Read 'N' Seed: 4th Quarter of "Under a Green Sky"

Main Topics

The first chapter discussed how the state of Washington, many centuries ago, used to be very tropical. Fossils of tropical plants, palm trees, and crocodiles can still be found there. This shows a glimpse of what the Eocene era of the World was like; tropical everywhere. An island near Australia called New Caledonia has an interesting geography in that it gets warm there but the waters are still cooler. This island is being studied now because it could offer some insight as to what the World will look like someday due to global warming.

The author discussed some effects of living in places that are unbearably hot. For example, in many climates most people use drugs to help make it through the day, such as Kava root, and Khat. Also, the brain doesn't work as well and disease, such as malaria, are easier spread.

Ward examines the environmental changes that could lead to the next  greenhouse extinction; sea level rise, ocean acidification, global warming and coral reef "bleaching." He concludes the sea levels will rise by 200 feet by the year 3000.  A 25 foot rise would most likely wipe out half of the Worlds population. Ward says, "As far as can be seen in the present, we have not yet reached the point of no return, or the tipping point." The key is to keeping carbon dioxide levels below 450 parts per million.

Terminology

ocean acidification: The lowering pH levels of the planet's oceans.

coral reef 'bleaching': Coral starts to become white and can be caused by a reduction in photosynthetic pigment. Coral bleaching as been an increasing problem for the last twenty years.

Implications

The fact that the author believes that in under 1,000 years the sea levels may rise by 200 feet and only a 25 foot rise has the potential to wipe out half of Earth's population is so scary! That would obviously have a huge impact on humanity, and in not that large amount of time. With information like this out there I would thank that this would be enough to scare people into making major changes. Especially since we can still make the changes necessary to change the current path we are on.

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change: Week 8

Week 8
This week went really well. I went to the grocery store once for a couple of things and remembered my reusable bag. I also went to Target once and just carried out what I had purchased because it was only a few things. However, when I went to the grocery store with my boyfriend and he drove I did not have a reusable bag to use.

Challenges
I learned that it can be a challenge to go grocery shopping with someone else if they drive, because it's hard to remember to grab a bag before I leave. I felt guilty that I was at the grocery store buying a few things and didn't have my bags. I also have yet to go pick up a few more reusable bags, like I was planning on doing.

Successes
This week went really well, at least when I drove to the store.  I always had a bag in my car and also remembered to take it into the store with me each time.

Plans for Next Week
My plan for next week will remain the same. "I will use a reusable bag every time I go to the grocery store and Target."

Advocacy Project: Issue Overview

Introduction
Issue/problem: To increase the amount of money reinbursed to schools from the state for lunch programs.
Proposed bill: H.F. 0784
Description: The goal of this bill is to reinburse schools 52 cents per reduced price school lunch meal, from 12 cents per meal.

Who is Affected by the Issue?
who is affected most? I think that the children and the guardians of the children that are buying the reduced price school lunches will be the most affected. This is because if the school is receiving more money for these lunches it will give them the opportunity to provide the children with healthier lunches.
who loses? The tax payers of children who are not recieving the reduced priced school lunches. They are then may be paying more money towards something they or their children won't necessarily benefit from.
who gains? The children eating these school lunches will be able to better focus in school and will have had the opportunity to eat a healthy meal. This also benefits the teachers of these students.

What are the consequences of the issue?

for individuals mostly affected? More children will recieve a nutritious lunch everyday.  This will help the children learn more which will in turn affect their teachers.
for their families: The lunch prices will be less expensive, so it will save their family money. It will take away some stress by knowing that their children are eating a healthy lunch everyday.

for society: A benefit for society is simply that there would be a moral benefit in knowing that the children in their society are better taken care of. But it will also cost tax payers more money. 

 What is the economic impact of the issue?
what are the economic costs? and who bares these costs? More of the state of Minnesota's appropriated funds would be going towards this issue. Therefore perhaps making it so another issue may not get the needed or recommended amount of funds. So the tax payers bare the costs.
What are the economic benefits of the issue, and who benefits? There would be a benefit for the school district because there would be more kids eating school lunches.

What is the social impact of the issue?

What are the social costs of the issue, and who bears these costs? a social cost would be if this bill does pass other programs which were recieving funding from the state may be cut due to insufficient funds.

What are the social benefits of the issue, and who benefits? It's a benefit to society to have school children that are well fed and ready to learn.

What are the barriers?


What are the barriers to addressing this issue? Some people will not want to pay for the possible extra funding.


How can they be overcome? By convining people that it's a benefit to the greater good of society to have children focusing better in school, and also that it's an ethically correct decision.

What are the Resources?

What resources will we need to address this issue? The main resource needed will be money.  Also, people who are opposed to this issue may need more information. The MSNA would offer some good informtion.



Where and how can they be tapped? Tax payers money is the main place the money would be coming from.


What is the history of this issue?
What is the history of the issue in the community?  I seem to have some accross a couple bills that were similar to this one for the state of MN such as HB 252. But for this specifc bill it was first read and introduced February 16, 2009. Where it was then passed on to the Finace committee. on February 26 a new author was added (Kahn).

Allies & Opponents
Who would support this issue? Supporters would be those who feel having healthy and fed kids in school is extremely important.


Who would oppose this issue? People who would oppose this issue would be perhaps people that do not have all the information, do not have children, and/or do not want there taxs to increase or have other programs funding be cut.



My Recommendation


How do you want policy-makers to vote on this proposed policy?  I think that policy makers,especially the state representatives should vote Yes on this topic!

Share 'N' Voice: "The Reverse Graffiti Project"

This is a Youtube video I came across and thought it really worth sharing! The video is called the 'Reverse Graffiti Project' and it's a about a man, and team of people that are "cleaning" San Francisco's Broadway tunnel (and I think other areas as well). They are cleaning it by putting up large stencils of native plants to California and blasting them with water, and some cleaning products, to show how dirty the tunnel really is. It just shows how dirty the World we're living in can be and we've just become so accustomed to it.  Check it out it's really cool!