http://www.khou.com/news/texas-news/West-Nile-in-Dallas-County-We-cannot-let-our-guard-down-167282305.html
On August 23rd, 2012, health officials in Dallas County said there are ten new confirmed cases of West Nile Virus. These additions make the total number of cases 288. Thursday night there was an aerial spraying of several counties covering about 82,000 acres. Health officials are urging people to use the right precautions such as wearing more clothing and using bug spray containing DEET. They've said the heath caution could last a month or so longer.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
At Least 17 sick from Ammonia at a Texas Plant (Local)
http://www.khou.com/news/texas-news/Ammonia-sickens-at-least-17-at-Texas-meat-plant-167379775.html
On August 24th, 2012 at about 2:30, an ammonia leak was reported at a northeast Texas meat packing plant. A hospital in Mount Pleasant Texas said they received 17 patients from the plant. A spokesperson says they received strictly precautionary tests and they were not prompted by injury or illness. The hospital was expected to have at least 40 potential patients. The meat packing company's spokeswoman Margaret McDonald said they are still investigating the reason of the leak.
On August 24th, 2012 at about 2:30, an ammonia leak was reported at a northeast Texas meat packing plant. A hospital in Mount Pleasant Texas said they received 17 patients from the plant. A spokesperson says they received strictly precautionary tests and they were not prompted by injury or illness. The hospital was expected to have at least 40 potential patients. The meat packing company's spokeswoman Margaret McDonald said they are still investigating the reason of the leak.
George, Last Tortoise of his Kind, Dies (Global)
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/06/120625-lonesome-george-tortoise-last-extinct-galapagos-science-animals/
George, the last known tortoise of the Geochelone abingdoni subspecies, died on Sunday, June 24th, 2012. His nickname "Lonesome George" came from his aversion to female tortoises. He was living at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island, part of Galápagos National Park. George is being kept in a decomposition chamber so they can determine his cause of death. He was only 100 years old compared to others of his kind who have lived up to 150. San Diego Zoo ambassador Rick Schwartz says he has optimism that this show humans how their actions have affected nature without immediately seeing results.
George, the last known tortoise of the Geochelone abingdoni subspecies, died on Sunday, June 24th, 2012. His nickname "Lonesome George" came from his aversion to female tortoises. He was living at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island, part of Galápagos National Park. George is being kept in a decomposition chamber so they can determine his cause of death. He was only 100 years old compared to others of his kind who have lived up to 150. San Diego Zoo ambassador Rick Schwartz says he has optimism that this show humans how their actions have affected nature without immediately seeing results.
Studies Show Arctic Sea Ice Shrinks to New Low
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48766244/ns/us_news-environment/#.UDqbadaPWSo
Studies show that an area of ice in the Arctic Sea is measuring at an all-time low, even lower than the previous measurement in 2007. The shrinking ice brings differing views. Some say it is dangerous to people and animals in the area while others speculate it will create new area for oil and gas. Nicolai Kliem, head of Ice Service at DMI (Danish Meteorological Institute), said that the shrinking ice is from "climate change". The ice will most likely continue to melt until September.
Studies show that an area of ice in the Arctic Sea is measuring at an all-time low, even lower than the previous measurement in 2007. The shrinking ice brings differing views. Some say it is dangerous to people and animals in the area while others speculate it will create new area for oil and gas. Nicolai Kliem, head of Ice Service at DMI (Danish Meteorological Institute), said that the shrinking ice is from "climate change". The ice will most likely continue to melt until September.
Colorado Wildfires Interfering with Water Supply
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/07/120703/colorado-wildfires-waldo-high-park-hayman-threaten-water-supplies/
The Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs, Colorado started on August 15th, 2012. This particular fire is nearby to the Rampart Reservoir which provides Colorado with a considerable amount of its water supply. The ash and debris from the wildfire could lengthen the time it takes to treat the water and create a whole new level of expenses. In 2002 after the Hayman Fire, the Denver Water Company has made efforts with Colorado State Forest Service in order to prevent further water damage by planting trees and building sentiment-control structures. Their efforts seemed to have payed off because the current fires have stayed away from the Denver area. Colorado will continue to try to contain the fires and supervise its effect on the water.
The Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs, Colorado started on August 15th, 2012. This particular fire is nearby to the Rampart Reservoir which provides Colorado with a considerable amount of its water supply. The ash and debris from the wildfire could lengthen the time it takes to treat the water and create a whole new level of expenses. In 2002 after the Hayman Fire, the Denver Water Company has made efforts with Colorado State Forest Service in order to prevent further water damage by planting trees and building sentiment-control structures. Their efforts seemed to have payed off because the current fires have stayed away from the Denver area. Colorado will continue to try to contain the fires and supervise its effect on the water.
During the summer, my mom and I went on several walks through Memorial Park. The devastation from last summer's drought was undeniable. Considerable amounts of greenery no longer conceal the nearby highway and the remaining the trees and shrubs were quite dry. It was interesting to see that even after a year of good rain that the environment had not yet fully recovered.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
During the summer, I was a nanny for a nine year old girl. On several occasions we went to the local park to pass time. I had to explain to her how to be "nice" to nature, not litter, and why it's important to be good to the environment. After countless wrappers thrown on the ground, I explained to her that her favorite animals could get hurt by eating her trash. She finally understood that she should not be careless with nature.
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