1. As the European settlers began staking claims on the land belonging to the Aboriginal population, the Nyungar people realized "what the arrival of the... settlers meant for them: it was the destruction of their traditional society and the dispossession of their lands" (13). The Nyungar soon found out that it could only get worse: they couldn't follow their old hunting trails, because the white men had blocked them with fences; they were driven from their lands by violent Europeans who threatened to shoot them if they ever came back again; and the white men treated them unfairly, with a harsh and strict set of laws. The Aboriginal people expected to be treated with the same form of justice under the white man's law, especially when they were mistreated legitimately. But they never got it. The white men merely ignored their pleas for help and sent them back home, usually with a sack of food for reparations.
2. The "civilization" of Australia was in fact parallel to that of the Native Americans here in the US. The Native American peoples were driven out of their homes and off their lands, much like the Aborigines. Their harsh eviction, known as the "Trail of Tears", mirrors the deportation of the natives in Australia. Each ethnicity was treated as a "lesser people", and were rebuked for honoring their timeless traditions. They were often used as slaves or laborers, and worked for little to no pay, often receiving tiny portions of food as payment. Neither group was treated fairly next to the white man, and often were judged unfairly for petty crimes under the white man's strict law. The white man in both situations swooped in and took over all the good areas of the land, leaving the infertile, barren land for the natives to survive off of. The natives of the land were cruelly and unjustly treated like dirt.
3. The actions of the government were in no way morally justified in relocating children of mixed descent. Their excuse that children of mixed descent were "more intelligent than their darker relatives" wasn't a proven theory. Also, it was racist toward the Aboriginal peoples, saying that the whiter they were, the smarter they were. The government had no right to take the children away from their families, especially because they were only taking the children to "better educate them and train them to be domestic servants and laborers". They used the Aboriginals as slaves, regardless of their parentage. Furthermore, when white men criticized the mothers of these mixed-race children for being "promiscuous", they were being hypocritical, because the white men were the ones who had forced themselves upon these women and had their ways with them. the government acted wrongly when it allowed children of mixed-race descent to be taken from their families.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Blog 9 -- Invasive Species
Also known as the Giant Neotropical Toad or the Marine Toad, this amphibian was originally native to Central and South America. However, in June of 1935, Cane Toads were brought over to Australia from Hawaii in an attempt to curb the growth of the native cane beetle. They bred immediately in captivity, and by August 1935 more than 102 young toads were released into areas around Cairns, Gordonvale, and Innisfail in northern Queensland. More toads were released Ingham, Ayr, Mackay, and Bundaberg. Since their release, the toads have rapidly multiplied and now number over 200 million in population. They also have been known to spread diseases affecting local biodiversity. The toads have spread their range through Queensland, reaching the border with New South Wales in 1978n and the Northern Territory in 1984. The long-term effects of toads on the Australian environment are difficult to determine. Precipitous declines in populations of the Northern Quoll have been observed after toads have invaded an area. There are a number of reports of declines in goanna and snake populations after the arrival of toads. For example, local populations of Varanus panoptes dropped by up to 90% when their habitat was invaded by cane toads. The preliminary risk assessment of cane toads in Kakadu National Park stated that the predation of the cane toad by native wildlife is the greatest risk to biodiversity. Other factors, such as competition with native wildlife for resources, and the predation of the cane toad on native wildlife, were considered much lower risk factors but requiring further study. Attempts have been made to make use of dead cane toads, which can number in the thousands and cause hygiene problems. This includes processing the carcasses into liquid fertilizers. Their skin can be made into leather, and novelty cane-toad purses made of the fore-body and abdomen are sometimes seen. Cane toads have also been known to be a significant source of food for humans in their native environment; cane toads are cooked by skinning them and removing the internal organs (including the poisonous glands), then roasting them. It has been said they are like chicken except with a drier taste. In Australian states where the cane toad is common, some 'sports' have developed, such as cane toad golf and cane toad cricket, where cane toads are used as balls. In April 2005, Dave Tollner, a Northern Territory Member of Parliament, called for legalisation of attacks on cane toads. This was criticized by many animal and conservation groups who claim freezing is a more humane way to kill cane toads than hitting them with cricket bats.
An invasive species that is affecting North America is the English ivy, or Hedera helix. Native to most of Europe and western Asia, it is labeled as an invasive species in many parts of North America, and its sale or import is banned in the state of Oregon. Like other invasive vines such as kudzu, H. helix can grow to choke out other plants and create "ivy deserts" in the United States. State and county sponsored efforts are encouraging the destruction of ivy in forests of the Pacific Northwest and the Southern United States. Its sale or import is banned in Oregon. Ivy can easily escape from cultivated gardens and invade nearby parks, forests and other natural areas. Ivy can climb into the canopy of trees in such density that the trees fall over from the weight, a problem which does not normally occur in its native range. In its mature form, dense ivy can destroy habitat for native wildlife and creates large sections of solid ivy where no other plants can develop. Many gardeners have found that the best solution for getting rid of English ivy is to cut the vines off the tree/wall/building, uproot it, and spread a layer of mulch over the ground for about two years so that the seeds cannot reestablish themselves in the ground. However, English ivy is very difficult to get rid of.
Blog 8 -- Exploring Oceans
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbNeln3vVKM
1. The Great Barrier Reef is considered the largest living structure on Earth.
It's known for it's incredible size and amazing biodiversity. Home to hundreds of species of coral, which in turn are home to thousands of species of fish, the Great Barrier Reef is simply amazing!
2. What compound does coral extract from the ocean to make solid tentacles?
To make solid tentacles, coral extracts the compound calcium carbonate. Tentacles aid in feeding habits and protection.
3. How does red algae impact the structure of coral?
Red algae acts like pink glue, cementing bits of sand, shells, and coral together with calcium carbonate, and forming them into coral reefs, building coral on top of coral.
4. What year did the Great barrier Reef become a national park?
The Great Barrier Reef became a national park in the year 1975. However, even though it is preserved, that doesn't mean it is protected from all dangers. Many problems, including climate change and fishing, are still hurting the reef and are hazardous to its inhabitants.
5. What percentage of the reef is protected from fishing?
Only about 33% of the entire Great Barrier Reef is protected from fishing.
6. How old do scientists believe the CURRENT reef is? The ANCIENT reef?
Studies have shown that there are two reefs in the Great Barrier Reef, one on top of the other. Scientists believe the current reef is about 20,000 years old, but the ancient coral is half a million years old!
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most intricate, bio-diverse, and beautiful ecosystems on our planet. However, it is also very old and very fragile. If we want it to be around to show our grandchildren, we have to keep it as healthy and protected as possible.
Blog 7 -- The Great Barrier Reef
Video #1: What is coral bleaching?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW8nCALx5iA&feature=related
1. What is a polyp? What does a polyp need to be considered coral?
A coral larva is a tiny animal that floats out in the ocean water for up to thirty days until it has settled on the ocean floor. Once it settles, it becomes a polyp, which looks like an upside-down jellyfish. Tiny algae called zooxanthellae move into the polyp and multiply, giving the polyp its food and its astonishing color. After a while, the polyp grows and multiplies, creating more and more polyp colonies, which we recognize as coral.
2. What types of things are coral sensitive to in the ocean?
Coral are very delicate creatures and are sensitive to changes in the water. If there is a temperature change of even a few degrees, the coral can become agitated and coral bleaching occurs.
3. When does coral bleaching occur?
Coral bleaching occurs when the temperature of the ocean remains above its normal temperature for too long. The coral senses the temperature change in the water and becomes agitated. The zooxanthellae leave to find another coral, and the coral loses its main source of food and coloration turning it into a pale, ghostly color. Eventually, without food, the coral will die. However, if the temperature of the water returns to its previous state soon enough, the coral will recover.
4. Why do scientists believe coral bleaching is occurring more now than ever?
Scientists think that coral bleaching is occurring more now than ever because of climate change.
5. List three ways people can reduce their impact to climate change.
Many things affect climate change. People can reduce their impact to climate change by saving energy by turning off unused lights and appliances, avoiding unnecessary car journeys, and reusing and recycling products whenever possible.
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Video #2: Why should we care about climate change/destruction of our reefs?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcoyj2VPCOM
1. How many species of fish, hard coral, soft coral, sea birds, and shore birds are there in the Great Barrier Reef?
The Reef is home to 1500 species of fish, 360 species of hard coral, one-third of the world’s soft corals, 22 species of sea birds, and 32 species of shore birds.
2. What is responsible for warming our oceans?
Climate change is responsible for warming our oceans. Warmer oceans cause coral to become bleached and die.
3. How does increased flooding affect the reefs and the birds and fish that live there?
Increased flooding pollutes the reef and forces fish to move to cooler offshore waters, which means less food for sea birds.
4. List three additional ways that people can reduce climate change.
Three other ways people can reduce climate change are buying environmentally sustainable products, opening windows instead of using air conditioners, and drying clothes on the line.
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Videos #3/#4: Educating children about the effects of climate change
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnqJMlnH5yM&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aEdoizgeNJk&feature=related
1. List two benefits and two drawbacks to using this kind of media to teach this information.
Both of these videos are very good at grabbing people's attention with their bright colors and simple cartoons. The simple pictures easily catch kids' eyes. Also, the information is not too scientific. The dialogue and narrations aren't filled with intellectual jargon, but are filled with small, easily identifiable words that make the videos easy to understand. On the other hand, the videos should not only focus on little kids as their intended audiences, but also other people, such as teenagers and old people. Furthermore, in the first video, the main character, Hermie the hermit crab, doesn't spend a lot of time on the main reason for his problem. Instead, the whole video is devoted to teaching children about crab homelessness.
2. Videos that I feel would be more informational:
Adults from Australia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbN161yBBGA
This video is not only informational, but it also specifies the problems the Great Barrier Reef is going through. Furthermore, the video stresses the importance of the Great Barrier Reef at home in Australia as well as all over the world.
Foreigners not from Australia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liG_ZV289VM
This video not only specifies what problems are occurring in the Great Barrier Reef, but also what we can do to help.It shows actual coral reefs before and after bleaching, and also interviews scientists and people trying to help. For foreigners not from Australia, it can open their eyes to the issues worldwide.
Tourists visiting the Great Barrier Reef: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inGov_ipVKk&feature=player_embedded#at=16
This video provides attention-grabbing pictures and information. Although it may stretch the truth a bit at some parts, the propaganda will make the tourists want to help however they can.
Blog 6 -- A Stolen Generation
When the British began colonizing Australia, they took whatever land, food, and resources they wanted from the Aborigines. Without caring what the natives had to say, they made the Aborigines move off their lands and migrate to somewhere else on the continent. They drafted the natives into slavery, and forced them to be labor workers for the European farms. They enacted a harsh set of rules over the Aborigines and paid no attention to the natives when they pleaded for justice. Also, when the white men began impregnating the native women, who then gave birth to mixed-race children, our government took the children away from their families. Many of these mixed-race children were what become known as the Stolen Generation. Under a government policy that ran from 1910 to 1971, as many as one in ten aboriginal children was removed from their families in an attempt to “civilize” them and make them function in a white society. The children were expected to grow up in a white family and become a part of the society as “white” children. These children were ripped away from the only home and family they’d ever known, and were folded into a family of perfect strangers who are as different from them as possible. Many children were physically or sexually abused or exploited in the labor market, and many of these children’s lives led to alcoholism, drugs, violence, and abusive behavior. This didn't make them feel any better about the situation they were in, but what could we do? These days, the Aboriginal people celebrate Journey of Healing Day, which honors this event. They didn't want just an apology; they wanted to be their own people and have freedom. This event was important to Australian history; however, it should be as important to everyone in the world as the Holocaust, or World War One. Make it important to you.
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