Outer Space

I am going to talk a little about outer space and the atmosphere today. According to Wikipedia "outer Space  is the void that exists between celestial bodies, including the Earth.^[1] It is not completely empty, but consists of a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles, predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium as well aselectromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, neutrinos, dust and cosmic rays. The baseline temperature, as set by the background radiation from the Big Bang, is 2.7 kelvin (K). Plasma with a number density of less than one hydrogen atom per cubic metre and a temperature of millions of kelvin in the space between galaxies accounts for most of the baryonic (ordinary) matter in outer space; local concentrations have condensed into stars and galaxies. In most galaxies, observations provide evidence that 90% of the mass is in an unknown form, called dark matter, which interacts with other matter through gravitational but not electromagnetic forces." The atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding a planet or other material body of sufficient mass that is held in place by the gravity of the body. An atmosphere is more likely to be retained if the gravity is high and the atmosphere's temperature is low. According to Wikipedia "The Earth's atmosphere consists, from the ground up, of the troposphere (which includes the planetary boundary layer or peplosphere as lowest layer), stratosphere (which includes the ozone layer, mesosphere, thermosphere (which contains the ionosphere), exosphere and also the magnetosphere. Each of the layers has a different lapse rate, defining the rate of change in temperature with height.Three quarters of the atmospheric mass resides within the troposphere, and the depth of this layer varies between 17 km at the equator and 7 km at the poles. The ozone layer, which absorbs ultraviolet energy from the Sun, is located primarily in the stratosphere, at altitudes of 15 to 35 km. The Kármán line, located within the thermosphere at an altitude of 100 km, is commonly used to define the boundary between the Earth's atmosphere and outer space. However, the exosphere can extend from 500 up to 1,000 km above the surface, where it interacts with the planet's magnetosphere."

Recycling

Before I even start talking about recycling, I want you to take a look at the facts on this website. They are unbelievably true, which is scary to me, and should be scary to you as well. http://bit.ly/1dNbtYw. The main question that I've noticed a lot of people having is, "Is recycling really worth it?" and the answer to that is yes. According to the Scientific American, In the case of an aluminum can the answer is an unqualified yes. Such a can can be recycled endlessly with no loss of quality. And recycling a can uses less than five percent of the energy that it takes to refine bauxite ore into fresh aluminum. Recycling is worth it when it comes to all metals, though we're better at recycling aluminum than say neodymium. In principle it could work for plastic, too. But because plastic is made from petrochemicals, low oil prices can make it cheaper to just dump old plastic and manufacture new. And plastics degrade as they're recycled, as does paper. That said, a simple cost-benefit analysis does not correctly measure the environmental costs of dumping plastics or cutting down more trees for paper products. The EPA suggests that recycling in the U.S. reduces the same amount of greenhouse gas pollution as taking more than 38 million cars off the road.
 

How can we stop Global Warming? Is it even possible?...

Today I am going to talk about whether or not we are actually able to stop global warming. In my opinion we can, I am not an expert at this topic, but I do consider my self educated on it. According to the National Resources Defense Council, also know as NRDC, the biggest cause of global warming is the carbon dioxide released when fossil fuels -- such as oil and coal -- are burned for energy. So when you save energy, you fight global warming and save money, too. NRDC reported 5 ways to fight global warming, they are, to limit pollution, green jobs and clean energy, green homes and buildings, drive smarter cars, and to have better community transportation.

Eastern Market

I recently conducted another interview, and I wanted to share it with my readers!

Eastern Market is a popular market near downtown Detroit. They have hundreds of vendors selling anything from live chickens to baked goods. With Detroit’s spirit shown, food trucks, and shoppers all over.  Eastern Market is the largest historic market in the country, a 4.5-acre celebration of the freshest, most wholesome fruits, vegetables, specialty foods, art and music, all undeniably Detroit.

According to Wikipedia, The market presently covers 43 acres and is the largest historic public market district in the United States.^[3] Eastern Market is a selling point for a wide variety of produce, meat, spice and other products. It is particularly busy on Saturdays, when farmers tend to bring in their poultry and livestock, along with fresh produce, for sale.

Although the market is in the largest historic public market district in the U.S., the market itself is operated by the private sector though a public-private partnership with the Eastern Market Corporation. The Eastern Market Corporation has operated the property since 2006. The Market allows for more than 150 vendors in the peak months.

“The freshest, most nourishing foods, and choices so vast you could go for months without making the same meal twice.” “Today, Eastern Market embodies the heart and soul of Detroit, with an unwavering commitment to put the finest, healthiest foods on the tables of Detroit homes and restaurants.” According to the Eastern Market website

For Gary and Dawn Lauber, baking sweet treats is nothing out of the ordinary. The Laubers have been bringing their company, Sweet Delights Bakery, to Eastern Market for 7 years, with no thoughts of leaving any time soon.

According to the Eastern Market website, the overall objective of Eastern Market Corporation's economic development strategy is to capitalize on our attractions and our legacy to create a vibrant and diverse urban district in central Detroit.

The Eastern Market has been a valuable keystone of Detroit for more than a century, offering residents the freshest produce and specialty foods from Southeastern Michigan, Northern Ohio and Ontario, Canada.

“The Peanut Butter cookie is what started it all” stated Lauber. I have always loved to bake, I would make these cookies all the time.” Said Gary. “Gary would make these peanut butter cookies for bake sales, everyone would tell him that they were amazing and to open up a bakery, and one day we just did it.” Stated Dawn

“Bake sales led to the company, I have always wanted to open up a Bakery. Bake sales, school events, and anytime I could bake them, I would.” Stated Gary “Like I said, I have always wanted to open up a bakery, I just never thought it would actually happen, but I am so happy that it did.” Said Gary

“We started the bakery in 1999, getting the equipment was hard, we paid for everything on our own, and it’s just the two of us, everything is homemade, we use Michigan made products, all fresh.” Stated Dawn

Having been Michigan residents all of their lives, the Lauders felt it right to expand their business to Detroit. Originally they are based in Bay City, MI. They now come to Eastern Market every weekend, and are planning to open up another store in the Roseville area.

“We have sold our products are other markets throughout the years, but we do significantly better here at the Eastern market. That’s’ why we have been vendors here for 7 years and are thinking of opening a building in Detroit.” Stated Gary

“Our daughter worked with us until she graduated college, so now it’s the two of us again. We’re looking for a building somewhere in between Roseville and Detroit to be closer to our daughter. We also want it to be a building that could use some love.” Stated Dawn

“We started the Bakery, and we are keeping it alive for our daughter, in hopes that she will take it over one day.” Stated Dawn

Before opening up Sweet Delights Bakery, Gary worked at Sears for 29 years. He was just on the verge of retiring when they came up with the idea to open up their bakery.

“If we miss a Saturday at the Market, we get complaints that we weren’t here. If we run out of a certain dessert, they get upset, basically if we have to come every Saturday with all we have.” Stated Gary

Sweet Delights Bakery’s most popular treats are, the Peanut Butter cookie, the M&M cookie, and homemade pretzels.

After the Laubers open up another building for their bakery, they plan on making the necessary steps to become certified to sell diabetic treats. They still have to go through all of the licensing, get more equipment, and make new diabetic friendly recipes.

The Laubers are in the same shed every Saturday, which is shed number 6, so their consistent customers know exactly where they are going to be. With their table full of all different kinds of desserts, and smiles on their faces, the customers just keep coming back for more every week.

 “Right now we have no debt, we owe no money to anyone, and all of our equipment is ours. We have plans for the future that we should be able to afford, things are good.” Stated Gary. “We hope our plans will happen sooner rather than later, we are very excited for what the future has in store for us and our family.” Stated Dawn

The growth of Marine Conservation

This photo was not taken by me

Marine Conservation is becoming more and more demanding around the world. There are Marine Conservations in what seems to be every inch of the planet. According to Dr. Lance Morgan, President of The Marine Conservation Institute, which is based out of Irvine Calif., the need for Marine Conservations is real. The world needs more of them, to regulate laws, create new laws, and to keep the oceans clean. “We are trying to designate protected areas, no fishing zones, in the U.S. and outside of the U.S.” stated Morgan. The Marine Conservation Institute was working with President Obama to create the world’s largest fully protected marine reserve in the Central Pacific Ocean. Climate change is causing sea levels and ocean temperatures to rise. Changing temperatures can harm coral reefs and force certain species to migrate. In addition, carbon pollution is being absorbed by the oceans, causing them to acidify, which can damage coastal shellfish beds and reefs, altering entire marine ecosystems.By broadening the Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Monument from almost 87,000 square miles to more than 490,000 square miles, Obama has protected more acres of federal land and sea by executive power than any other president in at least 50 years and makes the area off-limits to commercial fishing.

The dreadful winter

I captured this photograph in Downtown Wyandotte. I thought it was important because it is spring and we are still having snowfall! I know this happens every year, but this year in my opinion, it is colder and snowier. I also thought this picture was relevant because of the ducks just swimming along. On my adventure in Wyandotte, I saw maybe 15 ducks swimming in the frigid waters. I couldn't help but to feel sorry for them. The weather is supposed to be getting warmer, not staying the same or even getting colder.

International Dark Sky Park

I recently conducted an Interview with Mary Adams, a co-designer of The Dark Sky Park, in Petoskey, Mich. I would love for you to read it!

In the past couple of years there has been a development in Petoskey, Mich. This development is called “Headlands International Dark Sky Park”. The Dark Sky Park was initially started in 2009, which ironically is the international year of astronomy. The entire process took two years to complete, starting with getting the property protected. In 2011, they opened to the public, and crowds starting flooding in.

The brains behind the Dark Sky Park and are, Mary Stewart Adams, Fred Grey, and Mary Lou Tanton. “The events we hold take place in any kind of weather.” Stated Adams. The Dark Sky Park holds different types of events each month, which is also one of the requirements by the International Dark Sky Association. So, it is imperative that the events happen in rain, snow, or shine.

In the 1990’s Michigan was the first state to protect their dark skies. The Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Michigan was the sixth park to open in the country, and the ninth park to open in the world. The Michigan dark sky park is the only one that sits on a body of water, which is Lake Michigan.

 “The enthusiasm of the people who come here, there is a tender yet sacred moment. It is incredible to share that moment with someone.” Adams stated. They are expecting the Dark Sky Park’s popularity to continue growing throughout the years, both tourists and locals will keep returning to see the Dark sky without light pollution, and to attend the Dark Sky Park’s monthly county events.

To open the Dark Sky Park took many years of studying and research by Adams, Grey and Tanton. But with all of their hard work, the Dark Sky Park has won numerous awards. Including, The Innovative Recreation Programming award. One of their events is being held on March 20^th, which is the first day of spring. The viewer would be able to see the sun in a total eclipse because of the equinox.  

There are hiking events during the summer months, there are also events at the 600 acre Dark Sky Park every time there is a meteor shower or there is an eclipse.  “2015 has been sanctioned in order to raise awareness on the effects of artificial light at night.” Said Adams. It is partial to maintain these protected areas, so everyone can experience the night sky in its natural form.

Global Warming, is it real or is it a myth? That seems to be the topic of a lot of peoples discussions lately. In my opinion, global warming is completely a real thing. There is definite proof. Basically, nature is trying to tell us something, and we are not listening! I have done a lot of research on global warming, so I would consider myself educated on the topic. One of the best sites I have found is http://1.usa.gov/1exF8pi and I would highly suggest that you check it out!