Hog farm hopes bigger gets betterhttp://www.journalgazette.net/article/20090405/BIZ0102/304059944

Author: Jenni Glen

Date: April 5th, 2009

Source: journalgazette.net

Summary:

In Wabash, the hog farm is taking more steps to be kinder and gentler to its hogs. There is debate however whether it is alright to pen up pregnant sows. Overall the farm treats its animals right give proper check-ups and controlling the environment for the hogs.

Response: 

This is a great farm for raising animals. It doesn't neglect them, they care for them to give us the best meat. They make sure they are cared for and treated right. The sows are separated when the are pregnant for their own safety. Also if there are fights the medical staff treats the wounds. This is a model farm, others need to follow this example set by them.

Region's Largest Egg Supplier Raidedhttp://www.thebostonchannel.com/mostpopular/19075283/detail.html

Author:NA

Date: April 2, 2009

Source:TheBostonChannel.com

Summary:

The area's largest egg supplier was raid on counts that it caged chickens with the dead chickens. The farm supplies 65,000 eggs a week. Many animals died because they couldn't reach food and water and many times stayed in the cages with the egg laying birds.

Response:

This is the textbook example of factory farming. The abuse and cruelty is amazing. The animals are starving to death and the bodies are not removed. Also there is evidence the birds are being whipped, is horrible. There needs to be serious punishment for the farm. There should be new laws and heavy fines that include jail time.

Thanks A Lot, HBO Says Meat Industry

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Thanks-A-Lot-HBO-Says-Mea-by-Martha-Rosenberg-090328-361.html

Author: Martha Rosenburg 

Date: March 28th 2009

Source: OpEdNews.com

Summary:

HBO aired Death on a Factory Farm in 2008 and the industry is still hurting and feeling the wrath of the documentary. The special has had a ripple effect and has prompted many new laws and regulations for the farms to follow now.

Response:

This documentary is today's version of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. It shook up the meat world and showed the cruelty of the farms. I like that HBO showed us the horrors so we can fix the problems now. The government is taking action and Obama is creating new policies. Hopefully soon there will be no more scandal in the factory farm industry.

"Porkchop" author balances full plate of farm activism

http://www.sacbee.com/livinghere/story/1682526.html

Author: Blair Anthony Robertson

Date: March 9th 2009

Source: The Sacramento Bee

Summary:

The slow shift of consumers switching from main factory meat to small farms or organic produce. The history of the commercial meat industry and how it started and the author's view on the subject.

Summary:

I agree with this article, about how the public is straying away from commercial meat. My family personally gets out meat from a small farm. Also there is more public awareness about the food industry. So the consumer with this knowledge is able to get meat from other sources. I'm not sure why the companies treat the animals like that, I'm sure they know it will become public.

The paradox of uranium mining in the West

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20090321/NEWS/903219994/1058&title=The%20paradox%20of%20uranium%20mining%20in%20the%20

Author: Matthew Beaudin

Date: March 21st 2009

Source: Aspen Times

Summary:

In many towns in Colorado uranium mining is what the town does and is what provides the business. There is a debate wether to expand the mines or to shut them down. This is a problem people will decide if they want to keep their jobs or save the environment.

Response:

In the towns the mines don't seem to harm the residents or have any negative effects. The problem is the EPA want to close the mines. I disagree with the EPA on this issue. The mines supply work and keep the towns afloat. Without the mines the towns would become ghost towns. People's livelihood is more important than the environment right now.

Toxic chemical pollution up 2.1% in NV form 06-07

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_11952211

Author: Scott Sonner

Date: March 19th 2009

Source: MercuryNwes.com

Summary:

Mining contributes 96% of toxic chemical pollution in Nevada, which is around 222 million pounds. Arsenic, lead, and mercury were the most common and mercury was actually traced in parts of Idaho, the fish have mercury in them.

Response:

This is bad in many ways because it affects so many things. The people of Idaho are being poisoned by the mercury inadvertently because of the mining. Also the mining has to have some effect on the workers. We need a solution to the problem of this mercury contamination. There needs to be better containment of the waste and a safe place to put it away from people. If we limit the effects we can continue mining if we can't then we have to stop the mining.  

Recycling balls puts a bounce in efforts 

http://www.mydesert.com/article/20090315/EVENTS10/903150308/-1/newsfront

Author: Mariecar Mendoza 

Date: March 15, 2009

Source: Mydesert.com

Summary:

At the BNP Paribas Open there was a new form of recycling, they collected used tennis balls. They collected 2,500 balls and for each person who brought 6 balls they received a new can of tennis balls. Every year there is about 20,000 tons of waste is because of tennis balls.

Response:

This is a great idea and way to recycle. The average person can recycle their old tennis balls ad get new ones to use. They company either makes them bounce again and sells them discounted to coaches. Or they are used to cover furniture or walker legs to prevent floor damage. It is a good way to save our environment. Now I'm able to recycle the old tennis balls that my dogs wrecked. 

Local landfill may convert methane gas into electricity

http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20090315/NEWS03/903150506

Author: Tony Bruscato

Date: March 15, 2009

Source: Hometownlife.com

Summary:

A landfill in Canton Township could be able to turn the methane from their land fill into electricity. The methane can be used to run 14 engines that can generate 10 megawatts of power, enough to power 10,000 homes.

Response:

This is a good idea for all the landfills in the world. We can gain electricity from our waste and we can become a more efficient society. With 10,000 homes getting power that is most of the homes that send the waste to the landfill. So if each area does this we would use less fossil fuels and so we become more energy efficient. Also methane is bad for the atmosphere, it is better to gain something from it than let it go to waste. 

Prince Khaled orders more action to curb pesticide sale

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=119984&d=7&m=3&y=2009&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

Date: March 7, 2009

Author: Hassan Hatrash

Source: Arab News

Summary:

Prince Khaled has said he will increase efforts to prevent illegal pesticide usage. This announcement was in response to the poisoning of to workers who accidentally poisoned themselves while spraying the pesticides. The crack down focuses especially Aluminum phosphide which has been attributed to many deaths over the last years. 

Response:

This is a shocking piece of news. The poisoned workers are the proof of the damaging effects of the chemicals. Also over the years all the deaths because of the poisonings should have sparked this change before. Its good that the Prince has announced this crack down. Hopefully he can stop the usage of the illegal chemicals. 

Less use of pesticide urged

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=446408&publicationSubCategoryId=77

Date:March 8, 2009

Author: NA

Source:philstar.com

Summary:

In the Philippines farmers are being asked to stop spraying their onion plants. They are asking this to stop the spray because the larvae are so deep in the soil the spray is ineffective to kill the bugs. Currently the farmers spray when they see the damage but the spray kills the natural predators of the bugs.

Response:

This is a type of an example we have seen in class. This is the classic problem concerned with spraying pesticides. The spraying seems to be in vain because the bugs are still doing damage to the plants. If they would stop the predators could manage the bugs. If not we could put more predators in the fields. This is the better more natural approach  to the problem. 

New State Study Supports Concerns About Aerial Pesticide Spray; More Questions Remainhttp://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/02/27/18573758.php

Author: Isabelle Jenniches 

Date: February 27, 2009

Source: Indybay.org

Summary:

A report has been released that shows the connects the aerial pesticide spray has impacts on many parts of the food chain. Studies have shown that there has been direct deaths of birds because of the spray. Reports indicate that residue from the spay has been found on the birds and homes in the area.

Response:

This report is shocking and these problems need to be addressed now. This shows how polluting pesticides can be and their harmful effects. I don't understand how it took so long to reach this connection especially when there is residue on the birds. Then not forget the human effects with the residue on the cars. So we need to either eliminate aerial spraying or find a better way to spray.

List of pesticide-free towns growing

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1235885232134710.xml&coll=1

Author: Jeanette Rundquist

Date: March 1, 2009

Source: New Jersey News

Summary:

Many towns in New Jersey have adopted a pesticide free policy in their towns and parks. These steps are designed to make the air and water better for its residents. This is a great plan even though it will cost a bit more in the long-run

Response:

This is a great idea for towns and cities to do. With no pesticides there will be cleaner air and water and spend less money on the pest control items. Since there will be more weeds the city can spend the saved money and pay people to cut the weeds and help the economy. This will help the kids stay healthy and give them a summer job. Keeping the towns pesticide free is a great step to keep the environment healthy. 

Hundreds of Coal Ash Dumps Lack Regulation

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/07/us/07sludge.html?_r=1

Author: Shaila  Dewan

Date: Jan. 6th 2009

Source: The New York Times

Summary:

There are around 1,300 coal dump plants in the U.S. that are unregulated in their dumping. The dumps contain lead, arsenic, mercury and selenium. Even though the ash is used to help farmers there is too much and is actually hurting because of the concentrations and amounts of the harmful chemicals.

Response:

This is a bad situation because there are some benefits to the ash. The ash helps but there is too much and is hurting the environment. The problem is that the companies will claim that they help. So there needs to be more regulations on this to prevents breaks in the dumps. If more breaks happen the land in the area will be destroyed. With new regulations the companies will be forced to fix the problem and this will help the environment  

Canada Takes Crap for Flushing Raw Sewage into the Oceanhttp://environment.about.com/od/waterpollution/a/canadasewage.htm

Author: Larry West

Date: Not Given

Source About.com

Summary:

In the British Colombia, cities are dumping their sewage into the ocean, the waste includes human waste, microorganisms , toxic chemical and etc. Many main cities like Montreal dump there sewage because they have no regulations on dumping. The worst is the city of Victoria, the city is actually proud of its dumping and claim it's "right and responsible thing".

Response: 

This is horrible, how has this not been addressed by Canada? Why is the government allowing this to go on? Especially with the Olympics coming soon and the world looking at Canada. They need to pass regulations for sewage like the rest of us. There is no excuse for this how can a city justify dumping sewage into a river and say it's okay? They need to clean up their act soon or it will gain greater attention as the Olympics near.

EPA Warns of Impending Human Threat Due to Global Warming

http://www.naturalnews.com/025555.html

Date: Feb 8th, 2009

Author: David Dutierrez

Summary:

The EPA has said that there will a big health impacts in years to come.  There will be more deaths because of the rising temperature and the worsening air quality in the inner city and among the elderly.  Also there will be a increase in hurricanes that will further the death toll.

Response: 

I'm conflicted about this some stuff in the article I agree with but other stuff I don't agree with. The rising temperatures, I don't agree with because it the statistics seem so dramatic. The EPA is making it seem like it will be 120 degrees every day and it wont be. Though I know the temperature is rising, it won't make people die from the heat.  The air quality is a problem, that should be addressed. The air is important and we need to keep it clean for years to come.

Title: 2 federal agencies settle global warming lawsuit

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090206/ap_on_bi_ge/global_warming_lawsuit_3

Author: Terence Chea

Date: Feb 6th 2009

Source: Associated Press

Summary:

Two agencies promised to finance 32 billion dollars over the next 10 years for fossil fuel projects without looking at the environmental effects. The projects were coal plants, oil lines, natural gas in various countries.  The groups won the case and its a major win for global climate change. 

Response:

This is good that these agencies lost this case. It shows that big companies can't avoid the laws protecting the earth. Now hopefully he group can win more cases and use the money to help the climate. This is so helpful to the countries that get polluted because they have no say in the building. It is good to make a strike against big oil and we need more blows against them.

An Artificial Sun on Earth

Date: Jan 27 2009

Author: NA

Source: Alternative Energy.com

Summary: 

Scientists are trying to create a new sun by replicating the thermo-nuclear fusion. The scientists are using a laser beam focused by mirrors and lenses. This laser collision is similar to the explosions in the sun.

Response:

I'm not sure about this as alternative energy right now. It seems more like a science project rather than a means to replace coal. Scientists have been trying this for a while and nothing has come from it. We should be using the billions for new cars and not atom collisions. This will help in like a 100 years but for now we need a better solution.

Running a Car on Wind Energy

Date: Jan 28

Author: N/A

Source: Alternative Energy.com

Summary:

There is a new car being developed by Rory Handel and Maxx Bricklinas in California. This car will be powered by wind energy, and electric batteries. The car will use the air currents around it as fuel and the electric motor is used to reach the air current speeds.

Response:

I think that this is a cool idea. That you can actually harness the wind to power your car. What I need to know is how fast do you need to go in order to get the wind currents? Is it like 25mph or 60mph? The car looks cool and stylish even though it will be expensive, it's a good idea. If i had the money I'd get it and I hope car companies buy in to this.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/business/22pepsi.html

Title: How Green Is My Orange?

Date: 1/21/09

Source: NY Times

Summary:

The Pepsi Company did a study on one of their subsidiaries Tropicana and found that the carbon emissions by the company are startling. The Pepsi Company is trying to now lower its emissions in general.

Response: 

This is shocking that my orange juice is so harmful. The Tropicana Company needs to lower their emissions. It will help the environment and also draw customers because they are going "green".  The Pepsi Company has a good idea in putting the carbon footprint on the product. This should be mandatory for all companies. This would promote a better environment and force companies to go "green" because buyers at stores will by the product with a lower footprint.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/business/25walmart.html?_r=1

Title: Green Light Specials,  Now at Wal-Mart

Date: 1/24/09

Source: NY Times

Summary:

Wal-mart has gone green and is helping the environment now, which is a pleasant change from its past attitudes. Wal-mart saves consumers money buy offering different lightbulb and lower concentration detergents.

Response:

This is a good step for Wal-mart and for the going "green" theme. Even though I don't like Wal-mart I am impressed that they have become so environmentally aware. They now sell fluorescent bulbs that last 75% longer, and detergent that requires 50% less water. Wal-Mart is enabling the average consumer to go "green" by making these products affordable. This new stance has also taken the heat off the company because of the working policies it was accused of doing. Overall it is a sound move for the company and it will force others to follow them