Themed Group Presentations

Introduction

During my SPC1017 course with professor S. Sinkoff we were all assigned a group themed project. The overall message labeled as the world topics we must address. We were presented with various topics but climate change was the eye-catcher for group one.  Therefore, the following post will be an opinionated piece with the overall discussion. Covering each of the three groups and their topics impacts on the overall success of United States of America. 

GROUP 1 Climate Change

Climate Change brings forth huge importance to the stability of not only our country but the world. My group and I experienced the backbone of team work. As we live in a virtual setting communication can be difficult. My group members created a WhatsApp group chat where we communicated everyday about our document and PowerPoint. As the time progressed, we had weekly Wednesday meetings too furthered discuss. Unfortunately, I was seeing no one took charge to put in the work so I became group leader… Let’s just say I told Letty Class Leader, I love kids yes but we are college students and there must be a change. It is difficult for me to be confrontational but we did it together and the group responded with unconditional support. It wasn’t that they were slacking it was that I was high demanding. So, we can up with a solution a middle ground and completed a 55 slide PowerPoint... ENJOY

The Greenhouse Effect 

The Greenhouse gases is the way in which heat is trapped close to Earth's surface by “greenhouse gases.” These heat-trapping gases can be thought of as a blanket wrapped around Earth, keeping the planet toastier than it would be without them. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides, and water vapor. (Water vapor, which responds physically or chemically to changes in temperature, is called a "feedback.") Scientists have determined that carbon dioxide's warming effect helps stabilize Earth's atmosphere. Remove carbon dioxide, and the terrestrial greenhouse effect would collapse. Without carbon dioxide, Earth's surface would be some 33°C (59°F) cooler.

Awareness

Just like a glass greenhouse, Earth's greenhouse is also full of plants! Plants can help to balance the greenhouse effect on Earth. All plants — from giant trees to tiny phytoplankton in the ocean — take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. The ocean also absorbs a lot of excess carbon dioxide in the air. Unfortunately, the increased carbon dioxide in the ocean changes the water, making it more acidic. This is called ocean acidification. More acidic water can be harmful to many ocean creatures, such as certain shellfish and coral. Warming oceans — from too many greenhouse gases in the atmosphere — can also be harmful to these organisms. Warmer waters are a main cause of coral bleaching. Seal level rising creates economic drivers are weather dependent and salt water intrusion. Which can lead to not only the sea animals but those in our ecosystems that benefit from these waters. Florida Panthers is the most extinct animal in the world. There are only 120-130 left in the wild. One of the first species to be added to the U.S endangered species list in 1973. Hopefully we were able to motivate water/energy saving behaviors. Overall fostering a long-term environmental stewardship through money saving action. 

Recycling Importance 

REFUSE it’s important to know how to say no to everything that’s not essential or that’s of no use in daily life. For example, refuse company pens at conferences or brochures and product samples in stores. Then, you have to REDUCE everything you consume in general and adopt minimalist tendencies to reduce daily waste production. For example, getting rid of unused items around the house and simplifying life by only buying the essentials are good ways to reduce. Once you’ve reduced what you own, then you have to reuse as much as possible, meaning buy second-hand or repurpose your things. If you can’t reuse something, you have to recycle it. Ideally, recyclable materials must be reduced to a minimum. You should still learn to recognize packaging that is recyclable. Finally, the last concept consists of composting all organic waste instead of throwing it in the garbage. This way, waste returns to the earth and doesn’t make an environmental footprint. Useful Tips:  Use a fan when you can instead of AC, keep AC at 78 degrees, use power strips for electronics (turn off power strip with all connected electronics when you go to bed at night), check and replace filters often, use LED light bulbs (create less heat, don’t use as much energy, last longer), moderate your water heater, low flow faucets to save H20 and energy, 5-minute shower timer (reducing shower time will help conserve energy/play a song to use as a timer). 

A side note I wanted to mention would be the great advancements Miami Dade college Hialeah campus is making. Y.E.S Environmental club members worked closely with director Sam Van Leer, from Urban Paradise Guild and trusty aid, Cleo. Rehoming soon to be extinct Miami Dade County Pines. Removing the lifeless roots from its enclosed nursing pot. Cleanse pines with a soap infused water (Terminating "Electric Ants"). Re-plant using stabilizing concrete soil. Specifically, the UPG Nursery, Agriculture, Pine land or Mountain Bike Trail Habitat inside Amelia is real work. We got grubby and made a difference in our impact through the efforts of team work, we were able to successfully load 50 plants. 

Group 2 Infrastructure

Infrastructure is our roads, our bridges, our airports and our dams. It is the network we see by our house including ports, electric transmission lines, and commuter rails. But to think the most important the group said would be our water pipe lines and what you don’t see that all help to produce a good quality of life. The part of our daily live: food water energy food and shelter. These systems are relied on heavily that people take them for granted. Group two research the importance of our economy needing reliable infrastructure to connect supply chains. In order to efficiently move goods and services across borders. A large cost is being imposed with our current outdated infrastructure. Research according to engineers and economists show an estimate of 2.6 trillion dollars to fix. 

Not to mention a good point that was brought, the threat to human safety of catastrophic failures such as bridge collapses or dam breaches and inadequately maintained roads. Our nations infrastructure has been earning a D grade range since its inception of the report card in 1998. Yet with population doubling there may be an end to the lifespan built in 1960. Transportation will require the largest chunk of funding needs. Along with the countries rail systems transporting energy will not be up for long. In our current government, Joe bidden proposes Build Back better. With a two trillion accelerated investment setting us on an irreversible course to meet ambitious climate progress. The high science demand puts millions to working pay. Group two brought up that this issue cannot be solved overnight but especially with the lack of investment being brought. Retrofitting buildings, weatherizing homes, and building affordable housing. Generating clean, American-made electricity. Positioning the American auto industry to exceed in the twenty first century. Overall, the cultural difference and lifestyles create shifts in the infrastructure world. 

Group 3 Gender Inequality 

From my personal understanding, there are two distinctive determinants that people seem to misuse, Sex (biological traits) and Gender (physical traits). A combined example would be a Male (sex) individual who identifies as female (gender). America welcomes freedom of expression. Unfortunately, typical culture shows ignorance when defining “acceptable” male and female role that may not fit correctly. Gender on one hand does become tricky to understand as it stems from learned roles and communication patterns that deem fit for dominant American society. Now an interesting take readers group three had fit the stigma into females; revealing mind blowing algorithm marginalizing women rights. Learned roles are learned through beliefs and shape gender norms in society. Limiting the ability to not only earning money but realizing their potential. Having a solid foundation to the strong conqueror women are makes it the more powerful for impact of change to happen, now. Research shows that women are two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with depression. 

Society’s socialization process contributes to the behavioral symptoms known as classical depression. Meaning there is a difference between women and mental disorders. From a social point of view violence, poverty and social races are contributors. Discriminatory gender stereotypes continue to reduce women to equally contribute household earnings through workforce participation. From a governmental point of view when Barack Obama was president, he targeted gender equality growing 7.91 percent between 2009 and 2016. Until however trump administration cut of all the federal aid. Leading to a percentage drop in 2018. I will say all the information the group has provided been incredibly helpful particularly how can we stop gender inequality grabbed my intense attentions. As of right now in the government freedom of expression in the gender you are is occurring and effecting elementary students. The Florida legislature is passing a bill to restrict LGBTQ expression. As it is not a proactive bill, schools don’t regulate lessons about sexual regulations. Rather letting self-discovery take its course. We must avoid separation between male and female students rather a co-ed environment. Not allowing male students interrupts the thoughts and voice of a female student while she speaking. Another suggestion, would be promoting all gender working together and avoiding stereotypes. Lastly, we must have literature inclusive to females and their powerful force of nature to this world. 

Remember improve your planet by One plant at a time 💚 One infrastructure at a time 👷 and One women at a time 💪 - Brenda R.