While milk products may be delicious, reducing the dairy industry’s support is an important step to reduce pollution due to its amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
Introduction
Our job as occupants of this earth is to reduce our footprint as much as we can. This planet is our home and we only have one Earth. It is no surprise that pollution is an issue with irreversible, devasting effects. There are many, many contributions to the pollution and it’s overwhelming to battle each enemy. The emissions of greenhouse gas contribute to pollution. This includes carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. Factories and vehicles produce these gases amongst many other things.
Greenhouse gases are harmful to us and our environment for a number of reasons. They contribute to air pollution and smog so in turn, they can cause respiratory issues. It affects climate change by trapping heat from the sun. This can lead to things such as extreme weather, throwing off the Earth’s natural balance. Therefore it’s vital for us to reduce our production of greenhouse gases. There are many options to do this but I will be focusing on the dairy industry. Taking a small step to switch to almond milk may save the Earth from experience the worst outcome of pollution. If everyone took a small step towards saving the Earth, that is a lot of greenhouse gas humanity would be eliminating.
This article gives a large overview of the dairy industry. Such as how most milk doesn’t come from a farm of grass-fed cows, but rather “massive megadairies housing thousands of cows in miserable conditions”. In these conditions, their manure is stored in huge pits where they could potentially contaminate nearby water.
There are solutions to fix the complex industry from the treatment of the cows and the environmental harm. Production could be at a lower density and away from water and local environments. Growth hormones should be eliminated from the cows’ diet as should the unhealthy production push, both are detrimental to the cows’ health. This gives a view on the efforts that can be taken to fix the dairy industry without destroying it. It offers food for thought on an alternate reality where industry and nature are in harmony.
This article discusses the effect of dairy cows in particular, not necessarily the dairy process. The manure of the cows is one of the largest sources of California’s methane emissions. This introduces the idea that milk production has a lot of layers. The demand for milk equates to the demand for cows. This directly translates to the breeding of cows and in turn, methane production as well.
I love going outdoors, especially during the summer when the weather is beautiful! I think this topic works well because I know a lot of people enjoy getting outside also, but sometimes it’s hard to decide what exactly you want to do once you’re outside. I am writing about this topic to help inform others of ways they can get outdoors if they don’t quite know what they want to do.
#1 – Go on a Hike
Hiking is one of my favorite things to do outdoors. In Missouri, you never know what you’ll come across, and all of the state parks in Missouri are beautiful places to explore! I recommend this because it requires no money, and is an easy way to get exercise.
#2 – Go for a Bike Ride
In Missouri, bike riding is another very popular way to get outside. The MKT trail is personally my favorite to ride on because it is located all over Missouri, so no matter where you are at, you can usually find one of these trails to get on. I go bike riding probably at least 10 times each summer, if not more!
#3 – Go Camping
I’d say some of my absolute favorite memories have been made while camping! If you have a weekend where you don’t know what to do, definitely consider going camping in one of Missouri’s great state parks! With camping, you can go swimming in the lake, fishing, hiking, and lots more! Smores around the fire is the best way to end a long day.
#4 – Visit a Farmer’s Market
I have been raised going to farmers markets during the summer. You can get some of the best natural produce at them, as well as buy from local vendors who put a lot of dedication into what they sell. It’s an easy way to get out, but also a good way to support your local farmers and vendors.
#5 – Take a Float Trip
A very common thing to do during the summer time in the Midwest is to take a float trip. You basically go on either a canoe, kayak, or blow-up tube and float down a river all day. Believe it or not, this is super fun and is the Midwest’s version of “White River Rafting.” From personal experience, make sure to wear lots of sunscreen!
Maryville, Missouri, is a community deeply connected to its roots and to each other. The citizens are familiar with each other in a way few other cities are in the state. Using data from the city of Maryville’s website along with the 2010 census, the goal is to give those considering a move to Maryville some background on the community and the elements that make it special. Based on my time in Maryville, I’ve noticed the level of mutual agreement among natives on things like politics, education, and money.
Money has an impact on many areas of the community. This means it’s important for the community to understand what the financial fitness of the city is and how they can improve the health of their wallets. The college campus accounts for a great deal of the activity in Maryville, adding to the city’s selection of entertainment, news coverage, and jobs. One of the observations I made was the difference in the education level of citizens in comparison to their median income. My opinion is if more citizens took advantage of the convenience of a college in their hometown, their income would increase along with the number of life experiences they’ve had. If they don’t have an education or don’t wish to seek one, there are other tools on this website and in the city that citizens can utilize to secure their financial future.
The job market in Maryville, Missouri, often caters to the large college student population offering part-time retail or service work. There are however other opportunities for long-term careers for workers on a variety of education levels.
News and information for the city come from local television along with two leading newspapers. These publications highlight politics, local events and news, citizen features, economy, and sports.
Another key part of the city such as the housing market and K-12 education for families interested in the area. Maryville R-II school district is a well-established district with childcare options, Pre-Kindergarten classes, and assistance to get graduates into the career field of their choice or college.
Take a virtual tour of downtown Maryville!
Sources: The City of Maryville and CityTownInfo.org
The City of Maryville offers a variety of rewarding careers with great benefit packages to regular full-time employees. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, & life insurance, AFLAC, holiday pay, paid vacation/sick leave, retirement plan, deferred compensation plans, and flexible spending accounts. The employment center also offers events and in-person aid to build resumes and arrange interviews. This resource makes living in a smaller community a perk for additional one-on-one support.
Citizens can access a variety of calendars, businesses, and economic reports for the city. The Chamber of Commerce is located at 408 N Market Street and is open 8:30-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Maryville Chamber of Commerce
Kawasaki Dominates the Job Market in Maryville.
Everyone from college students to the oldest citizens can be a part of the Kawasaki Manufacturing Corporation. Whether you’re seeking a full-time career on the assembly line or a part-time job to pay your way through school, Kawasaki prides itself on having a diverse team with various goals and skills that can be improved upon and unutilized. Kawasaki often works directly with Northwest to prepare students for the professional world. Full-time employees have access to benefits and retirement as well.
From the campus of Northwest Missouri State University, this student-run newspaper reports on elections, local news, campus-life, and sports. The paper has its own opinion section and advertisements as well. This organization offers a wide array of coverage for the community and opportunities for media students. The publication has also won several College Media Association and Associated Collegiate Press Awards.
The Maryville R-2 School Districts website explores what the district offers to K-12 students including curriculum, COVID-19 mitigation measures, and childcare. The last feature costs a flat rate of $75 per child for summertime care before and after summer school. This program is also offered during the school year. Other costs can be found on the site.
Tuition rates at Northwest Missouri State University for Missouri residents is currently $354.16 per credit hour. The acceptance rate is 73% based primarily on GPA and ACT score.
Buying a Home
The median home price in Maryville is currently $144,500. Home appreciation is up 3.5% in the last year. House prices range from less than $100,000 to $325,000. Many citizens attending Northwest Missouri State rent units.
This site takes an in-depth look at the housing market in Maryville, Missouri, while taking into sharing the city’s unemployment rate, climate, and the political patterns of citizens. This site seems extremely helpful and takes into account things many would overlook in a house hunt to a new, smaller community. You can filter searches by price range, location, and size.
The Northwest Missourian detailed a new gated-neighborhood coming to Maryville here.
The Estates of Maryville is a 24-home gated neighborhood planned to be built on the west-side of the city. The neighborhood will feature its own pool, clubhouse, indoor pickle ball court, and fitness center.
Are you planning on going into the woods any time soon? Do you think you are a good camper?
Being a good camper means more than just not littering or to avoid setting wildfires. You are walking straight into the home of many wild creatures. When entering bear country, it is best to be prepared. It is solely a human’s responsibility to be aware and act appropriately when you plan on entering the outdoors where wild animals live. Remember that this is their space and do your best to respect that. Don’t leave things up to chance and be aware of what bad behavior may lead to confrontation and how not to influence bears to get close to hikers and campsites. Being prepared can save lives, so I encourage you to take in some of the information below and use the technology that is available to us to be safe. This website will inform you on how to avoid interaction with bears and what actions to take when encountered by one in order to get away safely and have a positive experience. You do not need to avoid the beautiful outdoors to be safe, just know how to interact with it! Let’s all be good campers and enjoy this earth together.
Bear Safety Tips
To help you guys get the right information I did some digging and visited a couple of sites of organizations that know a thing or two about bear safety. This information can be further explored on the infographic, the videos, or by following their websites.
National Parks wrote an article titled, Stay Safe Around Bears, and covers information concerning any point of a bear encounter. They want to remind you that bear encounters are a unique situation every time, and although basic guidelines can help you lessen the threat there is no guarantee of safety. National Parks provides you with topics covering avoiding encounters, what to do once you’ve been noticed by a bear, bear attacks, and bear pepper spray. They provide you with specific examples of how to behave in different situations. Also going into as much detail to explain differences between black bears and brown bears in the way they attack. Their page provides multiple links to more information and a couple of images to give a visual reference.
Bear Necessities, preventative measures, during an encounter, and in case of a fight. Bear safety tips
Remember your Bear Spray!
How to use bear spray and when to use it, being prepared and staying safe!
U.S. Forest Service wrote an article titled, Be bear aware, that covers information about you and the bears. In their article, they go over information concerning food storage, safety when hiking in bear country, safety while camping in bear country, and going over species of bears in North America. They provide you with specific examples of how to behave in different situations. Their page provides multiple images to give a visual reference.
Identifying a bear
You may think that identifying a black bear or brown bear would be pretty simple, but don’t be fooled by the name. Bears go through many different color phases and it’s best to identify a bear by other characteristics. The main differences between a black bear and a brown bear are between their face and body shape, claw length, and prominence of the ears.
Identifying between a black bear and a brown bear. Notice differences between the hump, face shape, claw length and paws.
Black Bear imagery
Black bear in the fresh spring grass, British Columbia, Canada
Brown Bear imagery
Thank you for viewing this information, I hope it serves some value for your next adventure!
“Humanity should not remain insensitive to the forest fire or wildfire every year. Unless we act, the loss of biodiversity and extinction of herbs, birds and animals and the pains of the trees, birds, animals and the poor is also alarming signal for the extinction of humanity itself.”
When will it end is a question I ask myself in a daily basis. When will the pollution of earth stop? Are things going to get so bad that the earth literally self distracts? There are three levels to this composite image. The first is the smoke cloud at the bottom. This cloud represents the fumes from chimneys of industrial plants, this thick grey smoke is literally poisoning us and depleting the ozone layer. Next the smoke makes it is way into the forest and merges with the trees and plants. When the fumes and vegetation merge the environment for a wildfire is set and all it needs is a spark for everything to light up.
We provided the fumes by smoking and burning trash,
We set the flames by leaving campsites unattended,
Now the flames are at our doorsteps,
and we are surrounded by them every day.
One day we will be engulfed in a furnace and combust to dust.
- Edidiong Idong Bassey
This year has been a whirlwind of emotions, pain and uncertainty, but I am convinced our actions or inactions will lead to the destruction of our planet. There are over 48,858 cases of wildland fires worldwide in places like the Amazon Rain Forest, California, and Mount Kilimanjaro and each case left devastating effects to the ecosystem. I think it is very important to deal with the issues because they have serious health implications. For example, the smoke and smog contain nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and non-methane compounds which are harmful chemicals that cause suffocation, lung disease or death in an extreme case. Also, I am passionate about this because future generations do not need to grow up expecting a wildfire every year. This reduces their quality of life because the air will be unsafe to breath in, students and scientists can’t research on plant or animal species because they are extinct or endangered. Economic wise rebuilding after a wildfire is a very expensive. According to thumbtack.com, the average cost to rebuild a house after a fire can be $3,500 to $5,000 for a small fire and more than $50,000 for larger fires that damage a home’s structure or roof. The average person cannot afford to rebuild their house every other year and it is not feasible. Tourism options become limited and this will affect the economy because the government has to allocate money to rebuild after a forest which will lead to budget cuts. After all is said and done taking care of the environment is beneficial for our survival and livelihood.
Wildland Fires
There are over 200 cases of wildfires around the U.S. as a direct result global warming and air pollution caused by human beings. I think it is apparent that climate change should be taken seriously because thousands of people lose their homes, businesses and memories are burned. In addition, thousands of species are endangered and may go extinct. As Amit Ray said if we ignore global warming and pollution while it’s still manageable humanity is at risk of extinction.
Cases of Wildfires from 1980 to 2019
From the chart above it is obvious that wildland fires have increased over the years. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, this year from January 1 to November 6 here were 48,858 wildfires compared with 45,244 wildfires in the same period in 2019, About 8.6 million acres were burned in the 2020 period, compared with 4.6 million acres in 2019. Wildfires in California have burned a record 4.2 million acres, damaging or destroying 10,500 structures and killing 31 people.
As many as 90 percent of wildland fires in the United States are caused by people, according to the U.S. Department of Interior. Some human-caused fires result from campfires left unattended, the burning of debris, downed power lines, negligently discarded cigarettes and intentional acts of arson. The remaining 10 percent are started by lightning or lava.
The devastating effects of careless actions are depressing. According to Verisk’s 2019 Wildfire Risk Analysis, 4.5 million U.S. homes were identified at high or extreme risk of wildfire, with more than 2 million in California alone. To read the full article click on the button below.
According to scijinks.gov, wildfires are uncontrolled fires that spread quickly and can destroy homes and the environment nearby. They start from a spark caused by burning ember that blows from a campfire, heat from the sun, lightning and not surprisingly human error.
If a spark happens in the presence of oxygen and fuel—such as dry grass, brush or trees—a fire can start. And conditions in the weather and environment can cause the fire to spread quickly. The weather can also make fire worse. For example, drought, winds and extreme heat can make a fire bigger, faster and more dangerous.
To read the full article by Scijinks.com click on the button below.
We are constantly bombarded with information about the major consequences of global warming and pollution which involves talk about doom and destruction of earth, but have no fear there is hope! We can be stop this doom by being responsible for our environment.
In the video above, Xiuhtezcatl is lamenting about the climate and how unfair living in this world is. I agree Generation Z is not enjoying the earth like should. He discusses how advocacy on social media has been effective in raising awareness to climate issues. I think we can all be grateful about the awareness for wildland fires and other environmental problems.
The Fix
Firefighter’s Documentary
The documentary takes you on a journey about the reality of battling a forest fire. Every year firefighters risk their lives battling flames and some are not able to go back home to their families. The message of the video is this war against wildfires is for all of us. The videos challenges people to think of ways they can prevent a wildfires.
According to AccuWeather.com, there are several ways to prevent wildfires.
1. Report unattended fires. If you are ever out and about and notice a fire that is burning out of control or is unattended, immediately call 911 or your local fire department.
2. Extinguish fire pits and campfires when done. Many people wonder how to prevent wildfires, but the easiest way is to be careful when having a campfire or using a fire pit. A fire should never be left unattended for any period. Also, when you are done with the fire, then make sure you completely extinguish it.
3. Do not throw lit cigarettes out of your moving car. Never throw lit cigarettes, smoking materials, or matches out of your car, or on the ground. Make sure any cigarettes are completely extinguished before you throw them in the trash.
To read the full article click on the button below.
This post is intended to educate viewers on the wildfires taking place, primarily in the western region of the United States of America, and the evidence for the most unusual firefighter enlisting in the battle. While loved ones, homes, and dreams are lost, firefighters and others continue to battle the blazes. Experts are working to develop the best management plan for the future, so hopefully the increase in wildfires can be controlled. This is where the unusual firefighters enter the scene – Cattle. Roaming or grazing cattle out in the western region of the United States has always been common. From the old western stories of dangerous cattle drives and range wars in the west to the very strategic grazing methods of the 21st century cattle have remained in the west. While some see the beef industry, or agriculture in general, as evil/inhumane/etc. ranchers and producers are taking the best possible care of their livestock, and doing their best to influence the world around them in a positive manner. Coming from an agriculture background, and having an interest in the beef industry, it is encouraging to see a position in which a demographic that tends to be more against the beef industry than for it is beginning to see the various roles cattle fill. Hopefully all who view this page leave with a little more knowledge than they had before about the impact cattle can have to protect the environment and prevent wildfires.
Lately it seems like wildfires are everywhere. Little do most know, cattle are being used to prevent wildfires.
When thinking about cattle, many people envision rolling hills of luscious green grass that extends for what seems like forever. While this would be nice, it isn’t reality. More often than not cattle are grazing dry or dead grass, especially on the range.
There might be a secret weapon that hasn’t been getting the attention it deserves – cattle.
Katie Camero, The Sacramento Bee
In this article, journalist Katie Camero presents the new evidence from the Univeristy of California Cooperative Extension on the impact of cattle grazing on wildfires. The process isn’t as simple as just letting some cattle loose, but the team concludes non-grazed land could present “hundreds to thousands of additional pounds of fine fuels per acre of land, which could lead to larger and more severe fires.” The article further suggests that cattle are a secret weapon in the battle against wildfires.
The Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission explains how cattle are strategically used to create fire breaks and prevent wildfires across the Idaho range.
Cattle Grazing Benefits
The University of California at Berkley’s School of Natural Resources re-published a study done by faculty and alumni which was originally published on the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources blog. This article states the findings that point to cattle being an “essential tool in reducing wildfires.” They explain the correlation between cattle and the vegetation on the range.
