Polar Bears have symptoms of mystery Disease

This myserious disease outbreak was first noticed last summer. When about 60 seals were found dead and another 75 diseased, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Most of the affected seals are ringed seals, but diseased ribbon, bearded and spotted seals were also found. The nine polar bears from Beaufort Sea region near Barrow were found with some hair loss (patchy hair loss) and oozing sores on their skin. This is similar to how the disease affected the seals and walruses. But unlike those seals and walruses, the nine polar bears did not die, they were healthy says Tony DeGange the chief of the biology office for the USGS's Alaska Science Center. These nine polar bears were among the 33 that biologists have captured and sampled while doing routine studies on the Arctic coastline.

It is good to know that the polar bears that are one of the many animals that are going extinct are not dying from this mysterious disease, but that still brings the question of what is the cause and is it affecting other animal in the Arctic. For example, say some fisherman catch fish from the Arctic, and those fish are affected with the disease. What will the affects happen to a human that eats the animal. I know that is why we have science to go and do that kind of research so we don't kill people by what they eat. But in this article they are not giving much though on what is the disease, and any leads to where it could be coming from like a source.


http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/06/us-polarbears-idUSBRE8350MX20120406

James Cameron Dives to the Floor of Marian

I knew that once I heard about James Cameron going into the ocean, I just had to report about it. This is a man that shows a lot of heart into the environment and is trying to show the world what he sees.


James Cameron traveled in a submersible called Deepsea Challenger, descending to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. The Trench is seven miles beneath the western Pacific Ocean, other explorers have tried to reach the bottom but some have lost their lives. Cameron made it to the bottom and back, and he plans to go back down again. What I find interesting about this type of submarine is that it shrinks as you  go down. I never knew that they can make a submarines can do that. Also I was amazed to see the map of how deep this trench goes. If you take Mt. Everest and flip it upside down, that is how deep this trench goes. I can't even swim to the bottom of the deep end of the pool with my ears hurting me. If I went that far down, I will lose my hearing, I am too young to lose my hearing.

What Cameron saw when he reached the  bottom was no life at all. He was sent down their to video record life and any other information of the bottom of the Mariana Trench for 6 hours. But only stayed their for three because of an oil spill (I think it was from his submarine), and made it back to the surface in 70 min.  It is no wonder why he is planning to go back, once they fix the problem he will go back and try to discover something new to bring to the world to see. He always does, it is in his nature as an explored. And I bet that in a few years he will make a movie based on this experience, or a IMAX documentary as he has done with his trip to the Titanic.

All I can say is that I wish I could see what he see, to have a job like he does and explore the world. I do hope that in his next trip down to this trench, that he does discover's something and for his safe return. There are lots of video links to this article, and all of them were very informative. I recommend watching them to see the stuff Cameron did record.  




http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/james-cameron-dives-floor-mariana-trench-deeper-everest/story?id=16003655#.T3pz53NuHrU

Junk Removal Service

This news article is in the theme of recycling. Found on the Sarasota Suncoast news at http://www.mysuncoast.com/content/living-green/story/Living-Green-Junk-removal-service/_0DMlifqdkyeDQL4BCrIZg.cspx

This red truck is on a mission to take whatever junk you don't want and find it new homes, and out of landfills. Junk King GM Michele Postell says "Then we bring it back to the warehouse, we sort through it and see what can be re-purosed, recycled or reused to keep it out of the landfill." To me this sounds a lot like what companies like the Goodwill does, only instead of you bringing your unwanted items to them, they can come to you and take it off your hands. I really like this story, because it is nice to see things being recycled, especially things that we have bought in the past, and no longer need. Giving it to those who need it most. We have a tendency to buy more than we need, we fill the need to buy more thing. And be surrounded them, but do we really need so many things, does that make us happy. Just like the saying goes (or phrase) "money can't buy you happiness" and that goes well with this story.

If we can recycle more stuff like this and give it to other people, then that might be the start of having companies make less of the stuff, and there by less pollution that goes with it.


 "Then we bring it back to warehouse, we sort through it and see what can be re-purposed, recycled or reused to keep it out of the landfill," says Junk King GM Michele Postell.

 

Save the Animals

I think this is a very important topic to talk about. Next to talking about our environment and helping to clean the earth and save it, we must not forget the animals.

I found this video on NBC.com Nightly News titles New View on endangered species.
Joe Satori is a photographer and in a way he is also playing the similar role of Noah. Being the more modern day Noah of taking photograph's of every animals (two of the same species, boy and girl) instead of building an ark. Satori feels that it is important to get pictures and document their information before it becomes too late for them and for the future. A quote from Satori "These things have value and we shouldn't be throwing them away-- we are throwing away the ark" This project of his is called the Biodiversity Project, documenting animals and even plants.

This is a short video (about 2 minutes) but it is a powerful one and to me, it shows that there are people that are speaking for the animals and trying to help save them from going extinction. I would like it to see Ringling's Photography majors do something like this, even the other majors like Illustration can do something to get other people to look at these animals in a new way.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#46674706

Living Green Save Water

This weeks news that I found on the mysuncoast.com is about water and more importantly how much we should use it, especially for garden lovers out there.


The irrigation systems is used at many homes on the Suncoast to water their yards and plants. There is a problem with the system, which is that sometimes that don't always do the job. Debbie Shapiro of Sarasota discovered the extension service's irrigation Evaluation Program and used their expertise. Shapiro said that before her yard and garden did not get enough water from her sprinklers. Sometimes she said that "many of the heads were broken or spraying incorrectly." After going through her yard with these experts, her yard is now better and looks healthier (greener). The reason why it is even healthier is because she has a better understanding of how the irrigation system works. By capping some of the sprinkler heads that she did not use, expanding the use of more efficient micro-irrigation heads and repairing some of the broken heads. This is helping in a big way by saving a lot of water.

This is something that I think everyone should do. They should take a look at their yard, if you have a garden or not. If you have something to give water to your yard, it is best to check out everything. See if there are any broken sprinklers and maybe see if you limit how many you have. Basically notice how much water you are using, even too much water is bad for your yard. I know that some people might have their sprinklers on a setting and it would go on a timer. But I have seen some people that just leave their sprinklers running and wasting water. By doing that, not only is it a big waste of using water. But your are over water the yard and it is not going to make your yard greener than your neighbor.

the extension service is recommending people to keep the irrigation systems off and only use them when there has not been enough rain water. I agree with this 100%. Before we take more water from someplace else, lets us first let nature take care of watering the earth. Let us use more natural resorces than the sources by some company.  A quote from the extension service about the system "An irrigation system is not meant to replace rain water, it's meant to supplement rain water...and we forget that sometimes."



http://www.mysuncoast.com/content/living-green/story/Living-Green-Irrigation-evaluation-can-help-save/AXfG47TgQ0GJKf5giBCadQ.cspx

Bat Flu

Next to Bird Flu and Pig Flu, we now have Bat Flu.

So far scientist have found this new never-before-seen virus in bats, but it is still uncertain as to it being harmful to humans. This news is recent (2/28/12) and even though their is not any information on this flu and how it effects us. But just like any other flu, go and protect your body and get a flu shot right away. It never hurts to be extra save, than be sick and sorry.

It is almost common now a days to find animal caring a flu virus. There have been reports of a flu in not only birds and pigs (the more common animals we cook and eat). But are sometimes seen in dogs, seals, whales and horses as well as other animals. A flu virus is know for spreading around everywhere so it would not surprise me to see that an animal like a bat, which most people would not think about as much. Would end up caring some virus in them. Scientists hypothesis that some bats might have caught the flu centuries ago and then the virus mutated within the bat. As the bat population grew, so did the virus.

There are some guesses as to how this new virus could end up effecting us. Bats are known to eat only fruit and insects not people. So we would not have to sorry about going into a cave and getting bite by a bat and getting the virus. But if the bat takes a bite of a fruit, and a human has contact (takes the fruit or eat the fruit without noticing the bite marks) with the fruit. Then there is the possibility of the bat flu spreading to humans.

In Guatemala, the CDC has an international outpost where they do reasearch and collect information. It is there that they have collected 300 bats from 2009 to 2010. The main focus was on rabies, but also looked into other germs and that is how they came across this new virus found in a little yellow-shoulder bats (found by Donis, a veterinarian by training). The next step in learning about this new virus is the scientist are going to draw the blood from the bat and examine it more. And I think they are going to inject it into other animals and document the results. And from their research, then they will see if it will harm us next.

My only question about this article is are there any more bats that they have collected that are caring this new virus. There are many bats in the world and my question is are all bats affected by this virus, has it spread so much that it is seen in other species of bats. Again this story is new, so it is too early to say anything more. But I do hope that this news will be address more on the nightly news and answer these questions.





http://health.newsplurk.com/2012/02/bird-flu-pig-flu-now-bat-flu-human-risk.html
http://www.ajc.com/news/scientists-discover-flu-in-1365748.html
http://www.iol.co.za/scitech/science/news/bat-flu-human-risk-unclear-1.1244563

New College's Seawall restoration project

The New College is in the works of restoring the Seawall that was commissioned by John Ringling back in the 1920's. Over the years, time has made an effect on the wall, it is rundown and in disrepair. This project of restoring the wall is a $2 million project, and this serve as focal point for learning and to bring the look of the area back. Morris a New College official says "We're reconstructing the seawall, we will have an esplanade along the Bayfront, we going to reconstruct the historic balustrade that was at the top of the seawall." Basically the goal of this project is to recreate the aesthetic feel of the Ringling era. The seawall is not the only project that is going on, there is also going to be in that section, they are going to degrade and breach the seawall and create a new inter-tidal lagoon. This lagoon will help improve the health of the bay. Morris says that "to remove a vertical seawall and create a soft, sandy sloping, inter-tidal habitat, it's really a positive benefit for the bay."

I think that this is a very good thing that Florida (Sarasota) is doing. Unlike some places that would not think hard of restoring an area and end up leaving it alone for years. Florida is really taking it part in helping it's environment and trying to save it. If this seawall was not getting its restoring, then it will continue to rundown till there is nothing left, and some of it might end up in the water affecting the fish and their habitat. I hope that we hear more of these kinds of projects on the news, help rebuild and save buildings and areas and not spend more money on rebuilding and damaging the area. When this project is finished, it will give a new place for New College biology students and anyone else who wants to study the Suncoast waters.

I also like it how this is a project from a college, showing that students are concerned with the area they live in (living in Florida) and want to help in what ever way they can. I am sure Ringling has done projects like this in the past. But I think this is a great example to share is other schools and not just colleges. Like by raise money for these projects and or volunteering to save money.







http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/local/story/Seawall-restoration-the-centerpiece-of-New/kzWLnXLuYUqvUHRFxzuGiQ.cspx

Turning Salvage into Furniture

This news article (and video) is a great example of showing recycling. This type of recycling is not with bottles and cans but with old objects like wood, glass and old paint and other stuff that can be reused. Sarasota Architectural Salvage has made it is mission to go out and find things that can be used to create new furniture and have some rich history to go with it. Jesse White the founder of Sarasota Architectural Salvage has found stuff like a southern yellow pine that was from paneling that was buried beneath layers of wall material inside an old restaurant right on Main Street. And with that pine he has made it into a new dinning table. I really like it when people do this type of recycling, it is like the saying goes, 'killing two birds with one stone', in this case White is helping his environment by keeping materials out of our landfills and giving it new uses, that is the goal he is pursing. His business will not only keep the landfills clean, but giving his customers a new type of furniture.

I think this should be the way of the future when it comes to things people need most. I am not the type of person that knows labels of famous designers when it comes to clothes of furniture, but if I see any symbol that represent going green/ environmentally made then I would purchase it. Cause I would not only support what they are doing but I want to help the fight of going green and saving our environment grow.









http://www.mysuncoast.com/content/living-green/story/Living-Green-Turning-salvage-into-furniture/y4XwCZMd30ew3cAx5FOh-A.cspx

Threatened Butterfly Vanishes from Florida Refuge

The Miami blues have not been seen on Bahia Honda Key, Fla. since July 2010. The parks biologist Jim Duquesnel wanted to see more Miami blue butterflies and to get rid of the growing number of iguanas. The reason for this is because of The Central American invader maybe the cause for making the Miami blue go extinct. The iguanas (as well as some other animals) eat the green leaves that the Miami blue lay their egg, there by the quickest way of killing them and making. These butterflies are now on the list of the endangered species along with these other butterflies- cassius blue, ceranus blue and the nickerbean blue.

The only surviving Miami blue that is living in the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, they are about 50 miles west of Bahia Honda. Right now, Duquesnel is trying to keep hope alive and save these butterfies by eradicating the iguana's from his 600-acre park that is located in the Middle Keys. Though the cause of the lowering numbers of the Miami blue may not all be blamed by the iquana's (even though that is the main suspect), another cause is from the weather. In the past Florida's weather has been from lots of rain to a drought. When it is the right weather for them, they will emerge and start to breed. And if that is the case, then their is still some hope for these butterflies to survive.

Another way of saving the Miami blue is collecting them and putting them in a captive breeding program for study and to have some of these butterflies remaining and out of harm of the iguanas. At the University of Florida's Maguire Center for Lepidoptera and Environmental Research, they have bred roughly 30,000 in their labs from 2003 to 2010. The Florida scientist transplanted the butterflies in the Upper Keys to help expand the Miami blue's geographic range. But those colonies did not survived.

 In 2006 a new population of Miami blues was discovered on a remote island in Key West refuge. But then in 2008 came the drought and then in 2009 to 2010 the cold came in, making the population in Bahia Honda do down and the rising number of Green iguanas were being seen more.

Since trying to collect and save some of the butterflies has not turned out so well, the next plan that Duquesnel has is to try and catch the lizards. Unlike butterflies where they are trick to lure and capture, iguanas can be caught. And after capturing the iguanas, the best thing for them is to relocate them somewhere else that is better suited for them, and away from any endangered insects. Also with the iguanas gone from the butterflies habitat then maybe more of the Miami blue will return and breed again.  


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46396091/ns/us_news-environment/#.TzvshnNuHrU

Where Does Your Egg McMuffin Come From?

This story from ABC News (abcnews.go.com) has to deal with Mcdonald's Food and what is going on behind the resister. Or what really goes on at the place were they keep all the food and then ship it to Mcdonald buildings.

An investigator named "Scott" had a hidden camera and caught on tap of the dirty and nasty conditions he found where they hold the eggs. At the Sparboe Farms an egg farm in Vincent, Iowa, Scott found dirty conditions. The most major ones was the egg producers. The chickens are kept in these "battery cages," six to a cage and stacked high in rows that is twice the length of a football field. Scott also found lots of flies and rodents running around the place, from the walls to underneath the cages. As most people know, rodents and flies are one of the main ways salmonella can be spread on chicken population. Then there was some dead birds in the cages, that looked like it was left there for days or even weeks. Just sitting there rotting in the cage and having it near the other hens and their eggs.

All this and more can be seen on the link below with the visuals. Each image has the description of what Scott caught on tape. Knowing that fast food is bad for you to have all the time. But from what we see in ads and commercials, Mcdonalds makes their products look fresh and they claim that it is better and healthy than other fast food places like Burger King. And I can say that the Burger King across from Ringling College of Arts and Design needs to have the health inspector come and have a visit ASAP. I could probably be the next undercover report for the number of issues and health hazards I have spotted in that fast food restaurant (I hate saying that it is resturant. It is a disgrace from the real restaurants), if only I had a hidden camera.  But Mcdonalds is suppose to bring smiles on our faces, not make us sick and throw up from the reality of their food keeping of live stock.  This bring to issue of false advertising, lying to your buyers, animal cruelty, unhealthy work conditions and being the cause of sick people that purchase your meals.  



  


 




 







http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/slideshow/egg-mcmuffin-14977698 

Two Headed Cat

I know that this news is not really any dealing with the environment, but this news caught my attention, and I am not just talking about the image of the cat, but the story too. This news was from Feb, 2, 2012.

The scientific term for this is called diprosopus, it is also nicknames the Janus Cat based after the mythical Roman god with two faces. The couple has named the kitten Harvey Dent after the Batman character (only the Batman character has two personality and a one half of his face is burned). What was ironic was that the couple that owned the kitten Nash Hand and his wife Amanda Forsythe, saw on TV that there was a cat full grown with two faces. Nash said that "wouldn't it be funny if that happen to us" with their cat expecting to give birth. Soon enough when their cat gave birth, it must have heard Nash and their it was a little black kitten with two faces.

This kind of thing rarely happens. Others have told the owners of the kitten Nash Hand and his wife Amanda Forsythe that they should kill it and that it is wrong of them to keep it, and that it is evil. It is from hearing those hurtful comments that made me want to write about this in my journal. People are wrong to judge so quickly and say hurtful things. It is because of those comments, that it has a powerful and a terrible affect on people. I was glad that this couple did not listen to those hateful people, this is not a monster, it is a KITTEN not the devil. If you keep saying hurtful things like that and treat it terrible, then yes, it will get aggressive and hate others (this is also towards people).


despite the two face appearance, everything else with the kittens body was working fine. When watching the video of the kitten drinking it's milk from the baby bottle. Dent is drinking on said of his face, and the other side looks like its drinking too when there is no bottle. Like it is mimicking what the other face is doing, or it is all the same movement going at once. Sadly though in a recent news update on the Harvey Dent, Nash Hand reported to ABC 7 news to tell them that on Wednesday Feb, 8 2012 Dent died at only two days old (so it was born on Feb 6, 2012). It is sad news to hear that this kitten died so soon, when the animal doctor, Dr, Greg Fluharty with the Animal Clinic in Port Charlotte told the couple that everything was working in the kittens body. A perfect healthy cat died so young, it is very sad, but it is not uncommon. When there are Janus cats, the odds of survival are slim. Only one was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records last year, that a Janus cat turned 12 years old. But maybe it is for the best, not saying I am agreeing with the people, but if the cat continued to grow up health and loved by it owners. Maybe those same hateful people will try and kill it themselves. At least now Harvey Dent is in a better place.



 


 





http://www.mysuncoast.com/mostpopular/story/Port-Charlotte-cat-born-with-two-faces/rjKM-8q5ckaQbOGpbY5k6Q.cspx

Lionfish still a problem in Florida, being found off the Suncoast

Just yesterday I was emailing my Ecology of Sarasota teacher Emily Hall, who works at the Mote Marine Aquarium, asking her if the Mote has be getting more Lionfish. She told me no but people are bringing in dead ones for study. The reason I bring up the topic of Lionfish is because just tonight at 11:00 pm on the Suncoast news, the Lionfish are still swimming around the suncoast.

These fish may look beautiful, but don't let their beauty and graceful movement fool you, these are very troublesome fish, and they have grown big in numbers. The major problem with these fish is that they are upsetting the natural balance of the coral reefs and eating lots of other fish. Sometimes these fish can even eat fish that might be a bit larger in size. Much like the Python in the everglades, these animals have a big appetite for other animals. These fish can go on and eat happily because they have no natural predators, and if a fish try's to come at it. The Lionfish has within their fins (around their body) are needles that if touched it will poison it's victim. If a scuba divers comes in contact with the fish and gets attacked, to a human it will not kill you. But reports of past people that have gotten stung by these fish say that the experience is like a bee sting on steroids. There are treatments for this, as to back in the 90's when these fish were first being spotted off the Florida east coast, no one really know how to go about treating people who got stung.

The more they eat, the more they grow and populate. Pretty soon these fish could extend as far as south of Brazil. This would then have an affect on not only the United States, but the entire hemisphere. These fish will end up killing the reefs and harming the balance of the ocean and the fish. The major task that is still going on today to any fisherman and diver, is to hunt, catch or kill as many Lionfish as possible. The sooner we can get rid of these fish from the Suncoast the better. And to help save the rest of the hemisphere. It does sound like we are trying to make these Lionfish go instinct for good. and there may be some people that don't believe in hunting and killing these fish, and want to protect them. But I think in this situation we can make due with getting rid of Lionfish off the map. What good do they do for the ocean in return. Nothing, they just swim around and eat their fill and they are ruining the ocean reefs.






http://www.mysuncoast.com/content/topstories/story/Invasive-lionfish-being-found-off-the-Suncoast/bhBsTtJhwk6bsufH9dotXw.cspx

Freezing in Europe

This weeks news I found on NBC Nightly News.com, it is a video but it is very informative. As you can read from the title places in Europe are experiencing freezing weather that is not normal. Places like Athans Greece, and Rome, Italy is getting hit with snow storms, when it is a place that is not known for a winter wonderland. Because of the snowy conditions, the workers in Italy that are busy with the cruise ship is making their job more difficult than it already was. The temperature of this freezing weather have gone to  -22 degrees, and the colder it gets more people are getting sick and even dying from the cold. This weather is also bad for homeless people that are suffering from the cold and getting really bad frost bite. Ucrane is getting the most death from the freezing cold.

The more snow falls, the harder it will be to get to people that are trapped in their houses. There have helicopters sent to come and rescue people from their snowed in homes. Most likely the houses were already cold with the lost of power.Lots of the places in Europe that are getting hit with the cold and snow aren't happy and wish for spring to come early. But the forecasters say that this snow isn't going anywhere, and that the people in Europe should expect the snow to be there for weeks. If this keeps up, not only will more people get sick, but hospitals, pharmacy, markets will ruin out of supplies, and the lost of power and the struggle to find something to make heat. Some Hospitals and other places are letting in people on the streets come in from the cold, saving them from a frozen death. As of right know, the most that the locals can try to do, is dress as warm as possible.

I think this is bizaare to see snow in Europe. I haven't traveled to all the places in Europe, but when I went to Italy (back in 2008 of spring break) I would never have imagine the Rome being covered in snow. In times like these, they should make this more know to people on the news and online, and try to get people to volunteer to help or send over some supplies. It's times like these when I see people that really need help, and I wish there was more that I can do.




This is the link
http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/46266555/#46257418
http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/46266555/#46244213

Follow up on Pythons in Everglades

I thought this would be good to mention, after we talked in class about these snakes and learning how when they eat, their body's grow even more. This is where this story talks about. Snakes like the Pythons are growing larger that they are eating bigger mammals. Mammals such as Raccoons, opossums, bobcats and other mammals that live in the Everglades. Sightings of medium size mammals are down as much as 99%, in the areas that is known to where the pythons and other non-native large constrictor snakes. If this keeps goings, soon a lot of the mammals in the Everglades will be devoured by these snakes, and in their place will be the non-native large and human threatening snakes. This would be hurting the food-chain and disrupt the Everglades.

The python that was found is the Burmese python, known to be located in the Southeast of Asia. It is believed that they are living in the Everglades. Facts about the Burmese python is that it can grow to be 26 feet long and weight more than 200 pounds. They swallow animals as large as an alligator, how they kill their prey is by coiling around the it and suffocating it. With their large long body and strength, killing their prey is easy.

2003 to 2011, researcher drove 39,000 miles along the Everglades-area and counted the wildlife along the way. Gathering results and comparing it to the survey conducted on the same route back in 1996-1997. The declining in animal sightings: a drop of 99.3% among raccoons, 98.9% for opossums, 94.1% for white-tailed deer and 87.5% for bobcats. in 1996-1997, rabbits and foxes were commonly spotted, then they were not seen in the later counts. There was the slight increase in coyotes, Florida Panthers, rodents and other mammals. There is no real evidence yet as to if the pythons are the ones that causes the decrease with the mammals in the Everglades, but they are the number one suspect.




 In the video that we watched on these snakes, it was pointed out that if these snakes start eating larger animals, then who is to say that we might be next on their food chain. You never know when one of these snakes might slither in your backyard. Instead of some cases where (depending on where you live in Florida) some family's might see a crocodile or an alligator  in their backyard, it might end up being a snake knowing that you are its next meal. That is a scary thing to think about, but Florida residents must stay clear of these snakes, if they happen to come close to where you live.






http://www.mysuncoast.com/content/topstories/story/Pythons-apparently-wiping-out-Everglades-mammals/cqGc0Tu5b02hEt2QceXMcw.cspx 

Cuba Oil Drilling Scares Suncoast

The Suncoast Beaches will soon find themselves in fear of an oil disaster to fall upon them.
Cuba is thinking of drilling for oil and the thought of an oil spill tat will reach the Suncoast (Florida) beaches. If an oil spill were to occur from Cuba, the time for it to reach Florida would be about three days. Glenn Compton of the Manasota-88 environmental group stresses on how bad this situation would be. Compton says "while you may think only the southern tip of the state has to worry, it's anyone's guess as to how vulnerable the Suncoast would be, simply because the data just isn't there."Even though the best thing to do at this point is to try and study the currents, but it is hard because there is no study on those currents and which direction they go. Compton points out that "whats really lacking is an overview of the drilling impacts that could take place and that's why we remained unprepared."

This news is not meant to scare beach goers from going to the beach anytime soon. But their is a strong chance of an oil spill to happen. But of course there is no way to know when it is going to happen. This news is still new from the  11:00 pm on abc news, so there was not any more information they could release on the news. But to make beach goes cautious of the water when swimming in the beach.

Oil spills have happened many times before, no one likes it when it happens. And it is terrible on what the oils does to ocean and it's animals. How I feel about news like this is, why do they have to ruin the ocean and the animals. Why can't they find some other place to look for oil. Or better yet, if we are using oil for fuel, can we come up with something else for fuel. Pretty soon, there won't be any oil left to drill, or dig. What I hope to hear more of from this event, is an interview or something saying Cuba's reasons for drilling, why now? We know that on the Suncoast side, this kind of news brings worry and fear to the locals and environmental groups. But how does Cuba feel, are they concern about the effects of an oil spill? Or are they only thinking of making money and nothing else.

That is one of big things I see wrong today (as well as anyone else can clearly see). We have become more corrupt with power, and making money. No one really cares anymore, it is all about business and making it through the day, not thinking twice on your actions.





http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/local/story/Cuba-oil-drilling-sparks-Suncoast-fears/OcjjgBkXyk-QvzAb8hMGYw.cspx

Follow up on Venice Beach, Bacteria Found in water

The results of the water sample are in, and Venice Beach is closed because of Bacteria found in the water. This will make it the tenth time this has happened, and they are still not sure where this bacteria is coming from. John Ryan, the President of the Venice Chamber of Commerce did mention of other location for beach lovers to go to. But knowing that this is now the tenth time the Venice Beach is closed down by bacteria, it means no business. Ryan says that "A swimming closure over the weekend is definitely not good."

Because Venice Beach is an isolated and a public beach, maybe the source of the problem is the public themselves. You never know what people might bring to the beach that might harm to the beach. And all those people in the water, who knows if they are carrying anything on them that would contaminate the water. Another guess as to how this could be happening again, is something leaking into the water, like pipes from the side of a building. This was my guess as to how bacteria could get into the water. But thanks to the results of the water sample, we have a name of what kind of bacteria is in the water. It is called 'Enteric Bacteria' this can come from storm water runoff, pet waste and wildlife and human sewage.  The health department is doing another follow-up of the water today, Friday 27, 2012 and should have the results back by Saturday afternoon.


The city spokesperson Pam Johnson says that "really want to tackle as soon as possible, I', sure we will be seeing additional expenditures of money and effort to go into finding out what the problem is." This could be just me, but from what Johnson just said, it sounded like the only way they would go in deeper on finding how to solve this problem is if they get more money before doing the job. I do under stand that it is all about money and we need to pay for the supplies and equipment to do a job like this. But if this kind of problem has been happening more than once, then  don't sound so greedy with money and try to help out your community and the earth. The after you can total the bill. Then again this is just my thoughts, but if I was them, I would care more about the water and how to help it than waiting for money to fall into my lap and then get to work.

Hopefully we will hear more updates on this problem and figure out where this bacteria is coming from and how we can make sure that this does not happen for the eleventh time.




http://www.mysuncoast.com/content/topstories/story/Bateria-in-the-water-is-bad-for-business/KL1VUjwFIkSXeMKh7qEGqA.cspx

No swimming at Venice Beach

The Sarasota County Health Department Officials did a water testing of the Venice Beach water on Wednesday January 25, 2012. The results of the water came back and it shows an elevated level of enterococci (enteric) bacteria. There are other beaches in Venice that are still open for the public to such as South Jetty, Brohard Beach, Venice Fishing Pier and the Service Club Park. Even though the Venice Beach is not open yet for people to swim in, the guest can still go on the beach, just make sure to stay away for the water. And it is also ok to fish and consume the fish in this water. This friday January 27, 2012 will be a follow up on the water testing to see if it is ok to return in the water. 


Even though this news article was not long enough with information, it is still important to know what is going on with the water. When beaches are closed down, it usually means bad for business and the thought of something terrible that has happen under the water that might effect us. But seeing how the fish in the ocean are not being harmed and that we are still able to fish and eat them. That to me see's like a good sign of nothing serious. But still I wish that this article has a video to a better clarification of what the Enteric Bacteria means, and what might be the cause. 


The only times that I remember thats would be closed down would be because of problems like red tide, oil spills or something else that is just as serious as that. Also if the close contact of sharks reaching the shallow end of the beach, where guest are usually are.


  




http://health.heraldtribune.com/2012/01/26/water-advisory-issued-for-venice-beach/ 

Southwest Florida is Dry

This winter has been the driest for Southwest Florida, and it is making not only rivers but lakes and groundwater sources throughout the 16-county Southwest Florida Water Management District to drop. 

Two months of no rain means less water in rivers like the Peace River. And when the river is getting low, it means no trips at the Canoe Outpost. When the river drops, limestone and fossils are exposed, but that does not help the Canoe Outpost with bringing in tourist. I have noticed that we have had less rain than usual. And when there is no rain, the trees and plants are not getting hydrated. Lots of plants and trees will go dry. The most rain that Florida has gotten was about a quarter-inch of rain in December 2011, making it the driest December since 1938. 


Even in the coming March and April don't look like much rain. As Anthony Artusa, meteorologist with the Climate Prediction Center (under the National Weather Service) says that "March and April it looks like it may even be exacerbated." Artusa thinks that the cause of this less rain is because of the La Niña. La Niña is a weather pattern that is caused by the cooler-than normal seas across the tropical Pacific.  When the sea becomes cooler, it makes the the jet stream shift north, this then directs the storm systems away from Florida. 


With the low rate of the rivers (and other water parts of Florida) is causes problems for the animals that live in the rivers and lakes. It does not bring in tourist, but does bring in fisherman and fossil hunters. But if the rivers don't get some rain soon, then the river canoe business will loose money. At this point there is nothing much that we can do to help the river or those businesses out. All we can hope for is a good shower of rain to come and refill the rivers, feed the plants and trees and bring back some businesses that need the river flowing. 







http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120125/ARTICLE/120129678/2416/NEWS?p=1&tc=pg

Space Hurricane

I thought that this was interesting to find another article about what is going on in space, and how this storm from the sun affects us/ our planet. From what I gather from this article, the solar storm is not a threat to us (nothing harmful).

The wave of particles that came from the intense solar storm did effect the airline flight and satellite. The storm began on Monday when a powerful solar flare erupted from the sun. And from that eruption a stream of charged particles came toward Earth. This electromagnetic burst — called a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). The CME is like a space hurricane that will interact with the Earth's magnetic field.Then there was talk about it being the highest radiation level since to the Halloween storm on 2003. This storm forced the airlines to  change routes. "Most of the major airlines flying polar [routes], or even some non-polar, high-altitude routes, have taken action to mitigate the effect of this storm," says Bill Murtagh, the center's program coordinator.  


The reason why I found this article to be important to share is because not only does it have to do with the environment of space and what may effect our planet. But these solar storm that release charged particles have effect on anything electronic, which everything today is run by some electricity. Yihua Zheng, the lead researcher at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center says that "Probably in the next 10 hours or so, people at high latitudes can see auroras." What this might do is cause communication errors at polar caps, but the magnetic activities will probably not be that strong. 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46118390/ns/technology_and_science-space/#.Tx8RT3NuHrU
More on this article and a video

Solar Weather

On Sunday January 22, 2012 forcasters say that a blast from the sun should strike a glancing blow at the Earth's magnetic field. This will create a mild geomagnetic storm. I found this article to be very interesting and important to know about our Earth. Especially how there have been predictions about 2012, not that I am a believer in those predictions. But it is good to know about what is going on up in space, and what that environment is like. 


The blast is known as a coronal mass ejection, seen from space by the sun-watcing spacecraft on Thursday. NASA said that the impact on Earth would be felt on sunday (today) at about 10:00pm Eastern Time, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's  Space Weather Prediction Center in Colorado say that it won't come till later.  This electric storm is non-threatening to our planet. Joe Kunches, a space scientist says that it might be going to the North of the Earth, than right at us. 


With news like this, it is understandable why people would want to know if anything from space that is heading to Earth is threatening or if our planet is in Danger. That was my first thought of when looking at the image and reading the title of the article. I don't know much about science and what goes on in space, but I do care about our Earth and like to think that all this talk of what is to come in 2012 is just talk, and something for people to make money off of with their books.  


The Center has made a prediction that on Monday "bulk of the disturbance" will happen. The storm will be a G1, which is the lowest ranking on the geomagnetic activity scale. storms that are in this ranking produce weak fluctuations in electrical grids and minor effects on satellite operations. Because this is in the lowest ranking on the scale, these effects are nothing to worry about. What will also happen with this storm is the bright northern lights that will be seen farther south. 




http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/21/10207087-solar-weather-sparks-super-sights

Costa Concordia threatens Marine Paradise

I knew as soon as I heard about this news, I had to talk about it (as well as everyone else on the news that can't get enough of this topic). Every time I watch the news and see that cruise ship just staying there on its side, the thought that comes to mind is what is the damage like on the seas floor. As a ship this size probably did destroy some sea animals homes and killing some in the process. 

I know that everyone is more concentrated on how stupid the Captain is for leaving the ship first and acting like he did nothing wrong. Also looking for the still missing people that were aboard the ship. But from looking at this from the environmental point of view, I would like to see and get information on what has happened underground.

There are other problems also with this story. Problems like the fuel that is on the ship, what will happen if the fuel leaks and is in the water. Is anyone thinking of stopping this problem before it becomes a reality. We have seen stories like this were fuel (and oil) have spilled into the ocean, and damaging the water and the sea life and its habitat. The chemicals could get to the fish that we catch for food and that will bring more problems. Also that the ship is moving on rocks, by the moving current, and the might flip all the way over. Because the ship is moving, The people that are trying to help this problem can't do anything. If they do, they might cause more problems that we already have.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/20/costa-concordia-marine-paradise-threatened_n_1219215.html?ref=green

500 million year old 'Tulip'

Just from the title of this article caught my attention right away, and what I found was very interesting and exciting to read about.

This is not a real tulip, but a creature that has a similar shape of one. It's body structure is very different from other known animal. This creature was called filter feeder (Named Siphusauctum gregarium), it had a tulip shape body and a tail that looked like a stem and went into the grounds of the seafloor. These creatures aren't large, they come to the size of a dinner knife (8 inches, or 20 centimeters). It's body contained its feeding system and gut. These creatures that appear to look like tulips, were good at hiding from predators. Just like some animals and bugs that easily blend into their surrounds. That is my hypothesis on these ancient tulip looking creatures. 


This ancient tulip was found fossilized in a 500 million year old rock layers called the Burgess Shale in the Canadian Rockies. My guess as to what scientist and researcher's are discussing is what more was this creature. Did it do anything for the sea environment (on the seafloor)? Study researcher Lorna O'Brien, a doctoral candidate at the University of Toronto, says that they can't figure out where this creature belongs in the animal group. " The Siphusauctum defies this trend. We do not know where it fits in relation to other organisms" says O'Brien.  


So as of right now, not much information can be said about this tulip, but i found it to be very interesting and brought my curiosity of wanting to know more. I do hope that more information about this discovery unfolds. I want to know what it did on the seafloor 500 million years ago. 


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46048230/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.TxkHt3NuHrV

Everglades Snake Problem

It seems that there are a lot of animals that are coming to Florida that are not native to it. But this certain animal is very dangerous for both the land and animals. 
January 18, 2012 in The Christian Science Monitor website, talks about the problem that the Everglades are dealing with, and that is the four types of giant snakes. The Burmese python, a yellow anaconda that is located in the northern and southern African is in the swamplands  (four types of massive constrictor snakes have become increasingly present in the swampland). The problems that are seen here is not only that these snakes are in a place that is not were they belong. But that these snakes can eat anything as large as a deer and an alligator. These snakes are also threatening the work that is being done to help restore the Everglades to its natural ecosystem. 


The Python is becoming more of a problem for Florida, not only by the growing rate of these snakes, but how some of them have manage to show up in people's back yards. There is also the fear that if the snakes have laid any eggs and that would increase more snakes. Having this ban will not only help protect Florida's native wildlife but will also protect the people as well. It is dangerous to be around these snakes, and it is better for people that are trained in dealing with wild animals be the ones to get close to them.


How do these snakes make it to the United States? Mostly it is by people that have them imported to the United States or transported across state lines. For whatever the reason is for taking these giant snakes away from their natural habitat, the federal officials have now banned this act. Hopefully the Everglades can be restored back to how it was, and find a way to recapture these snakes and either place them in a zoo or some place else that knows how to take care of animals like these.  


Another possibility of how these snakes are appearing in Florida, is similar to how the Lionfish appear in Gulf of Mexico. Locals that might have owned these snakes as pets don't want them anymore and just toss them in the woods or someplace else in the wild. With that, there is also the problem of tossing an house pet into the wild. Making these animals not familiar to their surroundings and have to figure out what to eat, instead of their owner suppling the food for them.



http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0118/Everglades-snakes-problematic-so-non-native-species-banned

Orange Juice Scare may help local farmer

This weeks news was focused on Orange Juice. The scare with the oranges is because the oranges from Brazil may contain a fungicide known as Carbendazim. Brands that use these oranges like Minute Maid and Tropicana (from Bradenton) are worried and this will drop their sales. But on a positive side, local farmer and their sales will increase. The local farmers don't have to worry this problem and the people will get to taste that fresh Orange Juice without fear of the fungicide.

With super markets like Whole Foods, that sells fresh healthy food, will benefit to have more customers buying fresh Orange juice. Not only will this help local shops but help the local farmers in their business. What good is it that America bans these dangerous chemicals because they are harmful to people and other countries who do not ban it put it back into our food?

The FDA is still being cautious with testing all the orange juice and Orange juice concentrates for this fungicide. So far they have not sent a recall, and it is important to share that this amount fungicide has not proven to be a danger to human health. But until more news about this orange juice problem is found, I suggest going out to a local food market and buying only local orange juice and staying away from the company products like Minute Maid and Tropicana.

Link to the article and video
http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/local/story/Local-growers-say-orange-juice-fungicide-scare/dD8s5IDjqUq8IfOHCvIvUQ.cspx

Living Green: Green Mobile Dog Wash

What I like to look for in articles that involve the environment, I like to try and find the articles that both help the environment and people at the same time. This article and video I found on www.suncoast.com caught my attention when I saw the title 'Living Green' I wish more places would have a 'Living Green' in their news. I think if more places show something of people going Green, then maybe it will encourage others to follow and be a big help in the environment.

This article was from Aug. 2, 2011, I know it is not that recent in the news, but to me this is great news. To find someone doing something that may start out small, but will soon grow, just like the environment. Larry Kelly has his own small business in Sarasota County, and his business is something that relates to dogs, and dog owners will love. The business is a Mobile Solar Powered Dog Wash, called Bubbles Mobile Dog Wash. 

This business of his is out in the open (Like going to a field where there is plenty of sunlight), the shampoos and conditioners that he uses are all organic. "The products that we use are all botanical extracts. There are no dyes, detergents or anything else so it's kind of a complete system" says Larry.  This business works, with the sun, creating his own electricity for the pumps. The solar panels are on the roof of the dog wash trailer, there is a unit that heats the water. The charge for a wash is $12.00, a pretty good price for a dog wash.

My concern is where does the used water go? Is it used to water the grass in the parks. I think it should be recycled and used for the next client. He may be doing this, but the article did not mention this information. He needs how to figure out how this business would work in Northern states.

What Larry has started could be the start of something new for any business. By using the sun for source and power. Larry hopes to expand his Green Dog Wash business and I can see it happening. Maybe when he has made enough money, he can get more of these dog wash trailers made and have more people working for him and going to more places where dogs and their owners would be. The more he advertises this Green Dog Wash business, the more people will talk about it and will come with their four-legged friend.

Here is the article
http://www.mysuncoast.com/content/living-green/story/Living-Green-Green-mobile-dog-wash/iCbbzuZ0rEyNlZFywp9hKA.cspx