THE LORAX!!!!!

The Lorax will be a movie out in 3-D in 2012!!!!!!

Quarter 4 Article 5

a) Source: enn.com

b) May 13, 2010

c)Philips Unveils World's First 60 Watt LED Bulb

d) Miller Chapter: 17

e) Phillips has now released it's new EduraLED bulb which is a 12 watt LED light bulb made to replace the common 60 watt incandescent bulb. It will last 25 times longer than the incandescent and it will not require maintenence as well as delivering up to 80% savings on energy costs. CFL bulbs have 8 times more life than an incandescent bulb which is very good but if all of these were replaced by the new LED bulbs, an immense amount of energy will be saved as well as money.

f) This new LED bulb is wonderful. It has been known that LED lights are more efficient than any other common bulb, they were just not on the market for consumers. Now that LEDs are availible, it will be much easier for consumers to cut energy usage and costs.

g) LED: Light Emitting Diode

Quarter 4 Article 4

a) Source- reuters.com

b) May 31, 2010

c) Gulf oil spill threat widens

d) Miller Chapter: 15, 21

e) The disasterous oil spill happening right now in the Gulf will continue to spill far more oil than the Exxon Valdez spill from 1989. This has so many people up in arms, protesting and starting anti-BP groups. BP has proposed containment caps as an immediate remedy but nobody really know how well that will work at all. A more long term and secure option is relief wells which will take months to build. This option would be much better but it takes way to long.

f) All I can say is that this is a disaster and it is disgraceful. Can't really say much else...

g) BP- British Petroleum aka really dumb people that don't know how to fix a really big problem.

Quarter 4 Article 3

a) Source- livescience.com

b) May 24, 2010

c)Mediterranean Sea Getting Saltier, Hotter

d) Miller Chapter: 20

e) Recent studies have shown that the waters of the western Mediterranean Sea have become more salty and much warmer. They have increased by .0036 degrees farenheit and salinity has increased by .001 units each year. The trend has been accelerating since the 1990's and scientists worry it will only get worse due to its correlation with greenhouse gas processes. Scientists also realize that even this slight change in temperature is very significant because it takes a lot of heat to change such a large amount of water's temperature this much. To prevent this from getting worse, changes have to be made regarding the dams blocking the cool, fresh water from entering the Mediterranean.

f) The increased temperature and evaporation in the Mediterranean sea is creating a very bad feedback loop that will continue amplifying this bad situation. I hope that the countries surrounding this waterway find a solution to stop the warming of the water.

g) Geophysical research: Focuses on physics and chemistry of the earth and it's core.

Quarter 4 Article 2

a) Source-http://blog.cleantechies.com/

b) May 25, 2010

c)Demystifying Common Myths of Wind Power

d) Miller Chapter: 17

e) In this article, many myths and misconceptions about wind farms are put to rest. One important one is that birds are not really harmed. The author said that birds can see better than us and workers at wind farms see more birds fly into glass than fly into turbine blades. He stated that there is also new technology that detects flocks and shuts turbines down if they are on a collision course. The author also said windfarms don't disrupt water ecosystems and they are not loud compared to other things in our society like highways and cities.

f) I think it was different to hear someones true but slightly sarcastic view on peoples hate towards wind turbines. He pretty much let everyone that complained know how stupid they are sounding and that what they said was a bunch of bologna.

g) NIMBY- not in my backyard. Many people complain that wind farms could be an eye-sore and they dont want them constructed near their homes.

Quarter 4 Article 1

a) Source- sustainablelifemedia.com

b) May 31, 2010

c) Key Countries Partner to Reduce Deforestation Emissions Sustainable Life Media

d) Miller Chapter:

e) A few days ago, over 50 developed and developing countries met to sign a REDD agreement at the Oslo Climate and Forest Conference in Norway. REDD stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. The countries signed on to spend over 4 billion dollars in the next three years to reduce deforestation. Many scientists believe this is a starting point for future international environmental agreements. The US alone pledged to spend over 1 billion in the next 3 years of this project.

f) I think that this is really great. An international agreement to help a very large issue regarding climate change is a great step forward in making our planet green. What I am interested to see is how this agreement holds up and what the countries are going to do with all of the money pledged. It will be interesting to see if all of the countries hold their promise and follow through with what they have agreed to do.

g) NGO- non-govermental organization. In this article, many NGO's are participating in this international agreement.

Extra Credit

Ornithology Unit Review Power Point
Extra Credit

http://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AZltINnkxm_nZGduZjZyZG5fMTY2aGt4cGpjY2g&hl=en

Quarter 3 Article 8

2) China says dams not to blame for low Mekong levels

3) Reuters: Apr 5th

5) Miller Chapter 12

6) Region: China

7) The Mekong River in China has shown extremely large water level drops recently. Their government is denying that it is the many dams present on the river and blaming it on abnormally dry weather. Neighboring countries of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos have also been affected by the water level drops. The major players in this controversy are requesting more data from China's hydroelectric stations to get a better idea of what may be causing the decreased water flow. As the meetings go on, China has shut down one of their hydroelectric dams to prevent impacts on fish migration.

8) I think that it is probably a combination of both the numerous dams and the dry weather that is causing such a decreased water flow. This article is a perfect example of how a renewable resource like hydroelectric power could have negative effects on the environment. Everything that alters the natural environment has a consequence.

9) Mekong River: one of the worlds largest rivers that services about 6 countries in south east asia.

Quarter 3 Article 7

2) How Wind Farms Affect the Global Climate

3) enn.com: Apr. 5, 2010

5) Miller Chapter 17

6) Global: all wind farms

7) It is now thought that wind farms may change the global climate according to a study done at MIT. On land, wind turbines create friction in the air raising the immediate temperature by 1 degree celsius. They also slow down the vertical turbulent motion which could potentially increase temperature. Over water, the scientists speculate that the turbines would actually lower the temperature due to surface friction and wave patterns. Finally, the turbines may also affect precipitation alter the local temp.

8) I think that even though the temperatures may be increased or decreased slightly by wind farms, they are still a good idea. The amount of greenhouse gasses and pollution that are prevented from entering the atmosphere far outweigh the slight temperature changes from wind turbines.

9)vertical turbulent motion: in this situation it is heat being transferred from the land surface into the lower atmosphere

Quarter 3 Article 6

2) Panel advises against Cape Cod wind project

3) Reuters: Apr. 10, 2010

5) Miller Chapter 17

6) Regional: Cape Cod

7) What would have been the construction of the country's first major off-shore wind farm was put on hold recently due to opposition from local business and politicians in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The farm would have powered 400,000 homes but would have also been in the view of many popular tourist areas and vacationing spots. They said the project would have affected 34 historic properties, including 16 historic districts, 12 historic properties and six properties of religious and cultural significance to local Indian tribes.

8) I think a major off-shore wind farm project is a great thing to undertake but i think that the location was a poor choice. Cape Cod is a very popular area that people visit for a good time and wonderful views; these wind turbines would be a major eye sore for such a beautiful place. If the project planners chose another place, their task probably would have been much more successful.

9) turbine: the wind turbines are giant wind mills that are rotated by the wind to produce energy.

Garnet

1) Garnet is mined in the US, Australia, China, and India, Russia and Turkey.

2) Garnet is mined through surface mining. A more specific process used to mine garnet is open-pit mining. In this process, layers of rock are removed one by one until the desired stone is revealed. Dynamite is used to remove large volumes of materials and after the entire process is over, a giant pit is left over. This pit is usually used as a landfill.

3) Garnet is a gemstone that is formed in standard igneous and metamorphic rock processes.

Chemical makeup: Garnets always contain a silicate molecule in addition to other metal ions depending on what variation it is.

4) Garnet is processed through a series of varied strength magnetic separators, washing, drying, and screening.

5) The mining of Garnet does have some environmental impacts because there are many machines being used to actually dig up the gem, it has to be transported many far places due to its unavailability, and it has to be processed in a factory-like setting.

6) Garnet is used in a lot of jewelry because it is less expensive and more durable than other gem stones; it is also the birthstone for January. Garnet is also used as an abrasive in industrial as sand papers, sand belts, and as an abrasive blasting material.

7) Garnet price varies depending on the type selected. The price of almandine garnet varies between $.30 and $4.00 per carat depending on size and quality.The price of rhodolite garnet varies between $1.00 and $10.00.Spessartite- garnet in cabochon is priced at about $3.00 a carat due to the fact that good quality stones are very rare.DERMATOID - garnet is priced by the stone because it is very rare and expensive.

8) At the mining site, after there is a large ditch remaining, it is usually filled in by being used as a landfill.

9) Yes, garnet can be reused/recycled because it is a very hard and durable gem stone.

Quarter 3 Article 5

2) EPA Adds Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal to the National Superfund List of Hazardous Waste Sites

3) Source: EPA March 3, 2010

5) Miller Chapter: 18

6) Region: Local- Gowanus Canal

7) The gowanus canal in New York has been put on the priorities list for the National Superfund. Officials have said that this is the best way to get the heavily contaminated,long neglected, urban waterway to be cleaned up. The entire 1.8 miles of the canal is polluted due to the immense amount of industrial activity going on since the late 1800's. Tests have revealed that the sediment in the Gowanus Canal is contaminated with a variety of pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), metals and volatile organic contaminants. Wells will be installed to monitor these levels in April 2010. For now, meetings are continuously being held to figure out exactly what to do.

8) It is nice to see the EPA's Superfund at work right here in NY. I'm sure that this will be a very long and hard task but it's nice to see that this horribly contaminated waterway is being taken care of.

9) Superfund list: there have been 1,620 sites on the list throughout the years and 341 have been removed which leaves 1,279 sites left on the superfund list.

Quarter 3 Article 4

2) 100 Percent of Fish in U.S. Streams Found Contaminated with Mercury

3) Source: Naturalnews.com March 2, 2010

5) Miller Chapter: 18

6) Regoin: National- USA

7)In a study done by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), all of the fish tested from 291 freshwater streams across the US were contaminated with mercury. 66% of these fish had mercury levels higher than the EPA's concern level. Due to biomagnification, the mercury builds up as the food chain goes along. This means that concentrations are high in the fish that people eat the most. The ingested mercury causes severe damgage to the nervous system of fetuses, children, and even adults. The number one cause of mercury consumption is fish and shellfish but most predominantly, the toxin originates from the burning of coal for electricity. The highest levels of methyl mercury were found in the southeast of the US.

8) I was very surprised to find that 100% of the fish tested were contaminated with mercury. It makes me think twice before I carelessly pick out a piece of fish from the store.

9) Methyl Mercury: the more toxic, organic form of mercury found in the environment.

Quarter 3 Article 3

2) New Lead-Based Paint Requirements Under EPA’s Renovation, Repair And Painting Rule Go Into Effect In April 2010

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3) Source: Sive, Paget & Riesel Feb 26, 2010

5) Miller Chapter: 18, 22

6) Area: National

7) The rule was designed to ensure that owners and residents of older housing and child-occupied facilities receive information on lead-based paint hazards prior to the start of renovations. The new regulations also require that, as of April 22, 2010, all renovations in target housing or child-occupied facilities be conducted by certified renovators and in accordance with specified lead-safe work practices. The EPA is basically making sure that anyone making any changes to buildings with lead paint know exactly how to handle the situation safely. Contractors will need special EPA certifications so that all construction sites with lead are taken care of correctly.

8) I think that this is a positive change made by the EPA to further protect people in the presence of lead. It is important that everyone is educated and aware of the situation and that is exactly what is being done.

9) target housing: any housing constructed prior to 1978

Quarter 3 Article 2

2) Overuse of fertilizer in China leads to soil acidification

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3) Source: enn.com Feb 18, 2010

5) Miller Chapter: 13, 18

6) Regional= China

7) The immense use of nitrogen fertilizers on Chinese farms is causing a rapid soil acidification. It is said to be causing lasting damages to the local ecosystems. Scientists from the US, UK, and China have all tested the soil and compared their results to pH levels recorded from the 1980's. They came to the conclusion of widespread soil acidification caused by nitrogen fertilizers. The soil across the country decreased about .5 over 20 but in places like Hunan, in south China, the levels were near 3 and 4. Most crops are suited for levels from 6 to 8.

8) I do not think farmers in China intended this to happen but it is a perfect example of the negative impacts that occur from tampering with the natural ecosystem. The fertilizers used were far from natural which eventually caused this devastating result.

9) nitrogen fertilizers: a macronutrient applied to crops to promote plant growth

Quarter 3 Article 1

2) Is There Enough Food Out There For Nine Billion People? The New Republic

3) http://www.tnr.com/ Feb 4, 2010

5) Miller Chapter 11

6) Global

7) In 40 years from now there will be about 2 million more people roaming the earth. Today, 1 billion people go hungry each day which means that the future is not bright for feeding a global poulation of 9 million. In a paper published in a recent edition of Science, John Beddington the necessary changes that have to be made to our current food system. The first change is boosting crop yields, in this explanation he does suggest using genetically modified crops because this technology could be very valuable to the world. His second point is to stop throwing out so much food. An interesting statistic mentioned was that 30-40% of food is thrown out each year. The third point is that people should consume less meat; this will allow for more surplus and more availibility of meats. The last point mentioned had to do with preservation and conservation of the environment. The people of the world have to fix soil degradation, water shortages, and the sustainability of agriculture. He also mentioned using biofuels like farm based ethanol.

8) I think that looking towards the future is a good idea considering the world population is increasing exponentially. I never really though about feeding 9 billion people but it seems like a daunting task. I believe that the point mentioned in the article are important and they should be acted upon.

9) In vitro meat: a.k.a. cultured meat or animal flesh that has not been part of the actual body. Could potentially be produced for consumption.

Quarter 2 Article 8

2) Yield loss eyed as snow covers U.S. corn crop

3) Reuters- Dec. 29, 2009

5) Milelr chapter 5

6) Regional area: Midwest, USA

7) In the US, a recent snowfall has threatened the corn crops still left to harvest. Out of the the 620 bushels of corn left in the fields, 10 percent of this could be lost due to the snow. In the midwest, about 5 percent of the crop was left to harvest and it has been covered in snow. This will cause the USDA estimate to drop by about 100 million bushels. Hopefully, the corn will not freeze to the ground and farmers will be able to harvest what is left.

8) I think that it is hard dealing with weather conditions as a farmer but they should have already known that they are at the mercy of mother nature.

9) A bushel of corn: 56 pounds of corn or about 72,800 kernels.

Quarter 2 Article 7

2) 200-acre solar farm planned at Brookhaven Lab

3) Source: Newsday, Jan. 11, 2010

5) Miller Chapter: 17

6) Regional Area: Long Island

7) Plans are currently being made for the largest solar panel farm in the Northeast, right here on Long Island. The farm could potentially power 4,500 houses, or most of Seaford. The project will be spread across 200 acres at the Brookhaven National Laboratory; unfortunately, 150 of trees will have to be cleared. This indusrial size project will cause a large amount of forest to be cut down which angers many member of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society. To counter thier preservatory views, others say that the benefits from the farm far outweigh the cost of cutting down the trees. The fact is that solar panels in clusters near sub-stations don't allow much energy to be lost in translation and solar panels on random buildings could be more costly. About 2 million dollars will be put towards preserving the rest of the pine barrens. A lot of politics are also going on dealing with the purchase of this energy and benefits that may come along with it.

8) I feel that putting solar panels on Long Island is a very good and beneficial idea. Just as Mrs. Platt said in class, the Pine Barrens should not be cut down to do this. I'm sure there is some unused farmland that has already been cleared to put the solar panels on rather than cutting down a large chunk of a perfectly good forest.

9) Pine Barrens: a large area of publicly protected pine barrens in Suffolk County, New York on Long Island, covering more than 100,000 acres

Quarter 2 Article 6

2) Trouble in Paradise (the Fishy Kind) as Introduced Tilapia Dine on Native Fish Fry

3) Source: Wildlife Conservation Society; 1/12/10

5) Miller Chapter: 11

6) Area: Regional-Fiji Islands

7) Tilapia, a fish that is most commonly known for sustainable fish farming, is actually an invasive species in Fiji. Tilapia is a member of the cichlid family of fishes from Africa and has accidentally been introduced in and around the Fiji islands. The problem with tilapia inhabiting Fiji is that they feed on larvae and juvenile fish. The fact that tilapia feed on this puts many native and unique fish at risk because they are sensitive to this type of predation. This also harms the biodiversity of the tropical waters of Fiji and may lower the number of species residing in those same waters.

8) I was surprised to read this article because I always thought of tilapia as a good fish to eat and farm, not as a bothersome pest. It helped me realize that any introduced or relocated species could be invasive and harmful.

9) aquaculture: the farming of freshwater and saltwater organisms. aka aquafarming.

Quarter 2 Article 5

2) Global Pollution and Prevention News:

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3) Source: ENN, January 11th, 2010

5) Miller chapter 19, 20

6) Area Covered: National

7) The EPA is proposing stricter standards for smog due to the extreme harm it causes to health. The new administration feels the standards set by the previous administrantion did not do enough to protect the health of Americans. The agency is proposing between 0.06 and 0.07 parts per million of ozone over eight hours. This would lower the standard set in 2008 by 0.01 ppm. With known technologies, it would cost between $20 billion and $90 billion to reduce the ozone to 0.07 ppm or 0.06 ppm. The benefits of this project would be a large decrease in illnesses and respiritory complications.

8) I feel that this is a very good idea. The only problem might be cost and unwillingness from the people producing the ozone. Since it is known that ozone causes many health problems, it is wonderful that an organization is taking initiative to help the people.

9)EPA: US Environmental Protection Agency. Their goal is to protect human health and the environment.

Smog: also known as ground level ozone.

Quarter 2 Article 4

2) Rare Rhinos Relocated In Effort To Keep Species Alive

3) Source: NPR, Dec. 29, 2009

5) Miller Chapter 8, 11

6) Area Covered: regional

7) One of the world's rarest animals is the northern white rhinocerous. This was due to the species being hunted to extinction by poaching in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Two of the eight remaining rhinos were sent to a zoo in Kenya with the hope that the climate would encourage them to breed. It has been found that the white rhinos do not breed well in captivity and it is thought to be due to the small enclosures they are kept in. In Kenya, the 2 rhinos will have a fenced off 1,000 acre area to live and breed.. Scientists hope that the rhinos will breed successfully in their new homes.

8) I think it is wonderful that the white rhinos are being helped but I really hope it works. Many said that there is not enough time and money to help the white rhinos so this may be their last chance to really repopulate their species.

9) Ol Pejeta : is an important “not-for-profit” wildlife conservancy in the Laikipia District of Kenya and the largest sanctuary for black rhinos in east africa.