Entry #10

When I was calculating my ecofootprint, I thought I was going to do pretty good. If everyone lived like me, we'd need 5 Earths to provide enough resources. To support my lifestyle, it takes 22.1 global acres of of the Earth's productive area. I thought I was going to do better then that. I could purchase products that use less packaging or are made out of 100 percent  post-consumer recycled content materials to reduce my footprint. It would reduce my footprint by .3 Planet Earths to 4.6 Planet earths. The maximum population that Earth can sustain is probably about 1 to 2 billion people.

Entry #9

Energy is worth under ten cents per kilowatt hour in the United States. That sounds cheap, but if you calculate the amount of energy that the average household uses a day , its more than you would think. Conservation is not a dirty word, it just means that we need to turn off the water when we brush our teeth, not letting the shower run when we aren't using it , turn the lights off when someone leave the room, and so on. These tiny changes make a huge difference. I would tell Jimmy Cardigan that he was too ambitious with his plans for alternative energy. He wanted Americans to lower their thermostats to 65 degrees during the winter. He told Americans to put on an extra sweater to keep warm. I think it would be good if the government manages the way energy is used throughout the country, but for now, fossil fuel is our main source of energy. I would say using solar energy has to be the best way to use energy. If calculators can have mini solar panels that barely take up space, then I'm positive that we can find the right technology to develop similar panels for houses and buildings. To reduce my energy footprint tomorrow, I will recycle, turn off the lights, ceiling fans, and water when I am not using it, unplug any electronics that I am not using it. In five years, I hope to continue to practice that same things I am doing today.

Entry #8

I think climate change is a combination of both anthropogenic (manmade) and natural. I would say 30 percent is manmade and 70 percent is natural. I would consider scientist to be reputable sources for climate change information. Some reliable sources for climate change information are IPPC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), WMO (United Nations World Meteorological Organization), UKCIP (UK Climate Impacts Programme), US Global Change Research Programme, Environment Canada, Ensembles (EU climate modeling project), CSIRO (Australian climate scenarios), The Royal Society, Spencer Weart's Discovery of Global Warming. The media portrays climate change as a point of no return and that the next generation is doomed. I wouldn't say the media's portrayal of climate change alters my lifestyle. I don't believe everything I hear from the media. The effects of climate change on my children and grandchildren will be the thinning of the ozone layer, which will penetrate more UV rays.

Entry #7

Ecology of the Eucalyptus tree is it is a diverse tree with more than 700 species. It is one the oldest trees on earth and thrives in warm, wet winters, and dry summers. It's native to Australia and Tasmania. Climates in Florida and Hawaii provide the best US weather and conditions for Eucalyptus trees. These trees grow from 30 to 200 feet tall,  but can reach 300 feet. Eucalyptus trees produce white, pink, red, and yellow flowers. This technology benefits humans and the environment; the trees provide food for birds and insects. Eucalyptus is also known for its medicinal benefits. Some potential intrinsic concerns are Eucalyptus flowers produce nectar which is used as the main source of honey in Australia. It's leave produce a waxy oil that prevents water loss in hot weather. It's oil is an effective deodorizer and insect repellent. Eucalyptus leaves are kangaroos and koalas favorite to eat. Some potential extrinsic concerns are if used in high doses for medicinal benefits, it can be toxic. It can also cause an allergic reaction and isn't recommended for children under 6 years old or women who are pregnant or are breastfeeding. Eucalyptus is flammable and must be stored away from heat and fire. I think the benefits outweigh the risks.

Entry #6

ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organizations) is a great non-profit Christian organization that helps poverty suffering countries in agriculture. They send missionaries to the developing countries to teach farming techniques so that they can live off their own land. The turkens and how they use the animals to help the land is what stood out for me. For example, they put the duck house above the pond that has tarpon that eats the ducks waste and algae; It's clever and so simple to do.  At ECHO the work they do is very relevant to the developing world. ECHO uses "appropriate technology." They use everyday things that most people already have to make into something you can use to farm with, such as rugs, cans, and tires to grow plants into. I would be interested in performing my service learning hours with ECHO. It would be interesting to learn how to use stuff I already have to farm and your helping others in impoverished countries at the same time.

Entry #5

Major elements of "sustainable" farming are protecting the water quality and supply, maintaining biodiversity, renewable energy, and plant and animal production. For water quality and supply, keeping pesticides out of the water helps crop growth. Maintaining the biodiversity can help with pest management. Renewable sources of energy such as, wind, solar, and biomass address concerns and increase energy efficiency. Plants and animals ensure the long-term success of agriculture. Taking care of the land, being sustainable, and treating the workers happy is an ecological principle woven into this framework. I do buy organic foods; I buy fruits, vegetables, milk, and some other dairy products that are USDA approved. I think I'm connected to the current food system, but I learn something new and different everyday and feel disconnected to the food system. I buy organic because it's healthier, there's no pesticides, or added stuff. I would rather grow my own fruits and vegetables on my property, but for those who don't have their own property  and are interested in growing food, might like the idea of being able to do so on campus. I probably would.

Entry #4

The most pressing global environmental issue we are facing today, would be overpopulation. Which relates to the over consumption of agricultural lands, natural areas that are cleared to build cities, and more natural resources being used. More humans create more pollution. Overpopulation means we are putting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than we should. There is very little land left that is undeveloped. If a wealthy benefactor gave me a $100 billion to address a global problem, I would allocate the funds to different organizations that work towards the preservation of resources for future generations. I would partition the money among the different global issues. I would give a certain percentage of the money to all the different organizations that are apart of helping making our Earth a better place since it is effected by so many pressing global issues that we face today.