APES Current Events

Summary: In this article, the author attempts to bring attention to how we, as consumers of Christmas trees, can go about purchasing Christmas trees and decorating them in a more eco-friendly manner. For instance, an example of a substantially eco-friendly tree is brought up at the beginning of the article, where the author references the Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center (specifically in 2007, when this article was written). The author of this article references this tree, as it was decorated with LEDs opposed to usual incandescent bulbs, which ultimately save more energy by emitting more light per watt compared to ordinary bulbs. In the end, the author concluded the article by including the fact that even though there is evidence to back up why moving towards more eco-friendly ways of decorating are trees and also purchasing real trees as opposed to fake ones, many people do not know of this information and are continuing to purchase fake trees simply because of convenience. E...

       As NASA wanted to follow the water on mars they have and have found places for humans to land. With the data that they have they have been able to find one landing spot on the plant that promises water just a inch under the surface. With this we are able to soon send a research team up there. With this spot it would be ideal to land due to it being temperate, mid latitude region with plenty of sunlight. With this map NASA will be able to find more landing for research teams on the planet . With this easy discover by 2030 NASA is looking at sending a research team up, but with the water ice caps there is plenty of water but it would not be good for a long mission because its too cold and dark for a part of the year.              https://www.livescience.com/mars-water-ice-map.html Reflection :  I think this is great news due that we might be able to explore mars in 2030 and learn if we could actually inhabit this planet...

5 Global Trends Shaping Our Climate Future. By creating new products that are useful and environment friendly it will help people see the true effects of what harm we have done to the earth today. Recently scientists have launched more wind turbines, solar panels, and electric cars to help stop the production of products that will continue to harm the environment. All three of these products are booming and continue to spread not only throughout the USA but also other countries around the world. These products will help create a healthier environment.  I believe if more and more people continue to buy and use these environmental friendly products, we can prevent how fast the earth is changing. When people see these products in there neighborhoods, it can encourage more people to buy them. By having a surplus of healthier products for the environment, we can and will make a change to how the earth is evolving. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/12/climate/energy-trends-c...

December 9, 2019 Aiden Sherman Kenya is currently dealing with an invasive species of cactus known as 'Devil Cactus'.  Elephants consume the cactus, but the plant's flesh damages the elephant's digestive system, as well as facilitating further spread of the cactus.  The plant has proven difficult to extricate, because if any flower or fruit is left behind, it can regrow in that location.  It is now becoming an economic problem for the country, with cactus taking over land used for grazing livestock and agriculture.  Despite the problems created by this invasive species, it is being harvested for use in bio fuel.  Currently it is being used as gas for cooking, but environmentalists warn about giving the plant value as it will motivate local people to keep it around.  The other strategy being used to keep the cactus at bay is releasing insects which will eat it and reduce the spread. Obviously, I think that this turn of events is a huge problem for Kenya...

In Australia, there is a town by the name of Euchareena in the Southeast region, only a few miles outside of Sydney. This town, like many others in Australia, have little to no clean drinking water. The crippling droughts that Australia is experiencing right now are due to the dramatic effects of Climate Change on the rural Australian Outback. Entire rivers and water reserves are drying up, leaving locals with little to no water left for use or consumption. Experts believe that within the next 10 years, some parts of Australia will become completely uninhabitable.  I believe the impact of Climate Change is all ready too much for politicians to ignore and put at the bottom of their agendas. The effects are already making life in some areas of the globe impossible, and with a growing human population, Climate Change may end the species faster than anyone is willing to realize. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/08/world/australia/water-drought-climate.html

An article published by the Elk Network showed just how much hunters spend towards conservation each year. forever hunters have been deamed to be completely against conservation but in reality hunters donate close to 1 billion dollars annually towards conservation efforts. i think this is great because the common misconception is that hunters hate the environment however why would a group of people whos hobby and life revolves around the outdoors. https://elknetwork.com/hunting-conservation-paid-hunters/

Since early November, bush fires having been raging. Sending smoke not just to neighborhoods, but all the way up to the coastal suburbs which are more than 50 miles away. Thick, gray smoke covers the sky of Sydney, Australia. At the edge of the city, dried-out forests have been burning for weeks. Asthmatics have been showing up to the emergency room in extreme numbers. Even schools have been cancelling recess and sports. Citizens have been taping their windows shut and it is said that fire alarms have been going off in buildings even though the smoke is miles away. Australia's conservative government ignores to address the threat of climate change because they are favoring the country's fossil fuel industry over the largest city. Large fires have already destroyed a considerable amount of homes. Just in November it was reported that there were 15 days of bad air quality. Who knows how many days of bad air quality there will be in December. This is just terrible. I actually ca...