Eye Opener: Online Learning Activities

TACKLING TRANSPORTATION: SARAH
For this activity, we were asked to choose 3 places that we go on a regular basis in Duluth and map out the  route using the Internet.

For the first location, I chose work which is at Essentia Health. When I plugged this in, it gave me commute of 13 minutes if I walk to the bus stop  that is down the hill. This seems like it pretty reasonable. When I reversed the addresses as if I was coming back from work, however, I would have to wait 45 minutes for the bus until about 11:11pm and then ride the bus for about 20 minutes to get home and then still have to walk back up the hill which would probably take a good 10 minutes. So although it is convenient for me to ride the bus to work, it isn't convenient (or generally safe in that area) to ride the bus home at night.

The next location I chose was school. The fastest route for this was to get on the bus at the bus stop down the hill once again and ride the bus for approximately 20 minutes. I would have to leave about an hour before class to arrive to the school on time, however, but that wouldn't be that horrible. When I reversed the route again it posed a slight problem. It would about 23 minutes to get back to the bus stop and then I'd have to walk back up the hill to my house which would add another 10 minutes. If I didn't have to work after school, this would probably be ok, but I almost always have to work after class or intern before class so I would need to be somewhere right before or after and the bus would take too long.

For my final location, I chose to map out my internship that I go to on Thursday since that is the only place I have to be that day. My internship is at St. Luke's Cancer Center. The fastest route was to walk to the bus stop again and get on the bus around 7:13am and arrive at 7:35am.  This would be ok even though I'd have to get up an hour earlier to arrive on time. After my internship to come home, I would have to again get on the bus with the fastest route being 25 minutes. This would also be ok since I wouldn't have anywhere to be afterwards.

The only realistic route for me would be the one I could incorporate on Thursdays. I may actually give this a try since even one day can make a difference. Otherwise, I thought this was a really good activity. I always knew that taking the bus or walking would be pretty inconvenient due to my schedule but it was good to see that I was right and not just assuming so. It was kind of fun.

THE EFFECTS OF SMOKING: KRISTY
For this activity, we were expected to review a couple of websites and then use them to help complete a survey about smoking.

I looked up the information on the fact sheets about smoking and then took the survey. It was nice to have a little exam to go along with the fact sheets so I really had to look for the answers and read through all of the information. It was really interesting to see the information that is specific to Minnesota and to read that all of the advocacy for the change seems to be working.

CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING: ALYSSA
Our task for this activity was to review 3 recalled items and also list 3 ways to prevent lead poisoning in the home. We also were expected to reflect on what we learned after completing the previous activities and watching a video.

The 3 Recalled Items:

1. Boys and Girls Belts from Target: Recalled 6/17/2010; Available since December 2008
2. Youth Hockey Gear: Recalled 4/1/2010; Available since February 2005 (!)
3. Disney Tinkerbell Jewelry: Recalled 2/2/2010; Available since November 2008

3 Ways to Prevent Lead Poisoning in the Home:

1. Clean up paint chips immediately.
2. Wash hands often--especially before eating and sleeping.
3. Clean or remove shoes before entering the home.

Reflection:
This was a very nice concise video about the topic...and it was really entertaining. I was really surprised by how many products are still made with lead these days! I couldn't believe it actually since the consequences are so widely known now. It makes me wish there were more strict standards. It seems as if they still get caught in the long run but I think there should be a way to prevent them from being sold in the first place.

WATER VOCABULARY MATCH: CALLIE
After reviewing the information links she provided, we were then directed towards a matching/pairing game to complete.

After completing the game, I feel like I learned a lot about water infrastructure vocabulary. I never realized how many different terms and systems there are. There seems to be a lot that goes into water treatment. I agree that it is definitely important to keep the systems updated so that we continue to have safe water.

BREATH-FREEVILLE MYSTERY: SONNY
Sonny made up a neat game like Clue to review some of the typical toxins that pollute our air. We need to "interview" one suspect and then report. I was assigned Red Haze Harry...otherwise known as Nitrogen oxide

1. Name of Suspect: Red Haze Harry/Nitrogen Oxide
2. Cause of Pollutant: Most emissions are from the burning of goal, oil, and gas from factories and vehicles
3. Crime: Nitrogen oxide can cause respiratory problems.
4. Lock 'em Up: Drive less or carpool and keep vehicles tuned up! Factories should also obey by the standards.
5. Case File: From this activity, I learned about all of the different pollutants in the air. I never realized there were so many!  It really makes me wonder what I am breathing in and what those pollutants will cause in the long run.

Other source used: Tennessee Valley Authority

UNDERSTANDING EMISSIONS: ADAM
For this activity, we were expected to review the fact sheets, watch a video, and calculator our emissions then report on our findings.

1. Taking the emissions calculator, I found that I am better than average which was nice to see! I still produce tons though so I could definitely work on somethings. I might try to set up a carpool for traveling to school next semester when I move home. We'll see how that goes.
2. I also learned about the different types of fuels a vehicle can run on. When I buy a car once I get a job, I'd really like to get one that is more environmentally friendly such as a hybrid or a flex fuel vehicle.
3. I couldn't believe that OVER HALF of the toxic pollutants in Minnesota are from motor vehicle emissions! That is horrible! It can even cause a person that is EXERCISING and trying to be healthy have breathing problems.

Eye Opener: Photo Essay

The American Home

I took pictures of my family's home documenting the good, the bad, and the ugly environmental habits that my family has.

My family used to buy a lot of bottled water but now we drink the free filtered water from our fridge.

 Since I'm moving home next month, I'm going to start making my family recycle. We do, however, recycle our cans and have for years!

 Sometimes, I can regretfully say that I forget to dust my room which can be very unhealthy. I have started to do it more often now though since we have this new Norwex mitt that makes dusting really easy and is chemical free.

Instead of using dryer sheets, we use these anti-cling dryer balls that roll around in your clothes. They are environmentally safe and much better for you with no chemicals.

I read in my Read 'n' Seed book that it is unsafe to store your chemicals (not that they should be used at all) under the sink. This is something that I am going to get my family to change once I move back home.

My family also uses a lot of plastic bags. We are really good about reusing them but we still have too many. I plan to get my family some canvas bags for Christmas that they can use instead.

This was a really fun project to do as it really made me think about some of the things I can change in my own home. I assume that most people's houses are much like this and I thought this would be a good way to point out some things that can be changed rather easily. If these changes were made, it could lead to a big impact if everyone were to make them. It could lead to a much healthier planet.

Eye Opener: Junk on the Brain

Part 1:
Antiquing: an item from a previous period of time
Junk: an item that is thought to be trash but may be able to be reused in another form.
Flea Market: a market where various items are sold for a typically low price; usually outdoors.
Thrift Shop: "A shop that sells used articles, especially clothing, as to benefit a charitable organization."
Upcycling: "the use of waste materials to provide useful products. Ideally, it is a reinvestment in the environment and embodiment of the notion that while using resources one is also contributing to them and their value. This is antithesis of the consume and waste concept in society."
Resale Shop: a place that sells things that were previously bought.

Part 2:

1. The terms above in regards to environmental health means the reuse of materials that are already made to prevent the waste of resources in making new materials. This cuts down on costs of all sorts (money, environmental, etc.)
1. Antiques: Antique Centre Duluth--335 Canal Park Dr, Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 726-1994
2. Junk: http://junkcamp.blogspot.com/2009/04/calling-all-junkers.html
3. Flea Market: http://local.minyanville.com/Dumpster_Diving_for_Fun_and_Profit_Duluth_MN-r1199386-Duluth_MN.html
4. Thrift Shop: Savers--1740 Mall Dr, Duluth, MN 55811 (218) 722-1894 http://www.savers.com/
5. Upcycling: http://www.etsy.com/
6. Resale Shop: Pawn America--339 E Central Entrance Duluth, MN (218) 727-2274 http://www.pawnamerica.com/

http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/6955/fan-cy-jewelry-organizer

I thought this was such a cute idea. I love how simple it was and how useful it could be. I've been looking for a jewelry organizer so maybe I'll use this as some sort of idea. I'd make it bigger and put it on my wall, though.

http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/21216/painted-recycled-wine-bottles

I love these cute wine bottles! I think I'm going to start saving mine and paint them to decorate my room or to decorate for different holidays. It is such an easy idea. Maybe they'd even make cute vases. I think I'd probably decorate with jewels or ribbon since I'm not a very good painter, though.

http://feeds.junkmarketstyle.com/item/1061/window-pane-photos

I love how simple this is and how classic it looks. I think black and white photos are so elegant looking and I think the old window pane makes it look really vintage. It's kind of like looking into the window of little moments in that families lives. I'd really like to try this idea someday.

Eye Opener: Environmental Working Group

I went to the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database website and looked up some of the make-up I use on a daily basis. I was surprised to find that most of the make-up I use was rated between 3 and 5 on a scale of 0-10 (10 being the most hazardous). I will break down the two products I searched separately.

1.L'Oreal Bare Natural Gentle Mineral Powder, Nude Beige
This is the foundation that I use everyday. According to the database, it is given a 3/10 on the hazard scale. This was better than I expected since usually having the word "natural" in the name of the product is usually very misleading. There are about 48% other products that are safer than this one. The products used to make this foundation is known to cause developmental/reproductive toxicity and skin irriations. When the ingredients were broke down one by one, most were in the green (low) level with only a couple in the yellow (moderate) zone. Although the former is stated, there is a reported 87% data gap in the studies of the ingredients so it is hard to say whether the former is true. Even though there are still some problems with this foundation, I think I am mostly safe to continue using it compared to using the other products out there. I don't put foundation on daily either; I only usually wear it when my skin isn't very clear.

2. Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen Blackest Black 001
 This is a product I definitely use on a daily basis, sometimes more than once a day. It was rated a 5/10 on the hazard scale with about 70% of other eyeliners being safer which I wasn't too happy to see. Since this is something that is put around my eyes, I'm a little more worried about it as I don't want to be using something that could get into my system easier and potentially make me go blind. The data gap was a little less than the foundatoin at 76% but I still think it is kind of high. The ingredients in the product are known to cause: cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, allergies/immunotoxicity, use restrictions, and many other hazards. When the ingredients were broke down, about half were in the green (low) zone and half were in the yellow (moderate) zone.

Overall, I thought this was really interesting. I like that the website was able to suggest safer products as an alternative. We all hear about the animal testing that is done for make-up but we never really hear about the results. In the future, I will try to find the other products in the stores next time I need to buy more make-up.

Eye Opener: CSPI

For the eye-opener this week, I took the Score Your Diet quiz. Overall, I got an OK score that was just in the "Good" range but in some areas, I could use some improvement. My scores for the categories were the following:

• Health Score:   39
• Environmental Score:   -15
• Animal Welfare Score:   -7
• Grand Total Score:   17

I seemed to have scored the highest in vegetables and fruits. This didn't surprise me that much since I don't eat a lot of meat, fish, or dairy. Although I didn't eat as much as the recommended value, I still got a high score in those categories.

My lowest score food was cheese. This didn't surprise me either since cheese is pretty much it's own food group at my parents out. We actually have a drawer in our fridge with only cheese in it.  However, with a lot of cheese factories in my area (about 4 I believe), a lot of it is produced locally. I also do not eat nearly as much cheese when I am living in Duluth as compared to living with my parents.

The category that I need the most improvement in is environment category. This is likely from my consumption of cheese and beef, which was my second lowest score. Even though most of the beef I consume is from my local area, I realize that it still takes a toll on the environment. Decreasing my intake of both of these would greatly help the environment overall as well as my overall health considering these are both heavily saturated in fat much of the time (though I try to buy low-fat).

I really liked this eye-opener as it made me think about what goes into producing the food. When I think about what I eat, it is usually in terms of fat, calories, and how it affects my body directly. The animal welfare and environmental factors also affect my body in the long run and that is also something I need to remember when choosing what to eat.

Eye Opener: Ecological Footprint

For my eye opener, I chose to take the ecological footprint quiz. I was somewhat surprised by my results. According to the quiz, if everyone in the world lived the way I do, we would need 4.2 earths and its resources to survive. I think this is a lot but thought it was a somewhat fair assessment for the following reasons.

First, I was not brought up on a family that recycles or uses paper bags at the grocery store. That being said, I was never pushed to recycle until I started to attend school at UMD and living in Duluth. Although it wasn't easy for me to do, I slowly have started to recycle more and more but I know that I should make more of an effort. After moving to Rochester for a short time and realizing that it is NOT a landlord's responsibility to provide recycling, it was a real eye opener for me to see how great Duluth is and how much of an effort the city makes to make our world a better place. I also learned this in my community health class but it wasn't until I moved that I truly realized it.

Also, I thought the assessment was fair because when it asked about my meat consumption, I noticed that my family and I do a pretty good job at eating locally and not consuming too much. It is very rare for me to eat meat several times during the week. When it comes to my family, we purchase a cow from a local county fair for it to be butchered and processed. We also have a lot of gardens in the area so we eat a lot of our other food locally as well.

This quiz brought up several aspects of my overall resource consumption that I otherwise wouldn't have thought of. I showed me ways that I can improve and showed me other ways that I am doing my part. I thought it was a great experience.

Welcome to Samantha: Green with Envi

Hi everyone! My name is Samantha and I am currently a senior at the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a major in Health Education (Community). In my limited free time, I enjoy reading, shopping, and enjoying the outdoors.

My blog will be about a variety of topics concerning the environment. I will attempt to provide the latest and greatest ideas and inventions for going green!

There are 6 possible types of posts on my blog. They include:

1. Advocacy Project
2. Eye Openers
3. Reflections
4. Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change
5. Read 'n' Seed
6. Share and Voice

If you notice at the bottom of this post, the categories will be listed as labels. This post is has been labeled with all five kinds of posts. You will also see the number of each kind of post in my Labels Gadget at the top of the page.  All post titles from now on will begin with one of the categories above.

The members of my web group are:
You can subscribe to my blog by clicking the subscribe gadget in the gadget column. You can also follow my blog by clicking "Follow this Blog" in the gadget column. You can see my complete profile and all the blogs I am following by clicking on "See Complete Profile."

Thanks for checking out my blog. I look forward to helping you take small steps that can lead to a big change for a healthy environment!