24 Endangered Birds Gifted Their Own Hawaiian Island

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/09/24-endangered-birds-gifted-their-own-hawaiian-island.php?campaign=th_rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+treehuggersite+%28Treehugger%29

Picture: The endangered species, the Millerbird

Summary:
For numerous years now, the Millerbird has been on the brunk of extinction. Originally from an island off of Hawaii called Nihoa, these birds have an individual amount of only 600 birds. They have battled with droughts, fires, and foreign species threats throughout the past few years. The U.S fish an Wildlife Service and the American Bird Conservany realized that this species was going to die out and needed to be saved immediately. Thankfully, they came up with the idea of moving them to another remote island off of Hawaii, in hopes that the Millerbird will be able to repopulate. The birds are now living in their new home, and will be monitored for about a year.

Reaction:
I always am so sad to hear that a species is endangered, let alone extinct. I think that it is great that more and more organizations are saving so much of the dwindling species. I hope that this can continue for other species who are still on the endangered species list. I think that relocating the Millerbird is an excellent idea and I hope that they are successful and that their species will thrive again.

Questions:
1. Do you think that relocating these birds was a good idea?
2. Do you think it is unfair to other endangered species?
3. Are you interested in the topic of saving endangered species?
4. How do you think we can prevent the endangerment of animals?
5. Do you think that all of this time and money spent on relocating is worth it?

Why are the rainforests disappearing?

http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/2011/09/rainforests-disappearing/

Rainforests are an extremely valuable home for thousands of different species. They also produce many drugs used in advanced medicine. However, they are disappearing and it is the fault of humans. Most of the deforestation is done by farmers. They cut down a portion of rainforest to raise their cattle on. The rainforest though is self-sustaining, and when the trees are cut down it turns into a dry wasteland. Farmers then have to cut down more rainforest for their cattle. The rest of the deforestation comes from loggers who cut down trees to sell or trade. To make that even worse, they have to destroy more of the rainforest to build roads to take ttansport the logs out of the rainforest. Mining, agriculture, global warming, dams, and oil exploration also contribute to the destruction of the rainforests. The World Wildlife Federation says that in twenty years, two thirds of the world's rainforests could be destroyed.

I think that this is a huge problem. I think that Americans should ban or stop buying cattle grown on these farms. This is a shocking article. I knew that this was a problem, but I had no idea that it was this serious. If in twenty years, two thirds of the rainforests are really wiped out, that would have massive consequences for the whole world.

Questions

1. What is your reaction to this?

2. What do you think normal people should do about this?

3. What do you think nations should do about this?

4. Do you think that this problem can be related to any other environmental problems?

5. How do you think this can be stopped?

Innovators make a business of friendlier fracturing

http://fuelfix.com/blog/2011/08/15/innovators-make-a-business-of-friendlier-fracturing/

Flotek, a Houston based oil field supply company recently patented a new fracturing fluid aimed at reducing the potential for groundwater contamination. The new fluid replaces some toxic chemicals with extract from orange peels. The new fluid "sweetens" the controversial process of fracturing rock to extract natural gas by reducing contamination as well as leaving a citrus like scent in the air around the well. Although the cost of the new Flotek fluid is more than traditional fracturing fluids, it is being used more frequently as natural gas mining companies give in to pressure from environmental advocates to take steps to limit potentially negative environmental impacts of the process known as "fracking".

Reflection: I think that this is a great substitute. Not only is the oil becoming more environmental friendly, but it is also adding a sweet scent to make it more bearable! I think that it is completely worth the money because- hypothetically- if there were to be another oil spill, it would be cause less harm, potentially saving money on the clean up in the long run.

Questions:

1) Do you think it would be a good idea to keep researching and see if we could use more substitutes other than just oranges?

2) Is this worth spending all the extra money on? Do you think that it is really THAT important?

3) Would you prefer this oil over traditional oil? Why or why not?

ps... Sorry for posting so late, I got home way later from my game than I expected!!

A balloon the size of Wembley and the world's longest hose... can this stop global warming?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2037104/Global-warming-Can-balloon-size-Wembley-stadium-stop-it.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Picture: The picture shows the process and scientists predictions as to what will happen.

Summary: Scientists have noticed that when Volcanos shoot sulphate into the air while erupting, the climate in a very large area becomes cooler. That is the inspiration behind the giant balloon to prevent global warming. Different chemicals will fill the balloon at sea to hopefully reflect the sun's rays. Not allowing as many of the sun's rays to reach the earth will result in a cooler climate. The first smaller scale test will conducted soon to see if intact the sun's rays are reflected as much as the researchers conducting the experiment hope. Even if the tests show the results they want, the government may still be reluctant to go with a plan requiring at least ten of these large balloons. Others are also wary of its risks that could effect the ozone layer. The three year 1.6 million pound (about 2.5 million dollars) plan is still very early in its research, but its results could save us from global warming.

Opinion/Reflection: I think the research's results could be very helpful to how are climate is changing and maybe even slow the change. I am very wary about the risk however. If this plan were to pass it could very well increase the amount of Carbon. It could also lower the amount of rain fall. I fear this research while trying to fix one problem, could create many new problems. We have to decide if we feel it is worth the risks. In another sense the plan can be stopped at anytime. There are still many things to research.

Questions:

1) Do you feel the benefits are worth the risks?

2) If you were the government and the research was successful, would you approve the plan?

3) Do you have a problem with these chemicals being hoisted in the air?

4) What do you think the results of the research will show? Will it work or not?

5) Does the appearance of these balloons affect your opinion on the plan?

Scientists take first step towards creating 'inorganic life'
http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-09-scientists-inorganic-life.html

Picture: This picture is an example of the process of inorganic life

Summary:
The idea of creating inorganic cells is essentially to conctruct chemical cells that are actually alive. These cells will helo is learn about life on earth and new technology based on evolution. As well as these advances, the cells can also have electricity in them which can be used for medical treatments. This research will take many years, as it is only in its early stages, but if this research prevails, then our world's secrets will finally be revealed as well as advancing in the medical field.

Opinion/Reflection:
I think that all research towards inorganic cells is very interesting. However, this can be a very pricey experiment and how will we know if the outcome of these experiments are sucessful. Also, once we create inorganic life, what else can we do with the information? I think that this should be shared with the world to gain others' opinions.

Questions:
1- Why hasn't the media told the public about this research?
2-  Is this kind of research risky?
3- Will this cost a great amount of money for the government?
4- How can the rest of society use this information?
5- What kind of medical advances will this research provide?