280 word abstract. Title: Population Control

As far back as history will take us, one can see that the world has been inhabited by population clusters. All populations prior to the human race have existed and inhabited the world from 4 billion years ago to some 350,000 years ago at which time the Neanderthals walked the earth. It is important to note that there was always a rise and subsequent downfall of each species, but more importantly that there was a catalyst to their downfalls. For some, the catalyst has yet to be agreed upon within the scientific community and for others, it may have been disease or reorganization of the food chain; the catalysts could have been gentle reminders or immediate cessations. Whatever the catalyst may have been, however, its happening was an indication that their time on the earth was up.
Human existence has been thriving since the Agricultural or Neolithic Revolution; always improving and progressing in every aspect. Now in the year 2010, the human race has progressed so far from its Cro-Magnon brethren. We now have even developed ways to help slow the outlandish growth of our race: contraceptives. Within the past 400 years, history has shown evidence of contraceptive use in the form of condoms (one of the two more common forms). The other form of contraceptive, a contraceptive pill, was introduced within the past century while not being used widespread until 1957 when the FDA approved Enovid 10 mg for menstruation disorders. From then, when the world population was around 2.8 billion, to now, where the world population is around 6.8 billion, it seems that even with the development of modern contraceptive, humans still find a way to reproduce copiously.

Pull quote: "there was always a rise and subsequent downfall of each species..."

Spinach Cranberry Salad Recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
3/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered
1 pound spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
1 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons minced onion
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Directions

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook and stir almonds in butter until lightly toasted. Remove from heat, and let cool.
In a large bowl, combine the spinach with the toasted almonds and cranberries.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, onion, paprika, white wine vinegar, cider vinegar, and vegetable oil. Toss with spinach just before serving.

Peer Reviewed Articles

This first article is an article that deals with water shortages in correlation to human population. I wasn't able to access the entire article, but the preview abstract posted on the main website has a very strong quote: "Consideration of direct human impacts on global water supply remains a poorly articulated but potentially important facet of the larger global change question." This articulates what I've been researching, which is that the sheer amount of people in the world are depleting the world's natural resources yet, no one wants to acknowledge it. This helps me because it relates directly to my idea for my senior project. That idea being that in the future we will have so little resources that people will die out.

Vörösmarty, Charles. "Global Water Resources: Vulnerability from Climate Change and Population Growth." Science Mag 284 (2000): 1. Print.
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/289/5477/284 accessed February 25th, 2010

The second article discusses the ecological effects of humans on the world and their repercussions. This article also describes sustainability and what it takes to be sustainable. "The most serious long-term threat facing the world is the danger that human actions are producting irreversible, harmful changes to the environmental conditions that support life on Earth. If this problem is not overcome, there may be no viable world for our descendants to inhabit. Because this threat is caused by human population growth, overcunsumption, and lack of resource conservation, social scientists have a vital role in helping out world escape ecological disaster and approach a sustainable leve of impact on the environment-one that can be maintained indefinitely."

Oskamp, Stuart. "Psychological contributions to achieving an ecologically sustainable future for Humanity." Journal of Social Issues 56.3 (2000): 373-390. Print.

Nate Lewis Reflection

This lecture video was very informative. I feel like they were packed with information relevant to our class discussions. Almost too much information for me. When watching this video I felt overwhelmed by the amount of data he was exhibiting. It was hard for me to grasp a lot of his concepts because the ideas he was proposing were so dense with research that he'd start explaining his ideas then start saturating it with data.

I did, however, enjoy learning about alternative energy solutions, and how he presented the information that I could understand. I also appreciate that he was very unbiased about his data. I felt that I was being shown the straight up data and facts, not the data tainted with personal views and opinions on the subject matter. He also brought up the point, when on the topic of alternative energies, that if we piled a bunch of windmills in the state of North Dakota, we'd have enough energy to fulfill the U.S.'s electrical energy needs. But that was it, only electrical needs would be fulfilled.

All in all, I feel that at times, I couldn't understand what he was talking about, and at others I could connect perfectly to what he was explaining. I feel like I understand the subject of energy consumption and the usage of resources more than I did before.

Continued Research

Firstly, I'd like to preface this post with some insight as to what the idea behind my senior project is. For my senior project I want to create an advertisement that creates an eerie feel to it. One reminiscent of the 2005 Michael Bay film, "The Island" in which a civilization is sheltered from the outside world, yet takes resources from it to keep the society thriving. The idea behind it is to introduce a future where man has limited it's existence to a very worryingly low number thus causing man to become self-sufficient; the ratio of natural resources to people is much higher than it is today, yet still highly unattainable.

Plant Write Up

The plant I’d like to grow at the garden is a Lavandula angustifolia, or Common Lavender plant.

a. it is a strongly aromatic shrub

b. Lavender is accustomed to growing naturally in harsh environments. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October.

c. Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed[4]. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Usually very east, a high percentage will root within a few weeks[78]. Grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings 7cm with a heel succeed at almost any time of the year[1]. Layering.

d. New plants grow rapidly and reach maturity within a year. Grown correctly, though, the life span of a plant can be extended for several years.

e. Refer to letter C.

f. Most varieties of English Lavender will spread to around 60cms (2ft) across.

g. Lavender plants need excellent drainage and loads of full sun. Heavy clay soil and too much water are reasons enough for the plant to fail, especially during our warm dry summer months when one might tend to step up the watering schedule. Too much water combined with summer heat can quickly develop root rot, the leading cause of loss. The soil pH should be close to neutral, or slightly alkaline. Some websites say to add lime if needed less acidity. Slow-release 14-14-14 granulated plant food will get young plants off to a good start. Otherwise feed them only when signs of poor growth or slight yellowing of the foliage occur.

h. it tolerates drought quite well, but needs water through really dry periods. Preferably not over their foliage; water along their outside edges. Growers with little or no loss during summer months recommend watering only 20 minutes twice a month or every other week. Of course young plants – less than a year old – will need more water. Depending on the soil type, a 100 square foot lavender planting generally needs six to 18 gallons of water a week. (A10-foot-by-10-foot square has room for about 10 lavender plants spaced three to four feet apart.)

i. Any other perennials complement the Lavender and vice versa.

Harvesting a plant for its flower stalks to dry or use fresh should be done when the flowers are barely opening. Otherwise, enjoy their long lasting bloom in the garden. When flowering is past its peak is a good time to shear the whole plant back by one-third to one-half its size. This will keep the plant rejuvenated with new growth and often times give a second bloom cycle, depending on the variety. While plants are very young, trim off any eager bloom stalks to give the plant a better shape as it grows to its mature size. Any trimming is best done in spring and should not be done in the autumn since this can encourage new growth that will not be very cold-hardy. It is said to be an important relaxing herb, having a soothing and relaxing affect upon the nervous system. Its powerful antiseptic properties are able to kill many of the common bacteria such as typhoid, diphtheria, streptococcus and Pneumococcus, as well as being a powerful antidote to some snake venoms.

Senior Project

1. “The Hindu : Education / Issues : India still home to largest illiterate population: UNESCO.” The Hindu : Home Page News & Features. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2010.

Summary: This article deals with India’s growing problem of mass illiteracy. They have too many people in their country and not enough opportunity for education. I could use this because it is a perfect example of having too many people leading to a lack of education.

2. “Breaking News, Kenya, Africa, Politics, Business, Sports, Blogs, Photos, Videos - Kenyan population up to 38.7m: draft report.” Breaking News, Kenya, Africa, Politics, Business, Sports, Blogs, Photos, Videos - DAILY NATION. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2010.

Summary: This article has to do with a sporadic increase of population. I’d like to do further research on this topic because in the article it states “Such growth, statistics experts say, only occur in an area where a precious mineral has been discovered or there has been unprecedented migration. None of these has happened in the province.”

3. “Is Haiti Overpopulated?.” Ethiopian News and Opinion Journal. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2010.

Summary: This article deals with recent events happening in Haiti. This article is asking the reader to determine whether or not Haiti is overpopulated. This coarticle has information based on how resources are distributed to “overpopulated” countries. That could help in my overall senior project.