Medford resident biking for climate change

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/medford-resident-biking-for-climate-change-1.2812960 29 year old, Ashley Hunt-Martorano from Medford (Long Island) is bicycling 300 miles for the "Brita Climate Ride", in May. She will bicycle from New York City to Washington, D.C. THe purpose of this is to raise awareness of climate change. Being the director for Renewable Energy Long Island, she feels it is her job to set an example. She seems very commited due to the fact she states she hasnt seriously been on abike in about 10 years. Another big obstacle is having to raise $2,400. You can donate money at www.tiny.cc/ashleycares.

"Tweaking The Climate To Save It"

http://www.newsday.com/business/technology/tweaking-the-climate-to-save-it-1.2799373 At Chicheley Hall in England many philosophers, scientists and people of many intellectual backgrounds came together to discuss climate change. The idea of "Geoengineering", the idea of tweaking the Earth's climate by dimming the skies made many of the people feel uneasy. Senior Kenyan earth scientist Richard Odingo stated, "If we could experiment with the atmosphere and literally play God, it's very tempting to a scientist." What is holding all of this back is the possible unknown consequences. India's growing monsoon and Greenland melting completely are problems that the earth and the people currently face and it can be said it may be worth the risk. I feel it might, with all the problems going on I feel something must be worth trying. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) predicts temperatures rising as much as 6.4 degrees Celsius (11.5 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2100. Part of the British government and U.S Congress have looked at having ready a "Plan B" notion in case something relevant to climate change or a destruption to earth happens.

Air Pollution: Why is there no punishment?

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/04/15/no-punishment-for-polluting-in-places-like-indiana.html According to the article, 60 Indiana state companies have not been following air pollution regulations since 2007, but the point is that they have paid no consequences. The article proposes that through research that sir polution regulations throughout the whole nation are too relaxed. Over 750 companies have been found violating regulations and 230 are considered hazardous and important areas/companies. there has been no fine or punishment or charge. Many put a blame on the EPA for not enforcing their regulations, similar to that with water pollution.

Sewage Pollution Found Off Of Long Beach

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/pollution-from-sewage-found-off-long-beach-1.2677921

Water tested in Hemstead bay shows high amounts of Nitrogen. This excess Nitrogen is going to increase the growth of algae and seaweed. Studies from Stony Brook University prove this. This nitrogen rish water is blocked in areas along Long Beach before traveling back in and through the bay, and sound. This contaminates coastal areas of Long Beach and due to science, research and past knowledge as learned in class Eutrophication may occur. Citizens are not happy with this news and demand more water testing from waste water plants, as well as, more monitoring. Marshes and marine life across Long Island are also expected to be influenced as well. Research in the area has been some what extensive. Rocks and sediments have been tested for fabric softener and chemicals indicating contamination.

Tsunamis: when will we learn

http://www.newsweek.com/2011/03/13/when-will-we-learn.html

"The world has suffered 3 tsunamis in 13 months" The article coninuously states that a major problem is that we keep on focusin on past tsunamis and not on finding a way to prevent tsunamis if possible. The U.S has great technology to identify things. however many islands and other countries do not, influlencing disaster. Tsunami floods can move at speeds exceeding 15mph. People who don’t evacuate on time may be fighting for their lives while perched on trees or moving logs. This is starting to became a fear to people and hopefully this will spark the need for better technology and better precaution.

Mr. President, Reinstall Those Solar Panels

http://www.newsweek.com/blogs/the-gaggle/2010/09/09/bringing-solar-energy-to-the-white-house.html

This article was published september 9th 2010, the article states that September 10th a meeting would be held to discuss the planning of installing solar panels.

Carter was one president to speak out about energy consumption he stated once that the we can not continue taking in 40 percent more energy than what we actully take in. This article tells of an activist speaking out to the president to get the white house involved in using soalr energy. Bill McKibben the founder of 350.org wants to put solar panels back up in white house. I think this would be great because it would set the example for all of Americans. The article reveals the reasoning behind it is symbolic and is meant to influence the U.S, as well as continue what was thought of in 1979. One problem is that the west wing is worried about losing the white house and there for losing the plans to complete the solar panels, thus the planning and time put into everything would be useless. However many feel, this is just throwing a bone to the environmental community.

Coal's Comeback ( Wales, England)

http://www.newsweek.com/2008/05/17/king-coal-s-comeback.html
This article discusses the history of coal mining and use. Specifically the Welsh Coal Mining Industry in South Wales was dead by the late 90's. Now, today British entrepreneurs are reopening old mines. This is to supply power plants and steel works, so there is less reliability on foreighn countries. Two mines are running creating jobs. The article states that the openiing of these old mining areas are a example of the worlds high demand for energy. 25% of the worlds energy is based off of coal. Over time Coal has been relativily cheap and reasonable, and of course as resources decline the price only increases, even though demand is still high. Coal use in Brittain is supposed to rise from 16 tonnes to 20 tonnes in ten years. However, the company feels it may be just a "temporary boom".

A Natural Gas Future

http://www.newsweek.com/video/2008/08/22/a-natural-gas-future.html
This video by Newsweek talks about a Honda sudan, that is a Civic running on Natural Gas. This video isfrom 2008, I am not sure if they are still being made or if they are throughout the U.S but at this time this was the only car run by Natural gas in the U.S. It is 8,000 dollars more than the regualr Honda sudans such as the regualar Civic. However, you get a 4.000 dollar rebate from the governemtn and gas is a dollar and a quater less than regular petroleum. it is interesting that this car runs on something that we use to cook with, showing the many options technology offers. The offer made by Honda with the rebate and the saving of money on gas seems logical and like a great option for people looking for a car.

CHAPTER 15 - Mining -

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/09/20/is-deep-sea-mining-bad-for-the-environment.html

Companies of mining are now starting to dig into the ocean floor. As discussed in class this can cause major problems. These are big businesses venturing out for something like coal. This was done in Australia; acompany was bought for 3.1 billion dollars. This allowed acess to look for aluminum, diamonds and gold. The Chinese are also getting involved because investing in mining can influence industrial growth. Areas that are being considered, if not yet conquered is the Indian Ocean near Madagascar. THis is a "hot spot" because hot springs under the ocean floor have caused the building up of Gold, Silver, Copper, Nickel, Cobalt, and tellurium (used in computers, CDs, and DVDs). The most minerals found in the sea are near such hot spots and volcanoes. If we are to mine these areas at all and most likely excessivly, there may be irreversible happenings. Not only this, there is avariety of sea life that are distinctly found in these areas that are very influential to life, and the environment.

"Water Woes" Chapter 14 WATER

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/09/26/waterworks-get-failing-grade-from-civil-engineers.html

This article states that every year, more than 19 million people get sick from sewage running through water systems. Old pipes are a mjor problem, made of terra cotta or wood, they are said to be leaking more water than we even drink; this causes flooding. The water in America's water system has been given a D-. This is one of the lowest grades ever recorded. In my opinion this may be due to an increase in technology to determine what is in the water, but clearly it is the amount of pollution, in hand with overpopulation and industrialization. The issue is having the money to fix the pipes and water system, the article states that Obama has set aside 6 billion dollars to fix the worst of the system. New Mexico is having major problems and needs modern construction on the water system.

Is Organic Food Marketing Misleading?

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/04/18/is-organic-food-marketing-hype.html
According to this Newsweek article a food critic and farmer go back and forth over whether organic food really makes a difference. The food critic states "As the former head of the Food Standards Agency, I am absolutely not anti-organic. I am pro accurate consumer information, pro healthy eating, and pro scientific analysis. Last week on television I saw a woman say, "I feel really guilty because I cannot afford organic food to feed my children a healthy diet." And that made me cross, because she didn't need to buy organic food to give her children a healthy diet, although six in 10 Americans who buy organic food believe it's healthier. In eight countries which have looked at this issue, in every case they have concluded there is no health benefit of eating organic food compared with conventional food." The critic also tells that there are pesticides in organic foods as well they are just a "different set". The farmer surprisingly sounds more intellectual and states that organic foods are able to meet the standards of organic food hype; such as being hypoallergenic. The farmer has 5 reasons why organic food is prime.
#1 Animals eat a diet free of excrementanimals eat a diet free of excrement
#2 Free of antibiotics
#3 No toxic heavy metals like arsenic
#4 Most organic foods do not allow use of pesticides
#5 Prohibits composting human waste for fertilizer.
These are all further explained in Article

Government and Bed Bugs

http://www.newsweek.com/blogs/the-gaggle/2010/09/10/government-action-on-bed-bugs.html
The first paragraph immediatly blamed earth lovers for the banning of effective pesticides. What is not mentioned are that insects and pests have always been apart of life. The author of the article was excited to hear that the department of defense might join the cause to take action about the increase in bed bug incidents. The EPA states that alot of research is being conducted, and many groups are getting involved. Just outside Washington agencies such as the Department of Agriculture are researching. Other agencies involved in the Bed Bug Interagency Task Force are the departments of Health and Human Services. The governemnt is looking for an effective way to decrease the number of pests and they feel it is going to be hard to do so with out the sue of pesticides. thye want to make the people feel comfortable; but in my opinion it is not just about that, but the health of the people and being honest.

FOOD LOG

Thursday:
bagel w/ cream cheese, orange juice
PB&J sandwich, water
Hamburger and fries, lemonade
Friday:
bagel w/ cream cheese, orange juice
animal crackers, water
Chillis (quesadillas), lemonade
Chocolate molten cake
Saturday:
Egg sandwich
fruit smoothie
mozzarella sticks, Iced tea
Carvel
Sunday:
bacon egg and cheese sandwhich
pasta and lemonade
iced tea and cookies
steak
Monday:
cheerios
orange juice
water
pb&J sandwich
chicken and vegetables