The Energy Potential of Chicken Droppings

Link: http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/the-energy-potential-of-chicken-droppings/?partner=rss&emc=rss 


Summary: Farmers in USA, Canada, and Australia are finding that transforming chicken droppings into biochar fertilizer, biogas, and bio-oil by a process called pyrolysis is proving to be very beneficial. Not only is it an abundant source of energy, it helps farms dispose of growing amounts of manure and is very cost-effective. Considering there are over 30,000 chicken farms in America alone, this industry could grow exponentially over the next several years. Scientists are even looking into the possibility that human, cow, and pig waste could be made into energy by a similar, if not the same exact process. 


Quote: “Our country needs alternative sources of energy to balance against the world’s growing demand for petroleum-based energy.”

Pictured is a factory where chicken droppings are transferred to energy. 

Opinion/Reflection: I think it's very interesting that our scientists are capable of developing such innovative ways creating energy! Never in a million years would I think that chicken waste could be used for something beneficial to us. Even stranger, I never though my own race's waste could help. After reading this article, it seems as if this industry is either very small or has not even started yet. With the right researching and attention, this industry could totally make it big! Americans are always looking for alternative energy sources that will lessen our dependency on foreign oil. All in all, I think that this is a great idea and hope that one day we are able to utilize it! 

Questions: 

1) Would you ever think that chicken waste could be used as a form of energy?

2) Do you agree with me that you think this is a good idea?

3) Would it gross you out to know that something you are using is being powered by chicken waste/human waste?

Very Alternative: 5 Unusual Alternative Energy Sources

http://webecoist.com/2009/12/19/very-alternative-5-unusual-alternative-energy-sources/

This website demonstrated five unusual ways to create energy.

The first is tornado power. Canadian engineer Louis Michaud created an engine that could get pumped with, warm humid air to form a fake tornado that would power wind turbines. These turbines could generate enough electricity to power small town. “Michaud proposes using waste heat from power plants [to create the tornado] since they typically reject more than half of the heat they generate.”

Another is using the gases released from cremation (burning dead bodies.) As the body is being cremated, the gasses pass though a filter that removes mercury and then it is pumped into the building’s heating system. Kinda gross, but it works…

A third energy source is using living people to create energy. “Sustainable Dance Club was formed in the Netherlands with the idea that dancing bodies could create enough kinetic energy to actually power a building.” They designed dance floor and installed one in a club in Rotterdam, but they wish to spread this technology “all over the world to… wherever there are people willing to dance for the good of the Earth.”

The race car above is fueled and made entirely of sustainable materials. The body of the car is made from recycled carbon fibers, resin, and flax; the steering wheel is made of carrot pulp, and the whole thing is lubricated with plant oils. It is fueled by a mixture of chocolate and animal oils. A mixture like this is refered to as a biofuel.

The last alternate energy source is using ancient mudstones as a replacement for fossil fuels. These stones retain shale gas that was originally found in sandstone, but it was recently discovered that these mudstones yield as much as four times the amount of gas in sandstone. “However, extracting the gas from the stones could be challenging since the stones aren’t consistent in their gas retention.”

I found this article to be extremely interesting. I didn't know there were so many unusual alternative energy sources out there. And to think that all of them are using just ordinary things and turning them into power sources. Imagine what kind of energy we could generate if we made a list of everything that we didn't use, everything wasted, and turned into energy.

1. Which of these five energy sources surprised you the most?
2. Do you think that we will ever be able to completely stop using fossil fuels?
3. What other things are we currently wasting that could become potential energy sources?

Energy's checkered past and elusive future

Summary:

This article tells about different energy sources that humans used over the millenniums such as, dung, wood, water, wind, coal, crude and uranium (whale oil). Many thought that hunting whales for there oil was wrong, but up until petroleum was discovered in 1859, there were no better alternatives. With that discovery though, new problems arose as you know, causing an environmental disaster. Also, oil and coal are nonrenewable and are running low so many scientist are trying to find a knew energy source. They predict that fusion, harnessing the kind of power that the sun produces, will be next . Since the suns energy already is everywhere,many hope that this source will become clean, harmless to the environment and renewable. Today, there are three fusion mega-projects under way however, commercial fusion still probably still decades away. If this does work, future generations are going to look back on oil spills, strip mines, and nuclear waste the same way we look back on the slaughter of whales.

Reflection:

I never knew that we used to hunt whales for oil before I read this article! I am so glad that we discovered oil before whales went extinct but I worry that once we run out of fossil fuels and people are desperate for energy we might go back on our ways. To prevent that, there are numerous new energy sources being developed and used, one being fusion power. Personally, from just reading this article it seems great. It is plentiful, renewable and does not cause harm to the earth. Before using it I would want to know more about it and know the downfalls. Also, since it is very new, fusion power probably still has mistakes that need to be worked out before usage meaning that it may not be able to work on a large scale until after we are dead. Overall, If scientist continue to work hard, I think it could be the new coal, oil and natural gas.

Questions:

1.) Do you know of any downfalls of using fusion power?

2.) Do you think that fusion power will be the way of the future?

3.) If not, what energy source will?

Top Solar Sources in the US and North America



Summary: This article is about the alternate renewable energy of solar power. This article talks about how there are many places in the USA where we could put large amounts of solar panels to produce very large amounts of electricity. One of the places they talked about was New Mexico. If we cover cover 25 kilometers with solar panels (that is only 0.06% of it's total landmass) then we would have enough electricity to power all of the USA (based on 2005 stats).

Personal Reflection: So far the government has done nothing with this land, even though it will cost a lot of money, it could end up being very profitable in the long run. I personally think they should do something with this land, and the other open land in the US. Even if we just use a little bit of the land, and just a little bit of solar energy, it is better then what we are doing right now.

Questions
1. Do you think the government should do something with this land?
2. If so, what?
3. Why do you think the government has not yet done anything with this land?

The Effect Of Erosion On Our Earth

Link: http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Effect-Of-Erosion-On-Our-Earth

Summary: This article is about how erosion is made worse by human use. For example, humans contribute to deforestation, allow cattle to overgraze, tillage and unmanaged construction or building of roads. With all of these factors soil is being eroded at a much faster rate then it can be reformed, causing the land to be unprotected and vulnerable. With the more soil and top soil gone, erosion has become a huge environmental issue around the world. For example, erosion is effecting the quantity of crops grown. Many are worried about the long terms effects of soil erosion mainly because if there isn't enough soil then there isn't enough food for everyone. This article is saying that people need to be more concerned and start preventing soil erosion.

Reflection: I think that soil erosion is a big deal and that people don't know about it enough to help prevent it. To help stop this problem, people have to be more carful in how they plow fields and where they let there animals graze. Also, in the lab that we did early this week, it tells about many things that farmers can do on there farms to prevent soil erosion. Cover crops seem to help the most. I hope that we can stop this problem before it gets even worse, that way in the future we won't run low on food.

Quote: Globally, the most serious consequence of erosion is the threat to long term sustainability of agricultural productivity.

Questions:

1.) Do you think that over the next 50 years people will have found a way to almost completely stop soil erosion? How?

2.) Do you think it is possible for laws to be put in place to regulate soil erosion? If so what types of laws?

3.) What ways can people everywhere help stop soil erosion?

Farmers Lean to Truce on Animals’ Close Quarters

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/12/us/12farm.html?partner=rss&emc=rss


Summary: This article refers to the ongoing debate over factory farming, and touches base on some states that are making laws that will eventually make factory farming illegal. Factory farming is when farmers use large-scale, intensive methods to have the highest, cheapest amount of eggs and meat produced. Ohio, the second largest egg producer in our nation, has agreed to stop using extreme cage methods by 2015. Michigan, Arizona, and Florida also have similar laws. People feel strongly about factory farming because they feel it is inhumane and wrong. However, considering 90% of our country's eggs are produced from chickens raised in cages, change may not be the best thing. The United Egg Producers, a national trade group, states that egg prices would rise by 25% if they were hatched by uncaged hens, which would be detrimental to school cafeterias and families alike. Additionally, the American Veal Association has agreed to abolish the close confinement of calves by 2017. Basically, factory farming is on the way to a much healthier and more ethical way of raising animals.


Quote: "...so-called factory farming — a staple of modern agriculture that is seen by critics as inhumane and a threat to the environment and health — is on the verge of significant change." 


Photo:

This is the living conditions of pigs who are bred in factory farms. 

Opinion/Reflection: After reading this article, I'm really happy that America is making a change in the way that animals are bred. Some of the facts in the article are mind blowing, such as the fact that 268,000 small white hens live in cages about the size of an open newspaper, six or seven to a cage, and that sows are now inseminated artificially. I don't understand how it was ever legal in the first place for the owners of these factory farms to treat these animals this way! It is absolutely heartbreaking. Although raising animals in a family farm setting is uncommon, and could possibly up the prices of meat and eggs, I feel very strongly that factory farming should be forever abolished. If people were aware of these awful statistics, I'm sure that they wouldn't mind paying an extra 25 cents for their groceries! 

Questions: 

1) What are your views on factory farming? Do you think it is inhumane, or just extremely efficient?

2) If you were to start a farm, would it be a factory farm or a family farm? Why?
3) If you could ever work at a factory farm, tending to the animals, would you do it? Or would it be too upsetting for you to see the animals in that kind of condition? 

Vaccines could help what's ailing fish

This is a catfish. Researchers at Mississipi State University tested a vaccine on these fish with positive results.

Scientists at the USDA have recently discovered a way to vaccinate fish against pathogens such as Streptococcus iniae and S. agalacticiae. Their motives for developing these vaccines are to promote international food safety. What they do is they modify the genetic makeup of the pathogens to make them not as dangerous and then use these pathogens to produce vaccines so they can expose the fish to low doses of the pathogen, with the hopes that they will develop immunity to it. These vaccines work the same way that human vaccines work, except that instead of injecting the fish with the vaccine, they are immersed in water that contains the vaccine.

In a trial performed by Mississippi State University, researchers used a vaccine intended to protect catfish from enteric septicemia. The results were positive, showing a 12% increase in the survival rate among this species.

I personally think this is pretty cool. I had never heard of vaccinating animals, well maybe domesticated pets, but fish? That's pretty neat. I am glad that these scientists have found a way to do this because it will definity improve our food safety. If we ingest fish that have some sort of disease, we could also possibly get sick.

1. These scientists are trying to come up with new methods or ways to vaccinate fish, besides immersing them in the water. What other ways might be possible?
2. Do you think eventually people will be vaccinating all of the animals we use as food? Will this be difficult?
3. Do you think these vaccines could possibly have a negitive effect? Explain.

http://esciencenews.com/articles/2010/10/22/vaccines.could.help.whats.ailing.fish

Mining the Sea-floor for Rare-Earth Minerals

Mining the Sea-floor for Rare Earth Minerals

This article is about the mining of minerals found on the bottom of the sea floor called manganese nodules. These minerals are rare, and highly valuable, and also very hard to obtain for the USA at the times. China controls about 95% of the Earth's supply of these minerals, which makes them even more rare for the USA. But, recently China has stopped their embargo to collect these minerals, which means it is a rush to get them for the USA. This could mean getting closer to China in the hunt for rare Earths.

My opinion is that it is a good thing China is done with the hunt, because it means we now have our chance. This will also give our country very rare metals. It is very important that the USA gets, and stays in front of China in this race. There will lots of money made with this, and the USA needs it.

1. Do you think this race is important? Why?

2. Do you think that the USA could make a lot of money with this?

3. How do you think the USA could better be spending their time?

Wildlife Conservation Society finds wild cat mimicking monkey calls

This picture is of a pied tamarin. They are native to South America.

Wildlife Conservation Society finds wild cat mimicking monkey calls
Researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM) have discovered a wild cat species imitating the call of its prey, a small monkey the size of a squirrel called the pied tamarin. They have heard reports of such happenings by the natives of the region, but have not been able to record it in action. They finally were able to record it in the Reserva Florestal Alsolpho Ducke in Brazil.

The first recorded incident in 2005 went a little something like this: a group of eight pied tamarins were feeding in a fiscus tree, when they heard the calls coming from a margay behind a tangle of vines. (The sounds the margay made were similar to those made by baby tamarin monkeys.) A “sentential” tamarin went down to investigate, and once he discovered the source of the cries, he sent up an alarm to warn the other monkeys to flee.

Even though this particular occurrence was futile, the scientists were astonished by the “ingenuity of the hunting strategy.” Dr. Avecita Chicchón said, "This observation further proves the reliability of information obtained from Amazonian inhabitants; this means that accounts of jaguars and pumas using the same vocal mimicry to attract prey--but not yet recorded by scientists--also deserve investigation."

The WSC is currently observing the species of this population because they are listed as “endangered” on the IUCN’s Red List and is looking for financial support to carry on the study.

Questions:
1.How do you think the cats were able to distinguish and recreate the sounds of the tamarins?
2. Do you think that this is an adaptation that the cats have developed? Or have they always been able to make these sounds?
3. Do you think that any other animals use this trait for hunting? Which ones?

Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-03-10-drugs-tap-water_N.htm

Summary: Many pharmaceutical drugs have been found in the drinking water that Americans drink everyday. Although the conentartion of these drugs are small, scientist are worried of the long term effect it may have on humans. Recent studies have said that low levels of ramdom combinatioin pharmaceuticals have actually had an alarming effect on human cells and wildlife. Just in Philadelphia, officials have found 56 drugs in treated drinking water and 63 were found in our citys watershed. The reason for such high pharmaceuticals is partly becuause the federal government does not require any testing and hasn't set saftety limits for drugs in water.
Long term effects of pharmaceuticals in the drinking water supply are just now being evaluated. Without mandatory testing and consitent standards, research will be difficult to conduct. Now is the time to start the testing of the nation's water supply to protect our future.



Quote: "We recognize it is a growing concern and we're taking it very seriously," said Benjamin H. Grumbles, assistant adminstrator for water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency


Questions:
1. Did you know that there were drugs in the water you drink?

2. Are you now worried that the water your drinking could harm you in the long run?

3. If you read the whole article, What can you do to stop drugs from entering drinking water?

An Underwater Fight Is Waged for the Health of San Francisco Bay

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/science/earth/02seaweed.html?partner=rss&emc=rss


Summary: An invasive species, Undaria pinnatifida (known as wakame), was found in the San Francisco Bay. Wakame, a "costly, aggressive intruder", is an invasive species from Asia and is thought to have come over to our waters stuck to hulls or as stowaways in ballast water. This species harms native kelp, mucks up marinas and the undersides of boats, and damages mariculture. Additionally, money to help fix these issues is not easy to come by, since getting rid of wakame is not a high priority for the state of California's agenda. The wakame is predicted to spread as far as Canada before the waters get cold enough to stop movement; therefore, this problem is going to get a lot worse before it can get better. Luckily, Dr. Zabin (biologist with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center who discovered the wakame) and colleagues from nonprofit groups and state and federal agencies have been doing all that they can to make this wakame leave. 


Quote: “I had that moment of ‘Oh God, this is it, it’s here,’ ” said Dr. Zabin, a biologist with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. “I was really hoping I was wrong.”


Photo: 

Pictured is wakame, or Asian Kelp, in the water.

Opinion/Reflection: This is very disturbing to me. I think that San Francisco/California's water patrol should have a better look out for invasive species such as wakame, that could be detrimental to the ecosystem's native species. My motto is that it's easier to prevent the problem from happening than to fix it after it has already occurred, and I believe that whoever is in charge of keeping the waterways safe should also live by this motto. I am connected to this issue in the sense that any drastic change to a food chain in any given ecosystem could ultimately affect me. Dr. Zabin and her colleagues better work as hard as possible to evacuate this Asian kelp!


Questions:
1) It was mentioned in the article that the wakame emitted an odor that made beachgoers unwilling to go to the beach. If an occurrence such as this happened at the Jersey Shore, would you decide not to go to the beach because of the smell? 
2) What are some ways the water police could stop invasive species from coming over?
3) If you were Dr. Zabin, would you take her approach and instead of being upset that the government isn't giving the fund any money, try and fix the problem yourself? Why or why not?

See Through Species
This species is a new found, see through, type of Tanaid, which is a small crustacean. They found this species living in swarms along the coast of Australia. Finding this species will also help in uncovering more new species, and studying future ocean changes.

Questions:
1. Do you think it is a surprise they are still discovering new species in the ocean?

2. How many more undiscovered species do you think there are in the ocean?

3. Based on your answer to question two, do you think that is a good or bad thing?

Katie's Blog

Katie’s Blog

Topic: Helping Condors Relearn Their Wild Ways

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2003007,00.html?xid=rss-topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+time%2Ftopstories+%28TIME%3A+Top+Stories%29

Summary:

One of the greatest environmental stories of the past quarter-century is the saving of California Condors from extinction. Although the giant birds were saved, they were only able to survive in captivity and depended on human beings for food and protection from the elements. Attempts to release birds back to their natural habitat were met with failure as the birds resorted to campground-raiding and dumpster-diving rather than hunting and scavenging in the wild. The eventual solution was to release birds slowly with the assistance of human helpers as opposed to “hard release” techniques that sent inexperienced birds out to the wild. Releasing birds into “feeding situations” with other wild condors provides instruction to the once-captive birds. Eventually the birds learn to fly, feed and nest on their own. This technique is now being extended to other endangered species.

Opinion/Reflection:

I was impressed with the persistence shown by the environmentalists to come up with a solution to the condor extinction problem. It is encouraging to know that other species may benefit from the innovative solutions devised to help the condors. I am concerned about species facing extinction and am excited that they can be successfully returned to their natural habitat

Questions:

1. Why did it take scientists so long to discover the successful technique?

2. How many condors did not survive previous efforts?

3. What other species will benefit from this technique?

4. What other challenges do wild condors face?

here's a picture of what a California condor looks like.

Female fish abandoned by males to raise offspring on their own

This picture is of an African Cichlid. There are many different types of cichlids. Some of them are: Malawi, African, Jack Dempsey, and Parrot cichlids.

The cichlid fish, a native to the crater lakes of Nicaragua, look after their young by protecting them from predators. However, studies have shown that the male fish have a tendency to abandon their female mates, leaving them to care for their young alone. Professors from Finland, Australia, and Germany have spent time observing the behaviors of this species. Dr. Wong from Monash University stated that what urged the males to desert their mates was the availability of chances for additional mating. Research has shown that when the male cichlid deserts the female, the female is no longer able to sufficiently care for her young.

1. What are some other possible reasons why the male cichlid fish would leave the female?

2. What, if anything, could be done to the male fish from abandoning the females, OR, what could be done to help the females survive on their own?

3. Do you think the female cichlids will be able to adapt to not having a father figure by their side to help raise their young? Why or why not?

Kelly's Blog

One in 4 Mammals Threatened With Extinction, Group Finds

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/science/earth/07mammal.html?_r=1

Summary: 

A recent study done in Barcelona, Spain has shown that one in four mammals on our planet are in danger of going extinct. Shockingly, this statistic means that 25% of the mammals living today will be wiped out in the next few years, due to habitat loss, hunting, and climate change. The highest threat category, critically endangered, has 188 different species of mammals in it. A quote from Julia Marton-Lefevre, the director general for the International Union for Conservation of Nature, states, "Within our lifetime, hundreds of species could be lost as a result of our own actions." Additionally, Jan Schipper, who is the director of the global mammal assessment for the I.U.C.N, mentions that the overall rate of decline has been increasing steadily over the past decade. Environmentalists are doing all that they can to save these endangered mammals from going extinct.

Opinion/Reflection:

Personally, I find this shocking! To think that 1/4 of the mammal kingdom is going to be wiped out in my lifetime is appalling. I know that our environment isn't doing too well right now, and that we could all try harder to save it, but I didn't know that things were this bad. It interested me how the different levels of being endangered were split up into different categories, and it interests me more that 188 mammal species are in the most serious one!! In the future, I'm going to do all that I can to make these statistics go down. 

Questions:

1) What mammals do you think are most likely to go extinct first? Why?

2) What could we do, as average teenagers, to help save these mammals, as well as all other endangered species?

3) Do you think other animal kingdoms, such as amphibians or insects, have higher or lower rates than mammals? Why?

Photo:

I attached this picture because it is the Iberian lynx, which is a mammal mentioned in the article. The Iberian lynx is among the 188 mammals in the critically endangered group, and there are only 84 estimated adults still living today. 

Shark Victims Rally Behind the Species:
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/13/shark-victims-rally-behind-the-species/?partner=rss&emc=rss

This article is about shark victims who are becoming involved with protecting endangered shark species. Some people may find it weird that the victims would want to help the sharks, but they look at it as if there is no one better then them to help. Over 73 million sharks are killed each year just for their fins, and multiple organizations worldwide want to change that. Most people think that shark attacks are very common, but in 2008 there were only 59 unprovoked shark attacks worldwide. "'If we want to have the ocean to enjoy, we need the sharks,' Ms. Salamone said. 'They're an important part of that ecosystem.'"

If you were attacked by a shark, would you be fighting for their lives? Do you believe that most shark attacks are started by sharks being provoked by humans? Do you think of sharks as vicious, or fascinating creatures?