Omari Matthew
Crisis Beginning
The world we have grown to love has been through more than we can imagine. It has gone through multiple ice ages, deadly collisions, giant meteors, and the beginning of mankind. To know that we have caused the earth so much pain is very nerve reckoning. After reading the articles, it seems that everything mankind has thought up is only has the “band aid”. Some of the solutions may be gone, but my hope still burns. My hope for an environmentally conscious earth has not faded away. The survival technique in the Peak oil novel has awoken my full knowledge of the situation. Life will not end instead it will just have to struggle for survival. But even some struggle is better then cataclysmic doom.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Connection
Omari Matthew
Two sides of the same coin
The books Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind, and The World World without us give a similar reason as to how the human race causes its own demise. A Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind talks about the beginning of slavery, and how it lead to the mentalities of today’s minds. While The World Without us gives a descriptive account of the world after human extinction. Although each book is, at first, different, each author is saying the same thing; the human want for money caused their own destruction.
In the book Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind the author talks about the beginning of slavery in great detail. He talks about how the white man enslaved black for the mass production of cash crops like tobacco. The white man brought in mass amount of people in order to gain more money. This mentality ties into today’s mindset. As humanity grows all over the world, they constantly disregard the damage their growth will cause to the environment. For example, when humans put their wastes in mountains (as a cheap way to get rid of them), the glacial water becomes contaminated and hurts the people who live at the bottom of the mountain.
In The World Withous us the author describes a world after human extinction. He talks about the different ways humans, before extinction, tried to save money by doing things that have huge environmental causes. Because of the want for money, humanity is faced with literal “urban jungles”. This is similar to Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind, because both authors talk about how money leads to environmental damage. Forcing of slaves to do work, lead to a “Do anything for money” mentality, which lead to some of the environmental problems today. While in the present, because humans do anything for money, it lead to their own demise.
Weisman, Alan. The World Without Us. New York, NY: Picador, 2008.
Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1995.
Two sides of the same coin
The books Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind, and The World World without us give a similar reason as to how the human race causes its own demise. A Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind talks about the beginning of slavery, and how it lead to the mentalities of today’s minds. While The World Without us gives a descriptive account of the world after human extinction. Although each book is, at first, different, each author is saying the same thing; the human want for money caused their own destruction.
In the book Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind the author talks about the beginning of slavery in great detail. He talks about how the white man enslaved black for the mass production of cash crops like tobacco. The white man brought in mass amount of people in order to gain more money. This mentality ties into today’s mindset. As humanity grows all over the world, they constantly disregard the damage their growth will cause to the environment. For example, when humans put their wastes in mountains (as a cheap way to get rid of them), the glacial water becomes contaminated and hurts the people who live at the bottom of the mountain.
In The World Withous us the author describes a world after human extinction. He talks about the different ways humans, before extinction, tried to save money by doing things that have huge environmental causes. Because of the want for money, humanity is faced with literal “urban jungles”. This is similar to Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind, because both authors talk about how money leads to environmental damage. Forcing of slaves to do work, lead to a “Do anything for money” mentality, which lead to some of the environmental problems today. While in the present, because humans do anything for money, it lead to their own demise.
Weisman, Alan. The World Without Us. New York, NY: Picador, 2008.
Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1995.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Serenity
Omari Matthew
Serenity
I have always heard that you never really appreciated something until you mess it up, but now I truly know what the saying is talking about. While I was searching through southen’s photostream I stumbled upon the picture “Serenity” (http://www.flickr.com/photos/southen/3640757689/). When I first looked at the picture I was amazed the timing of the shot. He caught the picture late at night, while Chicago’s lights still glowed. What amazed me was the pure beauty of the shot, and the beautiful spiral lights that seemed to paint the sky the purple. After seeing the picture, I noticed that some human race do not fully appreciate the planet they live on. Some of the world leaders (like china’s world leader) do not want to take the first step to do anything about the growing global warming issue. In the article “U.S. Officials press China on Climate” by Keith Bradsher, China refuses the notion of becoming greener. American officials stated that “We’re not talking about their giving up prosperity; we’re talking about their using energy in a more efficient way” (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/world/asia/16warming.html?_r=1&ref=world). China, and other nations that agree with them, are more worried about their economy dropping then their own people being swept away by the rising sea levels in places like Bejing. If nations truly worried about how they look to other countries, then they would want to do something that would both impress and show off their power. The best way to do this would be to become a greener nation, because it will not make you look bad as much as it would make you unique and powerful.
Serenity
I have always heard that you never really appreciated something until you mess it up, but now I truly know what the saying is talking about. While I was searching through southen’s photostream I stumbled upon the picture “Serenity” (http://www.flickr.com/photos/southen/3640757689/). When I first looked at the picture I was amazed the timing of the shot. He caught the picture late at night, while Chicago’s lights still glowed. What amazed me was the pure beauty of the shot, and the beautiful spiral lights that seemed to paint the sky the purple. After seeing the picture, I noticed that some human race do not fully appreciate the planet they live on. Some of the world leaders (like china’s world leader) do not want to take the first step to do anything about the growing global warming issue. In the article “U.S. Officials press China on Climate” by Keith Bradsher, China refuses the notion of becoming greener. American officials stated that “We’re not talking about their giving up prosperity; we’re talking about their using energy in a more efficient way” (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/world/asia/16warming.html?_r=1&ref=world). China, and other nations that agree with them, are more worried about their economy dropping then their own people being swept away by the rising sea levels in places like Bejing. If nations truly worried about how they look to other countries, then they would want to do something that would both impress and show off their power. The best way to do this would be to become a greener nation, because it will not make you look bad as much as it would make you unique and powerful.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Industry lies
Omari Matthew
Denial Industry
The fact that you belief in your parent’s ideals is not a bad thing, but to completely believe that global warming is a lie is asinine. Scientific evidence is made through a large amount of facts, and agreements between multiple scientists. Scientific evidence is what proves that the air is in front of us, that plants take in CO2 for respiration, and it proves that humanity’s gas emissions is the leading cause of global warming and climate change.
In the book Global Warming: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) the author, Mark Maslin, uses scientific data to connect CO2 emissions to global warming and climate change. Using a graph, he shows a correlation between warming in Antarctica and CO2 spikes. He states that “A detailed examination of the ice-core CO2 data… shows the major stepwise increases at the same time as warming in Antarctica.” (Maslin, 60). The use of ice-cores (which accurately tells temperate and carbon levels at any times) backs up his Maslin’s evidence. The use of scientific data from the ice cores further proves his statement. Additionally, Maslin “refers to the ‘weight of the evidence’ as our condidence in science if similar results are obtained from very different sources” (Maslin, 62). To gain they same ice core results from the South Pole, North Pole, Antarctica, and Greenland shows that their data is solid. It is like getting the same information from 5 different people from 5 different parts of the world; the reason why is due to the fact that the multiple scientists are correct. This is very different from skeptics, like Ball, who get their information from the same group of rich oil tycoons and those who benefit.
In the videos “Junk Science” and “Denial Industry” there are many skeptical individuals who do not believe that the earth’s CO2 emissions are the cause for climate change and global warming. My first concern is that skeptics lack scientific to back up their theories that preach about and stand by. Skeptics like Tim Ball, star of both videos, stated that “The plain fact is there was never any evidence of CFCs affecting the ozone layer” (Wikipedia). A gas that is in the category of CFC is methane. Methane is known world wide as one of the strongest greenhouse gasses. According to IPCC CFCs, like methane, has been labeled as a “Volatile Organic Compound” in 1997. The reason the IPCC labeled CFCs as a VOC is due to the fact that in they cause holes in the ozone layer. The EPA (Environmental protection Agency) stated that “The stratosphere or "good" ozone layer extends upward from about 6 to 30 miles and protects life on Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. This natural shield has been gradually depleted by man-made chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).” (http://www.epa.gov/ozone/). Obviously, Tim Ball is wrong, but why does he keep on lying in the public’s face? Because as long as he lies, he gets keep his money, land, and power.
Many of the large oil companies, like Exxon Mobile, gain millions of dollars from American gas usage. Many of the global warming solutions include a complete cut back on carbon emissions, and one of the substances that emit the most carbon are cars that use gas. By keeping away “rumors” about Global Warming. They can keep Americans using car, so then the oil companies make more and more money. Another reason why skeptics try to deride Global Warming believers is to keep what their property and belongings. People like Rex (Tillerson CEO and Chairmen of Exxon Mobile) makes millions of dollars selling oil. If he was to ever try to become “green”, or if people begin to do something about global warming, then he would lose money. Losing money could cost him a couple million dollars, meaning that he might have to give up some of his personal belongings.
To think that what you believe is a lie must be mind numbing, but to know that what you could believe is truth makes it better. Factual Scientific data from those who have very little is very powerful against those who have no evidence and own everything they need.
Maslin, Mark. Global Warming: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions). New York: Oxford University Press, USA, 2008.
Denial Industry
The fact that you belief in your parent’s ideals is not a bad thing, but to completely believe that global warming is a lie is asinine. Scientific evidence is made through a large amount of facts, and agreements between multiple scientists. Scientific evidence is what proves that the air is in front of us, that plants take in CO2 for respiration, and it proves that humanity’s gas emissions is the leading cause of global warming and climate change.
In the book Global Warming: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) the author, Mark Maslin, uses scientific data to connect CO2 emissions to global warming and climate change. Using a graph, he shows a correlation between warming in Antarctica and CO2 spikes. He states that “A detailed examination of the ice-core CO2 data… shows the major stepwise increases at the same time as warming in Antarctica.” (Maslin, 60). The use of ice-cores (which accurately tells temperate and carbon levels at any times) backs up his Maslin’s evidence. The use of scientific data from the ice cores further proves his statement. Additionally, Maslin “refers to the ‘weight of the evidence’ as our condidence in science if similar results are obtained from very different sources” (Maslin, 62). To gain they same ice core results from the South Pole, North Pole, Antarctica, and Greenland shows that their data is solid. It is like getting the same information from 5 different people from 5 different parts of the world; the reason why is due to the fact that the multiple scientists are correct. This is very different from skeptics, like Ball, who get their information from the same group of rich oil tycoons and those who benefit.
In the videos “Junk Science” and “Denial Industry” there are many skeptical individuals who do not believe that the earth’s CO2 emissions are the cause for climate change and global warming. My first concern is that skeptics lack scientific to back up their theories that preach about and stand by. Skeptics like Tim Ball, star of both videos, stated that “The plain fact is there was never any evidence of CFCs affecting the ozone layer” (Wikipedia). A gas that is in the category of CFC is methane. Methane is known world wide as one of the strongest greenhouse gasses. According to IPCC CFCs, like methane, has been labeled as a “Volatile Organic Compound” in 1997. The reason the IPCC labeled CFCs as a VOC is due to the fact that in they cause holes in the ozone layer. The EPA (Environmental protection Agency) stated that “The stratosphere or "good" ozone layer extends upward from about 6 to 30 miles and protects life on Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. This natural shield has been gradually depleted by man-made chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).” (http://www.epa.gov/ozone/). Obviously, Tim Ball is wrong, but why does he keep on lying in the public’s face? Because as long as he lies, he gets keep his money, land, and power.
Many of the large oil companies, like Exxon Mobile, gain millions of dollars from American gas usage. Many of the global warming solutions include a complete cut back on carbon emissions, and one of the substances that emit the most carbon are cars that use gas. By keeping away “rumors” about Global Warming. They can keep Americans using car, so then the oil companies make more and more money. Another reason why skeptics try to deride Global Warming believers is to keep what their property and belongings. People like Rex (Tillerson CEO and Chairmen of Exxon Mobile) makes millions of dollars selling oil. If he was to ever try to become “green”, or if people begin to do something about global warming, then he would lose money. Losing money could cost him a couple million dollars, meaning that he might have to give up some of his personal belongings.
To think that what you believe is a lie must be mind numbing, but to know that what you could believe is truth makes it better. Factual Scientific data from those who have very little is very powerful against those who have no evidence and own everything they need.
Maslin, Mark. Global Warming: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions). New York: Oxford University Press, USA, 2008.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Human want to act when needed
After reading the article it became very clear to me that humanity only helps when help is needed. In regards to the global warming issue, the article talks about how different groups believe different things. The awareness and fight against global warming comes down to either a political or financial matter. It is often believed that one who is a collectivist (Someone who cares about others) is more prone to care about the issue of global warming, because it affects others. I find that to be very unsurprising. In any case, most groups care about no one but either themselves or their money (i.e. the government). I think that the only way to combat Global warming is to actually stop worrying about our own well being (and our wallets) and work towards the greater good.
Links through july 9th
Omari Matthew
My Thoughts
In regards to the first link, the picture of submerged manhattan really scared me. I personally do not know what to think about the general topic. One of the most important places in New York State can easily become one of the most barren. I think it’s pretty funny that in manhattan the government has prepared so heavily against terrorism, but a threat so much more... threatening is creeping up. It also angers me how the government is so concerned about money when it comes to Global warming, but if we let it continue the effects will cost us more money than we have. Also the climate change is affecting everything in our area. To conform to the changing weather will cost more then to prevent it.
My Thoughts
In regards to the first link, the picture of submerged manhattan really scared me. I personally do not know what to think about the general topic. One of the most important places in New York State can easily become one of the most barren. I think it’s pretty funny that in manhattan the government has prepared so heavily against terrorism, but a threat so much more... threatening is creeping up. It also angers me how the government is so concerned about money when it comes to Global warming, but if we let it continue the effects will cost us more money than we have. Also the climate change is affecting everything in our area. To conform to the changing weather will cost more then to prevent it.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Scientific Reasoning
Omari Matthew
Scientific Reasoning
In a world where people do not believe everything that is thrown at them, scientific reasoning is one of the only ways to change fiction to fact. The world is heading towards catastrophic destruction due to the every growing threat known as Global Warming. Global Warming is the result dense atmosphere (caused by gases like CO2 and Methane) coupled with the sun’s constant rays. Global Warming’s growth has been carefully charted and graphed by many reports, scientists, and politicians’ world wide.
According to the Elizabeth Kolbert’s, a reporter for the New Yorker, article “The Climate Man-II” one of the main causes for global warming is the increasing carbon emissions from factories. “Carbon Dioxide levels will probably reach 500 parts per million-nearly double the pre-industrial era- sometime around the middle of the century” (Kolbert, Elizabeth, “The Climate Man-II”, The New Yorker, May 2nd 2005). According to Wikipedia, during 2009 the amount of carbon in the earth’s atmosphere went above the 380 mark Because of the increasing amount of CO2, global warming’s green house affect is melting ice around the world. According to David Guggenheim’s film An Incontinent truth a glacier in
This ice melting is a direct result of global warming and climate change, and an explanation of it. According to David Guggenheim’s film, when sun’s energy hits the earth 90% of it is reflected by ice, but because the ice is melting the energy is not being reflected. As it hits the water 90% of the energy is being absorbed, so more heat is staying within the earth (according to Guggenheim). As more heat is absorbed, summers become hotter; and more ice begins to melt. This is the direct result climate change, and the reasoning behind it is the difference in absorption energy between ice and water.
Global Warming’s scientific reasoning is behind the world’s CO2 emission, which is directly proved through the amount, ppm, of CO2 in the atmosphere today. Its effects, which prove the scientific reasoning, are also evident in areas around the world. For example, on July 6th 2004 Mumbai suffered from a massive flood. The Flood not only took away a lot of money from Mumbai, but also a large amount of lives. Global warming is a large problem, but if the world could use the scientific data to their advantage the world could probably find it’s way out of this conundrum.
An Inconvenient Truth. Dir. Davis Guggenheim. Perf. Al Gore. DVD.
Maslin, Mark. Global Warming: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions).
Kolbert,
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Permafrost and Burning Green
Omari Matthew
The not so distant past (of 2005) is an ominous sign for what the future has in store for the world’s Global warming problem. Elizabeth Kolbert, A reporter from the famous magazine The New Yorker, describes her journey around the icy parts of Earth to gather information on global warming’s climate changing effect on the ice caps, permafrost, and forests. She states that “In the same way that global warming ceased to be merely a theory, so, too its impact are no long hypothetical” (Kolbert, Elizabeth, “The Climate Man-1”, The New Yorker, April 25 2005). The nuisance of yesterday has become the threat of today, and its effects are becoming more apparent.
During her travels to remote areas like the island of Shishmaref she learns of the harsh realities of melting ice of those who depend on a predictable ice pattern. Because the ice melts earlier, the men of Shishmaref are forced to adapt to the change by hunting with boats. Although the men adapt fairly well, they are forced to leave their island due to massive storms that are usually kept out by the ice that used to surround the island. The warmer temperate, caused by Global Warming, forced the people to relocate, costing the government 180 million dollars.
The effects of Global Warming have also affected the always frozen Permafrost (frozen, very solid, soil or ice). The permafrost has always been warm near the bottom, due to the earth’s hot core, and coldest near the top, but in 2005 the temperate readings have shown that the top is getting warmer, and the coldest areas are near the middle. The newly heated permafrost, melted in certain areas, causes unprecedented results. For example Alaska’s permafrost may completely thaw out for the first time in over 120,000 years. Yet the affects do not end with just ice melting, it also continues into the hottest parts of the world.
6.3 million acres of forest in New Hampshire, in late August, 2005, completely burned away in a massive forest first that lasted two and a half months. The overall increasing dryness of the area, coupled with the increasing temperate that global warming is creating the perfect climate for a fire. This causes more CO2 to rise into the atmosphere, leading to the progression of climate change. The rising temperate has not only ceased some plant life, but caused some to come back to life. The rare plant Dryas octopetala has reappeared in Scandinavia, this only happened once before during the rapid warming before the ice age.
The glaciers of places like Solheimajokull fill up with grit, and slowly become smaller and smaller as the years go by. She ends the article with a summary of her events summarized in thought while viewing a glacier. “…The glacier would probably no longer even be visible from the ridge where I was standing. I climbed back up to take a second look”. She ends her journey there as she reflects on how prevalent the effects of global warming have become in the past years.
The not so distant past (of 2005) is an ominous sign for what the future has in store for the world’s Global warming problem. Elizabeth Kolbert, A reporter from the famous magazine The New Yorker, describes her journey around the icy parts of Earth to gather information on global warming’s climate changing effect on the ice caps, permafrost, and forests. She states that “In the same way that global warming ceased to be merely a theory, so, too its impact are no long hypothetical” (Kolbert, Elizabeth, “The Climate Man-1”, The New Yorker, April 25 2005). The nuisance of yesterday has become the threat of today, and its effects are becoming more apparent.
During her travels to remote areas like the island of Shishmaref she learns of the harsh realities of melting ice of those who depend on a predictable ice pattern. Because the ice melts earlier, the men of Shishmaref are forced to adapt to the change by hunting with boats. Although the men adapt fairly well, they are forced to leave their island due to massive storms that are usually kept out by the ice that used to surround the island. The warmer temperate, caused by Global Warming, forced the people to relocate, costing the government 180 million dollars.
The effects of Global Warming have also affected the always frozen Permafrost (frozen, very solid, soil or ice). The permafrost has always been warm near the bottom, due to the earth’s hot core, and coldest near the top, but in 2005 the temperate readings have shown that the top is getting warmer, and the coldest areas are near the middle. The newly heated permafrost, melted in certain areas, causes unprecedented results. For example Alaska’s permafrost may completely thaw out for the first time in over 120,000 years. Yet the affects do not end with just ice melting, it also continues into the hottest parts of the world.
6.3 million acres of forest in New Hampshire, in late August, 2005, completely burned away in a massive forest first that lasted two and a half months. The overall increasing dryness of the area, coupled with the increasing temperate that global warming is creating the perfect climate for a fire. This causes more CO2 to rise into the atmosphere, leading to the progression of climate change. The rising temperate has not only ceased some plant life, but caused some to come back to life. The rare plant Dryas octopetala has reappeared in Scandinavia, this only happened once before during the rapid warming before the ice age.
The glaciers of places like Solheimajokull fill up with grit, and slowly become smaller and smaller as the years go by. She ends the article with a summary of her events summarized in thought while viewing a glacier. “…The glacier would probably no longer even be visible from the ridge where I was standing. I climbed back up to take a second look”. She ends her journey there as she reflects on how prevalent the effects of global warming have become in the past years.
EN 103 Global Warming Summary
Scientists, of the IPCC, believe that in the near future the global society should be suffering from some of the economic, political, agricultural, health, and water effects of Global warming, because of the increased concentration of Greenhouse Gases (CO2, Methane, O3, ect…) in the atmosphere and the climate changes that it brings about. Global warming’s climate changing effects affect the overall well-being of continents like Europe and South America, because it can lead dangerous rises in sea levels and dangerously unpredictable drops and spikes in temperature. Because of Global Warming’s increasing danger to humanity, we will have to categorize our nation under the world’s health in order to fight the on coming threat.
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