ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
PHS 100A
WARNER PACIFIC COLLEGE
03-16-2011
Kenneth Sammy
In an effort to save the world from bad human being the governments of Countries such like America, created the EPA, in this political bureaucrats the government appointed unelected specialists to come up with ideas to save the environment and the world at large. These appointed gods of the earth who themselves do not have a clue as to how the earth got here and in the least, do not know how the earth is sustained, believe deep down in their hearts that somehow they can save the earth. So they set about doing just that, creating a hell for all life forms on the earth especially the human race. They predict the end of the world if their policies are not followed to the letter, and impose on the population heavy burdens in order to carry out their futile attempt to save the earth. For those who do not agree with their mandates which they have created through regulations are now the enemies of the earth, and suddenly criminal are created and the freedom to live as God created are now in question. Heavy penalties are place on any individual who they perceive are in violation of their godless, goofy rules and regulation.
The New Age preachers of doom believing that the earth is their mother, now arm to the teeth with rules, regulations and fines are in a fixed position to save their precious mama. Their gospel promises a better life at minimal cost as long as everyone bow down and worship at the feet of mother earth. We who live on the earth have been crying out to these gods of the new age making the point that we want the freedom to tend the earth, so it can bring forth its bountiful harvests to sustain us. Our voices are not heard, life itself and the cost of living are causing many to be under nourish and in deep financial death, while the cost of saving the earth weighs heavily on regular humans.
The cost to regular humans behavior are burdensome for us all, while regular humans suffer and wither away these gods of the earth are laughing as the go to their house of worship “the banks” where they drool over how great they are. In the article below, the Heritage Foundation did an analyst regarding the true cost of the regulations imposed on the population and their finding confirms what regular humans already know.
“Most pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act are trace compounds like ozone or mercury that are typically measured in parts per billion, so these threshold levels are sensible to distinguish de minimis contributors from significant ones. But carbon dioxide is not a trace compound, thus, existing Clean Air Act thresholds are ill suited. Background levels alone account for 275 parts per million, and even relatively small usage of fossil fuels could reach these thresholds. Thus, even the kitchen in a restaurant, the heating system in an apartment or office building, or the activities associated with running a farm could cause these and other entities -- potentially more than a million buildings, 200,000 manufacturing operations, and 20,000 farms -- to face substantial and unprecedented requirements. Churches, hospitals, schools, and government buildings could also be subjected to these requirements”.
“This type of industrial-strength EPA red tape that imposes an average of $125,000 in costs and takes 866 hours to complete could now be imposed, for the first time, on a million or more entities beyond the large power plants and factories that have traditionally already been regulated in this manner. Even more significant than the administrative costs is that all of these entities would be required to install costly technologies and operate under certain restrictions, as determined by EPA bureaucrats”.
“In sum, a host of complicated and redundant regulations could be applied to nearly every product, nearly every business, and nearly every building in America that uses fossil fuels. The ANPR, if finalized in anything near its current form, would create an environmental regulatory scheme more costly and intrusive than all the others combined”.
The Costs of the ANPR
“Either through legislation or regulation, efforts to reduce fossil fuel emissions will impose costs throughout the economy. For purposes of this analysis of the ANPR, the Heritage Foundation ignores the up-front administrative and compliance costs of imposing such an unprecedented crackdown both for regulated entities and for federal and state regulators. Heritage analysts instead assume the unlikely scenario of successful ANPR implementation and focus only on the cost of the rules in the form of higher energy costs”.
“The impact on the overall economy, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), is substantial. The cumulative GDP losses for 2010 to 2029 approach $7 trillion. Single-year losses exceed $600 billion in 2029, more than $5,000 per household. Job losses are expected to exceed 800,000 in some years, and exceed at least 500,000 from 2015 through 2026. Note that these are net job losses, after any jobs created by compliance with the regulations -- so-called green jobs -- are taken into account. Hardest-hit are manufacturing jobs, with losses approaching 3 million. Particularly vulnerable are jobs in durable manufacturing (28 percent job losses), machinery manufacturing (57 percent), textiles (27.6 percent), electrical equipment and appliances (22 percent), paper (36 percent), and plastics and rubber products (54 percent). It should be noted that since the EPA rule is unilateral and few other nations are likely to follow the U.S. lead, many of these manufacturing jobs will be outsourced overseas”.
In conclusion, the resent earthquake and tsunami in the Pacific is a tragedy whatever your position is on the environment, but for those of us who believe that God created the world, understands that He, at times remind us that he is still in control. No matter what the gods of this world says, and how much they insist that we do everything they say to save the earth, when the earth is good and ready to expand and grow, it will, without our help. A fire caused by lightening in a thick protected forested area would destroy trees, plants, animals, birds and reptiles, where would the gods of this world station themselves to protect the environment, the smoke will puff up into the atmosphere, and be the home for rain which will return to the earth and water the earth so it can produce new trees and shelter more animals. I remain on the Lord’s side on this issue. May “He” the creator and giver of all life, comfort the people of Japan during this period of history.
References
The Heritage Foundation: “The True Costs of EPA Global Warming Regulation” Published on November 24, 2008 by Ben Lieberman
www.masteringenvironmentalscience.com
Withgott, J., & Bennan, S. (2008). Environment: The Science Behind the Stories (4th
Ed.). New York. Pearson Benjamin Cummings. ISBN: 13: 978-0-321-71534--0
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Science and Western Culture by Kim Vess
Warner Pacific College
February 27,2011
Science Method is a formalized method for testing ideas with observations that involve
several assumptions and a more or less consistent series of interrelated steps (p.G-17). The
foundation of Western Culture is knowledge derived from reason. They both involve reality,
nature and human nature. The Western Culture can be referred to as advanced culture, because
its ideas and values promote the development and sustainment of advance civilization.
Scientific Method starts out asking a question about something someone observed. They
ask: How, When, What, Who, Which, Why and Where. The question needs to be about
something you can measure. The next thing you would have to do is write a hypothesis on the
subject, which is an educated guess. Next step would to test your hypothesis by doing
experiences. This takes several tests. A person needs to retest their experiment to make sure they
get the same results. They also need to make sure the tests are fair and consistent. The last step
would to analyze your data and draw a conclusion. If the test turns out true the person may want
to retest it in a different way to make sure it comes out the same. If the tests come out false then
a person would have to come up with another hypothesis and start over. At the end the person
will communicate their findings.
The Western Culture believes in science, they believe the truth is truth, ideals are ideals,
and values are values, and they don’t care where it comes from. Scientific method is founded by
William Whewells: who was from the Western Culture. The Western Culture was rediscovered
in Europe. This is where the foundation of Western Culture relates to the Scientific method. The
man responsible for the Scientific method is from the Western Culture. The Western Culture is
all for science, its continuing development led to the scientific revolution, the Enlightenment, the
Ameican revolution, the Industrial revolution and what is considered today as Modern
civilization.
According to Western Culture global reason is reality- or fact-based thought and
perception. In technical terms, it is the faculty that enables humans to gain objective knowledge
by organizing information from their senses into concepts according to the laws of logic.
Reason is based on the view that reality—the world we live in—is real, absolute,
universal, objective, complete in itself, and exists independent of and prior to the thoughts,
hopes, desires and prayers of anyone and everyone. Reason presupposes that reality is orderly
and stable, governed by causality and is, therefore, knowable and intelligible to the human mind.
Secularism and science stem from this view of reality.
I would characterize the Western Culture as people who want facts and proof. This is
why they are all about science. Science proves if something is true or not. The Western
Culture considers them as free, prosperous, modern and peaceful and that is pro-human
life. The pro-human life culture ( The Western Culture) believes they recognize what humans
need to survive, that is the vales of reason, individualism, happiness, rights and capitalism.
Places where Western Culture dominates has a life expectancy that is longer than other nations
where Western Cultures doesn’t dominate.
In Conclusion Western Culture and Scientific Method relates because the founder of the
Scientific Method lived in a Western Culture. Because of the beliefs that the Western Culture
have, science is part of their beliefs. They believe in truth and science can prove the truth of a
subject.
References
WithGott, J. Brennan, S. (2011) Environment, The scene behind the stories. Library of Congress Cataloging -in- Publication data 4th edition.
Western Culture Global (2009) What is Reason. Retrieved February 25, 2011 http://westerncultureglobal.org/knowledge-reason.htm
Western Culture Global (2009) What is Western Culture? Retrieved February 25, 2011
http://westerncultureglobal.org/what-is-western-culture.html
Science Buddies (2011) Steps of the Scientific Method. Retrieved February 27, 2011
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project
February 27,2011
Science Method is a formalized method for testing ideas with observations that involve
several assumptions and a more or less consistent series of interrelated steps (p.G-17). The
foundation of Western Culture is knowledge derived from reason. They both involve reality,
nature and human nature. The Western Culture can be referred to as advanced culture, because
its ideas and values promote the development and sustainment of advance civilization.
Scientific Method starts out asking a question about something someone observed. They
ask: How, When, What, Who, Which, Why and Where. The question needs to be about
something you can measure. The next thing you would have to do is write a hypothesis on the
subject, which is an educated guess. Next step would to test your hypothesis by doing
experiences. This takes several tests. A person needs to retest their experiment to make sure they
get the same results. They also need to make sure the tests are fair and consistent. The last step
would to analyze your data and draw a conclusion. If the test turns out true the person may want
to retest it in a different way to make sure it comes out the same. If the tests come out false then
a person would have to come up with another hypothesis and start over. At the end the person
will communicate their findings.
The Western Culture believes in science, they believe the truth is truth, ideals are ideals,
and values are values, and they don’t care where it comes from. Scientific method is founded by
William Whewells: who was from the Western Culture. The Western Culture was rediscovered
in Europe. This is where the foundation of Western Culture relates to the Scientific method. The
man responsible for the Scientific method is from the Western Culture. The Western Culture is
all for science, its continuing development led to the scientific revolution, the Enlightenment, the
Ameican revolution, the Industrial revolution and what is considered today as Modern
civilization.
According to Western Culture global reason is reality- or fact-based thought and
perception. In technical terms, it is the faculty that enables humans to gain objective knowledge
by organizing information from their senses into concepts according to the laws of logic.
Reason is based on the view that reality—the world we live in—is real, absolute,
universal, objective, complete in itself, and exists independent of and prior to the thoughts,
hopes, desires and prayers of anyone and everyone. Reason presupposes that reality is orderly
and stable, governed by causality and is, therefore, knowable and intelligible to the human mind.
Secularism and science stem from this view of reality.
I would characterize the Western Culture as people who want facts and proof. This is
why they are all about science. Science proves if something is true or not. The Western
Culture considers them as free, prosperous, modern and peaceful and that is pro-human
life. The pro-human life culture ( The Western Culture) believes they recognize what humans
need to survive, that is the vales of reason, individualism, happiness, rights and capitalism.
Places where Western Culture dominates has a life expectancy that is longer than other nations
where Western Cultures doesn’t dominate.
In Conclusion Western Culture and Scientific Method relates because the founder of the
Scientific Method lived in a Western Culture. Because of the beliefs that the Western Culture
have, science is part of their beliefs. They believe in truth and science can prove the truth of a
subject.
References
WithGott, J. Brennan, S. (2011) Environment, The scene behind the stories. Library of Congress Cataloging -in- Publication data 4th edition.
Western Culture Global (2009) What is Reason. Retrieved February 25, 2011 http://westerncultureglobal.org/knowledge-reason.htm
Western Culture Global (2009) What is Western Culture? Retrieved February 25, 2011
http://westerncultureglobal.org/what-is-western-culture.html
Science Buddies (2011) Steps of the Scientific Method. Retrieved February 27, 2011
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project
Friday, February 25, 2011
Heather Miles
Response Paper One
Love of Land
Earthkeeping
February 9, 2010
I walk out on the front porch of my mom and dad’s house and all I see is the neighboring farm land, cows grazing in the field, the surrounding trees and woods that shield the land we live on. I can see the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance and I can see my grandparents limestone house that was build in 1730. I can feel the cool breeze that flows from the mountains to the valley and I can smell the fresh cut grass. Life is good because it is quiet and I am free to roam, with space to spread out and be me. There is a huge oak tree sitting out front with a long rope tire swing attached to it. I love to swing on the tire. I feel free and safe swinging back and forth in the cool spring wind. I can run and scream and squeal with my sisters knowing that it is safe to do so.
I grew up with nature. My life was lived outdoors and the only time I came into the house was when my mother threatened to come out after me. I grew up with 400 acres of land. My grandpa, aka- paw-paw Bo, owns all the land. The land has been in his family for 8 generations. I would be the 10th generation. Land is very important to my family. “Land is the only thing in the world worth workin' for, worth fightin' for, worth dyin' for, because it's the only thing that lasts." (Gone with the Wind). That quote is what I have been raised on.
I want to try to explain how much land means to me, first, I am a southern farm girl. I was born and raised in the south. Us southerners have a pride for our possessions that is hard to explain, but the quote I used above explains that pride in better words then I could. Nature and my land go hand in hand. It is where I hid from my mom and dad when I was little and did something wrong. It is where I escaped to when I needed time alone. It was where I played civil war with my sisters. The land I grew up on means a lot to me.
I grew up in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains, the James River and the Potomac River. I grew up with fresh spring water from my paw-paw’s water supply which is a medium sized waterfall that is on his property. I used to play in the water when I was little and when I got married we took tons of pictures over at the creek where the waterfall is. I grew up taking trips up to the mountains with friends and family. I also grew up with outside bbq’s with family and church family. My family hunts, so in the fall and winter someone is always out hunting. My dad always taught us that we use as much as we can of the animal we kill. We do not waste. Many times when we were financially unable to buy food my dad hunted to provide us with meat and planted a garden and canned for the winter. He never wasted. He gave away what he wasn’t going to use so that he never wasted the things that the land provided for us.
There was a time in my adolescents where I hated being around my parents. The woods behind my house provided a safe place to be alone and think. Even now when I go home I love to go walk in the woods and just experience Gods creation. The trees provide a beautiful wall that allows no outside noises in. Because I live in the country, I have a profound respect of the quietness it provides. The city is so different when it’s sounds and loudness. The woods at home were always so quiet minus the sounds of pure nature.
People don’t seem to understand how important country life is. It seems like the whole world is on an Urbanization kick. The country provides so much more for the soul that a city cannot. Quiet, peace, relationship and respect for the land and ownership of something more than just material. It’s living, breathing and producing. If you take care of it, it will take care of you. People’s views are blurred. No one wants to work the land to get it to do what it was meant to do, provide for people. I think people view land and something to build concrete buildings on and it is not meant for that. I think land is meant to be cared for and loved. I feel like if the government paid the farmers and the people more to work the land that we have that the world would be a better place and the United States could go back to being producers instead of consumers.
Leopold makes a valid point that people need to have land ethics. He talks about the Mississippi Valley and what if people took lessons from the Natives there. The Native Americans had land ethics and I think we could still change as a world if we took note of how natives treated their land.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
A message from Jorge Melendez
Peace in Christ/Paz en Cristo,
In our society (culture), where instant gratification and extended credit thrive, we as a people have become inconveniently forgetful. Today, we can get most anything quickly if not instantly and because of this, we at times, forget the importance of patience and being consistent in our spiritual endeavors.
Sadly, this mentality of instant gratification and not thinking long term is so prevalent that it has influenced the “faith” of many people. Because of this I would like to remind you of Paul’s words found in Galatians 6:7-8,
7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
I understand how difficult faith can be and how easy the lack of faith is, especially when time is a factor. If today, you find yourself questioning any aspect of your faith, or you’re struggling with something, please hold on to prayer and don’t let go, don’t stop believing and don’t stop being faithful to God. It might seem that the instant gratification of your temptation is a much easier way to go but long term consequences heavily outweigh any short term gratification.
Brother/sister, I understand what it is to experience frustration, anger, impatience, sadness, etc. which is why I can also tell you that it will pass (Romans 5:3-5), just hold on to the LORD for he is faithful (Heb. 4:15). Don’t let go even thought it would seem that letting go would be easier. Prayer is the weapon of choice, use it with sincerity and don’t dismay.
This is why Paul reminded the Galatians of the importance of being faithful. For truly we cannot lie to God, he knows what we do and don’t do; he sees all and knows all. If you are struggling to stay spiritually alive, rely on the LORD he will give you strength in your weakest of days (2 Corinthians 12:10). But if you’re considering straying away from your faith please remember that for every action there is a reaction, therefore please hold on and don’t let go.
I would also suggest, if you are struggling, seek out consistently faithful and trustworthy believer(s) that can help you along the way with: prayer, fasting, and counsel. But make sure you pick wisely (Luke 6:39-40), for when it deals with something as important as spiritual counsel it must be from a good source.
I pray that all you do brings honor and glory to God and savior Jesus Christ.
Your brother in the faith,
Jorge Melendez
In our society (culture), where instant gratification and extended credit thrive, we as a people have become inconveniently forgetful. Today, we can get most anything quickly if not instantly and because of this, we at times, forget the importance of patience and being consistent in our spiritual endeavors.
Sadly, this mentality of instant gratification and not thinking long term is so prevalent that it has influenced the “faith” of many people. Because of this I would like to remind you of Paul’s words found in Galatians 6:7-8,
7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
I understand how difficult faith can be and how easy the lack of faith is, especially when time is a factor. If today, you find yourself questioning any aspect of your faith, or you’re struggling with something, please hold on to prayer and don’t let go, don’t stop believing and don’t stop being faithful to God. It might seem that the instant gratification of your temptation is a much easier way to go but long term consequences heavily outweigh any short term gratification.
Brother/sister, I understand what it is to experience frustration, anger, impatience, sadness, etc. which is why I can also tell you that it will pass (Romans 5:3-5), just hold on to the LORD for he is faithful (Heb. 4:15). Don’t let go even thought it would seem that letting go would be easier. Prayer is the weapon of choice, use it with sincerity and don’t dismay.
This is why Paul reminded the Galatians of the importance of being faithful. For truly we cannot lie to God, he knows what we do and don’t do; he sees all and knows all. If you are struggling to stay spiritually alive, rely on the LORD he will give you strength in your weakest of days (2 Corinthians 12:10). But if you’re considering straying away from your faith please remember that for every action there is a reaction, therefore please hold on and don’t let go.
I would also suggest, if you are struggling, seek out consistently faithful and trustworthy believer(s) that can help you along the way with: prayer, fasting, and counsel. But make sure you pick wisely (Luke 6:39-40), for when it deals with something as important as spiritual counsel it must be from a good source.
I pray that all you do brings honor and glory to God and savior Jesus Christ.
Your brother in the faith,
Jorge Melendez
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Blair Hardy's view on Mass Media and the Environment
Mass Media affect on Environmentalist:
A Cultural Influence
Blair Hardy
PHS 100A
Dr. Terrell
Warner Pacific
November 29th 2010
Mass Media affect on Environmentalist
A funny thing happened the other day when I was sharing some recently learned environmental information with my husband. We got onto a great discussion about the state of the earth and some possibilities that could come from the depletion of our natural resources. After awhile, my husband looked at me and said, “You’re not going to turn into one of those crazy environmentalists, are you?” Initially, I laughed and then I asked myself, why is having concern for the earth and wanting to change my family’s impact on the environment viewed as such a “crazy” act? Maybe being an environmentalist isn’t crazy; maybe not being one is. In the following paragraphs, I hope to elaborate on the negative impact main-stream media has had on the meaning of environmentalist.
There have been many times in my adult life that I have actively decided NOT to watch the news. Anymore local and national broadcasters report nothing but sad and depressing stories that are covered more for fear factor than for anything else, and stories on environmental findings are no different. “We get primarily negative news not because the journalists have evil intentions, but because the news media are placed in an incentive structure that makes it profitable to focus on negative occurrences” (Lomborg, 2001, p.41). To be attracted to negative situations is part of our human makeup. One could say, on average, more people slow down to look at a car crash than they do a scenic night sky. Humans are naturally drawn to negativity and mass media may be taking advantage of that; it is up to each individual to decipher what’s legitimate and what is not. “We must bear in mind that the stream of information we are receiving is unbalanced[;] we hear many negative and problematic stories every day that should not necessarily be taken at face value” (Lomborg, 2001, p.42). Mass media has become a much needed and widely used avenue for creating environmental awareness while assisting scientist with their intended agenda of manufacturing grants and funding to operate environmental studies. The dooms day approach is a great way to obtain grants but it’s also created a negative foreshadowing of any and all scientific reports and/or discoveries.
The complexity of what’s occurring across the world on an environmental level cannot always be easily translated in laymen’s terms.
“The communication and interpretation of science to the general public is achieved through a variety of media [.] It is understandable that environmentalists will want to maximize the exposure of science supporting their agenda. Unfortunately, the careful, measured language of science is not well suited to the sound bite sensationalism that is the typical mode of communication of most of the contemporary news media. The distortion of information that occurs as science is translated into the language of the popular media has led to accusations of press sensationalism” (Jepson, Ladle & Whittaker, 2005, p.231).
Sensationalism is a form of theatrical over-dramatization of news related issues; because environmentalists often use mainstream media to relay environmental findings their intended messages are often over-hyped for appeal. These repeated occurrences have had an adverse affect on environmentalists and the public their trying to reach. Many viewers have grown skeptical of environmentalist and their scientific findings, which is opposite of the change they’re trying to evoke.
In closing, it is common knowledge that mankind is having an adverse affect on the earth. It is also true that we, as a society, have the ability to change the size of our environmental footprint in the world. There are many everyday environmental changes that are needed to take place in our individual lives to maintain resources for our future generations. With that being said, one can only hope that environmentalist will be more adamant about presenting their findings in a less sensationalistic way, if not for the truth, for the integrity of science itself.
References
Jepson, P., Ladle, R.J. & Whittaker, R.J. (2005). Scientists and the media: the struggle for
legitimacy in climate change and conservation science. INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE
REVIEWS, vol. 30, no. 3, 231-240. Retrieved on December 8th, 2010 from
http://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/publications/downloads/jepson05-media.pdf.
Lomborg, B. (2001). The Skeptical Environmentalist: Measuring the real state of the world. New
York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved on December 8th, 2010 from
http://books.google.com/books?id=JuLko8USApwC&pg=PA41&lpg=PA41&dq=Media+negative+%22environmentalist%22&source=bl&ots=oQITmX0AHy&sig=ls7G9MTTdObP2islWPpjoyNQrM&hl=en&ei=qXQATYnLJJCisAP8vY2wCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Media%20negative%20%22environmentalist%22&f=false.
A Cultural Influence
Blair Hardy
PHS 100A
Dr. Terrell
Warner Pacific
November 29th 2010
Mass Media affect on Environmentalist
A funny thing happened the other day when I was sharing some recently learned environmental information with my husband. We got onto a great discussion about the state of the earth and some possibilities that could come from the depletion of our natural resources. After awhile, my husband looked at me and said, “You’re not going to turn into one of those crazy environmentalists, are you?” Initially, I laughed and then I asked myself, why is having concern for the earth and wanting to change my family’s impact on the environment viewed as such a “crazy” act? Maybe being an environmentalist isn’t crazy; maybe not being one is. In the following paragraphs, I hope to elaborate on the negative impact main-stream media has had on the meaning of environmentalist.
There have been many times in my adult life that I have actively decided NOT to watch the news. Anymore local and national broadcasters report nothing but sad and depressing stories that are covered more for fear factor than for anything else, and stories on environmental findings are no different. “We get primarily negative news not because the journalists have evil intentions, but because the news media are placed in an incentive structure that makes it profitable to focus on negative occurrences” (Lomborg, 2001, p.41). To be attracted to negative situations is part of our human makeup. One could say, on average, more people slow down to look at a car crash than they do a scenic night sky. Humans are naturally drawn to negativity and mass media may be taking advantage of that; it is up to each individual to decipher what’s legitimate and what is not. “We must bear in mind that the stream of information we are receiving is unbalanced[;] we hear many negative and problematic stories every day that should not necessarily be taken at face value” (Lomborg, 2001, p.42). Mass media has become a much needed and widely used avenue for creating environmental awareness while assisting scientist with their intended agenda of manufacturing grants and funding to operate environmental studies. The dooms day approach is a great way to obtain grants but it’s also created a negative foreshadowing of any and all scientific reports and/or discoveries.
The complexity of what’s occurring across the world on an environmental level cannot always be easily translated in laymen’s terms.
“The communication and interpretation of science to the general public is achieved through a variety of media [.] It is understandable that environmentalists will want to maximize the exposure of science supporting their agenda. Unfortunately, the careful, measured language of science is not well suited to the sound bite sensationalism that is the typical mode of communication of most of the contemporary news media. The distortion of information that occurs as science is translated into the language of the popular media has led to accusations of press sensationalism” (Jepson, Ladle & Whittaker, 2005, p.231).
Sensationalism is a form of theatrical over-dramatization of news related issues; because environmentalists often use mainstream media to relay environmental findings their intended messages are often over-hyped for appeal. These repeated occurrences have had an adverse affect on environmentalists and the public their trying to reach. Many viewers have grown skeptical of environmentalist and their scientific findings, which is opposite of the change they’re trying to evoke.
In closing, it is common knowledge that mankind is having an adverse affect on the earth. It is also true that we, as a society, have the ability to change the size of our environmental footprint in the world. There are many everyday environmental changes that are needed to take place in our individual lives to maintain resources for our future generations. With that being said, one can only hope that environmentalist will be more adamant about presenting their findings in a less sensationalistic way, if not for the truth, for the integrity of science itself.
References
Jepson, P., Ladle, R.J. & Whittaker, R.J. (2005). Scientists and the media: the struggle for
legitimacy in climate change and conservation science. INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE
REVIEWS, vol. 30, no. 3, 231-240. Retrieved on December 8th, 2010 from
http://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/publications/downloads/jepson05-media.pdf.
Lomborg, B. (2001). The Skeptical Environmentalist: Measuring the real state of the world. New
York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved on December 8th, 2010 from
http://books.google.com/books?id=JuLko8USApwC&pg=PA41&lpg=PA41&dq=Media+negative+%22environmentalist%22&source=bl&ots=oQITmX0AHy&sig=ls7G9MTTdObP2islWPpjoyNQrM&hl=en&ei=qXQATYnLJJCisAP8vY2wCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Media%20negative%20%22environmentalist%22&f=false.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Aimee Oman's view on Natural Resources
PHS 100 Environmental Studies
David Terrell Ph. D.
Warner Pacific College
December 9, 2010
When using natural resources it is important for us as a community to educate ourselves on what resources are available as well as the pros and cons of the different resources. Some natural resources that are available are air or wind, plants, animals, forestry, coal, soils, sun, and our water ways. As time goes by and we are using up one source it is becoming increasingly important for us to find new and creative way to create energy sources using other types of natural resources. Growing up in the 1980’s my family use to sale solar powered energy systems. At the time we were way ahead of the environmentally conscious community and the systems were too expensive for the average America to be able to purchase. However, many improvements have been made to make this natural resource more economic.
According to the website Alternative Energy News, “Solar power is produced by collecting sunlight and converting it into electricity. This is done by using solar panels, which are large flat panels made up of many individual solar cells. It is most often used in remote locations, although it is becoming more popular in urban areas as well.” In fact, even Wal-Mart is getting involved according to one of their articles. This website is full of useful information on many different natural resources and shares a lot of the most current information available. This website is just one of the tools that can be useful for our community to educate ourselves on natural resources.
The government’s involvement has impacted our lifestyle in many ways. For example, the majority of the states have enforced a litter law. Some states have fines while other states have possible jail time that can be enforced. In Oregon the fine is, “Class A misdemeanor. Fine not exceeding $6,250 or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both.” (NCSL, 2010) In establishing these fines, the government has reduced the amount of trash and helped to make our environment a friendlier, cleaner place. They have also played a major role in our parks and wildlife being maintained for us now as well as for our kids in the future. Without the US Forest service our parks would not be in the well maintained manner they are currently in. It would also make it so that they would not be sustained for our children to enjoy many years from now. Without the government we would not have laws such as the clean air act that regulates emissions and is helping to protect our ozone or the Clean Water Act that regulates pollutants in our waters.
It is important for us as a community to get involved and not simply wait until the government sets a mandate as to the different types of sources we are allowed to use. If we become more involved than we could possible stop the destruction before it happens. The easiest way for us to get involved is by being conscious of how we are using our resources. This includes conserving water, recycling when possible, and be generally conscious of the environment and our actions. While recycling bins are common in most schools and work places in Oregon I know that we are ahead of the curve when compared to the rest of the nation. If we all get involved we can help the government to accomplish the daunting task of preserving our environment and in turn our lives.
References
World Legal Directory (2010) Environmental and Natural Resources Law – US, Retrieved December 9, 2010 from http://www.hg.org/environ.html
National Conference of State Legislation (2010) States with Littering Penalties, Retrieved December 9, 2010 from http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=13215
Alternative Energy News (2010) Solar Power, Retrieved December 9, 2010 from http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/headlines
David Terrell Ph. D.
Warner Pacific College
December 9, 2010
When using natural resources it is important for us as a community to educate ourselves on what resources are available as well as the pros and cons of the different resources. Some natural resources that are available are air or wind, plants, animals, forestry, coal, soils, sun, and our water ways. As time goes by and we are using up one source it is becoming increasingly important for us to find new and creative way to create energy sources using other types of natural resources. Growing up in the 1980’s my family use to sale solar powered energy systems. At the time we were way ahead of the environmentally conscious community and the systems were too expensive for the average America to be able to purchase. However, many improvements have been made to make this natural resource more economic.
According to the website Alternative Energy News, “Solar power is produced by collecting sunlight and converting it into electricity. This is done by using solar panels, which are large flat panels made up of many individual solar cells. It is most often used in remote locations, although it is becoming more popular in urban areas as well.” In fact, even Wal-Mart is getting involved according to one of their articles. This website is full of useful information on many different natural resources and shares a lot of the most current information available. This website is just one of the tools that can be useful for our community to educate ourselves on natural resources.
The government’s involvement has impacted our lifestyle in many ways. For example, the majority of the states have enforced a litter law. Some states have fines while other states have possible jail time that can be enforced. In Oregon the fine is, “Class A misdemeanor. Fine not exceeding $6,250 or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both.” (NCSL, 2010) In establishing these fines, the government has reduced the amount of trash and helped to make our environment a friendlier, cleaner place. They have also played a major role in our parks and wildlife being maintained for us now as well as for our kids in the future. Without the US Forest service our parks would not be in the well maintained manner they are currently in. It would also make it so that they would not be sustained for our children to enjoy many years from now. Without the government we would not have laws such as the clean air act that regulates emissions and is helping to protect our ozone or the Clean Water Act that regulates pollutants in our waters.
It is important for us as a community to get involved and not simply wait until the government sets a mandate as to the different types of sources we are allowed to use. If we become more involved than we could possible stop the destruction before it happens. The easiest way for us to get involved is by being conscious of how we are using our resources. This includes conserving water, recycling when possible, and be generally conscious of the environment and our actions. While recycling bins are common in most schools and work places in Oregon I know that we are ahead of the curve when compared to the rest of the nation. If we all get involved we can help the government to accomplish the daunting task of preserving our environment and in turn our lives.
References
World Legal Directory (2010) Environmental and Natural Resources Law – US, Retrieved December 9, 2010 from http://www.hg.org/environ.html
National Conference of State Legislation (2010) States with Littering Penalties, Retrieved December 9, 2010 from http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=13215
Alternative Energy News (2010) Solar Power, Retrieved December 9, 2010 from http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/headlines
Capturing Wind by Wendy Fullet
How to Access Natural Resources?
Environmental Study
Warner Pacific College
December 9, 2010
For many residents of the Columbia River Gorge the term “chasing wind” is going with the flow of Mother Nature. When the wind blows gather your kite board and run for the river. For scientists specializing in renewable energy the motive is more like “capturing the wind”. With an impressive wind power classification of level six, Oregon has become a leader in the production and utilization of wind power as an energy source forging new ground in the advancement of this industry.
Before there were acres of wind farms and grounds to test urban wind/solar hybrid turbines there were assessments required. The purpose of the research is to examine the sustainability, impact and the balance of the ecosystem when introducing an exotic 80 meter (262 ft) wind turbine with 130 ft blades to the local environment and the affects on indigenous species. How do we go about assessing the value of our natural resources and determine the considerations for our choices? There is a cliché that “knowledge is power”. It can also be our survival. To be good stewards of our land and natural resources, we must strive for further advancement in our understanding, improve our technologies and better utilize what is constant like the sun, wind and waves. To avoid any adverse affect, we must also walk through life and leave behind a better place than how we found it. Can life be as simple as what we learned in boys and girls scouts? While easier said than done, there is a price to pay, a cost to bearer for our economy, environment and quality of life. What is the price tag or value we as society will place on Earth’s ecosystem services? For a wind farm the assessment might include soil erosion, disturbance, habitat for fauna to migrate, noise pollution and survey of public opinion. The laws of supply and demand determine price in the free markets of our economy. For decisions regarding natural resources and our environment, we take a view of cost vs. benefit approach. If the infinite resources like wind can be substituted for less or replaced then vote with fewer Greenbacks. Unfortunately, it’s not like the next generation of iPhones or Apple TV’s. Throw- away society produces creative destruction of limited renewable or nonrenewable resources that can lead to depletion with no real solutions. And, what do we do with the obsolete power cords and old phones nobody wants?
How does environmental regulations and policy impact our culture and lifestyle? Policymakers rely on scientific research and regulate through a command-and-control approach. Other tools government can use to mandate economic policy are tools like subsidy to incent a desired effect, impose green taxes on undesirable activity, and permit trading in a cap-an-trade system that allows companies to receive credits and sell to other parties. Taking this approach allows the free markets to find more innovative optimal solutions and generally at a lower cost of the administrative policy. This can be viewed in some instances as a win/win of government and the private sector working together. The economic effects of wind energy are very beneficial. Wind is free to harvest. The cost is minimal for wind generators and turbines. In the 1980’s wind energy cost 40 cents per kWh, compared to today with cost less than 5 cents kWh. (The Solar Guide). The economic and quality of life benefits are significant from replacing energy sources that are hard to locate or extract such as oil, gas and coal. Wind is efficient to capture. Wind does not pollute the air we breathe and no waste is generated like nuclear power. Specializing in this industry demands high-tech pay job and landowners benefit from the benefit of leasing the land. While we may not know the downside long term effects of harvesting wind power the evidence of current information is we should be relying more on this technology and less on other hard to extract energy sources. If I were participating in the game of Settlers of Catan, seeking land on the leeward side would be advantageous. It would be like The America’s Cup of energy!
Resources:
Withgott, Jay and Brennan, Scott (2008) Environment The Science Behind the Stories
Pearson Education, Inc.
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_how.html
http://www.usgs.gov/themes/factsheet/094-99/index.html
http://www.oregonwind.com/
http://guidedtour.windpower.org/en/tour/wtrb/tower.htm
http://www.wind-energy-the-facts.org/en/part-i-technology/chapter-3-wind-turbine-technology/evolution-of-commercial-wind-turbine-technology/growth-of-wind-turbine-size.html
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_potential.html
http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?CurrentPageID=1&State=OR&RE=1&EE=1
http://www.thesolarguide.com/wind-power/economy.aspx
http://www.campbellsci.com/wind-energy?gclid=CILb3aGr2aUCFQQ-bAod8RX2lQ
http://www.awea.org/
http://www.ehow.com/video_4754725_what-economic-impacts-wind-power.html
Environmental Study
Warner Pacific College
December 9, 2010
For many residents of the Columbia River Gorge the term “chasing wind” is going with the flow of Mother Nature. When the wind blows gather your kite board and run for the river. For scientists specializing in renewable energy the motive is more like “capturing the wind”. With an impressive wind power classification of level six, Oregon has become a leader in the production and utilization of wind power as an energy source forging new ground in the advancement of this industry.
Before there were acres of wind farms and grounds to test urban wind/solar hybrid turbines there were assessments required. The purpose of the research is to examine the sustainability, impact and the balance of the ecosystem when introducing an exotic 80 meter (262 ft) wind turbine with 130 ft blades to the local environment and the affects on indigenous species. How do we go about assessing the value of our natural resources and determine the considerations for our choices? There is a cliché that “knowledge is power”. It can also be our survival. To be good stewards of our land and natural resources, we must strive for further advancement in our understanding, improve our technologies and better utilize what is constant like the sun, wind and waves. To avoid any adverse affect, we must also walk through life and leave behind a better place than how we found it. Can life be as simple as what we learned in boys and girls scouts? While easier said than done, there is a price to pay, a cost to bearer for our economy, environment and quality of life. What is the price tag or value we as society will place on Earth’s ecosystem services? For a wind farm the assessment might include soil erosion, disturbance, habitat for fauna to migrate, noise pollution and survey of public opinion. The laws of supply and demand determine price in the free markets of our economy. For decisions regarding natural resources and our environment, we take a view of cost vs. benefit approach. If the infinite resources like wind can be substituted for less or replaced then vote with fewer Greenbacks. Unfortunately, it’s not like the next generation of iPhones or Apple TV’s. Throw- away society produces creative destruction of limited renewable or nonrenewable resources that can lead to depletion with no real solutions. And, what do we do with the obsolete power cords and old phones nobody wants?
How does environmental regulations and policy impact our culture and lifestyle? Policymakers rely on scientific research and regulate through a command-and-control approach. Other tools government can use to mandate economic policy are tools like subsidy to incent a desired effect, impose green taxes on undesirable activity, and permit trading in a cap-an-trade system that allows companies to receive credits and sell to other parties. Taking this approach allows the free markets to find more innovative optimal solutions and generally at a lower cost of the administrative policy. This can be viewed in some instances as a win/win of government and the private sector working together. The economic effects of wind energy are very beneficial. Wind is free to harvest. The cost is minimal for wind generators and turbines. In the 1980’s wind energy cost 40 cents per kWh, compared to today with cost less than 5 cents kWh. (The Solar Guide). The economic and quality of life benefits are significant from replacing energy sources that are hard to locate or extract such as oil, gas and coal. Wind is efficient to capture. Wind does not pollute the air we breathe and no waste is generated like nuclear power. Specializing in this industry demands high-tech pay job and landowners benefit from the benefit of leasing the land. While we may not know the downside long term effects of harvesting wind power the evidence of current information is we should be relying more on this technology and less on other hard to extract energy sources. If I were participating in the game of Settlers of Catan, seeking land on the leeward side would be advantageous. It would be like The America’s Cup of energy!
Resources:
Withgott, Jay and Brennan, Scott (2008) Environment The Science Behind the Stories
Pearson Education, Inc.
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_how.html
http://www.usgs.gov/themes/factsheet/094-99/index.html
http://www.oregonwind.com/
http://guidedtour.windpower.org/en/tour/wtrb/tower.htm
http://www.wind-energy-the-facts.org/en/part-i-technology/chapter-3-wind-turbine-technology/evolution-of-commercial-wind-turbine-technology/growth-of-wind-turbine-size.html
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_potential.html
http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?CurrentPageID=1&State=OR&RE=1&EE=1
http://www.thesolarguide.com/wind-power/economy.aspx
http://www.campbellsci.com/wind-energy?gclid=CILb3aGr2aUCFQQ-bAod8RX2lQ
http://www.awea.org/
http://www.ehow.com/video_4754725_what-economic-impacts-wind-power.html
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