Environment

nytimes.com
October 1, 2011
Justin Gillis
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/science/earth/01forest.html?_r=1&hp

Summary-
    Many evergreens are recently falling prey to beetles that are becoming more prominent with climate change. These beetles' growth was curtailed in the past by extremely cold winters, but due to warmer temperatures, they do not die off. Another issue for evergreens is the lack of water caused by forest fires in the western United States. Problems such as this are occuring in the Amazon, Siberia, and many other places throughout the world. Trees in large forests have been absorbing nearly a quarter of the world's carbon dioxide emissions, and now that they are disappearing, greenhouse gasses are worsening the problem of global warming even further. The cycle is being exacerbated, but hope may not be lost. There is still time to make changes in the care humans take with the environment.

Connection-
    The situation with the environmental problems caused by global warming and other factors is a world-wide issue. Political policies will be affected by it, and younger generations will likely see the environment as an even more pressing problem than do today's voters. The influence on politicians who do not attempt to meet the needs of nature will probably be negative, and only those governments who can satisfy the people in regards to actively protecting the environment will be able to help restore Earth's balance.
    These issues connect to class through discussions of political ideology, in which it was expressed by some that the environment was a pressing concern for them.

Personal Reaction-
    It is important that problems in nature are being taken seriously, but it is saddening to see that so few steps have been made. The death of forest trees is a huge concern, and many citizens have made an effort to be more concious of waste and their carbon footprints. This article helped to reinforce thoughts of activism in the environment, but it has also shown that the battle is just beginning.