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?