Reflection: Weeks 15 &16

Week 15:

During this week was one of the worst weeks of my life! I was unable to attend class due to that I was in the hospital because of an cyst on left ovary bursting. It was one of the worst pains in my life and I had my appendix taken out too. I was really happy to receive flowers and a card from my thoughtful classmates in Environmental Issues! I would just like to thank everyone for their thoughtfulness because it really meant a lot to me and it really did brighten my day and just to let you all know "I am back jumping around now.", so THANK YOU! 

I was really bummed too that I miss class because Sue Whitney was coming to talk about junking and Lauren and I had put our heads together and created a pretty cool glass tree ( I really wanted to see what Sue and Dr. V thought of it). I also did a post on an environmental online learning activity that was linked to my advocacy project on  safe water access. I put some good work into finding something that was for the age group that it was for and something that had to do with water but I managed to find some pretty cool ones.

Week 16:

This week I did an eye opener on my group members online learning activity. It was really cool to see what everyone else did for activity and some of them were really cool and others were gross but good. Great job to everyone and we all made it to the last week of class...yeah now what...no more blogging, I think not I plan on to still post blogs during the summer just for fun just to see if anyone will reply to them so when you have nothing to do check my blog out! I am going to miss you all, I will have to come to class just for fun!

Good luck on finals and Good luck with the rest of your college lives!!

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Eye Opener: Online Learning Activities

Dining Decisions by Autumn

For my dining decisions I picked:

1. apple

2. sandwich

3. cereal bar

4. yogurt

5. salad

I got everything but protein which I need to build bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. It's also needed to repair injuries and make body chemicals like hormones. So I should look for lean meats, fish, beans, and nuts.

Little D The Dragon Exercise by Katie

For my score on feeding the monster I score 100 on my second try. While I was feeding the monster I learned about interesting facts about each item I feed him like how the plants grow, what kind of source of nutrients it is and much more.

Build your own virtual "green" house by Ben

For my climate I picked: seasonal

For construction I picked: recycled

For energy I picked: solar panels/heating and geothermal heating

For efficiency I picked: energy efficient lighting, energy star appliances, efficient heating/cooling, materials recycling, water recycling, and smart home technology

Conclusions: I spent $96,500 and my home's efficiency rating is 180%

Tobacco Facts Puke Page by Sara

After viewing the puke page and I think there should be a complete smoking/tobacco ban in public schools. I don't think it will prevent youth from using tobacco completely because there are other factors like families but knowledge is power and it might make kids think twice before using. I personal think that those pictures were gross but hopefully it helps kids choose the right decision before they use tobacco.

Bobbie's Foot-O-Meter by Abbey

After completing the questions asked during the activities I score a 6.5 acres on my carbon footprint and would also take 1 and 1/2 earths to support my Bobbie's habits. A good insight on things that I could change that can reduce my footprint like opening a window instead of using the AC and eat more local foods.

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Share and Voice: Eco-Fina

So after doing my advocacy project and watching the video on prioritizing water I got thinking on what is going on with water now...and I ran across this find on the Aquafina site.  They are using 35% less plastic than their 2002 bottle. This good that they are using less plastic but I still feel that we really don't need bottle water. It is good to see that they are using less plastic which is a good step for them!

To find out more about these bottles go to: Eco-Fina

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Advocacy Project: Environmental Learning Activity "Water Calculator"

Title: Water Calculator

Purpose: The purpose of this activity is show how much water that you use everyday and people in other countries don't even get the chance to have safe access to this amount of water.

Background/Reasoning/Evidence: After doing your calculations for your own water usage you can see how much water is needed for life. According to the Department for International Development, one billion people do not have an access to safe and affordable drinking water, and 2.4 billion people live in conditions lacking adequate sanitation. Each year about 4 million people die of waterborne diseases, including 2 million children who die of diarrhoeal. More than 800 million people , 15 % of the world population is malnourished, due in part of insufficient water for crops. Now think again how much water you use... Guinea Worm Disease (GWD) is an extremely painful parasitic infection spread through contaminated drinking water. Infection occurs among people living in impoverished communities in remote parts of Africa that do not have safe water to drink. According to the CDC, over 9,500 cases of Guinea Worm Disease were reported in 2007. Now think of what those people in Africa and what they could do with that amount of water you use... According to the WHO, over 40 billion work hours are lost in Africa to the need to fetch drinking water.  Now think if you had to over 40 billion hours to fetch your water...would you still be using the same amount of water?

Instructions: Just go to Water Calculator and type in your numbers then at then end hit the "update total" button. 

Other Activities:

During my search I found some other activities that I thought were good but not really suitable for the age group that I was aiming for. But I still wanted to share it with you because they are good.

Pani the handpump

Water Game

Water Sense

Water Alert

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Share and Voice: Green Weddings

So I was once again just thinking where else could you go green? Then my good friend from high school called me up to tell me that my bridesmaid's dress came in...and then it hit what about green weddings? What do you know I found a book and site for brides that want to have an eco-friendly wedding.

To find out more about having a green wedding check out: Green Wedding

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Share and Voice: Eco-Friendly plates, bowls and cups

Looking around through my kitchen I got the idea...is there some throwaway dish ware that is good for the environment instead of the plastic and paper ones? What do you there is some biodegradable ones...how cool is this!! Now the next time you have a party like a grad party you can use these ones!!

To find out more about these cool dish ware go to: Eco-Friendly plates, bowls, and cups

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Reflection: Weeks 13 & 14

Week 13:

During this week we watched the movie the "Story of Stuff", which was about the process that everything goes through that we use as consumers. It was a pretty big eye opener to see how items are made to just last a short amount of time just so that we go out and buy more. I can see this to be so true because I have had to buy a DVD player 2x in the last 2 years because the they just kept breaking.

We also had a nice adventure in Bagley, where we got to learn how to properly use a compass. It was pretty cool to get a chance to be outdoors and learn some useful information that we can possible use later in life!

Week 14:

During this week we had a guest speaker come in from the Civic Engagement office at UMD to talk about his experiences with environment. He also talked about some other opportunities for after college. It was really good to hear about his experiences and gave some of us other choices when graduating.

We also completed our advocacy project by writing our letter to elected officials or editors. This really made me open my eyes on how significant it is to do something by advocating it to some one that can do something about it. I do have say too that we all did pretty good on it!!

We also did a junking activity in class and it was pretty funny to see what we all came up with. In this activity we were all in our groups and were given an object that and we were suppose to come up with a different purpose for it. After doing this active I got some good ideas and I think I could take this up as a hobby. I can't wait to see what Sue Whitney has in store for us.

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Share and Voice: Eco-Friendly Flash Drives

I was once again I was just looking for some more "green items" and found these cool flash drives that are made from 100% recycled PVC and some are even made from wood too! Totally cool I thought...something I think that we should get too (hint hint).

To find out more on these cool flash drives go to: Eco-Friendly Flash Drives

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Share and Voice: Eco-Friendly Watches

I was just doing some research just to see what "green items" I could find and I ran across this watch that runs completely on light power and never needs a battery! Pretty cool I know and you can get it at JcPenny but it does cost a pretty penny ($395) but it helps the environment and it looks classy too!

To find out some more check out the site on where I found out about it : Eco-Friendly Watches

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Advocacy Project: Letter to Public Official or Letter to the Editor

Ingrid K.

888 Lily Pad Lane

Waterville, MN 56812

April 27, 2009

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar

302 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510-2304

RE: Support for Bill S. 624.

Dear  Senator Klobuchar,

I highly recommend you to support bill S.624, which would provide 100,000,000 people with first time access to safe drinking water and sanitation on a sustainable basis by 2015 by improving the capacity of the United States Government to fully implement the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005. 

This bill would foster global cooperation on research and technology development, including regional partnerships among water experts to address safe drinking water, sanitation, water resource management and other water-related issues. It would also  establish regional and cross-border cooperative activities between scientists and specialists that work to share technologies and best practices, mitigate shared water challenges, foster international cooperation, and defuse cross-border tensions. It would also provide grants through the United States Agency for International Development to foster the development, dissemination, and increased and consistent use of low cost and sustainable technologies, such as household water treatment, hand washing stations, and latrines, for providing safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene that are suitable for use in high priority countries, particularly in places with limited resources. 

 Every year more than 5 million human beings die from illnesses linked to unsafe drinking water. Having access to safe water would decrease the rates of disease, such as malaria and tuberculosis. I hope that you decide to vote "yes" to bill S.624 that will provide safe water to those that are in dying need of it.

Thank you for your time Senator Amy Klobuchar.

Sincerely,

Ingrid K.

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Advocacy Project: Issue Overview

Introduction

•  What is the issue/problem?
  

People not having safe drinking water access and sanitation.

• What current legislation has been proposed to address this? (Identify bill # and name)
  

S.624 Title: A bill to provide 100,000,000 people with first-time access to safe drinking water and sanitation on a sustainable basis by 2015 by improving the capacity of the United Stated Government to fully implement the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005.

Who is affected by the issue?

• Who is affected the most?
  

Poor people through out the world with out clean and safe water access.

• Who loses, and what do they lose?

Tax payers in the US, higher taxes

•  Who gains, and what do they gain?
  

The poor people through out the world, access to safe drinking water and sanitation

What are the consequences of the issue?

• For the individuals mostly affected?
  

Not having safe water to drink (which is a basic need of life) they would also would need it for sanitation and for hygiene needs as well

• For their families?
  

This could cause family members to get sick which could have some members to not be well enough to work or even cause them to die

•  For society?
  

Not having proper sanitation could cause a very unsafe place to live with parasites being everywhere and not having proper water access to keep clean would cause huge outbreaks.

What is the economic impact of the issue?

• What are the economic costs of the issue, and who bears these costs?
  

Tax prices could go up in order to fund this cause, which would not help out the economy in the US

•   What are the economic benefits of the issue, and who benefits?
  

The US would benefit with international relationships. This would also help out the economy in the countries that need the water by improving the over health with better water access

What is the social impact of the issues?

• What are the social costs of the issue, and who bears these costs?
  

Everyone everywhere will eventually be paying for water if we don’t act on this, which implies that people will not be able to pay for the water access, which will cause people being ill and dying. This could also cause mass riots and fights just to get access for water.

• What are the social benefits of the issue, and who benefits?
  

This would create fewer illnesses due to getting safe/clean water access. The US would also create alliance with these countries that we are helping out.

What are the barriers?

•  What are the barriers to addressing this issue?
  

The funding to get labor over there to fix the water issues. How much would the taxes increase and would this cause tax payers to get mad.

•   How can they be overcome?
  

Having alternative ideas to prioritizing water. Alternative plans for funding.

What are the resources?

• What resources will we need to address this issue?

Where the funding will come from

•  Where and how can they be tapped?
  

Increase taxes

What is the history of this issue?

•  What is the history of the issue in the community?
  

This is not yet an issue for our community because we have the access to safe/clean water still.

• What past efforts were made to address it?
  

There was the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005, which addressed the same subject.

• What were the results?
  

It is still in the senate.

Allies & Opponents

• Who would support this issue?
  

Politicians, some citizens

• Who would oppose this issue?
  

The tax payers

Your Recommendation

• How do you want policy-makers to vote on this proposed policy?
  

Right now I do not think that it is a good idea for our economy at this point to have this bill passed. But I do think that this is a good idea for the future when our economy is stronger. Just at this point in time I do not think we have the funding for this and we just plain have enough problems here in the US to solve.

Please feel free to give me any insight on any of the questions. This was a little difficult for me so my feelings will not be hurt!!

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Reflection: Weeks 11 & 12

Week 11:

During this week we watched a documentary "Unnatural Causes." It was about how socioeconomic status may be one of the largest determinants of health. This documentary showed the big differences of socioeconomic statuses between the rich and the poor. It was very good to see how those with a higher economic status was healthier and those with a low economic status were not as healthy. We also did a post on our advocacy project that involved us picking a environmental related objective from Healthy People 2010 and research the progress that it has made.

Week 12:

During this week we did Reading 20 which talked about how the ozone layer will "fix itself" in the next three years. I really don't know how useful this information really is because it was published in 2002 and the people that published it is a christian group as well. We all got to see Dr.V favorite thing in the world to do (junking) which is where you just take things and remake it for another use! It was really good to see some ideas and in this economy.

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Advocacy Project: Healthy People/THOMAS

1.  

Goal: Promote health for all through a healthy environment

Short update: The safe drinking water; community water systems increased 55% towards the targeted goal (8-5)

2.    

Progress: The proportion of the population served by community water systems meeting EPA standards (8-5) increased from 84 percent to 90 percent, achieving 55 percent of its targeted change by 2003. Notably, 90 percent of the U.S. population is served by such water systems.

Disparities: None

Opportunities and Challenges: The passage of the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act in October 2000 amended the Clean Water Act to (1) establish a national grants program to improve consistency of water quality standards, beach monitoring, and public notification approaches and (2) strengthen national information collection. EPA established its BEACH program to promote greater consistency in beach health programs and to provide better information to the public. 

Emerging Issues: Beach monitoring programs are typically run by local health agencies, and programs vary by location. Monitoring results are inconsistent because agencies use different indicator organisms and varying monitoring frequencies. 

3.

S.624 
Title: A bill to provide 100,000,000 people with first-time access to safe drinking water and sanitation on a sustainable basis by 2015 by improving the capacity of the United States Government to fully implement the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005. 
Sponsor: Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] (introduced 3/17/2009)   Cosponsors (2) 
Latest Major Action: 3/17/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

My Political Representative: Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon and Senator Amy Klobuchar

In my opinion I think we should pass this bill because everyone needs water to live and no one should have to worry about getting sick from their water. Water is a basic needs if we do anything to help out other countries I think we should at least help them out with the basic needs of life...water being one of them. This would be a good starting place!

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Reflection: Weeks 9 & 10

Week 9

On Tuesday we had a  discussion about advocacy. We learned what advocacy is, how one can be an advocate, and broke down some common misconceptions about it. I even learned that you don't have to be a person shouting out your cause, you can just be a support that no one may ever see.

On Thursday we had a discussion on photography and the concept of Photo Voice. We also learned some photography skills that would be basic skills but to me they were new ones! I thought it was good to go over some of these skills to help us out in our photo essay even though I don't have such a great camera, but still very useful information that I will carry with me when I am taking pictures!

We also did a blog post that included our local political representatives with their contact information, political affiliation, and websites. I thought it was good to do even though I am not very political. Now I know who to go to if I want something done around here in Duluth!

Week 10

There was no class...but I had class outside the classroom by attending the AAHPERD convention in Tampa, Florida. I learned so much more than any classroom lesson could have ever taught me. I got to network with some people from other colleges and some that could be some potential grad schools for myself. I even found a grad student that was doing the same study that I am doing in Methods which was really crazy because we were having the same findings even though we are so far apart! I am really glad that I got to go to this convention and experience everything there that I did! I would highly recommend other students that did not go this year to start saving now so that you can attend next year! Also start doing some grant writing too to get some help as well because it is some good to know how to do as well as a good experience to put down on a resume!

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Eye Opener: Photo Essay

Florida's Eco-Footprint

For my Photo Essay I decided to do it on my trip to AAHPERD in Tampa, Florida. I wanted to see what kind of effort I could find for going green and what kind of Eco-footprint they were making.

In my first find of going green took place in some of the hotels in Florida. The hotel Howard Johnson that we stayed in they had the Project Planet. In Project Planet they wanted to conserve the water usage by only washing linen and towels that needed to be washed. It works out by having the guest that are staying more than one night, to place the the sign on the bed if they want clean linens. For the towels you just hang up the used towels instead of placing them on the floor. This was such a good idea if you think about how many people were staying in the hotel...then think about how many lines and towels were being used. That is a lot of water being saved along with energy that would have been used to clean too! I also found a hotel that used hand towels instead of paper towels to dry hands. I thought it was such a good idea once again because it not only saves trees but as it is less waste too!

My next find was at the convention were I first saw the sign promoting everyone to recycle their bottles, cans, and paper there. I give them two thumbs for that one there alone! Then after checking into the convention everyone that was signed up there received a small bag that was made from recycled materials. Now I thought that was pretty cool too that they chose to pick a bag that was Eco-friendly! 

My next finds took place all around Florida when were we out and about. My first sign that I found "Don't be a fossil fool rethink coal" was on the way to the 

convention and I thought it was a cool message to put up but I am sure if there was anything being done to back up the message, but still it was pretty cool. The next sign I found was at the Clearwater beach which indicated that they were using reclaimed water, that we all learned about in class so I thought it was a really good to capture this and share it with "you all" (just a little bit of southern talk for you). Then on the beach they had garbage cans placed along the entire beach which promotes people to throw away their trash in the cans instead of just leaving it on the beach but we found out that some people were just too lazy to walk a few steps to throw it in the can.

Overall I think Florida is making a pretty good effort to diminish their Eco-footprint which really made me happy :) but it also got me thinking if we could do the same things that they are doing to lessen our footprint.

I just want to leave you on a little reminder to "Be kind" to our earth and keep on thinking of ways to make your Eco-footprint smaller!

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Advocacy Project: My Political Representatives

Local Political Representatives

President

President: Barack Obama

Political Affiliation: Democratic

Contact Information:

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

Phone:

Web Address: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Congresspersons (Senate & House)

State Representative: Tim Huntley

Political Affiliation: DFL

Contact Information:

585 State Office Building

100 Rev. Dr. Matin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Saint Paul, MN 55155

Phone: 651-296-2228

Web Address: rep.thomas.huntley@house.mn

U.S. Representative: James L. Oberstar

Political Affiliation: DFL

Contact Information:

Duluth Federal Building Room 231

Duluth, MN 55802

Phone: 218-727-7474

Web Address: http://wwwc.house.gov/oberstar/zipauth.htm

State Senator: Yvonne Prettner Solon

Political Affiliation: DFL

Contact Information: 

75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Capitol Building, Room G-9

Phone: 651-296-4188

Web Address: http://www.senate.mn/members/member_emailform.php?mem_id=1061&ls=86

U.S. Senator: Amy Klobuchar

Political Affiliation: Democrat

Contact Information:

302 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510-2304

Phone: 202-244-3222

Web Address: http://klobuchar.senate.gov/contactamy.cfm

Governor, State Legislators (Senate & House)

Governor: Tim Pawlenty

Political Affiliation: Republican

Contact Information:

Office of the Governor 130 State

Capitol 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone: 651-296-3391

Web Address: tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us

County Board President

St. Louis County Administrator: Alan Mitchell

Phone: 218-726-2448

2nd District Commissioner: Steve O'Neil

Political Affiliation:

Contact Information:

Room 208

100 N. 5th Avenue West

Duluth, MN 55802

Phone: 218-726-2359

Web Address:

City Major: Don Ness

Political Affiliation: DFL

Contact Information:

Room 402

411 West First Street

Duluth, MN 55802

Phone: 218-730-5230

Web Address: dness@duluthmn.gov

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Reflections: Weeks 7&8

Week 7:

We read "Ill Winds The Chemical Plant Next Door" which is about a chemical plant (Borden) and its effects on the small town that it is in (Buffalo). Borden has been accused of dumping illegal amounts of toxins into the water, which had some major effects on the families that lived there. The article left us wondering if the chemical plant was the major cause of the people developing cancers. In my own personal opinion I truly do think that it does has some effect with the residents developing cancers. We also watched the documentary "Green" which was made by a student named Laura Dunn. The video was a big eye opener to the issue about the 100 mile stretch of the Mississippi River in Louisiana called "Cancer Alley". Cancer Alley has a huge trend of cancer among the residents. This video really opened my eyes to what the chemical plants are really doing to the environment and the surrounding communities! We also did an Eye opener: Environmental Working Group. In this eye opener we went to the Environmental Working Groups database where we got to pick one of the cosmetic that we use everyday and found out how dangerous they really are to the environment and to us as well. I picked the face wash that  I did used but now I don't after what I found out about it!! I am still in search of the perfect face wash that is environmentally friendly and one that will not react to my super sensitive skin.

Week 8:

We read Privatizing Water which was about the riots in Cochabamba, Bolivia where hundreds were injured and one killed  over the water privatization. After reading this it really made me think of how lucky I really am to have water and to not take it for granted, which most of us Americans do. We also watched the documentary "Thirst" which was also on water privatization. The film showed us how other countries are dealing with the water issues and how some are preserving. In the video the mayor of Stockton, California is planning on signing their water to be run by a private sector which really made the citizens mad due to the fact they had no say in it what so ever. We were unable to finish the video due it not working but I can only imagine how it finished in the end! The person with the power always seems to win...

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Eye Opener 4: Environmental Working Group

The Product:

For this eye opener, I decided to do the face cleaner that I use everyday which is Clean & Clear Blackhead clearing scrub. The results were not in my favor and pretty much made me want to throw it away and never use it again!!

Results:

-The face wash scored 6 out 10 on the hazardous scale.

-The ingredients in this product are linked to: cancer, violations, restrictions & warnings, allergies/immunotoxicity

-Other concerns for ingredients used in this product: neurotoxicity, persistence and bioaccumulation, organ system toxicity, miscellaneous, multiple, additive exposure sources, irritation, enhanced skin absorption, contamination concerns

-They also conduct animal testing (which I had no idea they did!!)

What I learned:

I was really shocked on how bad this product is...I had no idea they would even test face wash on an animal. That fact right there just makes me sick to my stomach! I will never again use this product. I even typed in some of the other products that I use everyday just to see what they would score too. Well pretty much everything that I use everyday is horrible and well I plan on changing this when I get done with college because the things I use now are usually on sale and really cheap. I use to use the Burt bee's but I guess my skin really did not like the product because I broke out from it but I am going to try some other products that are more natural.  From now on I am going to do some research before I go and buy some product!!

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Review: The Future of Food

Summary of the reviewed piece:

The video "The Future of Food" was a very informational and interesting piece. The film when into detail about how our produce was once very diverse in the different varieties of select veggies like potatoes and corn. Now we only have a hand full of different kinds of those same veggies.  It then went into the history of changes that farming went through by the different pesticides and fertilizers they used. The film went into great detail on how the farmers had to keep increasing the usage of pesticides they used on the crops which then as increased the health risks from the pesticides used. 

All this information built up to what the whole film is about "The Gene Revolution".  The company that started it all was Monsanto and their patenting of different seeds. The film stated that Monsanto owns 11,000 patents on their roundup ready seeds. Monsanto took their patented seed seriously, so serious they went as far as bring lawsuits against farmers who apparently had "their" patented seed in the crops. The most famous lawsuit that they talked about in the film was the Percy Schmeiser case, it was big because Percy fought back against Monsanto and the lawsuit against them. The film also discussed how they got the different genes into the plants. They touched on the 3 most common ways that are used: bacteria, use of electricity, and the gene gun. 

The film also discussed how Monsanto had employees that also used to work the EPA, which definitely helped Monsanto keep doing what they are doing without having any problems. The film also talked about how Monsanto wants to bring their patenting out side the country into parts like Mexico. It also went into detail about how the cost of growing crops out is much higher than what the farmers get back from growing them.

This film was a good eye opener for me, it made me look more into buying locally grown foods from the farmers around here. Helping the little man out instead of the huge corporation that really do not care about us!! Growing up in a small town and around a lot farms, it really touched home for me and it makes me sad to think of these hard working people having to go through all this hardship for all the work they really do for us!

List of new terms with definitions:

Green Revolution-usually refers to the transformation of agriculture that began in 1945.

Roundup ready- is the brand name of a systemic, broad-spectrum herbicide produced by the U.S. company Monsanto and contains the active ingredient glyphosate.

Promoter gene- is a region of DNA that facilitates the transcription of a particular gene.

Antibiotic marker gene (reporter gene)-is a gene that researchers attach to another gene of interest in cell culture, animals or plants.

Organic food-are made according to certain production standards, meaning they are grown without the use of conventional pesticides and artificial fertilizers, free from contamination by human or industrial waste, and processed without irradiation or food additives.

Genetic modified (GM)-foods that have had their DNA changed through genetic engineering.

Landrace-refers to domesticated animal or plants adapted to the natural and cultural environment in which they live (or originated) and, in some cases, work.

Links to additional resources that readers can go to for more information:

Check this site out to learn more on Monsanto.

Check this site out to learn more about the gene revolution.

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit

Reflection: Weeks 5 & 6

Overview of the Past Two Weeks:

In the past two weeks we watched documentaries called "Diet for a New America" and "Future of Food." These two documentaries were both big eye openers for me and the rest of the class as well. Diet for a New America was about the foods that we eat and how it effects our bodies as well as the environment. This really opened my eyes to what I am really eating and its effects on the environment. Future of Food was about the Genetically Modified and its effect on the farmers and the whole nation. We also did an Eye Opener: CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest). In this eye opener we chose a assessment that calculated the food we ate and its effect on the environment. We also did an Eye Opener on an different reading assignments that was assigned to us.

What I have learned about myself:

When I watched the documentary "Diet for a New America" I was shocked to learn about they really effects on the food that us as Americans eat. It really made me look at what I eat everyday. I really don't eat that much meat in my diet but the documentary made me realize that we are all about meat in our meals. I also realized that I love my dairy way too much to give it up. But I am slowly watching my intake on it and making small changes on my diet.

What I have learned about the Environment:

I have learned that what I eat impacts the environment in ways that I never thought of before. For example I did not really think that eating meat and any animal product had that much impact on the environment. There is always something I can do to improve on my impact on the environment and I am little by little making those changes.

What I have learned about blogging:

I have learned that it takes some work to keep up with my blogging but I am getting better at it. I do like the fact that we are not using so much paper which is helping out the environment!! I think we all are doing a good job with our blogging!!

"It's not easy to be Green."-Kermit