Urban Dog Parks and Sustainability

Having dog parks in the community can help create social interaction within the community by giving people a place to come together. While those in the community allow their dogs to run free in a fenced in area, they can interact with one another. Some benefits are that dog parks promote responsible pet ownership and the enforcement of dog-control laws, give dogs a place to exercise safely, and provide seniors and disabled owners with an accessible place to exercise their companions.

Some dog parks are promoting sustainability by utilizing different innovations. For example, a dog park in Cambridge, Massachusetts is using dog poop to help power the street lights in the park. The project, started by Matthew Mozzatta, uses the poop to produce methane, which is then burned to light the park at night. Below is a picture of what is called the "Park Spark". (Park Spark)

Other dog parks, like one in Miltpas, California, have used more traditional sustainable methods when constructing their park. It includes solar panels that generate 40% of the park's electricity. The center also provides on-site bioswales to clean rainwater runoff before water enters the sewage system. In addition, artificial turf and native plants were used to lower the need for irrigation. (Miltpas Dog Park)

Community Gardens

Community gardens can have many positive impacts on the individuals within the community, as well as the environment. Working together to grow nutritious food, beautiful flowers, and create a space of serenity for the neighborhood gives people in a community a reason to come together for a united purpose. Not only does it promote this social interaction, it also helps the environment by preserving green space in a potentially crowded area. Community gardens also provide an opportunity for recreation, exercise, and education. People will be able to learn how to become more sustainable and provide for themselves. In turn, they will be able to rely on themselves and each other, strengthening the bond in the community.

To get more involved, find out where community gardens are located in your area. In our local area, there are a few around town. Beall's Hill community garden and Pleasant Hill community garden are both located near Mercer's campus. Below is a video of those who started the Pleasant Hill community garden in Macon.

Global Climate Change: The Medieval Warm Period and Little Ice Age

The Medieval Global Temperature Optimum, sometimes referred to as the Medieval Warm Period, took place between 950 AD and 1250 AD. During this time, an unusual climate lasted in the North Atlantic region that may have been related to other climate events during the time. While the period saw unusually warm temperatures in some regions, globally the climate was cooler. Evidence suggests that even in the Northern Hemisphere where the climate was most visible, temperatures are now beyond those experienced during medieval times. The known causes of this time period were higher than average solar radiation and less volcanic activity. Evidence also suggests that changes in ocean circulation patterns played a role in bringing warmer seawater into the North Atlantic. After the Medieval Warm Period, the Little Ice Age was a period of cooling that occurred between 1300 AD and 1870 AD. This period is linked directly to advances in technology harnessing more natural power and fossil-fueled power near the end of the period. It also created specialized areas of agricultural regions, and aided in the expansion of maritime Europe. Due to technological advances and agricultural revolutions brought on by this climate change, populations flourished. This is evidenced by the art and architecture from the time period, expressing ice-skaters and enjoyable winters, indicating people were more able to withstand these climate shifts. 

Air Pollution in London

Air pollution, the presence or introduction into the air of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects, has a moderate effect on the city of London, England. According to the Real Time Air Quality Index, London generally emits air ratings of “good” or “moderate”. A good rating indicates that air quality is considered satisfactory and that the pollution poses little health risks. A moderate rating indicates that air quality is acceptable, but that some pollutants can cause a moderate health risk for a small amount of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Most pollution in London is caused by road transport and domestic and commercial heating systems. The two pollutants of most concern are microscopic airborne particles, known as PM10, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) - a toxic gas. There is also evidence that much of the pollution in the southern UK comes from winds bringing up pollution from the continent of Europe. In order to reduce the amount of air pollution, the city has put in new regulations. To reduce emissions from transport, the city is cleaning the bus fleet, capping the age of their taxi’s, setting new and tighter standards for the London Low Emission Zone, encouraging electric and low emission vehicles, and investing in cycling. In general, the city is also improving energy efficiency in homes and embedding air quality within the planning system. 

To view the real time updates from the Air Quality Index, visit the London site here

Titanium

Titanium, Ti, is a transition metal with a silver color and atomic number of 22. It was discovered in Cornwall, Great Britain, by William Gregor in 1791. The metal has low density, but high strength and is highly resistant to corrosion in sea water and chlorine. It is also paramagnetic and has low electrical and thermal conductivity. It is widely distributed in the Earth’s crust and is found in most living things such as rocks, water, and soil. The most common compound is titanium dioxide, which is used in the manufacturing of white pigments. Other notable compounds include titanium tetrachloride, which is a component of smoke screens and catalysts, and titanium trichloride, which is used as a catalyst in the production of polypropylene. It can also be alloyed with iron, aluminum, vanadium, and molybdenum, and various other elements to produce strong, lightweight alloys for jet engines, missiles, spacecraft, military, medical prostheses, orthopedic implants, dental instruments, sporting goods, jewelry, and many other products. Since it is non-toxic even in large doses, titanium can be used without too much threat. However, as a powder or in the form of metal shavings, it can be a significant fire hazard and when heated, an explosion hazard. 

Below is a map of titanium production worldwide

Human Progression

The above timeline gives an overview of the interaction between elemental discovery and human invention, war, and culture. From the timeline/graph, we are able to study how some discoveries go hand-in-hand with human invention. It is also possible to study how humanity progressed as more and more significant discoveries were made. Overall, the timeline links together significant events and creates a better understanding of how humanity has progressed. 

Appalachian Trail Preservation

Appalachian Trail: Springer Mt, GA to Mt Katahdin, ME

Each year, over 4,000 people are drawn to the beauty and prestige of hiking the Appalachian Trail. It is a grueling, daunting task that only about 400 complete per year. 

Check out this video for an overview of the scenery in a thru hike

Unfortunately, the experience on the trail is being threatened by civilization. Hikers expect extraordinary views and clean water to pay off their hard work. While there are these opportunities, they are few. The growing population around the trail is causing pollution in the water, making it unsafe for hikers. In some places, hikers are walking straight through pollution plants, and in other cases walking miles off the trail to find fresh water, miles they can’t afford to lose. With over 2,000 miles to cover between Georgia and Maine in just six months, time is a necessity. If populations continue to rise around these areas, the beauty of the trail could be lost. People do not climb mountains to see buildings, but to see spectacular views of nature. If steps are not taken to help preserve this historic trail, it could one day be gone, and the accomplishment of many thru hikers will be diminished. For more information on the trail and how you can help preserve it follow this link.

Currently, my uncle has been hiking the trail and keeping a detailed blog of his adventures. He has about 400 miles left to cover in the next few weeks. To get an in depth perspective on the trail, visit his blog here: http://lighterknot.wordpress.com/