I really dont know if CO2 is the cause of climate change, I dont know if we could actually impact something on the scale of the global climate, but then again I dont know alot of things. What I do know is that a) putting garbage in the atmosphere is a bad thing, and b) complaining about something doesnt solve a problem.

At least these scientist are thinking about some possible solutions to the CO2 issue instead of bellyaching about it all the time.

For this weeks post, please follow this link. The link will take you to a site were you can read or listen to a podcast of the article….

Scientist Turn Trees into Carbon Banks

I hope everyone had a relaxing break! I know I did, but I can tell spring is in the air b/c my sun gets up with the ever earlier sunrise. In class this week we will have a great discussion about climate change and potential causes. The article this week just add more fuel for the discussion….enjoy

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527481.400-smoke-bomb-the-other-climate-culprits.html

I hope everyone enjoyed the break! Just seven weeks to go, but whos counting.

This weeks article about a year old, and we have seen one similar to it, but it is definitely fitting with what we will be doing this week in class, that is testing water, and looking at the effects of even seemingly harmless chemicals in water.
Enjoy!

Drinking Water of 41 Million Americans Contaminated with Pharmaceuticals

Last time I taught this class I realized both the power of current events and the naivety that many of US hold about science. By US I mean everyday citizens. We often do not have the expertise to analyze how complex all this stuff about the environment really is.
I also realized amazing insights that young people provide and how interesting their perspectives toward our world trully are.
So, since you are about to go out to the real world, whether it be to college (which is by far NOT the real world) or to a career (or at least your first career), I feel that it is important to try out what you have been preparing to do since your first day of kindergarten……make informed decisions and express your educated opinion!

Bottom line, learn about a few things and have interesting discussions with your classmates and other passers by on the web.  And of course you will get paid for your effort.  4 points a post, for at least 8 of the 10 weeks for the marking period. 

You might be wondering at this point what you have to do or what type of response I am looking for. Some general guidelines are below:

Opinion/Reflection Paragraph (4 pts)

 Your opinion about the content of the article is expressed in one paragraph in your own words.

 Examples from the article are used to support your opinion.

 Paragraph is AT LEAST four sentences long.

Your first reading assignment is posted, check it out, what do you think?

http://rhenvirosci.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/nasa-whose-air-is-it-anyway_.pdf

After reading the article, post your comment using the “leave a comment” link in red. Please leave your name so that I can figure out who you are i.e. do not create some wacko username like chappy or something, I will have a hard time giving you credit.