was crossbred with another food as long as they had food.
The GMO foods has some interesting points to ponder.Either feed the world or let opinion starve nations.While there is no concrete studies showing the harsh effects of GMO food it raises many concerns.In my humble opinion I think someone starving in a devolping nation might not care if their food was crossbred with another food as long as they had food.
Monday, October 31, 2011
On the 22nd of October, I learned that there are different ways to protect soil. Some of which are crop rotation, contour farming, terracing, inter cropping, windbreaks and no till farming. I found this interesting because around the world there are different ways to help maintain nutrients within soil. For instance, in Asia there is the use of terracing to grow rice. Another one that I did not know of before was the shelterbelts. I thought it was smart to have a build up of natural materials to protect the crops from the wind.
I also found learning about The Dust Bowl interesting. I have heard of it in the past, but never really knew what it meant. I was surprised to find out that so much top soil can be spread along the states. The pictures in the notes are amazing; I thought that was just in the movies.
I also found learning about The Dust Bowl interesting. I have heard of it in the past, but never really knew what it meant. I was surprised to find out that so much top soil can be spread along the states. The pictures in the notes are amazing; I thought that was just in the movies.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Oct 22
So far i learned about agriculture and different techniques that farmers adopte, the different types of soils and their formations, and also some agriculture impact on soil which i found very interesting.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
October 22 Class
The whole section on genetically modified food was very
interesting. I remember seeing
articles and hearing news stories GMO's
but honestly never paid much attention since we grow (and can) a lot of our own
veggies or get them from an organic farm.
I think it would make you think twice about eating genetically modified
food if you think of it as such, but if they can load up an ear of corn with
the good nutrients you get from fish and it still tastes good then I think I
would be open minded enough to try it.
From my point of view developing more nutrient rich food is not a bad
thing mainly for the underdeveloped countries.
In think we need to keep in mind that without people experimenting with
plants in the past we would not have the food choices of today.
Comments on the videos
The first two videos I got a lot out of. For instance, how to conserve soil and how to prevent soil erosion simply by using the natural resources provided for you by your environment. I would have never thought of using old plant residue or straw to prevent the water from seeping directly onto the soil which eventually creates soil erosion. The third and fourth video intrigued by its humor. I became knowledgeable of actually how bad some insects are to the crops and how or what one should do to prevent there presence which is called integrated pest management and how technology is a significant part of their elimination so we can have healthy vegetables to consume. It is interesting to learn that our modern technology can improve our way of living by making our food healthier and cleaner.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Ashley's comments
Ashley's having some difficulty posting onto the web, so she emailed her comments.
October 1st class
I actually had no idea that the amount of space that is taken up by building housing developments. I thought that every development had the same format, but i was wrong. And i had no idea that the different ones will take up a different amount another one. I think that this world is so moderized that there will never be a such thing of a farm if we keep up with building many new housing developments and then our food really will just come from the supermarket instead of the farms because we keep destorying them. ITS AWFULL!
The group of 4 videos;.:
Video 1: I think it is great that people are finding was to use ecofriendly pesticides. It will help everyone later in life. With the new round up pesticides farmers do not have to till their croplands to control the weeds which saves them money on the gas of the tractors. Plus it helps reduce the amount of CO2 that is put into the air but 30%. i found that absoultely amazing!
Video 2: I did not realize that the heavy grass on the bottom of a hill on a farm was to help prevent erosion. I learned something new. It is a good thing to have grass of last years crop on the soil to help prevent erosion. Because this keeps the nurients in the soil instead of having to go somewhere else. The bare soil in the deminstration in the video had nothing to help keep the soil in place therefore the soil just went straight with the water and into the jar. That was a really really good deminstation to show what helps with soil erosion.
Video 3: I had no idea that it would take this much time and effort to produce health vegetables in a backyard garden. i dont know about anyone else but i do not know anyone with a garden that carries around a little magnifying glass with them to find eggs. i found that extrememly funny because i can not see someone doing that. And i always thought that building a health garden you plant, water, pick. I did not know there was that much thinking involved.
Video 4: I cannot believe that there are that many people that are starving and die from it. To start that lady looked nuts. but it was said that it is easy to protest whenever yours not starving which is so true. There are so many people in the world that we cannot produce food the same way we use to. Therefore we have to fall back on factory produced foods. And i think it is great that the guy produced a wheat that produced 4 times as mmuch wheat than they would have in new mexico. He is a great person to help out with the food that many people need and we probably still use this kind of wheat today.
Class on 10/22
I liked this class because i like the farm atmostsphere so whenever someone talks about farms but ears perk up. I really could have done without knowing about the spidergoat. That was a little much for me that early in the morning. And to know that that is possible kinda freaks me out because what will them use next? It just made me think a little about how people are producing more of a product by using other organisms. I little freaky. And a side point whenever the spidergoat was said all i could think about was the Simpson Movie and home singing the spiderpig song.
October 1st class
I actually had no idea that the amount of space that is taken up by building housing developments. I thought that every development had the same format, but i was wrong. And i had no idea that the different ones will take up a different amount another one. I think that this world is so moderized that there will never be a such thing of a farm if we keep up with building many new housing developments and then our food really will just come from the supermarket instead of the farms because we keep destorying them. ITS AWFULL!
The group of 4 videos;.:
Video 1: I think it is great that people are finding was to use ecofriendly pesticides. It will help everyone later in life. With the new round up pesticides farmers do not have to till their croplands to control the weeds which saves them money on the gas of the tractors. Plus it helps reduce the amount of CO2 that is put into the air but 30%. i found that absoultely amazing!
Video 2: I did not realize that the heavy grass on the bottom of a hill on a farm was to help prevent erosion. I learned something new. It is a good thing to have grass of last years crop on the soil to help prevent erosion. Because this keeps the nurients in the soil instead of having to go somewhere else. The bare soil in the deminstration in the video had nothing to help keep the soil in place therefore the soil just went straight with the water and into the jar. That was a really really good deminstation to show what helps with soil erosion.
Video 3: I had no idea that it would take this much time and effort to produce health vegetables in a backyard garden. i dont know about anyone else but i do not know anyone with a garden that carries around a little magnifying glass with them to find eggs. i found that extrememly funny because i can not see someone doing that. And i always thought that building a health garden you plant, water, pick. I did not know there was that much thinking involved.
Video 4: I cannot believe that there are that many people that are starving and die from it. To start that lady looked nuts. but it was said that it is easy to protest whenever yours not starving which is so true. There are so many people in the world that we cannot produce food the same way we use to. Therefore we have to fall back on factory produced foods. And i think it is great that the guy produced a wheat that produced 4 times as mmuch wheat than they would have in new mexico. He is a great person to help out with the food that many people need and we probably still use this kind of wheat today.
Class on 10/22
I liked this class because i like the farm atmostsphere so whenever someone talks about farms but ears perk up. I really could have done without knowing about the spidergoat. That was a little much for me that early in the morning. And to know that that is possible kinda freaks me out because what will them use next? It just made me think a little about how people are producing more of a product by using other organisms. I little freaky. And a side point whenever the spidergoat was said all i could think about was the Simpson Movie and home singing the spiderpig song.
4 Videos
It was nice to learn that in Brazil, where they lost 10tons of soil per hector per year, they were able to fix the problem by eliminating tillage. In the second video, even thought erosion is a fact of nature, we can still able to protect our environment through the methods shown. The third video basically, show us how to manage pets in plants and have healthy vegetables to eat by first building our plants knowledge base, monitoring our plants, by decision making and last by intervening. The last video is about Genetic Modify Food where a the end they were saying the best thing to do is to spray out technology so other countries can be able to feed their population and reduce hunger.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
4 Videos
Okay. Finally found out what Iwas doing wrong....using Vista.
The 4 videos were very informative. Some of the information I will be able to use for my own flower garden. I have been plagued by weeds and I think I have tried just about everything. But I will keep trying. One of the videos made me understand why I see fields that are not plowed every year. Now I know it is done for a very good reason. Isn't education wonderful!!
The fourth video was really the most informative. Personally, I have been against genetic engineering in food because I didn't know what they were actually doing to or putting into the food. Now that I am much better informed, my view has certainly changed. The video was certainly correct. Organizations work on people's fears and fear definitely sells. I fully agree with Penn & Teller. We need to have the ability to grow more food so we can feed more people. Genetically engineered food is going through 3 possible inspections before getting to consumers, which is more inspections than other food. People need to wake up and do their own research instead of listening to others.
The 4 videos were very informative. Some of the information I will be able to use for my own flower garden. I have been plagued by weeds and I think I have tried just about everything. But I will keep trying. One of the videos made me understand why I see fields that are not plowed every year. Now I know it is done for a very good reason. Isn't education wonderful!!
The fourth video was really the most informative. Personally, I have been against genetic engineering in food because I didn't know what they were actually doing to or putting into the food. Now that I am much better informed, my view has certainly changed. The video was certainly correct. Organizations work on people's fears and fear definitely sells. I fully agree with Penn & Teller. We need to have the ability to grow more food so we can feed more people. Genetically engineered food is going through 3 possible inspections before getting to consumers, which is more inspections than other food. People need to wake up and do their own research instead of listening to others.
Friday, October 21, 2011
oct 22 class
Natasha Lebby
4 video comments
In the first video, it seems that the decrease of plowing and the use herbicides has helped lower erosion. My first thought, was that the use of herbicides was more harmful to the environment then the use of plows. However, after listening to this video, it seems that the use of the tractors and plows are more helpful to the environment. Apparently, there has been a decrease of green house gas admissions by fifty percent. According to Graham Brookes, in 2004 there was ten billion kilograms less co2 within the atmosphere. He said it is the equivalent of taking twenty percent of the cars in the United Kingdom off the road for a year. That is a very large portion of co2 that has not been released into the air.
In the second video, I liked how there was a demonstration used to describe how rain water filters through grass, corn residue and soil. It makes sense to me to stop soil erosion by the use of grass and the left over crop residue on the surface of the soil because it helps produces better filtered water.
In the third video, when the man states what gardeners should look for in their plants; it seems quite self explanatory. Although, his steps seemed be very useful. I also think it is very important to know what could damage the plant and keeping a good eye out for it. In addition I liked how he stated what sort of pesticide that should be used for safe organic gardening.
In the fourth video, I would need to research more about the situation to really decide what I think is best. I believe that it is fine that researchers are trying to find ways to make more crops for people in developing countries. I personally think, in the years to come we will find out that the genetically engineered crops are more harmful then useful.
4 video comments
In the first video, it seems that the decrease of plowing and the use herbicides has helped lower erosion. My first thought, was that the use of herbicides was more harmful to the environment then the use of plows. However, after listening to this video, it seems that the use of the tractors and plows are more helpful to the environment. Apparently, there has been a decrease of green house gas admissions by fifty percent. According to Graham Brookes, in 2004 there was ten billion kilograms less co2 within the atmosphere. He said it is the equivalent of taking twenty percent of the cars in the United Kingdom off the road for a year. That is a very large portion of co2 that has not been released into the air.
In the second video, I liked how there was a demonstration used to describe how rain water filters through grass, corn residue and soil. It makes sense to me to stop soil erosion by the use of grass and the left over crop residue on the surface of the soil because it helps produces better filtered water.
In the third video, when the man states what gardeners should look for in their plants; it seems quite self explanatory. Although, his steps seemed be very useful. I also think it is very important to know what could damage the plant and keeping a good eye out for it. In addition I liked how he stated what sort of pesticide that should be used for safe organic gardening.
In the fourth video, I would need to research more about the situation to really decide what I think is best. I believe that it is fine that researchers are trying to find ways to make more crops for people in developing countries. I personally think, in the years to come we will find out that the genetically engineered crops are more harmful then useful.
october 1st class
I did find it interesting to learn about urbanization and sprawl and i learned that sprawl have a negative impact in our environment were taking too much spaces just to feel that we have our privacy or making our own bubble. I think it will be interesting to see how this gonna affect the future of our land.
4 videos on soil conversation and feeding the masses
Grat information on protecting and utilizing our farm fields - minimum till and no till techniques help minimize soil erosion thus protecting our waterways all the way to the oceans. Would be nice if more farmers would use the techniques and not just those farming the hills or those farming in high wind areas. This way government mandates could be loosened on other industries. Being a gardner I liked the idea of looking other remedies (besides pesticides) to control garden pests, which will help to yield more vegetables and fruits. Totally agree with Penn & Teller - what is wrong with using science to produce vegetables and fruits that will increase output - this is nothing new as we learned in previous chapters it was through cross breeding plants and animals that we have such a diversity of both animals and plants today. If we want to sustain our growth we need innovators such as Norman Berlaug to provide the tools to maintain our current consumption needs and at the rate we are growing to sustain an even larger population. I don't think organic farms will ever go away so those wanting "organic" can continue to have it keeping in mind the plants they are growing and eating are only available due to earlier versions of what we call genetic engineering today.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Four Videos
Because Chapter Seven is a big chapter, we're going to have four videos this week. The first two are about soil conservation. The third one is about integrated pest management. The final video is about genetically modified foods and it's from Penn and Teller's "BS" show, so once again, I'm going to give you the "It's not safe for work because there's some bad words in it" warning.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Urban Sprawl
I so agree with him that we waste so much space and develop way to much. I never payed attention to how much space that buildings waste. I found how he compared the school to a jail because of the architecture. It would be more useful for our shopping and work to be close to where we live. This would save money and cut down on pollution.
Biosphere 2
I found this video to be very interesting. It almost made me want to grow my own food. Anyway I feel she made an interesting point when she talked about how she was living in two biosperes. Her experience has made me think about how we always try to separate ourselves from the environment and each other. We rely on the earth as much as it existence relies on how we take care of it. The industrial eco-system genuis and what a way to turn pollution into something useful for other people. Our responsibility is bigger than we realized. Also I read the labels too.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Bio103: The Lorax
Bio103: The Lorax Almoustapha Amadou
I enjoy this video because it shows how by ignorance or by their interests people don't take care about their environment . They destroy their natural ressources which very important in their life. It an obligation for people to protect their environment to avoid many problems.
I enjoy this video because it shows how by ignorance or by their interests people don't take care about their environment . They destroy their natural ressources which very important in their life. It an obligation for people to protect their environment to avoid many problems.
Friday, October 7, 2011
What I learned Oct 1
I liked learning about urban sprawl in the last class. It gave me a sense of why cities appeared in the first place. Factory jobs were the main reason why people moved into cities. There are many cities today and it fascinated me to see pictures of the different development sprawl techniques. It was kind of surprising to find out that sparse street networking is pretty much worthless. I am also slightly disappointed that people know we are decreasing forests and ecosystems in the environment, yet there are still large amounts of development occurring.
Video Comment
James Howard Kunstler didn’t seem to beat around the bush. He made his point clear and easy to understand with his photos. James was stating how the Americans define space. It seemed important to him that better designed buildings are worth more than having badly designed ones. James also made a point that trees in city streets are there for shade and covering the buildings. They do not really help the environment; they are planted there for the benefit of people. He also said that in the future people will need to learn how create ways to make developed areas on a smaller scale. For instance houses and shops will be closer together. It makes sense that we should have places that are meaningful and do not take up valuable space and are visually pleasing to us.
I liked learning about urban sprawl in the last class. It gave me a sense of why cities appeared in the first place. Factory jobs were the main reason why people moved into cities. There are many cities today and it fascinated me to see pictures of the different development sprawl techniques. It was kind of surprising to find out that sparse street networking is pretty much worthless. I am also slightly disappointed that people know we are decreasing forests and ecosystems in the environment, yet there are still large amounts of development occurring.
Video Comment
James Howard Kunstler didn’t seem to beat around the bush. He made his point clear and easy to understand with his photos. James was stating how the Americans define space. It seemed important to him that better designed buildings are worth more than having badly designed ones. James also made a point that trees in city streets are there for shade and covering the buildings. They do not really help the environment; they are planted there for the benefit of people. He also said that in the future people will need to learn how create ways to make developed areas on a smaller scale. For instance houses and shops will be closer together. It makes sense that we should have places that are meaningful and do not take up valuable space and are visually pleasing to us.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Kunstler Video
Although I appreciated the speakers humor on failed architecture, I really only enjoyed the last 5 minutes of his talk. His "sky is falling routine" extremism generally rubs me the wrong way. I've never been a fan of trying to affect change by beating people over the head and screaming about how their way of life is wrong. There's better ways to do it.
However I agree with James H Kunstler as the issues with the movement for a more civic model living environment from the suburban promotes a healthier lifestyle.
For example most families that live in the suburbs that I know will travel by car to the closest walmart to do their shopping because there are no safe side walks. This also deters children from playing outside or even walking to school (which probably is not closely located to many homes anyways). However from my own experience growing up in a civic style neighborhood, there are wide side walks and narrower roads which promote people to walk and cars to slow down. You can walk to the market nearby, there many small shops and cafes and local business located all within 20 minutes walking distance. Finally there are always children outside and people walking.
The rate of obesity in children is alarming and using the built environment to alter the way we live and move about may help to decrease the prevalence of this disease and maybe even others that are highly correlated with it.
However I agree with James H Kunstler as the issues with the movement for a more civic model living environment from the suburban promotes a healthier lifestyle.
For example most families that live in the suburbs that I know will travel by car to the closest walmart to do their shopping because there are no safe side walks. This also deters children from playing outside or even walking to school (which probably is not closely located to many homes anyways). However from my own experience growing up in a civic style neighborhood, there are wide side walks and narrower roads which promote people to walk and cars to slow down. You can walk to the market nearby, there many small shops and cafes and local business located all within 20 minutes walking distance. Finally there are always children outside and people walking.
The rate of obesity in children is alarming and using the built environment to alter the way we live and move about may help to decrease the prevalence of this disease and maybe even others that are highly correlated with it.
October 1st Class
I really enjoyed learning about urbanization and sprawl. I learned that te term urban sprawl generally has negative connotations due to the health, environmental and cultural issues associated with the phrase. Residents of sprawling neighborhoods tend to emit more pollution per person and suffer more traffic fatalities. Sprawl is controversial, with supporters claiming that consumers prefer lower density neighborhoods and that sprawl does not necessarily increase traffic. It will be interesting to see where Sprawl and Urbanization lead us in the future.
October 1st Class
It is really interesting learning about urbanization and sprawl because it makes us less ignorant about the economical problems that it can or has caused. I liked seeing the different communities and how they were structured because it does explain why there is less farming and industrialization in some areas. I understand the importance of boundaries when it comes to sprawl and urbanization.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Making way
It is something how one speices can have such an impact on another.In humans attempt to progress we trespass on anothers speices home and force them to move.In a attempt to expand our kingdoms we destroy another,and cause a dramitic change in the lives of others.
I never really thought of the impact one action has on another till you break it down to smallest level.Every action has a reaction either good or bad.
I never really thought of the impact one action has on another till you break it down to smallest level.Every action has a reaction either good or bad.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Oct 1st class
I am really into realestate and this class put some somethings I never even considered from a science point of view. I never even considered the impact new development had on the evironment and on people. Recently i had a conversation with someone and they explained to me that Hershey did not flood in 72' but because of all the new development and the new sprawl it did this year. I never considered how a city was laid out effected our health and transportation. This is something that people consider when buying a house but this information took it to another level. The chapter goes inot city planning and urban planning and until now, I did not know the difference.
Sept 24th class
I had to leave early this class but I did find an interesting article that I feel is very relevant for what our class discussions have been about. In Montgomery , Alabama the kudzu runs rampid. The article says, that is climbs over what ever is in its path and covers about 7million acres in the south. Well they have bean plataspids that feed on the kudzu and are native to Asia. They were only discovered in 2009. Some people would like to give the insects a try but the insects bring their own problems. They are known to dine on soybean and peanut plants. Some people seem to think that the insects will be easier to get rid of then the kudzu. There breeding has been described as profilic and their appetites voracious. The bugs have been known to reduce kudzu growth by one-third... What do you guys think? Is this good or bad?
Saturday, October 1, 2011
James Kunstler Dissects Suburbia
Enjoyed this presentation - Mr. Kunstler was very pointed in identifying the problem of sprawl. I agree with him on his criticism of stark architectural designs of public buildings that add insult to injury with wasted space inside and out. The concept he presented of creating a self-contained community is being tested today in several areas across the state - attached and detached single family housing, multi-family housing, retail for service and support of the community. All in all though they are still bedroom in concept in that the people still need to travel to where they work. In these communities they save on fuel costs once they get home in that they don't have to travel far for groceries, a beer and sandwich or the drycleaning. I agree with his thought thad we can use the areas already developed - instead of turning new land to build a bigger box store look at the vacant areas first and try to rehab them - we are at the perfect junction for such a project with the economy forcing a lot of vacancies on residential and commercial properties.
Sept. 24 Class
One of the questions in this chapter is "do we have ethical obligations to other species?" The obvious answer is yes. Humans have come along and have caused so many issues on this Earth and didn't even realize we were doing this until the 1960s or 70s. We have harmed the Earth and took part in causing the extinction of many speices by overharvesting and polluting. We have learned that some steps were taken early on, but humans were still and still are permitted to do things that destroys the natural habitats of many species. This is all making me realize the importance of the sciences that study what causes these things to happen and what can be done to stop or slow the process. These beautiful animals such as the polar bear, panda, and tigers should not have to pay for the human lifestyle.
Friday, September 30, 2011
4 speakers
Video Comment
When listening to Jeff Eisenberg, I found it interesting that he thought maintaining biodiversity should be through politics. I feel like, if people already have their political views it would make it easier for them to find ways to maintain biodiversity.
I also liked how he stated that people should make conservation programs to eventuality work at congress and Federal levels.
I thought that Hillary Swain’s talk was easier to understand and made more sense to me. When she stated that many endangered animals are on private lands; I completely agree with her opinion to make reserves where the endangered species are. I also liked how she stated that the endangered species act has only 14 species listed and will not take any others. I also found interesting that she thought we should target where we should get the most value with money.
I thought all of the speakers had made good points about what they thought of the reserve programs. This was clearly a very well planned convention for these people to come and state what they think will be best for the future.
When listening to Jeff Eisenberg, I found it interesting that he thought maintaining biodiversity should be through politics. I feel like, if people already have their political views it would make it easier for them to find ways to maintain biodiversity.
I also liked how he stated that people should make conservation programs to eventuality work at congress and Federal levels.
I thought that Hillary Swain’s talk was easier to understand and made more sense to me. When she stated that many endangered animals are on private lands; I completely agree with her opinion to make reserves where the endangered species are. I also liked how she stated that the endangered species act has only 14 species listed and will not take any others. I also found interesting that she thought we should target where we should get the most value with money.
I thought all of the speakers had made good points about what they thought of the reserve programs. This was clearly a very well planned convention for these people to come and state what they think will be best for the future.
James H Kunstler dissects suburbia | Video on TED.com
This is a humorous discussion about the impacts of sprawl.
Warning: There is some adult language in this video.
what i learned on the 24th
Natasha Lebby
What I learned on the 24th
On Saturday the twenty-fourth, in class, I was surprised that it is common among species to go extinct after a certain amount of time. I know that species can live for a shorter amount of time if their environment changes dramatically. The Siberian Tiger is one species that went extinct due to humans changing their environment. Russians contributed to the disappearance of them by poaching, while people were building roads and logging. This pushed the species away to extinction.
I never realized that humans had such an affect on the environment in the past. People did not have the technology we have today; however, were still successful in making mammals from Africa and Australia extinct.
In the last half hour of class I was very interested about learning how and why people moved into cites and why they spread. I also found it fascinating that there are different types of land development. I am very interested in what is to be said for the rest of the chapter in next class.
What I learned on the 24th
On Saturday the twenty-fourth, in class, I was surprised that it is common among species to go extinct after a certain amount of time. I know that species can live for a shorter amount of time if their environment changes dramatically. The Siberian Tiger is one species that went extinct due to humans changing their environment. Russians contributed to the disappearance of them by poaching, while people were building roads and logging. This pushed the species away to extinction.
I never realized that humans had such an affect on the environment in the past. People did not have the technology we have today; however, were still successful in making mammals from Africa and Australia extinct.
In the last half hour of class I was very interested about learning how and why people moved into cites and why they spread. I also found it fascinating that there are different types of land development. I am very interested in what is to be said for the rest of the chapter in next class.
Last week's class
It is amazing to me that we always have to use "cute" in order to drudge up support for a cause, ie. Pandas for endangered species (or starving African children, even though their mothers are probably starving, too.)I also didn't realize what a fine line the cheetah is balanced on, one new infection could quickly remove them as a species. It's sad that humans are often the cause of species to become extinct, even today when we "know better".
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Life is Incredible
Life is so diverse and strong but fragile.I was amazed to learn about the cheetah and how they are pretty much a clone of the next.Through years of interbreeding that their gene pool is so similar.It seems that if one link in the chain were to break there would be a downward spiral for these majestic animals.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Urbanization
Urbanization is defined as the process of human movement and centralization towards and into cities and urban areas, with the associated industrialization, urban sprawl and lifestyle that brings.
Urbanization affects economic relations and social structure throughout the world. It contributes to the globalization trend, with increased cross-border trade and cross-cultural ties bringing the world closer together. At the same time, urbanization creates opportunities and challenges, not least regarding sustainability.Urbanization represents many of the major environmental problems facing the world, however, and urban areas tend to be environmentally as well as socially unsustainable.
Expanding urbanization changes the social fabric and economic relations in both urban and rural areas – and within the rural agricultural community that Yara serves with its fertilizer products and agronomic knowledge. The population shift from rural to urban areas not only affects agricultural activity and food production, it also tends to create new consumption patterns that further affect agricultural production and food demand.
Urbanization affects human health in several ways, from dietary patterns to the physical environment. The concentration of people in urban areas, with a multitude of economic activity including industrial production and extensive transportation, contributes to air pollution, which is a major health hazard. Increased urbanization offers challenges and opportunities to provide products and knowledge that help improve agricultural productivity and the nutritional value of food products. Other products and knowledge reduce harmful emissions and other pollutants to air and water. The growth of urban areas combined with stricter policies and regulations aimed at stemming local pollution as well as global warming offer new business channels for an industrial companies worldwide.
Urbanization affects economic relations and social structure throughout the world. It contributes to the globalization trend, with increased cross-border trade and cross-cultural ties bringing the world closer together. At the same time, urbanization creates opportunities and challenges, not least regarding sustainability.Urbanization represents many of the major environmental problems facing the world, however, and urban areas tend to be environmentally as well as socially unsustainable.
Expanding urbanization changes the social fabric and economic relations in both urban and rural areas – and within the rural agricultural community that Yara serves with its fertilizer products and agronomic knowledge. The population shift from rural to urban areas not only affects agricultural activity and food production, it also tends to create new consumption patterns that further affect agricultural production and food demand.
Urbanization affects human health in several ways, from dietary patterns to the physical environment. The concentration of people in urban areas, with a multitude of economic activity including industrial production and extensive transportation, contributes to air pollution, which is a major health hazard. Increased urbanization offers challenges and opportunities to provide products and knowledge that help improve agricultural productivity and the nutritional value of food products. Other products and knowledge reduce harmful emissions and other pollutants to air and water. The growth of urban areas combined with stricter policies and regulations aimed at stemming local pollution as well as global warming offer new business channels for an industrial companies worldwide.
Monday, September 26, 2011
September 24 Class
I wasn't in class but I read up on the notes and enjoyed learning about urbanization and the influence that industrialization that it has had on it. I liked becoming knowledgeable what the word sprawl means and how is effects our entire population.
September 17 Class
Last weeks class I learned about invasive species and how all organisms face challenges that risk their existence in some way throughout their life. It is a very frightening thing to think about when it comes to some animals that are becoming extinct because in some way we do need them in our society to maintain the balance.
September 24
Urbanization being the greatest change of human society since its transition to sedentary agricultural lifestyle was something interesting to know.i also learned the impact of sprawl and its several causes.
September 17 class
i learned how species interacted with one another and the ecological restoration. Also the trophic levels which i found interesting going from producers to consumers though detritivores and decomposers.Very interesting course!
September 24 Class
As we continue to talk about how all species fit into the bigger picture I was surprised on how many of our medicines come from plant life - never really thought of where they get the ingredients before. It is interesting to see how land use and the control of land uses play into this bigger picture of biodiversity. I believe property rights need to be protected but at the same time controls can be put into place to meet the needs of individual people, developers and businesses - one idea which really belongs to a sitting Dauphin County Commissioner is to document all buildings in the county and determine uses for those buildings, then when there is a need for a new business to move in or expand, instead of using pristine land to build before they get approvals they need to look at the existing stock. Something I think would be a big step in the right direction.
Maintaning Biodiversity on the Working Landscape and Working Seascape
Great discussion. Was not surprised to hear from the experts and those working with the ESA that it is not working and if nothing changes true success is doubtful. Jeff Eisenberg hit it right on with his comment that going forward whatever gets done needs to be balanced and property rights need to be considered and preserved. Property rights are protected in the Constitution therefore laws and regulations that will minimize or remove that Constitutional right needs to tread lightly. Then there is the issue of economics. As it should be with all government programs, economics should be the keystone element, unfortunately it is always an afterthought since everyone lets business absorb the costs. As was pointed out in the presentations protecting biodiversity is a costly initiative and will continue to be. Due to the high cost they are missing a huge audience since small landowners cannot comply cost effectively, because of this they do not try or just give up and sell out. No surprise to learn that after all these years and all the money spent - which comes out of our pockets be it from the government funds being used (which is really tax dollars) or packed into the cost of the product or service we as consumers purchase from businesses complying - those who work with the program reported that is has been ineffective.
I felt the presenters did an excellent job in laying out the needs and noting time and time again that this could not be done by government purchasing land to create protective reserves. I like the idea of using the citizens and their property through education of the landowners and economic incentives such as tax exempt conservation bonds for landowners of varying landmass so more successes could be documented. Along with that I think there was a clear message that the processes need to be streamlined and the paperwork load reduced as well as a better working relationship between similar laws at the federal, state and local levels. This is obviously a huge job, but one that needs to be done.
I felt the presenters did an excellent job in laying out the needs and noting time and time again that this could not be done by government purchasing land to create protective reserves. I like the idea of using the citizens and their property through education of the landowners and economic incentives such as tax exempt conservation bonds for landowners of varying landmass so more successes could be documented. Along with that I think there was a clear message that the processes need to be streamlined and the paperwork load reduced as well as a better working relationship between similar laws at the federal, state and local levels. This is obviously a huge job, but one that needs to be done.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Maintaining Biodiversisty on the Working Landscape and Working Seascape
Great discussion on a very important issue. Was not surprised to hear from the experts and those working with the ESA that it is not working and if nothing changes success is doubtful. Jeff Eisenberg hit it right on when he said whatever gets done needs to be balanced ... property rights need to be a huge consideration. In short property rights are protected in the Constitution, laws and regulations need to tread lightly. Then there is the issue of costs to comply. As it should be with all government programs, economics should be the keystone element, unfortnuately it is always the afterthought since everyone thinks business can just absorb the costs. The presenters pointed out the biggest deterrent was the cost to comply and if the business was not large enough they looked for ways around it or just did not try. I was not surprised to learn that after all these years and all the money spent - which comes out of our pockets - those who work with the program reported that it has been ineffective.
I felt the presenters did an excellent job in laying out the needs and showing that through education of landowners and economic incentives such as tax exempt conservation bonds for landowners of varying landmass that more successes could be documented. Along with that I think there was a clear message that the processes need to be streamlined and the paperwork load reduced (no surprise there) ... at all levels - local, state and federal.
last class
I was very insterested in the endangered spieces. i had no idea that there were so many out there and they are starting to all die off because of us humans. That is just stupid of us.
But i do remember you saying about how many plants are medicines. This bothers me because plants can become endangered too and if that one plant that happens to die off is the cure to cancers then we are back in this long cycle of trying to find a cure. i just think we {humans} should be careful what we do before we do it.
But i do remember you saying about how many plants are medicines. This bothers me because plants can become endangered too and if that one plant that happens to die off is the cure to cancers then we are back in this long cycle of trying to find a cure. i just think we {humans} should be careful what we do before we do it.
Friday, September 23, 2011
The Endangered Species Act at 30: Maintaining Biodiversity
This is a fairly long video, but it covers the theme of tomorrow's lecture: Endangered species and biodiversity.
September 17 class
It was a very interesting class. I learned a lot about the feeding relationships of animals and how important keystone species are to the environment. It was very interesting to learn of invasive species and what impact they have.
What i learned in class of sep17
It was intresting class. i learned the impact that other species can have on environment that they are not suppose to and how evolution influences biodiversity and that population ecology also informs the study of human populations. and learned that we have to protect the envirnment around us, and stop destroying it.
Video from sep 10
All the videos were so intersting the first video is posing the question if really man is the most destructive invasive species and its really man have done a major destruction.
The second video is good and funny how 24 rabitt can make a problem and its so sad how they coudn't find other solution instead of shoting them.
The third video it just showing that throught out years poeple are trying to find solution but it seems that were trying to fix something bad withsomething worser
Class of september 10
from this lecture, i learn how envirnmental science is related to chimestry, i didn't think that environmental science as chemistry physics.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
What I learned on the 17th
This week I learned that invasive species can have a massive negative impact in the environment, such as the Zebra Mussel. However, some species can better the environment. I was shocked to find that the Honey Bee was a new species and helps better the environment by pollinating the nectar in the flower.
In class, I also found interesting that species use resource partitioning. I knew that some animals need the same food in order to survive; although, I never realized that there were so many ways to retrieve it without disturbing other species.
I was also interested in the biomes that were talked about at the end of class. I liked how each biome was described individually.
Biosphere 2
I found the talk of Jane Poynter really interesting. It was nice to hear of her experience in Biosphere Two. I feel that she has a good sense of the world and I am glad that she is trying to pass it on to others. I feel that the project gave some realization for people to have to work for their food in order to survive. I also believe that it gave people the opportunity to at least understand that humans need trees to minimize the carbon dioxide atmosphere.
Today, I feel that people do not really have a sense of where their food comes from and how much we, as a whole affect the environment. When she talked about her back yard in Arizona; I was pleased she brought that matter up. Many people in the United States are very worried about what their garden looks like that they forget or don’t know what the they should be really worried about. I was shocked that if everyone let their grass grow it would help the environment tremendously because we in fact need it.
This week I learned that invasive species can have a massive negative impact in the environment, such as the Zebra Mussel. However, some species can better the environment. I was shocked to find that the Honey Bee was a new species and helps better the environment by pollinating the nectar in the flower.
In class, I also found interesting that species use resource partitioning. I knew that some animals need the same food in order to survive; although, I never realized that there were so many ways to retrieve it without disturbing other species.
I was also interested in the biomes that were talked about at the end of class. I liked how each biome was described individually.
Biosphere 2
I found the talk of Jane Poynter really interesting. It was nice to hear of her experience in Biosphere Two. I feel that she has a good sense of the world and I am glad that she is trying to pass it on to others. I feel that the project gave some realization for people to have to work for their food in order to survive. I also believe that it gave people the opportunity to at least understand that humans need trees to minimize the carbon dioxide atmosphere.
Today, I feel that people do not really have a sense of where their food comes from and how much we, as a whole affect the environment. When she talked about her back yard in Arizona; I was pleased she brought that matter up. Many people in the United States are very worried about what their garden looks like that they forget or don’t know what the they should be really worried about. I was shocked that if everyone let their grass grow it would help the environment tremendously because we in fact need it.
Biosphere 2
Great presentation, she gave us a lot of think about as we continue to think of how our reactions affect the world around us. Biosphere experiments are a very important way to determine how the enviorment works with and without human intervention. Have always been intrigued by Biosphere experiments. Would welcome an opportunity to particiapte in one someday. It was refresher to hear her thoughts on the fact that small stuff counts towards the whole when she explained how she threw out her rake and let the natural environment take over her back yard. Really drives home her insight that we need to move from the mode of killing life to the mode of nuturing life. This gives hope that people can make changes one person and one action at a time. Her surprise to find out how her sense of smell changed was surprising - maybe my sense of smell is more keen than the next persons but that is the first thing I notice when going into a different area be it a country, state, city or even a persons home - temperature, plants, animals all play into the smell of something.
September 17 class
Very intersting talking about how changes in the weather, food supply and the introduction of new species can make such an impact on the environments balance. Not surprised to learn that humans are the biggest contributor to making changes happen. In thinking through the information the world in which we live is constantly and naturally evolving and would do so minus human intervention, our involvement is simply speeding up inevitable changes - we know this and can and should be better caretakers.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
SMALL POX
Smallpox is a viral disease that infects exlusively humans. It causes extensives rashes that may become vesicular or pustular; it may also cause death.
Smallpox is spread from person to person by inhalation of air droplets or aerosols; it is highly infectious. Moreover, what is really scary is that there is no treatment for smallpox.
There is a vaccine for smallpox, but in May 1980, the World Health Organization declared the global eradication of smallpox. No vaccination or other preventive measures are necessary.
For all these reasons, smallpox is rated among the most dangerous of all potential biological weapons.
Scary!!!
Smallpox is spread from person to person by inhalation of air droplets or aerosols; it is highly infectious. Moreover, what is really scary is that there is no treatment for smallpox.
There is a vaccine for smallpox, but in May 1980, the World Health Organization declared the global eradication of smallpox. No vaccination or other preventive measures are necessary.
For all these reasons, smallpox is rated among the most dangerous of all potential biological weapons.
Scary!!!
SEPT 17TH CLASS.
I am not a physics fan...It was an informative class. I enjoyed learning how ecosystems work. My favorite topic of the class was natural selection, species and extinction. It was also pretty humorous to learn that certain animals can breed and what their off spring may look like!
Poynter and Biospher 2
Jane Poynter explains her experience in Biosphere 2. She explains it is a completely natural and alternative micro world. Her experience has provoked her to explore how we might sustain life in the harshest of environments. This is a demonstration of the necessity to be conscious of our impact on the world we live in for a better future. Biosphere 2 contains almost everything that planet earth does, but on a much smaller scale: a rainforest, an ocean, marshlands, savannah grassland, and a fog desert. Although it might seem like a fun experiment, Jane Poynter,explains how challenging the experience could sometimes be.Poynter’s experience was eye-opening in many ways. In her testimonial, she points out: “In Biosphere 2, I totally understood that I had a huge impact on my biosphere, everyday, and it had an impact on me, very literally”. Scientifically, the experiment was enlightening; the scientists were able to gain invaluable hands-on experience with malleable life systems in a closed environment. Poynter had direct impact on the biosphere not only through the physical labor, but also just by breathing and circulating the oxygen and carbon-dioxide.
However, life in Biosphere 2 was often hard work, and things did not always run smoothly. In fact, at one point the structure started losing oxygen at a dangerous rate, and the crew had to resolve the situation before they ran out of oxygen altogether. Nonetheless, her experience had a lasting impact on her life – after Poynter finally emerged from the structure, she had a completely different outlook on the human existence.
Hopefully Biosphere 2 is only the beginning of these types of experiments. In the future, if we plan on exploring Mars and beyond, it is imperative that we are able to sustain life wherever we end up. Furthermore, these types of experiments help expand our knowledge of basic life systems and how we all fit into Earth’s composition.
However, life in Biosphere 2 was often hard work, and things did not always run smoothly. In fact, at one point the structure started losing oxygen at a dangerous rate, and the crew had to resolve the situation before they ran out of oxygen altogether. Nonetheless, her experience had a lasting impact on her life – after Poynter finally emerged from the structure, she had a completely different outlook on the human existence.
Hopefully Biosphere 2 is only the beginning of these types of experiments. In the future, if we plan on exploring Mars and beyond, it is imperative that we are able to sustain life wherever we end up. Furthermore, these types of experiments help expand our knowledge of basic life systems and how we all fit into Earth’s composition.
Monday, September 19, 2011
What biosphere do you want to be in?
I found it interesting that they decided to create a biosphere of essentially what "used to be". I thought the project was interesting, however, I was more interested in the things she noticed AFTER leaving her "bubble": food ingredients, perfumes, and landscaping. I wonder what would happen if we all threw away our rakes? Her rake thing is a little unfair, since she doesn't appear to have any actual grass which for us would be probably 3 feet high, depending on what kind we have, that would be kind of annoying.
What I learned about smallpox...
I thought the bit about the smallpox vaccine was strange, but fascinating. I think it is interesting that there was enough "virus" in the scabs to "rub" and vaccinate...
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Environmental Policy and Economics
I think this guy had some good ideas. Alot of them were reflected in the text. I dont disagree with his ideas but I wonder who would oversee these types of policies. Including the cost of pollution in the production sounds really good but what if the companies production and output of pollution changes from one month to the next? How do you regulate something like that? How do you keep that cost from being passed on to the consumer? Creating property rights sounds like a good idea because it gives someone responsibility but wouldnt it also give the person or entity who owns it the right to do what if pleased with the property? It seems we always run into trouble when we start to put a dollar value on things that should be priceless. It is interesting that there are painting and artifacts that are deemed priceless but we managed to come up with a dollar value for the very air we breathe!
Sept 17th class
I learned the impact other species can have on an environment that they are not suppossed to be in. I never knew anything about the zebra mussels until this class. I also found the lecture interesting when discussing the amount of land that can support any particular species. I began to think about all the black bears in our back yards all of a sudden and deer more common in peoples back yards. I have always been an advocate for not developing every piece of land that we have. It is becoming obvious the animals have no where to go. It gives the appearance that there are too many deer or whatever but in actuality we have developed there land/homes. Listening to the lecture and reading the chapter has definitely given me some insight into the balance of nature. Humans think that if we can not explain it or we feel it has no purpose then it does not. We are so ready to get rid of something. I think cats in the city will be just like the rabbits in Australia
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Invasive Species
I thought the first video was kind of cool. When it comes to moving different plants and animals into a different ecosystem you can never be to sure of the long term consequences. At the moment, pythons I believe, are a problem in Florida because of people releasing them into the wild. This was exactly what we discussed in our last class.
In the second video it seems disease has come into play because of the overpopulation of rabbits. They were suppossed to be helping at first.I did not know that Australia had a problem with rabbits or that there was any disease associated with them.
I dont have a stink bug problem and honestly I have never smelled one. This is something that I only heard of this year. But I must say, people use science to try and explain everything as if we are suppossed to understand everything. I think if a big bang or whatever caused all this then we should be able to take any species from anywhere do as we please. I think the good Lord set the boundaries that were required and that is the reason that once its broken we have such a hard time. We need to learn to live with the problems we have or look more closely at our own actions.
In the second video it seems disease has come into play because of the overpopulation of rabbits. They were suppossed to be helping at first.I did not know that Australia had a problem with rabbits or that there was any disease associated with them.
I dont have a stink bug problem and honestly I have never smelled one. This is something that I only heard of this year. But I must say, people use science to try and explain everything as if we are suppossed to understand everything. I think if a big bang or whatever caused all this then we should be able to take any species from anywhere do as we please. I think the good Lord set the boundaries that were required and that is the reason that once its broken we have such a hard time. We need to learn to live with the problems we have or look more closely at our own actions.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Sept. 10th class
This was another week of review from previous science classes. There was not much new information on physics that I learned, but I didn't learn it with regards to the environment. I did learn more about ecosystems than I knew like productivity and landscape ecology. It was also a review about evolution with natural selection and Darwin and biodiversity, species, and extinction, but I did learn about artificial selection.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
what i learned and vid comment
Natasha Lebby
10th September 2011-17th September 2011
Blog Three: what I learned in class today
I learned a few interesting things today in class. One thing that stood out to me was the fact that Chihuahuas were genetically made to be rat hunters. I was also surprised that cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli evolved from the mustard plant.
I also found interesting that Darwin and Wallace figured out why birds had different shapes of beaks. They figured out that the birds must have come from South America and ate whatever was the most abundant on the Galapagos Islands. The beaks were different shapes according to what they ate. For instance, the Kauai Akialoa bird has a long, slim beak, which is useful for eating insects and nectar from flowers. Another bird that the men spotted was the Grosbeak Finch. The bird has a short, stubby beak which is useful for eating nuts, and seeds.
After watching the first video; I felt that the people bringing in new the species to a different environment, do not look at what potential problems could occur. It seemed kind of silly that they did not realize that the vine dies off in the winter within China and would not in the southern part of America.
In the second video, I too was surprised that rabbits can carry the plague. I was also surprised that there was a massive pile of them (in one of the pictures) from RHD.
I thought that the third video was kind of funny. I like how the news lady had to state to the public that people should not take in skunks for pets, in order to get rid of their stink bugs.
10th September 2011-17th September 2011
Blog Three: what I learned in class today
I learned a few interesting things today in class. One thing that stood out to me was the fact that Chihuahuas were genetically made to be rat hunters. I was also surprised that cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli evolved from the mustard plant.
I also found interesting that Darwin and Wallace figured out why birds had different shapes of beaks. They figured out that the birds must have come from South America and ate whatever was the most abundant on the Galapagos Islands. The beaks were different shapes according to what they ate. For instance, the Kauai Akialoa bird has a long, slim beak, which is useful for eating insects and nectar from flowers. Another bird that the men spotted was the Grosbeak Finch. The bird has a short, stubby beak which is useful for eating nuts, and seeds.
After watching the first video; I felt that the people bringing in new the species to a different environment, do not look at what potential problems could occur. It seemed kind of silly that they did not realize that the vine dies off in the winter within China and would not in the southern part of America.
In the second video, I too was surprised that rabbits can carry the plague. I was also surprised that there was a massive pile of them (in one of the pictures) from RHD.
I thought that the third video was kind of funny. I like how the news lady had to state to the public that people should not take in skunks for pets, in order to get rid of their stink bugs.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Biosphere 2
Jane Poynter discusses her experience in the experiment to create an artificial biosphere.
invasive videos
I can relate to the problem of invasive species. I used to live in the South, and even now my neighbors garden is being overrun by an ornamental Japanese grass (she didn't plant) and peppermint. All i can say is at least peppermint is USEFUL in the sense that its edible! She rips it all out and in 2 weeks its back... Both the grass and kudzu are Japanese... Reoccuring theme? Moral of the story: Japanese maples are good, Japanese grasses? Beware!
As for the rabbit issue my concern is them trying to control the population with disease, which most species become immune to, or worse, we can become sick from. Maybe they should just hunt them and eat them? Hossenpheffer (spelling?) anyone?
Finally the stink bug issue is definitely not nearly as big a deal to me as some other things, such as wasps! I had to laugh though because I've seen dogs with the same reaction to stink bugs as the one on the video, even my sister's dog (who eats acorns and anything that buzzes, including bees) won't eat them!
As for the rabbit issue my concern is them trying to control the population with disease, which most species become immune to, or worse, we can become sick from. Maybe they should just hunt them and eat them? Hossenpheffer (spelling?) anyone?
Finally the stink bug issue is definitely not nearly as big a deal to me as some other things, such as wasps! I had to laugh though because I've seen dogs with the same reaction to stink bugs as the one on the video, even my sister's dog (who eats acorns and anything that buzzes, including bees) won't eat them!
Sept 10
From the lecture,I learn how environmental science is related to genetic variation, and the natural selection and also how organismes adopts to their enviroment and change over time. How fascinating environtal science is!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Sept 10 Class
I thought the last class was interesting. I did not realize that evironmental science encompassed so many areas. I feel sorry for those frogs. How do you get the rest of the world to care about issues like that.
Invasie spiecevideo
I was more interested in the third video only because those stupid bugs are all over our area. They are terrible and i have no idea where they came from but im sick of them. Why havent we(humans) found a way to kill them without attracting more. Because if you kill one more will come. Besides the point, they are a terrible thing and it is ashame that they do not mean to, at least i dont think they would. We are doing to same to wild life. We are an invasive spiece to them because we cut down their habitat to make ours and that is all they are doing. That goes for any animal.
Lesson on 9/10
I honestly had no idea that all the things we talked about was incorporated with enviornmental science. I have been taught chemistry but never physics so i definatly learn more than one thing that day! It still bothers me that we now do not have some animals on this planet because of us humans. Some people just do not seem to care about how many animals there are. I am referring to the passenger piegons. There were so many but selfish people needed to kill them in such large quanitys that it destoryed them completely. It was excited to learn about how many little topic/subject are all tied together with enviornmental science.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Class lesson for sept 10
The biggest lesson that I took away from this lecture was the fraility of life.You always hear life will find a way to survive,and this is true,but not always.You cant take a step without leaving a footprint that you were there and which way you are heading.The small and extinct golden toads only legacy is a few pictures to remember them by.
Life is so fleeting and special and everyday is a struggle.
The Videos
The first video I can really relate to,as being from the south,Kudzu is a real monster of a problem.You can try and kill it,but the main vine may be a mile away from the end.No grazing animal that I know of ever eats it,so it just lays there and grows.
The second video about the rabbits I found amasing.Twenty-four rabbits started a enviromental disater that is still going on to this day.My first thought was that the predators would control the population,but with the numbers being so large nature can only do so much.Either with good intentions or bad everthing we do affects something else in someway.
The thrid video I found sort of funny, even though it is a serious situation.Levity was used to explain real concerns,as using the skunk to control a stink bug.It really drove home the point of going from a bad situation to a worse one.History is full of examples of going from bad to worse,trying to use one animal to control another.Humankind being the puppeteer is controling the whole show.
The second video about the rabbits I found amasing.Twenty-four rabbits started a enviromental disater that is still going on to this day.My first thought was that the predators would control the population,but with the numbers being so large nature can only do so much.Either with good intentions or bad everthing we do affects something else in someway.
The thrid video I found sort of funny, even though it is a serious situation.Levity was used to explain real concerns,as using the skunk to control a stink bug.It really drove home the point of going from a bad situation to a worse one.History is full of examples of going from bad to worse,trying to use one animal to control another.Humankind being the puppeteer is controling the whole show.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Golden Toads
I enjoyed learning about the golden toads and how so many were found living in such a small area. I liked the simplicity of Mr. Wilson's drawing to give us a visual idea of how the drying effect was caused that led to the golden toads extinction.
Sept 10 Videos
All three videos were interesting. I can relate to the third video about stink bugs. We get them every year and I can't stand the site of them. I don't think they really stink while alive, but I have heard that when you smash them they stink. It is ironic that the one predator in the video that liked them was the skunk. Maybe everybody in the infested areas should have pet skunks.
The first video does make me stop to think, is man really the most destructive, invasive species? We have done a major amount of damage to the planet over the years. Maybe it is best to just leave things alond and let nature figure out the answer to problems rather than introducing new species to an ecosystem and making matters even worse.
The second video about bringing 24 rabbits to Australia and them becoming such a problem is just sad. What makes me upset about this is that after watching the video I looked up more information about it online and found out all the measures that are taken to control the rabbit outbreak. I also found out that they were originally brought to Australia for the sole purpose of hunting. They are labeled as pests. I have never seen them as pests even though they eat my flowers and have tried, but not succeeded, to get into my garden. Instead of infecting them or or shooting them in Australia, they should come up with some way of making them sterile.
The first video does make me stop to think, is man really the most destructive, invasive species? We have done a major amount of damage to the planet over the years. Maybe it is best to just leave things alond and let nature figure out the answer to problems rather than introducing new species to an ecosystem and making matters even worse.
The second video about bringing 24 rabbits to Australia and them becoming such a problem is just sad. What makes me upset about this is that after watching the video I looked up more information about it online and found out all the measures that are taken to control the rabbit outbreak. I also found out that they were originally brought to Australia for the sole purpose of hunting. They are labeled as pests. I have never seen them as pests even though they eat my flowers and have tried, but not succeeded, to get into my garden. Instead of infecting them or or shooting them in Australia, they should come up with some way of making them sterile.
3 vids
After watching the first video; I felt that the people bringing in new the species to a different environment, do not look at what potential problems could occur. It seemed kind of silly that they did not realize that the vine dies off in the winter within China and would not in the southern part of America.
In the second video, I too was surprised that rabbits can carry the plague. I was also surprised that there was a massive pile of them (in one of the pictures) from RHD.
I thought that the third video was kind of funny. I like how the news lady had to state to the public that people should not take in skunks for pets, in order to get rid of their stink bugs.
In the second video, I too was surprised that rabbits can carry the plague. I was also surprised that there was a massive pile of them (in one of the pictures) from RHD.
I thought that the third video was kind of funny. I like how the news lady had to state to the public that people should not take in skunks for pets, in order to get rid of their stink bugs.
10th September Class
Natasha Lebby
10th September 2011-17th September 2011
Blog Three: what I learned in class today
I learned a few interesting things today in class. One thing that stood out to me was the fact that Chihuahuas were genetically made to be rat hunters. I was also surprised that cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli evolved from the mustard plant.
I also found interesting that Darwin and Wallace figured out why birds had different shapes of beaks. They figured out that the birds must have come from South America and ate whatever was the most abundant on the Galapagos Islands. The beaks were different shapes according to what they ate. For instance, the Kauai Akialoa bird has a long, slim beak, which is useful for eating insects and nectar from flowers. Another bird that the men spotted was the Grosbeak Finch. The bird has a short, stubby beak which is useful for eating nuts, and seeds.
10th September 2011-17th September 2011
Blog Three: what I learned in class today
I learned a few interesting things today in class. One thing that stood out to me was the fact that Chihuahuas were genetically made to be rat hunters. I was also surprised that cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli evolved from the mustard plant.
I also found interesting that Darwin and Wallace figured out why birds had different shapes of beaks. They figured out that the birds must have come from South America and ate whatever was the most abundant on the Galapagos Islands. The beaks were different shapes according to what they ate. For instance, the Kauai Akialoa bird has a long, slim beak, which is useful for eating insects and nectar from flowers. Another bird that the men spotted was the Grosbeak Finch. The bird has a short, stubby beak which is useful for eating nuts, and seeds.
10 September Class
Natasha Lebby
I learned a few interesting things today in class. One thing that stood out to me was the fact that Chihuahuas were genetically made to be rat hunters. I was also surprised that cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli evolved from the mustard plant.
I also found interesting that Darwin and Wallace figured out why birds had different shapes of beaks. They figured out that the birds must have come from South America and ate whatever was the most abundant on the Galapagos Islands. The beaks were different shapes according to what they ate. For instance, the Kauai Akialoa bird has a long, slim beak, which is useful for eating insects and nectar from flowers. Another bird that the men spotted was the Grosbeak Finch. The bird has a short, stubby beak which is useful for eating nuts, and seeds.
I learned a few interesting things today in class. One thing that stood out to me was the fact that Chihuahuas were genetically made to be rat hunters. I was also surprised that cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli evolved from the mustard plant.
I also found interesting that Darwin and Wallace figured out why birds had different shapes of beaks. They figured out that the birds must have come from South America and ate whatever was the most abundant on the Galapagos Islands. The beaks were different shapes according to what they ate. For instance, the Kauai Akialoa bird has a long, slim beak, which is useful for eating insects and nectar from flowers. Another bird that the men spotted was the Grosbeak Finch. The bird has a short, stubby beak which is useful for eating nuts, and seeds.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Videos posted on 9-9-11
First video, had me locked. At the end, when she said about maybe the "most destructive, invasive species is man," I see that. The patterns of earlier generations and current generations bringing animals from earlier times back into our culture is, in my opinion, bringing the problems to present day.
Second video, has me amused when I learned that in 1859 rabbits were a part of plagues that broke out in the later 1880s.
Thirs video, was entertaining. "Fighting stink with stink," says it all. It seems that there is no way to manhandle stink bugs to get them to leave just takes time.
Sept. 3rd Class
This class again had some review material for me, but also a lot of new material. I had an AP Government class where we did talk about policies, but I don't ever remember any of them being about the environment. Along with the government class, I also had an AP Economics class, so I understood a lot of the discussion about the economics, but I learned in in the point of view of business and not the environment. It is interesting to be able to apply things you have already learned into new things that you are learning about. I didn't learn too many new things about the chemistry behind environment issues from what I learned in my chemistry class, the basics are the same. I am a little interested to see how physics is involved into environmental issues though.
Aug. 27th class
In the first class, I got a review of things I learned previously in school and some new things. Even with the things I already knew, I learned more in depth information about the subjects. I knew the basics of what an environment was and what resources are and how important they are, but I learned more about their importance and how learning from past mistakes can help us in the future. I also learned more about the scientific method then I did like different types of experiments. I knew somethings about ethics, but I learned more about how they had to do with environmental issues. I expect to learn a lot more in this class.
What I know so far...
This world around us needs to be protected by everyone.. Everyone needs to start giving a damn, because soon, we will not have the resources that we need to live..Simple acts like not littering, polluting, etc. can help to preserve our life sources..
I live by the philosophy to "think outside the box".. people need to start being more cognizant of their actions, and taking the world around them more seriously.
I live by the philosophy to "think outside the box".. people need to start being more cognizant of their actions, and taking the world around them more seriously.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Invasive Species
This week, we have a three-for-one video treat. Three short videos with the same theme: Invasive Species. Watch each one and comment about about each of them.
Jason Scorse’s presentation uses various economic theories, analyzes the three most important sources of environmental problems: market failure, the tragedy of the commons, and the under provisioning of public goods.One of the things that I found interesting was that Scorse explained that one of the first principles of free markets is that for them to work effectively, the full costs of an activity must be borne by the involved parties. For example, many types of air and water pollutants exact a significant price on human health and or degrade ecosystems, but these costs are not factored in the cost of production or at the consumer level. These costs are known as externalities and these lead to market failure. This is a common argument you hear when people talk about the “true cost of oil.”Scorse notes that if we lived in a world where prices fully captured environmental costs, our entire economies would look vastly different. He writes, “…we would have different modes of transportation, different layouts for our cities and towns, different dietary habits, and consumer goods would likely contain much less toxic material. Prices of environmentally harmful goods would rise and much more R&D would go into alternatives, thereby decreasing their price. In such a world society’s resources would be invested in those things which bring the greatest social value.” All in all, there are unintended consequences of every action and this presentation does address how some of them can be factored into the “true cost” of an environmental activity or product. It’s a good place to start learning about economics.
What I know so far
I admit I never really thought in a global terms until now.This class has made me think of the enviroment as a living breathing entity that is on a path of extinction and we are plotting our own demise.I am realizing now we are all enviromentalist and we must think on a large scale but start on a small scale.The recent floods we are having now,I not only think about the tragic cost it has on people,but now I think about the soil erosion,the contamination from what the water is picking up as it flows across the land.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
September 3,2011
I enjoyed learning about the Cayuga River, and the impact it had on our American economy. When people realized that the wastes/oils were causing the river to be engulfed in flames, they realized how far the society had fell into becoming insensitive to the major problem of pollution. Although it was harmful to it's surroundings, I believe that the lesson learnt was worthwhile.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The first video- The Lorax
I found the little cartoon clip very cute and childish but in a way it showed us how people really do not think about the eviornment when they want something else that seems so important. In the clip they just want to cut down all the trees, but the Lorax tries to prevent them from cutting them all down because we need the trees.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
8/27 & 9/3
Looking at environmental science from an economic perspective is a very interesting and thought provoking approach. It makes perfect sense since everything living and non are interconnected. The success of our economy relies heavily on the sustainability of our environmental resources.
As outlined in the first chapter looking at our past and understanding how we fit into the bigger picture - anthropocentric, biocentric, ecocentric - is a start. We forget this and need to be reminded from time to time. Though I think there is too much government today, I am faithful that a balance can be struck and from what I have learned so far it needs to be sooner rather than later.
As outlined in the first chapter looking at our past and understanding how we fit into the bigger picture - anthropocentric, biocentric, ecocentric - is a start. We forget this and need to be reminded from time to time. Though I think there is too much government today, I am faithful that a balance can be struck and from what I have learned so far it needs to be sooner rather than later.
Environmental Policy and Economics
I agree with Scorse that we would have a higher quality of life if we improved the environment and I agree the environment needs improved. However, I don't agree that more government is the way to accomplish it. Giving government the responsibility to improve the environment is real scary to me. They have not proven themselves successful in the past why would we think they could do it now. Government policies don't necessarily benefit special interests I believe they mostly benefit "friends" of politicians. His thought of making the polluters pay is an fair one but keep in mind that approach has been used, however, it does not always work - case in point is PA's underground/aboveground storage tank law. The responsible party is the landowner, however, it is not always the landowner that caused the spill - but it is the landowner that pays.
I totally agree with his position that if you use "public resources" you should pay market value but again because of the "old boys' network" that will never work. I disagree with letting government control R& D. We have progressed very well with letting private enterprise do the R&D - my concern with government getting involved would be government would eventually take over businesses.
I do agree with doing away with subsidies. Government should not be in the business of subsidizing farms, companies or individuals. I do not think our tax dollars should be spent on helping people farm or not farm their land and it most definitely should d not to to help those who want to live in areas that prone to weather events, time and time again!
I am of the mind that there war way too, too many laws and regulations on the books today that make no sense or create paperwork that in the end improves no one or nothing.
I totally agree with his position that if you use "public resources" you should pay market value but again because of the "old boys' network" that will never work. I disagree with letting government control R& D. We have progressed very well with letting private enterprise do the R&D - my concern with government getting involved would be government would eventually take over businesses.
I do agree with doing away with subsidies. Government should not be in the business of subsidizing farms, companies or individuals. I do not think our tax dollars should be spent on helping people farm or not farm their land and it most definitely should d not to to help those who want to live in areas that prone to weather events, time and time again!
I am of the mind that there war way too, too many laws and regulations on the books today that make no sense or create paperwork that in the end improves no one or nothing.