My Human Capital

What I learned about Environmental Journalism

1) Science articles are difficult to write due to the high concentration of complicated concepts.  When writing on scientific topic, one must really tailor the story to their audience, to write as if they are explaining the story to their neighbor.  If the story contains too much jargon, it will lose the majority of readers after the first paragraph.

2) Prior to this class, I did not know the concept of an embargo.  I now know that it is a request by a source for the information they provided to not be published until a certain time.

3) In articles presenting new technological advances, the result it produces can be as important as the technology itself.  Even failure is news too.  It can produce new ideas for study.

4) When dealing with journalists, scientists are very cautious.  They fear being misrepresented or misunderstood.  I know even as an accountant, if I tried to explain something accounting related to a journalist, I would be very afraid that my point would not be understood.

5) One of the biggest mistakes one can make in environmental journalism is exaggerating the importance of a finding.  All of the figures and facts may be correct, but there should also be constants used for comparison to give perspective on the importance of the issue.

What I learned about the Amazon

1) The main pressures causing deforestation are logging, mining, and cattle ranching.  The only way to solve the problem is to provide alternative means of living to the citizens.  They must have a way to live that does not include deforestation, whether it is green deforestation or not.

2) When trees dies in the rainforest, the mercury in the trees is absorbed into the forest naturally.  When trees are cut down in large concentrations, as in deforestation, the mercury cannot be absorbed naturally and runs off into the river.  There it goes up the food chain from the algae to the fish.  This creates high levels of mercury in the fish in the Amazon river, due to bioconcentration.  

3) Although there are laws regulating the deforestation of the Amazon, they are seldom enforced.  Even when they are enforced, the benefit of deforesting the Amazon greatly outweighs the consequences.

4) The natives who live in the rainforest hunt all sorts of animals for food, such as anacondas, jaguars, and alligators.   When they have eaten all the meat, they trade the skin, teeth and bones to people on the edges of the forest, who make arts and crafts with the materials to sell in the city.  No part of the animal goes to waste. 

5) The Amazon is both an estuary and a delta.  It flows out into the Atlantic ocean, making it a delta, and it is large enough to have tides, making it an estuary.

The Finale

It is finally here! The last day in Brazil.  Our activities for the day were jam-packed.  It began with a trip to a restaurant/park.  It had only been open for 3 weeks, but was already awesome.  It had trails for hiking through, a little lake to canoe in, and a delicious restaurant.  Most of us were unprepared for this type of place because we had not been to a place like this the whole trip.  I was wearing a sweater and flip-flops.  Dan, Sarah, Raul, and I were the adventurous ones to first attempt the trails.  We went on a short one that led to a lake, then we headed back.  There were bugs all over the floor of the forest that crawled onto our feet and bit them.  Most were really little, but I had 2 that were huge.  One of them bit my big toe, but nothing happened to it, so I guess I'm okay.  Then Dan, Sarah, and I took the longer trail.  It went uphill most of the time.  It actually went pretty far into the forest.  After a while, we were wondering if the trail made a circle around the lake or if we would have to walk back the whole way we had already walked.  Just when we were about to give up and turn around, we saw the restaurant through a clearing.  We made it through!  I only wish I was wearing shoes because I would have walked the trail again.  Then Karla, Kendra, Dan, and I went coneing in the lake.  I had never been canoeing before this, so I didn't really know how to navigate it.  Dan was in the back steering, but it wasn't going very well.  I was in the front of the boat, but since the boat wasn't going in the direction we wanted it to, I jumped onto the very front point of the boat and steered from the front as well.  We definitely had the best steered canoe.

The most beautiful sights I saw on the whole trip was the sunset witnessed over the Amazon River.  It almost looked fabricated because it was so breathtaking.  I'm really glad we got to go on the boat again and watch the dancing  They were such good dancers.  After the boat ride, we went out to dinner.  Dan and I once again went all out with our meal.  We split the shrimp in champagne sauce with wild rice and caviar.  It was delicious, and I am not even a fan of shrimp.

This trip to Brazil was the best decision I have ever made.  It was the best two weeks of my life, and I definitely will be returning to Brazil someday.  The culture is just so welcoming.  Many of the people we met on the trip even invited us back and said we could stay with them.  I made some friends that I know I'll have for a long time.  Even though we all have our own paths, I'll keep in touch with everyone.  So thank you to Professor Reis and CSULB for the opportunity to participate in this study abroad program.

Beach Day!!!

Finally, the beach day we were promised!  It was nothing short of amazing.  I have probably used that word a thousand times to describe this trip, but it is the closest description I can give.  The car ride was long, but once we got there, it was worth it.  I laid out on my towel for a while, until it got hot.  Then I charged into the ocean.  The braver students ventured into the river with me.  We were only out there for a little while when we left for the second beach.  There we ate lunch and spent more time on the beach.  It was much nicer than the first beach.  It was more secluded.  Kendra, Dan, and I spent a lot of time in the water.  Dan went out in the water to the last point he could touch.  Then I swam out there.  I'm not the best swimmer, so it was pretty scary, but I love to live on the edge.  I'm trying to explore everything I can while I am here in Brazil.  

At night, we went out to Favela with Raul and Renalto.  It was a ton of fun.  Granted, I drank a few too many hi-fi's, but I enjoyed myself.  The band that was playing sang english songs, but when Joanne approached them, they did not speak any english.  I thought that was odd.  Anyway, Renalto was so nice.  He gave us a ride back to the hotel.  It was an early night for Brazil.  I don't really even remember walking up to my room, but I was told that I was in bed by 1a.m.  

Trying not to get Pneumonia!

Today was a total hump day in my week.  It was just one of those days that you just get through.  Everyone is tired from the activities we have been cramming into our days.  This morning we had a Journalism student interview our group.  He just asked about our stay in Belem and how we feel about it.  I am continuously impressed by the adeptness of the Brazilians in speaking the english language.  I mean, for the ones who do speak english.  

We went to the mall to have lunch, again.  Kendra, Dan, and I ate Subway, and I have to say it was not as good as the first time I ate it.  Dan and Kendra both said it was disgusting.  I didn't think it was that bad, but it definitely was not satisfying.  We had a looong time to spend in the mall that day, so we shopped around for a while.  Kendra and I picked out dresses for the club we are going to Friday, Vegas.  This whole trip we have been the two girls wearing jeans and sneakers while every other girl glammed themselves up, so we decided it is our turn to shine.  Not that I don't love wearing my jeans and sneakers, it will just be nice to dress up for once.  I definately would not have loved to dress up every day.

After lunch, we heard from a speaker named Peter Mann de Toledo from IDESP.  I can honestly say I did not understand 75% of his speech.  He spoke in circles, with no direction.  Even when people asked him to clarify what he was trying to say, it made no sense.  What made it almost unbearable was the fact that the air conditioner was blowing on Laura and me the entire time!  I was even using my backpack as a shield from the cold.  I really thought I was going to catch pneumonia or something.  Towards the end of the lecture I got up to use the restroom just to get away from the cold air, but in my anxiousness to get out of there I tripped on Laura's bag and fell right in the middle of the aisle, in front of everyone!  It was funny at first, but my ankle really did hurt.  Somehow, in the jumble of things, I twisted it.  It was more funny than it was painful, so I have no regrets about it.  

Raul suggested a great Italian restaurant for us to try.  It was pretty fancy, but c

omfortable at the same time.  They had buttons on the table you can press when you need a waiter, so you do not have to hail them down every time.  That was such a nice change from the places we have been eating at.  I just hope that I do not carry that habit back to the states with me, or I will get spit in my food.  Dan and I shared the most expensive dish on the menu, the Lamb Carre.  It was a rack of lamb and asparagus risotto.  After I saw it on the menu, I knew I would regret it if I didn't order it.  A little bit of gluttony on vacation...

2's day

Today began earlier than usual.  We headed over to the Museo de Emilio Goeldi for a guest speaker.  Unfortunately, the speaker we were supposed to hear was sick, so Claudia Lopez, an anthropologist at the museum, filled in.  She was fluent in spanish and portuguese, so she spoke in Spanish since half of our group could understand.  I didn't even know that she was speaking in spanish.  I just thought she was speaking portuguese the whole time.  We also heard Laura's presentation on reporting on nature.  She did a really great job.

On Monday night, when we met Lyoto Machida's sponsor and the owner of Mona Vie, Eony, he gave us a ride home since it was raining.  During the car ride he asked us what sights we had seen since we came to Belem and pointed out thing we saw during the ride that would be cool to check out.  One of those things was an old prison.  The prison was no longer used to house 

inmates, but was a gem museum and jewelry manufacturing place.  He said when they were converting the building, they had to put a large crystal in the prison to clear it of the dark vibes.  Apparently it worked because when we went there today, it was a place of peace.  I work with gemstones, not in setting, but in wire-wrapping and beading.  It was a great treat to see the precious stones.  I bought 2 stones; one for myself, a rectangular cut emerald and one for my grandpa to work with.

The restaurant we went to tonight was called the Roxy and yes it was modeled after the Roxy.  The theme was hollywood.  Everyone from Michael Jackson to Hillary Duff was seen on the music video screen.  The dishes were all named after famous people.  There was Catherine zeta Jones, Julia Roberts, and the most shocking of all, Sadam Hussein!  Even the napkin holders had Sadam's face on them.  Janice and I couldn't help ourselves, we had to get the Sadam

 Hussein.  When else would we get the opportunity to order that dish?  It was actually the best meal I have had in Brazil so far!  Who would have thought?  I really liked that their culture allows that type of humor.  If someone had tried that in the US, there would be some sort of lawsuit coming from all angles.

News Story 2

 Yellow Fever has returned in Brazil.  The outbreak began last year, in which, 59 cases of the dangerous disease was reported.  This year there have been 3 reported cases.  Opposed to popular assumption, few of the cases of yellow Fever in Brazil were found in the Amazon region.  Most were centered around Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.  The viral disease is spread through mosquitoes and therefore is more perilous in towns that have high populations of people and mosquitoes.

 “Yellow Fever was conquered even before there was a vaccine for it,” said Elisabeth Santos, the director of the Instituto Evandro Chagas.  In 1937, Max Theiler formulated a exceedingly effective vaccine that would protect individuals against Yellow Fever for ten years.  Brazil had not had a Yellow Fever outbreak in decades.  Because the disease had been rid from the country for so long, many people overlooked the significance of the Yellow fever vaccination resulting in numerous cases of the viral disease.

 The disease has always and will always reside in the Amazon rainforest.  There is no absolute cure for Yellow Fever.  The treatment is based on symptoms and only supports you until the disease has passed.  If the population gets vaccinated, they will be fine.  There really is no reason not to get vaccinated.  The country of Brazil makes the shots available free of charge and there is no shortage of the vaccine.  

 When asked why travelers are not required to get the Yellow Fever vaccination before they enter Brazil, Santos replied, “I don’t know!”  Currently, it is only being a recommended vaccination for travelers.  The disease is so potent and vicious, it seems a fool’s errand to visit a country experiencing an outbreak of it without the vaccination. 

News Story 1

The trees of the Amazon are on the breach of extinction. Mata Alântica was a region of tropical moist forest lining the Atlantic coast of Brazil. It’s lush green foliage that once flourished and produced abundant resources for the natives, is currently diminished as a consequence of urbanization. According to veterinarian, Messias Costa, nearly 5 percent of Mata Atlântica still remains.

The Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi is the first botanical park and aquarium in Brazil, which was founded in 1895. Joice Santos, communications co-coordinator, described the park as a “living classroom”. Here one can observe endangered trees of the rainforest. Some species include the Guajará, Tucum and Bambu-amarelo. “Trees offer many resources for people and animals,” said Costa.

Trees are very important to the Amazon. They provide shade, food, roofing, oxygen and housing for animals. The first tree we encountered was the Samaumeira, which is one of the tallest trees in the Amazon. Reaching up to 50 meters in height, the Samaumeira prevents the sunlight from reaching the floor of the rainforest.

The most important and popular palm tree in the Amazon is the Açai tree. The flavorful berries produced by the tree are enjoyed around the world. Açai also contains antioxidants and is a vital factor in the Amazon because it makes up a significant portion of the Brazilian diet. In Belém, you can find Açai used in juice, ice cream and salads.

Next we came upon the Mogno, one of the most endangered trees in the rainforest. Generally known as mahogany, Mongo is used for flooring and furnishings and is the most expensive wood you can buy. Mahogany is also used for making boats and musical instruments, for example, Ringo Starr from The Beatles played a mahogany guitar.

Our favorite tree is Paxiúba. This tree is called “the tree that walks” because over time it grows sideways across the rainforest floor. This is because it’s roots are very shallow and have difficulty obtaining nutrients from the soil. This palm is one of the most common trees in the rainforest as an outcome of being able to thrive in damp tropical areas. In addition, the palm is valued by birds and is used to make jewelry.

The Tucum palm tree produces fruits that are used for bio-diesel production. It grows to be 60 feet tall and is native to Brazil. The Tucum produces an orange-yellow fruit that contains vitamin A, which helps to prevent eye disease and is three times the amount you would absorb from a carrot. The seeds it produces are very dense and are used to make bio-jewelry and other artwork such as carvings. It is also used for fishing nets, sailing ropes, hammocks and baskets. The wood is resistant to salt water, mold and mildew.

Bambu-amarelo is the most widely known type a tree that grows in the Amazon. It has a growth rate up to 60 centimeters a day, making it the fastest growing wood plant. Bambu-amarelo has multiple uses. It is used for culinary purposes, medicine, construction and art. Not only is it important to Brazilian culture, but it is significant in other cultures as well, for example, the Chinese culture.

Pau-Rosa is another palm tree that grows in the Amazon and is Portuguese for rosewood. This palm is not durable, however, it is used to make Chanel Number 5 perfume and rosewood oil. It is resistant to insect and fungal attacks. Because it is widely used to manufacture various products, it has become an endangered palm of the rainforest.

Finally, we learned about the Jarina, which is a small palm with a thick trunk. It is known as “vegetable ivory” because it is harder than wood and carves just like ivory. Before World War II, Jarina was used to make buttons and handles for walking canes. In addition, it was mistaken for authentic elephant ivory. It also emits a strong-scented perfume. The Jarina has a slow growth rate, taking up to 3-4 years to germinate and survives to be over 100 years old. Because the wood is so durable, it is used for building and construction. It is also used for food, ornaments, manufacturing pieces of knee support, piano keys, small statues, souvenirs and jewelry.

All things considered, we feel it is important to protect the endangered trees of the rainforest. They are utilized in numerous innovative ways and are crucial ingredient in Amazonian culture. Although the palms sow their own seeds, it is important that we preserve the rainforest in order to avoid arboreal extinction.