I've worked as a Marine Research Scientist for the Florida Department of Natural Resources, responsible for original laboratory and field research.
My work has been published in multiple scientific journals, and I've served as a state expert at hearings.
Earth is special, and we all need the blue planet.
My work has been published in multiple scientific journals, and I've served as a state expert at hearings.
Earth is special, and we all need the blue planet.
Earth is in the sweet spot, in an orbit the right distance from a young star, with the water and carbon necessary for life. The climate has changed before; there have been ice ages and sweat houses in the past.
But the current climate change is directly tied to us. The human population exploded after farming and then the industrial revolution, growing from millions to the current 7.5 billion people. (Photo by NASA)
But the current climate change is directly tied to us. The human population exploded after farming and then the industrial revolution, growing from millions to the current 7.5 billion people. (Photo by NASA)
This graph by EDF.org shows carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide gas concentrations across time; these are “greenhouse” gases that trap heat and warm the planet. There is an amazing increase in these gases just when the human population exploded.
The increase in average world temperatures corresponds perfectly with the increasing human population and our increasing use of fossil fuels.
The increase in average world temperatures corresponds perfectly with the increasing human population and our increasing use of fossil fuels.
We live in interesting times. This photo shows the shrinking ice caps. Glaciers and ice caps are melting even faster than predicted, which is raising the sea level.
Florida has been underwater in the past, which is why you can find terrific fossil shark teeth far inland.
China is negotiating for use of sea lanes in the Bering Sea, which are opening up as the arctic ice disappears. The increasing temperature provides greater energy for more powerful hurricanes and tornadoes. New areas will have drought and floods.
We’ll plant different food crops when the temperature and rainfall change; England has experimented with this for years, preparing for expected changes. Homes will become more energy efficient, with double-pane windows and better insulation. Wind and solar energy will help. (Glacier photo by ILTS SCIENCE – EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE; solar panel photo by MIT.)
Florida has been underwater in the past, which is why you can find terrific fossil shark teeth far inland.
China is negotiating for use of sea lanes in the Bering Sea, which are opening up as the arctic ice disappears. The increasing temperature provides greater energy for more powerful hurricanes and tornadoes. New areas will have drought and floods.
We’ll plant different food crops when the temperature and rainfall change; England has experimented with this for years, preparing for expected changes. Homes will become more energy efficient, with double-pane windows and better insulation. Wind and solar energy will help. (Glacier photo by ILTS SCIENCE – EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE; solar panel photo by MIT.)
We can still make a difference and slow climate change to give us more time to adapt.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
We can reduce our carbon footprint by ride-sharing, keeping our homes warmer in the summer, using ceiling fans, bringing our own bags to stores, and buying less to reduce industrial waste.
Call to stop receiving unwanted paper catalogs. Reduce the immense packaging waste of frozen meals by fixing food from scratch; these meals are often much healthier and cheaper. Freeze part for later meals. Buy locally whenever possible. Plant suitable trees or cacti, since roots help hold water and reduce erosion. (Photo by J.S. Burke)
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
We can reduce our carbon footprint by ride-sharing, keeping our homes warmer in the summer, using ceiling fans, bringing our own bags to stores, and buying less to reduce industrial waste.
Call to stop receiving unwanted paper catalogs. Reduce the immense packaging waste of frozen meals by fixing food from scratch; these meals are often much healthier and cheaper. Freeze part for later meals. Buy locally whenever possible. Plant suitable trees or cacti, since roots help hold water and reduce erosion. (Photo by J.S. Burke)
The heat pollution from global warming is a major stressor on coral reefs. When coral animals die, the rock-like coral reef wears away and a very important habitat is lost. Since heat is hard to stop, we must control other coral stressors such as chemical pollution (pesticides, fertilizers, oil spills, industrial waste) and silt (from logging). We might still save reefs.
Watch the excellent documentary Food Inc. (in some libraries) to learn the many consequences of mass production of food, including mass pollution. Eating organic is a vote for our health and the health of our planet.
Fracking involves the injection of undisclosed pollutants deep into the Earth to extract oil. This can permanently pollute an aquifer, making water resources toxic.
We want oil, but we need water.
Watch the excellent documentary Food Inc. (in some libraries) to learn the many consequences of mass production of food, including mass pollution. Eating organic is a vote for our health and the health of our planet.
Fracking involves the injection of undisclosed pollutants deep into the Earth to extract oil. This can permanently pollute an aquifer, making water resources toxic.
We want oil, but we need water.
The Dragon Dreamer series by J. S. Burke is science fantasy adventure layered for ages 9 to 99.
There's an undersea world, an improbable friendship, a dangerous quest, and a "connectedness" theme. Glide across coral reefs and fly with dragons. Visit the deep abyss and toss colored lightning in the clouds.
“Everything is truly connected. Change one thing and you change the world.” ~ Scree. She's a natural shape-shifter, an octopus, and she speaks for the sea.
Available here: Amazon US Amazon UK NOOK ITUNES KOBO
There's an undersea world, an improbable friendship, a dangerous quest, and a "connectedness" theme. Glide across coral reefs and fly with dragons. Visit the deep abyss and toss colored lightning in the clouds.
“Everything is truly connected. Change one thing and you change the world.” ~ Scree. She's a natural shape-shifter, an octopus, and she speaks for the sea.
Available here: Amazon US Amazon UK NOOK ITUNES KOBO
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