Fall 2017

Environmental Science 1: Physical Processes

Course Description
The Human Environment: Physical Processes (3) UC:CSU
Prerequisite: None
Lecture, 3 hours
An Introductory course which deals with the relationships between humans and the planet, and how we deal with such factors as pollution, consumption of natural resources, population, energy, and land use.

Fall 2017 SYLLABUS

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Textbook:

Assignment Guidelines (for all assignments):
Assignments do not require a cover sheet (unless otherwise specified), however you are required to include your name, course name, section number, and date of submission on ALL assignments (see sample below).  If you are unclear about this, please ask me!  ALL assignments must be typed, unless otherwise noted.  Extra Credit submissions?  Require documentation (photo, citations, ticket stubs, or equivalent).

sample assignment format for all classes updated.pdf
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Course Materials (by chapter, in the same order as the schedule on the syllabus):

Chs 13 &14 (atmosphere & climate, respectively)

1. How does our relationship to the Sun produce this thing we call weather?
      Earth-Sun Animation (online):


http://esminfo.prenhall.com/science/geoanimations/animations/01_EarthSun_E2.html






image source: http://scijinks.jpl.nasa.gov/solstice/

image source: http://physics.weber.edu/schroeder/ua/SunAndSeasons.html

2. To help you review chapter 13, print these materials - worksheet & blank global circulation model --------->
& bring 'em to class:

*CH 13 Study Guide*

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What are electromagnetic radiation & the e-m spectrum? 

http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/know_l1/emspectrum.html

image source: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/natureofgeoinfo/c8_p4.html

image source:  http://www.extension.org/pages/13116/electromagnetic-spectrum#.VCCe3xZTaf4

3. Ch 13 "HOMEWORK" (exam prep, not assignment):

A. In order to prepare for Lecture #1, complete the following: Define atmosphere, name its 4 temperature layers, review the earth-sun animation link (above), define weather vs. climate (see Mark Twain's quote), define inversion, print worksheet, blank global circulation model (watch Joseph Kittinger's "space jump" video, below).

B. For Lecture #2: List natural sources of air pollutants, list EPA's 6 criteria pollutants, define industrial and photochemical smogs, familiarize yourself with CFCs, ozone depletion, Montreal Protocol, acidic deposition, & indoor pollution (if you are unclear about any of these processes, take advantage of the links I have provided below!). 

Watch the atmosphere in action:

Most of us won't go to "space", but we can learn from the experiences of Joseph Kittinger & Felix Baumgartner:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/earth/atmosphere_and_climate/atmosphere#p00hbcry

Image source: http://www.ebaumsworld.com/pictures/view/82852835/

This week's in-class ASSIGNMENT:
Are you curious about air pollution?

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Air Quality Sites:

http://www.epa.gov/air/data/index.html; http://www.epa.gov/air/where.html; http://airnow.gov/

The (positive) Influence of Air Quality Regulations:

Pennsylvania, before and after!   http://www.takepart.com/photos/amazing-photos-show-1940s-pittsburgh-blanketed-air-pollution/the-collection?cmpid=tpenviro-eml-2013-11-30-restaurant&cmpid=organic-share-email (a before picture below, on the left). 

And, in China (below, right)... regulations aren't there yet!
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/01/chinas-toxic-sky/100449/

Image source: http://www.takepart.com/photos/amazing-photos-show-1940s-pittsburgh-blanketed-air-pollution/the-collection?cmpid=tpenviro-eml-2013-11-30-restaurant&cmpid=organic-share-email

image source: http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/23/chinese-unease-growing-at-flipside-of-progress/

More dramatic imagery: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=84271

Video above? A camera that can allow you to evaluate air quality before you go outside! http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/02/27/camera-shows-you-just-how-polluted-your-air

Indoor Air Quality - Auto Interiors:

http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/cars/

4. Ch 14 HOMEWORK(s) (exam prep):

A. Lecture #1: Watch Naomi Oreskes and Rob Dunbar videos (links are below). Diagram and explain the Greeenhouse Effect.

B. Lecture #2: List the following: (1) GHGs (include sources, relative effectiveness), (2) natural influences on climate & aerosols, (3) proxy indicators; familiarize yourself with IPCC & Kyoto Protocol & answer the question "what two US activities produce the largest portions of US carbon dioxide emissions?".

C. Lecture #3: Why is the volume of our oceans increasing (why are sea levels rising)?  In other words, how is global warming playing a role?

D. Use the study guide to test yourself on the key topics:

*CH 14 Study Guide*-->

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John Tyndall & Ratio Spectrophotometry http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Tyndall/

Established link:
CO2
  & warming (John Tyndall & Svante Arrhenius)

Nobel prize in chemistry; http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Arrhenius/arrhenius.php

Carbon Dioxide:
Supreme Court Decision:

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/06pdf/05-1120.pdf
(apparently this link is no longer active, to find out the latest on the decision go to the main page and search for "carbon dioxide")

Will EPA limit GHG emissions?
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/24/science/earth/24epa.html?ref=earth
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/31/science/earth/31epa.html?_r=1&ref=science


CO2 Monitoring, Hawaii (Charles Keeling/The Keeling Curve):
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/22/science/earth/22carbon.html?ref=earth
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/12/22/science/earth/20101222-carbon/index.html




Ozone Depletion & Climate Change sites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUfVMogIdr8&p=E04EA9C8EC15841D&playnext=1&index=23 (ozone)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1wrEvc2URE&feature=related (CFCs)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiJJgC7B_KY&feature=related (James Hansen on David Letterman)

UN Panel: Ozone Layer on the Road to Recovery Sep 17, 2014
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=84382

image source: http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/mlo/programs/coop/scripps/co2/co2.html

image source: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=84382

Rob Dunbar explains the implications of increased carbon emissions for our oceans:
http://www.ted.com/talks/rob_dunbar.html 

How to "read" the ocean sediment cores:
http://d32ogoqmya1dw8.cloudfront.net/files/eslabs/climatedetectives/tour_joides_resolution.mp4

How to "read" ice cores:
http://serc.carleton.edu/eslabs/cryosphere/4b.html

Oxygen isotope ratios?
http://oyc.yale.edu/geology-and-geophysics/gg-140/lecture-26

So, what are the potential implications of increased ocean acidification? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GEv8TB01Z8&feature=plcp&context=C310ee98UDOEgsToPDskJS6WdO00Iseb_goyGUvUqv
http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/OA/(ocean acidification)
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/10/01/science/20071002_ARCTIC_GRAPHIC.html (ice retreat)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX3y6BQd4LI
Science historian Naomi Oreskes talks about obfuscation of scientific consensus around climate: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX3y6BQd4LI
 (shorter interview w/ Naomi Oreskes)

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/205879-1 ("Doubt is their Product", David Michaels)

http://www.skepticalscience.com/argument.php ("getting skeptical about global warming skepticism").

How cool is this?!: http://www.ted.com/talks/rachel_sussman_the_world_s_oldest_living_things.html

What climate change means to low-lying island nations:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/worlds-first-climate-change-refugees-were-just-granted-residency-new-zealand-180952279/

El Niño / Climate Theme Page:

http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tao/elnino/nino-home.html

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/

Fish love that upwelling! http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/upwelling.html A great satellite image can be viewed here: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=87575&src=eoa-iotd

"Radiative forcing" by clouds: (from Carnegie Mellon University; direct link - -https://science360.gov/obj/video/9ac57bb8-5796-4054-a017-a1891a93fc07/understanding-climate-change-through-clouds

More about clouds:
(from the AAAS sciencemag.org)
Link: https://youtu.be/EuWt1-j4GoI

 Science Magazine article:
"The Carbon Accountant"
​(Aug 2016) 
http://science.sciencemag.org/content/353/6302/858.full


On their site, you can download a PowerPoint of the article... how cool is that?!

Public Policy Institute of CA re: Climate
http://www.ppic.org/main/publication.asp?i=897

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Watch the video in this article -
Washington Post, "The Rate of Sea Level Rise is Far Worse than Previously Thought
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/01/15/the-rate-of-sea-level-rise-is-far-worse-than-previously-thought-study-says/)

Losing Arctic Ice while Gaining Antarctic Ice?  How can that be?   See the video below (from the Yale Climate Forum):

Milankovitch Cycles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lbJrvtxWNE

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/ice-age-cycles/

Visualizations of climate change:

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/earthmatters/2016/09/12/heres-how-the-warmest-august-in-136-years-looks-in-chart-form/?src=eoa-blogs

Climate Ed: http://gettingthepicture.info/

http://earththeoperatorsmanual.com/feature-video/earth-the-operators-manual

Excellent transition between
   Climate & Energy!! ->

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What insights does Jon Stewart offer re: ocean ice melting and politics? (Daily Show with Jon Stewart, "Burn Noticed")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPgZfhnCAdI

Chs 15 & 16 (energy chapters)

ASSIGNMENT:
Be sure to type your responses and provide citations where necessary. Don't like Excel?  Copy & paste the questions into Word and type your responses there.

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Review Questions for Ch 15: If you have been studying effectively, you should be able to answer the questions in the following document (posted as both Word & .pdf files). We'll review your responses before the exam.

*Ch 15 Study Guide*

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 How are fossil fuels formed? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8VqWKZIPrM

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http://www.carbonscience.net/

image source:  http://www.brecorder.com/markets/energy/europe/171588-oil-above-$108-on-libyan-supply-worries-ukraine.html

http://scitizen.com/future-energies/fossil-fuels-vs-the-public-interest_a-14-3585.html


US Department of Energy: http://www.energy.gov
US Energy Information Administration: http://www.eia.gov/

Natural Gas:
http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1052462 (hydraulic fracturing, Australia)
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/13/national/main6862186.shtml (CBS News, "Fracking", USA)

http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/class2/hydraulicfracturing/index.cfm (EPA re: "Fracking")
http://www.desmogblog.com/about (check out their "fracking" report)
http://fracfocus.org/ (chemical disclosure registry)

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/10/101022-breaking-fuel-from-the-rock/ ("Fracking graphic)

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What is fracking? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSWmXpEkEPg (Dr. Anthony Ingraffea)


Who is Anthony Ingraffea? http://www.cee.cornell.edu/people/profile.cfm?netid=ari1
(Films: Gasland, Gasland II, Splitestate)


http://oilandenergyinvestor.com/2014/08/risky-business-methane-rich-fire-ice/#deeplink (linked to Deepwater Horizon spill 8/27/14)

Aliso Canyon anyone?

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Methane hydrates:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2013/03/pictures/130328-methane-hydrates-for-energy/ (with additional links),

http://www.usgs.gov/video/wr/menlopark/labs/gashydrate.html

Coal:
Centralia, Pennsylvania's ongoing coal fire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkHfnp2czZQ
December 2008 Sludge Spill, Tennessee:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGmVCABMRRQ ;  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZhT4jx2XZ8

"Bog People" (anaerobic environments) http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/09/bog-bodies/bog-bodies-text

Chilean miners: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-08-26/chile-taps-nasa-for-unheard-of-trapped-miner-rescue.html

The story of AshCrete: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/books/chap1/ecopioneers.htm
Coal ash rules inadequate: http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/category/coal-ash/

Relevant NGOs: Earthjustice and Appalachian Mountain Advocates
(Films: Kilowatt Ours, Coal Country)

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Oil:
What does Matthew Simmons say about "Peak Oil"? http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-429585738009344102
How does M. King Hubbert explain "Peak Oil"? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrW9Lm08UQQ
Nigerian Oil: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/02/nigerian-oil/oneill-text
(Film: Oil on Ice)

Tar Sands/Oil Shale:
Canada's Tar Sands: http://fora.tv/2011/08/30/Canadas_Oil_Sands

"HOME": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU

​Canadian Tar Sands: http://www.ted.com/talks/garth_lenz_images_of_beauty_and_devastation.html

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NUCLEAR
A great website that explains nuclear, in English! 
​​http://www.explainthatstuff.com/how-nuclear-power-plants-work.html

How does a nuclear power plant work?

Okay, we've figured how to get energy from an atom, but the energy we've got isn't that helpful: it's just a huge amount of heat! How do we turn that into something much more useful, namely electricity? A nuclear power plant works pretty much like a conventional power plant, but it produces heat energy from atoms rather than by burning coal, oil, gas, or another fuel. The heat it produces is used to boil water to make steam, which drives one or more giant steam turbines connected to generators—and those produce the electricity we're after. Here's how:

1. First, uranium fuel is loaded up into the reactor—a giant concrete dome that's reinforced in case it explodes. In the heart of the reactor (the core), atoms split apart and release heat energy, producing neutrons and splitting other atoms in a carefully controlled nuclear reaction.
2. Control rods made of materials such as cadmium and boron can be raised or lowered into the reactor to soak up neutrons and slow down or speed up the chain reaction.
3. Water is pumped through the reactor to collect the heat energy that the chain reaction produces. It constantly flows around a closed loop linking the reactor with a heat exchanger.
4. Inside the heat exchanger, the water from the reactor gives up its energy to cooler water flowing in another closed loop, turning it into steam. Using two unconnected loops of water and the heat exchanger helps to keep water contaminated with radioactivity safely contained in one place and well away from most of the equipment in the plant.
5. The steam from the heat exchanger is piped to a turbine. As the steam blows past the turbine's vanes, they spin around at high speed.
6. The spinning turbine is connected to an electricity generator and makes that spin too.
7. The generator produces electricity that flows out to the power grid—and to our homes, shops, offices, and factories.

Nuclear:
TED.com Nuclear Power Debate-http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/debate_does_the_world_need_nuclear_energy.html
Steward Brand-
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/stewart_brand_proclaims_4_environmental_heresies.html

Where is waste stored? http://205.254.135.24/kids/resources/teachers/pdfs/WIPPSecondary.pdf

video re: the future of nuclear in the US- http://www.linktv.org/video/6787/jim-riccio-on-the-future-of-the-us-nuclear-industry (LinkTV is an excellent site for videos re: environmental issues in general)

US Energy Information Administration (re: nuclear): http://www.eia.gov/nuclear/
 

Conservation:

Energy Star: http://www.energystar.gov/
Energy Efficiency: http://energy.gov/science-innovation/energy-efficiency
CAFE Standards: http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/solutions/cleaner_cars_pickups_and_suvs/fuel-economy-basics.html

image source: http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/utility-executives-like-nuclear-power-climate-science-not-so-much/

http://lcgenergy.com/gallery/energy-conservation-sign-s-1241


Chapter 16 (alternative, renewable energy sources)

Ch 16 Assignment: Alternative Energy
In-class group presentations** in which your group will:
1. explain the alternative energy type you represent (how does it work?),                  2. the advantages & disadvantages it offers,                                                            
3. anything noteworthy (not every bit of information!) about the amount of                           energy/electricity derived from that source in the US or worldwide, and finally,     4. inform your classmates about its prospects for the future.    
**Please note: not all of these points can be covered for each of the alternative energies discussed in the chapter, so please use your better judgement and consult with me if you need clarification.    

TOPICS will be assigned from the following list: 1. bio-mass, -power, -fuels; 2. hydropower; 3. solar;
4. wind; 5. geothermal; 6. ocean tides, waves & currents; 7. hydrogen & algae; & 8. energy conservation* & renewables, in general.    

You may make limited use of online videos/animations, to augment not substitute for some portion of your presentation!!!

Suggested Resources (aside from the text):

National RENEWABLE ENERGY Laboratory: http://www.nrel.gov/
US Department of Energy: http://www.energy.gov
US Energy Information Administration: http://www.eia.gov/

Past students' presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCCsOMnea2U

PROVIDED BY ONE OF YOUR CLASSMATES (re: sludge spill):

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/videos/planet-100-toxic-sludge-floods-hungary.html

Review Questions Chs 16 & 6 (human population), plus "Conservation":

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http://pixgood.com/human-population-clipart.html

Ch 6: (Human Population)

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Good population stats:

http://www.prb.org/Publications/Datasheets/2010/2010wpds.aspx;
http://www.census.gov/; https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

National Geographic resources: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/video/player#/?titleID=7-billion-animation&catID=1 ; http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/01/seven-billion/kunzig-text

NPR video re: Population: http://www.npr.org/2011/10/31/141816460/visualizing-how-a-population-grows-to-7-billion

http://www.newsweek.com/2014/12/26/fixing-crowded-earth-293024.html According to the authors, one of the problems is "overpopulation"


Population Pyramids!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwfH1gYkXTw&utm_content=buffer2c5d8&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

http://www.ppic.org/main/publication.asp?i=900

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Chs 11 & 17 Assignment: (mining & waste)

Using an Excel© Spreadsheet (no experience with Excel©? Give it a try!)
As with all assignments, indicate name, course, section number, date & title.
Part I:
1. Inventory ALL ELECTRONICS in your home.
2. Indicate the amount you use each item (once-a-day? every waking moment? not once in last 9 months?)

Part II:
1. Conduct research to identify how to dispose of, recycle or donate (or other?) one of those items in an environmentally responsible manner (aside from giving it to a friend or family member!).
2. Provide me with a type-written explanation as to that process.
3. Include reference information (Examples: Did you speak to someone on the phone? If so, who? Did you access the information online? If so, at what website address?)
You might find this site of use: http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/ecycling/
Basel Action Network: http://www.ban.org/

Ch 11: (mining)

Gold Mining: http://www.eoearth.org/article/Gold_mining_and_sustainability:_A_critical_reflection
Global demand for metals: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/01/environment-ethics-mining

Rare earth elements: (those elements that are essential for our electronics, & ultimately become a part of our e-waste, Ch 17)

From "60 Minutes":
1. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rare-earth-elements-not-so-rare-after-all/
and this one:
2. http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/modern-lifes-devices-under-chinas-grip/

http://video.pbs.org/video/2209511572/ (a longer documentary for the more ambitious)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiQoMDZGCs4

Ch 17: (waste management)

"the really big energy savings might come from holding on to our computers and smartphones just a little -- or a lot -- longer": http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/10/26/pm-the-power-to-run-the-internet/

how to properly dispose of waste - http://www.ehow.com/dispose-of-waste/

"Trashed" (film shown in class) - where does YOUR garbage go?  Due one week from date assigned.
MIT's "Trash Track" website - http://senseable.mit.edu/trashtrack/

E-Waste videos - http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/06/60minutes/main4579229.shtml

("Electronic Wasteland", "E-Stewards", "Ship Breakers")

Closed-loop manufacturing:
1. (Okabashi Recyclable Shoes): http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HzsxOV_1f0g
2. Ray Anderson (Interface) : http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/ray_anderson_on_the_business_logic_of_sustainability.html

a. Other books by Paul Hawkens:
http://www.paulhawken.com/paulhawken_frameset.html

3. Cradle-to-Cradle Design:
http://www.ted.com/talks/william_mcdonough_on_cradle_to_cradle_design.html

Hazardous Waste Collection Events:
http://www.lacity.org/san/solid_resources/special/hhw/collection_schedule.htm

CA information page:
http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/

What to do with hazardous and electronic waste & recycling (LA County & LA City):
http://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/hhw/; http://lacitysan.org/services/index.htm

Professional organizations:
http://www.environmentalistseveryday.org/

San Francisco, Model City:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/26/us/26bcintel.html?ref=earth

​Ch 7: AGRICULTURE

http://prn.fm/the-failure-of-modern-industrial-agriculture/

http://p2flow.com/applications.html

http://www.worldwatch.org/rising-number-farm-animals-poses-environmental-and-public-health-risks-0

Entire publication dedicated to INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE

NY Times Magazine Magazine devoted to INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE - not to be missed!!!
http://nyti.ms/2dFBByL 

Recently in the NY Times: www.nytimes.com/2016/10/30/business/gmo-promise-falls-short.html

Alternatives to industrial model, etc

The Future of Food: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/cary_fowler_one_seed_at_a_time_protecting_the_future_of_food.html


"Food Rules": http://fora.tv/2010/01/23/Michael_Pollan_on_Food_Rules_An_Eaters_Manual#Michael_Pollan_Dont_Eat_What_You_See_on_TV


Science Magazine Podcast (skip to minute 13:00) http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/science-podcast-8-april-2011/id120329020?i=92859151


Resistance to Monsanto's Round-up: http://www.grist.org/industrial-agriculture/2011-09-09-superweeds-go-mainstream


Food & Ag (Union of Concerned Scientists): http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/


Roger Doiron: My subversive (garden) plot (http://kitchengardeners.org/): http://www.ted.com/talks/roger_doiron_my_subversive_garden_plot.html


Mark Bittman on what's wrong with what we eat: http://www.ted.com/talks/mark_bittman_on_what_s_wrong_with_what_we_eat.html


Michael Pollan gives a plant's-eye view (corn!): http://www.ted.com/talks/michael_pollan_gives_a_plant_s_eye_view.html








​LA County Gardening Tips (and so much more!): http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/Common_Ground_Garden_Program/Garden_Tips_for_Los_Angeles_County/

https://masters.agron.iastate.edu/Content/Students/sample/classes/Sample/lesson09/detail/strip.html

http://compostcoalition.com/

http://open.oregonstate.edu/courses/permaculture/

http://celosangeles.ucanr.edu/UC_Master_Gardener_Program/

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms: http://www.wwoof.net/

What is organic? http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=organic-agriculture.html

​Find local farmers markets, CSAs & Farms: http://www.localharvest.org/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/16/largest-crop-each-state_n_6488930.html

Lots o' EXTRA CREDIT ideas for Ch 7 - books, documentaries, talks...

http://www.environment.ucla.edu/events/237 (a UCLA Institute of Environment & Sustainability podcast of a talk about organic)

http://www.filmsforaction.org/walloffilms/ ("Dirt! The Movie", "Future of Food", "King Corn", "Food, Inc", "Harvest of Fear", "The Dust Bowl", "Vanishing of the Bees", "The Plow that Broke the Plains" (1936) - these films may be available on the wall of films site or via Amazon, Netflix, etc.)  I can't speak to the following cuz I haven't yet seen 'em, but you can tell me if they are worthwhile -
“Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret”, "Fresh", "Food Fight", "Forks Over Knives" (a decent list? http://www.sustainableworks.org/resources/docs)

Books?  Just about anything by Michael Pollan (example - "The Omnivore's Dilemma").  Not books re nutrition, but books about food production.  "Dirt! The Book" 

Articles?  National Geographic's series from 2014 - http://food.nationalgeographic.com/

Crawford Family Forum events (past, present or future?) - http://www.scpr.org/events/forum/archive

REVIEW Chs 7, 11 & 17:

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Ch 10: (environmental health & toxicology)

http://atrazinelovers.com/ (read re: Tyrone Hayes, PhD)

Ted Talk w/ Dr. Hays: http://www.ted.com/talks/tyrone_hayes_penelope_jagessar_chaffer_the_toxic_baby.html

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ (safe cosmetic database)

http://environment.about.com/od/pollution/a/toxic_cars.htm (air quality inside cars)
http://www.healthystuff.org/ (broader content)
http://www.ewg.org/ (environmental working group)

http://architecture.about.com/cs/buildyourhouse/a/sickhouse.htm (indoor air quality)
http://air-purifier-reviewsite.com/blog/15-house-plants-you-can-use-as-air-purifiers/ (house plants as air purifiers)

http://plasticpollutioncoalition.org/2010/12/tedxgreatpacificgarbagepatch-arlene-blum/ (flame retardants)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6V22gwqxeY&feature=youtu.be (UCLA Institute of Environment & Sustainability talk re Green Chemistry)
http://plasticpollutioncoalition.org/2010/12/tedxgreatpacificgarbagepatch-ken-cook/ (more from President of EWG)

http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/ (Theo Colborn's "Our Stolen Future)

http://www.ewg.org/sites/humantoxome/ (Human Toxome Project)

http://www.drgreene.com/ (pediatrician's website)
http://www.ecomom.com/ (safe products for babies)

Risk Assessment
from the following site:
​www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2015/07/24/why-do-regulators-conclude-glyphosate-safe-while-iarc-almost-alone-claims-it-could-cause-cancer/

Air Quality inside of our cars (particulate pollution)
http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/02/24/your-car-slowly-killing-you-with-pollution

EXTRA CREDIT
for Ch 10:
"Forgotten Genius"
(the story of Percy Julian)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/forgotten-genius.html

Ch 12: WATER

http://www.watereducation.org/

From whence does our water come?

     Water Education Foundation http://www.watereducation.org/where-does-my-water-come

       Bay-Delta: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/bay_delta/

Special Edition National Geographic re: Water: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/04/table-of-contents


Salton Sea Web Resource: http://www.fws.gov/saltonsea/

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/us/-salton-sea-migrating-birds-preserving-a-mistake-made-by-our-meddling-with-nature-.html?hp&action=click&pg&module=photo-spot-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=1

DROUGHT
view image comparisons (NASA satellite data): http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=84032&eocn=image&eoci=related_image

&

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=82910

Public Policy Institute re: Water in CA:

http://www.ppic.org/main/publication.asp?i=902

60 Minutes Videos re: Delta Smelt and Groundwater use for Ag in CA

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/depleting-the-water/

Not new: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-california-is-running-dry/ (2009)

Will El Nino save us? http://www.cbsnews.com/news/depleting-the-water/

One of several articles on this subject...
http://www.latimes.com/science/la-me-megadrought-20141006-story.html#page=1








The latest on groundwater in the U.S. from the USGS (accessed 2/18/15) :

http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/pubs/prin_aq/

Sustainable g.w. mgmt. act:

http://www.acwa.com/content/groundwater/groundwater-sustainability

Flyover of CA reservoirs (July, 2015): http://www.citylab.com/weather/2015/07/an-eye-opening-flight-over-californias-depleted-reservoirs/400010/ or  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJhRNWvEIis

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Desal

Desal in CA: http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_25859513/nations-largest-ocean-desalination-plant-goes-up-near ; http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/desalination-boom-california-drought-reverse-osmosis

Desal w/ video: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-ocean-desalination-plant-drinking-water-in-san-diego/

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OCEANS

Update on/from Charles Clover re: End of the Line
http://fish2fork.com/en_GB/news/news/what-happened-next-charles-clover-ten-years-after-the-end-of-the-line

Where/what to eat in the U.S.
http://fish2fork.com/en_US  

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https://www.seafoodwatch.org/

https://www.msc.org/

Plastic in our oceans

"Our Synthetic Sea" (online):
http://www.algalita.org/movs/pelagic_plastic_mov.html

The Majestic Plastic Bag - A Mockumentary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLgh9h2ePYw

Or, the "Plastic Paradise" documentary -
http://plasticparadisemovie.com/

http://www.healthebay.org/

Look to Heal the Bay for Beach Cleanups & ways to get involved.

One inspiring story (from UCSB)
Direct link - https://science360.gov/obj/video/71a94c8d-c4d7-434c-9b61-146b41553c8a/plastic-pollution-oceans-future

Another inspiring story (from theoceancleanup.com)
For additional info, look for Boyan Slat's TedTalk 

Link: https://youtu.be/6IjaZ2g-21E

http://toolkit.climate.gov/topics/water-resources/water-resources-dashboard

Ready for Chs 10 & 12? Test your knowledge:

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Ch 1:







Ecosystem Services:

Image Credit: https://data.globalchange.gov/report/nca3/chapter/coastal-zone/figure/coastal-ecosystem-services

Tragedy of the commons, in action - http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/baltimore-insider-blog/bal-umd-tragedy-of-the-commons-tweet-goes-viral-20150709-htmlstory.html


Ecological Footprint Assignment* (to be printed on ONE page!)
1. Take the quiz on this website (www.myfootprint.org);
2. Print up your score (in numbers of planets and acres of land);
3. Indicate and print FIVE (5) ways that you can reduce your footprint (be thoughtful & realistic... we're not looking for a revolution here!  For example, don't list that you are going to buy a Prius, start walking to & from work, 20 miles each way!)
4. Provide and print a critique of the quiz (in about one paragraph, explain why the quiz is effective & what it is lacking. In other words, do you think your score accurately reflects the way you live your life?)
* textbook pages 6 & 19
Not clear as to how to proceed? See template below.**

Scientific Method (GROUP) Assignment (more to come!)
This assignment is an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you understand the scientific method by applying the scientific method. 
Design a study/experiment to answer a question that you pose.  You will be sharing your results with your classmates.  You may use pdf, poster, video, handouts...
Keep in mind, I am familiar with Google myself... do not get an example online (I've seen 'em all).  Design your own!  Live dangerously, and conduct this assignment without the Internet as a crutch.  Use your imagination - Ask a question(s) about the world around you (based on observations you've made), and design an experiment or study to answer that question. 
Ask me to okay your idea before moving ahead with it.
1. Observe world around you.
2. Come up with a question(s) about the world around you.
3. Propose an explanation for why the world around you is the way it is.
4. Design an experiment to determine if your explanation for why the world is the way it is is valid.
5. Conduct your experiment.
6. Type-up your work, including your results.
7. Share them with your instructor and your classmates (you may use pdf, video, poster, handouts... anything else in mind? ask me).
8. Have fun with it.  The presentations will be scored by your classmates, those with the highest numbers of votes, will earn extra credit.

Helpful link for Scientific Method -

      You might find this helpful: http://www.ncsu.edu/labwrite/

** Eco Footprint Template. Print screen ("PrtScn") to capture graph of acres.

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Ch 3:

Los Laureles, Tijuana River Watershed: http://www.ucsd.tv/loslaureles/

Elizabeth Kolbert talking about the 6th Mass Extinction, at Oregon State and on "The Daily Show" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avoq05Z1K6w and http://www.cc.com/video-clips/zj9x9i/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-elizabeth-kolbert)

Ch 5:

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Link between climate change & fire frequency, disturbed soils & invasive species:

Threat Index for today in your area: http://sawti.fs.fed.us/#

FINAL EXAM REVIEW:
Please note: the chapter order is a little different in the 4th edition of our text, but the concepts remain the same (in other words, this study guide still works!).

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--------------------------------Miscellaneous------------------------------

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Not sure where to put this, but this is brand new!

What's LA doin' to be "green":
http://www.greenbiz.com/article/las-new-plan-go-smog-and-sprawl-sustainability-leader?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRohuqXKZKXonjHpfsX56u4rWqa1lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4HRcdgI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFSLHEMa5qw7gMXRQ%3D

http://www.environmentla.org/

In Honor of Earth Day: http://video.pbs.org/video/1463378089/

What's the latest environmental news? http://www.emagazine.com/

2010 in Review (per NY Times Environment Blog):
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/31/2010-an-untameable-spill-an-unpassable-bill/?ref=science

Free online videos (haven't reviewed them yet, but you might want to check 'em out):
http://education-portal.com/academy/course/environment-and-humanity.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=1598930&hq_l=16&hq_v=ba657feb8c

Something we all could stand to improve: our ability to critically analyze information sources (e.g. internet resources): http://guides.library.cornell.edu/criticallyanalyzing

Interested in a career in science?

http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/tools_tips/outreach/career_basics_2009

Not all scientists are grey-haired, white males! 
http://bcove.me/o356bnq4  
http://bcove.me/3j9sh7tn

Want to know what you can do for the environment?  See these links (provided by myself and your classmates):

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/50/energy-vampires-fact-versus-fiction.html

Use www.blackle.com as your Google search engine - the black page reduces energy use!

"all you have to do is answer questions and for every right answer they will donate 20 grains of rice":
http://www.freerice.com/
or:
http://www.wfp.org/english/