Earth

Earth
Keep the earth clean

Friday, September 12, 2008

DJ Carter Kid!

Currently serving Broward and Dade county with professional Disc Jockey services!
This Ohio native moved to Fort Lauderdale and hit the scene hard, spinning Top 40 music of all genres and making people shake their "bum-bum's" all over south Florida!

No event is too big or too small... DJ Carter Kid has networked with a team of promoters and other Disc jockeys to ensure that any request will be fullfilled to the customer or bar/club owners satisfaction. Previous succesful venues have collaborated with radio personalities as hosts, as well as, celebraties in the NFL, MLB, NBA, and musical entertainers. Feel free to contact DJ Carter Kid at the following e-mail address for current party locations, booking information or any questions:

DJCarterKid@yahoo.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Mini-Project #7 - Demographics

My hometown is Westerville Ohio. The demographic information on my hometown is large so I included the link to the US census website:

http://censtats.census.gov/data/OH/1603983342.pdf

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The 5 Tips

Here are 5 tips to help the environment... This video shows how we can all do small things to make a big difference! 

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Mini-Project #6 - Bioterrorism Attack Prevention 2008

There are numerous ways that our government officials and public safety organizations have implemented plans in case of a bio-terrorism attack in Florida and all across the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security (D.H.S.) has many helpful tips in the event of such emergency. The following press release was taken from the D.H.S. website (http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/press_release_0050.shtm):

Defending Against Biological Terrorism
Release Date: 02/05/02 00:00:00
For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary February 5, 2002

"Disease has long been the deadliest enemy of mankind. Infectious diseases make no distinctions among people and recognize no borders. We have fought the causes and consequences of disease throughout history and must continue to do so with every available means. All civilized nations reject as intolerable the use of disease and biological weapons as instruments of war and terror."
- President George W. Bush November 1, 2001

One of the most important missions we have as a Nation is to be prepared for the threat of biological terrorism - the deliberate use of disease as a weapon. An effective bio-defense will require a long-term strategy and significant new investment in the U.S. health care system. The President is taking steps now that will significantly improve the Nation's ability to protect its citizens against the threat of bio-terrorism. This is the proposed plan of action:

1. Infrastructure. Strengthen the State and local health systems, including by enhancing medical communications and disease surveillance capabilities, to maximize their contribution to the overall bio-defense of the Nation.

2. Response. Improve specialized Federal capabilities to respond in coordination with State and local governments, and private capabilities in the event of a bio-terrorist incident and build up the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile.

3. Science. Meet the medical needs of our bio-terrorism response plans by developing specific new vaccines, medicines, and diagnostic tests through an aggressive research and development program.

Responsibility for detecting and managing a bio-terrorist attack needs to be shared among a wide range of Federal, State, local, and private entities. The resources made available in the President's Budget for 2003 will help the Nation develop an effective "early warning" system against a possible bio-terrorist attack, and mount an effective operational response to manage its medical consequences. These enhanced capabilities, once in place, will also enhance the Nation's ability to respond to outbreaks of naturally occurring diseases.


The following scenario was executed in Jacksonville Florida to train Firefighters on Biological terrorism - Terrorism Training-Florida:

State, military conduct terrorism training near Jacksonville CAMP BLANDING, Fla. (AP) - Three men in bright blue moonsuits waddled up the steps of the Smithvilla Hotel to discover Wednesday what made a firefighter deathly ill after he fought a blaze caused by an explosion.What they thought was an illegal drug lab, turned out to be aterrorist hide-out containing nerve gas and evidence of biological and nuclear weapons.The explosion, fire, injured firefighter and weapons of mass destruction were not real, of course, but part of a training scenario for the military and state agency law officials learning to handle attacks by terrorists using chemical, biological and radiological agents.The training took place at Smithvilla, an entire village built in the backwoods of Camp Blanding for training military and law enforcement officers. The Florida National Guard base is about 40miles south of Jacksonville.In the scenario, Clay County deputies had been watching the Smithvilla Hotel for signs of a drug lab when an explosion rocked the three-story building. County firefighters put out the fire, buta firefighter had become extremely ill.After two National Guard Blackhawk helicopters ferried in equipment, the three men, covered with blue plastic moon suits,entered the hotel unaware they had uncovered a terrorist headquarters.In the building were a lab to produce the nerve gas serin,documents about anthrax and documents that would lead them to the post office next door, where a radioactive device was waiting."We are trying to make this as realistic as possible," said Robert J. Diemer, chief of investigations for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. He organized the training exercise, which included more than 50 representatives of the National Guard and officials from state law enforcement, health,transportation and agriculture agencies.The agencies are involved in an Environmental Response Team to deal with the aftermath of a terrorist attack, Diemer said.Agency officials believe such training will make them better able to deal with terrorist situations.

Wednesday's exercise was the fourth since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.After leaving the building, the three men went through a decontamination process in the middle of the street. They waded through a children's swimming pool filled with detergent and thens crubbed and showered before being stripped of their protective clothing by other officers in white moon suits and respirators.Florida National Guard members, who had on-the-job training hunting anthrax spores in the American Media building in Boca Ratonlast fall, were heavily involved in the training."We were disappointed something like that happened, but we rose to the challenge," said Maj. Russ Spengler of the anthrax attack,which killed one man.Spengler is the commanding officer of the 44th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team, a 22-person group of full-time Army and Air National Guard soldiers based at Camp Blanding.They are on call to leave within two hours of a terrorist attack or situation in Florida.One of his men donned a moon suit and entered the fake hotel in the scenario."This team is designed to detect biological, chemical and radiological agents and give advice with respect to treatment andevacuation," Spengler said.Watching from the sidelines was R.D. Look, chief ofi nvestigations for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.Working with the other agencies, Look's agents would gather evidence and information from areas contaminated by chemical or biological agents.Each of the FDLE's seven regions has an anti-terrorism task force, he said.Tom Tramel, director of the Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Law Enforcement, said the joint training benefits all the agencies."By working together, we're increasing our knowledge,efficiency and expertise," he said.(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press.

Source: http://forums.firehouse.com/showthread.php?t=36260

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Mini Project #5



Superfund sites are the nation's worst toxic waste sites: 1,305 are scheduled for cleanup on the National Priorities List (NPL). About 11 million people in the U.S., including 3-4 million children, live within 1 mile of a federal Superfund site and confront potential public health risks. Scorecard profiles the risks these sites pose to public health and the environment. Scorecard ranks sites by how high they scored in EPA's Hazard Ranking System, and states and counties by number of Superfund sites.






The Wingate Superfund Site - Fort Lauderdale, Florida




Located at:


1300 N. W. 34TH AVENUE


FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida 33311









This picture was taken in 2007 at the Wingate Superfund Site - please note how close the house is to the site & the warning posted on the signs...Would you want your kids to play in the backyard if you lived here?


The Wingate Superfund site is an example of an environmental hazard to community residents. The rate of contamination and cases of cancer are more prevelant in Superfund site areas. The real estate in this area is significantly cheaper due to the potential health hazards. Most of the residents currently living in the area are unaware of the health hazards or they are unable to move due to their socioeconomic status.


Please visit the link below to learn more information & see historical facts about the Wingate Superfund Site...

The Wingate Incinerator Landfill Site
Geography 4900
By: Jeremiah Carter
Nova Southeastern University



A landfill is defined by Oxford dictionary as “waste material…used to landscape or reclaim areas of ground…the process of disposing rubbish…a place where rubbish is disposed of by burying it in the ground (1998, p.455)” Due to the hazardous material found in the landfill, Fort Lauderdale, Florida is the home of a large superfund site. There are many other superfund sites in the United States of America. Broward County so unique is that it is surrounded by a residential zoned area. The Wingate Road Incinerator Landfill Site is located at 1300 NW 31st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale Florida. It has been deemed a superfund site because government funds were used to establish this long-term expensive hazardous waste storage/incineration project.

This site is currently owned by the city of Fort Lauderdale, and while it is located in a residential area, it is zoned for commercial and industrial land uses. At approximately 61 acres in size, this incinerator site was operated from 1954-1978; after 1978, incineration of waste materials ceased. The fumes and smoke from the burnt waste bothered the wealthier residents of the City of Plantation, and complaints were lodged. Unfortunately, the less privileged residents of Ft. Lauderdale that live in the surrounding area of this waste site don’t seem to be aware of the dangers of living near a hazardous waste superfund site. There are nearly 466,000 Ft. Lauderdale residents currently living within a 4 mile radius of the Wingate Road landfill.
Despite the regulations set by government officials, this superfund site has raised many concerns due to the potential hazardous waste that can cause various health hazards to residents in the area. Even with remediation tactics, methane monitoring, including soil and ground water studies, the concern is that the site’s protective cap and remediation methods are not enough to protect human health and the surrounding environment.

In 1985 the EPA conducted a site inspection and developed a Hazardous Ranking System Report. In 1989 the Wingate Road Incinerator Landfill site was declared a superfund site. Once the landfill cap was constructed the System Operation/Operation and Maintenance (O&M) began to perform various routine activities such as: Site inspections, surface water management, ground water monitoring, ground water monitoring system maintenance, and gas control system maintenance (The Five-Year Review Report, 2005). One major advantage if placing a cap on the superfund site is to minimize infiltration of water into the waste materials located below the cap and monitor the release of toxic gases. A major disadvantage to this plan is the abstinence of a liner below the waste material to prevent leakage into the water and soil. As stated in the Five year review report: “Erosion at the base of the landfill can also threaten side slope stability (2005, p. 7).” There is the presence of methane gas, dioxins, arsenic, antimony, cadmium, and lead at the Wingate Superfund site.
History has shown that those in the lower socioeconomic status are at a higher risk of exploitation in America. The Wingate Road Municipal Incinerator Dump is a prime example of such exploitation. Ironically, the name Wingate Road has been changed to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to honor the very prominent civil rights leader. The surrounding populations of almost 466,000 Ft. Lauderdale residents who live within a 4 mile radius of the landfill are mainly lower economic class minorities.

Given the reaction in 1978 of ceasing incineration when the City of Plantation residents complained, it is unlikely that a superfund site such as the Wingate Incinerator Dump would be located in an upper-class, predominantly white neighborhood. Would this superfund site be held to higher standards if it were in an upper-class, predominantly white neighborhood? Would there be more publications and awareness of the potential hazards associated with living in the area if it were located in an upper-class, predominantly white neighborhood?
The majority of the citizens in the area are so preoccupied with meeting their financial needs on a daily basis that they do not have the time and/or proper education about the hazardous contaminants in the superfund site located in their community. For some residents, this superfund site is located in their backyards. Community involvement is very important. The city of Fort Lauderdale is responsible for posting periodical information to notify the current and future residents of the potential hazards of this area. The community was notified about the five year review in a 2004 by an article in the Sun-Sentinel newspaper. Yet, the majority of residents are unaware of the health hazards associated with this superfund site. In the Five Year Review Process it states that there is adequate perimeter fencing.
When I visited the area in November of 2007, there were many areas with no barrier to the surrounding bodies of water. The two bodies of water located on the site are named Rock Pit Lake and Lake Stupid. Surface water runoff collects in a series of ditches and is channeled to these bodies of water. There is no fence to protect any residents from fishing or swimming in either body of water. This raised a big concern for the safety of the children that may swim in this contaminated water. The signs were outdated, eroded, and even missing is some areas.
I randomly and informally interviewed some residents in the area, and none of them seemed to know what a superfund site was, that the enormous landfill was a superfund site, or that it posed a health hazardous danger to them and their loved ones. It is easy to see why the residents are not aware of the danger to their health and well-being when you look at the posted signage. The warning signs posted by Ft. Lauderdale were outdated, the lettering/print was eroded and dirty…making the posted signage difficult to read, even if you tried.
The sign in Lake Stupid read as follows: “Warning! Fish Advisory – Fish in Lake Stupid & Rock Pit Lake contain low levels of dioxin. Do not eat more than one meal of fish a week from these lakes. Children under 6 and pregnant women should not eat any fish from these lakes. – Florida Department of Health (850) 245-4299.” This advisory in not sufficient when considering the potential health hazards if someone were to swim or eat the fish that are in these bodies of water.
During my tour of the surrounding superfund residential area, I noticed that some lots were empty with a sign that stated they were owned by the city of Fort Lauderdale. Yet, the next lot has a dilapidated or very old looking house on it. If the city of Fort Lauderdale is sincerely concerned about all of its residents, no matter their race, color, or creed; then more signs need to be posted in the area. There should be new fencing constructed around these hazardous bodies of water. There should be more articles, notices, and education material of the superfund site available to the community residents. All humans are created equal and the United States Government Constitution reflects this fact, lets honor those words and implement a remedial plan that will ensure the positive health and well-being of all Broward county residents, no matter their race or socioeconomic status.



References:

Banister, B. (Ed.). (2005). First Five-Year Review Report. In Wingate Road Incinerator Landfill Site United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Metcalf, J. (Ed.). (1998). In Oxford Dictionary New York: DK Publishing, Inc.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Mini-Project #4







images.jupiterimages.com/.../66/10/23051066.jpg



Chickens, tomatoes, potatoes, squash, corn, and soybeans have been genetically altered through biotechnology. Many more foods have ingredients which have been engineered and more are being developed. Organic foods have become popular and more expensive due to genetically altered foods that are on sale for public consumption. The FDA website has information regarding G.A.F.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008


Mini-Project #2 -The Carbon Cycle


Eo.ucar.edu/kids/green/images/carboncycle_sm.jpg


Photosynthesis is the conversion of light energy into chemical energy by living organisms. The raw materials are carbon dioxide and water; the energy source is sunlight; and the end-products are oxygen and (energy rich) carbohydrates. This process is arguably the most important biochemical pathway in the Carbon Cycle since nearly all life either directly or indirectly depends on it...Photosynthesis occurs in two stages:
In the first phase, light-dependent reactions or photosynthetic reactions (also called the Light reactions) capture the energy of light and use it to make high-energy molecules. During the second phase, the light-independent reactions (also called the Calvin-Benson Cycle) use the high-energy molecules to capture carbon dioxide and make the precursors of carbohydrates.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Mini-Project #1 - Environmental Studies






I chose to join the Wildspots Foundation for a variety of reasons. The primary reason for picking this environmental organization is because Dr. Barry Barker created the organization and he is the department head of environmental science/studies here at Nova Southeastern University. I have been enlightened by Dr. Barker. This organization will further my education in environmental studies. It will allow me to get involved in projects that promote preservation of wildlife, conservation of natural resources, protection of biodiversity, and education on environmental matters throughout the world. I admire Dr. Barker's work and dedication to the protection of our earth and deep ecology. I am a proud student of Nova Southeastern University and a supporter of this Wildspots cause.

Hurricane

Hurricane
Always stay prepared for natural disasters!

Light shines

Light shines
Save our forests

Firestarter

Firestarter
Find innovative ways to save energy!

Clean water

Clean water
Clean water

Air Pollution

Air Pollution
Keep our air clean

Cheetah

Cheetah
Protect our wild animals