Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Hardest things to do~

The first thing I will have trouble with will be unplugging my electronics to save energy. I find this to be very difficult for me because I’m used to just using the electronics as I want and whenever I want so I don’t want to be plugging them every time I want to use them.

Other thing difficult for me to change would be to turn off the water while I brush my teeth. I let the water run every time I brush my teeth I do not even know why but I do. I know it is going to be difficult because I’ve tried to change this habit before and did not succeed in it.

I think recycling is another thing that I find difficult to do. I am not used to recycling because I just take out my garbage and the house owner is in charge of separating it. But I think it would be great if I give him a little help by trying to recycle but is just that I’m so used to not doing it that I think it is going to be so difficult.

Other thing I’m used to is using the normal light bulbs. I’ve tried in the past to change this but didn’t succeed also. I’ve told my mother to use the other light bulbs but we keep on buying the normal ones and I think we won’t change this.

Also, using the sunlight during the day is difficult for me because I’m used to having all my lights on during the whole day and even though I open my curtains and have the sun light entering my house I still have the lights on.

THis are the five hardest things I find to do to help the environment.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Peer Review

"The Guarani: Suffering at the Hands of Change"

Does the draft have a main point (thesis)?
I think that the main point in her paper is the following:
“the process has taken with it various species of plants and fauna, and the virtually unnoticed standards of living of several indigenous groups worldwide.”

Find an instance of what you consider an interesting or useful example, image, chart, etc. and explain why. ( Living in the rainforests, the Guarani hold their environment in incredibly high regard. For them, the land is above all, it can do no evil and will supply them with everything they need on a day to day basis. Their culture and religious beliefs have been founded on these principles for centuries. Although some tribes now practice Catholicism, those that follow the path of their ancestors continue to practice animism. This asserts that nature itself has a soul; that the sky, the trees, the animals, and even stones have a soul. This belief branches off into their healing practices and shamanistic leadership systems. Shamans, who are the religious leaders in the communities, use the plant species they have at their disposal in order to create remedies for a wide range of ills, and provide a connection between the people and the Gods.

Find a place in the paper that you consider confusing or boring and explain why. (You should cut and paste the passage or at least say in what page and paragraph it is).
Jesuit missions made the journey in search of new followers, and when they learned of the atrocities being done to the slaves, they offered the Guarani conversion as a form of escape. Thousands of Guarani flocked to the missions; they learned the Catholic prayers, but continued their ways in secret. Finally, in the beginning of the eighteenth century several European countries waged war in the region wanted to stake their claim on the areas now known as Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. Many Guarani stayed to fight and die, alongside their priests, while others saw their chance and fled back into the forest. Many tribes reverted to the old way of life; those who had difficulty doing so chose to take the occasional job as a gardener or maintenance worker for a village farmer. But deep in the forest they stayed, looking expectantly into a bright future, and waiting.

Does the draft acknowledge where information comes from IN THE BODY OF THE TEXT? (the bibliography does not count for this question)
Yes, she uses sites at the end of the paragraphs. Though I think it will be better to incorporate quotes in the middle or through out the paragraphs and then explain them.

Would you recommend that the writer get some help with grammar before turning in the last draft? Why? Why not?
I think that her writing is very good. I think she doesn’t need revisions but just add more information.

**Christina hasn't published her research paper.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

E-waste from the U.S

For my paper I want to write about e-waste from the U.S. At first I couldn't find the way to narrow it down, but after reading the comment of Prof. X I found it easier. I will talk about the U.S e-waste that goes to China. I'm not sure on how to write about this. It is a big topic that a lot needs to be covered so I don't know what info to use.

I also have problems with section two. I can't find a blog where it talks about the U.S ewaste in china. I might have to look up for a video and make sort of an interview. I'm really fustrated witht his section because I'm not sure on what to write. I just hope I get it right at the end of all.

I personally are very interested in the topic I'm writing in. I think it is an issue that everyone needs to be aware of. Unfortunately not many people know how to deal with it. So I hope that a lot of people read my paper and find a way on how to help solving the problem with e-waste.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

blog 8

Topic: My research paper will cover today’s period. I will talk about e-waste in the Common Era. I think that technology has been emerging more and more in the present therefore e-waste is a major issue today. I will specifically talk about the e-waste that the U.S produces. I will talk about the parts where all this waste lands in. Places such as India, China, Africa or Pakistan, and how it affects the people living in these places and their atmosphere.

Purpose: I’m writing on this topic because I think that it concerns a lot of people, especially those living in poor nations where all the e-waste goes to. I’m also writing because not many of us who live in the U.S know how to recycle our electronic waste.

The audience I hope to reach is mainly regular people. I think that ordinary people are not well informed about this topic. We are the ones who use computers, cell phones, and other electronics, but we don not know how much damage we are doing to the world by not recycling correctly. Also, I hope to reach the government in the U.S because wee need to stop allowing certain chemicals that are used in our electronics. I hope they realize the danger we exposure to the people living in poor nations.

The types of sources I have are articles published in newspapers in the internet. Also, I have a report from the United Nations where they talk about the e-waste in nations such as India, Pakistan and China. I have also read some blogs where they talk about this issue in great detail. I have pictures, but I need to choose the ones that are the best for what I’m trying to focus on. I have to look up for interviews and other kinds of sources such as books.

The types of sources I’m looking for are interviews and books. I think that an interview would be really helpful in writing my research. It would add a more vivid image of how e-waste is affecting people in poor nations. Also books are very helpful. I haven’t looked for books but I think it’s a helpful source to look in for information.

The thesis I will focus on is on “who are other nations being affected by the e-waste of the U.S” I think that this thesis tells what I will write about though I might change it later on depending on the information I get.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

~Research Paper Topic~

The topic I want to write about for my research paper is about how indigenous people are being affected by the climate change or global warming. I think that the poor indigenous people are being the most affected by all this climate change going on, therefore I want to write about how they’re being affected. I would like to write how they are being affected in terms of their land. Also about their rights being violated. I would like to write this paper and for every one who doesn’t care about global warming. I think that that people who are going around contributing to global warming do not know how indigenous are being affected all over the world. Also, I would like to write it to the government because they are the ones who least care about the rights of indigenous people.
The sources I am planning on using are:


UNPFII. International Expert Group Meeting on Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change. April 2008. http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/en/EGM_CS08.html

I find this site to be helpful because it includes discussions form different meetings held at the United Nations focusing on the issues involving indigenous people and global warming. This site contains various links with very helpful information about the topic I want to write. This information is helpful because I can get some more facts on how the indigenous are being affected, and what’s going on with them right now.

Word Press. Los pueblos indigenas mas afectados por el cambio climatico describen los impactos. April 5, 2008. http://calentamientoglobalclima.org/2008/04/05/los-pueblos-indigenas-mas-afectados-por-el-cambio-climatico-describen-los-impactos/

This second link is in Spanish, but I find it very helpful since it focuses exactly on the topic I want to write about. It describes how these people are being affected; it goes from one part of the globe to the other. This will be useful in my research because I will be able to write about the effects on indigenous due to global warming.

Byg Anja, Salick Jan. Indigenous People and Cimate Change. May 2007. http://www.tyndall.ac.uk/publications/Indigenouspeoples.pdf

This site is very interesting because it is actually a document that was written in Oxford University and was published in part of Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Oxford. This is helpful because it contains ideas on how the indigenous people can contribute in helping the ecosystem. It describes struggles that indigenous people from specific locations are going through, and who are in more danger.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Reaction~!!

Throughout time in class we have review a lot of things, and we have also discovered many. While in class I have learned a lot about the environment. We have studied quite well about the environment. I have to say that the blogs have helped me realize that global warming is a big issue. This is the topic we have mainly focused in class. I am more conscious about the things I do and whether they affect the environment or not. The blogs also helped realized that global warming is a big big issue that there are huge amount of people going green and posting blogs about being green.

Before I came to this class I viewed life different. I knew that global warming was there but not quite see it the way I do now. I have realized through this class that g.w is a big issue in the world and the majority of people are aware of it but they don't take action against it. The presentation on religion had a big impact on me. My views on ecology have changed. For instance, Hindus honor the man who lives the simplest life. I have changed my beliefs; I think that whoever leads a simpler life, which means living without luxuries is better for you. If you consume natural things it is better for your health.

All this things are taking me to a different level in my life. I think that the environment is in big danger and we are the only ones who can change this. I, personally, would like to live a simpler life. I would like to help the environment and would like to make a change for global warning.
I hope everyone realizes how bad the climate is changing, I hope they don't realize too late.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Green-BLOGS!!!~~

Sustainable Cities Blog:
I think this blog has some really interesting information. I think that it looks a little plain and therefore it is hard to keep reading. But despite that, I was reading the article on the voyage to the antartica an I think it is a very good idea. I enjoyed reading this article because it is interesting to have a trip with students and a teacher all the way to antartica. That is something I would definetly try to do, althought I can't. I liked this blog because as I was gazing the information I think it's a really informative blog, but they should make it more attractive. THe link they have are very good.

Gristmill:
I liked this blog because it gives different articles on the environmnet. I also like it because it has alot of good links. I has different types of links but they are all linked to the environment. I like the post she has. They are about environment, about the government, all of them really interesting. I enjoyed this blog, it is easy to browse and has helful info and links.

Green as a Thistle:
O My GOD!!!! I can't believe that one person can do this little things for the environment but they certaintly cause a lot of good contribution to the environment. thi blog besides being really good, it is also inspiring and can motivate you to change your lifestyle and why not "go-green." I didn't pay much attetion to little things like she did and didn't knew we could change the environment with this little things. I think that I will start doing some things to help our planet. for the smallest it is, I'm sure it help help a lot. I love this page, it's very inspiring.

No Impact Man:
This is my favorite website out of all of the blogs. It has blogs with examples, the blog looks really capturing. I love the picture at the top of the blog. While I was reafding this blog I liked the part where he said: "I figure I can use this blog to teach people how to swim against the cultural current, or I can try to help change the cultural current and make it easier for everyone." this quote is very deep and it makes you think. If one could have the power to change the cultural current or at least make it easier for everyone this life would be different.

Eco Geek:
This page I think is the most helpful page than the others. It contains blogs which are publsihed daily with innovations that are saving the planet, as they say. It's interesting to see how many things are comming out in the market that help our planet and we are even aware of them. I think that more people should check out this page. Also, on the right side there are some articles which are very good to read. I like this page a lot. * I commented this blog- Eco Geek.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

~REACT: EARTH HOUR~

This Saturday 3/29 we are shutting off all of our lights from 8-9pm!

Why are we doing this?

If in everywhere and all I've been users turn off their lights for one hour we can reduce this year's carbon footprint by approximately 22,290,910 pounds.
That's equivalent to SAVING 400,000 trees or PREVENTING 8.4 million pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
WOW!!! What can you do?

*TURN OFF YOUR LIGHTS! Last year 2.2 million people shut off their lights for one hour to show their awareness towards global warming. If we can help to spread the awareness, we can become a part of a great cause that will help to preserve the earth!

~Parable of the Unfaithful Servant~

-In the Parable of the Unfaithful Servant, the servant is warned by the master that he must defend the house against thieves and vandals no matter what. Therefore, humans have the duty to protect the Earth from those that would rob and damage it.-

I totally think this parable is correct. The master of the house is giving the servant the change to have a shelter and all it wants in exchange is the servant to take care of his house and maintain it. I think that this is the same as God and us. God gave us the chance to live in the earth and in exchange all he wants is for us to take care of the planet. It is us who are vandalising the earth. We are destroying it, we are robbing and damaging it's natural beauty and nature.

Humans have the duty to protect the earth. It is here where we all live, were our children will live and we have to stop destroying it. We need to stop vandalising and robbing because at the end it is us who pay for the damage we cause. Or perhaps it is the ones who don't do anything who pay for it. Poor people are the ones that pay, they don't have money to buy stuff, they live in poor houses where there's not even electricity, they don't use energy. Poor people live a simple life, they don't countribute much to global warming as richer people do, but at the end it is poor people who pay for the results of global warming because they don't have the resources to protect themselves.

We as servants of the earth need to stop the people who are damaging the earth. We can do this by reducing the amount of energy we use, by recycling, by paying attention to buy things we really need. We need to change our lifestyles, we need to become more aware and of who's robbing our earth and PROTECT it agains them!!! It is our DUTY to PROTECT the place WE LIVE IN!!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

3rd. Blog ( I will follow my Passion...)

“One of the questions raised by An Inconvenient Truth is, how will you follow your passion?” Being in LaGCC and pursuing a Liberal Arts in Social Science and Humanities let’s you know that I’m not yet completely sure of what I want to study. I chose Liberal Arts because I did not knew what I wanted to become, but through out my time at La Guardia I am beginning to clear up my mind. One of my biggest passions has always been music. I think that music is a way for people to relax themselves and also a way in which they can express their thoughts and feelings. I think that music is a bond between humanity; therefore it is an important thing in life.

I’m planning to follow my passion by doing my internship in Latin Media. I think that by being an intern in the field of Latin Media it will help me to get a view of how the industry works. I want to be in touch with music as much as possible and to be able to let people know about music is a great thing. I think that my internship will let me some contacts which will be useful in the future when I receive my degree and be able to work.

Using my education I will make the world a better place because by connecting people with music it will get them a chance to experience something energetic and wonderful. Studying Latin Media will help me to do just that. I will study marketing and publicity. This will let me to inform people about music and ways it can help them in their lives, because believe it or not music is an essential part of life. I will spread the word around about events, and anything that has to do with music. I believe that music does a lot for people, and I will use everything I know and will study about it to convince people that music is a special thing that anyone can create.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

My time in Mexico!!

Before I came here, I used to live in Mexico. I was younger back then but I did noticed how the stuff we used was used. I remember that in Mexico there is an open air market, i noticed that in there the people use alot of paper. They use paper bags and paper to wrap things in. I think this is a totally waste of paper. People should bring their own containers so that vendors could give them their food in it. These people don't recycle, they just use the aper for a short amount of MINUTES and then they throw it away. They don't use it for other things.

During the time I used to live in Mexico, I remember that people of the government or else did not advertised anything for us to recycle or reuse things. I think that this is why we have grown so uneducated and do not know how to get the most of use from things. People are doing wrong by not recycling. They are dong wrong by not reusing paper.

In Mexico, leasure time is spent differently than here. For instance, I remeber that every day off my parents had we would all get together and went out to the park and eat in restaurants. We distracted ourselves from every day's routine. Also, I remeber that sometimes when they done working they would take us out even for just a walk and to get some ice cream. Here, we don't do that anymore. They are too focused on doing money, and since they work a lot they have to get rest during the remaining time of the day.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

First Blog.

Well, today I did two things that affected the environment. One thing I did is a thing that alot of us do, many many of us are doing this without conscience. I had to go to a store that was not so far away from my house. It was like fifteen blocks away, the blocks are not so big they are short. So, I decided to call a taxi and went to the store. I think that this decision was a terrible choice. This affected the environment because the CO2 from the cars is affecting and causing a lot of damage to the environment. The carbon dioxide form cars are contributing to the damage of the ozone layer and this is terrible for the people. Air pollution is caused by many things and it includes the CO2 from cars. This bad choice I made affected the environment. Since the blocks were short I think that it would have been better for me to just walk to the store instead of having to take a taxi. If I had walked it would had been better for me and for the environment.

Another thing I did that affected the environment is something that a lot of students do. The problem is that we always do it, and we do it very often. For school we buy notebooks, loose-leaf paper, books, etc. Today like every other day I used loose-leaf paper to write down my notes. This is affecting the environment because the demand form students and professionals to use paper to write down or print things in is causing a lot of damage to the environment. A lot of trees are being cut down and this is really unfair. Cutting trees down affects the environment, it leads to deforestation. Also, many of us waste huge amounts of paper and it makes it look like having cutting down the trees was also a waste. Cutting down trees also affects the environment because it affects the atmosphere, there aren't enough trees to use the carbon dioxide therefore it builds up in the atmosphere. I think we should start using recycled paper and stop the cutting down of trees.

I personally have contributed to the environment. Last year I had a botanic class in which we went outside and took care of a small park. I felt good about this project because we planted some trees and we also planted flowers. I think that the more natural things we have around, the best it is for us. Nature is something good, and beautiful. I think that the trees that we planted definitely helped the environment and the air around all of us.

In the environment what I am concern about right now is global warming. Global warming is very dangerous. All the glaciers are melting down and the sea levels are rising. We should be really concern with this issue because at the end it is going to affect all of us, it is affecting our environment and we should take care of it.