Share and Voice: A Unique Way To Reuse Plastic

In America we are very fortunate to have access to practically any good or need that we want. Unfortunately it isn't the same for other countries. However, these people find other ways to obtain the goods or needs they so dearly want. Ways that many Americans don't think about using because we just simply don't need to, we have other means of acquiring that good or need. So it made me think about how some kids in the poorest countries reuses plastic to acquire the on certain good that he/she wants.

For The Love Of The Game



I have played soccer all my life and still do so it's kind of a bummer for kids that want to play the game but can't because they lack the ball. I did this post because it's a different and neat way that plastic bags have been reused. I'm glad to say that I have donated soccer balls to kids in Africa so that they can enjoy the same luxury as I can...to have a real soccer ball at their feet.

Links:
Worldvision - a site designated for helping out the poorest kids to keep there soccer dreams alive. Just in case any of you are soccer fans.

Share and Voice: Cleaning The Heights

Apa Sherpa has to be one of the most ambitious trash cleaners in the world. I don't think many of us will be able to say we've gone to such heights to keep the world a little cleaner. It's good to see that people do what they can to make our planet a little greener. Check out the short article.

Climber to break record with Mt. Everest Clean-up Climb

Reflection: Week 9 & 10

Another two weeks have been checked off besides the fact that it was only one week of class. None the less the two weeks happened to be educational.

Week 9

In week 9 Dr. V. started to give us information on the advocacy project and what the goal of the project is. We were introduced to the very first step in our advocacy project. That included each one of us designating our advocacy project representatives. Later in the week we were then given pointers on being photographers to prepare us for the photo essay. Overall this week wasn't to busy but it did prepare us for the future.

Week 10

This week we had out of class work to do being the Dr. V. was at the AAHPERD convention. The only thing everyone really had to focus on was the photo essay. I felt that it was hard to take the photo essay to high standards if you only had a point and shoot camera. Especially one that is a couple years out of date. I knew I should have spent the extra cash on the Nikon for my first camera. Either way it was fun.

These two weeks have proven to be a little more laid back, which gets me thinking that the upcoming weeks are more than likely going to be busier.

Eye Openers: Photo Essay

My plan with the photo essay was to show how it is quite simply to be environmentally friendly in a couple different ways. I think a lot of people feel that they must go to extremes to be energy savers and environmentally friendly which is not always true. Every little change in the way you affect the environment or use energy can add up to have an impact on the way you help out yourself to become more friendly to the environment.

Thinking back to my childhood years, It made me think about how you might have started out to be environmentally friendly without even knowing it, mainly because you learned to ride one of these...Over the years I have added to my collection...I'm proud to say that a bicycle and a longboard are the means for most of my transportation during the summer.







Don't forget that while your cruising around on your bicycle its always a good idea to be hydrated...but its even a better idea to be hydrated by an ecofriendly canteen...


So if you are using one of these ----->

It's not a bad idea to switch to
<-----these.






To be incredibly friendly to the environment you can use your bike to cruise on down to a local hardware store and purchase one of these... By far a very wise purchase...a money and energy saver! Speaking of money saving.


With the harsh winters in Duluth heating bills can be costly to us college students. Saving energy is as easy as putting plastic over the windows.








It's the simplistic things that can be done to show your environmentally friendly awareness and by doing them will make you feel better about your contribution to saving the environment.

Advocacy Project: My Political Representatives

The President of the United States : Barrack Obama

Contact Information:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/


House Representative Congressman : Jim Oberstar (DFL)


Contact Information:
2365 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-6211 Office
Website: http://oberstar.house.gov/






Minnesota Governor : Tim Pawlenty (Republican)

Contact Information:
130 State Capitol, 75 MLK Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 296-3391
Website: http://www.governor.state.mn.us/

Washington Office:
400 N. Capitol St., NW, Ste. 380
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 624-5308

U.S. Senator: Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)

Contact Information:
302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington D.C. 20510
Phone: 202.224.3244
Website: http://klobuchar.senate.gov/index.cfm







Duluth, MN Mayor: Don Ness (DFL)

Contact Information:
Room 402, 411 West First Street
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 730-5230
Website: dness@duluthmn.gov

St. Louis County 1st District Commissioner : Dennis Fink (DFL)

Contact Information:
Room 208
100 N. 5th Avenue West
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 726-2458

Share and Voice: green.tv

Hey everyone!

Green.tv is a video sharing website that allows companies, organizations, and people to post there video's concerning the environment. The main reason I did this post is because there is a video "Harvesting Rain," talking about a community in eastern Kenya that does not have a water system to support the community. Due to this the community has gathered together to build a system that helps them harvest rain.We talked briefly discussed harvesting rain water in class and this video shows how one community makes the most of the rain. I think its incredible how something as simple as water can bring a community together. Especially in a poor community like that of one in Kenya where many people might not think there is much they can do to change the way they live but as that community has shown, if people work together they can improve the wealth for everyone.

Reflection: Weeks 7 and 8

Wow! Another two weeks accomplished. I don't realize how fast these weeks in class really soar by until I sit down and type up these reflections. I guess that's good to say that I am enjoying this class and getting more in touch with my green side.

Week Seven

This week we watched the documentary "Green," which I found very interesting. It talked about a stretch of land on the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge, LA to New Orleans, LA. This stretch of land is where a number on chemical plants have set down on without respect to neighboring towns. The main point I believe it was getting across is that the CEO's of these company's are looking out more for the green profit than the dangers they are causing to these towns. I agree that these company's are only in for the profit and only act like they care about the nearby towns. I would have to say this is my second favorite documentary we have watched so far, An Inconvenient Truth being numero uno.

Week Eight

This week was another relaxing week in class. We watched the documentary "Thirst," that dealt with movement towards water being privatized. I am still a bit unsure about my view on the topic. If water is to be privatized I don't think it will work unless its set at a very low price. However I feel that the government will start to over price water just like any other resources that is used by basically everyone. I guess as of right now I would be against it. Being a college student I don't need another expense added to the list.

I am going to continue my relaxation right into spring break. I hope for whoever that may be going somewhere a safe trip and spring break and maybe keep an eye open if your going to another country on how and what they are doing to improve their environment. And of course while your on spring break don't forget to continue going green. I found this site on ecogeek that
talks about going green on spring break. I've linked this to the page on green spring break stats. And for all those doing a bit of drinking in the sun, maybe you can switch it up with a little bit of organic alcohol. Drink Responsibly.

Happy Spring Break Everyone!