Reflection: Weeks 8-14

During the second part of Environmental we very interested for me. I really enjoyed the activities that we did. Visiting Goodwill was one highlight from this semester, I did know that I would take so much from that experience. I always just had in mind that Goodwill was just some where to leave your junk but that junk can go a long way. I found it awesome that  they try to recycle a lot of items that are not sold and make into materials that can be used later on. I also thought it was awesome the employment  opportunities that they provide for people. Another activity that I enjoyed was  making my our jewelry out of things that I had around that house, which ended up being really fun! Overall this semester has really opened my eyes to how I can physically help out our environment. Also sharing my knowledge about the things that I have learned to the people around me will go a long way!!!

Share and Voice

http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/tp/Use-Your-Fabric-Scraps-To-Make-Your-Own-Fabric-Jewelry.htm
This is a website where you can learn how to make jewelry out of things that are just lying around your house. I have gotten hooked on this ever since I did my project for class. I never realized how easy and cheap this is. As the holidays are coming and I do not have much in my wallet I have figured out a few gift idea without anyone having to know that I had make it myself :)

Advocacy Project: Letter to an Elected Official

Dec 12, 2011

Senator Al Fraken

U.S. Senate

309 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20500

VOTE YES ON H.R 404 2011: Renewable Fuel for America's Future Act

The proposal of Renewable Fuel for America’s Future Act is a statewide and countrywide proposal that will benefit our world we live in. To put this action into play we need to start with Minnesota. As a resident and community health student at the University of Minnesota Duluth, I strongly believe and push for the Renewable Fuel for America’s Future Act. This Act will not only benefit us in the present but also the future and their environment that they will be living in.

The Renewable Fuel for America’s Future Act will provide us the opportunity to make a change for the better for our environment and try to undo the damage that we have already done to our earth. If we make a change now, not only use will benefit for us but generations to come. Duel fuel does not have to be a thing of the future but rather the present. We just need to take a step forward and use this fuel that is being provided to us. Not only the environment will benefit but so will our local economy. It will give our local farmers the opportunity to provide the grains necessary to produce this fuel. This will spread countrywide giving our economy the boost that it has been craving.

Opponents of this bill might ague the cost of implementing duel fuel into our motor vehicles. A cost will be prevalent but in the long run will turn into a benefit for us as citizen and a benefit for the world we live in and take so much from. Its time to return the favor.

We appreciate your past support of the bill for renewable fuel for America’s future act. Implementing duel fuel in motor vehicle and providing ethanol fuel for our vehicles will not only help you and I but America. We hope that you realize the benefits of this act and vote “yes” to H.R 404. If you can provide any further information, please contact me at 444-444-4444 or healthed@helpenvironment.org.

Jamie Lakatos

Advocacy Project: Fact Sheet

FACT SHEET

What is Ethanol?

Ethanol or ethyl-alcohol is a high octane. This renewable fuel is produced by plant sugars. Ethanol in the United States is typically made from corn and other grain products.

Types of Ethanol blends:

E10: Gasoline-ethanol combination that contains up to 10% of ethanol. This fuel may be used in ANY gasoline dependent powered vehicle.

E85: Gasoline-ethanol combination that contains up to 85% of ethanol. Ethanol fuel burns much cleaner than pure gasoline plus it is totally renewable, which makes it environmentally friendly fuel. E85 must be used only in flex fuel or duel fuel vehicles.

What is duel fuel or flex fuel vehicle (FFV)?

These type of vehicles are designed by the manufacture to use any percent of ethanol in the gasoline, any where from 85% ethanol to 100% of pure gasoline. Minnesota is a national leader in the use of alternative fuels.

How can someone tell whether or not their vehicle is a FFV or is capable of duel fuel?

• Check owner's manual
• Check inside the fuel cap door
• Visit www.e85fuel.com

Sources

Sources: Renewable Fuels Association, www.ethanolrfa.org/ 

National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition/Growth Energy, www.E85fuel.com 

Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center, www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/

EPAct Launches Fleets Toward Minnesota’s Alternative Fuel Future, http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/37132.pdf

Eye Opener: Photo Essay

 Sunday Drive...

I took my time on Sunday to look around our community for ideas on what I should do for 
this assignment.  It started to become pretty clear on what I wanted to focus my essay on! Many houses around Duluth use their leaves or other peoples leaves as an insulator for the cold harsh winters. I kind of  knew that people did that but I was shocked how many people actually do participated in using their leaves as insulator. Its an easy thing to do and people who want to get rid of their leaves all together can just give them to their neighbors who need them. Nothing like being neighborly!

Here these people used straw on their plants to keep them protected over our long winters.------->

Advocacy Project: Issue Overview

Introduction

The issue pertaining to this bill is the fuel that we use to run our automobiles. Proposing that our automobiles should be compatible to run off of gasoline as well as E-85. Renewable Fuels for America's Future Act of 2011 H.R.404 

Who is affected by the issue?

Everyone can potentially be effected by this bill. The environment will benefit the most from this bill because we would be able to be  more environmentally safe form of fuel. Gas companies may suffer from this act because people will not be depending on them as much when they are able to use duel fuel

What are the consequences of the issue?

The consequences of this bill would be that more resource will need to be used to obtain ethanol. Jobs may be lost but also gained if this bill passes.

What is the economic impact of the issue?

The cost would come out to build ethanol plants and employees, land use, potentially pollution from the plant. Car manufactures would bare some of the cost when they have to make their cars compatible for duel fuel. Our environment as a whole would benefit from this because we would not be using harmful gasoline as much.

What are the barriers?

The barriers would be to make sure all cars are compatible for duel fuel. So it would be a process but starting this year if the bill is passed automobile companies will start making their new models compatible for the duel fuel. It will take some time to get the ball rolling.

What are the resources?

Land would be a concern for the use of ethanol plants to be put up so the use of towns and communities would have to happen. Along with the needed resources to keep the plant running.

What is the history of this issue?

Ethanol has been slowly implemented in to our lives starting at a lower percent mixed with gasoline and as the years of gone on we can see that it is becoming more prevalent but not completely utilized.

Allies & Opponents

Many states support the use of ethanol but the percent use will very state to state because it is so much more costly.

Your Recommendation

• YES!

Ocean View Hut at Hedonisia Hawaii

Share&Voice: Hedonisia Hawaii: Eco-Friendly Hostel & Tropical Farm

I know that this video is not the best quality but what the video has to offer is amazing! Hedonisia Hawaii is a resort pretty much ran around the enviornment. Every thing that is used here is recycled or reused items, which is pretty amazing! I will also post another video that goes into one of the suites so you can see what they are all about. This might be a fun stop for Dr.V's study abroad trip to take a visit to...I can not imagine seeing this place in person.

Advocacy Project: Healthy People/THOMAS

H.R 404 Renewable Fuel for America's Future Act of 2011

Title: To implement change through grants to ensure at least 50% of 2013 and 2014 model year automobiles manufactured for sale in the U.S are duel fuel. Installing blender pump fuel infrastructure to incorporate the use of "E-85 fuel" a gasoline fuel blend derived from at least 85% ethanol.

Sponsor: Rep Fortenberry, Jeff [NE-1] (introduced 1/24/2011) Cosponsors (None)

Lastest Major Action: 2/1/2011 Referred to House subcommittee status: Referred to the Subcommittee of Energy and Power.

Recommended vote: YES for H.R 404 Renewable Fuels

My Political Representative(s): Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d112:3:./temp/~bdTyTb:@@@L&summ2=m&|/home/LegislativeData.php?n=BSS;c=112|

Share & Voice

The name of the website that I would like to share is Tree Hugger. This is a very neat site dealing with environmental issues and how we can make a change. The one part of this site that I found really interesting and exciting is the "10 of the Best College Environmental Programs in the U.S"
To my surprise the #1 college is right in our backyard at Northland College in Ashland WI. I thought that it really neat because I have always had the mind set that only huge division one schools were able to make big changes and differences like Northland has. Northland College is pretty much ran around our environment, not only do they offer numerous enviornmental-based programs they also use the environment to help run their campus. They have one building complex called McLean Environmental Living and Learning Center. This building has sustainability features such as 14 solar panels, motion sensor lighting, low flow water, 2 waterless composting toilets, a wind tower and 3 photo-volatic solar arrays which provides 6% of the building's electricity. McLean Environmental Living and Learning Center is made up of recycled items uses as furniture, flooring and countertops!
I do not expect UMD to be able to do all this but little changes would go along way. I think everyone should check out this site and just get inspired I know that I am!
http://www.treehugger.com/culture/10-of-the-best-college-environmental-programs-in-the-us.html

Advocacy Project: My Political Representative

President: Barack H. Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

202-456-1111(comments)

202-456-2461 (fax) 

Website: 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president-obama

Congressman: Amy Klobucha

U.S. Senate
Democrat
302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3244 or 202-228-2186
Website: http://klobuchar.senate.gov/

Congressman: Al Fraken

U.S. Senate
Democrat
309 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20500
202-224-5641
Website http://franken.senate.gov/

Congressmen: Chip Cravaak

U.S House Republican

508 Cannon House Office Bulding
Washington, DC 20500
202-225-6211or 202-225-0699
Website: http://chipcravaack.com/

Govener: Mark Dayton

Democrat

Office of the Govenor

130 State Capitol

75 Rev.Dr.Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

St.Paul, MN 55155
651-201-3400 or 651-797-1850
Website: http://mn.gov/governor/

State Legislator: Mary Murphy

MN House

Democrate

343 State Office BUilding

100 Rec.Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.Blvd

St.Paul, MN 55155

651-296-2676 or 800-890-5428

Website: 

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/members.asp?id=10444

State Legislator: Thomas Baak

MN Senate

Democrate

100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd

State Office Building, Room 147

St.Paul, MN 55155-1206

651-296-8881

Website: 

http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_bio.php?district=06

                                        http://www.photohome.com/photos/flag-pictures/american-flag-2.html

Reflection

Over the past 2 week in my Environmental Health class many different topics have been covered and many issues were brought up that I was never aware of. One main topic that really hit me was when we watched the documentary "tapped". Its about the bottled water that we drink everyday. I was guilty of buying bottled water and using them pretty much everyday but after watching the movie I have definitely changed my ways. I never knew our bottled water is hardly regulated and how communities suffer from the production of the plastic made for the bottled water. I think that we can change this if we stop using these products, I know I have and it is not that hard.

This class has really opened my eyes to all these topics and at first it is over whelming to think that we have all these problems that need to be fixed. But if we all just take the time to make a difference in our own lives we can get others around us to do the same. It can be done but in small strides.

Eye Opener: Junk on the Brain

Definitions: Found at dictionary.com
Antiques:of or belonging to the past; not modern. and Antiquing:to shop for or collect antiques
Junk:anything that is regarded as worthless, meaningless, or contemptible.
flea market:a market, often outdoors, consisting of a number of individualstalls selling old or used articles, curios and antiques, cut-ratemerchandise, etc.
thrift shop:a retail store that sells secondhand goods at reduced prices.
resale shop: a store that sells items for the second time.

1. What do the terms above have to do with environmental health?The terms above are ways that we can reuse items and recycle.
2. Identify at least one local resource for each of the terms above...provide name, location, contact info, and link to website or blog. Antiques: Father Time Antiques 395 S Lake Ave # 1, Duluth, MN 55802-2311(218) 625-2379 . Flea Market: Lake Superior College, 2101 Trinity Road\
3. Identify whether you do any or use any of these things. Why or why not? I have never really used these stores but I want to because it was a great way to use items.

< a href="http://ecosummitwithchnice.blogspot.com">< img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PmsVN_33y0M/TooqVV996GI/AAAAAAAAADI/HyKUC0LzOn8/s128/picnik%252520pic%252520button.jpg" />

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 3 My SMART Goal

My SMART goal is to recycle 100% of the items that I use throughout my daily life.
During my second week of my SMART goal I was able to reach my goal of making sure that we had a separate bin for recyclable items. I also was able everyday last week to make sure that every item that was thrown away was put in the proper bin. This did involve me to be doing a bit of garbage diving and pulling items out of the garbage and placing them into the recycling bin. I also posted a list of things that could be recycled and not just thrown in the garbage so that my roommates could be reminded. It was really nice to physically be able to recycle the items that were being thrown out of our house. It was also really cool to see my roommates taking the time to make sure that the right items got recycled, it felt like we were making a difference.

For next week I want to make sure that we get all the recyclables together and make sure that they get out for the garbage man to pick them up for us.

Photo by: Jamie Lakatos

Act as if what you do makes a difference.  It does.  ~William James

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 2 My SMART Goal

My SMART goal is to recycle 100% of the items that I use throughout my daily life.
It is safe to say that I have not yet accomplished my goal of recycling 100% but I did reach my goal for my first week. I was able to sit down with my roommates and convince them that we should recycle in our house. I did this by telling them the benefits of it and how easy it was and I told them that I would be willing to make sure it gets taken out for it to get picked up every other week.
It was exciting to see how eager they were to help me and the interest they had about my SMART goal, it was really ensuring. This week I have learned that if you just open up to others and ask for help they are more then happy to help if they are properly informed and they have a goal to all work towards.
Next week I want to have a separate bin in our kitchen for the recyclables and make sure that 100% of the garbage is put in its proper place, recyclables in the proper bin and garbage in a separate bin.

Photo by: Jamie Lakatos

If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.  ~Henry Ford

Eye Opener: CSPI

 I chose to take The Tour of the Food Supply because I was curious on what my food supply may entail. I was shocked on many of the facts that I read! I was never aware on how much meat and dairy that the normal human consumes in a year and how many deaths occur when these products are eaten while being contaminated, it makes me think twice what I am putting into my body. High cholesterol is common in my family so I have been trying to become more aware of what I am putting in my. I was also surprised to see how many medications there are to help manage cholesterol levels. I will definitely visit this site again to show my family and to help them become more aware of the food they are putting into their bodies.

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 1 My SMART Goal

All of us have opportunities to make a change in our day to day lives that can help make a difference our world. If just one person makes a change then thats one more step in a positive direction rather than one step back. Just think, if you can get your friends, classmates and school to make even a small change towards a new Eco-lifestyle how much that can effect your community, town and even state! I contribute to making a change in my Eco-Lifestyle by focusing on recycling. I want to make this a way of life because recycling cannot only effect me here, but can reach out and have a positive effect on our world globally. My SMART Goal is to reclaim all recyclable items that I use in my day to day life. If we can keep recycling we won't be forced to tap into all resources that we are blessed with that could potentially become damaged or even extinct after prolong abuse. Also when I am buying items I look for products that are either recyclable or reusable and eventually I want to only be using recyclable products. I am making my first move towards my SMART goal by informing my roommates of my plan and setting up a separate bin for items to be recycled. I also went through what is considered recyclable about and what is not with them. I am excited to get underway with my plan because I truly want to make a change for the better of our Mother Earth!

                                                                                                 Photo by: Jamie Lakatos




Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.  ~Author Unknown

Welcome to Jamie@Preserving the Ways of Hanauma Bay with Jamie Kay

There are 5 possible types of posts on my blog. They include:

1. Advocacy Project
2. Eye Openers
3. Reflections
4. Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change
5. Share and Voice

If you notice at the bottom of this post, the categories will be listed as labels. This post has been labeled with all five kinds of posts. You will also see the number of each kind of post in my Labels Gadget at the top of the page. All post titles from now on will begin with one of the categories above.

The members of my web group are:

1. Emily@Letsgogreennow
2. Morganne@MorgannesInTentsOutdoorAdventure

3. Amy&Kristen@Enviro-SurfingwithAmy&Kristen

4. Ashley@AshleysGoneGreen

You can also follow my blog by clicking "Follow this Blog" in the gadget column. You can see my complete profile and all the blogs I am following by clicking on "See Complete Profile." 

I am excited to venture into Environmental Health this semester!