Entry #20: Final Impressions 7/16/2011

Knowing these things, my first thoughts about this class were why do I have to take a class that does not have anything to do with my major and that has no interest to me? I went into this class already having my presumptions about it. I took no particular interest in the subject. I thought that 10 weeks of this class would be a little too much when I found out I had to write papers. This class definitely had a bad rep from the beginning, hearing from students and my teammates that it was a waste of time and simply why do we have to take this class. This was a summer class that I thought was going to be hell, taking up a lot of my time and stressing me out, but my have the tables turned. Colloquium turned out not to be such a big deal after all even though each week the work started to get very repetitive and arduous at others. I found the content of the class to be helpful and intriguing. Going into it I don't think I would have recommend this class to anyone, however not only do I recommend this class, I also recommend professor Hoekenga because she took this class and made it work. Professor Hoekenga was a good teacher and made the experience well worth it and the content seem bearable. Overall though it was not bad at all, a lot of work though and my overall impression of being in Colloquium was completely different than I had initially anticipated. I learned a lot, more so than I could have, in my Environmental Science class. I found that our online discussions were more helpful to me, because I got to actually see other student’s ideas and opinions on the topics that we discussed. I much rather have a discussion, than learn from a text book or listen to professors’ lectures, “with the online environment, I interact without having to feel that all eyes are on me” and being a “visual and kinesthetic learner”, I much prefer to go on field trips. Overall, I enjoyed the discussions we had together and I am happy to have such knowledgeable, interesting and reflective classmates to share the experience with.

Entry #19: How Do Humans Contribute to the Greenhouse Effect? 7/14/2011

While the greenhouse effect is an essential environmental prerequisite for life on Earth, there really can be too much of a good thing. The problems begin when human activities distort and accelerate the natural process by creating more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere than are necessary to warm the planet to an ideal temperature.

1. Burning natural gas, coal and oil —including gasoline for automobile engines—raises the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

2. Some farming practices and land-use changes increase the levels of methane and nitrous oxide.

3. Many factories produce long-lasting industrial gases that do not occur naturally, yet contribute significantly to the enhanced greenhouse effect and “global warming” that is currently under way.

4. Deforestation also contributes to global warming. Trees use carbon dioxide and give off oxygen in its place, which helps to create the optimal balance of gases in the atmosphere. As more forests are logged for timber or cut down to make way for farming, however, there are fewer trees to perform this critical function.

a. One of the man-made causes of the Green House effect is deforestation. Deforestation increases the amount of carbon-di-oxide in the atmosphere. Also, due to the disappearance of trees, photosythesis cannot take place. Deforestation causes of the greenhouse effect. Deforestation is rampant today due to the increase in human civilisation. The levels of deforestation have increased by about nine percent in recent times. Also, the burning of wood causes it to decay,therefore releasing more carbon-dioxide into the atmosphere.

5. Population growth is another factor in global warming, because as more people use fossil fuels for heat, transportation and manufacturing the level of greenhouse gases continues to increase. As more farming occurs to feed millions of new people, more greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere.

a. With the increase in population, the needs and wants of the people increase. Therefore, this increases the manufacturing processes as well as the industry processes. This results in the increase of the release of industrial gases which catalyse the green house effect. The increase in population also results in the increase of agricultural processes. Most man-made machines, like the automobile also contribute to the green house effect.

b. Another man-made causes of the increase in the Green house effect due to the emission of such gases are any all electrical appliances. Even the humble refrigerator in the house emits gases which contribute to the Greenhouse effect. These gases are known as Chloroflourocarbons (CFCs) and are used in refrigerators, aerosol cans, some foaming agents in the packaging industry, fire extinguisher chemicals and cleaners used in the electronic industry. Some processes of the cement manufacturing industries also act as a cause towards the Greenhouse effect.

Entry #18: Colloquium has opened my eyes 7/12/2011

The Colloquium class really helped me realize how I am affecting the environment in my everyday life. I have been able to take a step back and think about my impact and how I need to change how I do certain things in my personal, academic, and future career. Before starting this class, I never considered the amount of energy I used in day to day activities or how much paper or other things (such as water) that I waste on a daily basis. As the class begun, I begin to look at nature a little differently; the fieldtrips were great because it allowed me to see how beautiful and precious nature is and that I have to take an active role to save it. It has been a long time since I really stop to look at nature and the habitats of plants and animals (I have not thought about this since Girl Scouts). Since I took the class online, I was in Georgia for most of the class where my mother now lives. She and I or my sister and I went on these fieldtrips and enjoyed nature. My family already recycles and does a lot of things to conserve energy. My mother is conscience of these things but she admits that she has only recently become more conscience of it due to the environmental impact; in the past she was more focused on it as a way to save money on bills. I am now shutting off my lights more, as well as unplugging electric outlets when they are not in use. I conserve water a lot more at home, especially when I wash the dishes and shower. I think about how much water I am actually wasting. I let it air-dry a lot more often instead of taking an hour to blow-dry my hair. In class, when I take notes, I used to always use only one side of the lined paper; now I use both sides or take notes using my computer. I also take online classes because I feel that taking them can help with the environment since students do not have to drive to class daily or take the shutter.

Entry #17: Conservation 20/20 7/11/2011

Looking over the website, I got a good sense of what 'Conservation 20/20' really means and stands for. It was started by a group of people that were worried that time was running out, in Lee County, to preserve our land, and they decided to make a big deal about it, which turned into a whole program. The main objectives of this plan is to protect and preserve natural wildlife habitat, as well as to protect and preserve water quality and supply. Two other main objectives include protecting developed lands from flooding, and providing resource-based recreation. This was my only opportunity seeing a Preserve through this program, but I would absolutely support using tax dollars for land preservation, given how important it is to preserve the land. I am currently not aware of other programs, but I do think that this act is a huge help, and they deserve all the support they can get.

Entry #16: Saving our Forest 7/08/2011

I read an article, "Saving forests one of the most efficient climate remedies: WWF Sweden," dated 2 years ago about how saving trees is better for the environment than carbon capturing and storage techniques. I find this article interesting because countries like Sweden are being persuaded by money in order to keep thier forests.

In the article there's an organization called REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Desegregation) that wants Sweden to keep its forests intact. REDD turned out to be fascinating because they want to encourage most countries to keep the trees, but they also want to make it worth the country's time, so that means money and more money! I think its all very interesting and complicated. REDD cant buy these forests, at least they probably can not pay Sweden what they are worth in development costs, so there needs to be a big sacrifice on the part of Sweden. I think keeping tress around is the best solution to carbon problems, and they say the trees soak up five times more carbon than the carbon capturing and storing process does. Even though trees are great, they are worth a lot of money, in other words their priceless. The trees themselves are worth quite a bit as lumber or furniture then the land that is under those trees can be built on by businesses, or used for farmland, or just about anything else. So there is a lot of money to be made in destroying forests, and almost none to be made in preserving them. I think that REDD is going to have their work cut out for them, and they are going to need a lot of money to try and convince some of these countries to keep their forests around. I think its a noble idea but I also think it sucks that thats what it have to come down to. I think some countries will get on board just because they care about the environment and they want to see this program succeed, but some countries will only get on board if there is money to be gained. As they say "Money make the world go round" and I'm a firm believer of that because that's all this world care about.

Entry #15: What I use Today 7/05/2011

Today I have used my:


Computer, to write my journals up

A Plastic Cup, it came in a plastic bage

My Clothes, came on hangers

TV, Came in nothing

Publix wings, came in card broad box

Sweet tea, came in a bottle, 1 gallon

Sweet rolls, came in a plastic box

Soap, Carees, came in a plastic tube

Paper plate, came in plastic paper package

Water (4), came in bottle


This is a list of things I have used since I got up (1pm-6pm) a 6 hour span. It shows the waste that this stuff have produced. I think recycling would help with the bottles, and I also recylced the plastiv bages, etc. Just using stuff again is good because then you don't create more waste.

Entry #14: Earth Carter 7/03/2011

After reading the Earth Charter, I found that although the idea behind it was positive, it was not as realistic as they thought it should've been. The idea behind the Earth Charter was that people will get along, there will be no descrimination, ect. Although certain issues such as these would make it a lot easier to live, there is no way that we can accomplish all of the issues it suggested, due to different people's viewes, and beliefs. It is quite unfourtunate, because if the Earth Charter could accomplish all of what it wanted to, our world would be near perfect. And there's no such thing as perfect. There would be no littering, everyone would care about the Earth, and that could eliminated some of the major problems that the world faces each day. I relate the ideas to a class discussion we had, on religion. Lets take religion as an example, a discussion on religion could go on for hours. Religion brings up a lot of debate, and usually people fall on one side of the fence or the other. People can say what they feel and others may feel the complete opposite. However, nobodys right or wrong, everyone just has different beliefs and opinions based on personal experience, and the way they were raised. Relating an issue such as religion, to the Earth Charter, I feel that there could be a few different ideas, both of which may be right, depending on who you ask, and that will lead to failure, since the Earth Charter gives only one main objective. I feel that although for communities as a whole, it may not be realistic, I think on an individual level, it would be a great concept for people to go off of, so that they can take each step into their own ideas, and personally become better people, in their own right, and without someone else having the ability to tell them that it is wrong, or that the Earth Charter meant something else. I think it is an excellent concept, but not one that we can totally rely on to better our World as a community.

Entry #13: FGCU 7/03/2011

I think our school does a good job of living up to the whole sustainability thing a.k.a "green" theme. I think building the school in the middle of a panther sanctuary, and destroying the swamp area around the school was an interesting idea though. The air conditioning system that uses ice is pretty efficient, and the solar panels that are up and running has been really good for energy, but at the cost of more trees and land was a bit much not mentioning the hug financial cost. I think the shuttles are a great idea to keep people from driving that live on campus even though we still have some people that still drive to campus but the fuel use is still cut down. I think the school is doing what it can with recycling on campus and at the dorms so that every thing does not get tossed in the dumpster. I think the school has a high goal with the sustainability aspect, but they are still a school. The school is much more greener then other schools, not just because it has less people than most schools but because they are actually implementing rules and policies that students need to follow. Their not quite totally there but I think that we may get there eventually. Because right now it seems like every good and sustainable thing we try to do is countered by something that isn't good for the environment with them trying their best to keep their promise that they made at the beginning of all this. That is just my personal opinion, people my have other opinions and concerns about the situation but for now this is what I think about what FGCU is trying to accomplish.

Entry #12: The Urban Experince "Fort Myers" 7/02/2011

For my last field trip I went to the historic part of downtown Fort Myers because I had to come back down for summer B term. It was interesting even through it was raining. I still got to see all sorts of things down there. I liked the statues; there were statues of Edison, Ford, Firestone, and Civil War guys. There was also this cool mural, and it looked like it was made up of tiles or something like that. It depicted the history of the Fort Myers area, it had civil war soldiers, a train, and a bunch of other historic figures and things. I saw the old post office are, now there are all sorts of restaurants and things in there, not just a post office anymore, and there is a hotel near it. The theatre is still in use, and people still put on performances and things, so that's pretty cool to see something like that still in use. We saw the courthouse too. I actually been in the court house a when I was in high school (2008) my senior year when we was runner ups in State's for basketball two years in a row. We all thought we was goning to be receiving a key to the city because we was the only team that did such a thing and boy was we wrong. But besides that disapointment, I thought it was pretty crazy that its made of some type of rock that's endangered and cant be used anymore. I think the rock must be made of some kind of coral or something, because that's what it looked like, and that's the one of the only explanations I can think of and plus it's close to the water so why not. Overall it was a good trip, we got to see historic buildings and statues, and I got to walk around downtown.

As far as my visit around Downtown Fort Myers, I had never experienced a day-time historical walk around this area nor any other area. I was pleaseantly surprised by all the neat landmarks, such as the two huge trees that are held up by a wire, to ensure that they do not fall down. Also, the buildings are so old and beautiful, even I, who has no interest in History, wanted to learn more about them. All of the small and unique little coffee houses, and restaurants made me want to come back and try out one day and I don't even drink coffee but I would like to try some of the restaurants and hopefully I enjoy them. Also I heard the night life is crazy and I'm looking forward to that one day. Over all the whole experince was something I did not expect and it's something I would do again and again!

Entry #11: Atlanta State Farmer's Market 6/19/2011

This market is considered one of the largest of its kind in the world (150 acres). It features a garden center, wholesale and retail activities, and is a major marketing hub and distribution point for fresh produce in the Southeast U.S. The Atlanta Market also has a restaurant, welcome center and USDA Federal-State office. You can find almost any seasonal fruit or vegetable here. Vegetables include tomatoes, corn, okra, avocados, beets, oranges, grapefruit, peppers, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, etc. There are also butchers, nurseries, and other products. Cars drive right up to the shops and produce is offloaded directly into the vehicles. Most shops sell in large quantities. They want to sell a minimum of a basket or bushel.



The City of Forest Park is utilizing a strategy of energizing a public private partnership to improve its economy by using the State Farmers Market as the cornerstone of an overall Livable Center revitalization effort. The goal is to encourage the Department of Agriculture, with a $3 -6 billion component of the Georgia economy, to grow the existing underutilized facilities in Forest Park into a full service agribusiness hub for the Southeast Region of the United States. This would create additional employment and business generators, strengthening retail, entertainment, office, and housing land use developments. Agribusiness interests in the state of Georgia would greatly benefit by having a full service economic, policy and distribution headquarters adjacent to Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport (HAIA). This location would bode well for expanded international import export to South America which would provide a direct monetary benefit to the state agricultural producers. Farmers throughout South Georgia, the constituency of the Department of Agriculture, would have a convenient business class passenger rail and people mover system networked to their state headquarters and to the airport. Implementation of the Livable Center has the potential to evolve into a multi billion mixed use facility that is nationally unique and an economic, engine self-sustaining for the state agriculture industry.



How can you become involved in finding solutions to feed the hungry?

I can educate myself about the condition of the poor, what life is like for one-third of the world’s population, and how socio-economic and political forces impact the quality of life in different parts of the world. I’ve considered joining a mailing list, where I can learn a lot from organizations monthly letter and quarterly Field Report. That would help me become an advocate. Then I can share what I’ve learned with friends and family. Also talk about the issues and solutions with my church and community. Thinking bigger... I would like to start supporting Feed the Hungry projects that I’m passionate about.

In you, opinion, is this activity sustainable? Explain.

Yes because it’s helping people in need without hurting while taking on a green mind set towards the environment.

What do we have to do to feed the one billion people? Or is this the solution? If not, what is?

Resolving world hunger by only increasing food production and not dealing with core causes of hunger such as poverty will not ease the circumstances that created poverty in the first place. Poorer counties need to be taught how to produce their own food so that they can reduce their reliance upon other counties to decrease starvation in their country. Like I stated in my paper, “In a world with so many technological advances being used to make our lives more comfortable by providing such luxuries as internet, cell phones and satellite television, it seems only reasonable that we would use the same technologies to assist us in providing for the needs of the world’s population. Providing food for the masses while stretching our natural resources are necessities if we are to survive.”

Extra, Extra read all about it:
Atlanta State Farmers Market Map:

Entry #10: "The cries of the earth" 6/17/2011

Why are these creatures so inconsiderate!?
Why is there trash in my home!?
Why are my children dieing and being cut down!?
Why are some of my pets endangered and others killed!?
Why do they continuously pour poisonous chemicals into me!?
Why I'm not appreciated!?
Why do I feel disrespected!?
Why is my home being over heated!?
Why is my water being polluted and contaminated!?
Why do those creatures take advantage of me!?
Why are they so selfish!?
Why I'm not being taken care of!?
Why do I awake up with an headache everyday!?
Why do I feel left out!?
Why can't they see my ways!?
Why is my air being polluted everyday!?
Why I'm being miss treated!?
Why do I feel so sick!?
Why is my soil being eroded and poisoned!?
Why is my temperature constantly changing!?
Why can't we both just get along!?
Why can't these creatures just live a green life!?
Why, Why, Why!?

Entry #9: RANDOM THOUGHTS 6/15/2011

The cost of living is so high that people have to choose from paying bills, paying for medication, or food. If people were unable to pay their hospital, either bill the doctor can transfer it to bill collectors or the government would pay for it. Most likely, the government would end up paying for it. Medicaid or Medicare will help pay part but the patient would have a co. payment. Even though some people do not have health care, the doctors cannot refuse their service. The reason why healthcare is so high in this situation is because their losing money. In addition, physicians are committing fraud and sending in false information about patients that they are not treating. That cause is running up millions of dollars. People are losing their jobs and therefore they cannot afford the insurance. They are also losing their benefits. Once the insurance goes up high, they cannot afford it. Health insurance companies are exaggerating their rate and after people are losing jobs its impossible to pay it. Therefore, people do not have the money to spend because of the recession.

The United States is known, as a wealthy nation, people still have trouble-affording healthcare. Our nation still has the highest cost of health care in the nation. Even though health care programs help to provide for the elderly, disabled, military service families and veterans, children, and the poor, and federal law ensures public access to emergency services regardless of ability to pay; however, a system of universal health care have not been put into action nation-wide. If drug-manufacturing companies lower, the price of drugs more people would be able to afford health care. Citizens of the United States pay hospitals and doctors much more than any country does when it comes to medicine. The prices of drug manufacturing companies and malpractice are driving up medical spending in the country. The house and the senate are in debate now trying to solve the problem about health insurance. They are working hard to solve the problem about which plan is best for the people of the United States of America because all citizens need to have health coverage.

Entry #8: The Greenhouse Effect 6/13/2011

Life on Earth is possible due in part to the natural greenhouse effect that keeps our planet warm enough to support life. The greenhouse effect is a natural effect that occurs when gases in Earth’s atmosphere traps heat. Earth’s atmosphere protects animal and plant life from a number of things, such as extreme hot or cold temperatures and harmful UV (ultra violet) rays from the sun. The atmosphere acts as a blanket that insulates us by keeping heat in and keeping the earth from freezing. Without this process, the earth would be nearly as cold as Mars, and life as we know it would not exist. Most greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere; however, human activities are changing the earth’s natural greenhouse effect. How do humans contribute to the green house effect? Human activities are adding tremendous amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere at a far greater rate than are necessary to warm the Earth to an ideal temperature.


In our highly industrialized world, these emissions have increased exponentially. These daily additions have begun significantly increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere thereby enhancing their shielding effect. These gases include carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbon, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and methane. The shielding effect causes the temperatures to be warmer than normal. The effects of these emissions on our atmosphere are having damaging long-term consequences.

For hundreds of years, tremendous amounts of greenhouse gases has been emitted into the atmosphere due to the burning of fossil fuels continuous use of oil and coal from power plants and gasoline for automobile engines results in the release of pollutants into the atmosphere. These fuels are used daily in industry, transportation, and residence. Everyday household items such as hairspray and aerosol cleaners also add to the pollution levels by increasing the amount of chlorofluorocarbons in the air. In addition, air conditioners and refrigerators also release enormous amounts of gas, even when they are not in use. The gases released from industry and homes remain in our atmosphere for long periods. The use of automobiles and other transportation such as ships, trains, and airplanes have also helped to speed up the effects of global warming. Many Americans go around driving big SUVs (sports utility vehicles) and other large cars. These different modes of transportation, regardless of whether they use petroleum or diesel fuel, create pollution that releases harmful gases into the atmosphere. This is considerable and growing evidence that these activities are altering and increasing the natural balance of the greenhouse effect and warming the earth’s atmosphere.

Humanity has come a long way throughout the years and with that, our planet we call Earth has taken a brutal beating. Many people do not believe that we are destroying Earth. Humans are part of the main reason for the excess amounts of pollution been released into the atmosphere. We all are aware that greenhouse gases are being emitted, but many of us do not make an effort to slow down the process by monitoring our contribution to the greenhouse effect. This greenhouse effect crisis is truly the result of The Tragedy of the Commons, just because no one owns the atmosphere; no one has a sufficient reason to take account of the change to the atmosphere caused by his or her release of carbon. In addition, carbon released has the same effect no matter where it happens. The question now becomes how do we reverse or better yet reduce the amount of emissions of greenhouse gases? I think the first step is that people need to realize that this is a major problem, and that we could have an impact on slowing down the greenhouse effect depending on our efforts. By performing simple tasks such as turning off lights, appliances, and electrical equipment when they are not in use, we can significantly reduce greenhouse emissions. Another step can be replacing trees that we cut down to make room for these new developments these are small steps that I feel most people can incorporate into their daily lives; I am doing my part what about you?

Entry #7: My Family Energy Intake 6/11/2011

In one day I can say that our A/C runs 24/7 besides the time when it cuts off because the house reaches the set temperature. I get up and fix breakfast like 3 times out the week however if I use the strove its gas so not much energy being used up there. However, my brother has an alarm clock in his bedroom that runs 24 hours a day. We all have cell phone charges that we use at night time for about 9 hours a night although I unplug mines every morning that still does not account for all the other chargers that’s are still plug in throughout the day. I used to leave mines plugged in until I found out that they continue to use electricity even after I’ve unplugged them from my phone. We have 7 rooms in this house and 5 out of the 7 have T.V’s that probably runs somewhere around 8 hours total a day from when we wake up until we go to sleep. I don’t turn on the lights as much especially if it’s not night, but my little brother loves to turn on lights which ever room he’s in even through my mom and him stay opening up the blinds during the day. Between all of us even when my older brother and his wife bring their clothes over to be washed the washer and dryer are constantly running throughout the week. As far as the dishes goes we often do the dishes by hand, rarely do we use the dash washer but it comes in handy around the holidays, what would usually take us 35 minutes to do now only take us 20 minutes. Do not get me started on the computers usage! We each have our own laptops however my second oldest brother has a laptop, an Ipad, and a desktop computer, talk about having the latest gadgets. Wow that’s a lot of energy been used! Over time I have learned new ways to scale back on energy usage and I think it’s about time I start sharing some of those tips to help me and my family cut down on our energy contributions.

Entry #6: A Scroll through the Neighborhood 6/10/2011

Although this hasn’t been my first official stroll in my neighborhood, as I walked down Tudor Way, besides all the beautiful houses and landscape, it was nice to actually have time to enjoy the fresh air and take in my surroundings. As I continued walking towards the back there were tons of trees that the wildlife could inhabit because houses have not yet been built in those places. From the street, some people had colorful flowers and others had mini trees and bushes that made up their landscape. It really made me wonder how many trees there were before they were tore down to build our homes although there’s a decent amount left in our backyards. But that’s only because some of our neighbors, including us, have not yet landscaped our backyards. I think my neighborhood is somewhat sustainable because we can only water the grass for a certain amount of time and we pay a homeowner association fee that forces us to keep up our yards and homes. I mean, I understand we have living demands, and I'm sure a lot of people, like myself, have trees in their backyard, but considering how many more trees there used to be for the wildlife, was astonishing. We have lived here going on 6 years now and I have seen major changes in the land and the wildlife in these past years. I think we can help become a sustainable neighborhood by implementing some rules and regulations aside from the homeowner association that make homeowners become more environmental friendly. For example, using biodegradable materials and lawn treatments without harsh chemicals, and maybe even have some solar panels to help balance out how much energy being used in the homes.

Entry #5: "Hunger is a result of Poverty" 6/09/2011

Poverty is just one of the main problems in our society today especially in developing countries. I think that the increase in population is one of the causes of poverty. When the population increases the resources in the country becomes less to feed the excess amount of people. Poverty is a problem that can be fixed if we all work together. It may also even be controlled if society came to the realization that increasing their family and not having the money or space for it is a big contribution, we should be careful about our family plans. Poverty is only getting worst and if we don’t do something about it, our country will continue to get worse over the years.

My transition to my paper:

Poverty is often over looked or missed in correlation to hunger. Hunger is a result of poverty. Producing more food is often sought as the more common and humane idea amongst many individuals to be able to solve world hunger. According to Josette Sheeran (2010) in her article, How to End Hunger, “food consumes up to 70 cents of every dollar earned.” People are starving not due to lack of accessibility of food, but because people simply cannot afford to buy food. While providing solutions to hunger using more efficient food production seems to be a noble endeavor, other problems lie in distribution, natural disasters, land ownership, recessions, inefficient use of land, and politics. Undertaking hunger directly by supplying additional generous contributions of food, or even finding ways to increase production, is only tackling the outer signs of poverty, not the core foundation. That is not to say that research to increasing food production should not be done, just that it should be recognized that the deeper problem of fighting the roots of poverty that causes hunger would allow better use of resources in the long term. Normal Borlaug, the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize winner, stated that, “Increasing food production, while necessary, is not sufficient alone to achieve food security . . . tens of millions need more food but do not have the purchasing power to buy it” (Sheeran, 2010). Resolving world hunger by only increasing food production and not dealing with core causes of hunger such as poverty will not ease the circumstances that created poverty in the first place. Poorer counties need to be taught how to produce their own food so that they can reduce their reliance upon other counties to decrease starvation in their country.

Entry #4: The World's Largest Aquarium 6/4/2011

"Georgia Aquarium features more animals than any other aquarium in more than eight million gallons of water. Through a path of more than sixty exhibits, the Aquarium tells a global water story, with features modeled after the greatest zoos and aquariums in the world. Each majestic exhibit is designed to inspire, entertain and educate."

About Georgia Aquarium

My Virtual tour:
One of the first exhibits as you enter the aquarium is the Georgia Explorer exhibit, geared especially towards children. It contained touch pools filled with horseshoe crabs, sharks, shrimps, sea stars and rays. The exhibits featured sea turtles and wildlife of Gray’s reef. It’s a children friendly environment with a whale slide and a whale theater. The second exhibit, River Scout was set up like I was floating on a rafter on a slow winding in the Chattahoochee River, featured an overhead river where I seen North American fish from the bottom up. It also displayed electric fish, piranha, etc. The third exhibit of the aquarium, Cold Water Quest, featured a diversity of animals (beluga whales, Japanese spider crabs, and African black-footed penguins) that are found in the rivers of Africa, South America, Asia and in Georgia. The fourth exhibit, Ocean Voyager, as I walked through the acrylic tunnel I found myself standing in front of this gigantic acrylic tank. I felt like a sea explorer in the bottom of the sea, mesmerized by hundreds of thousands of fish swimming over my head as the giant whale sharks and mantas circled overhead. This exhibit is designed to feature the life of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, and showcases the aquarium's whale sharks, as well as a 100 foot underwater tunnel and the world's second largest viewing window. The final exhibit takes an artistic turn, as the Tropical Diver exhibit features many curious and haunting forms of aquatic life, including a living reef with live coral. It was as though someone took vibrant colors and pastel paints and splashed it upon the creatures of the ocean creating a beautiful natural work of art similar to how an artist mix colors to create a work of art on a blank canvas. Being a former artist, I was in awe of the amazing color and especially like the jellyfish. Their translucent bodies that resemble a floating bubble were astonishing.

Comments: How did you feel after visiting the Georgia Aquarium?

"It makes me want to increase my efforts of protecting the environment."
Anonymous

"Each exhibit blew my socks off!"
Anonymous

"Wow, it was one of the most inspiring exhibits I ever been to."
Anonymous

"I was stun by the amount of sea creatures that are being protected in this lovely enivronment."
Anonymous

"I see dolphins, I see dolphins!"
Quin, nephew 2 years old

"When I saw all the beautiful animals, it made me feel bad about all the animals that are being hurt."
Edyah older sister

"It was an exciting experience it made me take on a better understanding and appreciation of the aquatic creatures. I would charish this moment forever."
Me

History:
Bernard (Bernie) Marcus, the aquarium’s founder, stated that the primary mission of the aquarium was to assist in the conservation of endangered species and environmental preservation of natural habitats for these animals and plants. The aquarium’s status as an attraction was secondary to conservation efforts but a logical secondary goal since educating people is key to ensuring the survival of our aquatic resources. Prior to opening as an attraction, the aquarium worked in conjunction with universities such as Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, and the University of Georgia in Athens to help save endangered species through education and research programs.

Since its opening in 2005, the aquarium has continued its research efforts in collaboration with other universities and research facilities around the world. They have saved whale sharks from the Yucatan Peninsula; beluga whales in Alaska; penguins from South Africa; manatees in Quintana Roo, Mexico; loggerhead sea turtles off the Georgia coast and spotted eagle rays in Sarasota, Florida.

The acquisition of the male Beluga whales, rescued from an inadequate environment, serves as a prime example of the type of conservation activities that the Aquarium loves to be involved with. The Aquarium has also saved hundreds of tarpons stranded in a tidal pool at Skidaway Island, off the coast of Georgia. Coral used in exhibits at the Aquarium is a manmade collaborative effort between Georgia Tech and the University of the South Pacific. The coral was created by suspending blocks of pumice over a reef near the Tagaqe village in Fiji for eight months so that seaweeds and reef invertebrates could establish colonies. The newest research initiative centers on the Bottlenose dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon and is a joint partnership with the government and Florida Atlantic University. Since these animals are good indicators of environmental health due to their permanent resident status in the lagoon and they are at the top of the food chain, the health of the dolphins can be monitored and used to identify potential pollution and emerging infectious diseases.

http://www.georgiaaquarium.org

The creatures of the deep blue:
Asian small clawed otter, Harbor seal, Rainbow runner, Sea Urchins, Beluga whale, Japanese Spider Crab, Rockfish, Spanish hogfish, Blacktip reef shark, King anglefish, Roughtail stringray, Spotted Ratfish, Blue tang surgeon fish, Longfin batfish, Sand Tiger shark, Urnate wobbegong, Catfish, Loggerhead sea turtle, Sea Anemones, Weedy Sea Dragons, Giant Pacific Octopus, Penguins, Sea otter, Wolf-eel, Great hammerhead shark, Potato grouper, Sea Stars, and Zebra shark.

Entry #3: "Ecological Footprint" 5/28/2011

What is an Ecological Foot print? According to Earth Day Network, “the Ecological Footprint is a resource accounting tool that measures how much biologically productive land and sea is used by a given population or activity, and compares this to how much land and sea is available.”

People impact the environment and our planet in many ways; understanding this goes beyond simple counts of how many people there are on the planet or in a given country.

If we truly want to live sustainably for generations to come, one needs to consider the environmental impact our lifestyle choices have on the Earth and its ecosystems. This becomes very important because each of us need and depends on many natural resources (e.g. air, water, land, minerals) to live, yet ironically, we continue our activities that reduce or damage these critical resources we need thereby making them unavailable in the future.


Being curious I took the ecological footprint quiz today to explore the amount of the earth's land, water and other resources required to produce the goods and services used by an average person in a particular country. After completion of the questions, the footprint calculated that everybody would need 4.8 Earths if everyone were to live like me.


My problem lays around the fact that I use up a lot of services (updating my cell phone and computer when it becomes outdated, riding in a car instead of taking the bus, etc.). The best feature about studying this human influences on the environment is it involves examining the way we use resources versus the availability of this resources over the long-term. On the flip side if we know and understand how we use resources, we can take steps and make adjustments to ensure that the resources we depend on will be available to us and for generations to come.

Entry #2: The truth about sustainability 5/26/2011

A good place to start when talking about sustainability is to define it. What does it mean to you as a human being? What does it mean to people in your community?

The most widely used definition of sustainable development is the one coined by the Brundtland Commission of the United Nations on March 20, 1987: “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Whereas the definition for sustainability from Merriam-Webster goes more in depth: “capable of being sustained” also “relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged” and “of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods”

Both definitions are great starting point. But for me they lack the ‘responsibility’ factor. We as humans are dependent on the earth, so it’s our duty to look after it. Together we will have a better life if we work together to take care of the environment. There should be an motivating element to the point I just want to get up and help the cause rather than just, we should do this because it’s a must. It shouldn’t sound demanding because who like being told what to do?

Ultimately, the definition of sustainability in your community needs to reflect the values, people, communities, wildlife, businesses, etc. Sustainability is a necessity in my opinion. I took the time to write my own definition, and this is what I ended up with:

Entry #1: Starr's Mill Park 5/21/2011

Starr’s Mill is a mill pond. It is basically a pond that in the past was used as a reservoir to power a water turbine mill for processing corn and gains for the local agricultural community. In 1991, Fayette County purchased the property and incorporated it into its water system. At the top of the dam is a pond that resembles a swamp and this pond was created by making a dam along Whitewater Creek. The land acts to retain the water by surrounding the pond at a higher elevation and as the water cascades down the dam the land slops down as well. The dam water falls into Whitewater creek and continues around a bend and goes under a bridge (that is Hwy 85) and continues to an unknown distance.




Starr's Mill Park freshwater marsh is found in an open area near stream/river. A freshwater marsh is a type of wetland that is submerged (surrounded) by water. It provides habitats for many different types of wild life such as ducks, birds, frogs, and fish. Marshes are usually low-lying areas around lakes, rivers and streams. Grassy vegetation usually thrives in the wet conditions and the surrounding grounds are higher and covered with trees and bushes. This area also provides a variety of food and shelter for local wildlife. They are very common at the mouths of rivers/streams and it formed in an area with mineral soil that drains very slowly. The freshwater marshes at Starr’s Mill Park looked between 2-6 feet deep and rich in minerals. The marsh receives its water flow from rain and from a water source like streams/rivers.




Another habitat that was identified was the pine forest that surrounds Starr Mill pond and stream. It acts as a buffer between the water habitats and the residential areas on one side and the highway on the other side. This area also creates another habitat for animals such as deer, small foxes, raccoons, birds and wild rabbits. The pine trees are abundant but are only one type of plant life that surrounds the Starr Mill’s pond. Small bushes and shrubbery blanket the area underneath the pine trees.

Streams are a body of water that is important to the water cycle. They provide for fish and wildlife migration. Smaller streams are known as brooks or creeks. Most streams receive their water from rain and snow. Starr’s Mill stream would be considers a perennial stream because it flows all year. Starr's Mile Park stream/river is shaped by soil, climate, and vegetation around its region and the slope of the landscape.

The relationship of how people interact with this environment is one of preservation. The site has not been designated as a historic landmark but it has also been purchased by the county’s water department so that it can be maintained and incorporated into the county’s water system. The site serves as a local park with hours from sun rise to sunset. The enhancements include lighting, trash cans, portable toilets, picnic tables and upkeep of the mill and building that houses the turbine equipment. Donations are used to maintain the mill. Local resident’s fish, photograph, picnic and hike on the trails that surround the area. It does not appear that the area has been adversely affected by people. The enhancements and designations that have been done by the county appear to help preserve nature and conserve the natural resources (water, plants and animals) in the area. I do not necessarily think that I would enhance anything or make any changes. In my opinion, more enhancements would make it more of an attraction and thereby causing more interruption of the natural habitat. I believe just enough has been done to keep it preserved and a place for people to enjoy nature yet maintaining its natural serenity.