Reflection Weeks 13-14 & Overall Course

In these past two weeks I have learned a lot. We started off the 13th week with a field trip to the Goodwill in Duluth. I learned the importance of reusing items. I had not been to a Goodwill in years, so it was a good and eye-opening experience to see all of the merchandise they actually had in their store. I also learned that Goodwill's main purpose is not to make money but to provide a service to the community. This is done through offering jobs to individuals who otherwise may not be able to hold down a job. I thought this is wonderful. I also did not realize how much goes into sorting and cleaning all of the donations that come in. This experience was very eye opening.

This past week we also finished our eco-chic goals. My goal was to take the bus to and from campus 5 times per week. I did not succeed in making my last goal. But when I look back on my final goal I am not surprised that I did not make it. I think it was an unrealistic last goal because of my other commitments. Overall, I thought I did very well in completing my goals the other weeks.

We also completed our junk projects. Above, there is a picture of the 3 decorative pillows I made out of my old marathon T-shirts. I did not even have to sew the pillows. I just cut slits into the T-shirts and tied the edges together. I loved sharing our junk projects in class. Everyone had such wonderful projects and they inspired me to keep on junking.

Finally, we created our own online learning activities and had to complete our other group member's projects. I created an activity that had group members map out alternative forms of transportation routes in the hopes that they will try and incorporate these routes into their daily routines. I really liked doing the online activities. I thought it was cool and unique way to learn about our individual advocacy projects.

OVERALL COURSE REFLECTION:

I learned a lot during this course. It was a very eye-opening experience. I really learned a lot from the documentaries that we watched. The one that shocked me the most was the documentary "Tapped". I could not believe how bad bottled water was for the environment and how manipulative the companies can be. I can say that I have been very careful not to buy any bottles of water and use my reusable water bottle. Another documentary that I really liked was "Unnatural Causes". This documentary takes a look at the differences in health based on social class; I thought this documentary was sad and fascinating.

This class forced us to make changes in our lives. Since setting my SMART goal I have now been regularly taking the bus, whereas before I drove everywhere by myself. This course also forced us to look at the ugly sides of controversial and difficult topics. I appreciated this because it showed us the truth to the topics that we may otherwise may not know. I really enjoyed this course and enjoyed blogging. Since I am a quiet person, I really liked expressing my ideas online, whereas I may be more reluctant to share my ideas in front of a class. This class was a great experience I feel like I am walking away with knowledge that I will effect my lifestyle forever.

Eye-Opener Online Learning Activities

Breath-Freeville Mystery

Background Check Information:
Druscilla de Spilla

1. Benzene
2. Comes from motor vehicles, gasoline and smoke.
3. Causes harmful effects on blood and bone marrow, including leukemia and anemia.
4. The Seattle Times reports, tougher restrictions on car emissions, by creating cleaner running engines, would help reduce benzene in the environment.
5. I learned that Benzene is a very dangerous chemical that comes primarily from driving motor vehicles, something I do almost everyday.
   

Punky Carbon

1. Carbon Monoxide
2. Comes from the partial breakdown of fuel.; such as from motor vehicles, cigarettes, kerosene and wood stoves.
3. Causes carbon monoxide poisoning, which can act like the flu, symptoms include headache and nausea, but prolonged exposure can lead to death.
4. To reduce the amount of carbon monoxide in the environment, the EPA is working on cleaner burning fuels, and new car technologies to make burning fuel safer and cleaner.
5. I learned the largest source of carbon monoxide is car emissions.

Red Hazzy Harry

1. Nitrogen Oxide
2. Largest producers of this chemical is motor vehicles and power plants.
   
3. Causes respiratory problems, smog and acid rain.
4. One way to reduce the amount of Nitrogen Oxide that is released into the atmosphere is to put tougher restrictions on power plants. A federal law that makes it illegal to pollute the atmosphere would help reduce this dangerous chemical.
5. I learned that Nitrogen Oxide can travel a long way (EPA ) so even though you may not live near a power plant, you still may feel the effects.

Petite la Wheeze

1. PM Fine
2. Caused by burning of fuel in power plants, motor vehicles, dust blowing from highways, and other industrialized factories.
3. Causes cancer, respiratory illnesses, and damages the heart.
4. Currently the EPA is trying to pass standards to get tougher restrictions for factories and power plants to reduce emissions.
   
5. I had never even heard of this chemical before so it was very eye opening to learn about the damaging effects of this chemical.

Fossil Phil

1. Carbon Dioxide
2. Caused by burning of fuel in factories, power plants, homes and vehicles.
3. This chemical is contributing to global warming and global climate change.
4. Do It Yourself.com suggests planting trees, do not use appliances such the refrigerator, washing machine and dish washer as much, and insulate your house properly. This will help make your home more energy effecient.
5. I learned that dry ice is carbon monoxide in it's solid form and that fire extinguishers also produce carbon monoxide.

Burnice D' Smog

1. Formaldehyde
   
2. Caused by the chemical breakdown in forest fires, car exhaust and cigarettes. Also found in carpeting and plywood.
3. This chemical causes eye, nose and throat irritation. Has been known to cause headaches, asthma and fatigue. Also been known to cause throat and nose cancer. It also causes smog.
   
4. The Illinois Department of Health suggests to increase indoor air flow by opening windows in your house. Also make sure your home does not have any products such as old insulation or carpeting that may contain the chemical.
   
5. I knew formaldehyde was a dangerous chemical because we always had to be careful and use fans and gloves while dissecting in anatomy class but I did not know it was found in so many other common places such as my house. This is very scary and eye opening!

Occupational Hazard Crossword:
Crossword Puzzle Answers:

1. inhalation
2. decades
   
3. lead
4. wash
5. blood
6. symptoms
7. work

This was a really creative assignment. I was really surprised that lead can stay in your systems for such a long time! I thought the articles that you choose to include in your post were very helpful.

Water Vocabulary Match:

I thought this game was very cool. I learned a lot of different terms and facts about water infrastructure. For example, through the vocabulary game I learned that coagulate can apply to not only to blood but other substances such as water. I really thought the EPA website was really interesting. It went really in depth about the different type of water systems and what can be done to protect them.

Childhood Lead Poisoning

Recalled Items:
9/29/2010 Paw Wall Hooks: Sold for nearly 2 years from 2008-2010
9/21/2010 Love Tester Mood Rings: Sold from September 2005- September 2010
7/26/2010 VIP Lacrosse Gloves: Sold from July 2009-July 2010
3 ways to prevent lead poisoning:

1. Always clean up any paint chips in house and always notify landlord peeling or chipped paint
2. Do not allow children to chew on window sills or any painted surfaces
3. Always wash a small child's hands immediately

I watched the short video and I thought it was quite hilarious. Behind the humor, I thought it had a lot of useful and important information. I really liked how it listed all of the symptoms of lead poisoning and at the end they mentioned how to test for lead. The video was also quick, simple, and straight to the point. It was really cool.

Understanding Emissions

Comment of 2-3 things I learned:

1. I thought the "Walking on the Environment" article was really interesting. I learned that emissions from cars and other forms of transportation are responsible for 28% total greenhouse gas emissions.
2. I really liked the "Walkable Communities" video. I did not know that some communities were specifically designed for the citizens to walk from place to place.
3. I also found it very shocking that sources such as cars and other motor vehicles are responsible for most of the air toxins that cause cancer.

The Effects of Smoking:

Took the survey monkey quiz on the effects of smoking. I tried to go back and copy the questions done but when I tried to take the quiz again it would no longer let me access it.
I thought the websites that were hyper linked in her post were very helpful in completing the assignment. I feel I learned a lot and was really shocked by some of the facts I learned about smoking.

Advocacy Project: Tackling Transportation!

Federal Transit Authority
Tackling Transportation:
The purpose of this activity is to get students to map out alternative routes of transportation they could use in their everyday life.



BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

According to George Mason University, 77% of Americans commute to work by driving alone. When commuters drive alone, car emissions, including carbon dioxide, are released into the atmosphere and thus decreasing the quality of health for individuals and the environment. According to the American Public Transportation Association, a person who takes public transportation saves 126 million pounds of hydrocarbons from being released into the atmosphere. Hydrocarbons have been contributed to causing respiratory illness and smog, therefore by taking public transportation a person is being environmentally friendly. According to Nutra Health Environmental Research Inc. driving a car is the most air polluting action the average person does each day. A lot of this pollution can be avoided if individuals found alternatives ways to get around. Such ways could be walking, biking, or taking mass transit, which include buses and subways.

According to the American Public Transportation Association, public transportation reduces energy consumption and increases air quality. According to APTA, a person who takes the bus everyday to work in place of driving saves 1,888 gallons of gasoline each year. Taking public transportation keeps individual active member of communities and decreases traffic congestion.93% of welfare recipients rely on public transportation to get to work and to other destinations. According to the American Public Transportation Association, 40% of Americans believe traffic congestion is a serious problem. This has a harmful effect on the environment. By using alternative sources of transportation a person can help save money, save time and save the environment by reducing noise and air pollution and reducing car emissions.

The H.R 3271 Green Routes to Work Act is a bill proposed to congress to give tax credits to businesses who supply their employees with transit passes in the hopes to promote their employees to take public transportation instead of driving alone to work. At UMD students can ride the bus for free. Therefore, in order to promote taking an alternative route to school and other destinations we will planning routes to locations you frequently go to. If you already take the bus, see if there is a convenient walking or biking route to your destination.

Activity Instructions:

Answer the following questions:

1. Pick three locations that you go to often. (It can be school, work, home, the mall etc.)
2. How do you typically commute to these locations?
   
3. Access Google Transit
4. Map your transit route by plugging in the addresses of each location and which times you would usually leave to go to these places. Choose if you would like to walk, bus, or bike to these locations. (do not choose driving)
   
5. Report the most convenient route to your 3 locations and the modes of transportation.
6. How does this route differ from your typical commute?
7. Are these commutes a realistic change you could put in your schedule? why or why not?
8. Do you plan to try incorporating this routes into your routine?
   

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 5: My Smart Goal

My goal for this past week was to take the bus to and from the UMD campus 5 times per week
I did not meet my goal this week. I have to say I am not to surprised. I do have busy schedule and that is what did me in. I only took the bus 3 times this past week. I ended up driving because I had other commitments right after class so I did not have the time to take the bus. I had been doing good about not scheduling so tightly so I am kind of disappointed in myself for giving in and taking and driving.

When I did take the bus I felt the same things I have been feeling previously. While I was waiting outside in the cold (and this week seemed really really cold!) I would think of how I could be in my nice warm car. I continued to wake up 10 minutes early so I could easily make the bus and I would not have to rush. It seems over the past few weeks I have gotten into a routine and it really helps me succeed in taking the bus.

I look to continue to strive to take the bus at least 3 times per week to and from campus.
Review of SMART Goal Process:

My SMART goal started off taking the bus 3 times per week and then progressed to taking the bus 5 times per week to and from campus. The amount of times I took the bus gradually increased as I would achieve my goal.

I did not meet my goal the first week because I did not change any of my behaviors. I expected I could just wake up and get on the bus instead of driving. This was not successful. I ended up either rushing and missing the bus or finding out I could not take the bus because I had commitments right after school. Therefore, I started waking up 10 minutes earlier and I started planning other things later in the day so I could have time to take the bus home. This helped my achieving my goals week to week. The weather also helped me be successful. I tend to be afraid of driving in snowy or icy weather. So I had extra incentive on stormy days to take the bus.

I benefited because I am now in a routine that I continue even after the SMART goal project is done. I feel that this is a sustainable action. I also saved a lot of money on gas. I noticed I did not have to fill up my gas tank nearly has often as I did before. It is great!

I learned that taking the bus is not difficult at all. I learned it is also very convenient and it takes about the same amount of time by car and it does by bus. I also learned how to take the bus and how to read a bus schedule. Seems silly but I did not know how to read a bus schedule before. I learned about myself that once I get into a routine it is really easy. The hardest part for me was breaking my old routine, once I got past that it was really easy to change my behavior.

My behavior change benefited the environment because as a result of me taking the bus there was one less car on the road. That is one less car contributing to air and noise pollution. Others benefited from my actions because since I was not driving there was less traffic on the road. If a lot more people took the bus there would be a lot less traffic on the roads.

I do plan on continuing this behavior. I have found it to not be that difficult now that I am in a routine. My recommendation for those seeking a behavior change is to stick with it even if it is difficult at first. The hardest part, in my opinion, is starting the behavior change because it is so different from what you are used to. My advice is to stick with it past that first week. Once you make that initial behavior change, it is all down hill from there!

Blogged for AmyintheRain

Advocacy Project:: Letter and Fact Sheet

Letter to representative:

December 6, 2010

Representative Jim Oberstar
House of Representatives
2365 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515

Vote Yes on H.R 3271 Green Routes to Work Act

The proposed act would give tax credits to businesses that provide employees with transit passes or provide commuter vans for employees in order to promote carpooling. With providing both employees and employers with incentives to take mass transit in order to reduce the amount of motor vehicles on the road. This will reduce the amount of both air and noise pollution. As a current health education student from Duluth, Minnesota, I believe the reduction in pollution is extremely important to the health Americans.

The passage of this bill will provide employees with transit passes who otherwise may not consider public transportation. According to the American Public Transportation Association, 18% of an American's income goes towards transportation; transportation is the second largest expenditure of Americans. People who may not see the benefits of public transportation because it costs money will be enticed by free transportation. There are many benefits for people to use public transportation. Primarily it will improve public health. Taking public transportation makes people more active; commuters may have to walk some distance in order to reach a bus stop of their final destination. Those would otherwise be sedentary most of the day are now having exercise in their daily schedule. Public transportation will also decrease air pollution. According the American Public Transportation Association, public transportation prevents the release of 126 million pounds of hydrocarbons per year. The release of hydrocarbons lead to smog and respiratory illness. Finally, with less drivers on the road, the less danger there is. If someone is unfit to drive, whether is be intoxication or distraction, public transportation provides him with a mode of transportation. According to the American Public Transportation Association, distracted drivers cause 284,000 serious motor vehicle accidents each year. Providing tax credits to companies in order for them to provide their employees with transit passes, would provide employees with a safe ride home. With more citizens receiving free transit passes, there will be less traffic which will lead to less pollution and safer roads.

Opponents of this bill may claim it is a waste of money because even though companies may provide transit passes to employees, many employees will continue to drive their personal motor vehicles. When transit passes are offered for free, more are apt to try it. Once employees realize how convenient mass transit is then they are more likely to continue with habit. Also, taking mass transit saves money. Once, employees realize the economical benefits then they will be more inclines to taking mass transit; especially since they are being provided the pass at no cost. Another argument against this bill would be the negative effect it would have on the already struggling car industry. Contrary to theses beliefs, the car industry will not suffer. People will still need cars to drive to places where transit does not run or drive to places after transportation hours. Also, if citizens are saving money of transportation, they will have more expendable cash, therefore stimulating the economy.

Thank you for your time. We appreciate all you have done during your terms of service. As the head of the U.S Department of Transportation, we hope you realize the positive impact the passage of this bill would have on the health and safety of the U.S citizens. We encourage you to vote yes on H.R 3271 Green Routes to Work Act.

Sarah Zapp


Facts Sheet

The Benefits of Public Transportation

According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), public transportation provides citizens and communities with ample opportunities.

Mass transits benefits the local community and economy

• A $10 million investment in public transportation has shown to increase buisness in local stores by $30 million.
• According to the Transit Coalition Report: "Dollars & Sense: The Economic Case for Public Transportation in America" states that every dollar consumer puts into public transportation provides a $6 return in the local economy.

Public transportation saves employees money.

• It reduces the amount of money spent of transportation and allows this money to spent on other activities such as recreational or school activities.
• The cost of driving, parking and insuring a car can be steep for some families and deprive some families from other opportunities.
• Regular use of public transportation can save the average consumer $800,000 per every $10 million spent per year.

Public transportation improves the health of individuals by keeping them active and engaged within the community.

• Public transportation helps keep senior citizens who want to remain active and apart of the community a mode of transportation.
• 93% of welfare recipients rely on public transportation to get to work and to other destinations.

Public transportation decreases traffic congestion.

• According to the Texas Transportation Association, Americans spent more than 40 hours stuck in traffic.

• According to APTA, 50% of Americans feel traffic congestion is a serious problem.

Public transportation reduces energy consumption and increase air quality.

• According to APTA, a person who takes the bus everyday to work in place of driving saves 1,888 gallons of gasoline each year.
• According to APTA, public transportation reduces fuel consumption by 1.5 million gallons each years.
• According to APTA, buses produce 80% less carbon dioxide emissions than any personal motor vehicle.

Reflection Weeks 9-12

In these past 2 weeks I have made some major changes in my life. In week 9 we started our eco-chic lifestyle and have been working on them ever since. I have learned that if I actually put effort towards my goal, it really wasnt that difficult. The biggest challenge for me would prove to be my own laziness. Once I planned ahead I could over come my laziness.

Also, during these past 2 weeks we have been working on our advocacy project. I choose a topic I felt passionately about. We have learned how to contact our congressman in the hopes to persuade them to vote in an environmentally friendly way. I thought it was really cool h0w we could look any bill that was be proposed to congress. I never new that you could do that! We also learned how to write an issue overview, which I thought is a real helpful tool. It really allows you to break down the bill and better understand the issue.

We also started looking more in depth of where our stuff comes from and we were introduced more to our junking projects. We looked more in depth at consumerism. What really shocked me came from the "Story of Stuff" video. I couldn't believe that 99% of the products we buy will not be used 6 months later. I couldn't believe how wasteful our society is. This really affected me when I went shopping for Christmas presents. I am now really careful to buy only quality products that I know for sure will get a lot of use. I am avoiding buying any "filler" gifts. Basically I am no longer buying things just because they are on sale.

I have learned quite a lot these past two weeks and all of this new knowledge this really changing my lifestyle.

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 4: Weekly Updates

My lifestyle change goal this week was to take the bus to and from the UMD campus 4 times per week.

I once again met my goal! I have ton say I am quite proud of myself. Taking the bus is quite easy and not as inconvenient as I thought it would be. Nothing disastrous has happened yet; I haven't missed my bus or gotten on the wrong bus. All has gone according to plan.

I have continued with my strategies of getting up 10 minutes earlier so I can make my bus on time and I also have been planning ahead so I do not plan anything directly after school. Therefore, I am able to take the bus.

One challenge has been the weather; it is really quite miserable to wait out in the rain. I am always tempted to walk back and get in my nice warm car. One thing I can do to offset this nasty weather is dress properly. I think it maybe time for me to finally break out my winter coat, hats and mittens.

It may sound funny but I am learning how to ride the bus. The first time I rode the bus I didn't know the route at all or even signal how to get off. Luckily the first couple times of taking the bus others had to get off at my stop. I am now becoming more confident when riding the bus. It may sound silly but it is true. One thing I love is how much gas I am actually saving! I haven't had to fill up my gas take in 2 weeks. I can really notice the amount of gas and money that I am saving; it is just fantastic!

My plan for me this week coming week is to take the bus to and from the UMD campus 5 days per week.

This coming week may prove to be a real challenge because I will try not to be tempted to drive to school at all. Hopefully, my schedule isn't to hectic.

Blogged for Amyintherain@blogspot.com