Alternative Energy Sources
A brief overview of each type

Friday, December 31, 2010
Wind Energy

First off, there’s wind energy. This method uses turbines to harness the energy produced by wind, by allowing the rotation of the turbine to be converted into an electrical current through the use of an electrical generator. There is no pollution created as a result of wind energy and the turbines can be placed just about anywhere, such as livestock pastures and even off-shore. Wind energy isn’t constant and subject to several days with no wind at all.
Solar Power

Another option is solar power which is, of course, energy produced by the sun. This method uses solar cells to trap the sun’s rays and convert it into electricity. It produces no pollution, but there are days when the sun doesn’t shine.

Geothermal energy

This is the use of steam produced by naturally hot rocks in the earth to rotate turbines to produce energy. Geothermal energy plants aren’t supposed to produce pollution, but if not built correctly, may. Also, if the hole drilled in the earth is not done correctly; other harmful minerals and gases may be released into the air. These plants are expected to eventually run out of steam; whereas the wind and the sun never run out.


Hydroelectric power

Hydroelectric power is a good option. All it requires is dammed up water to spin turbines to produce energy. Water can be stored for times of less water; whereas wind, the sun’s rays and steam cannot. It can cost a lot to build a dam and the source of water needs to be powerful, but this method, also, does not produce pollution.

Bio fuels

This one has a few more problems than the previous that I’ve mentioned. Bio fuels are fuels created from animals or plants, such as animal waste and wood chippings. Ethanol, derived from corn, is a popular one, but it takes fossil fuel to produce and harvest corn. And converting it into ethanol is more expensive than producing the same amount of gas. Also, converting to the use of bio fuels would be an extremely expensive change for most households and, in most cases, just not possible.


Hydrogen

Hydrogen is a good energy source for the environment and is good for powering cars, but it’s not profitable because it takes more energy to make it than it produces.


Nuclear energy

Nuclear energy is energy produced by the fission or fusion of atoms. A single nuclear power plant can produce a very large amount of energy, but it can be extremely expensive to build. Also, nuclear waste is very hazardous and a nuclear power plant runs the risk of a meltdown which can cause an area to be inhabitable for years.   
I think wind power, solar power and hydroelectric power are all promising sources of energy and should be used together. These methods do not create any pollution and wind and solar is generally affordable. Also, all three types are “renewable” energy sources because wind, sun and water do not run out.

The 4 Styles of Parenting

Tuesday, December 7, 2010














Annotated Bibliography
1.      Darling, Nancy PhD, MS. (2010). Parenting Style and Its Correlates. Retrieved on August 23, 2010, from http://library.adoption.com/articles/parenting-style-andits-correlates.html.
2.      Iannelli, Vincent  M.D. (2004). Parenting Styles: Parenting Tips. Retrieved on August 16,             2010, from http://pediatrics.about.com/od/infantparentingtips/a/04_pntg_styles.htm.
3.      Marsiglia, Cheryl S. Walczyk, Jeffrey J. Buboltz, Walter C. Griffith-Ross, Diana A. (2007). Retrieved on August 23, 2010, from http://www.scientificjournals.org/journals2007/articles/1031.htm.
4.      Reeve, Jay PhD. (2010). The Three Styles of Parenting. Retrieved on August 17, 2010, from http://www.lifespan.org/services/childhealth/parenting/styles.htm.
5.      Tiller, Amy E BS ME. Garrison, Betsy Ph.D. Block, Elizabeth B MPH. Cramer, Kathryn M.S. Tiller, Vicky M.S. (2002). The Influence of Parenting Styles on Children’s Cognitive Development. Retrieved on September 1, 2010, from http://www.kon.org/urc/tiller.pdf.

The Talented Jenny Rome

This is a super talented close friend of mine. If you appreciate good music, good guitar,meaningful songs, a pretty voice, or just a pretty face :) I recommend taking the time to watch this video in its entirety.


Starving Children

Monday, November 22, 2010
15 million children die of starvation every year

160 million children under the age of 5 are malnourished

1 out of every 12 children in the United States goes to bed hungry every night

Half of the children under 5 in South Asia are malnourished

183 million children are underweight

16,000 children die every day from hunger related causes

At least 20% of American children are living in food insecure households

14 million children in the United States live in poverty (about 19%)


Recourses for Helping

Bread for the World

Feeding America

Africare



The Clean Water Crisis

Friday, November 19, 2010

I’m a huge fan of water. There’s nothing more refreshing than a tall glass of clean water after a nice walk on a sunny day. I love taking a relaxing bath after a hard day and I always appreciate a scenic view of a lake or the ocean. There aren’t many things that are more satisfying than a shower after a long day, most of us can probably agree with that. Think about all the reasons you love clean water. It keeps our cars clean, our kids clean and it allows our gardens to grow. Have you ever had a water balloon or squirt gun battle?
Our bodies are about 70% water. When we are fully hydrated we are able to think clearer, our muscles work more efficiently, our immune systems function better, and our body is able to detoxify better. (Snape, 2005). Did you know that unclean water is the greatest killer of children under five years old in the world? 1.1 billion people don’t have access to a clean source of water. (Hart, 2010).
·         1.4 million children die annually from diarrhea as a result of contaminated water
·         80% of illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions in developing countries
·         More than one third of the world’s population does not have access to sanitation facilities
·         One half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied as a result of waterborne illness at any given moment
Waterborne Diseases
·         Cholera
·         Typhoid Fever-responsible for 200,000 deaths each year
·         E. coli
·         Salmonella
·         Botulism
·         Hepatitis A
·         Dysentery
·         Cryptosporidiosis
·         Giardia
·         Polio
·         Schistosomiaisis- the second most devastating parasitic disease in the world (malaria is first).
Dehydration can cause
·         Blindness
·         Electrolyte imbalance
·         Kidney failure
·         Confusion
·         Coma
·         Shock
·         Death

Give the gift of clean water:

I am not affiliated with any of these sites in any way; they are just trusted organizations working hard to bring the people of under developed countries a clean course of water.
More info on waterborne diseases
Cholera is an acute disease of the small intestine that is characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle cramps; which can lead to severe dehydration, depletion of electrolytes, acidosis, shock, and death. Some cases of cholera lead to rapid death. Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholera and is transmitted through food and water contaminated with feces. (Cholera, 2010).
Typhoid Fever is an acute, life-threatening disease caused by Salmonella typhi that is transmitted by food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person. Once the bacteria are consumed they will travel to the intestines where they will perforate the intestinal wall and contaminate the blood stream (a condition known as septicemia) which allows it to travel to other parts of the body. Signs and symptoms of Typhoid Fever include rapid onset of high fever, severe headaches, nausea, weakness and fatigue, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, rash, and sometimes a hoarse cough. (Typhoid Fever, 2010).
E. coli is a disease caused by the organism Escherichia coli that is obtained by consuming contaminated food or swimming/bathing in contaminated water. It is characterized by severe bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. E. coli may lead to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, a life-threatening form of kidney failure. (E. coli, 2009).
Botulism is a food and waterborne disease caused by a toxin that is produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Botulism can also occur in infants who consume the spores of the botulinum bacteria. Botulism, in all forms, is very dangerous. It is estimated that 1 gram of this toxin could kill about 1 million people. Symptoms include double and/or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness. If left untreated, this disease may progress into paralysis. This paralysis can occur in the muscles used to breathe causing respiratory failure and death. (MedicineNet Inc., 2010).
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that is contracted by consuming food or water that is contaminated with the feces of an infected person. The virus is simply called the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). Symptoms of Hepatitis A include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and pain, loss of appetite, low grade fever, dark urine, muscle pain, itching and jaundice. Not everyone who contracts this infection will develop symptoms. Symptoms usually last less than 2 months but may last as long as 6 months. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2009). References

Cholera. (2010). Retrieved Nov. 20, 2010, from WrongDiagnosis.com: http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/c/cholera/intro.htm
E. coli. (2009, July 28). Retrieved Nov. 20, 2010, from MayoClinic.com: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/e-coli/DS01007
Hart, A. (2010). Clean Water – Do You Care Enough? Retrieved Nov. 19, 2010, from HealthyDrinkingWaterBlog.com: http://www.healthydrinkingwaterblog.com/importance-of-clean-drinking-water/clean-water-do-you-care-enough-21/
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2009, Sept. 5). Hepatitis A. Retrieved Nov. 22, 2010, from MayoClinic.com: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hepatitis-a/DS00397/METHOD=print
MedicineNet Inc. (2010). Botulism. Retrieved Nov. 21, 2010, from eMedicineNet.com: http://www.medicinenet.com/botulism/article.htm
Snape, D. (2005, Feb. 1). The Importance of Clean Water. Retrieved Nov. 19, 2010, from ezinearticles.com: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Snape
Typhoid Fever. (2010, April 9). Retrieved Nov. 20, 2010, from MayoClinic.com: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/typhoid-fever/DS00538





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