Jammasterkel’s Weblog
Just another WordPress.com weblogEnd of the Blog
I liked the idea of blogging, however, I found it to be a little time-consuming. This project did increase my knowledge and awareness of my topic but it was a little too time-consuming. I did enjoy finding out more about my topic and learned quite a bit about how complicated this issue really is and getting things done to help reduce deforestation is a big challenge. So this is the end. I hope people enjoyed my blog!
Conclusion
From this project I have learned a great deal about the effects of tropical deforestation, even more than I knew before I started this topic. Deforestation widely impacts everyone in the world, from the rain that falls in China ,to the world’s atmosphere. Deforestation not only affects the region but the entire world, especially the climate. It provides a filter to our worlds atmosphere, so we can breathe cleaner air. This is not the only contributing factor to global warming but it is definitely something must be considered in order to provide healthier world.There is many impacts on the regional environment in terms of the local ecosystem and the native peoples that live there. Many governmental and non-governmental agencies are working with the people who cause deforestation to come up with more environmental friendly solutions to save the rain forests. More protected areas can also be helpful and make money by providing jobs and bring in more tourists. Economic plans must be developed in order to help protect these resources and incentives given in order to encourage protection of the rainforests. There are many organizations that people can get involved in to help show there support. Here are some of my favorites that I found:
The Rainforest Alliance: I liked their mission statement, “The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. Companies, cooperatives and landowners that participate in our programs meet rigorous standards that conserve biodiversity and provide sustainable livelihoods.”
Their approach toward deforestation was firm but was not completely bias.
Website: http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/programs/index.html
Conservation International: A international site that provided informational articles on various issues that affects the environment, including deforestation and the factors that influence it.
Website: http://www.conservation.org/English/Pages/Default.aspx?nointro=true&USC=True
Amazon Watch: Focuses on the Amazon and the problems that occur there. I found it to be very helpful for getting involved because it provided a “Take Action Page,” with a variety of resources, updates, and chances to get involved in saving the Amazon and promoting awareness.
Website: http://www.amazonwatch.org/
The World Conservation Union: It also promotes global issues, it has a specific area just for forest conservation. It strives to help people understand the local and global consequences of deforestation.
Website: http://www.iucn.org/
Comment on Sam’s Blog
I think it is great that you can look at this issue from an objective standpoint. I think it is important to do this when people are studying other cultures or you cannot learn anything. This blog was very interesting and gave some insight into Islamic Law.
~Kellsey
Post on Megan’s Blog
This is a very innovative idea on how to show the difficulties of women all over the world f, no matter the situation. Women still have to strive and work for many things, even in the United States, which many people have forgotten that there is still a glass ceiling for women despite the progress that has been made. Great job on your topic!!!
~Kellsey
Climate Connections
A CNN medical correspondent named Sanjay Gupta, Animal Planet host Jeff Corwin, and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper traveled to 14 continents to show how the environment shifts from climate changes, deforestation, loss of species, and human overpopulation are connected and how they are threatening our world. One of the things the special focuses on is Brazil’s illegal logging camps,among other things.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/16/AR2007101601224.html
Post on Vicky’s Blog
Vicky, This is a really powerful story. I can’t believe the things that happened to the kids. That is so amazing that you had the chance to work with these kids and hopefully help them change their outlook on life. This is very well written too and you vividly describe the story.
~Kellsey
Brazil, Alarmed, Reconsiders Policy On Climate Change
The government of Brazil has been becoming increasingly more concerned about climate change in the Amazon and different parts of Brazil. Brazil has started to put more effort into international negotiations of limiting global warming cause by humans. This is a result of drought in the Amazon and hurricanes in the south of Brazil. Brazil has become more willing to discuss issues that were previously off the table like the programs that seek to control the carbon emissions from the massive deforestation of the Amazon, in which areas the size of New Jersey are cleared each year. Brazil has resisted up until now negotiations regarding deforestation fearing a loss of control over the issue. Brazil’s participation is vital since it is the fourth largest producer of greenhouse gases. Three-quarters of the emissions are from the large-scale deforestation that occurs. Scientist say that once Brazil realizes how important the Amazon is for the rainfall in southern Brazil’s “bread basket,” it will be more concerned with deforestation.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/31/world/americas/31amazon.html
Finding News Articles
Surprisingly enough I had a bit of a hard time trying to find articles about tropical deforestation. I went to the BBC, New York Times, and the Washington Post to find news articles and found very little that was current. I was so frustrated that I nearly held a party when I did find one that would apply to my blog. Thankfully the articles that I did find were at least interesting. I found that the New York Times had the most articles that applied to my blog.
Climate Effects of Deforestation
Nearly thirty percent of the rain that falls in the rainforest’s are recycled into the atmosphere. This evaporation helps cool the surface of the earth and allows for tropical rain fall. If deforestation keeps on continuing, models predict that the tropical areas of the world will become more hot and dry. Models also stipulate that the disruption of the natural evaporation process will also affect other areas of the world, such as China, Northern Mexico, and south-central United States. In just the Amazon, scientist predict that the trees there contain more than 10 years worth of greenhouse gases produced by humans. When people clear forests for farming and commercial purposes the carbon that was residing in the wood is then released into the atmosphere, increases greenhouse gases and global warming.
Dozens of Species of Primates Are Under Threat, Study Finds
As a result of poaching and deforestation 394 species of primates are threatened with extinction, as reported by the World Conservation Union. There have been some improvements, particulary in Brazil. The report focused on 25 endangered species, which are mostly in Africa and Asia. Many reserves have been set up in order to save the species, such as the Hainan Gibbon.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/27/science/27primate.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
