High mountain

I found this article in regards to the Sierra Mountains growing faster then expected.  I have been their a couple of times in life and its magnificent.  The mountains always seemed so majestic.  I've always was curious to find out why how mountains get so big.

Geologists studying deposits of volcanic glass in the western United States have found that the central Sierra Nevada largely attained its present elevation 12 million years ago, roughly 8 or 9 million years earlier than commonly thought.  The finding has implications not only for understanding the geologic history of the mountain range but for modeling ancient global climates. (yahoo.com)

The higher the mountain, the more pronounced the rain shadow effect is and the greater the decrease in the number of heavy hydrogen isotopes in the water that makes it across the mountains and falls on the leeward side of the range. By determining the ratio of heavier to lighter hydrogen isotopes preserved in volcanic glass and comparing it with today's topography and rainwater, researchers can estimate the elevation of the mountains at the time the ancient water crossed them.

My question how do these scientists get all this information.  What exactly do they study in order to get this information.  How do they determine how old these elevations are.  I would like to get inside the head of the scientist.

New mammal

A new mammal was discovered in ireland the mammal, Crocidura Russula, has been discovered in parts of the midlands and south-west of the republic. Its natural range is in parts of Africa, France and Germany.

This shrew is one of the 'white-toothed shrews'; it lacks deposition of iron in the enamel of the tips of the teeth as seen in the red-toothed shrews. The upper surface of the body is greyish or reddish brown in color, the underside becomes more of a yellowish grey, and there is no clear demarcation between the two. The tail is covered in long whisker-like white hairs. Although generally larger in size, this species is very similar in appearance to the lesser white-toothed shrew, so much so that the only truly reliable method to distinguish between the two species is by detailed examination of the teeth.(yahoo.com)

So it seems that new species are being discovered everyday.

Noise pollution

Noise can have a detrimental effect on animals by causing stress, increasing risk of mortality by changing the delicate balance in predator/prey detection and avoidance, and by interfering with their use of sounds in communication especially in relation to reproduction and in navigation. Acoustic overexposure can lead to temporary or permanent loss of hearing.

An impact of noise on animal life is the reduction of usable habitat that noisy areas may cause, which in the case of endangered species may be part of the path to extinction. One of the best known cases of damage caused by noise pollution is the death of certain species of beached whales, brought on by the loud sound of military sonar.

Noise also makes species communicate louder, which is called Lombard vocal response. Scientists and researchers have conducted experiments that show whales' song length is longer when submarine-detectors are on.  If creatures don't "speak" loud enough, their voice will be masked by anthropogenic sounds. These unheard voices might be warnings, finding of prey, or preparations of net-bubbling. When one species begins speaking louder, it will mask other species' voice, causing the whole ecosystem to eventually speak louder.

Zebra finches become less faithful to their partners when exposed to traffic noise. This could alter a population's evolutionary trajectory by selecting "sexy" traits, sapping resources normally devoted to other activities and thus lead to profound genetic and evolutionary consequences

Electric cars

Remember the craze regarding electric cars and how everyone was going to have one.  Well from what I can tell, not a whole a lot of people have them.  Well a film was made who killed the electric car.  The film deals with the history of the electric car, its development and commercialization, mostly focusing on the General Motors EV1, which was made available for lease in Southern California, after the California Air Resources Board passed the ZEV mandate in 1990, as well as the implications of the events depicted for air pollution, environmentalism, Middle East politics, and global warming.

The film details the California Air Resources Board's reversal of the mandate after suits fromautomobile manufacturers, the oil industry, and the George W. Bush administration. It points out that Bush's chief influences, Dick Cheney, Condoleezza Rice, and Andrew Card, are all former executives and board members of oil and auto companies.

A large part of the film accounts for GM's efforts to demonstrate to California that there was no demand for their product, and then to take back every EV1 and dispose of them. A few were disabled and given to museums and universities, but almost all were found to have been crushed; GM never responded to the EV drivers' offer to pay the residual lease value ($1.9 million was offered for the remaining 78 cars in Burbank before they were crushed). Several activists are shown being arrested in the protest that attempted to block the GM car carriers taking the remaining EV1s off to be crushed.  

Electric cars are still around but seldom seen.  

Sewage Leak

More than a day after a sewage leak flooded South Coast Highway in Laguna Beach, forcing beach closures and blocking access to city's main road, officials labored Friday to repair the breach.  The northbound lanes remained closed between Diamond and Center streets according to police and the southbound lanes were expected to be shut down again early this morning for more repairs. This report is from the Los Angeles Times.

About 6,500 gallons of sewage flowed into the ocean at Agate Street.  The rupture in the 24-inch pipe was contained about two hours later, with crews working overnight to make additional repairs.  But 10,000 additional gallons polluted the water Friday afternoon when a pump station was shut down during repairs and sewage backed up and overflowed into storm drains.

Laguna Beach has spent millions to upgrade its aging sewer lines in recent years after sustaining enough spills that water quality regulators fined the city for the contamination.  Orange County health officials closed 1.25 miles of coastline in South Laguna Beach because of potential bacterial contamination, including E. coli and Salmonella, from the sewage discharge.

The traffic snarl caused headaches for drivers trying to get in and out of the city, hemmed in by canyons on one side and the ocean on the other.  Employees of the Tail Wagger pet grooming shop on Coast Highway carried pets out to their owners, who were stranded in traffic.  Dozens of vacuum trucks crowded the area where the sewage leak occurred. Because of the high pressure, repair workers struggled to fit a new metal collar on the sewer main.

After several failed attempts, city officials temporarily shut down the Bluebird Pump Station to relieve the pressure and facilitate the clamp's repair. That caused Friday's 10,000-gallon spill into the ocean at Bluebird Beach.  A faulty rubber gasket on the new clamp forced city officials to shut down the pump station a second time with more sewage spills possible.  Sewage spills shut down part of the city's beachfront in November 2006 and in June 2005 during the Bluebird Canyon landslide.

Global warming

Temperatures are rising faster in the american west then any other region in the united states. For the past five years I'm sure you have noticed the steady rise in the temperature.  Based on the news study called Hotter and drier "The Wests Changed Environment".  The report was released by the Rocky mountain climate organization.  Climate change is no longer an abstraction according to scientists.  The article was in the A section of the Los angeles times on a18 on March 29, 2008.

Carbon dioxide pollution from vehicles and power plants are a major contributor to global warming.  A high rash of heat waves in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming had their hottest Julys on record last summer.  In Los angeles the global warming barometer has risen.  So a climate bill idea has been tossed around to slash greenhouse gases.  The rising temperatures in the western states will continue to be a problem.  

Trash

Trash is a problem in regards to the enviroment. Every house has alot of trash and it adds up. It gets burned which causes pollution. What can we do with all this trash. It s a continous cycle. Solid waste pollution is considered a serious threat by many environmentalists and can broadly be defined as any pollution associated with waste and waste management practices.
In a more specific sense however, solid waste can be considered any item which would typically find its way to either a landfill or recycling center, this would include albeit very loosely, various gases and liquids found within solid waste such as CFC propellants from aerosol cans and liquids such as heavy oils and acids which may seep from small motors, batteries and other items. However it should be noted that gases and liquids are only to be associated with solid waste when referring to their point of origin, they themselves are not to be considered solid waste. Some other form of help must come along.

Ducks

grafffiti

Graffiti or some might say art murals that span across freeways in Los Angeles. A certain mural in Boyle Heights has residents mad. I got this article in the Los Angeles Times March 20 in the B section. The mural shows what people might classify as stereotypes that effect how people think of the Latino race. There's no American flag in the mural and the mural also shows beer swilling men, fat women, stray dogs, and illegal street vendors.
The typical homogenous culture in Los Angeles where a lot of the Mexican culture lives wants this change. The people of this community wanted to be portrayed in a positive light. This raises issues in the environment because the way people look at the latino race. Driving by the mural everyday causes this image to be remain in your head. Latinos are more then what this mural shows. Latinos are the backbone of this country and the fastest rising race in the country.

Manure

Article from Los Angeles Times March 21 , 2008 edition in the B section. Residents in Orange County might have to pay a fee for disposal of horse manure. The city seems to be divided over this issue. Homeowners rather do what they please with it. Horse lovers are being driven out with the threat of fines.

The city hasn't been able to find a solution to get pollution out of water, so that creates a problem for the enviroment. Recently Sam Pedroza talked about the cleanliness of water in our class. The residents in Norco are divided on what to do and city officials haven't decided. The best solution would be to find a way to keep water clean without a fee so high to dispose of the manure.

bird droppings

I came across this article in the L A times on March 14th in the B section. I buy the newspaper everyday. This is a real out their story. The article was about how coots droppings that pollute lakes in Bridgeport a subdivision of Valencia have some residents in an uproar. To the point that some coots are being found killed by humans. I mean i understand being upset in regards to pollution but to kill a bird seems kind of harsh. Coots have droppings with regularity.

Over 20,000 pounds of droppings over the course of a six month stay. Coots love to eat grass. The tactics include pretending to get ready to feed them and then hitting them in the head to essentially kill them. The coots migrate from the north and stay for about six months. The residents are just fed up with the poop it would seem. Coots are viewed as a nuisance. Some residents sick their dogs on the coots or just shoot them. I feel as though people need to calm down. So you get a little poop on your shoes. I guess killing a bird for that will make them feel better.

landfills

In the past, municipal solid waste was sent to the nearest local landfill or incinerator. But in 1988, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency instituted the first federal standards for landfills, designed to make them safer. Over 10,000 small municipal landfills have since been consolidated into an estimated 3,500 newer, safer landfills, some of which are "megafills" that can handle up to 10,000 tons of waste a day.

The new landfills are outfitted to prevent air and water pollution and limit the spread of disease by scavengers. Although the new landfills provide better controls against air and water pollution as well as an alternate source of municipal income, they are not entirely problem-free.

Its a good thing that this issue is naked to our eyes. All the stuff we throw out creates this massive mess. The burning of this trash obviousely creates issues with the environment.

Some experts believe the new landfill technology has not been properly tested and will therefore not provide protection in the long run. Others feel that poorer, less well-informed communities are targeted as sites for new landfills. In addition, many people that live near megafills, which may draw garbarge from several states, are unhappy about the noise, truck traffic, odors, and pests caused by the facilities.


It seems that some good plan developments are being put in place to minimize this problem. Even though this article its outdated, you would think plans have improved. (environmnetal health website)

silver lake

Several weeks of draining silver lake reservoir is nearlt completed. The emptying of the reservoir began in jan. Officials said the action was necessary to eliminate contaminated water. I mean doesn't that gross you out when you lay your eyes on that. Workers will clean the surface of debris from the bottom of the lake.

The reservoir was last drained 20 years ago. For a time in the 70's officials officials considered abandoning the lake or replacing it with water tanks. It's amazing how people cant just keep clean to avoid these type of issues. The beautiful scenery of the lake has been completely transformed to a bottomless pit.
The reservoir needs to be back in service. It hood drinking water for the southern part of the city. (Latimes march 13 b section)

Snowpack

Article from Los angeles times march 3rd edition b section as usual. Scientists are trying to predict the water supply. One in particular frank gehrke straps on his skis to monitor the sierra nevada. The place is like californias water supply. Conversions of snow, sun, and tempurature enable to predict flooods. New equipment has been installed to understand climate change.

He is californias snow chief. His predictions are repected. The gin flat in yosemite is where he conducts his observations. The snow has been slightly above normal this year. The sierra will continue to supply plenty of water to keep the economy growing and water rates low. Snowpack levels have become erratic the past 17 years. 11 sites in yosemite are used to conduct these tests to insure our water supply.

Fires

Fire is sometimes essential for forest regeneration, or provides tangible benefits for local communities. In other cases it destroys forests and has dire social and economic consequences.

Forest fires are a natural part of life but shouldn't be. In many, but not all, forest types: in dry tropical forests for example they are a frequent and expected feature, while in tropical moist forests they would naturally be absent or at least rare enough to play a negligible role in ecology.


Fires become a problem when they burn in the wrong places, or in the right places but at the wrong frequency or the wrong temperatures. Fires in forests that burn under natural circumstances become a problem when those forests are used for a particular purpose, such as settlement or timber production.


Globally, most forest fires are probably now directly or indirectly influenced by humans. But in many areas that are hot and dry for part of each year, where frequent fires would be expected, human influence has now become so pervasive that most fires are 'unnatural'.


Objectives and aims of fire management are not synchronized or thought-through, leading to unwanted and wanted fires, which can result in both beneficial and damaging effects. The geographical spread, frequency and intensity of fires are all changing.

Fire is also used as a management tool because it is cheap, simple to apply (particularly important if use is illegal) and sometimes the only option available for poorer people and smallholders. Some people get out of control when they cause it themselves. Got this article from march 6 los angeles times b section.

Overpopulation

Overpopulation is major issue in our environment. Overpopulation is also related to issues of birth control with some nations using strict measures in order to reduce birth rates, while religious and ideological opposition to birth control has been cited as a factor contributing to overpopulation and poverty.

Once a country has industrialized and become wealthy, a combination of government regulation and technological innovation causes pollution to decline substantially, even as the population continues to grow.Deforestation and loss of ecosystems that sustain global atmospheric oxygen and carbon dioxide balance; about eight million hectares of forest are lost each year.

Deforestation and desertification can be reversed by adopting property rights, and this policy is successful even while the human population continues to grow

High infant and child mortality High rates of infant mortality are caused by poverty. Rich countries with high population densities have low rates of infant mortality. Famine is aggravated by poverty. Rich countries with high population densities do not have famine.Poverty coupled with inflation in some regions and a resulting low level of capital formation.

Poverty and inflation are aggravated by bad government and bad economic policies. Many countries with high population densities have eliminated absolute poverty and keep their inflation rates very low.

Conflict over scarce resources and crowding, leading to increased levels of warfare. These facts are from the Wiklepedia site. This is just the tip of the iceberg. We must become more aware to make better decisions.

Road killing

This article is from the feb 29 th edition of the L. A. Times b section. I buy the times everyday to read so I look for stories in here. The story is on B3. California sued the us forest service for wanting to build roads in national forests. The forest provide habitat for animals. Ive written a similar blog to this. This blog deals national forests and not with housing projects.

The building of roads will lead to cars going in and chopping down trees. It would appear that their are alot of roadless area that can be used to build roads. It seems very typical that any open land has to be used to build something. Why not just let it be. The U s forest service wants to use 500,000 acres near los padres, angeles, san bernardino, and cleveland for oil drilling. Of course this is being supported by Mr. Bush. Some of this land runs paralell to the U.S /Mexico border. I can't help but think, more roads means more immigrants. The government wants more immigrants to use them for cheap labor. The lawsuit is pending .

Death of dolphin

Naval exercises may using a type of sonar may have caused the death
of a dolphin in San Nicolas island. The dolphins head revealed blood and other fluid in its ear that caused researchers to think the sonar had something to do with the death. The same symptoms were found in whales that washed ashore in the canary islands. A panel of experts is going to review the case.

The navy exercises are being blamed for these deaths. The navy in turn filed appeals to defend themselves. The U.S. 9th circuit circuit court of appeals promised to rule on the navy's latest appeal. The navy is stating that the experiments took place 62 miles away from where the dolphin washed ashore. If these are related, it would strange that only a couple of animals have been found. This article came from the friday feb. 22 edition of the los angeles times in the b section.

global warming

Fisherman in the state of washington say salmon are moving upstream. The fisherman blame it on global warming. Now they urging congress to protect thier past-time. These fisherman are becoming more aware of the environment and are fighting oil and gas development and promoting safe land.,

These fisherman are joining with christians for government help in changing the climate. Lawmakers are expected to consider legislation that would cut carbon dioxide emissions by two thirds by 2050. Supporters will need to work with the gop to get the 60 vote threshold to pass the legislation. Some of congress doesn't believe that these fisherman represent most of the community. The battle rages on.. I found this article in the Gannet news service 2-25-08.

Beef recalls

This topic hails from the Los angeles times on Feb. 16th in section B. A video has surfaced showing inhumane treatment of cattle at a Chino slaughterhouse. The San Bernardino county prosecutors filed felony charges against the manager of the establishment.

Daniel Navarro faces up to eight years in prison. The video shows high pressure water hoses ti make the cows get up on their feet. Navarro has since been fired. The USDA is investigating the quality of the product which is delivered to schools in the area. In one scene Navarro is hitting a cow in the face and eye to make it walk. Cattle that cannot walk on their own are banned from the human meat supply because they are at a higher risk mad cow disease.

Some cattle were actually executed for not being able to get to their feet. School districts nationwide have pulled suspect beef from their menus. All my information was taken from the article.

Green Movement

I came across this article in the Los Angeles Times on Feb 16th in the B section. It tells of how recently two city council members voted last Friday to require that all major commercial and residential developments cut down on projected energy and water use. The idea is to reduce in order to address the global warming effects these projects have on the environment.

A new checklist will have to be met incorporating green practices such as low flow toilets, paints with low emissions, use of recycled materials, and use of natural light. This proposed ordinance has gathered pretty good support. The average savings would be 36% in energy, 40% in water, and solid waste 70%. Nationwide building account for 71% of electricity . Building with green in mind has become a good busines practice.

The ordinance would six months to go into effect after the council votes on it. Of course every story has two sides. Some people feel its not enough. Also some suggest it's all for show. I think we need to start somewhere. All my information was found in this article.

Cloning

A while back the whole cloning craze was in full effect. It's a very creepy but perplexing idea. But with my religious beliefs it shouldn't be touched. Nature should stay the way it is.

Imagine another you with different emotions and personality walking around. Their should only be one you. This whole debate reminds me of Frankenstein. This issue has pros and cons but I believe its wrong. Check out these sites.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/cloning.html
http://www.religioustolerance.org/cloning.htm

Com 438t

I haven't taken a writing class for a couple of years. So I am real rusty. I am taking this class to substitute for my internship class. This class will make my writing more sharp. I will be covering interesting topics. This topic is real different and will expand my mind.

I hope to do well in this class and receive my B.A in print media. My passion would be to cover a professional sports team. It's always good to cover topics you wouldn't normally cover, to be more well rounded.

Rain Forest

Ive been disappointed with the cutting down of the rain forest in order to build property on the land. The animals t get their land taken away. Also this process diminishes the oxygen to our enviroment.

Not to mention the land is very beautiful.