Could a Rain of Dead, Poisoned Toads Save an Australian Marsupial?

By: Smriti Rao

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2010/04/14/could-a-rain-of-dead-poisoned-toads-save-an-australian-marsupial/

75 years ago, Australia put a new poisonous, cane toad into their sugar cane fields so that they could battle the beetle infestations. The toads helped, but after awhile they started spreading all over. Australia's native animals starting eating the toads and dieing. Such animals include crocodiles, snakes, lizards- and the quoll. The quolls, a cat-like marsupial, would die after eating just one of those cane toads. The other animals did not just die after one toad but they still got sick. They were able to realize that it didn't make them feel good and learn to stay away from the toads. But the quoll's couldn't realize anything since they would die and not know what happened. Now, the quoll is endangered but scientists may have found a remarkable new way to save them. The scientists are training the quolls to avoid the toads by using a method known as conditioned taste aversion. While the scientists trained them, they would feed the quolls one, small dead toad which would make the animal sick but just enough for them to survive and learn to stay away from the toads.

My Opinion: I think that it's really good the scientists have found a way to save the quolls. If they hadn't found a way then not only could the quolls become extinct but many other species that were eating the toads could also become endangered and then eventually extinct. Also, this never would have happened if Australia hadn't placed the toads there in the first place. I don't think that we should be messing with the environment and we should leave everything how it is, unless really needed. This little incident was actually a big incident. Many animals, not just the quolls, became sick and died just because of one little toad. If we leave everything where it belongs then things like this won't happen.

Questions:

Will this be sure to save the quolls or will they not retain the information and keep eating the toads?

Will the scientists be able to save all the other animals that become endangered because of the cane toads?

What happens if the toads population increases?

When do scientists know for sure that an animal is going to be alright?

Pictures: "Rarest of the Rare" Species Named

By: National Geographic (no particular author listed)
April 26th, 2010
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/04/photogalleries/100426-endangered-species-rarest-animals-2010/?now=2010-04-26-00:01




Summery: The island gray fox is very close to extinction, and their population is less than 1,000. The wildlife conservation society has stated that the island gray fox is the "rarest of the rare." This fox is the smallest of all foxes, and only lives in the channel islands of California. Their population is going down due to predation and diseases. Golden eagles are swooping down on them for the kill, while the diseases are from domestic dogs that were introduced to the islands. A report has been released that highlights 12 other critically endangered species. These animals including, the island gray fox, have the highest risk of extinction. The report also says "Extinction is a tragic, especially if it is preventable." This report is by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.



Opinion: I think that this article is a warning telling us what could happen to not just the island grey fox, but all endangered animals, extinction. We as a counrty, and as a planet, need to do something about it. I think that some of our taxes should go to paying for the survival of these species. When the report said "Extinction is a tragic, especially if it is preventable", I felt the same way. And because extinction is preventable in most cases, I think we should do something about it. This could include what I had previously stated, which was cutting our income taxes, and giving some of it to helping endangered animals, such as the island gray wolf. I think this will definetely help in keeping enangered species from falling into the category of extinction if we set this as a goal and follow it.



Questions:
1. What do you think we should do about these critically endangered animals?

2. Do you think we can prevent extinction in all cases? why or why not?

3. When do you think a particular species goes from endangered to critically endangered?

Cities Lead the Way in Action to Halt Climate Change
by: Michael Coren
September 16th, 2010
http://www.grist.org/article/2010-09-16-cities-confront-the-global-challenge-embrace-clean-energy/

In Babylon, N.Y homeowners are now eligible for loans to make their homes more efficient.

     The worlds population is increasing rapidly, which will make our cities much more populated. Some people think that this will increase greenhouse emissions and climate change, but they are wrong. The PEW foundation has said that cities have been a big help in cutting more than 23 millions tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The ICLEI USA- Local Governments for Stability, an organization of local governments worldwide dedicated to urban sustainability and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, says that cities have been a huge help in bringing their nations closer toward a low carbon future. Cities have a unique power to make immediate changes involving things like public transportation. At this point, they have the ability to change things like asphalt recycling, better insulation in buildings, timers for coffee makers, telecommuting, light sensors, and water conservation to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Local Governments are working on lowering greenhouse gas emissions as well. For example, in Babylon, N.Y., homeowners are eligible for loans to make their homes more efficient, and those loans are entirely repaid through cost savings in their power bills. Many cities have made many changes to become more efficient. Chicago, for example, is encouraging bicycling instead of driving by drafting a pedestrian and bike plan. This would include a 500-mile bike way network, street safety improvements, and more bike racks. The United States cities are well on their way to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and becoming more efficient over time.



My Opinion: I think that this article was really interesting. It is great that cities are helping in cutting down greenhouse gas emissions and becoming more efficient. I think that the changes that cities have made are really great and helpful. My father always complains about our electricity bill, if we had what Babylon, N.Y., has (loans to make homes more efficient) then our bill wouldn't be so high. I do, however, think that more substantial changes will need to be made in order to create low emission cities.

Questions:
Do you think that the changes that are being made will have a substantial effect on lowering greenhouse gas emissions?

What kind of changes can we make in their own homes to help lower emissions?

How does lowering greenhouse gas emissions help our planet?

Shark Victims

“Shark Survivors Team up to Save Species”

By, John Helprin

A group of nine shark attack survivors who call themselves the “Global Shark Conservation for the Pew Environment Group” have set off to help protect the creatures that cost them blood, flesh, and limbs: sharks. They have confronted the U.N. about earning new protection policies about these creatures and have even tried to close what they understand as loopholes in the U.S. Legislature about the shark finning ban. Why do these victims choose to protect their potential killers? Some people in the group do it because they believe that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time and that everything happens for a reason. Paul de Gelder, member of the Global Shark Conservation for the Pew Environment Group, chose to help protect these creatures because "we have an obligation to protect and maintain the natural balance of our delicate ecosystems."

One third of all shark species are endangered, or are almost threatened. This is mainly because of all the finning that occurs throughout the world. Finning is when fishermen cuts off a sharks fins and sells them for hundreds of dollars per pound at the market. Then, they throw the shark back into the water to bleed to death or drown. About 73 million sharks are killed this way every year. More than a decade ago, some 130 nations said that they would instill a shark management plan, although only about 40 actually thought one up and went through with it.

In my opinion, this is a great thing that this group of people is doing for the sharks. Everyone is always so concerned with land dwelling animals, exotic fish, and things of that nature, but rarely will anyone stand up and try to help the sharks. These creatures are immensely powerful in the sea, their natural habitat, but are usually helpless when a fisherman intending on hurting them comes along. I know that if I were in any one of these nine people’s situations that I would have mixed emotions: anger, sadness, awe, respect, and many more. Even so, I know I would help to protect the sharks because I was in their habitat, and they had every right to attack me. Just because they attacked me when I was in their environment doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t help to protect the sharks. Over all, I think that this is a great group of people who are doing amazing things to protect something that they really care about, and that is something to respect.

Questions:

1. Will most sharks become extinct in the near future if fishermen keep finning them at the same rate that they are now?

2. Will this group make an impact on someone trying to donate money to protecting a group of wildlife?

3. Do you agree or disagree with what this group is trying to accomplish? What are your opinions on what they are doing? Explain.

4. Why did so many countries give their word that they would instill a shark management plan, but then changed their mind?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39154890/ns/us_news-environment/?Gt1=43001

Photo of group

Shark fin

EPA, DOT Propose New Fuel Economy Labels/Agencies seek public comment on the most dramatic overhaul in the label’s 30-year history

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/3e81f1a05b99507f8525778f00523a8c!OpenDocument
Summary: There are alot more cars and trucks on the market that are fuel efficient, and the buyers need to know all of the information before making a big purchase. Therefore, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have decided that new labels on these vehicles are needed to better inform the consumer about any vehicle they may want to purchase. The main goal of all this is to provide the buyer with uncomplicated information so that they can make the right decision for them. One of these designs centers on MPG and yearly fuel costs. The other will show an estimated fuel cost savings over 5 years and the vehicles overall fuel economy. The DOT and EPA aspire to have most 2012 cars showing this new label in the window.

Opinion/Reflection: I think that these new labels will be very useful. My family is interested in recycling and helping the environment, so when my parents are looking for a new vehicle in a few years, they will want to know how different cars affect the environment.

Questions: How will these new labels help me down the road?
Will this change people's minds when looking to purchase a new car?
Because more people will be purchasing more fuel efficient cars, will our dependency on foreign oil be decreased or will it not make a consequential difference?