Thirsty Plant Dries Out Yemen
Quarter 1
Article 8
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/01/world/middleeast/01yemen.html?_r=1
NY times
Miller chapter
The area covered is global.
Across Yemen, the underground water sources are running out, a crisis that could prove deadlier than the resurgence of Al Qaeda here. At the root of the water crisis is the quadrupling of the population in the last 50 years. Even as drought kills off Yemen's crops, farmers in villages like this one are turning increasingly to a thirsty plant called qat, the leaves of which are chewed every day by most Yemeni men (and some women) for their mild narcotic effect. The farmers have little choice: qat is the only way to make a profit. Even as drought kills off Yemen's crops, farmers in villages like this one are turning increasingly to a thirsty plant called qat, the leaves of which are chewed every day by most Yemeni men (and some women) for their mild narcotic effect. The farmers have little choice: qat is the only way to make a profit.
I think that this is devastating. Our society takes water for granted. We use gallons of it daily. In Yemen, there is barely enough water to survive.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
L.I. Harvests May Signal a Comeback for Scallops
L.I. Harvests May Signal a Comeback for Scallops
Quarter 1
Article 7
NY Times
Miller Chapter
The area covered is local.
Since 1985, multiple surges in toxic marine algea known as brown tide have decimated Peconic Bay's scallop production, resulting in years of devastating economic harvests. But, last year the baymen realized that scallops are making a comeback. The yield tripled from 2007 to 2008 and this year it is projected to stay the same or increase. Many efforts have been made to restore the scallop population. Part of their strategy is to increase the rate of spawning and fertilization. They have also released hundreds of thousands of baby scallops in the bay since 2005. In the late 1990s, nitrogen levels dropped and brown tide faded away, but scientists are not sure why nitrogen levels decreased. Fisherman are happy to enjoy a brown tide free scallop season.
I think it's great that the scallop populatrion is making a come back. Doing these articles, the majority of knowledge that I have accumulated on the environment has been that it is getting worse. It is reassuring to know that atleast a small aspect of the environment is improving.
Vocabulary-
brown tide: part of growing world-wide incidences of harmful
algal blooms (HAB) which are caused by a proliferation of singlecelled
marine plants called phytoplankton
algal blooms (HAB) which are caused by a proliferation of singlecelled
marine plants called phytoplankton
More Record Highs and Far Fewer Lows
More Record Highs and Far Fewer Lows
Quarter 1
Article 6
NY times
Miller Chapter
The area covered is national.
Scientists in the United States have found more evidence of long term global warming. The biggest climatic change is the shift to decreasing low nightime temperatures. According to a news release from the National Center for Atmospheric Research: If nations continue to increase their emissions of greenhouse gases in a “business-as-usual” scenario, the U.S. ratio of daily record high to record low temperatures would increase to about 20 to 1 by midcentury and 50 to 1 by 2100. The midcentury ratio could be much higher if emissions rose at an even greater pace, or it could be about 8 to 1 if emissions were reduced significantly, the model showed.
My opinion is that the United States needs to decrease it's emission of greenhouse gases. Many people do not realize the harm that a change in a few degrees can have on the environment. Temperature change is responsible for the destruction of coral reefs and the melting of the polar ice caps. Global warming has a profound impact on the decrease of biodiversity of the world. Although, this article was written on a national scale, it impacts international aspects. Each nation needs to rise up and do what they can to stop the emissions of greenhouse gases or the biodiversity on life is going to continue to be destructed dramatically.
Vocabulary-
greenhouse gases: any of the gases whose absorption of solar radiation is responsible for the greenhouse effect, including carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, and the fluorocarbons.
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