long time no see

Hi everyone,
It's been some time since I've beem on my blog. The year is almost over and many things have changed. Hopefully more people can take a look at my blog. If anyone is out there. So I'm wondering, if someone ever reads this blog, post some comments. i'd like to know what you think on what I've written. maybe you can give me some new topics to write about. :)

My Evaluation...

After doing a term on the Environment, I'd have to say my thoughts haven't changed, but grown. I still hate the fact that there is global warming, and I feel we really have to try and stop it. My credo would never change. It's really sad that global warming has occurred. But I've learnt so much after researching and posting all these articles and facts on my blog. I've even learnt how to make a blog!

I have had a great term doing "Making the News" in FIONTAR and I hope all the other kids next year will have a great time.

This class, "Making the News" has helped me to develop my skills on the computer and increase my knowledge. Global warming is still a problem, but hopefully I've made a few people think more about it. I hope we can get over this obstacle, and save the earth as we should have done years ago!

MY GLOSSARY!!!

Global Warming: an increase in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere (especially a sustained increase that causes climatic changes).

Climate change: any long-term significant change in the weather patterns of an area. Climate change is occurring right now, and it is not good at all!

Poaching: the illegal practice of trespassing on another persons property to hunt or steal game without the landowner's permission. Many poachers are killing animals such as tigers to trade and sell for money.

Extinct: no longer in existence; that has ended or died out: an extinct species of fish.  The Tasmanian Tiger is extinct. This is because we didn't realize they were in danger until the very end when it was too late.

Endangered: 1.threatened with a danger: endangered lives of trapped coal miners. 2.threatened with extinction. There are alot of endangered Australian animals that are in danger of becoming extinct.

Pollution: the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment: air pollution. By turning on heaters, air conditioners, televisions, washing machines and more, we are polluting the air. The other form of pollution is on land and at sea. We are throwing out  are rubbish an it is all thrown into the ocean, for the animals to deal with.

Chemicals: a substance produced by or used in a chemical process. There can be good and bad chemicals. The bad ones are called toxic chemicals. These chemicals can destroy lives of any living creatures. Through driving, we are releasing chemicals that can be toxic and cause global warming.  

LETTER TO THE EDITOR...

To the editor of The Age,
   I read your article on the cassowary bird, and I think it is great for you to put it on your newspaper. I feel it is good for us to put these kinds of things in the newspaper. Besides the usual stuff, we also need to learn about the environment. The cassowary bird is a beautiful bird and we really need to look after it. The fact that you've put it in this newspaper is really good!
   There are only 1000 cassowary birds left, and it isn't enough. Before we know it, they'll be extinct. We cannot let these birds go like we have in the past. I hope you can put many more articles like this into your newspaper in the future.
                  Thankyou.

OIL SPILL IN GULF OF MEXICO

This oil spill was worse than the great barrier reef spill. It affected the whole of America... it's becoming a problem.

On the gulf of Mexico, an oil spill occurred. It was huge. President Obama is worried about it. The  people who spilled this oil better be ashamed and embarrassed. Imagine all the sea life that has been destroyed. Why does this keep happening? We aren't careful enough. But we can't just say "sorry". No! we can't say it was a mistake and go on with our lives. We must act fast and make a change.

The spill occurred on  Thursday 30th of April this year. It was a shock. The oil even creeped its way up to the Missisippi and Luisiana River. David Kennedy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told The Associated Press "It is of grave concern, I am frightened. This is a very, very big thing. And the efforts that are going to be required to do anything about it, especially if it continues on, are just mind-boggling."

The fact is that we must be frightened. That it's a very, very big thing. We can't let it happen again. We can't let it slip through our fingers.The Government of America has given billions and billions of dollars to help do something about the spill. To be precise, they've given 20 billion US dollars. That is alot. We cannot let it come our way again.

ABOUT THE SPILL:

This oil spill occued on the 30th of April. The spill didn't leak out from a ship, but an oil rig on thr Gulf of Mexico. The oil rig hat was actually collecting the oil burnt and had sunk. It was digging a well that was almost 1 mile deep. The oil rig was only 50 miles away from the Lousiana Coast. It may sound far, but it actualy isnt for an oil rig. Disasters like this could occur any time. Litres and litres of oil just kept on flowing out of the well, polluting the ocean, destroying millions of fish, sea birds and sea creatures. Can you believe 42,000 gallons of oil was leaking out into the beautiful ocean per day?

(The link that I have put has information on the actual oil spill as well as peoples comments below. It is very interesting to see what people think of the oil spill, as well as the actual information!)

A Trip to Queen Victoria Market...

  On Friday the 11th of June, Making the News & the Seeds to Saucepan class ent to Queen Victoria Market. We went there o explore the organic sections of the market.
   Along with Rebecca and Ebony, the three of us visited the fruit, vegetable and meat sections of the market. We interviewed a honey, soap and poultry shop keeper, fruit and ve sellr and a meat shop.


Poultry, honey and soaps...
 How do you bring your products to the market?
 It is brought here in containers, by truck.
 What happens to the unsold products?
 I keep it till next week, for the honey and soaps are packaged. Even though the eggs are kept in the fridge, they will get thrown out sooner.
 Where do you get your products from?
 We get the buy the products from all over Victoria. Farms in Ballarat and Bendigo usually.
 Is it all organic?
 Yes, the eggs are free-range, the soaps are home made, and some of the honey is even sold as the actual honey comb.


Fruit and Vegetbles...
 Where do you get your products from?
 We grow all the products ourselves.
 What happens to the unsold products?
 They are thrown out.
 How do you bring your products to the market?
 They are brought here by truck as usual.
 Do you spray pesticides?
 We try not to. It can dmage the next crop if we do.


Meats...
 What happens to unsold products?
 All of our food gets sold out by the end of the day.
 Is it all organic?
 Pretty much... yes.
 How do you make your shop eco-friendly? 
 There's a program called "Bag the Bag" that will be starting soon. What it is, is reusable bags instead of plastic ones. 
 How is it brought here?
 By truck ofcourse!


We explored other parts of the market too. There were a few shops that actually sold real skins, such as possum! We were amazed at the variety of products they had. The whole market was starting the "Bag the Bag" progam.   

An Interview with Katherine from Beacon Lighting

On Monday, 7th June, Ebony, Nicole and I went to Beacon Lighting at DFO.

Once there, we interviewed Katherine, a sales person working there. She told us about Envirolux an eco-friendly program she  started there...

Do you sell energy efficient light bulbs?

Yes actually, a wide range too.

How much energy does the shop use per month?

Well, it costs us $1 800 per month. We've also brought it down by 3 and a half thousand dollars since last year!

What do you think of global warming?

They don't like it at all! They make sure light bulbs are recycled, though the gas ones can't be disposed. We are trying to find a way to recycle them though.

What is the highest consuming light bulb in the shop?

The Lowbay metal halide. It uses 400 watts.

What's the lowest?

The lowest is Led Light. It uses .1 watts. It only comes as a down-light though. It lasts for 10 years, good for the customers, not for us! It means we have less customers!

Does working at a lighting store affect the way you use your lights at home?

Before I even started working here, I was eco-friendly. I never had alot of lights on. I also had outdoor sensor lights which helped alot.

Thankyou for your time!

Thank you! 

TIP FROM KATHERINE:
For all new home owners, make a switch for each of your lights instead of one switch for 4 light bulbs. This way you can use less energy! 

Katherine started the energy saving program at Beacon Lighting along with another work partner. It's called Luxe. 

We learnt alot from Katherine and hope others can learn too!   

We are the World...

This song is about fighting for the world and we really have to! Sure it's about war and everything, but if you look at it from another point of view, it could also be about the world dying. We are the world and we need to save it. Plain and simple!

There comes a time
When we heed a certain call

When the world must come together as one.
There are people dying
Ooohhh and it's time to lend a hand
To life, the greatest gift of all.

We can't go on
Pretending day by day
That someone somewhere will soon make a change.
We are all a part of
God's great big family

And the truth
You know
Love is all we need.

We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving.

There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives.
It's true we make a better day
Just you and me.

Well
Send them your heart
So they know that someone cares

And that life will be stronger and free
As god has shown us by turning stone to bread
And so that we all must lend a helping hand

We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving

There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we make a better day
Just you and me.

When you're down and out
And there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe
There's no way we could fall
Well now now now let us realize
Ohhhh that a change can only come
When we stand together as one yeah yeah yeah yeahh

We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving.

There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives.
It's true we make a better day
Just you and me.

We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving.

There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives.
It's true we make a better day
Just you and me


I'll have to say the part that I love the most is the last verse.
Just reading them makes me want to change the world.

An Interview with Shannon in yr 8...

Shannon is in Fiontar and will tell us a bit about what she does and what she thinks of global warming.

What is the subject you are doing in Fiontar this term?

I'm doing Seeds to Saucepan, in Ms Persano's class.

What exactly is it about?

It's about eating organic and Australian grown foods. We learn about that mainly.

So, what have you been doing lately?

Well, today, we went to the Tiny Chef & made fruit platters. They had organic and non-organic fruits. We had to guess which was which by tasting them.

What do you think about global warming?
I think if we don't look after the earth, then it could become very bad for our children, grandchildren and so on. It is something we have to put a stop to.
What do you do to make the planet a better place...?

In my small part, I try to have shorter showers to save water, I use less paper and we don't water the garden alot.

Seems like you are eco-friendly! Well, thankyou for your time.

Thankyou!

As you can see, Shannon cares for the environment like many other people. We've also learnt something about what another Fiontar class does! It was a great interview with Shannon.

Deformed Fish!

It is astounding news to hear of the deformed 2 headed fish. It seems a macadamia farmer has been spraying a pesticide near a fish hatchery. The chemicals have gone into the water and deformed fish embryo's.

Gwen Gilson, owner of the Sunland Fish Hatchery said, "I want them to admit that they were doing it and stop it. We want clear air and clean water. That's essential."
As you can see in the picture, the fish have two heads. Because of these chemicals. Just imagine what would happen if we kept on using all these chemicals? It is sad... and not right.Two million sea mullet fry died because of these chemicals.

We need to stop using chemicals like this. That is final! It's not just fish we are talking about. It's any living creature.

Oil Spill on the Great Barrier Reef...

This was shocking news. The beautiful Great Barrier Reef, our Australian jewel was wrecked. The oil spill that occurred was just another example of what we do to the environment.

How did it start? They wanted to take a shortcut, and had run over some reefs. This ripped the bottom of the ship, letting oil leak out. The Chinese carrier, Shen Neng 1 leaked out litres and litres of oil, destroying the homes of 500,000 sea birds and an important turtle nesting colony. How did this happen? Well, the captain and crew decided they wanted to take a short cut. Not on! Just imagine all this oil, flowing into the water, wrecking coral reefs and sea life.

My dad works on a ship that sails along the Great Barrier Reef called the Endeavor River. The pictures he's taken are amazing. Now just imagine in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef is a big blotch of murky brown oil. It's amazing what we humans can do. We can also save the wildlife, which is what the rescue team did.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority chief scientist said that the ship "gouged" a channel of about 3km long and 250m wide in the reef, off Rockhampton. He said it was the worst oil spill he has seen on the Great Barrier Reef.

POACHING & HUNTING!!!

We have all heard of poaching. It is a cruel, mean, unbelievable thing for humans to do. Yet we don't put a stop to it. Just imagine an innocent mother tiger looking for some food for her cubs. Before you know it, her skin is used for trading, rugs and more! No one wants this to happen do we? Snakes, crocodiles, reptiles are used to make bags, boots and clothes. Moose's heads are used for decoration. Animals insids are pulled out, they are stuffed with cotton, then placed in people's houses. Is this what we were put onto this earth for? When animals tresspass onto human property, they are shot dead. Yet people will tresspass all over their territory and still shoot them if they come too close. 


Hunters and poachers are a nuisance. Any animal lover would say that. They are taking away innocent lives, so they can make money! VERY unfair! Here's an example right infront of our eyes. Whaling. Do those beautiful creatures deserve this? I'm guessing not!

 I actually have a picture from the internet of a hunted tiger. It is disgusting and a bit too disturbing to put on here. So I didn't, but let me tell you, it looks gruesome, sad and makes you feel angry. 

Do we want animals like this... this baby tiger to be put on bags etc? NO! Obviously not.  What about this polar bear? NO, once again. So we have to put a stop to it. Even if it isn't happening in our country. This is OUR world. So we have to do this for the whole world. Not only our countries. We need to become active. Take away the in from inactive. That's what we have to do. 

Meeting Sandra Mack from the MooneyValley Council

After going to Queens park, we went to the MooneyValley Council. There, we met Sandra Mack. Sandra was originally from Germany and has been in the council for about 2 years. She is the head of the Environment Council. Once there, Sandra told us about some of the things that the council do, to make Mooneyponds a healthy atmosphere.

THE POINT SYSTEM-The coincil has just produced a point system, where people living in Mooneyponds earn points through making their gardens an eco-friendly environment. For example, you will earn 2 points for a water tank in you garden, or 3 points for a pond. Once you have a certain amount of points, you recieve a prize. This is a great way to teach people to be eco-friendly.

JUNIOR RANGERS- is a wonderful way to get young kids eco-friendly. The children aged 2-10 can go to Queens park and explore. They recieve little packs containing binoculars, a map, and different species of flaura and funa. This way, they look for these organisms and tick them off once found.

THERMOMETRE- The ouncil has producd a thermometre that you use to make sure the temperature in your hose is right. It tells you whether youshould bring it down or bring it up. This way, people aren't wasting electricity. It can also be used to check hot water temperature. each of us recieved one of these to take home!

We learnt alot from Sandra and have become a bt more aware of how the council helps. We hope to spread our knowledge with everyone else too!!!

An Interview with David Hope, Gardener of Queens Park Victoria

What is the best part of your job?
I don't know where to start! This job is not just a job, but a hobby too. I just love gardening!
How long have you been a gardener?
I've been a gardener for about 5 years and I'm loving it!
Are there any other gardeners?
There are 5 other gardeners and we all have shifts. It's really good!
Personal satisfaction level?
10 out of 10! I love this job! It's stress free, I'm not closed up in an office and I love what I'm doing! 
What are your thoughts on global warming?
I just hate it. It is something that we must try to stop for it's destroying our world. I just hate what's happening.

What did you do before you became a gardener... previous jobs?
Once I finished yr 12, I studied botany. my mum was the one who pushed me. I was an apprentice for some tie until they made me a private gardener. The job was okay, but I wanted to do something where people could appreciate my work. Next thin I know, I'm over here in Queens Park! 
How do you manage the garden?

There are 5 other gardeners who work here, so we all put in our own efforts. Almost everything is recycled hich is really good too. Managing the garden is easy, if you're up to it. I enjoy doing what I have to so it's easy!
What sustainable measures are adopted by the council for Queens Park. e.g. recycling?

The council play a big part in this park. We use water from the lake to water the plants and they make sure everything is working well.
Is Queens Park a healthy environment?
I would say this Park is. We recycle, and care for this habitat to animals and birds. 
Are the animals in a good and healthy state?
The animals re in a good state, and even though they are being fed bread, I don't see any problems. There was actually a problem when we had the drought, for a bacteria formed in the lake and gave the birds a disease that has to do with their nervous systems. We actually had to put a few down.
How do you look after the wildlife?

I've been in a few tussles with teenagers trying to feed the swans beer. Turtles have been stolen too. I try to make sure everything is safe and healthy and make sure the birds aren't being treated badly.
Are there volunteers and what can the do?
There are students who can come here and do a bit of gardening, which is really good.
How did you feel when the council cleared the lake?
It was so good to see the lake cleared. We lost 100 birds because of a bacteria that had developed in the lake. the poor things had to be put down, otherwise, everything was actually very good.
Is the water at the park recycled? 
Yes it is actually. We use the water from the lake to water the plants.

The animals need a home... and we need to provide it.

Have you looked around you? The animals seem to be dying. It’s true. All around us species are becoming extinct and endangered… and that is really sad. Fumes are destroying the air, people are cutting down forests…why? For us. That is very selfish. Because we want our world to be perfect, why do we have to destroy the ones of others? We need to think twice before doing. But one thing we don’t have to think twice before doing is saving the planet and its inhabitants.

An Inconvenient Truth

We watched the movie called "an inconvenient truth"and it was scary. You can look at it from two sides, either believing it or not. I'd go half way. Some parts are exaggerated...sure, but there are some parts that are true. We all know that there are some problems in climate change. Look around you. They show glaciers melting, which is good proof. If we don't do anything, maybe it could become not that bad but maybe half. It's something that we should look at with an open mind and try and weigh the odds. 

newbie

Hey, this is my first post... and first blog! I hope I get the hang of it... :).