Thursday, December 3, 2009
Education evaluation
For anyone who wasn’t at the education presentation day. Arielle and I surveyed two high school classes of 9th and 10th graders on global warming. The high school group we compared to an equal number of randomly chosen FGCU students. We did this to evaluate FGCU success on educating the students on nature resources and climate change. We had six questions on facts about global warming and the other four questions were about the student thoughts on global warming. We got 69 student from each group to answer the survey. We wanted the same number to be able to not only compare each other with percents but in real numbers. I thought it was interesting that on the question that we asked which was not a contributor of global warming and about half of the FGCU students responded saying water vapor and 75% high school responded in the same way. Almost a third of high school students polled knew that the America did not sign the Kyoto Protocol, while only half of FGCU students polled answered correctly. For how concerned students were about climate change both groups had over half from concerned or extremely concerned. Only about ten percent or lower of each of the groups were not concerned at all. Of all the students polled in both groups over 80% thought that humans were one of the largest contributing factor to climate change. One of the last things that I want to touch on is the question that we had on sources of information on climate change. I was impressed that over 50% of college students were getting it from teachers and other sources such as research. I was a little concerned that high school students put their leader of information being media with 58%. This concerned me because the media can change fact and images to what they are trying to portray. Over all I thought that FGCU students did well on the survey and that do to the concern I have about the media as a primary source for high school students I think that FGCU services as a good example for not only other colleges but possibly other types of schools in the area.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Summary for Education ( Yesenia Garcia)
I have to say that I am very pleased with the results I was able to obtain in my global warming education project. Students didn’t only seem interested but I felt like I was really able to make a connection with the senior and juniors at Gulf Coast High School.After I played the video I was able to see that not only had I been able to make an impact in these student’s lives but I had grown a special interest in them. Some students would continue to look at each other and say small comments like “unbelievable,” what I even found most interesting was their viewpoints. I guess I also have to give credit to the new Hollywood film called “2012.” According to my research the film references Mayanism, the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, and the 2012 phenomenon in its portrayal of cataclysmic events unfolding in the year 2012. Due to solar flare bombardment the Earth's core begins heating up at an unprecedented rate, eventually causing crustal displacement. This results in an onslaught of Doomsday event scenarios plunging the world into chaos, ranging from California falling into the Pacific Ocean, the eruption of the Yellowstone National Park caldera, massive earthquakes, and Megatsunami impacts along every coast line on the Earth. The film centers around an ensemble cast of characters as they narrowly escape multiple catastrophes in an effort to reach ships in the Himalayas, along with scientists and governments of the world who are attempting to save as many lives as they can before the disasters ensue. While conducting my presentation, students would continuously go back to the film and tell me parts that resembled what I was trying to explain to them about greenhouse gasses. I felt like the timing for my presentation was perfect and that this film, even though in some areas a bit fictitious, really helped students understand the overall consequences and catastrophes that can relate to the entire global warming phenomenon.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Devil's Advocate
I saw this link on a friend's FB and figured I'd pass it along. Very Illuminating.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamesdelingpole/100017393/climategate-the-final-nail-in-the-coffin-of-anthropogenic-global-warming/
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamesdelingpole/100017393/climategate-the-final-nail-in-the-coffin-of-anthropogenic-global-warming/
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Preschool Education Group
We went to a preschool here on campus and read the students a story about global warming and its affects on animals. We then did an arts and crafts project where the children painted the world and we then talked about what we can do to change the world for the better (i.e recycle, walk more, tell a friends, turn off lights, save water, plant a tree, pick up trash). The children also discussed how each of them had painted their world differently and therefore had the power to make an individual difference.
I was shocked at how much the four year olds knew about global warming and pollution. They were thoroughly concerned about the animals and the effects that a warmer earth would have on the ice caps and the animals that live there. Several of the children were asked "should the earth be very hot, very cold, or in between?" Everyone of them answered that the Earth should be in the midle of hot and cold so that the plants can grow, the animals can live, and people are comfortable. The were very intuitive on what we can do to repair the damage we have done to the climate. Each one of them were able to discuss different techniques that they used in their own homes to create a "greener" and more sustainable future.
I was very pleased with the children in the class and their eagerness to adress the problem of climate change. I fell that targeting this younger population is key to solving the problem or at least an important first step in the right direction to bringing about awareness and making a change for the better.
I was shocked at how much the four year olds knew about global warming and pollution. They were thoroughly concerned about the animals and the effects that a warmer earth would have on the ice caps and the animals that live there. Several of the children were asked "should the earth be very hot, very cold, or in between?" Everyone of them answered that the Earth should be in the midle of hot and cold so that the plants can grow, the animals can live, and people are comfortable. The were very intuitive on what we can do to repair the damage we have done to the climate. Each one of them were able to discuss different techniques that they used in their own homes to create a "greener" and more sustainable future.
I was very pleased with the children in the class and their eagerness to adress the problem of climate change. I fell that targeting this younger population is key to solving the problem or at least an important first step in the right direction to bringing about awareness and making a change for the better.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Comment on Enormous Jellyfish Post
Hi, everyone.
Wow this was incredible. I looked at the image of the jellyfish next to the diver for about 5 minuts. I thought the image was fake, these creatures are truly incredible. I couldn't help thinking about several incidents that occured many years back when radiation technology first came out. Back then even film makers began to make hollywood thrilers on gigantic ants, I wouldn't be suprised if scientists were to find a correlation between technological advancements and the size of these incredible organisms. Great Post !
Wow this was incredible. I looked at the image of the jellyfish next to the diver for about 5 minuts. I thought the image was fake, these creatures are truly incredible. I couldn't help thinking about several incidents that occured many years back when radiation technology first came out. Back then even film makers began to make hollywood thrilers on gigantic ants, I wouldn't be suprised if scientists were to find a correlation between technological advancements and the size of these incredible organisms. Great Post !
The Forum on Religion and Ecology at Yale
Hey guys! I know we said no more new posts, but I wanted to share some information that is relevant to my project. Dr. Hartley shared this website with me that covers how many religious groups are getting involved in climate change initiatives. It contains statements from many groups, including the religions of Buddhism, Christianity, Cunfucianism, Judaism, Hinduism, and more.
"The world’s religious traditions must play major roles in enabling societies and individuals to take effective and ethical actions to address the causes and impacts of climate change...The analysis indicates significant religiously-based involvement and influence on ethical aspects of climate change and points to great potential for the role of religion in future solutions."
-"Roles of religion and ethics in addressing in climate change" Paula J. Posas
http://fore.research.yale.edu/climate-change/statements-from-world-religions/
"The world’s religious traditions must play major roles in enabling societies and individuals to take effective and ethical actions to address the causes and impacts of climate change...The analysis indicates significant religiously-based involvement and influence on ethical aspects of climate change and points to great potential for the role of religion in future solutions."
-"Roles of religion and ethics in addressing in climate change" Paula J. Posas
http://fore.research.yale.edu/climate-change/statements-from-world-religions/
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Changes to blog
Hey guys! Thanks for all the amazing posts and keeping us all updated on your project. As of now we will no longer be making NEW posts, but you will still be required to COMMENT on other posts. There are many posts available to do this! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Keep up the great work!
Keep up the great work!
U.S. and China on Carbon
Groups Press U.S. and China on Carbon
By EDWARD WONG
Published: November 3, 2009
BEIJING — Three prominent American research organizations that are pushing for greater cooperation between the Obama administration and China on the issue of climate change say the two governments should make a priority of supporting the use of carbon capture technology and the creation of a market for carbon.
The organizations, the Asia Society, the Center for American Progress and the Natural Resources Defense Council, or N.R.D.C., are putting out two separate reports this month that urge the two governments to put more money into projects in China that can better develop the technology of carbon capture and sequestration, commonly called C.C.S. The process captures carbon dioxide emissions from industrial and power plants before they enter the atmosphere and stores them underground, usually in geological formations.
President Obama is scheduled to make his first trip to China this month. He and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton have said cooperation on climate change is a new top priority in United States-China relations. But the two countries have yet to take concrete steps together on any proposals. Some environmental advocates who have been following the talks say they are growing increasingly pessimistic about the chances of serious cooperation.
Advocates also say that any hope of a meaningful result emerging from the international climate change summit meeting to take place in December in Copenhagen might depend on whether the United States and China first demonstrate that they can reach agreements among themselves.
Orville Schell, a China scholar who helped organize the writing of the Asia Society report that is co-produced with the Center for American Progress, said in an e-mail message that the report “is written to help the Obama administration have some concrete cooperative project that they can bring to Beijing.”
The three organizations stress in their reports that developing C.C.S. technology is critical to alleviating climate change because the United States and China, the two largest greenhouse gas emitters in the world, rely heavily on coal for their energy needs. Those countries are unlikely to move away from this reliance on coal and other fossil fuels anytime soon.
“Both countries will continue to depend on burning large amounts of coal for the foreseeable future, and thus, if this technology can be proven at sufficient levels of scale and safety, the deployment of C.C.S. technologies is an essential element in any effort to stabilize global greenhouse gas emissions,” the Asia Society and Center for American Progress report says. The report is scheduled to be released Wednesday.
A summary of the N.R.D.C. report, to be released this month, lists several carbon capture projects that have been started by state-owned enterprises in China, but says “more substantial funding from both the Chinese government and international sources is critical in order to deploy and improve C.C.S. technologies and thus reduce the costs involved.”
I found this article online from the New York Times. I think that it is a great idea for the two countries with the largest amount of GHG emissions to come together and brainstorm on ways to better our environment and the issues of climate change. What worries me, however, is that many organizations are pushing for new carbon capture and sequestration technology. I do agree that the government should look into providing more money towards this cause, but I think there should be much more research and tests performed on this idea especially because such a huge project (carbon capture and sequestration) could have a potentially negative result in the end, while people are focused on a temporarily positive outcome at first.
By EDWARD WONG
Published: November 3, 2009
BEIJING — Three prominent American research organizations that are pushing for greater cooperation between the Obama administration and China on the issue of climate change say the two governments should make a priority of supporting the use of carbon capture technology and the creation of a market for carbon.
The organizations, the Asia Society, the Center for American Progress and the Natural Resources Defense Council, or N.R.D.C., are putting out two separate reports this month that urge the two governments to put more money into projects in China that can better develop the technology of carbon capture and sequestration, commonly called C.C.S. The process captures carbon dioxide emissions from industrial and power plants before they enter the atmosphere and stores them underground, usually in geological formations.
President Obama is scheduled to make his first trip to China this month. He and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton have said cooperation on climate change is a new top priority in United States-China relations. But the two countries have yet to take concrete steps together on any proposals. Some environmental advocates who have been following the talks say they are growing increasingly pessimistic about the chances of serious cooperation.
Advocates also say that any hope of a meaningful result emerging from the international climate change summit meeting to take place in December in Copenhagen might depend on whether the United States and China first demonstrate that they can reach agreements among themselves.
Orville Schell, a China scholar who helped organize the writing of the Asia Society report that is co-produced with the Center for American Progress, said in an e-mail message that the report “is written to help the Obama administration have some concrete cooperative project that they can bring to Beijing.”
The three organizations stress in their reports that developing C.C.S. technology is critical to alleviating climate change because the United States and China, the two largest greenhouse gas emitters in the world, rely heavily on coal for their energy needs. Those countries are unlikely to move away from this reliance on coal and other fossil fuels anytime soon.
“Both countries will continue to depend on burning large amounts of coal for the foreseeable future, and thus, if this technology can be proven at sufficient levels of scale and safety, the deployment of C.C.S. technologies is an essential element in any effort to stabilize global greenhouse gas emissions,” the Asia Society and Center for American Progress report says. The report is scheduled to be released Wednesday.
A summary of the N.R.D.C. report, to be released this month, lists several carbon capture projects that have been started by state-owned enterprises in China, but says “more substantial funding from both the Chinese government and international sources is critical in order to deploy and improve C.C.S. technologies and thus reduce the costs involved.”
I found this article online from the New York Times. I think that it is a great idea for the two countries with the largest amount of GHG emissions to come together and brainstorm on ways to better our environment and the issues of climate change. What worries me, however, is that many organizations are pushing for new carbon capture and sequestration technology. I do agree that the government should look into providing more money towards this cause, but I think there should be much more research and tests performed on this idea especially because such a huge project (carbon capture and sequestration) could have a potentially negative result in the end, while people are focused on a temporarily positive outcome at first.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Enormous Jellyfish Sink Japanese Fishing Boat - Science News | Science & Technology | Technology News - FOXNews.com
Enormous Jellyfish Sink Japanese Fishing Boat - Science News Science & Technology Technology News - FOXNews.com
The article made an interesting correlation with the population boom and move of these giant jellyfish to climate change. Check it out.
The article made an interesting correlation with the population boom and move of these giant jellyfish to climate change. Check it out.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Education Group (Yesenia )
Hi Everyone ! I just made a previous post on the organization I am trying to contact in order to send them the funds I collect for the reforestation project in Africa. However, I wanted a little feedback on how I can validate the the history of these companies and whether they are properly accredited. I don't want to send the funds to companies that earn profits from them. Does anyone know of any websites I can use in order to check for the proper documentation for these organizations? I would like any feedback as soon as possible. It is imperative for me to know before I begin to collect funds from the high school students as well as campus students. I want to be able to inform them of the organization I am working with on this project. Thanks everyone !
Education Group
Hello everyone !
I am just updating on my education project. I am currently in contact with an agency that conducts reforestation projects in certain areas of Africa. The agency is called Better Globe. I have included the website below along with there mission statement in this post. Please let me know if anyone has any other ideas on how I can introduce this project possibly around campus in order to collect more funds.
Mission Statament:
Why plant trees? In the future we will have to realize that the world's rainforests are not an unlimited supply of firewood, building material and exotic furniture. Timber from sustainable forestry will be in high demand and probably an increasingly valuable commodity, making it all the more a better investment. And let us not forget that planting trees is investing in the future of our children. Tree planting is the best known way to prevent erosion and desertification, which is a constant threat to Africa's suffering soil fertility. Trees also create economic growth through harvesting of sustainable natural resources (fruits, medicine, replacement of chemicals, etc) and development of supporting industries. Planting trees is crucial to Africa's food production and the best known way to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere!
How can I help Africa and Better Globe?
How can I help Africa and Better Globe?
You can help Better Globe stop hunger and poverty in Africa with very little effort, time and expense. By becoming a Better Globe tree investor you'll actually help poor families in Africa and make a profit. Your first step is to learn more about Better Globe; read through this page. The next step is getting involved and spreading the word. And in Better Globe; the more you give, the more you in turn receive! Sign up today on my Better Globe affiliate site, help us make a difference: www.providehelp.com
What Is Being Said Around Town ...
I work at a Local restaurant and our guests like to hear about how we are spending our days in school. A group of 4 elderly men and 2 elderly women asked about my course work, when i proceeded to tell them I am taking Environmental Health Studies, Colloquium, and Global Warming they turned the conversation over to themselves. They proceeded to explain to me how my generation (I am 21) has turned into tree-hugging hippees who do not have a clue on how to change the world. Planting trees and using reusable bags is just a way to fit in with this culture that has already hit its peak. The conversation went back and forth from myself trying to educate them to them shooting down every idea and statement placed before them. However, what got under my skin the most was when one of the old ladies chimmed in and said that I, and everyone else in my generation will never have as much knowledge as they do and for us to try and change the way everyone lives is ridiculous. She said that all this time and money we put into revamping power plants, building solar pannels to heat our buildings and consructing wind farms is a waste when all it would do is stop the temperature from rising"one lousey degree".
At this point I try to explain to the woman that the one degree difference is liable to wipe out many plant and animal species around the world, they ended the conversation with a very hurtful statement (Paraphrasing)...
"FGCU students are wasting their time and their funds on a cause that is too expensive to take off, to minute for anyone to really want to make a difference, and on a cause that isnt going to affect them one way or another in this life time... its honestly a waste of time and a waste of young brain power, who wouldve thought that our "future" would be lead by idiots ..."
I took this statement as a challenge, a challenge to do all we can to prove them wrong. If one group of people thinks this then there are probably more in our community. We need to raise awareness to these folks, do all we can to change the planet for the better ...
Please leave your comments on this conversation I was a part of and do not be afraid to be completely honest, I am curious to see the reactions to the elderly's statements and to my rebuttle...]
Thanks guys! -Shawna J-
At this point I try to explain to the woman that the one degree difference is liable to wipe out many plant and animal species around the world, they ended the conversation with a very hurtful statement (Paraphrasing)...
"FGCU students are wasting their time and their funds on a cause that is too expensive to take off, to minute for anyone to really want to make a difference, and on a cause that isnt going to affect them one way or another in this life time... its honestly a waste of time and a waste of young brain power, who wouldve thought that our "future" would be lead by idiots ..."
I took this statement as a challenge, a challenge to do all we can to prove them wrong. If one group of people thinks this then there are probably more in our community. We need to raise awareness to these folks, do all we can to change the planet for the better ...
Please leave your comments on this conversation I was a part of and do not be afraid to be completely honest, I am curious to see the reactions to the elderly's statements and to my rebuttle...]
Thanks guys! -Shawna J-
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Global Warming Video
This video is a great link for how to teach global warming to young children in terms they can understand through the use of a cartoon character. I highly reccomend watching the video or playing it for your children. I found it to be quite educational and very cute.
http://www.climatechangeeducation.org/videos/youtube/hippoworks-santer.html
http://www.climatechangeeducation.org/videos/youtube/hippoworks-santer.html
Arts Projects For Children
Understanding global warming and the effects of greenhouse gases is an important aspect of education for younger children. However, the information and scientific facts may be hard for some children to grasp. Therefore, it is beneficial to discuss global warming through art projects and hands on activities. A four year old will probably not understand the term "carbon dioxide," but you can use the fizz of a soda to demonstrate this greenhouse gas You can also experiment with varying temperature levels and see what effect the levels have on ice cubes, plants, and other items.
These arts projects allow you to ask in depth questions that cause your child to think about the issue of global warming:
What do you think will happen if the Earth gets hotter and hotter?
What do you think causes global warming?
What can we do to help the environment?
Using arts projects are the best way to get across the information and provide a visual representation of the problems associated with global warming and help you child to understand the issues at hand.
These arts projects allow you to ask in depth questions that cause your child to think about the issue of global warming:
What do you think will happen if the Earth gets hotter and hotter?
What do you think causes global warming?
What can we do to help the environment?
Using arts projects are the best way to get across the information and provide a visual representation of the problems associated with global warming and help you child to understand the issues at hand.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Stevie Campbell's Solution Project
Here's a slide show of the home school children making arts and crafts out of recycled materials. First we made bottle cap lockets, then broken CD pumpkin magnets, and finally paper plate and Popsicle stick masks for Halloween. The kids had a blast and are all getting involved with the Internet site I used as an introductory video at http://globalwarmingkids.net/.
Go Green for Halloween
Tips to Reduce Your Halloween
1. Halloween Food
Reduce the amount of money spent on candy and empty calorie foods.Focus on making healthier foods more spooky and fun to eat.
2. Costumes
Reducing amount of money spent on costumes.Find ways to Reuse or Recycle costumes instead.
3. Halloween Treats
Buy the healthier candy or treats such as chocolate covered nuts or raisins.Choose ones that use the least amount of packaging.
4. Decorations
Reduce the amount of money spent on decorations.
Find ways to Reuse or Recycle decorations or decorating items instead.
Fill bags with leaves or newspaper, decorate with natural items such as pumpkins, cornstalks and branches.
Use Fluorescent light bulbs to decorate the house and an LED tea light for the pumpkin.
5. Activities
Reduce the amount of money spent on elaborate activities.
6. Find ways to have fun that don't involve a lot of money or resources such as going to free carnivals, walking around and looking at Halloween decorations, bobbing for apples or Trick or treating for UNICEF or Sight Night (and do a good deed in the process).
7. Transportation
If possible walk, ride a bike or using public transportation to get to Halloween parties or if trick-or-treating.If you have to drive, carpool to help reduce traffic and air pollution.
1. Halloween Food
Reduce the amount of money spent on candy and empty calorie foods.Focus on making healthier foods more spooky and fun to eat.
2. Costumes
Reducing amount of money spent on costumes.Find ways to Reuse or Recycle costumes instead.
3. Halloween Treats
Buy the healthier candy or treats such as chocolate covered nuts or raisins.Choose ones that use the least amount of packaging.
4. Decorations
Reduce the amount of money spent on decorations.
Find ways to Reuse or Recycle decorations or decorating items instead.
Fill bags with leaves or newspaper, decorate with natural items such as pumpkins, cornstalks and branches.
Use Fluorescent light bulbs to decorate the house and an LED tea light for the pumpkin.
5. Activities
Reduce the amount of money spent on elaborate activities.
6. Find ways to have fun that don't involve a lot of money or resources such as going to free carnivals, walking around and looking at Halloween decorations, bobbing for apples or Trick or treating for UNICEF or Sight Night (and do a good deed in the process).
7. Transportation
If possible walk, ride a bike or using public transportation to get to Halloween parties or if trick-or-treating.If you have to drive, carpool to help reduce traffic and air pollution.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
today in Arcadia
I just wanted to add this to the blog because it is so close to us and it shows a little about a publics thoughts of green power.
By Maggie Crane, WINK News
Arcadia: a town with a future, but what about the present?
By Maggie Crane, WINK News
ARCADIA, Fla - President Barack Obama is in Florida tonight, and he'll flip the switch on the country's largest solar energy field in Arcadia Tuesday Morning.
During the height of construction on the solar fields, Florida Power and Light employed 400 workers, but some say those jobs have come and gone -- leaving a town with a future but no present plan to help.
Call it the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow -- FPL's $152 Million Next Generation Energy Center. It's fuel-free and pollution free, plus it will pay for itself over time.
"In the life of this plant it will off-set what we'd otherwise have to burn -- 7 Billion cubic feet of natural gas and 277,000 barrels of oil," FPL's Eric Silagy says. "We don't have to buy that now."
90,500 solar panels dot the Desoto County field. Florida Power and Light says it's the future of renewable energy, but some people in Arcadia fear that looking to the bigger picture of the future bypasses the present problems.
"With the decline of businesses, the quality of life went out because revenue left," Lonnie Ward Jr. of National Communications Network, says. "When you see people without jobs who can't provide for themselves, you see structures start to fall and people who can't cover mortgages."
In September this year, more than 1,700 people in Desoto County were without work. That's 11.7 percent unemployment. During the same month last year, unemployment sat at 8.5 percent.
Sustainable jobs at the solar fields are few, and that doesn't sit well with some.
"It's a waste of money," Bob Lee says. "It it doesn't bring jobs, why build it?"
But others hope the solar fields will mean long-term growth on the horizon.
"Disney started in the middle of the state, and it sprung up," Pastor Phil Stutzman of the Church of Arcadia, says. "Here we are, Arcadia, just waiting to be discovered."
there is a video if anyone would like to see it and also what the president had to say at the following link: http://www.winknews.com/news/local/66235057.html
During the height of construction on the solar fields, Florida Power and Light employed 400 workers, but some say those jobs have come and gone -- leaving a town with a future but no present plan to help.
Call it the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow -- FPL's $152 Million Next Generation Energy Center. It's fuel-free and pollution free, plus it will pay for itself over time.
"In the life of this plant it will off-set what we'd otherwise have to burn -- 7 Billion cubic feet of natural gas and 277,000 barrels of oil," FPL's Eric Silagy says. "We don't have to buy that now."
90,500 solar panels dot the Desoto County field. Florida Power and Light says it's the future of renewable energy, but some people in Arcadia fear that looking to the bigger picture of the future bypasses the present problems.
"With the decline of businesses, the quality of life went out because revenue left," Lonnie Ward Jr. of National Communications Network, says. "When you see people without jobs who can't provide for themselves, you see structures start to fall and people who can't cover mortgages."
In September this year, more than 1,700 people in Desoto County were without work. That's 11.7 percent unemployment. During the same month last year, unemployment sat at 8.5 percent.
Sustainable jobs at the solar fields are few, and that doesn't sit well with some.
"It's a waste of money," Bob Lee says. "It it doesn't bring jobs, why build it?"
But others hope the solar fields will mean long-term growth on the horizon.
"Disney started in the middle of the state, and it sprung up," Pastor Phil Stutzman of the Church of Arcadia, says. "Here we are, Arcadia, just waiting to be discovered."
there is a video if anyone would like to see it and also what the president had to say at the following link: http://www.winknews.com/news/local/66235057.html
Monday, October 26, 2009
Brighter Planet
Your Planet, Brighter from Brighter Planet on Vimeo.
Take control of your environmental footprint
On BrighterPlanet.com you can measure your carbon footprint, discover simple ways to reduce it, track your progress, and share your experiences.
No politics, no arguments. Just real people, real actions — all making a real difference.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
coral reef options?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8324954.stm
This is a really interesting article I read on the BBC website. It basically talks about how coral reefs are so degraded that chances of saving them are slim. In response to this, scientists proposed that they could freeze the coral in nitrogen and wait until the ocean stablizes before reintroducing them to the ocean.
To me, this idea seems pretty absurd, but read the short article for yourself to get a full understanding about it.
This is a really interesting article I read on the BBC website. It basically talks about how coral reefs are so degraded that chances of saving them are slim. In response to this, scientists proposed that they could freeze the coral in nitrogen and wait until the ocean stablizes before reintroducing them to the ocean.
To me, this idea seems pretty absurd, but read the short article for yourself to get a full understanding about it.
Water World: Bangladesh
Today on WGCU there was a global warming program about Bangladesh called Water World. It was much like the video we watched in class but more about the devastation of water on this country.
Made up of 230 rivers and a large coastline, water is everywhere. There have been five cyclones to hit the country in less than 3 years, increasing in power and frequency; a sign that global warming has already come. Cyclones use to hit once every ten to fifteen years, now hit every two to three years or even less. Dr. Rahman, a leading expert on human impacts on climate change, does not call it "Global Warming" but instead "Irreversible Catastrophic Climate Destabilization." There are over 20,000 refuges due to Cyclone Ira that lack food and a clean water supply. In order to get clean water the refuges have to take several boat rides daily to the main land. They also have limited shelter on their very small island. As a solution to the rising water levels people are living in house boats. However humans in Bangladesh are not the only ones hurting in this environment, but also the animals. Due to flooding the Bengal tigers food supply has been cut off and now they are more frequently turning to humans as a food source.
To watch the full video you can go to: http://video.pbs.org/video/1305543836
FYI there is another program next week about global warming in Denmark at 10:30 on Sunday. You can also download podcasts or watch these show at PBS.org.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Education Group
I found this cartoon to be quite interesting. I think comic images like these are what grab younger student's attention. This is an image I incorporated into my education presentation which I will be posting in a few days for feed back. Does anyone have any other suggestions or ideas on how I can relate my presentation more towards a younger group of students? Please send me a few suggestions.Friday, October 23, 2009
Video Clip of Thought
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J3l23foaOI
I really thought that these video clips even though sometimes a little dull, express a since of realism in a way that many students can relate to. Being that I am one of the education groups, I am always searching for material I can use in order to demonstrate to students who might not be interested, the importance of the global warming topic. I thought in the ending of my education presentation at the high schools I could show this in order to cause a bit of questioning and thought amongst the students in an interesting and different way. Even though the clip is fully about simple cartoons singing what can happen in consequence to global warming, I thought it would still create some interest. What does everyone think?
I really thought that these video clips even though sometimes a little dull, express a since of realism in a way that many students can relate to. Being that I am one of the education groups, I am always searching for material I can use in order to demonstrate to students who might not be interested, the importance of the global warming topic. I thought in the ending of my education presentation at the high schools I could show this in order to cause a bit of questioning and thought amongst the students in an interesting and different way. Even though the clip is fully about simple cartoons singing what can happen in consequence to global warming, I thought it would still create some interest. What does everyone think?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Bring it to the classroom
I thought that this website would be very helpful for the other education groups in case they wanted to come up with new ideas or plan something for the future. The web site is sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation and is devoted to how to educate kids on global climate change. There are different activities for children such as games, stories, and videos that both parents and teachers can show the children. There is also a side of the site that's for teen education which gives lesson plans, ideas on ways to take action, and facts that teens can do with adults but also can do on there own. J. Dean
this is the website check it out: http://www.nwf.org/climateclassroom
this is the website check it out: http://www.nwf.org/climateclassroom
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Posted for Amanda Allen
I wanted to post a link to the EPA's site for kids. I'm teaching elementary schoolers about climate change so I came across this site and think its an awesome tool.
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html
Climigration: Migration forced by climate change. (Climate + migration.)
Reporting for Reuters on the Indigenous Peoples’ Global Summit on Climate Change, Deborah Zabarenko wrote:
The summit is taking place about 500 miles from the Alaskan village of Newtok, where intensifying river flow and melting permafrost are forcing 320 residents to resettle on a higher site some 9 miles away in a new consequence of climate change, known as climigration.
According to Zabarenko, “Newtok is the first official Arctic casualty of climate change”; but, 26 other Alaskan villages are considered to be in “immediate danger.”
Despite the very real threat that climate change poses to a number of indigenous communities, the chair of the summit, Patricia Cochran, an Inupiat native from Nome, Alsaka, said: “We don’t want to be seen just as the powerless victims of climate change.”
“Our conference is really stirred by our wanting to become leaders … on climate change because we have the ability to bring information from our communities to the rest of the world,” Cochran said in a telephone interview from Anchorage.
Indigenous traditions are hardly static, she said, noting that native people have always adapted to their changing and often harsh environments.
For instance, Cochran said, Inuit people in Alaska are reverting to traditional dogsleds instead of modern snow machines as the icy region warms.
“People go out on their snow machines, fall through the ice and are never seen again,” she said. “But our sled dogs will tell you when the ice is not safe … and they’re a lot easier to feed than (to pay) the gas prices that we have, $10 a gallon in many of our villages.”
Ahead of the conference, UN Under-Secretary-General Konrad Osterwalder stated:
The clear voice of Indigenous Peoples needs to be heard by rest of the world community and their insights honoured in critically important climate change discussions now underway. When it comes to implementing mitigation and adaptation strategies, the world would gain greatly from proven ancient approaches built on profound respect for the Earth.
(Climigration is an increasingly serious global issue. For example, in the South Pacific, 3,000 Carteret Islanders are having to migrate to Papua-New Guinea as a consequence of rising sea-levels; and residents of Tuvalu, where the highest point is just 13 feet above sea level, are facing a similar threat. In Kenya, prolongued drought has forced many of the nomadic Turknana people into towns and relief camps. Indeed, it seems like that climigration will become more and more of a catalyst for migration and, as a consequence, conflict.)
The summit is taking place about 500 miles from the Alaskan village of Newtok, where intensifying river flow and melting permafrost are forcing 320 residents to resettle on a higher site some 9 miles away in a new consequence of climate change, known as climigration.
According to Zabarenko, “Newtok is the first official Arctic casualty of climate change”; but, 26 other Alaskan villages are considered to be in “immediate danger.”
Despite the very real threat that climate change poses to a number of indigenous communities, the chair of the summit, Patricia Cochran, an Inupiat native from Nome, Alsaka, said: “We don’t want to be seen just as the powerless victims of climate change.”
“Our conference is really stirred by our wanting to become leaders … on climate change because we have the ability to bring information from our communities to the rest of the world,” Cochran said in a telephone interview from Anchorage.
Indigenous traditions are hardly static, she said, noting that native people have always adapted to their changing and often harsh environments.
For instance, Cochran said, Inuit people in Alaska are reverting to traditional dogsleds instead of modern snow machines as the icy region warms.
“People go out on their snow machines, fall through the ice and are never seen again,” she said. “But our sled dogs will tell you when the ice is not safe … and they’re a lot easier to feed than (to pay) the gas prices that we have, $10 a gallon in many of our villages.”
Ahead of the conference, UN Under-Secretary-General Konrad Osterwalder stated:
The clear voice of Indigenous Peoples needs to be heard by rest of the world community and their insights honoured in critically important climate change discussions now underway. When it comes to implementing mitigation and adaptation strategies, the world would gain greatly from proven ancient approaches built on profound respect for the Earth.
(Climigration is an increasingly serious global issue. For example, in the South Pacific, 3,000 Carteret Islanders are having to migrate to Papua-New Guinea as a consequence of rising sea-levels; and residents of Tuvalu, where the highest point is just 13 feet above sea level, are facing a similar threat. In Kenya, prolongued drought has forced many of the nomadic Turknana people into towns and relief camps. Indeed, it seems like that climigration will become more and more of a catalyst for migration and, as a consequence, conflict.)
Monday, October 19, 2009
FACEBOOK FRIENDS!
Think you got facebook figured out? Take a minute to search earth friendly clubs and fan pages. Try searching with words such as "earth, environmental, recycle, green, climate change, etc" Here's a few that I've found for you already!
-The Planet Earth
- Our Fragile Earth
- Our Fragile Earth
- Climate Change
-The Planet Earth
- Our Fragile Earth
- Our Fragile Earth
- Climate Change
"Evangelical Leaders Join Global Warming Initiatives'
Despite some opposition, many evangelical leaders are joining the global warming initiative. For my project, I am exploring how religious groups are using their faith and their leadership positions to impact efforts toward inhibiting the global warming cycle.
"Despite opposition from some of their colleagues, 86 evangelical Christian leaders have decided to back a major initiative to fight global warming, saying "millions of people could die in this century because of climate change, most of them our poorest global neighbors."
"Among signers of the statement, which will be released in Washington on Wednesday, are the presidents of 39 evangelical colleges, leaders of aid groups and churches, like the Salvation Army, and pastors of megachurches, including Rick Warren, author of the best seller "The Purpose-Driven Life."
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/08/national/08warm.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
"Despite opposition from some of their colleagues, 86 evangelical Christian leaders have decided to back a major initiative to fight global warming, saying "millions of people could die in this century because of climate change, most of them our poorest global neighbors."
"Among signers of the statement, which will be released in Washington on Wednesday, are the presidents of 39 evangelical colleges, leaders of aid groups and churches, like the Salvation Army, and pastors of megachurches, including Rick Warren, author of the best seller "The Purpose-Driven Life."
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/08/national/08warm.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
Project underway this week...
I will be conducting my recycled arts and crafts project with the home schooled kids in Naples this week. I have collected all materials needed and cannot wait to get started. One bump in the road is that some kids have contracted the chicken pox, so the group will be smaller than originally intended. I plan to stress to the children that are present to spread the word of what they have learned to friends, family, and their piers. Hopefully, this outreach will encourage the children present to discuss it with those who could not attend, getting them all involved with the Internet site I posted last week.
-Stevie
-Stevie
Sunday, October 18, 2009
top 12 green campuses
Why October 24?
The timing here is crucial—there is a narrow window when we can have the most influence in international climate politics. Too early and we're irrelevant, too late and we've missed our chance to have a real impact. Though the final climate meeting in Copenhagen doesn't take place until December, governments will be finalizing positions before the meeting takes place. Late October may well be our best chance we have before countries set everyone that negotiates for the United Nations climate talks will get their final orders.
Also, October 24 is United Nations Day. We are very pleased about this connection, because through our work, we hope to honor the work of the United Nations as an institution—it is truly the only global institution suitable to the task of a global climate agreement. We are actively working with the UN for the 24th.
With creative actions happening all over the globe, and photographs of those events appearing online, in the media, and on politicians' desks, we will change what these negotiators think they can achieve right before they make the important decisions of the UN treaty. Right now most of them know the science of 350ppm, but they don't think it is politically possible. On October 24, we are going to show them that not only is 350 possible, but it is what everyone all over the world is demanding they do
Also, October 24 is United Nations Day. We are very pleased about this connection, because through our work, we hope to honor the work of the United Nations as an institution—it is truly the only global institution suitable to the task of a global climate agreement. We are actively working with the UN for the 24th.
With creative actions happening all over the globe, and photographs of those events appearing online, in the media, and on politicians' desks, we will change what these negotiators think they can achieve right before they make the important decisions of the UN treaty. Right now most of them know the science of 350ppm, but they don't think it is politically possible. On October 24, we are going to show them that not only is 350 possible, but it is what everyone all over the world is demanding they do
Clearest message that climate change is occurring
The Arctic is sending us perhaps the clearest message that climate change is occurring much more rapidly than scientists previously thought. In the summer of 2007, sea ice was roughly 39% below the summer average for 1979-2000, a loss of area equal to nearly five United Kingdoms. Many scientists now believe the Arctic will be completely ice free in the summertime between 2011 and 2015, some 80 years ahead of what scientists had predicted just a few years ago.
Welcome!
WELCOME TO OUR BLOG! We hope you enjoy everything we have been working on all semester! Take time to read the posts and especially the comments. If you still have questions feel free to contact any one of us! If something particular catches your attention, look into it.
Directly from the 350 website! www.350.org
"350 is the red line for human beings, the most important number on the planet. 350 the safe limit to of carbon dioxide in the world, and we need to make sure that our solutions to the climate crisis meet the 350 test.
We're planning an international campaign to unite the world around the number 350, and we need your help. The movement to spread that number needs to be beautiful, creative, and unstoppable. It needs to make sure we take the big, bold, and equitable steps needed to actually solve this crisis.
What we need most right now are on-the-ground examples for how to take the number 350 and drive it home: in art, in music, in political demonstrations, in any other way you can imagine. We don't have all the ideas and all the inspiration. We need you to act on yours.
Check out 350.org to get involved."
Directly from the 350 website! www.350.org
"350 is the red line for human beings, the most important number on the planet. 350 the safe limit to of carbon dioxide in the world, and we need to make sure that our solutions to the climate crisis meet the 350 test.
We're planning an international campaign to unite the world around the number 350, and we need your help. The movement to spread that number needs to be beautiful, creative, and unstoppable. It needs to make sure we take the big, bold, and equitable steps needed to actually solve this crisis.
What we need most right now are on-the-ground examples for how to take the number 350 and drive it home: in art, in music, in political demonstrations, in any other way you can imagine. We don't have all the ideas and all the inspiration. We need you to act on yours.
Check out 350.org to get involved."
Saturday, October 17, 2009
DRAFT Southwest Florida/Charlotte Harbor Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
http://www.chnep.org/projects/climate/CRE_VulnerabilityAssessment7-09.pdf
This document is HUGE!! but, I found it interesting. It's 317 pages, so I wouldn't expect anyone to actually sit down and read it. Here's the general idea:
The report basically analyzes the impacts of climate change on SWFL.
I browsed through it and it seems pretty interesting.
This document is HUGE!! but, I found it interesting. It's 317 pages, so I wouldn't expect anyone to actually sit down and read it. Here's the general idea:
The report basically analyzes the impacts of climate change on SWFL.
I browsed through it and it seems pretty interesting.
I think this political cartoon's message is very accurate to what our class witnessed in viewing An Inconvenient Truth. In Al Gore's attempt to popularize and share global warming, he pretty much shoves it in your face and "tries to hypnotize" you with all these exaggerated conclusions he makes through out the film. Watching Gore makes you think that all this incidents of global warming are happening and happening now.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Education Team
Hello Everyone!
This is Yesenia I am updating on my plans so far. I finally decided on my course of action for my presentation. I am planning to handout to the students a survey of before and after I present. In other words I will present the survey to the students and then I will show a powerpoint and a short video to the class. Once I finish my presentation, I will conclude my project by presenting the class with the same survey again. By doing so I will be able to analyze what changes I was able to make in their thoughts about global warming. Please send me some feedback in regards to the global warming video clip I sent out in my previous posts.
Thanks Everyone !
This is Yesenia I am updating on my plans so far. I finally decided on my course of action for my presentation. I am planning to handout to the students a survey of before and after I present. In other words I will present the survey to the students and then I will show a powerpoint and a short video to the class. Once I finish my presentation, I will conclude my project by presenting the class with the same survey again. By doing so I will be able to analyze what changes I was able to make in their thoughts about global warming. Please send me some feedback in regards to the global warming video clip I sent out in my previous posts.
Thanks Everyone !
Public notice video. . .
This video that I found isn't about education, and it does have information, but it is set up to be like a public awareness message. I thought that this did a great job capturing a viewer attention and motivating them to seek out more information. Also using the popular Blue Man Group helped to get people to watch the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snPdEl0Duoo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snPdEl0Duoo
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Global warming will have significant economic impacts on Florida coasts
Leading Florida-based scientific researchers released two new studies today, including a Florida State University report finding that climate change will cause significant impacts on Florida's coastlines and economy due to increased sea level rise.
A second study by researchers at Florida Atlantic University recommends that the state of Florida adopt a series of policy programs aimed at adapting to these large coastal and other impacts as a result of climate change. Key findings of the FAU report were included just this week by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's Climate and Energy Action Team when it adopted the "Adaptation" section of its final report.
"The impacts of climate change on Florida's coasts and on our economy will be substantial, persistent and long-term, even under our conservative estimates," said Julie Harrington, director of the Center for Economic Forecasting and Analysis at FSU. "Should, as many models predict, sea level rise, and hurricane strength and other factors become more extreme, much greater economic impacts will occur along many parts of Florida's coast in this century."
The second new study, by researchers at FAU, focused on state adaptation policies needed as Florida faces the impacts of climate change.
"The goal of our study is to help the state of Florida adapt, in the most effective way possible, to climate change impacts that are now inevitable," said Jim Murley, director of Florida Atlantic University's Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions and leader of the study. "These approaches must be comprehensive and strategic, not piecemeal and episodic. Governor Crist and other leaders have rightly identified adapting to climate change as one of the state's greatest challenges -- we look forward to working with the state to protect our people, natural splendor, and economic livelihood. There is real work to be done."
This research was supported by a grant from the National Commission on Energy Policy, a project of the Bipartisan Policy Center.
About the FSU study:
This study uses current estimates of sea level rise from Florida State University's Beaches and Shores Resource Center and 2001 estimates from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to evaluate the effect of sea level rise on the six coastal counties. The results show projected trends in storm-surge flood return periods associated with hurricanes, damage costs associated with flooding from major storm events, and the value and area of land at risk.
Under the FSU study's estimates for sea level in Dade County, the value of land at risk totals $6.7 billion in 2080 (in 2005 dollars). (By comparison, using International Panel on Climate Change sea level estimates, the value of land at risk in Dade County ranges from $1 billion to $12.3 billion in 2080). The study also calculated the effect of storm surge and sea level rise on future damage costs, finding that if a storm like Hurricane Wilma from 2005 occurred in 2080, the cost to Dade alone would be from 12 percent to 31 percent higher (in 2005 constant dollars). While these findings do not account for adaptive strategies or potential future increases in property values, they still provide valuable information about potential impacts and resources that are put at risk from sea level rise.
About the FAU study:
Key findings of the report have been included by Gov. Crist's Climate and Energy Action Team as it adopted the "Adaptation" section of its final report this week in Tallahassee. Important findings from the FAU study call for major state environmental, growth management and public infrastructure decision-making processes to be adjusted so they are responsive to future climate change impacts.
"FAU will continue to research how Florida can be a leader in providing guidance to other states on how best to put in place workable solutions that will help communities adapt to future climate change impacts," Murley said.
"Storm events associated with certain levels of storm surge could increase in frequency in the future, due to sea level rise," Harrington said.
"As sea level rises, damage costs associated with extreme storm events increases significantly for the Florida counties examined in this study," she said.-Florida State University
A second study by researchers at Florida Atlantic University recommends that the state of Florida adopt a series of policy programs aimed at adapting to these large coastal and other impacts as a result of climate change. Key findings of the FAU report were included just this week by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's Climate and Energy Action Team when it adopted the "Adaptation" section of its final report.
"The impacts of climate change on Florida's coasts and on our economy will be substantial, persistent and long-term, even under our conservative estimates," said Julie Harrington, director of the Center for Economic Forecasting and Analysis at FSU. "Should, as many models predict, sea level rise, and hurricane strength and other factors become more extreme, much greater economic impacts will occur along many parts of Florida's coast in this century."
The second new study, by researchers at FAU, focused on state adaptation policies needed as Florida faces the impacts of climate change.
"The goal of our study is to help the state of Florida adapt, in the most effective way possible, to climate change impacts that are now inevitable," said Jim Murley, director of Florida Atlantic University's Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions and leader of the study. "These approaches must be comprehensive and strategic, not piecemeal and episodic. Governor Crist and other leaders have rightly identified adapting to climate change as one of the state's greatest challenges -- we look forward to working with the state to protect our people, natural splendor, and economic livelihood. There is real work to be done."
This research was supported by a grant from the National Commission on Energy Policy, a project of the Bipartisan Policy Center.
About the FSU study:
This study uses current estimates of sea level rise from Florida State University's Beaches and Shores Resource Center and 2001 estimates from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to evaluate the effect of sea level rise on the six coastal counties. The results show projected trends in storm-surge flood return periods associated with hurricanes, damage costs associated with flooding from major storm events, and the value and area of land at risk.
Under the FSU study's estimates for sea level in Dade County, the value of land at risk totals $6.7 billion in 2080 (in 2005 dollars). (By comparison, using International Panel on Climate Change sea level estimates, the value of land at risk in Dade County ranges from $1 billion to $12.3 billion in 2080). The study also calculated the effect of storm surge and sea level rise on future damage costs, finding that if a storm like Hurricane Wilma from 2005 occurred in 2080, the cost to Dade alone would be from 12 percent to 31 percent higher (in 2005 constant dollars). While these findings do not account for adaptive strategies or potential future increases in property values, they still provide valuable information about potential impacts and resources that are put at risk from sea level rise.
About the FAU study:
Key findings of the report have been included by Gov. Crist's Climate and Energy Action Team as it adopted the "Adaptation" section of its final report this week in Tallahassee. Important findings from the FAU study call for major state environmental, growth management and public infrastructure decision-making processes to be adjusted so they are responsive to future climate change impacts.
"FAU will continue to research how Florida can be a leader in providing guidance to other states on how best to put in place workable solutions that will help communities adapt to future climate change impacts," Murley said.
"Storm events associated with certain levels of storm surge could increase in frequency in the future, due to sea level rise," Harrington said.
"As sea level rises, damage costs associated with extreme storm events increases significantly for the Florida counties examined in this study," she said.-Florida State University
Swimming in a Sea of Acid
The image above shows how coral reefs may change from increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide coupled with increasing temperatures. Sigourney Weaver narrates the film on on this website http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sigourney-weaver/swimming-in-a-sea-of-acid_b_320994.html. It is an independent film called Acid Test and it explains the other threat our oceans are facing with increasing carbon dioxide. This threat is called ocean acidification and it has a lot of scientists freaked out! Many imperative organisms in the ocean are at risk from the increasing acidity. This film is only 20 minutes long and it really does a good job of explaining what scientists already know about this relatively new problem and what we can expect for the future of our oceans. Watch it!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
ANGRY TAXPAYERS UNITE!
Seems like not even us in SW FL can get out of feeling the consequences from abused environmental resources. Okechobee Lake has 3 times the normal nutrient levels allowed by the state. NOW the problem has to be fixed! I wonder who's going to pay for it?? The TAXPAYERS, which is anyone who has a job. JEEZ the TAXPAYERS are going to be mad about how their $ is being spent and will ask themselves who did this in the first place... the taxpayers did... oops... WE'LL STILL PUT UP A FIGHT!
ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT
New Educational Tools Found
Hey everyone,
I finally found a cute little on-line video that will serve as a great introduction to global warming for kids of all ages. This will not only be a good ice-breaker, but will also get the kids to think about the activities and there importance before hand, hopefully sparking some creative juices. I'm also hoping that this will intrigue the kids to explore the web-site on their own and get involved with a good cause. I expect that their reaction to the activities will be more productive and thought provoking with the use of this cartoon. I plan on showing episodes 1-4. If you want to check it out, here's the link:
http://globalwarmingkids.net/
-Stevie
I finally found a cute little on-line video that will serve as a great introduction to global warming for kids of all ages. This will not only be a good ice-breaker, but will also get the kids to think about the activities and there importance before hand, hopefully sparking some creative juices. I'm also hoping that this will intrigue the kids to explore the web-site on their own and get involved with a good cause. I expect that their reaction to the activities will be more productive and thought provoking with the use of this cartoon. I plan on showing episodes 1-4. If you want to check it out, here's the link:
http://globalwarmingkids.net/
-Stevie
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANTAGES OF RECYCLINGAccording to Weyerhaeuser's Environmental Savings, recycling one ton of paper saves:
17 trees
6953 gallons of water
462.57 gallons of oil
586.5 pounds of air pollution
3.06 cubic yards of landfill space
4077.45 KWhr of energy
"The Life of Litter. Decomposition Rate for Trash" Nemve E. Metropolitan Diary, New York Times. October 1, 2001
Paper -- 2.5 months
Orange Peel ---6 months
Milk Carton --5 years
Cigarette Butt -- 10-12 years
Plastic bag -- 10-20 years
Disposable diaper -- 75 years
Tin can -- 100 years
Beer can -- 200-500 years
Styrofoam -- Never (immortal)
The Eugene Weekly - Insatiable
* The average American planned to spend $800 on Christmas gifts in 1997 - almost three times what the average Vietnamese citizen earns in a year of labor.
* 96 percent of 8 to 12 year olds included a big screen TV in their holiday wish list for 1997. Nearly three-fourths of parents say they would like to reduce their children's TV watching.
* It takes an average of six months for a credit-card user to pay off holiday bills.
* The total U.S. Credit card debt is more than $450 billion and is growing at a rate twice that of wage increases. The number of personal bankruptcies has quadrupled in the last 15 years.
* Americans produce five million extra tons of trash each year between Thanksgiving and New Years Day.
* Compared to the 1950's, Americans are twice as rich, but less happy. The average American's buying power has doubled since the 1950s but in national surveys the number saying they were "very happy" declined from 35 to 30 percent.
* The U.S. has 6 percent of the world's population but consumes a third of the world's resources and produces a third of the world's toxic waste. U.S. per capita consumption has nearly doubled in the last two decades.
*Eighty-four percent of Americans would prefer a less materialistic holiday, but Christmas retail sales increased seven percent last year.
* Teenagers see 360,000 advertisements by the time they graduate from high school. There are more shopping centers in the U.S. than high schools.
* Two-thirds of Americans say they would be happier if they had more time to spend with family and friends. Only 15 percent say they'd be happier if they had nicer possessions.
* Nearly a third of Americans say they have voluntarily traded income for improvements in quality of life.
* Half of Americans would rather have more free time, even if it means less money.
* Americans now work about one month longer a year on average than they did two decades ago.
* Each day, the average American city-dweller consumes 150 gallons of water, 3.3 pounds of food and 15 pounds of fossil fuels and produces 120 gallons of sewage, 3.4 pounds of garbage and 1.3 pounds of pollutants.
* 82 percent of Americans agree that we buy and consume more than we need.
* 93 percent of American teenage girls say shopping is their favorite pastime.
Sources: Chicago Tribune, The Economist, E Magazine, Adbusters, Center for a New American Dream, New Roadmap, Merck Family Fund, U.S. News and World Report, Zero Population Growth, The Overworked American.
17 trees
6953 gallons of water
462.57 gallons of oil
586.5 pounds of air pollution
3.06 cubic yards of landfill space
4077.45 KWhr of energy
"The Life of Litter. Decomposition Rate for Trash" Nemve E. Metropolitan Diary, New York Times. October 1, 2001
Paper -- 2.5 months
Orange Peel ---6 months
Milk Carton --5 years
Cigarette Butt -- 10-12 years
Plastic bag -- 10-20 years
Disposable diaper -- 75 years
Tin can -- 100 years
Beer can -- 200-500 years
Styrofoam -- Never (immortal)
The Eugene Weekly - Insatiable
* The average American planned to spend $800 on Christmas gifts in 1997 - almost three times what the average Vietnamese citizen earns in a year of labor.
* 96 percent of 8 to 12 year olds included a big screen TV in their holiday wish list for 1997. Nearly three-fourths of parents say they would like to reduce their children's TV watching.
* It takes an average of six months for a credit-card user to pay off holiday bills.
* The total U.S. Credit card debt is more than $450 billion and is growing at a rate twice that of wage increases. The number of personal bankruptcies has quadrupled in the last 15 years.
* Americans produce five million extra tons of trash each year between Thanksgiving and New Years Day.
* Compared to the 1950's, Americans are twice as rich, but less happy. The average American's buying power has doubled since the 1950s but in national surveys the number saying they were "very happy" declined from 35 to 30 percent.
* The U.S. has 6 percent of the world's population but consumes a third of the world's resources and produces a third of the world's toxic waste. U.S. per capita consumption has nearly doubled in the last two decades.
*Eighty-four percent of Americans would prefer a less materialistic holiday, but Christmas retail sales increased seven percent last year.
* Teenagers see 360,000 advertisements by the time they graduate from high school. There are more shopping centers in the U.S. than high schools.
* Two-thirds of Americans say they would be happier if they had more time to spend with family and friends. Only 15 percent say they'd be happier if they had nicer possessions.
* Nearly a third of Americans say they have voluntarily traded income for improvements in quality of life.
* Half of Americans would rather have more free time, even if it means less money.
* Americans now work about one month longer a year on average than they did two decades ago.
* Each day, the average American city-dweller consumes 150 gallons of water, 3.3 pounds of food and 15 pounds of fossil fuels and produces 120 gallons of sewage, 3.4 pounds of garbage and 1.3 pounds of pollutants.
* 82 percent of Americans agree that we buy and consume more than we need.
* 93 percent of American teenage girls say shopping is their favorite pastime.
Sources: Chicago Tribune, The Economist, E Magazine, Adbusters, Center for a New American Dream, New Roadmap, Merck Family Fund, U.S. News and World Report, Zero Population Growth, The Overworked American.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
I thought everyone might find this article interesting.
Adding Lime To Seawater May Cut Carbon Dioxide Levels Back To Pre-industrial Levels
ScienceDaily (July 22, 2008) — Scientists say they have found a workable way of reducing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere by adding lime to seawater. And they think it has the potential to dramatically reverse CO2 accumulation in the atmosphere, reports Cath O'Driscoll in SCI's Chemistry & Industry magazine.
Shell is so impressed with the new approach that it is funding an investigation into its economic feasibility. 'We think it's a promising idea,' says Shell's Gilles Bertherin, a coordinator on the project. 'There are potentially huge environmental benefits from addressing climate change -- and adding calcium hydroxide to seawater will also mitigate the effects of ocean acidification, so it should have a positive impact on the marine environment.'
Adding lime to seawater increases alkalinity, boosting seawater's ability to absorb CO2 from air and reducing the tendency to release it back again.
However, the idea, which has been bandied about for years, was thought unworkable because of the expense of obtaining lime from limestone and the amount of CO2 released in the process.
Tim Kruger, a management consultant at London firm Corven is the brains behind the plan to resurrect the lime process. He argues that it could be made workable by locating it in regions that have a combination of low-cost 'stranded' energy considered too remote to be economically viable to exploit -- like flared natural gas or solar energy in deserts -- and that are rich in limestone, making it feasible for calcination to take place on site.
Kruger says: 'There are many such places -- for example, Australia's Nullarbor Plain would be a prime location for this process, as it has 10 000km3 of limestone and soaks up roughly 20MJ/m2 of solar irradiation every day.'
The process of making lime generates CO2, but adding the lime to seawater absorbs almost twice as much CO2. The overall process is therefore 'carbon negative'.
'This process has the potential to reverse the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere. It would be possible to reduce CO2 to pre-industrial levels,' Kruger says.
And Professor Klaus Lackner, a researcher in the field from Columbia University, says: 'The theoretical CO2 balance is roughly right...it is certainly worth thinking through carefully.'
The oceans are already the world's largest carbon sink, absorbing 2bn tonnes of carbon every year. Increasing absorption ability by just a few percent could dramatically increase CO2 uptake from the atmosphere.
This project is being developed in an open source manner. Further information is available at http://www.cquestrate.com.
I found this article to be quite interesting. It might be a possible idea for some of the groups to furthur investigate.
ScienceDaily (July 22, 2008) — Scientists say they have found a workable way of reducing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere by adding lime to seawater. And they think it has the potential to dramatically reverse CO2 accumulation in the atmosphere, reports Cath O'Driscoll in SCI's Chemistry & Industry magazine.
Shell is so impressed with the new approach that it is funding an investigation into its economic feasibility. 'We think it's a promising idea,' says Shell's Gilles Bertherin, a coordinator on the project. 'There are potentially huge environmental benefits from addressing climate change -- and adding calcium hydroxide to seawater will also mitigate the effects of ocean acidification, so it should have a positive impact on the marine environment.'
Adding lime to seawater increases alkalinity, boosting seawater's ability to absorb CO2 from air and reducing the tendency to release it back again.
However, the idea, which has been bandied about for years, was thought unworkable because of the expense of obtaining lime from limestone and the amount of CO2 released in the process.
Tim Kruger, a management consultant at London firm Corven is the brains behind the plan to resurrect the lime process. He argues that it could be made workable by locating it in regions that have a combination of low-cost 'stranded' energy considered too remote to be economically viable to exploit -- like flared natural gas or solar energy in deserts -- and that are rich in limestone, making it feasible for calcination to take place on site.
Kruger says: 'There are many such places -- for example, Australia's Nullarbor Plain would be a prime location for this process, as it has 10 000km3 of limestone and soaks up roughly 20MJ/m2 of solar irradiation every day.'
The process of making lime generates CO2, but adding the lime to seawater absorbs almost twice as much CO2. The overall process is therefore 'carbon negative'.
'This process has the potential to reverse the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere. It would be possible to reduce CO2 to pre-industrial levels,' Kruger says.
And Professor Klaus Lackner, a researcher in the field from Columbia University, says: 'The theoretical CO2 balance is roughly right...it is certainly worth thinking through carefully.'
The oceans are already the world's largest carbon sink, absorbing 2bn tonnes of carbon every year. Increasing absorption ability by just a few percent could dramatically increase CO2 uptake from the atmosphere.
This project is being developed in an open source manner. Further information is available at http://www.cquestrate.com.
I found this article to be quite interesting. It might be a possible idea for some of the groups to furthur investigate.
Alternative Energy Revolution
This comic from xkcd.com puts the issue lightly, presenting it in a humorous way. But I feel that it symbolizes the opinion of the general public when it comes to alternative energy. We still don't trust any of the alternative energy sources that are out there enough to let them replace or current fossil and natural gas fuels. However at some point we will need to face up to reality. With energy demand expected to rise through 2030, we need to get serious before we exhaust our already depleted supply of natural resources. If alternative energy is going to work anywhere, it needs to work on a small scale first, and a college campus like FGCU, is the perfect place to start an alternative energy revolution.
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Education Climate Wedges
I found this site to be packed with information that can be used on a educational basis in classrooms around the globe. For people who learn by hands on activities the wedges are a great way to physically show what our emissions are doing to the planet as well as what we can do to reverse the problem. The site details 15 strategies for imporving efficency and decreasing our emissions. If we can improve on these strategies and spread the word around, we may be able to begin to curve the problem of global warming. Check out this site it is full of great information and explains the wedge theory in more detail.
www.aaas.org/news/press_room/climate_change/mtg_200702/wegde_concept_teacher_guide.pdf
www.aaas.org/news/press_room/climate_change/mtg_200702/wegde_concept_teacher_guide.pdf
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Education Group
Hello Everyone,
This is Yesenia again, I wanted to get a few comments on this short video clip I got from you tube. I was thinking of adding it at the begining of my presentation, before I introduced a short 10 questions survey to the students. I thought it would get them thinking about what is actually causing climate change.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDIP71Lviys&feature=related
Please let me know what you think.
This is Yesenia again, I wanted to get a few comments on this short video clip I got from you tube. I was thinking of adding it at the begining of my presentation, before I introduced a short 10 questions survey to the students. I thought it would get them thinking about what is actually causing climate change.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDIP71Lviys&feature=related
Please let me know what you think.
Education Program Group
Hello Everyone,
For my education presentation I will be presenting to high school students in the Naples area. My goal is to better inform them of the true potentials of global warming in an interesting way. I am looking for suggestions. I am currently working on a powerpoint that I will post in a few days, however, I was just wondering if anyone knew of any good cartoons or graphics I could use in my presentation, keep in mind these are high school seniors and I want to try to keep them interested in my presentation. Thanks
For my education presentation I will be presenting to high school students in the Naples area. My goal is to better inform them of the true potentials of global warming in an interesting way. I am looking for suggestions. I am currently working on a powerpoint that I will post in a few days, however, I was just wondering if anyone knew of any good cartoons or graphics I could use in my presentation, keep in mind these are high school seniors and I want to try to keep them interested in my presentation. Thanks
Need Service Learning hours but want to earn them by actually making a difference here on campus? On October 24th, students around FGCU will participate in a worldwide celebration to create awareness for lowering our carbon dioxide emissions from 385.92 ppm to 350 ppm. Our main event on campus will be to plant a goal of 350 cypress trees between the rec fields and the lake by the library. Be prepared to get dirty. The event starts at 8am at the rec fields and will go until we have planted all the trees. If you are interested please email Tanheya Small at tnsmall@eagle.fgcu.edu.
24 OCTOBER 2009
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION
Help us to remake the world!
Join us in planting trees on the FGCU campus to help lower carbon emissions in the atmosphere!
Starting @ 8am, by the Recreation Field
Contact: Tanheya Small @ tnsmall@eagle.fgcu.edu
…Because together we can make a difference!
24 OCTOBER 2009
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION
Help us to remake the world!
Join us in planting trees on the FGCU campus to help lower carbon emissions in the atmosphere!
Starting @ 8am, by the Recreation Field
Contact: Tanheya Small @ tnsmall@eagle.fgcu.edu
…Because together we can make a difference!
LEED Certifications
LEED points are awarded on a 100-point scale, and credits are weighted to reflect their potential environmental impacts. Additionally, 10 bonus credits are available. A project must satisfy all prerequisites and earn a minimum number of points to be certified.
The categories and possible points are:
Sustainable Sites: 21 points
Water Efficiency: 11
Energy and Atmosphere: 37
Materials and Resources: 14
Indoor Environmental Quality: 17
Bonus points are awarded for Innovation in Design worth 6 possible points and Regional Priority worth 4 points.
40 points are necessary in order to gain certification, however there are additional rankings according to how many points:
Silver: 50+ points
Gold: 60+ points
Platinum: 80+ points
Friday, October 9, 2009
Life without plastic
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I found this website- www.lifewithoutplastic.com that talks about our dependence on plastics and alternatives we could use in our everyday lives. It also talks about the dangers of using so much plastic because of the toxins in it. Here is a summary of what I found on this site: Plastics are becoming a prominant problem environmentally because most plastics are made of a non- renewable resource petroleum. Plastic packaging – especially the ubiquitous plastic bag – is an enormous source of landfill waste and is regularly eaten by numerous marine and land animals, to fatal consequences.
Not only are plastics a danger to the marine and terrestrial animals but also to our own health. The most disturbing of these are hormone (endocrine) disrupters, such as Bisphenol A (BPA), which can stimulate the growth of cancer cells. Exposure to BPA at a young age can cause genetic damage, and BPA has been linked to recurrent miscarriage in women. The manufacture of plastic, as well as its destruction by incineration, pollutes air, land and water and exposes workers to toxic chemicals, including carcinogens. The evidence of health risks from certain plastics is increasingly appearing in established, peer-reviewed scientific journals.
This site also give a description of the different types of plastics and the toxins associated with them. You can also purchase alternative products to plastic on the website. Check it out!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
Education and Research
"Established on the verge of the 21st century, Florida Gulf Coast University is located in Southwest Florida on 760 acres, almost half of which is jurisdictional wetland. FGCU continuously pursues academic excellence, practices and promotes environmental sustainability, embraces diversity, nurtures community partnerships, values public service, encourages civic responsibility, cultivates habits of lifelong learning, and keeps the advancement of knowledge and pursuit of truth as noble ideals at the heart of the University’s purpose.
Our university-wide learning outcomes include that all students will develop "an ecological perspective" and “community awareness and involvement.” FGCU’s Colloquium is an interdisciplinary environmental education course designed to explore the concept of sustainability as it relates to a variety of considerations and forces in Southwest Florida that all FGCU students must complete, and in which faculty from all five colleges are involved. Florida Gulf Coast University’s Students are not only introduced to FGCU values, they participate in them.
The Colloquium course goals are: to provide a sense of place and an understanding of the unique ecological features of the Southwest Florida environment; to assist in achieving the Florida Gulf Coast University learning goal of developing "an ecological perspective" and in teaching the related outcomes that the student will "..know the issues related to economic, social, and ecological sustainability, analyze and evaluate ecological issues locally and globally, participate in collaborative projects requiring awareness and/or analysis of ecological and environmental issues;" to provide experiences to assist in moving toward achieving the eight other FGCU learning goals and their related outcomes; to enable a working understanding of sustainability, of environmental education, and of ecological literacy.
The FGCU Center for Environmental and Sustainability Education works toward realizing the dream of a sustainable and peaceful future for Earth through scholarship, education, and action. The Center maintains an active scholarly agenda providing professional development for educators in environmental education and education for sustainability, including philosophical research and curriculum and program development. Much of the Center’s research and writing is in the field of Earth Charter scholarship.
FGCU’s Coastal Watershed Institute has attracted external funding for both research and education and has received national recognition for implementing innovative teaching strategies. These efforts have resulted in the awarding of over $8 million in support of coastal watershed research and education in Florida. Institute faculty currently conducts research on the use of oysters and oyster-reef communities as indicators of ecosystem health and on the influence of changes in freshwater inflow on estuaries downstream. FGCU has also taken a leadership role in restoration coordination in Southwest Florida through its involvement with the Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration.
FGCU and Bangor University (UK) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop collaborative opportunities for student, faculty, and staff exchanges with a goal of offering joint programs in Natural/Ocean Science between both the institutions. Given the location of both universities, the varied climate (sub-tropical vs. temperate) and coastal zones (e.g. sandy beach/mangrove coast vs. rocky coasts), the collaboration will enhance educational and research opportunities for students and faculty.
Campus Operations
Our thermal ice storage system makes ice during off-peak period. Ice is then melted and distributed to cool campus buildings via underground insulated water lines. This saves FGCU in excess of $200,000 per year in utility costs. Building mechanical equipment cycles off during off hours, weekends, and low use periods to save energy use and equipment wear and tear.
Energy Star appliances are purchased are when available. Computing Services specifies computers for purchase that are certified Gold in the EPA EPEAT program. All paper purchases must be 100% recycled paper. Campus copier fleet comprises multifunction machines which serve as copier, printer, and fax machines - reducing the energy inefficiency of individual machines or desktop printers.
The academic building now under construction is designed to meet LEEDS Silver certification standards. This is especially challenging since this is primarily a laboratory and research building and does not easily lend itself to green design features.
The architecture of campus buildings reflect the sub-tropical climate providing shade for occupants in or near buildings through covered walkways, broad roof overhangs, light colored exterior walls, tinted exterior building windows to reduce solar heat gain to the interior of buildings, and well-insulated roofs. Most occupied building spaces have direct line of sight vision to a window. Campus buildings allow for air movement by utilizing exterior courtyards; ducted fresh-air ventilation; and mechanical air-conditioning with individual or suite control to maximize user-managed energy efficiency. Building construction utilizes durable construction materials and contemporary technology, which have lead to economy, efficiency, and favorable life-cycle cost analysis in the use of buildings. The building designs incorporate standards for the buildings to withstand intensity of the sun, hurricane strength winds and excessive rainfall during some seasons.
There is zero exposure of building occupants to environmental tobacco smoke by prohibition of smoking in the buildings, and limited exposure outside of buildings due to restricted areas for smoking.
Exotic trees and shrubs are cleared by hand to retain part of the ecosystem rather than clearing and replanting. After cutting down the exotic trees, they are ground into mulch for use around campus. The campus has a tree nursery with native pine and cypress for use in reforestation after removal of exotic species. Minimal or no irrigation used for plant material /landscape consists mainly of indigenous plants and trees. During construction, the extent of site disturbance including earthwork is limited to preserve existing vegetation. After the construction, sites are restored to their natural setting to the extent possible.
The University wildlife policy protects the safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors on the campus from hazardous wildlife, while minimizing the killing or relocation of naturally occurring wildlife.
A vegetarian meal option is available at every food service location for every meal, and cage free eggs are used in our campus dining facilities. Food products are sourced locally when possible. Use of solar powered trash compactors outside around campus compress student generated trash from food service operations reducing frequency of collection. These units are also wildlife proof.
Administration and Finance
Florida Gulf Coast University is currently building a 16-acre solar energy farm on campus. The 2 megawatt (MW) farm will turn solar energy into usable electrical energy for the campus. This 16-acre energy field will significantly reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources, save money, reduce our carbon footprint and serve as a model of environmental and ecological sustainability for our region, the state of Florida and the nation. This PV installation, together with the utilization of solar hot water systems on campus, will significantly advance FGCU's energy goals.
Paramount among its benefits is cost-savings. The solar energy field is projected to save the institution $22 million over a 30 year period. Its impact will be felt immediately as electrical cost will be reduced from 10.5 cents per kilo-watt hour to two cents per kilo-watt hour.
As a clean energy source, annually the solar energy field will prevent an estimated 9,000 pounds of nitrogen oxide, 14,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide and 5.1 million pounds of carbon dioxide from being introduced into our environment.
Given the rich resource of sunshine in Southwest Florida, the solar energy field is a pilot program designed to encourage and model the use of clean energy. On behalf of the state of Florida, FGCU will use this project to teach and conduct research into renewable energy sources to benefit K-12, the business community and the construction industry as well as the general public.
Other Administrative Services activities include the department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) hiring a sustainability coordinator to assist with inventory of our greenhouse gas emissions and for promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability on campus. EH&S also successfully launched an internet based ride-sharing program known as Ride2FGCU to promote alternative transportation among the campus community, a lighting study to determine if offices and classrooms are over lit, and an electrical study on campus vending machines. In addition, EH&S held various activities for FGCU bike week during Florida Bike Month to encourage bicycling among our faculty, staff and students. EH&S provided student government funded shower timers to approximately 800 students during FGCU’s Water Conservation Awareness Week. EH&S also holds a campus wide sustainability orientation for employees and students in the fall. The Physical Plant department is installing bottle filling spigots on existing water fountains and is launching an Eagles Love Tap Water campaign to reduce plastic bottle waste. Employees from across campus organized a well attended supply swap.
The University was selected as a beta test site for the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS). STARS is a voluntary, self-reporting framework for gauging relative progress toward sustainability for colleges and universities. The University is an institutional member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. The University is also an organizational member of the US Green Building Coalition, the organization that sponsors the LEED building certification. FGCU is a signatory to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, and is a member of the Leadership Circle for this organization."
I found this website and was interested to read what exactly our University is doing and the ideals that our school was found upon. My group's project is about the consequences of global warming and the expenses that it would take to relocate the campus. In order for us to successfully find out this information, we must do some research on our University's stance, goals, and background.
Education and Research
"Established on the verge of the 21st century, Florida Gulf Coast University is located in Southwest Florida on 760 acres, almost half of which is jurisdictional wetland. FGCU continuously pursues academic excellence, practices and promotes environmental sustainability, embraces diversity, nurtures community partnerships, values public service, encourages civic responsibility, cultivates habits of lifelong learning, and keeps the advancement of knowledge and pursuit of truth as noble ideals at the heart of the University’s purpose.
Our university-wide learning outcomes include that all students will develop "an ecological perspective" and “community awareness and involvement.” FGCU’s Colloquium is an interdisciplinary environmental education course designed to explore the concept of sustainability as it relates to a variety of considerations and forces in Southwest Florida that all FGCU students must complete, and in which faculty from all five colleges are involved. Florida Gulf Coast University’s Students are not only introduced to FGCU values, they participate in them.
The Colloquium course goals are: to provide a sense of place and an understanding of the unique ecological features of the Southwest Florida environment; to assist in achieving the Florida Gulf Coast University learning goal of developing "an ecological perspective" and in teaching the related outcomes that the student will "..know the issues related to economic, social, and ecological sustainability, analyze and evaluate ecological issues locally and globally, participate in collaborative projects requiring awareness and/or analysis of ecological and environmental issues;" to provide experiences to assist in moving toward achieving the eight other FGCU learning goals and their related outcomes; to enable a working understanding of sustainability, of environmental education, and of ecological literacy.
The FGCU Center for Environmental and Sustainability Education works toward realizing the dream of a sustainable and peaceful future for Earth through scholarship, education, and action. The Center maintains an active scholarly agenda providing professional development for educators in environmental education and education for sustainability, including philosophical research and curriculum and program development. Much of the Center’s research and writing is in the field of Earth Charter scholarship.
FGCU’s Coastal Watershed Institute has attracted external funding for both research and education and has received national recognition for implementing innovative teaching strategies. These efforts have resulted in the awarding of over $8 million in support of coastal watershed research and education in Florida. Institute faculty currently conducts research on the use of oysters and oyster-reef communities as indicators of ecosystem health and on the influence of changes in freshwater inflow on estuaries downstream. FGCU has also taken a leadership role in restoration coordination in Southwest Florida through its involvement with the Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration.
FGCU and Bangor University (UK) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop collaborative opportunities for student, faculty, and staff exchanges with a goal of offering joint programs in Natural/Ocean Science between both the institutions. Given the location of both universities, the varied climate (sub-tropical vs. temperate) and coastal zones (e.g. sandy beach/mangrove coast vs. rocky coasts), the collaboration will enhance educational and research opportunities for students and faculty.
Campus Operations
Our thermal ice storage system makes ice during off-peak period. Ice is then melted and distributed to cool campus buildings via underground insulated water lines. This saves FGCU in excess of $200,000 per year in utility costs. Building mechanical equipment cycles off during off hours, weekends, and low use periods to save energy use and equipment wear and tear.
Energy Star appliances are purchased are when available. Computing Services specifies computers for purchase that are certified Gold in the EPA EPEAT program. All paper purchases must be 100% recycled paper. Campus copier fleet comprises multifunction machines which serve as copier, printer, and fax machines - reducing the energy inefficiency of individual machines or desktop printers.
The academic building now under construction is designed to meet LEEDS Silver certification standards. This is especially challenging since this is primarily a laboratory and research building and does not easily lend itself to green design features.
The architecture of campus buildings reflect the sub-tropical climate providing shade for occupants in or near buildings through covered walkways, broad roof overhangs, light colored exterior walls, tinted exterior building windows to reduce solar heat gain to the interior of buildings, and well-insulated roofs. Most occupied building spaces have direct line of sight vision to a window. Campus buildings allow for air movement by utilizing exterior courtyards; ducted fresh-air ventilation; and mechanical air-conditioning with individual or suite control to maximize user-managed energy efficiency. Building construction utilizes durable construction materials and contemporary technology, which have lead to economy, efficiency, and favorable life-cycle cost analysis in the use of buildings. The building designs incorporate standards for the buildings to withstand intensity of the sun, hurricane strength winds and excessive rainfall during some seasons.
There is zero exposure of building occupants to environmental tobacco smoke by prohibition of smoking in the buildings, and limited exposure outside of buildings due to restricted areas for smoking.
Exotic trees and shrubs are cleared by hand to retain part of the ecosystem rather than clearing and replanting. After cutting down the exotic trees, they are ground into mulch for use around campus. The campus has a tree nursery with native pine and cypress for use in reforestation after removal of exotic species. Minimal or no irrigation used for plant material /landscape consists mainly of indigenous plants and trees. During construction, the extent of site disturbance including earthwork is limited to preserve existing vegetation. After the construction, sites are restored to their natural setting to the extent possible.
The University wildlife policy protects the safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors on the campus from hazardous wildlife, while minimizing the killing or relocation of naturally occurring wildlife.
A vegetarian meal option is available at every food service location for every meal, and cage free eggs are used in our campus dining facilities. Food products are sourced locally when possible. Use of solar powered trash compactors outside around campus compress student generated trash from food service operations reducing frequency of collection. These units are also wildlife proof.
Administration and Finance
Florida Gulf Coast University is currently building a 16-acre solar energy farm on campus. The 2 megawatt (MW) farm will turn solar energy into usable electrical energy for the campus. This 16-acre energy field will significantly reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources, save money, reduce our carbon footprint and serve as a model of environmental and ecological sustainability for our region, the state of Florida and the nation. This PV installation, together with the utilization of solar hot water systems on campus, will significantly advance FGCU's energy goals.
Paramount among its benefits is cost-savings. The solar energy field is projected to save the institution $22 million over a 30 year period. Its impact will be felt immediately as electrical cost will be reduced from 10.5 cents per kilo-watt hour to two cents per kilo-watt hour.
As a clean energy source, annually the solar energy field will prevent an estimated 9,000 pounds of nitrogen oxide, 14,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide and 5.1 million pounds of carbon dioxide from being introduced into our environment.
Given the rich resource of sunshine in Southwest Florida, the solar energy field is a pilot program designed to encourage and model the use of clean energy. On behalf of the state of Florida, FGCU will use this project to teach and conduct research into renewable energy sources to benefit K-12, the business community and the construction industry as well as the general public.
Other Administrative Services activities include the department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) hiring a sustainability coordinator to assist with inventory of our greenhouse gas emissions and for promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability on campus. EH&S also successfully launched an internet based ride-sharing program known as Ride2FGCU to promote alternative transportation among the campus community, a lighting study to determine if offices and classrooms are over lit, and an electrical study on campus vending machines. In addition, EH&S held various activities for FGCU bike week during Florida Bike Month to encourage bicycling among our faculty, staff and students. EH&S provided student government funded shower timers to approximately 800 students during FGCU’s Water Conservation Awareness Week. EH&S also holds a campus wide sustainability orientation for employees and students in the fall. The Physical Plant department is installing bottle filling spigots on existing water fountains and is launching an Eagles Love Tap Water campaign to reduce plastic bottle waste. Employees from across campus organized a well attended supply swap.
The University was selected as a beta test site for the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS). STARS is a voluntary, self-reporting framework for gauging relative progress toward sustainability for colleges and universities. The University is an institutional member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. The University is also an organizational member of the US Green Building Coalition, the organization that sponsors the LEED building certification. FGCU is a signatory to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, and is a member of the Leadership Circle for this organization."
I found this website and was interested to read what exactly our University is doing and the ideals that our school was found upon. My group's project is about the consequences of global warming and the expenses that it would take to relocate the campus. In order for us to successfully find out this information, we must do some research on our University's stance, goals, and background.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
- Interesting video this is a UK television Advertisment!
It's also very interesting to read some of the comments on the video. There are a ton of varying opionions. Here are a few I found:
"Wouldnt it be easier to let ppl die from floods and whatnot?"
"Climate change is natural.Think of the ice age...That happened NATURALLY. The earth goes through phases of warming and cooling."
"this is complete bull. Humans only exert 6 pentagrams (10^15) per year of co2 compared with ocean/volcanic/plants/respirat ion which exerts 423 pentagrams (10^15) per year."
"The carbon tax styled cap and trade will develop into a tax on all carbon expellers, meaning humans. Ie., The banks want to tax your ability to breathe. The private banks already tax the population illegally by turning them into fake corporations (IRS)."
"Global Climate Change is a wholly unreal. It was a nonexistant crisis concoted by the Club of Rome in writing in their 1972 publication, "Limits to Growth." It is merely an excuse to destroy industrial civilization and subject the populations of the world to great decrease. The Club of Rome states that the idea of a man-made global warming "Fit the Bill" as it had earlier been devised to convince countries that the earth was cooling. "
"climate change is happening rapidly, but we are not looking outside the picture, we will wait until the effects take place"
Ocean Energy Technology
I found this article when researching different alternative energy resources that we could be able to utilize in Florida, FAU received a grant a couple years back to research how to use the Gulf Stream as a renewable resource, I thought it was pretty interesting!
"The Center of Excellence in Ocean Energy Technology will address Florida's energy crisis by looking at South Florida's ocean currents, specifically the Gulf Stream (the most energy dense ocean current), as an abundant renewable energy source to meet not just Florida's power needs but also the world's power needs.
Florida's electricity consumption is estimated to increase by nearly 30 percent over the next 10 years. In-state energy production is less than one percent of consumption, leaving the state heavily reliant on imported sources of energy. Ocean-generated electricity would have a significant economic impact for Florida, creating more than 26,500 new Florida-based jobs, changing Florida from an energy importer to a leader in energy exports.
The Florida Center of Excellence in Ocean Energy Technology will be housed at FAU's SeaTech -- Institute for Oceans & Systems Engineering in Dania Beach, Florida. The Institute is part of FAU's Department of Ocean Engineering, located within the College of Engineering & Computer Science.
The six universities selected to receive a center of excellence include the University of South Florida, Florida Atlantic University, University of Florida (two centers), University of Central Florida and Florida State University."
Education Stand Point
To contribute my team and I are working to create a childrens book depicting the outcomes of not recycling, global warming, and what the children can do to help out the Earth. We are hoping that if the children see how global warming affects them personally the drive to help out will be started in them young. In this case it can also bring the message back home to their parents who may be interested in the new found subjuct in their kids.
All around we are trying to find facts that are not only truthful but also things that are happening right here in Florida so the kids can compare the book and their actual life. This way the effects are personal and can make the kids want to make a difference in their commuity.
Some research has been done, however trying to pick out a limited amount of facts to fit into a childrens book which makes sense in a chronological order is taking much more effort than was originally thought. Yet, the outlook seems promising and we will be sure to update on the research we find.
If you have any suggestings please feel free to inquire.
Thank you.
All around we are trying to find facts that are not only truthful but also things that are happening right here in Florida so the kids can compare the book and their actual life. This way the effects are personal and can make the kids want to make a difference in their commuity.
Some research has been done, however trying to pick out a limited amount of facts to fit into a childrens book which makes sense in a chronological order is taking much more effort than was originally thought. Yet, the outlook seems promising and we will be sure to update on the research we find.
If you have any suggestings please feel free to inquire.
Thank you.
I found this interesting article about how to reduce food waste on Earth911.com
Composting with worms, ewww!
Composting With Worms
Let worms eat your organic waste! They will happily turn it into some of the best fertilizer on earth – worm compost, otherwise known as “worm castings” or “vermicompost.” A fascinating, fun and easy way to recycle your organic kitchen wastes, vermiculture:
- Requires very little work
- Produces no offensive odors
- Helps plants thrive
Only a few things are needed to make good worm compost: a bin, bedding, worms and worm food. By following the steps listed below, you will learn to make, maintain and use your own worm compost.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
What we have so far..
Our group decided to go with education as the theme for our project. Our goal is to determine student knowledge of climate change on both the high school and collegiate levels through a survey; the survey will also provide students with factual information on the topic once they have completed it. We plan on surveying a sample of FGCU college students, and we have to contact a few local high schools to see if they'll allow us to survey their students. We then plan on comparing the results of the two sample groups to see if there is any difference in their knowledge of the topic. We also believe the survey will provide insight into what misconceptions currently exist about climate change within this age range. The survey will consist of ten questions in both multiple choice and true/false format. We used our quiz from class and web resources to come up with the questions last week. When the students finish taking the survey, we will provide them with the answers along with additional information about climate change. Educating the public about the many misconceptions surrounding climate change and providing them with actual facts is an important step toward finding a solution to the issues, which is why we chose this idea for our solutions project.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Skeptics Video
This is the video I was talking about in class! Check it out! It explores some of the skeptics beliefs about global warming. While it is knowledgeable to know about what climate change is and how it effects us it is also key to understand the arguments against our actions! The better we understand the doubt with climate change the better prepared we can be if someone questions our motives!
Coming along...
I am currently collecting recycled materials for my arts and crafts project for the home schooled kids in Naples. I am collecting bottle caps for lockets, old CD's and clothing for magnets, and paper products for masks. Anyone have any other ideas for arts and crafts projects made from recyclables? It's close to Halloween, so I would like to utilize that to get the children interested in the project. I'm also currently struggling with how to talk to these children about the importance of what they are doing in relation to climate change without scaring them. Any ideas?
-Stevie
-Stevie
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Dumptown Game
Welcome to Recycle City! I found this website that has a game called Dumptown where it is your job to become the City Manager and clean up the town. There are many different programs that can help you make this town a cleaner more sustainable place. When you first get to this website click around the city to see what has been done to make Recycle City a better place. For example when I clicked on the pet store it said they used shredded newspapers for the puppies to play in, giving old newspapers another use. There are a lot of interesting ways to clean up the city and recycle things you never thought you would be able to. This is a great interactive way to learn more about recycling and what you could do in your own town!
Solar Forest
The name is a bit misleading, but this so-called "solar-forest" is actually a layout design for solar panels that gathers energy and shades, protects and can even charge cars that have electric capability. This article from Alternative Energy News explains how it works. Something similar to this was initially considered here on campus. While the university did not elect to use it, I think it can still be a viable option if we decide to expand our green energy efforts and continue using solar as our primary source. Especially considering both the lack of space, both in terms of parking and usable land. I think something like this needs to be the next step we take towards becoming a green campus.
Green Buildings
LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. LEED is flexible enough to apply to all building types – commercial as well as residential. It works throughout the building lifecycle – design and construction, operations and maintenance, tenant fitout, and significant retrofit. And LEED for Neighborhood Development extends the benefits of LEED beyond the building footprint into the neighborhood it serves.
LEED buildings here at FGCU: AB7 and Biscane Hall
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