Research

The clear and present danger of climate change Gulf News- October 14th
Climate change is no longer the talk of the intellectuals nor is it confined to the halls of conferences. It is a clear and present danger and its impact is being felt across the world.
Scientists say the recent floods and natural calamities that hit Asia recently are the result of the unchecked global warming.
According to a World Bank report, released in Dubai on Monday, the planet will be faced with devastating effects when temperature rises 5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial warming period. Currently, the temperature is already 2 degrees Celsius above, and this is already "a real problem", according to the report.
It has been long 12 years since world leaders met in Japan and came up with a blueprint of a global plan to ease climate change — the Kyoto Protocol. However, it was rejected by the United States. In December, the planet will have a second chance. Heads of states are expected to meet in Copenhagen in a second attempt to reach a deal, which would build on Kyoto and set internationally binding targets to limit carbon emission — activists and scientists hope the leaders would agree on a reduction of 40-50 per cent by the year 2050.
But the preparatory negotiations are going nowhere. The US is still insisting that major developing nations, such as Brazil, China and India — the so-called emerging markets, should agree to the same targets that would be imposed on industrialised nations.
The developing nations, however, reject that demand as they lack access to the technology needed to reach those targets. They offer domestic plans that can be monitored internationally but are not legally binding.
They argue that the more than 65 per cent of emissions in stock of carbon already in the air came from industrialised nations. Why should developing countries then be held accountable for a problem they didn't create?
It is an interesting debate. Sure. But it is not helpful and could very well cost us the battle against global warming.

4 most important topics-
The natural disasters and flooding that has hit Asia recently, are blatant affects of global warming.
Both Asia and the US plan to cut 50% of carbon emissions by 2050. This will be too late.
“…65 per cent of emissions in stock of carbon already in the air came from industrialized nations.”
“Climate change is no longer the talk of the intellectuals nor is it confined to the halls of conferences. It is a clear and present danger and its impact is being felt across the world.”

Ben Wasserman http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/117/1/thomascd2.pdf

Photosynthesis Matters To Me...

because it is a crucial/necessary role in the process that provides me with oxygen to breathe everyday, and allows me to be present in Brandon Davidson's classroom everyday for the rest of the semester.



I need a little light
So I can store energy
I need a little light
So I can make ATP
I need a little light
Im gonna make some food
Its outta sight
And I need a little light

Been sittin here in this chloroplast, feeling green the whole day through
Yeah, Im a little thylakoid, waitin for something to do
Im gonna move some electrons through a chain
Thats gonna pump some hydrogen in
But its been dark all night and you can see the state Im in

CHORUS

When the electrons leave the chain theyre gonna join NADP (plus)
And that high conconcentration of hydrogens gonna want outside of me
Gonna go through a special protein thats gonna kick some ATP out
Thats what movin these electrons is really all about

CHORUS

The ATP and NADPH are gonna make a cycle go round
At the end of the calvin cycle glucose can be found
You gotta put in 6 pieces of CO2 to make that precious food
And use up the products of the thylakoid, darn this systems good

CHORUS

The chlorophyl that lost the electrons is gonna have to get some more
So an enzymes gonna break apart water (using 6 no less no more)
Its gonna produce 6 molecules of fresh O2, though the plant just thinks its waste
Its amazing to think that this photosynthesis is happening all over the place

This is very helpful to me. Why? Because it teaches me a very catchy and creative way to remember the functions and process of photosynthesis. For extra credit, me and one other person will learn and play this song in front of the whole class.

"Describe one aspect of the natural world that you are very curious about, something you have wondered about but something you don't have an answer for. Describe this phenomenon in as much detail as possible and explain why this phenomenon peaks your interest."

One thing about the natural world that I am curious about is the end of the world as we know it. Biology or not? Does man tie into it? It sounds corny or crazy, but I am actually an avid believer in the "2012" prophecy or theory; the beginning of a new age. Drastic believers see the world ending as a literal sign, but I see it as a sign of great change in the world. I am curious though, how will it happen? Will the extremist radical believers be right? Will the earth's magnetic poles begin shifting? Or will a series of natural disasters begin to occur such as volcanic explosions and extreme tidal shifts? I know this is a slow process with extreme results, but I am very curious, will we be able to survive if this takes place? Another ice age? I think so. I know it may seem a bit off topic, but I see much to answer about life in this question. Survival, evolution, adaptation. All of these will take a lot of consideration and thought as the time approaches.