SAVE YASUNI: Yasuni and Oil Exploitation

"Scientists from all over the world have qualified Yasuní as the zone with the highest biodiversity of the world. Within one hectare of Yasuní, 644 different species of trees have been identified. There are as many different species in one hectare of Yasuní, as there are in the whole of North America.

Yasuní has been declared a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

 

This biosphere reserve is also the territory of the indigenous Huaorani people and some tribes who live in voluntary isolation. These are the last free human beings of Ecuador, true warriors who live in the so-called society of abundance, because they only produce the minimum to satisfy their own needs.

 

The foreseeable impacts of oil exploitation in the park are: contamination, deforestation, destruction of the social fabric, extinction of cultures etc."

VISIT:

http://www.sosyasuni.org/

Endangered Species: Entry 4

            Yesterday Tommaso and I split up the work. He was to do the slide(s) on deforestation and I was to do sow ith climate change. I found a bunch of information from tons of magazines which I read and took note of at home. The Animoto video was completed the day before yesterday, with only the song to add.We are moving somewhat slow, but am confident that we will finish with time to spare. We are presenting on Tuesday.

Endangered Species: Entry 3

            Yesterday blogger was down for maintenance so we could not post what we had done during the double lesson.
             We didn't get much work done as I would have liked to due to the distractions of an individual. We added a few more images to the Animoto video, which looks like it is just about done. We found some more information about the Japanese Sea Lion and added it onto the PowerPoint. We found some more extinct animals and why they went extinct.

Endangered Species: Entry 2

      We couldn't blog yesterday as there were connection problems. We got started on our on our video and have already included a few video clips and image and we also researched a few bits of information for our powerpoint. We managed to follow the plan we had set for the previous session.
       Today, we got started on our Powerpoint and added onto it our research and specific details to our Powerpoint. We found images and statistical data about deforestation. We got on task and worked effectively, though there were a few minor distractions.

Endagered Species: Entry 1

Problem: Species are going extinct
Goal: To educate the community on the fact that species are going extinct

Sources that we will be taking a look at today:

http://www.arkive.org/
http://www.iucnredlist.org/

Using these sources, we were able to find different animals, land, water and air, that are going through different stages on extiction.

Despite certain distractions, we were able to get a lot of work done today and have plenty of ideas for the introductory movie as well as the presentation.

Next Class:
Sort out what we are going to include in our powerpoint presentation and research.

Carbon Footprint: As seen through images and cartoons

What's one way that we can understand the severity of an issue? Through visual representations. Through images, photographs, and even cartoons.

http://www.lawisgreek.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Carbon-Footprint.jpg

http://fr.toonpool.com/user/5817/files/carbon_footprint_673685.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yjtFPQJ1hkg/S4MneXHjIRI/AA
AAAAAAACM/9QqqB1caofs/s400/Measuring+
Carbon+Footprint.jpg

http://www.theolivepress.eu/articles/HOMES%20AND%20GARDEN/carbon_footprint.jpg

9QqqB1caofs/s400/Measuring+Carbon+Footprint.jpg

http://www.townofossining.com/images/events/
EarthDay_Logo180.jpg

Carbon Footprint: Around the World

http://www.footprintnetwork.org/ Is a very resourceful site which can explain what exactly the "carbon footprint" is, news, publications, an interactive carbon footprint calculator, what the United Nations (UN) is doing, the Living Planet Report 2010, data and so much more! You can even sign up for a newsletter

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http://www.emissionszero.com/

See the link of this organization conducting several projects in China to reduce their carbon footprint: emissions zero


"Our first aim is to empower these individuals and organizations to take climate change into their own hands and go carbon neutral. By eliminating their carbon footprints, individuals and organizations not only work against global climate change but also contribute to our second aim: promoting sustainability in China. 

Each carbon offset purchased helps fund the construction of a clean energy project that would have been impossible without money from carbon credits. These projects improve local environments, bring economic development to underdeveloped areas of China and spread environmental awareness and green technology to remote areas.

By connecting people and businesses with these projects, we aim to increase environmental awareness and promote sustainable development in China while simultaneously working to combat global climate change."

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Visit http://parkwoodgreen.blogspot.com/ . It is a very interesting blog which provides news as to, mainly what the United States in doing to be eco-friendly and reduce their carbon emissions, including stories of individuals and communities. 

List of countries by 2007 emissions

Rank	Country	Annual CO2 emissions[8][9] (in thousands of metric tonnes)	Percentage of global total
	World	29,321,302	100%
1	China[10]	6,538,367.00	22.30%
2	United States	5,838,381.00	19.91%
-	European Union(27)	4,177,817.86[11]	14.04%
3	India	1,612,362.00	5.50%
4	Russia	1,537,357.00	5.24%
5	Japan	1,254,543.00	4.28%
6	Germany	787,936.00	2.69%
7	Canada	557,340.00	1.90%
8	United Kingdom	539,617.00	1.84%
9	South Korea	503,321.00	1.72%
10	Iran	495,987.00	1.69%

Complete list (2007) on:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_carbon_dioxide_emissions

My Carbon Footprint

How much carbon do you release into the atmosphere? What is your impact on the earth?  In honor of Earth day, April 22 2011, use the link below to calculate your carbon footprint to see your impact on the earth.

http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator1.html

You will need to do this at home, because you will need to talk with your parents in order to best determine your household energy usage.  You will need the following information to calculate your carbon footprint.  If you cannot get ahold of all of this information, talk to your parents and take your best guess.

1)      Utility bills

2)      Amount of propane used each month

3)      Flights you have taken in the past year

4)      Car-Make, model, year and distance travelled in the car the past year (use the odometer to help determine this)

5)      Use of public transportation

Once you have calculated your carbon footprint, create a “carbon footprint” blog page.  Make sure you post the following things on your page:

1)      What is your carbon footprint?

7.03 metric tons per year

2)      How far above, or below, the Sri Lankan average are you? The world average? The average for industrialized nations? The world target?

The average footprint for people in Sri Lanka is 0.61 metric tons

The average for the industrial nations is about 11 metric tons

The average worldwide carbon footprint is about 4 metric tons

The worldwide target to combat climate change is 2 metric tons

3)      In which category did you use the most metric tons of CO₂?

House	0.25 metric tons of CO2
Flights	0.73 metric tons of CO2
Car	2.12 metric tons of CO2
Motorbike	0.00 metric tons of CO2
Bus & Rail	0.00 metric tons of CO2
Secondary	3.93 metric tons of CO2

4)      What surprised you the most about your carbon footprint calculation?

How high it is! This can’t be right! I think that this should be what the average person uses. The average footprint in Sri Lanka is low because….

a)      22% of the population is below the poverty line

b)      A lot of households do not own a fan

c)      About 90% do not own a computer

These are just a few examples why the average footprint in Sri Lanka is low, which also explains why the CO2 that Sri Lanka emits is below the world average and required average.

5)      If everyone had this level of a carbon footprint, how would that affect the earth?

If everyone had my level of a carbon footprint, then that would mean that no one is below the poverty line. Yay we eliminated poverty, but this would also mean that we are harming earth and its ozone layer even more leading to much more natural disasters (as explained in the first post).

6)      What is one thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint?  Name a specific, achievable solution. (You might want to talk with your parents about this to make a family plan.)

It’s so hard to come up with something because we have already taken action but our footprint is still high, which is hard to believe as this should be what the typical household consumes.

The only thing we can think of is to buy fewer coke bottles.

When you are finished, share this information with your parents.  Have a discussion about the impact of your family’s habits on the environment.  Then, add to your blog the summary of your conversation with your parents. 

            My parents are reluctant to take any actions to reduce our carbon footprint as we believe our emissions are very low at the moment and that the calculator is very inaccurate and false. A 12.5 kg gas cylinder for cooking (propane) is used in our household for a whole nine months which is an incredibly long period of time. The flight that was taken counted for work. We absolutely need a computer as my education and my parent’s work rely on one. We buy locally grown goods and from local vendors, and buy goods with minimal packaging. We do not use public transportation and our new car uses less petrol than our previously owned one. The questionnaire did not include our model of car, as it is the latest of Maruti Suzuki WagonR, and it is a small car. We do not use the air conditioning. And we have a lot of power-cuts at home!


            The only thing we can think of is to buy fewer coke bottles.

             This questionnaire is only for European and American households. Therefore we think that it is not accurate for the place we live.

Baraka - A truly inspirational and eye-opening film

In what ways does this film show our interconnectedness? Use specific examples.

There’s so much to say! So, I will just point it all down….

1.      The monkey in Japan in the beginning was my favourite scene. It had such human emotions, movements and even features. It was so peaceful, as if it was enjoying the cool air and the warm water. Serenity.

2.      The focus on the expressions and faces of people are similar; similar emotions, similar struggles, similar lives.

3.      There was a lot of focus on religion, showing that we all believe in something or someone or in a way of life. It was interesting to see similarities between the religious attire of the Jewish priests and it transitioning to the attire of the Catholic priests. There was a certain element of peace in all the religions practiced shown.

4.      Tribes around the world make their own music by simply opening their mouth, or even clapping and stomping. All members of the tribe seem to know what to do, what to dance, etc.

5.      The tribes shown wore bright colours, even though they do not known of each other and are located in different parts of the world. Unity is depicted by the fact that they dance in sync with each other.

6.      Creatures like salamanders and chameleons blended with the earth and their surroundings.

7.      The film focused on historical monuments like the statues of pharaohs in Egypt and the statues in Cambodia.

8.      There was someone sawing down a tree, and then it was focused on what seemed like ants, many of them, that live in trees.

9.      Countries are overpopulated. For example India and China.

10. People everywhere are always on the move – a focus on the United States and Japan.

11. People everywhere are leading monotonous lives.

12. The emotion in the faces of the people and the living conditions between a concentration camp in Awshwat and the Cambodia killing fields.

13. We continue to fight, we always have. There’s a focus on Tiananmen square and also of these statues of warriors that arguably one of the greatest Emperor’s of China, has his tomb guarded by them.

14. In India people wash, bathe and row in the river, even sacred rivers and lead a simple life, like the tribes that are seen.

How do cultural perspectives relate to a culture’s relationship with nature?

1.      The tribes that were shown all wore these bright colours as if to lend with nature in some way. They respect earth and nature and some tribes even pray to it and certain symbols, which can also be seen in some past civilizations. They find a way to build their lives around their environment, instead of bending the environment to suit what they want. They are very respectful to their surroundings.

2.      In India, the River Ganges is a sacred river and is worshipped as the Goddess Ganga in Hinduism. Thousands, even millions of Indians depend of the river to carry their daily life. They bathe, wash and go rowing in it. The river is so sacred to Hindus that when a person is sick, they would drink form the river to be cured. A vial of water from the Ganges in kept in many houses so that when someone is ill, they may drink it. This river is of huge significance to Hindus. The ashes of loved ones even scattered in the river. 

How does your culture relate to nature?

(Relating to my Sri Lankan culture)

1.      The Bo Tree is significant to Buddhism because it is where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.

2.      When you start school, it is customary to give your teacher beetle leaves.

3.      There are these huge tanks that were built during th time of the Kings and they are very sophisticated in terms of the technology, and the irrigation system of the time and is still very impressive today.

4.      Avurudu (Sinhala and Tamil New Year) is celebrated because it is the harvest period and is when the “koha” bird flies from India to Sri Lanka. It is the time when the sun is directly above Sri Lanka, which would explain why a symbol that can be seen during Avurudu, is a sun drawn in a very traditional manner.

5.      There are many “kaviyas”, like rhyming poems, that are of the environment, nature, animals, etc. The kaviya tells a story.

6.      There are numerous folktales that take place in the jungle and/or are about certain animals. One example is “Nari Bana” with is about a fox. Another well known one by all is “Sinhabahu” which is between a King and a Veddha (Veddhas are the indigenous people of Sri Lanka that still exist).

7.      There are so many world heritage sites/ historical sites and monuments that have been carved or built from nature. Like Sigiriya, where the rock itself is not only a part of nature, but it was also carved to be a lion. And “Avukana”, a 43 feet high Buddha statue that was carved by one man out of one rock. 

8.      Sri Lanka is the only country in the world to depict an animal, the lion, so big on its flag.