What is biodiversity? a variety of life on earth
Why is biodiversity important? Having biodiversity is very important and necessary to help sustain life on earth. The life cycle is clearly that a cycle of events that help clean our environment, provide food, produce oxygen, pollinate crops. Through biodiversity different species have specific jobs to help maintain the lives of other species in their own way.
Key Terms:
Endangered: plants and animals that are in such low numbers they are endangered of extinction.
Threatened: any native species likely to become an endangered species within the future.
Extinction: no longer exiting.
Mini assingment 3:
Being a NY native I have decided to present a list of a few endangered or threatened animals within the state. Keep in mind that this is modified list of animals. This project was very enlightening to me and the many who may have participated. The animals that I have provided pictures for and the others on my list are all animals that I have never personally seen in NY unless it was at an acquarium or zoo. I found it very interesting that these animals are all native to NY. I find it very sad that we are unable to experience these wonders of the world unless they are protected.
Human beings take advantage of the fact that we can change our environment to suit our needs but we are among the most selfish and unnatural of species. I feel this way because human beings no longer follow the natural flow of the life cycle. We tear down other species habitats to provide housing and business ventures. This does not occur in other habitats. We need to realize that we are both the cause and solution. We can come together and educate one another in the preservation of the world. We now live in a very technologically advanced world and it is sometimes better to resort to past times and live a simplier life for the benefit of our world.
For the residents of NYS you can view http://www.dec.ny.gov/ which is a government funded website and you can learn what can be done to help preserve our environment. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation also list all of the endangered species, also those that are threatened to be endangered.
Here are a few endangered species found in NYS:
Molluscs: Dwarf Wedge Mussle
Chittenango Ovate Amber Snail
American Burying Beetle
Insects: Karner Blue Butterfly
Fish: Round Whitefish
Silver Chub
Amphibians: Tiger Salamander
Northern Cricket Frog
Reptiles: Leatherback Sea Turtle
Bog turtle
Birds: Golden Eagle
Short eared owl
Mammals: Blue Whale
Sperm Whale
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Global warming!!!
Previously we learned about the Carbon cycle but now I would like to explain one of the detrimental effects of Carbon dioxide. One of the major enviornmental concerns is global warming. Global warming is an overall increase in world temperatures which may be caused by additional heat being trapped by greenhouse gases.www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/append/glossary_g.htm
The major cause of global warming is the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, gas, kerosene.
The effects of global warming is increased heat which can cause major chaos in our environment. Increased heat is causing the melting of glaciers, is the cause of brush fires and may also be the cause of strange weather across the countries. Many cities are experienceing warm winters and other are recieving weather such as tornados during the winter months when this is something that is only experienced in the warming months.
As a community we need to come together to help slow down this process. We need to get out more, use public transportation, drive less to burn less gas. Gas prices are already to high save money and help the envirnoment!! Car pool, buy hybrid vehicles. Any little thing that one can do to help will make a difference. This is our world and if we want our future generations to enjoy life we need to do what we can to help maintain the earth for the future.
The major cause of global warming is the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, gas, kerosene.
The effects of global warming is increased heat which can cause major chaos in our environment. Increased heat is causing the melting of glaciers, is the cause of brush fires and may also be the cause of strange weather across the countries. Many cities are experienceing warm winters and other are recieving weather such as tornados during the winter months when this is something that is only experienced in the warming months.
As a community we need to come together to help slow down this process. We need to get out more, use public transportation, drive less to burn less gas. Gas prices are already to high save money and help the envirnoment!! Car pool, buy hybrid vehicles. Any little thing that one can do to help will make a difference. This is our world and if we want our future generations to enjoy life we need to do what we can to help maintain the earth for the future.
Geography of the environment
Geography of the Environment Mini Project 2:
The Carbon Cycle: the recycling of carbon helps life go on on earth. According to Environmental Studies byBarry Barker, Carbon is found in large bodies of water and this helps create coral and algea which produces more carbon which then goes through the land . Carbon dioxide is then given off by humans. They initially recieve the carbon dioxide through foods, water and air that is consumed. This is then taken in by plants which turns the carbon dioxide into carbohydrates through photosynthesis. Here's a picture to give you better visual aide.
The Carbon Cycle: the recycling of carbon helps life go on on earth. According to Environmental Studies byBarry Barker, Carbon is found in large bodies of water and this helps create coral and algea which produces more carbon which then goes through the land . Carbon dioxide is then given off by humans. They initially recieve the carbon dioxide through foods, water and air that is consumed. This is then taken in by plants which turns the carbon dioxide into carbohydrates through photosynthesis. Here's a picture to give you better visual aide.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Environmental Studies
Week 1:
Chapter 1: Environmental Ethics
Reading this chapter I learned two important concepts in which many may not of been aware of. The first term or concept is environmental justice and the second is environmental racism. According to the book Environmental Studies, environmental justice is defined as having "a goal that ensures that no specific sector of the community is exposed to disproportionate levels of environmental risk based on race or class.
Many people may be asking themselves why would any group be exposed to dangerous toxins more than another and who would allow this? The government does!! This connects to the second concept environmental racism. This is where "intentional practice of siting hazardous waste sites, landfills, incineratoras and polluting industries in or near minority or low income communities."
Reading this chapter I have a better understanding that low income families and minorities have it harder than we all realized. Being in low income families or neighborhood and being a minority life is extremly rough. These areas are populated with people who are not well educated, do not have a lot of money to afford proper healthcare, and inturn they are taken advantage of. The government claims to make efforts to equal the levels in toxins in the community but it is clearly seen that they are aware that many areas are high in toxins and realize that people do become very sick from these conditions and still do not provide any government assistance to these people to help them when they become ill.
Hopefully by reading this everyone will research there communities and find out how much they are being expose to to protect ourselves and loved ones.
Project 1: Environmental Organizations
Wild Spots Foundation: .wildspotsfoundation.org
This website is a great website for lovers of animals especially the many that are on the brink of extinction. This organization mission is to save the habitat of endangered species.
Greenpeace, http://www.greenpeace.org/
This is also a great website and organization. The organization mission statement is "works to connect the worl'ds enviornmentally and socially conscious artist to cause related movements that benefit humanity and the planet alike (http://www.greenpeace.org/).
This organization helps to link all the issue of the enviornoment together. It focus on both local and global.
National Resource Defense Council, http://www.nrdc.org/
This is the organization I choose to be involved with because this organization seems to deal with many if not all the issues that may arise in reference to environment. It discusses the local community, the government envolvement and what is being done to "safeguard the earth." There mission is to "work to sustain life, air, land, and water and defend endangered natural places (http://www.nrdc.org/). This organizations priority is to maintain and improve the world for all and I support them and their cause because I hope that my family for generations to come can experience the beauties of the world instead of having to learn about them like ancient arifacts in books.
I included all 3 websites so that anyone that is interested can look and explore what you can do to help.
South Florida!!!! At Nova Southeastern Univeristy there are many students that are passing around petitions to help save South Florida's national park and the Everglades. The government is trying to change the definition of the word land in the law books so that they will eventually be able to build on these lands. If you are a South Florida voter and a legal citizen contact http://www.floridahometowndemocracy.com/ or call (866) 779-5513 to protest and fill out petitions to protect these lands. This action needs to be done immediatly these petitions are only valid now through Jan. 25th, 2008! Thank you.
Please feel free to post you comments on anything you have read today!
Chapter 1: Environmental Ethics
Reading this chapter I learned two important concepts in which many may not of been aware of. The first term or concept is environmental justice and the second is environmental racism. According to the book Environmental Studies, environmental justice is defined as having "a goal that ensures that no specific sector of the community is exposed to disproportionate levels of environmental risk based on race or class.
Many people may be asking themselves why would any group be exposed to dangerous toxins more than another and who would allow this? The government does!! This connects to the second concept environmental racism. This is where "intentional practice of siting hazardous waste sites, landfills, incineratoras and polluting industries in or near minority or low income communities."
Reading this chapter I have a better understanding that low income families and minorities have it harder than we all realized. Being in low income families or neighborhood and being a minority life is extremly rough. These areas are populated with people who are not well educated, do not have a lot of money to afford proper healthcare, and inturn they are taken advantage of. The government claims to make efforts to equal the levels in toxins in the community but it is clearly seen that they are aware that many areas are high in toxins and realize that people do become very sick from these conditions and still do not provide any government assistance to these people to help them when they become ill.
Hopefully by reading this everyone will research there communities and find out how much they are being expose to to protect ourselves and loved ones.
Project 1: Environmental Organizations
Wild Spots Foundation: .wildspotsfoundation.org
This website is a great website for lovers of animals especially the many that are on the brink of extinction. This organization mission is to save the habitat of endangered species.
Greenpeace, http://www.greenpeace.org/
This is also a great website and organization. The organization mission statement is "works to connect the worl'ds enviornmentally and socially conscious artist to cause related movements that benefit humanity and the planet alike (http://www.greenpeace.org/).
This organization helps to link all the issue of the enviornoment together. It focus on both local and global.
National Resource Defense Council, http://www.nrdc.org/
This is the organization I choose to be involved with because this organization seems to deal with many if not all the issues that may arise in reference to environment. It discusses the local community, the government envolvement and what is being done to "safeguard the earth." There mission is to "work to sustain life, air, land, and water and defend endangered natural places (http://www.nrdc.org/). This organizations priority is to maintain and improve the world for all and I support them and their cause because I hope that my family for generations to come can experience the beauties of the world instead of having to learn about them like ancient arifacts in books.
I included all 3 websites so that anyone that is interested can look and explore what you can do to help.
South Florida!!!! At Nova Southeastern Univeristy there are many students that are passing around petitions to help save South Florida's national park and the Everglades. The government is trying to change the definition of the word land in the law books so that they will eventually be able to build on these lands. If you are a South Florida voter and a legal citizen contact http://www.floridahometowndemocracy.com/ or call (866) 779-5513 to protest and fill out petitions to protect these lands. This action needs to be done immediatly these petitions are only valid now through Jan. 25th, 2008! Thank you.
Please feel free to post you comments on anything you have read today!
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