Unnatural Kingdom

             In the article, The Unnatural Kingdom by Daniel Duane, advancements in digital technology are keeping nature the way we want it. In the article, two methods were mentioned that conservationists are using to restore populations of endangered animals. Relocation and the collar system are methods currently being used to restore these populations. These methods are for the best interest to save endangered species.
           Both relocation and the collar system allow conservationists regulate populations. In this article, relocation of pregnant sheep allowed their diverse genetics to be introduced to other species in a given area. By introducing new genes to the gene pool, this causes an increase in diversity and population. The collar system tracks where the animal is and its every move it makes. This system allows conservationists to keep track of the populations by killing certain animals with high populations, which are usually going to be predators in this case, to regulate other populations of animals which are often prey. Both methods would need lots of human intervention and constant monitoring of all species. Both methods also would need the use of technology to analysis the data, crunch data, monitor animals, along with the use of GPS.
          Relocation and the collar system both affect the animals differently. Relocating an animal is not as invasive as putting collars and tags on animals to track every movement they make 24/7. By observing the populations of animals and placing them in various areas to increase the population, the natural aspect of the animal is not affected as much. Putting animals in a different location may affect them a bit psychologically at first, since they are taken out of their habitat and placed in an unfamiliar area. However, over time the animal will adapt to its surroundings. Also, conservationists would probably relocate animals to a locations similar to the one they were in previously. Collar systems on the other hand, disrupt the "natural" aspect of animals in the wild. These animals have to live with a collar around their neck and tags in their ears, just to monitor their every movement. The process of puncturing an animals ear with a tag and forcing an animal living in the wild to wear a collar around its neck is more invasive.
          The collar system has a better chance at being successful because you are able to observe and regulate species in more detail. However, I personally do not agree with the method of tracking species by putting a collar on them and labeling each animal with a tag. The whole concept of restoring populations in the wild is to keep the animals "wild." By putting a collar on an animal, like you do to animals in your home, it takes away the "wilderness" of the animal. If this is the method that is going to be used from now on, restored populations should not be considered "wild." However, if the collar system method is used, the term "wild" may change. Despite the collar system method to restore populations, human intervention in the wild also takes away from animals being "wild." Animals are not able to be left alone to figure things out with this human intervention, which again makes animals in the wild seem domesticated.
         Restored populations of big horn sheep will have less genetic diversity than they did 200 years ago because of population size. 200 years ago, the big horn sheep population was very high, whereas now the population had to start all over. The gene pool is not very big due to the low population, but will increase as population increases. This overall will eventually increase the genetic diversity. Conservationists are using the method of relocation to improve genetic diversity. As mentioned in the article, pregnant sheep with diverse genes are being introduced to new groups of species, which is increasing genetic diversity.

Animal Welfare Summary

              

               In the Executive Summary on "Animal Welfare," it focuses on the conditions animals live in and regulations that are put in place for the safety and well being of both the animals and humans. Many animals such as; pigs, hens, and cows, are confined into small spaces, where they are unable to move naturally and freely. Confinement can then result in spread of diseases and for animals to be more susceptible to disease, which then impacts humans that consume the animals with disease. Due to consumers finding out about conditions the animal live in, many people are concerned and demand change in these conditions. Since the treatment of the animals has brought such animosity, standards have been put in place to ensure comfort among the animals. Such measures are, "feeding regimens that ensure that animals do not experience prolonged hunger or thirst; housing that ensures resting comfort, a good thermal environment, and freedom of movement; health management that prevents physical injury, disease, and pain; and appropriate means to allow animals to express non-harmful social behaviors, and other, species-specific natural behaviors (European Union Animal Welfare Quality Program: http://www. welfarequality.net/everyone/36059)(fawc, 2007)." Even though these standards have been put in place, the animal industry still does not completely abide by these standards as a fear that the cost of production will increase. This summary focuses on the ethical treatment for animals for the safest and sustainable animal food production industry, which in the end does not affect human health. 

              

               In the section, "Alternative Hog Production System,"  it gives a more specific and detailed description of what conditions and factors that are weighed into decisions of conditions that the animals live in. The most favored alternative to raise hogs is the hoop barn instead of the traditional barn. This barn is favored because it requires less money, time, and effort. They are also better for repairs on the barn and easier to manage the bedding. Due to consumers being more informed and concerned with the animals well-being, the "Five Freedoms" were created and are followed all over the world. These Five Freedoms take in consideration the animal's emotional and physical well-being. The Five Freedoms are 1) Freedom from Hunger and Thirst 2) Freedom from Discomfort 3) Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease 4) Freedom to Express Normal Behavior 5) Freedom from Fear and Distress. These regulations are the same if not more detailed in regards to social relations with the farm owners and animals in the European Union. However, unlike the European Union, in the United States these regulations are not closely followed at all.



             One way to address these issues is by bringing more of an awareness to the animals mental health, along with physical health. Also by creating more space and a "natural" life for the animals would be a good solution. Things such as "cage free" have been implemented when buying eggs from the grocery store, so a continuation of acts like this would be a good idea too.


http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/facts-on-animal-farming-and-the-environment/

EROI Homework

1) We should use tar sands before we use oil shale because tar sands have a higher EROI.
2) A similarity between the processes used to get oil from tar sands and oil from oil shale is the use of heat. In the process used to get oil from oil shale, heater holes are drilled 1,000 to 2,000 feet where it then heats oil barring shale to 700 degrees. In the process used to get oil from tar sands, they are heated with steam or hot water to extract bitumen.
3) A difference between the process used to get oil from tar sands and oil shale is that the bitumen created in tar sands must be refined into usable oil, whereas in oil shale it creates crude oil, along with natural gas.
4) Off-shore drilling may be smart in the long run to reduce greenhouse gas emissions because there is a higher EROI with off-shore drilling, causing less energy to be used into refining, as seen in tar sands.
5) When doing my homework I sometimes start to get tired. I usually do my homework in bed. I have two options, go make coffee with the intentions to drink a cup to help me stay awake, or I sleep. However, going downstairs to make a pot of coffee makes me have to use my energy to get out of bed, walk all the way down stairs, empty the filter from before, put that in the trash can, put a new filter in, open the container with the coffee in it, scoop two 1/4 cups of coffee and place it in the filter, walk over to the sink to fill up the coffee pot with water, dump the water in the coffee maker, make sure the little plastic thing is in the right place, and press the button that says "start brew." Now, this causes me to have to use a lot of my energy, compared to the other option which I usually do everyday after school around 4, lay down and sleep instead of doing my homework and do it later.