Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Movie Reaction
This video undoubtedly made me realize how we are affecting the environment. Sadly, our great changes have contributed to the warming of air temperatures and water temperatures. This results in a decline of many sea creatures including the reliable zooplankton and even crabs close to shore. Without certain species, the food chain becomes completely off balance. They cannot adapt to living in such conditions that they are not accustomed to. And this is wholly our fault. They were evolved to live a certain way and because of our pollution, species cannot adapt. Zooplankton and crabs are just examples; a countless number of species are declining.
Movie Reaction
This video undoubtedly made me realize how we are affecting the environment. Sadly, our great changes have contributed to the warming of air temperatures and water temperatures. This results in a decline of many sea creatures including the reliable zooplankton and even crabs close to shore. Without certain species, the food chain becomes completely off balance. They cannot adapt to living in such conditions that they are not accustomed to. And this is wholly our fault. They were evolved to live a certain way and because of our pollution, species cannot adapt. Zooplankton and crabs are just examples; a countless number of species are declining.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Food Inc.
This movie made me realize the harsh and disturbing methods of distributing food. Although we all know what we goes on, I think people hide from the real facts. And seeing the mistreatment and mass slaughtering of animals honestly makes me sick. I am not a vegetarian but after watching some scenes from this movie, there is a part of me that never wants to eat meat again. Plus, because of the condition of some work places, people even get sick from this food. It was actually surprising that some companies would not even be interviewed. It makes you wonder what truly goes on in these buildings to make the food you eat. And hearing the story of the young innocent boy who was killed from E. Coli definitely made me reconsider trusting any type of processed foods. The brands and companies you trust could ultimately harm you in the end.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
BrightSource Seals The Deal
A $1.37 billion loan was granted to a California energy company from the United States Department of Energy. This money is to be used to build a large scale solar power plant in the desert of southern California. The company, BrightSource Energy of Oakland, California, is calling this project the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System and is the first project to be passed in over two decades. BrightSource plans to become "the global leader in the clean energy economy" according to secretary Steven Chu. Using mirrors to capture sunlight in order to heat fluid and eventually generate steam, it would be the biggest ever built.
However, there are some negative effects of the building of this plant. Located in the Ivanpah Valley, habitat would be taken away from many animals. This includes the endangered desert tortoise along with other rare animals and plants. BrightSource agreed to reduce the size but environmental groups say it would be inadequate and should definitely be located elsewhere. But, supported by many major companies including Google and BP, this project seems to be headed to construction.
Although there are some drawbacks to the construction of this power plant, the positive outcomes would be in a greater number. The more we know about solar energy and using solar energy technology, the more green our earth will become. It is a reliable source of energy as opposed to coal and oil which harms the environment tremendously. This seems like an ideal location, remote and vast. Some animals and plants will be jeopardized but using solar energy seems more important at this time.
Woody, Todd. (2010 February 22). US Offers Solar Power Project a Crucial Loan Guarantee. The New York Times. Retrived from http://nytimes.com
However, there are some negative effects of the building of this plant. Located in the Ivanpah Valley, habitat would be taken away from many animals. This includes the endangered desert tortoise along with other rare animals and plants. BrightSource agreed to reduce the size but environmental groups say it would be inadequate and should definitely be located elsewhere. But, supported by many major companies including Google and BP, this project seems to be headed to construction.
Although there are some drawbacks to the construction of this power plant, the positive outcomes would be in a greater number. The more we know about solar energy and using solar energy technology, the more green our earth will become. It is a reliable source of energy as opposed to coal and oil which harms the environment tremendously. This seems like an ideal location, remote and vast. Some animals and plants will be jeopardized but using solar energy seems more important at this time.
Woody, Todd. (2010 February 22). US Offers Solar Power Project a Crucial Loan Guarantee. The New York Times. Retrived from http://nytimes.com
Airports Becoming Green
Undoubtedly, airplanes create large amounts of air pollution through the exhaust. However, it has been found that airplane passengers themselves harm the environment also. The amount of recyclable items such as paper, plastic and aluminum that are thrown out daily is astronomical. Of the millions of pounds of trash created each day, only 20% of the 75% of recyclable products are actually recycled. Just at the security checkpoints alone, 48000 to 78000 bottles are thrown out each year because they are not allowed on the plane.
The method of recycling varies from airport to airport which makes it difficult to enforce this issue. But, airports are trying to best to make recycling a way of flying. Continental airlines are now recycling oil, antifreeze and maintenance products for later use along with onboard bins separating bottles, aluminum cans and cardboard boxes. Similarly, Oakland International Airport is separating their recyclables as well as food scraps. Plus, at security checkpoints many airports are making the effort to obtain liquid bins. This way, passengers can dump their liquids and reuse the bottles.
All airports should be required to have recycling bins. This is such a simple method to keep the earth a better, greener place. Obviously, if the bins are not present, people would not make the effort to keep their trash to recycle at a later time. But, if the option was there, it would be much easier. Not only airports, but everywhere there is a garbage there should be a recycling bin. I thought putting them in classrooms at school was a smart idea because students might actually put their recyclables in the blue bins.
Negroni, Christine. (2010 February 22). Leaving The Trash Behind. The New York Times. Retrived from http://nytimes.com
The method of recycling varies from airport to airport which makes it difficult to enforce this issue. But, airports are trying to best to make recycling a way of flying. Continental airlines are now recycling oil, antifreeze and maintenance products for later use along with onboard bins separating bottles, aluminum cans and cardboard boxes. Similarly, Oakland International Airport is separating their recyclables as well as food scraps. Plus, at security checkpoints many airports are making the effort to obtain liquid bins. This way, passengers can dump their liquids and reuse the bottles.
All airports should be required to have recycling bins. This is such a simple method to keep the earth a better, greener place. Obviously, if the bins are not present, people would not make the effort to keep their trash to recycle at a later time. But, if the option was there, it would be much easier. Not only airports, but everywhere there is a garbage there should be a recycling bin. I thought putting them in classrooms at school was a smart idea because students might actually put their recyclables in the blue bins.
Negroni, Christine. (2010 February 22). Leaving The Trash Behind. The New York Times. Retrived from http://nytimes.com
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Fuel Cells Powering Buildings
A grocery store in Albany, NY became one of the first to have electricity generated from a fuel cell. A fuel cell works like a battery that combines hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity. It is different than a battery however because it supplies power as long as it is supplied with hydrogen and oxygen. It can also heat buildings and water. Fuel cells are beneficial because they produce much less pollution than power plants. This store is using a 400-kilowatt PureCell fuel cell made by U.T.C. Power. It supplies about 90% of the store's electrixity in thr winter by heating. And it should suuply about half of the electricty in the winter.
For vice president Benny Smith of the Golub corporation which owns this store says that this was the best option. The company began investing in fuel cells in 2007 when electricity prices rose in the Northeast. Fuel cells not only efficiently supply electricity but they give a positive cash flow. Plus, during blackouts the fuel cell will constantly supply eletricity so people can keep shopping and bringing in more money.
After seeing the many positive outcomes of using a fuel cell to power an entire building, I definitely think more buildings should adopt this idea. It could drastically help reduce the carbon emissions contributing to global warming. Plus, even though it may have a high initial cost, in the long run it will end up costing less. Electricity prices will continue to rise and buildings with fuel cells will be able to avoid this problem.
Woody, Todd. (2010 January 28) Albany Grocery Powered by a Fuel Cell. The New York Times. Retrived from http://www.nytimes.com
For vice president Benny Smith of the Golub corporation which owns this store says that this was the best option. The company began investing in fuel cells in 2007 when electricity prices rose in the Northeast. Fuel cells not only efficiently supply electricity but they give a positive cash flow. Plus, during blackouts the fuel cell will constantly supply eletricity so people can keep shopping and bringing in more money.
After seeing the many positive outcomes of using a fuel cell to power an entire building, I definitely think more buildings should adopt this idea. It could drastically help reduce the carbon emissions contributing to global warming. Plus, even though it may have a high initial cost, in the long run it will end up costing less. Electricity prices will continue to rise and buildings with fuel cells will be able to avoid this problem.
Woody, Todd. (2010 January 28) Albany Grocery Powered by a Fuel Cell. The New York Times. Retrived from http://www.nytimes.com
Wind Power On The Rise
Last year, the amount of wind power grew tremendously. Currently, almost 2% of electricity comes directly from wind turbines. With help from the stimulus package, the wind industry grew at an unbelievably fast pace. Almost as much energy was created from wind as from natural gas last year. This use of renewable resources will decrease the amount of emissions contributing to global warming.
Other natios are considering wind energy as well. America is currently slightly behind Europe which gets 5% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020. And, China plans to invest about $14.6 billion to wind power. Both countries have passed mandates requiring a certain amount of electricty coming from renewable sources. The US is working on this as well with 29 states adopting this standard. Also, the US plans to continue this wind power growth.
After reading this article and learning about it in class, I personally think wind is the best enery alternative. This natural phenomenon should be taken advantage of and used. Other resources are being depleted and some are very harmful to the environment. But on the contrary, wind will probably never stop blowing and does not harm the environment. Even though some think wind farms would ruin the "natural beauty" of the land, the result is completely worth it.
Mouawad, Jad. (2010 January 26) Wind Power Has Another Banner YEar. The New York Times. Retrived from http://www.nytimes.com
Other natios are considering wind energy as well. America is currently slightly behind Europe which gets 5% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020. And, China plans to invest about $14.6 billion to wind power. Both countries have passed mandates requiring a certain amount of electricty coming from renewable sources. The US is working on this as well with 29 states adopting this standard. Also, the US plans to continue this wind power growth.
After reading this article and learning about it in class, I personally think wind is the best enery alternative. This natural phenomenon should be taken advantage of and used. Other resources are being depleted and some are very harmful to the environment. But on the contrary, wind will probably never stop blowing and does not harm the environment. Even though some think wind farms would ruin the "natural beauty" of the land, the result is completely worth it.
Mouawad, Jad. (2010 January 26) Wind Power Has Another Banner YEar. The New York Times. Retrived from http://www.nytimes.com
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