Survey results

So the final post count on my survey is 150 responses. I had to start telling people to stop taking the survey due to the fact I can only use the first 100 responses. Since the actual usable results haven't changed, there isn't much to update. Android has 64% of the vote due to cheaper price, more phone selection and greater customability. Those who voted for Apple preferred the design of the screen and the user friendly operating system. Most were happy with the system they chose.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VBC8CFS

Essay IV

My survey is online and I have accumulated 39 responses so far and expect many more. It appears most of the people who took the survey prefer Android devices due to the lower cost and greater customization. My paper will be covering the choice between Apple and Android devices with respect to Rational Choice Theory in Economics and Sociology.

Survey

As of yesterday, I had not yet posted my survey, still needing a couple of relevant survey questions. Today I will be posting the survey on Survey Monkey. The paper and survey will be regarding the choice between Apple and Android devices with respect to Rational Choice Theory in Economics and Sociology.

Food and Sustainability issues of the Appalachians

The Appalachian region faces a unique situation with food acquisition common to less hospitable terrain. Due to the rocky hills and dense forests, the region is not ideal for crop or livestock farming. Food must be shipped in on semi-trucks from farms and distribution centers in the foothills. The routes into the mountains are often treacherous two lane roads laden with switchbacks and cliffs, making progress slow and pushing brakes and transmissions to the edge. This difficult venture causes prices for goods to skyrocket and encourages actions such as hunting, trapping and fishing for nutrition, which cuts down on local wildlife populations.

Sustainability issues of the area relate back to the problem of food and also for shelter and expansion.  Again, the necessity of locals to hunt wildlife for food causes a decreased population and can lead to species extinction. In addition, an ever-growing demand for timber for housing and amenities results in acres of forest land being wiped out by the thousands. The loss of forested land results in habitat loss for both tree dwelling creatures like birds and squirrels and ground dwelling animals, which rely on the cover of the trees to survive. Expansion of housing developments and tree farms also result in cleared forests. Very few trees are saved for housing developments and the trees in tree farms are small and unsuitable for habitats. 

Environmental Ethics Artifact

I chose this picture as my artifact of environmental ethics because of the different interpretations I saw when I looked at it. The picture is supposed to represent man's eternal struggle with nature. However, I believe it almost looks as if the man, while toppling the tree, is actually embracing it, as if for a hug. I saw two separate relations for this. The first relation is the two main attitudes of man towards nature currently. Many people continue to believe in destroying the nature and harvesting the woods to spread civilization, which the man toppling the tree represents. However, many others believe in preserving nature and keeping it from falling, which the man embracing the tree represents. Another outlook on the scene is what most people believe today versus what they need to think. Again, the man toppling the tree represents the majority that believe nature must be beaten, while the man embracing the tree represents what we should be thinking, that nature must be preserved, in order to protect the environment and the world for future generations.

Synthesis - Fracking Fury

The writer of this article offers a neutral opinion to the idea of hydraulic fracking, listing both facts and concerns about the process. He begins by explaining the process of hydraulic fracturing and the content of the hydraulic fluid used in the process. The pros of the fracking are given, a short list which mainly details the advantages of natural gas over coal or oil. This explanation does little to actually support the process, rather the result. The author then lists the cons, which must be divided between several categories, including the effects on water, human health, animal health, earthquakes and pollution. This expansive section of concerns, while presented with a neutral tone, show both the authors and the peoples concerns with the process. The writer also reference the EPA findings in Pavillion, Wyoming referenced in the Lustgarten article. Loopholes in environmental regulations explain how natural gas companies get away with groundwater contamination but a mention of pending legislation to close those loopholes suggest the writer supports the regulation of hydraulic fracturing. The writer concludes again in a neutral tone by stating that current EPA tests will determine the fate of the hydraulic fracturing process.

Palliser, Janna. "Fracking Fury." Science Scope n.d. 20-24. EBSCO Host. Web. 30 Sept. 2012.

Synthesis: EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination

Recent EPA findings in central Wyoming have linked hydraulic fracturing of the earth by natural gas companies to ground water contamination. The process of fracking is “the propagation of fractures in a rock layer, as a result of the action of a pressurized fluid” (Wikipedia). This opens up a hole which allows gas companies to access natural gas deposits in the earth. EPA tests in the city of Pavillion, Wyoming have tested positive for chemicals known to be used in the fracking process. Samples showed traces of synthetic compounds, like glycol ethers, in addition to many other organic compounds used for fracking. The town has been facing dirtied brown drinking water since fracking began in the area. The natural gas companies actually began providing water to local residents to continue their drilling. As the issue became even greater, The EPA declared the drinking water no longer suitable for consumption and warned the public about the production of flammable methane in the water.

            The gas companies deny the release of hydraulic liquids and insist the process is safe and prevents any contamination. They claim any contamination is from oil and gas waste pits left by previous companies. These companies refuse to release the composition of their hydraulic fluid, so it is unclear whether the contaminates found are a match. Despite this, the topic has come to the attention of Washington. Debates have broken out in Congress, with some politicians dismissing it as preposterous while others push for the regulation of the fracking process. It can be assumed that regulations on fracking will soon be much tighter for the sake of human health.

            While we still have an insatiable need for natural resources such as natural gas, these resources must be acquired in a safe manner with minimal interruption to the earth or ecosystems. It is unfair and immoral to tear up the earth in search of gas, poisoning the soil and the drinking water of local residences. I have no problem with enacting restrictions on fracking to maintain a safe and clean drinking water supply. As the push is made towards renewable sources of energy are made, the need for natural gas and fracking will begin to decline, and water systems will no longer be in danger of contamination. Even so, until this point is reached, great care must be taken to prevent tainting the only source of fresh water for many people across the globe.

Works Cited

"Hydraulic Fracturing." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2012.

Lustgarten, Abrahm, Nicholas Kusnetz, and ProPublica. "EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination." Scientific American. Nature America, Inc., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012.