Linda

**What is Sustainability?**

WEEK 3...

Ocean Acidification:
When we think of clownfish, we most likely think of Nemo. Luckily, in Finding Nemo, he and his dad survived from several dangers. However, there is a new danger approaching and that is acidfication. Due to the carbon dioxide released from burning fossil fuels, the pH has dropped tremendously since the Industrial Revolution. According to studies done in the James Cook University, the lowering pH compromises the fishes' sense of smell and hearing. So, they are less aware of when a predator is approaching. Hopefully, we can reverse this acidification without causing more major harmful effects.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110531201221.htm

But really, it's the rate at which the pH is dropping that is concerning us.



Remember that when carbon dioxide combines with water, which produces carbonic acid, which then dissociates into hydrogen ions and bicarbonate.

This video talks about more of the effects of acidification. For example, acidic water can dissolve seashells. media type="youtube" key="5cqCvcX7buo" height="349" width="560"

**WEEK 2...**

**sOccket: **
As many of you know, there are still many countries that lack sufficient amount of energy. Thus, 4 students from Harvard attempted to solve or at least mitigate this issue and they created a new beneficial invention =D! These students created a soccer ball that generates 3 hours of LED light for every 15 minutes the ball is kicked around. It has been in trial usage in Nigeria, South Africa, Spain, and Haiti and will be mass distributed in the summer of 2011. Initially, however, the first product was not perfect. The 4 students cut open a normal soccer ball and glued a energy harnesser (that harnesses kinetic energy) inside it. In their trial soccket, light was produced inside the ball. This soccket was then improved. The invention truly embodies fun and it will spur on many new ideas as well. Perhaps this concept can also be used with basketball. There is a whole realm of possbilities! media type="youtube" key="u5gqoYkL8To" height="351" width="576"

The SOccket: A Soccer Ball to Replace Kerosene Lamps
The link above mentions how the soccket rids of a environmentally-harmful energy source. As mentioned in the link, breathing fumes from burning kerosene indoors has the same effects as smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. It also emits the same amount of carbon dioxide as 38 million cars.

In this video, Clinton asks one of the students about the project, its costs, and how long it lasts. The video lasts for more for an hour and is very interesting, but the main part on soccket lasts from 20:00 to 30:00. As a summary, the student from Harvard says that they are aiming to create the soccket for less than 10 dollars and that they are on track. Their newest soccket should last for about 3 years, compared to their initial invention, which lasted for about 6 months. media type="youtube" key="GgbfzmEKFl8" height="349" width="560"

WEEK 1.....
This is a short 2-minute explanation of what sustainability is. Overall, there are 3 aspects of it: economic, social, and environmental. Unfortunately, it is hard to maintain especially with our growing population. Remember, the earth's resources are limited and we have to make do with what is available.

media type="youtube" key="B5NiTN0chj0" height="300" width="512" align="left"

The Venus Project: What is the Venus Project? -The Venus Project is Jacque Fresco's proposed model for the future that while improving living standards, also moves toward a sustainable world.

Some scientists believe that we can bypass the issue of sustainability with new technology. Jacque Fresco, who started the Venus Project, believes that crime, unemployment, overpopulation, and the limited availability of goods can all be fixed with new technology. The video mentions that on earth, there IS enough resources and technological knowledge to create a society with an abundance of food, material, etc, so that everything can be available to everyone without financial barriers, thus allowing everyone to have a high standard of living. Jacque Fresco says that the environment will not be harmed by his new utopia because there is a great source of clean, renewable energy from the sun, wind, tidal shifts, waves, and geothermal energy. Do you think that the issue of sustainability can be solved by Fresco's Venus Project? Do you think that his Venus Project will ever become reality? Check out his website at: http://www.thevenusproject.com/

media type="youtube" key="FWylckZ9G64" height="408" width="512" Sustainability Within Businesses: Ray Anderson has been very successful with sustainability in business. Hopefully, other business and industries will become green and successful, like his. "At his carpet company, Ray Anderson has increased sales and doubled profits while turning the traditional "take / make / waste" industrial system on its head. In a gentle, understated way, he shares a powerful vision for sustainable commerce." media type="youtube" key="iP9QF_lBOyA" height="351" width="576"