https://padlet.com/18blankm/7v5doc7zn0le By Max Blank Period 10/11 en-us 2017-10-19 14:58:35 UTC 2018-05-17 14:20:07 UTC hello@padlet.com 18blankm https://padlet.com/18blankm/7v5doc7zn0le/wish/198707737 This article follows a Denver lawyer representing a far left environmental group who is filing a lawsuit against the federal government to recognize the Colorado river as a person . If this first of its kind suit is successful, it could upend many environmental laws that have been ignored by various corporations. This may allow environmental groups to sue more individuals/companies that break these laws since they are now breaking them against a person. Most environmental law experts think that this lawsuit has a very slim chance at success. This suit has drawn fire from the right, with Senator Steve Daines of Montana saying, “Radical obstructionists who contort common sense with this sort of nonsense undercut credible conservationists" (NYT Corporations Have Rights). Many far left environmental groups are saying a suit like this could "level the playing field" since the environment cannot speak for itself. The article makes a good point in saying this suit will most likely not pass because lawmakers still have not completely given animals rights, so to give the environment rights would be a stretch. ]]> 2017-10-19 15:02:33 UTC https://padlet.com/18blankm/7v5doc7zn0le/wish/198707737 18blankm https://padlet.com/18blankm/7v5doc7zn0le/wish/202198209 https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/28/world/africa/rwanda-plastic-bags-banned.html
In Rwanda, plastic bags are smuggled like drugs. In Rwanda, It is illegal to import, produce, use or sell plastic bags and plastic packaging except within specific industries like hospitals and pharmaceuticals.  The country takes this law extremely serious, with offenders having the possibility of facing jail time. Rwandan officials say these bags are responsible for flooding and crop growth decreasing. Other countries in the area are starting to follow their neighbors lead, with Kenya passing restrictions on plastic bag usage. People crossing in and out of Rwanda have taken to smuggling plastic bags, which can be hard to stop. Because of their environmentally conscious actions, Rwanda is one of the cleanest countries in Africa. They are setting the example and hope other countries will follow their lead.

]]> 2017-10-31 15:38:49 UTC https://padlet.com/18blankm/7v5doc7zn0le/wish/202198209 18blankm https://padlet.com/18blankm/7v5doc7zn0le/wish/202202507 https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2017/10/31/world/europe/ap-eu-un-climate.html
Despite President Trump's planned pullout of the Paris Climate Accords, the UN Environmental chief says the US will live up to the deal. This is possible because almost all US companies are now working toward a greener future, despite having no laws forcing them to meet many guidelines. This announcement adds more momentum and strength to the Paris Climate deal. UNEP executive director Erik Solheim says, "In all likelihood, the United States of America will live up to its Paris commitment, not because of the White House, but because of the private sector," he said. "All the big American companies are dedicated to go in the green direction." UNEP still says that other countries and industries need to meet environmental goals to keep us pointed in the right direction. UNEP has also been talking on a positive note, saying that we have stopped the rise in CO2 emissions, and now must work to continue to decrease them. ]]> 2017-10-31 15:47:16 UTC https://padlet.com/18blankm/7v5doc7zn0le/wish/202202507 18blankm https://padlet.com/18blankm/7v5doc7zn0le/wish/202517054 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171009155000.htm
Horned Larks, which are small songbirds, play a more important role in evaluating the state of our environment than many think. The coloration of the birds can be used to "trace the amount of black carbon in the air over time and the effects of environmental policy upon pollution" (Science Daily). By using museum birds, scientists can reconstruct how polluted the air used to be in various US Cities. The air was so bad in some US Cities in the past that is was comparable to the air in Beijing. The birds acted almost as an air filter, with the soot clinging to their feathers. When handling these birds, visible stains are left on whatever touches them. Recently, scientist have found a better way to see the amount of soot in the air by using these birds. Instead of just looking at them, the birds are photographed and the amount of light that bounces off of them is recorded. This method proved very accurate, as they were able to compare the birds with the environmental policies that were in place during their life. The dirtiest birds were from around World War Two when production reached its peak. Additionally birds from the rust belt area where the dirtiest (the most factories are situated there). ]]> 2017-11-01 14:23:48 UTC https://padlet.com/18blankm/7v5doc7zn0le/wish/202517054 18blankm https://padlet.com/18blankm/7v5doc7zn0le/wish/203408460 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171101151224.htm
Brazil posses about 13 percent of the worlds remaining forests. Although the country has taken many efforts to slow deforestation, they still rank second in the world in forest loss. Brazil has recently made substantial progress by mapping properties for environmental protection. Recently a national rural land registration system was created by Brazil, and it has helped. The progress of this initiative shows a path to mitigating deforestation, and in turn, climate change. Many Brazilians are happy with this law, they think it gives the people a chance to follow environmental regulations by themselves. Although the government can step in if laws are violated, this registration system has worked for the better so far. Unfortunately the system is not entirely available to the public, and many hope that will soon change. This not only affects the future of property management in Brazil, but it has already began to positively affect their environmental problems.]]> 2017-11-03 17:38:43 UTC https://padlet.com/18blankm/7v5doc7zn0le/wish/203408460 18blankm https://padlet.com/18blankm/7v5doc7zn0le/wish/203946106 https://news.ubc.ca/2017/10/27/new-wildfire-early-warning-system-could-prevent-spring-blazes/
This article discusses methods for preventing wildfires via early warning methods. One of the examples given was looking at satellite images of vegetation. Scientists can track moisture in leaves and plants to see which areas of a forest are at most risk of a wildfire. Moisture is one of the most important components in determining if an area will be more susceptible to fire. If areas of low moisture can be found and observed closely, man made wild fires will be decreased. Many people think this could be a very cost effective way in stopping wildfires. Hopefully this will be a future tool incorporated into helping the many people who try to prevent and fight wildfires. ]]> 2017-11-06 15:48:52 UTC https://padlet.com/18blankm/7v5doc7zn0le/wish/203946106