# data[].attributes.body
My name is Claudia Benitez and I’m from South Florida. I come from a Salvadoran household and grew up in Homestead. I am an MDC Homestead Campus student. I’m also employed with Miami-Dade as a note-taker for the ACCESS department. My favorite food is sushi. My goal is to one day graduate with my PhD in neuropsychology and work as a neuropsychologist. As you can probably tell I’m very passionate about learning about the brain and how our minds work. I really enjoy learning the different aspects of psychology too. I would define success as the result of putting hard work and effort into something that will bring you happiness or stability. The most important thing to me is integrity, and I would say that it's also what I'm most proud of. I feel that I have a strong sense of integrity and do things according to my way of life.

# data[].attributes.body
I think this video was honestly super educational and I personally have never really looked into gentrification, let alone climate gentrification. Although I did not know much about gentrification and climate gentrification prior to this video, I have been observing the way that Homestead is slowly becoming such an unaffordable place for those who have been living here for so long. I think it is very sad that now climate gentrification is a threat to Miami residents, on top of a bad economy and a terrible housing and car market. What spoke to me the most about this video is the fact that because of climate gentrification, places with historic value are at risk of being demolished. Miami's history and its' communities are what make the city unique. Not only would climate gentrification hurt Miami's history but it would hurt it's diversity. I believe that Miami residents deserve a solution to this problem.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose the Solving Plastic video from the Story of Stuff because I have been hearing a lot about the damages that plastics and micro-plastics are causing to our environment. Since I was a child, recycling and the idea of "going green" has been taught and encouraged but there has been very little to show from it. The truth is that recycling and ocean clean-ups only do so much and at its' best only distract us from the waste problem. I love that the video highlights that there needs to be a realistic approach to combatting the waste problem that is cheap and safe for those who are directly affected by plastic. Though, I do think that the first big step to address the issue should be made by us the consumers. We cannot deny that we are part of the problem, so we should also take part in the solution. Plastic has become so extensive because it is so cheap. Plastic’s convenience makes it difficult to find acceptable alternatives in a competitive economic world.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Which sunscreen should you choose? - Mary Poffenroth

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A guide to the energy of the Earth - Joshua M. Sneideman

# data[].attributes.body
I chose the video on Green energy. What caught my attention was when the speaker mentioned that in theory all of humanity's needs could be met by a couple of hours of solar power. Unfortunately it is not practical because the conversion rate and distribution of solar energy is inefficient. I think this theory proposes a great step towards a more sustainable energy source if the technology for solar panels improves.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Green energy: Which sources are the most sustainable?

# data[].attributes.body
The topic I have chosen is Biodiversity and Ecosystems, from Goal 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. The goal is to combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. The goal is to also promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of ecosystems.

The Future is Now: Science for Achieving Sustainable Development (GSDR 2019) https://sdgs.un.org/sites/default/files/2020-07/24797GSDR_report_2019.pdf

# data[].attributes.headline
What Sustainable Development Goals Protect Animals From Extinction?

# data[].attributes.subject
What Sustainable Development Goals Protect Animals From Extinction?

# data[].attributes.body
Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

I plan on exploring the sustainable development agenda in regards to animals that are endangered. Sustainability goals are very broad and target a number of different aspects to preserve all kinds of ecosystems in order to benefit from them without causing harm and damage to the environment itself. I am specifically researching how sustainable development may conserve wildlife facing extinction. Currently, around 40,000 species are recorded to be at risk of extinction, and these animals play a vital role in maintaining our ecosystems.

References

Goal 15 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). Sustainable Development. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal15

Animals vital to achieving Sustainable Development Goals. IFAW. (n.d.). https://www.ifaw.org/international/press-releases/animals-vital-achieving-sdgs#:~:text=Life%20on%20Land%2C%20SDG%20%2315,the%20extinction%20of%20endangered%20species.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Can 100% renewable energy power the world? - Federico Rosei and Renzo Rosei

# data[].attributes.headline
What Sustainable Development Goals Protect Animals From Extinction?

# data[].attributes.subject
What Sustainable Development Goals Protect Animals From Extinction?

# data[].attributes.headline
What Sustainable Development Goals Protect Animals From Extinction?

# data[].attributes.subject
What Sustainable Development Goals Protect Animals From Extinction?

# data[].attributes.body
Which energy sources should we use?  Why?

I think we should use renwable energy sources. Fossil fuels, renewable energy, and nuclear power all have their upsides and downsides, but renewable energy is the least damaging to the environment. The video proposed that renewable energy needs solar panels and wind turbines and that it would occupy large amounts of space. However, every house has a roof that could be covered in solar panels. According to a research from the Department of Homeland Security, there is enough space just on roofs to produce 40% of the electricity we need.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How much land does it take to power the world?

# data[].attributes.body
What caught my attention most in this mini lecture was the way that scientists are discovering and engineering microbes that are able to break down plastics. Although the scientific breakthrough is not grandiose, it is still a step closer to a solution to plastic from what we had before. I think it was super interesting to see how these scientists are able to fabricate stronger microbes from what they have discovered in different environments, in order to efficiently degrade these plastics.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The smallest solution to one of our biggest problems - Tierney Thys & Christian Sardet

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The 4 greatest threats to the survival of humanity

# data[].attributes.body
What caught my attention most about this mini lecture are how many threats there are to humanity. It never occurred to me that there were ways that an ordinary person could cause a catastrophic event if they made even a slight mistake. I knew the obvious about nuclear warfare but just learning how close we have come to actually causing a global nuclear war is scary to think about. The video prompted me to reflect on the precautions that we are taking for these various threats, if there are any. I feel that things like AI need to be closely monitored knowing the dangers that we face as a species.

# data[].attributes.body
Electromagnetic waves are invisible forms of energy that travel though the universe. Electromagnetic waves are created as a result of vibrations between an electric field and a magnetic field. There are seven electromagnetic waves. In order from highest to lowest energy, the sections of the EM spectrum are named: gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet radiation, visible light, infrared radiation, and radio waves.

# data[].attributes.body
There are two laws of reflection. The first law of reflection states that the incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal to the surface of the mirror, all lie in the same plane. The second law of reflection states that the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence.

# data[].attributes.body
The convergence zone is a region of tectonic plates interacting with each other and one of the plates sliding underneath the other. The result is geological turbulence: fault zones that produce earthquakes, and generated heat that gives rise to explosive volcanoes. Convergence zones are areas of converging forces. The forces in opposition are strong ocean currents. The result is that oceanic convergence zones are usually marked by sharp demarcations in temperature and water mass characteristics, and outbreaks of high biological productivity.

# data[].attributes.body
A volcanic arc is a chain of volcanoes, hundreds to thousands of miles long, that forms above a subduction zone. An island volcanic arc forms in an ocean basin via ocean-ocean subduction. Volcanic arcs form as the result of rising magma formed by the melting of the down going plate. They are curved because of the curvature of the Earth.

# data[].attributes.headline
How will climate change impact animals who face extinction?

# data[].attributes.subject
How will climate change impact animals who face extinction?

# data[].attributes.body
As we know, we rely heavily on biodiversity. It is what supports and protects our crops, the animals we breed and the water we drink. The recorded extinction of 83% of wild mammals and 50% of plants represents significant risk to corporate and financial stability, because more than half of the worlds economic output is dependent on nature. Climate change would only further these risks. Rising temperatures lower many species survival rates due to changes that lead to less food, less successful reproduction, and interfering with the environment for native wildlife. These factors contribute heavily to habitat loss which will affect animals greatly, especially those higher on the risk of extinction

# data[].attributes.body
I chose the topic, What Sustainable Development Goals Protect Animals From Extinction?, because I believe that it is a very important issue that needs to be discussed. Animals are a very important factor in our daily lives and contribute to a lot of our daily lives. Making sure that our animals are at a lower risk for extinction should become something of greater importance.

# data[].attributes.body
The padlet I chose to review is Dayan's padlet because her layout is really nice and it caught my attention right away. I like the image she chose for her background and that her posts are all uniformly pink! What spoke to me the most about Dayan's padlet was her topic selection. I like that she chose a topic about empowering women and specifically focused on protecting them from assault. It is no surprise that women are more likely to face or experience intimate partner violence than men are. All of Dayan's content is thoroughly researched and easily understandable. In multiple of her posts, she has provided cited evidence from where she derives her information. As I mentioned before, Dayan's layout is what caught my attention, so I would say that it is very visually pleasing. I am eager to see her future posts!

https://padlet.com/dayanmontoya001/my-portfolio-lgk1r3xr47hu6f6k

# data[].attributes.body
Desalination is the process of extracting salt from saline water to make it useful for consumption and irrigation. A very small percentage of the Earth’s water is readily accessible as freshwater and most of it is saltwater. Through the process of desalination, scientists can turn saltwater into safe, drinking water. This process is either thermal-based, known as solar desalination, or membrane-based, which is reverse osmosis. Although desalination is a great solution to the water problem, it remains an expensive and energy-intensive technology that can cause significant environmental damage when it is applied without regulations. While there are ecological and economic challenges that come with applying these technologies, it creates an opportunity to provide a reliable water source when properly applied.

https://www.preventionweb.net/news/desalination-may-be-key-averting-global-water-shortage-it-will-take-time#:~:text=In%20the%20first%20%E2%80%93%20called%20thermal,world's%20desalinated%20water%20is%20produced.

Reply Edit

# data[].attributes.body
When I decided to enroll into the Energy in The Natural Environment course, I had no idea what to expect. Since I am a Psychology major, I have a lot of liberty when it comes to choosing the courses I need to complete my science credit requirements. So logically, I opted for the easiest classes I could find. I decided to do both of my science credits this semester, and I was recommended by a peer to choose Intro to Biology and this course. Upon hearing about the course for the first time, I assumed it would be very difficult or at least very rigorous. Science is not my strong suit so I was very nervous about the class. I expected to do long assignments and lots of comprehensive reading. However, my peer ensured me that I would pass and told me what I should expect.

My experience currently taking this course is very pleasant. The course is very manageable and has taught me many things that I had never heard of before, that are prevalent in our daily lives. I enjoy the TEDx Talks that Professor Revuelta chooses. The activities assigned in the course are also very simple and allow us to reflect on what we have been taught during class time. The most challenging assignments would definitely be when we had to present to the class. It wasn’t necessarily what we had to talk about that was hard, it was just having to talk to the class. Still though, the experience was good and everyone including the professor was very supportive of each other. I definitely had a better experience than what I was expecting.

Now that I am reaching the end of this course, I feel that I have learned a lot! My view on science has changed drastically since starting this class. I see the value of learning the science behind the reoccurring phenomena that happens around us in our environment. I also have learned many ways to make a change to these problems. With each environmental issue that we were taught about, we also learned ways to combat them. Knowing all of this information, I feel that I can become a better person by applying the knowledge to my everyday life!

# data[].attributes.body
The video I chose was Neuromarketing: How brands are getting your brain to buy more stuff? I have never heard of neuromarketing before but according to the video, it is a newer field of marketing that uses insights from neuroscience to understand and influence consumer behavior. This new field combines neuroscience, psychology, and marketing to understand how the brain processes information and reacts to different stimuli. Neuromarketing seeks to provide marketers with insights into how consumers think, feel, and behave, in order to develop more effective marketing techniques.  One of the methods mentioned in the video was neuroimaging, which involves the use of brain scanning technologies such as fMRI and EEG to study brain activity. By studying brain activity in response to various marketing tactics such as advertisements, packaging, and product designs, neuromarketers can gain insights into how consumers perceive and respond. Neuromarketing can also provide insights into how consumers make decisions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Neuromarketing: How brands are getting your brain to buy more stuff