Cause and Effect

Der Yang
Written Communication
Global Warming

Have you ever thought of the earth slowly dying? Don’t you find it strange that winter this year was brief and not much snow had fallen? When these changes occur, the earth it seems is telling us that something must be wrong. Only one thing comes to mind, when these strange occurrences happen, Global Warming. Just what is Global warming to begin with? Simply put Global Warming is the warming of the earth’s atmosphere, the increase of the earth’s temperature. The causes that can lead to Global Warming can be anywhere from greenhouse gases to pollution of the world. Not only is Global Warming bad for the earth but its also bad for us human and other life that lives on this earth.

Greenhouses gases are gases that trap the heat and light from the sun in the earth’s atmosphere, which then in turn increases the earth’s atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and methane. These gases can be found in nature, landfill waste site, farms, industry, and chemicals. People don’t think that a cow can be one of the problems that lead to global warming but it’s true. Believe it or not when a cow burps, they burp up methane gas that is release into the atmosphere. Not only that their waste also contribute to global warming because their waste holds nitrous oxide, another greenhouse gas.

When we think about it, aren’t we, the human race, a cause for global warming? Think about it. Most greenhouse gases can be found at farms, electronic industry, and many other places. Even though “global warming began in the mid-18th century (Johnson 3),”it was not as apparent then as it is now. Because now or recently the “increase of fossil fuels and greater industrialization has release much larger quantities of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere (Morris 7).” We as human contribute to the increase of global warming by polluting the atmosphere. Cutting down forest, cars/buses/trucks all running on some sort of fossil fuel, houses/school/buildings burn some sort of fossil fuel as well. So just what is fossil fuel? They are natural resources that can be burn to be use as energy or fuel. But fossil fuel is not the only source that causes carbon dioxide. I know that in my culture, not that we do it now, back long ago to clear the land before planting crops farmers chop and burn the land to rid of any unwanted objects. By doing so farmers is release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

As the greenhouse gases rises the earth’s temperature, it cause climate change all around the world. One of the most noticeable places would be Antarctica, with all of those glaciers melting. A giant concern about the glaciers melting is when the glaciers all melt they would cover dry land, sinking it underwater. Are we ready to live underwater? Personally this has me worry because I can’t swim. Not only are humans in danger of losing land around the world, animals are losing their home. Certain animals like the polar bear are found mostly in cold places like Antarctica are slowly losing the ground they walk on underwater. Polar bears are already on the endanger list, can they handle the climate change? It makes me wonder if we will have a future with these magnificent creatures.

The past few years have definitely been rough, with many tsunamis and tornados sweeping across the nation. I can’t help but think that because of the climate change caused by global warming that those incidents were just coincident. I’ve seen many pictures and articles on the different places that once were beautiful but now dried up or totally changed. If the change in climate can do that then it is possible that it can create tsunamis and tornados. That also brings me back to my earlier remarks about climate change causing the seasons to be different. This year it was said that our amount of snow was the lowest seen so far, spring came early (not that I mind), and summer may be hotter than last. But, it worries me about the future of the earth and its living occupants.

What can we do to make the earth just a little better? We can do simple stuff like walking more and burning fewer fuels that upsets the balance. Turning the lights off when not in a room, try to find another alternative for burning coals and oil. Those are just some examples, but by just doing those little things it can make a great difference. I don’t know about you but, I love this earth and want to share more memories with the people I love on it. So I’m going to try to not damage my home, my planet, my friend anymore. It may take time and lots of energy but I’m going to at least try, for a better future.

Earth Day

Recently Earth Day had pass, and it got me thinking what do one do on Earth Day? Well even I don’t know what the answer to that is. But it did get me thinking of what others are doing on Earth Day or going green. It reminded me about how western is going green by not using too much paper and rather going wireless, or me getting my bank statement online now. Now a days you can do most of your important things like pay bills and manage your accounts online now. It’s faster than mailing things, but I don’t know if it’s safer. Because when I do those things online I’m always worry that personal information might get leaked out or my accounts get hacked into. But, I do admit that it is easier to just simply push a button or two and everything is done; and it certainly is more convenient to keep track of.

But, Earth Day and going green are different? I don’t really know. On earth there are plenty of things you can do like: Plant a tree or plants, recycle things around the house, garden, take the bus or carpool, spring cleaning, volunteer to clean your city, and many others. The important thing is to just get up and do something good for mother earth.

According to Leslie Kaufman, journalist for The New York Times, in her article At 40, Earth Day Is Now Big Business; “The original Earth Day events were attended by 20 million Americans — to this day among the largest participation in a political action in the nation’s history.
This year, while the day will be widely marked with events, including a climate rally on the Mall in Washington, the movement does not have the same support it had four decades ago (Kaufman).”

I did admit that when it came to Earth Day I am clueless on what to do but I do now have a better appreciation for what Earth Day stands for. I may not have done anything meaningful this year for Earth Day but I most definitely will do something next year.

Cultural Difference?

Lately my sisters and cousins have been really into dramas, Thai dramas to be exact. Now I am not a drama kind of person, dramas are to time consuming for me. But, I think they mainly watch dramas for the guys in them. They tend to watch more romantic types of dramas, something about them just get to them. I personally don’t see what they see in dramas but oh well.

Another great influence in my younger sisters, cousins, and friend life at the moment are Korean singer sand actors. You have no idea how “gaga” the get over these people, I would go as far as to even call them “fan girl” or “groupie.” But I have notice some interesting facts about Korean fans compare to American fans.

One, Korean fan girls can get pretty scary! I have heard stories of girls getting mad at other people who had said of done something against their favorite band. When I say mad I men they go to the extreme to get an apology out of that said person. They will blow up server with emails or hateful comments, go to the company or work place and demand an apology; they will go on strike if something is not to their liking, and etc. etc. One interesting example is when Apollo Ohno won gold against a Korean speed skater, causing the uproar in Korea saying that the American didn’t win and stuff like that. Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against Korea, interesting enough have an interest in their culture and stuff too. I’m just saying Korean fans are scary!!

Two, Korean fans can get downright frightening sometimes just to show their love for their celebrities. For example, Korean fan girls have been known to send weird (I mean REALLY weird) letters to their celebrities. Not too long ago there was a chain of letters to different celebrities but all written in blood! They even documented themselves doing these things to prove to everyone that it was real. One letter I read about was just too disgusting to tell about! They even have “super fans” in Korea, not sure what they’re call officially but, they do everything possible to meet their celebrities. From, paying someone to follow their celebrities, to stalking, to “accidentally” showing up at the same place at the same time, bringing a marriage license so celebrities signs it by accident (you know when famous people walk by and autographs stuff), and etc, etc.

Now I don’t ever hear of American fans going crazy when one of our celebrities is publicly put down. I have never seen an American fan go to the extreme like write crazy letters in blood to their favorite celebrities, or in any other way. Maybe those things do happen but I have never seen such. I have nothing against Korean fans; I just don’t understand why they go to such extremes. Because at the end of the day, those celebrities as just human too. These are just a few of the things I have notice about how celebrities are treated here and there.

Children

In class we watched a short clip from T.E.D. and I thought that it was really inspirational and thoughtful. I never really thought of education in that way to such an extent. After watching that clip in class it got me thinking, maybe this he was right. If you think about it, when you’re young your parents have expectation and standards for you to fulfill already. I’m pretty sure that you had dreams that you wanted to achieve but were told that you couldn't’t because of something or that it didn't' fit you. Well, then how do those people know if you are capable of dong such things or not? Children should be given the chance to explore the infinite possibilities out there, instead they go to school or even at home and are already given standards that are chosen for them, not expose the brain of the child to more then what is present then the future.

The story of Gillain Lynne was very interesting. Even though I don't really know much about her, I found her story to be very inspirational. I love how the teacher didn't make her go to "special class" or even have a doctor examine her. Instead the teacher said "...she's a dancer, enroll her in dancing school..." and just like that she found her calling. If only now a days that children are given more choice like her, but now a days if a child is found to be having problems in school they are either taken "special classes" or are given medication. Can medication really solve the problems? Why is it that in this present time, people believe that science can solve everything? I don't know what today society is thinking and labeling things but children should be allowed to explore and find their "real" self and enjoy what they do.

Hunger

Whenever I eat if I didn't finish a meal I would feel really bad. I'm one of those people who eats really slow and to top it off, I'm picky too. So whatever I won't eat I either throw it away of give to someone else. But then I always feel bad about it after, because I know that there are A LOT of people around the world who could benefit from all that food I didn't finish, or the food I didn't want to eat. So when I eat I try to finish everything that I take, try being the world. When I couldn't finish a meal I would silently say a prayer of forgiveness to all the people who are suffering from hunger around the world.

There are about 6.7 billion people in the world currently, and out of that there are around 1.02 billion people who suffer from hunger. Out of those number, around 16,000 children will die of hunger every 5 seconds or of hunger related causes today. Hunger can be define in many ways from starvation to famine. No matter how hunger is define, one important fact is that hunger is a BIG deal!!! It can not be easily ignore.

My three wishes are:

1)For people to know more about hunger themselves first; the more educated you are, the more prepare you are.

2)To get help from the outside media and spread the word

3)Take action; help out in the community or support a organization for world hunger. One tiny action can go a long way.

This picture was actually e-mailed to me by a friend a while back, and I thought that it was very fitting for this topic. I found it very hard to look at this picture without feeling very sad, and hurt inside. Brought tears to my eyes when I first say it.

Olympics continue...

If you have been keeping up with the 2010 Winter Olympics lately, we are in the lead for medal counts. It seems that every year we are in competition with Germany in the medal count. The last winter in 2006, we were ranked 2nd with a total of 25 while Germany had 29. But this year we seem to have up our game a little, but who knows how long it will last.

Recently Apollo Ohno has become one of the most decorated athlete in the Olympics. He has won 2 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze, making him to date the most decorated Olympian. How he came to achieve these medals may not be of such high stature, but hey who am I to complain when I don’t even know how to skate properly?

Some of you may have seen the spectacular play by Shaun White, who took gold in the half-pipe. I just can’t understand how this guy can just soar through the sky and land on his two feet. I just don’t know how he does it. I don’t know how to snowboard and probably will not ever learn because I’m too chicken to. But, I can tell you one thing this guy had me holding my breath in amazement. When I saw his performance once, I knew without a doubt that we were going to win. Honest I haven’t seen this guy ever perform before, but I have heard lots of story, and now I know that those stories were pretty much true.

Honestly throughout the Olympics I have seen such amazing sportsmanship and amazing stunts that I could not believe true. The more I watch the more I want to go and watch in person. I have never seen such amazing athletics and I probably won’t see it like this any other time, only at the Olympics.

Weekend

This weekend I spent it watching the 2010 Winter Olympic. February 12, 2010 marks the opening for the 2010 winter Olympics held in Vancouver, Canada. Last time at the 2006 winter Olympic in Turin, Italy; the United States sent about 211 athletes to represent the U.S. Bringing home a total of 25 medals; 9 Gold, 9 silver, and 7 silver. What I like most about watching the Olympics beside the sport is the emotion and passion the athletes put into the sport.

One of my favorite sport to watch and cheer like crazy from my living room is speed skating. To be honest at first I never really did pay much attention to speed skating till I first caught ear of the amazing story of Apollo Ohno. He is one of the most decorated athlete in the Olympic as of now. One story that just made me go "OH MY GOD," was the story in the Salt Lake city where he was crashed into accidentally by another athlete, causing all but one skater left standing, and he got up right after and finished winning the silver medal. Now that is just amazing and unbelievable, if I didn't see it with my own eyes I wouldn't believe it.

Every year when I watch the winter or summer Olympics I am just amazed and awed by the athletes. I never knew just how much time and work that these athletes put into preparing for the Olympics but each time I see them perform I just start cheering like crazy for the U.S. to win. This year I was just as amazed by some athletes and disappointed by some, and some events I didn't even know much about but as I watched I just couldn't help but get caught up in that moment. Every year one sport event that I try to make time for to watch is ice skating, it makes no different which category, I watch them all. Today while watching the pair skating I was so awe by the first couple, a Chinese couple, who thought that they had retire but decided to come back and claim the one thing missing in their career, a gold medal. After watching their short program, I was so mesmerized by the ease and relax way they skated through it. I just hope that the U.S. can pull through after watching such a amazing performance. Then when watching the Nordic Combined-Individual today I was screaming for the U.S. and when we won silver, I was like "WHAT?!? Weren't we just in first?!?" I myself am not a very sporty person but when watching the Olympics, I just can't help myself but get lost in the moment.