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