Deforestation in British Columbia, Canada mid-point check-in

1. Forestry for British Columbia has served as a fundamental piece of the economy since European settlers arrived, but the ways in which logs are harvested need to change. British Columbia is home to some of the oldest growth forests on the planet and those habitats are dying as a result of clear-cut logging. Where large forests once stood now resemble graveyards of decomposing stumps and neglected branches. The forestry industry of British Columbia has taken a grave hit through Globalization and more small towns face weak economies and now weak forest ecosystems to sustain themselves. The deforestation of Old Growth forests must cease and communities must help each other to foster an economy that thrives on tourism. British Columbia is known as an outdoor recreationist paradise, and that culture must be fostered despite global economic hardship. 2. History of forestry in BC/Background on the British Columbian Landscape Old Growth Forests Current forestry practices in BC/The environmental issue Jobs Competition Government Policy/Zero Net Clean-up Tourism Economy An aerial view of the British Columbia landscape, old growth forests, and deforested areas. http://www.firstnations.eu/img/04-1-0-snass-b.jpg http://www.firstnations.eu/img/04-1-0-snass-b.jpg A map detailing the change of the Vancouver Island landscape between 1860-2004 http://www.cathedralgrove.eu/pictures/01-3-deforestation-b.jpg A BC forestry worker and truck carrying logged trees

Marianna Nowacki - Ski Northeast

The ski season in the Northeast has progressively been getting shorter, with less snowfall. The ski industry is of vital importance not only to those who find solace in winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding; but tourism, jobs and state revenue in the Northeast also rely this source of economic activity. Most Northeastern resorts now rely on expensive equipment to create artificial snow allowing for the ski season to last as long as possible. Resorts also have invested in creating more outdoor and indoor activities that can run in the summer or year-round. However, smaller ski areas are not able to economically afford this extra equipment. Thus, many ski areas in the Northeast, especially those of lower altitude, are at risk of not surviving the century as the area begins to see warmer, shorter winters. 

• Intro
• Climate change in general
• World wide/ broad US climate change
• Climate change Northeast US
• Effects of climate change on local ski areas
• How ski areas are coping
• Looking long-term
• Conclusion

A shirtless man watches two skiers at the Olympics on February 14, 2014. The warm temperatures in Sochi have created problems for some of the events. Photography by Gregario Borgia. 

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/02/140221-climate-change-winter-olympics-global-warming-science/

Rising temperatures are leading less snow accumulating at lower altitudes. Image by Erik Johansson.

http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/aspen-and-the-end-of-snow-20140117

Artificial snow-making has become the stopgap defense against the early effects of climate change. Photograph by Bjorn Andrén.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/08/opinion/sunday/the-end-of-snow.html?_r=1

Graph of projections of ski areas in the Northeast. Image by Daniel Scott for the Boston Globe.

Mike Biciocchi - Vermont Food Supply - MIDPOINT UPDATE

In our modern age of food preservatives and additives, and a seemingly endless amount of energy, America has become a nation of quantity over quality when it comes to food. With threatening outbreaks of E.coli, however; people have become increasingly skeptical of what they're putting in their bodies, and they should be. Given that 1,500 miles is the average distance our food travels to our dinner plates there is no telling what kinds of chemicals and pesticides are used in route, and not to mention that's A LOT of gas. This is a serious health and environmental concern. To avoid the problem of burning excess energy that is ultimately harmful to our bodies and environment, supporting organic and local farming is a must do. It will better the future of our bodies, environment, and American communities as a whole.

1. Intro
2. History of American agriculture
3. The Energy we use Farming/Transporting today

• Fossil Fuels to make Fertilizers/Pesticides
• Oil/Petroleum use for Transportation

     4.  The Environmental implications of such energy abuse

     5.  The Health implications of Quantity over Quality

     6.  How Organic/Local farming is ultimately the answer

• Environmental Benefits
• Health Benefits
• Societal/Community Benefits

     7.  Conclusion

 Burlington Farmers Market
http://www.flickr.com/photos/churchstreetmarketplace/4130120037/sizes/m/in/photostream/








(One of my sources)
http://www.cedarcirclefarm.org/


http://www.fullmoonfarminc.com/ (Sources: David Zuckerman & Rachel Nevitt)


http://nofavt.org/ (Another Source)

Shawna McGowan- Industrial Wind Power in Vermont

1. Your opening 5-7 sentence paragraph (underline your thesis sentence, please);

The Green vs Mountain State: Conflict of Two Vermont Ideologies

Long, white arms rotate rhythmically against a backdrop of bright blue Vermont sky. Spinning slightly out of sync with one another, the steel titans prominently extend from Lowell Mountain’s ridgeline, a stark contrast to the green landscape they tower above. But its not the described aesthetics of the wind turbines that seem to be bothering the locals. In fact, the idea of wind energy is widely accepted by most communities throughout Vermont as a feasible alternative to fossil fuels. The issue of wind power in Vermont is far more complicated, encompassing grey areas of environmental conservation, democratic neglect and economic gains. 

2. A bulleted OUTLINE for your 8 paragraph project.

• Intro Para: Introduce the wind energy/Lowell Mountain Wind Project
• Briefly explain wind power/turbines, and explain the Lowell Mountain Wind Project (literally outline the project- where it is, what it looks like, how much it cost, energy it creates)
• Explain the project’s shortcomings: (quoting interviews)
• who owns the project
• where the energy is actually going 
• who approved the project (and ignored appeals of the people)
• environmental protection being ignored
• hydrology problems
• sense of scale issues
• refer to other wind projects in VT
• Outline the resistance (quoting interviews)
• Mountain Talk
• VT Digger
• Appeals
• Forums
• Vote on Town Meeting Day
• Conclude by exploring the obvious conflict: 
• wanting green energy, being known as a green energy state
• wanting to protect the landscape, being known for environmental protection
• the compromise: lesser of two evils?

3. At least FOUR images (with sourced captions!) you plan to use to illustrate your story.

Lowell Mountain, before the start of the wind project in 2011

Protester's Sign, exhibiting the opposition's sentiment

Sign from the opponent's camp near blasting sight in 2011

Blasting and construction atop Lowell Mountain

Lowell Mountain Wind Project, completed August 2012

Dr W's Writing RULES 4 DIGITAL MEdia

Morgan Peterson- Dairy Farming in Vermont- Midpoint

1. Your opening 5-7 sentence paragraph (underline your thesis sentence, please);

Vermont has a reputation to uphold of being a green and farming state.  Dairy farming has been a huge part of the Vermont culture and draws attention to this small state.  Everywhere in the world it is hard to keep track of people, places, and things; especially when it comes to environmental regulation.  Regulation is key to reducing the way that dairy farming in Vermont has been contributing to water pollution. With government intervention and more awareness on these farmers to change the ways that they get rid of their waste will help the Vermont environment as a whole.

2. A bulleted OUTLINE for your 8 paragraph project.

• ·         An overview of the environmental issue
• ·         James Maroney-Citizen and writer on this issue
• ·         Katherine Michel- Citizen and Center for Agriculture and Food Systems
• ·         Delilah Griswold-Center for Agriculture and Food Systems
• ·         Leslie Michaudà Kingdom Creamery
• ·         Regulations and laws in process
• ·         Solutions

3. At least FOUR images (with sourced captions!) you plan to use to illustrate your story.

 How a manure digester works. Source: http://www.farmpower.com/Digester%20operation.html

Source: http://www.vtenergyatlas-info.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Vermont-Anaerobic-Digesters_8-4-13.jpg

Source: https://www.mychamplain.net/forum/st-albans-farmers-settle-state-pollution-case

Source: https://www.mychamplain.net/forum/potvin-lake-champlain-algal-blooms-pose-threat-property-values

PROJECT #1: MIDPOINT Post/ENVIRO NEWS Update due for Tuesday, March 11 for class presentation

By Tuesday, March 11, in a SINGLE STAND-ALONE post here at the course blog titled with your NAME and ENVIRO NEWS MIDPOINT UPDATE, please post:

1. Your opening 5-7 sentence paragraph (underline your thesis sentence, please);

2. A bulleted OUTLINE for your 8 paragraph project.

3. At least FOUR images (with sourced captions!) you plan to use to illustrate your story.

You will present this update to us in class on Tuesday, March 11.

Looking forward!

Dr. W