EcoCMUfall20H

 As technology has advanced, has our memory? or did it get worse? Jared Horvath talks about how it may have. He states that how our memory is 3 easy steps: encode information, store information, and retrieve information from the brain. How we decode information has changed, we try to gather too information in one sitting which is why we forget a lot of things a week later that were important.  For example, people don't remember theirs or even others people's phone numbers, emails, or meeting because our phone or computer remembers it for us. We have gotten lazy and it shows in society today. I hope that we can utilize what technology is for without diminishing how we learn and retain information because I feel this. When I back in middle school, I actually enjoyed school and remembered a lot of information but the older I got, the less information I retained.  I think this a problem that every school should address and students to take responsibility on how to learn as we...

Michelle Almazan                        Birds are present in almost all habitats on earth and are usually the most familiar and visible wildlife to people all over the world. Because of this, they may act as a significant indicator for monitoring how the biosphere changes. Diminishing bird populations in the majority of habitats are the sad confirmation that major changes are taking place on Earth because of our activities. More than 12% of currently known species of birds are at the threshold of extinction. The biggest impact on bird population has been caused by degradation and loss of habitat, with collectors’ activities and invasive species following closely. Website/  https://www.worldanimalfoundation.com/wild-earth/extinction-crisis

Summary: Recent post on science daily talks about land use in Indonesia “while high greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss are often associated with rapid land-use change in Indonesia, impacts on local water cycles have been largely overlooked. Researchers now show that the expansion of monocultures, such as oil palm and rubber plantations, leads to more frequent and more severe flooding.“ This could be horrific for The people in Indonesia. This plus the already set in place effects of climate change can cause a very catastrophic flood in Homeland and farmlands. The greenhouse gas emissions will heat up the atmosphere warming the earth further.

 With the elections here and the world going crazy, it only makes sense to talk about how the internet has also changed. Shira Ovide, the author of the article I found, makes two great observations. The first one being how Google, Facebook, and other social media and web browsers are "gatekeepers" to information. Along with the first point, point two, how they exercise their power is unknown to us.  For example, Trump tweeted the elections were being stolen from him before the votes where counted. Twitter and Facebook quickly put up warning labels to his post and any false information about voting.  I think it is so crazy how fast it happens and that they are so addimant about what people post on internet companies, no matter who they are. I think it is a good thing they are doing it because no one likes back news so why would the internet companies want that associated with them. I am glad I found this article and hope that you guys enjoy the rest of your day or night. A...

 Michelle Almazan            Probably the most characteristic element of the current extinction crisis is that most of our primate relatives are in serious danger. Almost 90% of the primate population lives in the tropical forest, which are disappearing fast due to animal agriculture, deforestation and development. About half of all the primate species on Earth are at the brink of extinction. 50 percent of all known mammals see rapidly decreasing populations, and almost 20 percent are close to extinction. Marine mammals, including dolphins, whales, and porpoises are particularly close to becoming extinct.  If you're interested in other animals going extinct and why go to the website and you'll find more interesting facts about them. website//  https://www.worldanimalfoundation.com/wild-earth/extinction-crisis/

Major land–use changes have occurred in the United States during the past 25 years. The total area of cropland, pastureland and rangeland decreased by 76 million acres in the lower 48 states from 1982 to 2003, while the total area of developed land increased by 36 million acres or 48%. What are the potential economic, social and environmental impacts of land use changes? How does land use change affect agriculture and rural communities? What are the important economic and environmental implications for commodity production and trade, water and soil conservation, open space preservation, and other policy issues? This article addresses some of these issues and their policy implications. https://www.choicesmagazine.org/magazine/article.php?article=49