Research Proposal and Outline: Steak: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner?

Meat consumption in the US has established itself over time as a status symbol rather than a necessity. There has never been a better time for environmentalists to become vegetarians. Evidence of the environmental impacts of a meat-based diet is piling up at the same time its health effects are becoming better known. Although vegetarianism is viewed mainly as ethical and religious personal expression, we should thrive towards a minimal meat consumption society, because our excessive meat based diets in the United States have a negative influence on our environment, world hunger, animals, and it compromises our health.

Environmental Costs
   A. Animal Waste
        1. Water Contamination
        2. Methane Production/Global Warming
   B. Land destruction
        1. Destroying of land that could be used for plant production.
        2. Destroying of rainforest/Global Warming
   C. Water Consumption
        1. Water needed to produce meat
        2. Water needed to produce wheat

Human Health
    A. Health Benefits
        1. Digestive System
        2. Immune System
   B. Reduced risk of Cancers and Diseases
        1. Cancer, heart disease, kidney disease
        2. Obesity, Diabetes, blood pressure
   C. Reduced Risk of meat contamination
        1. Animal diseases that affect our health
        2. Epidemics that affect our health

World Hunger, Animal Cruelty, and Less Meat Solution
   A. World Hunger
        1. Agribusinesses consume large amount of grains that could be given to people suffering  from malnutrition
        2. Cost to produce 8 oz steak could feed 45-50 people with cooked cereal
   B. Animal Cruelty
        1. Confinement of Animals
        2. Brutality towards Animals
   C. Less Meat Solution
        1. Pythagoreans, Benjamin Franklin, and other trendsetters
        2. What we can do to make a difference

Consuming less meat should be marketed by the government. It will encourage us to protect people suffering from malnutrition, our environment, animals, and our personal health.

Research Proposal and Outline: Pharmaceuticals in the Environment

     For centuries chemists have been inventing synthesized organic compounds to try to mimic and increase the potency of certain plants with natural healing properties. These potent, petroleum base substitutes are considered a modern marvel in medicine, aiming at specific ailments with few unintended direct effects (side effects). However, one unintended effect of this modern “Pharmacia” is the environmental contamination that pollutes water, food, and soil. Whether it is dumped directly from the manufacturer or leached into the environment through landfills and human waste, scientists are now discovering the dangers this cocktail of pharmaceuticals are causing. Although pharmaceuticals are used to treat disease, ease suffering, and prolong the lives of many people, because of their overabundant use and improper disposal it is contaminating our water, soil, and food leading to increased sickness.

1. I.                     Pharmaceuticals in the environment

A.   types of chemicals identified in the environment

 B.  Pharmaceutical Testing

1.   Wastewater
2.   Groundwater /Soil
3.    Livestock waste

C.  How widespread

1. What is being done to prevent further contamination
2. Sewage treatment facilities

D.  How to treat contaminated mediums

1. Water
2. Soil
3. Proper disposal
4. Increasing anti-biotic resistance

 

1. II.                  Water Contamination

A.  Drinking water

B.  Wastewater

C.  Reservoir Contamination

    1) Aquatic species

    2) Effects on fish

    3) Effects on Humans

1. III.                Ground/Soil contaminationA.  Plant absorption

   B.  Earthworm absorption

   C.  Scavenger absorption

2. D.  Natural breakdown of chemicals

 

1. IV.                FoodA. Plant contamination
2. B.  Fish contamination
3. C.  Livestock contamination

Asking for help from classmates

Hi everyone.  I am looking for some clarification on the research project we are to do.  I am confused about what the syllabus says about a research proposal.  Does our major research paper include a proposal, or is the whole thing a research proposal?  Or is it just supposed to be 2000-2500 word research paper?  Any help you guys can give me is greatly appreciated!

Proposal Essay #1: Clean up the litter to save our critters!

             If you have driven, walked, lived, or just looked anywhere near Farmer’s Loop Road in the spring, you know that there’s a problem with trash in the area. When the beautiful white winter snow melts, it reveals all of what winter has left behind; junk, junk, and lots more junk. There are always loose trash bags lying on the side of the road, and little spots of colored junk along the grass where people have inconveniently decided to throw their trash. Alaska is an absolutely beautiful state and in order to keep it this way for the visitors, residents, and animals we all need to start working on our litter problem in certain areas. Although residents on Farmer’s Loop Road all have to transport their own trash, the residents should band together in cleaning up the road because we need to greatly diminish littering in the area, protect wildlife that could be harmed by our trash, and create a positive community energy towards helping the environment.

            Alaska is known for its freedom, and with freedom comes responsibility. Along Farmer’s Loop Road and many other roads there is no city trash pickup that coordinates taking trash from one’s home to a safe place. In my family, I have the truck, and I have been designated to be the “trash lady”. This means that every week or whenever the trash starts to stink I’m stuck loading up the truck and taking the trash to either of the two transfer sites on Farmer’s Loop Road. Honestly it is a hassle, but I take the time to completely tie down my trash and cover it before I transport it so I don’t contribute a single piece of litter to the environment. If everyone took the time to tie down their trash, the litter problem could probably be cut in half. Too many times I have been on the road and changed lanes to avoid someone’s vehicle that had loose trash in the back. If all trash is transported properly, then everyone on the road would see a measurable difference in the appearance of our major traffic area.

            Have you ever thrown a piece of gum or plastic out the window when you’re camping because you’re in the middle of nowhere? Alaska is like one big campground, there are lots of places people honestly don’t think that depositing their trash will affect anyone or anything. Sadly that’s not the fact; Alaska has many different animals, insects, and fowl that are affected by trash in the most remote places. Anywhere a human has been or gone, there has already been an animal there. We should consider the thought that people might be the “visitors” to the land rather than people owning the land. Trash bags get stuck in trees and other litter kills trees and vegetation that these animals need to survive. If all residents stopped littering we could help make Fairbanks an even better environment for all of its residents (human or not)!

            Through living in one of the most beautiful states, one comes to appreciate that the rugged beauty of nature, sometimes is tainted by human habitation. Since Fairbanks is far away from recycling plants in the lower 48 states there have been issues in the past with setting up a proper recycling organization. Also some people live very rurally and don’t have immediate access to transfer sites or proper waste disposal. It can be difficult to be environmentally conscious, but even the smallest actions can have big rewards. Someone who lives in a rural area could upgrade to a cleaner-burning wood stove to help decrease air pollution. Positive actions like having everyone band together to stop litter, could cause a ripple affect across the community and spawn more environmentally conscious ideas and a more positive energy.

            All in all, my plan is very simple; clean up the litter by tying down trash and taking an active role in thinking about how litter affects Fairbanks and other ways we can help the environment. On Farmer’s Loop Road everyone can tie down their trash, clean up the litter on their property individually, and on Saturdays residents could spend ten minutes picking up trash somewhere else. In fixing the problem now, we help prevent it in the future. No one wants to throw a trash bag on a pristine stretch of grass, so cleaning up now will make it easier in the future. There is really no reason not to help fix the litter problem; we get to live in this great state of freedom, so we also need to take the responsibility to respect the land and animals. If all residents committed at least somewhat to the litter cause, I know we could see and create measurable results in decreasing litter.

Book Review Essay #1 Final Draft Tropic Survival

In a world full of many different habitats, mankind has always been the newcomer that destroys and fights over control of the beautiful untouched wilderness. In the novel, Eye of the Albatross by Carl Safina, explains the different situations where humans have overtaken newfound areas and completely change the lives of certain marine animals. Safina visits remote islands in the northwestern Hawaiian island chain. There he observes the beautiful animals in the natural habitat closely; in fact so close he is practically neighbors with the wild birds. While there, Safina learns how the seals, birds, and fish all share the isolated islands in peace. He also understands the struggles they share between pollution and lack of food due to human fish nets. Safina watches a Laysan Albatross named Amelia through a transmitter, from the device he can better understand the unknown wonders of albatross travels at sea. Although tropical marine animals have suffered greatly from human pollution, in his novel Eye of the Albatross, Carl Safina explains there is still hope because we can stop damaging the environment, protect the marine animals we have left, and enjoy the coexistence we share with them on Earth.

There are many ways to improve the lives of marine animals, by reducing damage to the environment of these tropical species; we can greatly decrease their troubles. Safina explains the great danger the environment suffers from trash. Many birds eat plastic that are stuck to floating buoys because they mix up the debris with fish eggs that often cling to the floating buoy. This danger may and probably will kill a lot of lives from internal bleeding of the sharp plastic that is indigestible. Using nets to catch fish and other seafood causes enough damage to the marine animals, but there are large amounts of discarded netting that get tossed into the ocean after it is damaged. Marine animals die from netting, seals get caught up and drown to death, and the birds get tangled and can no longer fly becoming sitting prey to oceans predators. Some pollution that affects everything on Earth is not even visible, aerosols and gasses is a much greater concern to marine animals. Every spray of a contaminating agent, every stroke of fuel burning engines, and even every wildfire contribute to the decreasing ozone layer that protects us. Global warming affects everyone; even a single degree in ocean temperature greatly changes climates everywhere on Earth. As humans destroy the planet, we must come to our senses and take responsibility as this continues to create more problems every day. It is our job to stop damaging the environment with pollutions and try making better lifestyles that would enhance longevity of our planet.

The tropic animals that live on this part of Hawaii don’t have natural protection from foreign species of other regions in the world. Safina explains that birds were hunted for feathers and eggs. Seals were hunted and a few specific species were brought to extinction. The native marine animals were unafraid of the harms of human intension; they didn’t know what people were and why they were there, so naturally they were not scared of the two-legged aliens from another world. Finally laws were made to protect the birds from further damage of the bird and seal populations, although certain people still poached the animals on the unguarded islands. Mankind must now focus on enforcing these protective rights, and continue to better the peace these marine animals need. One way to help ensure the survival and growth of the species is to create more refuges for protection. Not only do they need space, we can help by limiting the amount of fishing is done in regions of the remote islands of Hawaii, or create larger boarders around the islands that are fishing prohibited. We can further minimize the amount of exposure of humans and other unnatural things to them. Safina explains that some marine biologists travel to these remote islands to test a selected seals for diseases that have been introduced from dog attacks. I think these procedures and precautions of testing animals for diseases are important to stop spreading and growth of deadly illnesses. A little protection for these animals can only create more opportunities to really enjoy and observe the animals in the future.

One point that Safina mentions over and over is the animals in their natural habitat are so beautiful with their colors and grace. He says that watching these animals is hypnotizing, you will forget about reality and time when you observe the magnificent creatures. The numerous varieties of birds are a gift from the gods, with all the bright colors, wonderful tunes and songs, and the dancing of the young birds. It is so easy to enjoy these birds to learn about them is also interesting. Some albatross species take several years before pairing with another as a mate. They must find a bird that is equally committed to a relationship and nurturing chicks through the long weeks of sitting and waiting for the other mate to return with food for the chick. A person can only wonder what really happens while the birds are at sea, how many animals and creatures they see soaring over the open ocean, how much trash they pass by, and how many boats are over flown by the adventurous sea birds.

The northwestern islands in the Hawaiian chain host the majority of planet Earths seabirds. There they can live in peace and build up populations as long as we let them. Their survival lies within humans hands, we must stop the harming the innocent birds. As long as there is hope for these birds, we can unite to protect the species that once owned the islands of Hawaii.

Proposal Essay Rough Draft: Clean up the litter to save our critters!

           If you have drove, walked, lived, or just looked anywhere near Farmer’s Loop Road in the spring, you know that there’s a problem with trash in the area. When the beautiful white winter snow melts, it reveals all of what winter has left behind; junk, junk, and lots more junk. There are always loose trash bags lying on the side of the road and little spots of colored junk along the grass where people have inconveniently decided to throw their trash. Alaska is an absolutely beautiful state and in order to keep it this way for the visitors, residents, and animals we all need to start working on our litter problem in certain areas. Although residents on Farmer’s Loop Road all have to transport their own trash, the residents should band together in cleaning up the road because we need to greatly diminish littering in the area, protect wildlife that could be harmed by our trash, and create a positive community energy towards helping the environment.

            Alaska is known for its freedom, and with freedom come responsibility. Along farmer’s loop road and many other roads there is no city trash pickup that coordinates taking trash from one’s home to a safe place. In my family, I have the truck, and I have been designated to be the “trash lady”. This means that every week or whenever the trash starts to stink I’m stuck loading up the truck and taking the trash to either of the two transfer sites on Farmer’s Loop Road. Honestly it is a hassle, but I take the time to completely tie down my trash and cover it before I transport it so I don’t contribute a single piece of litter to the environment. If everyone took the time to tie down their trash, the litter problem could probably be cut in half. Too many times I have been on the road and changed lanes to avoid someone’s vehicle that had loose trash in the back. If all trash is transported properly, then everyone on the road could see a measurable difference in the appearance of our major traffic area.

            Have you ever thrown a piece of gum or plastic out the window when you’re camping because you’re in the middle of nowhere? Well Alaska is like one big campground, there are lots of places people honestly don’t think that depositing their trash will affect anyone or anything. Sadly that’s not the fact; Alaska has so many different animals, insects, and fowl that are affected by trash in the most remote places. Anywhere a human has been or gone, there has already been an animal. We really should consider the fact and respect that people might be the “visitors” to the land rather than we own the land and have to live with the pesky creatures around us. Trash bags get stuck in trees and other litter kills trees and vegetation that these animals need to survive. If all residents stopped littering we could help make Fairbanks an even better environment for all of its residents (human or not)!

            In living in one of the most beautiful states, one has to come to appreciate that the rugged beauty of nature, sometimes is tainted by human habitation. Since Fairbanks is far away from recycling plants in the lower 48 states there have been issues in the past with setting up proper recycling organization. Also some people live very rurally and don’t have immediate access to transfer sites or proper waste disposing. It can be difficult to be environmentally conscious, but even the smallest actions can have big rewards. Someone who lives in a rural area could upgrade to a cleaner-burning wood stove to help decrease air pollution. Little of big actions like having everyone band together to stop litter, could cause a ripple affect across the community and spawn more environmentally conscious ideas and a more positive energy.

            All in all, my plan is very simple; clean up the litter by tying down trash and taking an active role in thinking about how litter affects Fairbanks and other ways we can help the environment. Everyone can tie down their trash, clean up the litter on their property individually, and also on Saturdays everyone on Farmer’s Loop Road could spend ten minutes picking up trash somewhere else. In fixing the problem now, we help prevent it in the future. No one wants to throw a trash bag on a pristine stretch of grass, so cleaning up now will make it easier in the future. There is really no reason not to help fix the litter problem; we get to live in this great state of freedom, so we also need to take the responsibility to respect the land and animals. If all residents committed at least somewhat to the litter cause, I know we could see and create measurable results in decreasing litter.

Cause/Effect Essay: Fluoridated Water

Why Fluoride should be supplied in water sources.

Having fluoride in water is the easiest source and is cost-free for people who want to help their teeth. The Center for Disease Control recognized fluoridation of water as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. Although there has been a debate about keeping fluoride in  community water, fluoridated water causes an improvement in oral health because it is an effective cavity fighter, it poses no health risks when used in correct manner, and poses no health risks.

Fluoride was first studied in 1935 by Dr. H. Trendley Dean, on the caries rates of the children. His studies concluded that the optimum level for fluoride would be one part per million. This amount would give the necessary caries protection, without the brown mottling of fluorosis. Later a doctor named Dr. Gerald J. Cox in 1939 further proposed using fluoride with drinking water. Research and studies of fluoridated cities versus non-fluoridated ones, verified the decrease in the amount of caries in the fluoridated communities. In 1950, the ADA unmistakably accepted and encouraged the fluoridation of public water systems, as a means of caries prevention (http://oral-health.suite101.com).

Fluoride is incorporated into the structure of developing teeth when it is ingested and also works when it comes in contact with the surface of the teeth. Fluoride prevents the acid produced by the bacteria in plaque from dissolving, or demineralizing the tooth enamel. Fluoride also allows teeth, damaged by acid to repair, to remineralize them. Fluoride cannot repair cavities, but it can reverse low levels of tooth decay and thus prevent new cavities from forming(kids health.com)

Anyone can benefit from fluorinated water. Fluoride doesn’t just help with cavities but it can help a series of other major oral health issues, such as dry mouth conditions, the lack of saliva makes it harder for food particles to be washed away and acids to be neutralized. Gum disease like gingivitis, gum disease can expose more of your tooth and tooth roots to bacteria increasing the chance of tooth decay. A history of frequent cavities, fluoride can help strengthen any soft spots. And presence of crowns and/or bridges or braces, these treatments can put teeth at risk for decay.

The Fairbanks Daily Newsminer ran an article this past spring about having fluoride being added to the city water. It talked about how the representative for the Alaska Dental Society and the Fluoride-Free Fairbanks had a 30 minute presentation about the city fluoridating the local water supply. The Dr. John Woller stated that the target range for fluoridated water is 0.7-1.2 parts per million and that the Environmental Protection Agency’s maximum contamination level for the substance is 4ppm’s (Armstrong).

Obviously the chance of overdosing on Fluoride though water is highly unlikely. The toxicity level of the fluoride is so high, you would have to literally ingest pure fluoride to do so. Most people worry about the toxicity of fluoride because they do not know the amount of fluoride being added to the water and the level at which fluoride becomes toxic.

The only bad side to fluoride is too much fluoride before 8 years of age, a time when teeth are developing, can cause enamel fluorosis, a discoloration or mottling of the permanent teeth for most, the changes are subtle. In one study, 94% of identified fluorosis cases were very mild to mild. Most cases are due to inappropriate use of fluoride-containing dental products, including toothpaste and mouth rinse. Sometimes kids take daily fluoride supplements but may be getting adequate fluoride from other sources, which also puts them at risk (kidshealth.com).

Fluorine, can be found in foods and in water. It can also be directly applied to the teeth through fluoridated toothpaste and mouth rinses. Mouth rinses containing fluoride in lower strengths are available over-the-counter; stronger concentrations require a doctor’s prescription. A dentist in his or her office can also apply fluoride to the teeth as a gel, foam, or varnish. These treatments contain a much higher level of fluoride than the amount found in toothpaste and mouth rinses. (webmd.com).

Treatments preformed in the dental office with fluoride are extremely important for kids growing up to help teeth stay healthier and stronger with a lower cavity rate. But, like stated before all of these treatments are only offered in the dentist’s office. Making fluoride in water sources the main source of fluoride for families that do not have good dental healthcare or that can not afford the cost of these.

Today, water fluoridation is estimated to reduce tooth decay by 20-40%. As of 2002, the CDC statistics show that almost 60% of the U.S. population receives fluoridated water through the taps in their homes (kidshealth.com). This decrease of cavity’s in children is an enormous help in keeping children’s teeth. Protecting and maximizing the longevity of children’s, or any age group of that matter, is the most important part of dentistry. Good oral health at a young age will lead to saving you the costs of fillings, and restorations when the children grow older and provide a better start for when the permanent teeth come in. This can also help boost a kid’s confidence when he or she has a healthy, attractive smile.

The Fairbanks Daily Newsminer also cited that a Colorado study stated fluoridated communities collectively saved $150 million dollars in dental costs by having treated water. Dr. John Woller, who promotes fluoride said, “Alaska is underserved in dental providers, and removing a benefit where you’re making 40 to 1 on your dollar would seriously put a strain on that system”(Armstrong).

With the economy falling today and jobs becoming scarce everyone needs all the extra help they can get. Not everyone has healthcare and it is a very common thing for people not only forget but neglect their oral health until there is a serious problem. Keeping fluoride in water will help benefit everyone that today, either old or young. Take the time to learn about fluoride and you will find that fluoridated water causes an improvement in oral health because it is an effective cavity fighter, it poses no health risks when used in correct manner, and reduces health costs.

Resources

Armstrong, Joshua. “Panel Hears Water Fluoridation Testimony.” Fairbanks Daily Newsminer [Fairbanks] 17 Mar. 2010. Print.

Dehkan, Cyrus. “Water Fluoridation: A Review of Its History, Controversy and Mechanism of Action.” Oral Health. 26 Apr. 2007. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. .

“Dental Health and Fluoride Treatment.” WebMD. Ed. Alfred, D. Wyatt Jr. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. .

“Fluoride and Water.” Kids Health. Web. 4 Apr. 2010. <kidshealth.com>.

“Fluoride Facts.” American Dental Hygiene Associations. Web. 1 Apr. 2010. <www.adha.org>.

Response#9:Electric What?

     The article “Electric Bugaboo” by Tim Dickinson describes the evolution of leftist environmental groups and the division of ideology within this movement. This division is a difference between the radical and the practical members who both strive to implement their beliefs and remain in control of the movement. Any intelligent reader immediately notices this obvious divide. However, the author either fails to perceive this, or tries to conceal the difference between  preservationists and  conservationists. The author continues to lump the two groups together without drawing a line of separation and then appears surprised and dumbfounded towards the opposition concerning the BrightSource Energy project, an enormous, unsightly heliostat power generation plant that covers several square miles. I find it interesting that leftist environmental groups have revealed their true purpose of power and control. These groups have used activist judges to block and legislate from the bench, any rational development, and are now utilizing the same “spotted owl” tactics on their own big business conservation groups, including Sierra Club and BrightSource. These environmental groups, while blaming the government for not imposing enough laws, are ultimately responsible for their own self-defeating concepts and hypocrisy. With their demise, perhaps real progress on much-needed development can proceed to enhance the lives of Americans, instead of pushing them back to the Stone Age.

     This article has the undercurrents of group dysfunction and a departure from the flawed ideology of the anti-establishment movement. Perhaps activists recognize that “progress and change” simply means more than “digress and blame”. Moving forward in renewable energy is uncomfortable and must sometimes be in our backyard. For those readers who are still without understanding between  conservationists and  preservationists, I will sum it up this way. A conservationist someday hopes to have a cabin in the woods. A preservationist already has a cabin in the woods and doesn’t want neighbors.

Book Review Essay #1 Rough Draft Tropic Survival

In a world full of many different habitats, mankind has always been the newcomer that destroys and fights over control of the beautiful untouched wilderness. In the novel, Eye of the Albatross by Carl Safina, explains the different situations where humans have overtaken newfound areas and completely change the lives of certain marine animals. Safina visits remote islands in the northwestern Hawaiian island chain. There he observes the beautiful animals in the natural habitat closely; in fact so close he is practically neighbors with the wild birds. While there, Safina learns how the seals, birds, and fish all share the isolated islands in peace. He also understands the struggles they share between pollution and lack of food due to human fish nets. Safina watches a Laysan Albatross named Amelia through a transmitter, from the device he can better understand the unknown wonders of albatross travels at sea. Although tropical marine animals have suffered greatly from human pollution, in his novel Eye of the Albatross, Carl Safina explains there is still hope because we can stop damaging the environment, protect the marine animals we have left, and enjoy the coexistence we share with them on Earth.

There are many ways to improve the lives of marine animals, by reducing damage to the environment of these tropical species; we can greatly decrease their troubles. Safina explains the great danger the environment suffers from trash. Many birds eat plastic that are stick to floating buoys because they mix up the debris with fix eggs that often stick the floating buoy. This danger may and probably will kill a lot of lives from internal bleeding of the sharp plastic that is indigestible. Using nets to catch fish and other seafood causes enough damage to the marine animals, but there are large amounts of discarded netting that get tossed into the ocean after it is damaged. Marine animals die from netting, seals get caught up and drown to death, and the birds get tangled and can no longer fly becoming sitting prey to oceans predators. Some pollution that affects everything on Earth is not even visible, aerosols and gasses is a much greater concern to marine animals. Every spray of a contaminating agent, every stroke of fuel burning engines, and even every wildfire contribute to the decreasing ozone layer that protects us. Global warming affects everyone; even a single degree in ocean temperature greatly changes climates everywhere on Earth. As humans destroy the planet, we must come to our senses and take responsibility as this continues to create more problems every day. It is our job to stop damaging the environment with pollutions and try making better lifestyles that would enhance longevity of our planet.

Marine animals don’t have natural protection from foreign species of other regions in the world. Safina explains that birds were hunted for feathers and eggs. Seals were hunted and a few specific species were brought to extinction. The native marine animals were unafraid of the harms of human intension; they didn’t know what people were and why they were there, so naturally they were not scared of the aliens from another world. Finally laws were made to protect the birds from further damage of the bird and seal populations. Mankind must now focus on enforcing these protective rights, and continue to better the peace these marine animals need. One way to help ensure the survival and growth of the species is to create more refuges for protection. Not only do they need space, we can help by limiting the amount of fishing is done in regions of the remote islands of Hawaii, or create larger boarders around the islands that are fishing prohibited. We can further minimize the amount of exposure of humans and other unnatural things to them. Safina explains that some marine biologists travel to these remote islands to test a selected seals for diseases that have been introduced from dog attacks. I think these procedures and precautions of testing animals for diseases are important to stop spreading and growth of deadly illnesses. A little protection for these animals can only create more opportunities to really enjoy and observe the animals in the future.

One point that Safina mentions over and over is the animals in their natural habitat are so beautiful with colors and grace. He says that watching these animals is hypnotizing, you will forget about reality and time when you observe the magnificent creatures. The numerous varieties of birds is a gift from the gods, with all the bright colors, wonderful tunes and songs, and the dancing of the young birds that practice for when it is time to find a mate. It is so easy to enjoy these birds to learn about them is also interesting. Some albatross species take several years before pairing with another as a mate. They must find a bird that is equally committed to a relationship and nurturing chicks through the long weeks of sitting and waiting for the other mate to return with food for the chick. A person can only wonder what really happens while the birds are at sea, how many animals and creatures they see soaring over the open ocean, how much trash they pass by, and how many boats are over flown by the adventurous sea birds.

The northwestern islands in the Hawaiian chain host the majority of planet Earths seabirds. There they can live in peace and build up populations as long as we let them. Their survival lies within humans hands, we must stop the harming the innocent birds. As long as there is hope for these birds, we can unite to protect the species that once owned the islands of Hawaii.

Response#8:Future City

     Carolyn Fry’s article, “City Of The Future” demonstrates the reality that a low impact city operating on renewable energy is not only possible, but it is also practical. The city of Malmo, Sweden, a former industrial city looking for renewed development demonstrated a seriousness of purpose by committing themselves to develop a city whose desire is to allow technology to lead the way in renewed resource sustainability. This vast undertaking did come with a learning curve, but the difficulties were overcome with careful thought and ingenuity. Ideas such as deep reservoir heat storage in pours limestone bedrock, heat capturing thermo-sinks on buildings, and seawater assisted heating and cooling are remarkable in simplicity as well as in effectiveness. This new construction city could be a model for new development all over the world. Because so much technology is underground and implemented thorough a buildings foundation, updating existing developments and retrofitting older foundations seems impractical.

     The article states that for some years the city has utilized additional power from nearby power generation plants. This leads me to wonder if perhaps there exists a city-wide regulation limiting personal power usage. The attached pictures in the article show a harbor full of sailboats and people on foot or on bicycle. Does the city discourage speedboats, electric shavers, hair dryers, and power saws for conventional items? This “change of behavior” would be important information for a person to realize before committing themselves into a community such as this one. The apartment style housing seems a little small and tightly spaced for independent minded rural dwellers. The article does state that this type of lifestyle best suits young professionals and young families.

     Equally impressive is the side article describing the solid waste disposal system of household garbage through a vacuum operated collection tube. The manual separation and collection of kitchen waste to be utilized as a base product of biofuel is a workable model which the entire world could capitalize on. Not only does this reduce the need for manual trash pick-up, but it also creates a useful product from an otherwise useless smelly waste. This dual purpose system is convenient and also benefits the environment.