The Padlet to end all Padlets by Ryan Schweighofer https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb World War Padlet en-us 2017-01-23 15:30:21 UTC 2025-12-03 19:29:26 UTC hello@padlet.com The U.S.'s First Offshore Wind Farm Is Scheduled to Open This Month 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/148746278 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-u-s-s-first-offshore-wind-farm-is-scheduled-to-open-this-month/Summary: 

Off of the coast of Rhode Island the first offshore wind farm in the United States is expected to open this month. It is the surprising to many that these have not cropped up earlier considering the great potential they hold for alternative energy and the declining reliance on fossil fuels. The project mitigated political and financial criticism by starting out small but the company behind this operation Deepwater Wind hopes to create a much larger facility in the near future.]]> 2017-01-23 15:31:43 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/148746278 Did Trump Dump Climate Change? White House Website Scrubbed Clean. 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/148753512 http://www.livescience.com/57586-trump-scrubs-website-of-climate-change.html
After taking office Trump and his team removed the Obama's page about climate change. This page was replaced with "America First Energy Plan", an article detailing the energy policy Trump hopes to achieve. In the Article it is stated that America will pursue it's energy interests with the removal of the Climate action plan and Waters of the US rule. The removal of these laws will provide energy creators more freedom in energy extraction even if it is at the cost of the environment.]]> 2017-01-23 15:48:35 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/148753512 2016 Was Earth's Hottest Year on Record, and Humans Are to Blame 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/148757470 http://www.livescience.com/57537-2016-was-hottest-year-on-record.html

2016 is officially the hottest year ever recorded and it is due to humans. It is the third year in a row that has broken records and NOAA scientists expect this trend will continue in 2017. The poles are also feeling the heat. An estimate of the average annual sea-ice extent in 2016 in the Arctic was the lowest annual average on record: 3.92 million square miles. Arnold Schmidt a climate scientist working with NOAA stated "this rise in heat is almost entirely due to humans and green house gas emissions". ]]> 2017-01-23 15:57:59 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/148757470 Countries Adopt a Plan to deal with Plane Emissions 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/148772543 http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/07/science/190-countries-adopt-plan-to-offset-jet-emissions.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fearth&action=click&contentCollection=earth&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=18&pgtype=sectionfront

Summary: Governments in more than 190 countries adopted a measure to reduce the climate impact of international jet travel. The measure would force airlines to improve the fuel efficiency of their fleets promoting the purchase of newer planes while protecting the planet. The program would work similar to cap and trade in the sense that the airlines could purchase credits to offset their emissions from individual flights in an effort to reduce the human impact upon global climate change. The measure is considered to be very inexpensive as well and one estimate says that by 2025 only 1% of the airline's  annual revenue.]]> 2017-01-23 16:31:45 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/148772543 Obama Calls Clean Energy 'Irreversible' 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/148780431 http://www.livescience.com/57429-obama-clean-energy-momentum-irreversible.html
In a recent statement President Obama stated that he believes clean energy is 'irreversible' due to technological advances within the field. He made the point that as clean energy improves the economic benefits of it will outpace fossil fuels. He also stated that adopting clean energy allows businesses to operate more efficiently and reduce costs to customers. His statement ended with this "Its good business and good economics use more green energy and I think we should continue to that into the future".
]]> 2017-01-23 16:50:57 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/148780431 Climate Change Could Trigger Collapse of Major Ocean Current 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/148785541 http://www.livescience.com/57408-climate-change-threatens-ocean-current.html

Researchers have found that The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a deep-sea system that circulates warm water and helps to regulate Earth's climate, is far less stable than previously thought. Under climate changing factors such as increased CO2 in the atmosphere could lead to the current collapsing entirely. This scenario would not happen for another couple hundred years if it ever does happen but if this did occur it would have dire consequences for the global climate and could push the earth into a deadly ice age.]]> 2017-01-23 17:03:52 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/148785541 Scott Priutt the Incoming Leader of the EPA Criticizes Environmental Rules 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/148988512 https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/18/us/politics/scott-pruitt-testifying-to-lead-epa-criticizes-environmental-rules.html?action=click&contentCollection=earth&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront

During his senate confirmation hearing the incoming leader of the EPA Scott Pruitt made harsh criticisms of current air and water regulations as well as measures to tackle climate change. He stated the EPA under Obama committed a gross form of government overreach and he advocated for a state based approach to environmental regulations to fit the needs of the American people more closely. Senate Democrats questioned Mr Pruitt on his past work with the energy industry and in response Mr. Pruitt said "We must reject as a nation the false paradigm that if you’re pro-energy you’re anti-environment, and if you’re pro-environment you’re anti-energy."]]> 2017-01-24 13:07:01 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/148988512 Invasive Fern In Florida Threatens To Take Down More Than Just Trees 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170225612 http://www.npr.org/2017/01/23/511218451/invasive-fern-in-florida-threatens-to-take-down-more-than-just-trees

On the Florida Everglades, there is a plant species that is invading the swamps, marshes, and wetlands. It is a fern that takes over all types of ground. The plant usually takes down trees, plants, and anything in its way. The people of Florida have tried to cut the fern with clippers, but there is usually minimal progress. The fern grows back quickly and then takes over different areas. The Fern usually makes a mat like platform on the ground, and then grows up. It is making life for animals and wildlife very difficult to maneuver through and makes vegetation less abundant.  

The problem is the harm it is having on the population. There are deer that cannot get through the thick plant. The people of Florida are concerned with outcomes it could have on the wildlife of the ecosystems. This specific invasive species is called the Old World climbing fern. It got its name by taking down trees with its ability to climb the trees and the fact that it is a very old fern. But, there has to be caution on how much of it grows in Florida or it will overgrow an cause a lot of problems for Florida.

]]> 2017-05-05 16:43:40 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170225612 Dozens Of False Killer Whales Mysteriously Strand Themselves In Florida 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170225701 http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/01/18/510484531/dozens-of-false-killer-whales-mysteriously-strand-themselves-in-florida

There has been 95 false killer whales stranded on the coast of Florida. 85 of them have died. The people of the Florida coast have been trying to help assist the animals, but with minimal success, they have not been able to do much. If you don't know what a False Killer Whale is, it is a part of the dolphin family. They can grow up to 20 feet long. Scientist are trying to conduct experiments on the dead animals to determine what happened to them and what they can do to help save the living ones. As of right now, there is not much for the scientist to do, but they are still researching to see what they can do to help. 

These animals are mysteries upon themselves. Scientist don't know much about them, except that they travel and live in groups and they live off the coast of Mexico. The fact that they trapped themselves in a shallow watered area off the coast of Florida is totally unpredictable. There has never been an event like this that we know of. It is not like they go to the beaches to lay eggs, because they are mammals. The entirety of the it is very strange and unpredictable, and people are doing what they can to try to help. ]]> 2017-05-05 16:44:11 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170225701 Ticks Attacking New England Moose 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170225765 https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/19/us/ticks-thriving-in-warm-weather-take-a-ghastly-toll-on-new-england-moose.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0 

The New England Moose lives in the Northeastern parts of the United States. The moose usually are effected by the ticks during the fall, but the ticks are surviving longer. The ticks are becoming able to thrive in warm weather when they used to only be able to thrive in cold weather. The ticks have been recorded to have killed 70% of the moose calves. This is a significant amount of the younger moose population. The University of  New Hampshire is studying the epidemic. They believe there has been a mutation in the ticks. 250 moose have been tagged to preform experiments on why the mortality rate is increasing. 

The New England Moose is an essential part to the Northeastern parts of the United States economic and recreational  hunting activities. Since the current decrease of moose population is occurring, there is a possibility of an endangerment of eventually maybe even an extinction. The moose also plays a role in the environments food web. The moose is prey to many predators in the New England territory. Also, the fact that the tick is being ]]> 2017-05-05 16:44:34 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170225765 Think Global Warming's a Fraud? These Scientist Want to Change Your Mind. 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170225842 https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/a4f7fe58-129f-326b-8c0f-e062069bd557/ss_think-global-warming%26%2339%3Bs-a.html 

Scientist have claimed that 2016 is officially the warmest year on record. This causes the suspicion of global warming. Scientist have stated that it is not fact, but strongly suggested theory. The scientist have said this because 1 in 5 people doubt that global warming exist. But 61% of people are scared of global warming. Our newest president Donald Trump has said that global warming is a "Chinese hoax". Since there is so much controversy, these scientist have done studies to try to convince people that global warming exist. The scientist have stated that natural causes do cause an increase in climate, but so do human actions. They have said the increase if CO2 could have an effect on the climate, but they can not say for certain since the information does not equally line up. But, the facts that glaciers and ice are melting is a fact, and we don't know if that is due to human activity or natural causes. All we know for certain is that it is getting warmer. 

Obviously this is a very controversial issue. The people think that backing up our president is the best situation, while they ignore facts from scientist. There are many ecosystems that are effected by warmer climate, but the most we can do is try to help the ecosystems and lower what we know is heating the planet. The fact that the Earth is getting warmer is not a surprise to anyone, but when someone says there is a way to act on these controversies, people don't act, and that is the problem.  ]]> 2017-05-05 16:44:55 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170225842 Primate Extinction in the Next 50 Years 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170226067 http://www.foxnews.com/science/2017/01/23/primate-study-finds-its-worse-than-thought.html 

There are currently 504 species of primates that we know of. Of them, 75% of them are decreasing in population size. Scientist have before predicted that primates were unable to determine when they were to go extinct, but with recent research, there has been information that shows that certain primates could go extinct in the next 50 years. There are many different reasons for the decrease in population, but the main reason is said to be deforestation. Humans are taking away these primates habitats ans giving them no where to live, so they die from attacks of predators and unable to have basics needs. Many of the primates are threatened to go on the endangered species list. If the habitats are not returned to the primates, they will go extinct. 

The problem is that the loss of so many primates destroys ecosystems and food chains. We also evolve from primates so it is also a problem of making sure our ancestors don't go extinct. The extinction of a species is usually on humans hands, and we usually don't like that. ]]> 2017-05-05 16:46:02 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170226067 Fossil Discovery Shows Giant Otter's Size 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170226184 http://www.foxnews.com/science/2017/01/23/stunning-fossil-discovery-giant-otter-was-size-wolf.html 

Recent discovery in China shows that millions of years ago Giant Otters used to roam the planet. They were the size of wolves and weighed about 110 pounds. They lived 6.24 million years ago. The fossils of the gigantic mammals were found in a mine in China. The otter was predicted to live in a swampy area. It also was predicted to eat shellfish and mollusks. The discovery of any ancient species is a very cool discovery, and the fact that the people found the fossil disoriented and could fix it is very impressive.  

The ability to fix fossils to make them look how they would in ancient times is very interesting. It helps all sciences figure out the history of the field. When you fix a fossil you don't exactly know if what you are doing is correct, but today we get the closest comparison possible. The technology to figure this out is extraordinary. Also, the finding of the fossil is very interesting. While mining, Chinese people stumbled upon an in tact fossil which is very rare.

]]> 2017-05-05 16:46:37 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170226184 Bees Added To U.S. Endangered Species List for 1st Time 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170226506 http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/03/496402620/bee-species-added-to-u-s-endangered-species-list-for-1st-time 

As we all know, bees are a very important factor in our environment. Bees pollinate our plants, pollinate our crops, produce honey, and are a huge factor in most living plants. The fact that the bee is endangered is something that is very concerning. The bee makes a lot of money for the economy with the production of honey and the pollination of many crops. Without bees, humans are projected to only live 4 years after their extinction. If the bee is endangered we must do something to prevent extinction. 

I believe that as the most powerful species on the planet, we need to do something that prevents the bee from going extinct. No matter what, the main goal should be to make sure nothing extreme happens to the bee population. If the human population actually has a chance of going extinct in 4 years after bees go extinct, then we desperately need to do something about it. Even if we start small, everything counts.

Recently, there was an experiment in South Carolina that attempted to put out a pesticide that stops Ebola. The pesticide killed almost 4 million bees. That is not a large number compared to how many bees there are, but the fact that something can wipe out that many bees is horrific. That is not okay and can not happen. Even if the pesticide was for the right reason, there still needed to be a control on the experiment to make sure something like that didn't happen.  ]]> 2017-05-05 16:47:51 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170226506 Polluted Smog Covers Pakistani City of Lahore 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170226628 http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/polluted-smog-covers-pakistans-city-lahore-43322227 

Pollution in the air is not good for anyone. In the Pakistani City of Lahore, there was an entire smog that covered the city that was polluted and dangerous. The smog contained toxic air that was harmful towards everyone that was breathing it. It covered 265 miles of land and almost the entire city. Doctors in the area are saying it is mainly harmful to those with a respiratory disease called asthma. 

Pollution is an environmental problem that is occurring all over the world. Since the entire world has a surplus of pollution, there is many situations like this one, where people are at risks of being harmed by pollution. The article says that doctors have told them that people could be experiencing itchiness in arms and eyes since the air is getting all over the people. If the air is getting so disgustingly terrible, there should be a limit to the pollution allowed in an area. The citizens of Lahore are experiencing the worst recorded situation with polluted air. 

I believe that there should be restrictions and limits on pollution in all areas. Obviously the city of Lahore does not have a limit if they pollute enough to create an entire smog that covers the entire city. This also affects the entire world with the ozone layer. The ozone layer is being destroyed by by bad air and pollution. If the ozone layer gets so bad it goes away, then global warming will be more of a problem for our world. The entire occurrence of over pollution and acid air is disgraceful. ]]> 2017-05-05 16:48:21 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170226628 Sea Turtles Disoriented on Florida Island 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170226764 http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/07/sea-turtles-disoriented-on-florida-island/ 

Sea turtles have had a rough time in the last couple of years. They are still endangered and the population is decreasing. The sea turtle is one of the most loved sea life in the world. The problem happening as of now is that they are trying to reproduce and nest on shore, but they cannot find their way back to the sea. The turtles can't turn well so it takes them a couple of hours to find the sea. But if they don't find the sea they usually die. Not to make anything better, the eggs are either being destroyed or eaten by predators. 

Currently, 90% of the sea turtle population lives near Florida and use their shores to nest. But, since Florida is a very populated state and has popular beaches, the sea turtles are hesitant to nest on the beaches. The sea turtles that do nest on the beaches have a very hard time getting back to the sea, so the people a part of the sea turtle protection group try to assist the turtles and bring them back to the sea. But this is not an easy task. The sea turtles can weigh up to 1,300 pounds. 

The people of Florida are trying their hardest to help out the sea turtle. The turtles end up all over the islands and beaches after nesting. They have been reported to be under beach chairs, on rocks, and on the streets. Basically these animals have no idea what they are doing once they have nested. They attempt to make it back to the sea, but just fail miserably which is a main reason they are endangered. The sea turtles just need help and awareness from all people. ]]> 2017-05-05 16:48:48 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170226764 Last Known Male White Rhino Guarded by Armed Rangers in Kenya 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170226867 http://abcnews.go.com/International/male-white-rhino-guarded-armed-rangers-kenya/story?id=30330411

The White Rhino is down to 5. FIVE! The Northern White Rhino is threatened at the moment, and there is not many left. The fact that there are poachers trying to kill these animals, even thought there are only 5 left, it pains me. The Kenyan people realize that this cannot happen, so they've placed armed guard around these rhinos. I completely agree on this act because there are so little of them left, if the 5 left die they will go extinct, which just adds to the total of animals that have gone extinct due to humans. 

The poaching that is happening is due to the fact that people are buying that tusks and hide for a lot of money. The main way to stop this is making it almost impossible to sell those items. When the people who kill the rhinos collect the very rare supplies from the carcass, they immediately try to sell it on the black market. The way we need to attack that is going against all things black market.

Endangered animals is a very serious issue today. When an entire species is getting near extinction because of the human race, it makes us look terrible. We have ways to help protect, and aid these species to keep striving to survive. The White Rhino's do not do anything harmful towards humans and it is not hard to protect them. So, the only reasonable thing to do is help the White Rhino because we are the reason it is endangered.

]]> 2017-05-05 16:49:15 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170226867 Alabama Drought Is Worsening, Killing Plants, Drying Creeks. 18schweighoferr https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170227475 http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/extreme-drought-worsening-quickly-alabama-43277697 

There is a drought in Alabama that is causing problems for all of the citizens and environment around it. The drought makes the environment unable to be as fertile as it was before which ruins plants. The soil now is dry and the soil is not as mineral filled as it used to be. The worst part of the problem is the farming in Alabama. The crops that were planted in the area that has a drought are now dying, which kills business and also attacks our economy. 

Typically the land in Alabama doesn't hold much water, but now it holds even less. The soil is usually bad, but at the moment, it is just terrible. Barack Obama said that he would do whatever he could to help the farmers struggling at the moment with the drought. The state government have banned outdoor fires for now because of the terrible drought happening. People say that the cool weather will be coming soon, but for the time being, there is not much the people can do. 

I think that Alabama shouldn't be farming in the first place. If their land isn't meant for farming, what do you think would happen if something happened to make it even worse? The soil is probably the worst in the United States at the moment, and I believe that this issue could have been avoided by not farming in the first place. Droughts are natural occurrences,  you can't do anything to stop them, so you have to prepare yourself for them before they come. ]]> 2017-05-05 16:52:00 UTC https://padlet.com/18schweighoferr/c3nvf62opcbb/wish/170227475