Testimonial - Patrícia Ferreira/Victor Hugo

Testimonial - Jonathan Eler/Rodrigo Dias

Feature article - Matheus Galantine

Haiti Devastation

 The Haiti, in 02/12/2010, suffered a great disaster, an earthquake of 7.0 points in richter scale that destroyed almost everything there.  According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck about 10 miles deep, 22 miles from Port au Prince. Something very similar occurred in Japan, a 7.3 points earthquake, but they didn’t suffered many damage from the earthquake itself, this proves Haiti wasn’t prepared for something of that magnitude. This one anteceded another two others earthquakes. Those three caused over than 200 thousands of deaths.

I’ve chosen this theme because earthquakes are very dangerous and have a mass destruction power, they can destroy almost everything that it affects and can cause other natural disasters, like tsunamis or eruptions.

The UN announced that 1.2 billion were allocated in aid to Haiti and sent in troops and humanitarian aid, plus 17 search and rescue teams. This is a great help and, if invested right, could solve this problem once and for all.

So I can conclude that earthquakes are a big problem and everyone should be prepared for the worst.

Testimonial - Marcelo Henrique

Feature article - Marcelo Henrique

Nature -> Animals -> Humans -> People -> Interpersonal Relations -> Humanitarian Relations

I'll talk about humanitarian relations
Today I think about how it used to be about this
Things changed?
How changed?

The society's have diversification of ideas, cultures, beliefs and interests.
This makes the society so interesting !

An example:

Cultural, scientific-technical and humanitarian cooperation

 Parallel to political and economical fields, the cooperation in cultural, scientific-technical and humanitarian areas between the two countries has been deepening, as well.
“Korean Cultural Days” and the “Week of Korean Films” have been held in Azerbaijan respectively on 26-30 June and on 17-20 October 2005. And “Azerbaijan Cultural Days” was organized on 26-30 June 2007 in Seoul.
It should also be noted that as a legal basis for future development of cultural relations, the “Agreement on the Cooperation in the Cultural Fields between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Korea” was signed on 11 May 2006.


When we look at the relationships, we see the difference between people, while the same on the outside, the inside has entire worlds of thoughts and ideas that if we make good use of them can change the world to better !

Put it in practice !
If everyone does their part, we can change for the better.

Testimonial - Ian Carlos/Rafael Augusto

Testimonial - Vitor Peixoto/Yuri Garcia

Testimonial - Patrícia Ferreira/Victor Hugo

Feature article - Victor Hugo

It’s getting hot, baby!

The importance of the global warming

 The global warming is the increase of temperature on Earth. It is caused by human activities. Many scientists believe that the main cause is the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This gases come from the burn of fossil fuels on cars, trains, industries and a lot of other manmade technologies. The greenhouse effect is a natural thing that warm the Earth to make it a habitable place. But all that pollution gases are increasing this effect, making the temperature higher than normal.

This problem will affect all of us, doesn’t matter where we live, because the entire world will suffer with it. The increases of the temperature will affect human activities like agriculture, human and animal health and where we live. With the climate change, more hurricanes can appear and the glaciers are melting so the sea level is growing. That means that land along the coasts is beginning to disappear under water. A small nation on Pacific called Kiribati is already moving your habitants to another places. A lot of plants and animals species may become extinct because of their habitat can be destroyed.

But the bigger problem is that humanity is still damaging the atmosphere even knowing it will worse this situation. Some countries started to adopt sustainable alternatives to polluter technologies, but there are a lot of nations that don’t care about global warming. It isn’t just a scientific, but a politician problem too. On a interview, the scientist James Lovelock said "And that’s not the case with climate change because we can still avoid its worst impacts. We know that we already have all of the technologies needed to slow climate change down.  We only lack the political will to go up against vested interests".

A lot of scientists are gathering on debates in all the parts of the world to discuss what is going to happens with the increasing of the temperature and what can we do about that. But the fact is that it’s time to be more careful with our planet, because we and the future generations will suffer the consequences of the damaging of our home.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

●        http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/globalwarming/what.html

●        http://bindaaspoll.com/globalwarming/

●        http://www.estadao.com.br/noticias/vidae,habitantes-de-ilhas-do-pacifico-buscam-nova-patria,191865,0.htm

Feature article - Ian Carlos

The problem with garbage

        One big problem that is found in much cities today are the problems with garbage. These problems result from neglect with the collection and storage of the same. Because of this neglect, the garbage brings big problems for cities, as the appearance of animals undersirable, such as mices and cockroaches, they bring diseases to humans. Another related problem is the pollution of waste resources water, so diminunto the resillince of nature view of global warming.

     Some ways to try to reduce the damage caused by waste already disposed poorly are:

     Collect the garbage already discarded.

           Perform cleaning of rivers, streams and lakes contaminated.

     In turn, there are also methods to prevent future contamination garbage; These methods are:                   

Recycling of waste.

Selective collection.

Proper storage of garbage.

    If these steps are followed, we can have a cleaner world, both for us and for future generations.

Feature article - Jonathan Eler

Deforestation

 Certainly one of the major concerns that the whole world is going the clearing of forests like the Amazon, and among others the entire planet, and another grand problematic factor is pollution which not only harms the environment but havoc populations. For not only Brazil, but as stated above the world undergoes alarming situations related with nature.This them is very important, cause, concerns us all, is about our life and survival worldwide. Therefore, some measures related to the environment such as Environmental Education and Sustainability have been more frequent in many parts of the world. But these measures taken by some countries and institutions concerned with the environment which we live is still very little. Who does not see on TV news, magazines, in the media how much pollution is getting worse every day more and more. Or even forests and woodlands being destroyed and no authority or nobody does anything for it to end. Not to mention the thousands of toxic wastes that are thrown in rivers, seas, springs and only serve to further destroy our environment. And all these destructions to the environment is demonstrated in nature, eg, climate change, making it even more possible destruction of our planet. Since the environment suffers too highly with the consequences of deforestation, because the lower the number of existing trees, will also lower the number of polluted air filtered resulting in severe climate change, for example. That is, worrying situations linked to global warming. In addition of course, to the destruction of forests, ie deforestation countless species of animals that live there have no way to survive and imply more damage. So we all human beings who want to live in a clean and healthy environment here a few years, we are tired of the measures that need to know and need to be taken, but measures that serve as a lesson to many, ie, awareness of taking care of that while time ago, before it's too late.



Feature article - Yuri Garcia

Ice Cap Melting

The warming of the globe is a natural process, but this time the results can prove to be catastrophic. The polar ice caps have melted faster in last 20 years than in the last 10,000, and this is nothing less than cruel, and if this event continues, provided results are hopeless.

The Polar Regions are important drivers of the world's climate. When the "everlasting ice" melts at an Increasing rate, the rest of the world is affected. Global sea levels are rising; dark melt water pools absorb warmth from the sun which white ice would reflect back into space. Fresh water flows into the sea, changing ocean currents and the living conditions for marine organisms. But these organisms will not to be the only ones to suffer. The lack of them, the lack of food leads to a number of other animals, and if this is not resolved, you can reach us.

Apart from possible food shortages, another factor that would affect the increase in the ocean level. The ocean level has raised a lot since 1600 BC, and at this rate, people living on islands in the Pacific Ocean would find themselves in a time relatively short, homeless, because these islands are gone.

If these reasons are not alarming enough to make us give to this topic a little much attention for them, I do not know what they are. Populations out of your home, entire species going into extinction and lack of potable water ... These are some of the few reasons for you to think a little more in their attitudes to not have to tell your kids "Once upon a time ... a better world."

Feature article - Karina Akemi

Unseen danger - Noise Pollution

Noise pollution is one of the environmental problems that affects most populations in the world and even being so serious, has not received due attention. I choosed this theme because it's part of our everyday life and people don't notice it, we are so used to this problem that every day we suffer damages caused by the noise pollution and we don't realize how much it affects our health. People need to know more about this problem and its consequences, then, I’m making this article as a way to inform and alert them.

It occurs in a particular environment where the sound changes the normal condition of hearing. Although it does not accumulate in the environment, like other types of pollution, it causes severe damage to the body and to the quality of life.

The WHO (World Health Organization) considers that a sound should be as much as 50 db in order not to cause harm to humans. From 55 db on, the negative effects start. Sounds above 130 dB even cause pain and noise of 140 dB can totally destroy the eardrum.

Some problems caused by the noise pollution are insomnia, stress, depression, aggressiveness, loss of attention and concentration, loss of memory, headaches, increased blood pressure, tiredness, bad performances in school and work, and in more severe cases, deafness. Only by strokes, there are 210 000 fatalities every year, says a WHO report. Some problems may occur in the short time, others take years to get noticed.

To avoid the harmful effects of noise pollution is important to avoid places with too much noise, listen to music on a low to medium volume, to use hearing protection in workplaces with high noise; listen to mp3 player or walk man in a low volume, not shout indoors, avoid places with high concentrations of people talking, stay away from the speakers at concerts and close the windows of the vehicle in noisy transit locations.

Although not a topic much discussed lately, is necessary to become aware of this problem and avoid it, because as mentioned before, even if the consequences delays, high noises interferes on health and welfare of the general population. Therefore, is necessary a greater concern on this issue by all the people. Also, a way to reduce this problem would be to press the government for oversight and setting maximum decibel level in certain ambients, especially in urban ambients, where there is a prevalence of high levels, then, people will not have many problems with these “unseen danger”.

Bibliography:

http://www.suapesquisa.com/pesquisa/poluicao_sonora.htm

http://saude.abril.com.br/edicoes/0295/medicina/conteudo_269612.shtml

http://miniquim.wikispaces.com/8%C2%BAC+-+Som+e+Luz+-+Polui%C3%A7%C3%A3o

Feature article - Rodrigo Dias

Recycling Plastic

The theme I chose is recycling plastic in large cities. Currently, the way I thought to recycle plastic is reusing it to make new containers or objects or even new tools for use in daily life in big cities. The reason I chose to reuse these plastics materials was because we found easily in cities and are highly polluting and reusing them we would reduce impacts on the environment.

Some of the advantages that we can talk about recycling plastic are: reducing pollution that are produced in large cities, less exploration of nature, society and greenest cities with ecological thinking, reduction of energy consumption in the manufacturing of plastics beyond other advantages.

Some of the disadvantages we found are: high costs to recycle these materials, the adequacy of cleaning processes, disposal of these materials and the difficult task of changing the concept of recycling to society.

My opnion on the subject is that by analyzing the advantages compensate the difficulties that they would be required to make the recycling of plastics.

So as we saw in the text, the advantages of reuse these plastics are good and worth being made, ​​because the measures have to be taken with the efforts of the government and people would not be very difficult to make and their benefit is too big.

Feature article - Lucas Pimenta

Heat islands

        Heat islands is the thermal contrast between the more urbanized area and less urbanized or peripheral, which can be even agriculture. Changes in humidity, precipitation and wind are also associated with the presence of the urban heat island . Heat islands can occur both in cities and in rural area,only one difference, when it occurs in urban areas it takes longer to dissipate, rural area in which heat dissipation is faster.The influence of natural factors and anthropic factors help the appearance of heat islands,example with population growth, production of cars at high scale, paving the big cities and other factors not less important, those are aggravating the phenomenon called "heat islands",this phenomenon occurs in cities that are beginning to become urbanized, the more the city is being built and expanded over increase thermal sensation or "heat islands."

        Currently people worldwide who suffer in their cities with "heat islands."Are developing projects to mitigate the thermal sensation "High" and improve quality of life ,example green roof, white roof, natural parks in the center of large cities such as Belo Horizonte in the municipal park, we should all 'concerned about this phenomenon because he'll be present in any situation, as cited in the text, urban or rural area.

Testimonial - Lucas Marioza/Lucas Pimenta

Feature Article - Patrícia Ferreira

Deforestation in Amazonia

Amazonia is the biggest tropical forest in the world, covering 49% of the brazilian territory. The deforestation is destroying this biome, affecting the local population and the global climatic balance. This problem brings serious consequences and it must be taken seriously, before this huge forest disappears.

Just between August of 2011 and June of 2012, 4.656 km² of the forest (equivalent to more than three times the size of the city of São Paulo) were degraded. All this devastation may lower the biodiversity, influence the rainfall pattern of Brazil and Latin America, and other serious consequences.

On the other hand, the forest areas that gave way to the economic activities has allowed Brazil to become the third biggest exporter of agricultural products. This is one of the facts that supports the theory of people like the researcher and former director of Ipea (Economic Applied Research Institute), Eustáquio Reis, told, in 2009, that “The deforestation hasn't only costs. It has benefits”.

The economic development and sustainability are always in conflict. A solution to the deforestation is monitor it, what the Brazilian government is trying to do, so that economic activities can be responsibly and consciously performed.

Bibliography:

◦     http://g1.globo.com/natureza/noticia/2012/11/desmatamento-na-amazonia-legal-e-o-menor-ja-registrado-diz-governo.html

◦     http://www.greenpeace.org/brasil/pt/O-que-fazemos/Amazonia

◦     http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/brasil/ult96u584023.shtml

Testimonial - Karina Akemi/Matheus Galantine/Pedro Vinícius

Testimonial - Izabel Zaurízio/Luíza Diniz

Feature Article - Pedro Vinícius

         

 Sandy Hurricane

     Between October 22,2012 and October 31,2012 a hurricane named as Sandy was formed eastern USA,Canada and Bahamas and it's cause of approximately 252 fatalities and I'm writing about it because there was a lot of news and people saying that it was formed because the "global warming" and I'd like to explain and understand how it really happen.

      It was formed because a low pressure system that exist near Jamaica and the warm water of that place. This things together allowed it strengthening beeing classified as a tropical depression part of hurricane season on USA.

      It was moving northward and after exited Cuba it started to disorganized and when it was over Bahamas Sandy was no longer fully tropical. But after weakening to a tropical storm it pass trough a convection and more warm water.Sandy has re-intesified and re-developed an eye, also because of "the wall" of Greenland(HPS) and the lower pressure(LPS) over USA.

      Sandy goes to eastern of USA causing deaths,destruction and hurts and after it goes to northwest of Usa and southwest of Canada ,Sandy degenerated on October 31.

      The hurricane killed more than 200 people and have a loss to the affected countries of approximately $ 440 billion. A hurricane is a difficult thing to avoid/prevent, but the government can try to evacuate the city, they can try to build safe zones or strongest builts or even a kit of food or another things at least on hurricane season.

      Sandy is a hurricane that is normal in that part of the year and is caused by the dinamic of the weather and low-high pressure system and not just because the "global warming " like I've seen noticed and think I could clearfy this.

Feature Article - Luíza Diniz

How can you recycle in a big building?

This article will talk about how you can recycle in a big building. First, I will tell you about me. I live in a big building and I have 16 years old. I and some other of my neighbors perceived that our building was producing a lot of garbage. So, we started recycling all the garbage. I know that some people can say that it’s only a drop in the ocean but I know that if this drop is a drop of oil it will certainly make a difference. I’m writing this article because I believe that when the people discover something they become curious about that and they want to do these. I hope that many people that are in the same situation as I was will try implement recycling in their buildings.

                Why recycle?

                The problem of the garbage is so much serious, because most things that go into our trash come from non-renewable sources, such as plastic. If we don’t recycle now, we don’t know what the future holds for our sons and grandsons will have. And if you only want to recycle, you can reuse the recyclable packaging that will go to your trash, to make things extremely useful.

            How can we recycle?

            To implement the recycling, first you need two bins, one for recyclable waste and other for organic waste. Then, you need to know about the local recycling service. Last, you need to talk with your neighbors to encourage them to recycle and to inform them about how to recycle.

            In my building, after we bought two bins, we talked with the local recycle service to know more about their service. Three times on week, they go to people houses or buildings to retract the recycling garbage. Then they lead it to the tank where separates plastic, paper, metal and glass. Last, the garbage will go to really recycle where they get the raw material again.

            When we talked with our neighbors, much of them don’t like of the new idea. But, with the time and the talk, they accepted our idea and started collaborate with the project.

                The benefits of recycling

              If all your neighbors collaborate, you will do something good to Earth and you can still win a little money, because when you sell the garbage, they give you a little money. This money can go to a reserve fund for the building, and subsequently make improvements.

            This is my suggestion so we can build a better world.

Feature Article - Izabel Zaurízio

Amazônia and The High Temperatures

            The deforestation in Amazônia-Brazil is a serious problem. Every day the woodcutters destroy a part of the Amazônia rainforest and they don’t think about the damage that they are causing for the future. They only want the wood for free and don’t care about the consequences. I am writing to inform the people about the consequences of this horrible fact and to try to diminish the damage for the future, because with the deforestation the change of gases between the trees and the environment goes down and it can cause high temperatures, not only in Amazônia but in all country, so it is important to inform the people about it and to help them to prevent this problems.

               The Big Damage

            The deforestation of the Amazônia happens every day and a project who fights for the preservation of the Amazônia called “Greenpeace”, in a research, they discovered that every ten seconds one area of a football field is deforested in Amazônia and it is only increasing.

               A Hot Country

            With this problem, the number of trees really goes down, and it is causing high temperatures in all parts of the country. In Belo Horizonte, in the last 3 years, the normal temperature increase 2ºC and in Salvador 3ºC! In that period more than 5 people died because of the high temperatures in Alagoas.

               Ways to Get Better

            To stop these consequences and protect our life and our family’s life we have to stop the woodcutters and let them only cut a tree if they plant another to replace that one. We have to use public transport to help to diminish the increase of the temperature and we have to be more participative, making our politicians create new laws to protect the Amazônia and to give a better and sustainable life for all of us.

            To sum up, the deforestation in Amazônia is a very serious problem because it affects all the country, so we have to fight for our rights and we have to make our politicians create new laws for the exploration, stopping the illegal woodcutters and planting trees in deforested areas, because only in that way we will help to increase the change of gases, controlling the temperature, and having a good and peaceful life, with health!

Bibliography:

http://www.greenpeace.org/brasil/pt/O-que-fazemos/Amazonia/http://brazilianspace.blogspot.com.br/2010/07/regioes-do-nordeste-tem-aumento-na.html