CONTENTS
Mission Statement: Our mission is to strengthen and unify the young environmental community in the Bay Area by sharing interests, information, and calls to action. We seek to inspire participation in projects and events between groups, strengthen journalistic skills, and foster career exploration.
August 2003
Issue 7
"God has cared for these trees, saved them
from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods.
But he cannot save them from fools."
John Muir
submitted by Chris Kim
Question of the Month
Answers to the August Question of the Month –"
How do environmental issues impact your home life the most?"
Natalie Nava, Monte Vista High School, Danville:
"Many people do not realize the full impact of their actions on
the environment. The most significant action I take on a daily basis is
recycling and encouraging others to do the same."
Jeff Martin, Acalanes:
"Oftentimes, environmental occurences affect my family's day
to day life substantially. Depending on our level of awareness, we try
to change our activities and product use to alleviate global and local
problems."
Vrinda Manglik, Acalanes:
"Seeing environmental injustice on a wide-scale makes me inclined
to start from the bottom- builiding roots. I think it's important to make
sure my friends and family are aware of issues pertaining to the environment.
We recycle and compost."
Zachary Goldstein, Campolindo:
"I do not really notice any environmental impact on my home life
except for recycling. I try to help by working in my school earth club."
Megan Fluke, Washington:
"Recycling and conservation is a big part of my household."
Question of the Month for September - Let's hear
your answers !
If you could make the year 2004 honor whichever element
(earth, air, water, fire) you choose, which would it be and why?
submitted by Yvea Eaton, Lick Wilmerding High School, San Francisco
Send your answers by August 25th to TheGreen@earthteam.net
If you have ideas for questions send them too.
Nature Poem
by
Susan Loshin, Drake High School, San Anselmo
|
Nature
Essence of beauty Spirit power The wind, Water, Trees. The cure of truth Vitality of life Songs of the living Representation of solid Compassionate silence, Underlying aggravation A place of immense disruptions A moment of life A compilation of existence And a quest of truth. With the very beauty The vibrant spirit Strong winds Rushing water And stemming trees ........ Nature. |
Photo by: Jeff Martin - Acalanes High School
Photo by: Kim Hung - Irvington High School The electric purple is actually the color of an
artichoke flower viewed from above. Yes. The same kind of artichoke
that you can eat. The green petals actually protect the soft yummy
center of the flower, the heart. At this stage, however, the
flower is inedible. All the commercially grown artichokes are
found in California. Interestingly enough, it is called the "Artichoke
Center of the World." The artichokes were third largest cash
crop by 1929. You can learn more at:
|
Photo by: Jeff Martin - Acalanes High School
Photo by: Kim Hung - Irvington High School
"In the Shadow of Man" by Jane Goodall
By
Vrinda Manglik, Acalanes High School, Lafayette
In The Shadow of Man, by Jane Goodall, is a fascinating book of discovery.
As a young woman, Jane Goodall went to Africa to study the natural behavior
of chimpanzees. She worked at the Gambe Reserve in Tanzania, and spent
over 30 years with the chimpanzees. Many who thought that this type of
research could not be done jeered her. However, she fought for her place,
and was able to achieve respect and do her research.
This book is a detailed account of observations of the behavior of chimpanzees
and other animals that chimps interact with. Many behaviors which chimps
display greatly parallel human behaviors. Chimps are highly intelligent,
and interact with each other through all sorts of physical expressions.
These physical expressions include facial expressions, noises including
barks and screams, and general body language. They show emotions as complex
and varied as fear, intimacy, and jealousy. The social interactions of
chimpanzees include family life, group grooming, traveling in troops,
playing, and gaining trust. These beings are fascinating, and Jane Goodall
presents their behavior in an extremely enticing manner.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing of Jane Goodall’s expedition is
the level of trust that she achieved with the animals. The chimpanzees
trusted her, allowed her to pet them, allowed her to follow them, and
received many bananas from her! These are animals that naturally fear
humans, and have lived in the jungles their entire lives.
This book is a journey, and will be greatly enjoyed by the nature or science-lover.
It includes 80 photographs taken by her then-husband, Hugo van Lawick.
Jane Goodall has received numerous conservation awards, and has founded
the Gambe Stream Research Center and the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife
Research, Education and Conservation. Jane Goodall’s passion and
respect for life and beauty make this book very exciting and enjoyable
to read.
Energy
by
Lucy Wu, Oakland High School
You’ve all heard news reports on how we only have 50 years of oil
left. They are NOT true. This is a scheme by the oil companies for you
to
pay more than you have to for your oil. Our natural sources of energy
are going to last for a while.
Below are some numbers on how much resources we have left:
Oil 50-151 years
Gas 200-500 years
Coal 200-2000 years
There is no pressing concern on running out of natural energy. However,
there is a pressing issue of global warming. Statistics show that if we
don't replace all our CO2 emitting energy sources with carbon-free energy
sources, we will be in serious trouble. By then, all the ice caps will
have melted and with that comes flooding and global temperature
Poetry: "Winters Discord"
by
Rebeccca Smith, California High School, San Ramon
Primal instincts of a hunter,
Enclosed in a lean frame,
Struggled valiantly for a voice.
After entreating the moon's guidance,
He loped past the timberline,
A mosaic of somber hues.
Gradually slowing his easy gait,
Ecstasy alighting his rugged features,
Yowls of delight broke loose.
Sighting the sought-after prey,
Suppressed vivacity reviving tensed muscles,
The wolf crouched to strike.
Leaping forward with exuberant triumph,
He suddenly collapsed in mid-stride,
His crimson blood contrasting with the deepening snow.
Join Us
"The Green" is 100% student written and edited. We're looking for anything about the environment - what your class or club is doing, opinion pieces, facts, actions and more. The students who commit to monthly or every other month articles receive a small monetary compensation. To find out more, contact TheGreen@earthteam.net
Letters to the Editor
Please send your responses to anything in the Green or anything environmental. We'll print it in the next issue. Also, send us your answers to the Question of the Month by the 25th of the month. It would be great to hear from you. Contact TheGreen@earthteam.net