Environment

huffingtonpost.com
December 13, 2011
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/12/new-species-southeast-asia_n_1142773.html

Summary-
    About two hundred new species have been discovered in Southeast Asia, in an area that is being threatened by climate change, deforestation, and overdevelopment. The area is also home to some already well-known endangered species, including giant catfish, and scientists are concerned. The loss of these creatures could be a threat to biodiversity in the world.

Connection-
    The changing climate and environmental problems the world faces today are certainly governmental problems as well. Nations must figure out how to protect people through laws and regulations that prevent damage to ecosystems and will allow humans to live without overcrowding and other problems. Passing such regulations, however, can be difficult.
This connects to class through our discussions of the intentional arduousness of passing a bill into law through the American congress, created by the founding fathers who wanted all bills passed to be deliberately and slowly pushed though a system that would allow it to be examined from many perpectives before becoming law. Since laws are hard to pass and will require the convincing of many people, facts and expert opinions will be used to determine the best balance of environmental protection and the people. This hopefully creates a law that satisfies more parties than would a rashly created and poorly examined law, and can help protect the environment better.

Personal Reaction-
    One governmental regulation that would seem to take a lot of pressure off of the environment is population restrictions. The Chinese government has implemented this, and similar laws could work in other places. It would reduce human carbon footprints and resources usage dramatically.