Last Human Geo Class

Today was our last Human Geography class and it was kind of depressing. The good thing is that we have the exact same class for Western Civilization. In class, we watched a music video to Lazarus by David Bowie. We talked about it for awhile and we talked about his death. I didn't know who he was until today's class. After that, we just sat and talked and we watched the Harry Potter Puppet Pals video which was the highlight of my day. I don't watch Harry Potter either but I found that video really amusing, but Mallory singing along to it was even more amusing. I learned a lot in Human Geo this semester and I think I'll learn just as much in Western Civilization.

Test

Today in class we took our last test of Human Geography. I'm really glad that it was our last test because in all honesty, taking Mr. Schick's tests sucked. They were hard and sometimes I don't even remember learning the information that was on the test. The test we took today though was pretty easy except for the questions about the article we read in class. I didn't read over it again last night and I probably should have, but other than those questions, I think I did pretty well overall.

ToDaY

Today in class we did nothing except review the powerpoint which took approximately 5 minutes. To fill up these 150 words, I am going to write in Spanish. Claire y Mallory son mis amigas. Ellos son muy divertidos y bonitas. En el clase de espanol, estamos aprendiendo sobre el policia, el trafico, manejo el coche, y el semaforo. In case you didn't know what any of that says here is a translation: Claire and Mallory are my friends. They are very funny and pretty. In Spanish class, we are learning about the police, traffic, driving a car, and traffic lights. Here are lyrics to mine and Claire's favorite song, Goofy Goober by Sponge Bob and Patrick. P.S this is Claire's alarm in the morning.

I'm a goofy goober
(Rock)
You're a goofy goober
(Rock)

We're all goofy goobers
(Rock)
Goofy, goofy, goofy, goofy goober
(Rock)

Put your toys away
Well, then I got to say when you tell me not to play
I say, no way
(No way)
No, no, freakin' way

I'm a kid, you say
When you say I'm a kid I say, say it again
And then I say thanks
(Thanks)
Thank you very much

So if you thinking that you'd like to be like me
Go ahead and try
The kid inside will set you free

I'm a goofy goober
(Rock)
You're a goofy goober
(Rock)

We're all goofy goobers
(Rock)
Goofy, goofy, goofy, goofy goober, yeah.

Read more: Spongebob Squarepants - Goofy Goober Rock Lyrics | MetroLyrics

I hope you enjoyed reading my blog :)

Climate Change

 Today we looked at the power point on climate change. Here are my notes on this power point:

• video explains in scientific terms, using statistics
• back in 2005, when the video was made, "global warming" was more commonly used than "climate change"
• video was produced by National Geographic
• for eons... millennia... multiple hundreds of centuries, the Earth has cycled between ice ages and thaws
• always been part of natural order of things
• as humans become more resourceful, they have more of an impact on nature and climate
• raised 1.2 degrees to 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit in the last hundred years
• compare this to your pattern of glacial patters: (40,000- 100,000 years)
• human activity drives temperatures up so quickly
• burning fossil fuels (oils, gas, other products; coal) produces carbon dioxide
• carbon dioxide intensifies the greenhouse effect which causes heat to be reflected back to Earth
• carbon dioxide and methane have reached their highest levels in 420,000 years
• sources: cars, factories, powerplants, trucks, jets, cement production, etc.
• rising sea levels which could flood coastal areas around the world
• severe drought that could become more prominent in warm areas
• species unable to adapt to the changing conditions would face extinction
• Bill Nye:
• science educator
• writer
• scientist
• mechanical engineer
• inventor
• swing dancer
• Science Guy
• 10 of the last 13 years were the warmest on record
• details of what is in the greenhouse effect:
• fluorinated gases: 3%
• nitrous oxide: 5%
• methane: 10%
• carbon dioxide: 82%
• Bill Nye illustrates greenhouse effects reflecting back on Earth
• the temperature of Earth's oceans has risen more than .3 degrees Fahrenheit  since 1969 causing:
• - a 30% rise of acidity in ocean's chemistry
• -certain species, such as oysters and clams, to be calcified
• -shallow water corals to become increasingly at risk
• -placing the entire "food chain" or "food web" in danger
• since 1994, each year (on average) that Earth has lost from it's glaciers: 400,000,000,000 tons
• climate change: a long-term change in the Earth's overall temperature with massive and permanent ramifications  

Cows

Today in class, we talked about cows. We learned that they are ruminants. I also learned that cows have several stomachs and they chew a lot of cud. When they eat the cud, it will then go to one of their multiple stomachs. If it isn't chewed all the way, it will come back up into their mouth and they will continue to chew it and reswallow it. One last thing I learned about cows was that when they pass gas, they release methane which is one of the causes of global warming and it's a part of the greenhouse effect. Learning about this was kinda gross, but it wasn't too bad. After about 30 mins of talking about cows, we just relaxed and started talking to our friends which was really nice because it was the end of the day and no one really wanted to be doing work.

Solar Panels

Today in class we talked about the solar panels on Mr. Schick's roof. He was telling us all about how effective they are and how they save a lot of money. I think more people should get them, but they are expensive at first. You will eventually get the money back, but some people might not have to money to start with. I think that if people have this money, they should get as many solar panels as their house allows because it reduces the amount of energy you use. We also talked about the way we can reduce pollution. Instead of driving everywhere, people should ride bikes or walk more places. The only problem with that is on days like today, when it is 14 degrees outside, it is too cold to ride a bike or walk even if you have layers of clothes on. But in summer and spring, and maybe even early fall, I think biking and walking short distances are a great idea instead of driving.

Environmental Geography

Today in class, we took notes on two videos we saw about climate change and global warming. Here are my notes:

Climate change: long-term change in the Earth's overall temperature with massive and permanent ramifications
- the temperature rose from 1.2 degrees to 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit warmer in the last century
-human activity drives it up (global warming)
-fossil fuels: coal & oil, etc.
- renewable energy: solar energy, wind
- global warming started with the industrial revolution
-greenhouse effect starts with the sun
-it's being intensified by the extra greenhouse gases from humans
-1998 was the warmest recorded year in history
-2005 is in second
-artic sea ice decreased by 10% in the last 30 years
-weather patterns could change making hurricanes more frequent
-10 out of the last 14 years were the warmest in history
- global warming is not caused by orbital variation, but by human activity
-the oceans provide 50% of Earth's  oxygen
-oceans are the #1 victim of global warming
- caused sea level to rise 6.7 inches
-glaciers and icebergs are melting
-ways to help are to recycle, walk, turn off electricity, eat less meat