Blog Topic #3

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT


This map represents the countries with the largest ecological footprint. The ecological footprint is a measure of the area needed to support a population’s lifestyle. This includes the consumption of food, fuel, wood, and fibers. Pollution, such as carbon dioxide emissions, is also counted as part of the footprint. According to the cartogram, the United States, China, and India have the largest ecological footprints. Population must be taken into account. China and India lack resources and are below the world average for resource use. Their large populations are what cause both counties to have such large footprints. As for the United States, the per person footprint is five times the world average and is almost ten times what would be sustainable. Europe and Japan also have large ecological footprints and less developed countries appear to have relatively small footprints.

SPECIES EXTINCT


This cartogram shows the different locations where over 700 species that are extinct once existed. Included are mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and plants. The United States is the leader in recently recorded animals that have gone extinct. The U.S. is followed by the United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda and Mauritius. These places are far more exotic than the United States. Current extinction is occurring due to the widespread loss of habitats because of human activity. Natural habitats that remain have been degraded and are small and fragmented.

Blog Topic #2

Many images of the world display North America as the main focus and all the other continents and countries are around it. I often think of North America as being the "center of the world", so to speak, because this is the image I am most used to seeing. This particular view of the earth shows Central America as the main focus. I liked this image because it puts Latin America at the center of attention. I also like how North and South America are tilted. It looks like the earth is a little off balance. Also, the other continents aren't visible and there is mostly just ocean. It looks like the Americas are the only continents that exist.



This image of Latin America is also unique. South America is the center of attention in this view of the world and it is also tilted on its side so that it is virtually the only continent in sight. I don't think I realize sometimes exactly how large South America is. I think that people should take the time to look at the earth from different perspectives. It can change how you view the world and the place you come from.