1. What is your ecological footprint? (That is, if everyone lived like you, how many earths would it take to support the world population?)
My ecological footprint if everyone lived like me would be 5.01 earths.
2. As the world population grows, how will this impact the amount of resources (food, electricity, water, etc.) each person can consume and still remain within the sustainability of our planet? That is, what lifestyle changes will we need to make in order to ensure there is enough food and energy to sustain everyone?
3. What is the IPCC? What does it do?
The IPCC is the worlds leading authority on the science of climate change. They document the causes of global warming, which countries and which ecosystems are most affected. The IPCC also makes sure that policy makers know what they need to do to keep warming at or below the critical two-degree threshold.
4. Which climates require the most energy and the least energy on average to live in? (Give an example of a country for each)
The climates that require the most energy are coller climates such as Siberia because they need lots of heat for lighting and for cooking. The climates that require the least energy are hot and humid climates like Phoenix, Arizona, although there is still energy required for cooling as well as refrigeration it is not as bad as the cooler climates.
5. What is the Climate Action Network? What does it do?
The Climate Action Network is a worldwide network of over 265 non governmental organizations. The CAN works to promote government and individual action to mimit human-induced climate change to ecologically substainable levels. The members of CAN work to achieve this particular goal through the coordination of information exchange and NGO strategy on international, regional and national climate issues.
6. How do energy efficient appliances, line-drying your clothes, and using compact fluorescent light bulbs each help to reduce carbon emissions?
Energy efficient appliances help to reduce carbon emissions by using 2 to 10 times less energy. Line drying clothes instead of using a dryer saves 3 to 4 kilowatt hours per load-which equals out to about 5 pounds of carbon dioxide. Using compact flourescent bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs use four times less energy and last eight times longer.
7. Why are compact urban living and rural living more energy efficient than sprawling suburbs?
Compact urban living and rural living is more energy efficient than sprawling suburbs because carbon emissions are generally highest for households living in newer suburbs and because spread out suburbs require far more energy per person for public infrastructure.
8. What are carbon offsets?
Carbon offsets help consumers reduce their carbon footprint and make you, your car and your entire household carbon neutral.
9. Why does eating meat require more energy than eating plants?
Eating meat requires more energy than eating plants because a plant-based diet is significantly less land and energy intensive than a diet with a high proportion of meat, seafood, and dairy. Meat production also drives deforestation and requires high inputs of energy for processing and transportation.
10. How do food miles and food processing and packaging play a role in a person’s ecological footprint? How do personal and community gardens help alleviate this?
Food miles and food processing and packaging play a role in a person's ecological footprint because if your food comes from far away it requires alot of energy for transportation and refrigeration. If the food is hightly processed and comes in copious paper it puts a strain on forests. Personal and community gardens help relieve the enormous enviornmental impacts associated with industrial agriculture. Also, studies show that home or community gardening can add $500 to $1,200 worth of produce per year to a familys diet which is of great help to low income families.
11. What is a “food footprint?” What is a “housing footprint?”
A "food footprint" is the area needed to grow crops, fish and graze animals as well as carbon emissions from food processing and transport. A "housing footprint" is the area occupied by your home and the area needed to supply resources used in construction and household maintenance.
12. What construction and design features contribute to green buildings?
The type of construction and design features that contribute to green buildings are passive solar heating, water efficient fixtures, and recycled materials.
13. Finish the following statement: Energy is required to _deliver_ and __treat__fresh water. We can reduce our water footprint by ___60%___ and ____more____.
14. Describe two benefits of “green” cleaning products.
One benefit is that they are not harmful to humans another would be that they don't contaminate water supplies.
15. What is planned obsolescence? How can we counter it?
Planned obsolescence is the deliberate manufacturing of products to wear out quickly. We can counter it by trying to repair things as mjuch as possible and oly buying products that are designed to last.
16. What are the five environmental and economic benefits of recycling?
1. Reduced landfill space
2. Fewer demands on raw materials
3. Less energy consumption
4. Less air & water pollution
5. Cheaper goods & lower waste disposal bills
17. Click the “Reduce your footprint” link at the end of the survey and write a one-paragraph plan for how you intend to reduce your footprint. Your plan should include a list of behaviors you are committed to changing. Ideally, I would like you to select at least one behavior from each of the seven categories on the “Reduce your footprint” page that you are going to work on.
I intend to reduce my carbon footprint by walking more instead of driving my car, especially when around my neighborhood. Another way that I want to reduce my footprint is by installing compact flourescent light bulbs around my familys home, and when I own my own house I plan to choose energy efficient appliances. A couple of years ago I used to go to many local farmers markets as well as buy organic fruits and vegetables. I plan on doing this once again and changing my diet to a more fruits and vegetable consumption, rather than meat. Using bio-degradable as well as non-toxic cleaning products instead of harmful ones will also be a new goal of mine. I pledge to take shorter showers and only wash full loads of clothes and air dry my clothes afterwards on a clothes line instead of a dryer. I will recycle everything I can recycle, but waste less and buy less things that I do not need.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Blog Assignment #8: Part Two Scientific Article Summaries
Scientific Article #2: Why you can read this-and Why the Chimp can't. . .
Research has proved that humans and chimpanzees have many gene similarities but one of the major differences between the two is how often genes switch on and off. It is stated that the two species are about 98.7 percent identical; however after measuring the activity of nearly 18,000 genes shared among the species the number of genes and proteins they expressed differed. The difference was at least five times more apparent between humans than among the other species in the study. Scientists concluded that sometime in the recent evolutionary past, changes in the gene expression must have been accelerated in the human brain. This acceleration it seems, is the key difference between humans and chimpanzees.
Research has proved that humans and chimpanzees have many gene similarities but one of the major differences between the two is how often genes switch on and off. It is stated that the two species are about 98.7 percent identical; however after measuring the activity of nearly 18,000 genes shared among the species the number of genes and proteins they expressed differed. The difference was at least five times more apparent between humans than among the other species in the study. Scientists concluded that sometime in the recent evolutionary past, changes in the gene expression must have been accelerated in the human brain. This acceleration it seems, is the key difference between humans and chimpanzees.
Blog Assignment #8: Part Two Scientific Article Summaries
Scientific Article #1: Human Chimps not as Closely Related as Thought?
In the mid 1970's researchers at the University of Berkley discovered a genetic similarity between humans and chimpanzees, finding out that they were 99% identical. Modern research that uses more sophisticated methods found that the discoveries of the 1970's might not be as accurate as we once thought. Scientists now agree that the two species technically only share 95% of genetic material. Regardless of the now updated data human beings cannot deny the close relation man has to the chimpanzee. This 5% is probably closer to what people thought the difference would ultimately be, and despite the genetic differences between chimpanzees and humans- the chimpanzee does not seem to suffer the same diseases that regularly affect people. For scientists studying the genetic differences between these two species may possibly provide more insight on these diseases and guide us to future cures.
In the mid 1970's researchers at the University of Berkley discovered a genetic similarity between humans and chimpanzees, finding out that they were 99% identical. Modern research that uses more sophisticated methods found that the discoveries of the 1970's might not be as accurate as we once thought. Scientists now agree that the two species technically only share 95% of genetic material. Regardless of the now updated data human beings cannot deny the close relation man has to the chimpanzee. This 5% is probably closer to what people thought the difference would ultimately be, and despite the genetic differences between chimpanzees and humans- the chimpanzee does not seem to suffer the same diseases that regularly affect people. For scientists studying the genetic differences between these two species may possibly provide more insight on these diseases and guide us to future cures.
Blog Assignment #8: (Part 1 of 6 posts) Part 6 Human's: Riddle of the Bones
Human's: Riddle of the Bones
1. What is "Lucy" and how did it get it's name?
"Lucy" is a preserved fossil of female bones found in east Africa that is almost 3.2 million years old. "Lucy" got its name from the Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" the song that was playing when she was discovered in 1974.
2. Which hominid species does this activity focus on?
The hominid species that this activity focused on was A. afarensis.
3. Why do scientists believe these species all belong to the same family?
The reason that scientists believe that these species could have all belonged to the same family was because of the wide range in body size. This led them to also suspect that they were all from the same "extended family" of 13 individuals which ended up being entomed together in a flash flood disaster. There had most likely been 9 adults and 4 children judging from their teech and jaws, but they were certainly all from the same species. The difference in the size of Lucy's petite bones and the more robust bones found at Hadar puzzled paleoanthropologists but upon further research of thousands of fossils they concluded that the males had most likely been more tall and blukier than the females, similar to present day gorillas.
4. How old is each set of fossils show in this activity?
The First Family fossil set was 3.2 million years old, Lucy was 3.2 million years old as well, the Hadar Skull was 3.0 million years old & the Laetoli Footprints were 3.6 million years old.
5. Based on the description of each set of bones and the footprints, did this species live in trees or on land? Explain and defend your answer by referencing the evidence in your explanation.
Based on the description of each set of bones and footprints I conclude that this species lived on land. The reason behind my conclusion is that the evidence provided states that the first set of heel bones were able to withstand pressure of walking upright. Like the modern heels of a human being they were filled with shock absorbing "spongy" bone rather than the more solid bone found in the heels of apes. Toe bones that were also found among the first family indicate that they don't curve forward towards the heel as do the toes of modern tree climbing primates. Another piece of evidence was Lucy's pelvis which hints that she walked upright on two legs, the pelvis looking much like that of a modern woman's pelvis which helped support her upper body as she moved.
6. How did males and females of this species differ?
Males and females of this species differed because the males were much more robust and taller than the females. Just like modern gorillas the males towered over the females.
7. How did the brains of this species compare to modern humans? What evidence supports this?
The brains of this species were small-brained compared to modern humans because of the cavity at the back of the skull evidence states that they only had chimp sized brains.
1. What is "Lucy" and how did it get it's name?
"Lucy" is a preserved fossil of female bones found in east Africa that is almost 3.2 million years old. "Lucy" got its name from the Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" the song that was playing when she was discovered in 1974.
2. Which hominid species does this activity focus on?
The hominid species that this activity focused on was A. afarensis.
3. Why do scientists believe these species all belong to the same family?
The reason that scientists believe that these species could have all belonged to the same family was because of the wide range in body size. This led them to also suspect that they were all from the same "extended family" of 13 individuals which ended up being entomed together in a flash flood disaster. There had most likely been 9 adults and 4 children judging from their teech and jaws, but they were certainly all from the same species. The difference in the size of Lucy's petite bones and the more robust bones found at Hadar puzzled paleoanthropologists but upon further research of thousands of fossils they concluded that the males had most likely been more tall and blukier than the females, similar to present day gorillas.
4. How old is each set of fossils show in this activity?
The First Family fossil set was 3.2 million years old, Lucy was 3.2 million years old as well, the Hadar Skull was 3.0 million years old & the Laetoli Footprints were 3.6 million years old.
5. Based on the description of each set of bones and the footprints, did this species live in trees or on land? Explain and defend your answer by referencing the evidence in your explanation.
Based on the description of each set of bones and footprints I conclude that this species lived on land. The reason behind my conclusion is that the evidence provided states that the first set of heel bones were able to withstand pressure of walking upright. Like the modern heels of a human being they were filled with shock absorbing "spongy" bone rather than the more solid bone found in the heels of apes. Toe bones that were also found among the first family indicate that they don't curve forward towards the heel as do the toes of modern tree climbing primates. Another piece of evidence was Lucy's pelvis which hints that she walked upright on two legs, the pelvis looking much like that of a modern woman's pelvis which helped support her upper body as she moved.
6. How did males and females of this species differ?
Males and females of this species differed because the males were much more robust and taller than the females. Just like modern gorillas the males towered over the females.
7. How did the brains of this species compare to modern humans? What evidence supports this?
The brains of this species were small-brained compared to modern humans because of the cavity at the back of the skull evidence states that they only had chimp sized brains.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Blog Assignment#8: (Part 1 of 6 posts) Part 5 Humans: Babies by Design
Babies by Design
My belief is that we should be able in the near future create "babies by design", meaning that we would be able to scientifically alter our future childrens genes. The reason behind my choice is due to the fact that there are many babies/human beings born into this world that have genetic diseases or that have terrible disabilities that make it difficult for them to function in our everyday society. If we were to be able to create "babies by design" we would ultimatley be able to eliminate our future generations from having any of these genetic diseases or disabilities. It is already quite difficult to bring another life into this world, but to find out that your baby had a disease that would inevitably lead to death would be devestating to any parent. An example of such a terrible disease would be one such as PKU. PKU is a disease that is caused by the lack of a liver enzyme that is needed to break down the amino acid phenylalanine, there is nothing that can be done to prevent death and the child ends up dying quickly. I believe that in the near future we will be able to prevent such devetating results if we keep researching and opening up our minds to the possibility that we can somehow play god.
My belief is that we should be able in the near future create "babies by design", meaning that we would be able to scientifically alter our future childrens genes. The reason behind my choice is due to the fact that there are many babies/human beings born into this world that have genetic diseases or that have terrible disabilities that make it difficult for them to function in our everyday society. If we were to be able to create "babies by design" we would ultimatley be able to eliminate our future generations from having any of these genetic diseases or disabilities. It is already quite difficult to bring another life into this world, but to find out that your baby had a disease that would inevitably lead to death would be devestating to any parent. An example of such a terrible disease would be one such as PKU. PKU is a disease that is caused by the lack of a liver enzyme that is needed to break down the amino acid phenylalanine, there is nothing that can be done to prevent death and the child ends up dying quickly. I believe that in the near future we will be able to prevent such devetating results if we keep researching and opening up our minds to the possibility that we can somehow play god.
Blog Assignment #8: (Part 1 of 6 posts) Part 4 Humans:Origins of Humankind
Humans: Origins of Humankind
The list of species that lead to humans:
1. Orrorin tugensis
2. Australopithecus anamensis
3. Kenyanthropus platyops
4. Homo habilis
5. Homo erectus
6. Homo sapiens
The list of species that lead to humans:
1. Orrorin tugensis
2. Australopithecus anamensis
3. Kenyanthropus platyops
4. Homo habilis
5. Homo erectus
6. Homo sapiens
Blog Assignment #8: (Part 1 of 6 posts) Part 3 Survival: Microbe Clock
Survival: Microbe Clock
A) Describe in detail how Streptococcus pneumoniae has developed antibiotic resistance over the past century.
Streptococcus pneumonia has developed resistance over the past century by developing strains which have evolved resistance. Streptococcus has become completely resistant to penicillin and the search for alternative antibiotics has been unsucessful. Since the year 1997 Streptococcus has developed resistance to at stockpile of at least 100 drugs. The list of microbes that have developed resistance is growing quickly.
B) Start the clock. The one minute of division here represents 186 days of actual division. How many times did the cells divide in this time? How many total cells resulted at the end of this time? How many mutations occcurred in the population during this time?
The cells that divided were a total of 313,807, the total number of cells were 13,274, the total number of mutations that occurred were 1,314
A) Describe in detail how Streptococcus pneumoniae has developed antibiotic resistance over the past century.
Streptococcus pneumonia has developed resistance over the past century by developing strains which have evolved resistance. Streptococcus has become completely resistant to penicillin and the search for alternative antibiotics has been unsucessful. Since the year 1997 Streptococcus has developed resistance to at stockpile of at least 100 drugs. The list of microbes that have developed resistance is growing quickly.
B) Start the clock. The one minute of division here represents 186 days of actual division. How many times did the cells divide in this time? How many total cells resulted at the end of this time? How many mutations occcurred in the population during this time?
The cells that divided were a total of 313,807, the total number of cells were 13,274, the total number of mutations that occurred were 1,314
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