Wednesday, April 29, 2009
My Connections to Climate Change
Global Climate Change Awareness
An Essay by Emma
As global climate change becomes a more frequent topic in the media, we are shown statistics, charts, and graphs depicting our world’s situation. If those aren’t enough to convince people to decrease their carbon footprint than the shocking photos should be proof that our planet is transforming. We need to stop thinking of global climate change as phase. As of now it is a never ending road.
Every day when the sun sets, my house darkens. Every day I need to turn on lights to counter that darkness. Each light I turn on creates more watts of electricity and more energy. When I am cold I turn on my gas fireplace and use one more BTU of gas. With one wish and one flick of a switch we can command energy and fuel to meet our every inclination. No thoughts of the CO 2 released and the increasing temperatures. In Portland we are not yet hit by the impacts of global climate change, just the emotional impact when shown photos or statistics. We need to pull that fear and compassion for the ones less fortunate and for thought of future generations, and use it to inspire our every wish. We need to be more than conscious of the photos. We need to feel the pain of every child who’s home has been washed away.
Books are constructed with an introduction and continue with rising action until the climax appears. As books decline and are brought to a close the reader is left with a sense of conclusion and finality. This cannot be the way that we view energy use. The effects of our energy choices will be felt for long after the energy is used. All around the world, unaffected people continue their lives with that sense of finality; no sense of the continuing effects that their actions will have. They have the notion that other people (or governmental agencies) are working the prevent the problems the world is facing. Still others refuse to let global climate change pass as a subject untouched, but they believe we are at the rising action or climax of our disaster and think it will conclude safely. The smallest percentage of people reject these false peaces of mind one could fall into, and see it as a never ending book. Each time we switch on a light, or turn on our gas fireplaces we add another chapter to our ever lengthening book.
Any one thing someone does to help our earth is a drop in the bucket of our goal. As the media shows us the photos, graphs, charts, and statistics we are all encouraged to make that drop in the bucket. This time, when the sun sets and the room is darkened, I will turn on only as many lights as I need. I applaud all those who are likewise inspired and use that to power their next wish. It will take many small actions and many large ones to create a solution strong enough to tackle this vast, serious problem.
An Essay by Emma
As global climate change becomes a more frequent topic in the media, we are shown statistics, charts, and graphs depicting our world’s situation. If those aren’t enough to convince people to decrease their carbon footprint than the shocking photos should be proof that our planet is transforming. We need to stop thinking of global climate change as phase. As of now it is a never ending road.
Every day when the sun sets, my house darkens. Every day I need to turn on lights to counter that darkness. Each light I turn on creates more watts of electricity and more energy. When I am cold I turn on my gas fireplace and use one more BTU of gas. With one wish and one flick of a switch we can command energy and fuel to meet our every inclination. No thoughts of the CO 2 released and the increasing temperatures. In Portland we are not yet hit by the impacts of global climate change, just the emotional impact when shown photos or statistics. We need to pull that fear and compassion for the ones less fortunate and for thought of future generations, and use it to inspire our every wish. We need to be more than conscious of the photos. We need to feel the pain of every child who’s home has been washed away.
Books are constructed with an introduction and continue with rising action until the climax appears. As books decline and are brought to a close the reader is left with a sense of conclusion and finality. This cannot be the way that we view energy use. The effects of our energy choices will be felt for long after the energy is used. All around the world, unaffected people continue their lives with that sense of finality; no sense of the continuing effects that their actions will have. They have the notion that other people (or governmental agencies) are working the prevent the problems the world is facing. Still others refuse to let global climate change pass as a subject untouched, but they believe we are at the rising action or climax of our disaster and think it will conclude safely. The smallest percentage of people reject these false peaces of mind one could fall into, and see it as a never ending book. Each time we switch on a light, or turn on our gas fireplaces we add another chapter to our ever lengthening book.
Any one thing someone does to help our earth is a drop in the bucket of our goal. As the media shows us the photos, graphs, charts, and statistics we are all encouraged to make that drop in the bucket. This time, when the sun sets and the room is darkened, I will turn on only as many lights as I need. I applaud all those who are likewise inspired and use that to power their next wish. It will take many small actions and many large ones to create a solution strong enough to tackle this vast, serious problem.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Population Explotion
Hello Everyone,
This is a video of the population over world history. It shows the year and the large event or time period happening at that time. Watch for the plague, you can see it Europe really well. Enjoy!
~Emma
This is a video of the population over world history. It shows the year and the large event or time period happening at that time. Watch for the plague, you can see it Europe really well. Enjoy!
~Emma
Friday, April 24, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Trip Around the World
Students are embarking on a virtual trip around the world. They will visit at least three countries during this trip and will post information both here - stay tuned! - and on a "wall" blog in the classroom.
New links have been posted on the right column to help students research.
New links have been posted on the right column to help students research.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Errol Hights
Today we went down to Errol Hights to learn GPS mapping.
We started by metting on the dirt path, that leads into Errol Hights. We arrived about 15minutes early so we waited. While were waiting Frank came around and told us what group we would be in.
I was in group one, along with Miles, Olga, Jeffery, Amanda, Robin, and Lee. Meagan was our group leader. We where given three GPS's, a compass, and a clipboard with numbers for the GPS's.
The leaders had hid five different plastic bags with riddles around the area. Our job was to find the bags. We where to answer the riddles and write down the answers.Once you found and answered all the riddles, certain letters where to be put togeather to form a word. Our group did find out the word it was W-E-T-L-A-N-D-S.
I have been learning a lot from these trips and lessons. I have found thesetrips to be of a great enjoyment. I can't wait for future trips.
-Madeleine
We started by metting on the dirt path, that leads into Errol Hights. We arrived about 15minutes early so we waited. While were waiting Frank came around and told us what group we would be in.
I was in group one, along with Miles, Olga, Jeffery, Amanda, Robin, and Lee. Meagan was our group leader. We where given three GPS's, a compass, and a clipboard with numbers for the GPS's.
The leaders had hid five different plastic bags with riddles around the area. Our job was to find the bags. We where to answer the riddles and write down the answers.Once you found and answered all the riddles, certain letters where to be put togeather to form a word. Our group did find out the word it was W-E-T-L-A-N-D-S.
I have been learning a lot from these trips and lessons. I have found thesetrips to be of a great enjoyment. I can't wait for future trips.
-Madeleine
Friday, April 10, 2009
Climate Change Teach-In
Today, we are finishing up a four day teach-in surrounding the topic of Climate Change. A whirlwind of activity has swept through the school over these days. Some student highlights include:
*discussing science, effects, policy and energy with core teachers,
*walking to the Bagdad to watch the NOVA Extreme Ice (see post below for link)video,
*listening to Gary Braasch, author of How we Know What we Know About our Changing climate present at morning meeting
*hearing Vinh Mason describe Portland's climate goals
*attending break-out sessions. On Thursday, 18 different sessions were taking place throughout the building.
Whew, it has been a fun week so far.
*discussing science, effects, policy and energy with core teachers,
*walking to the Bagdad to watch the NOVA Extreme Ice (see post below for link)video,
*listening to Gary Braasch, author of How we Know What we Know About our Changing climate present at morning meeting
*hearing Vinh Mason describe Portland's climate goals
*attending break-out sessions. On Thursday, 18 different sessions were taking place throughout the building.
Whew, it has been a fun week so far.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Museum Night
Thanks to everyone that came out to view the Sunnyside Environmental Ancient Museum. The students worked hard to create the museum and the night had wonderful turnout with a good feeling of accomplishment.
To view photos of the Ancient Greek museum, click --> Ancient Greeks
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)