"An Inconvenient Truth"

         As stated by "Assault on clean air, science", the impact of greenhouse has concentrations on earth is uncertain. It is certain, however, that the more careless we are about greenhouse gases and the environment, the larger of an impact we are likely to have in the future. "We are certain about this: the more greenhouse gasses we put into the air, the more sever the impacts will be, and the greater the risk we run of triggering disruptive, even disastrous changes in climate." (Caldeira)
     A high concentration of greenhouse gases also promises serious threats to individuals. Excess amount of greenhouse gases is predicted to cause respiratory distress and premature death, especially in cities. The  rise in temperature will in addition cause an increase in the amount and severity of floods and droughts. Lives and the environment are not only at stake. Every time a natural catastrophes occurs, expenses have to be made in order to clean up the disasters. If more disasters take place, the US, and other economies, will be hurt. Therefore, it is in our best interest to help reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere.
      In order for a significant change to occur in global warming, individuals, communities, and countries must take strides to help this serious issue. The Environmental Protection Agency must continue to enforce the reduction of greenhouse gasses. For example, alternative energy sources, like wind power and hydropower should continued to be used. More research on different energy sources should be made, as well as improvements on the efficiency of the already existent energy sources.
     Individuals are already making an effort to help the "Assault on clean air". For instance, already, thousands of people have invested in electric and gas powered cars. In fact, my family recently bought a hybrid car. This proves that individuals are not ignoring the issue, instead they are determined to tackle it. In the future, more efficient, fully electric cars will exist. Though we must push for a greener society, it is also important not to overwhelm society by making radical changes. Transitioning from fully powered gas cars, to half electric, half gas powered cars to finally fully electric cars is a smooth transition for society. Radical changes could cause controversy, and in addition radical changes would not give residents enough time to make the switch peacefully. Nevertheless, recycling and using greener vehicles, such as bikes, should be continued. These small tasks not only help solve the issue, but they also help bring light to the issue; which is what is needed if we to eliminate the world wide problem.

Asian American discrimination

            In order to confirm college discrimination against Asian American students I would research online and I would interview several college students on this issue. Before visiting different colleges to conduct my interviews I would look up acceptance rate for Asian American students at different schools. For example, in 1990 13.2 percent of Asian Americans and 17.4 percent of whites were accepted into Harvard out of all its applicants. Such statistics would provide me with background information on each school I would visit.  When visiting schools I would interview students of all ages, and of all countries and cultures to grasp their view of the issue. It would also be important for me to interview students who are interested in different careers and sports.  I would even interview the staff, as their perspective on Asian American discrimination is also very important. To grasp even more perspectives, I would visit all types of colleges. For example, I would conduct my studies highly populated areas such as Boston, or in less populated areas, such as Boulder, CO.  The students’ and staff’s unique experiences with this discrimination would certainly help me arrive at a valid conclusion. The variety of my study would, in addition, allow me to determine the factors that contribute to discrimination against Asian Americans; such as location, age, gender ect. A study as this is all it takes to understand if, why and how discrimination against Asian Americans is such an issue across the country today. 

Journal #15

If I were this student, I certainly would engage in a variety of activities I would normally have to put aside. I would spend more time in the outdoors. For example, I would walk and ride my bicycle to my friends' homes or I would simply walk my dog more often. I would definitely engage more in reading, as it is something important to me, but with lack of free time I constantly find myself having to push it aside in order to do my homework.Without access to Facebook or my cellphone, my form of communication would  significantly change. Instead of texting my friends, I would have to write them letters, and in turn my patience would grow as I would have to wait until the letters were delivered to their destinations and back. Without access to electronics, my life would have  change drastically.

Journal # 13

The Octet Rule
                              Once upon a time an atom of Flourine, with seven valence electrons, was unhappy because his outermost shell was not filled. Nevertheless, this atom was extremely eager to gain one more valence electron so that his outermost shell could finally be full. In fact, he was so hungry for an electron that his electronegativity was at 4.1, the highest electronegativity of all atoms! This same day an atom of Potassium was also upset because he only had 1 valence electron. His outer shell was very far from being full. He looked and looked to steal valence electrons from other atoms but all the atoms he encountered had very high ionization energy. This made it extremely difficult for him to obtain another valence electron so he decided to abandon his search for valence electrons. He was so pessimistic that his electronegativity charge was only one. However later on that day, the atom of Flourine met the atom of Potassium and there was a huge spark! The atom of Flourine quickly took the other atom's only valence electron. The atom of Flourine completed its mission; he finally had eight valence electrons. The atom of Potassium lost its only valence electron and its outer shell. Now he had one less shell, however it was filled with eight valence electrons as well. Both atoms were thrillled, they became very noble and all the other atoms were jealous.

journal # 9(late)

My blog would not be the best source of information. Though it has very little advertisement, it is missing the key characteristics of a reliable source. It does not include the author’s name and from the information given on the web site one cannot contact the author. If someone would want to give me advice on how to make my blog more accurate, they would not be able to do so. In addition it does not have a copyright date and it is commercial site hence “.com”. One of the websites we evaluated in class was enjoybottlewater.com. Of the three websites I evaluated I concluded that this was the best website because it is an organizational web site with an “about us” section and a copyright date. Since it is an organizational web site I know the purpose of this website is not to advertise. In addition, since there is an “about us” section, if in any case, I would be able to research the creator/author and be sure of where the information originated.

Journal #11

Water is essential to all life; the formation of the first cells on earth emerged from water. Today scientists are evaluating the idea of life of Mars because of the evidence that water once or does exist on Mars. To create electricity from the most abundant and needed resource on earth is so wise and perfect.
There are many ways produce electricity from water but the most common way includes a dam, a turbine, a generator and transmission lines. The water form the dam flows through a waterway called a penstock. Penstocks are in charge of how much water flows in to produce the wanted amount of electricity. The flow of the water pushes a turbine and then powers a generator. The electricity flows through the generator and on to transmission lines that sends the electricity to cities and homes. After the water passes through the turbine it flows back into the river. As you can see, this form of electricity is very effective and the creation of the energy does not need any fuels.
Though hydropower does have its disadvantages, as of right now, it is the most effectual renewable source. Building dams take away the homes of many animals. Fish could be caught in turbines and the migration of fish could be altered. In addition if there is a drought then the river’s water level drops, thus restricting the formation of electricity. Other renewable resources have their cons. For example, windmills many times are an obstruction to birds and if there is little wind then electricity is not produced. Solar Energy is still very ineffective, only about 15% of the suns energy is converted into energy. In addition when its cloudy energy cannot be made.
Today, hydropower accounts for 20% of the world’s electricity. Where I was born, Venezuela, 73% of the country relies on hydropower. In my opinion Hydropower should be continued to be use as well as all other renewable energy sources. The combination of all the sources would be more beneficial than the use of one single source. Each source has its different advantages and disadvantages, therefore when one source cannot operate the other one(s) can.



http://www.thedailyherald.com/supplements/weekender/625-venezuela-oil-exporter-hydropower-consumer.html
http://www.odec.ca/projects/2006/wong6j2/hydroelectric.html
http://www.apsja.com/main/hydro.php

Nuclear Reactor Risk Assessment

Part 1.
1.According to the map, which other countries/regions have placed nuclear reactors in potentially dangerous areas? Name at least three.
Pakistan, Argentina and Mexico have all placed nuclear reactors in potentially dangerous areas.

2. This tells us that the plant designers dont take into account the possible risks of earthquakes. Yes, i do believe it will change; the crisis in Japan was terrible and nobody would want anything like that to happen again.

Part 2.
3. The most dangerous issue is the groundwater leaks. If groundwater is contaminated with radioactive waste, their is a chance the waste could end up in the water that people use in their homes. A nuclear reactor in Red level, Florida is reporting this issue.

4.On the border of Arizona there was an earthquake last week. The reactor in Wintersburg, Arizona could have been of risk. Yes, I do believe the nuclear reactors near areas of earthquakes should be shut down beacause if an earthquake were to occur millions of people's lives would be at risk. In addition, it would take years and money to clean everything up. Many people don't think about the potential threats, they don't consider an earthquake ever occuring. Earthquakes can be very unpredictable, there was recently an earthquake around August that affected major cities like D.C and N.Y.C. I think the reactors in California are a highest risk in the country. California is prone to having earthquakes. In addition it has a high population and it is located next to the ocean. If something were to occur, not only would many residents be at risk, but as well as the ocean life.