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.