NASA Should Be Monitoring Global Climate Change With The DSCOVR

NASA Should Be Monitoring Global Climate Change with the Deep Space Climate Observatory

Written by: Bill Donahue
Published on: April 6th, 2011


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The picture above shows Triana, or recently renamed Deep Space Climate Observatory. This sophisticated piece of machinery is a satellite implemented by Al Gore to help the world keep track of climate change. 

l    Summary: Climate change has been a serious concern for the world in recent years. Various predictions of incredibly harsh climate has spurred action on all sides to fix our impending disaster. Al Gore, an important politician and climate change activist, implemented a plan to create a satellite capable of measuring the earths climate. It's new technology allowed NASA to observe the earth's albedo. Albedo is the amount of solar energy that our planet reflects into space versus the amount it absorbs. However, it's departure into our solar system has been indefinitely halted. Among political indifference's, NASA is unsure how to protect the satellite from cosmic rays grinding the fragile components of the device. Also, a large concern remains as to whether the satellite would remain in place for an extended amount of time. However, hope for the Deep Space Climate Observatory glistens. Recently, President Obama allocated 9 million dollars to the refurbishing and preparation of the satellite. Donahue ends with a pressing statement. That Triana isn't just a satellite, but a solution to a overhanging problem our world faces.

     Opinion/Reflection: I was very interested to read about this space satellite. It astounds me that NASA has the technological capability to build such a complicated piece of machinery. While we face many uncertainties in the launching of this satellite, I think it's a key solution to obtain knowledge on our situation. Providing our citizens with facts and figures about global climate change is absolutely necessary. Too often I find myself hearing conflicting stories about our global climate change. It's time we get the facts, and this satellite will bring us one step closer to the truth.

     Questions: 

            1. Do you think climate change is a valid issue? How would measuring solar energy be helpful?

            2. What are other ways we could measure climate change other than Albedo?

            3. NASA has chosen you to take part in a project whose goal is to understand climate change better. Would you use the satellite as your solution to the project, or do you have another idea? If you chose the satellite, what could be added to improve its accuracy, efficiency, protection ect.?

Extra Blog: Animal Welfare

Kroger Provides Update on Animal Welfare

No author stated Published:  PR Newswire. June 4, 2012

Article found:http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=DA-SORT&inPS=true&prodId=GPS&userGroupName=hatterslib&tabID=T004&searchId=R1&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&contentSegment=&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=3&contentSet=GALE%7CA291867226&&docId=GALE|A291867226&docType=GALE&role=SUIC

                                                                                Picture: This picture shows what some animals have to deal with every day just so their owners can get more money.  With these living conditions many of the chicken die prematurely and have many diseases.

Picture Link: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=8026&picture=chicken-coop

Summary:  Kroger Co. set new regulations towards the crates that contain the pregnant sows. The idea of gestation crate-free housing is found to be more humane by the company and is trying to work the whole pork industry towards using them. This is one of the many acts that The Kroger Company has done towards animal welfare. Many of the transitions that the Kroger Company tells the chains to participate take several years. Kroger is a large grocery retailer and supports causes such as hunger relief and school communities. The Kroger Company show that they care about many causes and care about what they do.

Opinion/ Reflection: The fact that the Kroger Company is not just thinking about getting the most money but thinking about the conditions that these animals are living in is unexpected. So many factory farms just shove a bunch of animals into a crowded area and do not care about them getting diseases. What the Kroger Company is participating in is great and many more large companies should be contributing to the cause as well. If the idea of humane environments for animals on a farm is more accepted, consumers will be more likely to purchase products from those companies. Then the other companies will have to either switch to humane environments or go out of business.

Questions:

1. Do you think that what the Kroger Company is doing will catch on?

2. Do you think that if companies pay more attention to humane environments they will make more money?
3. What are some examples of making a farm more suitable for animals? At least 3.
4. What are some ways that a farmer can make an envirometn for an animal inhumane? At least 2.

    

Brandon Timm Atmosphere Blog Post

Minimizing air pollution exposure may help protect against cognitive decline
No author stated, From Focus on Healthy Aging, May 2012
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Picture Link: http://www.chestnet.org/accp/article/chest-physician/air-pollution-linked-strokes-reduced-cognition                                                        



Picture: This picture comes shows the X-rays of healthy lungs, which could be affected by heightened levels of air pollution. Summary: According to this article, lowering the levels of air pollution could keep cognitive decline (aging) at a normal pace. If the levels are higher, this process could be accelerated. Particles of air pollutants are classified as fine or coarse based on the size of the particles. Both classifications of particles can cause issues. They can cause heart, lung, and possibly brain issues. Heart attack risks can increase significantly after exposure to high levels of pollutants. To avoid issues with air pollutants, try to exercise indoors, or install an air filter inside your home.

Opinion/Reflection: This was really shocking to find out that exposure to air pollution can cause the aging process to accelerate in adults. Even though I'm not necessarily at the age at risk for these issues, it really makes me think what I could do to avoid exposure to these pollutants. Typically, I spend a very large amount of time outdoors exercising, and I had no idea what affects the pollution could have on me. Maybe I could try to do more exercise indoors as the article suggests.

Questions:

1. How could the size of a pollutant particle have a different effect on health?

2. What from the pollutants causes cognitive decline to accelerate? Explain.

3. What do you think of the suggestions that are made to avoid exposure to pollutants?

Air Pollution

A Mighty Wind

By: Trevor Butterworth

Published: Newsweek May 21, 2012

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 Picture: This image shows what is accounting for 2 percent of greenhouse gases, flatulence of animals.

http://jeremywilliams.net.au/portfolio.html

 Summary:  Three British academics researched and found that it is possible that dinosaurs could have put methane into the atmosphere with their burping and farting causing changes in our climate. When an animal needs to digest plant material it produces quite an accumulation of methane. So when a rather large animal, such as a dinosaur, is constantly eating plants its produces very large amounts of methane. It is estimated that dinosaurs produced between 500 and 600 million tons of methane per year.  John Whitlock, a paleontologist at the University of British Columbia, states that the theory is not unreasonable. However, he questions just how much of the climate change is a result of flatulence of the dinosaurs in the Jurassic era. Today, cattle are replacing the dinosaur’s methane production but are not producing nearly as much.

 Opinion/Reflection: I find it very interesting that our climate change could have something to do with flatulent dinosaurs. We are constantly being told that the change in climate is because of our use of cars polluting the atmosphere, etc. This is true, but there are things that we have little or no control over that are contributing to climate changes as well. What dinosaurs did can’t be changed but we have to change our habits to accommodate for the high amounts of methane in the atmosphere from millions of years ago.

Questions:

1.       Do you think there is validity to the theory that dinosaur flatulence warmed the earth’s climate?

2.       What can help reduce the amount of pollution in the air?

3.       Do you think we should add oregano or curry to cow feed to minimize the emissions?

Tidal Power Could Create New Wave Of Energy

Federal and State Governments Should Support Tidal Power

Written by Larry Eisenstat
Published in 2010

5/14/2012

URL: http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?displayGroupName=Viewpoints&disableHighlighting=false&prodId=OVIC&action=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010723212&mode=view
Picture: This picture gives a basic overview on how tidal power works. The motion of waves and tides power small turbines. Within a short amount of time these turbines can potentially produce a sizable amount of electricity.


Summary: Currently our country is facing a potential energy crisis. Our heavy reliance on oil and coal will prove to be disasterous unless we start shifting to alternate energy sources. One of the most reasonable options of alternative energy is tidal power. Hydrokinetic power uses the motion of waves to power small turbines and create electricity. The tides are consistant and predictable making hydrokinetic power very practical. Creating power stations along the coast would create despirately needed jobs as well. Hydrokinetic power is not just a hopefull idea or theory, the United Kingdom has been experimanting with since May 2008. Great Britain uses tidal power for 20% of its electricity needs. Tidal power is extremely promising, and not beyond our grasp. We should take advantage of the tides now in order to establish a secure energy future.

Opinion/Reflection: I think tidal power is a fantastic idea to solve the looming energy problem we face in the near future. Tidal energy is extremely predictable and sustainable. The waves will never cease, creating energy day and night. I personally love to visit the beach, and often find myself marveling at the sheer power the tides are capable of. We would find plenty of opportunity in tidal power to create a superior energy future. With plenty of coastal area around the country, shifting into smarter and healthier energy options couldn't be easier.

Questions:
        1. What are your thoughts on tidal power? Does it seem useful to you? Why or why not?
        2. Do you believe we could potentially look towards tidal power as a major source of energy for our country? Explain your reasoning.
        3. What are the problems with tidal power, if any? How could these problems be fixed?

 

Ball State University dedicates geothermal system
From: American School and University  Published on Student Resources in Context on March 21, 2012
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Picture Link: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/

 Picture: This picture shows the process of geothermal energy being created. Geothermal energy is a possible replacement for fossil fuels in the future.

Summary: Ball State University is starting to use geothermal energy to cool and heat all of the buildings on their campus. This new form of energy could save them about $2 million dollars annualy after it is fully installed. It will become the largest geothermal system in the U.S. after it's completion. Currently, $20 million is still needed to complete this project for the 660-acre campus. It will require a total of 3,600 boreholes to be drilled in order to get to the heat beneath the Earth used for geothermal heating/cooling. To heat the buildings, heat will be removed from fluids in the Earth's crust. For cooling, heat will be pumpd out of the buildings and back into the Earth.

Opinion/Reflection: I think that this is a great idea for the university. Saving money will help them fund important things at the school. Also, they are becoming eco-friendly by switching to this cleaner form of energy. The huge investment that they are making with this geothermal energy system will be well worth it in the future. Personally, I always look for ways to save money and energy like they are doing at Ball State, so I can really connect to what they are doing, even though their savings are on a much larger scale.

Questions:
1. What do you think of Ball State's plan to switch to geothermal energy?
2. Do you think the size of their project is practical? Why or why not?
3. What would be a better alternative to geothermal energy for Ball State? Explain.

Deforestation

By: Brenda Wilmoth Lerner and K. Lee Lerner
Published in Detroit in 2009 from Opposing Viewpoints In Context.
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Picture: This graphic shows the deforestation that takes place so often to build stores and houses. This is causing many issues such as climate change and loss of habitats for animals.

Summary: Deforestation has been occurring for over 8,000 years and is now mainly happening in tropical areas. For deforestation to be monitored it requires remote sensing done with satellites but this does not give accurate results. The majority of deforestation takes place when clearing for agricultural purposes. When burning all of the trees and shrubbery it leaves all of the nutrients from the plants and makes the soil rich for the farmer. Tropical regions are recently being demolished so crops can be exported to richer countries. When deforestation takes place it reduces the amount of biodiversity in an ecosystem. Flooding and droughts are more of a problem because by removing trees the soil erodes too.

Opinion/Reflection: I was surprised to see all of the negative effects of deforestation. I was aware of the obvious effect of losing the habitats of many animals but never really thought much about the other severe impacts it has. The benefits of cutting trees are more widely known such as paper production and firewood. I think that deforestation should be minimized but that is highly unlikely so another solution would be replacing the deforestation site with new wood growth as soon as possible. I think that there needs to be stricter regulations on the amount of wood allowed to be cut down and the amount that is replaced in that area.

Questions:

1. Do you think that deforestation is a problem? Why or why not?

2. What suggestions do you have to reduce the amount of deforestation around the world?

3. Do you think that deforestation is contributing to global warming?