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.