Penguin Lessons

In Butterfly Lessons a main claim that is made is that climate change does effect species in a matter of ways. Sometime genetically, other times in behavior, and the most unlucky species may become extinct.

"When an animal changes its routine by, say, laying its eggs earlier or going into hibernation later, there are a number of possible explanations. One is that the change reflects an innate flexibility; as conditions vary, the animal is able to adjust its behavior in response. Biologists call such flexibility "phenotypic plasticity," and it is key to the survival of most species. Another possibility is that the shift represents something deeper and more permanent-an actual rearrangement of the organism's genetic structure."

Butterfly Lessons discusses how species are impacted by climate change. My project is about how species, both flora and fauna, are impacted by invasive nonnative species, including humans. Humans are a main contribution the the warming of the environment; as well as, the invasive species in the Galapagos. Humans are working to eradicate the invasive species of the Galapagos; however, reversing the global warming damage will not be as easy. Some of the species in the Galapagos are facing treats from global warming, including the penguins. The Galapagos Islands have not faced many cases of extinction, but if the invasive species are not continually eradicated than their chances for survival lessen. 

Butterfly Lessons

Butterfly Lessons by Elizabeth Kolber discusses the issues with global warming and how it effects organisms and their habitats. It is obvious that their habitats are getting smaller as more parking lots are created, trees are cut down, and factories are built. However, these organisms habitats are also being forced to change as areas get warmer. Birds in Costa Rica that normally stay in the lowlands, are beginning to nest in the foothills and butterflies in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California are being found at elevations 300 feet higher than 100 years ago. Climate change does happen naturally, but recently CO2 levels have risen, causing the change to speed up perhaps. Another part of climates change that must be remembered is not only temperature, but also moisture changes. This is another aspect that the organisms must adjust to. Over time some of them have enough time to change genetically; nevertheless, other are not so lucky. The golden toads of Coast Rica for example endured one warm and dry spring and the ponds that the tadpoles rely on to mature in dried up. A golden toad has not been seen since that spring. We need to remember that humans are just another organism and if we continue to take our habitat for granted then the damage will be irreversible.

Happy Habitating!
Madison Broadway

Just Imagine

I live in Indonesia. I come from a village family. We always grew our own food and made our own clothing. Fathers chose the husbands for their daughters, and children never spoke out against their elders. Many times there is never enough food for everyone. I grew tired of this, I believed I could have a better future. I do not want to have as many children as possible, not knowing if I will be able to support them. I left my village at 14, striving for independence. I know longer speak to my family, but when I am successful I will visit and show other young women what they can become. Every morning I wake up at 4 am and walk to hours to the sweatshop. I sew swooshes on tennis shoes of every color imaginable. I always dream of having my own pair, but they are not in my budget yet. The bosses harass me verbally, physically, and mentally if I mess up and say I am costing them money. I do my best because I do not want  to lose my job. Recently there have been protests in front of the factory. White people wearing the rainbow shoes with swooshes on them holding signs that push for better working conditions and less abuse. My girlfriends say this has happened at some factories that they worked at and got them shut down. I would hate for my factory to get shut down. It was so hard to get the job to begin with. I walked everyday for months always trying to be first in line so that when somebody was fired I would be more and more likely to get the job. When I got the job, it was the happiest day of my life. I knew this was the beginning of a successful future for me and my family. All these people protesting believe sweatshop labor is bad because it abuses their workers, but the abuse is not as bad as what the village like was like; we choose to work here and do not expect to get five star treatment from the companies. My name is Maya and I am a sweatshop worker at Nike.

This is what I believe sweatshop workers think of the importance of their jobs.
This is made up from studies I have read about.

Happy imagining!
Madison Broadway

Who am I to Judge?

Are you in denial about whether or not it is okay to buy clothes knowingly made in a sweatshop? Have you read my blog posts about why sweatshop labor is not as bad as it seems and still believe it is ethically wrong? It probably is, but it's not your fault. So get over it. Sweatshop workers love their job. They go everyday to their job happy, happier than any American worker. They have more appreciation for their jobs than any person reading this ever has. If they did not have sweatshops they would not have a reason to wake up at 4 a.m. in the morning. There are numerous people selling scraps they find at a garbage dump in developing countries for a dollar a day that dream that their children will work in a sweatshop. These people are in denial as well. If they can barely take care of themselves then why are they going out and having children. Why would you ever want to put your child in a situation as bad as their own. Maybe I am in denial as well. They want to have their own kids to love and cherish. I just cannot see how they can do that, knowing they will not be able to provide for them. Are you in denial about buying clothes from thrift stores or Goodwill? You just cannot open up and take a chance. Is it gross to wear clothes that someone else has already worn? 60% of the clothes I buy at thrift shops have never been worn. The rest are good finds with expensive labels. Anybody that could afford those clothes new probably showers regularly, so it's no biggie. It is like borrowing my rich friends' clothes. Kissing someone on a first date is worst than wearing clothes from a thrift shop. Do you know when they last brushed their teeth?

Happy Denying!
Madison Broadway

Rekindle with Reknit

Today's blog is about a really neat service I first heard about on Rachel Zoe's daily fashion newsletter. It is an entire new take on renewing clothes. To give you a gist of how it works: you have an old sweater you love because of sentimental value or color but would never actually wear it as a sweater; then you send that sweater to the company Reknit; and within a week you have a scarf or hat or both made from the old sweater.  No machines, no new fabric, but a an entire new item to add to your closet that will last a lifetime or two!

Happy Knitting!
Madison Broadway