Shell drilling

http://www.emagazine.com/blog/shells-slick-track-record?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EMagazine Blog Feed+%28+Magazine+blogs+feed%29&utm_content=googe+reader

Picture: This picture is of the endangered species the bowhead whale, whose low population could be affected by the drilling









Summary: Basically this article is about the U.S. federal officials giving Shell the chance to keep drilling for oil, but now in the Arctic. Not long ago the United Nations released a report saying that Shell has contributed to 50 years of pollution in the Niger Delta. As of now Shell is beginning a ver expensive and extensive cleanup in one country, and with the start drilling is racing to put one of the most pristine and remote places on earth at risk. A lot of major energy companies have been coveting the Arctic for years, but conservation groups have been arguing that we need a better understanding of the Arctic ecosystem. Where should be drilling there are endangered species and many other species that could be affected from irresponsible drilling. Shell also does not have an adequate oil spill cleanup plan fo the Arctic, and the Arctic;s ice waters would be much more difficult to clean up than those in warmer climates. Canadian researchers have found that "conditions in the Arctic can be so bad that clean up measures in the Arctic are not even possible about 20% if the time in June;40% of the time in August and 65% of the time in October. The company says it will take full responsibility for any cleanup necessary, but in the previous Nigerian oil spill Shell said that 15 site were remediated, but 10 of the had pollution levels exceeding government standards. Although Shell got the green light from the Interior Department they still have much to do before they can begin drilling

Reflection: I think that although it may be good for the economy in the beginning of this drilling, if anything goes wrong the costs of the cleanup would overcome the amount made from the drilling. Also, there is alot more we need to know about the ecosystem, there are many species that could be affected just from one oil spill. Also there is alot of talk about Shell's past and not alot of it is positive. I do not think it would be a good idea to let Shell drill in the Arctic.

Question 1: Do you think that drilling in this area has been brought up enough as it should be?

Question2: Do you think enough precautions are being taken for drilling in the Arctic?

Question 3: If you were an official would you let Shell drill in such a prestine place?

Plastic Seas

"A Sea Captain Chances Upon a Sea of Plastic Waste—And a Lifelong Mission—in the Book Plastic Ocean."

http://www.emagazine.com/magazine/plastic-seas?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EMagazineIssueFeed+%28E+Magazine+Print+Issue+Feed%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

August 26, 2011 | Lindsey Blomberg |

Picture- This is a picture of the story about Captain Charles Moore's voyage written by Cassandra Phillips

Summary- Captain Charles Moore was sailing the Pacific between Hawaii and California when he spotted a big island of floating trash.  He described it as "a bottle here, a bottle cap there, scraps of plastic film, fragments of rope or fishing net or broken down bits of former things."  The bits of garbage that the Captain came across are now known as the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch."  In the book Plastic Ocean: How a Sea Captain's Chance Discovery Launched a Determined Quest to Save the Oceans, the captain takes the reader on his voyage in 1997 and leads them through his discovery.  He describes the oceans as a "global dumpster," and more plastic is still to come, adding more and more every year.  This story is not only about the pollution of our great waters, but is also the story of an oceanographer on a quest to explore the ocean, and everything in it.

Quote: Captain Moore said, “latter-day Columbus discovering a plastic continent."

Opinion/ Reflection- I found this article very interesting and upsetting.  I think it's such a shame that the pollution is getting so bad that they are even comparing it to the size of continents.  If we keep polluting our waters at this rate, most of our marine life will be endangered or extinct.

Questions:

1) What percent of the ocean is polluted, and what is the most common thing it's polluted with?

2) Why do most people find it necessary to litter rather than wait for a proper disposal method?

3) what is being done to help resolve these issues?

Caw of the wild

http://www.emagazine.com/magazine/caw-of-the-wild?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EMagazineIssueFeed+%28E+Magazine+Print+Issue+Feed%29

Picture: The picture to the left shows the cover of Lyanda Lynn Haupt's book Crow Planet, which tells all about her love and connection with crows

Summary: Though this artical was short, it told all about author and bird lover Lyanda Lynn Haupt, and her special connection to a certain bird a lot of people don't seem to notice. Crows. Though Lyanda is incredibly familiar with all birds, crows happen to be her favorite. In her artical, it states how she is able to connect human life with that of a crow, and how she put those and personal connections into her book. It is very much like a guide to crows, and helps exploit every aspect of crows life, living in the urban life and surviving just like humans. She also states that though she knows this bird as well as she does, she still doesn't exactly love it, and doesn't want the world to be overcome by nothing but crows.

Quote: "Here is a bird much like us, at home, yet not entirely at home in the urban habitat, gleaning what's here while remaining wild, and showing us what's beautiful, what's ugly, and what's missing."
Reflection: I think it's great that she brings such awareness to this mostly unknown species of bird, though I don't understand how she mentions she knows them, but doesn't necessarily love them.
Questions:
1-What connections can you make to our lives and to crows?
2-How can we learn more about these species and their role in the enviorment?
3-What can we do to help protect this species?

Graphic: As you can see, many people encourage the EPA with all of their missions. This picture ties into the artical beacuse most people are very happy with this mission. When the EPA gets involved with laws and rights, it can really make a difference.








This is the link to the artical: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/D61877F90D74C1EF8525790B00599458

EPA Releases Strategy to Protect People’s Health

 and the Environment in Communities

 Overburdened by Pollution

Author: Stacy Kika   Publication: EAP Newsroom  

Date published: September 14^th, 2011

Summary:
    This article explains the strategy of a new plan called Plan EJ 2014. It is a three year comprehensive plan, which will improve environmental justice efforts in nine areas. These areas are heavily polluted and the population’s health risk is rising; so the EPA wanted to help them. This plan includes new rulemaking, permitting enforcement, and science.  Also, this plan will establish partnerships with local state, tribal and federal governments, to promote a new and healthy place where our economy can thrive. Lisa F. Garcia, Senior Advisor to the EPA Administrator for Environmental Justice said, “Far too often, and for far too long, low-income, minority and tribal communities have lived in the shadows of some of the worst population, holding back progress in the places where they raise their families and grow their businesses.” As you can see from her opinion, even the EPA wants to change the way America cares about the environment. This plan is the EPA’s strategy to meet the expectations of the “Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations.” This states that each federal agency with this law should make environmental justice one of their main priorities. The EPA will conduct annual reports on the progress of this mission; to show that they are committed to reaching the goals in this mission.
Reflection:
        
        When I read this article, I was very surprised. I knew the EPA helps communities, but I honestly didn’t know how much they impact people’s lives. The one quote that I did not list in my summary was, “… and that all Americans have a voice in this environmental conversation.” This quote made me stop and think, because I realized we actually have a voice to speak out, but no one really uses that oppertunity. Most people don’t understand how much pollution is really out there. Honestly, I didn’t  know until I read this article and realized how much of an effort the EPA is making for us. All they are doing is trying to make our world better; but most people just ignore them. If more people read this article, I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of people get involved.

Questions:

What is your personal opinion of the EPA?

Do you think this plan will reach its goals? Why or why not?

How can YOU get involved and help the EPA?

"Nature and religion come together in Nepal": The Sacred Garden of Lumbini Gets a Facelift

http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?uNewsID=201645

author & publication not stated; posted on September 13, 2011

Photo: This picture shows one of the many trees already located in the Sacred Garden of Lumbini. 

Summary: Although this article was short, the message that was relayed definitely served its purpose. A goal was checked off of the Nepal sector of WWF's, World Wildlife Fund, list, when 108,000 trees have officially been planted in Lumbini,Nepal, all in the year of 2011. It is a major step in the right direction; the ultimate goal of one million trees within 10 years will soon be accomplished. This will attract many people to the area, honor the birthplace of Buddha, and prevent destruction caused by climate change. The project itself has already united citizens from a variety of different socioeconomic classes. Lastly, the trees will help preserve the crucial Terai Arc Landscape, home to three very important endangered species. Planting the trees here will help sustain the coexistence between these imperative animals, humans, and irrevocable industrialization. In conclusion, WWF of Nepal is planning on planting one million trees, which will protect the interaction between people and the environment.

Quote: Mr.Nepal said, “The key objective of the Terai Arc Landscape program is to build connectivity across the landscape to facilitate wildlife movement while promoting harmony between humans, wildlife and nature.” In other words, the land of the Terai Arc Landscape is important in preserving the relationship between humans and the environment.

Opinion&Reflection:The trees will be very beneficial to the ecosystems they are contained in. I think that the many new trees will subsequently be a landmark in improving air quality once they begin emitting oxygen into the atmosphere. Furthermore, with the problematic surplus of carbon dioxide increasing, this could possibly assist in mending that wound. I enjoyed reading and analyzing this article because i love trees and the destruction of nature is one issue that is close to my heart.

Questions:

I. Why is the relationship between humans and the environment currently so vulnerable?

II. Who would you blame the most for deforestation, like what has been happening to the Terai Arc Landscape? Why?

III. How do you think deforestation affects the food chain in the ecosystems of the forest?

IV. Name at least 5 ways that people can help prevent the pollution of the rivers, deforestation, and poaching ( "to illegally hunt or catch (game or fish) on land that is not one's own" -Google) in the plains of the Terai?