Snow Leopards growth

My recent journals have been kind off depressing with many of the journals indicating negative ecological events. This journal will be of more positive bases as we will provide some information and input about an elusive species that seems to have adapted and grown in numbers. This elusive feline is known as a snow leopard and is illustrated below.

Looking at the picture their creature looks so majestic and is just awesome. The article that helps me discover this big cat indicated that they are listed as endangered. Recent research indicated that the snow leopard has managed to increase in numbers as this species is aggressively trying to remain alive and remove the possibility of its extinction. The one thing I do not like about this article is the precise location that is documented about the endangered species habitat. I think that is great to provide this information but poor decision on all people involved in this article to provide such sensitive information for the like of poachers, hunters and other negative intended humans. The article states that the snow leopard resides in the extremely steep mountain region. I am hoping that the landscape will provide much needed barrier and protection from the aforementioned poachers and hunters. The environmentalist estimates that around 4,500 to 7,500 snow leopards remain alive. That number is far better than the 2,500 tigers that are counted to be alive but as humans we can make a way stronger effort to ensure this and many other species that they will not ever make it to the brink of extinction.

http://news.yahoo.com/photos-elusive-snow-leopards-thrive-surprising-spot-150801114.html

Poachers

Recently I ran across an article that was a bit different. This article dealt with poachers who had been caught killing tigers in the Thailand region. It was mentioned that of these tigers only about 2,500 remain alive today. Reading this article reminded me of the field trip I had taken to Cork Screw Sanctuary. There was an area where I remember that they had preserved or recreated the camp where the poachers camped for bird feathers. In reading this article it hit me that environmentally I had completely overlooked the human effect of poachers on the rare and unique animal species. The article mentioned that tigers are hunted mainly for their pelts and bones which are used for medicines. As I am reading this article I am asking myself how people can just be so ignorant to know that these animals are on the verge of extinction and they selfishly hunt this innocent life. There are really two culprits here the people who create the demand and the suppliers. I feel both parties need to be severely punished for these hideous deeds as they are not only stealing an innocent life but also stealing both a piece of this world from every one of us as well as of our future. I truly feel more justice needs to be placed on this business and a policy of an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth for be just for this situation.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43756746/ns/world_news-world_environment/

Kyoto Protocol

While thinking about a topic to write about for this journal entry, a thought popped in my head about the environmental condition of the United States. I decided to research the bigger issues concerning the environmental condition of this nation. In researching for the information I was able to pull together a long list of serious issues. The issues that I was able to locate but not limited to were, climate change, conservation, deforestation, energy, invasive species, mining, nuclear, pesticides, air pollution, water pollution, marine pollution, solid and hazardous waste, over population and consumption waste. Reading about climate change the US is listed second behind China as the world largest emitters of carbon dioxide. This issue is largely created due to the burning of fossil fuels and helps contribute to the global warning problem. It was noted that the United States is one of two countries that has not signed up for the which is an attempt at fighting global warming. This group of countries consists of 37 that are considered industrial countries. They are referred to as Annex I countries and have agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by five percent from the 1990 level. I truly believe that as the world’s number one and two economies, United States and China, need to aggressively remodel their industrial blue print and foot print to help preserve this would. Instead it seems that they are focused on competing with one another at the expense of other people lives. There is no salvation if there is no hope of a future.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protocol

Reflecting on Service Learning

            It has been about one to two weeks since completion of my service learning hours at the Calusa nature center. In reflection on my experience there, I must admit that it was rather pleasant. I did have to overcome a couple of my phobias in order to be of productive help to the works. The day started early as I arrived at 8:45 AM in the morning to offer my volunteering services. I was given two options to select from to designate how my services would be rendered. The options were helping the counselors with the summer camp kids or help with animal care. Having great interest in animals that decision was not very difficult, animals it was without thought. At that point, I made my way to the area where they house the ducks. I was really excited since I am a big fan of ducks of any kind. These ducks were so small and cute. There were 5 of them and they had energy. I ended up joining them on their terrain in order to be able to rake up and turn over their soil. This process helps bring hidden forms of food and much needed nutrients to the surface for the ducks. It did not take long for the ducks to feel somewhat comfortable before they gathered cautiously around me. After the cleaning up the ducks area I was asked to help clean the area of a huge hog named Elvis. This hog was incredibly big and extremely friendly. The workers showed me how much Elvis loves his belly to rub by them using a broom to rub his belly. He harmlessly lay down while getting is personal massage. Much of the day was just as exciting as the beginning. As one of the guides explained most of these animals have been given the opportunity for a longer life since most are there due to serious injuries they suffered. As long as I have been in this area I never realized that Calusa Nature Center was somewhat of a sanctuary for animals. The experience of volunteering has encouraged me to help support their causes in aiding injured animals who on recovery are released back into the wild. Initially I thought I was going to help offer my help, in reflecting on my experience I feel as though I needed those moments more that it needed me. I am very fortunate and grateful to have been exposed to it and plan on being part of their purpose in many other ways that are possible.

Indigenous tribes

An article that I ran across recently reminded me that we have to help preserve not just the life of plants and animals but also attempt to preserve the life of uncontacted indigenous tribes hidden deep within nature. In Brazil there recently was a tribe located that has managed to remain hidden from modern civilization. The tribe was described as consisting of about 200 members. The article shows that the members attempt to capture the airplane flying over their camp by firing arrows at the aircraft. Many dangers are presented if modern civilization were to establish contact with the native people. The article mentions that there is danger of disrupting their natural habitat or spreading germs that the tribal people were not immune from. In a previous attempt to establish contact with the same type of tribe, 45 tribe members ended up dying from lack of immunity to what we would consider common gems. By introducing both common and advanced deceases to these tribes we would like help contribute to an expedited process of their extinction as well. It is of great concern that this tribe including many other unknown tribes risk contact through aggressive logging activity with the country forest. It is sad to see that regardless of who, what and where on this earth much of this earth risk being contaminated by our modern hands.

http://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/articles/169552/20110625/uncontacted-lost-amazon-tribe-brazil-great-discovery-amazing-rare-photos-ancient.htm

Personal Consumption

This week was a bit different as far as my consumption concerned. For this week my consumption increased by tenfold. The reason for this was complete house cleaning. My residence consists of about 1300 square feet and needed a complete scrub down. Prior to beginning with cleaning I did some shopping for chemicals I needed in cleansing by house from any bacteria. I purchased 4 gallons of Bleach to help make sure that all bacteria would be removed. It is funny but I actually was considering getting more, however at the time of filling up my cart I recalled my ecological footprint from the quiz I had taken and decided to lower my targeted quantity. With that frame of mind I continued to purchase additional items needed for cleaning but on a more conservative basis. While cleaning the bathrooms I found myself also being extremely conscious of the quantity of water that I was utilizing. I constantly found myself trying to evaluate my behavior to see if it was the most efficient and effective method available in using the least amount of resources. I must say that spent a lot of mental energy throughout the day trying to reinvent my regular processes of cleaning in order to be more conservative with chemicals, water and electricity. I remembered while shopping the “Story about Stuff” also influencing me in the fact of how many items I ended up purchasing compared to my initial estimated amount. I would say that the colloquium experience definitely served its purpose and influence as it changed my behavior for what I consider an important task.

Fight for survival

            In reading some of the online news, I ran across an article that caught my interest. The article correlated with some of the readings and chapters in our course book “State of the world.” The location of the story occurs in the Kenya area on the African continent. Currently the area is experiencing the worst drought since the 1950’s which is largely created due to human hands. Many of the animals are competing with humans for water and other small quantities of natural resources. The article depicts a depleted area of resources as the carcasses of 27 cattle and 1 giraffe are counted within a three hour period all due the inability of the land to sustain them. Some local believe these poor conditions are due to the lack of rain which can also be a contributor from the global warming effect. The article offers a more in-depth analyzes which adds the influence from humans hands through the means of war. It is through war that many of the resources become scarce and prices are driven up out of common people reach. The support of AID agencies also seems to have little impact as both the growing population and continuous war activities are dwindling the impact these organizations are having on the local people. It is documented that the targeted goals of donated AID for one organization is around $80 million to help support about 12 million people who are fighting for survival. There are so many variables that need to be controlled and changed for this area to progress in a positive direction. Many of the cultures also thrive on the creation of large families as it is a cultural belief that large families create more successful families. The older generations anticipate the younger generations to prosper and actively support the parents when grownup. This cultural belief greatly helps increase the dependency of mouths in need of the aid. The issue of war existing on African soil has remain present since my younger days. With lack of progress in their efforts to extinguish these efforts my believe lack optimism that this issues will be resolved in my lifetime.

http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/07/07/7031757-worst-drought-in-60-years-12-million-africans-face-fight-for-survival