Global Public Argument.

Jack Sparrow
English 201
May 4, 2009
Fitting into the Global Public Argument
For the most part, there are many dangers, disasters, and problems in the world today. The main problem that my organization, the 4-H Club, and I believe is dangerous is pollution. Pollution has been around for decades and still has a major negative impact on the environment. Several people, like corporate leaders, government officials, environmentalists, and the general public, have debated about the problems that pollution causes and what should be done to reduce or stop pollution. Well, I’m going to write about the different types of pollution, some of the different debates about pollution, a couple of solutions that may help reduce some pollution, and the debate about if these solutions are effective or ineffective.
Three main types of pollution exist, which are air, water, and land pollution. Air pollution primarily comes from car emissions, industrial factories and power plants, burning trash, and deforestation. All of these things have helped air pollution rise to deadly levels and cause health problems, such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Another type of pollution is water pollution and several pollutants that cause water pollution are industrial pollution, people dumping trash into rivers and oceans, agricultural herbicide and pesticide runoff, radioactive waste, sewage, oil spills, etc. Also, water pollution can kill people, wildlife, and plants and can carry deadly diseases, like cholera, diarrhea, and trachoma. The final type of pollution is land pollution, which is caused by putting trash into landfills, industries burying industrial waste, acid rain, pesticide pollution, etc. Land pollution can pollute the soil to the point that people can not live in an area, have to evacuate their homes and go live somewhere else, can kill plants and animals, and can eventually seep into water sources and cause more pollution.
Now there are several debates about pollution, but I only chose a few that pertain to questions, like are air and water pollution serious problems and are corporations polluting the environment. For starters, there is the debate about whether or not air pollution threatens human health. My organization, the 4-H Club, and several environmentalists believe that air pollution is a serious risk to human health. Air pollution can increase respiratory symptoms in healthy people, may alter the immune system, irritates the lungs thereby increasing peoples risk for respiratory infections, interferes the ability of the blood to carry oxygen to tissues and organs in the body, impaired mental performance, headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, etc. Also, the most severe effects that air pollution causes are chronic heart and lung disease, a coma, and death. All of these health problems can be reduced, but the only way this will happen is if the government and industries find a better way to reduce or stop pollution. On the other hand, the EPA, which is the Environmental Protection Agency, and other industries think that the air quality has improved over the last couple of years. The EPA states that toxic air pollutants have dropped considerably and that the air quality will keep improving. Also, the EPA, along with other government agencies, wants to continue to improve the air quality in the United States.
Another debate is about if corporations are causing pollution or reducing pollution. Several environmentalists and my organization, the 4-H Club, believe that corporations are causing pollution. Corporations have been around for a long time, but now the corporations have gained more power and are spread through out the world causing pollution that damages the environment. People see pollution almost every day, so it is not like no one on earth does not know about pollution. The local and global media also mentions the different forms of pollution, like oil spills, mercury poisoning, chemical explosions, etc. These corporations are polluting the air, water, and soil to the extent that it is affecting plants, animals, and people’s health. A lot of animals, plants, and even people have died from too much exposure to pollution. This needs to stop and corporations have to do a better job of disposing harmful chemicals and pollutants. However, several businesses and corporations think that they have made a lot of progress reducing pollution and conserving resources. All of these big businesses and corporations state that they use fewer materials and create technology that minimizes pollution.
Pollution is a major problem, but there are a few things the people can do to help reduce it. The simplest thing people can do is to recycle. Almost anything can be recycled. For example, people can recycle paper, plastic, glass, metal, batteries, motor oil, appliances, cell phones, laptops/computers, etc. People just have to find a recycling center close to where they live, sort out the recyclable items at the recycling center, and that is it. Another thing that people can do is reuse items or give old items away to places like Goodwill. People can also plant a tree like my organization, the 4-H Club, is doing. My organization, the 4-H Club, is doing a project called the 4-H Million Trees Project. The goal of this project is to get 4-H members and volunteers from across the United States and Canada to plant one million trees to help reduce air pollution. Other groups and organizations can join this cause and become members of the Arbor Day Foundation within four years. Several 4-H clubs and other organizations will also get twelve trees to plant, one dollar each tree, throughout these four years. Another great thing about planting trees is that the shade from trees helps cool buildings, which reduces the use of electricity, trees absorb runoff, and new trees make up for trees lost to deforestation. Also another thing people might want to do is walk, ride a bike, take public transportation, or carpool to help reduce pollution.
All of these solutions are great, but one solution is really being debated, which is recycling. The debate is mainly about if recycling is effective or ineffective. Of course, my organization, the 4-H Club, and environmentalists strongly believe that recycling is effective. Recycling reduces dependency on increasingly expensive landfills, recycling programs have saved cities millions of dollars, and efficient recycling programs can reduce waste and pollution. However, several industries believe that recycling programs are unprofitable and unnecessary, recycling can waste resources, and that recycling does not reduce waste.
Overall, all topics, including the topics I have mentioned, will be debated. People can choose going to a landfill or going to a recycling center because it is their choice to make. However, something has to be to either reduce pollution or stop it all together. Different animals are going extinct because pollution is causing global warming, which affects animal’s habitats, and pollution destroys animal’s food sources, like plants and smaller animals. Our planet, in essence, is slowly dieing and this is all happening because of the major impact that we all have on the planet. This is not just caused by pollution, but also by overpopulation, habitat destruction, consuming too many resources, expanding cities, etc. Right now people need to make a change to help save the planet because if we don’t do something soon, several future generations will not have a future to live for.

Works Cited
Begley Jr., Ed. Living Like Ed: A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life. New York: Clarkson
Potter/Publishers, 2008.
Burnie, David. Endangered Planet. Boston: Kingfisher Knowledge Publications, 2004.
Crampton, Norm. Green House. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield Publishing Group,
2008.
Ganeri, Anita. Something Old, Something New: Recycling. Chicago: Heinman Library,
2005.
Gifford, Clive. Planet Under Pressure: Pollution. Chicago: Heinman Library, 2006.
Haley, James, eds. Pollution. San Diego: Green Haven Press, 2003.
Hall, Eleanor J. Recycling. Detroit: Gale and Kidhaven Press, 2005.
James, Barbara. Waste and Recycling. Austin: Wayland Publishers, 1989.
Stefoff, Rebecca. Recycling. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1991.
Vogel, Carole Garbuny. The Restless Sea: Human Impact. New York: Franklin Watts
Inc. , 2003.
4-H Million Trees. March 2008. University of Illinois Extension. 19 April 2009

Activist Proposal.

Jack Sparrow
English 201
April 27, 2009
Activist Proposal
Several problems plague the world today. Some examples are sickness, poverty, natural disasters, global warming, the economy, etc. However, the one problem that my group, which is the 4-H Club, and I believe is really urgent is pollution. Pollution is affecting the environment more today than it has ever done in the past. This is why we need a change, but first I will describe the different types of pollution and how pollution is damaging the environment.
There are three main types of pollution, which is air, water, and land pollution. For starters, air pollution is a big concern because it is damaging the atmosphere. Most scientists believe that a major cause of this global warming is air pollution caused by human activity (Gifford, 20). Another major concern is that smog, which is a mixture of air pollutants, build up to unhealthy levels in big cities and urban areas. Smog in these areas can cause major health problems, is partly responsible for breathing disorders like asthma, and can kill people.
Another pollutant is water pollution. Water pollution sources can be divided into two types, which are point source, where pollutants reach water through a specific entry point like an oil spill, and non-point source, comes from different sources and can be harder to control like sewage and chemical runoff (Gifford, 22). There is also radioactive pollution, agricultural pollution, industrial pollution, and people dumping trash into lakes and rivers. Water pollutants can help transmit disease, kill animals, plants, and humans, and cause dead zones where there is not enough oxygen for life to exist, like in lakes and parts of the sea. Many foreign countries still do not have clean water and people have shorter life spans compared to countries that have clean water, in which people have longer life spans.
The last main type of pollution is land pollution. Trash can suffocate or trap land animals. People bury trash in landfills and the soil eventually becomes contaminated. Pesticide pollution from farmers can also pollute the soil over time and can give people pesticide poisoning. Some areas of soil become so polluted that people have to leave their homes and move to different areas.
All of these pollutants are harming the environment, but there is something we can do about it. First and foremost, people can recycle. This is one of the easiest ways people can help the environment. You can search the internet to find a recycling center close to home or ask neighbors, friends, or family where you could find a recycling center. There are also several things you can recycle. For instance, you can recycle paper, metal, plastic, glass, oil, batteries, light bulbs, shoes, etc. You can even recycle laptops, regular computers, cell phones, and some other electronics, but you have to recycle these things at computer stores and stores like Best Buy.
Another way you can help the environment is by reusing things. Factories do not have to make as many products for people if people reuse what they already have. Also, factories will give off less carbon emissions if they do not have to make as many products. You can also give stuff away that you don’t use anymore to places like Goodwill. This way so much trash does not end up in landfills.
Using different types of transportation can help the environment. We need to use vehicles less so that we produce less carbon dioxide, which affects the atmosphere. People can walk to different places, but this can be slow going if you have to be somewhere that is ten miles away. Bicycling is another option, but you have to be in good physical shape. These two options are really good for the environment. However, if you have to use a vehicle try public transportation, carpool with friends or coworkers, and if you have to use your car make your trips count by getting everything you need to get done on one side of town.
Gardening and composting are also great ways to help the environment. A garden can help absorb some pollution from the air and soil. It also helps people save money on groceries and people eat healthier. Also, composting is the process of breaking down old food, leafs, and pet poop and these things can be used as a natural fertilizer for plants.
For the most part, I think planting trees is the most effective way of helping the environment. Trees help reduce carbon emissions from factories and cars. This is why my organization, the 4-H Club, is planting trees across the U.S. and Canada. The 4-H clubs from around the U.S. and Canada are doing the 4-H million trees project. Basically, the goal of this project is to get 4-H clubs to plant one million trees across the continent to help the environment. Other groups and organizations can join this cause and become members of the Arbor Day Foundation within four years. Several 4-H clubs and other organizations will also get twelve trees to plant, one dollar each tree, throughout these four years. Another great thing about planting trees is that the shade from trees helps cool buildings, which reduces the use of electricity, trees absorb runoff, and new trees make up for trees lost to deforestation.

Basically, most of the pollution from around the world is damaging the environment. People are dying from diseases caused by air, water, and land pollution. Different animals are going extinct because pollution is causing global warming, which affects animal’s habitats, and pollution destroys animal’s food sources, like plants and smaller animals. We need a change and we need it now. The planet needs to be preserved for future generations because if we do not protect the environment and the earth now, we will not have an earth to protect in the future.
Works Cited
Begley Jr., Ed. Living Like Ed: A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life. New York: Clarkson
Potter/Publishers, 2008.
Gifford, Clive. Planet Under Pressure: Pollution. Chicago: Heinman Library, 2006.
Hall, Eleanor J. Recycling. Detroit: Gale and Kidhaven Press, 2005.
4-H Million Trees. March 2008. University of Illinois Extension. 19 April 2009

Earth week and homework.

This week has been the busiest week I have had all semester. I have 4 finals to study for and I have 4 essays and an art project to do and all of this homework is due next week. However, I did have some fun this week. I went to see the movie earth, which is great. It has so many breathtaking scenes in it. People should really go and see it. This week was also earth week and people were planting trees and cleaning up litter. To bad people don't do this all year. I also did some public advocacy handing out brochures with my English classmates. My brochure is about stopping pollution. It is a major problem that people have to face and should be replaced with a better solution and a cleaner source of energy. Hopefully I get all of my homework done this weekend before it rains.

Here is the Earth movie poster image to the left of my blog entry.

Easter get together and too much homework.

I really enjoyed this weekend. I actually had a get together at my house after all. It was nice seeing everyone in my family again. But, my mom and I had to rush to get the house cleaned up and cook most of the food the night before. It was worth it though. I also got to rent some movies. However, I wish I would have had more of a weekend to get all my homework done. I have a writing assignment and a flyer to do for English class, a speech and written work to do for my other class, and I have an art project to do with a 3 paragraph paper about our art project. The speech and the writing assignment are due Thursday and the art project is due Wednesday. So basically I have 2-3 days to get all this work done. Luckily I have all the sources that I need. I have also narrowed done my topic to pollution/global warming and the solution to the problem, which I think is recycling. Plus I might get more homework from another class and I'm getting a head start on studying for finals. So, I am really busy this week. I hope next week is less hectic. Overall, I had a pretty good weekend. 

Homework, Cows, and Easter!

This past week has been extra busy and I have had lots of homework. I had to write 4 papers for three different classes. However I got them all done. The only thing I'm worried about is the speech I have to give tomorrow because I have not had that much time to practice and this speech counts for a big percentage of my final grade. I hope that I do well. Anyway, this weekend was pretty good, except for the homework. I got to watch a few movies and relax a little bit. Also, some of the cows got out on Saturday, which was very time consuming because the cows wanted to be stubborn, and my dad almost flipped the four wheeler over. Other than this last week was pretty good. I also can't wait for this up coming week to be over because everyone gets of on Friday because it is good Friday and Easter weekend. So I will have a three day weekend. My family sometimes gets together for Easter, but this year I don't think we can get everyone together. So both me and my parents will relax and maybe make some nacho dip with chicken patties for Easter. I probably will also start studying for finals because finals is just a month away. I will study and hope for the best.

A Proposal For A Needed Change!

Right now there are several changes that need to be made in the world. I could talk about homeless children, the school system, elderly health care, or the economy; but I will talk about global warming and recycling. People have talked about global warming for so long that most people don't care about it anymore. However, people need to be concerned because it will eventually affect them, their family, and the world. Pollution is contaminating the air, water, and soil. This has an effect on everyone because pollution is getting to the point where it is affecting the food that we eat, the water we drink, and the air that we breath. Landfills also affect the environment by contaminating the soil. Deforestation also affects the environment because a lot of animals are becoming extinct and there not just the exotic animals either. Animals like wolfs, bears, turtles, rabbits, some birds, some dear, and some other animals are on the endagered species list. If these problems continue people around the world may end up like the people on Wall-E. However, there is still time to make a change. People can recycle, only use the car when you need it and don't make wasted trips, don't waste paper, turn garbage into compost for the garden, plant flowers or a small tree, throw away trash in a trash can instead of on the side of the road, etc. There are so many things people can do to help the environment, but it has to be applied in order to work. So reduce, reuse, and recycle to help the environment and save the earth from global warming. Also, this is part of an assignment for english class and I will use a pamphlet or flyer as by public discouse.

Homework and Spring Break madness!

 Well, I'm back at school. It doesn't even feel like I have had a spring break and it was not as fun as I wanted it to be. The week started off well enough. I went and visited my grandma and had one lazy Sunday on the weekend before spring break officially started. The week, on the other hand, was busy. First the washer broke, in which the blug end was smoking from the wall. It was a miracle the house did not get on fire. As if that wasn't enough, around the end of the week my bed fell through the floor. So now my bed is in the living room and everything is a mess. Also, I have so much homework that is due this week. Hopefully this weekend is ten times better than my spring break was. On a better note, my grades are good. That's it for now.