The value of Money

The value of money is technically what a certain amount of money can buy you. For example, if a one dollar bill can buy you a soda, then that one dollar bill has a value of one soda.

However, there is a deeper meaning to value of money when it comes to sustainability. Sustainability now plays a huge role in the world economy. Major businesses invest huge sums of money in environmental projects. However, these projects have to be worthwhile for the investors or else they will spend their money on something else. This is a big key for sustainability in the future. In order for a lot of the big projects to get done, such as some of the things in geoengineering, then big name companies and governments are going to have to invest a lot of money.

24 Hours heightened awareness of Sustainability

For 24 hours, I had a heightened awareness of everything that I discarded and all of the energy that I used. I looked at this to see what I could do better to live a more sustainable life.

I noticed that I drank out of a plastic water bottle and threw it away. Instead, I could recycle it. Or even better, I could use a reusable cup. Sometimes I will accidentally leave the lights or the TV on in my room. This is a waste of electricity and is something I can improve on in order to live a more sustainable life. In terms of driving, I try to walk or carpool when possible. However, I do drive a hybrid Toyota Highlander.

Paper VS. Plastic

There is a big debate about which is better for the environment: paper or plastic.

Oftentimes at visits to the grocery store the shopper is given the choice of whether to use  a plastic bag or a paper bag to check out with. Most people choose plastic thinking that it is better for the environment and because it is the more convenient choice. However, the decision is not that easy. There are disadvantages to both. 

One of the biggest problems with paper is that it causes pollution. People do not want to use paper because they want to "save the trees". But many people do not realize that paper production also emits air pollution. Another problem is that paper bags produce way more solid waste than plastic bags. A third problem is the inefficient recycling of paper bags. Although paper has a better recycling rate than plastic, many times the recycled paper is turned into cardboard products instead of new paper products. 

Just because paper has its environmental problems does not mean that plastic is the obvious choice. The use of plastic bags has its environmental issues as well. A big problem with plastic bags is litter. You see plastic bags blowing around everywhere today and it is a major problem. This causes a problem for wildlife. Many birds and small animals confuse littered plastic for food and they choke on it and die. A third problem is the recycling of plastic bags. Recycling plastic is very expensive and a fool-proof way has not been determined yet. 

The most environmental-friendly way to shop is to use reusable bags to hold your groceries. However, this is not always an option. When this is not an option, it is important to look at the environmental risks of using paper and plastic and make the decision you believe is best. 

Video about paper vs plastic

Capitalism Vs. Socialism: Which fosters sustainability?

Capitalism vs. Socialism: Which fosters sustainability?


Capitalism and socialism both foster sustainability, just in different ways. A socialist run country could be better than a capitalist run country if the government is fully committed to creating a sustainable environment. However, if the government cares more about other things than the environment, like some of the old Soviet systems, than there is nothing the citizens or anyone else can do to help the environment. Because the government controls every aspect of your life, they have to be the ones to initiate sustainable efforts. In a capitalist based society, there is more responsibility on the citizens to make sustainable efforts. The problem is finding the right balance between controlling environmental issues while maintaining the social status quo and keeping the right economical balance.

Below are listed some important figures and issues in sustainability:

John Muir-Scottish immigrant to America in the mid nineteenth century; wrote Mountains of California; walked across most of North America; established Yosemite National Park in 1890

Gifford Pinchot-Teddy Roosevelt appointed him the first director of the US Forest Service; aim of conservation: "greatest good for the greatest number for the longest time"

Rachel Carson-destruction of wildlife, She became a full-time nature writer in the 1950s

Tragedy of the Commons- economic theory by Garret Hardin; The tragedy of the commons is an economics theory by Garret Hardin according to which the depletion of a shared resource by individuals, acting independently and rationally according to each one's self-interest, act contrary to the group's long-term best interests by depleting the common resource.

Places in the World that interest me

One place that I am very interested in is Australia. I have always wanted to visit Australia because of its beautiful wildlife. I have always seen pictures of all of the beautiful animals and plant-life of the "Land down under". However, one of the big problems in Australia has to do with habitat loss and degradation. Habitat degradation is the process in which nature's habitat is unable to support the species present. Most of this is caused by humans expanding their territory because of increasing population. Also, water pollution plays a big role in this destruction. However, invasive species such as invasive weeds and animals degrade or even replace the natural habitat. This is a big problem with the waterways in Australia. It not only affects the biodiversity, but also the drinking water for humans and animals. One of the ways Australian wildlife officials are trying to help solve this problem is by making a lot of these areas protected. Along with the water getting harmed, a lot of the soil is becoming eroded or even destroyed.

Kakadu National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Australia. It is one of the protected territories in the Northern Territory of Australia. Kakadu is located in the tropics and has two main seasons: wet season and dry season. In the late 1880s, there was a period of time when there was a lot of mining in Kakadu. Miners looked for gold as well as other minerals there. About 60 years later, uranium was discovered along the waterways. Kakadu is known for there beautiful flora and fauna. Waterlilies such as the beautiful lotus flower thrive there as well as the floodplains. Along with these beautiful plants, there are some extraordinary animals there. The black wallaroo as well as the Antilopine kangaroo make a lovely home there. Also, the short-eared rock wallaby and the saltwater crocodile can be found in abundance there. The wildlife is not only beautiful, but also important to the citizens of the Northern Territories of Australia. It is essential that this area is protected and maintained.

This is a picture of the Kakadu National Park using Google Earth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaCatsXGKOQ

This is a video showing the beauty of the Kakadu National Park. 

Deforestation in Brazil

Brazil contains the Amazon rainforest, which is commonly know as "The Lungs of the World". Knowing this, it is quite unsettling to find out that Brazil has the largest area of forest that is removed annually in the world. The deforestation in Brazil is up to 28% per year. Deforestation is defined as the act of cutting down or burning the trees in a certain area. Many environmentalist link the recent boost in deforestation to a loosening of environmental law in Brazil, specifically in the Amazon. The South American nation uses satellite technology to track the amount of deforestation. In 1964, a law was passed claiming that if a citizen could demonstrate "effective cultivation" for a year and a day, then that person could claim a right to the land. The law paved the way for enormous amounts of areas of forest to be cut down for cattle production. Another big problem is the clearing of trees for highways. Farmers also use the trees to sell timber and make a profit. To go along with logging, infrastructure, and cattle farming, hydroelectric dams, soybean production, and mining activities also lead to deforestation. One of the effects of this deforestation is the emission of greenhouse gases. According to a recent study, it is believed that 10% of the current greenhouse gas emissions are due to deforestation in the Amazon Forest. Some of the ways deforestation can be stopped is by looking at the causes. The same people that lead to the destruction in the Amazon Rainforest can stop it. Politicians and coorporations and markets can help stop deforestation.

This is a picture of the Amazon Rainforest using Google Earth

National Science Foundation Video on Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest

This is a link to a good video by the National Science Foundation on deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest, focusing on Brazil.