Wind or Solar Power?

Wind or Solar Power?
Shantanu Vinchurkar

Our society has begun to use more renewable resources after learning the negative impacts of nonrenewable resources. Due to the use of renewable resources society is taking the right step to keep the Earth clean, but we still heavily rely on fossil fuels. If we use more of these renewable resources then we wouldn't have to rely on fossil fuels and save them for other uses. Wind and solar power are a few of the most common renewable resources that the world uses. Both of these resources obtainable anywhere of the Earth, so they make a fair comparison.


Solar Energy is obtained by photovoltaic solar panels absorbing sunlight and turning it into power. Solar energy is great for places with a lot of sunlight, but it can be used in all places. Solar energy is great in areas like India because they have a huge footprint. Additionally, in India, it gets very hot, and the sun is out a lot, which makes them perfect for solar energy. I have taken many trips to India, and every time I go there is a cloud of smoke visible everywhere in the city. Solar power has been implemented in some areas of India, and it is slowly moving to more parts of the country. It is also great for Suburban areas. By installing solar panels to your home, the price of the property goes up and attracts more eco-friendly people to move in.

Wind Energy, on the other hand, uses wind harnessing devices(wind turbines) to make energy. It is a little different from solar energy because it requires one turbine to reach many users. Wind energy is great for places in the midwest part of the U.S due to their weather during the year. Also, wind energy is great near bodies of water because those areas are fairly windy in general. Wind energy does not require much wind to make much energy. Unlike solar energy, a small wind can power a family's home with 100 kilowatts of energy. 


Many homeowners in the United States have traditionally tended to use solar-energy roof arrays to power their homes while growing numbers of commercial companies shift toward wind power. For your house, the one advantage of wind over solar is that wind turbines can produce power 24 hours a day because they are not dependent on sunlight. Since these systems use less electricity, emit less carbon dioxide, and produce more total energy, wind power is considered more powerful than solar. A single wind turbine will produce the same amount of kilowatt-hours of electricity as a thousand solar panels. Wind and solar energy have there ups and downs, but they are great energy sources.

Sources:
https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/is-solar-or-wind-a-better-way-to-power-your-home
https://www.awea.org/wind-101/basics-of-wind-energy
https://www.energysage.com/solar/

Questions:
Which energy source do you think is better?

How long until the Earth becomes fully reliant on renewable resources?

Is there another renewable resource that can beat wind and solar power?

Coronavirus a threat to Great Apes?

Alex Thomas

I couldn't really think of a topic to write about, but then I realized what to do. APES. Apes. Great Apes! Through all of this stir regarding Corona virus we tend to forget about our close relatives the Great Apes. When we tend to think of the problems regarding the population of Great Apes most of us immediately turn to poachers or we turn to habitat destruction, but it turns out infectious disease is actually one of the biggest threats in regards to Great Apes. As of right now there haven't been any cases in connection to the Great Apes, but it's safe to assume that they can contract the disease due to our close ancestry. Many countries are taking precautions to protect the ape populations in their areas and are doing their best to prevent this disease from reaching them.


The biggest threat to Great Apes is tourism as the disease could easily be transferred if someone were to be reckless or not maintain their distance from the apes. A lot of organizations have actually come to the conclusion that closing off their facilities is the best way to protect the animals that reside there. One such example would be the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center who has actually closed their doors to the public to prevent any way of tourism causing their apes to contract the disease or allow the disease to mutate in any way. Another requirement that many facilities are adopting is requiring their workers to maintain a specific distance from the animals as well as obviously keeping any infected person as far from the facility as possible. Most facilities have set rules requiring their workers to maintain at least 7 meters between them and the animals, but are advising that they stay within 10 meters instead. This can cause complications, but at times like these it's required in order to keep the Great Apes safe.

Most facilities have set rules requiring their workers to maintain at least 7 meters between them and the animals, but are advising that they stay within 10 meters instead. This can cause complications, but at times like these it's required in order to keep the Great Apes safe. Although the ideal situation would be that all facilities close until all of this is over some have remained open. A good way to prevent the Corona virus from transmitting is by keeping our clothes as well as footwear clean and disinfected before approaching or getting near these animals enclosures as well as wearing masks to prevent transmitting it through the air. And then of course if one is feeling ill or in any way sick they should avoid coming into contact with the facilities that these animals are held in.

Overall the Corona virus could be detrimental to the work that many conservation facilities are working toward. The worst thing about all of this is that fact that we just don't know everything about this virus and that other animals may be susceptible to the virus. The best thing we can all do is just to stay safe and away from these animals until everything cools off.


Questions:
Do you think the Great Apes are susceptible to the Corona Virus?

How do you think we can help to prevent Corona Virus from spreading to these animals?

What do you think poses the greatest threat to the Great Apes?

Sources:

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-52236493

https://www.livescience.com/great-apes-coronavirus-risk.html

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/05/primatologists-work-keep-great-apes-safe-coronavirus

Solar Energy- An Innovative Way to Catch Some Rays!

Lauren Thakur

Soak up some sun!

As summer rolls around, and temperatures soar, we often look for ways to beat the heat, and avoid contact with the sun at all costs. But instead of running away from what could arguably be the most important resource in our lives, we can learn to use it for the greater good. One way to harness this energy is through solar panels. When I went to my grandparents house as a kid, I noticed that their neighbor's yard had a funny looking side roof. After explaining to me that it wasn't some crazy roof decor, they told me how they have solar panels, and how it is benefitting not only them but everyone around them. It thought that this idea was so innovative and interesting, and from that point on, I have always wanted to put solar panels when I purchase my own house.

Almost everyone has heard of solar panels, but how many people actually understand how they work? Solar panels use photovoltaic cells that convert light into solar electricity. When the sun's light comes into contact with the panels, the photovoltaic cells convert it into DC, or direct electricity. The DC electricity is then converted by an inverter into AC electricity, or alternating current electricity, which is used to power your home. The leftover electricity that you don't use is sent into the grid. Usually, people with solar panels have an agreement with their utility company that lowers their electricity costs due to their contribution to the grid. So not only are you making your own energy from these solar panels, but you can also save money on electricity bills!

Although solar energy has many benefits and helps with our issues regarding nonrenewable energy, there are some downsides. Solar panels are kind of biased when it comes to putting them up on your house. Not all places around the world are equipped for solar energy, and it is favorable depending on where you are. Countries such as Russia and Canada have a tougher time when it comes to successfully generating solar electricity because they do not get as much annual sunlight as places like Texas. It is also hard to rely on solar energy because it is dependent on the sun, which is not out as much in the winter and is not out at all at night. Big companies who want to harness a lot of solar energy require a lot of space, and their solar fields are taking up land that can be used for agriculture. Also, mining is required in order to obtain the materials needed for photovoltaic cells. While solar energy saves you money, it is very expensive to install, costing up to $47,300 just to power a four bedroom house.

Around the globe, we have been trying to find solutions to our rapidly declining supply of nonrenewable resources. While solar energy provides a solution by using the sun to generate electricity, which will be a source that is around for longer than other sources such as coal, it has costly negatives. For most people, solar energy sounds like a good plan and a good investment (being environmentally friendly and lowering your electricity does sound pretty sweet, doesn't it?). But in the long run, people don't see it as cost beneficial and efficient for all of the electricity that they use on a daily basis. So before you turn on your light, TV, or XBOX, think about how solar energy can be used to power our necessities around us.

Questions:

1. Have you ever considered looking into solar panels or installing them in the future?

2. Do you believe that solar energy is more beneficial or harmful in the long term?

3. What other sources of renewable energy would you be interested in investing in?

Sources:

https://www.renewableresourcescoalition.org/solar-energy-disadvantages/

https://www.vivintsolar.com/learning-center/how-does-solar-power-work

https://www.solar-nation.org/can-i-earn-money-with-my-solar-power-system

Mining in Alaska

Audrey Thakur

Why the Last Frontier is a BIG Concern...

     This past summer, I went on a cruise to Alaska. At first I was not that excited because like everyone else, the only thing I knew about The Last Frontier was that there are eskimos living in igloos and it is close enough to Russia that some people can see it from their backyard (which is not true by the way, I cruised along the coast and never got a glimpse of Russia or anything else for that matter).  However, once I made it to the the most cold and remote state in the United States, I was actually intrigued and I immediately fell in love with it. With it's gorgeous wilderness and mesmerizing glaciers, how could anyone think such a place was boring? After returning from my fabulous adventures of climbing mountains and zip-lining between trees deep in the forest, I was so fascinated that I continued to research and learn about the beautiful state.  Which brings me to present day, where is discovered a MAJOR issue that is destroying the environment I once enjoyed. 

I actually took this picture (it's gorgeous right?!)

Now, I know most people are not as passionate about Alaska as I am, but that's OK. I mean, it's so far away that it's kind of out of sight and out of mind. But, through this blog I want to educate you guys a little bit more about what's going on in Alaska and how it's environment is in danger (just because it's so far away doesn't mean it doesn't face the same issues as the states on the mainland). Alaska is rich in natural resources, specifically zinc, lead, copper, silver, gold, coal, etc. Because of this, the state is heavily mined. There are many mining industries that are based in Alaska in order to get the most rich and valuable materials. But, as we learned in our APES class, mining takes a HUGE toll on the environment and it is rare that a habitat will ever be the same after being mined. Currently, there is a gold and copper mine off of the Kamishak Bay that transports its materials through a corridor in the Alaskan wilderness. This causes a high risk to the inhabitants in the Alaskan wilderness as their home is being stripped away and destroyed. 

I also took this picture of a famous glacier in Alaska 

This issue has actually made headlines for years, but like I said earlier, the average person does not really read much about Alaska. This area is home to many bears, wolves, and the water is full of sockeye salmon. The mining that takes place in this region is concerning to many people because it pollutes the water and will ultimately destroy one of the biggest salmon producers in the region (I've had this Alaskan salmon, and it is good enough to fight back and prevent mining in this area). While the pollutant issue is concerning, an even bigger issue is how these companies transport their materials. In order to get these materials from the remote wilderness of Alaska to other parts of our country, they have to construct long corridors through the wilderness with gasoline pipelines and other harmful chemicals. Not only is the wildlife in danger, but this corridor is very close to two national parks: Katmai and Lake Clark which will also be affected immensely. The spill of toxins and other chemicals could put plants and animals in danger for miles. People are also upset about this topic because this is one of the only rich and natural wildernesses left in the country, and mining could ruin it. 

Kamishak Bay and the Pebble Mine Facility

As you have read, mining in the Alaskan wilderness presents many problems besides habitat loss. Places like the beaches surrounding the waters and National Parks are greatly affected by this activity.  Many scientists have protested the construction of mining facilities in Alaska along with the Natives of the state. There are simply too many risks to creating a mining facility in the remote wilderness (In my opinion and hopefully yours too after reading this, the goods just don't outweigh the bad in this scenario). More and more people are starting to notice this issue and are speaking up about it. I know that because this place is so far away, it is easy to forget about these issues and assume that the Alaskan ecosystems are in not danger. But, I encourage you to put a little more thought into this great state and consider how we can help turn it around. Because after all, it is one of the most neglected states in the country...besides Wyoming, of course (seriously, have any of you guys ever met someone from Wyoming? No? My point exactly). If we all put in a little more consideration, we can help preserve the environment for many more years to come. 

Discussion Questions:

-Have you ever had a vacation that you weren't looking forward to but then actually enjoyed it once you got there? If so where? 

-Do you think that big industries should continue to create mines in Alaska?

-What do you think is the most dangerous factor in mining industry?

Sources:

About the Alaska Mining Industry: https://www.akrdc.org/mining

The Pebble Mine project and it's consequences: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/01/risky-plan-to-haul-minerals-from-mine-in-alaskan-wilderness/

About the Wildlife in Alaska: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/aknatureandscience/akwildlife.htm

Should Private Zoos be Illegal?

Should Private Zoos be Illegal?

By:Jonathan Suni

With the popularity of Tiger King, the documentary on Netflix, so high I decided to write this blog to see if Carole Baskin is truly the hero of the story. While there are local laws, ordinances, and regulations varying state to state, Carole Baskin wanted private zoos completely banned. Of course there will always be organizations that hate the idea of roadside zoos like PETA and of course Baskin. But there are still private zoos up and running all throughout our nation, so obviously something is stopping the federal government from just shutting them all down.  

Just to name a few roadside zoos, there is the infamous G.W. Zoo, Waccatee Zoological Farm, Cherokee Bear Zoo and Santa’s Land, Clark’s trading Post, among hundreds of more. Being a private zoo, these zoos are subject to bad conditions because at times like winter when their revenue is almost cut off completely they get into a serious situation where they can barely feed their animals. Zoos like the Fort Worth Zoo don’t rely as heavily on their ticket sales and have outside funds coming in to help with slower seasons, unlike their private counterparts. Many of Joe Exotics tigers were sent to a sanctuary in Colorado that ran off of revenue from tourists. But now due to the Coronavirus, it had to shut down and forty known Tigers are starving.

While there is another large debate circulating around zoos, should there be zoos at all, this I believe is the more important conversation to have. At least the majority of zoos give animals sufficient food and shelter, while private zoos can create a mass grave for starving animals during economic slow periods. Tourists keep these tourist traps up and running because they get a much better experience than a public city zoo, being able to play with baby tiger cubs and going face to face with full grown tigers and lions. They pay hundreds to keep something up and running that is much worse than meets the eyes.

Will Carole Baskin get what she wants? She pushes every day at state and national offices to get rid of these private zoos that are torturing animals. She was successful in uncovering and showing the federal government what was truly going on in that zoo run by Joe Exotic, so maybe she will build her credibility and put an end to these happily disguised torture camps.

1. Do you think private zoos should be legal or illegal?
2. Are you Team Joe Exotic or Team Baskin?
3. Let’s say private zoos are out of the picture, are regular zoos next?

https://www.peta.org/living/entertainment/deadly-destinations/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2020/04/21/this-sanctuary-took-dozens-tiger-king-joe-exotics-tigers-now-its-struggling-stay-afloat/

https://www.netflix.com/title/81115994

The Impacts of Glitter on the Environment

The Effects of Glitter on the Environment

By: Erin Spiek

We’ve all used glitter at some point in our lives. I mean, who didn’t find joy using the sparkly stuff to decorate crafts in elementary school? Or maybe you sent a glitter bomb to your friend as a prank. But like most things these days, there are adverse effects on the environment. Most glitter products are made from plastic, and when they are released into the environment, they can cause a variety of issues.

Glitter is a microplastic, which means that it is less than 5 mm in length. Microplastic is one of the worst kinds of plastic pollution, and it makes up for 85% of plastic in the environment. It is so harmful because its tiny size allows it to easily pass through water filtration systems and end up oceans and lakes. Once it's in the water, it can easily be consumed by very small organisms and work its way up the food chain onto our plates. It’s consumed by fish, plankton, birds, and even oysters. A study from Plymouth University found that 33% of fish caught in the U.K. had plastic in their systems. It also collects in their stomachs, which can lead to starvation. 

Microplastics on the beach

Ingestion is not the only harmful effect on marine life, though. Microplastic can also provide a “lifeboat” for bacteria, which means that potentially harmful microbes are more likely to survive in aquatic environments. Finally, over time, glitter releases chemicals that can disrupt human and animal hormones. For what seems like such a small, insignificant piece of everyday life, glitter causes a lot of problems that are not easily solved.

However, as this gains more attention in the media, there are some things being done to stop the problems glitter causes. In 2015, the U.S. passed a law that banned microbeads, another microplastic found in face and body washes, and it was implemented in 2017. Since they’re both microplastics, scientists believe that it would be beneficial to ban both glitter and microbeads. Similarly, a group in the U.K. called 38 Degrees has started a petition that calls for a total ban of glitter.

Recently, there have also been alternatives to glitter making their way into stores. Brands like Glitter Revolution and BioGlitz have created biodegradable options that work just as well as normal glitter — it just has to be created carefully so it doesn’t break down. It may be hard to find in everyday life, but it may be worth it to prevent the pollution of the oceans. Similarly, Lush has begun to use synthetic mica and mineral shimmer in their bath bombs, both of which are plastic-free. So while glitter is still being used and impacting the environment, it is good to know that there are steps being taken towards lowering plastic pollution.

Questions: 

1. How often do you use glitter? Do you think about the consequences when you do use it?
2. Do you think it’s important for people to raise awareness about glitter? How should we go about it?
3. What do you think is the best way to stop glitter and other microplastic from polluting the oceans?

Sources:

https://www.insider.com/why-glitter-is-bad-for-the-environment-2019-3

https://www.allure.com/story/glitter-makeup-environmental-effects

 https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/11/glitter-plastics-ocean-pollution-environment-spd/#close

 https://www.bustle.com/p/is-glitter-bad-for-the-environment-some-scientists-think-it-should-be-banned-full-stop-6764078

Ozone Depletion

Ozone Depletion
By: Caleb Speed

     Ozone depletion, progressive diminishing of Earth's ozone layer in the upper atmosphere brought about by the arrival of synthetic mixes containing vaporous chlorine or bromine from industry and other human exercises. The thinning is generally articulated in the polar regions, particularly over Antarctica. Ozone consumption is a significant ecological issue since it builds the measure of bright (UV) radiation that arrives at Earth's surface, which expands the pace of skin malignancy, eye cataracts, and hereditary and insusceptible system damage. The Montreal Protocol, approved in 1987, was the first of a few exhaustive global understandings instituted to stop the creation and utilization of ozone-draining synthetics. Because of proceeded with universal collaboration on this issue, the ozone layer is relied upon to recoup after some time.
Antarctic ozone hole

The recognition of the dangers presented by chlorine and bromine to the ozone layer spawned an international effort to restrict the production and the use of CFCs and other halocarbons. The 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer started the phaseout of CFCs in 1993 and looked to accomplish a 50 percent decrease in worldwide utilization from 1986 levels by 1998. A progression of changes to the Montreal Protocol in the next years was intended to reinforce the controls on CFCs and different halocarbons. By 2005 the utilization of ozone-draining synthetic concoctions constrained by the understanding had fallen by 90–95 percent in the nations that were gatherings to the convention.

During the mid 2000s, researchers expected that stratospheric ozone levels would keep on rising gradually over ensuing decades. Without a doubt, a few researchers battled that, as levels of responsive chlorine and bromine declined in the stratosphere, the most exceedingly terrible of ozone exhaustion would pass. Figuring in varieties in air temperatures (which add to the size of ozone openings), researchers expected that proceeded with decreases in chlorine stacking would bring about littler ozone gaps above Antarctica (which since 1992 have spread over more than 20.7 million square km [8 million square miles]) after 2040. By and large ozone fixations from the shafts have kept on falling since 1998; however, a recent report indicated that decreases in ozone focuses in the lower stratosphere appeared differently in relation to increases made in the upper stratosphere between 60° N and 60° S. Another indication of the ozone layer's recuperation happened in September 2019, when researchers recorded the littlest ozone opening since 1982 (some 16.3 million square km [6.3 million square miles] at its pinnacle degree) above Antarctica. (In 1982 the ozone opening's pinnacle degree was somewhat less than 16.1 million square km [6.2 million square miles].)

Since ozone is an ozone harming substance, the breakdown and foreseen recuperation of the ozone layer influences Earth's atmosphere. Logical examinations show that the reduction in stratospheric ozone saw since the 1970s has created a cooling impact—or, all the more precisely, that it has balanced a little piece of the warming that has come about because of rising centralizations of carbon dioxide and other ozone harming substances during this period. As the ozone layer gradually recoups in the coming decades, this cooling impact is required to subside.

Questions:

1.) How do we know that natural sources are not responsible for ozone depletion?

2.) What are you doing in your life to prevent further ozone depletion?

3.)  Do you think the ozone layer will fully recover in our lifespan?


Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/science/ozone-depletion/Ozone-layer-recovery

https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/

https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/csl/assessments/ozone/2018/twentyquestions/

“Drinking Responsibly” Has a New Meaning *NOT CLICKBAIT*

Rubie Shinedling
What’s up APES, welcome to my blog. The birds are dying. My absolute favorite creatures on this planet are disappearing at a frighteningly alarming rate. It might seem like there is no hope for our feathered friends. However, there’s a simple way that each and every one of us can help put a stop to this tragedy. It has a little something to do with our nation’s favorite beverage: coffee.

Birds are an essential part of the daily workings of our planet. Not only do they provide the human race with an infinite amount of beauty, inspiration, and wisdom (from the comfort of our own backyards!), but they each have countless purposes on this planet. They play the roles of predators, prey, and scavengers, and without them, entire ecosystems would collapse. These critters are great pollinators and aid in seed dispersal around the world. Some birds are even able to carry seeds over 300 kilometers. In addition to these and countless other reasons, these creatures are very sensitive to any changes in their habitats, and are easy for scientists to study; therefore, they provide invaluable information on the overall health of the environment.

A 2017 study published in Science counted for the first time in history a wide scale loss of birds in the United States and Canada. Since the 1970’s, 3 billion birds have vanished, equating to a net loss of 30% of the continent’s bird population. All ecosystems in North America have experienced this loss. Species native to boreal forests have experienced a 33% loss in population, while grasslands have lost 53% of theirs. These statistics are an accurate reflection of how urbanization, pesticides, and invasive species have had a negative effect on much of North America’s wildlife. However, even common backyard birds that actually benefit from human life, like barn swallows and dark-eyed juncos, have experienced major declines. In fact, guys like these seem to have suffered the most.

Most of the birds we get to see from our own back porches do not actually make permanent homes of our homes; they’re just passing through. You might see more yellow birds around here in the wintertime, or you might see an abundance of hummingbirds in the summer despite hardly seeing them during any other season. This is because these and many other birds are migratory, meaning they travel North and South with each changing season, following their main food source. For example, American Goldfinches may travel from Canada to Texas in the winter in order to find some seeds, whereas in the summer, Ruby-Throated hummingbirds will fly from Costa Rica to Texas in search of nectar. Migratory birds like these make up the majority of the backyard birds we see every day, but unfortunately, they also make up 2.5 of the 3 billion birds that have disappeared in the past 50 years. This is largely due to habitat loss in Central and South America.

Habitat loss is a major issue plaguing the entire planet, but it is especially important to migratory bird loss in the Western Hemisphere. These migratory birds spend a majority of their year in these continents, where their ecosystems are being converted into agricultural land. A large percentage of this new farmland is being used to grow coffee. Coffee is a shade and moisture loving plant, and until about half a century ago, it was grown using a technique called “shade-farming”, where rows of coffee plants were grown under a canopy of native trees and foliage. This process caused coffee beans to ripen quite slowly, but it gave them a rich flavor. It also allowed rainforests to continue to thrive, and protected native ecosystems, giving migratory birds a home whenever they need it. In addition, growing coffee in rainforests gave farmers natural “pesticides”, in the form of birds and other animals feasting on the insects that would have been damaging the crops. By using “shade-farming”, natural fertilizer from the waste of plants and animals was provided. However, because of the slow speed at which the plants grew, farmers and businessmen decided they needed to come up with a more “efficient” method of farming in order to keep up with the growing coffee industry. In the 1970s, a technique called open-sun farming was introduced. This meant clearing forested land in order to plant rows and rows of coffee plants to grow them in full sunlight. The method proved to produce more coffee and was much more efficient. However, without the benefits of growing these crops in rainforests, farmers started paying for artificial fertilizers and chemical pesticides, bringing soil erosion to an all-time high. On top of this, the coffee simply didn’t taste as good.

Today, coffee farms take up 27 million acres of the tropical forest belt, the place most of North America’s migratory birds call home for various seasons of the year. Currently, 93.4% of the global coffee market uses full sun farming, including all of our favorite coffee brands like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts. The other 6.6% still uses shaded farming, the original way it was grown and the way it ought to be now. In order to save the birds, we need to switch back to shade-grown coffee. We can do this by buying coffee from certified Bird-Friendly® farms, which are required to use only sustainable practices as well as shade farming. Some companies that sell coffee from certified Bird-Friendly® farms include Birds and Beans®, Redstart Roasters®, and Wood Warbler Coffee®. In addition to switching the coffee we use in homes, we can urge big coffee companies to make the switch by boycotting them until they make the change, and maybe even sending in a letter or two. 

In one year, Americans consume 146 billion cups of coffee. At this rate, all birds could be extinct within this century. The best way we can reverse this pattern is by thinking before we drink. Not only will responsible coffee drinking bring habitats back to birds and other living organisms, but it will also help in the fight against climate change and will help support small family farms that exclusively practice sustainable farming. Given the current events, now is a better time than ever to support small businesses like these. This is something that every single coffee-drinking person can do, including you. Do your part to save the birds and this planet. Make the switch to shade-grown coffee today!

TL/DR: The birds are dying but if we switch to shade-grown coffee we can save them!

Questions:

1. Are you gonna switch to shade grown coffee? Why or why not?
2. What are some other steps we can all take to help bring back the birds?
3. What’s your favorite bird? 

Sources:

https://www.3billionbirds.org/findings

https://www.audubon.org/news/north-america-has-lost-more-1-4-birds-last-50-years-new-study-says

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/migratory-birds/ecological-benefits-shade-grown-coffee

https://www.dlgcoffee.org/news/2017/4/6/coffee-cultivation-sun-grown-shade-grown-and-how-it-impacts-the-environment-and-the-farmers

https://theexoticbean.com/blog/coffee-types/shade-grown-vs-sun-grown-coffee-matters/

Super Cool Live Bird Cams!!! (check out the barred owls!)

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/cams/

Bonus Link:
https://youtu.be/86oxFI5lftY