Venting-Arctic Style: Another opportunity to use Reach Reading TM

Today's In the News links to:
http://www.reuters.com/article/mnCarbonEmissions/idUS286802666320100308
Here is the quote and image from, In the News (Quoted here because it disappears from the left hand column... to make room for new news... tomorrow.):

"Methane Leaking from Arctic Shelf

"Methane trapped in the Arctic Ocean's permafrost is leaking into the atmosphere at an alarming rate. Scientists say the amount of methane currently seeping out of the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is equal to the annual total previously estimated from all of the world's oceans. Methane concentrations in the Arctic are at their highest levels in 400,000 years. Experts are divided on what this means for the environment, but some worry that it could worsen global warming."

Can you bridge this up to the journal articles with Reach Reading TM? Give it a try.

Update April 8, 2010:
Okay, so what did you find? Did you do a literature search on line?
Here's something I found...
"Global warming is bringing rapid change to the Arctic. The melting of sea ice and glaciers is increasing faster than scientists predicted even a year ago. Environmental change is forcing legal and economic developments, which in turn will have serious environmental and social consequences," (Source: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/mnp/estu/2008/00000023/00000003/art00008 Accessed April 8, 2010).

Does this article fit the topic? Should we keep looking?

Philanthropists fight Global Warming

http://www.climateactionproject.com/docs/Design_to_Win_8_01_07.pdf is a link to guidelines for philanthropists desiring to fight global warming.

There are ideas in the document found at the link that you might incorporate into grant proposals, as these are points that philanthropists have been guided to f und.

Developing Perspective on Global Warming ...Developing Informed Opinions

Here is a link to a Commentary on Global Warming. A quote contained within the article is,

"As the late U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson, the founder of Earth Day,...[stated]... in 1994: "The economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment."

Read the link and reflect on how you feel about global warming. What sources or experiments can you use to support your opinion? How can you influence public policy once you educate yourself about global warming?

What have you done to conserve energy today?

Reflection leads to action and to problem alleviation and resolution. I believe that what each of us does can make a huge difference. I do not like the pessimistic attitude indicated in the article that it is too late ("Tomorrow will be too late to stop drastic effects of global warming" by Peter H. Raven) because that may stop people from taking corrective actions. We can do something and effectively improve our environment. For example, Gaylord Nelson was one person, yet, in creating Earth Day, he profoundly influenced the health of our environment. Many environmentally sound laws were passed as a result of his encouraging people to do something. If we, the people, become lax, some environmental ly sound laws get repealed. Look over the environmental legislation of the Bush era, for example. Look at your own country's environmental laws.

As you come across articles on this topic, feel free to note them in the comments section. Let us know your opinion as you study more.

Using Music to Reach Youth about Science Topics

Take Aim at Climate Change

"Yo
Hey, y'all
Let's talk about the Earth
Really Talk about Survival
We can talk about the poles where the cold is our rival
The arctic top of the world
That's people and polar bears"

Listen to all the science and motivation tucked into this music video. Can your students create science videos using lyrics and song? Can they rap? Music is another way to learn about science.

Point of View and Science

Here is an article with a particular point of view: Let them eat Dust

Try reading it and then see if you can find facts to support the point of view specified in the article.

Do you share the same point of view found in the article, or, does your view differ? Can you find facts to support your point of view?

What is the main idea of the article?

Why does the article talk about dust? Starvation?

What does science have to do with the article?

Here are some hints: botany, agricultural science, climatology, meteorology, chemistry, virology, bacteriology, mycology...

Does science overlap with economics, politics and other areas? How?

Did you enjoy reading this article? Why or why not?

Calling on You

Earth is calling loudly with great waves crashing into Florida.
Earth is sweating salty with Chesapeake crabs moving to New York.
Earth is crying sadly with Western desertification: Trees falling.
Earth is bulging cruelly through weak places:
Haitian mangroves down,
Haiti swept into the sea; Dominican's still standing.
Earth is toasting darkly with wars burned/burning here and there.
Liberia rebuilding war torn children.
That war's over, others are still on.
Earth is calling, crying, bulging, toasting.
You hear all that noise, heat, flames and darkness, don't you?
So, change a light bulb, take a walk, don a sweater.
Use less oil, more sunshine and vote wisely.
Earth will smile with medicine, food, clean water, health and peace,
All thank yous for your gifts of thought and time.
J. S. Shipman

Copyright ©2006 JS Shipman

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Dr. Shipman is a research scientist and educator with a passion for helping the public learn how to create a sustainable Earth. Small changes in our lifestyles give us and our descendents clean air, water, green spaces, medicines, health, peace, and the gift of stewardship. Dr. Shipman is founding an organization to assist in achieving these goals. "Dr. J" also asks your support of schools in your area to implement botany in the curriculum. All areas of science and math can be taught using plants and doing so may increase appreciation for the environment.