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Palm oil is present in around 50% of the products you see when you go to the supermarket. Due to its massive demand and efficiency, it is being overexploited. Because of this, many have already started to demand that the palm oil they buy as an ingredient for their products is sustainably produced. I have learned a lot about palm oil from this video.

The palm oil industry has many negative effects including destroying rainforests, displacing indigenous peoples, spewing carbon into the atmosphere, and driving many animals toward extinction. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to avoid palm oil because it’s in everything from ice cream to instant ramen, toothpaste to lipstick. Boycotting palm oil may not be the solution because as destructive as the oil palm is to the environment, it may be better than the alternatives. Despite its many negative consequences and disadvantages, no other crop can yield even a third as much oil per acre planted. Additionally, palm oil uses less land and requires significantly fewer pesticides and chemical fertilizers than coconut, corn, or any other vegetable oil source.

Palm oil’s big problem has always been the terrain where the tree is grown. Clearing land for plantations involves burning rainforest which can lead to endangering rare species and, on peatland, releasing 100 times the greenhouse gas of conventional forest fires.

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

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3 creative ways to fix fashion's waste problem

Summary: The speaker initiated the talk by mentioning his point of view before he became aware of the fashion industry’s contribution to pollution. This contribution makes around the 85% impact on the pollution in the United States. He reflects on the fact that the clothe we don’t buy end up in landfills. He then proceeds to suggest ideas and steps he took after becoming aware and this are: thrifting, recycling old or unused clothes, keeping your clothes for a longer period of time and dyeing you clothe with natural or plant-based ingredients.

Reflection: Many people in my community like thrift shopping because they say is less expensive little do, they know it also helps the environment. However, I think is important that everyone becomes aware of this and starts acting before is too late.  I am inspired to talk more to my close friends and family about this so that together we can reach more people and more people are going to start making changes and contributing to the stopping of pollution.

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The long shot that saved Belize's coral

Before Hurricane Isis, the reef was abundant in fish, corals, lobsters, crabs, sponges and sea turtles. But after the hurricane all of this was destroyed. With only a few surviving corals, the scene looked more like a graveyard. Hurricane Iris not only killed corals but uprooted their structure too, making recovery even harder. Scientist Carne had the idea to plant new coral reefs by identifying surviving corals and reseeding the reefs with them. So far over 85,000 corals have been planted in the Laughing Bird Caye National Park. Results have shown an 89% survival rate after 14 years which is very high. Sea cover of the coral reef has increased from 6% to 50%. Additionally, Belize banned all shrimp trawling, the use of gill nets, off-shore oil exploration and fully protected its grazing fish families.

Indonesia coral reef partially restored in extensive project

Coral restoration projects are an important part of reversing the damage, which is also caused by non-sustainable fishing techniques, pollution, and even by tourists swimming with the wrong sunscreen. The SHEBA cat food brand’s new coral restoration project and the SHEBA Hope Reef, announced May 5, 2021 that they will invest more than $10 million in reef restoration. The SHEBA Hope Reef uses reef stars handmade by the local community to restore coral reefs. To provide a stable base for coral fragments to rapidly regrow, divers will install the coated structures to create a strong, secured web that covers the seabed where corals once grew. Other species in the coral reef food web, such as sharks and turtles are also returning.

Reflection

After a hurricane hit the coast of Belize in 2001, it essentially destroyed the coral reefs in one part of Belize. Lisa Carne wanted to start transplanting coral to regrow the reefs, but it took five years to secure funding to start her project. If it would not have taken her so long to get funding, she could have started working more quickly on her project and more of the reef would have been saved. This is frustrating because there are so many instances in which politics or policies affect the environment and nature and it should not be this way. Coral reefs provide an important ecosystem for life underwater, protect coastal areas by reducing the power of waves hitting the coast, and provide a crucial source of income for millions of people. Important medicinal components have been found (and are still being found) in several marine species that inhabit coral reefs. Climate change has accelerated the destruction of coral reefs around the world—scientists say that without interventions 90 percent are at risk of dying this century, perhaps even by 2043. This puts at risk the food supply, the protection of coasts from storms and flooding, potential new pharmaceuticals, as well as tourism and the economic health of communities that rely on it. Coral restoration projects are an important part of reversing the damage, which is also caused by non-sustainable fishing techniques, pollution, and even by tourists swimming with the wrong sunscreen.

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- At this moment in history, the threat of pollution cannot be ignored. We all know by now that plastic waste is a problem but most media coverage focuses on where plastics end up and not where they came from or why. We constantly see plastic garbage washing up ashore on various beaches and endangering the lives of ocean life across the world. The film takes viewers to places including the Philippines, Texas, India, California, China, and various others around the globe. The Story of Plastic traces the history of plastic from then till now and explores its life cycle from how it’s created to where it eventually ends up. The film reveals the ugly truth behind plastic pollution and shows how ineffective plastic recycling actually is.

The Story of Bottled Water

- The debate of normal tap water versus bottled water has been a topic of conversation for years now. Among cost and quality, other factors to consider in the great debate border on the conservation aspect. If water conservation and protection of the environment are important to individuals, then buying a plastic bottle each time should be of equal importance as they are either recycled or deposited into the trash. At the end of the day, tap water is just fine for anyone, and remember that you live in a community where the ability to have water each day is not a concern.

III.  Reflection

1. How does consumption relate to your role as a global citizen?  (112 words minimum)

-  After watching these videos it is my responsibility to do my part to reduce my use of plastics. Most people don't think about how plastic is made from fossil fuels and that each time we buy something made of plastic we're supporting the fossil fuel industry. Nor do most people probably realize that much of the plastic they use is not recyclable, nor that burning it gives off toxic fumes and contributes to climate change. Most people don't realize that we've been sending our plastic waste to the Third World, where poor people are exposed to the toxic waste created by plastics.

B.  What changes are you inspired to make after watching The Story of Stuff videos?  Why?

- Everyone should see this. I was already trying to go plastic free, but this film has made me even more conscious of the fact that there is more I must do. This film provides the education you need to inspire you to become part of the change; part of the solution.  We know about the pollution and the need to reduce our use and get rid of the waste. But most don’t know the root causes and how to address them. Or why the big companies invested in “fossil fuels” see plastic as their future, as we use petroleum less for fuel.

Reply Edit

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In SP2, we were presented with many topics we could use for our writing assignment. I chose to write about the Everglades Mink. The Everglades mink inhabits shallow Everglades marshes and is currently considered to be endangered in the state of Florida. The Everglades mink population faces many threats as the increase in human development continues in Florida.  Additionally, this species faces many of the same existing threats common to coastal species in south Florida: habitat loss and degradation from coastal development, barriers to migration, habitat disturbance from recreational use, and high mortality from non-native predators, especially Burmese pythons, and alligators.

In SP3, I got to do more research on the everglades mink and form an annotated bibliography. I learned a lot about the topic of my research paper, the everglades mink. The Everglades mink is a midsized member of the weasel family that can reach a length of 25 inches (72 centimeters). The diet of the Everglades mink primarily consists of small mammals, snakes, and insects. The Everglades mink, a disjunct population of the American mink, inhabits southern Florida and in particular the shallow freshwater marshes of the Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp region. Changes in water levels within the marshes can lead to the destruction of habitat and encroachment of exotic vegetation. Canine distemper virus (which affects the central nervous system, respiratory, and digestive tract) is a virulent disease that is deadly to the Everglades mink.

In CAS1, I learned about “The Story of Cosmetics. I learned that The FDA does not accurately examine the chemicals being put into our cosmetic products. Since the FDA leaves a gap for the examination of the products the big cosmetic companies take advantage of that, therefore, making the rules and deciding whether or not they get to follow them. Not only are these cosmetic companies putting products on the shelves that are dangerous physically. This changed me as a person because I have sisters and many women in my family and these dangerous products are targeted toward women and young girls they are expected to use them and follow those unrealistic beauty standards and they can also be harmful and dangerous. I was watching these films and thinking to myself, "I'm glad I don't wear make-up every day." These products have the potential to damage me and my family.

I also learned about ”The story of Electronics” Annie Leonard begins the film by describing how she couldn't find the charger for her computer and went around her house seeking earlier ones, which she discovered could not be used because technology changes every eighteen months. She also argues that it is now more expensive to repair electronics than it is to acquire new ones. Being a global citizen is something I strive to be every day by consuming less and being more environmentally conscious

In CAS2 I read the article 'Don't feed the monster!' The people who have stopped buying new clothes”. This article begins by mentioning Lauren Cowdery and how even though she loves clothes, she is on a mission to stop buying more clothes in support of sustainability. Cowdery encourages everyone to stop buying new or used clothes since it is one of the major causes of the environmental problems going on in the world. After reading the article, I have become better aware of how can excessively buying clothes, contribute to having more environmental problems. I consider myself part of the dilemma since I personally love shopping, particularly clothes, but after reading the article and doing extra research, I feel inspired to put into practice the alternatives proposed in the article.

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1. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 2013. A species action plan for the Everglades mink. Tallahassee, Florida.

This article describes many threats to the Everglades Mink. The Everglades mink population faces many threats as the increase in human development continues in Florida.  Human disturbance and modifications to the wetlands that might impact minks include drainage, logging, dike construction, canal construction, road construction, reapportioning water for competing interests, the introduction of fire into the forest, and the introduction of pesticides into their habitat. The Everglades mink is protected as a state-Threatened species.

2. Humphrey, S., & Zinn, T. (1982). Seasonal Habitat Use by River Otters and Everglades Mink in Florida. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 375-375.

This articel describes the relationship between river otters and the everglades mink habitat. Seasonal habitat use by river otters  and Everglades mink  was documented in the Big Cypress Swamp, Florida.

3. Rosenblatt, A., Nifong, J., Heithaus, M., Parry, M., & Mazzotti, F. (2014). New Record of Everglades Mink in Everglades National Park from the Stomach of an American Alligator. Southeastern Naturalist.

Species management and conservation strategies require accurate information about species distributions and behaviors. Everglades Mink is listed in Florida as threatened, yet its current population status and distribution are unknown. This article describes that the Everglades Mink still inhabit the park, but present a hypothesis suggesting that very few may be left there; potential causes of the decline include alterations to   hydrology and a recent increase in the number of large predators.

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Hello professors, classmates, and future colleagues,

My Name is Frank . I was born in Louisiana and grew up and attended high school in Kendall here in Miami, FL. I am a Supervision and management major. My career goals include finishing my BAS and ultimately getting my MBA degree. I eventually would like to complete my series seven license and go on to become a financial advisor.  My journey has been a long one. I have changed majors many times because I never knew what I wanted to be when I "grow up." Last year, my brother-in-law, a very successful financial advisor, introduced me to the world of banking, finance, and wealth management. I became very interested in this career, did some research and now, finally, I have a goal to work towards. I'm taking a full course load of business classes and I couldn't be happier!

Since I was 5 years old, I’ve been playing sports. I’m a bit on the tall side, only 6 feet and 5 inches in height, so naturally, I gravitated towards sports. Basketball, volleyball, golf, and tennis are great, but my game of choice has always been baseball. Baseball changed my life, it molded me into the person I am today. Baseball taught me how to be disciplined, how to be a team player, and how to work hard for my goals. Besides sports, my interests include video games, exercise, and my dogs. I am the proud dog-dad of two chihuahuas named Honey and Potato.

This is my second-to-last semester! I graduate in the summer with my BAS. I'm super excited to graduate and enter the next phase of my life and career. I'm taking music, health, math, and education.  It’s going to be a lot of work, but I am more than willing to work hard to accomplish my goals.

I look forward to an awesome semester with you all!