Read 'N' Seed: Final Review of "Under a Green Sky"

Overview of "Under a Green Sky" by Peter Ward
The beginning of this book wasn’t my favorite. It had very specific information, that I wasn’t that interested in. It also involved many view points from the author and other paleontologists about the various topics I’ve talked about. Some of the viewpoints and theories would get very lengthy and boring to read. However, when Peter Ward was discussing the K-T extinction, which was when the Earth was most likely hit by a giant meteor and the debris that was blown into the atmosphere. Causing total blackness, and ultimately killing off most of the species. I think that this was one of the most significant things I learned in this book. This is because it’s always possible for another meteor to strike the Earth.


The second part of the book was more attention-grabbing. It was really interesting to read about how the Earth almost frozen at one point, and it was the rise in greenhouse gases that was responsible for completely changing the temperature all over the World, causing it to thaw. This was the second most significant thing I read about. Our greenhouse gases are rising now, causing the temperature to rise to happen everywhere. This is important because history is already starting to repeat itself, and many people don’t realize what can happen if the green house gases continue to rise. Reading this book can help open people’s eyes to the past, and what can happen.

This leads to the third most significant part of the book. When Ward discussed that the next extinction could be caused by a green house extinction. When he said that it would only take a 25 foot rise in the Earths oceans to wipe out half of the World’s population I was blown away! And that by the year 3000 it is supposed to rise by 200 feet. This is extrememly important information, and something that I think I should have known before reading this book.


Recommendation
I would recommend this book.. or to even just skim the first couple of chapters, get a general idea, and read the whole second half. I found that much more interesting. But overall I learned A LOT from this book, and have found myself telling people random facts from it.

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 10: Overall Project Reflection

My SMART goal

"I will use a re-usable  bad everytime I go to the grocery store and Target."

My original SMART goal was that "I will use a re-usable bag everytime

I go to the grocery store." Later in the semester I added

that "I will use a re-usable bad everytime I go

to Target" as well.

SUCCESSES

During the 10 weeks I think I over all didn't a pretty good job! I typically remembered to bring my re-usable bags with me, or would run back out to my car to grab them if I forgot them there. I was  much more aware when I did forgot my bags than I think I would have been with out having this goal to do in class. Being more aware of what I was doing really helped me to remember. Also, writing about it each week was a good reminder, and a great way to reflect.

CHALLENGES

A few challenges presented themselves during this project. My biggest one being that when I shop with other people and ride in their car I ALWAYS seemed to forget my re-usable bags. I also would sometime only have when bag in my car, when I needed two, because I forgot the other one at my house. I did buy a new one this week though! :)

BENEFITS

I benefited from this assignment because it got me off to a good start on remembering to use my re-usable bags in the future.  I felt guilty when I would occasionally forget to bring a re-usable bag with me. And it wasn't that I felt bad that I wasn't using a re-usable bag because it was a class assignment, it's because I truely felt bad about needing to use a plastic or paper bag because they are so bad for the environment. I used WAY less plastic bags than I would have with out this goal.

According to the website reducing4more the average American uses somewhere between 300 and 700 bags each year! I've already cut way back on how many I use, and plan to keep it up! This is an obvious benefit to the environment, but to others too. This is because there will be less, even though it may not have been that many, plastic bags going into landfills, or possibly blowing around polluting the ground and water systems.

WHAT I LEARNED

I learned that behavior change isn't an easy thing, even if the goal seems relatively easy. There are always going to be challenges and always remembering to stick with your change may not always happen. But I learned how great it feels keep up with a goal, until it becomes a complete behavior change. I don't think it will be a problem for me to continue using my re-usable bags.

I fully plan on continuing with my behavior change! If someone else was looking to make a behavior change, I would recommend that you do it with someone else, or an entire class :) That way the topic will come up more often, helping you to remember that you set a goal for yourself.

Advocacy Project: Letter to Public Official

Maggie Flolid


18 Artavia

Duluth, MN 55811

Dec. 5, 2009



Rep. Joe Hoppe

317 State Office Building

100 Rev. Martin Luther King Blvd.

St. Paul, MN 55155





Dear Representative Hoppe,

It is crucial to the well being of Minnesota children that you support HF 0784 to increase state reimbursement for school lunch. State funding has not kept pace with dramatic increases in food costs, a situation that is detrimental to the health and education of our state’s children. School nutrition is especially vital for low-income children who may not have access to fresh, healthy food at home.

The Minnesota School Nutrition Association supports an increase in school lunch aid, citing increased food costs and research that shows healthy food is crucial to student growth and achievement. The association says that there is currently a 37 cent gap between the cost of producing school lunch and revenues received.
As a Health Education major at the University of Minnesota Duluth, I have studied the link between adequate nutrition and the ability to learn. Researchers have clearly documented that getting adequate nutrition is essential to full intellectual development. Moreover, under nutrition impacts children’s behavior, school achievement and cognitive development.

A study by the USDA concluded that school lunch programs have had to offer fewer whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables as costs for these wholesome foods increases. Clearly, the long-term effects of not adequately funding school lunch are immense.

Please give your support to this important bill. Minnesota’s school districts – and more importantly, children – would greatly benefit from its passage. I appreciate your consideration for healthier, more equitable schools.


Sincerely,


Maggie Flolid

UMD student